The Blackboard Jungle 1955

Starring: Glenn Ford

In a slum school. a teacher finally gains the respect of his class of young hooligans.

This type of unruly school movie is frequently turned out, some more convincing than others. This one in my opinion is grossly underrated. Glenn Ford as the initially timid & then determined teacher doesn't put a foot wrong, Sidney Poitier verges on the charismatic and Vic Morrow comes over as truely disturbed. Hard to watch at times but gripping.             8/10

The Strongest man in the World

Starring: Kurt Russell

An accident in a science lab gives a student superhuman strength.

There's something comforting about the opening credits & music of a Disney film. This movie started OK and was fairly watchable however daft the premise. It lost it for me when the two characters were released from prison. Suddenly we had two people taking up a load of screen time that I as an audience member, didn't care about. The characters that we'd previously been introduced to, were nowhere to be seen. The ending was satisfactory & Phil Silvers lifted any seen that he was in.       4/10

The Final test 1953

Starring: Jack Warner

A cricketer looks forward to his last game but is out for a duck; He is however cheered by the crowd and comforted by his son.

Cricket meets poetry in this sleepy little movie. Jack Warner has the emotion & charisma of a dining room table & looks about 30 years too old for his bride to be. But his son brings some youthful charm & Robert Morley is an absolute delight (Not something I normally say). Some how, this movie had charm and for me, worked.     7/10

Went the day well 1942

Starring: Leslie Banks

Villagers resist when German paratroopers invade an English village and the squire proves to be a quisling.

An insular little movie that makes you believe that you're the only one looking in on a dreadful ordeal for this typical English village. The film pulls no punches & highlights the tragedy and pointlessness of 2 nations fighting. 60 years after the war ended, this still gets the blood boiling.   8/10

Desperadoes 1943

Starring: Randolph Scott

A gunman rides into town to cause trouble, but finds romance and renews an old friendship.

This movie cannot decide whether it's a drama or a comedy. As a drama it's oh so predictable, as a comedy I'm afraid it just wasn't funny. As usual with Westerns, some great scenery, there was just no originality with plot or action. Glenn Ford is OK, Randolph Scott goes through the motions without really being noticed.      4/10

Water 1985

Starring: Michael Caine

Chaos comes to a Caribbean island when industrialists check it for mineral springs.

This film just doesn't work & it has no right not to work with the writers, actors & musicians who were signed up. The story is actually quite a good idea but all the characters were played so over the top that they descended into caricatures. If they'd played it utterly straight, the humour would have been pointe 7 the whole thing could have been brilliant.

Such a waste.     4/10

Billy Liar 1963

Starring: Tom Courtenay

In a drab North country town, an undertaker's clerk lives in a World of fantasy

Every character in this movie comes across as so genuine. Nothing is over the top apart from Liar's daydreaming scenes, all of which is completely called for. It's amusing, there's so much you can relate to, it's moving & also sad. Julie Christie is delightful as the one person who genuinely understands Liar. So different from anything you see in this day & age.    7/10

Jeremiah Johnson 1972

Starring: Robert Redford

In the 1850's an ex-soldier becomes a mountain trapper.

Beautifully made epic set in the wilderness. Stunning locations, fascinating characterisation & great performances. Touches of humour, particularly where Redford first tries to fish & when Grandpa Walton sends a Grizzly into his shack for Redford to skin. Touching as well as tragic, a great movie with Director & star both at the top of their game.     9/10

Leave her to heaven 1945

Starring: Gene Tierney

A selfish, jealous woman causes unhappiness for those around her, even in her suicide.

From the first frame with the melodramatic music, you knew that this wouldn't be a bundle of laughs. A slow-moving drama that simmered beautifully under the surface. Tierney was excellent as the slightly deranged siren, I would have liked to have known more as to what triggered her desperate behaviour. A movie thatr had a nice beginning, middle & end.      8/10

I was Monty's double 1958

Starring: John Mills

To distract the Nazis in Africa, an actor is hired to act as General Montgomery.

Quite an original idea. My main problem, is I'm ashamed to say that I'm not really too sure what the actual Monty looked or sounded like. That rather dates the film for me although its easy going style along with some nice performances, made it more than watchable. It got rather bogged down in the second half of the film & the capture scene didn't quite work for me. Quite good fun though.      5/10

Creepshow 2 1987

Starring: Lois Chiles

Cheapjack sequel, of no interest whatsoever.

