THE TRAIN (1964)

As the Allies close in on Paris in August 1944, SS Col. von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) loots the city's great paintings and commandeers a train to bring them to Germany. He drafts French trainmaster Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster), secretly a Resistance fighter, to recruit a crew and drive the train to Germany. This brings on a brilliant, often hair-raising game of cat-and-mouse as the French pull out all the stops to prevent the train from leaving their country, while the Nazis do almost equally well in repairing the sabotage and keeping the train rolling. Scofield is thoroughly detestable as you'd expect from a movie Nazi, and Lancaster, in one of his best roles, makes a better anti-hero than McQueen ever was. Director John Frankenheimer, one of my faves, uses an excellent international cast (including Jeanne Moreau) and keeps up the action and tension almost non-stop. The train and rail scenes are stunningly realistic in glorious black-and-white. Fine movie!

Wow, great haul of reviews for our entertainment.

My wife Mary loves all your reviews and appreciates your posting.

I just read them all to her and she is making a plan right now on which to see in what order.
She seams very excited about the Bones And All & Whale.

We both thank you and please keep them coming.

Thank you i12
Dues paid & The Mrs.

Thanks DP. Let me know what you and the Mrs. think upon viewing them.

THE ROCKING HORSE WINNER (1949

Ten year old Paul Grahame (John Howard Davies) worries because his upper middle class household is about to go broke: his mother (Valerie Hobson) is a pathological spendthrift; his father (Hugh Sinclaire) a perpetually losing gambler. An indulgent, wealthy uncle (Ronald Squire) buys Paul a rocking horse for Christmas. Paul hears voices whispering "more money, more money" in the house, and while wildly riding the horse in a trance, conjures the winners of horse races yet to come. He enlists the family's kindly handyman (John Mills) to place bets for both; soon they're rolling in money. The uncle gets in on it, and channels some of his winnings to bail out Paul's parents, who are soon back to living high on the hog. After a long losing streak, Paul whips himself into a final frenzy and calls the winner of the Derby--but at a terrible cost. Based on a D.H. Lawrence short story, "The Rocking Horse Winner," though never an outright supernatural or horror film, maintains an eerie, disturbing air throughout. The acting is first-rate all around, and the filming uses deep-focus techniques that add to the spooky atmosphere. Brilliant job.

I am not going 2 rate or do or say anything here b-cause I12 got that..except that Myrna Loy was A FOX...so edible looking......

(sorry... am watching The Thin man goes home..)....

THE MIST (2007)

David Drayton (Thomas Jane), his Maine home damaged in a big storm, goes to a supermarket to stock up. He and the other shoppers notice lots of Army and law enforcement vehicles speeding away from the town, which is soon enveloped in a thick mist. The mist is breeding a variety of loathsome, insect- and bird-like creatures (created by an experiment gone wrong at a nearby Army research base) that gobble up and destroy anyone who ventures out of the store--the critters also break through the windows and attack those inside. The trapped shoppers put up a brave fight, but a local Bible-belter (Marcia Gay Hardin) starts preaching apocalypse, dividing the crowd and inciting violence. This movie does justice to an excellent Steven King novella of the same name, and succeeds as an imaginative horror creature-feature, a drama of heroism and weakness, and a commentary on reckless military experimentation. How they did this on a budget of only $18 million is beyond me. Jane, not the most emotive actor, does well in the lead role, and is ably supported by Harden, Andre Braugher, Toby Jones and William Sadler (Eternal Redneck). Top notch.

Not familiar with her work but after Googling her, yup, she was a real looker. After watching some of these older films, I'm surprised how many of these actresses were married 3 and 4 times (especially during the 1930's-1950's as divorce was frowned upon even more so in society during that time).

With 2022 now in our rear view mirror, below is my 2022 top ten film list in order:

1) THE BATMAN
2) SMILE
3) THE BLACK PHONE
4) THE WHALE
5) TOP GUN: MAVERICK
6) EMILY THE CRIMINAL
7) THE MENU
8) THE NORTHMAN
9) DON'T WORRY DARLING
10) BABYLON

WHITE NOISE (2022)

This Netflix movie is about a college professor who teaches Hitler Studies at a small liberal arts school and his wife, who have a nasty bunch of kids from multiple marraiges...no, wait...it's about a train wreck that unleashes a toxic, gene-alterlng cloud that causes the entire town to evacuate...no, wait...it's about consumer obsessions in supermarkets...no, wait... This movie is based on a Don DeLillo novel of the same name that I read years ago. I don't remember what the novel was about. Now I know why I don't remember...

Some good picks. The Black Phone and The Northman are also on my list for 22. In no order.
The Black Phone
The Northman
Medieval
X
The Banshees of Inisherin
The Stranger
Terrifier 2
Benediction
Official Competition
The Good Boss.

I had never heard of TERRIRIFER 2 until I saw it at AMC and heard positive reviews about it. Before watching it I naturally had to see the original and I actually preferred that over the sequel. But both were enjoyable.

