Dark Crimes (2016 / 2018)

Dark Crimes (2016 / 2018)

C – 92m / 93m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: True Crimes
Inspired By The Article: “True Crime: A Postmodern Murder Mystery” by David Grann
Screenplay By: Jeremy Brock
Prod.: Brett Ratner
Assoc. Prod.: Jeremy Brock
Dir.: Alexandros Avranas
Starring:  Jim Carrey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Agata Kulesza and Parianna Figurska.

A murder investigation of a slain businessman turns to clues found in an author's book about an eerily similar crime. This abysmal monstrosity of a thriller has only the star powers of Jim Carrey and Charlotte Gainsbourg to recommend it. The aforementioned duo, Carrey and Gainsbourg, were in terrific shape as actors for this film. Otherwise the story is slight, there is never suspense formed at any time during the film, the script is weak and there is an excessive amount of material that could have and SHOULD HAVE been cut from this film. Even at a mere 93 minutes, this film is over–padded. If only Hollywood could bring back the days when films could be an hour in length and still be satisfying! If this had a better script and was 60 minutes instead of 93, the package of this film would have been in better shape. Sadly that is not the case. This fact alone may lead many viewers to either 1.) Skip this film, which is what this reviewer recommends doing, or 2.) Have their finger resting on the fast forward button on their remote, computer or phone. In any event, watch if you dare. Or be wise and see The Mask (1994) or Liar Liar (1997) for the hundredth time instead.    

Trivia:

This film shot for 32 days in Krakow, Poland. Marianna Figurska (Olga in the film) was Agata Kulesza’s real–life daughter. The article that his film is based on, “True Crime: A Postmodern Murder Mystery” by David Grann, told the strange true story of Krystian Bala, a writer who was arrested for the murder of a Polish businessman. A detective called Jacek, from the Wroclaw police department in Poland, investigated the crime unsuccessfully and yet three years later reopened the case because he read a mystery novel that described murders too close in detail to the case for it to have been a coincidence.    

Rated: [R] – Strong And Disturbing Violent / Sexual Content Including Rape, Graphic Nudity, & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy  

Gillian Flynn Films and Show

Gillian Flynn Films And Show

Gone Girl (2014)

C – 149m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Screenplay By: Gillian Flynn
Prod.: Reese Witherspoon
Dir.: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, David Clennon, Lisa Banes, Missi Pyle, Emily Ratajkowski, Casey Wilson, Lola Kirke, Boyd Holbrook, Sela Ward, Lee Norris, Jamie McShane, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Lynn Adrianna, Mark Atteberry, Darin Cooper, Kate Campbell, Brett Leigh, Antonio St. James, Lauren Glazier, Cooper Thornton, Casey Ruggieri, Cyd Strittmatter, Ashley Didion, L.A. Williams, Blake Sheldon, Ricky Wood, Fred Cross, Scott Takeda, Donna Rusch, Mark T. Anderson and Scoot McNairy.

With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it is suspected that he may not be innocent.

Trivia:

Ben Affleck postponed directing: Live By Night (2016), to work on this film. Affleck said of director David Fincher, “He’s the only director I’ve met who can do everybody else’s job better than they could.” One day on set Affleck changed the lens setting on a camera almost an indiscernible amount, betting a crewmember that Fincher wouldn’t notice. Affleck lost since David Fincher brought it up, saying, “Why does the camera look a little dim?” Ben Affleck’s weight fluctuated in the film, seeing him go from average build to muscular, as a result on him being cast as Batman in: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016). Rosamund Pike was cast as Amy because David Fincher felt that she was of ambiguous age in appearance – she could pass for someone older or someone younger.

 Reese Witherspoon obtained the film rights to Gone Girl from author Gillian Flynn and intended to use her production company to make it, with the idea of starring in it. After her meeting with David Fincher she realized she wasn’t right for the part and withdrew from contention for the lead female role. In addition to Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Abbie Cornish, Julianne Hough and Jessica Chastain were all considered for the role of Amy Dunne. For her performance Rosamund Pike drew inspiration from: Nicole Kidman in To Die For (1995), Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct (1992), and Carolyn Bessette–Kennedy. David Fincher had been known to cast actors in his films based on looks they gave in photos of them on the Internet. Fincher cast Ben Affleck in this film because of a certain grin that he had in about a dozen photos that Fincher had seen on the Internet.

Ben Affleck reportedly has quite extensive knowledge of 1980’s songs according to Tyler Perry. Perry played a game throughout the production of this film with Affleck, in which Perry would sing a song at random and see if Affleck knew the musical number. Reportedly this included show tunes, Barbra Streisand songs amongst many other songs. “The Bar” restaurant in this film became a real place right where the scenes there were filmed, in downtown Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Originally, Nick, played by Ben Affleck here, was to wear a New York Yankees cap. Affleck refused to wear it, as he was a die–hard Boston Red Sox fan. The disagreement shut down production for four days. He and director David Fincher finally compromised and Affleck wound up wearing the Mets cap you see in the scene. In the scene where Nick pushes Amy into the wall, Affleck used a tad too much force and almost gave Rosamund Pike a concussion. She was even quoted as saying that she had seen stars somewhere around take 18.

This was the first film in which Ben Affleck did full frontal nudity. He did it because David Fincher said he wanted this film to be like a European film, “warts and all” in terms of nudity. Fincher went on to say that it would be more realistic that way. This film became David Fincher’s highest grossing film at the box office up to the point of this film’s release, passing The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008). The character of Tanner Bolt was written as, “an Alec Baldwin type.” The whole play with the pens of different colors was Gillian Flynn’s visual solution to the translation to screen of Amy’s diary. Rosamund Pike told film critic Peter Travers that when David Fincher would catch her using her cellphone, he’d take a, “stern face,” selfie and send it to her, causing her to instantly stop using her phone and pocket it.

Most of the doors and windows in daytime interior scenes were fitted with green screens and had the background added in later, as it was impossible to expose for interiors without the outdoors blowing out. (This reviewer apologizes if there are too many outs there.) David Fincher cast Emily Ratajkowski on the recommendation of Ben Affleck who told Fincher to look at her performance in Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” Music Video. The character Ellen Abbott was loosely based on television host Nancy Grace. David Fincher shot some 500 hours of footage over the course of the 100–day shooting schedule, averaging five hours a day. This was the feature film debut of Carrie Coon. When Nick and Amy have sex in the library, they talk about Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austin. Rosamund Pike, who played Amy here, played Jane Bennet in: Pride & Prejudice (2005). Neil Patrick Harris’ character in this film is named Mr. Collings, which is very similar to Mr. Collins in Pride & Prejudice.

