Genghis Blues

Music Doc
4.5 stars

Fascinating story about blind American who picks up Tuvan singing and travels to Mongolia. The music is incredible. A bit like watching home movies spun into a great story. Would have shown this one to my students had there been more time.

Double Indemnity

Noir
5 stars

An all time classic, baby.

Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde

70's Thriller
British
2 stars

I'm not sure when I last thought this about a film, but this film is a prime candidate for a remake, by a thoughtful producer who can push the gender-bending and sexual elements (I'm thinking Shawn Ryan of The Shield) using today's mores. This film rushes headlong into deviant territory, only to become relatively chaste when the going gets good. Premise for the ages, though, a gender battle of Jekyll and Hyde rather than meek/ogre.

Pretty Poison

60s Drama
3.5 stars

Interesting film starring Anthony Perkins and Tuesday Weld. This has many noir elements despite the vibrant colors and lush musical score. The plot contains a wonderful surprise in character motivation. Very 60s. I wanted to like this movie so much and thought it was...good.

The Big Sleep

Noir
70s Drama
Mitchum
1.5 stars

This seems like a made for tv movie. It is the first film I've seen with Mitchum where he shows no charisma. Why this film was even remade is beyond me. Mitchum plays too old and can't carry Bogart's lead from the original. I fell asleep watching this on 2 different viewings. A flop on all counts.