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487,232
386,241
113,542
7
Uncompromising but flat .
The Australian biopic " Chopper " got all the hype in 2000 , but the much lesser-known " A Journal of Murder " is actually a better film on a similar subject . For one thing , it gives you more of a background about ( if not much more insight into ) the killer , and for another it doesn't try to make him appear " cool ...
486,727
386,241
65,872
7
Elevated by the acting .
An intelligent , thoughtful , extremely well-acted drama . Both Gene Hackman and Melvyn Douglas perform with great restraint , helped by a script that gives them fully-drawn characters to play . The direction , although not the most important element in this type of film , also has its moments , like a visit to an old-...
485,787
386,241
117,786
7
Nonstop action - and what action !
The thinnest plot imaginable ( 1 : Bad guys think Jackie has an incriminating tape , 2 : Bad guys go after him ) , but it doesn't matter ; the movie serves up one virtuoso action sequence after another , and some priceless comic dialogue as well ( " Oh my God , you want the tape too ? If you find it PLEASE take it " ) ...
486,736
386,241
74,512
7
A minor Hitchcock outing , but consistently entertaining .
Family Plot , Hitchcock's last film , is nearly forgotten today ; even when later Hitchcock films are discussed , " Frenzy " and " Torn Curtain " come to most people's minds . But it is an entertaining , thoroughly watchable , consistently absorbing film . Lehman wrote a very clever plot , carefully structured and fi...
486,504
386,241
39,694
7
Underrated Hitchcock film still has more than its share of flaws .
Hitchcock's last collaboration with Selznick had its good and its bad points for him ; he came away with a sumptuous production but also with a not-terribly-interesting story . The film is smoothly directed , with some exceptional camerawork ; Hitchcock was undoubtedly a master of his craft by this point . However , th...
486,170
386,241
57,318
7
Fascinating .
Uneven but fascinating documentary on bizarre customs around the world . It has a few dull stretches ( the auto junkyard scene ) and the narration sometimes gets a little too condescending . But there are also unforgettable scenes ( the giant sea turtle that has lost any sense of orientation , great bullfighting footag...
486,726
386,241
87,100
7
Fascinating , offbeat .
This is , to be sure , not the easiest film to categorize : campy at times ( with an often inappropriate - but always intentionally so - comic music score ) , at other times serious and emotionally complex and altogether fascinating and intriguing . Anthony Perkins is wackier than ever as a totally demented preacher , ...
487,045
386,241
109,093
7
Likably offbeat fare .
Hal Hartley's " Amateur " is an engagingly offbeat take on the " crime thriller " genre . It is also perhaps the most quietly thoughtful handling of amnesia ( not as a plot trick , but as a subject ) you're ever likely to see . But be warned : Hartley's refreshingly non-mainstream , detached , minimalist style takes qu...
487,153
386,241
100,442
7
Nolte at his most imposing !
Extremely well-written and colorful dialogue . Grainy , gritty cinematography that gives the film an extra authentic feel . Good performances . Nick Nolte , bigger and more towering than ever before , as the ultimate Bad Cop . This is a worthwhile movie , and it would make a great " police corruption " double bill with...
486,687
386,241
57,254
7
Great fun !
An engaging mystery with a splendid cast . Nothing phenomenally clever , but still a treat for those who love puzzles and riddles . There are perhaps details that could have been better handled ( like Scott's initial reactions when he discovers that the killer has finally " introduced " himself - not to give anything a...
486,679
386,241
82,616
7
Compact , entertaining mystery .
The alternate title of this made-for-TV whodunit is " Who Killed Joy Morgan ? " , yet that's far from being the only question laid down by the film ; we are also constantly asking ourselves " Who was killed ? " and " Who is lying ? " and " Did Joy Morgan ever existed in the first place ? " . The twisty script makes sur...
486,124
386,241
94,694
7
A celebration of female beauty , skill and courage
Following pretty much the same structure as the highly popular at the time " Lucky Stars " films , " The Inspector Wears Skirts " has action mostly in the first and last 10 minutes , and comedy , romance and a bit of drama in the middle . This causes the film to lag at times , but still , the action sequences are aweso...
487,368
386,241
74,811
7
Fascinating but overly drab .
