Movie Night: Strangers on a Train.

Review #553: Strangers on a Train.

Cast
Farley Granger (Guy Haines), Ruth Roman (Anne Morton), Robert Walker (Bruno Anthony), Leo G. Carroll (Senator Morton), Patricia Hitchcock (Barbara Morton), Laura Elliott (Miriam Joyce Haines), Marion Lorne (Mrs. Anthony), Jonathan Hale (Mr. Anthony), Norma Varden (Mrs. Cunningham), and John Brown (Professor Collins) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (#219 - Rope, #223 - North by Northwest, #446 - Spellbound, #447 - Psycho, #450 - Vertigo, and #455 - Rear Window)

Review
Once again I'm covering a Hitchcock film, which by this point in my show, has become a recurring theme. But Hitchcock once again entertains and shows his worth as a master of cinema. The movie has many tense moments, but the one moment many (including myself) remember is the scene where Walker's character strangles Elliot's, with the murder being seen through a reflection of Elliot's glasses, a unusual shot, but unique. The actors are excellent, Granger and Walker work well together, they play off well with each other and Roman, also Walker (who would sadly die two months after this film was released) is entertaining to watch interact with everyone. The fight scene at the end is excellent, it's fast paced (literally), it's mostly devoid of dialogue, and it manages to deliver suspense. This is a really excellent movie with many excellent scenes.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Wild One.

Review #315: The Wild One.

Cast
Marlon Brando (Johnny Strabler), Mary Murphy (Kathie Bleeker), Robert Keith (Harry Bleeker), Lee Marvin (Chino), Jay C. Flippen (Stew Singer), Peggy Maley (Mildred), Hugh Sanders (Charlie Thomas), Ray Teal (Frank Bleeker), and John Brown (Bill Hannegan) Directed by László Benedek.

Review
In the last two films that I reviewed with Marlon Brando (#109 - A Streetcar Named Desire and #110 - On the Waterfront), he did a good job, really conveying everything needed for his respective characters. And so not to spoil anything, I'll tell you that he does a reasonable job once again. The image of Brando in a leather jacket on a motorcycle is iconic, and it does grab your attention. The acting is fine, there's a balance with some good acting and some moderate acting, not entirely detracting from the film. While the film is not without flaws (It is slightly dated, you can just tell it's from the 50's without a guess.), there is some level of balanced entertainment, giving a rocking good time for the most part.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Robot Monster.

Review #266: Robot Monster.

Cast
George Nader (Roy), Claudia Barrett (Alice), Selena Royle (Mother), John Mylong (Professor), Gregory Moffett (Johnny), Pamela Paulson (Carla), George Barrows (Ro-Man), and John Brown (Voice of Ro-Man) Directed by Phil Tucker.

Review
Oh, boy, here we are, Robot Monster. The title isn't much, a robot who is...a monster, I suppose. Made from a budget of $16,000, this film was orignally made in 3-D (Ah 3-D, why do you live on...) The makers of the film didn't have money to make a costume, so they used a gorilla suit with a diving helmet instead. And it's...pretty funny, actually. This could actually be a comedy if you redubbed the lines because of the robot- I'm sorry "Ro-Man" as he is called. The film actually made a profit in its time (People apparently love to watch aliens invading a whole lot) If this was a mirror to Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, this would repersent the laughable opposite of it with decent acting, odd props, and a laughable, yet kind of smileworthy alien. In the end, the film is ridiculous in some points and unintentionally funny in the rest. You'll get more chills of laughter than actually scares, but oh well.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.