Oldies Movie Review - Sunset Boulevard

Director: Billy Wilder
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 1950
Starring: Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olsen, Fred Clarke, Lloyd Cough. Jack Webb

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 25: A MOVIE FROM THE 1950s
 
Description: A screenwriter (William Holden) develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star (Gloria Swanson) determined to make a triumphant return.

Review: Hollywood used to be shown as a paradise of glamour. Stars always lookd perfect and their status was maintained by the press courtesy of the powerful studio bosses. Anyone who worked in Hollywood knew that this world might be so beautiful on the outside, but was way darker behind the scenes. Director Billy Wilder created a portrait of this with “Sunset Boulevard”.

William Holden plays screenwriter Joe. He meets the once celebrated star of silent film, Norma Desmond. She disappeared from the Hollywood stage when the sound film took over. Living in a delusion herself, she thinks she is making a comeback. When Norma hears Joe is a writer, she wants him to help her with her comeback. He is allowed to live with Norma and she develops feelings for him. But it’s not mutual. And when Joe gets involved with a woman his own age, tensions run high.

Wilder used many authentic details, such as real names and cameos of illustrious Hollywood icons. And he used real locations. And Gloria Swanson herself, who plays Norma, was one a big Hollywood star in silent movies who became passé when the sound film came along. And casting her was the best choice.
Although Norma verges on madness, Swanson manages to make her a wonderful character who is not one-dimensional. She may be extremely theatrical and ill at ease, but she also has a charm that comes out.

There is a reason why “Sunset Boulevard” is on so many “best films of all time” lists. Wilder’s directorial work, the script, the casting, the authentic details and cinematography make the film a masterful classic.

Rating: 4/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - The Sting

Director: George Roy Hill
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 1973
Starring: Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Robert Shaw

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 11: A MOVIE FROM THE 1970S
 
Description: Two grifters (Robert Redford, Paul Newman) team up to pull off the ultimate con.

Review: After the complete success of cowboy film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”(1969), director George Roy Hill and lead actors Paul Newman and Robert Redford reunited four years later for the equally successful “The Sting”.

Two small time crooks, Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker, teak up to take on Doyle Lonnogan, using their wits and slight-of-hand tricks.

“The Sting” is basically a modern version of Favid and Goliath, with Newman and Redford playing the small David character and Robert Shaw is the big-time villain. It’s has a good portion of comedy in it, without becoming a slapstick, which would made this a completely different movie. “The Sting” has won 7 Oscars (out of 10 nominations) and is such a joy to watch. I just love young Newman and Redford together.

I really loved this movie experience, just a bit more than “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”.

Rating: 5/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - The Wrong Arm of the Law

Director: Cliff Owen
Genre: Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 1963
Starring: Peter Sellers, Lionel Jeffries, Bernard Cribbins, Davy Kaye, Nanette Newman, Bill Kerr, Ed Devereaux, Reg Lye

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 1: A CLASSIC BLACK-AND-WHITE FILM
           
Description: In London, Australian gangster disguised as Bobbies rob the local criminals, making the panicked British mobsters seek an alliance with Scotland Yard in order to eliminate the foreign competition and return things to “normal”.

Review: I love Peter Sellers. Of course his role as clumsy detective Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” series is iconic, as are his multiple roles in “Dr. Strangelove”. And the underrated movie “The Party” is so hilarious. In “The Wrong Arm of the Law”, Sellers plays a crime boss, who hides behind his salesman image. His team of thieves is currently very unsuccessful, because they themselves are being robbed by a group of criminals who impersonate cops. This causes for a lot of hilarity.

Even though the idea behind this sounds really funny, it never reaches the level of comedy and satire as the aforementioned movies. It has some funny moments, but it’s not as memorable. If it weren’t for Peter Sellers, it wouldn’t stand out.

Rating: 3/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Manhattan

Director: Woody Allen
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 1979
Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Mariel Hemingway, Michael Murphy, Anne Byrne Hoffman   
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 43: A MOVIE WITH A RATING HIGHER THAN 8 ON IMDB
 
Description: The life of a divorced television writer (Woody Allen) dating a teenage girl (Mariel Hemingway) is further complicated when he falls in love with his best friend’s mistress (Diane Keaton)

Review: Some of Woody Allen’s work I really love: “Scoop” was fun, “Annie Hall” is one of his best and “Midnight in Paris” is my absolute favorite. “Manhattan” is probably considered his best, but I don’t really get that.

Most of Allen’s movies are just a bunch of people talking about everyday life. And the city it’s set in it often a very important element of the story. In most of his early work that’s New York, here focusing on Manhattan. And although I always enjoy the funny dialogue Allen writes, there are some elements in this movie that I found troubling.

