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487,232
386,241
113,542
7
Uncompromising but flat .
The Australian biopic " Chopper " got all the hype in 2000 , but the much lesser-known " A Journal of Murder " is actually a better film on a similar subject . For one thing , it gives you more of a background about ( if not much more insight into ) the killer , and for another it doesn't try to make him appear " cool " . In fact , the script is quite uncompromising in the way it refuses to humanize Panzram , at least beyond the minimum degree required . But despite Woods ' strong performance and a few nice directorial touches ( especially in the use of black-and-white cinematography and newsreels from the period ) , the film is rather flat - almost like a TV production . ( )
486,727
386,241
65,872
7
Elevated by the acting .
An intelligent , thoughtful , extremely well-acted drama . Both Gene Hackman and Melvyn Douglas perform with great restraint , helped by a script that gives them fully-drawn characters to play . The direction , although not the most important element in this type of film , also has its moments , like a visit to an old-age home that is presented as a descent into Hell . But there is a burden that keeps this film from being a really great one ; its overwhelming banality . ( )
485,787
386,241
117,786
7
Nonstop action - and what action !
The thinnest plot imaginable ( 1 : Bad guys think Jackie has an incriminating tape , 2 : Bad guys go after him ) , but it doesn't matter ; the movie serves up one virtuoso action sequence after another , and some priceless comic dialogue as well ( " Oh my God , you want the tape too ? If you find it PLEASE take it " ) . Jackie was 43 when this was filmed , but he sure hadn't lost a bit of his physical dexterity . This film is much better in every way than his American " breakthrough " hit , " Rumble In The Bronx " , and Richard Norton makes an enjoyable villain . ( )
486,736
386,241
74,512
7
A minor Hitchcock outing , but consistently entertaining .
Family Plot , Hitchcock's last film , is nearly forgotten today ; even when later Hitchcock films are discussed , " Frenzy " and " Torn Curtain " come to most people's minds . But it is an entertaining , thoroughly watchable , consistently absorbing film . Lehman wrote a very clever plot , carefully structured and filled with ironic twists , and he also provides some witty dialogue . Hitchcock's direction just doesn't have the pacing and zest you might expect ( after all , he was 77 years old when he made this ) , but technically it's excellent and the sequence with the car that goes downhill in a twisty mountain road and has no brakes is exceptionally well-edited . Unlike " Frenzy " , this film also has engaging performances by all the actors involved ( Dern is the standout ) . The only disappointment here is the finale , that comes more or less as an anticlimax .
486,504
386,241
39,694
7
Underrated Hitchcock film still has more than its share of flaws .
Hitchcock's last collaboration with Selznick had its good and its bad points for him ; he came away with a sumptuous production but also with a not-terribly-interesting story . The film is smoothly directed , with some exceptional camerawork ; Hitchcock was undoubtedly a master of his craft by this point . However , the depiction of the trial procedures makes the picture look extremely dated . Quite frankly , Madonna's " Body of Evidence " had more credible courtroom scenes . And Ethel Barrymore's Oscar nomination , for a role with screen time that amounts to no more than two minutes , is one of Hollywood's biggest mysteries , if not blunders . ( )
486,170
386,241
57,318
7
Fascinating .
Uneven but fascinating documentary on bizarre customs around the world . It has a few dull stretches ( the auto junkyard scene ) and the narration sometimes gets a little too condescending . But there are also unforgettable scenes ( the giant sea turtle that has lost any sense of orientation , great bullfighting footage ) that make " Mondo Cane " essential viewing for anyone who is even mildly interested in cult films . ( )
486,726
386,241
87,100
7
Fascinating , offbeat .
This is , to be sure , not the easiest film to categorize : campy at times ( with an often inappropriate - but always intentionally so - comic music score ) , at other times serious and emotionally complex and altogether fascinating and intriguing . Anthony Perkins is wackier than ever as a totally demented preacher , Laughlin ( especially ) and Turner are also very good in their roles . It's an explicitly sexual and kinky movie , definitely not for everyone , but if you're tired of the same old stuff , this is refreshingly non-mainstream fare . ( )
487,045
386,241
109,093
7
Likably offbeat fare .
Hal Hartley's " Amateur " is an engagingly offbeat take on the " crime thriller " genre . It is also perhaps the most quietly thoughtful handling of amnesia ( not as a plot trick , but as a subject ) you're ever likely to see . But be warned : Hartley's refreshingly non-mainstream , detached , minimalist style takes quite some getting used to , and the ending is needlessly downbeat . ( )
487,153
386,241
100,442
7
Nolte at his most imposing !
Extremely well-written and colorful dialogue . Grainy , gritty cinematography that gives the film an extra authentic feel . Good performances . Nick Nolte , bigger and more towering than ever before , as the ultimate Bad Cop . This is a worthwhile movie , and it would make a great " police corruption " double bill with the same year's " Internal Affairs " ( a topic for discussion : who is scarier as a villain , Nolte or Richard Gere ? ) . Only problem is that the film is a bit overloaded with supporting characters , making the plot unnecessarily complex at times . ( )
486,687
386,241
57,254
7
Great fun !
An engaging mystery with a splendid cast . Nothing phenomenally clever , but still a treat for those who love puzzles and riddles . There are perhaps details that could have been better handled ( like Scott's initial reactions when he discovers that the killer has finally " introduced " himself - not to give anything away , but for a while he seems a bit apathetic ) , but it's hard to complain when you know that this kind of mystery will never be seen again . ( )
486,679
386,241
82,616
7
Compact , entertaining mystery .
The alternate title of this made-for-TV whodunit is " Who Killed Joy Morgan ? " , yet that's far from being the only question laid down by the film ; we are also constantly asking ourselves " Who was killed ? " and " Who is lying ? " and " Did Joy Morgan ever existed in the first place ? " . The twisty script makes sure that WE are never sure about anything . And if you like films of this type , this one is guaranteed to please you . A compact , gripping mystery with a competent cast - plus an early appearance by Kim Basinger , who looks more sensuous here than she did in later years . ( )
486,124
386,241
94,694
7
A celebration of female beauty , skill and courage
Following pretty much the same structure as the highly popular at the time " Lucky Stars " films , " The Inspector Wears Skirts " has action mostly in the first and last 10 minutes , and comedy , romance and a bit of drama in the middle . This causes the film to lag at times , but still , the action sequences are awesome and there ARE some legitimately funny moments as well , courtesy mostly of Sandra Ng . The cast offers a mind-boggling collection of beautiful women , but if I had to pick just one as my favorite , it would probably be the STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS Ellen Chan . However , it should be noted that the girls weren't picked just for their looks , but for their skills as well : they don't seem to be intimidated at all by any physicality required , they throw themselves into their roles with abandon and take quite a few " ouch " bumps ( the action was choreographed by Jackie Chan's Stunt Team ; IMDb says that Jackie also directed the film , but I'm not so sure this info is accurate ) . Overall , " The Inspector Wears Skirts " is uneven , but a definite must-see for Girls With Guns fans . ( )
487,368
386,241
74,811
7
Fascinating but overly drab .
