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Kitty-47
Reviews
The Man I Love (1946)
It's a mood
Ida Lupino excelled at playing tough, yet vulnerable, women. One of the best Ida Lupino films, "The Man I Love" is all about atmosphere. It has great music, great images, and great lines all tied to a fast-paced and entertaining, if unlikely, story. This film influenced director Martin Scorsese when he made "New York, New York". Scorsese's film is overlong and overdone, but "The Man I Love" is brisk and sleek. You won't be bored. If you enjoy "The Man I Love", I also recommend the Ida Lupino film "Road House".
Requiem for Murder (1999)
Mediocre and Unsatisfying
This movie had its moments, but they were few. I liked the classical music aspect--a refreshing change from most films featuring DJs. But the acting is dull and the setting is very Canadian for a movie set in the U.S. But the worst part of the movie is the identity of the stalker/killer.
MAJOR SPOILER------MAJOR SPOILER------MAJOR SPOILER As I watched, I was pretty sure the killer had to be Ed, the sound engineer. Silly me. I was looking for the killer among the characters in the heroine's world. But the killer was elsewhere. In fact, we never even meet the killer until the very end, about five minutes after his/her name is revealed to no great effect. END OF SPOILER------END OF SPOILER-----END OF SPOILER
The ending was a cheat and unforgivable even in a mediocre film such as this. The only plus was the music.
The Others (2001)
Has atmosphere, but no punch
I am amazed at how highly people have ranked this film. While I agree it was very well-made and well-acted, it didn't have any real chills to offer and it was easy to guess the story right away.
********SPOILERS******* Maybe I've just seen too many movies and watched too much TV. Anyone who has seen HAUNTED with Aidan Quinn plus the episode "My So-Called Life and Death" of the short-lived TV anthology NIGHT VISIONS will not be surprised by THE OTHERS. And there are probably many other previous tellings of the same basic story. It all adds up quickly: No electricity, no telephone, the postman never comes, and the priest doesn't visit anymore. It's not too hard to figure out the "twist" and where Victor and his family fit into it. ********END SPOILERS******
Despite finding the story predictable, I'd recommend this movie to people because the story is told well and with atmosphere. However, I was never scared nor startled once. This isn't that kind of ghost story.
Perfect Strangers (1945)
Lovely film
This is an excellent movie about spouses rediscovering each other. Robert Donat and Deborah Kerr are perfect as a mousy and dull couple who are transformed by the challenges of war and a separation from each other. It's rare to find a movie that focuses on a married couple in this way. This is a film for romantics and, since I am one, I recommend it strongly.
Portrait of Jennie (1948)
You can't help but fall under its spell
I've seen Portrait of Jennie many times. The first time (when I was a young girl) I was enthralled by it. Later on, I wondered about the story. It really makes no sense when you stop and think about it. And for those of you who think you do--remember, the film does not explain anything and you're just guessing. I went to the library and checked out the book it's based on and read that to try and figure out the ending. Well, the book is different, so that didn't help. In any case, it matters not. The movie has a haunting ethereal quality that will captivate you. For romantics everywhere. And I am one.