The Outsiders (1983) - In a small town, gangs clash, mirroring the social divide between the wealthy Socs, and the poor Greasers. It may end in tragedy after a gang member is killed by someone from the other side of the tracks.Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Starring C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Maccio, Patrick Swayze, Matt... Continue Reading →
There's No Love Like Doomed Love
Brief Encounter (1945) – A bored housewife, and a local doctor meet by chance in a train station. Each lead conventional but dull lives. In their fleeting moments together each Thursday, they find an excitement that brings a thrill, but may also destroy them. Director David Lean Starring Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard Why I Liked... Continue Reading →
A Classic That Fails To Be Sweet (And Succeeds By Doing So)
La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) (1960) – A tabloid journalist covers the hedonism of Rome’s elite and becomes a part of it. Slowly drawn deeper into the depths, he faces the choice of where his life will go. Directed by Federico Fellini Starring- Marcello Mastroianni, Anita... Continue Reading →
Rick's Place Was Never Like This
A Night In Casablanca (1946) – The Marx Brothers take on Nazis in post-war North Africa in search of a hidden treasure.Directed by Archie Mayo Starring Grouch, Chico and Harpo MarxWhy I Liked It – An overlooked Marx Brothers classic!The original concept was to parody the classic Humphrey Bogart movie “Casablanca.” In the end, the... Continue Reading →
Love and Silliness in the Computer Age
Desk Set (1957) - An efficiency expert is brought in to bring the research department at a television network into the computer age. He doesn’t count on the wiles of the department head, or the challenges of the work they do. Directed by Walter Lang Starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine... Continue Reading →
Murder, Extortion, and Morality
High and Low (1963) - A business executive preparing to takeover his company, must decide between his ambitions and the life of an employee's child.Directed by Akira Kurosawa Starring Toshiro Mifune, Yutaka Sada, Tatsuya NakadaiWhy I Liked It: When the stars (story, director, star) align, greatness happens.Kingo Gondo (Mifune) has worked at the National Shoe... Continue Reading →
Arson, Love and the Law
The Talk of the Town (1942) - A escapee from the local jail needs the help of his boyhood crush, and a legal scholar to avoid being convicted for a crime he didn't do.Directed by George Stevens Starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Ronald ColmanWhy I Liked It - Three wonderful actors are almost letter perfect... Continue Reading →
The Rise of the Working Class and a Robot Woman Too!
Metropolis (1927) - The silent movie classic about a dystopian future society. The workers and the wealthy live in two different worlds. Above, life is a bacchanal, while below the workers toil at mindless jobs and live in featureless hives.Directed by Fritz Lang ... Continue Reading →
Murder Calling
Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) A poor, young man is maneuvered into marrying an aggressive and manipulative heiress. Using every tool at her command, she maintains her grip on him. How far will he go to free himself?Directed by Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Burt LancasterWhy I Liked It – the original phone call slasher movie, Stanwyck at... Continue Reading →
Old Jokes Can Still Be Good Jokes
Road to Bali (1952) - Two vaudeville performers have to escape Australia after one marriage proposal too many. But their escape to a Pacific paradise may have even more dire outcomes!Directed by Hal Walker Starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy LamourWhy I Liked It - Old fashioned fun for the whole family. You want to see... Continue Reading →