Friday, August 26, 2022

Toys in the Attic (1963) ***

Well made southern gothic tragedy, this time NOT by Tennessee. Ms. Hiller is superb and Dino acquits himself well.

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Journey Into Fear (1975) *

Inept direction sinks a stellar cast.

Friday, August 19, 2022

Radio Days (1987) ***

Woody strolls down memory lane with funny dramatizations of his family life growing up in Rockaway.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) **

Sturdy version of the famous whodunnit with an energetic Basil Rathbone as Holmes.

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Shock (1946) **

The most shocking thing about the picture is what passed for state of the art psychiatric care in 1946. Nevertheless, as usual, Vinnie keeps it interesting.

Thank You, Jeeves! (1936) *

The only link to Wodehouse are the character names "Jeeves" and "Wooster".

Friday, August 12, 2022

Arabesque (1966) **

Sophia in her prime can make any movie watchable, but this one gets tiresome halfway through, wasting a game Greg Peck.

Thursday, August 11, 2022

The Missionary (1982) ***

Funny satire of Victorian manners and mores with a terrific cast of British character actors. Trev Howard is a hoot.

The Dressmaker (2015) **

It tries too hard to be quirky without finding the humanity underneath it all. Fine Aussie cast, well photographed.

Sunday, August 07, 2022

84 Charing Cross Road (1987) **

Fine cast giving fine performaces let down by ham fisted direction that cops out at the end.

Ten Little Indians (1989) *

Ill conceived and ill executed.

Saturday, August 06, 2022

There's a Girl in My Soup (1970) **

Swingin' 60's style romcom (an obvious inspiration for Austin Powers) shows a lot of hair (Sellers') and some skin (Hawn's). Nice to look at and a few choice moments.

Friday, August 05, 2022

Paris Blues (1961) **

Appealing leads and Parisian locales enliven a fairly standard romantic melodrama.

7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964) **

Squanders a fine Tony Randall and a luscious Barbara Eden by going broad for the 10 year old set.

Buffet Froid (1979) ***

Abstract absurdism that is actually an entertaining film thanks to terrific performances and a script that sticks to its premises and is not afraid of humor.