Before David began writing full-fledged film critiques, he crafted brief capsule reviews—here are numbers 31 through 40
31. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
The original production of The Manchurian Candidate is a well-made and faithful adaptation of Richard Condon’s novel. Directed skillfully by John Frankenheimer, the film boasts fine performances by Laurence Harvey, Frank Sinatra, and Oscar-nominated Angela Lansbury. With a creepy tone throughout, the film leaves astute viewers aware of an invisible ending.
***¼ (out of *****)
1962 • 2 Hours, 2 MINUTES
United Artists • M.C. Productions
STARRING
• Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh
ALSO STARRING
• Angela Lansbury, Henry Silva, James Gregory
WRITTEN BY
• George Axelrod (Screenplay)
• Richard Condon (Based upon a novel by)
DIRECTED BY
• John FRANKENHEIMER
1962 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (2)
• Best Supporting Actress: ANGELA Lansbury (Lost to Patty Duke for The Miracle Worker)
* Best Film Editing (Lost to Lawrence of Arabia)
32. Choke (2008)
This darkly humorous indie film feels similar in tone to another made from a Chuck Palahniuk novel, Fight Club. The story follows a sexual compulsive, played wonderfully by Sam Rockwell, on an unlikely redemptive journey. Written for the screen and directed by actor Clark Gregg, the film is quirky, to say the least, and probably not for most audiences.
*** (out of *****)
2008 • 1 Hour, 32 MINUTES
Fox Searchlight Pictures • ATO Pictures • Contrafilm • Aramid Entertainment Fund
STARRING
• Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston
ALSO STARRING
• Kelly Macdonald, Brad William Henke, Jonah Bobo
WRITTEN BY
• Clark Gregg (Written for the screen)
• Chuck Palahniuk (Based on the novel by)
DIRECTED BY
• Clark Gregg
NO 2008 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
33. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Kill Bill Vol. 2 plays far more enjoyably than the first installment. Uma Thurman and David Carradine are terrific, as are supporters Michael Madsen and Daryl Hannah, but the real stars are the writing and directing of Quentin Tarantino.
***⅜ (out of *****)
2004 • 2 Hours, 17 MINUTES
Miramax • A Band Apart
STARRING
• Uma Thurman, David Carradine
ALSO STARRING
• Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Michael Parks
WRITTEN BY
• Quentin Tarantino & Uma Thurman (Based on the character of “The Bride” created by)
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
• Quentin Tarantino
NO 2004 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
34. This Sporting Life (1963)
Harsh tale of a British miner turned rugby player seeking love and acceptance. Richard Harris and Rachel Roberts turn in fine, Oscar-nominated performances, but this bleak tale of lost love, fear, and the search for happiness reflects the hardscrabble existence of city life in early-sixties northern England.
**¾ (out of *****)
1963 • 2 Hours, 14 MINUTES
The Rank ORGANISATION • Julian Wintle–Leslie Parkyn Productions
STARRING
• Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts
ALSO STARRING
• Alan Badel, William Hartnell
WRITTEN BY
• David Storey (Screenplay)
• David Storey (Based on the novel by)
DIRECTED BY
• Lindsay Anderson
1963 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (2)
• Best Actor: Richard Harris (Lost to Sidney Poitier for Lilies of the Field)
• Best Actress: Rachel Roberts (Lost to Patricia Neal for Hud)
35. the Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937)
Though The Last of Mrs. Cheyney’s sensibilities are a bit dated now, this second film made from the Frederick Lonsdale play holds up enough, mainly because of the performances by Joan Crawford, William Powell, and Frank Morgan. Not a must-see, but amusing and occasionally surprising.
**¾ (out of *****)
1937 • 1 Hour, 38 MINUTES
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
STARRING
• Joan Crawford, William Powell, Robert Montgomery
ALSO STARRING
• Frank Morgan, Jessie Ralph, Nigel Bruce
WRITTEN BY
• Leon Gordon & Samson Raphaelson (screen play)
• Monckton Hoffe (screen play)
• Frederick Lonsdale (From the play by)
DIRECTED BY
• Richard Boleslawski
NO 1937 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
36. (500) Days of Summer (2009)
An unconventional little film, (500) Days of Summer is carried largely by its quirky screenplay and a fine performance by lead actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt. One of the better romantic comedies, especially since it plays against the usual tropes of that genre. Funny, poignant, and believable. One of the better films of 2009.
