Finger Of Guilt 1956

 

Starring: Richard Basehart

An American film producer in England is plagued by a strange girl who claims to have been his mistress.

Has a quite cheap look to it and wasn't terribly interesting despite some good looking performers.    4/10

Dead trigger 2017

 

Starring: Dolph Lundgren

A mysterious virus has killed billions and turned many others into bloodthirsty zombies. Unable to stop the virus, the government develops a video game, "Dead Trigger," that mirrors the terrifying events that curse the world.

Fairly dreadful movie to be honest, I never understand the fascination with zombie movies. Quite what the lovely Autumn Reeser was thinking about is beyond me.    3/10

Man About The House 1974

 

Starring: Richard O'Sullivan

Two young women, their male flatmate and their landlords combine forces to prevent the terrace from being razed for redevelopment.

TV shows normally do not translate to the big screen at all, I watched this for nostalgic reasons and thoroughly enjoyed it. Had a decent plot, was not over-long and made me laugh in a few places. Bonkers cameo at the end from Spike Milligan was priceless.    8/10 

A Game Of Death 1945

Starring: John Loder

Cheap remake of The Most Dangerous Game

Made guy on an island takes in a shipwrecked man and then hunts him for sport. I actually rather enjoyed this, all a little over the top but quite good fun.     7/10
 

The Castaway Cowboy 1974

 

Starring: James Garner

In 1850, a Shanghaied sailor on Hawaii helps a lady potato farmer to turn her land into a cattle ranch.

Not sure I ever bought it as a period piece but the Hawaii locations were stunning. Garner was so easy to watch and perfect in roles like this. I actually really enjoyed it, thanks Disney Channel.  7/10

I Bury The Living 1957

 

Starring: Richard Boone

The honorary chairman of a cemetery seems to have the power to mark people for death.

All a bit ridiculous to be honest and I thought of the idea of replacing black pins with white about 30 minutes before the lead. Watchable as it was so unusual.    5/10

Scandal Sheet 1952

 

Starring: Broderick Crawford

An editor has to allow his star reporter to expose a murderer - himself.

What a decent thriller this is, you know who the murderer is from the start but to watch the net closing in around him was very well done. Not overlong in length too.   7/10

The Last Outpost 1951

 

Starring: Ronald Reagan

A Civil War colonel finds his brother fighting on the other side.

Any film with Reagan always sparks my interest, not a bad effort either, best in the closing fight scenes with the Indians.   5/10

How I Got Into College 1989

 Starring: Anthony Edwards

Dim student applies to go to the same difficult-to-enter college as the girl he loves.

Didn't really do it for me, all I little silly. I did like the sequence at the end as all the students were getting their acceptance/rejection letters, the twins scene my favourite.    4/10

Ask A Policeman 1938

 

Starring: Will Hay

In a small coastal village, incompetent policemen accidentally expose smugglers who are scaring the locals with a headless horseman legend.

Extremely dated and amazes me how much humour has changed since that time. The headless horseman carriage was a good effect.      4/10

Darby O'Gill and the little people 1959

 

Starring: Albert Sharpe

An Irish caretaker falls down a well and is captured by leprechauns, who allow him three wishes to rearrange his life.

All very Irish and a little difficult to understand at times. Great to See Sean Connery in this early role and the film looks great.     5/10

Jeu De Massacre 1967

 

Starring: Claudine Auger

An impoverished comic-book writer and his artist wife become involved with a wealthy young fantasist.

A very odd sub-titled movie and yet strangely watchable. If nothing else, it looked really good.    5/10

Scarlet Street 1945

 

Starring: Edward G Robinson

A prostitute is murdered by her client and her pimp is executed for the crime.

I've always been a fan of Edward G Robinson and this is another terrific performance. There's no fool like an old fool, loved the direction that this movie heads in, it was well filmed and neatly tied up at the end. Great start to 2022.    8/10

The Lemon Drop Kid 1951

 

Starring: Bob Hope

A gangster forces a bookie to find the money which he has lost on a horse through the bookie's incompetence.

Typical, fast-talking Bob Hope movie, some humorous scenes, the man was a genius.     5/10

Rio Lobo 1970

 

Starring: John Wayne

A Union Colonel near the end of the Civil War recovers a gold shipment and exposes a traitor.

I'm not a great fan of John Wayne, so quick on his cue bite he never really developed any unique characters. Loved the opening half hour, movie deteriorated after that and took a very long time to reach its shoot-out conclusion. Not bad though.      7/10

Springfield Rifle 1952

 

Starring: Gary Cooper

A Union officer gets himself cashiered, joins the confederates as a spy, and unmasks a traitor.

Not that interested personally in the American war aspect but there was enough action and fist fighting to keep me entertained.     6/10

Checkpoint 1956

 

Starring: Anthony Steel

A tycoon sends an industrial spy to Italy in search of new motor racing car designs.

