Cattle Annie and Little Britches (1980)

 

In 19th-century Oklahoma, two teen girls who love stories about outlaws, are on a quest to meet and join up with them. They find a shadow of a former gang and although disappointed, still try to help them escape from a vigorous Marshal.

From memory: Obviously intended as a female variation of Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, this Western does have similar charm, humor and vivacity plus a good star cast, but remains not quite as memorable. 

Halliwell (no star): "Rather winsome family Western, with too little real action and too much romping about."

Maltin***: "Very pleasant little Western...Winning cast, including Plummer in film debut."

The Amityville Horror (1979)

Newlyweds move into a large house where a mass murder was committed, and experience strange manifestations which drive them away.

Below par haunted house horror that delivers the standard shocks without any sense of coherence or logic; at least the movie has an honest tagline: "For God's sake, get out!"

Halliwell (no star): "Sub-Exorcist goings on, a shameless exaggeration of some of the alleged facts retailed in the best-selling book. A shocker for the uncritical."

Maltin*1/2: "...film is yawm-inducing rehash of old schticks; not even good for laughs, with Steiger hamming it up as local priest."

The Big Knife (1955)

A big-time movie star refuses to sign a binding contract with a Louis B. Mayer-like mogul, but is blackmailed to do so.

Sharp and acrid satire on Hollywood, but also stagebound and talkative; and despite Jack Palance giving all his effort, it's awkward to see him as an oversensitive and tormented artist.

Halliwell*: "Overheated argument between Art and Mammon, with rather disagreeable people shouting at each other, for too long a time. Limited interest is provided by the acring."

Maltin***: "...involving (albeit overheated) drama...Fine performances almost overcome stereotypes; Steiger chews the scenery as a despotic studio head."