Patton

1970  NR  DRAMA  2h 50min

CAST— George C. Scott, Karl Maldin

MUSIC— Jerry Goldsmith  DIRECTOR— Franklin J. Schaffner  BASED ON— True events

     A brilliant strategist. A battle-hardened warrior. An absolute maniac. How better to describe US Army General George S. Patton? During WWII Patton blazed across Europe, gaining enemies on all sides, including his own; his brazen outspokenness and absolute determination to conquer were some qualities that were quite controversial. A tough-as-nails attitude plus a position of authority proved to be a volatile mixture. However, he did his job well, following orders (and ignoring a few), kicking tail and taking names. Behind the scenes things were frankly a little disturbing. He believed that he had been reincarnated from historical warriors and that his prayers for blessing on the battlefield were being answered, due to increasing numbers of deaths on the enemy’s side. Though the character of Patton is completely repugnant, one must admit that the performance delivered by George C. Scott is brilliant throughout. Gruesome, gritty, realistic battle scenes pepper the dramatics. In short, be prepared for a tremendous war film featuring a villainous hero who may or may not be a ticking time bomb. Oscar-winner for Best Actor (Scott), Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Art Direction. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.

OUR RATING— ***

Trailer Unavailable

     The Patsy

1964  NR  COMEDY  1h 41min

CAST— Jerry Lewis, Ina Belin, Everett Sloan, Phil Harris, Keenan Wynn, Peter Lorre, John Carradine

MUSIC— Jack Brooks, David Raksin  DIRECTOR— Jerry Lewis

     Jerry Lewis frantically hams it up in this slightly amusing tale that is oh-so Lewis. He plays a bellboy (again) who stumbles into an intense meeting by a team of Hollywood executives. It seems they were discussing their future in show business; they need to find an unknown talent and make a star out of him (the plot reeks of The Errand Boy [1961]). But who cares about plot when you have good ol’ Jer? The film is really all about the funny and this Lewis tries desperately to deliver, though most of the gags fall flat in, sadly, Peter Lorre’s last film. For Lewis freaks only.

OUR RATING— **

     A Patch of Blue

1965  NR  DRAMA  1h 45min

CAST— Sidney Poitier, Shelley Winters, Elizabeth Hartman, Wallace Ford, Ivan Dixon, John Qualen, Elisabeth Fraser

MUSIC— Jerry Goldsmith  DIRECTOR— Guy Green  BASED ON— Be Ready With Bells and Drums (book), by Elizabeth Kata

     A heartfelt, emotional portrait of a friendship based on tolerance and love. A young blind woman lives a life of quiet misery with her emotionally abusive mother and drunken grandfather. Her only escape is working alone in the park, away from the restraints of her family. She strikes up a friendship with a kindhearted stranger, played with warmth by Sidney Poitier. He begins to teach her to be independent, both as a blind person and as a woman. Showcasing realistic performances and genuine empathy, this drama proves itself throughout. Oscar-winner for Best Supporting Actress (Shelley Winters).

OUR RATING— ***

     Pat and Mike

1952  NR  COMEDY  1h 35min

CAST— Spencer Tracey, Katherine Hepburn, Aldo Ray, William Ching, Jim Backus, Carl (“Alfalfa”) Switzer, Charles Buchinski (Bronson), William Self, Chuck Connors

MUSIC— David Raksin  DIRECTOR— George Cukor

     Another film from the Tracey/Hepburn duo that more than lives up to its predecessors. Katherine Hepburn plays a faculty member at California’s Pacific Tech, one who is incredibly adept at competitive sports. When shady sports promoter Spencer Tracey sees her in action he senses a potential goldmine. After signing her on they begin a “will they or won’t they” relationship that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Entertaining moments in Hepburn’s sports career are highlighted, but the comedy could have used a boost. Below par.

OUR RATING— **

Trailer Unavailable

     The Passionate Plumber

1932  NR  COMEDY  1h 13min

CAST— Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, Irene Purcell, Polly Moran, Gilbert Roland, Mona Maris

MUSIC— Unknown  DIRECTOR— Edward Sedgwick  BASED ON— Dans sa candeur naïve (play), by Jacques Deval

     A charming comedy starring Buster Keaton as a wimpy, put upon plumber/inventor who follows orders to the letter. A young woman begins having trouble with the married Parisian playboy she’s been having an affair with, so she asks a local plumber named Tuttle to act as her lover, hoping to drive her suitor mad. When that fails she claims to hate the man and hires Tuttle to stay between her and her suitor, by any means necessary. And he does, even after she fires him and tries to escape from his protective grasp. The film has many appealing aspects, but of course, the best aspect of all is Keaton himself, giving not only a great performance, but also throwing in some of his trademark slapstick along the way. And remember, that’s Tuttle.

OUR RATING— ** ½

ORIGINAL— The Cardboard Lover (1928)

REMADE AS— Her Cardboard Lover (1942)

     Passengers

2016  PG-13  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 56min

CAST— Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne

MUSIC— Thomas Newman  DIRECTOR— Morten Tyldum

     Don't be fooled by all the trappings of this seemingly standard science fiction. At its heart this film is actually a good ol' fashioned romance. The Avalon is a starship headed for Homestead II, a distant planet being colonized by Earthlings. Said Earthlings, about 5,000 of them, are in hibernation, sleeping away the 120 years it takes to make the journey. But a hiccup occurs when passenger Chris Pratt awakens only thirty years after takeoff. The question is what is he to do for the remaining ninety? He goes a little crazy with hopelessness until he sees a sleeping beauty (Jennifer Lawrence, whose character name is Aurora, by the way) whom he eventually falls in love with. Despite the fact that he would be dooming Lawrence to the same lonely life he now endures and against his better judgment, he awakens her, blaming malfunctioning equipment for the rude interruption. The two eventually ignite a beautiful romance; but all does not remain golden. When Lawrence learns that Pratt orchestrated her awakening, thus shattering her hopes of seeing Homestead II, she is predictably miffed. But despite their now seriously strained relationship they must band together when the ship begins malfunctioning big time. Will the peril of certain doom rekindle the love that was lost? Though glossy CGI permeates the film this isn't really an action-oriented SF epic. Granted there are scenes of death defying intensity but doesn't every chick flick have the same?

OUR RATING— ** ½

     The Party

1968  NR  COMEDY  1h 39min

CAST— Peter Sellers, Claudine Longet, Marge Champion, Denny Miller, Gavin MacLeod, Steve Franken, Carol Wayne

MUSIC— Henry Mancini  DIRECTOR— Blake Edwards

     Amusing comedy that not only entertains but teaches a valuable lesson to all: When planning your next party, double check your guest list. Peter Sellers plays an actor from India (actually he’s just an extra, but don’t tell him that) who is accidentally invited to a party, a snooty black tie affair at a Hollywood producer’s house. Unfortunately, this self proclaimed actor is immensely clumsy, and he proceeds to wreck not only the party but his host’s house as well. A night of actors, Russian dancers, protesters and soap suds awaits you in this collaboration between longtime partners in crime Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers. Fans of the Pink Panther films will want to check this one out.

OUR RATING— ** ½