The Quare Fellow. 1962

 

Starring: Patrick McGoohan

Life in a Dublin prison when two men are to be hanged, as experienced by a new young warder.

Still quite a powerful piece, well acted and really traumatising in its subject matters. Definitely a place for this still to be seen.   6/10

Car Trouble. 1986

 

Starring: Julie Walters

A woman having an affair with a car salesman finds herself sexually locked to him in her husband's new vehicle.

\not really believable, all a little silly, the scene with Julie Walters and the guy trapped in a compromising position went on way too long. Interesting seeing what was considered classy car at the time.    5/10

Girl Stroke Boy 1971

 

Starring: Joan Greenwood

A we--to-do couple try to find out whether their son's house guest is male or female.

Well, this hasn't aged well. Only 50 years old, this movie focusses on whether their sons' partner is male or female. Michael Hordern, such a superb actor and I just felt awkward watching the whole thing. Historically interesting I guess as a stepping stone before times changed....     3/10

Jules et Jim. 1962

 

Starring: Oskar Werner

Before World War 1, in Paris, a girl alternates between a French and a German student, and after the war they meet again to form a constantly shifting triangle.

Every now and then, I bump into a foreign language movie that is an absolute delight. That is exactly what happened here, the subtitles became almost irrelevant as I was so into the story. We all know of a member of the opposite sex that has had a mysterious hold over people, that is what happens here. Fascinating to watch, for me hasn't dated at all with some stunning locations. So glad I got to see this.   8/10

Submarine X-1 1967

 

Starring: James Caan

A submarine commander in World War 11 trains men to attack the Lindenorf in midget submarines.

I'm not a great fan of James Caan but he was watchable in this. A decent thriller which considering it is over 50 years old, still looks fairly modern.      6/10

Escape By Night 1953

 

Starring: Bonar Colleano

A tough reporter tries to get the inside story on a vice ring.

Almost belongs in the Children's Film Foundation, hilarious seeing Syd James playing an Italian gangster complete with moustache. I really quite enjoyed it and it was the perfect length.       7/10

Murder In Reverse 1945

 

Starring: William Hartnell

After long imprisonment for a supposed murder, a convict comes out and hunts down the victim, who isn't really dead.

A really decent crime thriller, interesting idea and well acted. A great sense of time and place and a plot that rattled along.     7/10

Moment By Moment 1979

 

Starring: John Travolta

A bored Beverly Hills wife has an affair with a young drifter.

Very poor execution, Tomlin remains quietly spoken throughout, only when her friend arrives do you realise how flat her performance is. Travolta just cannot create any chemistry with his co-star, without this the movie is seriously flawed.     4/10

Beyond The Curtain. 1960

 

Starring: Richard Greene

A flying officer rescues a stewardess whose plane has been forced down in East Germany.

Iron curtain, spy thriller with Eva Bartok perfectly cast. Pretty decent thriller from beginning to end to be honest.    7/10

Practically Yours 1944

Starring: Claudette Colbert

A war hero comes back after being supposed dead, and finds himself with a fiancee he never met.

Brilliant idea of a guy professing his love for his dog and it being mistaken for a woman of the same name, despite a great two leads, never held up to its promise. Very dated.     4/10
 

Christmas On Ice 2020

 

Starring: Abigail Klein

A former figure skater and a former hockey player work together to void the mayor from closing the local skating rink.

A Hallmark style movie. Very easy on the eye, pleasant to watch without ever making me laugh. So many of this type of movie but this is better than many with a well cast, convincing small group of actors.  7/10

Priest Of Love 1981

 

Starring: Ian McKellen

The last years of D.H.Lawrence, when his books were banned and he was seeking warmer climes to help his TB.

I'm not sure how true this characterisation was to the real Lawrence, but what an unpleasant man he came across as. Difficult to find any sympathy towards him despite this being an interesting movie.      6/10

Waco 1966

 

Starring: Howard Keel

A gunfighter is hired to straighten out a corrupt town.

Not bad but I feel that whenever you get big-hitter like Keel & Jane Russell, the movie somehow loses realism. Traditional Western elements all included.   5/10

Snowball Express 1972

 

Starring: Dean Jones

An insurance accountant inherits a dilapidated skiing hotel in the Colorado Rockies

Typical Disney movie, colourful, goofy humour with all coming right in the end. Henry Morgan stole the show for me. All quite enjoyable.    7/10

The Painted Hills 1951

 

Starring: Lassie

An intrepid dog comes to the rescue when a boy's life is put at risk by the greed inflamed by a gold strike.

Gotta have a Lassie film on the Sunday morning Blog, a little pedestrian to be honest with no surprises.    4/10

Convicted 1950

 

Starring: Glenn Ford

When a prison informer is killed, one convict knows who did it.

Decent prison drama, makes you conscious of how your life can change if you make one carless mistake. Well acted, prisoners were very convincing and you could understand the conflict going on in Glenn Ford's head.       7/10

Bedelia 1946

 

Starring: Margaret Lockwood

A psychotic woman is discovered to have poisoned three husbands.

Well acted, decent little drama. Although Lockwood is good, I would have liked to have seen a few more hints within her of the psychotic behaviour, all a little one-paced.     6/10

Springtime In The Rockies 1942

 

Starring: Betty Grable

Romances blossom on a mountain holiday.

A bit flat to be honest with only the occasional pleasant dance number. Best moments were the images of Lake Louise, the most stunning place I have ever visited.    3/10

Tropic Zone 1953

 

Staring: Ronald Reagan

In a banana port a man wanted by the police saves a plantation from being taken over by crooks.

Adventure, drama and romance in a banana plantation, all rather good fun, Ronald Reagan really wasn't a bad actor at all.    6/10

Raw Deal 1948

 

Starring: Dennis O'Keefe

A convict is helped by his girl friend to escape, and the police chase them across country.

I like a good prison escape drama, some decent scenes in this one although at times it is a little hammed up. All comes to a somewhat predictable conclusion but not bad.   5/10