light me a cigarette, will you? I've never had a dream like that before

Western, costume drama, war & aftermath, another western, and suspense. Four older films and one "historical." Three thumbs one way, two the other. In all, a mixed bag.

The Outcast (1954) - "Jet Cosgrave returns home to claim the ranch that was stolen from him after his father's death."
Source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I had never seen a John Derek movie before
IMDB: 6.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 0%

notable quote: "'I'm afraid there's no legal way for you to get the Circle C.'

'I thought you'd say that. A lawyer's opinion. but I'm no lawyer.'"
story: a revenge Western with an extra heavy layer of skeevy dude behavior on top. Derek's character (Jet Cosgrave) is a young, hard-headed idiot. He macks on both his uncle's fiancée and the young girl-next-door. 
visuals: pretty well shot
costumes, hair & makeup: not bad
acting: the actress playing the neighbor girl does a reasonably good job; everyone else is forgettable

intangibles: I watch a lot of movies, as everyone has figured out by now. Still don't think it's a good sign that I forgot what this one was about as I was removing the disc from the DVD player.
overall: not recommended

Love & Friendship (2016) - "Lady Susan Vernon takes up temporary residence at her in-laws' estate and, while there, is determined to be a matchmaker for her daughter Frederica—and herself, too, naturally."
Source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I was in the mood for a dose of fancy costumes and British accents
IMDB: 6.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 97% Audience: 60%

notable quote: "I had a feeling that the great word 'respectable' would someday divide us.'"
story: based on the novel Lady Susan by Jane Austen
visuals: films like this make me want to go over to see "my native lands." All those big, stuffy houses and cobblestones - and all that rain!
costumes, hair & makeup: gorgeous, top to bottom
acting: no one stood out in any good way. Kate Beckinsale (Lady Susan Vernon) is beautiful and talented but seemed to be operating on her own agenda. Chloë Sevigny (Mrs. Alicia Johnson) shows no emotion at all, and looks like she's run through the washer too many times. Morfydd Clark, as Frederica Vernon, was spirited but smirky.

intangibles: it is a pretty film to look at, but not particularly enjoyable to watch
overall: not recommended

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956) - "An ex-soldier faces ethical questions as he tries to earn enough to support his wife and children well."
Source: I borrowed it from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
IMDB: 7.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 75% Audience: 73%

notable quote: "This man's dead, Captain."
story: all over the map: war, PTSD, financial issues, housing, money problems, family relationships, employment ethics, and psychology in general. That is a lot to cover in one 1950s film!

visuals: pretty well shot
costumes, hair & makeup: nicely done
acting: Gregory Peck (Tom Rath) is usually good, though this is not one of my favorites of his, as he is quite reserved in what I believe could have been a very passionate role. Janet Jones believably inhabits the character of wronged wife Betsy Rath.

intangibles: heaven knows I don't love long movies (this is 153 min.) and this could have benefited from editing for focus.
overall: recommended because it's a classic, not because it's all that enjoyable or terrific

Tell Them Willie Boy is Here (1969) - "In 1909, when young Paiute Indian Willie Boy returns to his California reservation to be with Lola—whose father disapproves of him—a killing (in self defense) takes place, triggering a massive manhunt for Willie."
Source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: Robert Redford
IMDB: 6.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 79% Audience: 49%

notable quote: "If he tried, you'd be dead."
story: unbelievable. 
visuals: dusty 
costumes, hair & makeup: nothing outstanding
acting: workmanlike. More like a 1970s TV movie.

intangibles: forgettable.
overall: not recommended 

The Stranger (1946) - "An investigator from the War Crimes Commission travels to Connecticut to find an infamous Nazi."
Source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: Edward G. Robinson was something else
IMDB: 7.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 96% Audience: 81%

notable quote: "I can't believe the people can be reformed except from within." 
story: perhaps it made more sense in 1946, but this brought about a Jack Ryan degree of incredulity. Was there really one WCC investigator in all the land??
visuals: brilliant! Directed by Orson Welles, and it shows. Unique cinematography, long shots, avant garde lighting... a marvel to look at.
costumes, hair & makeup: good stuff! Every part of it lends credence to the characters and the story.
acting: Welles (Prof. Charles Rankin) is the cream of the crop. I've noted here before that I did not love Citizen Kane, but this was really quite good.

intangibles: there is something about it that made me want to immediately watch it again, as soon as it was over. That's a good film in my book!
Academy Award nominee: Best Writing, Original Story 
overall: recommended

[the title quotation is from The Stranger]