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Captain Lightfoot (1955)
At least Douglas Sirk did not make only melodramas
Splendidly shot in the Green Erin - Ireland - this beautiful, magic adventure movie is my own favorite from director Douglas Sirk, who was mostly specialized in melodramas; certainly not adventures and westerns. Which he also gave us from once in a while. As an Universal Pictures stuff, you could hardly avoid Rock Hudson - or it could have been Tony Curtis or Jeff Chandler, other "home" stars. It is an enchanted film, I forgive the naive side of this story that could have also been written for a sword and sandal or even One Thousand and One nights tale, set in Arabian desert or palace. I have great tenderness for this beautiful film.
Ma 6-T va crack-er (1997)
Powerful social drama
It is not a thriller nor a crime film, but a social, brutal, gritty but also a bit ankward social drama in the line of LA HAINE, or RAÏ, made two years earlier. But there is a thing that I can't realize, I can not believe, is that no one - even in France, on french movie blogs - no one has noticed that the previous Jean-François Richet's film: L'ETAT DES LIEUX, made two or three years earlier, was also a suburb violent social depiction. L'ETAT DES LIEUX was somewhere the prequel, the draft, of this one. Played in both cases, for both films, by mostly non professional actors - as also was LES MISERABLES - made twenty years later, those two features are mainly destined to suburb, ghetto audiences for whom it was a huge success, as also was SCARFACE, one decade earlier.
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
I thought of Samuel Fuller
I don't know why, but during the watching of this film, I thought of Sam Fuller, and I am amazed that a British director, specialized in comedies, made this one. Very surprised, but in the good way, because it is a good film, not predictable at all, and showing a very unforeseeable Burt Lancaster, in a very ambivalent role, limit villain character. This is gritty, bittersweet, never lame nor cheesy. It is a powerful movie that revealed Tony Curtis in a strong and convincing role, that changed him from his previous characters in costume - or not - Universal Studios films. With of course TRAPEZE, produced the same or maybe previous year, and also starring Burt Lancaster. After those two films, Tony Curtis's career changed totally.
Cell 2455, Death Row (1955)
At least Fred S Sears made a good film on his own....
This is for me the best movie from director Fred S sears, besides EARTH VS FLYING SAUCERS, which was famous more for Ray Harryhausen special effects than for Sears' skills as a director. This ambitious but so simple story is a terrific story, which was produced five years before Caryl Chessman's execution. It is riveting, gripping, so well made that I would have never bet a dime on Fred S sears as the maker of this one. It is not a crime film but a true, authentic drama. Gritty, engrossing, and also a true good performance - probably the best - from William Campbell, mostly known as villains in supporting characters. Please notice that it was not produced by Sam Katzman but Wallace mac Donald. Under the infamous Katzman's supervision, I am sure it would have been different...And not in better but rather in worse, and not worth !!!!
International Crime (1938)
For once, I expected a Charles Lamont's crime film
As any movie buff knows, Charles Lamont was mostly known for his comedy flicks, starring Abbot and Costello, Francis the talking mule or some late forties colorful adventures films for Universal Studios. Forget the rest. But when I found this one, regarding to the title, I said to myself, that maybe among the Lamont's "muddy" career, there could be an hidden gem, such for instance a taut crime film. Who knows? In my long life as a moviegoer, I have seen so incredible things.... But unfortunately, it was not the case for this one. Not at all. Not a comedy, but too light hearted for my taste. What a deception.
Stagecoach (1966)
Was it useful?
I don't think so, I don't think this remake was really useful. And I am still amazed how Twentieth Century Fox produced, or at worst distrubuted so big, long length and big budgets films, plus in LBX 2.35 frame, starring so lousy actors - at least not top of the list actors - during the early sixties: this one STAGECOACH or THE FIEND WHO WALKED THE WEST, both directed by the same Gordon Douglas. Imagine, Alex Cord in John Wayne's shoes !!!! Oh my God, even as a TV movie, it would have been a disgrace, so imagine for a big screen feature, shot in LBX for a 105 mn length...And look for Robert D Webb's films, all big budgets, late fifties or early sixties, with second rate stars: not Richard Widmark nor Victor Mature or Hank Fonda- Fox "home" stars, for instance. So this one is the perfect example of what I say. But it remains an honest western, agreeable, not boring, but useless.
The Notorious Landlady (1962)
Notorious funny Hitchcock like rip-off
That's the first thing I thought about whilst watching this black humor comedy, directed by the specialist Richard Quine - it could have been a Billy Wilder or even Blake Edward's film though - and starring the also specialists Jack Lemmon and Kim Novak - Dick Quine's real life wife. In Alfred Hitchcock's suspense thrillers, the husband is usually suspect of being a murderer, and here this is the - not wife, here - lady.... And there is also much suspense, despite the numerous comedy lines. Because this movie is above all a comedy, and a very good one, which, for obscure reasons, was so hard to find for a long time.
