(ph: Edward Steichen)
Bio:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Loos
Saturday 30 June 2018
The Twilight Zone: The Lonely (1959)
A convict, living alone on an asteroid, receives from the police a realistic woman-robot.
Quite original sci-fi episode of the series shocks with a rather cynical, devastating twist ending.
Friday 29 June 2018
The Bodyguard (1992)
A former Secret Service agent takes on the job of bodyguard to a pop singer, whose lifestyle is most unlike a President's.
Pure schlock solely construed as a showcase for its two stars, who are indeed the only ingredient that makes this movie watchable.
Halliwell (no star): "Predictable mix of song, romance and action that found surprising favour at the box-office."
Maltin**1/2: "Overblown dual-star vehicle makes no sense, but has many crowd-pleasing ingredients - as well as moments of high kitsch. Solid debut for Houston..."
Thursday 28 June 2018
Turistas (2006)
A group of young backpackers' vacation turns sour when a bus accident leaves them marooned in a remote Brazilian rural area that holds an ominous secret.
Another unoriginal horror flick with pretty youngsters getting themselves in trouble abroad.
Maltin**: "Low-budget item...Largely exploitative film does have its moments, just not too many of them."
Wednesday 27 June 2018
Mermaids (1990)
An unconventional single mother relocates with her two daughters to a small Massachusetts town in 1963, where a number of events and relationships both challenge and strengthen their familial bonds.
Erratic comedy-drama doesn't really go anywhere, but entertains with a great lively ensemble and some good scenes.
Halliwell (no star): "A romantic comedy uncertain whether it is trying for laughs or tears; it attempts, unsuccessfully, to settle for both."
Maltin***: "Lively mix of comedy and drama...Funny and affecting, with a standout performance by Ryder..."
Saturday 23 June 2018
Adieu poulet (1975)
When political thugs murder an opponent's volunteer and also kill a cop, a chief inspector believes the politician who hired them is as guilty as the murderous goon.
Moody and cantankerous, but entertaining policier, solidly staged, and Lino Ventura is great in one of his typical roles.
Maltin***: "Neat, entertaining police story..."
The Fighter (2010)
Based on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.
Colourful and lively boxing drama is convincing - and entertaining - due to good ensemble performance.
Maltin***: "Flavorful potrait...this film has atmosphere to burn and showy performances - where did they find those women who play Micky's sisters - thought it peters out a bit in the final act."
Thursday 21 June 2018
Into the Blue (2005)
A group of divers find themselves in deep trouble with a drug lord after they come upon the illicit cargo of a sunken airplane.
Shallow thriller with not much more than pretty people in exotic scenery getting into some silly trouble.
Maltin*1/": "Picturesque scenery and plenty of eye-candy don't compensate for a half-baked storyline, routine suspense, and mindless."
Wednesday 20 June 2018
Powder Blue (2009)
Four Los Angelenos, a mortician, an ex-con, a suicidal ex-priest, and a stripper, are brought together on Christmas Eve by a mixture of circumstances.
Ambitious, multi-layered drama has atmosphere and is watchable for some good performances, but otherwise unnerves with its pretensions.
Tuesday 19 June 2018
The Untouchables (1987)
Federal Agent Eliot Ness sets out to stop Al Capone; because of rampant corruption, he assembles a small, hand-picked team.
Streamlined entertainment without any depth; quite enjoyable for ist sheer professionalism in all departments.
Halliwell**: "The long-running TV show is given a new polish in this showy, violent gangster picture, which seemed to please all classes."
Maltin****: "High-energy entertainment that packs a wallop...Fluidly (and flamboyantly) filmed, with powerhouse performances by Connery..., and De Niro, as a grandiose Al Capone. Climactic shoot-out, with echoes of POTEMKIN, will have you on the edge of your seat!"
Monday 18 June 2018
Spooks: The Greater Good (2015)
When a terrorist escapes custody during a routine handover, Will Holloway must team with disgraced MI5 Intelligence Chief Harry Pearce to track him down before an imminent terrorist attack on London.
Atmospheric and suspenseful thriller with a very contrived, complex plot which is hard to follow.
Star Trek: Beyond (2016)
The crew of the USS Enterprise explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a new ruthless enemy, who puts them, and everything the Federation stands for, to the test.
Entertaining and with good production value, this installment to the series is watchable, but is not quite as thrilling as the first two movies.
Saturday 16 June 2018
Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964)
Six people are lured into a small Deep South town for a Centennial celebration where the residents proceed to kill them one by one as revenge for the town's destruction during the Civil War.
Friday 15 June 2018
Room (2015)
A young boy is raised within the confines of a small shed.
Congenial adaptation of Emma Donoghue's novel successfully recreates the painful transition from a closed-in environment to the "outer space" with intelligent direction and an excellent cast.
Regression (2015)
A detective and a psychoanalyst uncover evidence of a satanic cult while investigating the rape of a young woman.
Despite a good cast and the attempt to create some atmosphere this movie disappoints with an absurdly contrived plot and indecisive direction.
Thursday 14 June 2018
Der gute Göring (2016)
A docudrama about Albert Göring, the brother of Hermann Göring, who saved dozens of Jews from death during the Second World War.
A well-intentioned, solidly made docudrama about a lesser known historical episode of Nazi Germany, but with no surprising insights.
The Twilight Zone: Escape Clause (1959)
A hypochondriac man sells his soul to the devil, exchanging it for several thousand years of immortality.
Cleverly told Faustian tale with a sinisterly good twist ending.
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