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The last book I read was the TV Guide. It felt good in my hands, like the small of a woman's back, but it smelled like trouble, so I dropped it like a hot potato. You want me to count three or somethin', like a movie? I'm no kibitzer. I'm just a guy who's paid to do other people's laundry. I get $25 a day, and expenses, but you're good, you're very good, so in your case, I'll make an exception.
I've been collecting films and TV shows on tape and DVD for over 30 years. I collect blondes and bottles, too. I only need 5 more Bogart films to fill my hand, but it's like trying to find a beer mug full of Fei Tsui jade. I'll keep pounding the pavement 'til they pull my license. Maybe something will drop in my lap. Maybe it won't.
Reviews
Monsieur Spade (2024)
Abstruse
Before you watch this series, complete the following questionnaire: 1) Do you speak French?
2) Are you well acquainted with the political climate of Post-War France from the late 40's to the early 60's?
3) Does the word "Algeria" hold any special meaning for you?
4) When dialogue swiftly changes from English to French and back and forth, do you enjoy shifting your focus from the actor delivering his lines down to the quickly disappearing subtitles, and up and down, and up and down?
5) Do you look forward to 10 or 12 minutes of narrative constantly interrupted by 4 or 5 minutes of commercials?
6) Do flashbacks help clarify the story's timeline if the transition is less than obvious?
If you answered "No" to one or all of the above, this show is not for you.
I'm not some neophyte. I'm a reasonably intelligent, well educated, 72 year old film buff. I can handle a muddy noir plot and multiple flashbacks. I'm familiar with the work of Truffaud and Bergman, Murnau and De Sica.
This isn't cheesecake, it's mucilage.
The Oklahoma Kid (1939)
Better than just "campy"
This is an example of a film being better than its casting errors. The bar fight scene has some very interesting floor level camera angles (although these do help make the stunt doubles more obvious). I liked the positioning of the jail cell on the second floor of the courthouse. That seems to buck the standard Western trend of the combination Jail/Sheriff's office. I think this may be unique. As to Joe Pesci's reference in "Goodfellas", perhaps he finds this film so memorable because of the character named Indian Joe Pasco. Maybe his childhood pals nicknamed him Indian Joe Pesci. But, the scene his character in "Goodfellas" refers to (a cowboy shooting and saying "Dance") does not appear in this film. Also,in this films closing credits, the character is billed as "Indian Jack Pasco". Maybe the Title's Department didn't even take this film seriously.