Movie Night: It! The Terror From Beyond Space.

Review #331: It! The Terror From Beyond Space.

Cast
Marshall Thompson (Edward Carruthers), Shirley Patterson (Ann Anderson), Kim Spalding (Van Heusen), Ann Doran (Mary Royce), Dabbs Greer (Eric Royce), Paul Langton (Calder), Robert Bice (Purdue), Richard Benedict (Bob Finelli), Richard Hervey (Gino), Thom Carney (Kienholz), and Ray Corrigan (It) Directed by Edward L. Cahn.

Review
Ah yes, a 50s flick, and from 1953, the year that has had three reviews: One of Peter Pan (#178), another of... a Ro-Man (#266), and one of a House of Wax (#271), so the track record is moderately well. From what I've heard, this story premise would later be the inspiration for the 1976 film Alien, but if I compared the two, they really don't look familiar. Yea, both have the alien inside the spaceship that hunts them down, but this film is significantly shorter (Lasting barely over an hour.) and with odd things, such as "Mars is almost as big as Texas", and the odd suspicion against the main character in the beginning even though everyone watching knows there is going to be a monster, so why would you waste time with a character who thinks there ISN'T one? The title says there's a terror, so yea. Then again, there have been far weirder things that have been reviewed on this site, like toasters, Santa in space, Ernest, talking rabbits, Spongebob, and others.  The acting is okay, not great or anything, but it works for what its worth. The monster looks fine, slightly scary, though that may be due to the black and white (Much like in Gojira), but still. Decent stuff that works...at the midnight slot. (Comments are welcome here)

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Ace in the Hole.

Review #194: Ace in the Hole.

Cast
Kirk Douglas (Chuck Tatum), Jan Sterling (Lorraine Minosa), Robert Arthur (Herbie Cook), Porter Hall (Jacob Q. Boot), Frank Cady (Mr. Federber), Richard Benedict (Leo Minosa), Ray Teal (Sheriff Kretzer), Lewis Martin (McCardle), John Berkes (Papa Minosa), Frances Dominguez (Mama Minosa), and Gene Evans (Deputy Sheriff) Directed by Billy Wilder (#106 - Some Like It Hot)

Review
Nearly sixty one years old, this film still has some bite. Originally called The Big Carnival, it was not a success initially, but today it is a classic. Cynical and nail biting to the point, it also has good acting from Kirk Douglas, who is the father of another great actor, Michael Douglas, who I mentioned already (#095 - Wall Street). Both can play alluring roles that charm you into watching the movie. Fun fact: Kirk's real name was Issur Danielovitch. Wilder directed, wrote, and produce, and yet this wasn't much of a success back then. But as time passes, so does opinions, and I feel that way as well. Unrelenting yet still realistic with good noir with a good ending shot to top it off. It might be a bit slow in the beginning, but it all tops out in the end. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.