dpandlisa Reviews

Shazam! (2019)

Another standalone success for the DCEU

[9/10 · 31 March 2019]

I'll admit that the early teaser trailer for this film did not excite me. However, after seeing Shazam! in an early screening on March 23rd, I can tell you that the various trailers have mostly covered content from only the first half of the film. I can also say that you are in for a treat that is filled with surprises. This movie is fun and funny, heartwarming and exciting. It immediately cracks my top 10 superhero films of all time, on a list alongside the first two Superman films, the original Iron Man, the first two Captain America films, Wonder Woman, Batman Begins and others. Not only is it a great movie, it's a crowd-pleaser - perhaps one of the most crowd-pleasing of all superhero films.

It's one thing to tell the audience THAT your main character is a hero, and it's quite another to SHOW them why they're a hero. Shazam! does the latter. This movie takes its time developing the characters so that the payoff in the second half is worth it. It's well-known from the source material and from the trailers that Billy Batson lives in a foster home with other kids of various ages. What this movie does well is surround Billy with characters that are kind and admirable, especially his new foster parents. Surrounded by a surrogate family, Billy gradually does the right thing and stands up for others that struggle to help themselves, which catches the attention of an aging wizard looking to pass his power onto a younger person. This backstory is very well-developed.

Zachary Levi is perfectly cast; in fact, I can't imagine anyone outside of Tom Hanks (whose Big performance is a clear inspiration) who could've pulled this off. Levi projects the emotions of a 14 year-old boy trapped in the body of a superhero throughout, in a performance that is undoubtedly harder than it looks. The remaining cast is excellent, as well. I'm especially happy for Mark Strong, who gets a second chance in a great DC movie after his turn as Sinestro in the disappointing Green Lantern (2011).

The enthusiastic crowd cheered aloud no less than THREE TIMES during this movie, including one moment that brought down the house. Think about Superman saying "Zod ... perhaps you'd like to step outside!" in Superman II. Or Wonder Woman emerging from the trenches in that film. Or when the Hulk gave Loki a toss and called him a "puny god." This moment ranks up there as one of the biggest crowd-cheering moments in this genre's history. Five full seconds of applause and cheers filled the theatre at this moment.

When we left the theatre, I hear fathers telling their kids, "We're seeing this again when it comes out!" I saw little ones jumping in the aisle, holding out their chests while yelling, "Shazam!" These are the indicators that this is going to be an enormous hit for DC. I can't wait to see it again.

Wonder Woman (2017)

Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful

[9/10 · 11 June 2017]

We've seen Wonder Woman twice, both times with packed crowds, and I have to say that it is not only one of the 3-4 best DC comic films ever, but is in the top 7 or 8 of all the comic book films ever. Exciting, fast-paced, well-written and emotional, it builds all the relationships thoroughly through the first two acts with a great payoff in the end. I enjoyed Batman v Superman and thought Gal Gadot stole the show; that film was a sort of teaser trailer for this movie. She IS Wonder Woman, even to a guy who considered Linda Carter as WW for forty years. A great movie for the whole family and a return to prominence for DC.

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)

Bad Characters and Sophomoric Humor Are This Movie's Downfall

[3/10 · 1 August 2016]

Forgive me. My willpower wasn't strong enough. I had to see the new Ghostbusters for myself to form my own opinion while it was in theaters;, but on the bright side, since it doesn't appear to be doing too well at the box office, what's the 12 bucks I spent gonna do to help?

Anyway, about the movie itself... it certainly lived up to my expectations. I'm going to be comparing GB 2016 to the '84 version quite a bit in terms of how both movies handle certain aspects, which I think is fair because GB 2016 uses the same darned title of the original and the outline of the story of the new movie follows the beats of the original JUST enough to warrant comparison, I think.

I'll give the GB 2016 this: You certainly can't compare the personalities of the new Ghostbusters to the original ones, except MAYBE Melissa McCarthy's Abby Yates to Dan Aykroyd's Ray Stanz (but not really). And Kate McKinnon and Chris Hemsworth's characters are as polar opposite to Harold Ramis and Annie Potts' Egon and Janine as you can get, but that's not really a good thing because...

Almost all of the characters in Ghostbusters 2016 are either: Idiots (OH GOD CHRIS HEMSWORTH), A-holes (Melissa McCarthy), a combination of the above (Kristen Wiig), or plain old craaaazy! (KATE MCKINNON'S HOLTZMANN WAS THE SCARIEST PART OF THE MOVIE and the director should've told her to tone it down.)

