Picture Releasing Corporation - Poverty Row Corporation - made many craps, yes, but let's be fair, considering the tiny budgets they had, we are lucky to have seen good little surprises from them. Very surprising stories, but a bit talkative, I admit. This one is not my favourite from Victor Halperin: TORTURE SHIP, WHITE ZOMBIE, REVOLT OF THE ZOMBIES were better..But that's not a reason to keep away from it. It is fun, not as boring as you could expect from PRC stuff. This movie is actually a drama, convincing drama, rather well acted and filmed. I am sure everyone has never seen or forgotten it. Such a shame.
Reviews
6,830 Reviews
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
(1931)
Purely awesome
28 May 2024
When you have seen the opening scenes, you already know what you deal with. Something great, stunning, unforgettable, especially from a 1931 film. It was then something new, jawdropping, I am not surprised that this masterpiece will never get old. The best proof, there was no modern remake, I mean, a serious and great film, in the line of DRACULA, which was remade in 1993. It is disturbing, gripping, something never done before, except the previous silent adaptation from Robert Stevenson's novel, made by John S Robertson. I have seen it already but I don't remind it very well. But I don't think there has been a better adaptation than this one; even Spencer Tracy - despite his talent - did not permit Victor Fleming's film to be better than this one.
Big Jim McLain
(1952)
The enemy always comes from Hawai
28 May 2024
I guess that's the message of this anti red movie, one of the most famous of this late forties-early fifties period, besides I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE FBI, RED MENACE and many more. And the fact that the Communists are located in Hawai is connected to the December 7th 1941 trauma. Some kind of a metaphor. If it was not because of the Duke's presence, I would say that this film sucks...I hate propaganda films, whatever they denounce, whatever the message is. This one is the less interesting of director Edward Ludwig - I prefered the Ludwig-Wayne association in WAKE OF THE RED WITCH - and of course John Wayne was the perfect choice for this role, that would have been difficult for Robert Ryan for instance, precisely because of Ryan's political tendancies; not necessarily Communist but at least left winged.
Le coeur au ventre
(1976)
Cute little series
28 May 2024
This is a really poignant, gripping but never sad story of friendship setting in the prizefighting world. It is very accurate and realistic, so close to actual folks, whilst remaining a fiction. It is mostly destined to French audiences, I guess the foreign ones could not appreciate the same way. The story of three friends, the relationship between the three of them is absolutely awesome, so engrossing for sensitive audiences. I loved Sylvain Joubert and Robert Dalban, terrific in a boxing trainer, an old timer, a role that suits him lie a glove. It is really a lost treasure from French TV industry.
The Raven
(1935)
The best of Lew Landers
27 May 2024
It is one of the first films from director Lew Landrers - Louis Friedlander - a very prolific film maker, who will proceed till the early sixties. Mostly cheap but fun actionners, horror, crime, adventures.... But this one is a real true little gem, masterpiece, jewel, thanks of course to Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. The overall quality is at the scale of a James Whale's film, or even a Tod Browning' s production. Universal Studios also contributed to the success of this movie, and Lew Landers had not the same luck for the following years of his career. So, take good advantage to appreciate, enjoy a Lew Landers...It is far far better than THE BOOGIEMAN WILL GET YOU. Which was already a good little horror flick. I found some modernity in the production design, especially for a 1935 film.
Hotel
(1967)
Unknown Arthur Hailey's adaptation
27 May 2024
I had never heard of this Richard Quine's film, till I found it on ok.ru platform. It has never been aired in France nor even released in movie theaters. Very strange for a two hours film, adapted from Arthur Hailey's book, which looks very like Edmond Goulding's film GRAND HOTEL - that had nothing to do with Arthur Hailey; JUST A COINCIDENCE, because many moviegoers still think HOTEL is a GRAND HOTEL remake or rip-off. Not at all, just an Arthur Hailey's adaptation, that's all. But the overall scheme is the very same, same concept. Here, with this first novel, writer Hailey brings his DNA that will follow him till the end. Characters depictions, many characters whose fates not necessarily cross but at least mingle with each other. Romance, drama, some thriller elements. But not here however. Not bad, and again very surprising, despite the cast, that it was shown in France. Never.
Deadlock
(II) (2021)
John McLane in Hans Gruber's shoes.