A sometimes fascinating but very drab and oh-so-slow psychological thriller from Roman Polanski . He tells his story methodically and allows the viewer to share the hero's point of view ; on the other hand , this also has some unfortunate consequences : the pacing is torturously , almost unbearably slow . This film may indeed be a superb study of paranoia , but the tension doesn't get going until it's too late and I found the scenes where Polanski dresses himself up as a woman somewhat hokey . ( )
485,692
386,241
60,232
7
Highly underrated picture .
The Chase is a powerful and underrated drama . It has most of the ingredients that are required for a solid dramatic picture : exceptional acting ( particularly by Brando ) , careful directing , well-drawn characters and good production values . The first half meanders a little , but in the second half the tension mounts and the film becomes constantly more and more involving and moving . So why does it have such a low reputation ? Maybe because of all those reported production problems . But who cares ? They're certainly not evident in the film ! Recommended for mature viewers .
485,802
386,241
74,812
7
Uneven but imaginative .
Despite some dated elements , the first part of this film is terrific . The pacing is fast , the direction solid and York's performance excellent : we get a hero we can identify with . The second part is weaker , with Ustinov's character being mostly an irritation because , as someone else here commented , he is given nothing of interest to say . The ending is also kind of simplistic , for such an imaginative movie . Still , the unbelievably beautiful Jenny Agutter is on-screen most of the time . . . and the film is good enough .
485,898
386,241
71,532
7
Engrossing .
A grim and intelligent drama that offers a seemingly accurate portrayal of the gambling obsession and an engrossing character study of a man that suffers from it . Very well-acted and well-told as a story , it remains highly interesting from start to finish . Marred only by its weird , inconclusive and somewhat inexplicable ending . ( )
486,212
386,241
94,651
7
A surprise from Holland . . .
Technically , " Amsterdamned " is about as good as any average American thriller about serial killers and tough cops ; Dick Maas directs competently , shows a sense of humor and the unusual setting is an extra plus ( how often do you get to see a boat chase in the Amsterdam canals ? Not even the Bond pictures exploited that opportunity ) . It's just that the whole concept of the film treads on all-too-familiar territory , and that there are a few too many red herrings and a few too many climaxes . ( )
486,615
386,241
74,860
7
Stunning Olivier , not-so-stunning script .
Marathon Man is too unpleasant to be typically entertaining , but it's still a fine piece of moviemaking , intensely suspenseful at times . Olivier's performance is stunning and will stay in the memory of any person that watches this film . But the script isn't so stunning . It's adequate for a good thriller , limited for a great one .
486,372
386,241
94,612
7
Lives up to its title .
The violence in this movie is brutal and efficiently directed , the action sequences spectacular , the main villain great and the hero , Carl Weathers , can hold his own when compared to other big action stars of the 80's . In short , " Action Jackson " has all the ingredients to be a good rental choice for action fans . If only they had avoided some of those needless digressions ( like Jackson's fight with a junkie ) . . . . ( )
486,719
386,241
51,622
7
Slick and " adult " sci-fi .
A slick , clever , engaging and unique ( if a bit slow-paced at first ) sci-fi story . Although the special effects leave something to be desired , especially if you've seen the incredible ( and incredibly nauseating ) images of the 1986 remake , the film's restrained approach to horror can be very pleasurable if you get used to it , and the script is stronger and more character-driven than the one of Cronenberg's version . A surprisingly good film . ( )
486,045
386,241
117,658
7
A stylistic tour-de-force by Argento .
This is possibly one of Argento's best films ( I haven't seen " Deep Red " yet ) - it gets a solid out of from me . Unlike , say " " Tenebre " , it's a character-driven , not a gore-driven film , and I guess that may disappoint some of his fans , yet Argento remains a visual master , too , and although the film deals with difficult subjects ( sadomasochism included ) , it has a hypnotic , surrealistic effect - like others have said , you just can't stop watching it . And Asia Argento handles her complex role beautifully ; the killer , however , is fairly unremarkable .
487,171
386,241
55,451
7
A most unusual Western .
Slow-moving but compelling psychological Western about a determined priest who arrives at a small town that seems to be mysteriously dominated by a local bad guy , and decides to fight him in his own peaceful way ; their confrontations make the movie . Literate script ( just a quote : " Isn't that your job , Father ; To keep hoping that any soul can be saved , even mine ? " , asks the bandit ) , exceptional acting by the two leads ( and very unexceptional acting by Mylene Demongeot ) . ( )
486,462
386,241
82,436
7
Excellent performances , weak plot .
Though the story is essentially routine , and the " surprise " ending is nothing but a bad joke on the audience , you can see what attracted these good actors to the project - it offers them the kind of roles in which good actors can shine , and shine they do . The film is impeccably made - for its time . It was remade in 2000 as " Under Suspicion " and if you only want to see one version of the story ( that's all it deserves , really ) , I recommend the latter one , with Hopkins ' up-to-date direction and the more explicit references to plot points that the original could only hint at . The ending , however , still blows . ( )
486,025
386,241
67,277
7
Half powerful , half pretentious .
This unique movie has many powerful moments and could have been a masterpiece , if it were less pretentiously directed . There are some strange and rather absurd " fantasy " sequences that don't really work - for example , Donald Sutherland is billed as " Jesus Christ " , and he isn't very convincing in the role . Still , it's an important movie , and well worth watching .
485,812
386,241
86,873
7
A pleasant diversion - but a little overrated .
Lightweight , enjoyable comedy , with first-rate performances by Martin and Tomlin . The supporting cast is adequate and there are some genuine ( if scattered ) laughs . However , the film is nothing more than a pleasant little diversion . Every time I watch it , the same thing bothers me : it looks very cheap and underproduced , with murky cinematography . It has an inexplicable TV-movie feel , which certainly doesn't do justice to the actors ' terrific work .
486,042
386,241
60,288
7
Above average .
This above-average Bond knockoff deserves to be better known . It's too imitative of the Bond pictures of the time ( especially " Thunderball " - minus the underwater scenes ) , and the plot slows down at times , but Elke Sommer and Sylva Koscina make a terrific pair of sexy , teasing assassins ( with Sommer being the sexier one and Koscina the more teasing one ) . Nigel Green also makes a smooth villain ( although he should have hired more guards ! ) . This picture should become more widely available , because although it's not perfect , it's much better than , say , the atrocious pseudo-spoof " Our Man Flint " . ( )
486,669
386,241
60,315
7
Not great , but certainly fun .
This fun , ultra-violent Western is very close to the Leone-spaghetti style . Franco Nero is no Clint Eastwood , of course , but he's an acceptable substitute ( although he's hampered by the fact that his voice is dubbed , which is a pity because Nero's own voice is one of his best features ) . No masterpiece , but has hardly a dull moment . ( )
486,535
386,241
78,908
7
Don't get her angry !
