Change Your Image
NLawing
Reviews
THX 1138 (1971)
Genius in the Raw
If you are expecting a precursor to Star Wars- you will be sadly disappointed. This movie shows the pure raw talent of George Lucas. While thanks should go to Coppola for having the fore-site for funding this gem.. but it is Lucas that polished the stone. This is what you would have gotten if you had combined Kubrick, Orwell and thrown in a healthy handful of science fiction. Lucas also showed he was smart n picking veteran actors to direct.. and he brought out of them fine performances. This is one to add to your collection of "films to surprise your friends with" and a must have for all Lucas fans. Park it right next to American Graffiti!
The Gay Divorcee (1934)
Tripping the Light Fantastic
This is just a fun movie.. Nothing serious, just a cast of characters guaranteed to keep you laughing, from start to finish, the wonderful dancing of Fred and Ginger, and great music. From Eric Blore's waiter portrayal- which is worthy of a Monty python skit, to Cole Porter's Night and Day- this movie has everything to make you day better your heart lighter and your smile wider. Look for Betty Grable in a minor role- 6 years before she became WWII's favorite girl. RKO's staging of the "big number" The Continental is worthy of MGM. Grab your favorite dance partner, clear the living room and dance along with Fred and Ginger in this great old movie.
On the Beach (1959)
Timeless Movie; Timeless Message
What a wonderful study of human nature. Every anthropology and religion student should see this film. In fact everyone should see this film - and then ask "What would I do?" Every aspect of human nature is covered here-- without preaching, without vulgarity. This picture is put together like a painting by master artist- stroke by stroke it comes to life before our eyes, until the final flourish in the last seen makes us draw a breath- and hold it.
Kudos to Kramer for enlisting Fred Astaire in his role. I don't know why he was inspired to cast him- but he let us see how much we take for granted from Mr Astaire. The fact that he can act- and has been acting for the 26 years prior to this movie. I once read where a fellow actor said of Mr Astaire that "he makes it look so easy we take him for granted." Fortunately Mr. Kramer did not.
This movie is timeless and so is it's message. It could have been made in 1949 , 1959 , 1969, 1979 , 1989,m 1999, or 2009.
The Mummy's Hand (1940)
Light hearted and surprisingly good
I found this to have the same upbeat , adventuresome sort of tone that The Mummy remake with Brendan Fraser had. Comic relief abounds between Wally ford and Cecil Hallaway. Something interesting is that the opening scenes and sequences are almost identical to the Boris Karloff Mummy. Even down to the same Nubian's carrying the sarcophagus. Theyretold the tale somewhat, but actually it's not a bad premise.This is not a movie for those of you who can't get past special effects. The effects are decent for the time period, but if you compare it to today- don't waste your time watching it. But if you're in the mood for a laugh , a fight or two, and a little bit of scare, then this is the movie for you.