A sometimes fascinating but very drab and oh-so-slow psychological thriller from Roman Polanski . He tells his story methodically and allows the viewer to share the hero's point of view ; on the other hand , this also has some unfortunate consequences : the pacing is torturously , almost unbearably slow . This film may...
485,692
386,241
60,232
7
Highly underrated picture .
The Chase is a powerful and underrated drama . It has most of the ingredients that are required for a solid dramatic picture : exceptional acting ( particularly by Brando ) , careful directing , well-drawn characters and good production values . The first half meanders a little , but in the second half the tension mo...
485,802
386,241
74,812
7
Uneven but imaginative .
Despite some dated elements , the first part of this film is terrific . The pacing is fast , the direction solid and York's performance excellent : we get a hero we can identify with . The second part is weaker , with Ustinov's character being mostly an irritation because , as someone else here commented , he is given ...
485,898
386,241
71,532
7
Engrossing .
A grim and intelligent drama that offers a seemingly accurate portrayal of the gambling obsession and an engrossing character study of a man that suffers from it . Very well-acted and well-told as a story , it remains highly interesting from start to finish . Marred only by its weird , inconclusive and somewhat inexpli...
486,212
386,241
94,651
7
A surprise from Holland . . .
Technically , " Amsterdamned " is about as good as any average American thriller about serial killers and tough cops ; Dick Maas directs competently , shows a sense of humor and the unusual setting is an extra plus ( how often do you get to see a boat chase in the Amsterdam canals ? Not even the Bond pictures exploited...
486,615
386,241
74,860
7
Stunning Olivier , not-so-stunning script .
Marathon Man is too unpleasant to be typically entertaining , but it's still a fine piece of moviemaking , intensely suspenseful at times . Olivier's performance is stunning and will stay in the memory of any person that watches this film . But the script isn't so stunning . It's adequate for a good thriller , limite...
486,372
386,241
94,612
7
Lives up to its title .
The violence in this movie is brutal and efficiently directed , the action sequences spectacular , the main villain great and the hero , Carl Weathers , can hold his own when compared to other big action stars of the 80's . In short , " Action Jackson " has all the ingredients to be a good rental choice for action fans...
486,719
386,241
51,622
7
Slick and " adult " sci-fi .
A slick , clever , engaging and unique ( if a bit slow-paced at first ) sci-fi story . Although the special effects leave something to be desired , especially if you've seen the incredible ( and incredibly nauseating ) images of the 1986 remake , the film's restrained approach to horror can be very pleasurable if you g...
486,045
386,241
117,658
7
A stylistic tour-de-force by Argento .
This is possibly one of Argento's best films ( I haven't seen " Deep Red " yet ) - it gets a solid out of from me . Unlike , say " " Tenebre " , it's a character-driven , not a gore-driven film , and I guess that may disappoint some of his fans , yet Argento remains a visual master , too , and although the film deals w...
487,171
386,241
55,451
7
A most unusual Western .
Slow-moving but compelling psychological Western about a determined priest who arrives at a small town that seems to be mysteriously dominated by a local bad guy , and decides to fight him in his own peaceful way ; their confrontations make the movie . Literate script ( just a quote : " Isn't that your job , Father ; T...
486,462
386,241
82,436
7
Excellent performances , weak plot .
Though the story is essentially routine , and the " surprise " ending is nothing but a bad joke on the audience , you can see what attracted these good actors to the project - it offers them the kind of roles in which good actors can shine , and shine they do . The film is impeccably made - for its time . It was remade...
486,025
386,241
67,277
7
Half powerful , half pretentious .
This unique movie has many powerful moments and could have been a masterpiece , if it were less pretentiously directed . There are some strange and rather absurd " fantasy " sequences that don't really work - for example , Donald Sutherland is billed as " Jesus Christ " , and he isn't very convincing in the role . Stil...
485,812
386,241
86,873
7
A pleasant diversion - but a little overrated .
Lightweight , enjoyable comedy , with first-rate performances by Martin and Tomlin . The supporting cast is adequate and there are some genuine ( if scattered ) laughs . However , the film is nothing more than a pleasant little diversion . Every time I watch it , the same thing bothers me : it looks very cheap and unde...
486,042
386,241
60,288
7
Above average .