BANDIT (2022)lov

This movie is based on Canada's real-life "Flying Bandit." Robert (Josh Duhamel), a small-time crook, escapes from a Minnesota prison and heads north, where he gains a new identity, a lover (Andrea Cuthbert), and proceeds to rob 59 banks plus jewelry stores before he's caught. This movie is light and enjoyable, no violence, few profanities, and is almost a comedy because Duhamel plays Robert as an amiable rogue,(like James Garner in the all-time great "Barbarians at the Gate"), with many funny voice-overs (like Ray Liotta in "Goodfellas"). He's got charm to spare. Very entertaining.

This sounds great, I gotta check this out.

THE PALE BLUE EYE (2022)

In 1830, Constable Landor (Christian Bale) is drafted by the superintendent of West Point to investigate the hanging and mutilation (heart cut out) of a cadet. He isoon gains an ally in a strange, somewhat feverish cadet, Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling), who becomes his tipster, critic and sometimes conscience as Landor's own background comes to light. Though this Netflixer is long and slow at times, the acting is superb, particularly the ever-deeper bonding between Landor and Poe. The outstanding supporting cast includes Toby Jones as the Academy's doctor, Lucy Boynton and Jillian Anderson as his daughter and wife, and Robert Duvall in a cameo as a local scholar and mystic. The occult hangs over this film, and it has two surprise endings. Don't miss it.

Thanks for the review TB. Still on my to watch list, just haven't had the time to get around to it yet. Glad to see you enjoyed it.

MISSING

Another cheap and easy to make film the studio is hoping to cash in on. A sequel to 2018's SEARCHING that no one asked for (and the original didn't set the world on fire either). But again, this is a cheap film to make as it's told exclusively through electronics, Mac computer, iPhone, Facetime, Whatsapp, etc. so making a profit shouldn't be entirely too difficult. However, this is the opposite of SEARCHING where the teenager, in this case June (Storm Reid) is attempting to find her mother Grace (Nia Long), who went to Columbia on vacation with her boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung). Scheduled to pick them up at LAX and the couple no showing, June becomes suspicious as she cannot contact her mother but only Kevin. In doing so she untangles a yarn of lies and deception, going as far back as 12-years ago. Much like it's predecessor the film attempts to be smarter than it is. A few threads I was able to get there before the film gets you there, which is made easier with such a limited cast. Some of the themes are not surprising as they seem to be all Hollywood is hammering out these days (very heavy-handily I might add). Not worth taking the flyer on, even when it exits theaters. 4.5/10

M3GAN

Produced a co-written by James Wan, Megan is an artificial intelligence in the body of a 4' doll. She was created by Gemma (Allison Williams) who works for Funki toy company and has been tasked with introducing an economical line to their successful pet robot PurRpetual Petz. Her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) is living with her now since her parents recently died tragically in a car accident that she survived. Witnessing Cady struggling with her new situation, lonely, and with no friends, Gemma pivots from her robot pet assignment to dust off Megan, which her boss instructed her to shelve in favor of the pet line. Gemma makes a breakthrough in her technology and Megan becomes Cady's best friend who is tasked by Gemma to protect Cady. Megan takes this to the extreme as she soon begins murdering people who get in the way of her relationship with Cady. To put it simply, this film has been done before and doesn't offer anything new as Megan is basically a female Chucky, although with a PG-13 rating, this isn't a slasher film. Social commentary is provided about young users and technology, not learning social skills but being more preoccupied with electronics. The film also hits on the fact of how we as a society are (and will continue to be) over reliant on technology in our day-to-day lives and also issues a warning of how that can turn against mankind in terrible ways. The film was exactly what I thought it would be going in which was very mediocre. Nothing terrible but nothing special either. I've heard a sequel has been greenlit which I'm not surprised as this'll probably be turned into another franchise unfortunately. The only standout for me was 11-year-old Violet McGraw who plays Cady and gives a strong performance for such a young actress, dealing with the lose of her parents and the aftermath. 5/10

How did you guys like The Menu? That has to be one of the oddest things I've seen. Brilliant and funny

I really enjoyed it. Saw it twice now and it made my top 10 list for 2022.

INFINITY POOL

Taking place in a fictional totalitarian country, writer James Foster (Alexander Skarsgård) vacations with his wife Em (Cleopatra Coleman) on the scenic island looking for inspiration for his next novel when James crosses paths with Gabi (Mia Goth), a self-professed fan, which is rare as James first novel was not well received critically or commercially. He and Em take Gabi and her husband Alban (Jalil Lespert) up on their dinner invitation and James is so intrigued by the couple (especially Gabi) he also agrees for the four of them to venture off of the private property, which tourists are forbidden to do, in order to enjoy a private picnic the following day. However, on the drive back, James accidentally hits and kills a local farmer. Panicked and unsure of what to do the four make a choice that will forever change them all. I won't spoil too much of the story but I will state how much I enjoyed this film. These are the type of original Hollywood films audiences have so desperately been seeking. I was also surprised at the number of people with me in the theater (around 20) as I thought this wouldn't get much play here in the States being a European film. In any case, Goth and Skarsgård sizzle on screen together. Goth continues to pad a recently impressive resume with the likes of PEARL, X, and now this and this may be the darkest I've seen Skarsgård go. I'm glad I took a flyer on this as it surpassed my expectations and I'm eagerly anticipating a second viewing! 7.5/10

My wife and I just saw this and we were excited to maybe recommend to you but of course you already seen it and did a review.

