all of them, right down to your mustache

Average rating: 7 - a pleasing bunch.

A Shot in the Dark (1964) - "Inspector Clouseau is called to a house where a murder was committed and finds that every clue points to the beautiful maid, Maria. As more people are killed, each set of clues always points to Maria, and Closeau continues to release her and escort her around town."

source: borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I was delighted by the Pink Panther as a kid, but have no memory of the movies themselves
IMDB: 7.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 94% Audience: 86%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "I give you my word as an officer and a gentleman ... and a policeman."

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Blake Edwards

my notes: some of the sight gags are so clever! The Flamenco bar called Cafe Olé, for instance, tickled me. The story is pretty thin, though, and every character is dumb. Prehaps I just didn't get it.

overall: slightly recommended

Chocolat (2000) - "When mysterious Vianne and her child arrive in a tranquil French town in the winter of 1959, no one could have imagined the impact that she and her spirited daughter would have on the community stubbornly rooted in tradition. Within days, she opens an unusual chocolate shop, across the square from the church. Her ability to perceive her customers' desires and satisfy them with just the right confection, coaxes the villagers to abandon themselves to temptation—just as Lent begins."

source: DVD
I watched it because: I've been meaning to see it for a while
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 63% Audience: 83%
my IMDB: 9/10

notable quote: "I think that we can't go around... measuring our goodness by what we don't do. By what we deny ourselves, what we resist, and who we exclude. I think... we've got to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create... and who we include."

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Lasse Hallström

my notes: LOVED it. An utterly delightful movie. Alfred Molina is marvelous. Juliette Binoche is terrific. My favorite, though was Hugh O'Conor as Pere Henri.

Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture—David Brown, Kit Golden, Leslie Holleran

• Best Actress—Binoche

• Best Supporting Actress—Judi Dench

• Best Writing, Screenplay based on material previously produced or published—Robert Nelson Jacobs

• Best Music, Original Score—Rachel Portman
overall:  recommended

The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935) - "Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner) puts his retirement on hold to investigate one last murder. With his trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson (Ian Fleming), in tow, Holmes uses his unique insights and techniques to find clues about the murderer. He soon discovers that the diabolical plot involves not only his arch rival, professor Moriarty (Lyn Harding), but also an international cabal including American gangsters and a secret society. Holmes must unravel the case before it's too late."

source: DVD
I watched it because: I borrowed a set from my dad
IMDB: 5.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 37%
my IMDB: 5/10

notable quote: "Any funny business, shoot him!"

MPAA rating: NR

directed by: Leslie S. Hiscott

my notes: major problem with this movie—copyright lapsed and the duplicating began. Though the copy I saw was an "original" (i.e. from a factory) it was clearly a dub of a dub of a dub. The visuals were not the worst ever, but the sound was so muddy that half the dialog was lost. If you can find a clean copy, it's probably worth seeing. I did enjoy Leslie Perrins as the mustache-twisty John Douglas.

overall:  recommended with strong reservations

Manhattan Melodrama (1934) - "Jim Wade and Blackie Gallagher are two boys orphaned by the sinking of a ship. Upon the death of their guardian, also a survivor of the sinking, the boys go their separate ways. Jim (William Powell) grows up to have a prominent political career, while Blackie (Clark Gable) becomes a casino owner and killer. Despite Blackie's lifestyle, the two men remain bonded through thick and thin. But when Jim runs for governor, his association with Blackie threatens his chances."
source: borrowed the DVD from my parents
I watched it because: my crush on Clark Gable persists (reviewed here)
IMDB: 7.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 81% Audience: 71%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "Everything in life can be paid off in chips...."

MPAA rating: Passed

directed by: W.S. Van Dyke; Jack Conway; George Cukor

my notes: I'm flat-out in love with Clark Gable, though Myrna Loy is the star of this show. Surprisingly sexy

Academy Award winner: Best Writing, Original Story—Arthur Caesar
overall: highly recommended

 

[the title quotation is from A Shot in the Dark]