Holmes has one weakness, his insatiable curiosity. If you can arouse that, you can lead him anywhere

The best part of watching loads of movies is that I am still continually surprised by what works.

Lansky (2021) - "When the aging Meyer Lansky is investigated by the Feds, who suspect he has stashed away millions of dollars over half a century, the retired gangster reveals the untold truth about his life as the boss of the National Crime Syndicate."

source: Prime
I watched it because: I was on a date, and it was mutually agreeable
IMDB: 6.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 62% Audience: 85%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "See, I believe this world is made of shades of gray. It's never black or white."

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Eytan Rockaway

my notes: Harvey Keitel can be a hard sell, but he overcame himself in becoming Lansky. Sam Worthington (David Stone) reminds me of Matthew Lillard, though the latter is a better actor. However, this movie is more about the young Lansky (John Magaro), and especially his relationship with Ben (don't call me Bugsy) Siegel, played brilliantly by David Cole - who steals the show. This is an interesting story, and more so if you're familiar with the basic story. I liked it.

overall:  recommended

Suddenly (1954) - "The President of the United States will be arriving by train in the town of Suddenly where he plans to then be driven to a nearby lodge. The Sheriff, Tod Shaw, has everything under control and with the assistance of the State Police, has set up a reasonable security plan. Soon however, Shaw is taken prisoner by John Baron in the home of Pop Benson. Baron and his henchmen gained access to Benson's home by posing as FBI agents. The house provides perfect line of sight to the train station and Baron is there for only one reason: to assassinate the President. Baron has no political agenda and is simply a killer for hire but it's left to the Sheriff, Benson and Benson's daughter-in-law Ellen to stop him."

source: Crackle
I watched it because: it's been recommended several times
IMDB: 6.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 63%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "'Don't you have any feelings?'

    'No, they were taken outta me by experts.'"

MPAA rating: NR (TV-PG)

directed by: Lewis Allen

my notes: this is a strange movie, with various levels of story going on at once, and not a very clear message. I loved the spunky little kid (played by Kim Charney), and Pop Benson (James Gleason).
overall:  recommended

Bridge of Spies (2015) - "During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers."

source: DVD
I watched it because: I was on a different date, and it was a natural choice for both of us (first reviewed here)
IMDB: 7.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 91% Audience: 87%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "'You're not worried?'

    'Would it help?'"

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Steven Spielberg

my notes: maybe I overuse the word 'brilliant', but I think that Mark Rylance, as Rudolf Abel, is extraordinary in this movie. Great all the time, but truly outstanding here as a quiet, intense, subtle man carrying unimaginable weight on his shoulders.

Academy Award winner: Best Supporting Actor—Rylance
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture—Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Krieger

• Best Writing, Original Screenplay—Matt Charman, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

• Best Music, Original Score—Thomas Newman

• Best Sound Mixing—Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom, Drew Kunin

• Best Production Design—Adam Stockhausen (production design), Rena DeAngelo (set decoration), Bernhard Henrich (set decoration)
overall:  highly recommended

Cape Fear (1962) - "A lawyer's family is stalked by a man he once helped put in jail."
source: Tubi, maybe? Streamed somewhere.
I watched it because: I'd seen the remake (reviewed here)
IMDB: 7.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 96% Audience: 86%
my IMDB: 5/10

AFI: 100 Years…100 Thrills (2001) #61

     100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains (2003) Villain #28

notable quote: "Max Cady, what I like about you is... you're rock bottom. I wouldn't expect you to understand this, but it's a great comfort for a girl to know she could not possibly sink any lower."

MPAA rating: passed (TV-PG?!)

directed by: J. Lee Thompson

my notes: this is a Gregory-Peck-as-upright-family-man film, which I've seen before, in better stories. It's also Robert Mitchum as the baddest of the bad guys, taking almost dirty pleasure in violence. It feels icky to watch.

overall: not especially recommended

 

The Woman in Green (1945) - "Holmes and Watson investigate a series of bizarre and apparently unconnected murders, and the death of a possible suspect. The trail leads to a society of hypnotists and a mysterious, glamorous woman. The fiendish Dr James Moriarty, though reported hanged in Montevideo, is suspected of being involved."

source: DVD
I watched it because: S. Holmes is one of my heroes
IMDB: 6.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 57%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "'You mean you're not hypnotized?'

    'Certainly not!'

    'Then get off the wall, you idiot!'"

MPAA rating: approved (TV-PG)

directed by: Roy William Neill

my notes: this story is beyond intricate. I had a hard time keeping up, and when I was able to keep up, I was not exactly engrossed. There is a bit about Holmes being hypnotized which is well worth the effort.

overall: mildly recommended

Mrs. Miniver (1942) - "A British family struggles to survive the first months of World War II."
source: DVD
I watched it because: it's much acclaimed
IMDB: 7.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 94% Audience: 84%
my IMDB: 8/10

AFI: 100 Years…100 Cheers (2006) #40

notable quote: "I know how comfortable it is to curl up with a nice, fat book full of big words and think you're going to solve all the problems in the universe. But you're not, you know. A bit of action is required every now and then."

MPAA rating: approved (TV-G)

directed by: William Wyler

my notes: a marvelous movie, well acted and shot. Terribly sad, romantic, heartwarming, and inspiring.

Academy Award winner:
• Best Picture

• Best Actress—Greer Garson

• Best Supporting Actress—Teresa Wright

• Best Director—Wyler

• Best Writing, Screenplay—George Froeschel, James Hilton, Claudine West, Arthur Wimperis

• Best Cinematography, Black and White—Joseph Ruttenberg
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Actor—Walter Pigeon

• Best Supporting Actor—Henry Travers

• Best Supporting Actress—May Whitty

• Best Sound, Recording—Douglas Shearer

• Best Film Editing—Harold F. Kress

• Best Effects, Special Effects—A. Arnold Gillespie (photographic), Warren Newcombe (photographic), Douglas Shearer (sound)
overall:  recommended

 

[the title quotation is from The Woman in Green]