We scored this a bit higher for the exact reason you mentioned being the young actress did a fantastic performance.
The robots were very cool and creepy as well.

7/10

I really enjoyed The Menu, wife and her friends did not as much.

6/10

THE PALE BLUE EYE

1830, West Point Military Academy: a young cadet has been murdered on campus and the school has enlisted Detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale) who himself enlists the assistance of cadet Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling) to track down the killer. Surprisingly, a lot of the cast is English-born passing for Americans and while the first 20 or so minutes of the opening are intriguing enough, the story never hooks the audience after that time. Poe plays the wordsmith poet without issue but foolishly has an unreciprocated love towards Lea (Lucy Boynton), who uses his infatuation for her to her advantage. Meanwhile, Bale seems to have mailed in this performance as he's unengaged throughout. After looking at director Scott Cooper's previous films it's no wonder I found this to be quite so unappetizing as his last effort ANTLERS was a similar disappointment. Give it to the marketing people, they interest you enough to view the film but once you've sat through it you regret it. I'll be sure to be more cautious with his films in the future. 4/10

YOU PEOPLE

Ezra (Jonah Hill) accidentally meets Amira (Lauren London) when she's lost on her way to work and he gets into her car, believing her to be his Uber driver. They soon fall in love, move in together, and 6 short months later, they're engaged. However, before the wedding, they both decide it's appropriate to meet the others family. This is where the "humor" comes in as Ezra's family is white and Jewish while Amira's is black and Muslim (I'm sure you can see where this is heading already). Plenty of sterotypes that Eddie Murphy (Amira's father Akbar) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Ezra's mother Shelley) are only all too happy to play in to. With actors like Murphy, Hill, and Louis-Dreyfus I was sold as I'm a fan of each of their work, however, with this being a Netflix film, I should have known better. All of the jokes do not land, are cringe worthy, and borderline offensive to the viewer. That's part of the point the film is attempting to make, however, when the jokes aren't funny and don't land, you kinda are doing nothing but digging yourself into a hole. Not to mention plenty of self-loathing and victimhood from Amira's character. In addition, Hollywood is all about representation and I'm puzzled as to why a white Jewish director wasn't selected to assist sole director Kenya Barris? I don't believe he's the appropriate person to be telling the Jewish characters story but alas, that's today's Hollywood (double standards). Pass on this as it's nothing but a huge disappointment. 5/10

KNOCK AT THE CABIN

The next film on M. Night Shyamalan's resume is based on the book THE CABIN AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Paul Tremblay that finds a gay couple (Eric & Andrew) and their daughter Wen. The film opens with Wen outside collecting grasshoppers when she's approached by Leonard (Dave Bautista), who is soon followed by 3 others: Redmond (Rupert Grint), Sabrina (Nikki Amuka-Bird), and Ardiane (Abby Quinn). They inform Eric & Andrew they must make a choice to prevent the apocalypse. I won't give away too much more of the story for fear of spoiling anything, however, the choice Eric & Andrew are faced with is obvious and the film, especially for a M. Night Shyamalan is pretty straight forward and predictable. Dave Bautista is the most noteworthy as the muscle bound, soft spoken leader Leonard and young Kristein Cui who plays Wen is mature beyond her years. The performances of the actors make up for an otherwise mediocre story. This can be avoided in theaters but might be worth a shot if you're that interested in viewing it or are a Shyamalan or Bautista fan. 6/10

Thanks for the review i12

We are going to see if we can stream it right now., may be a bit early but sometimes they load up right away in good quality

PAMELA: A LOVE STORY

A Netflix documentary about the life and career of Pamela Anderson, told by her in her own words. From growing up a shy Canadian girl to the biggest sex symbol on the planet, Pamela doesn't hold back at all. She speaks out about sexual assaults that happened to her during her youth to the infamous sex tape with Tommy Lee, Pamela decides to go on the record in an attempt to take back control of the narrative and how she's perceived. It's truly heartbreaking but at the same time, extremely hopeful and optimistic that someone as lovely as her (both on the outside but just as much on the inside) can go through so much hardship and not let it change her. In fact, if nothing else it fuels her to be a symbol of hope, strength, and perseverance. A lovely documentary that allows the viewer to spend more time with Pamela and hear first hand accounts about her life from journals she's kept over the years. 6.5/10

Let us know your thoughts if you're able to view it.

One of my least favorite people in this town (although I believe she has moved, thankfully) for so many reasons. Where do we even start? Rick Solomon? Writing a book about other peoples private business? Her war with the media for doing what she's doing now?