Author: Stan

Today’s quick review: The Muppets Take Manhattan. After graduating from college, the Muppets decide to take their senior variety show, a musical called “Manhattan Melodies”, to Broadway. But finding a producer proves difficult, and as tempers run high and funds run low, the Muppets decide to go their separate ways. It’s up to Kermit, the musical’s writer and director, to stay in New York, sell the musical, and keep his friends’ dream alive.

The Muppets Take Manhattan is a musical comedy in typical Muppet style. Featuring a motley cast of puppets, enthusiastic musical numbers, and a fun sense of humor, The Muppets Take Manhattan sees Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and their friends try to break into Broadway. The movie has many of the strengths of the usual Muppet formula, but its plot, music, and ending are all a step down from the Muppets at their best.

The Muppets Take Manhattan has a few flaws that keep it from living up to its full potential. The plot has the structure of an underdog story, but there’s little in the way of intermediary progress. Much of the Muppet cast spends the movie out of town, putting a damper on the ensemble camaraderie the Muppets are known for. The musical numbers are also a step below average, fun but forgettable songs that are often only loosely tied to the story.

Still, The Muppets Take Manhattan gets enough right to be an entertaining watch. The antics of Kermit and friends hold the same appeal as ever, the story is earnest, and there are a few impressive feats of puppetry. Give The Muppets Take Manhattan a shot when you’re in the mood for something light an innocent. For a better take on a similar premise, check out the original Muppet Movie.

6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for charm and enthusiasm tempered by mixed execution.

Today’s quick review: Song of the Thin Man. Nick (William Powell) and Nora (Myrna Loy) Charles end up in the middle of another murder mystery when the conductor of the jazz band on a gambling boat is shot. Suspicion falls on Phil Brant (Bruce Cowling), a friend of Nick and Nora, but he’s not the only one with a motive. To solve the crime, Nick must conduct his own investigation and beat the police, vengeful bookies, and the real murderer to the punch.

Song of the Thin Man is a crime comedy as well as the sixth and last entry into the Thin Man series. Song of the Thin Man puts a more dramatic spin on the usual Thin Man formula of wisecracks and light mystery. The film dives into the mystery early and doesn’t let up until Nick has untangled every knot in the case. However, shaky fundamentals and muted comedy make Song of the Thin Man a somewhat weaker, though still entertaining, finale to the series.

Song of the Thin Man injects more drama into its mystery than before. Nick operates independently from the police, the details of the case are darker, and the outcome is less certain. The drama is effective enough, and ignoring a few minor flaws, the mystery is well-constructed. But the perilous tone puts a damper on the humor, and restrained performances from William Powell and Myrna Loy keep the film from sparkling like the series at its best.

Still, Song of the Thin Man has enough going for it to make for a fun watch. The mystery is solid, the dialogue is clever, and the film is headlined by two capable actors. Fans of classic comedies will enjoy Song of the Thin Man almost as much as the other Thin Man movies, while noir aficionados may appreciate it as an unusually light entry into the genre. For more like it, check out the other five films in the series.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for good mystery, a dash of comedy, and mixed execution.

Today’s quick review: The Thin Man Goes Home. Nick Charles (William Powell) takes his wife Nora (Myrna Loy) to go visit his parents (Lucile Watson and Harry Davenport) in his old hometown. But his reputation as a detective sends the small town’s criminals into a panic, culminating in a murder on his parents’ doorstep. The victim is a local artist who was in some kind of trouble, but it will talk all of Nick’s skills to find out what.

The Thin Man Goes Home is a crime comedy and the fifth movie in the Thin Man series. The Thin Man Goes Home puts a small-town twist on the usual formula. Rather than solving a crime in New York or Los Angeles, Nick has to ply his trade as a detective among the places and faces of his youth. The Thin Man Goes Home hits many of the same beats as the other Thin Man movies, but its execution is not as polished, leaving it a fun but unexceptional watch.

The film’s flaws are subtle and subjective. The mystery has several good twists along the way, but the wrap-up depends heavily on clues that have been kept hidden from the viewer. On the comedy side, The Thin Man Goes Home gives Nora more to do, but the dialogue and situations are not quite as punchy as the best films in the series. Nick’s parents also don’t make as much of an impact as they could have.

Check out The Thin Man Goes Home if you’re a fan of the series and in the mood for something light. Depending on your taste in mystery and comedy, The Thin Man Goes Home can be a step down from the series’ peak, but it still makes for a charming watch. Those who like the classics would do well to give it a shot, if only to catch William Powell and Myrna Loy in action. Skip it if older comedies don’t appeal to you.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for good comedy and a decent mystery, but lacking the expertise of its predecessors.

Today’s quick review: Shadow of the Thin Man. Nick Charles (William Powell) and his wife Nora (Myrna Loy) have their day at the horse track ruined when a jockey accused of fixing races is found murdered. Lt. Abrams (Sam Levene) begs Nick, a renowned detective, to take a look at the case. But it’s only when suspicion for a second murder falls on Paul Clarke (Barry Nelson), a reporter and a friend of Nick, that he agrees to search for the real culprit.