People are actually okay with a 43-year-old man dating a 17-year-old girl. One character even says 17 isn’t to young. And this girl, Tracy, is totally mesmerized by this man, Woody Allen’s Isaac. Which I don’t understand either, because Isaac is not that special (and he has his fair share of relationships with pretty women). With that, we are supposed to be rooting for characters committing adultery. Isaac’s friend is cheating on his wife and Isaac cheats on Tracy with that same woman. I know it’s a fictional story, but with movies like this you are supposed to sympathize with the main character. I simply couldn’t.

Because I loved the dialogue and the setting, and the way Allen shows his love for New York, I still think it’s an okay film. But there were too many red flags for me.

Rating: 3/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Barefoot in the Park

Director: Gene Saks
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 1967
Starring: Robert Redford, Jane Fonda
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 37: A MOVIE from the 60s
           
Description: Paul (Robert Redford), a conservative young lawyer, marries the vivacious Corie (Jane Fonda). Their highly passionate relationship descends into comical discord in a five-flight New York City walk-up apartment.

Review: Paul and Corie settle into a shabby little apartment in Greenwich Village after a luxurious honeymoon. Their apartment is a bit smaller than expected and has some defects, but they both try to make the best of it.

Enjoyable screenplay by Neil Simon, who adapted his play for film. It is mainly the fresh, casual acting by Robert Redford and Jane Fonda that holds the attention throughout the film, since the most scenes are set in their tiny apartment.

I loved this film, it was funny and heartwarming.

Rating: 4/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - The Day the Earth Stood Still

Director: Robert Wise
Genre: Science Fiction/ Drama
Runtime: 88 minutes
Year: 1951
Starring: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe Billy Gray, Francis Bavier, Lock Martin

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 43: A MOVIE FROM THE YEAR YOUR DAD WAS BORN
 
Description: An alien (Michael Rennie) lands in Washington D.C. and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.

Review: Director Robert Wise is known for classic musicals like “The Sound of Music” and “West Side Story”, but before that he made the classic science fiction film “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. A film that is more a political drama than science fiction, however, has a message that is still relevant today. The film was remade in 2008, which was more of a popcorn action movie, whereas it was the content and suspenseful build-up to the finale that made the original so strong.
Even though the film starts off with the landing of a fake-looking UFO and an even less convincing-looking robot, as of that moment the story takes on interesting implications and the message and theme become more and more prominent.
Mankind is driven by fear and known only the language of aggression and violence in a situation like this. Everything foreign is hostile, and is therefore best eliminated. Even in the face of uncertainty, it is best to assume this.
The way the tension is generated in the film is very effective. The emphasis on drama, dialogue and atmospheric setting makes for a fascinating film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Halloween

Director: John Carpenter
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 1978
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes, P.J. Soles, Charles Cyphers, Kyle Richards, Brian Andrews, John Michael Graham, Nancy Stephens, Arthur Malet, Mickey Yablans, Brent Le Page, Adam Hollander, Robert Phalen, Tony Moran

Description: On Halloween night of 1963, 6-year old Michael Myers stabbed his sister to death. After sitting in a mental hospital for 15 years, Myers escapes and returns to Haddonfield to kill.

Review: With “Halloween”, Jamie Lee Curtis followed in her mother’s footsteps. Mom Janet Leigh is known for the Hitchcock film “Psycho” and that famous shower scene. After “Halloween” Curtis got the nickname ‘scream queen’. It was her first movie role and her big break in Hollywood.
Many sequels were made after “Halloween”. But the first will always be the best and is an absolute horror classic. “Halloween” didn’t have a big budget and was filmed in only three weeks. “Halloween” had a big influence on the horror genre.
Off course the effects aren’t of today’s quality, but the suspense and scares are much bigger than today’s horror films. Partly because of the music, which is composed by director John Carpenter. The creepy melody is very well known now. With that the camera shows us the perspective of the killer sometimes, which has been copied many times after this. The movie doesn’t have a lot of blood and gore, but is still very scary. That’s what’s so good about “Halloween”.
Killer Michael Myers has become a famous horror character. He is pure evil, with the dead eyes and his stoic attitude.
“Halloween” is a masterpiece and one of my all-time favorite horror movies.

Rating: 5/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Singin' in the Rain

Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Genre: Musical/ Romance/ Comedy
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 1952
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse, Millard Mitchell, Douglas Fowley, Rita Moreno

Description: A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.