Ben Affleck and his character in this film, Nick Dunne, were both born on August 15th. Seth Rogan, Ryan Reynolds, Brad Pitt and Jon Hamm were all considered for the role of Nick Dunne at various points of pre–production. Hamm’s commitment on the AMC television show: Mad Men (2007–2015) prevented him from being able to do this film. Ben Affleck, who played Nick Dunne here, previously directed Jon Hamm in: The Town (2010). Coincidentally, Hamm was also considered for the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman in: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016), which also went to Ben Affleck. David Fincher said that when he was casting the title role for this film, he wanted a Faye Dunaway type actress, citing her specifically in the Roman Polanski film: Chinatown (1974). This film features the first script written by Gillian Flynn, author of the blockbuster book from which this is adapted. This was also the first adaption of any of Flynn’s written works. The name Schieber, from the character Sharon Schieber, was author, Gillian Flynn’s middle name. Originally David Fincher was supposed to direct: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Captain Nemo, but due to a complete halt in the production’s development, Fincher dropped out of the project, and quickly joined this one.

Nick Dunne always complained that his cellphone had no signal. A close–up of his phone showed it was T–Mobile, which at the time had questionable indoor signal strength due to the lack of lower operating spectrum. Nick and Margo Dunne, Ben Affleck and Carrie Coon respectively, were supposed to be twins. In real life Affleck and Coon had a 9–year age difference between them. The campground scene was filmed at Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant in southern Illinois, just south of Carbondale. The story of Gone Girl was set in North Carthage, Missouri. It was however filmed in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Casting of extras took place in the Rose Theatre of Southeast Missouri State University, also in Cape Girardeau. The old federal building at 339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was dressed as the North Carthage Police Department building. 

The videogame Nick Dunne played in this film was Battlefield 3 (2011) for PlayStation 3 (PS3). In the book, when Amy met Desi at the casino, a stranger interrupted their conversation to ask if Amy is related to the Enloe. In the acknowledgements Gillian Flynn thanked Detective Enloe of the Overland Park Police for answering her “42,000 e–mails.” In this film the line is still present, but the name was changed from Enloe to Nolan, the surname of Flynn’s spouse, Brett, and their children. An early draft of the screenplay for this film was 177 pages long. Had that been the draft that was used for shooting, the film would have been 2 hours 57 minutes long. The editing software that was used to edit this film was Adobe Premiere Pro CC.

One of Amy’s pink pens has a outline of a stork carrying a baby pouch, likely in reference to the topic Amy is writing about in her diary. After Amy disappeared and Nick and the detective go into Nick’s office to follow up on Amy’s first clue, there are two books of interest on his shelves: Manhood For Amateurs by Michael Chabon – nonfiction essays about being a husband that the mistakes and surprises of being a father, and Freedom by Jonathan Franzen – an American novel concerned with the themes of marriage. Gillian Flynn was originally going to call this film’s book Psycho Bitch, but changed her mind. There are even allusions to that in the book. At the volunteer center, Margo tells Nick, “You look like hammered shit.” This is the exact same line spoken by Drum (Tom Skerritt) in: Steel Magnolias (1989).

Ben Affleck’s character searching for a woman named Amy may bring to mind his role in the Kevin Smith film: Chasing Amy (1997).      

Oscar® nominated for: Best Actress – Rosamund Pike. Golden Globe® nominated for: Best Director – Motion Picture – David Fincher, Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama – Rosamund Pike, Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Gillian Flynn, and Best Original Score – Motion Picture.

Rated: [R] – A Scene Of Bloody Violence, Some Strong Sexual Content / Nudity & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Dark Places (2015)

C. – 113m.
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel Written By: Gillian Flynn
Starring: Charlize Theron, Nick Hoult, Christina Hendricks, Corey Stoll, Drea De Matteo, Chloe Grace Moretz and Sean Bridgers.

Thirty years after a young girl’s family is presumably murdered by a satanic cult, the young girl, now a woman, learns the truths about what really happened. Rarely does this happen to this reviewer, but it does happen occasionally: I don’t know how to review this film. It isn’t good and it isn’t bad, it just exists as a film. All aspects of the filmmaking is fine, I just don’t have a clear feeling on this one. Read the description of the film and judge for yourself.

Trivia:

During the scene where Libby encounters the Kill Club, source novel author Gillian Flynn has a brief cameo as the woman sitting in the chair with an axe across her lap. Amy Adams was originally cast in the lead role while this film was in development. When it came time to shoot the film, Amy Adams wasn’t available and was thus replaced by Charlize Theron. Amy Adams would go on to be cast in the lead of the limited run HBO television series Sharp Objects (2018), which was adapted from another Gillian Flynn novel – bearing the same title as the show. Christina Hendricks was originally cast as Krissi Cates and Samantha Morton was cast as Patty Day. When Morton dropped out just prior to filming, Hendricks took the role of Patty Day and Drea De Matteo took the role of Krissi Cates. Ben Day was seven years older than his sister Libby in the story. In real life, Charlize Theron, who plays Libby here, was a year older than Corey Stoll, who played Ben Day in this film. This film, which was originally slated for a 2014 release, was released on Charlize Theron’s 40th Birthday.   

Rated: [R] – Some Disturbing Violence, Language, Drug Use & Sexual Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Sharp Objects: The Complete Series (2018)

C. – +/- 480m. (8 Episodes, 60 Minutes–ish Each)
Novel Witten By: Gillian Flynn.
Exec. Pro.s: Amy Adams, Gillian Flynn and Jean–Marc Vallee. 
Dir.: Jean–Marc Vallee
Starring: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Matt Craven, Miguel Sandoval, April Brinson, Violet Brinson, Sydney Sweeney, Taylor John Smith, Elizabeth Perkins, Barbara Eve Harris, David Sullivan, Will Chase, Gracie Prewitt, Jessica Treska, Jackson Hurst, Aaron Holliday, Ryan James Nelson, Jennifer Aspen, Guy Boyd, Kaegan Baron, Betsy Baker, Cody Sullivan, Madison Davenport, Sophia Lillis, Randy Oglesby, Lauran September, Jean Villepique, Ericka Kreutz, Dylan Schombing, Lulu Wilson, Beth Broderick, Hilary Ward, D.B. Sweeney, Evan Castelloe and Lauren Dale Williams (uncredited).

A reporter must confront the demons of her past as she stays with her mother when she returns to her hometown to report on a murder. This limited run HBO television series was just as twisted as the novel it was adapted from. At that, the novel was just as twisted as Gillian Flynn’s other writings. To that end, this show may not be for all tastes. However, if one likes slow–burn gothic horror and / or the cast of this show, than this will be of interest. The acting, direction, scripts and cinematography are all solid. The editing is hit or miss however. There is also an uneven sound mix on this show (which appeared to be a fashion statement by Hollywood at the time it was shot and released / aired). This reviewer finds the pace just fine, however others may vary, and some may even think it is deliberately slow paced, not is a positive way. Story wise there are enough twists to keep one engaged.

The casting of Sophia Lillis as Amy Adams’ sister was a stroke of genus, though admittedly a somewhat obvious choice. Just like in: IT (2017), Lillis steals every scene she is in, which is no small feat given the presence of Amy Adams in the show. Adams herself gives yet another stunning performance that is also brilliantly nuanced. Like Gone Girl (2014), and unlike Dark Places (2015), the characters are well developed and stunningly enhanced by the actors. This comes recommended by this reviewer with the reminder and admission that this may not be for all tastes. 

