My life at the movies.
Directed by John Ford and David Butler. Starring George O'Brien, Helen Chandler, William Janney, and Stepin Fetchit.
John Ford’s second sound picture. George O’Brien joins the Naval Academy, endures hazing from the upperclassmen, and rivals his older brother, a West Point cadet, for a girl. John Wayne and Ward Bond have small parts as O’Brien’s upperclassmen tormentors. The film culminates with the big Army-Navy football game pitting brother against brother. Continue reading...
Directed by Alfred J. Goulding. Starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Forrester Harvey, and Wilfred Lucas.
Peter Cushing’s second film. He has a minor speaking part playing one of the Oxford students who hassle Laurel and Hardy. Continue reading...
Directed by Lowell Dean. Starring Leo Fafard, Yannick Bisson, Amy Matysio, and Jonathan Cherry.
A muddled sequel that plays like an ultra-gory episode of Doctor Who. The script throws in robots, a talking parasite, another lycanthrope, shape-shifters (that don’t shift-shape), and a hockey match finale that has WolfCop playing goalie. The first film’s strength came from embracing and amplifying cop-movie tropes. This entry feels less focused, like a middle chapter in a bigger sci-fi saga. Not without laughs, but disappointing.
Directed by Karl Freund and Tod Browning. Starring Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, and Dwight Frye.
I first saw Dracula on TV. I don’t remember when, but I was still fishing prizes out of breakfast cereals and watching Saturday morning cartoons. I do remember loving the movie. Toys, costumes, books, and a lifelong interest followed. In the decades since, I’ve seen the film dozens of times.
Yet, it wasn’t until this viewing that I realized the film leaves the Lucy plot-thread unresolved. Embarrassing, but true.
Directed by Ryan Coogler. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, and Danai Gurira.
A lot happens, but nothing matters. A fine enough self-contained entry, but the best Marvel films also impact the shared universe. Bonus points for Martin Freeman’s casino dialogue, which reminded me of Clark Gregg’s Agent Coulson.
Directed by Lowell Dean. Starring Leo Fafard, Amy Matysio, Sarah Lind, and Corinne Conley.
Ridiculous in the best way. An alcoholic sheriff’s deputy becomes a werewolf and uses his newfound powers to clean up his small town. Continue reading...
Directed by John Cromwell. Starring William Powell, Jean Arthur, Kay Francis, and Regis Toomey.
A great character caught in a bad story. Powell plays “Natural” Davis, New York City’s premier gambler, renowned for his charm and ethics. As a mark says early, “It’s a pleasure to lose your money to him.” Continue reading...
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Starring Herbert Marshall, Norah Baring, Phyllis Konstam, and Edward Chapman.
Hitchcock’s third sound picture. Herbert Marshall plays Sir John, a noted stage actor serving on the jury weighing the case of a young actress accused of murder. The case appears open-and-shut, but Sir John has doubts. After ceding to peer pressure and voting guilty, his conscience compels him to launch his own investigation. Continue reading...
Directed by Taika Waititi. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, and Mark Ruffalo.
Best Doctor Strange movie.
Directed by Lucio Fulci. Starring Jean Sorel, Marisa Mell, Elsa Martinelli, and Alberto de Mendoza.
Lucio Fulci’s first thriller wows with confident pacing, stylish camera-work, and strong performances. I went in cold and suggest you do likewise. The less you know, the better. Continue reading...