This above-average Bond knockoff deserves to be better known . It's too imitative of the Bond pictures of the time ( especially " Thunderball " - minus the underwater scenes ) , and the plot slows down at times , but Elke Sommer and Sylva Koscina make a terrific pair of sexy , teasing assassins ( with Sommer being the ...
486,669
386,241
60,315
7
Not great , but certainly fun .
This fun , ultra-violent Western is very close to the Leone-spaghetti style . Franco Nero is no Clint Eastwood , of course , but he's an acceptable substitute ( although he's hampered by the fact that his voice is dubbed , which is a pity because Nero's own voice is one of his best features ) . No masterpiece , but has...
486,535
386,241
78,908
7
Don't get her angry !
The Brood is easily the best of David Cronenberg's first three movies ( " Shivers " and " Rabid " were the other two ) . That said , it's really nothing special . It does have a fascinating idea to begin with , and some good shocks ( the murder of the schoolteacher especially ) , but I can't help noticing a tendency ...
487,016
386,241
20,640
7
Flawed early Marx comedy .
The Marxes second film is an even more uncinematic production than their first ( " The Cocoanuts " ) . The camera barely moves throughout the picture , and matters are not helped at all by the fact that the print is in fairly poor condition , with entire frames missing from several scenes . And , as usual , the film co...
487,205
386,241
90,601
7
Corny , episodic but likable .
There is only one way to get through this " Aladdin " : you must have a high tolerance for corniness . One minute the Genie says that he doesn't know what these " boxes " ( meaning the cars ) are , the next he delivers exactly the kind of car that the kid ( his " master " ) wants . There isn't really a story , it's jus...
486,941
386,241
75,066
7
Pretty fair .
This fifth " Pink Panther " entry is a practically plotless collection of gags . Such comedies are always inevitably uneven , and this one is no exception . It contains at least one scene than never fails to bring tears of laughter to my eyes ( the interrogation at the house of the kidnapped scientist , with Sellers at...
486,823
386,241
94,375
7
A must-see for Michelle Yeoh fans
Magnificent Warriors finds its leading star , Michelle Yeoh , in top form : her speed and dance-like grace make her fight scenes a pure pleasure to watch ( she's also good with a whip . . . . and a rope . . . . and a spear . . . . well , you get the idea ) . And as a bonus , there is another girl , the beautiful and ...
485,646
386,241
143,874
7
Haunting enigma ; not for all tastes .
This is the third Raoul Ruiz film I have watched recently ( after " Three Lives and Only One Death " and " Genealogies of a Crime " ) , and it is easily the best of the three . Why ? Because it's less talky and pseudo-philosophical , more colorful and cinematic . Imaginatively directed and sprinkled with all sorts of q...
486,162
386,241
71,221
7
Breezy and enjoyable .
Jim Kelly may not be in the class of Bruce Lee , but he does show some impressive martial-arts moves ; his co-star , Gloria Hendry , more than holds her own . This flick is half blaxploitation actioner and half Bond movie ; in both fields , you could do much worse . The plot is minimal , to say the least , and the sill...
486,079
386,241
40,338
7
Clever , if a little sluggish .
This is an intelligent drama-thriller with some wonderful Hitchcockian moments ( the paper dart , a clock that has to be wound-up at the most inappropriate time ) and themes ( the difference between appearances and actual facts , a man's struggle to prove his innocence although all the indications of guilt point at him...
486,728
386,241
78,915
7
Enjoyable feature .
This compilation of classic WB short cartoons is ( expectedly ) highly uneven , but generally enjoyable . Among the highlights : Bugs Bunny as a vengeful symphony conductor , he and Daffy Duck arguing about whether it's " duck season " or " rabbit season " ( this sketch has a hilarious punchline ) , the surrealistic ( ...
487,513
386,241
102,004
7
Do you notice anything different about our car ?
Entertaining mix of action and comedy , at least for the first two-thirds of its length . Then there are some rather overextended action sequences and the film loses some of its comic edge . Still , the acting is first-rate all around , with Fox and Woods offering many laughs when the script gives them the chance , and...
485,754
386,241
25,452
7
No match for the remake - but there is also no match for Lorre .
