Dear Murderer - 1947

A fun British film that I found on Instant NF. 3 stars. I love murder mytery movies. I think you would like this one. "When successful business man Lee Warren suspects his wife is having an affair, he sets out find her lover, kill him, and make it look like suicide. Complications set in, when he finds out she has another lover as well, so Lee has to change his plans". What the tagline doesn't tell you is Lee Warren (played by Eric Portman) is a great actor- I love how he delivers his line and his character is so smooth as he pulls off "the perfect murder" or so he thinks.

Sleep, My Love - 1948

Anyone who is married or who ever has been married knows that marriage is a series of ups and downs. For Richard Courtland - marriage is pure boredom. The faster he can get rid of his wife and live out the rest of his years with a younger version of a companion in a bombshell named Daphne- the better for him. Courtland is played by Don Ameche (people our age recognize him in his older years a good actor in Cocoon and Harry and the Hendersens). He is manipulative and will stop at nothing to take over his wife's money- which he will inherit after her death. He married into money and wants it for himself. Courtland schemes with his mistress and a couple of other people and comes up with a plan to torment his wife and eventually figure out a way to kill her without the police finding out. They poison her each night by adding hallucinations to her hot cholcolate. After she is in a deep sleep they make her think she is going crazy- without giving too much away basically they make her think she is going crazy but she really isn't. Robert Cummings plays the part of Bruce Elcott- a man trying to help the innocent Mrs. Courtland- who is played by Claudette Colbert, a famous actress of her day. The police detective is non other than Raymond Burr- funny. A fun movie but nothing spectacular. 2.5 stars.

The Wave

How far is too far when it comes to a good ides? How far is too far when it comes to educating our youth? Some teachers will go to great lengths to enlighten the minds of their students, to help them understand how dangerous, or even marvelous something can be. This film will represent these phenomenons with a high school teacher and his class, when he tries to teach them the dangers of fascism. When I was done watching this movie I could do nothing but just sit and think about what I just witnessed and how simple it was to accomplish. This is a German film with English subtitles, but it well worth the time. It is a very heavy PG-13 or even R, but I enjoyed how it made me stop and think about the power of influence.

the man who never was

My kids and I liked this one. Montgomery Clift was brilliant. The story is great- it is a fun film to watch and it hooks you in, not because of action just because the story is real and you want to know how the Brits pull it off. 3 stars

Sabrina (1954)

The Larrabee family is a family of wealth and pleasure. They have made their fortunes manufacturing goods, but it is the second generation that is running the firm now. The older brother, Linus (Bogart) is the chairman of the company and will look for any opportunity to gain more control and power in any industry. His younger brother, David (Holden) is a playboy and is used as a pawn by Linus to create a new merger in their company with a plastics firm. Growing up on the property, Sabrina (Hepburn) watched David's every move and she was completely infatuated with him. However, she is just a shadow on the wall to them. When she comes of age she travels over to Paris to study in one of the world's best culinary schools. Two years later she returns home as a more sophisticated woman. Sadly, David is now engaged to a new woman (the daughter of the plastic company's owner)and Sabrina is left int he dust. David begins to notice Sabrina and falls in love with her. Not wanting to see the deal fall through Linus begins to build wedges in their relationship, and in doing so he falls in love with Sabrina. I enjoyed watching this film, but was surprised to read afterwords that none of the three main actors could stand each other. Thinking back on the movie it was apparent because some of the chemistry felt forced. Even so, I enjoyed it. 3 1/2 stars.

What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? (1966)

When General Bolt (Carroll O’Connor) asks “by the book” Captain Lionel Cash (Dick Shawn what to do with a little town of Valerno Italy during WWII, Cash tells him to go by the book and capture the town.  With that answer Bolt gives Cash the command of War Weary Company C to lead the attack and take the city.  Begrudgingly, the company takes the task because Lieutenant Christian (James Coburn) is told by Cash that they must.

Upon arrive in the town they find a very willing army and town that wants to surrender, the only problem is that they do not want to surrender until after their towns wine festival that night.  Let the fun begin.  Christian wires back to command that they have run into a little resistance, just to allow for the town to have their party.  Little did he know that command was going to send in Major Pott (Harry Morgan) to oversee the resistance.

This movie turns into a fun cat and mouse chase that involves three countries.  With this movie you will just have to sit back and enjoy.    It is family friendly for older children who can follow the plot line of ‘who is on first’.  I give this show four solid  enjoyment stars (There are no Oscar worthy performances in this one); it is worth it just to see Harry Morgan in such an incredibly funny roll.

The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961)

For the first time in several weeks I get a chance to sit down and watch a movie; unfortunately I selected this one for my viewing pleasure. Here is the story of a group of men in the latter part of WWII who are civilian pilots, that really have no purpose for the war effort. To there excitement and resentment they are shuffled into a corner of the US and left to do pretty much nothing for the duration. This "comedy" fell short for me and left me turning it off half way through the show. Dang!!

