susand1108 Reviews

Nightmare in Blood (1977)

Don't waste your time

[1/10 · 15 September 2023]

Let me start by saying I really love horror movies, and I especially love the old-fashioned vampire type that are supposedly satirized in this film. And I'm not offended by a cherished genre being sent up in good fun. Indeed, I enjoy a good spoof on a genre. But let me tell you, this movie is perfectly awful. The production values rate no better than a D-minus. The sound is so terrible you often cannot understand the dialogue. Unfortunately, when you do hear it, it's usually pretty lame. Following the story is a challenge, too. Entire minutes pass when you are at a loss to know what is happening. I don't know how viewers gave this enough stars to land it over a four-star rating. Take my advice. Hard pass.

Barbie (I) (2023)

Intelligent and charming

[10/10 · 18 August 2023]

This movie is refreshingly intelligent and visually enchanting. The script is quite clever and fun, and get this: there is not one word of profanity. (This just goes to show that a blockbuster movie can be well-written and need not have dozens of f-bombs.) I give it even more bonus points for good actors who don't mumble. I was beginning to think that today's actors had forgotten that diction was a vital tool in their box. How refreshing to hear every word! Though it carries a powerful message about female empowerment, this is not a movie just for women. My husband enjoyed it very much. Young children won't get most of it, but they might enjoy the visuals. Highly recommended.

The Seventh Continent (1989)

Disturbing and pointless

[3/10 · 10 June 2023]

I'm giving this film a couple of stars because it did manage to be truly disturbing, and that's not that easy to do. I must say, however, that this man and woman were so diabolically selfish that it is hard to find any reason or rhyme to explain their drastic actions. If the filmmaker had shown how dreary or hopeless their lives had become, or how they were struggling with depression...but no. And then, if you must kill yourself, why destroy everything of value that might remain? They at least had a brother and a set of parents who will surely grieve. And all of the possessions which could do so much for so many others. And my God, the little girl who had no choice in the matter. Repulsively selfish. Surely we could have been given some insight into the WHY.

Mannequin (1937)

Best Joan Crawford ever

[9/10 · 14 January 2023]

This film stands out for its respectful treatment of the female characters. I loved Joan Crawford's character in this film. I found it so nice to see her as something besides pathetic or crazy or heartless. Unlike many of the women in movies from the 1930's, this Joan continually stands up for herself, and she does it with intelligence and with genuine kindness. The example set for her at home by her lazy father and brother portends the problem she's going to have with her fast-talking, no-good husband. But she tries to make the best of her marriage and even when pursued by the wealthy and moderately charming Spencer Tracy, she is true to her husband. It's when her long-suffering mother, another female character written and played respectfully, encourages her to think of herself first, that she realizes she's better off on her own. There's so much more, but just watch it. It's really a good one!

Westward Passage (1932)

What a jerk!

[2/10 · 17 December 2022]

Laurence Olivier plays a self-centered jerk. Ann Harding plays an immoral fool. And neither one seems to care much what happens to their poor daughter Bonita Granville.

After their marriage, Ann seems to be a self-respecting woman providing a good home, but who isn't going to let her husband bully her. He chooses to leave her because he can't stand her or their child. She remarries and appears happy with her life until old Laurence shows up again trying to rekindle a flame. She makes half-hearted attempts to rebuff him, but clearly she isn't serious about it.

It made me ill watching his egotistical aggressiveness, but I kept hanging in there, looking forward to when she would go back to her devoted husband. Unfortunately, at the end it appears she decides to leave her husband and tear her daughter away from the only father she has ever known. Incredibly disappointing.

The Red Badge of Courage (1951)

Flawed and fabulous

[9/10 · 30 May 2022]

What a shame that John Huston's 2-hour original has been lost forever! Even in its 69-minute version, however, it is still a fascinating film with beautiful cinematography and interesting point-of-view shots. And Audie Murphy is excellent. Sadly, much is lost in his character's transformation, and the narration seems distracting and unnecessary. So yes, it's flawed, but definitely worth a view.

Severiano (2019)

Aimless

[2/10 · 21 June 2021]

Aimless. Pointless. Destructive youth. Sweaty sex. Pumping iron. Shoplifting. Unexplained violence. And then it ends.

