The Lusty Men (1952)

Directed by Nicholas Ray
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Retired rodeo star Mitchum befriends ranch hand and aspiring rodeo cowboy Arthur Kennedy. He agrees to pay Mitchum half his winnings in exchange for mentoring and training. They travel the rodeo circuit along with Kennedy's wife Susan Hayward. Kennedy becomes a success, but has trouble dealing with it, so starts drinking, gambling and womanizing. Hayward sticks by his side, despite advances from Mitchum, until a tragedy changes all of their lives. Interesting look at day-to-day rodeo life, but overlong and a tendency to become more like a documentary than a drama.

Blood on the Moon (1948)

Directed by Robert Wise
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Robert Wise directs Robert Mitchum in one of his best westerns. Mitchum is drifting through Arizona when he almost gets run over in a stampede one night. He survives only to end up on the wrong side of a land dispute between ranchers over grazing pasture. He becomes a hired gun for an old friend trying to swindle some locals, but after realizing what's really happening he switches sides. Pretty Barbara Bel Geddes may have something to do with it as well, since her father is the main person being swindled. Dark, moody, and with one of the better bar fights you'll see between Mitchum and bad guy Robert Preston.

The Nickel Ride (1974)

Directed by Robert Mulligan
My rating: 3.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Fox Movie Channel)

Jason Miller is a small-time hood known as the "key man", since he has the keys to the LA warehouses used for stolen merchandise. He answers to a higher authority, supposedly the mob, and they quietly decide he is expendable. Not sure of their intentions but suspecting the worst, Miller becomes paranoid and flees to a mountain cabin with his girlfriend Linda Haynes, in another excellent performance. Bo Hopkins is a creepy cowboy hired to follow him, and maybe more. It takes its time to fully explore and develop the characters, which pays off in the violent, downbeat ending. An unsung 70s classic comparable to Chinatown and The Conversation.

La Bandida (1963)

Directed by Roberto Rodriguez
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Two men who fought on opposite sides of the Mexican Revolution continue their battles in private life. They both love the same woman, Maria Felix, a fiery prostitute who can't decide which one she really wants so plays them both. There is not one, not two, but three cockfights to endure, a barbaric cultural relic that I had to fast forward through each time. To his credit, one of the men carries his rooster around with him at all times and seems genuinely concerned with his well being, throwing in the towel when defeated in the final fight to save his life. The two stubborn men refuse to back down from their rather petty differences, stupidly deciding their fates in a game of Russian roulette.

Quiet Please, Murder (1942)

Directed by John Larkin
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Fox Movie Channel)

George Sanders is dealer in antique books, master forger and murderer. He steals a valuable Shakespeare volume from the local library, makes copies and sells them to collectors. His greed gets the best of him when he returns to the library for more valuable books by pretending to be a police detective after committing murder. Real detective Richard Denning is a smooth talking womanizer. He flirts with the librarians while trying to pin Sanders. His dialogue is embarrassing and sometimes offensive. However, Sanders gets into an excellent cat and mouse game with Denning, often philosophizing on his plight as a sado-masochist.

The Story of Mankind (1957)

Directed by Irwin Allen
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Warner Archive Collection)

Ronald Colman, the "Spirit of Man", is pitted against Vincent Price, "Mr. Scratch", in a trial in outer space that is to determine the fate of mankind. Colman and Price narrate stock footage from old Warner films in their attempt to sway the jury (gods?). New footage is edited in featuring a laundry list of all-stars, all equally inept. I'm not sure who was worst, Hedy Lamarr as Joan of Arc, Agnes Moorhead as Queen Elizabeth or Dennis Hopper as Napoleon. It's entertaining, "so bad it's good", camp of the highest order.

The Lone Star Trail (1943)

Directed by Ray Taylor
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, VCI Entertainment)

One of the better B-westerns with a double-teaming of Johnny Mack Brown and Tex Ritter and bonus appearance by Robert Mitchum. Brown is on parole after serving two years for a robbery he didn't commit. He returns to the scene of the crime to clear his name and find the real thieves. There are plenty of plot twists, bar fights, shoot-outs and Mitchum's moustache. If that isn't enough, there are the antics of barber Fuzzy Knight for comedy relief.

