Blow Out (1981)
Absolutely superb film about a sound man (John Travolta) who records what appears to be an accident, however as the plot progresses we find out that it’s anything but. This is probably one of Travolta’s best performances since Saturday Night Fever.
4 out of 5 balls
Obvious Child (2014)
There’s a warmth, authenticity and genuineness to the characters in this film that feels very real. Obviously (badum tish) this movie isn’t for everyone, considering it deals with Abortion in a frank and honest way. It’s also very sharply written and very funny. I hope to see more from both this actress and the director in the future.
4 out of 5 balls
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
You probably couldn’t make something like this movie now, and certainly couldn’t have made it five years later, what with it’s strong anti-nationalist message. A great anti-war movie.
4 out of 5 balls
Safe in Hell (1931)
3 out of 5 balls
Night Nurse (1931)
Barbara Stanwyck (wistful sigh) is wonderful here. Clark Gable, known for playing somewhat heroic characters, here gives a rare performance as a complete bastard. Also there’s a fair amount of, totally necessary, scenes of the main characters undressing each other, in case you want to see that for some reason.
4 out of 5 balls
Baby Face (1933)
Extremely racey for it’s time, this film follows Barbara Stanwyck (wistful sigh) as a young woman who, after being exploited by her father for most of her life, turns the tables and starts exploiting men using her sexual prowess and sex appeal to get what she wants. Also a young John Wayne shows up, playing a complete pushover (yeah, I know!)
5 out of 5 balls
Gold Diggers of 1933
Simultaneously sexy, hilarious, and somewhat bleak, this film is absolutely wonderful. Aline MacMahon as Trixie is probably my favourite character in the movie, she has all the best lines (she actually reminds me a lot of an ex-girlfriend!)
5 out of 5 balls
42nd Street (1933)
Gold Diggers of 1935
No-where near as good as the 1933 film. It’s right at the start of the Breen Era of the hays code, and it shows. There’s none of the fun innuendo and sexiness of the last film. It’s not quite as fun.
2 out of 5 balls
The Brighton Strangler
Found out about this via the attaboy Clarence podcast (which is fantastic, I recommend you all to listen to it) while looking for more stuff on pre-code cinema. Don’t get me wrong, this movie is crap. But it’s that sort of charming, fun kind of crap. The acting is more wooden than a pine forest and you’d find better writing on a tin of soup (seriously, it has some of the most awful bits of exposition I’ve ever heard). It’s all very silly.
3 out of 5 canterburies