Genre: Horror

Year: 1958

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: John Baer, Angela Greene, Ed Nelson, Georgianna Carter, Michael Emmet

Director: Bernard L. Kowalski

My Review: An early (1958) space travel movie. Story by Gene Corman, co-produced by Roger Corman. Here's a B sci-fi story with incredibly poor production. Starring a cast of relative unknowns, the story is fairly interesting. A solo astronaut returns to earth, crash lands and supposedly dies. When his lifeless body is returned to the lab for some examination, the scientists find a corpse with normal blood pressure. That's weird, but it isn't the weirdest part of this movie. Later we find that some birdlike beast has hitched a ride along with the astronaut, but that's not all. The astronaut is pregnant - Huh? Yes, thanks to the technology of the fluoroscope, we can see several seamonkey type creatures swimming about his insides. Then come the attacks. The bird beaked ape creature attacks, but only to get our attention! It's definitely a bizarre, mixed-up, sci-fi, monster mash. Despite the poor production value, I found the story intriguing, and I couldn't help but laugh at some of the preposterous situations. 3 out of 5.

Summary: The first man in space returns to Earth, appearing to be dead. While on his mission, he encountered a mysterious alien, which impregnated him with its young. Now on Earth, the alien finally emerges and the entire human race is in danger! This rare, low-

Genre: Thriller

Year: 2009

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: James Van Der Beek, Wendy Crewson, Will Tiao, John Heard, Tzi Ma

Director: Adam Kane

My Review: Based in part on true events, this movie is set in the early 80s, and FBI Agent Jake Kelly (played by James Van Der Beek) is assigned to investigate the murder of a Taiwanese American professor. When the suspects manage to flee to Taiwan, Agent Kelly is flown to Taiwan in order to assist investigators with their 'investigation'. What follows is a web of international mystery, filled with political intrigue and plenty of dark secrets. When the U.S. State Department, Chinese Mafia and Taiwanese government are all aligned against agent Kelly, who can he turn to? Excellent acting, cinematography, editing and direction. A cold war crime drama with plenty of action, excellent pacing and a fantastic cast. 5 out of 5.

Summary: In the early 1980s, an FBI Agent is assigned to investigate the murder of a respected professor. Through his investigation, he unearths a spider web of international secrets that has been thriving within college campuses across America for decades. His investigation takes him across the Pacific to the island nation of Taiwan, where with the help of the outspoken widow and an unlikely spy, he learns that the Professor's killing was not a random act, but a desperate move by a scandalous government intent on keeping its nefarious activities under wraps. Our detective soon finds himself on a collision course against the U.S. State Department, the Chinese Mafia, and the Nationalist Chinese Government - in a land where the truth is not what it seems and the only people he can trust, cannot be trusted at all. Inspired by actual events.

Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller

Year: 2006

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins, Robin Tunney

Director: Allen Coulter

My Review: Inspired by one of Hollywood's most famous real-life mysteries. Hollywood was left with a big hole when George Reeves (the actor who played the original TV series Superman) was found dead - apparently it was suicide. Or was it? That's where this movie takes it. A fictional drama based on the events of that fateful day in 1959. Starring Ben Affleck, Adrien Brody and others. This mystery isn't half bad. The direction and editing are excellent, but the acting was a bit underplayed. Adrien Brody plays a private detective (Louis Simo) hired by the grieving mother. She's grieving, looking for an answer, convinced her son couldn't possibly commit suicide. Louis Simo needs something to pay the bills, is he grasping at straws? A cast of colorful character seem motivated to dislike this "Man of Steel", but Murder? Really? Excellent set work, costumes and editing, but the cast didn't seem too enthusiastic in this gritty noir-style crime drama. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: An exploration of fame and identity, inspired by one of Hollywood's most infamous real-life mysteries. June 16, 1959. The glamour of Tinseltown permanently fades for actor George Reeves, the heroic Man of Steel on TV's Adventures of Superman, as the actor dies in his Hollywood Hills home. Felled by a single gunshot wound, Reeves leaves behind a fiancée - aspiring starlet Leonore Lemmon - and millions of fans who are shocked by his death. But it is his grieving mother, Helen Bessolo, who will not let the questionable circumstances surrounding his demise go unaddressed. Helen seeks justice, or at least answers. The Los Angeles Police Department closes the case, but Helen hires - for $50 a day - private detective Louis Simo. Simo soon ascertains that the torrid affair Reeves had with Toni Mannix, the wife of MGM studio executive Eddie Mannix, might hold the key to the truth. But truth and justice are not so easily found in Hollywood. Simo pursues dangerous and elusive leads in both high and low places and, in trying to turn up the heat, risks getting burned. The detective also uncovers unexpected connections to his own life as the case turns more personal and he learns more about Reeves himself. Behind the icon was a complex man who gave his life to Hollywood in more ways than one.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2010

Country: USA, France

Rating:

Starring: Katie Holmes, Paul Dano, John C. Reilly, Kevin Kline, Alicia Goranson

Director: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

My Review: The Extra Man tries to be one of those quirky indie dramedies. You know, like The Royal Tenenbaums, or Juno, or … One of those smart, funny, sassy Indie classics. Unfortunately, it's not. When Louis Ives (played by Paul Dano) is fired from his prep school job, he decides to try his hand at writing. He moves to New York, and moves in with washed-up playwright Henry Harrison (played by Kevin Kline). Together they earn money by playing escort to rich old women. The two are an odd couple, in more than one way. Unfortunately, the characters aren't very lovable, and the movies direction sucked. Very quirky, very theatrical, very boring. The movie starts out well, but I never figured out where it was going. The movie didn't seem to know either. By the time it ended, I was left scratching my head, wondering "What was that?". Kevin Kline's performance was great, but Paul Dano didn't seem like he knew how to play his character. The editing was fine, and the music fit well. The story was boring, and the direction lacking. In the end I was still waiting for something to happen. 2 out of 5.

