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I bet you the writers of this movie thought they were so cool and smart. Line after line of fast talking characters full of witty comments. It got a bit boring to be honest. I guess there is such a thing as too cool for your own good. In any case, I did enjoy this hip flick and its evil characters.

A manipulative and all too powerful columnist tries to keep his sister all to himself by destroying her lover’s good standing. He uses people all too easily and does not hide it. Falco is one of his many publicists who does his dirty work. Together they make and break careers but how long can they get away with it before it all catches up with them?

I must admit I did enjoy the film and I wasn’t really put off by all the hip lines. I just wish they held back on a few of them. Shame they were too cool for their own good. I gave it a 6/10.

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

Take note. As plentiful as films are it is a rare occasion for one to be this good.

I first saw this film last year and I fell in love with it. It was unassuming, rather plain, very grounded and superb as a whole. It does not treat you like an idiot. If your movie diet is all Hollywood you might not get it. You might think it’s bland and boring. You just might scratch your head and wonder why this is a comedy and why you are watching this English snoozer when you could be enjoying a good laugh watching Garfield or some such. Wait what? You’re watching Garfield?

This is where I give you a brief outline of the plot only I can’t this time. You just have to trust me and rent, buy, hire, borrow, steal or download this 10/10.

In Bruges (2008)

James Stewart and John Wayne pair up for the first time and we get to see just how poor of an actor Wayne can be. Sure he’s a legend and I’ve enjoyed many of his movies but I could never warm to his bland one trick acting.

Senator Stoddard returns to the town of Shinbone where he gets coaxed by the local reporters to tell them why he’s visiting their little town for some funeral of an old man in a simple pine box. So the Senator tells his tale of how he came to this town all those years ago when there was no law or order. He tells the tale of a group of people who were thrown together by an outlaw and how the killing of that outlaw has changed and shaped their lives.

It is a really interesting look into how an event has burdened a man and his wife for years and how, as hard as he might try, he can not shake the legend. I had the sense that Stoddard would have done things differently had he known the results many years later. A thoroughly entertaining watch and an 8/10.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

During a world war there is nothing like a good comedy to bring even a few minutes of peace to the public. Arsenic & Old Lace staring Cary Grant was one such film.

A dramatic critic who is famous for touting the bachelors life has fallen for a blond beauty. On their day of marriage he accidentally stumbles upon a dark secret involving his two lovely, almost too nice, aunties. I don’t want to give away too much as I really thing you ought to watch this movie and discover the innocent comedy yourself. Sure you’ll see the laughs a mile away at times but it’s still fun. If nothing, you will enjoy Dr Einstein superbly played by Peter Lorre.

It’s an enjoyable flick and it’s amazing to see what passed as comedy over half a century ago. It’ll still make you laugh… Maybe just chuckle then at 6/10.

Arsenic & Old Lace (1944)

The opening credits roll and the first thing you see is the credit for composer. You just know it’s a silent movie. I’ve never seen a silent movie before. It was a great experience and I even met someone while watching it. More on that later.

Safety Last! stars Harold Lloyd, a silent mega star at the top of his game. His physical prowess and comedic ability are apparently amazing and I believe that after watching this movie. The gags are punchy, well timed and exquisitely delivered. We meet a ‘boy’ who sets off to a big town to earn a living in order to support his wife to be. He lives a poor sales mans’ life and sends his girl lavish presents. Thanks to his presents she thinks that he’s well off and decides to visit him early to get their happy life started. Comedy ensues as he tries his hardest to maintain an image of importance which is above him.

As I was watching this movie on my iPod a person next to me curiously glanced at the screen a few times. I pulled out my headphones and struck up a conversation with him. We discussed the movie and the period. He knew a bit about it and seemed generally bright. It was an interesting conversation. I told him all about my project of watching the IMDb top 250 movies and he wished me good luck. Glad I met him.

This one is truly one for film buffs only. I can’t honestly recommend it to just anyone despite my score of 8/10.

Safety Last! (1923)