The Brood is easily the best of David Cronenberg's first three movies ( " Shivers " and " Rabid " were the other two ) . That said , it's really nothing special . It does have a fascinating idea to begin with , and some good shocks ( the murder of the schoolteacher especially ) , but I can't help noticing a tendency to over-rate and over-analyze the film simply because it has the name " Cronenberg " attached to it . ( )
487,016
386,241
20,640
7
Flawed early Marx comedy .
The Marxes second film is an even more uncinematic production than their first ( " The Cocoanuts " ) . The camera barely moves throughout the picture , and matters are not helped at all by the fact that the print is in fairly poor condition , with entire frames missing from several scenes . And , as usual , the film contains far too much music . Nevertheless , the brothers ( and especially Harpo and Chico , who in my opinion have all the funniest scenes ) are amazingly lively for a 1930 film , and they make it worth seeing after all . ( )
487,205
386,241
90,601
7
Corny , episodic but likable .
There is only one way to get through this " Aladdin " : you must have a high tolerance for corniness . One minute the Genie says that he doesn't know what these " boxes " ( meaning the cars ) are , the next he delivers exactly the kind of car that the kid ( his " master " ) wants . There isn't really a story , it's just a series of unrelated episodes . And the " culture shock " factor ( the Genie wakes up 200 years after his time ) goes almost completely unexplored . But the movie has an essential good-heartedness that makes it likable . It's also nice to hear Bud Spencer's original voice for a change , Italian accent and all . ( )
486,941
386,241
75,066
7
Pretty fair .
This fifth " Pink Panther " entry is a practically plotless collection of gags . Such comedies are always inevitably uneven , and this one is no exception . It contains at least one scene than never fails to bring tears of laughter to my eyes ( the interrogation at the house of the kidnapped scientist , with Sellers at his best ) and a wonderful animated title sequence , and it remains generally amusing throughout . But it does have its share of lulls , too , and some overly predictable sight gags that aren't likely to impress even the kids . Sometimes this is a very funny film , but it misses the mark now and then , as well .
486,823
386,241
94,375
7
A must-see for Michelle Yeoh fans
Magnificent Warriors finds its leading star , Michelle Yeoh , in top form : her speed and dance-like grace make her fight scenes a pure pleasure to watch ( she's also good with a whip . . . . and a rope . . . . and a spear . . . . well , you get the idea ) . And as a bonus , there is another girl , the beautiful and feisty Cindy Lau , who fights as well ! Richard Ng , perhaps better known for his role in the " Lucky Stars " films , provides the comic relief , and he's actually quite funny here . The action offers a good mix of martial arts and large-scale battle scenes , and the story is ( after the first 30 minutes ) engaging and at times even inspiring . The production is spectacular and the music score appropriately epic . If you want to see an Asian take ( plus a female twist this time ) on the Indiana Jones formula , this is a much better choice than Jet Li's " Dr . Wai And The Scripture With No Words " . ( )
485,646
386,241
143,874
7
Haunting enigma ; not for all tastes .
This is the third Raoul Ruiz film I have watched recently ( after " Three Lives and Only One Death " and " Genealogies of a Crime " ) , and it is easily the best of the three . Why ? Because it's less talky and pseudo-philosophical , more colorful and cinematic . Imaginatively directed and sprinkled with all sorts of quirky visual surprises ( some of which are directly linked to its title ) and surreal ideas ( a painting that gets different every time you look at it ) , it captures the netherworld between dream and reality better than any " Nightmare on Elm Street " movie . And if all the pieces of the puzzle don't fit together at the end ( though a second viewing will help you clear up a few details ) , at least you can feel the director's joy in assembling them anyway . ( )
486,162
386,241
71,221
7
Breezy and enjoyable .
Jim Kelly may not be in the class of Bruce Lee , but he does show some impressive martial-arts moves ; his co-star , Gloria Hendry , more than holds her own . This flick is half blaxploitation actioner and half Bond movie ; in both fields , you could do much worse . The plot is minimal , to say the least , and the silly sound effects used to " enhance " the various kicks and punches do date the film , but it's still very fast-paced , playful and thoroughly enjoyable . ( )
486,079
386,241
40,338
7
Clever , if a little sluggish .
This is an intelligent drama-thriller with some wonderful Hitchcockian moments ( the paper dart , a clock that has to be wound-up at the most inappropriate time ) and themes ( the difference between appearances and actual facts , a man's struggle to prove his innocence although all the indications of guilt point at him ) , and also a good study of how different a kid's perception of the adult world can be . The pacing is a little sluggish , however , and the child actor they chose for the part is not really the best they could've come up with . Ralph Richardson , on the other hand , is excellent . And you may be surprised to know that Guy Hamilton , the future director of many Bond films , was the assistant director here . ( )
486,728
386,241
78,915
7
Enjoyable feature .
This compilation of classic WB short cartoons is ( expectedly ) highly uneven , but generally enjoyable . Among the highlights : Bugs Bunny as a vengeful symphony conductor , he and Daffy Duck arguing about whether it's " duck season " or " rabbit season " ( this sketch has a hilarious punchline ) , the surrealistic ( and also somewhat sadistic ! ) " Duck Amuck " , etc . The final " Road Runner " segment does go on a little too long . Overall , this is a nice way to spend 95 minutes mindlessly and painlessly , and also a good opportunity to see some of those shorts that you may have missed on TV . ( )
487,513
386,241
102,004
7
Do you notice anything different about our car ?
Entertaining mix of action and comedy , at least for the first two-thirds of its length . Then there are some rather overextended action sequences and the film loses some of its comic edge . Still , the acting is first-rate all around , with Fox and Woods offering many laughs when the script gives them the chance , and Stephen Lang a highly enjoyable , totally loony villain . ( )
485,754
386,241
25,452
7
No match for the remake - but there is also no match for Lorre .
From a modern standpoint , it's quite hard to understand why so many people claim to prefer this 1934 thriller to its 1956 remake . It's technically primitive ( as is immediately evident in the opening sequence ) and often clumsy , with one of the weakest climaxes in a Hitchcock film ever ( a totally suspenseless shootout ) . However , there are some brilliant Hitchcockian touches ( the singing in the church , the famous Albert Hall sequence ) , and , above all , there is a delicious , way-ahead-of-its-time performance by Peter Lorre - the one area where the original clearly outshines the remake . Almost every scene featuring Lorre is a highlight of this movie . ( )
485,895
386,241
86,543
7
Not for the easily offended .
Offbeat , slow-paced , entertaining erotic thriller with many graphic and " blasphemous " scenes that will undoubtedly disturb some viewers . However , it'll be hard even for them not to appreciate the several imaginative sequences this film contains , or to ignore Krabbe's first-rate performance . Verhoeven maintains an intriguing ambivalence throughout the film , playing with the meaning of the hero's visions-omens . Unfortunately , in the last 5 minutes everything turns into a blur , and the unsatisfying ending is certainly not as good as the rest of the movie . ( )
485,822
386,241
117,381
7
Thought-provoking , tight thriller .
