MovieFanFare guest blogger Shawn McKenna is back to share his love of Asian cinema classics–this time focusing his gaze upon Akira Kurosawa’s renowned samurai film “Yojimbo,” starring Toshiro Mifune.
Read more →Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo
Movie Reviews
Read our takes on films of all kinds, from silent pictures and classics from Hollywood’s Golden Age to modern favorites. Comedy, Drama, Action, Horror/Sci-Fi, Musical, Western movies and more are reviewed.
The Wrong Man (1956): Hitchcock’s True-Crime Suspense Tale
Accused or robbery, a New York City jazz musician (Henry Fonda) is unable to prove police have arrested The Wrong Man. Guest writer KIm Wilson reviews Alfred Hitchock’s harrowing 1956 thriller, which was based on a true story.
Read more →The Chalk Garden: A Tale of Secrets and Passing Judgement
In a change of pace from her cheery Disney screen roles, Hayley Mills played an out-of-control teen counseled by new governess Deborah Kerr in 1964’s The Chalk Garden. Guest writer Toto2 reviews this provocative British drama.
Read more →The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
The quest for gold and a thirst for revenge sends gunslingers Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach on a collision course in The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Guest writer Jeff Pike critiques the good, bad and (yes) ugly in Sergio Leone’s landmark 1966 Italian western.
Read more →Watch the Birdie: Red Skelton’s a Slapstick Shutterbug
Lots of laughs develop when klutzy cameraman Red Skelton comes to the aid of heiress Arlene Dahl in Watch the Birdie. Guest writer Angela Petteys reviews the 1950 MGM comedy, which also stars Ann Miller.
Read more →The Most Dangerous Game: The Hunt Is On
Joel McCrea and Fay Wray are the quarry on deranged big-game hunter Leslie Banks’ island home in The Most Dangerous Game. Guest writer Barry P. is hot on the trail of this classic 1932 thriller from King Kong co-director Ernest B. Schoedsack
Read more →Hot Rods to Hell: When Teen Angst Hits the Road
Suburban marrieds Dana Andrews and Jeanne Crain and their two kids are terrorized along the desert highway by joy-riding teens in Hot Rods to Hell. Guest writer Jessica Perkins puts the pedal to the metal and reviews the cult 1967 action/drama.
Read more →J’Accuse (1919/1938): Abel Gance’s Haunting Anti-War Fables
As part of the World War One in Classic Film Blogathon, MovieFanFare compares French director Abel Gance’s two versions of his anti-war fantasy J’Accuse: a silent version shot during the conflict’s final moments, the remake made with Europe on the brink of World War II.
Read more →The Clock: Judy Garland and Robert Walker Find Time for Love
With only 48 hours’ furlough in New York before he returns to combat, soldier Robert Walker meets and falls for secretary Judy Garland in The Clock. Guest writer Kristen Lopez takes a few minutes to review this 1945 MGM romance, directed by Vincente Minnelli.
Read more →Pitfall (1948): Suburban, Middle-Class Film Noir
Film Noir’s dark shadows weren’t confined to dim city streets, as suburban family man Dick Powell found out to his regret in Pitfall. Rick29 shines a light on the 1948 United Artists thriller, which co-starred Jane Wyman, Lizabeth Scott and Raymond Burr.
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