***¼ (out of *****)
2009 • 1 Hour, 35 MINUTES
Fox Searchlight Pictures • Watermark
STARRING
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
ALSO STARRING
• Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz, Matthew Gray Gubler, Clark Gregg
WRITTEN BY
• Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber
DIRECTED BY
• Marc Webb
NO 2009 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
37. Martian Child (2007)
Martian Child tells the tale of a widower in pretty much a by-the-numbers manner, but with several of the numbers missing. John Cusack is usually reliable, but he has neither a good script nor an able director with which to work here. The adopted son, portrayed convincingly by young Bobby Coleman, is likewise left without much decent material. Not recommended.
*½ (out of *****)
2007 • 1 Hour, 46 MINUTES
New Line Cinema • Hannah Rachel Production Services • MERADIN Zweite Productions
STARRING
• John Cusack, Amanda Peet
ALSO STARRING
• Sophie Okonedo, Oliver Platt, Bobby Coleman, Joan Cusack
WRITTEN BY
• Seth Bass & Jonathan Tolins (Screenplay)
• David Gerrold (Based on “The Martian child” by)
DIRECTED BY
• Menno Meyjes
NO 2007 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
38. Julie & Julia (2009)
In the thoroughly enjoyable Julie & Julia, Meryl Streep does a phenomenal job as Julia Child, and Amy Adams continues her string of fine performances, this time as a woman inspired by the famous chef. Stanley Tucci is also solid as the husband of Julia, though Chris Messina falters as Julie’s spouse. While the writing and direction fall flat from time to time, the two leads shoulder on, doing the heavy lifting. Recommended.
*** (out of *****)
2009 • 1 Hour, 58 MINUTES
Columbia Pictures • Easy There Tiger Productions • Scott Rudin Productions
STARRING
• Meryl Streep, Amy Adams
ALSO STARRING
• Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina, Linda Emond
WRITTEN BY
• Nora Ephron (Screenplay)
• Julie Powell (Based on the book Julie & Julia by)
• Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme (BAsed on the book My Life in France by)
DIRECTED BY
• Nora Ephron
2009 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (1)
• Best ACtress: Meryl Streep (Lost to Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side)
39. Ironweed (1987)
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by William Kennedy, Ironweed stars Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. Though exceptional actors, neither are believable as 1930s drifters in this too-clean production, which feels too much like a made-for-television movie. The main problem here seems to be the direction, which—like the main characters—also drifts, to little effect. Not recommended.
*½ (out of *****)
1987 • 2 Hours, 23 MINUTES
TRI-STAR Pictures• TAFT Entertainment Pictures • Keith Barish Productions
STARRING
• Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep
ALSO STARRING
• Carroll Baker, Michael O'Keefe, Fred Gwynne, Diane Venora, Tom Waits
WRITTEN BY
• William Kennedy (Screenplay, based on his novel)
DIRECtED BY
• Hector Babenco
1987 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (2)
• Best ACtor: Jack Nicholson (Lost to Michael Douglas for Wall Street)
• Best Actress: Meryl Streep (Lost to Cher for Moonstruck)
40. Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
Penned by The Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, Requiem For a Heavyweight stars Anthony Quinn as a punch-drunk boxer arriving at the end of his career. Jackie Gleason portrays his selfish manager, Mickey Rooney his ineffectual trainer, and Julie Harris a social worker out to rescue him. The writing, acting, and directing are all stellar in this modern tragedy. Recommended.
***¼ (out of *****)
1962 • 1 Hour, 35 MINUTES
Columbia Pictures Corporation
STARRING
• Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Julie Harris
ALSO STARRING
• Stanley Adams, Madame Spivy, Val Avery, Herbie Faye
WRITTEN BY
• Rod Serling (Screenplay, based on his teleplay)
DIRECTED BY
• Ralph Nelson
NO 1962 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
©2018 David R. George III