The Uninvited (1944)

A ghost/horror movie made during WWII, and is the first that takes "ghost story" seriously (instead or camp/comedic).

Quite well cast.

Beautifully shot.

Movie opens with a pair of carefree brother and sister, "discovering" a huge "abandon" mansion on a cliff, by the sea.

On a spur, they made a ridiculous offer on the house to the owner of the house and surprisingly, they offer was accepted!

They moved from the city (London) to the country side to their new mansion and soon befriended the original owner's grand daughter, who has a strange attachment to the mansion...

Things soon goes bump in the dark?

Interesting movie.

Actually uses something that is widely copied in future ghost movie, ectoplasm, which is quite well done (not quite sure how they managed it back then).

If you like old movies, give it a go.

My Two Sen

Erm... You left out the part where the forest (set) burnt down before they finished shooting so the movie was a little... abrupt!!

The "Space Steward" serving meal scene still impresses me...

Young'un...

Don't knock it until you had tried it...

Victor Victoria (1982)

In the spirit of La Cage aux Folles (1978) (The French [original] version of Birdcage (1996)), Julie Andrews headline this movie, in which she shed her goody two shoes image (wanna be nun and English Nanny)!

I am doing what I usually do not do, provided a synopsis of the movie.

Victoria Grant (Julie Andrews) a starving Opera singer meets Carole "Toddy" Todd (Robert Preston) equally financially low talent scout, in Paris.

After their chance meeting and discovering that Victoria can hit a perfect "G" (which shatters glass), Toddy comes up with the idea of Victoria, pretending to be Victor (a guys) who is the BEST female impersonator in the world!

They managed to convince a club owner, Andre Cassell (John Rhys-Davies) to give them a show, which turns out to be a hit.

At the same show Andre invited a wealthy American club owner, King Marchand (James Garner) in which he did, and he was mesmerised by Victoria and even gave her a standing ovation (much to the chagrins of his girlfriend Norma Cassady (Lesley Ann Warren)). And when it was revealed that Victoria is actually Victor, he was horrified!!! Mayhem ensues....

Henry Mancini wrote all the music for this, not sure if it is he last work, and the music is great!!

I like the Le Jazz Hot best, though Crazy World seems to be the movie maker's favorite.

The highlight? Seeing Robert Preston doing the Shady Dame From Seville!!!

Definitely NOT for everyone. And have to add if you like The Birdcage, you will like this.

Interestingly, Julie Andrews reprised the role many years later in Broadway!

My Two Sen.

Legend of Eight Samurai 里見八犬伝 (1983)

Wow, this brings back memories!!

Originally, watched this on VHS (black rectacgular plastic box, with magnetic tape, for storage... Anybody here familar with this tech?? ) when I was a wee lad...

This movie was the number one movie, in Japan, in 1983!

I am most impress with the picture quality on it new format!

I watched a German pressed blu-ray.

This is a mythical based movie.

Special effects are if-fy

Some aged well, others...

Other highlights include Shin'ichi Chiba and a really young Hiroyuki Sanada are in this.

I have to mention though, I believe, Tsui Hark probably was inspired by this movie when he did his A Chinese Ghost Story (1988).

If you had watched this before, as I had said, I never saw this in the cinema, and have to add, this is the best this movie ever looked to me.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Feb 10 2017, 02:05 PM

The Magnetic Monster (1953)

First and foremost, this is a science fiction B movie.

Having said that it is actually a pretty decent science fiction B movie.

Why?

The production's attention to details!!

I have always lament at the lack of creative story telling in Hollywood (I make this reference to current movies coming out of Hollywood).

Having said THAT, and not sure if I should "spoiler" this, this movie was 1950's take on the "Frankenstein" story, and it did a pretty good job, using the context of 1950's understanding of nuclear science.

It is even more fascinating that it actually kinda got the nuclear science right, in the context of 1950s...

So in short, found it interesting and is you like black and white sci-fi movie, give this a go.

My Two Sen

Invisible Invaders (1959)

Thank goodness for Kino Lorber, who had worked tirelessly to bring us good copies of movies from yester-years....

Both this and the previous reviews are from them, and if you remember a line from Unbreakable, Mr. Glass said something about Spectrum, and if he was one end of the spectrum, surely there is another person on the other end.

While I was impressed by the "science" of Magnetic Monster, I was dumbfounded my this movie's, "I am American, therefore I will succeed spirit"...

Nothing surprised me about this movie, except for the remarkable work of Kino Lorber's transfer (actually, Kino did a good job on both movies).

My Two Sen

You sure bring back memories for me about your experience with the video shop lady boss!

They were gate keepers to certain movies

And it makes matter worst if their know your parents!!!

Thanks for the memories greyshadow!! You made my day

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Apr 27 2017, 08:09 PM

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Apr 27 2017, 08:10 PM

Love what feeling??

Being chased away by your parents or

seeing a naked blonde showering with full frontal nudity!??

notty notty???

Bird On A Wire (1990)

Remember Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn?

Well, this movie was when they were HOT (eg. they names could draw movie audiences)!

I would categories this as a action/comedy.

How else would I describe this?

Let's see...

Okay, Goldie Hawn plays a TOUGH lawyer, she pulverizes any "opponent" in a boardroom.