Three short stories by Stephen King. The plus points are they were reasonably well made, quite well acted with some very good special effects. The stories were watchable enough, but the minus point is that they were all utterly predictable with no shocks. I liked the Indian story best followed by the hitchhiker & finally the raft.      6/10

Forty ninth parallel 1941

Starring: Eric Portman

In Canada, five stranded U-boat men try to escape into the US.

Nazis arrive on Canadian soil for the first time & find the Canadians indifference towards the war difficult to take. The constantly moving situations & locations keep this movie interesting. Good performances and a whole bunch of star cameos. A war movie with a difference.     6/10

Doctor in trouble 1970

Starring: Leslie Phillips

Dr Burke inadvertently becomes a stowaway on an Atlantic cruise.

Formula British comedy with no surprises 7 saucy, seaside postcard humour. Most films from this time include either James Robertson Justice, Robert Morley or John Le Mesurier. This had all three. Not very amusing but harmless fun for a Sunday morning.    5/10

Death Race 2000 1975

Starring: David Carradine

In the Year 2000, the World's most popular sport involves motor racers who compete for the highest total of human casualties.

Cult style B movie. All extremely distasteful and exhibited some acting of the poorest quality by the likes of Stallone. Never raised a smile, the cars were nicely put together for any petrol heads. Occasionally this caught my interest and at least it was mercifully short.    3/10

California Split 1974

Starring: Elliott Gould

Two cheerful gamblers get drunk, laid, cheated and happy.

Really hard to en joy this movie. Occasionally a plot line would grab the attention or I'd start to connect with a character. But the constant chatter with 2,3 or 4 people all talking at the same time was a bizarre directional decision. Basically, you ended up taking in very little and at the end I found that I didn't care whether they won or lost in the casino.         3/10

Coroner Creek 1948

Starring: Randolph Scott

A Western crusader tracks down the man behind a stagecoach raid.

A routine Western rolled off the Randolph Scott production line. This didn't really have anything to set it apart from many other Western's (Man arrives in town seeking revenge). Possibly slightly more vicious than some, but lacked originality.        4/10

The Great St Trinian's train robbery 1966

Starring: Frankie Howerd

The staff of St Trinian's is infiltrated by would-be train robbers

St Trinian's is all the rage at the moment following the remake. This is one sequel to far in the originals. All the essence that made this series work had disappeared and we were left with some poor characters, the headmistress was particularly annoying. Frankie Howerd bought some nice touches and his timing as ever, was spot on. The end sequence with the train chase went on about 5 mins too long. Watchable, but instantly forgettable.       5/10

Reach for the sky 1956

Starring: Kenneth More

Douglas Bader loses both legs in a 1931 air crash, learns to walk on artificial limbs and flies again in World War 11.

Utterly inspirational movie, Bader's courage and determination made me feel utterly inadequate. A light hearted, bouncy feel drives the movie along & at over 2 hours, I wanted it to keep going, very unusual for me. More is charming and bordering on the charismatic, all the other characters are rounded and utterly believable. Only the flying sequences were slightly unrealistic.     9/10

The Great Rupert 1950

Starring: Jimmy Durante

A family of impoverished acrobats are assisted by a pet squirrel which proves lucky in more ways than one.

Now, I've seen a lot of movies & thought that I'd pretty much seen it all, but a dancing squirrel? Let's just say that I was worried after 5 minutes as to just what I'd be watching. But this settles down to be a charming movie. Sure, the plot line is as implausible as you can get, but it's great fun. Jimmy Durante is a natural entertainer and there are some cracking one-liners and catchy little musical numbers. The whole thing comes together nicely at the end, I loved it!      9/10

The Life and times of Colonel Blimp 1943

Starring: Roger Livesey

A British soldier survives three wars and falls in love with three women

A tour de force for Livesey, he portrays his character brilliantly with Anton Walbrook proving to be a perfect foil for his blustering Englishness. Deborah Kerr is a delight throughout in this lavish, light hearted epic. So much to enjoy, but why did it have to be so interminably long?      5/10