Jungle Book (1942)

More color than a Disney Animated

[9/10 · 12 January 2021]

Breathtaking color and astonishing cinematography make this a must-see. In addition, the work with live wild animals is impressive. The story, a mashup of several Kipling stories, addresses themes of greed, xenophobia, and mob rule, while showcasing the incredible beauty of the production design. Sabu's natural talent, as well as his physical agility and beauty are utilized perfectly. Also, Rosemary DeCamp, who plays his mother, is as always, a wonderful asset to the picture.

Fashions of 1934 (1934)

Crime Does Pay

[3/10 · 15 September 2020]

This is a disappointing film. Our protagonist is completely amoral. He, along with his girlfriend and his sidekick, commit one crime after another with no evidence whatsoever of a conscience. I kept waiting for him to get his comeuppance, but alas to no avail. The movie's only redeeming quality is a splendid Busby Berkeley number, with the usual scores of blond-wigged plucked-browed girls in some of the skimpiest costumes ever. This was the industry pushing the limits, just before the clampdown of the Hayes Code. And that's, of course, why crime can pay.

The Captive City (1952)

Captivating

[9/10 · 10 March 2020]

A riveting film about a small town newspaper editor who simply won't quit seeking justice. I was struck by the remarkably good acting from mostly no-name actors. Also, you will certainly notice the cinematography. The use of the new Hoge lens allowed an unusual depth of focus and interior shots in low lighting. Every scene, inside and out, was shot in Reno, Nevada. The score is also noteworthy. Definitely worthwhile viewing!

Danger Signal (1945)

Pretty darn good, until

[7/10 · 13 January 2020]

A good suspense tale with the talented Zachary Scott as a charmingly oily character. Faye Emerson is quite good, too. A shame she didn't get more great movie roles. Rosemary DeCamp does a splendid accent. I had to check her bio to confirm she wasn't really foreign. My only complaint is the lame ending. It didn't address the dramatic climax, robbing the characters of their understandable need to process it. For a script which expends some energy on psychological analysis, I found this disappointing.

Closely Watched Trains (1966)

What is all the fuss about?

[6/10 · 10 November 2019]

This won best foreign film? 1966 must not have been a very strong year for foreign cinema. The whole thing is about a naive young man and his quest for his first sexual conquest. That could be funny, but the fact is, it just isn't. It's a drab and hopeless time, and the passionless characters just stumble through it. Attempted suicide - now there's a laugh for you. Even Nazi occupation has been handled comedically, but not here. I did give it a couple of extra stars on my rating because of the cinematography. Other than that, it's not really worth your time.

Trog (1970)

Wonderfully entertaining!

[7/10 · 6 September 2019]

I love that they didn't even bother to paint Trog's body skin to match his face. He just plogs along with his fuzzy houseshoes and sleeveless tunic. Make sure you stay around for the end. Trog Goes to Town is not to be missed. Really the script is not half bad, and Joan Crawford's performance is surprisingly understated. She portrays an intelligent, successful doctor who, predictably, is ridiculed by the politicians and military. Michael Gough is at his most caustic and obnoxious, but of course, he gets his just deserts.

One Million Years B.C. (1966)

Watch the original

[5/10 · 3 September 2019]

This is a pretty awful remake of the surprisingly good 1940 film One Million B.C. With the exception of Ray Harryhausen's always fun animation (and of course Raquel Welch's costume) there is not much to recommend this. The earlier film is much better in concept and execution, and its effects are quite good for the time.

Never Say Goodbye (1946)

Witty and well done

[9/10 · 2 September 2019]

Surprisingly enjoyable romantic comedy! Errol Flynn is just as brilliant at comedy as he was at adventure and drama. And Eleanor Parker is a wonderful match for him. The script is quite delightful, too.

Torrid Zone (1940)

No excuse

[2/10 · 12 June 2019]

This is a terrible movie. O'Brien shouts every one of his lines. Why, we don't know. And why does he have the power to make everyone, including the police chief, do his bidding? Even execute someone. I wonder if all those high ratings were from people who even saw the movie. The script made no sense. Was this supposed to be a comedy? It certainly wasn't funny. The biting quips were just obnoxious, not particularly clever. The only likable character was the criminal revolutionary. Maybe because, in a bizarre twist, it was played by George Tobias. Cagney and Sheridan are good actors, but they were used poorly in a bad script with bad direction. Do not bother.

