The Asphalt Jungle (1950) – Noir´s Capital
Doll (Jean Hagen) and Dix (Sterling Hayden) with a diamond from “the biggest caper the Middle West has ever seen.” John Huston´s Noir ‘The Asphalt Jungle (1950)’ is one of those movies, you will never forget. Great actors, strong screenplay and an even better plot got me hooked. Several times. Keep on reading and meet […]
Quick Ratings – High Noon (1952)
The first Western featured on ‘Classic Movie Ratings’ is Fred Zinnemann´s ‘High Noon (1952).’ It marked the revival of Gary Cooper´s career at the age of 51 and the first major role of a 21 year-old Grace Kelly. The captivating story of a town Marshal, who can´t let go of his duties to run of […]
Death on the Nile (1978 & 2022) – On Troubled Waters
Hercule Poirot´s intelligence is legendary and feared at the same time. This is clearly visible in Peter Ustinov’s and Kenneth Branagh’s portrayal of Agatha Christie´s famous master detective. Besides that, there are many differences. It’s almost an invitation to compare the films, which release is 45 years apart. Do you prefer the original version or […]
Quick Ratings – Charade (1963)
‘Charade (1963)’ is a hybrid-movie ‘par excellence’ and was directed by Stanley Donen. This flick proves that the genres crime, thriller, comedy, romance and mystery can work very well together, if the plot and acting is on-point. Many fans call it “The best Hitchcock which he didn´t direct.” So many twists and turns. Fast chasing […]
Quick Ratings – Suddenly (1954)
John F. Kennedy was killed by an assassin in 1963. Nine years earlier, a psychopath named John Baron tried the same thing. It happened in a small town and it was … fictional. In ‘Suddenly,’ a film noir from 1954, the bad guy is embodied by none other than Frank Sinatra. The original marketing campaign […]
Quick Ratings – Too Late for Tears (1949)
It´s time for day 5 of ‘Noirvember 2022.’ Femme Fatale Jane Palmer (Lizabeth Scott) would do anything for money. We´re talking about $ 60.000, which was a fortune in the 1940s. Her journey to get it is paved with betrayal, hatred and … murder. Let´s take a look at the other characters and my rating […]
Quick Ratings – Accurate & Sufficient
Time is precious. Retired reporter Charlie Barnes (Henry O´Neill), from ‘Scandal Sheet (1952)’, hasn´t much of if left. I learnt to appreciate the ticking medium even more in 2022. Very motivated to present content on a regular basis, I decided to also create ‘Quick Ratings.’ It´s very simple. I often haven´t enough time to publish […]
The Big Sleep (1946) – Noir´s Pleasures
Private detective Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) and Vivian (Lauren Bacall) are curious about many things. Who killed, framed, betrayed and seduced whom? How many ‘Femme Fatales’ are in Howard Hawks´ Film Noir ‘The Big Sleep (1946)?’ Put on a grim look and touch your earlobe or keep on reading to get all the answers. Interlude Humphrey […]
The Lady Vanishes (1938) – A Brilliant Hitchcock Tune
Join adventurous Iris Henderson (Margaret Lockwood) and many more in one of the best movies located largely on a train. A mysterious ride awaits. Will someone have to pull the emergency brake? Interlude This is my first rating and review for this category. I start with one of Hitchcock´s British gems. All of his sound […]
Classic Ratings & Reviews: The Heart of the Website
Opposites attract each other. Jeff (James Stewart) and Lisa (Grace Kelly) would´ve agreed on that in Hitchcock´s ‘Rear Window (1954).’ Welcome to the category where most of the action takes place. In my opinion Ratings & Reviews go a long very well. Precise ratings with a crystal clear five criteria system on one side and […]