Despite some cliched motivations and plot elements , this big-budget courtroom thriller will hold you for its 130 minutes , mainly because it engages the brain as well as the senses . At first it looks like a " either-he-did-it-or-he-didn't " story that we've all seen many times before , but around the midway point the ambitious script shifts its direction and becomes a thought-provoking drama . It STILL seems derivative , however , until a final twist that I found totally unexpected and surprisingly well-thought-out . Richard Gere is terrific in a tailor-made role , Laura Linney was strangely endearing in my opinion ( of course , others thought she was awful , so be warned ) and Edward Norton really shows remarkable talent in his debut , especially in his closing scene . ( )
485,607
386,241
67,525
7
It has impact .
This film is a bit muddled philosophically : there are some half-hearted attempts to " question " Heston's morality , like a scene where a kid says " Sometimes you scare me more than The Family " , yet he's clearly the one to root for , the only hope of humanity , and at the end he's set up as a Christ figure . But it's still a fine piece of moviemaking , and a definite improvement on the pale 1964 version of the same story ( " The Last Man On Earth " ) . This remake , of sorts , has a lot more impact , and the " vampires " ( or whatever you wanna call them ) are a more existing and constant threat ( and far more intelligent , too ) . However , this is not the altogether great movie that could , conceivably , be made from this story . ( )
487,508
386,241
86,567
7
Chillingly effective .
WarGames is a surprisingly effective thriller , thanks to its highly original premise and Badham's literally flawless direction . Broderick's and Sheedy's winning performances also help . Fortunately , the movie doesn't contain too much technical " jargon " : it is more interested in its clearly stated anti-war message , while at the same time it works as suspenseful entertainment . It may be a little far-fetched sometimes , but when that final moment arrives when the computer realizes that " the only winning move is not to play " , be prepared to feel a genuine chill .
486,562
386,241
249,478
7
Predictable but well-made thriller .
Predictable ( you know exactly what the last scene will be like right from the start ) , contrived ( the police really should have looked harder for evidence ) , but well-made , extremely well-acted ( especially by Vince Vaughn ) and psychologically accurate ( the " baseball practice " scene was perfectly written and played ) . Might have been better if it had kept us in doubt a little longer about whether the kid is telling the truth or not . Still , the running time of the movie flies by , and that has to count for something , right ? Some have complained about it being " too short " , but surely this is preferable to the opposite , " too long " . ( )
485,957
386,241
67,511
7
Above-average giallo .
Pretty good little thriller , with many tense situations , an interesting plot , and gimmicky , stylish direction ( lots of zooms ! ) by Enzo Castellari . Probably the main reason that this film isn't so well-received is that it wasn't directed by a " specialist " of the genre like Dario Argento , but if you compare it objectively with , say , the following year's " Four Flies On Grey Velvet " , it's far less boring ! ( )
486,653
386,241
51,406
7
A pleasant piece of fluff .
This is the kind of film that , if it were made today , it would probably star Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant ; actually , now that I think about it , this one is quite liable to be remade one day . It's pleasant , but with no depth whatsoever . It suffers from the almost fatal miscasting of James Stewart in a role he is about 20 years too old for , and as a result there is no chemistry between him and the beautiful Kim Novak . Ernie Kovacs , in the small supporting role of an aspiring writer , is the only actor in the film whose performance approaches what you might call " wit " . ( )
486,666
386,241
86,655
7
Complex thriller is worth seeing .
Isabelle Adjani gives a brilliant , instinctive performance ( and she also has several showstopping nude scenes , I might add ) as an animalistic , untamed young sexpot who seeks vengeance on the three men that raped her mother 20 years ago . In the first few minutes , the film seems a bit confusing and pointless , but gradually reveals itself to be a multi-layered story with quite a few twists along the way . " One Deadly Summer " deserves more attention ( but is difficult to find ) . ( )
487,406
386,241
117,468
7
A thinking action fan's dream .
With its elaborate situations , intricately choreographed , prolonged and absolutely thrilling action scenes , and a thought-provoking script full of twists , " Retroactive " is a movie that creates a true sense of vertigo - in a good way . It just sucks you in deeper and deeper . Kylie Travis is a model action heroine and James Belushi is surprisingly good as the heavy ( both literally and figuratively ) . Basically this is an almost-great little movie that too few people have seen . ( )
486,022
386,241
95,174
7
Gripping but flawed .
This Polanski thriller is flawlessly acted , fairly gripping and it sustains your interest throughout . Still , it doesn't really meet our expectations in the plot department . As a reviewer on the " Amazon . com " page points out , you expect something " deeper and darker " than a more or less standard spy plot .
487,283
386,241
63,571
7
Very cryptic film .
The idea ( already described in other reviews ) is both improbable and audacious , and the film is initially intriguing , but ultimately goes nowhere . There is a difference between not pandering to your audience and completely shutting it out , which is what director Losey has done here ( especially regarding Mia Farrow's character and what she is all about ) . However , Robert Mitchum has a very challenging role - he plays a totally reprehensible character - and pulls it off beautifully . By the way , the previous reviewer is right on the money about the editing goof in the slapping scene ; unacceptable for a director with such a big name . ( )
486,635
386,241
86,425
7
A little heavy , but with astonishing performances .
A well-observed , well-made drama ( with occasional comedic moments ) , that may not be exactly " high art " ( it's neither profound nor original ) , but DOES feature some great acting and manages to pull you in . Debra Winger gives an extraordinary performance ; she has a naturalness and expressiveness that you rarely see on the screen . When her character is happy , her whole face brightens up and her joy becomes infectious ; when she's sad or confused or embarrassed , the emotions come across strongly , although she never goes over the top . Considering that she lost the Oscar to her co-star , Shirley MacLaine , who is reasonably good but far more one-note , I'd say we had a major Academy Award injustice there . Jack Nicholson is fun to watch and has some amusing lines , and most supporting roles , like those played by John Lithgow and Danny De Vito , are also first-rate and completely believable . So overall it's a good film , directed almost flawlessly , although in the final 20 minutes it needlessly wallows in melodrama . ( )
487,040
386,241
82,085
7
Satisfying De Palma effort .
An engrossing thriller with a literally chilling climax , a wonderful ( in its variety ) music score and a first-rate performance by John Travolta . Lithgow is also suitably creepy and hateful as a totally ruthless and psychopathic killer . The script is pretty unimpressive ( and if you've watched the film before you may also find it overly simple ) , yet De Palma manages to transform it into a generally satisfying and slick thriller , and the result is more polished , more pleasant for the eyes than his two previous outings , " Dressed to Kill " and " The Fury " . Still , the film's several amazing scenes would have a much stronger impact if the script contained more surprises .
486,069
386,241
70,948
7
Unquestionably the strangest movie ever made .
Zardoz is either a brilliant visionary masterpiece , or the biggest blunder Sean Connery ever appeared in . I still haven't decided which ( must watch it again first ! ) . It has beautiful visuals and a surprisingly multi-layered script ( the revelation of the title's meaning is a stunning moment ) , yet it also has parts so embarrassing ( the " scientific examination of the male erection " scene comes to mind ) that make you wonder how the participants managed to keep a straight face through them ( the filming of this movie must have been great fun ! ) . Ultimately , it's a film that defies ratings , but I'll try my best . . . . . . out of 4 .
