Staring: Charles Bronson
In new Orleans in the depression-hit thirties, a prizefighter and a promoter help each other.
Of sll the sports, boxing/fighting is probably the one that you come across most in the movies. And to be fair, they're often very good. This was gritty but realistic. Nice depiction of the time although I'm not sure that the poverty was completely conveyed. Bronson & Coburn were both terrific and this was an extremely watchable movie. 8/10
Starring: Dean Jagger
Customs agents track down a murderer.
Slow paced and poorly acted B movie. When a crucial part of the blot occured early on in the movie, the orchestral underscore was sl loud that you couldn't hear the dialogue. A couple of the female actresses came out of this with credit, mostly the lead's secretary, but this is not a movie to go out of your way for. 3/10
Starring: Harold Lloyd
A milkman becomes a prizefighter and overcomes a gang of crooks.
Sure, there are many annoying scenes in this movie. But there were also a few moments that made me laugh out loud. Lloyd is at his best with the physical theatre and certainly cut a humorous figure as the bespectacled prize-fighter. 4/10
Starring: James Stewart
A tenderfoot becomes a hero for shooting a bad man, but the shot was really fired by his friend and protector.
The second week running I've landed a James Stewart movie. Absolutely compelling from beginning to end. In my view, Stewart is possibly the greatest actor ever to have graced our screens and you find yourself routing for him throughout. This is one of Wayne's stronger performances and Lee Marvin is suitably rotten to the core. Brilliant sets and location, nearly every scene is a delight. 10/10
STARRING: James Stewart
Problems of a lawyer and his new wife culminate in the near-death of their infant son.
Gentle comedy that turns into light drama for its final third. A young married couple cope with inlaws, a difficult boss, poverty and then illness. A slightly dull plot is saved by the brilliant James Stewart with Carole Lombard, an admirable companion for him. 5/10
Starring: Gordon Harker
Hornleigh and Binham track down a fifth columnist.
2 zany Scotland yard detectives catch the bad guy by luck and the odd nice move. Reasonably amusing with Harker & Alistair Sim both superb. 6/10
Starring: Brian Donlevy
A research station operating under military secrecy is supposed to be making synthetic foods, but is in fact an acclimatization centre for invaders from outer space.
Sci-fi, slight horror B-movie, Acting isn't up to much and sets are a bit wobbly. But keep going until the end as the last 10 minutes are positively hilarious. 6/10
Starring: John Savage
Two policeman are shot by a manic killer, and the one who survives finds that he is suspected of cowardice and has to resign from the force.
There's something about true stories that let you buy into what you're seeing on screen. This is a harrowing and yet captivating, tragic story. James Woods is truely terrifying as the psychotic killer. I went straight on to read more about this case. Beautifully put together. 9/10
Starring: Freddie Bartholomew
Feuding next door neighbours have children in love.
A surprising little gem. Although some of the parents feuding got on your nerves, the other characters helped soften the movie and were very likeable. A pacy plot, humourous moments when the children have to move next door after finding out they they were swapped at birth and a well thought out & satisfactory ending. This actually made me laugh out loud and was good fun. 8/10
Starring: James Mason
An Austrian refugee in the south of France is asked by the police to track down a spy among his fellow hotel guests.
A reasonably enjoyable "Who is the spy" drama. The best part is early on when you're trying to identify the spy yourself. Short enough to be quite enjoyable. 6/10
Starring: Claudette Colbert
The daughter of an impoverished French aristocrat marries for money a millionaire who has had seven previous wives, and determines to teach him a lesson.
Unsurprisingly, rather dated as a comedy. Some humorous moments and a strong start as the two stars quibble over buying pajamas. Colbert is a delight as ever but Gary Cooper seems miscast and misses many comic opportunities by charging through his lines. A young David Niven gives a nice supporting performance. 5/10
Starring: Clark Gable
Andrew Jackson enlists the aid of a Texas adventurer to persuade Sam Houston to change his mind about an agreement with Mexico.
A mixture of politics and action. A bit of a history lesson really although fairly hard to follow as a European. Quite good action & stars give reliable performances. 4/10
Starring: Van Hefflin
The tough boss of a New York corporation forces a showdown between a young executive and the older ineffectual man who he hopes will resign.
Certainly not a movie I'd heard of before watching. An unexpected gem with tremendously passionate acting and a scenario that is still relevant today. Well observed and some of the secretary's were almost as imposing as the business men. 7/10
Starring: Cary Grant
Three cheerful army veterans meet adventure on the North-West frontier.
All a little tiresome with too many frantic scenes and unnecessary shouting. Maybe Gunga Din could have been saved if the army had spent less time blowing bagpipes and singing and had actually hurried to the battle scene. Cary Grant although a brilliant actor, was mis-cast for me. A great film if you like fist fights and people falling off buildings. 3/10
Starring: Audrey Hepburn
The daughter of a private detective warns an American philanderer in Paris that an enraged husband is en route to shoot him.
Charming little love story that is unfortunately about 30 minutes too long. I wasn't sure if Audrey Hepburn was trying to do a French accent or not. She was so damn cute, I ended up not caring. The Gypsy quartet musicians were hilarious and the scene where they got drunk was a joy. Quite charming all round. 7/10
Starring: Rory Calhoun
Seafarers chance on an uncharted island, ruled by a deadly fanatic.
All a bit rubbish really. The characters were not at all believable and the action hardly set the pulse racing. Thanks goodness for the supposed God on the island. He made an amusing villain & the movie was saved somewhat by the whole island section at the end. I've seen worse but still instantly forgettable. 3/10
Starring: Clint Eastwood
A New Orleans detective investigating a series of sex murders finds that his own impulses are none too healthy.
Serial killer, crime movie with Eastwood once again playing the strong, silent type. The plot moves along at a good pace. There's a line about 30 mins in that says something like "Everyone has a dark side, some keep it under control whilst others explore it". Eastwood's dark side is brilliantly portrayed, as is his tender side in the scens with his kids. Not overly original, but always kepy my attention. 8/10
Starring: Dana Andrews
A dying scientist fires a missile into the earth's centre, and nearly blows the planet apart.
Ah, you can't beat a good disaster movie. The plot was a little daft, the acting was a little poor, but the special effects and the daftness of the whole thing made it an enjoyable romp. There's always an underlying moral message. Don't mess with nuclear explosions. 7/10