Because she is good at what she does, she is wealth and have a wealthy lawyer boyfriend/partner.

But under the tough exterior she is...

Okay, one days, she is out of town and in a rented BMW, she stops at a small town gas station to gets gas and she see Mel Gibson, who looks alot like her first husband. She confronts him, and he denies that he is her first husband.

She pretended that she believes him, but return later to confront him again, and when she arrived at night, he is being attacks by two guys, wanting to kill him!!!

Comedy mayhem transpires!!

Well, this was done in the 90s.

It is a little period, and if you like "mistaken identity?" comedy, this is actually good.

Mel, "flexes" his funny and chameleon bone and his chemistry with Goldie is good.

Video transfer is a little "soft" and overall decent.

I cannot remember if I watched this is the cinema, so chances are, I probably first watched it on LD, and having said that I still enjoyed the transfer.

Another blast I got from this movie is the soundtrack, music from the stage show Hair (Aquarius) and cover version of Leonard Cohen's Bird On A Wire (hence the movie title) by the Neville Brothers were really an appreciated blast from the past.

So is you like "aged" comedy, give this a swill!!

My Two Sen

Sleepaway Camp (1983)

What the HECK did I just watched?? (I have NOT seen this before)

I don't think this kinda movie can be made nowadays, even if they tried!!!

The whole cast is from Queens, just see how they act and talk!!! (Eg, this is a prime example of how NOT to cast a movie)

This movie is SO CAMP, it is not funny.

Really camp, not ironically camp!!

This is R Rated and all the kids are SO YOUNG when they made this.

How did the producers and director get away with it!!!

The ending, my goodness the ending. I was literally dozing off and the last scene happened!!!

I was WIDE AWAKE after THAT!!!!

Again, how did the producers and director get away with THIS!!!!

My EYES, they BURN!!!!!

My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jun 11 2017, 11:59 AM

Unforgiven (1992)

I cannot believe the amazing transfer done for this movie!!

This was shot using Panavision Cameras and Lenses and 35mm film and still have to add, the movie LOOKS AMAZING!!!

I cannot even imagine what the 4K version if going to look like!!!!

AMAZING!!!!!

Warlock (1989)

This movie stayed with me.

You have to understand that it is unique in a sense, is your usual B movie (script wise) and have to add that Julian Sands (Warlock), Richard E. Grant (Giles Redferne) and director Steve Miner sold the movie!

You would be correct if you assume that this movie is about witchcraft.

Synopsis from imdb

In Boston of 1691, a warlock is sentenced to death, but escapes magically into the future (our present), followed doggedly by the witch hunter. There he is searching for the three parts of the Devil's Bible, trailed by the witch hunter and the woman whose house he landed in. They must stop him, as the book contains the true name of God, which he can use to un-create the world. Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>

It is interesting to see the two characters out of time, in 1989?... (Opposite of Star Trek and Voyage Home)

Also how effective "Old wives tales" are against a powerful warlock

What I like best in this is the "dark comedy"

Case in point


See, dark comedy....

I don't know Julian Sand, but he weirdness is just right for the Warlock role.

TO counter-balance Julian, Richard E. Grant's Redferne "practical" witch-hunter so good to watch.

If you like a slightly off beat horror, witc the zaniest of the 1980s, give this a go

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Aug 5 2017, 11:00 AM

I went thru the Movie Reviews v2 topic and looked thru it for old review of my (pre 2000s movies) and posting them here.

Why?

Two reasons

So I don't repeat a movie review here and

If I get knocked over by a freight truck tomorrow, I die knowing I did this (Yes, I have O.C.D...)

So, you have been warned, kiddies...

Overboard (1987)

Ah, comedies from the 80s...

Back then Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell was the "IT" couple and Garry Marshall was a few movies away from Pretty Woman.

There is obviously chemistry between Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Goldie Hawn literally moves this RomCom along and she does a good job. It's a pity that she's a racist in real life...

Kurt Russell is basically window dressing here!!

The kids did a great job as well.

Very self indulging piece and I have watch this a couple of time over the years...

My two Sen

Ever After (1998)

Next to Princess Bride, I believe this is one of my most watched movie...

Drew Barrymore deserve some kind of award for her role here.

Also interesting this is Dougray Scott first feature film...

Interesting how he gets pass over for roles like Wolverine and James Bond!!

Retelling of the Cinderelle tales but with women power!!

I cannot find any fault with this movie

It is perfect as it is, acting, script delivery!

If you love a story driven drama movie with a dash of comedy, by all means give this a try!!

My Two Sen

Legend (1985)

In 1985, Ridley Scott made this ditzy movie.

It was VERY Expensive (for it's time) and before Ridley could finish it, the sound stage where most of the movie was film, burnt down!!?!

Before Willow, BEFORE Lord Of The Rings, this movie defined quality in term of Fantasy Movie.

I'm watching the HD Remastered Director cut and have to tell you IT NEVER LOOKED SO Gorgeous!!!!

Please do not compare the Picture and Sound quality with new movies, having own this when it is first launch on DVD compared to now, the difference is night and day!

If you want a trip down nostalgia street, and you love fantasy movie with doe-y eyed actress (Mia Sara) and a VERY young Tom Cruise (I've forgotten how blue his eyes are until I rewatched this), give this a go.

My Two Sen