485,791
386,241
110,570
7
Funny but flat .
Roberto Benigni is a gifted physical comedian , but his pre-Oscar " Il Mostro " is best seen with an audience ; the laughter helps cover up the dead spots . If you see it home alone , you can still get laughs out of some cleverly constructed gags , but the flatness of Benigni's direction cannot be ignored . ( )
486,467
386,241
235,737
7
A true attention-getter of a film .
Excellent adult thriller . Stylish , intense , funny and unexpectedly moving . Intricately plotted ( it will always be one step ahead of you ) and fluidly , inventively directed ( including a unique twist on Eastwood's classic " Did I fire six bullets . . . or only five ? " line ) . Well-acted , especially by Kilmer . The less you know about it beforehand the better , though , so I'll just add this : this film is not always pleasant to watch , but it has personality and will take you on quite a journey . Don't read about it , see it . ( )
487,252
386,241
90,770
7
Potent drama .
The most shocking thing in this unsettling film is the way it accurately portrays the state of mind of the two " heroes " ; murder seems to be just another inconsequential act of " escapism " for them , and the ( sincere ) grief that Sheen's character feels for some of their victims is brief and quickly lost amid the " thrill " of it all . The movie handles the violence in an uncompromising but not exploitive way , and it may not have all the answers , but at least it isn't afraid to touch the subject . ( )
486,264
386,241
86,310
7
If you have eliminated the impossible . . .
A handsome production , with atmospheric sets , picture-perfect casting and a welcome dose of humor , but somewhat spoiled by a few schlocky moments ( like Holmes ' fight with the cannibal dwarf ) and an arguably wrong structure that reveals too much of the mystery , too soon . Still good for fans of the character or the genre . ( )
487,095
386,241
95,047
7
A likable comedy .
It's fairly obvious that this was the director's first film , as it is a bit disorganized and not quite as smoothly put together as it could have been . But it is equally obvious that the director had good intentions , and helped by an imaginative premise ( weird , misunderstood kid believes he's an alien ) , he did make a likably eccentric film after all . At least it's better that the usual Golan-Globus stuff . ( )
487,290
386,241
66,769
7
You'll have to strain a bit . . .
Robert Wise's solemn approach is so unentertaining that the few humorous moments stand out as brief , merciful doses of relief . However , I must admit that the film has great set design , believable performances and a suspenseful climax - not to mention those " oh , so 70s " heavy " government - conspiracy - paranoia " overtones . ( )
485,647
386,241
253,126
7
Implausible but fun .
This movie starts out unremarkable , but it gets better , so stick with it . It is alternately silly ( mostly in the first and last 15 minutes ) and edgy ( in the middle ) , but if you can ignore the various implausibilities ( why would such a well-organized and highly professional team of robbers have such a moron as their lookout in the first place ? ) it's fun , with engaging performances particularly by Minnie Driver and Kevin McNally ( who does the right thing by playing his role straight ) . In any case , it is much better than the very similar and mean-spirited " Beautiful Creatures " from the same year . ( )
486,139
386,241
101,698
7
Sweet and highly entertaining .
A wonderful comedy-fantasy that has all the wit of a good Woody Allen movie combined with genuine sweetness and good-naturedness . It's one of those rare films that achieve profundity without pushing for it ; here it is done with the help of the clever structure . Albert Brooks delivers some great one-liners and wins the audience's affection easily , while Meryl Streep is atypically unaffected and Lee Grant is excellent in her supporting role . And who could ask for a better ending ? ( )
487,214
386,241
105,585
7
Noble but lukewarm drama .
Thunderheart is an odd mix of traditional murder mystery and New Age Indian mysticism . It's not a bad film by any means , just a lackluster one . It isn't tight enough for a thriller , and it goes on too long . Val Kilmer is good , but Graham Greene has all the best lines and steals the picture . ( )
486,940
386,241
66,765
7
Generally a success .
And Now For Something Completely Different is an entertaining , if very uneven , compilation film , moving along so quickly and including so many different sketches that it's hard to reject it as a whole , even when you dislike some parts . Brilliant episodes ( " Dead Parrot " , " Mountaineering Sketch " , " Upper-class Twit-Of-The-Year Competition " ) alternate with bummers ( " The World's Deadliest Joke " , " Marriage Councelor " ) and with mildly funny parts ( The accountant that wants to become a lion tamer ) , but the film generally maintains that surrealistic , subversive Python flavor that their fans seek .
487,412
386,241
40,525
7
Extremely strange and idiosyncratic film .
Mix together these ingredients ( among others ) : an Irish-accented , miscast ( he's too smart to play dumb ) Orson Welles ; a breathtakingly beautiful Rita Hayworth ; two exceptionally eccentric villains ( " you're suppooooosed to have thrown my cooooorpse into the sea " ) ; fast-motion , almost slapsticky fight scenes ; a comedic trial sequence ( including a HILARIOUS scene of a man cross-examining himself - I wonder if this is where Woody Allen got his idea from for a similar incident in his " Bananas " ) ; and a bleak worldview , suggesting that we're bound to lose the fight with our inner evil . What you get is " The Lady From Shanghai " , a film ahead of its time , and so offbeat that it's definitely worth a look . . . . but not a total success . ( )
485,668
386,241
81,975
7
Some credibility problems , but still a compelling film .
It's a gripping thriller , and Richard Burton is utterly convincing in the kind of role he was born to play ( a rigid priest / teacher , but with traces of humanity underneath ) . But the constant flow of twists results in constant shifts in the characterizations , until the whole thing becomes too far-fetched for its own good . Nonetheless , it certainly didn't deserve its gross mistreatment by the American distributors , who released it ten years after it was made . ( )
485,618
386,241
81,964
7
Occasionally entertaining .
All The Marbles has one major asset : the staging of the wrestling sequences . They are long , appropriately noisy , well-edited and expertly done . But the movie often lags during the fairly pointless scenes that are designed to link together those sequences . The two heroines are very beautiful and also demonstrate considerable acting talent , and Falk adds some bright moments , but the movie still can't shake off a definite " low-energy " sense in its non-wrestling scenes . Still , this is a " must " for fans of the subject , if only because of the rarity of similar movies .
486,206
386,241
79,817
7
Faithful to the spirit of the original .
Rocky II isn't as wildly entertaining as the next installment ( which is my favorite ) , and it's slightly overlong , too . But it's still an earnestly made , appealingly tender sequel . Stallone dedicates time to character development and quirky humor ( the scene where he attempts to star in commercials is really funny ) , making the movie more suitable for viewers who prefer dialogue over action - although the actual fight is more dynamic than the one in the original .
