The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)

Netflix Synopsis: Director William Wellman’s Western digs into the mob-led lynching of three innocent men. The film centers on cowboys Carter (Henry Fonda) and Croft (Harry Morgan), who reluctantly join a hunt for murderous cattle rustlers. Led by ex-soldier Tetley (Frank Conroy), the posse captures three transients (Dana Andrews, Anthony Quinn and Francis Ford). When Tetley calls for their execution without proof of their guilt, Carter faces a moral dilemma.

Review: Starring Henry Fonda, the Ox-Bow Incident is more a moral play wrapped up in a Western. Tense, dark, and disturbing, this movie asks the question - When should we deal out justice? All evidence points to 3 men. Why wait on a trail? Why let the lawyers get a hold of it? It is a train wreck about to happen, but only a few see it. The last 30 minutes are heart wrenching and a great lesson for anyone serious about real justice. The movie itself is probably only a 4, but the subject matter elevates to a 4 1/2 stars.

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Submitted by: Robear 1/30/06

My Darling Clementine (1946)

Netflix Synopsis: As the enforcer of law in the town of Tombstone, Ariz., Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda) must balance keeping unruly criminals in line with tracking down and bringing to justice the men who killed his brothers, Morgan (Ward Bond) and Virgil (Tom Holt). With help from Doc Holliday (Victor Mature), with whom he maintains a tepid friendship, Earp’s pursuit ultimately involves the history-making confrontation at the OK Corral.

Review: The shootout at the O.K. Corral is the climax of this excellent western. Starring Henry Fonda as Wyatt Earp and Victor Mature as “Doc” Holliday, director John Ford offers a very entertaining movie portraying the conflict between the Earps and Clantons. Filmed in Monument Valley in Utah/Arizona, Ford offers us a canvas
of the American southwest. Another personal highpoint was Walter Brennan’s portrayal of “Daddy” Clanton. Brennan was often given roles of kindness, etc. - not so in this movie. His role, even though limited, was chilling. Two problems! One - the movie is sort of Hollywood history. Second - Monument Valley is beautiful but it is not Tombstone. Having lived 30 minutes from Tombstone for 6 years and having heard the real historical story told over and over again - knocks this movie from 5 stars to 4.

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Submitted by: Robear 1/30/06

The Five Pennies (1959)

Netflix Synopsis: Based on the life of trumpeter Red Nichols, this sentimental biopic set in the 1920s stars Danny Kaye as a horn player with grand musical ambitions. But on the cusp of stardom, his daughter (Tuesday Weld) develops polio, and the concerned papa moves the family from New York to Los Angeles, leaving his dreams behind. Years later, his daughter learns of his sacrifice and persuades him to get back into the jazz scene by opening a nightclub.

Review: A wonderful, old classic! Humorous some times, serious other times, this movie is a charming heartwarmer. I rented this movie because my son plays the trumpet and I am trying to expose him to that good old-fashioned Dixieland Jazz. Danny Kaye was as delightful and funny as ever, I always get a good warm feeling watching him on screen. He’s fabulous and always seems to capture and project the “feel” of any movie perfectly. It was really a treat to see how the history of big-band music unfolded, with the greats like Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey and Benny Goodman all portrayed in this movie. Every one of the actors was fabulous but I have to say that Satchmo stole the show. There are performances in this movie by the REAL Louis Armstrong that just took my breath away, the man was pure genius. I wanted to rewind his scenes over and over again just to listen and watch him play and scat. Especially the “Saints Go Marching” duet with Danny Kaye, it knocked my socks off! It is important to note that the actual cornet playing was done by Red Nichols himself although he never appeared in the movie. Danny Kaye very brilliantly faked those scenes.

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Submitted by: Brandy 1/30/06

The Fog (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Selma Blair, Tom Welling and Maggie Grace star in this creepy thriller about a Northern California town that’s forced to contend with some unwelcome visitors from its past: the spirits of lepers and sailors aboard a ship that the hamlet’s forefathers had steered astray on purpose. Those aboard the doomed vessel all wound up lost in the fog forever. Now, they’re back from the mist, eager to exact revenge on the descendants of their murderers.

Review: While I did find some parts of this movie interesting, there were quite a few holes in the plot and the end of the film really left me going “huh?, thats it? “. Not so much of a horror film, but more of a psychological thriller in a sense.

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Submitted by: Lisa 1/29/06

The Island (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Michael Bay’s stylish sci-fi thriller stars Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson as members of a strictly regulated indoor futuristic colony who hope to win the lottery, a contest in which the grand prize is a trip to a utopian island, reportedly the last uncontaminated place on Earth. But a startling discovery about the true nature of “the Island” — and their very existence — leads the two to stage a desperate escape to the outside world.

