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There was a time when Hollywood produced westerns all the time. The lines were mostly drawn between good and bad. This western doesn’t have clear definitions. That’s because this story from Henry Hill, paints Jesse James and his brother Frank, as anti heroes. It shows the railroad turning them into train robbers. In this film […]

Most epic films have a great look to them, and the story is long and plodding. Lawrence of Arabia is a film that follows that pattern to a point. It is a beautifully photographed film, with terrific desert scenes. The story of the British officer, T.E. Lawrence, who unites the Arabs in their fight against

This is a straightforward western with John Wayne complemented by Geraldine Page, who plays Angie Lowe. An army scout named Hondo Lane, comes across Angie Lowe and her son, living in the middle of Apache country. Hondo asks her where her husband is and she says he’s out hunting. Before leaving, Wayne tells her to

Cleopatra tells Hollywood’s version of one of history’s great opportunists, Queen Cleopatra, the last ruler of ancient Egypt. The casting of a star of Elizabeth Taylor’s magnitude, would seem to make this film work. It doesn’t. Even with a veteran actor like Rex Harrison, playing Julius Caesar, it doesn’t succeed. Richard Burton tries hard as

John Wayne could lift most films in which he was featured, even flat ones. It’s a testament to his acting and his star power. He helps The Sons of Katie Elder, but its not a flat film. This movie has the elements of a good Duke film. There’s a mandatory fight scene, a few bad

Humphrey Bogart played in more than a few quality films. The African Queen is one of them. He received a well deserved and overdue academy award, for playing Charlie Allnut. He is paired with Katherine Hepburn, who plays Rose Thayer. The film is directed by Walter Huston, and was adapted from the novel of the

Shirley Temple was one of the biggest stars of the 1930’s. Her performance in Heidi, based on the novel by Johanna Spyri, shows why. She sings and dances, and is a pretty good actress. It’s the heartwarming story of an orphan, who is put into her grandfather’s custody; when Heidi’s Aunt Dete gets a job

What would happen if there was a world where The Beatles didn’t exist? That’s the question Yesterday, a film directed by Danny Boyle poses to the audience. The film stars Himesh Patel as struggling musician, Jack Malick, and Lily James as his supportive girlfriend/manager, Ellie Appleton. One day, while riding his bike home, their is

This film stars Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra. It was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. It’s based on the broadway musical about likable gamblers, named Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit. The musical is based on a Damon Runyon story. Marlon Brando plays Sky Masterson and Frank Sinatra plays Nathan Detroit. Nathan Detroit has the distinction

This film is Stanley Kramer’s tribute to slapstick comedy. It stars Spencer Tracy and a few stars of early television. These include Milton Berle, Sid Caesar and Phil Silvers. It also stars Jonathan Winters, Mickey Rooney , Buddy Hackett. Terry-Thomas, Ethel Merman, Dorothy Provine and Edie Adams. A person might think, how can this many