mikeolliffe Reviews

P.I. Private Investigations (1987)

Kudos to cast and crew for surviving this epic...

[1/10 · 4 April 2021]

I'm surprised to see any positive mention in a couple of the four reviews on this page. To call it amateurish is an insult to amateurs everywhere. Our hero has survived yet another attempt on his life and has made it to a police department. You'd expect a scene in which he mentions that someone who was trying to help him was left dangling from a rope in an oilfield. But no - that seems to be completely forgotten. And of all the police stations in Los Angeles, he has to wind up in the very one where the bad cops who are trying to kill him are based. Strangely, his father - a newspaper reporter - works on a paper in San Francisco but appears to be investigating L. A cops for selling drugs. I see that the originator for this mess was born in England and apparently unaware there is almost a four hundred miles distance between the two cities.

I'm happy that the cast and crew who are still with us are continuing to find work in the industry.

The Great Van Robbery (1959)

If you like the period, low budget, and stock footage - it's worth a watch.

[5/10 · 18 March 2021]

The 'West German' title for this film is 'Der Dicke von Scotland Yard' which sounds vaguely uncomplimentary. It's also inaccurate as the 'Dicke' (or detective) actually works for Interpol. Granted, he does seem to spend a lot of time at the Yard when he's not flying all over the world trying to track down the bad guys.

The English title itself is misleading. If it is 'The Great Van Robbery' shouldn't we see a bit of planning, a bit of recruiting of the gang that is to carry out the great robbery? Maybe even a dry run?

Even if it included those elements, the title is still not a grabber.

All these are mere quibbles. Writer Brian Clemens succeeds in holding our interest by exploring how one might launder a large amount of stolen currency.

This low-budget epic is fast-moving with an unlikely looking hero who despite carrying a fair bit of weight (I should talk!), performs impressively in the fight scenes and even clambering up (and jumping off) loading docks.

The shoot-out at the end leaves something to be desired. You've heard of 'phoning it in' ? Director Max Varnel must have sent his instructions in by delayed telegram. Perversely, this is watchable to see how it shouldn't be done.

When the Bough Breaks (1947)

All You Need is Love?

[9/10 · 3 March 2021]

Well, that's what some group called the Beatles sang sometime - but in this film little Jimmy gets all the love anyone could want and still isn't satisfied. Thing is, the nice couple who love the child are complete strangers. He much prefers the comfortable middle-class life of a couple he regards as his parents.

Both sets of adults are white and presumably Christians, but it is CLASS that apparently makes all the difference. This film could have explored this in more depth, but the makers opted for a more run-of-the-mill approach.

One minor criticism is that the new man who enters the leading lady's life is too good to be true. He should have some flaws other than a homely face!

But a BIG PLUS is that the working class folk in this screenplay are not treated stereotypically as in so many other films.

And anyone who likes a taste of post-war Britain should enjoy this ultimately uplifting look.

Four Faces West (1948)

A most unusual western

[9/10 · 18 June 2020]

To start with, I agree with all of the positive reviews published here.

Secondly, I was astonished to discover that no gunfire had taken place during the movie. I guess that shows how brainwashed I've been, by years of watching westerns.. There are several occasions when it was on the verge of happening. In one nerve-wracking scene, the baddies mistake an innocent young woman for their target and almost shoot her.

The protagonist (Joel McCrea) is immensely helped throughout by a complete stranger.(another reviewer has also commented) for no discernible reason. Joseph Calleia, dressed in black, looks a) a total bad man and b) someone who might easily turn the hero in for the reward money ($3,000) a sizeable amount in those days and not too shabby now). Oddly, the movie does not show McCrea doing anything to earn this man's friendship and trust. (maybe edited out to keep up the pace?)

Contains some good tips on how to avoid a posse not usually explored in other westerns. Also discovered here that Joel and female lead Frances Dee were married in real life. Frances has an incredible beauty that is loved by the camera. This alone makes the movie worth seeing. Okay, what other real-life married couple appeared in a movie partly set on a train? (HINT...Breakheart Pass)

The Good Shepherd (2006)

Stodgy spying

[2/10 · 12 January 2020]

I cannot understand the positive reviews - the writing, acting, direction - all sadly lacking. Oh - and the editing (although the editor was no doubt following the script which jumped back and forth between time periods). Straight forward - it is not. With very few exceptions, the acting is sadly lacklustre. This film purportedly attempts to show the origins of the Central Intelligence Agency. There was a slight movement towards a documentary approach - then the writer goes wildly off-key towards the end. Incredible, unbelievable final act with one character being dispatched 'highly' unrealistically for the sake of fake excitement. The Bond movies have done a good job of being totally unrealistic - but others have shown that intelligence work can be portrayed in an interesting and exciting fashion. A movie covering the origins and (within security concerns) operations of the CIA has yet to be made. Two stars for some of the settings.

