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     It Happened Tomorrow
1944  NR  FANTASY  1h 25min
CAST— Dick Powell, Linda Darnell, Jack Oakie, Edgar Kennedy, John Philliber, Edward Brophy, George Cleveland, Sig Ruman, Paul Guilfoyle
MUSIC— Robert Stolz  DIRECTOR— René Clair  BASED ON— The Jest of Haha Laba (play), by Lord Dunsany

     What if it did happen tomorrow and you were the first to know about it? That’s the idea behind this interesting, if slight, allegory featuring Dick Powell as a newspaper reporter getting the latest scoop before the presses are even hot. Powell receives tomorrow’s paper one day in advance, reading about the stories before they happen. What he chooses to do with his knowledge leads him down a path that almost ends in disaster; and when he reads the report of his own death, it’s a desperate struggle to keep his sanity. Told with comic undertones and carried at an easy pace. An entertaining if unremarkable fantasy.
OUR RATING— ** ½

Trailer Unavailable

     It Happened to Jane
1959  NR  COMEDY  1h 37min
CAST— Doris Day, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Steve Forrest, Teddy Rooney, Russ Brown, Mary Wickes, Parker Fennelly
MUSIC— George Duning  DIRECTOR— Richard Quine

     The next time you venture out to your favorite seafood establishment remember that timing is everything. Doris Day finds that out the hard way in this all but forgotten film starring her as the owner of a small-time lobster business. When a shipment of lobsters die due to a late train, her business, not to mention her reputation as an entrepreneur, suffers. She asks the railroad for compensation, but the owner won’t hear of it. So begins a legal battle that eventually turns the eye of the nation upon her and the scorn of the public on the railroad. Neither a lighthearted romp nor a scathing satire on corporate powers crushing the little guy; a moderately entertaining comedy that mainly gives you a nagging craving for shellfish. Butter, anyone? AKA Twinkle and Shine.
OUR RATING— **

     It Happened One Night
1934  NR  COMEDY  1h 45min
CAST— Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns, Alan Hale, Ward Bond
MUSIC— Howard Jackson, Louis Silvers  DIRECTOR— Frank Capra  BASED ON— Night Bus (story), by Samuel Hopkins Adams

     Classic romantic comedy involving the penny pinching road trip of a desperate heiress and an opportunistic newspaperman. She’s recently been married to a famous aviator, against her father’s wishes, and rather than have the marriage annulled, begins a journey to her husband, from Florida to New York, with her father hot on her heels. She uses the highways and byways, unwittingly pairing up with a hardened reporter who recognizes her from the national news, and he smells an exclusive. He helps her along her merry way, by hook or by crook, using buses, cars, or just good old fashioned “leg” work. They have a troubled relationship, but then again no romance is perfect. Another highly regarded film from the ‘30s, another big time Oscar-winner, winning for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Clark Gable), Best Actress (Claudette Colbert), and Best Screenplay. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ** ½

     It Came From Outer Space
1953  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 20min
CAST— Richard Carlson, Barbara Rush, Charles Drake, Joe Sawyer, Russell Johnson
MUSIC— Herman Stein  DIRECTOR— Jack Arnold

     “Amazing! Exciting! Spectacular!” Or so the film poster promises. A star gazer looks to the night sky and sees a fast approaching meteor… or is it? He finds the impact crater and discovers an extraterrestrial spacecraft. The only problem is that no one in this two-bit desert town will believe his astronomical claims. While everyone mocks him the occupants of said starship are busy taking the form of townsfolk in order to blend in. Only our pariah of a hero can rescue the populace from the alien menace (even though no one is in any real danger, but whatever). Touted as a classic science fiction thriller, though sadly nary a thrill nor a chill is to be found. A mediocre attempt to cash in on the saucer phase of the ‘50s. Originally filmed in 3D. Followed by a television sequel/remake/rip-off in ’96.
OUR RATING— * ½
FOLLOWED BY— It Came From Outer Space II (1996)

     It Came From Beneath the Sea
1955  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 19min
CAST— Kenneth Tobey, Faith Domergue, Donald Curtis, Ian Keith, Harry Lauter
MUSIC— Mischa Bakeleinikoff  DIRECTOR— Robert Gordon

     An early feature film effort from Ray Harryhausen, this is still considered one of his best. Atomic submarines are running rampant in the waters of the Pacific circa 1955. Mankind’s doomsday devices have wrought havoc on the ecosystems of the world, including those far below the surface of the water. Deep in the depths a beast has been drawn to the surface, bringing terror into the hearts of man: an enormous octopus, a sea monster of the deep. It begins to head towards the California coast, leaving death and destruction in its wake. An example of a B-movie that takes itself way too seriously; the only recommendable feature are its effects. Final note: This is the legendary six-limbed octopus (sextopus?) that bears Harryhausen’s technological know-how.
OUR RATING— * ½

Trailer Unavailable

     Isle of the Dead
1945  NR  HORROR  1h 12min
CAST— Boris Karloff, Ellen Drew, Marc Cramer, Katherine Emery, Helene Thimig, Jason Robards, Sr.
MUSIC— Leigh Harline  DIRECTOR— Mark Robson  BASED ON— Isle of the Dead (painting), by Arnold Bocklin