Trivia:

This was the third Gillian Flynn novel to be adapted to the screen, this time a television screen. The other two were films: Gone Girl (2014) and Dark Places (2015). Amy Adams, who played the lead here, was originally cast in the film: Dark Places (2015) but dropped out just prior to filming. This limited run show was partially filmed in Barnesville, GA in the theme of Wind Gap, Missouri. It was also partially filmed in Mendocino and Lake Counties in Northern California. The titles of each of the episodes are the words that Camille carved into her skin. In the novel, the word, “Vanish,” is carved into the back of Camille’s neck, while in this show it is carved into her right forearm.

Rated: [TV–MA]

Red Sparrow (2018)

Red Sparrow (2018)

C – 140m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Based On The Novel: Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews
Screenplay By: Justin Haythe
Dir.: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Mary–Louise Parker, Joely Richardson, Bill Camp, Jeremy Irons, Thekla Reuten, Douglas Hodge, Sakina Jaffrey and David Z. Miller.

Ballerina Dominika Egorova, is recruited to “Sparrow School,” a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission, targeting a C.I.A. agent, threatens to unravel he security of both nations. Solid adaption of the best selling first book in the Sparrow trilogy offers a rather graphic approach to the material. The story is brutal and unrelenting but is masterfully told. The casting from A–Z is perfect, particularly Lawrence and Irons. The tension remains from the first jump at the beginning of the film until the last credit has rolled at the end of the film, which is quite a feat. For those who don’t like graphic anything (sex, language, violence, etc.) this film is not for you. For book purists, this film omits a few parts – particularly the Vladimir Putin character and storyline. The spy world hasn’t looked this good since: The Good Shepherd (2006)! As this was an adaption of the first book of a trilogy, as previously stated, the question is inescapable: Will the sequels be made into films? Here’s hoping, from this reviewer, that they are! Don’t miss this one!   

Trivia: The novel this was based on was by retired C.I.A. agent Jason Matthews and is the first book of a trilogy. The other two books in the trilogy were: Palace Of Treason and The Kremlin’s Candidate. The film rights to Red Sparrow were sold for a seven–figure sum before the novel was even completed. To prep for the role Jennifer Lawrence practiced ballet with instructor Kurt Froman for three hours a day for four months. She also practiced her Russian accent for the four–month duration. American ballet dancer Isabella Boylston was Jennifer Laurence’s dance double in the movie. In 2013, the same year the novel was published, Darren Aronofsky was in talks to direct it. He left the project when David Fincher was in talks to direct it with Rooney Mara starring in 2014. By September 2015 Francis Lawrence was set to direct with Jennifer Lawrence set to star.

This is Francis Lawrence’s fourth teaming with Jennifer Lawrence. The others being: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015). The plot and some scenes of Red Sparrow (2018) are similar to the made for Television film Secret Weapons (1985) which starred Linda Hamilton in the Dominika Egorova role and Sally Kellerman as the Matron character. And finally for film nudity buffs (forgive the redundancy): This film contains Jennifer Lawrence’s first fully nude scene.  

Rated: [R] – Strong Violence, Torture, Sexual Content, Language & Some Graphic Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Films (1960 – Present)

Ocean’s Films (1960 – Present)

After the moderate success of Some Came Running (1958) and the failure of The Thin Man: The Television Show (1957–1959), in 1959, Peter Lawford approached Frank Sinatra with a project about a group of old paratroopers who pull off a big heist in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Both Sinatra and Lawford agreed (one of the few times they did) that it would be a good vehicle for “The Summit” (“The Rat Pack”). With five out of the eleven heisters automatically cast, the rest was just phone calls away. The production occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada on sets mostly, but when they could they would shoot in the casinos. At night the Sinatra and the guys (some say, “boys”) would, “play,” at The Sands Hotel and Casino, Sinatra’s favorite place. They would hold court with some booze but mostly props of various kinds and do shows from around 8:00pm or 9:00pm at night and get done around 2:00am or 3:00am in the morning. If Martin or anyone else, who didn’t want to spend the rest of the night awake talking to Frank until production resumed the next morning, were lucky, they would get to bed around that time and get a few hours rest before the events would repeat the next day.

Those shows featured some of the best in the entertainment world, both on the stage and ringside (audience). On a given night, aside from seeing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, one could see Milton Berle, Red Skelton, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett, Shirley MacLaine, Bob Hope, and / or other notables, including the spouses of said performers. Language was sometimes course but the jokes were always funny and the songs were standards for each of the singers. Sometime a novelty song would show up. No one was safe from the barbs and if a known comedian was in the audience, you could bet (it was Las Vegas after all) that he or she would be called to the stage to do a bit of their act or interact with the boys. The shows proved so popular that they became a regular thing over the years both in Vegas and in later years on the road. Some clips of various shows can be found on YouTube (The Summit or The Rat Pack At The Sands or At The Copacabana). There is also a special from the 1960’s that Sinatra and company did for charity with Johnny Carson on closed circuit television. While this would give you a more complete and sanitized version of what a given show would look like, please do not mistake it for what was being done in Vegas at the time of the filming of Ocean’s 11 (1960).

Getting back to that production: The result of the long days during the production schedule is a movie that has painted Las Vegas as an adult’s playground for over 50 years. It was remade in 2001, which then spun off a series, ending in 2007, and that series in turn spun off a all female series starting in 2018. Below are the film reviews and notes accompanying each series.

Ocean’s 11 (1960)

C – 127m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s Eleven
Story: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay: Harry Brown and Charles Lederer
Uncredited Contribution: Billy Wilder
Prod. – Dir.: Lewis Milestone
Assoc. Prod.: Henry W. Sanicola
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, Angie Dickinson, Richard Conte, Cesar Romero, Patrice Wymore, Joey Bishop, Akim Tamiroff, Henry Silva, Ilka Chase, Buddy Lester, Richard Benedict, Jean Willes, Norman Fell, Clem Harvey, Hank Henry, Red Skelton, George Raft, Robert Brice, John Holland, Murray Alper, Don Anderson, Don “Red” Barry, Majorie Bennett, Richard Boone, Paul Bryar, John Craven, Gregory Gaye, John George, Hoot Gibson, Joe Gray, Brad Harris, Shirley MacLaine, Charles Meredith, Anne Neyland, William H. O’Brien, Steve Pendleton, Jack Perrin, Carmen Phillips, Fred Rapport, Joan Staley and George E. Stone.
Music: Nelson Riddle
Songs: “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen – Performed by: Dean Martin
“Eee-O-Eleven” – Performed By: Sammy Davis, Jr.

