A View to a Kill

A View to a Kill

United Artists etc.

24 May 1985

Action

DVD
C-

With Grace Jones and the Duran Duran "title song" (which doesn't mention the movie's title), the '80sness of this makes it more palatable than some James Bond movies, but not enough.  John Glen directed.

Valdez Is Coming

Valdez Is Coming

United Artists

April 9, 1971

Western

DVD
D+

More nuanced than usual for this genre, but then it is based on an Elmore Leonard novel.  Edwin Sherin directed.

The Unforgotten (1960)

The Unforgotten (1960)

United Artists

April 6, 1960

Western
DVD
C-

Notable for its casting at least.  (I tagged who I saw in the first quarter hour.)  This is based on Alan Le May's novel and directed by John Huston.

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

United Artists etc.

August 6, 1999

Crime Drama

DVD
D+

Yeah, so this one doesn't have the '60s touches going for it, but it's not terrible.  Ironically, I didn't watch enough of the '68 version to see Faye Dunaway, but she shows up early on as The Psychiatrist here.  (So then I didn't see Rene Russo.)  John McTiernan directed, eleven years after Die Hard.

The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

United Artists etc.

June 26, 1968

Crime Drama?

DVD
C-

I liked the '60sness, including the split screens, but I didn't care about the characters or story.  Norman Jewison directed, between The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming and Fiddler on the Roof.

Support Your Local Sheriff!

Support Your Local Sheriff!

United Artists

March 26, 1969

Historical Comedy, Western

B-

This film was both better than I expected and somehow not living up to its potential.  I like its blend of gentle, even laidback humor with slapstick and cartoony violence, but it didn't seem to have a clear viewpoint.  Also, it's a late '60s G-rated movie that involves several deaths and a whorehouse, so the tone is definitely uneven at times.  Standout performances are from star Garner (post-Maverick pre-Rockford Files, and it shows) and of course Harry Morgan as the amiably cynical mayor.  (The way he pronounces "puberty" is classic.)  There were times I liked Joan Hackett, but she's not given a clear, consistent character to play.  Burt Kennedy directed, a few months before The Good Guys and the Bad Guys, which lived up to its potential even less.

Showgirls

Showgirls

United Artists etc.

September 22, 1995

Dramedy?

DVD

C-

Not as cheesy as I hoped.  Paul Verhoeven directed, eight years after RoboCop.

Scarface (1932)

Scarface (1932)

United Artists

April 9, 1932

Crime Drama

DVD
C-

Not my kind of movie of course, but I did like the composition of some of the shots, like the murder in silhouette.  This is based on the book by Armitage Trail, and co-directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson.

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming

United Artists

May 25, 1966

Comedy
DVD
D+

I'd heard of this movie for years, but the first quarter hour is kind of flat.  This is based on Nathaniel Benchley's novel The Off-Islanders, and directed by Norman Jewison.

Run Silent Run Deep

Run Silent Run Deep

United Artists

March 27, 1958

War Drama

DVD
D+

The personal element helped this be a little less boring.  This is based on Edward L. Beach's novel and directed by Robert Wise.

Ronin

Ronin

United Artists etc.

September 25, 1998

Action

DVD
D

Pretty talky for an action movie, and not in a good way.  John Frankenheimer directed.

Rocky III

Rocky III

MGM/United Artists

May 28, 1982

Sports Drama

DVD
C-

It was better than I expected, but I've never seen the first two movies, although I read two or three of the MAD Magazine parodies.  (I think this was the one that foreshadowed Rhinestone.)  Stallone wrote, directed, and obviously stars.

Rob Roy

Rob Roy

United Artists

April 14, 1995

Historical Drama, Action
DVD
D+

I didn't care about the story but the scenery was nice.  Michael Caton-Jones directed, four years after Doc Hollywood.

Rebecca (1940)

Rebecca (1940)

United Artists

April 12, 1940

Mystery, Romance, Crime Drama, etc.

DVD
B-

I've read the Daphne Du Maurier novel multiple times and gave it a B+ (https://rereadingeverybookiown.blogspot.com/2012/05/rebecca.html ).  I've seen this movie once or twice before, and watched the scene about it in Celluloid Closet multiple times.  This time, I was still entertained, but I wasn't wowed, and I couldn't help wishing I was watching a better George Sanders movie (All About Eve of course).  Hitchcock directed, which is why it crosses genres so much.

Rain Man

Rain Man

United Artists etc.

December 16, 1988
Dramedy
DVD
D+

I didn't care about the Cruise character and the Hoffman character hadn't shown up yet.  Barry Levinson directed.

Raging Bull

Raging Bull

United Artists

December 19, 1980

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
D-

I might've gone with a D, except for the scene where he makes his brother punch him for no discernible reason.  This is based on Jack LaMotta's memoir, and directed by Scorcese.

The Pink Panther (1963)

The Pink Panther (1963)

United Artists

December 18, 1963

Crime Comedy
DVD
C+

I grew up watching the Pink Panther movies, both the '60s originals and the '70s revivals (after a seven-year gap), but I honestly couldn't have described them beyond memorable opening cartoon credits (leading to the TV cartoon, which I of course also watched), attractive European women, and bumbling Inspector Clouseau, played by Peter Sellers.  So it was interesting revisiting the movie that launched it all, because it does contain those elements, but it's basically a standard '60s caper comedy that I'd give a C or less to if not for that silky yet playful Mancini score that I can hear echoes of on the soundtracks of everything from Bikini Beach to Down with Love.  Anyway, Sellers does establish his iconic role, but he's onscreen less than David Niven.  Blake Edwards directed and co-wrote, which is probably why there's a lot of suggested sex and that very amoral double ending.

Paths of Glory

Paths of Glory

United Artists etc.

December 25, 1957

War Drama

DVD
D+

Not as bad as I expected, with this genre and Kirk Douglas.  Director Kubrick co-adapted Humphrey Cobb's novel.

The Party (1968)

The Party (1968)

United Artists

April 4, 1968

Comedy
DVD

D+

I like the '60s trappings, but it's a bit painful watching Sellers play this much of a bumbling idiot, especially in brownface Indian (from India) makeup.  Blake Edwards directed and co-wrote.

Othello (1951)

Othello (1951)

United Artists

November 27, 1951

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Like most screen adaptations of Shakespeare, this isn't good, although I like the sets.  Welles directed and starred.