     A sleeper film that may just put you to sleep, Isle of the Dead has little to offer. Boris Karloff plays a Greek general visiting his wife’s grave on a remote island. He’s drawn to a house where, unbeknownst to him, a deadly plague has taken hold. As the residents start to drop like flies, some start to suspect a more sinister cause of death, a form of Grecian vampire. With lots of set-up, the film never pays off, leaving the viewer feeling cheated, wishing the plague would have just done its job and wiped them all out.
OUR RATING— * ½

     The Island of Dr. Moreau
1977  PG  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 39min
CAST— Burt Lancaster, Michael York, Nigel Davenport, Barbara Carrera, Richard Basehart
MUSIC— Laurence Rosenthal  DIRECTOR— Don Taylor  BASED ON— The Island of Doctor Moreau (novel), by H. G. Wells

     Rather murky interpretation of H. G. Wells’ tale of madness amid the animal kingdom. Drifting sailor Andrew Braddock (Michael York) land hos upon an island owned by one Dr. Moreau, played by Burt Lancaster. Immediately upon arrival sailor boy can tell that something’s up; he’s told to stay inside Moreau’s “compound”, a series of buildings surrounded by a high-walled perimeter (just why is left unsaid). But all is forgotten when he sees the exotic Maria, a woman who’s lived on the island for most of her life. It soon becomes apparent that Andrew’s trepidation was just when he discovers the nature of the beast; Moreau has been trying to give animals characteristics of human beings, at times more successful than others. Soon Andrew must struggle for his very sanity when Moreau’s God-complex becomes too much to bear. Slow-moving, slightly depressing, this could have used a boost in the chills and thrills dept.
OUR RATING— **
ORIGINAL— Island of Lost Souls (1933)
REMADE AS— The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

Trailer Unavailable

     I Shot Jesse James
1949  NR  WESTERN  1h 21min
CAST— Preston Foster, Barbara Britton, John Ireland, Reed Hadley, J. Edward Bromberg
MUSIC— Albert Glasser  DIRECTOR— Samuel Fuller

     Moderately entertaining morality tale of sorts set in the old West. Robert Ford, part of Jesse James’ outfit, wants to wed his gal pal. His only means of doing so is to hand in James, dead or alive. Ford thinks that dead is the better option; he shoots James in the back to achieve the desired effect. Though James was the scourge of bankers and lawmen he was a folk hero, a Robin Hood of the old West. Thus, after the death of Jesse James cowfolk spurn Ford, naming him a coward. Though generally slow-moving the film may be of interest to history buffs, if only for its glaring inaccuracies.
OUR RATING— ** ½

     I Saw What You Did
1965  NR  DRAMA  1h 22min
CAST— Sara Lane, Andi Garrett, John Ireland, Joan Crawford, Leif Erickson, Patricia Breslin
MUSIC— Van Alexander, Jerry Keller  DIRECTOR— William Castle  BASED ON— Out of the Dark (novel), by Ursula Curtiss

     Oh, really? A poorly paced thriller that fails to impress. To pass the time two teenage girls decide to make a few prank phone calls. After using various gags, they try a new method; each time someone answers the phone they say “I saw what you did, and I know who you are”. It’s a hit or miss joke but they get a hit all the same. They repeat this line to a man, chosen at random through the directory, and really freak him out; for you see, he’s just brutally murdered his wife and disposed of her body in the woods. Directed by William Castle, this dull, gimmick-less tale lacks even unintentional humor. Just hang up and dial again.
OUR RATING— **
REMADE AS— I Saw What You Did (1988)

     Iron Man 3
2013  PG-13  ACTION  2h 10min
CAST— Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, Jon Favreau, Ben Kingsley
MUSIC— Brian Tyler  DIRECTOR— Shane Black  BASED ON— Characters appearing in Marvel Comics

     Instead of being billed as an Iron Man sequel this could be advertised as a Tony Stark spin-off, seeing as how Iron Man is treated as a separate, secondary, often remotely-driven robotic character. Let’s consider the story. Iron Man 3 begins at the beginning: Switzerland, 1999. Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) is a flamboyant womanizer floating in booze, whose genius is matched only by his ego. But surely everyone remembers this side of his personality. Iron Man history truly begins when he brushes off fellow genius Aldrich Killian, founder of Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.), a think tank that will leave an indelible mark on Stark’s future. In the present Stark is an eccentric mess after the Battle of New York (see The Avengers [2012]). But he’d better shape up if he’s gonna take on Earth’s newest super threat: The Mandarin, a gruesome terrorist determined to blow America to heck and back. But after a devastating attack Stark is left to combat this new threat with naught but the clothes on his back. What is a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist to do? A somewhat empty exercise in super heroics that may fail to satisfy even the Marvel diehard, yet it is what it is: a now permanent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Onscreen title: Iron Man Three.
OUR RATING— **
PRECEDED BY— Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), The Avengers (2012)
FOLLOWED BY— Thor: The Dark World (2013), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Ant-Man (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Doctor Strange (2016), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

     Iron Man 2
2010  PG-13  ACTION  2h 5min
CAST— Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson
MUSIC— John Debney  DIRECTOR— Jon Favreau  BASED ON— Characters appearing in Marvel Comics