Shadow of the Thin Man is a crime comedy and the fourth film in the Thin Man series. Shadow of the Thin Man brings back Nick and Nora Charles for another mystery, this time investigating a gambling racket that has turned bloody. The film has the same virtues as the previous ones: two leads with great chemistry, a steady stream of banter, and a solid mystery. Though not as outstanding as the first film, Shadow of the Thin Man is a worthy sequel.

Shadow of the Thin Man puts a greater emphasis on mystery than the previous films. It sets up the mystery early, introduces a slew of characters connected to it, and lets the events of the plot play out naturally, rather than cramming them into the back half of the movie. The result is a typical Thin Man mystery with better pacing and a better payoff. The cost is a slight dip in the amount of comedy, but there’s still plenty left to entertain.

Try Shadow of the Thin Man if you’re a fan of the series, or if you’re just in the mood for an amusing, well-constructed mystery. William Powell and Myrna Loy are still a delight to watch, and the early start to the mystery changes up the formula just enough to keep things fresh. Skip it if you are looking for a more dramatic mystery or an edgier comedy. For a serious noir, try The Maltese Falcon.

7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a solid plot and a pair of entertaining leads.

Today’s quick review: It Happened One Night. Ellen Andrews (Claudette Colbert), the daughter of a Wall Street tycoon, escapes her father’s clutches to go marry her sweetheart. All that stands in her way is a cross-country bus trip from Miami to New York. But when the trip proves more difficult than expected, Ellen accepts the help of Pete Warne (Clark Gable), a down-on-his-luck reporter who agrees to help her get to New York in exchange for her story.

It Happened One Night is a classic romantic comedy with an engaging plot and a strong pair of leads. The story follows Ellen Andrews and Pete Warne from their chance meeting to their eventual partnership as Ellen tries to make it to New York. Along the way, they confront thieves, rain, bus troubles, poverty, and every obstacle in between. As the trip wears on, their frosty relationship gradually turns into something resembling love.

It Happened One Night’s most distinctive feature is its pair of headstrong leads. Claudette Colbert stars as Ellen Andrews, a runaway heiress with poor street smarts and a capricious personality. Clark Gable plays opposite her as Pete Warne, a gruff, sarcastic newsman who sees Ellen as his ticket back into his boss’s good graces. Each one is flawed and disagreeable, but together they make an excellent pair who grow over the course of the movie.

However, it can be hit-or-miss. Everything from the humor to the plot to the romance depends on the viewer’s favorable impression of its two leads, and neither one is immediately likable. But as the viewer gets to know them better, their fiery interactions grow more charming and more amusing. The film has a knack for character development, and the many twists and turns of their journey let the film set up a clever, satisfying payoff.

Try It Happened One Night if you’re a fan of classic-style, antagonistic romance. Not everyone will take to Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, but those who do will be treated to a dynamic romance with a well-structured plot. Skip it if you prefer the sweeter variety of romance. For another romantic comedy in a similar vein, try The Philadelphia Story, Roman Holiday, or His Girl Friday.

8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for two colorful leads and a strong plot.

Today’s quick review: Roman Holiday. While on a goodwill tour of Europe, Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) escapes the burdens of royal life to go see Rome for herself. She’s taken in by Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an American journalist who soon figures out who she is and what a story about her would be worth. Joe gives Ann her first taste of life outside a palace and prepares his story in secret. But as he gets to know her, his resolve begins to waver.

Roman Holiday is a classic romantic comedy. Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn make for a strong lead couple. Peck plays Joe, a deceitful reporter with a good heart, while Hepburn plays Ann, a refined but naive princess who wants nothing more than to lead a normal life. Roman Holiday features a pair of excellent leads, a well-developed story, and measured doses of comedy and romance. Its rock-solid craftsmanship is enough to earn its place as a classic.

Roman Holiday pays closer attention to its story than most romantic comedies. Ann and Joe are fleshed out in considerable depth, and the film lets them grow organically as they spend time together. Their romance, such as it is, can be exuberant in places, but it never breaks free from reality: Joe is a liar, though a kind one, and Ann is destined for a life she does not want. This perspective makes Roman Holiday unusually mature for a comedy.

Fans of classic romances will want to give Roman Holiday a shot. Its leads are a joy to watch, and its thoughtful writing distinguishes it from the other films like it. Skip it if you are looking for a more overt comedy or a more unfettered romance. For another Audrey Hepburn movie with similar depth, try Breakfast at Tiffany’s. For lighter fare in a similar vein, try Funny Face or How to Steal a Million.

8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a pleasant, thoughtful story and two rich performances.

Today’s quick review: Another Thin Man. Nick (William Powell) and Nora (Myrna Loy) Charles are on a trip with their one-year-old son when Colonel MacFay (C. Aubrey Smith), the manager of Nora’s estate, calls them with dire news. He and his family are being meanced by Phil Church (Sheldon Leonard), an ex-employee with a grudge and the brains to do real harm. As a retired detective, it’s up to Nick to resolve the situation before anyone gets hurt.