A group of WWII paratroopers join forces to pull of the biggest heist in Las Vegas history: five hotels / casinos in one night – New Year’s Eve! Splendid fun with The Summit / “Rat Pack” offers plenty of laughs and some fun music. Be aware that some of the humor is considered racist by today’s standards but was meant in fun and as social commentary back when the film was made and released. That noted, the film has fine performances, is light fare and has music that will have one bouncing in time with it. Pacing may be slow for kids but teens on should be able to appreciate the film.

Trivia: Sammy Davis, Jr. was not allowed to stay at any of the major hotels / casinos in Vegas until Frank Sinatra and separately Jerry Lewis confronted them (the casinos / hotels) about it, thus breaking the color barrier. Patrice Whymore adlibbed throwing the candy dish during that scene with Sinatra and his friends, hence the genuine look of surprise on their faces. Shirley MacLaine adlibbed her drunk cameo and got a car as compensation from Warner Brothers. Her line, “I’m so drunk I don’t think I lay down without holding on,” was a rehash of a line attributed to Dean Martin that was actually Martin quoting comedian Joe E. Lewis. MacLaine filmed her cameo while on a break from Billy Wilder’s The Apartment (1960). She said she took the job, although compensated as noted with a car, as an excuse to hang out with Sinatra and company and see their Vegas show. Tony Curtis, Jackie Gleason and Milton Berle were all originally offered Cameo roles.

Additional Trivia Note: There were reported high-jinx of firecrackers being set off in one another’s shoes, and other pranks; like locking one another in the bathroom performed by Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Bishop and Lawford during the filming of this movie. Wouldn’t it have been great to have some of that available on the video releases?!  And / or some outtakes?!

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

 After the mild success of the Ocean’s 11 film, Frank Sinatra and his group would, in various forms go on to make other films together. Starting from the beginning, just prior to Ocean’s Eleven, they go as follows:

1.) Some Came Running (1958) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine (See review)
2.) The Thin Man: The Television Show (1957–1959) – Peter Lawford – guest star Frank Sinatra (See review)
3.) Ocean’s 11 (1960) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, Pater Lawford, Henry Silva, Cesar Romero etc. (as noted above). (See above review)
4.) Sergeants 3 (1962) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford – the boys out west ripping off Gunga Din. (See review)
5.) Convicts 4 (1962) featured Ben Gazzara of John Cassavetes’ “Rat Pack” and Sammy Davis, Jr., amongst many notable others.  (See review)
6.) The Road To Hong Kong (1962) – A series entry in the Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour series noted for a huge amount of cameos. Amongst them: Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra (as it pertains to this entry – see other entries for more information). (See review)
7.) The Manchurian Candidate (1962) – Frank Sinatra, and others as noted in the blog about the two titled films, features Henry Silva from Ocean’s 11.
8.) Johnny Cool (1963) – Henry Silva, Sammy Davis, Jr., many other notables and Executive Produced by Peter Lawford. (See review)
9.) Come Blow Your Horn (1963) – Stars Frank Sinatra with a cameo by Dean Martin. (See review)
10.) 4 For Texas (1963) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others…
11.) Robin And The Seven Hoods (1964) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., others from Ocean’s 11, Bing Crosby from Road To Hong Kong (1962), Peter Falk from John Cassavetes’ “Rat Pack” and several other notable folks.
12.) Marriage On The Rocks (1965) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Cesar Romero amongst other notables. (See review)
13 & 14.) The Tony Rome films (Tony Rome (1967) and Lady In Cement (1968) – see the blog about them for details) featured “in” jokes by Sinatra about Davis, Martin and some of his (Sinatra’s) romantic history. Actor Richard Conte also starred in the films with Sinatra. (See review)
15 – 19.) The Matt Helm films (1966 – 1968) featured Dean Martin taking joking jabs at Frank Sinatra. (See review)
20 & 21.) And Salt And Pepper (1968) and One More Time (1970) teamed Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Lawford, the latter being directed by Jerry Lewis. (See review)
22.) Contract On Cherry Street – Starring Frank Sinatra and Henry Silva, amongst others.
23 & 24.) The Cannonball Run (1981) – A huge cast that included Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.… & The Cannonball Run II (1984) – In addition to the big cast that features Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra has a cameo. (See review)

None of this includes the numerous television specials and appearances by the various members of the Ocean’s group in which there may be other members or joking references to other members.

Some 40 years after Ocean’s 11 (1960), George Clooney and his, for lack of a better term, “Rat Pack” did a trilogy of Ocean’s films. Below are the reviews.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

C – 116m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s 11, O11, 11
Original Story: George Clayton Jonson and Jack Golden Russell
Original Screenplay: Harry Brown and Charles Lederer
Original Uncredited Contribution: Billy Wilder
Screenplay: Ted Griffin
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Paul L. Nolan, Bernie Mac, Brad Pitt, Mark Gantt, Tim Perez, Elliott Gould, Frank Patton, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Miguel Perez, Shaobo Qin, Carl Reiner, Lennox Lewis, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Michael DeLano, Julia Roberts, Robin Sachs, J.P. Manoux, Jerry Weintraub, Henry Silva, Eydie Gorme, Angie Dickinson, Steve Lawrence, Wayne Newton, Rusty Meyers, Scott L. Schwartz, Don Cheadle (uncredited), Holly Marie Combs, Jaime Gallagher, Steven Soderbergh, Emanuel Steward, Barry Watson and Shane West.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh

Danny Ocean assembles eleven guys to rob three casinos in Las Vegas simultaneously and tries to win back his ex–wife. Fairly quick paced action thriller that reimagines the, “…11”, story for the modern age comes off well. Almost everything works here, especially the major misdirection of the story. A worthy remake!

Trivia: The script was sent to Julia Roberts with a $20 bill attached with a note from George Clooney saying, “I hear you’re getting 20 a picture now.” This was a joke in reference to Julia Roberts being the highest paid actress at $20 Million per picture at the time. Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson were offered the roles of the brothers Virgil and Turk but they dropped out to make The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Danny Glover also turned down the role of Frank Catton. Bruce Willis was originally cast as Danny Ocean, the part Clooney plays. Don Cheadle plays a major role but is uncredited. Andy Garcia said it wasn’t easy to do a serious scene with Carl Reiner because Reiner was so funny.

Steven Soderbergh wanted to shoot the film in black and white. Warner Brothers said he could do so only if he drastically reduced the cost of the film, so he changed his mind. Henry Silva and Angie Dickinson, from the original film, make cameos here. This was Silva’s final film as he retired after it. Casey Affleck and Scott Caan adlibbed some of their lines. George Clooney and the other guys would pull pranks on Julia Roberts, like leaving a request for a 5am wakeup call on days when she didn’t need to be on the set until Noon / 12:00pm. Julia Roberts filmed all her scenes in two weeks. Jon Favreau was offered a chance to write the screenplay but turned it down. Alan Arkin was cast as Saul Bloom but dropped out for personal reasons. Don Rickles was also an early choice to play Saul Bloom. Johnny Depp was considered for the role of Linus Caldwell, the part Matt Damon plays. 

