Every time I do a little research for my reviews on this blog, I’m reminded of somewhat forgotten films that I liked or popular films that I haven’t thought about for some time. Also, I think of films I’ve reviewed and posted on this blog (241 through yesterday – Feb. 3, 2015) and which one of those I like to recommend to friends. So, today I’m going to do that: give a few recommendations of films (some I’ve reviewed and some I haven’t) that I believe you’ll like but might not remember on your own.
(CLICK HERE FOR ALL MY MOVIE REVIEWS)
Let’s take a look first at two movies by an underrated actor named David Marshall Grant. Although you might remember him as clashing with Clint Eastwood as a Secret Service supervisor in “In the Line of Fire” (click here for my review) or “The Devil Wears Prada,” he was much better in a pair of other films:
- “French Postcards” (1979 | PG) – No this isn’t the kind of movie it sounds like – it’s a coming-of-age story of American students studying in France and all their personal entanglements (still, no it isn’t that kind of movie). Grant is solid here as the adventurous student who loses his way and then finds his way back. Click here for my review.
- “American Flyers” (1985 | PG-13) – Although “Breaking Away” is a much better film (click here for my review), “American Flyers” is solid in ways that take it in a different direction than its better known bicycle racing cousin and looking for something different than a coming-of-age classic. Click here for my review.
Another sports-themed movie you probably never heard of (much less remember) and can get it quickly on YouTube.com is “The Jericho Mile” from 1979 (click here for my review) which is an excellent TV movie about a murderer who runs as his own brand of therapy by Michael Mann (“Miami Vice”). It’ much better than you’d think.
Next up is a couple of horror movie suggestions. Biggies in the genre (of course) include the original “Halloween” with Jamie Lee Curtis (click here for my review) and “Scream” (click here for my review) and I personally like “Zombieland” (click here for my review), but here are another two: one that’s outstanding that you don’t remember and the other no one ever saw – exaggerating only somewhat – but has a creative plot by Stephen King even though it’s a real stinker of a film.
- “Salem’s Lot” (1979 | PG) – Although this one would be remade in 2004 with Rob Lowe, as with most films the original is best. Since it was originally on TV it is not particularly gory so it has to depend on fright and tension – and it has this in spades. Click here for my review.
- “The Night Flier” (1998 | R) – It’s too bad this wasn’t better made. The Stephen King story is creative in a genre that’s been pretty well covered but this version is bad. The acting isn’t good and the production is so-so. Still, if you’re a horror fan, check it out. Click here for my review.
Just like horror has been covered as a genre, so has espionage and the Cold War. However, there is one really excellent film that’s pretty much lost over time and it’s about a U.S. military ship chasing a Russian submarine. It has a stellar cast from which each does great individual work:
“The Bedford Incident” (1965 | rated: ‘Approved’) – This one is really good in that it creates its drama not through special effects (although for the time it was OK) but by the work of its actors. Richard Widmark and Sidney Poitier are just outstanding and there’s a wonderful turn by veteran TV actor Wally Cox. Click here for my review.
Finally, here are a few films that I like and are in no particular order or genre:
- “Murph the Surf” (1975 | PG) – This Robert Conrad thriller is about noted South Florida jewel thief-turned murderer Jack “Murph the Surf” Murphy and looks TV 1970-ish (and has also been released under the title “Live a Little, Steal A Lot”). Still, the location shooting was nice and it’s easy to watch. Click here for my review.
- “TAG: The Assassination Game” (1982 | PG) – Here’s a fun little flick about college students playing a game where they pretend to kill each other (of course that wouldn’t fly in today’s politically correct world). It’s light and you don’t have to pay much attention to enjoy it. Click here for my review.
- “The Trouble With Angels” (1966 | PG) – You like movies about Catholic schoolgirls in trouble? Well, this one is for you – but it’s not what you think. This is a Haley Mills vehicle that will mark its 50th anniversary next year and it is the pure definition of good, clean, family fun. Watch it for an outstanding effort by Rosalind Russell. Click here for my review.
Well, there you have it for today. Good luck and good watching!
© Chuck Curry and A Gator in Naples, 2015.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without
express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner
is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that
full and clear credit is given to Chuck Curry and A Gator in Naples
with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