A sort of poor man's James Bond set in the motor racing World. Locations are great, some excitement but let down by a poor script. James Robertson Justice, surprise, surprise, plays James Robertson Justice.    6/10

Fall Into Darkness 1996

 Starring: Tatyana Ali

Ann Price blames her best friend, Sharon Mckay for her brother's Jerry's death. She decides to set Sharon up for her murder, but there is an unexpected surprise.

Typical TV movie, weak plot and acting although to be fair, this is better than most. Ending which I guess was trying to add a twist, totally didn't work for me.    6/10

The Devil's 8

 

Starring: Christopher George

A federal agent on the trail of a moonshine gang recruits a gang of hardened convicts and arranges for them to escape.

An enjoyable watch and is the film is so bad. Shocking acting, poor production and every time there's a bit of action, which is a lot, the same bit of hillbilly music kicks in. Loads of fighting, shooting and explosions.     6/10

Compulsion 1959

 

Starring: Dean Stockwell

In the twenties, two Chicago students kidnap and murder a young boy for kicks.

Brilliantly acted and watched as a tribute to Dean Stockwell who passed away this week. Still relevant today with the rich thinking they have licence to do whatever they choose.    6/10

Cairo Station 1958

 Starring: Farid Chawki

A crippled newspaper seller goes mad through thwarted love.

Fascinating for seeing the hustle and bustle of Cairo station and people going about their everyday life, plot wasn't up to much though.     4/10

North Dallas Forty 1979

 Starring: Nick Nolte

The gruelling life of a professional football player, laced with drugs, sex and alcohol.

Boys will be boys! All a little tedious watching grown men shout, slam about and behave like children. Thank goodness for Nick Nolte who is utterly believable in a very good performance.   6/10

Nazi Agent 1942

 

Starring: Conrad Veidt

A German-American is forced by his Nazi twin to help a group of German spies.

Made during the war, a little too talkative for my liking, needed a little light & shade.      4/10

Detective Story 1951

 

Starring: Kirk Douglas

A day in a New York precinct police station, during which a detective of almost pathological righteousness discovers a stain on. his family and himself becomes victim of violence.

A stage play and probably better delivered in that format. An interesting idea but a little too much until we reach the dramatic conclusion.   4/10

The Nanny 1965

 

Starring: Bette Davis

A ten-year old boy hates his nanny, and with good reason, for she is a neurotic murderess.

Forget your modern day, slasher movies. This is truly terrifying, quite frankly all of the nanny, mother and boy are unhinged. Brilliantly put together, this keeps you on the edge of your seat.     8/10

Loose Connections 1983

 Starring: Lindsay Duncan

Adventures on a drive to Munich

Bundt movie, interesting to see society views of the time. I never warmed to Lindsay Duncan and this will not be one that lives in the memory.      5/10

Too Many Husbands 1940

 

Starring: Jean Arthur

Allegedly drowned on a boat cruise, a man turns up again after his wife has remarried.

Not the most original script idea but this is delightfully delivered. Some very funny moments with a great supporting cast and quality comic timing.    7/10

A Guide For The Married Man 1967

 

Starring: Walter Matthau

A practised wolf explains to a perfect husband how to be unfaithful.

Despite a few humorous moments, this is just a bit too obvious for me. Plenty of views of ladies bums and tits, as pleasant as this may be, I feel a movie needs a lot more. Interesting to see all the star cameos though.       5/10

The Neptune Factor 1972

 Starring: Ben Gazzara

American oceanologists conduct an experiment in underwater living.

Wow, this looks dated. Some of the underwater effects were okay, the rest made me laugh out loud, I wonder how they were viewed at the time of release. Lacks tension to be honest but has Ernest Borgnine in it and he's always been one of my favourite actors, I love seeing what he does with a role. Not much for him to work with here, but his class shines through.     7/10

Hell's Half Acre 1953

 

Starring: Wendell Corey

A soldier missing after Pearl Harbor turns up years later in Hawaii under a different identity.

Hawaii is nicely shown off although the singing and flouncing, delightful if you visit, goes on a bit too long. The storyline itself is not strong enough and way too conversational.   4/10

Tomorrow We Live 1942

 

Starring: John Clements

French villagers help a spy escape to Britain.

Decent WW2 spy drama. Still makes my blood boil when you see how people were treated. Very well done and quite exciting.      7/10

Dark Waters 1944

 

Starring: Merle Oberon

Recovering from being torpedoed, an orphan girl visits her aunt and uncle in Louisiana and has some terrifying experiences.

A movie that certainly plays the melodrama card although it does have eight moments of 'gaiety'.   5/10

The Black Cauldron 1985

 

A medieval hero combats magic swords, wicked witches and skeletal tyrants.

Not my favourite Disney, a little dark for my taste. A few snatches of humour but none of the trademark songs or in this case, any songs at all, that make a Disney movie.       4/10

Mutiny 1952

 Starring: Mark Stevens

During the war of 1812, an American ship runs the English blockade to collect gold bullion from France.

