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The Harder They Fall was Humphrey Bogart’s last film, before his death. It stands out because of his performance, and because it is about a good man who is involved in a bad situation. Bogart plays Eddie Willis, an unemployed sportswriter, who takes a job with a crooked boxing promoter, Nick Benko. Rod Steiger gives […]

This movie has a quality that makes it special. It shows what happens when a person can change people’s lives. There are many films that have this central storyline, but this is different. The Carlton family led by Sahib, (Roland Young), and Marmy, (Billy Burke), have been kicked out of Monte Carlo, because the authorities

Al Pacino gives one of the best performances by an actor, in this powerful sequel to The Godfather. It is amazing that he did not receive an academy award for his portrayal of crimelord Michael Corleone. Although Pacino was left out, Robert Deniro did win for best supporting actor, as a young Vito Corleone. Robert

This movie, Assault on a Queen, is another heist movie, starring Frank Sinatra. He made a few, but this one seems dull, compared to the others like Oceans 11. It seems that he’s just getting a paycheck, and going through the motions. Sinatra plays Mark Brittain, a fishing boat captain, living and working in the

John Ford brings the John Steinbeck novel to the screen. It is a somber tale of an Oklahoma family’s misfortunes during the great depression. The film brings to light the realities of the misery and poverty of that time. It also shows that even a well intentioned person, can’t stay away from trouble. The film

He may not be remembered by the casual filmgoer, but Lon Chaney is an actor known for his very different roles. He gave us sympathetic and frightening characters, long before Boris Karloff gave the world, the Frankenstein monster. His portrayal of Quasimodo, the deformed title character, is amazing. He had to wear an uncomfortable back

Would a movie about British aristocracy be boring? That is the question a filmgoer might ask about Downton Abbey. Anyone who hedges about seeing this film, should resist their initial thoughts, and go. You won’t be disappointed. Michael Engle, the director, has done a very good job, of bringing the television show to the big

White Zombie features Bela Lugosi as ‘Murder Legendre’, a character similar to Dracula; except that he uses voodoo to control people. He is nearly as menacing. Legendre is having a wedding at his plantation. The couple is Neil Parker (John Harron) and Madeline Short Parker (Madge Bellamy. They arrive at Legendre’s house by carriage. The

This is another Hollywood version of a western legend. It has Burt Lancaster playing straight as an arrow marshal, Wyatt Earp and Kirk Douglas playing playing hard drinking, tuberculosis stricken, Doc Holiday. It’s a normal casting decision with two of Tinseltown’s biggest stars at that time. The film is a good western, with the good

Godzilla is billed as king of the monsters. That title is debatable. What may not be is king of the monster sequels. Since this original Japanese film, there have been many sequels, remakes and sequels to the remakes. It is a good film, that follows a trend in the 1950’s of irradiated monsters. The movie