Summary:

Genre: Comedy, Crime

Year: 1990

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Joan Cusack, Melanie Mayron, Bill Irwin

Director: Herbert Ross

My Review: A recommendation from someone at work. This movie features a horrible cast. Steve Martin plays Vinnie Antonelli, small time hood turned snitch. Rick Moranis plays FBI agent Barney Coopersmith, protecting Vinnie until he testifies against the mob. The rest of the cast is filled out with 2nd rate actors hand selected so they wouldn't outshine the stelar acting talents of Steve Martin and Rick Moranis! So, Steve Martin plays a 'star witness' under federal protection. He's initially hidden away in a secluded back-water suburb of San Diego, but he won't be held down for long. He's constantly committing crimes, and making himself as conspicuous as a NY mobster could be in a San Diego suburb. Rick Moranis acts as baby sitter and FBI agent highly trained in the art of "Now don't do that again, Vinnie". In addition to the 'get the snitch to testify' plot, there are several other subplots. One subplot features Rick Moranis as a romantic lead opposite Joan Cusack, who must be two feet taller than him. There's also a little league subplot? The plot(s) was totally useless, as this movie seems to be one really long version of Steve Martin pretending to be a NY mobster. Eventually, agent coppersmith takes Vinnie to New York, and the mob moves in to put a hit on this big flamboyant snitch. Oh how I wish they had capped his ass within the first ten minutes of the movie. The stereotypes of women, Italian Americans, and New Yorkers were offensive and over the top. The laughs weren't all that big, and the acting was abysmal. There seemed to be no direction whatsoever, as Martin and Moranis simply floundered about, botching the dialog, delivery and style. I think the entire movie was directed by the editor. The costumes and sets were o' so 80s (released in 1990), and the music was the worst of the 80s. Why did Netflix think I would give this disaster a 3.3? How does this movie rate a 3.5 average on Netflix? The best part of the entire movie is a ten minute dance sequence featuring some pretty good moves by Steve Martin. Unfortunately, the other cast members can't dance worth a darn. I give this a 1 out of 5.

Summary: FBI agent Barney Coopersmith is assigned to protect former Mafia figure turned informant Vincent Antonelli. In the witness protection program one is supposed to keep a low profile, but that is something that Antonelli has trouble doing. Coopersmith certainly has his hands full keeping Antonelli away from the Mafia hitmen who want to stop him testifying, not to mention the nightclubs...

Genre: Drama

Year: 1973

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner, John Houseman, Graham Beckel, James Naughton

Director: James Bridges

My Review: A drama about life as a harvard law student. Timothy Bottoms plays 'Hart', a freshman at Harvard. As he struggles to make the grade, he also has to deal with a relationship. Complicating matters is the fact that she's (Lindsay Wagner) the daughter of professor Kingsfield (played by John Houseman), the tyrannical master of 'Contract Law'. It's a very interesting drama. The main character is learning to cope with the pressures of adult life. So much for high school, so much for life with parents. Now he's on his own, here he learns that life is a series of compromises and difficult decisions. On top of all that, there's the competition of Harvard Law School. Excellent direction, acting and writing. The camera work wasn't the best, but the story was outstanding. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Hart is a confused first year law student at Harvard. He is trying to survive the year under his strictest professer, the legendary Kingsfield. With the help of some of his classmates in his study group, Hart becomes one of the smartest students in his class. His reputation with Kingsfield is diminished, however, when he finds out the girl he has been seeing is Kingfields daughter. Will Hart perform to the best of his ability with Kingsfield watching his every move?

Genre: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir, Romance, Thriller

Year: 1947

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: James Mason, Robert Newton, Cyril Cusack, F.J. McCormick, William Hartnell

Director: Carol Reed

My Review: A black & white film noir crime caper and a excellent drama. In this movie James Mason plays Johnny McQueen, leader of a pro-independence, Irish nationalist movement. He and a gang of men rob a bank to raise funds for their movement. During the robbery, things go wrong and Johnny ends up shot and left for dead on the cold cobbled streets of Belfast. The drama is thick as his friends and the police both seek to find Johnny and help him in one way or another. The acting was awesome, the direction very good and the drama gripping. Here's an example of an excellent crime drama that doesn't have to include explosions and unrealistic shoot outs. The characters are rich, well acted, and passionate. You'll find every emotion, motivation and example of the human condition in this movie. Unfortunately the lighting is quite poor and the language makes the movie a bit difficult to understand at times. Irish accents and no subtitles. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Johnny McQueen, leader of a clandestine Irish organization, has been hiding in the house of Kathleen and her mother, planning a hold-up that will provide his group with the funds needed to continue its activities. During the hold-up, things go sour: Johnny is wounded, cannot make it back to the hideout, and disappears in the back-alleys of Belfast. Immediately, a large-scale man-hunt is launched, and the city is tightly covered by the constabulary, whose chief is intent on capturing Johnny and the other members of the gang. Kathleen sets out in search of Johnny.