Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951) Review

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman can best be described as "dreamlike". It shares this distinctive feature with two other films that immediately come to mind, the original the Mummy with Boris Karloff and Val Lewton's I walked with a Zombie. I find it to be no coincidence that those other two films are both horror films because the dreamlike sensation comes from the films' mix of the real with the unreal, the fairytale with the ordinary, this is the basis of many classic horror films and in this case it is the basis of a romance. I also find it quite interesting that of all the movies I've seen I would say Pandora shares many similarities to that first Mummy film, both in effect and in plot and story. To try and summarize the plot of this film would really be quite futile so I will just say you'll have to see for yourself. It's a supernatural romance set in the 1930's on the Spanish coast. The real star of the film is not the plot but the visuals. As brilliant as many earlier Technicolor films might be (the Adventures of Robin Hood, the Wizard of Oz, and Gone With the Wind) the only problem with them is that they lack the creative use of light and shadow that make the black and white films of that era so wonderful to behold. Pandora remedies this with its brilliant Technicolor visuals which give off the effect as if they'd been painted onto the screen. There is wonderful use of light and shadow here and that combined with the scenery of the Spanish coast makes for a wonderful viewing experience. As far as acting is concerned everyone is in fine form especially James Mason who plays the lead with a suave, urbane, quality that he has become so known for. Overall with the acting, the strange story, and the visuals this movie has this is one dream you won't mind having,  4.5/5

Man of Steel Video Review!

Man of Steel (2013)
Directed by Zach Snyder
Starring Henry Cavill and Amy Adams with Russell Crowe and Michael Shannon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SusrlPO4wDo

Netflix Pix: Double Indemnity (1944)

Ever wonder what to watch on Netflix? the articles in this series take a look at some of the best movies to watch instantly!

"I did it for money and for a woman, I didn't get the money and I didn't get the woman" Those words usher in perhaps THE quintessential film noir, Billy Wilder's double Indemnity. These words are spoken by insurance man Walter Neff before we enter flashback as he narrates for us a story of lust and murder. Wilder uses openings that flashback much like Shakespeare used prologues. They recall Greek tragedy and also create a sense of foreboding that keeps the audience in suspense. Double Indemnity was co written by the great crime writer Raymond Chandler whose lyrical style gives the film that perfect noir feel. This story of a man seduced into committing murder by a femme fatale would become the genesis of many a noir film. Wilder does something truly incredible here in that he makes the audience root for two cold blooded killers. This movie make murder incredibly entertaining and if you haven't seen it you're in for a real treat. This is one of the truly great noir films but also one of the great films of all time with Barbara Stanwyck giving a truly memorable performance as the femme fatale. You won't want to miss this! 5/5!

Mud (2013) Movie Review

In a time when the theaters are filled with superheroes and reboots of '60's SciFi shows, it's nice to catch a movie like Mud. Mud is a little bit out of place in the schedule because a movie of this caliber should be coming out towards the end of the year so that it can be a prime Oscar contender. Yet I'm not worried Mud will be overlooked because it simply can't be. The story about a pair of boys who find a mysterious man named mud living in a ship wreck on an island is reminiscent of both coming of age stories of old and Mark Twain. At its core this film is really about one boys understanding of love and relationships. The film has high caliber acting from its entire cast especially the main kid who really manages to carry the movie, something that I have never seen a kid actor do so well before. I reluctantly admit that Matthew McConaughey gives a good performance in the title role. I genuinely dislike him in almost everything he is in, but in this film I think he found a role that I don't hate him in and that may be the film's greatest achievement. This movie is really one that you have to see and then ponder something entirely different than the typical summer blockbuster. And yet Mud is also an entertaining film, knowing how to pull on all the right strings as well. Catch this film in the theater if you can as a welcome and wonderful break from the typical summer blockbuster 5/5!