From a modern standpoint , it's quite hard to understand why so many people claim to prefer this 1934 thriller to its 1956 remake . It's technically primitive ( as is immediately evident in the opening sequence ) and often clumsy , with one of the weakest climaxes in a Hitchcock film ever ( a totally suspenseless shoot...
485,895
386,241
86,543
7
Not for the easily offended .
Offbeat , slow-paced , entertaining erotic thriller with many graphic and " blasphemous " scenes that will undoubtedly disturb some viewers . However , it'll be hard even for them not to appreciate the several imaginative sequences this film contains , or to ignore Krabbe's first-rate performance . Verhoeven maintains ...
485,822
386,241
117,381
7
Thought-provoking , tight thriller .
Despite some cliched motivations and plot elements , this big-budget courtroom thriller will hold you for its 130 minutes , mainly because it engages the brain as well as the senses . At first it looks like a " either-he-did-it-or-he-didn't " story that we've all seen many times before , but around the midway point the...
485,607
386,241
67,525
7
It has impact .
This film is a bit muddled philosophically : there are some half-hearted attempts to " question " Heston's morality , like a scene where a kid says " Sometimes you scare me more than The Family " , yet he's clearly the one to root for , the only hope of humanity , and at the end he's set up as a Christ figure . But it'...
487,508
386,241
86,567
7
Chillingly effective .
WarGames is a surprisingly effective thriller , thanks to its highly original premise and Badham's literally flawless direction . Broderick's and Sheedy's winning performances also help . Fortunately , the movie doesn't contain too much technical " jargon " : it is more interested in its clearly stated anti-war messa...
486,562
386,241
249,478
7
Predictable but well-made thriller .
Predictable ( you know exactly what the last scene will be like right from the start ) , contrived ( the police really should have looked harder for evidence ) , but well-made , extremely well-acted ( especially by Vince Vaughn ) and psychologically accurate ( the " baseball practice " scene was perfectly written and p...
485,957
386,241
67,511
7
Above-average giallo .
Pretty good little thriller , with many tense situations , an interesting plot , and gimmicky , stylish direction ( lots of zooms ! ) by Enzo Castellari . Probably the main reason that this film isn't so well-received is that it wasn't directed by a " specialist " of the genre like Dario Argento , but if you compare it...
486,653
386,241
51,406
7
A pleasant piece of fluff .
This is the kind of film that , if it were made today , it would probably star Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant ; actually , now that I think about it , this one is quite liable to be remade one day . It's pleasant , but with no depth whatsoever . It suffers from the almost fatal miscasting of James Stewart in a role he i...
486,666
386,241
86,655
7
Complex thriller is worth seeing .
Isabelle Adjani gives a brilliant , instinctive performance ( and she also has several showstopping nude scenes , I might add ) as an animalistic , untamed young sexpot who seeks vengeance on the three men that raped her mother 20 years ago . In the first few minutes , the film seems a bit confusing and pointless , but...
487,406
386,241
117,468
7
A thinking action fan's dream .
With its elaborate situations , intricately choreographed , prolonged and absolutely thrilling action scenes , and a thought-provoking script full of twists , " Retroactive " is a movie that creates a true sense of vertigo - in a good way . It just sucks you in deeper and deeper . Kylie Travis is a model action heroine...
486,022
386,241
95,174
7
Gripping but flawed .
This Polanski thriller is flawlessly acted , fairly gripping and it sustains your interest throughout . Still , it doesn't really meet our expectations in the plot department . As a reviewer on the " Amazon . com " page points out , you expect something " deeper and darker " than a more or less standard spy plot .
487,283
386,241
63,571
7
Very cryptic film .
The idea ( already described in other reviews ) is both improbable and audacious , and the film is initially intriguing , but ultimately goes nowhere . There is a difference between not pandering to your audience and completely shutting it out , which is what director Losey has done here ( especially regarding Mia Farr...
486,635
386,241
86,425
7
A little heavy , but with astonishing performances .
A well-observed , well-made drama ( with occasional comedic moments ) , that may not be exactly " high art " ( it's neither profound nor original ) , but DOES feature some great acting and manages to pull you in . Debra Winger gives an extraordinary performance ; she has a naturalness and expressiveness that you rarely...
487,040
386,241
82,085
7
Satisfying De Palma effort .
