The Last Man On Earth is a B & W classic starring Vincent Price. It is a dark and depressing movie based on Richard Matheson’s novel, I Am Legend. This film has to be the basis for dozens of zombie movies, including the classic Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. I debated even watching this […]
The Last Man On Earth (1964)
April 11, 2020 by
Film Title
The Last Man On EarthSynopsis
A global pandemic and the inspiration for all zombie movies
Director
Ubaldo RagonaCast
Vincent Price
Franco Bettoia
Emma Danieli
Giacomo Rossi Stuart
The Fighting 69th (1940)
April 9, 2020 by
Film Title
The Fighting 69thSynopsis
James Cagney is a loudmouthed, self-centered braggart, and a soldier fighting in WW1. How will this turn out?
Director
William KeighleyCast
James Cagney
Pat O'Brien
George Brent
Jefferey Lynn
Alan Hale
Frank McHugh
( “Faugh a Ballagh” ) A battle cry of Irish origin meaning ‘clear the way’ was first used as a regimental motto of the Royal Irish Fusiliers back in and now the motto of the Royal Irish Regiment. It was adopted by the the Fusiliers back in 1798 after the exploits of Sgt Patrick Masterson […]
A Note on Hitchcock’s Strangler Trilogy.
April 7, 2020 by
Flanked by Shadow of a Doubt (1943) and Strangers on a Train (1951), Rope. A budding pianist anxious to know if his debut concert will be a success, Philip asks Mrs. Atwater to read his palm. She grants his request and says: “These hands will bring you great fame.” Her prophecy should please him, but […]
John Welsh’s Look At Turner Classic Movies
March 30, 2020 by
For a movie lover, life can change for the good even in these troubled times when Turner Classic Movies re-enters. Yes, I went without TCM for years, when last week a miracle occurred. Yes, a miracle. Great films are on my television screen. What need have I of HBO or Showtime? Ha! I say Ha! […]
The African Queen (1951)
February 19, 2020 by
Film Title
The African QueenSynopsis
World War 1 reaches Central Africa and an unlikely tandem decides to get involved.
Director
John HustonCast
Humphrey Bogart
Katherine Hepburn
Robert Morley
Peter Bull
Here at Ruthless, we are famous for 80’s Action and Christmas Movie Reviews. One genre that is seriously underrepresented at Ruthless is the classics. Movies with dialogue that pops and sizzles, and with great acting and character development. The African Queen is one of my favorite classics and stars two of the greatest actors to […]
The 1939 movie year: First in a series.
January 27, 2020 by
A recent question on Jeopardy reminded me 1939 was a banner year for the release of the greatest number of quality films ever in a single year. Most were the product of the studio system. I will briefly discuss some of my favorites, starting with my favorite film genre, the Western. Jesse James ( “He […]
It Happened One Night
June 10, 2014 by
I think this characteristic relates to is an explanation of why Capra’s body of work has evolved into being a touch-stone for political and social conservatives. They think that they are latching onto George Bailey, and Mr. Smith; in fact, they are really nostalgic for the dynamics of a patriarchal society that revolves around a big man, be it Mr. Potter or Jim Taylor. The longing is for the world at the beginning, not the end, of Capra’s movies. Or to put it another way, the conservatives are disregarding the economic sub-text, as unsubtle as it is, and honing in instead upon the sexual dynamics of Capra’s films.
Midnight Cowboy
April 25, 2014 by
Film Title
Midnight CowboySynopsis
A love story wrapped around a ground-breaking film
Director
John SchlesingerCast
Dustin Hoffman
Jon Voight
Sylvia Miles
John McGiver
Brenda Vaccaro
Barnard Hughes
Ruth White
Jennifer Salt
MIDNIGHT COWBOY MOVIE REVIEW Movies have been often characterized as innovative, ground-breaking, trend-setting or wildly original, and these terms can be overused, but I cannot emphasize enough what a bold and courageous experiment in cinema was Midnight Cowboy. It is hard to comprehend that it has been 50 years since this Oscar-winning film was released, […]
The Lost Weekend
January 30, 2020 by
Film Title
The Lost WeekendSynopsis
An Alcoholic alone for a harrowing weekend.
Director
Billy WilderCast
Ray Milland
Jane Wyman
Phillip Terry
Howard DaSilva
Frank Faylen
Doris Dowling
The Wet House provides a judgment-free atmosphere for drunks, but there was no such thing in the world of this ground-breaking movie that was made in 1945. Don Birnam is a part time writer and a full time, 24-carat alcoholic. For someone like Don Birnam, the judgment was EVERYWHERE, his supporting brother, to a lesser […]
Forgotten Classics: The Swimmer (1968)
May 6, 2020 by
Film Title
The SwimmerSynopsis
Burt dips his wicks in multiple suburban swimming pools on a warm summer’s day
Director
Frank Perry -Sydney PollackCast
Burt Lancaster
Janet Languard
Janice Rule
Charles Drake
Marge Champion
Burt Lancaster, John Cheever, suburban ennui, and one extremely tight pair of swim trunks.
