The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1939)

The heir (Richard Greene) of the Baskerville estate in the moors of Devonshire arrives from Canada to take his rightful place as the last of the Baskervilles after the mysterious death of his uncle (Ian Maclaren). A local doctor (Lionel Atwill) asks the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) to look into the death as he believes it may be the result of a long standing curse. The surprise success of this film (Rathbone doesn't even get top billing) resulted in Rathbone doing 14 Sherlock Holmes movies. After awhile, they got further and further away from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels, often using original scripts and placing Holmes in contemporary settings fighting Nazis! But this first effort stays close to the Conan Doyle source material and remains the benchmark of the Rathbone series. The unobtrusive direction by Sidney Lanfield along with the richly atmospheric art and set direction (lots of fog in those craggy moors) and the sterling performances of Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson make this a bona fide treat for mystery lovers. With Wendy Barrie, John Carradine, Mary Gordon, Eily Malyon and Morton Lowry.

Triple Cross (1966)

During WWII, an expert English safecracker (Christopher Plummer) is in prison on the isle of Jersey when the Germans invade the island. In order to get released, he offers to spy for the Nazis. When they smuggle him into England to blow up a factory, he then contacts the British and offers to spy on the Germans if they give him a pardon. The Brits agree to his demands and send him back to Germany but ..... just whose side is he really on? The film is based on a real person by the name of Eddie Chapman who was considered Germany's no. 1 spy in Great Britain while, in fact, working as a double agent for the British. The movie takes a great deal of dramatic license in altering facts to make the film more exciting so inspired by rather based on would seem to be a more appropriate description. As to the film itself, it's a fairly conventional WWII action flick of the WHERE EAGLES DARE variety though not as polished or coherent. There was always something rather chilly about Plummer which is why he never became a major star and as an action hero, he's no Roger Moore. Still, you won't be bored. Directed by Terence Young (DR. NO). With Yul Brynner, Romy Schneider, Trevor Howard, Claudine Auger and Gert Frobe.

Death Of A Gunfighter (1969)

A corrupt and cowardly town wants to get rid of its sheriff (Richard Widmark) for two reasons. One, his way of doing things doesn't fit in with their idea of a civilized west and two, more importantly he knows their secrets and misdeeds. Based on the novel by Lewis B. Patten and directed by Robert Totten (THE QUICK AND THE DEAD) and Don Siegel (THE BEGUILED). Totten left the film after the usual "creative differences" with Widmark and replaced by Don Siegel who didn't want his name on the film so the movie is credited to the non existent Allen Smithee.  This western, like many done around its time (THE WILD BUNCH, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID), reflects on the changing West and the encroaching civilization. Its premise of a vile and unworthy town that resorts to cold blooded murder to achieve its own ends is intriguing. Intriguing enough to hold our attention and wish it were better. But there's something flat about it and something feels missing and not all of its characters are fully developed. For instance, Carroll O' Connor's barkeep doesn't make sense, just what is his problem? Lena Horne (in a rare dramatic role) is Widmark's mistress and the owner of the town's brothel, yet their interracial romance is never addressed which leads one to suspect the role may not have been written for a black actress. Still, for a film that's an orphan, its promise is enough to make it worth a watch. There's a nice score by Oliver Nelson, too. With John Saxon, Kent Smith, David Opatoshu, Royal Dano and Jacqueline Scott.

Her (2013)

Set in a not too distant future, a recently divorced introvert (Joaquin Phoenix) is having trouble adjusting. But when he purchases a new computer operating system, he becomes enthralled with the computer's "voice" (Scarlett Johansson) to the point of actually having a romantic relationship with her. Spike Jonze's (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH) original new film is inspired and has tapped into something important. Our society has increasingly become detached from each other and dependent on social media to fulfill our needs. Everyone walks around with their their iphone or ipad attached to their hand that it's almost part of their body. We tweet, we text, we twitter and we facebook to the point that it seems preferable to actual face to face interaction with another human. With the increasing sophistication of computer technology, is falling in love with our electronic devices the inevitable next step? To be fair, Jonze's wonderful sci-fi/romance blend is about much more than that but its premise is entirely believable. Phoenix follows his terrific performance in THE MASTER with a 360 turn around as the subdued loner. Johansson gives what might possibly be her best performance ever though we never see her, just hear her. With Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Kristen Wiig and Brian Cox.