An engrossing thriller with a literally chilling climax , a wonderful ( in its variety ) music score and a first-rate performance by John Travolta . Lithgow is also suitably creepy and hateful as a totally ruthless and psychopathic killer . The script is pretty unimpressive ( and if you've watched the film before you m...
486,069
386,241
70,948
7
Unquestionably the strangest movie ever made .
Zardoz is either a brilliant visionary masterpiece , or the biggest blunder Sean Connery ever appeared in . I still haven't decided which ( must watch it again first ! ) . It has beautiful visuals and a surprisingly multi-layered script ( the revelation of the title's meaning is a stunning moment ) , yet it also has ...
485,791
386,241
110,570
7
Funny but flat .
Roberto Benigni is a gifted physical comedian , but his pre-Oscar " Il Mostro " is best seen with an audience ; the laughter helps cover up the dead spots . If you see it home alone , you can still get laughs out of some cleverly constructed gags , but the flatness of Benigni's direction cannot be ignored . ( )
486,467
386,241
235,737
7
A true attention-getter of a film .
Excellent adult thriller . Stylish , intense , funny and unexpectedly moving . Intricately plotted ( it will always be one step ahead of you ) and fluidly , inventively directed ( including a unique twist on Eastwood's classic " Did I fire six bullets . . . or only five ? " line ) . Well-acted , especially by Kilmer . ...
487,252
386,241
90,770
7
Potent drama .
The most shocking thing in this unsettling film is the way it accurately portrays the state of mind of the two " heroes " ; murder seems to be just another inconsequential act of " escapism " for them , and the ( sincere ) grief that Sheen's character feels for some of their victims is brief and quickly lost amid the "...
486,264
386,241
86,310
7
If you have eliminated the impossible . . .
A handsome production , with atmospheric sets , picture-perfect casting and a welcome dose of humor , but somewhat spoiled by a few schlocky moments ( like Holmes ' fight with the cannibal dwarf ) and an arguably wrong structure that reveals too much of the mystery , too soon . Still good for fans of the character or t...
487,095
386,241
95,047
7
A likable comedy .
It's fairly obvious that this was the director's first film , as it is a bit disorganized and not quite as smoothly put together as it could have been . But it is equally obvious that the director had good intentions , and helped by an imaginative premise ( weird , misunderstood kid believes he's an alien ) , he did ma...
487,290
386,241
66,769
7
You'll have to strain a bit . . .
Robert Wise's solemn approach is so unentertaining that the few humorous moments stand out as brief , merciful doses of relief . However , I must admit that the film has great set design , believable performances and a suspenseful climax - not to mention those " oh , so 70s " heavy " government - conspiracy - paranoia ...
485,647
386,241
253,126
7
Implausible but fun .
This movie starts out unremarkable , but it gets better , so stick with it . It is alternately silly ( mostly in the first and last 15 minutes ) and edgy ( in the middle ) , but if you can ignore the various implausibilities ( why would such a well-organized and highly professional team of robbers have such a moron as ...
486,139
386,241
101,698
7
Sweet and highly entertaining .
A wonderful comedy-fantasy that has all the wit of a good Woody Allen movie combined with genuine sweetness and good-naturedness . It's one of those rare films that achieve profundity without pushing for it ; here it is done with the help of the clever structure . Albert Brooks delivers some great one-liners and wins t...
487,214
386,241
105,585
7
Noble but lukewarm drama .
Thunderheart is an odd mix of traditional murder mystery and New Age Indian mysticism . It's not a bad film by any means , just a lackluster one . It isn't tight enough for a thriller , and it goes on too long . Val Kilmer is good , but Graham Greene has all the best lines and steals the picture . ( )
486,940
386,241
66,765
7
Generally a success .
And Now For Something Completely Different is an entertaining , if very uneven , compilation film , moving along so quickly and including so many different sketches that it's hard to reject it as a whole , even when you dislike some parts . Brilliant episodes ( " Dead Parrot " , " Mountaineering Sketch " , " Upper-cl...
487,412
386,241
40,525
7
Extremely strange and idiosyncratic film .
