The Boy who stole a million 1960

Starring: Maurice Reyna

A young page in a Spanish bank 'borrows' some money to help his father but finds Dad, police and crooks all after him.

A nice idea with a pleasant innocence, but the chase seems eventually become very repetitive. Having said that, it has to be the most secure oilskin package in the history of oilskin packages. Not once did it look like bursting open.          5/10

Rawhide 1950

Starring: Tyrone Power

Four escaped convicts terrorize a stagecoach stop.

The plot's been seen dozens of times before but it's amazing how the dynamic changes when there's a baby/toddler incolved. This movie simmers throughout and there, for me, were a few surprises towards the end. Really enjoyed this one.      9/10

Operation CIA

Starring: Burt Reynolds

An agent is rushed to Saigon to find a secret message which was never delivered.

An OK thriller although some of the acting by supporting cast was shocking, English reporter Withers a prime example. Occasional moments that were really quite violent, this was easy enough on the eye with interesting locations, but could have done with a lighter touch.         6/10

No down payment 1957

Starring:  Joanne Woodward

Tension among smart surburban couples i a Los Angeles housing development.

Different as a movie and made a hell of a lot of social comment. A new couple move into a seemingly ideal housing development, immediately make friends but it turns out that all the couples have their demons and there is ultimately tragedy. May be dated now but good to see a movie confronting so many social issues.    7/10

King of the khyber rifles 1954

Starring: Tyronne Power

In 1857 a British garrison in India is threatened by the forces of Kumram Khan but saved by a half-caste officer.

Uninteresting script and storyline delivered in a laborious way. A tedious love story didn't help. Some interesting camera angles, other than that this was a waste of time.        3/10

Miss Potter 2006

Starring: Renee Zellweger

The story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", and her struggle for love, happiness and success.

I have never been a fan of Beatrix Potter books but was amazed at how familiar her illustrations seemed to me. BNeautifully underplayed by Zellweger and Ewan McGregor with stunning sets and location. This was bloody charming.            8/10

The Lonely man 1957

Starring: Jack Palance

An outlaw hopes to regain social recognition and contacts the son who abhors him.

A movie played at a very sedate pace all about building relationships and breaking down barriers. A slightly bizarre love triangle doesn't help. There's a few good moments but this is fairly formula stuff.    5/10

Rookie 1990

Starring: Clint Eastwood

Ageing cop teaches his new young partner how to act tough.

Who doesn't love Clint Eastwood? Such a shame that Charlie Sheen went off the rails as he is a fine actor. Standard shoot 'em up stuff with a ridiculous amount of crashes and explosions that must have cost a fortune. All very standard stuff but I loved it.      7/10

Three husbands 1950

Starring: Emlyn Williams

Three husbands receive letters from a dead friend claiming that he had affairs with each of their wives.

I'm having a bad run of Sunday movies at the moment. Loved the idea of this one, the beginning was good, the ending was excellent, but everything inbetween was just dull chatter, no light or shade and not funny. Such a shame.                         3/10

Romance of a Horse thief 1971

Starring: Yul Bruyner

In a Polish village in 1904 there is dismay when horses are commandeered by Cossacks for service in the Russo-Japanese war.

Yul Bruyner is right up there for me as an actor, genuine screen presence and always puts in a watchable performance. No change here, although he is under-used. Sorry to say that I found the movie a complete bore, an unintersting plot which was neither interesting, dramatic or funny. Don't waste your time with this one.         2/10

Pony soldier 1952

Starring: Tyrone Power

The Mounties settle the hash of Canadian Indian renegades who have been causing trouble on the American border.

Seemingly pretty much made on the cheap, this is mostly set in an Indian settlement  and I didn't find it the most interesting. All a bit formula and nothing memorable.         3/10

Ernest saves Christmas 1988

Starring:  Jim Varney

Santa Claus goes to America to find someone to take over his job.

There seem to be more Christmas movies around this year than ever before so I jumped on the band wagon to watch this one. It had some lovely moment sbut also others that didn't work. I found that Jim Varney massively overacted to such an extent that I never once even raied a smile whilst watching him. On the other hand, Santa Claus and the guy he attempts to recruit gave beautiful straight, underplayed performances which were a delight. Close to being really good but not quite....                                                                                                                           6/10

Hope and glory 1987

Starring: Sarah Miles

Adventures of a small boy and his family dyrung World war 11 in surburban London.

I'm not sure how authentic this was. But fascinating to see and there was something tragic about the matter of fact way that they dealt with death. A really strong plot and good performances, the film lost its way a little as the family moved into the country and the grandfather's performance was way too over the top. Well worth a view though.         8/10

Madness of the heart 1949

Starring: Margaret Lockwood

A blind girl marries a French aristocrat and has to cope with a jealous neighbour

A reasonable effort. Margaret Lockwood plays blind very effectively and is a likeable character. My main issue was that there was just no chemistry between her and her husband, maybe it's a time thing, amybe it was because he was from a well to-do French family, it just made the whole marriage a little unbelievable. Different as a movie though and that's always interesting.      5/10

The Limping man 1953

Starring: Lloyd Bridges

An American leaving his plane at Heathrow sees another passenger shot by a limping man.

After a promising start, this becomes a bit single paced and lacks any real excitement. A reasonable twist about 15 minutes from the end, but the actual finish itself was quite frankly a let out and a huge disappointment. Watch it on Youtube to see what I mean.      4/10

Annapolis 2005

Starring: James Franco

Set against the backdrop of boxing at the Naval Academy, centers on a young man from the wrong side of the tracks whose dream of attending Annapolis becomes a reality.

Basically, a rip off of An officer and a gentleman but I loved it. Basically, it focused on the failings of various recruits and headed towards the 'Brigades' boxing competition. The love interest was a slight irritant as it would never happen, but  you found yourself routing for the characters and it was a reasonable storyline. Predictable but it didn't stop my enjoyment.            8/10

She's out of my league 2008

Starring: Jay Baruchel

An average Joe meets the perfect woman, but his lack of confidence and the influence of his friends and family begin to pick away at the relationship.

Watching a teen movie every now and then is good for keeping you young. I worried that it would be too crude or silly, but I really loved it. Excellent leading performances with amusing back-up rolls. Just left me with a smile on my face.                  9/10

Mac and me 1988

Starring: Christine Ebersole

A family of aliens is inadvertently dumped in California

An unashmed complete rip-off of ET, the aliens even look almost identical. Nice touch having one of the kids in a wheelchair, not something that you see too often. How do grown men in suits run for such huge distances without ever seemingly getting tired? Rubbish but quite good fun.       7/10

Assignnment K 1968

Starring: Stephen Boyd

The European head of a toy firm is also head of a special spy unit.

Lots of spy movies made in the 1960's, this one has interest due to the roles played by actors who subsequently became famous. Not a great script and some very wooden acting, but the locations were easy on the eye and the plot continued to move along with lots of double-crossing. Not a bad effort.   5/10

Son of Robin Hood 1958

Starring: David Hedison

Robin's daughter joins with the Regent's brother to overthrow the Black duke.

Standard swashbuckling drama set around Sherwood forest. All the familiar merry men are there but drawing their pension. all reasonably light-hearted and although plot is week, it's a harmless enough jaunt.                  5/10