One-Eyed Jacks (1961)

 

After robbing a Mexican bank, Dad Longworth takes the loot and leaves his partner Rio to be captured but Rio escapes and searches for Dad in California. 

Superior Western offers a psychologically complex revenge story with great performances and beautiful cinematography,  but is not always coherent in its characterizations, and the romance is not quite convincing.

Halliwell  (no star): "Grossly self-indulgent Western controlled (unwisely) by its star, full of solemn pauses and bouts of violence." 

Maltin***: "Fascinating but flawed psychological Western...Visually striking, and a rich character study, but overlong."

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979)

An extension of the previous film, wherein a cache of adventurers return to the overturned ship to seek several fortunes.

From memory: The original was no masterpiece, but Irwin once again manages to take it step lower in another cheapskate production; it's amazing how you can gather such an ensemble of stars and completely ignore their talents.

Halliwell (no star): "Dreary alternative ending to The Poseidon Adventure, with cardboard character studies, cut-price action, and tenth-rate technicalities."

Maltin*1/2: "Following THE SWARM, Caine teamed up with Irwin Allen for another career killer - a needless sequel..."

The Howling (1981)

After a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem.

The movie has appeal for genre buffs and offers state-of-the-arte special effects, but basically takes too long to get off and really isn't that horrifying.

Halliwell*: "A plethora of werewolves and a glut of in-jokes pale beside a gallery of convincing and horrifying special effects."

Maltin***: "A hip, well-made horror film, brimming with film-buff jokes...and Rob Bottin's amazing wolf transformations. Only complaint: Why set the horror against such a patently bizarre backdrop?"

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

On the set: Slim Pickens