Paratrooper (1953)

Interesting from a few points of view

[4/10 · 15 September 2019]

Not necessarily from the point of view from being a great film - which it isn't. I tend to agree with most of the other reviewers in that respect. But there's no denying that it does move at a sharpish pace.

The director of photography oddly lit the leading lady's face. Her features appear to be composed of odd angles - in some scenes.

It has the standard issue of military movie tropes - the tough sergeant-major who is really a softie; the antagonist who once wounded, reconciles with the hero; the hero, a brooding type with mysterious problems. who turns out to be decent - as we always knew he would.

Interesting in this is what they thought an action movie should be like seventy-years ago or so.

Several reviewers have mentioned that a number of the behind-the-camera talent went on to make Bond movies. I recently saw a movie - black-and-white- which predates Dr. No by several years. There's a scene in which a character flicks a tarantula off another character and stomps that poor spider to death - exactly as Mr. Bond would go on to do.

The Next of Kin (1942)

Disagreement re reviewer's assessment of The Third Man.

[6/10 · 6 July 2019]

This is in response to SimonJack's review of Next of Kin in which he indicates that The Third Man is a prime example of an espionage film. If we accept the usual definition of espionage as having to do with spies and spying, I must have sneezed when anything of that nature occurred in The Third Man. Please correct me if I am wrong, but The Third Man involved the theft of penicillin, diluting it to a dangerous and worthless extent, then selling it on the black market. Of course, there was much, much more to it than that, but not a smidgen of spying. The Third Man should not be mentioned in reviews of lessser efforts such as Next of Kin.

Diplomatic Courier (1952)

Been there, done that

[3/10 · 1 July 2019]

Two friends, one of whom might be dead, an attractive stateless woman who was involved with the dead man, wet-cobbled streets, zither music - where have I seen all this before? In the far superior The Third Man, which appeared three years earlier. As some other reviewers have pointed out, the writing of Diplomatic Courier leaves a LOT to be desired. The 'McGuffin' would not have been a big deal, even when this turkey was first released. On the plus side, crisp black-and-white photography, interesting settings that probably don't exist anymore, and a well-liked cast (sadly, misused). Final note: this makes The Third Man look really, really good (good anyway, but you'll appreciate it even more.

Master Spy (1963)

Hmmmm...

[5/10 · 5 May 2019]

A number of reviewers have commented about a series of conversations in a single room...It should be obvious that if you are working with a miniscule budget, you cannot afford elaborate tracking shots. Or fancy gliding shots at ceiling level.

Besides, you can do a lot with dialogue or monologue in a single room - see Mr. S. Kubrick for examples.

The main problem with Master Spy is that the writer/producer/director did not have a lot of knowledge of the spying game. Even before 1963 (when the film was made), there were many publications - both fiction and non-fiction-available.

But basic common sense should tell you that you don't have your major talent - a world-renowned scientist, no less, ferrying secret files to a somewhat flamboyant contact.

Despite this, the film grew on me for a number of reasons.

I particularly liked the fact that one scene, set in a remote country area, late at night, featured on the soundtrack: a train, a motorcycle, and a barking dog! (None of which had any connection to the plot...)

Hidden Homicide (1959)

You have to be a die-hard fan of b/w brit pix to really enjoy this.

[2/10 · 2 December 2018]

All of these aged movies are interesting, not so much for the plot, acting, photography, etc., but for what they reveal about the times in which they are made. Look at what is going on in the background, for example (primarily speaking of location filming - not so much studio-bound efforts). With Hidden Homicide, that is what I was doing, making the usual discovery that there wasn't so much traffic about in those days. As for the movie itself, it requires too much suspension of disbelief. The 'romance' between the hero and the 'damsel in distress' was particularly unconvincing. In the interests of accuracy, at the end the villain was led off in handcuffs, not 'chains.' (I couldn't get back into the synopsis site to change this).