Surprisingly, the only character I was close to liking was Leslie Jones' Patti, since she was written consistently and was the most relatable Ghostbuster, while other characters randomly make total 180 degree switches in their personality and/or are WAY too over the top to be relatable. Compare this to the original movie, where the actors and the script make the main characters charming despite their faults, thus making them fleshed out as a result.

The new characters had the potential to be funny and memorable, but unfortunately the script and presumably the ad-libbed parts are what REALLY bring this movie down to the cellar. A lot of the jokes go on for way too long (though it's not like they were funny the first five seconds), and there's some cringe-worthy toilet humor in the beginning.

If I went on about the "humor" of the movie, I'd be here all day, and I seriously can't express in writing how bad the comedy is; you can DEFINITELY tell when lines are ad-libbed. Hemsworth in particular struggles with ad-libbed gags like the name of his dog (named MyKat). Maybe that type of humor isn't for me, but to me, it doesn't hold a candle to the dry wit of the original, where the writers let the audience figure out the jokes for themselves instead of bashing the punchline over their heads as if they were a bunch of seven-year olds.

The writing and direction doesn't just fail in the humor department, it also fails to create any sort of real creepy atmosphere. The ghosts in GB 2016 are too cartoony to be unsettling, and the new villain is absolutely unmemorable while Zuul and Gozer were very threatening and a step above the regular ghosts like Slimer.

I know I didn't discuss the actual plot of the new movie much, but when you get down to it, the most important aspects of Ghostbusters should be the characters and a balanced combination of humor and horror, and while Ghostbusters 2016 had a little bit of potential, the 1984 classic outdoes the new movie in all the ways I mentioned above.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Same ol' Stuff

[6/10 · 8 May 2016]

Do you ever go to a concert for a band you loved 30 years before? It's great seeing the whole band back together, singing their songs with loyal, adoring fans. You have a wonderful night of nostalgia and, for a moment, you're transported back in time with the reminder of things you used to love. You overlook the fact that the band is a bunch of old fat guys, that their voices crack, their timing's off, etc ... you just love the fact that your favorite rockers are together with you again. That's the way I felt watching Civil War. While it's fun to spend a few hours with these characters again, the experience brought nothing new, nothing fresh and simply reminded me of the better films that preceded it. I watched it with a packed crowd that barely chuckled (barely made a sound) and who applauded meekly at the end like parents at the end of an elementary school play before filing quietly out of the theater. Few remained for the final stinger. For a 2.5 hour movie, it felt like it lasted longer.

I loved the first Captain America. Its sense of patriotism and nostalgia was infectious. It's my favorite Marvel film. I really enjoyed the second CA, too, although at a point I felt a bit of CGI overload (especially when Widow removed the CG mask). But overall, they are definitely my favorite MCU films. I also enjoyed Ant-Man and the first Iron Man but could have easily skipped Guardians and the Thor films.

When I read the sort of reviews this movie got (along with the reviews of Jungle Book three weeks ago), I can't help but think that Disney has brainwashed the world's critics. After seeing this film, I know it's true. Captain America: Civil War is in the bottom % of the Marvel films, right there with Iron Man 3, Thor 2 and the Hulk movies. The multiple chase and fight scenes are monotonous and, ultimately, pointless. The pacing is tedious and the story is jam-packed with too many characters. A scene in which Stark meets Peter Parker is not only unnecessary, but stops the movie in its tracks for ten full minutes. I don't understand the excitement reviewers have for the character; in my opinion, Spider-Man's role in the film was annoying and desperate. It would have been as if Robin appeared in the final battle in Batman v Superman asking the heroes if they had ever seen some 80s action movie in the middle of the fight ... a movie that the new movie was clearly ripping off. That's what Spidey does here - he provides comic relief for the kiddies.

About halfway through the film I glanced at my watch. I kept glancing at it about every fifteen minutes. The movie seemed to go on ... and on ... and on. But there wasn't a single scene I loved, no musical score to embrace, no development from the first act to the last. The characters were the same at the end as they were in the beginning. And it was definitely Stan Lee's worst cameo in a film, a nyuk-nyuk joke setup that fell flat.

Just so you know this isn't a hate-fest, let me tell you what I liked. 1. Black Panther and Scarlett Witch make memorable contributions to the film. 2. I have never been so glad for Paul Rudd to appear in a movie as I was in this one. His Ant-Man provides a much-needed spark. 3. I was glad to see William Hurt reprise his role as General Ross.