Mix together these ingredients ( among others ) : an Irish-accented , miscast ( he's too smart to play dumb ) Orson Welles ; a breathtakingly beautiful Rita Hayworth ; two exceptionally eccentric villains ( " you're suppooooosed to have thrown my cooooorpse into the sea " ) ; fast-motion , almost slapsticky fight scene...
485,668
386,241
81,975
7
Some credibility problems , but still a compelling film .
It's a gripping thriller , and Richard Burton is utterly convincing in the kind of role he was born to play ( a rigid priest / teacher , but with traces of humanity underneath ) . But the constant flow of twists results in constant shifts in the characterizations , until the whole thing becomes too far-fetched for its ...
485,618
386,241
81,964
7
Occasionally entertaining .
All The Marbles has one major asset : the staging of the wrestling sequences . They are long , appropriately noisy , well-edited and expertly done . But the movie often lags during the fairly pointless scenes that are designed to link together those sequences . The two heroines are very beautiful and also demonstrate...
486,206
386,241
79,817
7
Faithful to the spirit of the original .
Rocky II isn't as wildly entertaining as the next installment ( which is my favorite ) , and it's slightly overlong , too . But it's still an earnestly made , appealingly tender sequel . Stallone dedicates time to character development and quirky humor ( the scene where he attempts to star in commercials is really fu...
486,017
386,241
339,489
7
A brain-twister of a film ; worth sticking with
The previous reviewer pretty much said what I wanted to say : " Killing Words " is a difficult film to categorize , but if you have to place it under one genre , it's probably what they call a " mind-fk " . Twist upon twist upon twist - that's how this film proceeds . It constantly plays with your perceptions ; just wh...
485,594
386,241
36,613
7
Funny but uneven
There were some very funny moments and situations in this movie , but overall I find it to be a somewhat uneven and overlong ( 115 minutes ) comedy . Though it builds a delirious , chaotic atmosphere very convincingly , with characters that get nuttier by the minute , it still isn't as good as it could've been . I find...
485,597
386,241
90,644
7
Clever , but eventually too clever for its own good . . . .
At first it's the sheer uniqueness of the characters and situations that keeps you watching . Then , after about 30 minutes , you realize that this is one imaginatively written , ambitiously conceived horror pic . The director manages to sustain the tension in both the parallel stories ( the " fictional " and the " rea...
485,748
386,241
110,425
7
Don't judge a book by its cover .
La Machine is a violent , very well-made thriller , which proves that when the French aren't too preoccupied with " art " or " social shock " , they can make a genre movie just as good as any similar American product . The director shows remarkable attention to detail , and the performances are versatile enough to he...
487,222
386,241
86,356
7
Refreshing .
Not altogether successful , but fully absorbing and thought-provoking film , with an exceptional performance by Douglas , even if he looks a bit too young to be a judge . Director Hyams knows how to shoot chase sequences , but he should have included less of them here . Still , it's refreshing to watch a movie that's s...
487,436
386,241
70,783
7
Pretty good .
This is a pretty entertaining little thriller , with nice , atmospheric sets , a reasonably clever story and a certain dry , morbid wit . Honestly , there are flicks much worse than this one that have been labeled " classics " , solely because they had Vincent Price or Christopher Lee in their casts . If you can find i...
487,164
386,241
101,597
7
It's the suspense , not the pain , that will drive you mad .
This two-character drama is extremely well-acted and has a valid message and some TRULY shocking moments ( shocking not because they are graphic , but because you're not prepared for them when they come ) . But eventually it does become oppressive , just like the somewhat similar " A Pure Formality " did . Still , Alan...
487,142
386,241
101,595
7
Extremely low-key .
Close My Eyes deserves credit for its unexploitive treatment of a highly charged subject matter . On the other hand , I found it just a bit dramatically monotonous . However , it's worth seeing for its sensitivity and its good acting . Alan Rickman , in particular , is very interesting in what could have easily been ...
487,192
386,241
66,830
7
Very good for its genre
What separates - and , in my book , makes better - " The Big Doll House " from most Women-In-Prison films is that the focus here is NOT on the exploitation of the women ( though there is some of that , of course ) , but on their STRENGTH and determination . Roberta Collins and Pat Woodell , in particular , have well-de...