     Welcome back, metal heads. Iron Man returns to face even more problems than he had the first time around. Tony Stark faces flack when the government begins to view Iron Man as a weapon and tries to commandeer his armor. He faces ruin when he names girlfriend Pepper Potts CEO of Stark Industries. He loses his best friend James Rhodes when Rhodey sides with the government. To top it off there’s a new baddie in town: a mad Russian physicist called Whiplash, whose world revolves around vengeance, vodka and cockatoos. Funny yet mature, with slam bang action sequences and lots of comic book references for the Marvel geek (and you needn’t be Scandinavian to figure out who’ll be here soon). Don’t forget a top-notch cast delivering some darn fine performances. A simply Marvel-ous sequel.
OUR RATING— ***
PRECEDED BY— Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008)
FOLLOWED BY— Thor (2011), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), The Avengers (2012), Iron Man 3 (2013), Thor: The Dark World (2013), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Ant-Man (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Doctor Strange (2016), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

     Iron Man
2008  PG-13  ACTION  2h 6min
CAST— Robert Downey, Jr., Terrence Howard
MUSIC— Ramin Djawadi  DIRECTOR— Jon Favreau  BASED ON— Characters appearing in Marvel Comics

     Once more audiences are treated to a glimpse into the Marvel Universe with an action-packed, fun-filled, crowd-pleasing feast for the eyes. Iron Man explodes onto the screen with amazing effects and sound, terrific performances, and comedic highlights. Tony Stark, American weapons manufacturer, is taken hostage by terrorists in a Middle Eastern country and ordered to construct a devastating missile. Working in private he fashions a suit of armor capable of withstanding anything they wanna throw at him. And so The Invincible Iron Man is born. Returning to the States, he upgrades his armor into a sleek, form-fitting suit and patrols the skies, ridding the night of evil. This is a film developed for fans and first-timers alike so worry not about feeling left out. Final note: Marvel fans, listen up: Do not, repeat, do not leave your seat until the closing credits roll by. You’re welcome.
OUR RATING— ***
FOLLOWED BY— The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), The Avengers (2012), Iron Man 3 (2013), Thor: The Dark World (2013), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Ant-Man (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Doctor Strange (2016), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

     The Iron Giant
1999  PG  ANIMATED  1h 27min
CAST— Jennifer Aniston, Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick, Jr., Vin Diesel, Christopher McDonald, James Gamon, Cloris Leachman, John Mahoney, M. Emmet Walsh
MUSIC— Michael Kamen  DIRECTOR— Brad Bird  BASED ON— The Iron Man (novel), by Ted Hughes

     A slightly unusual blend of mature drama and kid-friendly adventure await a broad audience. An enormous piece of debris shoots out of the sky, landing in the gulf near a peaceful 1950s era Maine hamlet. What pops out of the waves is an enormous metallic robot, his tummy rumbling for anything metal. A young boy, given to wild stories and mischief, is the first to discover this Iron Giant, whom he pities, teaches to speak English, generally becomes best friends with. But when the feds hear rumors of an invasion from Mars they send an agent (a rather obsessed agent, at that) to investigate. Soon tanks are sent in, jets are doing fly-bys, and a devastating missile is armed and locked on the Giant. Not exactly a giggle-fest of a cartoon, what with the militaristic aspect and the possibility that the entire populace may be destroyed at any second. Kinda sounds like real life, don’t it? Extended version also available.
OUR RATING— ** ½

     I Remember Mama
1948  NR  DRAMA  2h 14min
CAST— Irene Dunne, Barbara Bel Geddes, Oscar Homolka, Philip Dorn, Cedric Hardwicke, Edgar Bergen, Rudy Vallee, Barbara O’Neil, Florence Bates, Ellen Corby
MUSIC— Roy Webb  DIRECTOR— George Stevens  BASED ON— Mama’s Bank Account (book), by Kathryn Forbes

     Director George Stevens brings to the screen a charming film tailor made for mom. Barbara Bel Geddes plays a novelist reminiscing on her childhood, recalling the good old days of early 20th century life in San Francisco. Her fondest memories are of her mother, a headstrong yet kindhearted woman of Norwegian descent. Memories are told through various vignettes, all displaying the love and unity maintained by the diverse members of their family. Sweet but never sappy; though plenty dramatic never a straight up drama; lots of humor scattered every so often. Definitely worth a look for moms (and Mr. Moms) everywhere. Later developed into a television series.
OUR RATING— ***

     The Invisible Woman
1940  NR  COMEDY  1h 12min
CAST— John Barrymore, Virginia Bruce, John Howard, Charlie Ruggles, Oscar Homolka, Margaret Hamilton, Donald MacBride, Edward Brophy, Shemp Howard, Charles Lane, Thurston Hall
MUSIC— Frank Skinner  DIRECTOR—  A. Edward Sutherland

     What had the potential to be a classic Universal picture is in fact a pointless exercise in slapstick with zero redeeming qualities. A miscast John Barrymore plays a befuddled professor who has created a machine that renders the subject invisible. He places an ad for a willing victim to undergo the procedure. A put upon fashion model signs up… but only to carry out her own sinister agenda: she wishes to exact revenge upon her bossy employer by kicking him in the pants (shocking, huh?). After perpetrating this act of sadistic violence the model drinks, falls in love with a playboy and beats up a gaggle of gangsters (The Three Stooges’ Shemp Howard among them). Though an attempt is made at comedy not even a chuckle can be found. Nothing special here.
OUR RATING— *

     The Invisible Ray
1936  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 19min
CAST— Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Frances Drake, Frank Lawton, Walter Kingsford, Beulah Bondi
MUSIC— Franz Waxman  DIRECTOR— Lambert Hillyer

