Monthly Archives: February 2014

A more-or-less, based-on-a-true-story war film called “The Monuments Men,” released in 2014 (and playing in theaters now) tells the story of a group of art curators, architects, old book dealers and other art experts and their efforts to recover art … Continue reading →

“The Uninvited,” a 1944 Paramount film starring Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey, takes a keen interest in the paranormal. Unlike previous films featuring ghosts haunting gothic mansions, this film stays away from comedy and remains serious throughout. Milland plays Roderick … Continue reading →

The audience might not know what to make of the central character, Pontus, in the 1966 film “Sult” (or “Hunger” in English). The film, a co-production of artists in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, tells the story of Pontus’ efforts to … Continue reading →

The pairing of Paulette Goddard and Ray Milland worked well for Paramount Pictures in the 1940s. They did 4 films together, including “The Crystal Ball,” a 1943 film directed by Elliot Nugent. Goddard plays a down and out but still … Continue reading →

I’m wary of the cheap look of some independent films that seem like a couple of episodes of a cable TV show, with dialogue that seems improvised, way too many characters and shaky camerawork and production values. Thankfully, “Safety Not … Continue reading →

The title of the 1932 movie “Female” sounds provocative and melodramatic, as though the viewer can expect to learn something about the fairer sex. The plot concerns a very capable female auto executive named Alison Drake (Ruth Chatterton), who runs … Continue reading →

“Three on a Match,” a 1932 Warner Brother’s pre-code film takes on the friendship of 3 women who begin their social lives as very different personalities. The film opens their story at a New York public school, where the brash … Continue reading →

Warner Brothers wonderful early thirties musicals didn’t overtax themselves for a plot idea. They just put on a Broadway show at the end with lots of lead-in featuring backstage preparation and ambitious chorus girls. I find them quite funny and … Continue reading →