Review: I wasnt sure that I was going to like this movie, but I ended up really enjoying it. The concept behind the movie was quite interesting, and I thought the action scenes were quite good. There is a small love scene, but nothing really over-the-top or too much.

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Submitted by: Lisa 1/29/06

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Netflix Synopsis: Based on an Agatha Christie play, this Oscar-nominated mystery directed and co-written by Billy Wilder concerns an esteemed and aging lawyer (Charles Laughton). On the eve of retiring, he takes on the defense of an alleged murderer (Tyrone Power, in his final film performance) accused of killing a wealthy widow. Things get complicated when the accused’s only alibi, his wife (Marlene Dietrich), decides to testify for the prosecution.

Review: An absolute delight of a movie with A+ actors, great story, and a plot that twists and turns. Charles Laughton, who has just suffered a heart attack, is called upon to defend a framed drifter. Everything points to this man’s guilt, and the Prosecution has a suprise witness to seal the deal. Marlene Dietrich plays the
defendant’s wife - who is so heartless and ruthless. The court scenes are where the movie really shines. This could be the best movie I have seen in years. The ending caught me totally by surprise - this does not happen often. On the list of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.

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Submitted by: Robear 1/28/06

Summer Magic (1963)

Netflix Synopsis: A fun-loving young girl (Hayley Mills) and her widowed mom and sisters move to Maine from Boston after a serious financial mishap wreaks havoc on the family’s fortunes. The friendly local postmaster helps the family move into a run-down house whose owner is away in Europe (and probably won’t mind a few squatters!). This delightful family film co-stars Burl Ives and Dorothy McGuire and features seven songs. James Neilson directs.

Review: Delightful piece of silliness! I have always liked Hayley Mills and this movie caught my eye as the family in the movie moves to Maine, where I live now. Is this movie believable? No, not really. Is the acting fabulous? No, not really. The ending kind of left me hanging and wanting more closure but I still enjoyed it very much, it put me in a good mood the rest of the evening, I have been sitting here humming some of the tunes. There were some downright comical moments and Burl Ives sings a couple of great songs as only Burl Ives can…even my 3 year old stopped playing to watch him sing “The Ugly Bug Ball”. If you are looking for some mindless entertainment, a good wholesome family flick and you like older movies, I recommend this one. Thumbs UP!

Submitted by: Brandy 1/26/06

The Skeleton Key (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Caroline (Kate Hudson), a 25-year-old hospice worker, is sent to New Orleans to care for an aging stroke victim (John Hurt) who lies bedridden and speechless in a rambling antebellum mansion. Alone in the house with no company aside from the man’s unfriendly wife (Gena Rowlands), Caroline finds a key that opens every door and soon comes across a hidden room. But what she finds inside is a Pandora’s box of voodoo, secrets and lies.

Review: The Skeleton Key stars Kate Hudson as a hospice worker who heads to New Orleans to take care of a man who has suffered from a stroke and cannot move or speak. When she finds there are secrets in the house that are being covered up, she stumbles upon more than she bargained for. I thought this movie was horrible, it felt flat and unemotional. It was not scary and hardly surprising. Sure there was the obligatory twist at the end, but even that felt too contrived and forced. Kate Hudson is a wonderful actress but she was unable to save this film in my opinion.

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Submitted by: Heather 1/24/06

Hitch (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Smooth and sexy Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Will Smith) is the master of seduction in this charming romantic comedy. His specialty? Helping clueless clients make a great first impression so they not only get to the second date, but make someone fall for them. When a gossip reporter (Eva Mendes) starts nosing around his business, however, Hitch finds himself out of moves as he forgets all his lessons and has to figure out a whole new strategy to love.

Review: You probably have already seen it - if not, it was better than most romantic comedies. A few scenes - the dance lesson - worth the rental. Don’t take it too seriously - and you will have a ball.

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Submitted by: Robear 1/22/06

The Brothers Grimm (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Terry Gilliam’s adventure tale centers on brothers Jake (Heath Ledger) and Will Grimm (Matt Damon), who travel from village to village posing as exterminators of mystical, magical and enchanted creatures. But their reputations are on the line when French ruler Napoleon orders the brothers to investigate the mysterious disappearances of young girls. The brothers head into a haunted forest where true evil awaits. … Jonathan Pryce co-stars.

Review: This was a confusing attempt at ?. Little bit comedy, dash of horror, sprinkle of mystery, a good bit of fantasy, and even a love story. Tries too hard to be everything - accomplishes little.

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Submitted by: Robear 1/22/06