I spoke to a few moviegoers on the way out of the theater. They thought Deadpool was much better (so did I, and I only marginally enjoyed that one). My kids were satisfied enough, although one thought Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman could have easily bested all of the Avengers by herself. They have no desire to see it again. Both enjoyed Batman v Superman better (both saw it three times).

Like any loyal groupie, I will pay money to see my favorite rock band again when they come to town in concert and, likewise, I'll stand in line for that next Marvel movie. But I have a feeling I have heard their best songs before. Their Greatest Hits are in the past.

Criminal (2016)

Worth Seeing Even if You Feel You've Seen Before

[7/10 · 22 April 2016]

I decided to buy a matinée ticket on a rainy day for this movie based on its terrific cast, and I wasn't disappointed. Yes, it feels like a cousin of Face/Off. Yes, there are tremendous conveniences in the story. Yes, it is predictable. However, if you like the cast and if you like action movies with some surprises then it is worth seeing. Costner brings his star power to the role of Jericho, a man with no social skills due to his underdeveloped frontal lobes, which were damaged as a child (in a touching story). Therefore it's fun to watch him steal a vehicle right in front of people, walk to the front of lines and punch people just because he can. I was happy to see Gal Gadot in a bigger role than I expected. And I spent most of the movie trying to figure out who one of the villains was, as I recognized her from another role but couldn't place it. She is very distinctive (and very beautiful), and at the end I realized it was Antje Traue, the East German actress who played a super villain in 2013's Man of Steel. Overall, the movie is good enough for a entertaining matinée at the movies.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

Familiar Faces and a Good Time

[7/10 · 31 March 2016]

I enjoyed the original and bought it on DVD. We watch it as a family about every other year. Sure, it's sitcom-y and very light entertainment but it's cute, fun and funny. I will say that this sequel is very much the same ... in the second half. I would give the film a '5' for the first 45 minutes and a '9' for the last 45 minutes, making it a '7' and a safe night of entertainment for everyone.

The entire - and I mean ENTIRE - cast of the original is here along with a few new faces. There's a lot of setup in the first half and the payoff comes in the second. It's one of those happy movies where everyone gets a happy ending, all problems are resolved and you leave the theatre satisfied. That says a lot. I never laughed out loud but I definitely smiled and chuckled quite a bit. A great date movie for couples of any age.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Forget the Critics ... This Movie is Great

[9/10 · 24 March 2016]

The negative reviews directed at this movie from such publishing powerhouses as The Verve or Telegraph or The Daily Beast (none of which I've heard of until their bad reviews were being broadcast across the web) are so far off base it really makes me wonder if they are on Disney's Christmas Card list. Well, these reviewers can watch some of THEIR favorites like Birdman or Big Short or Revenant - none of which I watched past 20 minutes, btw - and I will enjoy movies like Batman v Superman. BvS is a GREAT MOVIE. We just saw the 7pm show here on Thursday night with a packed house. My kids loved it, my wife loved it and I loved it. The family grade was a consensus A- which is pretty high for a movie only I was really looking forward to.

There are a lot of surprises in this movie. I won't spoil them because I enjoyed the surprises. But hardly a half-hour goes by without something shocking happening. The crowd we were with cheered out loud several times, loudest when Wonder Woman appears in uniform ready for battle. The ending was met with loud applause, as well. As we exited the theater there were long lines of fans eager to get inside, so hopefully the film is on track to be a huge hit. It should be.

Affleck IS Batman. Sorry fans of Keaton or Bale but it's true. Ben looks great and plays both Batman and Bruce wonderfully. Jeremy Irons is the best Alfred yet (and has the funniest lines). Batman's battle with Superman is very exciting and well-staged.

I was surprised that the female leads other than Wonder Woman all had very good, very valuable roles. Holly Hunter, Amy Adams and Diane Lane are all crucial to the proceedings. Nice surprise using these fine actresses the way they should be and not wasting them.

I am SHOCKED at how much I enjoyed Jesse Eisenberg's Lex. I hated Social Network and have never voluntarily watched him in a film. But as the part is written, he is an ideal choice and is very menacing and (again) surprising in the role. He's twitchy and nervous but is pretty scary by the end. VERY scary at the end, in fact. Almost every critic pans his performance; clearly they want their villains to be suave Englishmen like Tom Hiddleston. Guys that won't really harm you (they'll just steal your girlfriend or hurt your feelings). Well, DC prefers really scary bad guys and this Lex actually gets to take his place with the group as a wholly original creation.