486,003
386,241
82,398
7
007 at his best
This is , in my opinion , Roger Moore's best Bond film , and one of the best in the entire series ( right below " Goldfinger " and " From Russia With Love " ) . The reason is simple - it ranks high in most of the important categories that determine the quality of a Bond film : one of the loveliest Bond girls ( with who...
486,804
386,241
40,876
7
Entertaining , if a bit unfocused .
It starts out as a broad slapstick comedy , and when Gene Kelly has the opportunity to showcase his acrobatic skills , it's good old-fashioned swashbuckling fun . But after the first 20 minutes it turns into mostly heavy drama , and the swordfights are actually few and far between . The problem with the script is that ...
487,087
386,241
48,605
7
Highly enjoyable , if static , film .
This movie definitely hasn't managed to escape its stage origins : the few characters , the limited sets and the talky nature of the script result in a rather static comedy . The story is slim , too , and can barely sustain the film's 103 minutes . However , the lively performances , the often witty dialogue ( the gimm...
486,723
386,241
75,686
7
Inventively made , but a little overrated .
A warmhearted , entertaining comedy , considered by many to be Woody Allen's best film . While I don't agree 100 % on that ( for example , it's inferior to " Hannah and her Sisters " ) , I do think it's a very witty film , packed with inventive moments ( like Diane Keaton literally leaving her body during one unwanted ...
485,675
386,241
676,192
8
Evil under the ( Greek ) sun
Hercule Poirot goes to Rhodes ( a Greek island ) on vacation and , wouldn't you know it , gets involved with the death ( via poisoning ) of a rich and glamorous ( and married , to her fifth husband ) woman staying at the same hotel . Captain Hastings is not present in this one ; Poirot's sidekick is a woman he meets in...
487,452
386,241
21,749
8
A Chaplin classic that has aged well .
This celebrated Charlie Chaplin film may not be the absolute masterpiece that all the glowing reviews indicate , but it is undeniably a very good motion picture . The ending has been praise justifiably - it is unforgettable and profoundly moving . And there are some hilarious comic moments , too ; the boxing match is a...
486,566
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39,305
8
Engrossing , if somewhat confusing .
A well-made mystery / film noir . Bogart is in top form , Scott is as glamorous as any given femme fatale of the period , and Carnovsky is smooth as the well-spoken villain . The direction is no more than workmanlike , but the dialogue is superior throughout . My favorite line : " Maybe she was all right . . . and mayb...
486,084
386,241
95,337
8
Hong Kong action at its absolute finest !
This is the first and only Cynthia Khan movie I have seen so far , and all I have to say is " WOW ! " . She is amazing - more flexible than rubber . If she ever got in a fight with Jackie Chan , he could conceivably beat her , but I wouldn't bet my money on it ! Plus , she is MUCH cuter than Michelle Yeoh . And if she ...
485,886
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113,350
8
Not to be missed
Red Wolf gets off to a rather shaky start , but once the action kicks in , it is nonstop . The fight scenes are among the best I've ever seen ; they are on the level of the rooftop climax of Jackie Chan's " Who Am I ? " , except they're not limited to one sequence , but they occur every 5 minutes or so . There is als...
486,107
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56,923
8
Ingenious teaming of many genuine talents .
Terrific movie that can be perceived both as a first-rate piece of straight entertainment , and as a meditation on the thin line separating truth and lie . Ingenious script , dialogue filled with funny interplay , great chemistry between the two charismatic stars , vivid and fast-paced direction by Stanley Donen . Not ...
487,395
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96,152
8
Terrific !
An unjustly neglected horror entry . Right from the start , it has the narrative pull of a good mystery ; there are intriguing characters and one genuinely sensual sex scene . In the second half , it seems to be getting more ordinary , but then comes up with a stunning twist , worthy of an Agatha Christie . Overall , a...
487,268
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53,172
8
Predictable , but a delight .
This first teaming of Doris Day and Rock Hudson is a delightful , visually beautiful comedy - old-fashioned but hardly dated . The two stars make a charming , shiny couple ( it's easy to see why they were so popular in their time ) and Thelma Ritter steals the show in a needless but funny supporting role . The only pro...
485,811
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104,779
8
Compelling , delightful film !
