Atlantic City, USA (1980)

 

 

In a corrupt city, a small-time gangster and the estranged wife of a pot dealer find themselves thrown together in an escapade of love, money, drugs and danger. 

 

From memory: grand portrait of a city's changing thought is poetic, subtle and muli-faceted; Burt Lancaster is excellent as the aged gangster. 

 

Halliwell***: "Elegiac character drama which often achieves the mood it seeks but on the whole remainstoo understated for its own good."

 

Maltin****: "Rich character study of a city in transition...European in its ambience and storytelling approach, though its setting is an American resort. Lancaster gives one of his finest performances..."

 

 

The Andromeda Strain (1971)

A group of scientists investigate a deadly new alien virus before it can spread.

Science fiction in the full sense of the word: an instant classic! Its aesthetics, especially the split-screen, may seem a bit dated, but they do fit the topic well.

On renewed viewing: again, it's pure science fiction.

Halliwell**: "Solemn and over-detailed but generally suspenseful thriller, with a sense of allegory about man's inhumanity to man."

Maltin**1/2: "Overlong sci-fi thriller..."

Psychotronic/Michael Weldon: "An excellent big-budget technological thriller...With great special effects by Douglas Trumbull and an exciting climax with James Olson vs. a computerized laser beam. A pretty terrifying look at the future (present?)."

The Andromeda Strain (1971)

A group of scientists investigate a deadly new alien virus before it can spread.

Science fiction in the full sense of the word: an instant classic! Its aesthetics, especially the split-screen, may seem a bit dated, but they do fit the topic well.

On renewed view: still enjoy watching this science fiction classic.

Halliwell**: "Solemn and over-detailed but generally suspenseful thriller, with a sense of allegory about man's inhumanity to man."

Maltin**1/2: "Overlong sci-fi thriller..."