Fantastic Animation Festival (1977)

Directed by Dean A. Berko
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(VHS, Meda Home Entertainment)

One of the earliest compilations of animation and still one of the best. "French Windows" kicks things off accompanied by Pink Floyd's "One of These Days", which had me cranking the volume way up. I'm not sure any of the remaining shorts reached the same heights, but I was thoroughly entertained by them all. "Cosmic Cartoon" was mindbending, "Moonshadow" tells the story of Teaser and the Firecat from a Cat Stevens album cover, "Bambi Meets Godzilla" is a classic introduced here for the first time and Will Vinton contributes a couple of his trademark claymation pieces. The Meda tape I watched was misframed and had washed out color, but it didn't matter. Hopefully one day this will get restored and reissued in its original glory, though music rights will be tough to overcome so it might never happen.

Popcorn (1969)

Directed by Peter Clifton
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(VHS, Meda Home Entertainment)

This late 60's curio is a collection of clips of popular music groups, culture and icons of the time. The Rolling Stones are featured exclusively for the first 15 minutes or so, with Mick Jagger rambling on incoherently in an interview. The Stones are in their brief psychedelic phase, complete with embarrassing make-up and costumes. After that, the film becomes kind of dull, with a series of musical clips and no interviews. When surfing videos crop up set to Beach Boys music it's really in trouble. However, Traffic appears towards the end with a very psychedelic montage and Twiggy models the latest London fashions.

Horizons West (1952)

Directed by Budd Boetticher
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Encore)

Robert Ryan is a bored soldier in Reconstruction era Texas who lets ambition lead him down the road to self-destruction in what could easily be described as a film noir western. Julie Adams is the love interest, married to heavy Raymond Burr, in the femme fatale role. As Ryan's rustling and murdering ways get out of hand, it's up to his father and brother to convince him to face justice or else. The more I see of Ryan's early work, for example his excellent portrayal of a washed-up boxer in The Set-Up, the more I believe he was one of Hollywood's most overlooked actors. He was only nominated once for an Oscar in a supporting role, but never won.

Freebie and the Bean (1974)

Directed by Richard Rush
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Warner Archive Collection)

James Caan and Alan Arkin are cop buddies in San Francisco. They argue a lot. Caan is hot-headed and drives like a maniac, constantly placing himself, his partner and innocent bystanders in danger. Arkin seems to have low self-confidence and thinks his wife is cheating on him. Well, they are after a big time mafia-type guy, but in a twist they must protect him from a contract killing. So they follow him around San Francisco saving him from a series of attempted assassinations. There are several long, cartoonish chase sequences. The finale takes place in a ladies restroom during the Super Bowl with Caan shooting it out with a gay cross dresser.

The Bandit Trail (1941)

Directed by Edward Killy
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Tim Holt lives on both sides of the law, as a bandit who robs a bank for the money he thinks he is owed for repossessed cattle, and later as the sheriff of a nearby town where he deposits the money. He is not comfortable in either role, eventually returning the money that was stolen, but in cahoots with his old gang as sheriff. A decent shootout in town as the finale.

Swamp Country (1966)

Directed by Robert Patrick
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Something Weird Video)

A moody little swamp drama with good music by Baker Knight. A woman is strangled in the Swamper Motel, and big game hunter David DaLie is the suspect. He heads for the nearby swamp on foot to escape the police. Sheriff Rex Allen, the familiar voice of many Disney nature documentaries, and his Deputy Lyle Waggoner, later a 70s TV staple, are the local yahoo police who don't do much. I think the film belongs to Baker Knight, who gets to sing his peculiar brand of country-blues in a small bar, while arguing with his girlfriend and even fighting with the sheriff, who also has a thing for the same girl.

Along the Rio Grande (1941)

Directed by Edward Killy
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Tim Holt goes undercover in Mexico to capture a cattle rustler. Betty Jane Rhodes is a cabaret singer with whom he falls in love. He's got a funny sidekick named Whopper. A yodeling cowboy named Smokey also gets involved. Spectacular locations in the California desert are a plus, but Holt and company are hopelessly mired in B-movie acting.