This film is utterly compelling - it will have you glued to the screen . It's about 2 hours and 15 minutes long , yet it never loses its grip . Although there are a few " funny " moments , you can never be sure whether they were intentional or not . The pacing is slow but wonderfully methodical . But what really makes ...
485,771
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36,342
8
Very good , underrated , involving Hitchcock .
Shadow of a Doubt is one of Hitchcock's best films , often overshadowed by famous but actually inferior pictures like " Notorious " . It's not quite a masterpiece : the pacing is too slow and there is a minor ( but important ) plot hole - why does Uncle Charlie try to hide that piece of the newspaper since it had no ...
486,044
386,241
106,452
8
Only the race counts - not the individual .
Okay , the 1956 original paved the way and has to get the credit for that , but from an objective point-of-view , both the 1978 and this 1993 remake are better , scarier , more developed . In comparison to the second version , this one has a nowhere nearly as brilliant , rather disappointing ending , but the pacing is ...
486,864
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55,824
8
Solid thriller .
Cape Fear is a solid , suspenseful thriller with a taut script and a terrific performance by Robert Mitchum , as a smart , leering sadist ( with obvious pedophiliac tendencies ) . I had watched the remake ( twice ) before finally seeing this , and it's hard to compare them objectively , because the rules of the censo...
486,652
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59,764
8
A treat for both Holmes and Ripper fans .
This is a model B-movie : fast-paced , engaging , atmospheric , full of great twists . Most " A " productions would only wish they were this good ! Neville makes a suitably arrogant and surprisingly physical Holmes , and Houston is a perfect Dr . Watson . The director does wonders with an obviously low budget . Much , ...
487,490
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66,808
8
Often hilarious comedy with a few dead spots .
Bananas is one of Woody Allen's earliest films : a pure comedy , with some satirical and political overtones . It's a strictly hit-or-miss effort , but , fortunately , the hits are definitely more than the misses . It contains many laugh-out-loud scenes ; the whole courtroom sequence , the scene where he tries to pas...
486,511
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63,663
8
Rich , moving , beautifully made .
The Swimmer must rank among the most beautifully filmed pictures of its era ; few other 60s films featured such vibrant cinematography and such revolutionary ( for the time ) camerawork ( notice the scene in which a horse is reflected in Lancaster's eye ) . Lancaster gives a subtle , powerful performance ( " I'm a no...
487,298
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66,819
8
One of Eastwood's very few " horror " flicks . . . .
. . . . . and it's a good one , too . In fact , this may be one of the best studies of sexual repression ever made . It's extremely well-acted and has some downright chilling moments . An often overlooked film in Clint Eastwood's filmography , and atypical of him , to be sure , but if you're willing to accept him in su...
487,006
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89,960
8
Moving , sharply observed drama .
What I admired the most about " Vagabond " is the objective , evenhanded approach of the director towards her " heroine " . She neither praises nor condemns her chosen " lifestyle " , she simply observes it - and she observes it so well that this feels like the work of someone who's had first-hand experiences with simi...
487,144
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120,401
8
Inventive and disturbing , but with flaws .
The Ugly is inventively directed , challengingly structured ( it doesn't follow any straight chronological line ; it continuously mixes the present with the recent past , and then the recent past with the dim past ) , disturbing and has at least one incredibly suspenseful scene ( the one where the killer is hiding in...
486,960
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23,969
8
Worthy of several viewings .
Very likely their best film . This is pure surrealism from start to finish , with some of their best-executed routines , and a welcome absence of ( serious ) musical numbers . Whether it has Harpo answering the phone , Groucho explaining his tax policy or Chico giving a detailed report of his weekly surveillance tactic...
486,735
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56,869
9
A near-masterpiece from Hitchcock .
Suggesting that " The Birds " is far superior to " Psycho " seems to be considered something of a crime by most Hitchcock fans , but I have to commit that " crime " . I believe it's superior because it holds up better after repeated viewings . " Psycho " loses much of its impact if you're familiar with the final twist ...
485,691
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53,125
9
Hitchcock at his zenith .
North by Northwest is undeniably one of Hitchcock's best movies - not to mention one of my ten personal favorites in general . A brilliant script , full of well-planned twists , Hitchcock's energetic and vivid direction , the constantly clever dialogue , the first-rate production values , an incredible score by Berna...