Superman takes a lot of punishment in this film, to the point I felt sorry for him. Thankfully, Henry Cavill plays the part with such dignity and even sadness that a pretty touching scene develops out of nowhere that changes the direction of the film a lot.

There's a lot of movie packed into 2 hrs 31 minutes and a lot of easter eggs as well. There are many, many "Oh wow" or "Oh cool" moments, particularly when introducing future JLA members, which everyone knows will happen by now.

Many say Wonder Woman steals the show and that's pretty accurate to say. Her arrival was met with a huge cheer and its not the only one she gets. Gal nails it.

If you avoid this movie because of critics, that is your mistake. I'll enjoy having an open seat next to me the next time I go see it. And there WILL BE a next time, guaranteed.

Deadpool (2016)

Okay Okay Deadpool is Okay

[6/10 · 24 March 2016]

I am happy to say that DEADPOOL is an okay movie. It ranks alongside an adequate school play ... or a good musician in the park ... or a McDonald's cheeseburger. It satisfies your hunger for 90 minutes and is almost instantly forgotten. A lot has been said about DEADPOOL's sex, violence and profanity giving it an R-rating and making it unsuitable for kids. I agree that kids shouldn't see the movie, but not because it will haunt their dreams or corrupt their morality. The action is so cartoonish (in one sequence, in fact, cartoons actually appear on screen) that it can only be taken with a grain of salt. Ryan Reynolds' performance reminds one of Jim Carrey circa LIAR LIAR; hyper, snarky, sarcastic and overplayed to the hilt. Reynolds breaks the fourth wall early and often - at one point, when told that "looks aren't everything" he replies, "Yes they are. Do you think Ryan Reynolds has had a career based on his acting ability?" In another fourth wall-breaker, he notices that there are only two X-Men characters at the huge X-Men Mansion, leading him to say, "You'd think the studio could spring for a few more X-Men ..." Reynolds has fun with the character and does make it his own. Morena Baccarin is very appealing love interest, and the two X-Men counterparts are adequate. Of course this is a Marvel (albeit Fox) film so there is the wiseass sidekick named Weasel, here played by T.J. Miller and in other recent Marvel projects played by Elden Henson (Netflix's Daredevil), Michael Pena (Ant-Man), Ty Simpkins (Iron Man 3), Kat Dennings (Thor & Thor 2). Marvel's writers have obviously locked the stock wiseass sidekick into their word processors and won't let go of them. At least Miller's variation isn't quite as annoying as Henson's, which caused me to scuttle Daredevil after less than a half-hour. The villains are pretty standard-issue. Ed Skrein appears with no backstory, no motivation and lacking only a pitchfork and pointy tail to tell us that he's the super-evil bad guy. His character, like Deadpool, cannot be harmed in any permanent way, making them a pair of Terminators duking it out until one can figure out the secret formula. I figured that Deadpool had to go Highlander-style and cut off his head (hence the swords) to kill him, but apparently not. Deadpool is an amusing exercise but lacks the memorability of the best comic book films. After seeing The Dark Knight Rises, I literally hummed the "Bane theme" (Deshi Basara) for two weeks. I remembered the epic hand-to-hand battle in Gotham with everything at stake. The army of cops vs the army of villains. After Batman Begins, I couldn't wait to tell friends about the amazing cast, the new Batmobile/Tumbler and pictured the great scenes over and over. Avengers had moments that brought down the house, when Hulk smashed Loki and uttered "puny god" or when he punched Thor right out of the frame. Great comic book movies leave a taste in your mouth for weeks to come. You go back and revisit them over and over. Deadpool doesn't offer these things. There's no score of note (pardon the pun) or songs to remember, no set pieces to memorize, no toys to run out and buy. It's simply 90 minutes of motion with an occasional chuckle. It was like watching my kids play soccer - it was fun and made me grin, but now that it's over ... what's for dinner? Deadpool doesn't aspire to greatness but satisfies just enough to make it a mild diversion.