Swamp Girl (1971)

Directed by Donald A. Davis
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Something Weird Video)

Ferlin Husky sings the title song and plays a "Swamp Ranger" in this low budget drama set in the Okefenokee Swamp of Georgia. The pretty Simone Griffeth is the Swamp Girl, a flaxen-haired beauty running barefoot in a short dress through the swamps. She lives with "Pa", who is actually a black man close to her own age. An extended flashback explains that situation. Throw in a couple of prison escapees for conflict, add a few renegade rednecks for humor, some minor violence for blood, and you've got the winning formula for drive-in success in an early 70s Deep South.

Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island (1983)

Directed by Friz Freleng, Chuck Jones, Robert McKimson and Phil Monroe
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Starz)

Typical compilation of classic Looney Tune cartoons stitched together with new connecting segments. The classics are a hodgepodge of familiar characters with no real connecting theme, but nonetheless entertaining in their own right. The new material features a talking well that grants wishes (and introduces each segment), while Daffy and Speedy collect money from visitors to their "Fantastic Island", a poor spoof of "Fantasy Island".

Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943)

Directed by Irving Cummings
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Fox Movie Channel)

Betty Grable stars in this colorful musical from Fox. Its paper-thin plot has Betty getting back at reporter Robert Young by pretending to be in love with him and spreading rumors. Young loses his job, but inevitably falls in love for real. Endearing Americana of a bygone era, both its 1880s period setting and the colorful escapism of the wartime year of its production, are its main appeal, and of course the lovely Betty.

Not as a Stranger (1955)

Directed by Stanley Kramer
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(MGMHD)

Super star power bolsters this medical drama into an acting showcase. Mitchum is surprisingly good in his role as Lucas Marsh, an upstart, heartless and broke medical student. The film's first half chronicles his university days, along with pals Sinatra and Marvin. He becomes jaded with the profession when he finds out most are in it for the money. Ironically, he marries nurse Olivia de Havilland for the same reason. Broderick Crawford has a small role as a professor, but injects his usual vigor. After graduation, he moves to a small town to begin practice under country doctor Charles Bickford in the second half of the film. He is very dedicated to his job, but not so to his wife. He has an affair with lonely housewife Gloria Grahame, although both regret it later. There is a dramatic operation towards the end that Mitchum pulls off quite well, and an emotional reunion.

Man from Atlantis (1977)

Directed by Lee H. Katzin
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Warner Archive Collection)

Patrick Duffy is the last citizen of Atlantis. He can swim faster than dolphins, has cat eyes and can understand whale talk. In this series pilot movie, he washes up on shore in California and is adopted by scientist Belinda Montgomery. The military decides to use him to find a missing submarine in a deep trench. Instead, he finds megalomaniac Victor Buono with a staff of zombie scientists he controls with bracelets, intent on destroying the world. Impossible to take seriously, but a fun throwback to the wild and wacky 70s.

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

Directed by Cristian Mungiu
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Sundance)

I imagine this would be a good film to show to teenage girls who might be thinking about getting an abortion. For the rest of us, I'm not sure the intimate details of having an illegal abortion in a cramped hotel room in Romania can be considered subject matter for a night at the movies. Sure the characters are well drawn, including a creepy abortionist who demands sex for payment, and it utilizes the ever-popular "shaky cam" for that "mockumentary" look. However, it frequently crosses the line of good taste and becomes exploitation.

Wagon Train (1940)

Directed by Edward Killy
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Tim Holt gets marquee billing in this routine programmer. He's a drifter looking for the varmints that killed his parents. The trail leads him to the "western freighters", wagon trains, that provide vital supplies for the settlers. There is a crooked owner trying to stamp out all competition the old fashioned way and a pretty blond with curls that catches his eye.

The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)

Directed by Peter Weir
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(IFC)

Shoulder-shrugging, quirky indie drama from Australia about a small town and its relationship with cars. Stranger Terry Camilleri crashes his car and trailer near the town, killing his brother. A local doctor torments him with psychological tests during his recovery. The town mayor adopts him as the son he never had. The townsfolk collect scrap metal from possibly intentional auto accidents that recur. The local youth drive graffiti-covered junk cars dressed up with spikes, eventually running amok in the finale. Why?

