I suppose this falls into the category of neo-noir, owing to its nearly all taking place during the day, as well as it being made in 1966. Other signs are ‘everyone is out for themselves,’ ‘no one has any compassion,’ ‘money isn’t as important as power,’ and ‘death happens near water.’

Damned fine picture with an incredible script. The performances and camera-work are also top-notch.

Recommended!

★★★★☆

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I suppose this falls into the category of neo-noir, owing to is nearly all taking place during the day, as well as it being made in 1966. Other signs are ‘everyone is out for themselves,’ ‘no one has any compassion,’ ‘money isn’t as important as power,’ and ‘death happens near water.’

Damned fine picture with an incredible script. The performances and camera-work are also top-notch.

Recommended!

★★★★☆

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MORE FRITZ LANG!!

If you ever wondered where the stereotype of the spy as well-positioned, tux-wearing playboy came from, it’s at least partly because of this film. More than likely the ur-Spy Thriller, this is a wonderful 2½ hours of fun.

Yes, there’s a fair bit of over-the-top gurning, but that’s to be expected. Overlook that — plus some awful anti-Japanese racism — and you’ll see some incredible performances in a solid story.

Great!

★★★★☆

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An incredibly entertaining 1½ hours! This truly is a motion picture that oughtn’t to have ever got made, as the combination of actors and creative personnel seems impossible! But — oh! my! — I’m so glad it exists!

Thanks to #Kanopy and the #VPL, I can say this this is very much worth your while! Head to your library and learn how to access it, or head to https://www.openculture.com/2014/02/beat-the-devil.html and watch it for free there!

Highly recommended!

★★★★☆

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I’ve always found the #Fletch books really ripe fodder for films, and yet only one was made before this. That one made Fletch glib and one-noted. “Son of Fletch” reveals his to be a complicated and thoughtful guy; think Jim Rockford with more bravado.

THIS is a decent adaptation of the character, and I hope we see more of them! Jon Hamm is perfect, as are all of the actors! Roy Wood, Jr is especially delightful as the Inspector.

★★★★☆

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Probably the most intellectually stimulating 2½ hours I have ever experienced. The notion of psychological influences upon storytelling is hardly new, even when applied to cinema. But here we have a new series of dots being connected, with questions posed which are more sharp, more probing, & more illuminating.

I’ll have to watch this again, as it presents so many ideas.

Right after I rewatch the films in it.

Required viewing.

★★★★★

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There are references to Übermensch who are misunderstood geniuses, their plans will cause anarchy among the people and create a new society to be run by and for the superior survivors. The fact that both the ‘genius’ and his defender are insane, and those who question the plans’ details are killed, never mind that people are only told their specific part of the plan… well…

Lang left Germany shortly after.

[:: ahem ::]

★★★★★

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Apparently I’m on a Fritz Lang binge. Tomorrow’s film will be one of his as well!

Despite this being filled with lots of tough guys with gravelly voices, this isn’t Micky Spillane or Dashiell Hammett! I get a bit of Columbo foreshadowing, though.

Revenge thrillers don’t get much better than this, although I wish it moved along a bit quicker or had more plot twists. Still, very highly recommended, as it bridges both ’40s & ’60s noir.

★★★★☆

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Mostly a manner to tell the US people who the Germans under NAZI control are, it still has all sorts of Fritz Lang touches: a man struggles to hide from others bent on meting out justice, an underground setting, and a love which is unrequited.

Still, it’s pretty jingoistic at times, and much eye rolling will be induced by today’s viewer. Also, this picture has what have to be the worst accents ever.

Recommended overall, however.

★★★☆☆

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So… the biggest differences here are the insertion of the scene in the 2nd image instead of a brief one where Marlow drops off Carmen at the door with the Butler. Then the replacement of the brief scene in the 3rd image with the lengthy, iconic one in the 4th image. There’s also a lengthy scene gone involving Marlow explaining things to the police which explains a few things to us.

I wish there was a blending of both.

…/more

★★★★☆

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For my tastes, this has just one too many twists which do not have sufficient explanatory narrative. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good twisty plot, it just needs to have supporting reasons. One suspects that the script was run through an early Cuisinart to get the full run of the novel’s high points.

Great acting, great dialogue, excellent cinematography, please fire the focus puller.

Despite all that, still highly recommended.

★★★★☆

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I’ve read the novel which was adapted for this film and found it far more rewarding than the picture. There are more twists and surprises to be had there.

Still, there’s little wrong here. Fritz Lang employs his usual long takes involving silences to great success, making the suspense build quite handily. I wish the climax involved more chase and/or answers than we get here.

Recommended.

★★★★☆

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This motion picture is full of wonderful characters, action, and plot twists.

Without a doubt, one of most satisfying endings in cinematic history, too.

I’m not sure how Mrs Stroud stays with her husband, as he clearly hasn’t much of a home life. Somehow she continues to stand by him. Lord only knows why.

If you haven’t seen this — or haven’t seen it in awhile — I highly recommend doing so.

★★★★★

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This motion picture is full of wonderful characters, action, and plot twists.

Without a doubt, one of best endings in cinematic history, too.

I’m not sure how Mrs Stroud stays with her husband, as he clearly hasn’t much of a home life. Somehow she continues to stand by him. Lord only knows why.

If you haven’t seen this — or haven’t seen it in awhile — I highly recommend doing so.

★★★★★

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The American Police Procedural — “Dragnet,” “NYPD Blue,” “Law & Order [insert variant here],” so on — all owe this single film for their foundation. Some aspects are dated (non-consensual gathering of hair sample, admiration of woman’s legs, etc), but the structure is sound and the story is full of surprises.

While some of the acting is wooden, the writing and action more than make up for it.

Very highly recommended!

★★★★★

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I’ve seen this multiple times, but DAMN is this ever a great picture! Tonight was the first time I’ve seen the British adaptation (discovered in the BFI’s voluminous collection) and it’s surprisingly faithful, despite lacking the original’s haunting final line.

No matter which, you should see this incredible film.

Mandatory viewing.

★★★★★

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I’m not sure what triggered this being requested from the Library, but I’m glad to have seen it! It’s funny, thrilling, saucy, and ultimately uplifting. There are too many homophobic jokes (ie: >zero), but it is from 2005, so…

For a story clearly inspired by noir / thriller / detective / tough-guy films, it hits all the right notes and plays a few modern variations in the process.
Well worth your time, especially for a fun Friday evening.

★★★★☆

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This show paved the way for “The West Wing,” “Irresistible,” “Wag the Dog,” and “Bob Roberts.” The blurring of a line between satire and reality has always been fuzzy at times but here it’s really tough to distinguish.

The acting in this is really good, as well as the editing. Owing to using early ENG equipment, the image is less than stellar, but HBO is to be commended for funding the thing in the first place.

Worthwhile.

★★★★☆

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This arrived in the post today. Also arriving today was word that #PotUS 45, ████ is running for 2024’s election. Thus, this evening’s fare is the Robert Altman / Garry Trudeau collaboration about US Presidential politics in the immediate post-Reagan era. So far, I have seen three episodes. Goodness, what a simpler time it was then. And yet, how so very much things have not changed one jot. People are still as stupid as they were.

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Twisty story that all comes together in the end.
A solid example of a #noir picture featuring an actual happy ending. Oh sure, some people get killed and others go to jail, but that’s a regular day in a man’s life, isn’t it? Well, sure it is, pally; at least it is if your name is Philip Marlow, that’s for sure.

Highly recommended.

★★★★☆

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