Review: Fans of musicals will feel like a kid in a candy store while watching “Singin’ in the Rain”. The many songs and dance numbers are unforgettable with all the romance, sensuality, comedy, enthusiasm and craftsmanship.
You also get to see a peace of movie history, when you see the transition from the silent film to the “talkie”, a movie where there is actual talking. We see how hard it was and how at first people were against it. The movie world of the 1920s is shown to us in a very entertaining way. In one of the most hilarious scenes you can see how actress Lina Lamont struggles with the microphone.
The comedy is a strong point. Besides the smart and ironic screenplay, the performances are also good. Jean Hagen is hilarious as the simple, materialistic and bitchy Lina, but also Debbie Reynolds as Kathy Selden is great. Gene Kelly is the focal point and I love him in his role as Don Lockwood. My favorite is Donald O’Connor as Don’s sidekick Cosmo. They work great together and his musical number “Make ‘em Laugh” is one of my favorite moments of the film.
The romantic storyline is not big, but I think it’s better that way. The songs are all fantastic, with Gene Kelly performing “Singin’ in the Rain” as the absolute highlight. This scene always puts a smile on my face.
For the musical fan an absolute must-see. For me, the ultimate movie that just makes me happy every time I watch it.

Rating: 5/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Blazing Saddles

Director: Mel Brooks
Genre: Western/ Comedy
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 1975
Starring: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman, Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 CHALLENGE
WEEK 38: A WESTERN
 
Description: In order to ruin a western town, a corrupt politician (Harvey Korman) appoints a black Sheriff (Cleavon Little), who promptly becomes his most formidable adversary.  

Review: Director Mel Brooks created this western parody that filleted boyhood fantasies about the Wild West. We could characterize the films as a frontal assault on American racism and capitalism, but is also contains flatulence jokes. Brooks mosses no opportunity to sabotage a serious interpretation of his work with absurd antics. It’s all for laughs, but the flat-out banter is definitely coupled with a sharp political stance.
Brooks worked on the screenplay with the then controversial comedian Richard Pryor, who was supposed to play the lead role, Warner Bros. didn’t see that happening and substituted him with Cleavon Little. He gives the film an appealing emotional core, revolving around friendship between the sheriff and a sniper played by Gene Wilder.
Brooks was never known for a sophisticated sense of humor, but knew how to make an audience laugh. And he succeeded with “Blazing Saddles”.

Rating: 4/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Peter pan

Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Jack Kinney
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Fantasy/ Adventure/ Musical
Runtime: 76 minutes
Year: 1953
Starring: Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Bill Thompson, Heather Angel, Paul Collins, Tommy Luske, Candy Candido, Tom Conway

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 28: A MOVIE FROM THE 50S
           
Description: Wendy and her brothers are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan.

Review: “Peter Pan” is Walt Disney’s ninth animated feature film, but the film was planned to be the second. Due to negotiation problems, the studio was unable to film the story. Eventually Disney managed to get the rights and the film was made in 1953. And to the day, it's both a fiercely criticized and successful animated film.
Wendy is a young girl who lives with her parents and her younger brothers John and Michael in London. She is a huge fan of Peter Pan and she is convinced that he really exists. After all, she has found his shadow. When Peter Pan comes to get his shadow back, the adventure begins for Wendy and her brothers. For Peter pan and his faithful companion Tinkerbell take them to Neverland. Where they meet the lost boys, the Indians, the mermaids and the evil Captain Hook.
Walt Disney strongly criticized his ninth film, saying Peter Pan was too arrogant. But to stay true to the character conceived by J.M. Barrie, Pan was positioned that way. It worked out well, as the film was praised. In an era when a little less attention was paid to stereotyping. But “Peter Pan” is full of stereotypes. To this day, the creators can even ne accused of racism. The positioned characters that could cause a lot of controversy, but let’s keep in mind that it’s an innocent children’s movie and it wasn’t meant to be that at all.
That said, I must also say that Peter Pan excels in beautiful hand-drawn animation. Which certainly could be called magical in the period in which the film was released. The film stoof the test of time well, when it comes to that. It’s still and enchanting Disney classic in which action, humor, suspense and romance go hand in hand.

Rating: 3/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Dirty Harry

Director: Don Siegel
Genre: Action/ Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 1971
Starring: Clint Eastwod, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John Vernon, Andrew Robinson, John Larch, John Mitchum, Mae Mercer, Lyn Edgington, Ruth Kobart, Woodrow Parfey, Josef Sommer, William Paterson, James Nolan, Maurice Argent

Description: When a madman calling himself “the Scorpio Killer” menaces the city, tough as nails San Francisco Police Inspector “Dirty Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) is assigned to track down and ferret out the crazed psychopath.

