Sunday 30 December 2018
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)
A man is reunited with his childhood friend and her husband, who believe he knows the truth about the death of her rich aunt years earlier.
High-pitched melodrama with Noir elements takes its intricate plot to its bitter ending; the star cast make it work.
Halliwell**: "Irresistible star melodrama which leaves no stone unturned; compulsive entertainment of the old school."
Maltin***: "Gripping melodrama..."
Saturday 29 December 2018
I Still See You (2018)
Set ten years after an apocalyptic event that killed millions and left the world inhabited by ghosts.
Although this movie is nicely made, has atmosphere and some well-staged scenes, it is hamstrung by a wildly far-fetched plot based on a likewise implausible premise.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Season 2 (2018)
In the Season Two premiere, Midge takes the stage for a foreign audience, while Abe and Rose find themselves in a new world. Susie experiences the repercussions of having a bad reputation in the business, as Joel regroups after quitting his job.
The second season successfully continues in the same quality as before - complete with a meandering plot, with Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein holding the show together with their brilliant performances.
Friday 28 December 2018
I Kill Giants (2017)
Barbara Thorson struggles through life by escaping into a fantasy life of magic and monsters.
Wonderfully stirring tale of friendship and loss, embedded in child's fantasy world, convinces in all departments, especially with Madison Wolfe's powerful performance.
Ice Quake (2010)
Beneath the Alaskan landscape, the melting permafrost is about to drastically alter the tranquil scenery.
Pretty bad TV disaster movie comes along with disappointing effects, stonelike performances and silly science.
Wednesday 26 December 2018
Wrong Turn at Tahoe (2009)
A small-time crime boss kills a drug dealer without realizing that the drug dealer works for the biggest crime boss in the country.
Above-average crime thriller with a good cast is tough and very violent, but worth the watch.
Getaway (2013)
To save his kidnapped wife, Brent Magna must drive at the orders of a mysterious man.
Basically just one endless car chase with lots of crashes throwing off any interest on the plot along the way.
Maltin*1/2: "Predictable thriller consists mainly of one car chase after another."
Tuesday 25 December 2018
A Christmas Carol (2009)
An animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.
Unnecessary adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic is very showy with lots of flashy action and visuals, but hardly conveys the heart of the tale.
Maltin**1/2: "...this hybrid of animation and live action serves no apparent purpose except go flying over and around the streets of Victorian London. The story is still effective but it's been told much better before."
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
A freewheeling Detroit cop pursuing a murder investigation finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills.
Well-made lively and entertaining crime comedy relies less on its plot and rather mainly Eddie Murphy's hilarious performance.
Halliwell**: "Filled with foul language and frenetic, this rough-edged action comedy became one of the top box-office grossers of its year. So much for its year."
Maltin***1/2: "Sassy, tough, and very funny vehicle for Murphy, who's in peak form as a guy who's never caught off guard. Deft blend of comedy and violent action, extremely well cast, with terrific song score."
Sunday 23 December 2018
Im Reich des silbernen Löwen (1965)
Kara Ben-Nemsi, friends and rescuees set out to free a young relative of the guardian of the treasure of the Chaldaeans 'Christian sect), who is captured for that fabulous ransom.
Typical Karl May adaptation for its time offers lots of fast-paced action (and violence) and ribald humor in a clunky production.
It Must Schwing - The Blue Note Story (2018)
In 1939, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, two young émigrés from Berlin, founded the legendary jazz label Blue Note Records in New York, a label dedicated itself exclusively to the recording of American jazz music and developed its own unmistakeable recording style and sound.
Elaborate and moving documentary about one of the most important jazz labels combines the personal histories of its protagonists and the artists with a sharp portrayal of the political ramifications in America and Europe.
Friday 21 December 2018
The Jungle Book (2016)
The man-cub Mowgli flees the jungle after a threat from the tiger Shere Khan and, guided by Bagheera the panther and the bear Baloo, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, though he also meets creatures who don't have his best interests at heart.
Highly entertaining updated version of Kipling's classic, mixing excellent CGI animation with a real (good) actor playing Mowgli, resulting in more realistic and in parts dark and upsetting sequences for a child audience.
On renewed viewing: I still enjoy this version very much.
Murder, Smoke and Shadows (1989)
An egocentric wunderkind director murders a childhood friend who threatens to expose his negligent complicity in the death of his sister years earlier.
Above-average Columbo murder mystery offers some behind-the-scenes Hollywood tricks and delightfully presents one for the final conclusion.
Wednesday 19 December 2018
Tuesday 18 December 2018
Creepshow (1982)
An anthology which tells five terrifying tales based on the E.C. horror comic books of the 1950s.
Nicely reimagined homage to 50s horror comics balances humor with some nasty bits and is generally enjoyable, although the quality of the episodes vary considerably.
Halliwell (no star): "Supposedly funny, but mainly rather nasty recreation of a famous 'comic' style; far too extended for its own good."
Maltin**: "Romero nicely captures the look of a comic book..., but Stephen King's five "fantastic tales"...are transparent and heavy-handed..."
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