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brandonrp
Reviews
Arctic Fury (1951)
I cannot believe this is a Frankenfilm
I was actually pretty damn shocked to discover that Arctic Fury is a Frankenfilm! Cobbled together with footage from 2 previous 1930s films. I didn't notice this. Using footage from previous films, & cobbling it together, with some newly shot footage & passing it off as a "new film", was a common tactic, or should I say trick, commonly used as a cost cutting measure, prior to the 1970s. However, this tactic was usually practiced by either indie films or poverty row studio films. They certainly weren't usually done by any big studios, like RKO, in this instance. Still, there was enough of an interesting story & breathtaking wildlife footage, that I was able to enjoy this particular, Frankenfilm. The narrator was annoying, but not enough to make me turn it off. 6 out of 10
Sette contro la morte (1964)
Hidden gem about survival & societal issues
First of all, let me start off, by saying that I disagree with many other reviews on here, that state that this hidden gem, was supposedly poorly written. I think it's cause those reviewers were expecting this to be more of a military themed drama. However, this film only seems to use the world war 2 era Italy & military setting, as a disguise, for what the film is truly about. The instinct & will to survive, the human condition & relationships, a romantic triangle, sexual frustrations, class distinctions, & so much more. This film really covers so much ground, with such a simple premise. A small group of people are trapped in a cave, in World War 2 era Italy, & must struggle to survive, & find a way out. They luckily find food, & other supplies, essential to their survival. Sadly, several people die, one while attempting an escape. I particularly enjoyed the romantic triangle between Nino Castelnuovo, Rosanna Schiffaino, & John Saxon. I can absolutely relate to Nino Castelnuovo's character, as I all too familiar with what it's like to be the nice guy, who get's trapped in the Friend zone. I also particularly enjoyed Brian Aherne's character, & the way he hilariously tries to order Rosanna Schiffaino's character around. Oh, & when he gets drunk with Larry Hagman, lol. There is also one scene that shockingly comes close to showing nudity. I think the writing works perfectly, with the way the characters interact with each other, & trying to maintain their ranks. I've seen some other posts that knocked the low production values, but in my opinion, those low budget values are one of the film's strengths. For me, it adds to the setting & story, & caught my attention. Also, shooting in black & white, gives it a somber\dark tone, for much of the film. Especially in the cave scenes, there is a sense of darkness & foreboding. For me, it just wouldn't have had the same effect, with a large budget, fancy effects, & color cinematography. Also, let me say that I absolutely dig that groovy '60s theme song, played over the opening credits, by Bobby Bare! It gets stuck in my head, for days on end!
Freckles (1960)
Always guaranteed to put a smile on my face!!
This little known gem of a film, is, in a way, the perfect pick me up, for whenever i'm feeling down! This is always guaranteed to put a smile on my face, with each & every viewing! Everything, from the lush cinematography, to the beautiful, vibrant colors, to the wonderful, talented cast, to the feel good story & atmosphere. It's all so perfect, in my opinion. With each viewing of this gem, I am able to escape to a beautiful utopia of early 1960's era Northern California, in the absolutely gorgeous San Bernardino National Forest, as it was. Long before, the unfortunate recent forest fires, that have sadly, largely, destroyed all this beauty, before i even had a chance, to view it, in real life. I wonder if there are any trees left standing, where Freckles (1960) was filmed? Cause i'd still like to visit these filming locations. I've always thought it'd be cool, to be a lumberjack, in the Pacific Northwest. Especially Northern California. This film, is probably the closest, I'll ever get to that dream. All of the cast do a wonderful job, & really make this story come to life. I've never read the original, 1904 Freckles novel, or seen the other 2 previous film adaptations, but I'd like to. Idk if the other 2 films will hold up to this one though. I wonder what the story is, behind why this was never released to home video? There's gotta some explanation for that. I'd give anything for an official DVD or Blu-Ray release, but for now, I'll have to settle for a DVD-R copy. Man, I wish i could be like Freckles, & run off to Northern California, & get a job, at a construction company. Protecting it from timber thieves. A perfect 10 out of 10, as far as i'm concerned!!!
The Blue Angel (1959)
One of the best remakes I've ever seen!
I just don't understand some of the reviews on here, claiming that this was an unworthy remake & that the ending ruined the point of the story. Well, for starters, it's a remake. Remakes are supposed to take the story & do something different, than the original. The Blue Angel (1959) does this & more! Upon my first viewing of this film, it immediately caught my interest, & sucked me in, & it was mainly due to the wonderful performances of both Curd Jurgens & May Britt. Jurgens's Professor Rath had me nearly in tears, & tugged at my heartstrings. Especially after he is fired & destitute, & being supported by Lola Lola. I felt for the guy so much, & the ending, where he's forced to dress like a clown, & act foolish, while Lola makes out with another man, right in front of him, is truly one of the most heartbreaking scenes, i've ever witnessed. Curd Jurgens shines in this role!! May Britt is absolutely stunning, & incredibly sexy, in her version of Lola Lola!! I can definitely understand why Professor Rath, or any other man, for that matter, would want to throw away their career & future, on her!! Though May Britt's Lola is still just as cruel as Marlene Dietrich's version was, she is also somewhat sympathetic to Professor Rath, which adds another layer to her character, & for me, makes her character more interesting & varied than Marlene Dietrich's Lola Lola was. As I mentioned above, in one of the final scenes, she makes out with another man, right in front of Rath, while he is being humiliated onstage. She does this more out of sympathy than cruelty. As, she realizes, in the end, just how their marriage has completely ruined his life, & their is no hope for a future for them. So she makes out with another guy, in order to enrage him enough, that he ends their union. She succeeds in enraging him, but the ensuing scene is ugly. I saw another review on here that claimed that the ending to this one is upbeat. We must have been watching 2 different movies, as the ending i saw was anything, but upbeat, & was instead depressing & sad. Almost every bit as dark & depressing, as the ending to the 1930 original. Having viewed both versions, i think that both the original & the remake are good, in their own ways. I know that upon viewing this 1959 remake, i immediately wanted to own this film, & was saddened to discover, that it was never released on any home video format, & so far is still unavailable, even now in 2020. When will this problem be remedied, 20th Century Fox????