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Language & Sexual Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Twelve (2004)

C – 125m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Honor Amongst Thieves, Ocean’s 12
Characters Created By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay By: George Nolfi
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta–Jones, George Clooney, Ed Kross, Julia Roberts, Don Tiffany, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Mini Anden, Shaobo Qin, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle, Jared Harris, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner, Eddie Jemison, Elliott Gould, Nerissa Tedesco, Robbie Coltrane, Vincent Cassel, Eddie Izzard, Michael DeLano, Scott L. Schwartz, Albert Finney and Bruce Willis.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh (as Peter Andrews)

Danny Ocean recruits one more team member so he can pull of three major European heists. While this is an okay sequel, it does drag a bit and the scenes with Zeta–Jones feel a tad too rushed and forced. The subplot with Bruce Willis is amusing though. Solid entertainment but nothing special in this reviewer’s opinion… Others may vary. 

Trivia: It is reported that in the rough draft of the script Clint Eastwood was penciled in for a cameo as Linus’ (Matt Damon) father, Bobby Caldwell. Peter Fonda filmed the cameo as Linus’ father but it didn’t make the final cut of the film. Ricky Gervais turned down the role of Basher’s engineer. Bruce Willis, who was originally cast as Danny Ocean in the first film plays himself here.

Rated: [PG–13] – Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)

C – 122m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Danny Ocean 13, Ocean’s 13
Characters By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay: Brian Koppelman and David Levien
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Michael Mantell, Elliott Gould, Ray Xifo, Al Pacino, Adam Lazarre–White, Eddie Jemison, Don Cheadle, Shaobo Qin, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Eddie Izzard, Maggie Rowe, Ellen Barkin, Jerry Weintraub, Steven Lambert, Jon Wellner, David Paymer, Vincent Cassel, Andy Garcia, Bob Einstein, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Harney, James DuMont and Scott L. Schwartz.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh (as Peter Andrews)

Danny Ocean rounds up the boys for a third heist after casino owner Willy Bank double crosses one of the original eleven, Reuben Tishkoff. The third in a trilogy almost never works as well at the first, with few exceptions. This is one of those! The action and suspense are high and the pace is perfect. It hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until the very end of the film. Great use of the Frank Sinatra song: “This Town”! Everyone is in top form here.

Trivia: Matt Damon’s scene was shot in London while he was filming The Bourne Ultimatum (2007). Linus’ fake nose scheme is called, “The Brody,” after actor Adrien Brody. Al Pacino shot all his scenes in three weeks.

Rated: [PG–13] – Brief Sexuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

A decade after the final Ocean’s outing for Clooney and the boys, the idea of doing an all female Ocean’s film was floated and people liked the idea. This was set to be the start of a series. Below is the review.

Ocean’s Eight (2018)

C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s 8
Based On The Characters Created By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Story By: Gary Ross
Screenplay By: Gary Ross and Olivia Milch
Prod.: Steven Soderbergh
Dir.: Gary Ross
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchette, Griffin Dunne, Deidre Goodwin, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Gemma Forbes, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Elliot Gould, Richard Armitage, Charlotte Kirk, David Gibson, Dakota Fanning, James Corden, Hailey Baldwin (uncredited), Katie Holmes (uncredited), Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian West (uncredited), Jaime King (uncredited), Olivia Munn (uncredited), Matt Damon (scene deleted) and Carl Reiner (scene deleted).

 Debbie Ocean gathers together a crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City’s annual Met Gala. Smart spin off of the Clooney remake / series of Ocean’s Eleven (2001–2007). Sandra Bullock plays the late Danny Ocean’s (George Clooney’s) sister who just out of jail puts together a crew of 8 women to pull of a Jewelry heist. There are some nice subtle touches to the film. The presence of “These Boots Are Made For Walking” on the soundtrack is a nod to the fact that Frank Sinatra was in the original Ocean’s 11 (1960), for example. James Corden plays Caesar Romero’s part of insurance investigator to the hilt. The comedy is witty, the acting is good, an attractive cast to be sure, pacing is good and the one–two punch of the real way the heist went down at the end of the film stands up against the Clooney series surprises. Don’t miss this one!   

Trivia: Elliot Gould, Matt Damon and Carl Reiner are the only three of the cast of the Clooney Ocean’s trilogy to appear in the film, though Soderbergh did produce. Elizabeth Banks was approached about a role but dropped out. Sarah Paulson was later cast. Cate Blanchett has the Brad Pitt role in this one. Jennifer Lawrence was offered a role but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts.

Rated: [PG–13] – Language, Drug Use, & Some Suggestive Content
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Hangman (2017)

Hangman (2017)

C – 98m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Hangman: The Killing Game
Starring: Al Pacino, Karl Urban, Brittany Snow, Sarah Shahi, Joe Anderson, Michael Papajohn, Steve Coulter and Michael Rose.

A homicide detective teams up with a criminal profiler to catch a serial killer whose crimes are inspired by the children’s game Hangman. The premise of the film is fairly simple and therefore could have been good or sucked. Thankfully it is the former. This reviewer is on the fence as to the star rating for the film. Due to being impressed with how well the suspense was built several times this could easily fallen into the 3.5 star rating, however, to play it safe it is at the very least the three stars indicated. The acting is satisfactory though unremarkable, though Al Pacino appears to be gliding through the film with his performance. This reviewer also has the nagging question of: Why does Pacino have a semi–Southern accent and no one else does? That point is never explained and is the only major complaint about the film for this reviewer. As noted the suspense is well built, particularly during the train track sequence. The story is basic but serves its purpose well. Worth a look.  

Trivia: This is the 9th time Al Pacino has played a police detective or law enforcement agent. The others were: Serpico (1973), Cruising (1980), Sea Of Love (1989), Heat (1995), Insomnia (2002), 88 Minutes (2007), Righteous Kill (2008), and Son Of No One (2011). This is the second time Joe Anderson was in a serial killer plotted project. The first was the television show: Hannibal (2013–2015).

Rated: [R] – Violent Content, Bloody Images, & Language|
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Christina Ricci Lizzie Borden Film & Show (2014 & 2015)

 Lizzie Borden Took An Axe (2014)

C – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 / 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Lizzie Borden Took An Ax
Writer: Stephen Kay
Dir.: Nick Gomez
Starring: Christina Ricci, Clea DuVall, Gregg Henry, Stephen McHattie, Shawn Doyle, Sarah Botsford, Jeremy Akerman, Brett Donahue, John Dunsworth and Andrew Gillies.

The true story of Lizzie Borden, a woman tried and acquitted in the 1892 murders of her father and stepmother. “Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks. When she’d seen what she had done, she gave her father 41.” The premise is simple the acting is solid. The only thing out of place is punk rock – ish music playing in a film set in 1892. Still, this reviewer enjoyed the film that did it first: A Knight’s Tale (2001). So why complain too much with it here? Christina Ricci and the cast are capable but the presentation is average. This spawned the limited series: The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015), A.K.A.: Lizzie Borden: The Fall River Chronicles.

