In weiter Ferne, so nah! (1993)

 

 

 

A group of angels in the German capital look longingly upon the life of humans.

A typical Wenders product, one step down from Der Himmel über Berlin: beautiful cinematography and a few brilliant moments, but the tale is full of pretensions and indigestive sentimentality and the performances are variable (although Otto Sanders is excellent).

Halliwell*: "A bungled and often sentimental sequel to Wings of Desire which suddenly switches into a confused thriller about arms dealing; it does have some superlative moments, but not enough."

 Maltin**1/2: "The perfect Wenders cast (if not the perfect Wenders movie)...Lighter going than its predecessor, but also more lightweight; it's still a borderline ordeal in the beginning and final segments..."

 

 

The Brink's Job (1978)

Crime story based on the real armed robbery of the Brink's Building in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17th, 1950.

From memory: Professionally made, star-cast heist movie is offered with humor, but not much excitement.

Halliwell (no star): "Farcical variation of a much-told true tale. Despite much mugging by the stars and a frantic narrative style, it does not come off."

Maltin***: "Entertaining, comically oriented account...Excellent period and location flavor."

Murder, Smoke and Shadows (1989)

An egocentric wunderkind director murders a childhood friend who threatens to expose his negligent complicity in the death of his sister years earlier.

Above-average Columbo murder mystery offers some behind-the-scenes Hollywood tricks and delightfully presents one for the final conclusion. 

The Princess Bride (1987)

While home sick in bed, a young boy's grandfather reads him a story called The Princess Bride.

Ambitiously tongue-in-cheek, but quite dated fantasy has some nice sequences; however, the humor is rather stale.

Halliwell*: "Rather strained fantasy with occasional bright moments."

Maltin**1/2: "Revisionist fairy tale/adventure...Some wonderful scenes and character vignettes are periodically undermined by a tendency toward comic shtick...and occassional incoherency...Best of all: the swashbuckling sequences."

 

Murder by Death (1976)

 

 

Five famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery. 

 

Likable crime mystery spoof with some occasional good jokes; somehow the motley star cast make it happen. 

Halliwell*: "Sometimes thin but generally likable spoof of a longstanding genre; the stars seize their opportunities avidly, and the film does not outstay its welcome."

Maltin***: "...enjoyable all-star comedy..."

A Woman Under the Influence (1974)

On the set: Peter Falk and John Cassavetes