     A dull little tale about an African expedition to find a meteorite thought to have landed on Earth millennia ago. Karloff splits from the main group and finds said meteorite buried in the earth. After having part of it excavated he drops down for a closer look. When he comes back he’s been poisoned by the rock; in darkness he glows, and anyone he touches will die. He decides to harness the power in a ray-gun type machine and have power over nations, but after learning of his discoveries the other members of the expedition want to use the powers for the good of mankind. So they take the research, Karloff gets angry, decides to exact his revenge, and tries to murder everyone with his touch of death. The truth is, there’s nothing original here.
OUR RATING— **

Trailer Unavailable

     The Invisible Man
1933  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 11min
CAST— Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart
MUSIC— Heinz Roemheld  DIRECTOR— James Whale  BASED ON— The Invisible Man (novel), by H. G. Wells

     A maniacal, though mostly unseen, performance by Claude Rains dominates this entertaining sci-fi thriller. Scientist Rains has done the impossible: using a concoction of drugs he’s rendered himself invisible. The downside is he’s now unable to return to a visible state (there’s also the fact that he’s going murderously bonkers, but what’s that?). While not acting the scientist the Invisible Man is having a blast frightening locals with pranks that steadily turn more and more malicious. He forces a fellow doctor to carry out his every whim, otherwise it’ll be curtains for the doc. Terrified, the doctor seeks help from the police. Uh oh. Rains vows revenge, escapes the police time and again and kills countless innocents with destructive deeds. The police comb the countryside, but all for naught. What are the good guys to do? This tale starts out fun, almost slapstick-like, but the increasingly wicked acts performed by the Invisible Man turn him from comical character to all out killer. The film boasts some pretty impressive (for 1933) effects that leave this a memorable production. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ** ½
FOLLOWED BY— The Invisible Man Returns (1940)

     Invisible Invaders
1959  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 7min
CAST— John Agar, John Carradine, Philip Tonge
MUSIC— Paul Dunlap  DIRECTOR— Edward L. Cahn

     Unseen aliens blow stuff up in this atomic age freak out film. A prominent scientist is told to warn Earthlings that intergalactic war is imminent. No one believes him because he claims that the antagonists are invisible creatures who inhabit the bodies of the recently dead and are gonna go on killing sprees unless the people of Earth immediately surrender. Yeah. But when the scientist’s claims prove reliable it’s too late; death and destruction dominate. The scientist is soon working on a way to combat this extraterrestrial menace… and blah, blah, blah. Seen it. Bears some similarities to later films Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) and Night of the Living Dead (1968). With a mashup like that you know you’re in for at least a few unintentional laughs.
OUR RATING— * ½

     The Invisible
2007  PG-13  FANTASY  1h 42min
CAST— Justin Chatwin, Margarita Levieva
MUSIC— Marco Beltrami  DIRECTOR— David S. Goyer  BASED ON— Den osynlige (novel), by Mats Wahl

     David S. Goyer, the director of Blade: Trinity (2003) and the creative mastermind behind Blade: The Series, removes his vampire fangs and serves up this thoroughly depressing glimpse into the semi-life of teen angst in this juvenile excuse for a thriller. After a high school student is beaten, left for dead and dumped into a storm drain, he emerges safe and sound. The only difference is that he’s in a state of limbo and can neither be seen nor heard by anyone. He soon discovers that he is still alive and he must race against the clock to try to communicate with the conscious world, otherwise he’ll be toast. The plot itself isn’t bad, but the film suffers by using a naïve teenage cast, delving into their personal lives and social habits, as if anyone cares. A couple of good performances can’t save this film from being less than memorable.
Our rating— * ½
ORIGINAL— Den osynlige (2002)

     Invasion of the Body Snatchers
1978  PG  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 55min
CAST— Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright
MUSIC— Denny Zeitlin  DIRECTOR— Philip Kaufman  BASED ON— The Body Snatchers (novel), by Jack Finney

     Better stock up on the No-Dōz, ‘cause they getcha when you sleep. This remake of the classic McCarthy-era SF chiller is surprisingly effective. Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams star as two officials from the San Francisco department of health who stumble upon an extraterrestrial conspiracy. Weird flowers have popped up seemingly overnight and those who take a whiff may be enjoying their last sniff… as a human, of course. These flowers soon grow into huge pods that eject human replicants and wither the original people (in an ooey, gooey sort of way). The replicants only come alive when you sleep, so that little cat nap may cost you. The first hour is a study in paranoia but the second half is a real nail-biter, a mix of John Carpenter and George Romero (maybe a dash of David Cronenberg sprinkled in just for the heck of it). A sci-fi/horror tale that may just have you eyeing your neighbors a bit closer. Wake up!
OUR RATING— ***
ORIGINAL— Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
REMADE AS— Body Snatchers (1994), The Invasion (2007)

     Invasion of the Body Snatchers
1956  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 20min
CAST— Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan, Carolyn Jones, Virginia Christine
MUSIC— Carmen Dragon  DIRECTOR— Don Siegel  BASED ON— The Body Snatchers (novel), by Jack Finney

