Dune (1984)

 

In the distant future, a man appears who may be the prophet that a long-suffering galaxy has been waiting for.

Visually compelling and with imaginative styling as you'd expect from the director, the plot has been overloaded so that the sci-fi epic seems more summarized than actually adapted.

On re-watching: Still good to look at, but the narrative is simply not convincing nor much coherent either.

Halliwell (no star): "A basically simple space fiction plot is immensely complicated by a welter of characters who are not properly introduced and who indeed are mostly irrelevant. The result, which cost nearly 50 million dollars, is inaudible, invisible (because of dim lighting) and unentertaining: a disaster of the very first order."

Maltin*1/2: "Elephantine adaptation...You know you're in trouble when film's opening narration...is completely incomprehensible! Visually imaginative, well cast, but joyless and oppressive - not to mention long. For devotees of Herbert's novel only." 

 

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy (1982)

 

A wacky inventor and his wife invite two other couples for a weekend party at a romantic summer house in the 1900s countryside.

From memory: Light-hearted and inconsequential, Woody Allen plays around with Bergman's Sommarnattens leende, all very well made, good dialogue and a capable cast, it's enjoyable but without much substance.

Halliwell*: "Subdued, melancholy and rather uninventive Woody Allen variation on Smiles of a Summer Night." 

Maltin***: "SMILES OF A SUMMER'S NIGHT, Woody Allen-style; a quirky, entertaining diversion...Appealing cast...,exquisite Gordon Willis photography."

The Great Man (1956)

Joe Harris, preparing a eulogy for popular radio commentator Herb Fuller, finds that nobody has a good word to say about him.

Ambitious, but flawed satirical drama has some good moments, but misses its point on the way.

Halliwell**: "Patchy melodrama with a Citizen Kane framework; the best bits are very effective."

Maltin***1/2: "Hard-bitten at TV industry; top performances by senior and junior Wynns."

The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover (1977)

The story of the late J. Edgar Hoover, who was head of the FBI from 1924-1972 following him from his racket-busting days through his reign under eight U.S. presidents.

Well-played, but quite cursory run through J. Edgar Hoover's career that doesn't miss out on any of the many scandals, but oddly from an alomust unpolitical point of view.

Halliwell*: "Unreliable expose' with some interesting bits."

Maltin**1/2: "Sleazy bio...makes for great camp with its all-star lineup of real-life politicians - not to mention that cast!"

 

Miss Sadie Thompson (1953)

A self-righteous missionary man seeks to save the soul of a former prostitute.