Movie review - "Up the Creek" (1984) ***

 Loved it as a kid, the three stars is generous but it's fun enough, helped by decent production values (Oregon location, rapids, bars, extras, a mini flood) and a classy support cast: James Sikking s in there, John Hillerman. Tim Matheson is full of handsome confident swagger that promised a stardom which never came; the bloke from Porky's seems a little lost, Stephen Furst is fat, the nerd is an alcoholic which is interesting. Jeff East is an ideal villain. Jennifer Runyon is very sweet as the love interest - she and her friends are very sexually aggressive and not punished. Blaine Novak's Coyote-style army villain entertains. Cheap Trick didn't like its theme song but I felt it was fun.

I'm not objective about this film but it's fun. One of Sam Arkoff's post AIP efforts.

Movie review - "Hang 'em High" (1968) ***1/2

 Overshadowed in memory by Eastwood's Leone films but a very good, tough Western with a superb support cast including Charles McGraw, Bruce Dern, Ben Johnson, Inger Stevens, Dennis Hopper, James Macarthur, Pat Hingle, etc. Interesting views on law and order, well motivated Pat Hingle.

Book review - "Vera Miles: The Hitchcock Blonde Who Got Away" by Christopher McKittrick

 Miles was a solid, pretty actor who delivered solid performances over the years, including some classics - The Searchers, Psycho, The Wrong Man, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. I think it's fair to say she's no one's favourite part of these movies but she doesn't let anyone down. The most interesting thing about her career is Hitchcock was briefly obsessed with her and wanted to star her in Vertigo but she fell pregnant and he ended up using Kim Novak.

This is a conscientous, dogged book, like a Miles performance, not that gripping - her life and career wasn't that interesting. She had a few divorces, the Hitchcock interlude... that was about it. She seems like a nice person who married a few dodgy men. The book might've been better putting more dates and credits in an appendix than the text.

Movie review - "El Dorado" (1966) ****1/2 (rewatching)

 I like spending time with these people. Loses half a star for the Chinaman sequence. Wayne is excellent, Mitchum fun, James Caan great, Michelle Carey energetic, Charlene Holt winning, Chritospher George impressive, Ed Asner is fine. Memorable action. Wonderful mood. Makes me feel good. 

Movie review - "Mr Soft Touch" (1949) **

 The idea for this isn't bad - gambler on the run from cops seeks reguge at refuge run by a social worker. But it's not developed well. Glenn Ford is okay as the gambler but they don't give him a decent character to play - he needed to be an extravagant flash harry type, full of charm. Evelyn Keyes is all wrong as the social worker - this should be a sweet demure type to get comedy conflict but Keyes gives off the impression of having been around the block. Terry Moore, say, would've been better.

I didn't like this film. It wasn't funny or that charming, it felt confused, and with miscast leads. Dick Powell was once going to make it with June Allyson - that would've made a lot more sense. 

 

Movie review - "The Presidio" (1988) ***

 Quite fun. Great star power from Sean Connery and Meg Ryan (doing wonders as The Girl - though she has an arc, being a hot mess). Mark Harmon very likeable. Some okay action sequences. Nothing that memorable but just old school 80s action with fun people. 

Movie review - "When Harry Met Sally" (1989) ****

 Some of humor has dated - attitudes, rather. Sally's orgasm is actually out of character for her - but what a scene. Beautifully directed. Meg Ryan is the heart - so good. Funny, gorgeous. Billy Crystal rises. Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher excellent. Made with such love. Woody Allen given the proper schmaltz treatment.