Classic Movie Reviews

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Episode 227 - Double Feature: Time After Time & Somewhere In Time

November 12, 2023 by Matthew Johnson in action, drama, historical, science fiction, thriller

Our podcast covers two excellent time travel movies. “Time After Time” 1979 from Director Nicholas Meyer transports us to H.G. Wells and his search for Doctor John Leslie Stevenson known as Jack-the-Ripper. “Somewhere in Time” 1980 by Director Jeannot Szwarc is the timeless love story between Elise Mckenna and Richard Collier.

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November 12, 2023 /Matthew Johnson
nicholas meyer, h.g. wells, malcolm mcdowell, mary steenburgen, david warner, jeannot szwarc, christopher reeve, jane seymour, christopher plummer, john barry, sergei rachmaninoff
action, drama, historical, science fiction, thriller
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Episode 222 - The Fog

January 29, 2023 by Matthew Johnson in horror, mystery, thriller

“The Fog” 1980 is a horror-drama set in the California coastal town of Antonio Bay.  Director John Carpenter co-wrote the screenplay and created the music for this exciting story.

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January 29, 2023 /Matthew Johnson
adrienne barbeau, jamie lee curtis, john carpenter, tom atkins, ty michell, hal holbrook, janet leigh
horror, mystery, thriller
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Episode 218 - Les Diaboliques

November 06, 2022 by Matthew Johnson in drama, mystery, thriller

In “Les Diaboliques”, translated The Devils, Director Henri-Georges Clouzot gives us a prize winning eerie drama that is one of the best in the genre.

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November 06, 2022 /Matthew Johnson
Henri-Georges Clouzot, Véra Clouzot, Simone Signoret, Paul Meurisse, Charles Vanel
drama, mystery, thriller
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Episode 217 - The 39 Steps

November 06, 2022 by Matthew Johnson in drama, mystery, noir, thriller, war, action

“The 39 Steps” 1935 is a spy movie with action taking place in the United Kingdom. Director Alfred Hitchcock packs the film with elements such as an innocent man on the run, a Hitchcock cameo, and the “MacGuffin” plot device important to the drama.

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November 06, 2022 /Matthew Johnson
Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Godfrey Tearle, Wylie Watson
drama, mystery, noir, thriller, war, action
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Episode 209 - The Spiral Staircase

January 17, 2022 by Matthew Johnson in drama, mystery, thriller

Robert Siodmak had a long career making films in Germany during the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) before fleeing to France in 1933. He then left for the United States in 1940 when France fell to Germany. "The Spiral Staircase" 1946 is a showcase of his talents in directing this gothic horror tale of a serial killer who targets vulnerable women in a Vermont town.

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January 17, 2022 /Matthew Johnson
Robert Siodmak, Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Ethel Barrymore, Gordon Oliver, Elsa Lanchester, Kent Smith
drama, mystery, thriller
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Episode 207 - Crossfire

December 16, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in drama, noir, mystery, thriller

"Crossfire" 1947 deals with anti-Semitism and murder. Director Edward Dmytryk creates a masterful movie taking us to a place where hatred, fear, and ignorance culminate in the senseless beating death of Joseph Samuels a decorated veteran played by Sam Levene. The film is based on Richard Brooks's 1945 novel The Brick Foxhole.

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December 16, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
edward dmytryk, sam levene, richard brooks, the brick foxhole, robert young, robert ryan, robert mitchum, gloria grahame
drama, noir, mystery, thriller
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Episode 204 - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

August 28, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in action, drama, comedy, thriller

The sixth James Bond film takes center stage with "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" from 1969. Long time industry veteran Peter R. Hunt makes his Director debut for this film. Mr. Hunt's quick film cutting accentuates the action. This may be the Bond film that most closely follows the novel's themes.

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August 28, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
James Bond, george lazenby, peter hunt, diana rigg, telly savalas, gabriele ferzetti, ilse steppat
action, drama, comedy, thriller
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Episode 199 - Elevator to the Gallows

May 04, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in drama, thriller, noir

Happy May the 4th!

Head over to Patreon and check out our two part review of “Star Wars” available early for Patrons. We also have special bonus content and behind the scenes videos available for Patrons. Check it out and help support the show!

May the 4th be with you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Elevator to the Gallows" 1958 is a French crime film directed by Louis Malle. The musical score by Miles Davisis improvised and creates a haunting mood that adds beautifully to the drama. The cinematography of Henri Decae is remarkable.

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May 04, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
jeanne moreau, jean wall, maurice ronet, georges poujouly, yori bertin, louis malle, miles davis, henri decae
drama, thriller, noir
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Episode 196 - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

April 09, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in drama, action, thriller

"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" 1939 is the second and last of the Sherlock Holmes films from 20th Century Fox. However, good news for us Holmes fans because Universal Studios produced another twelve Holmes films from 1942 through 1946.

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April 09, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
basil rathbone, nigel bruce, george zucco, ida lupino
drama, action, thriller
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Episode 177 - Capricorn One

October 08, 2020 by Matthew Johnson in drama, action, thriller, science fiction

NASA is about to launch the first crew to Mars. Three Astronautics are strapped in the spacecraft. However, Dr. James Kelloway a NASA executive played by Hal Holbrook knows the craft's life support system will fail killing all onboard. The three Astronauts are ordered off the spacecraft and forced to fake the mission. Dr. Kelloway's massive cover-up is meant to deceive the President, Congress and public.

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October 08, 2020 /Matthew Johnson
peter hyams, brenda vicaro, elliot gould, hal holbrook, james brolin, jerry goldsmith, karen black, oj simpson, sam waterson
drama, action, thriller, science fiction
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Episode 175 - Klute

September 24, 2020 by Matthew Johnson in drama, thriller

"Klute" is a neo film noir murder thriller with dark and foreboding elements. The film takes us into the life of Bree Daniels prostitute and aspiring model/actress played by Jane Fonda. As Bree, Ms. Fonda won the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film explores Bree's life and possible involvement in the disappearance of a Pennsylvania company executive while in New York City.

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September 24, 2020 /Matthew Johnson
alan pakula, michael small, charles cioffinot, donald sutherland, gordon willis, jane fonda, rita gam, roy scheider, spoiler-free, vivian nathan
drama, thriller
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