You remember your favorite retro films and, of course, the great classics? I do too. That is why I decided to write contemporary reviews of some our favorite retro, cult, and classic films. All of the films listed were made before 1988.
Adapted from the Jules Verne novel of the same name, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea is a 1954 film from Walt Disney Productions. It was directed by Richard Fleischer from a screenplay by Earl Felton. Walt Disney himself served as an uncredited producer of the feature. Professor Pierre M. Aronnax (Paul Lukas) and his assistant,…
The Stranger is a 1946 thriller directed by Orson Welles, who also produced it and released it through RKO Pictures. Despite its popularity, it has entered the public domain after its surviving producers failed to renew it in 1973. Taking place in the 1940s, the United Nations War Crimes Commission sends an agent named Mr.…
Jim Henson co-directed this film with Frank Oz, The Dark Crystal, made in 1982. It is a fantasy film that brought a world to life that catches the eye, puts you on the edge of your seat, and inspires your imagination. Prior to the events of the film, a powerful crystal on the planet Thra…
Today, the hit musical Singin’ In The Rain has been chosen to continue music week. It is a 1952 film directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly (who also starred and choreographed the movie). It features an ensemble cast for its time including Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Cyd Charisse, Douglas Fowley, Rita Moreno as well as King Donovan in a…
1944’s Laura is a brilliant example of film noir to come from the era of predominantly black and white cinema. It was produced and directed by Otto Preminger. Its principal cast includes Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson and a few others. It takes the classic “whodunit” genre of murder mystery films and…
In 1953, Shane changed Western films forever. It is based on a novel by Jack Schaefer. I have not read it the book, so it will not factor into this classic film review. The Western is directed by George Stevens and stars Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin,Brandon deWilde, Jack Palance, Emile Meyer, Elisha Cook,…
The Wind and The Lion was released to theaters in 1975. It was written by and directed by the master director John Milius, director of Red Dawn (the inspiration for the 2012 film). It has an ensemble cast that acts in stellar fashion. It fictionalizes a real kidnapping that happened in 1904. Milius made several changes…