     You’d better stay awake for this one, a classic sci-fi chiller for the conspiracy theorist in all of us. In your average Small Town, U.S.A., everything appears as normal as can be. But if you look beneath the surface you may notice subtle changes in the people you know and love. Dig deeper behind the scenes and you just may find the shock of your life: strange oozing pods replicating human-esqe bodies that suspiciously look like those you see in your local Wal-Mart. What’s this…? There seems to be a pod-person that resembles you! Perhaps you should scram. Suddenly the townspeople form en masse and pursue you, trying to lull you into a false sense of security, claiming that mindless pod-people make for a better world. You’d better make a choice: try to elude them, or call it a day and hit the sack. During the time of the film’s release popular forms of entertainment were perfect breeding grounds for atomic-age freak-out films; why not give audiences a dose of the “Red Scare” as well? This film is widely believed to be a social commentary, saturated in negative jargon concerning commies. And for once, paranoid film critics may have something there; an air of imposing oppression does spread throughout the film. Whether you watch it for its significance as a classic of the genre or just for fun, it will hopefully leave an impression long after that “I Like Ike” bumper sticker peels off. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ***
REMADE AS— Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Body Snatchers (1994), The Invasion (2007)

     The Invasion
2007  PG-13  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 39min
CAST— Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig
MUSIC— John Ottman  DIRECTORS— Oliver Hirschbiegel, James McTiegue  BASED ON— The Body Snatchers (novel), by Jack Finney

     Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig star in this sci-fi thriller, yet another remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Psychiatrist Kidman begins to notice odd behavior from those all around her; people are behaving like zombies, void of emotion. She uses the help of her doctor boyfriend to uncover the mystery of these events and to track down her missing son, who may or may not have been turned. No pod-people here; just a lot of medical babble about the cellular structure of the alien genome. Not too bad, but then again, not great.
OUR RATING— **
ORIGINAL— Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956/1978), Body Snatchers (1994)

     Invaders from Mars
1953  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 17min
CAST— Helena Carter, Arthur Franz, Jimmy Hunt, Leif Erickson, Hillary Brooke, Bert Freed
MUSIC— Raoul Kraushaar  DIRECTOR— William Cameron Menzies

     Entertaining sci-fi camp, as only the ‘50s could produce. Late at night the son of a military scientist sees a strange glowing object descend from the skies. After his father goes to check it out he returns a bit different. Soon what turns out to be a spacecraft starts to claim victims left and right, altering them before returning them to their loved ones. The young boy slowly begins to gather allies who believe his story and who are willing to take action against both the spacecraft and the altered humans (including the boy’s parents, both of whom now do the aliens’ bidding). Hokey effects and lame dialogue combine to form a fun film that’s worth a few giggles. Beware the muTANTS!
OUR RATING— ** ½
REMADE AS— Invaders from Mars (1986)

     Intruder in the Dust
1949  NR  DRAMA  1h 27min
CAST— David Brian, Claude Jarman, Jr., Juano Hernandez, Porter Hall, Elizabeth Patterson
MUSIC— Adolph Deutsch  DIRECTOR— Clarence Brown  BASED ON— Intruder in the Dust (novel), by William Faulkner

     Engrossing dramatic mystery involving the case of a black man (played by Juano Hernandez) accused of mercilessly killing a white man. When the news reaches young Claude Jarman, Jr. he decides to make it his mission to free Hernandez. He persuades his lawyer uncle to take the case, despite uncle’s qualms. Jarman involves friends young and old in his crusade to discover the truth behind the murder. Meanwhile, the victim’s brother rallies the entire county into forming a lynch mob and it’s only a matter of time before they strike. Believable characterizations highlight this tale of the Deep South, which should satisfy classic film buffs.
OUR RATING— ***

     In This Our Life
1939  NR  DRAMA  1h 37min
CAST— Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, George Brent, Dennis Morgan, Charles Coburn, Frank Craven, Billie Burke, Hattie McDaniel, Lee Patrick, Ernest Anderson
MUSIC— Max Steiner  DIRECTOR— John Huston  BASED ON— In This Our Life (novel), by Ellen Glasgow

     In a typically overstated performance Bette Davis shows the audience her true talent. She plays a snotty young woman who steals sister Olivia de Havilland’s husband, later regretting it when they become bored with each other. He turns to the bottle and eventually kills himself, leaving poor little put upon Davis with no choice but to return to her family, where she finds that her old beau has become chummy with her sister. She decides to steal him back, of course, but he’ll have none of that. The film really picks up speed when Davis carelessly runs down a pedestrian and does everything in her power to slither her way out of the hot water she’s found herself in. A prime showcase for Davis’ overacting, in the type of role she was born to play.
OUR RATING— ** ½

     In the Heat of the Night
1967  NR  DRAMA  1h 49min
CAST— Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant, Scott Wilson, Larry Gates, Quentin Dean, James Patterson, Anthony James, William Schallert
MUSIC— Quincy Jones  DIRECTOR— Norman Jewison  BASED ON—  In the Heat of the Night (novel), by John Ball

     Immensely engaging film offering the viewer a double whammy: on one level a murder mystery, on another a film dealing with the sensitive subject of racial prejudice. Set in the fictional town of Sparta, Mississippi, a high profile murder is committed and the local good ‘ol boy police department is clearly stupefied. Meanwhile, a Pennsylvanian detective is passing through town. The local yokels recruit him to help out in solving the case. Oh, one more thing. He just so happens to be black. This causes quite a stir throughout the town. But he proves himself by following the clues despite adversity, gaining respect from those on the force. Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger give awesome performances in a classic that still has an impact forty plus years after its release. Definitely a keeper. And remember: They call him “Mr. Tibbs”. Oscar-winner for Best Picture, Best Actor (Rod Steiger), Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound. Later developed into a television series. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ****
FOLLOWED BY— They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970), The Organization (1971)

     In the Heart of the Sea
2015  PG-13  ACTION  2h 1min
CAST— Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson
MUSIC— Roque Baños  DIRECTOR— Ron Howard  BASED ON— In the Heart of the Sea (book), by Nathaniel Philbrick

