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

And Soon The Darkness 1970

 

Starring: Pamela Franklin

Of two young nurses on a cycling holiday in France, one is murdered by a local sex maniac and the other almost shares her fate.

Very well directed and always interesting to look at, this keeps you guessing and is intriguing but needs more pace. There is only so long you can stare at a long empty road and a pretty girl, fortunately an exciting conclusion and twist pushes this into the quite good category. 7/10

Come Back, Little Sheba 1952

 

Starring: Shirley Booth

An ex-alcoholic is let down not only by his slovenly wife but by the young girl he idolises.

I'm not sure that I've ever seen a Burt Lancaster movie that I haven't enjoyed. This is quite simply, one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. Heartbreaking, hard hitting, joyous at times. Lancaster is understated but in a 10 minute spell, brilliant. Shirley Booth gave an absolute masterclass and fully deserved her Oscar , what a performance! Terry Moore added a youthful delight. This was brilliant in every department.    10/10

The Last Man To Hang 1956

 

Starring: Tom Conway

Sir Roderick Strood is on trial for the murder of his neurotic wife.

Not a bad courtroom drama which you feel is concentrating more on the forthcoming law to end capital punishment. Didn't see the ending coming though.    6/10

Double Bunk 1961

 

Starring: Ian Carmichael

Newlyweds live in an old houseboat.

A host of old familiar faces messing about on the water. Not exactly laugh out loud stuff but very easy viewing and gave me a warm fuzzy feeling.  7/10

Windom's Way 1957

 

Starring: Peter Finch

A doctor on a Far Eastern island tries to quell a native uprising.

Glad I didn't watch this until I was well into adulthood, political drama in an area of the World that it is highly likely I will never visit. Well played, hard hitting and at times brutal. The colour appeared a little washed out but this was powerful stuff.    6/10

What A Carve Up 1961

 

Starring: Sid James

A madman fakes his own death in order to murder his relatives.

Carry On stars but not in the same league. Seems like a collection of ideas and cliches used but not really knitted together. Sid James is good as the straight man in the duo, it made me smile a couple of times and was interesting to see, but no classic.     6/10

Easy Money 1948

 

Starring: Edward Rigby

Four people win big prizes on the football pools.

I did not realise this was a series of short stories and felt a little cheated as I was thoroughly enjoying the characters in the opening segment. Fascinating to see pictures of pools staff at work how times have changed! I actually really enjoyed this.       7/10

The Blind Goddess 1947

 

Starring: Eric Portman

The private secretary to a public figure finds that his idol has feet of clay, and suffers in court for his discovery. 

This is very well acted and there are some good moments in the courtroom, just a little wordy and the whole thing gets weighed down by this and is. little too earnest for me.     5/10

The Rescuers 1977

 

The Mouse Rescue Aid Society volunteer to bring back a girl lost in a swamp.

Grew on me, actually quite a nice little adventure story with some good touches of humour. Particularly liked the Albatros aircraft and the gators. Didn't have the catchy songs that sets Disney films apart.     6/10

Breakfast In Hollywood 1945

 

Starring: Tom Breneman

A day in the life of a radio breakfast show host.

A bit like watching a cabaret show. Some of the songs and humour are easy on the ear but there is no strong plot line to knit the whole thing together.      4/10

Innocent Bystanders 1972

 

Starring: Stanley Baker

The British secret service sends three agents to trace a Russian traitor.

Very 1970's, poor man's James Bond and a bit like an episode of the Professionals. Take away the terrible script, average acting and just watch the action and it's not too bad.     6/10

Lola. 1969

 

Starring: Susan George

A 16-year old London schoolgirl marries a dissolute 40-year old American author.

A fascinating, discussion-worthy movie although Charles Bronson was mis-cast for me. Amazing named actors making cameos, the most is best in the UK section for me. Susan George is spot on and seriously, how gorgeous a young lady was she?        7/10

Chicago Syndicate. 1955

 

Starring: Dennis O'Keefe

A young accountant breaks up an outwardly respectable crime syndicate.

Not bad, just a little run of the mill. Probably instantly forgettable.    4/10

Ah Wilderness. 1935

 

Starring: Wallace Beery

Problems of a small-town family at the turn of the century.

A disappointing way to end the year, nothing of interest at all in this one despite yet another performance by the prolific Mickey Rooney.    2/10

Mr Soft Touch 1949

 

Starring: Glenn Ford

A gangster is reformed at Christmas by a social worker.

Alternative, low key gangster movie that takes a while to take off. Interesting alternative Christmas though.     4/10

Three Sailors And A Girl. 1953

 

Starring: Jane Powell

A ship's funds are unofficially invested in a musical show.

Surprising how few movies Gordon Macrae made, a routine musical with nothing overly original or toe-tapping.      5/10