Grease (1978)

In 1950s Southern California, a visiting Australian teenage girl (Olivia Newton John) and a local greaser (John Travolta) share a summer romance. But when she unexpectedly enrolls as a student at his high school, they discover how different they really are. Based on the 1971 hit Broadway musical and directed by Randal Kleiser (his first feature film). I suppose one "had to be there" to appreciate this energetic pastiche of faux fifties pop and stereotypes. The film never tries to be anything more than what it is ..... a fun musical that winks affectionately at the naive innocence of its era. Taken that way, one would have to be a bit of a curmudgeon not to fall under its captivating spell. Travolta was at the height of his budding stardom while the part of Sandy seems tailor made for Newton John. The vigorous choreography, highlighted by the dynamic Born To Hand Jive dance number, is by Patricia Birch. The large cast includes Stockard Channing (terrific though she looks like the oldest high school senior in Hollywood history), Eve Arden, Sid Caesar, Joan Blondell, Frankie Avalon, Alice Ghostley, Jeff Conaway, Dody Goodman, Edd Byrnes, Didi Conn, Dinah Manoff, Lorenzo Lamas and Kelly Ward.

The Velvet Touch (1948)

An actress (Rosalind Russell) unintentionally kills her producer and lover (Leon Ames) when he attacks her after she tells him she is leaving him for another man (Leo Genn). She gets away with the killing but her conscience begins to trouble her especially when another woman (Claire Trevor) is suspected of the murder. Though one can't exactly call it a murder mystery since we know who the murderess is from the very beginning, the film nonetheless keeps us in suspense as to whether or not she will break down and confess. Being a 1940s Hollywood film, we can be fairly sure of the outcome but the film is greatly aided by its backdrop, the world of the Broadway theater which gives the film a unique touch. Russell is suitably neurotic, Trevor does her usual spot on bruised woman number and Sydney Greenstreet is a delight as the police inspector investigating the case with a taste for fine food and good theater. Yet one can't help feel that it could have been better. But where does the blame go? Perhaps to director John Gage whose only film this is. With Martha Hyer, Lex Barker, Frank McHugh, Theresa Harris, Esther Howard and Dan Tobin.

Forever, Darling (1956)

A chemical engineer (Desi Arnaz) and his wife (Lucille Ball) have started to drift apart in their marriage. But her guardian angel (James Mason) visits her in an attempt to save her marriage. The success of their TV show I LOVE LUCY was enough for MGM to try and duplicate their small screen success on the big screen with THE LONG LONG TRAILER in 1953 and they did, the movie was a big hit. But this follow up was a flop and it's easy to see why. It simply isn't very funny. Unlike the first film, the actors make a sincere attempt to distance themselves from their TV personas. At least till the end of the film when suddenly some unrelated slapstick enters the picture but by then it's too late. But at least we get some nice location shooting in Yosemite National Park. The screenplay was apparently an old script that MGM dusted off and talked Lucy and Desi into doing and it creaks. Poor Mason seems adrift as if he knew how weak the script was and he just wanted to get it over with and collect his paycheck. Directed by Alexander Hall (HERE COMES MR. JORDAN). With Marilyn Maxwell, Louis Calhern, Natalie Schafer, John Hoyt, Nancy Kulp and John Emery.

August: Osage County (2013)

When the patriarch (Sam Shepard) of the Weston family commits suicide, the family gathers for his funeral. But grief is the last thing the family has on their mind as ugly "truths" are spewed forth and dark secrets revealed. Eventually it leads to a face off between the vicious drug addicted matriarch (Meryl Streep) and the strongest of her three daughters (Julia Roberts), who is suffering from problems of her own. Tracy Letts' Tony and Pulitzer winning three hour play has been compacted into two hours but Letts, who adapted his play for the screen, has retained the ferocious banter and wit that was the play's trademark. As a dysfunctional family drama, it's the spawn of Eugene O'Neill by way of Edward Albee, only with more laughs. But it provides an arena for an ensemble (and this is a true ensemble film) of excellent actors to exercise their acting chops. Streep is problematic. She's excellent yet one is almost always aware that she is acting (especially next to Roberts' and Julianne Nicholson's naturalistic acting style), giving the kind of performance the Streep haters always accuse her of. The film is well written but it doesn't give us anything new. Still, acting this good all in one film is hard to come by and it's well done. The large cast includes Ewan McGregor, Juliette Lewis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, Abigail Breslin, Dermot Mulroney and Misty Upham (FROZEN RIVER).