486,017
386,241
339,489
7
A brain-twister of a film ; worth sticking with
The previous reviewer pretty much said what I wanted to say : " Killing Words " is a difficult film to categorize , but if you have to place it under one genre , it's probably what they call a " mind-fk " . Twist upon twist upon twist - that's how this film proceeds . It constantly plays with your perceptions ; just when you thing you've figured it all out , it proves you wrong . There are only four characters , and they are all effectively performed ( and yes : Goya Toledo IS a sensual woman ) . The film is also stylishly directed and photographed . One minor point : the word game that Grandinetti and Toledo frequently play won't mean much to non-Spanish-speaking audiences . But Spanish is such a pleasant language to listen to anyway that this doesn't matter much . ( )
485,594
386,241
36,613
7
Funny but uneven
There were some very funny moments and situations in this movie , but overall I find it to be a somewhat uneven and overlong ( 115 minutes ) comedy . Though it builds a delirious , chaotic atmosphere very convincingly , with characters that get nuttier by the minute , it still isn't as good as it could've been . I find Cary Grant's overacting much more justifiable now that I've watched the picture twice ( the first time , you may not be prepared for how crazy he acts ) , and there are many moments of inspired teamwork ( great underplaying by Peter Lorre , and John Alexander is perfect ) - but isn't Raymond Massey a little too gloomy and menacing for a comedy , even a " black " one ? ( )
485,597
386,241
90,644
7
Clever , but eventually too clever for its own good . . . .
At first it's the sheer uniqueness of the characters and situations that keeps you watching . Then , after about 30 minutes , you realize that this is one imaginatively written , ambitiously conceived horror pic . The director manages to sustain the tension in both the parallel stories ( the " fictional " and the " real " one ) - and that's quite a directorial feat . But there ARE some minor logical flaws in this movie ( the ease with which BOTH killers murder their victims and pass unnoticed in movie theaters filled with people is a little hard to believe ) , and the final " surprise ending " is rather contrived , perhaps even predictable if you've seen similar movies ( like Wes Craven's " New Nightmare " of 1994 ) . ( )
485,748
386,241
110,425
7
Don't judge a book by its cover .
La Machine is a violent , very well-made thriller , which proves that when the French aren't too preoccupied with " art " or " social shock " , they can make a genre movie just as good as any similar American product . The director shows remarkable attention to detail , and the performances are versatile enough to help you " buy " the various transformations of the characters . Not an exceptional movie , but a gripping one . ( )
487,222
386,241
86,356
7
Refreshing .
Not altogether successful , but fully absorbing and thought-provoking film , with an exceptional performance by Douglas , even if he looks a bit too young to be a judge . Director Hyams knows how to shoot chase sequences , but he should have included less of them here . Still , it's refreshing to watch a movie that's suspenseful without being brainless . I recommend this film to eclectic viewers .
487,436
386,241
70,783
7
Pretty good .
This is a pretty entertaining little thriller , with nice , atmospheric sets , a reasonably clever story and a certain dry , morbid wit . Honestly , there are flicks much worse than this one that have been labeled " classics " , solely because they had Vincent Price or Christopher Lee in their casts . If you can find it , check it out . ( ) No song is heard throughout the film .
487,164
386,241
101,597
7
It's the suspense , not the pain , that will drive you mad .
This two-character drama is extremely well-acted and has a valid message and some TRULY shocking moments ( shocking not because they are graphic , but because you're not prepared for them when they come ) . But eventually it does become oppressive , just like the somewhat similar " A Pure Formality " did . Still , Alan Rickman should have gotten an Oscar nomination for his multi-dimensional performance , no doubt about it . ( )
487,142
386,241
101,595
7
Extremely low-key .
Close My Eyes deserves credit for its unexploitive treatment of a highly charged subject matter . On the other hand , I found it just a bit dramatically monotonous . However , it's worth seeing for its sensitivity and its good acting . Alan Rickman , in particular , is very interesting in what could have easily been a thankless supporting part . ( )
487,192
386,241
66,830
7
Very good for its genre
What separates - and , in my book , makes better - " The Big Doll House " from most Women-In-Prison films is that the focus here is NOT on the exploitation of the women ( though there is some of that , of course ) , but on their STRENGTH and determination . Roberta Collins and Pat Woodell , in particular , have well-defined characters that know how to take care of themselves . The fights ( including some mud-wrestling ) are rough and wild . The casting is excellent : you know something is right when Pam Grier isn't even the most beautiful woman on the screen ! Collins , in particular , has a kind of beauty that you rarely see nowadays . Contrary to what other people have said , I found the scenes involving Sid Haig and his partner to be the most undesirable : they do provide some form of comic relief but they go on too long and occasionally kill the pace of the movie . ( )
486,003
386,241
82,398
7
007 at his best
This is , in my opinion , Roger Moore's best Bond film , and one of the best in the entire series ( right below " Goldfinger " and " From Russia With Love " ) . The reason is simple - it ranks high in most of the important categories that determine the quality of a Bond film : one of the loveliest Bond girls ( with whom Bond seems to share a more meaningful relationship that is not just based on physical attraction ) , the best title song , one of the funniest pre-credits sequences ( " I trust you had a pleasant . . . fright ! " ) , GREAT car chase / ski chase sequences ( obviously the change in directors paid off , as the action in " FYEO " is directed with more flair than it was in the previous Bonds ) , tense mountain-climbing climax . The only area where it ranks low are the villains - truly some of the most unmemorable in the series . In the second half , the tension unwinds a bit with a long , tedious underwater sequence that succeeds only in slowing the film down . And the rapid night-to-day change as Bond hunts down Locque is one of the most obvious blunders in the series . Despite these flaws , however , " FYEO " will always remain one of my favorite Bond films . ( )
486,804
386,241
40,876
7
Entertaining , if a bit unfocused .
It starts out as a broad slapstick comedy , and when Gene Kelly has the opportunity to showcase his acrobatic skills , it's good old-fashioned swashbuckling fun . But after the first 20 minutes it turns into mostly heavy drama , and the swordfights are actually few and far between . The problem with the script is that , trying to cover all the characters and subplots of the book , it has no time to develop them enough , and the story lacks a strong central focus . At times you wonder exactly what each person is trying to achieve , and where some of the characters you know are basic have gone ( the main example : Richelieu , excellently played by Vincent Price , has only about three of four scenes in the entire film ) . Still , it's a good-looking , entertaining production . ( )
487,087
386,241
48,605
7
Highly enjoyable , if static , film .
This movie definitely hasn't managed to escape its stage origins : the few characters , the limited sets and the talky nature of the script result in a rather static comedy . The story is slim , too , and can barely sustain the film's 103 minutes . However , the lively performances , the often witty dialogue ( the gimmick of having the main character talk constantly to himself is annoying at first but then you adjust to it ) and , of course , Monroe's stunning beauty somehow make you overlook the film's flaws . Good-natured , glossy and highly enjoyable .
486,723
386,241
75,686
7
Inventively made , but a little overrated .