The Strange World of Planet X (1958)
Strange that this sci-fi flick is not better known
I was pretty amazed by this little UK Science fiction movie starring - as many other ones and not only sci-fi but also thrillers and dramas - American actors, here Forrest Tucker. It may be not at the same level as a Hammer production and directed by a Val Guest, Freddie Francis or Terence Fisher, but it is definitely worth the watch. At least, it is available on DVD, that's already a good thing, isn't it? From this independent and cheap British company, this film is a real tour de force. I am truly amazed, especially concerning the second part, far more interesting and riveting than the first so talkative one. Good scenes in the second, and I would say third, part.
Cripple Creek (1952)
Worth little western
Ray Nazzaro the director was not that lousy after all, or only for his first part of career. This little western is agreeable though very predictable too. You have George Montgomery as the lead, as well you could have had Rory Calhoun or Sterling Hayden. Beautiful settings and landscapes, not too long, and a never boring story. So, for western fans, this movie is worth the watch. Of course, if you search something very unusual and different, you may be a bit deceived. Good efficient scenes, very surprising in such a B western. Good ending twist too. Yes, an above average Ray Nazzaro western. I highly recommend it. Go ahead now !
The Curse of the Cat People (1944)
First of the list of many other masterpieces
Yes folks, this is the first film from director Robert Wise, and produced by the talented Val lewton, the king of eerie stories, fantasy and terror without any bloodshed nor violence, in the line of Lewis Allen's THE UNSEEN or THE UNINVITED. Same kind of atmosphere and story, and not necessarily recommended to children or on the contrary bloodthirsty audiences. This very first movie from director Bob Wise is absolutely riveting, stunning, haunting; especially if you are very young when discovering it. It may haunt you for years and years, and without traumatizing you, don't worry. There is no real CAT PEOPLE here, less than in the Jacques Tourneur's film anyway. A real must see.
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Greatest film ever made about circus world
This is THE FILM about circus, the most famous, prestigious ever made. It was aired in France every December 25th for years. For years.... For the whole family on Xmas day. This is a true masterpiece, flawless, gripping, I know this movie by heart. I don't get tired of it. But there are other movies also very good, if you love circus: RING OF FEAR, CIRCUS WORLD, THE BIG CIRCUS, CARNIVAL STORY, CIRCUS OF HORRORS.... It is not only a story with different plots and intrigues, because of the presence of many characters, but also a sort of documentary concerning the circus world, the behind the scenes details which the large audiences don't necessarily know. Yes, a masterpiece. One of Cecil B De Mille's best.
Carnival Story (1954)
The greatest carnival on earth
It is not a lousy picture, even if it will forever remain in the shade of movies such as Cecil B De Mille's GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH, CIRCUS WORLD, THE BIG CIRCUS or RING OF FEAR. This circus - carnival, sideshow - movie is not that well known, maybe because it is not from a big studio but produced by the King brothers - and not Henry or Louis. But for such a movie, the cast is rather good, enjoyable, with the likes of Steve Cochran, Ann Baxter, Lyle Bettger, Jay C Flippen.... It could have been worse. The story is good too, tense, taut; espcially helped by powerful and convincing Steve Cochran's performance. So, not the best but neither the worst of circus - sideshows, carnival - films.
Captain Pirate (1952)
Harry Joe Brown's surprising production
Yes, folks, the producer of this marvelous little adventure yarn is the same who gave us the Budd Boetticher and Randolph Scott's western series, several years later. I am so happy that it was not the infamous Sam Katzman who produced this excellent movie. Because the poor Ralph Murphy - lame director - could have done anything against this Katzman plague; even William Castle hardly tried his best, during his Columbia Pictures period, with Katzman on his back, watching over his shoulder. Without any success.... So, yes, this tremendous adventure film, very colorful, action packed, is as good as the Sidney Salkow's films or even the Universal Studios ones, also from the same period, starring the likes of Maureen O'Hara insteand of Patricia Medina - O'Hara's equivalent for Harry Cohn's company (Columbia).
Track the Man Down (1955)
I have tracked this movie down for a long time. And that's the result.