Poirot: Lord Edgware Dies (2000) Season 7, Episode 2

A Good Introduction for New Poirot Fans

[10/10 · 9 December 2015]

Perhaps you've introduced your young viewer to the murder mystery genre (as we did) via Murder on the Orient Express, the 1974 classic starring Albert Finney and an all-star cast. Then you moved on to Peter Ustinov as Poirot in his best film, Death on the Nile. And now you'd like to start watching the David Suchet version that is currently offered on Netflix (all except for the 13th and final season). If this is the case, then look no further than this excellent episode, which quickly inspired my kids to continue watching the series of outstanding Agatha Christie mysteries.

Lord Edgware Dies is filled with great twists and turns, has multiple murders and moments of suspense AND has my favorite supporting characters, Hastings and the Chief Inspector. I've always preferred the Poirot films that feature Hastings and this one was a sort of reunion for Hugh Fraser in the role. If you're looking for a fun murder mystery - this is it!

Airport (1970)

Disastrous Fun for the Whole Family

[9/10 · 20 October 2015]

Spend the first Act of the film developing the characters (what a concept!) so that we know all of them and their relationships to the story for later on. Then introduce the central plot, who is carrying out and even why. Then put the plot in motion and allow all the characters we know to work together to triumph over the impossible. This was the basic structure of the great disaster films of the 70s - Poseidon Adventure, Towering Inferno, Earthquake and this terrific thriller. The acting is top-notch. Burt Lancaster looks terrific in his suit and red tie courtesy of Edith Head. The ladies are gorgeous. George Kennedy was never better. Dean Martin is sober and believable as a pilot. And Helen Hayes is perhaps the most deserved Supporting Actress in movie history. Even the 'bad guy' has his motivation fully detailed, and you even feel sympathy for him and for his wife. If you're looking to introduce your younger viewers to the disaster genre before bludgeoning them with San Andreas, start with this one. You'll have a great time. It's a great movie.

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966)

Fun Scares

[8/10 · 16 August 2015]

If you have young ones and you want to gradually introduce them to the horror genre without giving them nightmares, I suggest you start with this terrific movie, which does something that very few films have done successfully .... blend horror and comedy in a perfect mix. I wanted to share the Vincent Price/Roger Corman "Poe" films with my kids but chose this one first instead and I am glad that I did. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken had them laughing and shivering in fear within minutes of each other, with no lasting damage done (i.e., no nightmares). Luther (Don Knotts) is a jittery, energetic, nervous-as-all-getout, wannabe news reporter who is asked to spend one night in the scary old Simmons mansion, where a murder-suicide occurred many years before, and write an article about his experience. This sets up the first chilling night of terror in the Simmons house, where an organ spontaneously plays at midnight and there are creaks and shrills throughout. The kids were genuinely frightened by the old organ music (which scared me as an 8 year-old back in the day, too) but quickly got over it. Without spoiling any of the fun, I can say that I showed this movie at my daughter's slumber party and the whole gang of girls loved the film. I'm sure you will enjoy it too.

Murder by Death (1976)

A very funny mystery

[9/10 · 16 August 2015]

I introduced the kids to this when they were both less than 11 years old. They didn't know who Sam Spade, Charlie Chan, Nick and Nora Charles or Miss Marple were before they saw MURDER BY DEATH. But after seeing this hilarious tribute to the great murder detectives, we began watching the original classics featuring those characters, mainly because they saw how much fun a murder mystery could be. MBD brings together a terrific cast and a great script by Neil Simon. It is filled with clever situations and truly funny lines. I've never been a huge Peter Falk fan, but this role is perfectly suited to him. The other actors appear to be having fun as well, but never at the expense of perfect deliver of their lines. The only reason it gets 9 of 10 stars instead of a perfect 10? Truman Capote's performance is a step behind the other actors. He wears sunglasses most likely to hide the fact that he's reading lines off of cue cards. Capote was a famous writer and celebrity, but is a weak actor especially when compared to Alec Guinness, David Niven and Peter Sellers. That being said, MBD is a great way to introduce your children to murder mysteries with fun and humor and a little bit of suspense as well. You'll love it.

Local Hero (1983)

An Under-appreciated Gem

[10/10 · 10 August 2015]

There's a great deal of satisfaction to be found in the discovery of subtle charms and humor within a movie. It may be something simple that you alone laugh at. It may be something you don't figure out until a second or third viewing. But it's usually something that the filmmaker has put in the movie without drawing a lot of attention to it, which by itself shouldn't draw the kind of laughter we eventually bestow upon it. LOCAL HERO is filled with these moments, beginning when Knox Oil CEO Mr. Happer (played by Burt Lancaster) is seen sleeping through a board meeting, forcing the other executives to whisper their plans for a refinery in northern Scotland. It's better (and funnier) to whisper the dialogue than to wake Burt Lancaster up from a nap. The scene is played straight and without even a smile on anyone's faces. And it's exactly this straightforward approach to comedy that makes the film so memorable.