Rated: [TV–14]
Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles: The Complete Series (2015)

C – 337m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 / 1.78:1 – Widescreen
AKA: Lizzie Borden: The Fall River Chronicles
Exec. Prod.: Christina Ricci
Starring: Christina Ricci, Clea DuVall, Cole Hauser, Dylan Taylor, John Ralston, Jeff Wincott, Jonathan Banks, John Heard, Kenneth Welsh, Stephen McHattie, Bill Carr, Chris Lawrence.

Fictionalized account of the actual events and people surrounding Lizzie Borden after her controversial acquittal of the double murder of her father and stepmother in 1892. Vivid characters help boost this above the original movie, Lizzie Borden Took An Axe (2014). The stories of the episodes are even more lively than that of the film and the body count is greater than two, which helps. Not for the squeamish but not the most violent thing to view either. Christina Ricci, as always in this reviewer’s opinion, is in good form and she commendably produced this project. This was a limited run series. 

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

The Lodger Films (1927–2009)

The Lodger (1926 / 1927)

B&W – 98m (Ontario, Canada) / 92m (Theatrical) / 90m (2012 Restoration & TCM Print) / 74m (National Film Archive Print) / 67m (VHS)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
A.K.A.: The Lodger: A Story Of The London Fog
Novel: The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Play: “The Lodger” by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Scenario By: Eliot Stannard
Uncredited: Sir Alfred Hitchcock
Prod.: Michael Balcon
Dir.: Sir Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Marie Ault, Arthur Chesney, June Tripp, Malcolm Keen, Ivor Novello, Reginald Gardiner, Eve Gray, Sir Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville.
Script Supervisor: Elma Reville

SILENT FILM

A landlady suspects her new lodger is the madman killing women in London. The first surviving Jack The Ripper film boasts of the talents of Alfred Hitchcock, his wife Alma Reville and actor Reginald Gardiner. As it is a silent film it helps to pay attention when watching the film and not try to multitask. The film is dated and stilted but worth watching for the fact that it was Hitchcock’s first suspense film and the first surviving Jack The Ripper film. 

Trivia: This was the first Sir Alfred Hitchcock film in which Hitchcock had cameo. For the opening of the film Hitchcock wanted the Avenger’s murder victim being dragged out of The Thames River with the Charing Cross Bridge in the background. His request to shoot the scene was turned down by Scotland Yard. After several more appeals to the Yard, Hitch got his answer when they agreed to look the other way if he could shoot it in one night. Hitch sent the cameraman and his actors to shoot the scene. After the film was developed they searched frantically for the scene. It was discovered that the cameraman forgot to load the lens on the camera before shooting the scene. The original story had hints of homosexuality and incest but Ivor Montagu changed that by removing title cards, bringing the number from 400 down to 80, at the behest of producer Michael Balcon.

The book is supposedly based on a story told to painter Walter Richard Sickert, writer Patricia Cornwell’s pick for who was Jack The Ripper, by a landlady who made the claim that her last lodger was Jack The Ripper. This was the film debut of Reginald Gardiner. Ivor Novello reprised his role in the first talkie remake of this film: The Phantom Fiend (1932).

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy separate and as part of The Criterion Collection

The Phantom Fiend (1932)

B&W – 67m (Full Running Length – beware of shorter prints)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
A.K.A.: The Lodger
Novel: The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes (as Mrs. Belloc Lowndes)
Scenario By: Miles Mander and Paul Rotha
Adapted For The Screen By: H. Fowler Mear
Uncredited: Ivor Novello
Dir.: Maurice Elvey
Starring: Ivor Novello, Elizabeth Allan, A.W. Baskcomb and Jack Hawkins.

A landlady suspects her new lodger is the man killing women in London. Interesting but somewhat lesser version of the Sir Alfred Hitchcock classic. Hitch had the visual flair while this relies on the new addition of sound. Still it does build some suspense. Worth a look.

Trivia: This film is in public domain. Ivor Novello reprised his role from the classic Sir Alfred Hitchcock Film. Hitchcock was asked to direct but declined. 

Available on DVD, Digital Copy & on YouTube

The Lodger (1944)

B&W – 84m
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen (Theatrical Ratio) / 1.34:1 – Fullscreen (Blu–ray Ratio)
A.K.A.: Jack The Ripper
From The Novel: The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Screenplay By: Barre Lyndon
Dir.: John Brahm
Starring: Merle Oberon, George Sanders, Laird Cregar, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Sara Allgood, Aubrey Mather, Queenie Leonard, Doris Lloyd, Billy Bevan, Edmund Breon, Ruth Clifford, Herbert Clifton, Cyril Delevanti, Frank Elliott, Herbert Evans, Kit Guard, Gerald Hamer, Lumsden Hare, Forrester Harvey, Stuart Holmes, Boyd Irwin, Colin Kenny, Skelton Knaggs, Anita Sharp–Bolster, C. Montague Shaw, Ethel Sherman, Will Stanton and Frederick Worlock. Cinematography By: Lucien Ballard

A landlady suspects her new lodger of being Jack The Ripper. Splendid remake of the Hitchcock classic and subsequent 1932 remake that also starred Ivor Novello. Cinematography is wonderful! Oberon is stunning and Cregar is menacing. The suspense builds wonderfully and this reviewer will admit to having nightmares based on the ending chase. A must watch!

Trivia: Merle Oberon fell in love with the cinematographer, Lucien Ballard, and they were married the following year. Because of a car accident Oberon was in she had facial scars. Ballard created a way of lighting her that would wash out the scars. This technique is still called: “The Obie”, not to be confused with the Off–Broadway award. Laird Cregar’s screen presence created such a stir 20th Century Fox planned to cast him in many more roles capitalizing on his role here. The first of which was Hangover Square (1945). Unfortunately Cregar suffered a fatal heart attack and Hangover Square was released posthumously. This was filmed in 1943 and released in 1944. This film was remade by 20th Century Fox as: Man In The Attic (1953), which was filmed on the same sets and reused footage of the London police chasing Jack The Ripper on the rooftops. The sequence of the killing at the beginning of the picture was ordered to be placed there by studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Man In The Attic (1953)

B&W – 82m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen
Novel: The Lodger By Marie Belloc Lowndes
Screenplay By: Robert Presnell, Jr. and Barre Lyndon
Exec. Prod.: Leonard Goldstein
Prod.: Robert L. Jacks
Dir.: Hugo Fregonese
Starring: Jack Palance, Constance Smith, Byron Palmer, Frances Bavier, Rhys Williams, Sean McClory, Leslie Bradley, Lester Matthews, Harry Cording, Lisa Daniels, Lilian Bond, Isabel Jewell, Rama Bai, Chet Brandenburg, Morgan Brown, Noble ‘Kid’ Chissell, Franklyn Farnum, Stuart Holmes, Michael Jeffers, Colin Kenny, Sylvia Lewis, Mickey Martin, Monty O’Grady, Joe Phillips, Bob Reeves, Cosmo Sardo and Ben Wright.

