4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on January 6, 2018

Destry Rides Again is integral to the tradition of comedy westerns–a storied lineage that includes the likes of Way Out West, Blazing Saddles, and Support Your Local Sheriff. It takes a bit of the long maintained western lore and gives it a screwy comic twist courtesy of classic Hollywood. The   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on January 3, 2018

The opening credits roll and recognition comes with each name that pops on the screen. Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell, Eugene Palette, Beulah Bondi, H.B. Warner, Harry Carey, Porter Hall, Charles Lane, William Demarest, Jack Carson, and of course   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on January 3, 2018

The opening credits roll and recognition comes with each name that pops on the screen. Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell, Eugene Palette, Beulah Bondi, H.B. Warner, Harry Carey, Porter Hall, Charles Lane, William Demarest, Jack Carson, and of course   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on January 2, 2018

“He could never fit in with our distorted viewpoint, because he’s honest, and sincere, and good. If that man’s crazy, Your Honor, the rest of us belong in straitjackets!” ~ Jean Arthur as Babe Bennett Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is a true treasure of idealism and Americana. People   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on January 2, 2018

“He could never fit in with our distorted viewpoint, because he’s honest, and sincere, and good. If that man’s crazy, Your Honor, the rest of us belong in straitjackets!” ~ Jean Arthur as Babe Bennett Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is a true treasure of idealism and Americana. People   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 29, 2017

“Let the past die.”  – Adam Driver as Kylo Ren I left the theater feeling completely taciturn. It’s an onerous task to begin articulating all the jumbled fragments circulating through my mind but I will try my very best.  Certainly, there is a great deal to be enjoyed and to   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 29, 2017

Of course, Bachelor Mother is a blatant oxymoron and it’s a perfect summation of that vestige of a genre the screwball comedy — a genre that’s about marriage and divorce and the gray areas in between conveniently skirting past issues such as adultery or people “living in sin   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 29, 2017

Of course, Bachelor Mother is a blatant oxymoron and it’s a perfect summation of that vestige of a genre the screwball comedy — a genre that’s about marriage and divorce and the gray areas in between conveniently skirting past issues such as adultery or people “living in sin   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 29, 2017

“Let the past die.”  – Adam Driver as Kylo Ren I left the theater feeling completely taciturn. It’s an onerous task to begin articulating all the jumbled fragments circulating through my mind but I will try my very best.  Certainly, there is a great deal to be enjoyed and to   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 27, 2017

The first moment Pete Morgan (James Stewart) actually catches sight of alluring nightclub singer Francey (Ginger Rogers), the gangly botany professor proceeds to knock over a drink cooler. He’s enamored. In the movies, it’s that magical trope called “love at first sight.” Fo   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 27, 2017

The first moment Pete Morgan (James Stewart) actually catches sight of alluring nightclub singer Francey (Ginger Rogers), the gangly botany professor proceeds to knock over a drink cooler. He’s enamored. In the movies, it’s that magical trope called “love at first sight.” Fo   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 24, 2017

The initial inclination for seeing Arnaud Desplechin’s sprawling family drama was the presence of the estimable Catherine Deneuve. And she’s truly wonderful giving a shining, nuanced performance that makes the audience respect her, sympathize with her, and even dislike her a little bit.   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 24, 2017

The initial inclination for seeing Arnaud Desplechin’s sprawling family drama was the presence of the estimable Catherine Deneuve. And she’s truly wonderful giving a shining, nuanced performance that makes the audience respect her, sympathize with her, and even dislike her a little bit.   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 23, 2017

It’s no surprise that this adaptation begins with that oft-repeated bit of poetic parallelism. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” etc. Of course, in its abridged format the opening suggests the universal quality of those iconic words. It was a period very much li   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 23, 2017

It’s no surprise that this adaptation begins with that oft-repeated bit of poetic parallelism. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” etc. Of course, in its abridged format the opening suggests the universal quality of those iconic words. It was a period very much li   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 21, 2017

Almost Famous is almost so many things. There are truly wonderful moments that channel certain aspects of our culture’s infatuation with rock n roll. It’s easy to become entranced with the opening moments, not necessarily because we are introduced to William, his protective mother (Franc   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 21, 2017

Almost Famous is almost so many things. There are truly wonderful moments that channel certain aspects of our culture’s infatuation with rock n roll. It’s easy to become entranced with the opening moments, not necessarily because we are introduced to William, his protective mother (Franc   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 19, 2017

Charlie Chaplin always puts his Tramp in very simple situations that also happen to reap marvelous results both in the realms of humor and heartfelt drama. He follows up The Kid and The Gold Rush with the next iteration in the Little Man’s adventures which find him unwittingly joining the circ   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 19, 2017

Charlie Chaplin always puts his Tramp in very simple situations that also happen to reap marvelous results both in the realms of humor and heartfelt drama. He follows up The Kid and The Gold Rush with the next iteration in the Little Man’s adventures which find him unwittingly joining the circ   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on December 17, 2017

The Commitments is a very coarse film, extremely rough around the edges, and yet to its credit, the real appeal of this crowd-pleaser from Alan Curtis is the way that music is able to bring so much good into a dire situation. Because in some ways The Commitments are not...   read more