An expedition to explore Venus encounters an array of problems — beginning with the destruction of one of the three spaceships — in this visually interesting but rather static science fiction film re-edited from a Russian picture with added scenes of Basil Rathbone and Faith Domergue. Not really recommended. Otto thinks you should avoid this …
Read the full post →“<em>Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet</em> (American International, 1965)”
Fast-paced detective thriller, original titled Ren tou ma, has plenty of complications, unusual scenes, and enough action to keep the viewer interested, albeit sometimes it’s a bit hard to follow. Still, well worth a look for fans of 1960s crime films. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 248 …
Read the full post →“<em>Dark Rendezvous</em> (Shaw Brothers, 1969)”
Modern-day western with reporter Speed Morgan (Rex Bell) after gangsters who’ve headed west after a diamond shipment. Serviceable but unmemorable. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 247 for 2021.
Saboteurs working on behalf of a hostile government seek to foment an international incident and drive a wedge between allies by blowing up the French fleet when it visits the British in Alexandria. The clever and ruthless leader of the gang (Ricardo Cortez), who performs as a ventriloquist as a cover, outwits a secret agent …
Read the full post →“<em>Mr. Moto’s Last Warning</em> (Twentieth Century Fox, 1939)”
Claude Rains tops the cast list in this Italian science fiction movie, originally titled Il pianeta degli uomini spenti, as a crotchety old scientist whose predictions about a looming astronomical threat to the world are at first disregarded, though he is called upon to help when a planet that had seemed poised to smash into …
Hoot Gibson once again plays a Zorro-like character, here investigating the death of “Dad” Mason while pretending to be a mild-mannered cowboy and also thwarting the bad guys while in disguise as the “Dude Bandit.” Fun but slight entertainment. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 244 for 2021.
Franco Nero stars as a mysterious gunfighter who drags a coffin along behind him and ends up tackling not one, but two different bands of cutthroats. An engaging, moody film. The popularity of the character spawned many unofficial “sequels” and unrelated films with his name in the title. Well worth a look for spaghetti western …
A killer is after the treasure of a Manchu prince, and others are after it as well, in this film, originally titled Zhui lie. Moderately entertaining but unmemorable action ensues. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 242 for 2021.
Crazy antics in a not-too-specific past full of striking costumes, as Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey are teamed again with Dorothy Lee and Thelma Todd for humor and music. The boys pretend to be the king’s physicians and make hay with the household of a boisterous baron (Noah Beery). Plenty of laughs. Recommended. Otto finds …
Read the full post →“<em>Cockeyed Cavaliers</em> (RKO, 1934)”
Killings take place at an old castle in this slow-paced Italian thriller: Could the troubled heiress of the house be to blame? What’s going on is fairly obvious in broad outline, and the details aren’t particularly compelling. Lawrence Tierney has a small role but doesn’t contribute much. Not particularly recommended. Otto thinks you should avoid …