After an enigmatic, self–described pathologist rents the attic room of a Victorian house, his landlady begins to suspect that her lodger is Jack The Ripper. A near miss of a film remake of The Lodger suffers from stuffy scripting and over–acting. Likely best to skip this one.

Trivia: This film is in “public domain”. This is 20th Century Fox’s second stab at The Lodger story. Film debut of Lisa Daniels.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

The Lodger (2009)

C – 95m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
Novel: The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Writer – Dir.: David Ondaatje
Starring: Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Shane West, Donal Logue, Philip Baker Hall, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rebecca Pidgeon and Simon Baker.

A couple rents out a room to a mysterious young man, who may or may not be guilty of a series of grisly neighborhood murders. While there are historical inaccuracies in this version, as with any other version, the film is a smart updating of the classic novel. Be aware that this is a premise only remake. Obviously Jack The Ripper was seldom mentioned in 2009. Worth a look as a completion of The Lodger story.

Trivia: Annie Chapman was Jack The Ripper’s second victim, not his fourth victim. Liz Stride and Catherine Eddowes were killed on the same night but in different locations unlike what is stated here.

Rated: [R] – Violent Content, Language & Brief Nudity
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper Films

A Study In Terror (1965 / 1966)

C – 95m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper, Fog
Characters By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Loosely Adapted From The Novel: A Study In Terror by Ellery Queen (Daniel Nathan / Fredric Dannay and Emanuel Benjamin Lepofsky / Manfred Bennington Lee) 
Original Story By: Jim O’Connolly
Screenplay By: Donald Ford and Derek Ford
Dir.: James Hill
Starring: John Neville, Donald Houston, John Fraser, Anthony Quayle, Barbara Windsor, Adrienne Corri, Frank Finlay, Judi Dench, Cecil Parker, Georgia Brown, Barry Jones, Robert Morley, Peter Carsten, Christiane Maybach and Patrick Newell. 

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson join the hunt for the notorious serial killer, Jack The Ripper. Slick loose adaption of the Ellery Queen classic novel features an interesting take on The Ripper story. The novel it is loosely adapted from has the Holmes story framed by armchair detective / writer Ellery Queen reading the manuscript by Dr. John H. Watson. This film is simply the Holmes Vs. The Ripper story that Queen was, “reading”… For what it was at the time the film does a swift job of telling the story, though there are many loose ends not so well tied up. Still, it is of interest for Ripperphiles and should be screened with Murder By Decree (1979).   

Trivia: The close of the film, set a Baker Street eludes to The Adventure Of The Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Frank Finlay also plays Inspector Lestrade in: Murder By Decree (1979). Anthony Quayle appears in both films as well. John Neville reprised his role as Sherlock Holmes on Broadway in the 1970’s. Robert Stephens was the first choice to play Sherlock Holmes here; he would go on to do so in 1970 and Thorley Walters was the first choice for Dr. Watson. Jim O’Connolly was at first attached to direct the film. Mary Anne Nichols, The Ripper’s first victim, bought a hat that she was proud of the night she was murdered. This bit of info was given to his third victim in this film: “Long Liz” – Elizabeth Stride. The final victim, Mary Jane Kelly’s one room flat was historically located on the first floor.

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Murder By Decree (1979)

C – 124m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Sherlock Holmes: Murder By Decree, Sherlock Holmes And Saucy Jack
Characters By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Book: The Ripper File by Elwyn Jones, Stephen Knight and John Lloyd
Screenplay By: John Hopkins
Novelization By: Robert Weverka
Prod. – Dir.: Bob Clark
Starring: Christopher Plummer, James Mason, David Hemmings, Susan Clark, Anthony Quayle, John Gielgud, Frank Finlay, Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold, June Brown, Hilary Sesta, Anthony May, Ann Mitchell and Iris Fry.

Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders committed by Jack The Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer. Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper once again – basic but fun. The ending feels a tad rushed but the film is entertaining. For a shoe–string budget film, this is quite impressive. Worth a look and should be on a double bill with A Study In Terror (1965). 

Trivia: Alien (1979) was filming concurrently with this film, Murder By Decree (1979). Peter O’Toole was originally cast as Sherlock Holmes with Sir Laurence Olivier as Dr. Watson. Director Bob Clark had to research to see if the word, “fart,” existed in 1888, it was. According to Bob Clark the film’s budget was less than $4 million. Christopher Plumber, who plays Sherlock Holmes here, was a cousin of Nigel Bruce, who played Dr. Watson to Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes from 1939 – 1946. Plummer previously played Holmes in the tele-movie: The Sunday Drama: The Silver Blaze (1977). Frank Finlay also played Inspector Lestrade in A Study In Terror (1965). Anthony Quayle also was in that film. This was the first Ripper film released in 1979. The other was: Time After Time (1979).

Rated: [PG]
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

From Hell (2001)

C – 122m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Jack
Graphic Novel By: Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
Screenplay By: Terry Hayes and Rafael Yglesias
Exec. Prod.s – Dir.s: Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes
Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Sir Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Sir Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng, Katrin Cartlidge, Terence Howard, Susan Lynch, Lesley Sharp, Annabelle Apsion, Joanna Page, Mark Dexter, Sophia Myles, Donald Douglas, John Owens, Ian McNeice, Vincent Franklin, Anthony Parker, James Greene, Dominic Cooper and Carey Thring.

In Victorian Era London, a troubled clairvoyant police detective investigates the murders of Jack The Ripper. Other critics and film historians panned this film thoroughly. This reviewer on the other hand loves this film. The period detail is fairly good, the CGI and makeup are great and the story is basically Sherlock Holmes, as a clairvoyant, chasing Jack The Ripper, as previously depicted in A Study In Terror (1965/1966) and Murder By Decree (1979). The cast plays this to the hilt and it has some wonderful visuals – the red London skyline and the drugged visions of the streets including The Elephant Man – Joseph Carey Merrick ( incorrectly called: “John Merrick”). There is also great attention paid to the details of The Ripper’s crimes. A must!  

Trivia: Heather Graham almost went into softcore pornography until she got her role in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), then, subsequently made this film where she plays a prostitute. Real photos of The Ripper’s victims were pinned to the walls of the police station set. The directors did this to unnerve the actors in order to get better performances out of them. Commissioner of Police Sir Charles Warren never really visited the site of the fifth ripper victim as he was relieved of his duties, forced resignation, prior to the final victim’s murder. Daniel Day–Lewis, Sir Sean Connery, Jude Law and Brad Pitt were all either, considered, wanted or interviewed for the role that went to Johnny Depp. Sir Nigel Hawthorne was set to play Sir William Gull, played here by Sir Ian Holm, but had to drop out due to being terminally ill with cancer. As noted Sir Ian Holm replaced him. Sir Nigel Hawthorne died in 2001. Around the time of this film William Friedkin was trying to set up The Diary Of Jack The Ripper as a film with Sir Anthony Hopkins. This was the film debut of Dominic Cooper and the final film of Katrin Cartlidge who died from food poisoning at the age of 41 on September 7, 2002.  