I know, this RG Springsteen film is not a masterpiece, this is not a golden gem set with diamonds, but it remained a rare movie for a long time. So, when I finally got it, I was so glad. Maybe I waited for it because of the plot, a heist pulled in a race track stadium, as also was Stanley Kubrick's THE KILLING. This was a masterpiece, and of course, I did not expect to find something equivalent here. And I was damn right. This is a pure garbage junk stuff, more British than American - no offense to our UK friends - but it is light heart, nearly comedy, talkative, lousy, boring. How could I think about THE KILLING when I first began to search this one? Useless to say that RG Springsteen has made far far better than this in his homeland.
Colors (1988)
BOYS IN THE HOOD meets THE NEW CENTURIONS
It is here a gritty, authentic, realistic depiction of the Hollywood, Los Angeles that we have rarely seen, through the numerous films made before and after. We think of Richard Fleischer's THE NEW CENTURIONS or a David Ayer or Joseph Wambaugh's like film - screenwriter or director : TRAINING DAY, END OF DAYS, BAD TIMES. Yes, there were many many films speaking of this underground Los Angeles and the endless gang wars, but this one is for me largely above average, because of the directing, dialogues, acting. It is not cheesy, not destined to wide silly audiences eating their popcorn to fill up a brainless head. I had not seen it since a long time and frankly I missed it so much.
The Big Land (1957)
The great Caruso
I remind this Gordon Douglas' western not because of Alan Ladd's presence - the good guy, as usual - but because of the villain character, which is also here as usual Anthony Caruso - nearly a cliché.... But I love this kind of role, as was Jack Palance in SHANE vs the same Alan Ladd. No real surprise here, despite the Gordon Douglas's flawless directing. The latest was a true professional anyway...Useless to say that I highly prefered Alan Ladd in ONE FOOT IN HEL, where his charater was so complex and ambivalent.... So, this western deserves to be seen, especially if you are a western buff, you can't miss it; I only gave my opinion, tha's all.
The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)
Creature is still walking in moviegoers memory
At least in my memory, and this movie is not at all worst than the two previous ones, not at all. I would say it is probably the most interesting because of the plot in the second part, that allows us to think that the creature is not the "villain" of the story, but maybe not the most interesting of the three concerning the mythic sequences that we had with Julia Adams in the first film. But, yes, definitely yes, I like this horror film, the last of the Universal Studios. And this movie convinces me for good that the director John Sherwood could have been a second Jack Arnold; he gave us MONOLITH MONSTERS - a science fiction film must see - and also a very good western RAW EDGE. Such a shame that this director passed away so soon, one year after Fred S Sears and Kurt Neuman, also excellent science fiction films makers - EARTH VS FLYING SAUCERS for Sears and THE FLY, KRONOS and ROCKETSHIP XM concerning Neuman.
L'humanité (1999)
The slowest cop of humanity....
This is a true masterpiece, but not for everyone. The overall atmosphere and settings reminds me the Dardenne's brothers cinema, but not the directing methods though. This is a drama, not a thriller nor a crime film either, despite the criminal element. This is above all a deep and ambitious characters study, social depiction too, and pulled by non professional actors, which is even better. This is depressing, gloomy, and also very, very, very slow.... That's the reason why I won't recommend it to everyone - and not anyone!!!. Because, I repeat, it's really worth the watch. Bruno Dumont the director made several movies also more or less close to this one in terms of atmosphere. But not all of them. A powerful story speaking of loneliness and the difficulty to communicate.
Road Gang (1936)
I am an inmate in the road gang
This is a pretty rough, tough, gritty drama exposing the road gang conditions. Of course, the movie buffs will compare it with Mervyn Le Roy's I WAS A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG; not exactly the same story but at least the same realistic depiction of what prison camps were in those times. Louis King was a pretty good director but maybe lacked ambition to be the the equal of his brother Henry. This is not a crime film, despite the prison, road gang scheme, but a solid drama that should not be despised, because of being a B movie. This is a pure little gem, don't make the mistake to underestimate it.
Félicien Grevèche (1986)
Better than ARDECHOIS COEUR FIDELE
Here, you still have Sylvain Joubert as the lead character, as he also had twelve years earlier in ARDECHOIS COEUR FIDELE also a period TV show, taking place during the early1800's, in the deep French countryside. And in this 1974 series - ARDECHOIS...- he also had Claude Brosset as a kind of Nemesis- as here, but in FELICIEN GREVECHE, the Claude Brosset's character is a true villain, whilst in ARDECHOIS, his character was more ambivalent, shady. So, this series - FELICIEN GREVECHE- is a true, authentic depiction of what medicine was in those times - 1870's - in France, and more precisely the deep rural France. It seems very accurate, incredible, a bit fun, but also very sad - limit gloomy - and the characters are very convincing. The lead role held by Sylvain Joubert is really powerful, poignant, far more than in ARDECHOIS COEUR FIDELE, which was more light hearted. This 1986 TV show is not gloomy but sad, not depressing but bittersweet. A real must see, French TV archive gem. And speaking of eighteenth century countryside doctors stories, you also had the marvelous TV show ENNEMI DE LA MORT, starring Bernard Pierre Donnadieu. You also have some western elements here, villains, wilderness, landscape.... And also a violent criticsm against middle class. Claude Chabrol's spirit during the 1870's.