Review: San Francisco is startled by a sniper-killer who leaves notes demanding ransom. However, the mayor doesn’t want to cooperate and therefore the police has to catch the sniper. Designated candidate for this kind of job is “Dirty” Harry Callahan. Harry is not exactly the most law-abiding officer. He has no problem catching criminals in a less conventional way or forcing confessions. That makes Harry quite the tough cop.
The sniper strikes a few more times, but only when he kidnaps a young girl the mayor is willing to negotiate. Harry has to deliver the ransom, without any of his tricks.
I think “Dirty Harry” was one of the first films where we saw a cop like Harry Callahan in a leading role. A cop that doesn’t really mind the rules and the law. Clint Eastwood, who is already a cool guy, plays a really cool role. His one-liners are genius. “Dirty Harry” is a very strong crime thriller and this is definitely a must-see.

Rating: 4 / 5

Oldies Movie Review - 2001: A Space Odyssey

Director: Stanley Kubrick
Genre: Science Fiction
Runtime: 143 minutes
Year: 1968
Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter, Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Tyzack, Robert Beatty, Sean Sullivan, Douglas Rain, Frank Miller, Bill Weston, Ed Bishop, Glenn Beck, Alan Gifford, Ann Gillis, Edwina Carroll, Penny Brahms, Heather Downham

Description: After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 3: A SCI-FI MOVIE.

Review: When an extraterrestrial object is discovered on the moon, a fantastic search for the origin and future of mankind begins. Even after half a century, this science fiction epic by director Stanley Kubrick and writer Arthur C. Clark continues to captivate and amaze film viewers.
The film tells about our evolution from apes to space travelers. During this journey we are treated to inventive special effects, a classic soundtrack, a confrontation with a self-confident on-board computer and an ending whose meaning still evokes lively discussions among fans.
Fans of smooth action better avoid “2001: A Space Odyssey”. The film is known for its calm tempo and the absence of spectacle. Instead, Kubrick spends a lot of time on long shots of ships floating through space and of lone astronauts during their daily activities.
All this has an almost hypnotic effect on the viewer. It also gives you time to think about the great influence the film has had on the science fiction genre and the many fascinating concepts Kubrick fires at you. So, for anyone who has never experienced “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Grab your chance!

Rating: 4 / 5

Oldies Movie Review - Jaws

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 1975
Starring: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb, Jeffrey Kramer, Susan Backlinie, Jonathan Filley, Ted Grossman, Chris Rebello, Jay Mello, Lee Fierro, Jeffrey Voorhees, Craig Kingsbury, Robert Nevin, Peter Benchley

Description: When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief (Roy Scheider), a marine scientist (Richard Dreyfuss) and grizzled fisherman (Robert Shaw) set out to stop it.

Review: “Jaws” is a perfect adventure film, that is now a classic and one of the most successful films in movie history. “Jaws” had an enormous impact and it still holds up.

The movie is based on the book by Peter Benchley, that was a bestseller in 1973. In the book the small town Amity is ravaged by a series of shark attacks. Producers David Brown and Richard Zanuck thought it would make a great movie and the then 27-year-old Steven Spielberg was hired to direct.
“Jaws” follows three men, very different from each other, that try to hunt down the giant shark that causes all the trouble in Amity. First we have police chief Martin Brody, a New Yorker who was tired of all the violence in the big city. Now he is stationed in the small town of Amity, in New England. When a shark starts taking victims, Brody wants the beaches to be closed, but it’s summer season and the mayor doesn’t want all the tourists to leave. Brody gets help from oceanographer and shark expert Matt Hooper, who also doesn’t manage to convince the mayor. When more victims are claimed, the rough and harsh fisherman Quint is hired as well. The three of them try to catch and kill the shark.
Filled with suspense, humor, good acting and unforgettable music, “Jaws” should be on everyone’s “must-see” list. And in everyone’s collection. The film has an amazing buildup, where you see the actual shark when you’re about 45 minutes in. The element of not showing the shark, makes it even scarier and it will make you think twice about swimming in the ocean for a while. Even though the movie is from the 70s, and the effects are dated, “Jaws” still manages to give you the chills and scare you every single time. It holds up, even with those effects.
“Jaws” won three Academy Awards: montage, sound and music. That music, by John Williams, is one of the most recognizable themes in movie history. Even people who haven’t seen “Jaws” recognize it.
Let’s forget there were tree sequels (the second was acceptable, the rest is just terrible). “Jaws” is an ultimate classic, an enjoyable view every time.

Rating: 5/ 5