Soylent Green (1973, MGM)
Stars Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, Chuck Connors and Edward G. Robinson. In the year 2022, one of the board members of the Soylent Corporation is murdered. Why? Heston (as police Detective Thorn) discovers a conspiracy behind it all and of the future food for the masses. Wonderful final performance from Edward G. Robinson as Sol Roth, Thorn’s “police book”. Sad last scene with them both. Robinson was dying from cancer while making this.
Becket (1964, Columbia)
True story of King Richard II (Peter O’Toole) and his best friend Thomas Becket (Richard Burton) whom he makes his Archbishop and who must choose God over the kingdom. Arguably, O’Toole’s best performance; Burton’s no slouch either.
They both received Oscar nominations, losing to Rex Harrison for “My Fair Lady”.
Black Sabbath aka Les Trois Visagees de la Peur or I Tre Volti della Paura (1963, Italy. 1964, USA)
There are two different versions, AIP’s and the original one in Italian. The three tales of horror include, “A Drop of Water”, “The Telephone” and “The Wurdelak” – which stars Boris Karloff. (The Italian version is dubbed and does not contain Karloff’s distinctive voice.)
“The Telephone” (the middle episode) has been toned down in the AIP cut. “A Drop of Water” is pure shock horror. Where did they get the woman to play the dead medium? Directed by Mario Bava, well known for being the father of giallo horror and the inspiration for future director Dario Argento.
It’s Alive (1974, Warner Bros.)
Psychodrama/sci-fi/horror flick written, directed and produced by Larry Cohen. Stars John P. Ryan and Sharon Farrell as the Davis’, parents who inadvertently breed a mutant killer baby.
Flopped upon its first release, then became a cult hit upon its 1977 re-release. Spawned two more sequels and a remake. Atmospheric score by master composer Bernard Herrmann.
The Illustrated Man (1968, Warner Bros.)
Uneven, but noteworthy film adaption of the Ray Bradbury classic.
Rod Steiger stars as the “Illustrated Man” who is tattooed from head to toe, “but don’t look too long because those tattoos will become alive.” Robert Drivas costars with Claire Bloom who was married to Steiger at the time.
The Hitcher (1986, Tri-Star Pictures)
Effective little thriller starring Rutger Hauer as the hitchhiker from hell who won’t leave C. Thomas Howell alone.
Costars Jennifer Jason Leigh as Nash, a very underrated actress.
Hamlet (1996, Columbia)
Big-budget, all-star, epic of Shakespeare’s masterpiece. A Kenneth Brannagh project.
Best performance is Kate Winslet’s Ophelia.
70mm cinematography effect lessened on the small screen.
Let’s Make Love (1960, 20th Century-Fox)
Somewhat overlooked Marilyn Monroe film, more known at the time for the affair she had with her co-star Yves Montand. Comedy about Jean Marc Clement (Yves Montand), a billionaire who pretends to be a poor actor trying to impress Amanda Dell (Monroe.) Contains the showstoppers “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” and “Specialization”. Very funny in spots with cameos by Milton Bearle, Gene Kelly and Bing Crosby. Co-stars Tony Randall. MM’s husband, Arthur Miller, worked on the script, uncredited.
Text (C) 2015 – EricReports