Seven Keys to Baldpate (1947)

Great atmosphere for a low-budget filler

[7/10 · 18 June 2017]

The lead actor needed better direction. I would have preferred the script to reveal that he wasn't as dumb as he seemed. Although that may have been an in-joke - writers in Hollywood being regarded as low men on the totem pole (no sexism/racism intended with that remark). A further in-joke may have been having the dumb writer getting the hottest chick at the Baldpate lodge.

Speaking of which, is there another meaning to that name (Baldpate) similar to the notorious 'Rosebud' in Citizen Kane? The production got a lot of bang for the ten bucks it spent - full winter storm effects, superior sound effects, and the director whisked numerous characters on and off stage with practiced ease.

In general, this is worth seeing as an example of its time. And especially if you like old, scary mansions as settings.

Spy (2015)

Very funny spy spoof

[10/10 · 11 June 2015]

It seems many reviewers here are having a bad day (or, um, bad week). If you want an entertaining, well-made movie, this is the one for you. Don't be put off by pretentious would-be intellectuals who wouldn't know humor if it came up and kicked them in the ass. There have been a number of spy spoofs made over the years. This has to be one of the funniest.

For the reviewer who didn't see the significance of the bats and mice at CIA HQ - the movie-makers are making the point that the CIA is infested by rodents. (During the past week the national airport security service allowed almost 100 percent of contraband - including bombs) on board aircraft. Despite literally spending billions on the security services, they are sadly lacking in providing either security or service. That was the point SPY made in a very amusing way which proved too subtle for some. Go See This Movie!

Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013)

Do not see with grandmother

[9/10 · 23 April 2015]

Let's get the obvious out of the way: the director likes naked female flesh. Lots of it. It is probably possible to view this as a lesbian exploitation flick, but I suggest it is much more than this. Although the director is not French-born, he makes you feel that you are living in a provincial French town, living at home, attending high school - and entering the world of sex. Masterful direction, photography, and acting. He captures a remarkable and incredible performance from the younger woman playing one of the two leading roles. If you look up the word 'naturalistic' in the dictionary, you'll see her photograph. Makes all other actresses look 'actress-y'...

Someone told me that the reason they might read a book or see a movie is because they want to experience another world. This is that other world.

Good for Nothing (2011)

If this meant to be funny, the joke is on us...

[2/10 · 24 March 2013]

I am amazed at the preponderance of positive reviews here, with some hinting that if you don't like it, you don't have a sense of humor.

The only 'joke' here is if the writer/director is aware that the U.S., in general, disparages the standard of British dental work. I don't think he is (he has the western outlaw admiring the English woman's teeth!) 'I use a brush,' she tells him.

In most westerns with the mysterious stranger riding into town, we gradually do get to know something about him. All we know about this guy is that he kills people with very little provocation and on one occasion is unable to rape the female lead.

In reply to another reviewer who wondered why the outlaw didn't take the dead pursuers' horses, here are some reasons: he had been shot and was seriously injured; B) the horses were quite a distance away; C) they would have to be fed and watered.

I liked the photography but as there was no point to the movie it was wasted.

The music was the most obtrusive since the bad old Max Steiner days. Music these days is not supposed to instruct us that we're meant to feel sad or excited. Or if it does, it has to be much more subtle than this.

This movie might be good for one thing: show it to someone you're ticked off at.

Her Man Gilbey (1944)

Can't imagine this cheering up the masses during the blitz...

[5/10 · 10 January 2013]

Who would be the audience for this movie? Some effete lower middle-class folk who didn't get out much?

I mention class because this hypocritical film is riddled with it. A lady of the house fancies a servant (sound familiar?) - causing shock and horror all around. But wait a minute, this bit of rough is charming, very well-spoken, and of high moral standards. He could almost be...middle-class. Low and behold, he becomes m/c after a promotion in the military. As his lady love points out, the servant class won't exist after the war (WW2).

It's also heavy on the propaganda - we're all foreigners in a way and shouldn't look down on others (although the French are fair game, according to the movie) and let's have a 'United Nations' and no upstairs/downstairs. Warning - I am making this film sound much more interesting than it is.

There is one sub-plot that goes absolutely nowhere, involving one character seeking favors at the Foreign Office on behalf of another character. In any other film, this would be a spy set-up. But not here.