A warmhearted , entertaining comedy , considered by many to be Woody Allen's best film . While I don't agree 100 % on that ( for example , it's inferior to " Hannah and her Sisters " ) , I do think it's a very witty film , packed with inventive moments ( like Diane Keaton literally leaving her body during one unwanted ( by her ) lovemaking scene - " while you two are busy , can I do some drawing ? " ) . Woody Allen goes from slapstick comedy ( the " lobster scene " ) to self-sarcasm to bitersweet romance , never forgetting to spout some often hilarious one-liners ( " in the case of war , I'll be a hostage " ) . But the film is not quite as profound as it's supposed to be , and the narrative often gets too jumbled . ( )
485,675
386,241
676,192
8
Evil under the ( Greek ) sun
Hercule Poirot goes to Rhodes ( a Greek island ) on vacation and , wouldn't you know it , gets involved with the death ( via poisoning ) of a rich and glamorous ( and married , to her fifth husband ) woman staying at the same hotel . Captain Hastings is not present in this one ; Poirot's sidekick is a woman he meets in Rhodes . The mystery is pretty good , once again appearances are completely deceiving , but the highlight of this episode must be the magnificent , vividly photographed island scenery . In both story and production values , " Triangle at Rhodes " reminded me of the 1982 film " Evil Under the Sun " . This is a TV production of cinematic standards . ( )
487,452
386,241
21,749
8
A Chaplin classic that has aged well .
This celebrated Charlie Chaplin film may not be the absolute masterpiece that all the glowing reviews indicate , but it is undeniably a very good motion picture . The ending has been praise justifiably - it is unforgettable and profoundly moving . And there are some hilarious comic moments , too ; the boxing match is a perfectly sustained set piece . Chaplin made only this film and " Modern Times " in the 30s ; this is the one to see first . ( )
486,566
386,241
39,305
8
Engrossing , if somewhat confusing .
A well-made mystery / film noir . Bogart is in top form , Scott is as glamorous as any given femme fatale of the period , and Carnovsky is smooth as the well-spoken villain . The direction is no more than workmanlike , but the dialogue is superior throughout . My favorite line : " Maybe she was all right . . . and maybe Christmas comes in July , but I doubt it ! " ( )
486,084
386,241
95,337
8
Hong Kong action at its absolute finest !
This is the first and only Cynthia Khan movie I have seen so far , and all I have to say is " WOW ! " . She is amazing - more flexible than rubber . If she ever got in a fight with Jackie Chan , he could conceivably beat her , but I wouldn't bet my money on it ! Plus , she is MUCH cuter than Michelle Yeoh . And if she is not enough , there is an extra bonus for action-girl fans : one of the villains is a real tough bich who definitely won't go down without a fight . But the men don't get short-changed , either : there is a Japanese cop and two male villains , and all three are VERY determined and VERY good at fighting - the cop and one of the bad guys engage in one of the most brutal , vicious fights that have ever been committed to film . The rest of the action scenes ( car crashes , explosions , shootouts ) are also supreme . The film never stops to take a breath - there is little of the comedy that usually bogs down Hong Kong productions ( there ARE cameos by some of the " Lucky Stars " , but they only last a few seconds ) . As a result , there is more room for action , action and more action . And if action is what you want , " In The Line Of Duty 3 " is as good as it gets . ( )
485,886
386,241
113,350
8
Not to be missed
Red Wolf gets off to a rather shaky start , but once the action kicks in , it is nonstop . The fight scenes are among the best I've ever seen ; they are on the level of the rooftop climax of Jackie Chan's " Who Am I ? " , except they're not limited to one sequence , but they occur every 5 minutes or so . There is also a lot of shooting , and A LOT of shattered glass . But it's not a mindless movie ; the characters often have to use their smarts to escape from sticky situations . Kenny Ho is a great fighter , full of intensity and conviction , and he appears to be doing all of his own stunts . Elaine Lui ( who plays the BAD girl , NOT the hero's sidekick as others have said ) is absolutely dazzling , a goddess of evil . Judging this movie on its own terms , I give it out of 4 stars . Sure , it's an " Under Siege " rip-off , but that's no reason to miss it .
486,107
386,241
56,923
8
Ingenious teaming of many genuine talents .
Terrific movie that can be perceived both as a first-rate piece of straight entertainment , and as a meditation on the thin line separating truth and lie . Ingenious script , dialogue filled with funny interplay , great chemistry between the two charismatic stars , vivid and fast-paced direction by Stanley Donen . Not quite in the league of " North By Northwest " , but still a very entertaining and recommendable picture . ( )
487,395
386,241
96,152
8
Terrific !
An unjustly neglected horror entry . Right from the start , it has the narrative pull of a good mystery ; there are intriguing characters and one genuinely sensual sex scene . In the second half , it seems to be getting more ordinary , but then comes up with a stunning twist , worthy of an Agatha Christie . Overall , a well-acted , atmospherically directed , smart , creepy little thriller . ( )
487,268
386,241
53,172
8
Predictable , but a delight .
This first teaming of Doris Day and Rock Hudson is a delightful , visually beautiful comedy - old-fashioned but hardly dated . The two stars make a charming , shiny couple ( it's easy to see why they were so popular in their time ) and Thelma Ritter steals the show in a needless but funny supporting role . The only problem you may have is that the course of the plot seems to be thoroughly predetermined from the first frame , but the film does a pretty good job of delaying the inevitable . Great sound effects , too . ( )
485,811
386,241
104,779
8
Compelling , delightful film !
This film is utterly compelling - it will have you glued to the screen . It's about 2 hours and 15 minutes long , yet it never loses its grip . Although there are a few " funny " moments , you can never be sure whether they were intentional or not . The pacing is slow but wonderfully methodical . But what really makes this picture delightful is the level of the acting of the male stars . While the female leads are a bit stiff ( the film's major flaw ) , the cynical Coyote and , especially , the charmingly shy Grant ( his performance here is underrated ) provide two different ways for the viewer to enter the story and their interplay is offbeat and endlessly entertaining . This is methodical , first-rate filmmaking by Polanski .
485,771
386,241
36,342
8
Very good , underrated , involving Hitchcock .
Shadow of a Doubt is one of Hitchcock's best films , often overshadowed by famous but actually inferior pictures like " Notorious " . It's not quite a masterpiece : the pacing is too slow and there is a minor ( but important ) plot hole - why does Uncle Charlie try to hide that piece of the newspaper since it had no references directly to him anyway and his family didn't suspect him at all ? But it's still an involving , absorbing film , where Hitchcock uses few fancy tricks and focuses on his characters and his actors . Cotten is menacing , but Wright steals the film with her extremely winning performance .
486,044
386,241
106,452
8
Only the race counts - not the individual .
Okay , the 1956 original paved the way and has to get the credit for that , but from an objective point-of-view , both the 1978 and this 1993 remake are better , scarier , more developed . In comparison to the second version , this one has a nowhere nearly as brilliant , rather disappointing ending , but the pacing is must faster . Abel Ferrara keeps the movie running for only a tight 85 minutes , and pushes all the right buttons along the way ; the horror ranges from the gory ( the melting heads ) to the supremely subtle ( the scene in the classroom , where all the kids draw the exact same picture , except for one , who naturally realizes that something is wrong - the teacher seems to want to punish him for being different ) . This is a spine-chilling , absolutely terrific little picture - but even if it wasn't , it would still be worth seeing just for Meg Tilly's exceptional performance - her " where are you gonna go ? " monologue is as scary as anything in say , " Psycho " or " Rosemary's Baby " . ( )
486,864
386,241
55,824
8
Solid thriller .