The Glory Guys (1965)

Directed by Arnold Laven
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(MGMHD)

This Cavalry western is neatly divided into two parts: an overlong first hour and a half devoted to a love triangle, bar brawls and drinking; a much better but too short second half hour devoted to action. The scenery and massive outdoor battle sequences of the second part almost saves the film, but it's tough sledding through the monotony of the melodramatic first part. Tom Tryon is good as the idealistic Captain assigned to train the green enlisted men, but Harve Presnell is bad as his romantic rival. James Caan is a stand out as the Irish Pvt. Dugan.

Fort Massacre (1958)

Directed by Joseph M. Newman
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(MGMHD)

Joel McCrea leads a rag tag group of Cavalry soldiers across Arizona, fighting Indians along the way. The scenery is spectacular, but the action scenes are surprisingly dull and bloodless. I'm not a big fan of McCrae, and although I found him a bit more tolerable than usual he still lacks charisma, especially for this part which called for a tough soldier.

The Renegade Ranger (1938)

Directed by David Howard
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

A young Rita Hayworth plays a Mexican landowner framed for murder and pursued by Texas Ranger George O'Brien and ex-Texas Ranger Tim Holt. Rita looks great in her Mexican cowboy gear, including a silk shirt and boots. In fact, she was so distracting I have trouble remembering much else about this rather routine B programmer! Baby-faced Tim Holt also dresses in snazzy cowboy gear while fighting in bars and falling in love with Rita. There were some breaks for cowboy yodeling and native Mexican dancing.

The Law West of Tombstone (1938)

Directed by Glenn Tryon
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Harry Carey is a western con man. Kicked out of New York for peddling fake gold mines, he goes to a small Arizona town where he pulls the wool over the eyes of the locals as a fast talking judge and mayor. His partner in crime is Tim Holt as the "Tonto Kid", a boyish outlaw who robs trains and has an itchy trigger finger. They clash with local beauty Jean Rouverol, a forgotten actress that appeared in a handful of films in the 30s. There is a memorable Russian roulette scene between Carey and Holt, though I had a hunch it was fixed by that rascal Carey.

Top of the Heap (1972)

Directed by Christopher St. John
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(VHS, Unicorn Video)

Christopher St. John is an unhappy cop in Washington DC. The public hates him because he is a "black pig" (to put it nicely), his boss doesn't appreciate him, he argues with his wife about money, his girlfriend and daughter (not the same person) are on drugs. He escapes his dreary life by daydreaming. Mostly he dreams about being an astronaut and returning to his home town a hero. He also dreams about running around naked in the jungle with his girlfriend. These scenes are well done and almost surreal. It suffers some from being dated and the downbeat ending is a bummer, but overall a treat for fans of early 70s independent cinema.

Johnny Cool (1963)

Directed by William Asher
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

The film chronicles the first three days of Henry Silva in America, a hit man for an Italian mobster who wants to take over Las Vegas. His job is to muscle, kill if necessary, anyone who resists. Elizabeth Montgomery falls in love with him at first sight, gets raped by two henchmen then drives Silva around to commit murder. I thought her story was the more interesting, as Silva was nothing more than a gangster caricature. We don't know a lot about her past, other than being rich and well bred, when she falls for bad boy Silva. She shows no remorse until the final scene. Rat Packers Sammy Davis Jr and Joey Bishop have minor roles and Sammy sings the title tune. I found this worked better as camp, as the acting is bad across the board and the violence almost cartoonish.

Renaissance (2006)

Directed by Christian Volckman
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Independent Film Channel)

This animated film utilizes an interesting technique, it appears to be based on rotoscoping live action then manipulating and dressing it up with CGI, resulting in a minimalistic, hand-drawn appearance. However, the story, a 1984-ish corporate crime drama set in a near-future Paris, is long, complicated and most disappointingly boring. Characters are poorly defined, particularly the emotionless police officer who is at the heart of the story. I also didn't care for either of the females in peril, they seemed selfish and immature. One of the girls knows too much and is kidnapped. Her sister and the policeman team up to rescue her and unravel the mystery of some human experiments that occurred in the past which a mega-corporation wants to use to control society.