I like 1940s black and whites (which is why I'm reluctantly giving this a 5). I like the actress who plays 'Joan' but as the other reviewers (so far) suggest, be prepared for disappointment.

Hitchcock (2012)

Misleading title

[4/10 · 29 December 2012]

If you are interested in Alfred Hitchcock DO NOT go see the film 'Hitchcock'. Read any of the many books written about him instead. The inaccuracies are many, the tone is off, the premise is askew...with all of the scandal vultures out there, there is not the slightest evidence that he drilled a hole in a dressing room wall in order to spy on Vera Miles.

The plot of this Fox Searchlight film places great emphasis on the fact that Hitchcock couldn't find the usual financing to make Psycho - but totally ignores the fact that one of the ways he kept it low-budget was to use the crew from his television series.

Given the subject matter, this movie is very dull and lacking in inventiveness. (Although it does try, with a Marley visiting Scrooge approach - Gein's spirit haunting Hitch, and Hitch's direct-to-camera speeches.) On positive side: sharp, well-lit photography and settings.

Under Ten Flags (1960)

A gem worth seeing

[7/10 · 8 September 2012]

I agree with most of the positive reviews here. This is an interesting and entertaining film.

On the negative side, Charles Laughton seemed to be channeling Winston Churchill. This is somewhat confusing as Churchill was head of the admiralty at one time.

I have no objections whatsoever to seeing the wondrous Mylene D., but were shorts THAT short in the 1940s??? It seems very obvious that she was added to the movie as 'sex appeal' (either that, or she was the producer's girl friend).

And did they have invisible-to-the-naked eye rays as protective devices for valuable items back then? I've never seen a film from that time period with that particular gimmick. Under Ten Flags was actually made in 1960, but use of the rays for that purpose seems to be a more modern invention (than the film's time setting.) These are mere quibbles. See it.

Maroc 7 (1967)

If your time is limited, find something better to watch...

[4/10 · 6 September 2012]

This comes under the heading of 'could have', 'should have' been a decent movie. Instead, it is a catalog of wasted opportunities.

Specifics: leading man Gene Barry acts like he would have been happier beating up suspects rather than romancing a bevy of beautiful babes.

Speaking of babes, this was filmed during the 'swinging 60s' - so it wouldn't have hurt to have shown some of the great legs and/or cleavage. What was the point of casting the gorgeous girls if you were going to keep them covered up? There seems to have been a lack of energy among the movie-makers - caused by the heat of the location? When the hero pulls his car off the road (to avoid pursuers right behind him), there is a great cloud of dust which the bad guys would have seen - but didn't. A small detail - but indicative of the phone-it-in attitude of the production crew.

Cause for Alarm! (1951)

sub 1950s-tv fare

[3/10 · 22 February 2012]

Despite the above summary, I have mixed feelings about this movie. It's annoying in that with a single action or a couple of sentences, the protagonist (Loretta Young) could have resolved the mess she's in. But then you wouldn't have a movie. As for doing dumb things, who is to say what any of us might do if faced with the situation confronting Ms. Young? I agree with reviewers who feel that Barry Sullivan's character makes too abrupt a jump from airman to bed-bound psychotic. (Could be the fault of editing, the script, or director). Would audiences back then have assumed that his mental condition might have been caused by wartime trauma? MGM got away with a couple of suggestive scenes. One involved dialog concerning making love on an empty/full stomach. Hitchcock and his North By Northwest writer liked that one so much they tried to have Eva Marie Saint say it to Cary Grant on the train a few years later. They actually did shoot it that way, but were forced to over-dub a more innocent phrase. (Can't fool lip-readers, however!) Some reviewers suggest that the sick Sullivan may be correct in his assumptions about his wife and their doctor and that the narrator's (Young) version of events --showing their innocence--is unreliable.

In that case, the narrator needn't have even mentioned the husband's suspicions.

Those reviewers cite the doctor's burning of the incriminating letter as support for that theory. But why should the couple hand the letter over to the law when they could better spend the time upstairs (in the other bedroom) for some afternoon delight?

Captain Carey, U.S.A. (1949)

Misleading title least of the problems

[2/10 · 24 January 2012]

'Captain' Carey - a movie about how Carey got into the service, his exploits there, his comrades-in-arms??? No, you don't really see Carey in the army at all, and only briefly in the O.S.S at the beginning of the movie - where he's on the same set he's on for the rest of this disaster.