Cape Fear is a solid , suspenseful thriller with a taut script and a terrific performance by Robert Mitchum , as a smart , leering sadist ( with obvious pedophiliac tendencies ) . I had watched the remake ( twice ) before finally seeing this , and it's hard to compare them objectively , because the rules of the censors were much more strict in 1962 ( as the director himself points out in an interview ) . It IS a violent and suggestive film , though ; they probably went about as far as they could at the time . What gives the remake an extra " edge " is that the lawyer is actually guilty of not providing a proper defense for the criminal he was assigned to , while here he is simply a witness to one of his crimes . But this is still a good film , and Herrmann's score is equal to the one he wrote for " Psycho " . ( )
486,652
386,241
59,764
8
A treat for both Holmes and Ripper fans .
This is a model B-movie : fast-paced , engaging , atmospheric , full of great twists . Most " A " productions would only wish they were this good ! Neville makes a suitably arrogant and surprisingly physical Holmes , and Houston is a perfect Dr . Watson . The director does wonders with an obviously low budget . Much , much better than the similar " Murder By Decree " . ( )
487,490
386,241
66,808
8
Often hilarious comedy with a few dead spots .
Bananas is one of Woody Allen's earliest films : a pure comedy , with some satirical and political overtones . It's a strictly hit-or-miss effort , but , fortunately , the hits are definitely more than the misses . It contains many laugh-out-loud scenes ; the whole courtroom sequence , the scene where he tries to pass unnoticed while he's buying a pornographic magazine and his reaction to the line " You're not tense , are you ? " are among the many highlights . It does have its dead spots , though , and some rather too obvious jokes that can't match the level of the rest . And it leaves no residue after it's over , failing to stay in your memory for long . But I admit that , while you're watching it , it's great fun .
486,511
386,241
63,663
8
Rich , moving , beautifully made .
The Swimmer must rank among the most beautifully filmed pictures of its era ; few other 60s films featured such vibrant cinematography and such revolutionary ( for the time ) camerawork ( notice the scene in which a horse is reflected in Lancaster's eye ) . Lancaster gives a subtle , powerful performance ( " I'm a noble and splendid man " ) , which is perhaps his best . The film is a tad TOO elliptical , as I think that a little more background information about the central character would have made it slightly more satisfying . And the ending , which was perhaps meant to be a surprise , seems pretty transparent now , as there are many clues which point to it . However , this is still a moving , adult film , which deserves to be seen at least once . ( )
487,298
386,241
66,819
8
One of Eastwood's very few " horror " flicks . . . .
. . . . . and it's a good one , too . In fact , this may be one of the best studies of sexual repression ever made . It's extremely well-acted and has some downright chilling moments . An often overlooked film in Clint Eastwood's filmography , and atypical of him , to be sure , but if you're willing to accept him in such an ambiguous role , it's certainly very gripping . ( )
487,006
386,241
89,960
8
Moving , sharply observed drama .
What I admired the most about " Vagabond " is the objective , evenhanded approach of the director towards her " heroine " . She neither praises nor condemns her chosen " lifestyle " , she simply observes it - and she observes it so well that this feels like the work of someone who's had first-hand experiences with similar people and surroundings . To be perfectly honest , the film doesn't have much psychological ( or sociological ) depth , and it can get boring at times while you're watching it , but right after it's over , you know that you've seen a good movie . ( )
487,144
386,241
120,401
8
Inventive and disturbing , but with flaws .
The Ugly is inventively directed , challengingly structured ( it doesn't follow any straight chronological line ; it continuously mixes the present with the recent past , and then the recent past with the dim past ) , disturbing and has at least one incredibly suspenseful scene ( the one where the killer is hiding in the bathroom ) . But it is also more pretentious than it has to be , with some serious slip-ups along the way ( it has at least five " false scares " too many , and even a " double false scare " ) , and offers no new insights into the mind of a serial killer ( abusive mother , bullies in the school , he hears voices , etc . ) . Scott Reynolds is undoubtedly a talented director and I would be interested in seeing more from him , but hopefully in his other films he has put the direction more in the service of the story . ( )
486,960
386,241
23,969
8
Worthy of several viewings .
Very likely their best film . This is pure surrealism from start to finish , with some of their best-executed routines , and a welcome absence of ( serious ) musical numbers . Whether it has Harpo answering the phone , Groucho explaining his tax policy or Chico giving a detailed report of his weekly surveillance tactics ( " On Wednesday we fool him : We no show up " ) , this is the epitome of the Marx Brothers movies . And here's one of the funniest lines that nobody else has mentioned : " Ok , I give up . How about your glass of water ? " ( well , it's only funny in context ) . ( )
486,735
386,241
56,869
9
A near-masterpiece from Hitchcock .
Suggesting that " The Birds " is far superior to " Psycho " seems to be considered something of a crime by most Hitchcock fans , but I have to commit that " crime " . I believe it's superior because it holds up better after repeated viewings . " Psycho " loses much of its impact if you're familiar with the final twist ; in " The Birds " only the shock elements lose some of their power , but that gives you more time to appreciate Hitchcock's complete mastery of his film techniques . His direction is masterful , his pacing is methodical and there are several astonishing , ingenious sequences ( the scene where the birds are gathering up behind Hedren is probably one of the greatest in his career ) . Taylor and Hedren have a warm , believable chemistry as a pair . The job that has been done in the editing and sound-effects department is superb . And the ending has a wonderful apocalyptic quality . This is first-rate filmmaking . Many have tried to attach psychological or metaphysical " meanings " to the picture ; I find it more enjoyable and rewarding on simpler , less complicated levels . It doesn't have much substance ; it's just a flawless horror film and a winning love story , with some nice humorous moments .
485,691
386,241
53,125
9
Hitchcock at his zenith .
North by Northwest is undeniably one of Hitchcock's best movies - not to mention one of my ten personal favorites in general . A brilliant script , full of well-planned twists , Hitchcock's energetic and vivid direction , the constantly clever dialogue , the first-rate production values , an incredible score by Bernard Herrmann ( who pretty much ripped-off himself the following year when he wrote the score for " Psycho " ) and several memorable sequences ( the often neglected auction scene is extremely amusing ) are only some of the ingredients that make this thriller so terrific . I have two minor complaints , though : the film is SLIGHTLY overlong ( maybe it could have been 15 minutes shorter ) and Eva Marie Saint just isn't a particularly attractive woman , compared to Grace Kelly or even to Tippi Hedren , so she is kind of miscast in the role of a " femme fatale " . And her performance isn't in the same class with the delightful ones that Grant and Mason give . But this is still a superb movie , and it is far less dated than the early Bond films , which it probably influenced .