Jack Slade (1953)

Directed by Harold D. Schuster
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Encore)

Relentlessly downbeat, stark western about the reluctant gunslinger Jack Slade. His reputation precedes him wherever he goes, and despite his hatred of guns and killing he is forced to use them over and over again. He falls in love and marries Dorothy Malone in a whirlwind romance. He's hired to protect a town from outlaws, and does so, but his reckless drinking results in the accidental harming of a little girl. The townspeople run him out of town, but not before he has a showdown with arch nemesis Barton MacLane. The ending is violent, depressing and inevitable.

Fly Me to the Moon (2008)

Directed by Ben Stassen
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Starz)

Yet another group-on-a-trek animated film, this time featuring a trio of anthropomorphic flies who hitch a ride on Apollo 11 to the moon. There are numerous stops along the way, including some 3D gimmicks and comic relief from unfunny maggots. Conflict is provided by some Russian flies who try to sabotage the mission. Otherwise, if you know the story of Apollo 11 nothing will be surprising. The real Buzz Aldrin shows up in the credits in a rather embarrassing cameo.

Tarzan Goes to India (1962)

Directed by John Guillermin
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Warner Archive Collection)

Jock Mahoney takes over the Tarzan role with limited success. He's tall and skinny, a shock compared to the muscular Gordon Scott, but speaks normally with a full vocabulary. He goes to India to help save a herd of elephants endangered by a dam. He befriends an Indian boy who lives in the jungle with his own elephant, and together they must kill a rogue before guiding the herd through a mountain pass. The predictable plot is somewhat redeemed by location shooting.

The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County (1970)

Directed by Anton Leader
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Encore)

Slow comedy-western featuring a slew of washed up character actors. There is Dan Blocker from Bonanza, a man-child stood up by his mail order bride. There is Jim Backus from Gilligan's Island, the town Mayor and Sheriff who finds a replacement bride for him in Nanette Fabray. If that wasn't enough, you've got Mickey Rooney hamming and mugging throughout and Jack Elam as a blind bounty hunter running into doors.

Up (2009)

Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Starz)

An old man who has lost his wife decides to take the adventure he had always planned by tying balloons to his house and flying to South America. An overly helpful Boy Scout comes along for the ride. They land on a high plateau where a mad explorer and his talking dogs hunt a rare bird. The old man and Boy Scout befriend the bird and a stray dog, and together must defeat the evil explorer. While the outcome is never in doubt and the group-on-a-trek plot is tiresome, there is enough sentiment to elevate it above the usual animation fare.

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947)

Directed by George Seaton
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Fox Movie Channel)

Betty Grable becomes a typist and moves to Boston, where she is the shining light of the suffrage movement. She falls in love with her boss, crooner Dick Haymes, which causes complications. Endearing Technicolor Americana and Betty are the main attractions, and the songs aren't bad, but the romance overwhelms the last half or so and the ending is poor.

The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968)

Directed by Robert Aldrich
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Kim Novak plays Elsa Campbell who becomes movie star Elsa Brinkmann to play movie star Lylah Clare in a movie within the movie. When she is herself, whoever that is, she speaks normally, but when channeling the dead movie star Lylah she speaks in a deep voice and acts possessed. Peter Finch is her lover/director, also the lover/director of Lylah when she was alive. I think Aldrich is going for some Hitchcock cleverness put cannot pull it off. The last half hour or so is laughably bad, and just like the movie they are making this movie cannot find an ending, so instead they tack on a dog food commercial which is some kind of allegory about Hollywood. Kim Novak looks great throughout.

Song of the Islands (1942)

Directed by Walter Lang
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Fox Movie Channel)

Betty Grable and her father live in a perpetual luau on Hawaii, at least Hollywood's idea of a luau. Hunky Victor Mature and his cowboy sidekick Jack Oakie arrive to work for Mature's dad, who lives on a plot of land next door raising cattle. There is some supposed drama between the two families involving the land, but really there is never any doubt things will all work out. The songs are hilariously awful, including "O'Brien's goin' Hawaiian" which tries to mix the stereotypes of both Hawaiian and Irish cultures.

Black Bart (1948)

Directed by George Sherman
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Encore)

Dan Duryea is Black Bart, who robs stagecoaches wearing a black hood and all black clothing. He double crosses his accomplices and pretends to go straight in California. He falls in love with ravishing saloon hall dancer Yvonne De Carlo. When the old gang shows up, they cook up a plan to rob the stage of a large amount of cash. It's mostly slow going, and Duryea is a poor leading man, but Yvonne is young and energetic in her role.