     If you’re one prone to seasickness you’d best steer clear of this one. In 1850 a young Herman Melville is determined to write a novel based on stories and rumors of a thirty-year old incident. He hunts down Thomas Nickerson, the last remaining survivor of the doomed Essex. The Essex was a sturdy whaling ship captained by George Pollard, Jr., a newbie whose crew had all the experience. First mate Owen Chase was the real deal, his years of experience earning the respect of the men. A clash of wills would soon begin between captain and first mate. Chase proved his mettle while leading the men on the voyage’s first whale hunt, but their victory would be short lived. Months would pass before they would even hear rumors of fertile whaling waters. And those waters would become their doom. The tale now shifts focus to one of survival, for out of the water arose a mighty whale, splotched with white, who clearly took offense at those trying to kill him. The whale obliterated the Essex, scattering the crew, who would spend months adrift, barely surviving (in most unsavory ways, one might add). Melville would craft these facts into a work of fiction, creating the now classic novel Moby-Dick. Harrowing in its depictions of life and death at sea, the film is a testament to the men in the once vital industry of whale oil.
OUR RATING— ** ½

     The Intern
2015  PG-13  COMEDY-DRAMA  2h 1min
CAST— Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo
MUSIC— Theodore Shapiro  DIRECTOR— Nancy Meyers

     Okay but often cloyingly sweet dramedy featuring Robert De Niro in a subdued role, not as the street smart tough, but as a sympathetic role model for all. A retired widower with nothing but time on his hands, De Niro decides to apply to an up and coming, trendy online clothing company. They hire De Niro as an intern, pairing him with the company’s founder and owner, Anne Hathaway. Not being the easiest person to work for Hathaway balks at the very notion of having a seventy-year old intern… but wait a minute, he seems to be pretty good at, well, just about everything. Having been a businessman for forty years probably has something to do with that. De Niro proves his mettle not only in this new business atmosphere, but also uses his lifetime of experience to mentor all these youngsters at work, eventually breaking through Hathaway’s all-work-no-play attitude. The two grow closer through laughter, tears, and just plain old warm and fuzziness. There are problems here. Though featuring quality performances nothing is terribly convincing (especially the out of nowhere, male bonding breaking and entering scene), and even though he’s the star of the show De Niro looks kinda uncomfortable throughout, especially while being rubbed on by Rene Russo. Obviously not everyone’s cup of tea, but those who take a sip better be prepared for lots of sugar.
OUR RATING— **

     Inspector Gadget
1999  PG  COMEDY  1h 18min
CAST— Matthew Broderick, Rupert Everett, Joely Fisher, Michelle Trachtenberg, Dabney Coleman
MUSIC— John Debney  DIRECTOR— David Kellogg  BASED ON— Characters appearing on Inspector Gadget (television)

     Inane attempt at comedy, based on a cartoon from the ‘80s. Security guard Matthew Broderick dreams of protecting and serving as a police officer, that and wooing the lovely doctor at the medical complex he guards. While defending her he is involved in a terrible accident that leaves him barely hanging on. It’s a good thing the doctor’s into gadgetry. She repairs him with cybernetic implants that do all manner of wacky things. And the newly dubbed Inspector Gadget had best learn to use them; The Claw, an evil scientist, is on the loose and he’s clawing his way to the top using unscrupulous methods. It’s up to Gadget to stop The Claw, using every go-go-gadget in the book and just maybe he’ll have time for a little romance along the way. What could have been a fun homage to a fun cartoon feels more like a dumbed down rehash that should never have been. The so-called comedy is so stupid as to be almost insulting. This film can go-go in the garbage.
OUR RATING— *
FOLLOWED BY— Inspector Gadget 2 (2003)

     Inspector Clouseau
1968  G  COMEDY  1h 36min
CAST— Alan Arkin
MUSIC— Ken Thorne  DIRECTOR— Bud Yorkin

     Terribly unfunny interpretation of that most famous of bumbling detectives, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Alan Arkin plays Clouseau this time around, who’s been sent from Paris to London to investigate the workings of a gang suspected to have pulled off a train robbery. The gang now see that Clouseau will be the perfect patsy for their next job: robbing thirteen Swiss banks simultaneously. To do so they wear Clouseau masks and blame him for the crime. Clouseau must fumble across Europe if he’s to solve this one in time. The absence of star Peter Sellers and director Blake Edwards are painfully obvious from the start. Arkin as Clouseau leaves a lot to be desired (let’s face it: he stinks) and the James Bond wannabe hijinks are less than inspired. Though this is an official addition to the Pink Panther series, few consider it canon, if that makes sense. Regardless, the film feels like a lazy copycat, with little or no design. Its worst sin is simply that it’s boring, which is a sin not easily forgiven.
OUR RATING— *
PRECEDED BY— The Pink Panther (1963), A Shot in the Dark (1964)
FOLLOWED BY— The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978), Trail of the Pink Panther (1982), Curse of the Pink Panther (1983), Son of the Pink Panther (1993)

     Inside Out
2015  PG  ANIMATED  1h 34min
CAST— Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Lewis Black, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling, Kaitlyn Dias, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan
MUSIC— Michael Giacchino  DIRECTOR— Pete Doctor

