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Interstellar (2014)
A Joy to Watch
This is a visually stunning movie that is also very interesting... It makes you wonder.
Matthew McConaughey was a great choice for the lead I think he carries the movie very well. He shows great patience in his character along with believable competence. Michael Caine is a great actor with a very distinguished, and prolific career. The only problem with his casting, however, is that it really highlights that you're watching a movie. And every time you see or hear him it's a constant reminder of the fact. Anne Hathaway is good. And Matt Damon was his usual plain, mediocre self.
For the most part, it's a well-crafted story. But, not without flaws, it does drift towards absurdity near the end. And it is a rather weak finish to an otherwise very strong film. Chris Nolan slightly over does it going for gold.
Is it the greatest of all time? No. But it is exceptionally good. The current (IMDB) rating of 8.7 is about right.
Atlantic City (1980)
When Life Gives You Lemons
As Atlantic City is preparing to reinvent itself, so is Lou; an aging bookmaker who lives a life of mundane routine.
By day he does chores and runs errands for his elderly neighbor, Grace (Kate Reid), and by night he watches the hot neighbor, Sally (Susan Sarandon), from his window. So far, he hasn't found a good enough reason to talk to Sally, but an unexpected visit from her ex-husband and pregnant sister soon gives him an opportunity as they seek his help from pursuing gangsters.
Lou has had enough of waiting. With the clock ticking he realizes that life is too short to worry about taking risks. "You live too much in the past", he tells an old friend. Not only does he muster up the courage to shoot his shot with Sally, he's finally able to live in the moment as he becomes fully involved with the dangerous lifestyle he had previously, and bogusly claimed to be a part of. Now he can knowingly and contently say: "That was me who did that".
Burt Lancaster is fantastic. He looks like Dick Van Dyke with his white hair and moustache. It's also an unusual role for him as he's used to playing characters with a bit of dignity. "Numb Nuts" Lou is essentially a peeping Tom who cusses and does sleazy drug deals. But, nevertheless, you can root for the loveable rascal as his heart is in the right place.
Overall, it's a good movie. The acting is good, the action is good, and at times it's funny.
The moral of the story is its biggest take away: you're never too old to live.
6.8.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Welcome to the Psych Ward!
It's a two-hour drama with a ton of dialogue. About a dysfunctional family who are constantly quarreling. After Blanche loses everything, she has no other choice but to move in with her sister and brother-in-law. The dirty apartment is far from ideal. The damp and cramped living conditions offer her little privacy or space. Marlon Brando and his cronies are the local riff-raff, and there's no respite from the constant noise of thier drunken tantrums, outbursts and fights. Karl Marlden seems like her last bastion of hope, the one to provide her with the grounded normalcy she needs. But even he reveals to have no redeeming qualities.
The acting seems over-dramatic at times, but that's obviously because the characters are so high-strung themselves. The constant arguing does get old, but is necessary to convey the chaos of Blanche's predicament as she battles to hold on to her sanity. The sad conclusion is inevitable.
Not my cup of tea, but it could be yours.
6.4.
Crossfire (1947)
Expected Better!
So, we start off with a fight in the opening scene. Cleverly done with shadows, but with absolutely zero context. Some movies take forever to get to the action, but this on the other hand is way too soon. At least give us some kind of character introduction.
The tired detective can't get a straight answer from anyone about anything. All of this beating around the bush is to make all of the characters seem suspect. We get it. You want to add a bit of paranoia but it's way overdone.
Wasn't impressed with Robert Mitchum either. He doesn't do much of anything. Except become detective #2. Also, a movie theater is an awful place to take someone (especially with hangover) for questioning. Go somewhere quiet and without distractions.
Gloria Grahame was a welcome addition, but she could have had a longer role. And her pimp/husband, what the heck was that guy all about? Yet another one who can't give a straight answer.
Robert Young: I think I know who the killer is...
Robert Mitchum: I think you're right...
(the audience: "Its about time!")
What are the positives? It's a strong performance from Robert Ryan. Really showcasing his ability for playing villains, his character was a terrifying, hateful bigot. His co-stars also did a great job of walking on eggshells whilst around him. A big plus is what this movie did for raising awareness. And the sensitive nature of the subject matter was handled tactfully, and with class.
The Train (1964)
Very Good
A WW2 movie based on a true story. About a team of railway workers who pull off an almost impossible mission to save the pride of France - a train full of famous paintings that must be stopped from entering Germany. A treacherous journey under constant Nazi supervision, they face death and failure at every hurdle. Guts and ability won't be enough to get them all through it. They'll have to rely on the assistance from the community, intelligence from the outside, and luck. Lots, and lots of luck.
As far as pace is concerned it is a bit stop-start. But although the action scenes are sporadic, they're high quality. Burt Lancaster, who was fifty at the time, looks right at home. He gives a convincing performance as Labiche, a very knowledgeable and competent train engineer. Would loved to have seen a romance blossom between him and Christine, but the stakes were understandably too high to be distracted. The final scene is the most satisfying.
Overall, it is well-made film. There is a moment of unsteady camera work in the hotel bedroom room, however. As Burt walks toward the window there is noticeable shaking as the camera follows behind him. Other than that it's a pretty solid black and white movie. Would it have been better in color, with all of that green European countryside to take advantage of? Possibly. But maybe the dated look adds to the story's historical significance.
7.5.
Elmer Gantry (1960)
Oscar-Winning Performance!
Burt Lancaster absolutely nails it as Elmer Gantry; a charming, charismatic charlatan who's full of beans. Not everybody buys into it, however. Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons) see's through his facade, but is impressed by his persistence. She gives the former salesman the chance to become a preacher. And, with his ability to hype a crowd, along with his gift for public speaking, they go on to form a sensational act. All good things must come to an end, however, and the gravy train comes to a screeching halt in the city of Zenith when a working girl, an old flame of Elmer's, returns to frame him. The damage is too much for Sister Sharon, and the movie ends tragically when a burning cigarette butt starts a fire.
Not Burt Lancaster's best movie, but certainly his greatest performance. His role in "The Rainmaker" years earlier stood him in good stead for this as his character had very similar aspects to Elmer. There's also notable performances from Jean Simmons and Arthur Kennedy, but Lancaster undoubtedly dominates the movie. His Oscar was well-deserved.
Not as a Stranger (1955)
Doc Mitchum
This is an unusual one. A medical movie about the journey of a socially awkward physician, his wife, and his few friends. Casting requirements? Anyone with a big name will do.
If you think Robert Mitchum (The Night of the Hunter, El Dorado) and Frank Sinatra (Ocean's 11) look out of place, just wait til you see Lee Marvin (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance) on his best behavior as a mild-mannared medical student. Very weird.
Mitch plays the part of Lucas Marsh well. An excellent physician who's married to the job. His relationships suffer because of this. The hospital scenes depict the day-to-day duties of dealing with general public, the triumph of saving lives, and the tragedy of losing lives. So, basically, nothing out of the ordinary (for a doctor).
It isn't bad, just long-winded. About an hour longer than it needed to be.
From Noon Till Three (1976)
A Fun Charles Bronson Movie
This gem is relatively unknown to the mainstream because it was made about 20 years too late. The big dream concept was a bit far-fetched for the 70's.
Now, if this was made back in the 50's with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, this unusual romantic fantasy may have found a much bigger audience.
Instead, it's lead by an aging Charles Bronson and his real-life wife Jill Ireland. And there isn't anything wrong with that. The outcome, however, is just too comical to be taken seriously.
Nevertheless, it is a fun one to watch. Charles and Jill had great chemistry, and you can really feel that they enjoyed making this together.