27 May 2024
As far as I know, Bruce Willis has never played in a DIE HARD rip-off, among the hundreds of them since the early nineties. And Bruce Willis made only craps since 2013 and the failure of DIE HARD 5. Here, it is so exciting, fun, to see him in the villain role - precisely the same role of Hans Gruber in DIE HARD - but a villain for whom we can feel a bit of empathy - just a bit. It is a lousy film, straight to DVD or streaming platform stuff, but precisely because of Bruce Willis presence in such a role - the reverse of DIE HARD -, it remains a good little film. It would not have been made with Bruce Willis, I still would have been interested by this film, precisely because of the lead villain character. But Alan Rickman's performance in DIE HARD was ten times better than the Bruce Willis's one here.
Adagio
(II) (2023)
Solid noir from a Stefano Sollima in great shape
26 May 2024
What a crime movie, what an atmosphere, from the SUBURRA, ROMANZO CRIMINALLE and GOMORRA series maker.... I did not expect less anyway, and I was not deceived. This is long, slow, but so atmospheric, it is dark, gloommy, gritty and, I repeat, the directing is purely mindblowing. I hope Sollima's son - because Stefano is the son of the late Sergio - will this time stay in Italy instead of emigrating to the Hollywood crap industry and being a "gentle" yes man for the stock holders producers. SOLDADO - SICARIO 2 -was OK though but not the Tom Clancy's adaptation. So, this new film from Stefano Sollima is really worth the catch.
The Big Heat
(1953)
Predictable but flawless
26 May 2024
This rough, brutal crime flick denouncing corruption in a big town offers nothing really exceptionnal, but a chiseled directing, acting, screenwriting, and some tremendous scenes, such as this one, showing Lee Marvin - awesome and gruesome - throwing boiling coffee on Gloria Graham's face. So brutal for this period. Even now, it would be shocking. Fritz Lang shows one more time how great he was, but this crime movie is not as jaw dropping as BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, for instance. It is ot too long to watch. A usually forgotten movie from Fritz Lang, it is unfair. Lee Marvin was rreally the best choice for the villain role. Gloria Graham outstanding, so poignant.
Gun for a Coward
(1956)
Not bad little western
26 May 2024
It is a small budget and very intelligent psychological western, speaking of cowardice and the elements in relation of this. But I guess it could have been a bit better though, more gritty, poignant, with a different ending. The director Abner Biberman offered us good stuff, but not too many films, unfortunately. This one is also a family - brothers - story, with the good tension that supposes. I did not expect to see Jeffrey Hunter in this movie, besides Fred McMurray. His character is riveting, and only for this, this western is worth the watch. Universal Studios really made interesting westerns.
White Dog
(1982)
Moving dog story
26 May 2024
This is for me a really poignant, gripping, sad story involving a dog. And not a family oater. A very surprising film from director Samuel Fuller the BIG RED ONE film maker. I don't know if it was faithfully adapted from Romain Gary's novel, but I don't care. Today in 2024, I know there is another film - CHIEN BLANC - same title but in French, starring Denis Menochet, speaking of the same plot, because adapted from the same book. I love this movie, very deeply, more than any CUJO or THE PACK, other excellent dog films too, but certainly not at this scale. Probably my favourite from Samuel Fuller.
He Walked by Night
(1948)
I watched it by night too
25 May 2024
This is a tremendous film noir this one, the best Alfred Werker ever directed. And what an awesome performance from Richard Basehart, as the evil character. I was a bit annoyed by the semi documentary style, which was used many times in those fifties years - late forties here - in the "expose" movies style. Here, I don't know exactly why, I would have prefered not. But this is a pure exciting crime noir from a director rather specialized in westerns during the fifties. Richard Basehart steals the show, he is the character whom we remind the most. Gritty, taut, in the Phil Karlson or Don Siegel manner. Jawdropping climax.
La grosse caisse
(1965)
The money train
25 May 2024
Three decades later, American film industry made MONEY TRAIN, starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, a buddy movie, in the pure nineties fashion, and also speaking a heist against the New York City - instead of Paris - subway train collecting the stations money. But the Alex Joffe's film, which I review now, is an amusing comedy and not an action thriller. Only the basic element was in common between the two features. If you like Paris from the sixties point of view, the Parisian subway and so on, this movie is made for you. Bourvil and Paul Meurisse steal the show. It is not a crime film, I warn you, despite the heist plot. But Paul Meurisse's character, just released from prison, pulling a heist without any gloves, is very unlikely. Because ex cons have always had their fingerprints registered in a database.
If....
(1968)
IF I had not seen it I would have missed something....
