The Day After (1983)

 

The effects of a devastating nuclear holocaust on small-town residents of eastern Kansas.

From memory: Intended to shock and warn of nuclear devastation, this TV production does succeed with lots of harrowing moments, although it is also very melodramatic and sentimental.

 

Melvin and Howard (1980)

 

The story of hard-luck Melvin E. Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.

From memory: Likable comedy-drama is endearing in its sympathetic slice-of-the-life depiction of lower-middle-class Americana, made in good humor and with a great cast of performers.

Halliwell***: "Eccentric comedy which has been compared to the work of Preston Sturges, but has an agreeable style of its own"

Maltin***1/2: "Wonderful slice-of-life story...An endearing, bittersweet American fable, with Oscar winner Steenburgen providing most of the comic highlights, including a memorable TV talent contest." 

Hour of the Gun (1967)

 

Marshal Wyatt Earp kills a couple of men of the Clanton gang in a fight. In revenge, Clanton's thugs kill the Marshal's brother. Thus, Wyatt starts to chase the killers together with his friend Doc Holliday. 

Serious, contemplative Western is intelligently staged emphasizing the gravity and ambiguity of its revenge topic;  chemistry between Garner and Robards is remarkable and, together with some beautiful cinematography, adds to the quality of this film.

Halliwell**: "Vividly set, slowly developed Western which makes an ambiguous but forceful figure of Earp. Generally confident and interesting."

Maltin**: "...begins well, becomes increasingly tedious. Robards has a good time as Doc Holliday; flavorful score by Jerry Goldsmith." 

C'era una volta il West (1968)

 

 

A mysterious stranger with a harmonica joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad.

 

A masterpiece Western that elevates the genre onto a level of pure myth; it is immaculately composed like an opera with leitmotifs for each main protagonist, beautifully photographed in John Ford territory and full of memorable scenes, both humorous and vicious - and Henry Fonda's first appearance in the movie is a genuine shock.

Halliwell***: "Immensely long and convoluted epic Western marking its director's collaboration with an American studio and his desire to make serious statements about something or other. Beautifully made and very violent."

 

Maltin***1/2: "Sergio Leone's follow-up to his "Dollars" trilogy is languid, operatic masterpiece...Fonda (brilliantly cast as one of the coldest villains in screen history). Exciting, funny, and reverent, with now-classic score by Ennio Morricone; not to be missed."

 

Hurricane (1979)

The desperate love affair between a young Samoan chief and an American painter, against the will of her father, but amid this man-made tension comes a hurricane so devastating, the lives of the lovers and the entire island are imperiled.

From memory: Pretty bad catastrophe movie with very poor special effetcs and the star cast laid to waste.

Halliwell (no star): "A remake of the 1937 film, lacking the style, the innocence, and even the technical splendor."

Maltin BOMB: "Look what just blew in: a $22 million remake of the 1937 classic that may well put you to sleep!"

A Boy and His Dog (1975)

In a post-apocalyptic world a boy communicates telepathically with his dog as they scavenge for food and sex.

Unusual, at times surreal and crude, but not fully convincing science fiction tale with quite a cynical ending.

Halliwell*: "Quirky science fiction, not to be taken too seriously, and managing a surprise ending."

Maltin**1/2: "Cult black comedy is definitely not a kiddie movie, despite its title."