The Temptress (1926)

Let's blame the woman for everything

[4/10 · 25 April 2019]

The men in this film do the dumbest things and blame all their bad choices on Garbo because she's so pretty. Her husband pimps her out; another kills his best friend for being attracted to her; another with whom she's never even spoken blows up a dam to get her attention. There's only one man she ever expresses love for, and he treats her like filth. Unfortunately, he convinces her she's worthless, and it ends badly for her. Garbo is great and certainly truly beautiful.

Nightmare Honeymoon (1974)

OK revenge flick

[4/10 · 16 March 2019]

A lower budget rape revenge movie that moves too slowly and takes itself too seriously. Nice shots in and around New Orleans, though. And a good score. The plot summary is incorrect about John Beck. The Leaves' John Beck is a different one.

Holiday for Sinners (1952)

Remarkable performances

[8/10 · 7 September 2018]

There are some top-notch performances here, particularly by Keenan Wynn as a has-been boxer. I can't help but think Robert DeNiro watched it as he was preparing for Raging Bull. I also especially enjoyed watching Janice Rule in an early role. Script-wise, the dialogue is pretty true to life, but the plot is not as fully developed as it had the potential to be. The lighting, set decor, and cinematography are all very respectable, and the film does a great job of capturing the look and feel of New Orleans. Mardi Gras attendees sure did dress nicer back then! Not a great movie, but definitely worth your time, especially if you love NOLA like I do.

Ghost in the Shell (2017)

Japanese Johansson? I thought we were past this.

[4/10 · 29 August 2017]

How embarrassing. I thought we were long past casting white actors as Asians. No doubt Scarlett Johansson is a good actor, but there are plenty of good Japanese actors, too. But of course, they needed a big name to bring in the money. This cool manga series is spoiled for me by this casting.

Dunkirk (2017)

Use just one of those millions and hire a script writer

[2/10 · 6 August 2017]

The only reason for 2 stars instead of 1 is the cinematography. Make no mistake: this was a horrible movie -- not just boring but horrible. The characters, if you can call them that, were undeveloped and unlikable. How can you care about a character if they haven't even got a name? Nothing but a hodge podge of "intense" scenes, one after the other, and yet they all look alike after a few minutes.

There was no attempt to tell the inspiring story of Dunkirk. If you didn't happen to know it (and certainly if you came in one minute late, after the silly title card intro), you'd be completely lost. But then why would you think this was about Dunkirk anyway? How could you mistake the couple of hundred soldiers on a beach, three pilots, two ships, and one fishing boat for a story about the Dunkirk rescue? (My mistake, by the end there were maybe a dozen boats.)

Where did the money go? Certainly not to CGI where they could have beefed up the numbers accurately. Certainly not to an actual screen- writer who might have given us a narrative. It must have gone towards having all those glorious BS rave reviews written.

And don't get me started on the soundtrack. Hans Zimmer should be ashamed of himself. 7000 measures of the same loud droning strings!

Lore (2012)

Terrible film-making

[1/10 · 6 August 2017]

Simply put: terrible film-making. It seems they were trying to be artsy by using extreme close-up and shaky camera. Even though it's somewhat dizzying, I can handle artsy, but if you can't even tell your story, what's the point? Half the time, you don't know where the kids are and what is happening to them. Then you ask, why is every adult they encounter cruel? And why are all the allies are evil and ready to shoot them? Most of it makes no sense at all, and the parts that do are historically inaccurate. I was ready to shut it down halfway through, but my husband convinced me to hang in there. But for what? A pointless, disappointing ending.

Cloud 9 (2008)

Nothing pleasant here

[2/10 · 6 March 2016]

This is definitely NOT a feel-good love story. The very brief moments of happiness, either with her husband or her lover, are few and far between. The woman spends most of her time completely miserable. All three characters, particularly the men, are poorly developed. We don't really get to know any of them. In fact, there seems to be little motivation for the affair. And I must say the nudity is gratuitous, seemingly there just to prove a point. I would have been uncomfortable with that much frontal nudity and sex, even with the most beautiful of actors, and believe me, they are not. Yes, old people do fall in love and do have sex. What's sad to me is that we are still not seeing a real love story, or even a tragic love triangle. The film's reason for existence seems to be just an opportunity to exploit the idea of old person sex.