Colour is a bit washed out now and is oddly dark during some of the fight scenes, but lots of fun messing around on the high seas and Angela Lansbury playing a completely different type of role.     6/10

Brute Force 1947

 

Starring: Burt Lancaster

Six violent convicts revolt against a sadistic warden and try to escape.

Hard hitting prison drama with an explosive ending, not bad but needed a bit of light to counter-balance the dark.         6/10

Parachute Battalion 1941

 

Starring: Robert Preston

Three boys go through parachute training school.

Not much of a blot to be honest, but all made in good humour and historically was actually quite interesting.  5/10

So Goes My Love 1946

 

Starring: Myrna Loy

The domestic life of inventor Hiram Maxim.

From first meeting, to courting, to getting married and having children. Very likeable lead performances and although there's no in depth plot, it put a smile on my face.     7/10

Captain Pirate 1952

 

Starring: Louis Hayward

A reformed pirate, accused of sacking Cartagena, returns to piracy to discover the perpetrators.

I love a good pirate movie and this ticks all the boxes. Plenty of swash and buckle, canon balls and drinking of rum. 6/10

Neutral Port 1940

 

Starring: Will Fyffe

A merchant navy captain avenges the loss of his ship by sabotaging a German U-boat.

War propaganda, highly irritating now. Lots of shouting and breast beating about nationality. A couple of reasonable scenes, otherwise completely forgettable.   3/10

All For Mary 1955

 

Starring: Kathleen Harrison

Two rivals for the hand of the pretty daughter of a Swiss hotelier are struck down by chicken pox and cared for by the old nanny of one of them.

Very dated, as much as I like David Tomlinson, this is watchable but just a little silly. A nanny ordering around two middle aged men just doesn't hold water nowadays. Nice scenery though.  5/10

Frontier Marshal 1939

 

Starring: Randolph Scott

Wyatt Earp cleans up Tombstone.

All the big-hitters here, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, the Okay Coral. Fascinating to see how Tombstone was depicted as a busy, bustling, riotous place. I wonder how near the truth all of this was. I found this interesting more than gripping.   6/10

At Gunpoint 1955

 

Starring: Fred MacMurray

A western storekeeper accidentally kills a bank robber, whose brothers seek revenge; will the townsfolk come to his aid?

Loved this. A strong storyline, but I particularly loved the sense of community, you genuinely believed that the people all knew each other and were friends. A tale of loyalty, community and sticking together.    9/10

Nomads 1985

 

Starring: Pierce Brosnan

An anthropologist settling in Los Angeles is haunted by vengeful spirits of remote tribes he had investigated.

Terrible movie. Confused, lots of shrieking and why was Pierce Brosnan selected to play a Frenchman? The 80's soundtrack had some interest, otherwise a complete write off for me.   2/10

If I Were King 1938

 

Starring: Ronald Colman

The 14th century poet and rascal Francois Villon matches wits with Louis X1 and leads an uprising of the people.

Ronald Colman has his tongue firmly in his cheek and a glint in his eye, Basil Rathbone, who I seem to see in a movie every other week, is marvellously camp. A bit hit and miss but certainly has its moments.    5/10

Easy A 2010

 

Starring: Emma Stone

A clean-cut high school student relies on the school's rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.

With a nodding wink to John Hughes 1980's movies, this teen flick absolutely hits the mark. Emma Stone is spot on, witty, charming, I can't imagine how somebody like that could be invisible in school. Terrifically writer with a bunch of great cameos, Emma Stone's parents and her teacher steal the show for me. Very enjoyable.  8/10

Storm Over Lisbon 1944

 

Starring: Vera Hruba Ralston

An International spy mastermind runs a Lisbon night club and sells documents to the highest bidder.

I'm not sure I was ever entirely sure what was going on. Set in Lisbon but quite dark and predominently set indoors, it could have been anywhere. Didn't do it for me at all.    2/10

Eye Of The Tiger 1986

 

Starring: Gary Busey

A vigilante avenge's his wife's murder.

So many vigilante movies made in the 80's. Not one of the greatest to be honest, Yaphet Kotto with his aerial support in an explosive finale was an excellent scene.    4/10

Uncle Buck 1989

 Starring: John Candy

A good-natured but slobbish layabout straightens out his sister's warring children and learns to love domesticity.

I remember this being huge when it was released, looks great on the outside but has little substance. Still watchable although it never once made me laugh out loud.       6/10

The Lost Moment 1947

 

Starring: Robert Cummings

An American publisher goes to Venice to recover love letters written by a famous poet to a lady now aged 105.

Intriguing idea and the old lady is brilliantly made up and well played. The movie though is too single paced and pedestrian and just never came alive for me.     4/10

The Flame 1947

 

Starring: Vera Hruba Ralston

A nurse marries for money, but her ailing spouse recovers and she falls in love with him.

Extremely full melodrama with no character that I particularly liked, the nurse's broken English accent was actually quite a struggle to listen to. Very much on one level throughout.        4/10