Once the film arrives at the small Scottish village that is destined to be acquired by Knox Oil, it becomes a feast of comedy and hilarious supporting characters. There's the group of locals who hang out by the dock, including an unclaimed baby in a stroller. There's the old man constantly re-painting his boat. There's the fella up on the inn roof, perpetually pounding away on the wood shingles. And there's the speeding motorcyclist who just happens to be passing along whenever a pedestrian exits a building. Add out-of-place fighter bombers, a wacky Russian fisherman, a continuously horny couple and an adorable rabbit and you have a recipe for charms galore.

While Lancaster gets top billing, his character is more of a supporting one, appearing mainly at the bookends with a few scenes in the middle. His Happer is bored with oil but obsessed with the stars, and his direction to his subordinate, McIntyre (played by Peter Reigert) has nothing to do with oil but with comets. "Keep an eye on Virgo!" he demands. "I want reports!" Lancaster's role is a wonderful addition to his amazing filmography, and he is in full 'Burt Lancaster' mode here. Despite the fact that he was 70 years old at the time of the film's release, he looks and sounds like the Lancaster of old (or at least like an older cousin of Elmer Gantry).

Peter Reigert is the actual star of the film and he does a great job with it, transitioning from hotshot urban businessman to small-town local 'hero' as the story unfolds, and his McIntyre falls in love with the seaside village. You can actually see the emotion is his eyes, and he is the able straight-man for all the comedy surrounding him.

We showed LOCAL HERO to our children and they loved it as much as we do. It has almost no objectionable content and is a great movie to share with your family.

The Swimmer (1968)

An Amazing Odyssey of a Man's Life

[9/10 · 14 January 2015]

At the beginning of The Swimmer, we see a man climb up a rocky hill, duck beneath the trees, trot across a lawn and dive into a beautiful swimming pool. He does a few laps, is handed a drink and is welcomed by acquaintances from years past. We know nothing about this man, not where he came from nor who he is (other than the fact that he's Burt Lancaster and that he's in amazing shape). Everything seems ideal; the sun and sky, the green grass and trees. It's a perfect day for an 'explorer' to create a day-long adventure from this pool back to his own home across the county. Ned's journey is not as grand as Candide or Huck Finn or Gulliver. No, his is a simple plan - he will swim from pool to pool across the valley until he's back home, where his wife is waiting and his girls are playing tennis. It seems like the ambition of a simple-minded dreamer, yet by the end of the first Act, the viewer knows that something is wrong. We learn about Ned's life at every stop in his journey. The clues come as quickly as a muttered word and leave as fast as a furrowed brow. Ned makes a lot of promises he won't keep and struggles to keep his facts straight from one pool to the next. His memories are blurry and the path soon forces cracks in the armor of the make-believe world he seems to live within. The Swimmer reminded me of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? yet doesn't tie together the pieces as neatly as did that Mike Nichols' masterpiece. The Swimmer, in fact, answers almost no questions by the time it has concluded, yet inspires the viewer to wonder what was actually real in the preceding 95 minutes. Lancaster, whom I loved in Elmer Gantry, was never better than in this film. He is in every scene of the picture and carries it well. Don't be fooled by the two-minute trailer that looks like something Austin Powers would have found groovy back in 1968. This is a serious film and a thoroughly engaging one; the type that no studio would touch in 2015. Although if they did, I'd pay to see Robert Downey, Jr. reprise this character. Definitely worth a look!

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Grand Old Hollywood Entertainment

[10/10 · 14 January 2015]

If you want to introduce your children to the murder-mystery genre without scaring them or boring them, then show them this terrific film, which made instant Poirot fans of my 10 and 13 year-old kids. Albert Finney is so over-the-top that he towers over an excellent ensemble cast, and his performance became the standard that I'm sure David Suchet aspired to for many years. The opening sequence, showing the back-story of the 'Baby Armstrong' case, is very creepy and engages the viewer immediately. The sets and costumes (and even the opening credits) remind one of the grand Hollywood spectacles of the past. Sidney Lumet's direction is outstanding, as are the performances throughout. Definitely worth an annual viewing.