Soudain seuls (2023)
Suddenly bored
Thomas Bidegain gave us the outstanding COWBOYS, back in 2015, a surprising gem, and it's strange that he did not make anything else since. So this one is really bold, ambitious, even for a so simple plot. Simple but hard to shoot, actually, and also pulled by convincing performances. Gilles Lelouche plays here a character that Jean Dujardin could also have had. At least, that's my opinion. But unfortunately it becomes rapidly boring, boring, slow, desperately long, so long, despite the simple plot. This script tries to analyse a character study, the relationship of a couple, thrown into a deep existential crisis thru this adventure, but it fails..... I prefered COWBOYS though. This one is cheesy, compared to the previous one.
Garbo Talks (1984)
But does she smile?
This is a truly sensitive comedy drama, very bitter sweet but brilliant, intelligent, where Ann Bancroft - whom I am always confounded with Nathalie Wood for their resemblance - confirms that she was as excellent as when she offered us SEVEN WOMEN, MIRACLE WORKER or THE GRADUATE. It is one of my favorite from director Sidney Lumet, the New York City faithful director, but I thought of a Paul Mazurski's film too, I don't know exactly why. It is sad but never gloomy nor depressing. And what a tribute to this great actress Greta Garbo; it's such a shame that she refused to appear, even as a cameo, but the contrary would have surprised me too.
Escape in the Fog (1945)
Where is George Mac Ready?
Did I have a dream too, as the woman in this film? This is a short length Columbia Pictures thriller, where the villain is not George Mac Ready !! I can't believe it. Otto Kruger is however effective here, but in a role in the total opposite of what the villain character that George Mac Ready should have had. The villians here are of course Nazis; a couple of years later, it would have been the Commies.... Anyway, yes, Nina Foch is the predictable character for this cheap Columbia - but so effective though - film, but, I repeat, the usual villain Mac Ready is missing. So, even without him, this early Budd Boetticher programmer is worth the catch, as any other Budd boetticher's film anyway. Some Hitchcockian elements in this movie too.
Les brigades du Tigre (2006)
The AVENGERS series adaptation on big screen syndrom
Of course, it can't be exactly the same as the seventies series LES BRIGADES DU TIGRE. But the chaaracters names are the same and the period too. But in the series, you had one different story in each episode, and it was rather smooth, sometimes light hearted, certainly not as tragic, gritty as the story in this film. The same problem with the UK series THE AVENGERS that was put on large screen in 1998. It could not be the same as the series. Impossible. I guess that's precisely because it was not a comedy that this film was a failure at the box office. If it had been a stupid comedy, it would have been a success. I am sure. I prefer this film as it is. Actually, this story is very modern, denouncing the "dirty" undercover political "affairs" of the government.
Maryland (2015)
Between MAN ON FIRE and the coming ELYAS
When I review this one, I think of Tony Scott's MAN ON FIRE - it self a remake of an Elie Chouraqui's film starring Scott Glenn - and of course the coming soon Florent Emilio Siri's ELYAS, starring Roschdy Zem in a seemingly EQUALIZER or JOHN WICK like character. A former special forces soldier become a bodyguard for a wealthy family and who will have to face many dangers towards this same family - beautiful wife and - or - kid. But the movie I review now is only a bit action oriented, however not that much, it is more focused on the psychological matter, character relationship study. But it is directed by a woman, with a great dose of sensitivity, evoking the post war traumatic disorder. Unlike what the Florent Emilio Siri's film trailer suggests. ELYAS - which I will comment, don't worry - will be far more focused on the action packed stuff, as was his famous NID DE GUEPES. So, this very movie MARYLAND is a hell of a film, especially from a woman director. A wonderful little gem, offering a terrific performance from Mathias Schoendaerts. Excellent action sequences, especially a very brutal, bloody one. It was shot in Saint Jean Cap ferrat - south of France, French riviera - a town where you have hundreds of huge, gigantic billionaires villas and castles, fancy mansions mostly owned by Russian oligarchs and other wealthy, very very wealthy, businessmen whose "affairs" are far from being so legal...If you know what I mean. So, watching this movie reminds me my vacation site, and I am not a very wealthy business man !!!!