24 May 2024
I was about to compare it with Harold Becker's TAPS, made thirteen years later, in 1981, and also taking place in a school, military academy, more precisely, not a traditional public school, but also showing a revolt of the pupils...The plot seems a bit close, but the message not the same at all. And the thirteen years in between certainly explain this difference. This 1968 movie, directed by one of the kitchen sink fashion makers - Lindsay Anderson - is perfectly in the "mood", fashion of this late sixties period: counter culture, revolt against established order...Unlike TAPS, which denounces the contrary of what this British films tries to show off, the maintain of the military traditions by pupils.... Anyway, both films are outstanding and here, Malcolm Mac Dowell announces his awesome character, three years later in CLOCKWORK ORANGE.
Rosetta
(1999)
Hit in the face.
24 May 2024
I discovered the Dardenne brothers' cinema thru this very one, and I also discovered Emilie Dequenne in this true gem. It shocked me with its social brutality; it looks like a depressing Ken Loach, the true face of the real life, real hell which is not necessarily shown in "normal" movies destined to entertain, give pleasure, or kill time. Here, the only thing you kill is the hope to believe in a paradise on earth. Useless to say that this film is not a fairy tale, do not go to watch it if you are depressed or about to commit suicide. Or if you are about to give birth.... Emilie Dequenne was already at her peak here. The camera work, describing the gesture, the daily suffering of this poor young woman is absolutely a torture for any sensitive audience. It is purely beyond any description. Disturbing, depressing, especially during the last minutes, really unbearable, with this poor girl preparing her own suicide by quietly boiling an egg and then. Terrific sequence.... Pure masterpiece.
Beachhead
(1954)
Beach head was not that red
24 May 2024
First of all, do not confound this war feature with BEACH RED, directed by Cornel Wilde, ten years later, and also speaking of WW2 in the Pacific, between GIs and Japanese army. This one is only a good time waster for those who crave for war films. The face to face between Tony Curtis and Frank Lovejoy is OK, but not that gritty, brutal, bloody as the Cornel Wilde's feature. This one remains more Hollywoodian, in the tradition of OBJECTIVE BURMA or MERRILL'S MARAUDERS. Not that bad, I repeat, but nothing exceptional either. Tony Curtis nearly steals the film from his co star Lovejoy; for me it was his first great film, after his Universal Studios costume Arabian flicks, co starring Piper Laurie.
Strangers When We Meet
(1960)
Engrossing romance drama
24 May 2024
Nothing special nor exceptional in this true excellent story, that we have seen thousands of times in movie history, from any country. Excellent acting, dialogues, directing, atmosphere from the fifties. The story of common American people from the medium class. A married man in love with another woman, also a married one. Predictable, classical but very beautiful, charming, even if this kind of film is not your cup of tea. Small town community analysis, as were so many American movies from the likes of Vincente Minelli, Joshua Logan or Mark Robson...You are glued to this story, thanks to the solid acting. So close to reality, actual life and human relations.
Charade
(1963)
Hitchcock like exciting spy thriller adventure
23 May 2024
Alfred Hitchcock and also Blake Edwards like movie, and certainly not from musical director Stanley Donen, who gave us ARABESQUE, the next year. So, I know I am not the only one on earth to confound both movies, which look very alike: both Hitchcock - Edwards like spy thrillers starring Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren ; and - or - Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Good time wasters for both Stanley Donen's material. It was in the pure early sixties mood, fashion, with an international cast. The Henri Mancini's score - another Blake Edwards' link in common here - is splendid and contributes a lot for the tremendous atmosphere of this film.
The Prodigal
(1955)
Richard Thorpe was more brilliant in medievals
23 May 2024
Richard Thorpe was the medieval films expert in Metro Goldwyn Mayer or in Hollywood too: QUENTIN DURWARD, IVANHOE, KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE...So, it was not a surprise that he gave us this movie, a biblical like sword and sandal; but more biblical than sword and sandal. It is closer to THE ROBE or DAVID AND BATHSHEEBA, THE EGYPTIAN ( also starring Edmond Purdom) than BEN HUR, KING SOLOMON AND SHEEBA or TEN COMMANDMENTS. However, the 2.55 frame helps a lot to bring an atmosphere that movie goers in love for such Hollywood "biblical" will appreciate. Lana Turner justifies the watch for the rest of the audiences. She has never been more gorgeous, no matter the quality of this Richard Thorpe's movie.
Sudden Death
(1995)
Worth DIE HARD rip-off
23 May 2024
In the nineties, there was batches of DIE HARD rip-offs, many of them were garbage movies only destined to VHS or DVD release. Hundreds of them, but some were destined to movie theaters, such as this one, in 1995, the same year of UNDER SIEGE 2 and DIE HARD 3. It was predictable that Jean-Claude VanDamme could not avoid a performance in a DIE HARD rip-off. I guess if Jason Statham had been in the business during the nineties, he would have been a John McLane's surrogate too. This is action packed, with a good body count concerning the terrorists, and the first fight between JCVD and the travestite terrorist - wearing a mascot disguise - in the kitchen, this fight is absolute a must see, unique in the action films history, encyclopedia. Awesome and so fun scene. The ebst for me of the whole film. Powers Boothe also outstanding but not as terrific as Alan Rickman or Bill Sadler - DIE HARD 1 and 2 super villains.
