I kill people, dear

I'm noddling around with an abbreviated but also more "quantitative" format; feedback welcome. Average rating: 7.5

Fist of Legend (1994) - "Chinese martial arts student Chen Zhen is studying in Kyoto, Japan, when he learns his mentor has died in a match against Ryuichi Akutagawa. Returning home to the Japanese-occupied Shanghai of 1937, Chen challenges Ryuichi to a fight and easily defeats him. Concluding his master was set up, Chen has an autopsy performed. Meanwhile, word of his martial arts skill entices new students hoping to study with him, making his teacher's son, Huo Ting-An, jealous." 

length: 1h, 43m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Gordon Chan  |  why I watched: re-watch for reviewing

IMDb: 7.5/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 100% / 92% Audience  |  my IMDb: 7/10  |  MPAA: R

tone & texture: somber, crisp & modern

notable quote: "'What fist is this?'

    'Don't ask; it's a good fist if it wins.'"

themes: justice, found family

overall:  recommended
 

RED (2010) - "Retired CIA operative Frank Moses is targeted for assassination, so he reunites his old black-ops team. What follows is a slick, comedic action romp where aging assassins outwit younger opponents with style, chemistry, and a surprising amount of heart." 

length: 1h, 51m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Robert Schwentke  |  why I watched: re-watch for review

IMDb: 7.0/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 72% / 72% Audience  |  my IMDb: 8/10  |  MPAA: PG-13

tone & texture: playful, hyper-glossy action

notable quote: "'Kordesky trained you?'

    'Yeah.'

    'I trained Kordesky.'"

themes:  found family, identity

overall:  strongly recommended

 

Foreign Correspondent (1940) - "A U.S. crime reporter is sent to Europe on the eve of WWII, only to stumble into espionage, assassination, and political intrigue. Hitchcock blends suspense, humor, and international danger into a brisk, stylish thriller with a moral spine." 

length: 2h  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Alfred Hitchcock  |  why I watched: (previously reviewed here)

IMDb: 7.4/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 95% / 81% Audience  |  my IMDb: 8/10  |  MPAA: RATING

tone & texture: energetic, classic Hollywood polish

notable quote: "'How do you say it—like a stutter?'

    'No, just straight "fuh".'"

my notes: even better the second time. This isn't the standard Cary Grant-style Hitchcock film. Joel McCrea makes it witty, brighter, and more accessible. (And I adore costar George Sanders.)

Academy Awards: 6x nominee  

themes: justice, love

overall: highly recommended

Raffles (1939) - "Man about town and first class cricketer A.J. Raffles keeps himself solvent with daring robberies. Meeting Gwen from his schooldays and falling in love all over again, he spends the weekend with her parents, Lord and Lady Melrose. A necklace presents an irresistible temptation, but also in attendance is Scotland Yard's finest, finally on the trail. " 

length: 1h, 12m  |  source: Amazon Prime Video |  directed by Sam Wood  |  why I watched: mutually agreeable to the fam (previously reviewed here)

IMDb: 6.4/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: NA% / 53% Audience  |  my IMDb: 7/10  |  MPAA: Approved

tone & texture: wry, classic Hollywood polish

notable quote: "'Barraclough, did I remember to tell you she's the most wonderful girl in all the world?'

    ''I had hoped, sir, that you were going to spare me that. Good night, sir."

my notes: this second viewing - at my parents' house, on Thanksgiving - left a better impression than my first solo watch, and bumped up my rating. Niven is delightful.

themes: identity, justice, love

overall:  recommended

 

[the title quotation is from RED]