Bloody Mama (1970)

Directed by Roger Corman
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(MGMHD)

Uneven gangster film riding the coattails of Bonnie and Clyde can't decide if it wants to be a drive-in action flick or psychological melodrama. Shelley Winters hams it up as Ma Barker, the dominating mother of a brood of evil brothers, each with his own niche. You've got Don Stroud as Herman, the violent one, Robert de Niro as Lloyd, the druggy, Robert Walden as Sam, the homosexual and Bruce Dern along for the ride as just plain nasty. The Barkers rob and murder people, then graduate to banks before finally kidnapping a rich Pat Hingle and holding him for ransom. The ending is reminiscent of the gangster films from the 30s, although bloodier, complete with a code-imposed crime-never-pays message.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Starz)

A frenetically paced film that will satisfy anyone obsessed with food, but it just didn't sit well with me. The main character is a nerdy scientist kid who feels neglected (ho hum). He invents a machine that turns water into food. He accidentally sends it into the air, where it creates "food weather". Granted, this is a cartoon, but the concept is extended to the breaking point, until we get severe food weather, including a spaghetti tornado. The Big Action Climax has our heroes fighting overgrown sentient food in the bowels of the giant food making machine. There is a budding romance, some feel-good father-son relations and a plethora of recurring gags (none of which are funny). A fast-food sugar rush for the video game generation, in 3D naturally.

Staircase (1969)

Directed by Stanley Donen
My rating: 3.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Fox Movie Channel)

It might be interesting to compare this to Burton's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? made just 3 years earlier. Here, Burton is a middle aged homosexual in a relationship with Rex Harrison. His bed-ridden mom lives in the extra room, to whom he frequently confides. Burton and Harrison trade quips, bicker and argue, just like the couple in Virginia Woolf. Harrison has a child from a previous marriage he hasn't seen in 20 years. He worries what she might think of his current relationship. He's also got a trial date coming up for some ancient law about wearing drag in public, part of his stage act. The dialogue is fast, furious and dense. The insights on human relationships are undeniable, regardless of sexual orientation. It's also laugh-out loud funny in many places. It can be a bit stagy and claustrophobic, like many films based on plays, but the performances are wonderful and I immediately wanted to see it again to listen for dialogue I might have missed the first time around.

Foreign Intrigue (1956)

Directed by Sheldon Reynolds
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(MGMHD)

Robert Mitchum is the press agent for a rich industrialist who suddenly dies. It turns out his life was a lie, and Mitchum decides to investigate. He treks across Europe, each stop adding a new layer to the mystery. Of course Mitchum can't resist seducing a couple of beautiful women along the way. Impeccably photographed, an involving story and Mitchum as a noir-ish detective...a winner for me.

The Snorkel (1958)

Directed by Guy Green
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Sony)

Tidy little Hammer production that pits killer Peter van Eyck against teenager Mandy Miller in a battle of wills. Van Eyck has murdered Candy's father, mother and dog, and when she suspects him but can't prove it he sets his sights on her. He fails in one attempt to drown her, but has a more elaborate plan up his sleeve which is carried out in the final scenes. It's perfectly cast and well acted.

WALL·E (2008)

Directed by Andrew Stanton
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Starz)

Wall-E is a cute little robot with big eyes that lives alone (well, there is the cockroach buddy) on a dead Earth overrun by toxic garbage. He dutifully performs his mission of recycling, building large pyramid-like structures in the process. He sorts through the garbage for treasures, including a VHS copy of Hello, Dolly, which teaches him the meaning of love. One day a ship arrives and releases a probe, which turns out to be the love of his life Eve. She was sent by the descendants of humans living on a giant cruise ship in space. Wall-E and Eve return to the ship with a plant, which triggers a centuries-old plan for the humans to return to Earth. Peppered with cogent insights/warnings on ecological and technological trends of the modern world, it's nonetheless hard to get away from the fact that this is basically a love story between anthropomorphic robots. I was getting a bit tired of hearing "WallEEEE!" and "Evaaaaaaa!" over and over again every time there was some "crisis". The cuteness may have family appeal, but it dumbs-down the movie.