Reviews of Classic and Modern Movies in a Flash!
A mischievous fox named Todd (Mickey Rooney) and a young hound dog named Copper (Kurt Russell) become fast friends but are quickly separated by their masters. After all, they are natural enemies. When their paths cross again in adulthood they learn that even though they can’t live side by side, they will still have the memories of their bond.
Although serious and somewhat dark, this animated classic has plenty of humorous and touching moments. A must.
1hr. 23min.
Beau Bridges stars as Lt. Harry Faversham, the son of a career army officer, who has been bullied by his father to join the army. He is planning to resign and marry the beautiful but somewhat childish Ethne Eustace (Jane Seymour), but on the eve of his resignation he receives orders to move to the front in Sudan with his three close friends (also officers). In a rash act he burns their orders and resigns the next day. He is found out and branded a coward by his friends and the woman he loves, who each give him a white feather. Determined to in some way make them take them back, he travels to the front alone and realizes that his three comrades are all in peril. He decides to save them on his own, in a dazzling display of his military prowess and unflinching courage.
1hr. 40min.
When charming stranger Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) meets beautiful and equally charming Regina “Reggie” Lambert (Audrey Hepburn) there is an immediate attraction. There’s just one little complication, her husband has just died mysteriously and there are three dangerous men after something that he had and they’re positive he gave it to Reggie. Peter and Reggie must get to the bottom of the mystery while evading the three men, but Peter might not be who he says he is.
Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn were finally teamed in this film that has been called, “the best Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made”.
1hr. 53min.
Near the end of WWII, Ruby (Joanne Whalley) and her daughter Opal “Pug” (Alexa Vega) have been waiting for Ruby’s husband to return from the South Pacific after being reported missing in action three years before. They help an injured drifter named Tom (Sean Patrick Flanery) and he in turn helps them to bring their farm back to life. His mysterious past makes him the subject of gossip in the small town. It’s soon apparent that Tom easily fills the gap in Ruby’s and Pug’s lives, but as the war comes to an end their future becomes more uncertain in this poignant tale.
1hr. 41min.
In an unusual directorial turn for Otto Preminger, comes this western, starring the even more interesting pairing of Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. Matt (Mitchum) is a man with a past who just wants to start over with his young son Mark (Tommy Rettig). Kay (Monroe) is a saloon singer who dreams of a better life. Through the unscrupulous actions of her boyfriend Harry (Rory Calhoun), Kay, Matt and Mark must embark on a harrowing journey down the deadly River of No Return. They must survive, Indians, outlaws and the elements if they are to make it to safety and a new beginning.
The film was mostly shot in Banff and Jasper National Park and Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada.
1hr. 31min.
Legendary Bob Hope gives a hilarious performances as “Painless” Peter Potter, a dentist in the old west who got his degree by correspondence. Through a misunderstanding with a patient he is forced to flee town, joining a wagon train headed west. He also picks up a stowaway, beautiful and tough Calamity Jane (Jane Russell) who has a mission of her own. These two opposites form a dynamic duo as they must face outlaws, Indians and each other!
1hr. 32min.
John Wayne is Ethan Edwards the tough Civil War veteran who along with his adopted nephew Martin (Jeffrey Hunter), embark on a 5 year pursuit of his niece (Natalie Wood) who has been abducted by Comanche’s. The two cross paths with many colorful characters and breathtaking landscapes, but the most difficult journey lies within themselves.
Considered one of John Wayne’s best performances, in 1989 the film was deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress.
1hr. 59min.
Peter Falk stars as crotchety Abel Shaddick, owner of a delicatessen in a small town in Upstate New York. Through the thoughtless actions of his bum of a nephew, Andrew McCarthy, Abel finds himself responsible for young Herman Washington (Aaron Meeks) for two weeks.
The two have experienced plenty of prejudice and hate in their lives and at first turn some of their anger on each other. When they realize that they (although being separated by age) have a lot in common with each other, they forge a friendship that neither one of them would have thought was possible.
1hr. 34min.
Edith Adelon (Cari Shayne) is the young companion of Amy, daughter of the kindly Hamiltons (Meredith Baxter and Tom Conti). The family treat her as one of their own, as they live on their New England estate.
Into their lives come two people that will change their quiet existence forever; greedy and manipulative Ida Glenshaw (Brigid Brannagh) and kind and charming James Percy (Thomas Gibson). Despite the difference in their social circumstances Edith and James find themselves falling in love.
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s unpublished first novel, this story showed the future promise of her talent at drawing believable and memorable characters.
1hr. 35min.
Starring Lily James in the title role, this film follows the classic tale of Cinderella, as she patiently endures the spiteful treatment of her stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her stepsisters after her fathers death. Through a chance encounter in the woods she meets a charming and handsome young man (the prince! but she doesn’t know that). With the help of her fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) she arrives at the ball where the prince (Richard Madden) will choose his bride, but she only has ’til midnight.
The sets and costumes are eye-popping, the music sweeping and the story beautifully but simply told.
1hr. 45min.