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A few reviews . . (film or TV) — Page 179

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Time

The Secret War Of Harry Frigg - 1968 - 5/10

Spotty comedy of lowly private assigned to impersonate a general, and get himself captured by Italian forces.
Objective? Free several real generals held prisoner in a posh villa.
Once there, he relishes the luxury, as well as the lovely countess.
Why Paul Newman chose this turkey is beyond me.
He seems stiff and ill at ease throughout.
One would find better comedy watching Hogan’s Heroes reruns.

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 (Edited)

You Never Know Women - 1926 - 6/10

Vera is rescued at a construction site by a rich swell.
Each is smitten. She with his gallantry. He? Well, Vera is a peach.
She is also the star of a Russian circus, from where he attempts to lure her away.
Money, furs and easy comforts. Who cares about friends, family, colleagues, work?
A triangle develops, although Vera is unaware of partner Norodin’s feelings toward her,
Norodin’s act resembles Houdini’s water torture, by the way.
Nice little drama with impressive illusions.

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She Beast - 1966 - 5/10
AKA - Revenge Of The Blood Beast

“It looks like that bed could collapse at any moment.”
“Let’s risk it,” she laughs.
What could be more romantic? On your honeymoon, when your car breaks down in Transylvania.
Where your bride is body switched with a 300 year old, hideous witch.
The premise is sure enough, but the comedy dominates.
Moreover, it is silly bordering on stupid.
Looking for Barbara Steele? Hurry. Her scenes are few.

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Cliffhanger - 1993 - 7/10

Retired mountain ranger is asked to rescue a clutch of lost hikers.
Turns out, they are murderous thieves who have hijacked a cool $100 M.
Innocent survivors? None. Which our rescue team soon realize, foretelling their own fate.
One of the great action films of the 90’s before CGI replaced stunts, before heroes wore pajamas.
A crew of formidable villains, breathtaking scenery.
Probably my favorite movie by Stallone, and yes I know about the others.

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Black Bag - 2025 - 7/10

A colleague confirms George’s suspicion.
There is a traitor in the house, someone who’s gotten hold of something dangerous.
The list is a narrow five, one being George’s wife. Kathryn.
Exceptional espionage thriller, more of a chess match than stunts and explosives.
Think [U]Ipcress File[/U] rather than modern [U]Mission Impossibles[/U].
One watches master game players at work, not omni-talented heroes.
Fassbender and Blanchett work well as the secretive couple, but the entire cast is outstanding.
One of the best Soderbergh films I’ve viewed in a decade.

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Institute Benjamenta, Or This Dream People Call Human Life - 1995 - 6/10

Jakob arrives at the school that trains servants (household or civil, unstated).
There, aspirations and self-respect are stripped. One will become nothing.
Although the female head, Lisa, and Jakob seem to be attracted, little is done.
Rather, there is rising tension that never truly resolves.
Stark black and white is highly Expressionistic, and experimental.
In other hands, this might become a Gothic nightmare.
Here, events are like a hazy dream, watered-down Kafka.
I fell asleep twice and had to rewind.
The film has countless admirers, so I was justly curious … and disappointed.