Genre: Action, Western

Year: 1968

Country: Italy

Rating:

Starring: Lee Van Cleef, John Phillip Law, Mario Brega, Luigi Pistilli, Anthony Dawson

Director: Giulio Petroni

My Review: A fine spaghetti western (Italian made, filmed in Spain, starring American actors), directed by a no name Italian director, featuring music by Ennio Morricone, starring Lee Van Cleef and John Phillip Law. The story is a cookie cutter cliche of all the revenge westerns out there. Young boy witnesses the rape and murder of his family. He commits the villains to memory, and vows vengeance. Following this initial sequence is a montage of the boy growing up, learning how to shoot, and basically preparing for his revenge. Following this is the introduction of Lee Van Cleef's character. An ex-con, out for revenge on his former buddies. Experience and unbridled passion saddle up together to take out the gang of thugs who ruined their lives. The only reasons to watch this movie? The music (despite the horrible condition of the soundtrack) by Enio Morricone, and Lee Van Cleef's acting. The pacing and editing were also well handled. The camera work wasn't all that good, and the acting of John Phillip Law was terrible. It kept my attention, despite it's entirely predictable plot, cliched characters, and the poor condition of the film and audio. 3 out of 5.

Summary: As a child, Bill witnesses the murder of his family by four robbers. Fifteen years later, he embarks on his revenge. During his quest, he crosses paths with Ryan, an ex-con who wants the money the robbers owe him.

Genre: Drama, History, War

Year: 2006

Country: Ireland, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France

Rating:

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham, Orla Fitzgerald, Mary O'Riordan

Director: Ken Loach

My Review: I tired to watch this movie via 'Watch Instantly', but the Irish and British accents made it unbearable for this American. I rented the disc and had to watch it with subtitles turned on. Here is an unabashedly biased movie about the Republican struggles of the early 20's. Excellent production value, with outstanding acting. Historically based on the Irish war of independence and the civil war that followed, this movie is a treasure of period drama and historical accuracy. Violent, dramatic, and emotionally charged with a message of independent struggle and justice. The bias against British rule is barely restrained, and the conflict in that regard is viewed quite myopically. When it turns to Irish violence against Irishmen, the dramatic struggle became far more complicated. I found the movie moving and powerful, filled with outstanding performances and excellent cinematography. Unfortunately, it's laser sharp focus on insular Irish affairs blunts the broader reach of its message. 4 out of 5.

Summary: Ireland, 1920. Damien and Teddy are brothers. But while the latter is already the leader of a guerrilla squad fighting for the independence of his motherland, Damien, a medical graduate of University College, would rather further his training at the London hospital where he has found a place. However, shortly before his departure, he happens to witness atrocities committed by the ferocious Black and Tans and finally decides to join the resistance group led by Teddy. The two brothers fight side by side until a truce is signed. But peace is short-lived and when one faction of the freedom-fighters accepts a treaty with the British that is regarded as unfair by the other faction, a civil war ensues, pitting Irishmen against Irishmen, brothers against brothers, Teddy against Damien....

Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Year: 1962

Country: France, Italy

Rating:

Starring: Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Juliette Mayniel, Edith Scob, François Guérin

Director: Georges Franju

My Review: A french horror movie - From 1960! It's hard to discuss much about this movie without spoiling the plot. There are three primary characters. A brilliant plastic surgeon engaged in experimental research. The good doctor has a clinical attitude, a cool exterior, but a highly conflicted inner struggle is tearing his soul apart. The doctors daughter, formerly beautiful, engaged, on the verge of a blooming life; recently disfigured in a tragic car accident. A grateful and somewhat obsessed nurse; a woman who owes the Dr. dearly. The things this obsessed surgeon does - All in the name of love! The movie is creepy, plodding, filled with visual symbols, and quite shocking. The ending is tragic, poignant, excellent. Well acted and well directed. Unfortunately, the lack of an adequate soundtrack, slow pacing, and poor character direction detracted greatly from this movie. 3 out of 5.

Summary: A brilliant surgeon, Dr. Génessier, helped by his assistant Louise, kidnaps nice young women. He removes their faces and tries to graft them onto the head on his beloved daughter Christiane, whose face has been entirely spoiled in a car crash. All the experiments fail, and the victims die, but Génessier keeps trying....

Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year: 1959

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Arthur Franz, Dick Foran, Brett Halsey, Tom Conway, Paul Dubov

Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet

My Review: Wow! So bad it was good. Made in 1959, this movie took a far sighted stab at the future of transportation, and alien invasion. Set in the far future of 1968, the movie starts with a bit of narrative. While Robert Peary had some difficulty finding the North Pole, the explorer would surely be amazed to find the arctic a bustling route of undersea nuclear commerce. With nuclear cargo and passenger ships plying the route daily, the governments of the world are highly concerned when some unknown force is systematically sinking these undersea ships. The nuclear powered U.S.S. Tiger Shark is called upon to investigate and put an end to this disruption in commerce. A Sci-Fi, horror flick from the era of nuclear menace. This movie is full of bad acting, poor special effects and clumsy narrative. Entertaining sci-fi classic from the 50's B-movies closet. 3 of 5.

Summary: In the far and distant future of 1968, many ships and planes are crossing the North pole to transport passengers and cargo. However lately more than eight ships and seven submarines have vanished mysteriously. The Tigershark is sent out to investigate their whereabouts and - if possible - remove the cause of their disappearance. But the life form Commander Vandover and his crew encounter may be too powerful even for their weapons of newest technology...

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

Year: 2009

Country: France

Rating:

Starring: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle, Philippe Torreton, Daniel Duval, Elodie Yung

Director: Patrick Alessandrin

My Review: A sequel to District B13. This movie features some great choreography and two excellent action scenes - One involving a rooftop chase, the other involves a car chase (of sorts). The story is rather bland. Bad cops team up with a corrupt businessmen in a plan to wipe out the slums of Paris and the socially diverse population of misfits and criminals living there. The only hope is a framed cop and a shady ex-cop. The political message is quite evident. The French government is doing it's best to protect ethnic, religious, and racial diversity - Even if that means protecting the criminal elements of France's population? Cops are cast as bad guys, except for one bad ass super cop. The drug dealing criminals are cast as innocent victims? The acrobatics, editing, and choreography are great, but the rest of the movie promotes style over story, and the story sucks. The ending is horrible, and the acting mediocre. Luckily for you, the previews contain the best parts of the action scenes. 2 of 5.

Summary: After a successful mission against drug lords, the efficient Captain Damien Tomaso is framed at home with three kilograms of heroine planted by the police in his kitchen and he is arrested. Meanwhile a group of teenagers film the action of dirty agents leaded by Roland from the security agency executing policemen in their car and then leaving the car with the corpses in the 13th District to blame the gangs and begin a civil war. Behind these events, the corrupt chief of the security agency Walter Gassman had received a huge amount as kickback from the constructor Harriburton that has interest to construct buildings in the poor area and uses the situation to force the President of France to authorize to nuke five towers in the district. The teenager with the film is hunted by the police but he delivers the memory card to Leito meanwhile Damien calls him from the precinct asking for help. The friends team-up with five dangerous bosses to gather evidences to prove to the president that Gassman has provoked the conflict in their district.