     Disney and Pixar unite once again to deliver an emotional experience. Really, it truly is about emotions. You know, those sometimes timely, sometimes pesky feelings everyone must live with. The focus here is on a young girl named Riley, happy in her native Minnesota, lots of friends, plenty of familial love, just warm and fuzziness. When she's uprooted from all she knows and the family moves to San Francisco she has plenty of conflicting emotions. Speaking of emotions, inside her head are the very emotions that make up Riley's personality. These emotions are familiar to everyone; there's Fear, a panic attack waiting to happen; Anger, whose short fuse is liable to go off at any given time; Disgust, the one who deems what is and isn't grody; Sadness, a melancholy character given to moping. And then there's Joy; she's the one who tries to hold everything together with an upbeat attitude and general frivolity. They all monitor Riley's memories, good, bad, sad and everything in between. But when Sadness inadvertently begins to turn happy memories into sad ones Joy takes action, trying to salvage the good times. Joy and Sadness end up on a journey to save Riley's psyche and core memories from crumbling into empty space. Joy begins to realize that despite Sadness' gloom and doom, she is in fact a necessary aspect to Riley's overall personality, and that they need to stick together if they're to restore balance to Riley's very being. There's a lot going on here, obviously. Thought-provoking ideas that personify abstract thought processes are presented in memorable characters, from the effervescent to the tragic, as they traverse scenarios that may be interesting, if not totally convincing. Though this is a bright and cheerful, kid-friendly animated comedy, the adults may actually appreciate it more than the wee ones, due to psychological subject matter that will no doubt go over younger heads. Otherwise, go ahead. See what your emotions make of it. Oscar-winner for Best Animated Feature.
OUR RATING— ** ½

Trailer Unavailable

     In Old California
1942  NR  WESTERN  1h 28min
CAST— John Wayne, Binnie Barnes, Albert Dekker, Helen Parrish, Patsy Kelly, Edgar Kennedy, Dick Purcell, Harry Shannon
MUSIC— David Buttolph  DIRECTOR— William McGann

     John Wayne as a dude from Boston? No way! Way. Here he plays (of all things) a pharmacist from Bean Town who decides to pack it up and head West. He ends up in Sacramento where a dance hall girl sets her sights on him… he’s just too green to figure that out. He does see that the girl’s beau is a brute who wants to run Wayne out of town, by any means necessary. Pretty much for Duke fans only.
OUR RATING— * ½

     Inkheart
2008  PG  FANTASY  1h 46min
CAST— Brendan Fraser
MUSIC— Javier Navarrete  DIRECTOR— Iain Softley  BASED ON— Inkheart (novel), by Cornelia Funke

     A literate family friendly fantasy adventure. Brendan Fraser holds a wondrous secret: if ever he reads aloud the written subject will come to be. As he read from a novel entitled Inkheart evil characters came to life and, tragically, his wife disappeared into the realm of the story. Now, years later, he searches for the illusive volume in hopes of reuniting with his lost love. But the thugs from the book want him to awaken a great evil upon this world; if he won’t comply then perhaps his daughter will. Though a few familiar creatures pop up you can’t help but crave more characters from beloved stories of yesteryear. Actually manages to inspire a love of reading… but never out loud.
OUR RATING— ** ½

Trailer Unavailable

     Indiscreet
1958  NR  COMEDY  1h 40min
CAST— Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Cecil Parker, Phyllis Calvert, David Kossoff, Megs Jenkins
MUSIC— Richard Bennett, Ken Jones  DIRECTOR— Stanley Donen  BASED ON— Kind Sir (play), by Norman Kasna

     Incredibly dull and mirthless comedy centering on the extramarital affair between a London actress and an American living in Paris. He’s separated from his wife but won’t divorce her. He spends his weekends in London with his mistress, who sees the situation for what it is and grudgingly accepts it. A “sophisticated” comedy with zero class and zero laughs. Move along.
OUR RATING— * ½
REMADE AS— Indiscreet (1988)

     Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
1984  PG  ADVENTURE  1h 58min
CAST— Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Amrish Puri, Roshan Seth, Philip Stone, Ke Huy Quan
MUSIC— John Williams  DIRECTOR— Steven Spielberg

     Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, thought to be the sequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) is actually a prequel, taking place a few years before Raiders. This time out, Indiana is in India, helping a small village find their missing children, who were taken by the evil Thuggee cult. The cult has also taken the sacred stones that were in the village. Indy to the rescue! With a little help from his sidekick, Short Round, he hauls around a snooty, annoying singer, who becomes the obligatory love interest. If it was only Indy and Short Round, this may have been a better movie. But even with the complaints, this is still an enjoyable film, providing chills, thrills, and excitement, as only Indiana Jones can. Oscar-winner for Best Visual Effects.
OUR RATING— ** ½
FOLLOWED BY— Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

     Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
1989  PG-13  ADVENTURE  2h 8min
CAST— Harrison Ford, Denholm Elliott, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davies, Julian Glover, Sean Connery
MUSIC— John Williams  DIRECTOR— Steven Spielberg

     Indiana Jones is at it again! In this rousing third adventure, Indy teams up with his father, played wonderfully by Sean Connery, to search for the legendary Holy Grail. They have to evade villains and Nazis, all the while trying to put up with one another’s quirks. We also learn some juicy family secrets along the way. In an exciting prologue, we get a look at Indiana as a teenager, learn why he’s afraid of snakes, see him use a whip for the first time, and find out about his all-important hat. After an exciting finale (one of the best sequences in the film), we even learn where Indiana’s name comes from. Thrilling from beginning to end, don’t miss this one. Hang on! Oscar-winner for Best Sound Editing.
OUR RATING— ***
PRECEDED BY— Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
FOLLOWED BY— Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

     Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
2008  PG-13  ADVENTURE  1h 59min
CAST— Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf
MUSIC— John Williams  DIRECTOR— Steven Spielberg

     After nineteen long years the wait is over; Indy is back and ready for action. This time around nary a Nazi is in sight; the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming! The Red Scare is in full swing. Indiana Jones is a little older, a little wiser. When a former colleague is kidnapped, Indy breaks out the old bullwhip and is hot on the trail. As it turns out his friend was close to discovering an ancient crystal skull with legendary mystical powers. Indy’s quest leads him from an ancient tomb all the way to a city of legend, all the while treating the audience to amazing adventure, tense excitement, and of course, the now classic Indiana Jones theme, thanks to film composer John Williams. Harrison Ford is in fine form and so is the majority of the cast; what could have used a bit of punching up is the story itself. Without giving too much away, let’s just say that the film has a definite sci-fi theme going on. A little toning down in that arena would have been fine. All nit-picking aside, the film is action-packed and fun, capturing the feel of previous Indy outings. What more could you want?
OUR RATING— ***
PRECEDED BY— Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

     Independence Day
1996  PG-13  SCIENCE FICTION  2h 25min
CAST— Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, James Rebhorn, Harvey Fierstein
MUSIC— David Arnold  DIRECTOR— Roland Emmerich

     Huge box-office hit doesn’t deliver half of what it should. Earth is under attack from aliens who are destroying all major cities, trying to exterminate humans who are too dumb to leave. Pretty soon, the few remaining survivors decide to band together in an effort to save the world. With many big stars and even bigger effects, this should have been TONS better than what we get. From stupid characters to dumb one-liners and “rousing” patriotic speeches, this film definitely suffers from bad writing, and that’s the killing stroke. This film made Will Smith a movie star, but it’s Jeff Goldblum who gives the best performance amid the chaos. Sorry, but this film is over-long and over-lame. Oscar-winner for Best Visual Effects. AKA ID4.
OUR RATING— * ½
FOLLOWED BY— Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

     The Incredible Shrinking Man
1957  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 21min
CAST— Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton, Raymond Bailey
MUSIC— Irving Getz, Hans J. Salter, Herman Stein  DIRECTOR— Jack Arnold  BASED ON— The Shrinking Man (novel), by Richard Matheson

     Incredible, indeed. Grant Williams plays the titular protagonist in this science fiction tale of the ‘50s. While taking a pleasure cruise on the ocean Williams passes through a mysterious mist that triggers adverse effects on his person. He discovers that he’s begun to shrink; it’s a gradual process but it’s definitely happening. Pretty soon he’s living in a doll house, warding off an attack by his own house cat, all sorts of neat stuff. Fine special effects catch the eye but the real treat is the production design; it’s a riot to see Williams interact with oversize furniture, objects, etc. SF buffs and fans of camp take notice. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ** ½
REMADE AS— The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)

     The Incredibles
2004  PG  ANIMATED  1h 55min
CAST— Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Wallace Shawn, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Elizabeth Peña, John Ratzenberger
MUSIC— Michael Giacchino  DIRECTOR— Brad Bird

     Incredible, indeed. Another terrific addition to the lineup of films in the Disney/Pixar library. Superheroes across the globe are being protested by normal folk, so they have now become a thing of the past. They now hide in their alter egos, living the mundane life of the ordinary citizen. Mr. Incredible is one such hero. He now has a family… a family of superheroes. When dad secretly comes out of retirement he walks right into a trap. Now it’s time for his family to take action. Here’s where the fun begins… This animated gem begins as a so-so comedy-drama of sorts which then shifts into a straight up adventure film, a mixture of 007 and the Fantastic Four. This is an adventure sure to please families and action buffs. Love that spy-themed score by Michael Giacchino. Oscar-winner for Best Animated Feature, Best Sound Editing.
OUR RATING— ***
FOLLOWED BY— Incredibles 2 (2018)

     The Incredible Hulk
2008  PG-13  ACTION  1h 52min
CAST— Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt
MUSIC— Craig Armstrong  DIRECTOR— Louis Leterrier  BASED ON— Characters appearing in Marvel Comics

     The title says it all. The green-eyed monster hits the screen with a bang in this thrilling addition to the ever-growing line-up of films developed by Marvel Studios. Edward Norton plays Dr. Bruce Banner, on the run after being struck by gamma rays which have transformed him into a creature of vast destructive power. General “Thunderbolt” Ross, the man behind the experiment gone awry, sends a military squad to South America to collect the fugitive doctor, only to reawaken the beast within. After escaping, Dr. Banner returns to the States in search of a cure for radiation poisoning. Meanwhile, General Ross sets in motion a plan to create his own little mutation: a soldier infused with gamma rays, resulting in accelerating powers as he grows into the terrifying Abomination. Can Hulk channel his rage towards this new enemy, saving New York from destruction? Intense action and effects highlight this action-adventure that truly fleshes out the Marvel Comics anti-hero. Hulk Smash! Final note: This film is in no way related to the 2003 film Hulk.
OUR RATING— ***
ORIGINAL— Hulk (2003)
PRECEDED BY— Iron Man (2008)
FOLLOWED BY— Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), The Avengers (2012), Iron Man 3 (2013), Thor: The Dark World (2013), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Ant-Man (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Doctor Strange (2016), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)