Le Casse (aka The Burglars) (1971)

Set in Greece, a master thief (Jean Paul Belmondo) and his three accomplices (Renato Salvatori, Robert Hossein, Nicole Calfan) rob a wealthy millionaire (Jose Luis De Vilallonga, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S) of a million dollars in emeralds. But a corrupt policeman (Omar Sharif) decides he wants the emeralds too. Based on the David Goodis novel which was previously filmed in 1957, this French/Italian production directed by Henri Verneuil (THE SICILIAN CLAN) was shot in French and English. I watched the English language version which is about 10 minutes shorter than the French language cut. The film is memorable for two things: a spectacular car chase that seems to go on forever and is the longest one I've ever seen and Belmondo doing his own stunts. Most notably a dazzling fall down a steep embankment without a cut so when he gets up, you can clearly see it was Belmondo who took the fall. The film differs from its 1957 American counterpart in that there is lots of humor sprinkled through out the film whereas the 1957 film was a pretty somber noir. The Greek locations are handsomely shot by Claude Renoir and there's a spiffy score by Ennio Morricone. With Dyan Cannon, whose distinctive laugh is lost in the French version since she's dubbed.

Eloise At Christmastime (2003)

Set in 1958, a precocious six year old girl named Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) lives with her nanny (Julie Andrews) at the plush Plaza hotel while her mother lives in Europe. The cheeky child makes it her business to keep her finger in the lives of the hotel's guests and employees. Based on the book by writer/performer Kay Thompson (FUNNY FACE), what could have been ruined by an attack of the Disney cutes remains true to the Thompson source material. Vassilieva pops right out of the book's pages, sassy, brassy and a bit annoying ..... but inevitably a charmer. Andrews nicely plays against type, her lady like elegance not to be seen as the slovenly, egg nog slugging nanny. It's bright and colorful with a genuine feel of Christmas and one can view it without making apologies. Directed by Kevin Lima. With Christine Baranski, Jeffrey Tambor, Debra Monk, Kenneth Welsh, Sarah Topham, Rick Roberts and Gavin Creel.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

When his wife and co-anchor (Christina Applegate) is promoted to anchorwoman on primetime news and he is fired, anchorman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) gathers his former cronies (Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner) and they go to work on a new concept ..... a news channel 24 hours a day (this is set in 1980)! Doing a sequel when so much time has elapsed since the last film can be a risky business. It's been nine years since the 2004 ANCHORMAN was released. Luckily, it's paid off. For most of its running time, it's inspired hilarity, every bit as funny as the first, perhaps even more and all the while shooting pointed barbs at the state of TV news. Steve Carell hasn't been this funny in years! Ferrell's first encounter with his new black female boss (Meagan Good) is a priceless comical take on politically incorrect nervousness. It runs out of steam toward the end when a blindness theme enters the picture (the film is constantly flirting with bad taste) but recovers for a slam bang finish where a lot stars show up (someone called in a lot of favors). Directed by Adam McKay. With Harrison Ford, Will Smith, Liam Neeson, Marion Cotillard, Tina Fey, Kanye West, Sacha Baron Cohen, Vince Vaughn, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Poehler, John C. Reilly, Kristen Wiig, Greg Kinnear and James Marsden.

Remember The Night (1940)

With Christmas only a week away, a prosecuting attorney (Fred MacMurray) causes the case of a shoplifter (Barbara Stanwyck) to get postponed after the Christmas season so the jurors won't have any qualms about putting a woman in jail for Christmas. Since she has nowhere to go, he offers to drive her to her mother in Indiana for Christmas since it is on the way to his own mother's. But it's Christmas and love is in the air. While most Christmas movies revel in sentiment, REMEMBER THE NIGHT manages to keep the sentimentality to a minimum while still having its heart in the right place. Thanks to a razor sharp script by Preston Sturges and Mitchell Leisen's nimble direction and two appealing leads, this is a Christmas movie that even Scrooge could embrace. Stanwyck was one of the few actresses who could give MacMurray some sex appeal (they would go on to do three more movies together) and she gives one of her very best performances. So impressed was Sturges by Stanwyck's work here that he wrote THE LADY EVE especially for her. With Beulah Bondi, Elizabeth Patterson, Sterling Hayden and giving a very funny performance as Stanwyck's hammy attorney, Willard Robertson.