Jessica Lange

(ph: Antonio Lopez, 1975)

Jessica Lange

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Lange

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)

The sensuous wife of a lunch wagon proprietor and a rootless drifter begin a sordidly steamy affair and conspire to murder her Greek husband.

From memory: Steamy adaptation of Cain's novel is not really better than previous versions, but Lange and Nicholson's performances are excellent as well as Nykvist's cinematography.

Halliwell**: "Not otherwise any better, but an interesting measure of the times."

Maltin*1/2: "Exceedingly unpleasant adaptation...David Mamet's screenplay may be more faithful to Cain than the 1946 version, but who cares? Despite its much touted sex scenes (more violent than erotic), it's dreary and forgettable...Moodily photographed by Sven Nykvist."

All That Jazz (1979)

Director/choreographer Bob Fosse tells his own life story as he details the sordid life of Joe Gideon, a womanizing, drug-using dancer.

From memory: Egocentric smorgasbord offers its share of brilliant moments, but also some pretensions, bad humor and a disagreeable focus on death.

Halliwell***: "Self-indulgent, semi-autobiographical tragi-comic extravaganza complete with heart operations and a recurring angel of death. Flashes of brilliant talent make it a must for Fosse fans."

Maltin**1/2: "Director-choreographerFosse's own 8½ casts a self-indulgent and largely negative look at his life; great show biz moments and wonderful dancing are eventually buried in pretensions, and an interminable finale which leaves a bad taste for the whole film.But that opening number...is a wow!"

Hush (1998)

A young bride becomes the emotional pawn of her controlling mother-in-law.

A standard and fully predictable plot with an unconvincing ending is hardly redeemed by good performances.  

Not really worth the second viewing...

Halliwell (no star): ""Dire, risible domestic melodrama with action and sex asides, from a rock bottom bestseller. It long outstays its welcome even for unintentinal hilarity."

Maltin *1/2: "Viewers could read a novel watching this "thriller" and still not miss anything. Lange appears to believe doing Blanche Dubois all over again."  

The Gambler (2014)

Literature professor and gambler Jim Bennett's debt causes him to borrow money from his mother and a loan shark. Further complicating his situation, is his relationship with one of his students. Will Bennett risk his life for a second chance?

Although this thriller is more conceived as a character study than it's interested in suspense, and it has a good cast and is professionally directed, the gambler himself is a most disagreeable narcissist for whom hardly anyone can root for.

King Kong (1976)

 

 

A petroleum exploration expedition comes to an isolated island and encounters a colossal giant gorilla.

 

Superfluous remake of the beloved classic isn't too bad, but dumbs down the original's charming qualities - basically it's a highly expensive B picture.

 

Halliwell (no star): "Semi-spoof remake with added sexual overtones; though launched on a massive wave of publicity, it lacks both the charm and the technical resources of its predecessor."

 

Maltin*1/2: "Addle-brained remake...has great potential but dispels all the mythic, larger-than-life qualities of the original with idiotic characters and campy approach. highly touted special effects...run hot-and-cold..."

 

 

Tootsie (1982)

An unsuccessful actor, disguises himself as a woman in order to get a role on a trashy hospital soap.

Highly entertaining gender comedy with a great cast (Dustin Hoffman in the title role is spectacular), intelligent direction and an excellent script.

Halliwell****: "As with Genevieve and Whisky Galore, an unlikely comedy subject makes an instant classic. It's all in the handling."

Maltin****: "Smashing comedy...Farcical premise becomes totally credible thanks to razor-sharp script..., fine direction, and superlative performances all around..."

King Kong (1976)