Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

 

The story of the troubled life and career of the legendary Jazz singer, Billie Holiday.

The big surprise in this conventional biopic is Diana Ross' great empathetic portrayal of Billie Holiday (although one may argue whether her singing style can match up with the jazz legend); otherwise this is a straightforward, but highly simplified and cliche-ridden depiction of the artist's life.

Halliwell*: "Old-fashioned showbiz biopic with new-fashioned drugs, sex and squalor."

Maltin**1/2: "Black version of Hollywood cliche-biography, sparked by superb performance by Ross...Valueless as biography, but OK as soap opera..."

Return of the Jedi (1983)

After a daring mission to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the rebels dispatch to Endor to destroy a more powerful Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke struggles to help Vader back from the dark side without falling into the Emperor's trap.

Entertaining conclusion of the Star Wars trilogy is more of the same (exciting action, some humour, great special effects, simple story).

Halliwell*: "More expensive fantasy for the world's children of all ages, especially the undemanding ones."

Maltin***1/2: "Third installment in the STARS WARS saga is a sheer delight...Some routine performances are compensated for by ingenious new characters and Oscar-winning special effects. More sentimental and episodic than its predecessors, but carried out in the best tradition of Saturday matinee serials, from which it draws its inspiration."

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

After the rebels are brutally overpowered by the Empire on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker begins Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader.

Second installation of the series has all the production quality one expects, but despite all innovative specials effects this remains an old-fashioned sci-fi swashbuckler, still as dated as on the day it was released.

On rewatching:  maybe a bit more entertaining than the first part, since it has more hrills - and humour.

Halliwell***: "More exhilarating interplanetary adventures, as mindless as Star Wars but just as enjoyable for aficionados."

Maltin***: "Smashing sequel to STAR WARS manages to top the original in its embellishment of leading characters' personalities, truly dazzling special effects...and nonstop spirit of adventure and excitement."

Nighthawks (1981)

A conservative street cop reluctantly agrees to terminate an international terrorist who has demanded media attention.

Effective, but simple-minded thriller offering a psychopath terrorist without a cause and a gutsy cop; Keith Emerson wrote the interesting (and dated) score.

Halliwell (no star): "Kojak-style thriller with a rather glum attitude to its subject."

Maltin***: "Exciting story...On target from the first scene to the fade-out, with plenty of hair-raising moments along the way."