Marguerite's Theorem
(2023)
Collapse and maths
23 May 2024
I hate mathematics, I have always hated them, but I love this movie which doesn't need to be a good expert in maths to appreciate it. It is a true authentic character study about a young woman who is an expert in maths and whose world suddenly collapses when she realizes that all her theories don't match anymore. This is not a comedy, a stupid comedy which French film industry has the secret, but a true riveting story, that the French has also the secret of...Never boring and you always wonder what the following scene will be. Nothing predictable. What could we ask for? Not a masterpiece but what for after all?
The Beekeeper
(2024)
Compared to EQUALIZER, this is a B(EE) movie.
22 May 2024
Maybe because Jason Statham is not and never will be Oscar winning actor Denzell Washington. Never forget that Washington's previous performances before or even during the EQUALIZER films franchise were awesome, nearly all of the films where he played. But Jason Statham never changes, and his charisma will never get better nor worse, he is already at his forever peak. BEEKEEPER is crap to me, Statham is at his worst, here. I don't stand Statham in such characters where is is absolutely unbeatable, he can kill hundreds of supermen only by himself, without a single scratch. I know that Washington is the same in EQUALIZER but that's different, and he deserves better than this franchise. Here, I guess director David Ayer, the TRAINING DAY - Academy Awards winning Denzel Washington - screen writer and also director of gritty and violent cops stories - BAD TIMES, END OF WATCH, SABOTAGE, made this one to pay his billls, this doesn't look like his at all. The same feeling when he made - not FURY of course, a pure gem - SUICIDE SQUAD crap. But TAX COLLECTOR was OK too. And this scheme of government ghost, obscure departments, agencies, using dirty money, has been used so many times, since the late seventies, from PARALLAX VIEW, till ENEMY OF THE STATE and many more films which I don't now remember the titles, with or without the approval of the White House...An eternal subject for Hollywood industry. If only it could be the same in France....
Pool of London
(1951)
Common and good British drama
22 May 2024
Crime? Hmmm Maybe a little, but social drama, for sure yes. It is a good film showing London a few years after the Blitz - there were batches of UK movies showing the ruins of London as settings, and as you can guess, there are many social elements in this story, evoking for instance racism, as ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW will be several years later in Hollywood; or even A PATCH OF BLUE, starring Sidney Poitier. This is not the film I will remember the most, unlike the previous : ODDS.... It lacks of tragedy and noir, gloomy atmosphere. Photography is awesome, directing too and that makes the result very agreeable. You can't get bored with such an item. Typical British film of this period, at least for major productions, not the B department ones.
The Desert Rats
(1953)
Obvious response to DESERT FOX
22 May 2024
If the Hollywood film industry focused on a German - Nazi? - general and also hero with DESERT FOX about Erwin Rommel, of course they must made also a movie showing the opposite side, the Desert Rats, British - and Commonwealth - army. Because they also fought very bravely. They only had more tanks, weapons, troops, ammo in the second part, and that's the reason why they finally succeeded among Rommel. This good war film doesn't emphasize on this important point. But it remains interesting, not too much propaganda, as were the forties movies. I would have loved seeing this authentic scene which I read in a war book document about Rommel, who had been wounded after a battle - because Rommel fought besides his troops, not behind the lines in a bunker - So Rommel was lightly wounded and asked the German doctors to first take care of a British prisoner who was more heavily wounded. Terrific scene that should have been shown.... DESERT RATS proved that Robert Wise was a complete outstanding director that could make any kind of film - crime, war, musical, adventure, science fiction, horror, western, with great talent.
Man of the West
(1958)
Anthony Mann of the West
21 May 2024
This is a true tremendous western from Anthony Mann, different from the other ones he gave us. More brutal, more violent, more gritty, not for the saturday matinees in movie theaters with the whole family. Yes, this is totally different from the other westerns starring Jimmy Stewart, for instance. Julie London has never been so gorgeous and terrific in a film. Gary Cooper in his best role, I mean concerning his second part of career. Ten times more tense and outstanding than HIGH NOON, for me. It is poignant, action packed for such a film, my favourite as western, from Anthony Mann. Don't miss it at any cost.
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