Other reviewers have spoken favorably of the set and the 'scenery'! Time to get new glasses, guys. It is possible to shoot on an indoor stage and give the impression you're out-doors - but not here. The terrible lighting gives the game away.

Do people who write these reviews actually see the films? The townspeople were NOT upset at Carey because of their financial situation, but because their relatives had been executed by the Nazis as reprisals.

There's nothing wrong with betrayal as a theme, but the film-makers made a hash of this one.

Love Crime (2010)

Save your time

[1/10 · 4 January 2012]

The writer/director wastes the time of everyone involved in this film, and everyone who mistakenly watches it. I know I indicated spoilers lurk within this review, but I'll try to avoid the more obvious ones.

In real life, we know that everyone is just about capable of everything. A trivial incident can send one person into a rage. In our films, however, we want more plausibility. We are able to sense when a character is not psychologically true.

If we accept that our protagonist is an intelligent, capable businesswoman, we must be provided with extremely good reasons for that character to go off the rails.

The film-makers are decidedly cynical when they inject quasi-Lesbianism for box-office returns.

They should instead have tried reading 'Business for Dummies' because it appears they know next to nothing about business life. (A smart person would know that to extensively humiliate a younger colleague in public, someone she herself had been mentoring, would reflect negatively on herself.)

I hope the actresses involved get some decent material to work with. Soon.

The Artist (I) (2011)

A little rain on the parade...

[8/10 · 31 December 2011]

I never excuse film-makers for failing to get right the world of either newspapers or television. A little research is all it takes.

But for film-makers to get wrong their own industry!? Which is what they did in The Artist. They completely mixed up the roles of producer and director. John Goodman was obviously the 'producer' but he also seemed to be the 'director' as well.It's possible in real life to have a producer/director/even star in the form of one person. But that would have been rare in the time period portrayed. (I'm standing by for a deluge of examples proving me wrong).

None of that was enough to stop me liking - and recommending - this film. People with a bit of experience of the industry (and life in general)will realize that some things have been left out of the screenplay.

But the remaining message - that there are decent, nice people in the world of movie-making - is a heartening one.

The Swindle (1955)

I like Crawford, but he was wrong in this movie

[7/10 · 5 December 2011]

I don't like keeping actors confined to one type of role, but it doesn't always work when they try something different (see Eastwood in The Beguiled,for example.) Likewise, here in this movie Broderick Crawford is required to play a lovable rogue with a certain degree of pathos.

This is a case where the casting is wrong. It's too difficult for Crawford to play lovable and he is not the type to encourage an emotional response.

He is the consummate tough guy, a literal 'heavy' - without the obvious qualities to portray a con-man. (I concede that he could play a man of the church).

Despite the casting reservation, Fellini is masterful as usual. The party scene seems to predate the recent Italian prime minister's 'bunga-bunga' parties.

SPOILER coming up: how did the team 'plant' the treasure and bones without being spotted? One location even had two savage dogs roaming around.

Excepting that and Mr. Crawford, everyone else - and the situations - seems real. See it.

Crash Dive (1943)

See it

[8/10 · 29 November 2011]

The quality of the print I saw was superb. It could have been made yesterday - instead of DURING the war - in Technicolor!

In the initial romance scenes, I think Miss Baxter would have had the smitten man locked up - if he hadn't been played by Tyrone Power. His charm somewhat overcomes the creepy aspects of the portrayal.

The romantic episodes in any event didn't merge all that well with the rest of the movie. Despite what others have written, the black character did undergo verbal abuse, yet still followed the white guy around like a lap-dog. (Although the white guy's abusive attitude is explained later in the film).

But you do get to see Washington DC in the early 40s and some spectacular action set-pieces.

Going Places (1974)

Save two hours/whatever of your life...

[1/10 · 23 November 2011]

A few reviewers have mentioned the word 'misogynist' in connection with this film. I'd say the makers don't just hate women, but all humankind. It's hard to understand why most of the reviews laud this, but as another reviewer pointed out, it is the kind that attracts those who drag their knuckles when they walk.

It's obvious that the creator of this film not only hates but fears women.

It is one of the sickest fantasies made, and if that attracts some sickos, let me add that it is not very well made. (Think of a spotty adolescent with an 8mm camera.)

Please. Don't. waste. your. time.