The Awful Truth - 1937

Wow I was so excited after reading about this movie, all the Oscar nominations, star studded cast, etc. What a flop as far as I am concerned. 2 stars. Don't waste your time.

One Eyed Jacks - 1961

Marlon Brando directed one movie during his life- and this is it. He was also the star of the show. I tried watching this Western on NF instant once but the quality was poor, so I ended up finding it at the library. The movie lasts 2 hours and 21 min. It's okay but nothing more than 2.5 stars. Marlon Brando and Karl Madden play bank robbers, and Brando spends the bulk of the movie seeking revenge on Madden who basically left Brando for dead and he ends up in a prison for 5 years before breaking out. It was Madden's fault that Brando ended up in the prison- and Brando seeks revenge in a venomous way- even more hatred than is shown in the Count of Monte Cristo. Ben Johnson gives a fantastic performance as does Pina Pellicer. I found out through IMDB that Pina committed suicide at the age of 30 - 5 years after this movie came out. Johnson is a fine actor and even earned an Oscar in 1971, although this was the first movie I had seen him in. I love watching Brando on the screen because he can say 100 words with just a grin. He is the master of camera close ups with no speaking- it really helps you read his character. This movie is for Brando fans and don't expect a great film, just an okay one.

Cover Girl - 1944

If you like musicals and dancing - particularly performed by two of the best to ever attempt both talents -then this buds for you. Stealing from IMDB.....Rusty Parker, a red-headed leggy dancer at Danny McGuire's Night Club in Brooklyn, wants to be a successful Broadway star. She enters a contest to be a 'Cover Girl' as a stepping-stone in her career. She reminds the publisher, John Coudair, of his lost love, showgirl Maribelle Hicks. He was engaged to Maribelle, although his wealthy society mother made fun of her. Maribelle left John at the altar when she saw the piano at her wedding. It reminded her of the piano-player she truly loved. Rusty is Maribelle's granddaughter and there are musical sequences with Maribelle dancing to songs from the beginning of the 20th century. Rusty lands on the cover of her grandmother's former fiancé's magazine (as a bride). She is pursued by Coudair's pal, the wealthy theatrical producer, Noel Wheaton. He produces a lavish musical to star Rusty, surrounded by real cover girls of the mid 1940's... Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly are simply magnificent. This show earned 5 Oscar nominations and took home 1. The color was tremendous for a show in the 40's. I thought by the look of the DVD it would be a trashy show- far from it. Columbia films spared no expense on this one. The costumes and props were incredible. I loved the songs especially the one I am posting here “Long Ago and Far Away”. It is obvious Hayworth is lip singing. The other songs have some great choreography especially the other one I posted “Put me to the Test”. What a great dancer Kelly was. 4.5 stars for me.

Sweet Smell of Success - 1959

A superhero has their power, a villain has their motive, but Burt Lancaster has something that is more desirable than all of the above- the ability to deliver lines like I have never seen before, or will ever see in the future. Roger Ebert included this movie in his book "The Great Movies". Just like Days of Heaven, Ebert was right on the nail. Incredible. It is on my top 100 list. In fact, Burt Lancaster's performance should be in the top 50 characters of all time. Lancaster plays J.J. Hunsaker- a man so in love with himself that his love for others is nothing more than a manipulative controlling friendship which is pulled off so smoothly that even J.J. doesn't realize just how evil he is. His success is dependent on the slease that is underneath him- and their ability to pull off unethical jobs which J.J. gives the green light on. Tony Curtis turns in a great performance as Sidney Falco- a press agent with as much integrity and morals as a jar of peanut butter. His soul is twisted like a pretzel. When J.J. asks him to do something against the law- his response is without hesitation "the cats in the bag and the bag is in the river". J.J. who is more corrupt than a mobster, realizes how slimy Falco really is and says to him "“I’d hate to take a bite out of you. You’re a cookie full of arsenic”. Sidney is in a dog eat dog world and wants to make it to the top- and he will do anything to get there. The movie is much more than one liners- it is the cinematography of a sleasy new york that put the show on the Oscar map. Some of the scenes are just incredible. Susan Harrison plays J.J's. sister. Here is some weird trivia- Susan's daughter in real life is none other than Darva Conger- the bimbo who married the millionaire Rick Rockwell on the TV show "who wants to marry a millionaire" that aired about 12 years ago. Back to the show- this one is one of Ebert's top shows for a reason- it is unique, the dialogue is intriging and the acting is top shelf. Well done. Next up for me is a Cary Grant movie nominated for 5 Oscars - The Awful Truth.