Rated: [R] – Strong Violence / Gore, Sexuality, Language & Dug Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Suddenly (1954 & 2013)

Suddenly (1954)

B&W / Colorized – 75m
Aspect Ratio: 1.75:1 – Widescreen / 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
Written For The Screen By: Richard Sale
Dir.: Lewis Allen
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, James Gleason, Nancy Gates, Willis Bouchey, Paul Frees, James O’Hara, Clark Howat and Charles Smith.

In the town of Suddenly, three gangsters trap a family in their own house with the intention of assassinating the president. The film starts off in a dreamlike state, indicative of a small town in the 1950’s and builds from there. While the film is fine as a character study and does have a fair amount of suspense even today, it does not nearly reach the crescendo of tension that one can find in news broadcasts (as of 2016). The acting is to be admired though.

Trivia: The most commonly found print of this film is the Fullscreen print because it is in Public Domain. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) runs the Widescreen print on television and that format is on disc through The Film Detective Restored Edition. There is also a Colorized version of this film. In the Colorized edition of the film: Frank Sinatra, known as, “Old Blue Eyes,”, has brown eyes. Actor Montgomery Clift turn down the lead role in this film. And finally: This film was shot in just four weeks. An added bonus: It has been widely reported over the years that Frank Sinatra requested that this film be withdrawn from circulation after the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) along with his other political assassination thriller, The Manchurian Candidate (1962). The Sinatra family went through great lengths to make it known that Frank Sinatra made no such request. However, the films were out of circulation for many years. It was discovered in the 1980’s that Sinatra had the legal right to restore them to public circulation (see his interview with Larry King for more details), and they were.  

This film is Available on Blu–ray, only in black and white, but in Widescreen and Fullscreen. It is also Available on DVD in black and white and colorized in Widescreen and Fullscreen. It is further available as a Digital Copy in Widescreen and Fullscreen in black and white only.

Suddenly (2013)

C – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Code Black – President Down
Code Black: President Down
Operation Olympus
Code Black
Starring: Ray Liotta

Four assassins pose as Secret Service Agents in order to assassinate the president. A loose remake to be sure functions better as an action thriller than a dramatic thriller. The film as a capable actor in Liotta but lacks a justification for the existence of it. Pacing is a bit of an issue too. A trivia note: In addition of this being a remake of a Frank Sinatra film, Ray Liotta previously played Sinatra in the HBO television movie, The Rat Pack (1998).

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Manchurian Candidate (1962 & 2004)

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

B&W – 126m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen (MGM Blu–ray) / 1.75:1 – Widescreen (Original Depending on Source & Criterion Collection Format)
Novel By: Richard Condon
Screenplay By: George Axelrod
Dir.: John Frankenheimer
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury, Henry Silva, James Gregory, Leslie Parrish, John McGiver, Lloyd Corrigan, Paul Frees and Colin Kenny.

A former prisoner of war (POW) is brainwashed to be an unwitting assassination in an international Communist conspiracy. Arguably one of the best political thrillers of all time this film holds up splendidly many years after its original release. The wonderful talent on both sides of the camera, are to be praised for this achievement. The film is haunting and heart racing never letting up.

Trivia: Frank Sinatra broke the little finger of his right hand during a fight scene with Henry Silva. Due to the film schedule he was not able to get it bandaged and allow for time for it to heal. As such it was never set properly and was crooked for the rest of his life, often causing him discomfort. Most of the scenes involving Frank Sinatra are from the first take. Only if there were something that went wrong with a take, would an alternant take be used. And finally: It has been widely reported over the years that Frank Sinatra requested that this film be withdrawn from circulation after the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) along with his other political assassination thriller, The Manchurian Candidate (1962). The Sinatra family went through great lengths to make it known that Frank Sinatra made no such request. However, the films were out of circulation for many years. It was discovered in the 1980’s that Sinatra had the legal right to restore them to public circulation (see his interview with Larry King for more details), and they were.  

Oscar® nominated for: Best Supporting Actress – Angela Lansbury and Best Film Editing. Angela Lansbury got a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for her performance. John Frankenheimer was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Director.

Rated: [NOT RATED] – Original Release
[PG–13] – Rerelease Rating
This is Out Of Print on VHS but available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through MGM. It is also available on Blu–ray and DVD through The Criterion Collection.

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

C – 129m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Novel By: Richard Condon
Original Screenplay By: George Axelrod
Screenplay By: Daniel Pyne and Dean Georgaris
Dir.: Jonathan Demme
Producers: Jonathan Demme and Tina Sinatra
Starring: Jeffry Wright, Anthony Mackie, Dorian Missick, Denzel Washington, Live Schreiber, Bill Irwin, Kimberly Elise, Al Franken, Jon Voight, Meryl Streep, Roger Corman, Zeljko Ivanek, Ann Dowd, Obba Babatunde, Harry Northup, Sakina Jaffrey, Simon McBurney, Charles Napier, Vera Farmiga, Dean Stockwell, Miguel Ferrer, Tracey Walter and Sidney Lumet.

In the midst of the Gulf War soldiers are kidnapped and brainwashed via chips in their heads for sinister purposes. This reviewer must admit outright that upon seeing this film in the theater he was repulsed by it. Upon viewing it years later, the film is actually a smart updating of the classic, though it holds no candle to the original. Fine performances by the talents on screen here, and Jonathan Demme was in good form as a director. Worth a look, if only for comparison’s sake…

Trivia: Jane Fonda turned down the role originally played by Angela Lansbury, Meryl Streep here, because she didn’t want her Hollywood comeback to be as a villainess. Though many believe Meryl Streep was playing Hillary Clinton here, she cites: Peggy Noonan, Condoleezza Rice and Dick Cheney. And finally: Brian De Palma was considered as a director for this film. 

Rated: [R] – Violence & Some Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Foreigner (2017)

The Foreigner (2017)

C. – 114m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Chinaman
Dir.: Martin Campbell
Starring: Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan

A humble businessman turns vigilantly bomber after his daughter is killed in a bombing, in order to get a local politician he suspects to be lying to help him find the men that killed his daughter. If you will pardon the pun this Chan film packs a punch. Most of Chan’s works have been action comedies. As of late he has turned to action dramas and has been fairly successful at it. This one is a masterpiece though. Although there is very little humor in the film there is plenty of suspense and action. In this reviewer’s humble opinion, this may be Chan’s best action – drama. It will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Some trivia: Director Martin Campbell previously worked with Pierce Brosnan on the James Bond film GoldenEye (1995). This was Campbell’s comeback film, six years after making the colossal flop Green Lantern (2011). Nick Cassavetes was offered a chance to direct this but turned it down. The book The Chinaman by Stephen Leather was the basis for this film; the book’s title was the film’s working title and current also known as title. Both Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan starred in versions of Around The World In 80 Days. Chan’s was the theatrical flop in 2004, which Brosnan’s was a television mini–series in the 1980’s. 

Rated: [R] – Violence, language and some sexual material.
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.