Outstanding reviews of some of the greatest films that you may choose from starting here. Snake Eyes – When the Secretary of Defense is murdered while at a heavyweight fight at an Atlantic City casino is going on, chaos breaks out. Resident policeman Rick Santoro finds himself right in the midst of the chaos. The doors are locked and everyone is kept inside the building as they try to promptly crack the crime.
The Ploughman’s Lunch – Difficult, cynical censure of British behaviors, ethics and affairs of state, focusing on the maneuvers of wholly selfish journalist (Pryce) and others throughout the Falklands battle. The film is somewhat perceptive, within the restraints of its outlook. Cast includes Jonathan Pryce, Tim Curry, Rosemary Harris, Blunt Finlay, and Charlie Dore. (100 minutes, 1983)
Red Sun – East meets West in this outlandish saga of a samurai fighter chasing a costly Japanese sword stolen from a train crossing the American West. Cast includes Charles Bronson, Ursula Andress, Toshiro Mifune, Alain Delon, and Capucine. (112 minutes, 1972)
The Geisha Boy – Jerry, an incompetent warlock, voyages to Japan with catastrophic repercussions. Original graphic gags; there is a clever pattern characterizing the Los Angeles Dodgers and, specifically, Gil Hodges. Cast includes Jerry Lewis, Marie McDonald, Sessue Hayakawa, Nobu McCarthy, Suzanne Pleshette, Barton MacLane, and Robert Hirano. (98 minutes, 1958)
Only You – Amiable confection in reference to a youthful female who invests her entire life looking for her perfect mate whose name was summoned up on a Ouija board. Cast includes Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey, Jr., Bonnie Seek, Joaquim De Almeida, Fisher Stevens, and Phyllis Newman. (108 minutes, 1994)
La Petit Lili – A family’s country house is charged with emotion while the hotheaded child, a yearning film maker actor, finds that his lady friend is mesmerized with his mother’s boyfriend, a triumphant head of films. Dazzling film empowered by Chekhov’s The Seagull, investigating the line between art and life, and how the 2 influence each other. Cast includes Nicole Garcia, Bernard Giraudeau, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Ludivine Sagnier, Robinson Steveniu, Julie Depardieu, Yves Jacques, and Michel Piccoli. (104 minutes, 2003)
Mr. Baseball – Jack Elliot was one of baseball’s true superstars. He has seen his better days, and the Yankees have the next megastar waiting in the wings. They make the decision, and trade their ex star away. To make things worse, they trade him to Japan.
Bewitched – Isabelle is a witch, living in the San Fernando Valley, and trying to not use her mystical powers. She finds herself being wooed by actor Jack Watt to play the role of Samantha the witch in a remake of the old 1960’s sitcom Bewitched. What a bizarre twist of fate.
Ruby Gentry – Pretentious, strolling account of simple-minded Southerner Jones wedding wealthy Malden to spite Heston, the man she cherishes Cast includes Jennifer Jones, Charlton Heston, Karl Malden, and Josephine Hutchinson. (82 minutes, 1952)
Christmas Vacation – The Griswalds have big plans for Christmas this year. Clark has invited a group of the relatives over for the huge celebration. Clark’s hard works go ludicrously wrong, par for the course for a Griswald holiday.