Another Thin Man is a crime comedy and the third film in the Thin Man series. William Powell and Myrna Loy reprise their roles as Nick and Nora Charles, an upper-crust couple with a knack for solving crimes. Another Thin Man holds the same appeal as the previous movies: witty banter, a light tone, and a suitably convoluted mystery. However, a more far-fetched plot than usual and less room for humor make the film a slight step down from its predecessors.

Another Thin Man hits many of the same beats as the first two films. The highlight remains Nick and Nora’s relationship, which is built on sidelong glances, quips, and a surprising amount of trust. But Another Thin Man makes less time for the two of them to interact with one another, robbing the frim of some of its zest. What’s left over is still enjoyable, but it is not handled as expertly as the original.

Watch Another Thin Man if you’re a fan of the series or in the mood for a bit of light mystery. William Powell and Myrna Loy are still enough to carry the film, and the flaws in its script are only noticeable in comparison with the original. Skip it if you’re looking for a deeper mystery or humor with more of an edge. For a successor that works in more slapstick and a bungling hero, try The Pink Panther.

7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for two great leads and some good humor.

Today’s quick review: After the Thin Man. Returning home from their trip to the East Coast, retired detective Nick Charles (William Powell) and his socialite wife Nora (Myrna Loy) are thrust into another mystery when Nora’s cousin Selma (Elissa Landi) reports that her husband Robert (Alan Marshall) has gone missing. What begins as a simple hunt for a wayward husband soon turns into a tangled investigation fraught with romance, blackmail, and murder.

After the Thin Man is a detective comedy that sees the return of Nick and Nora Charles, a wealthy husband-and-wife duo who solve crimes as a hobby. After the Thin Man holds the same appeal as the original film: sparkling dialogue and an excellent comedic duo in William Powell and Myrna Loy. The two are a perfect match for one another, and their interactions are full of sly jabs, sarcasm, and good-natured ribbing, all laced with genuine affection.

Like the first film, After the Thin Man takes a while to get going. The first half-hour is spent setting up the characters and basking in the banter of Nick and Nora. The mystery, once it arrives, is a suitably tangled affair involving schemes, impersonations, and all manner of shady characters. How effective the mystery is will depend on taste, but it has a few nice twists and turns and gives Nick and Nora plenty of material to work with.

Watch After the Thin Man if you’re a fan of classic comedy. Its humor is a slight step down from the first film, but the leads, the script, and the mystery combine to make After the Thin Man a light and thoroughly enjoyable watch. Skip it if you prefer your comedy or your mystery with more of a barb. For another comedy in the same vein, check out the other films in the series, beginning with The Thin Man.

7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for two great leads and solid humor.

Today’s quick review: Harvey. Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) is an amiable man with one peculiarity: his friend Harvey, a six-foot-tall talking rabbit only he can see. His delusion is an embarrassment to his older sister Veta (Josephine Hull) and her daughter Myrtle Mae (Victoria Horne). They decide to have him committed to a sanatorium, where he can get the treatment he needs. But the mishaps that follow him around make their plan easier said than done.

Harvey is a classic comedy about a man and his imaginary friend. James Stewart delivers a heartwarming performance as Elwood Dowd, a gentle man who makes friends wherever he goes. But his insistence that Harvey is real flummoxes those who get to know him, leading to the many mishaps and misunderstandings that compose the bulk of the film’s comedy. The film couples this good-natured chaos wiht a refreshing sense of decency and plenty of heart.

Elwood Dowd makes for a fascinating character. From one perspective, he is a delusional, irresponsible man who coasts on his mother’s money, embarrasses his family, and fritters away his time at bars. But he’s also a genuinely kind person who goes out of his way to improve the lives of the many people he meets. And tucked away in his dialogue are insightful comments on the human condition that give the film unexpected depths.

Watch Harvey when you’re in the mood for something light and fanciful. Though not as overtly funny as other comedies from its era, Harvey makes for a delightful watch with a few pleasant surprises. Skip it if you’re looking for a more uproarious style of comedy. For a classic comedy with sharper dialogue, try The Philadelphia Story. For one with a dash of intrigue and romance, try Charade.

8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a creative premise, warm characters, and a thoughtful script.

Today’s quick review: True Lies. Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is an international spy with a cover identity as an ordinary salesman, husband, and father. When Harry learns that his wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) might be having an affair, he uses his spy resources to track down the man involved. But when his attempt to rekindle his marriage goes awry, Helen gets caught up in Harry’s latest mission: stopping a terrorist who has four nuclear bombs.

True Lies is a spy action comedy from director James Cameron. True Lies is an affectionate, tongue-in-cheek take on the spy genre that blends aciton and comedy in equal measure. The movie features a strong cast, an entertaining script, and an healthy amount of action, all wrapped around enough of a plot to make for a satisfying watch. True Lies manages a lighter tone than most action movies without sacrificing excitement or tipping over into parody.

True Lies benefits from rock-solid fundamentals. Harry makes for a likable protagonist, an action hero with a very human side. Helen complements him well, a bored wife living out her own adventure. Tom Arnold rounds out the main trio as Albert Gibson, Harry’s long-suffering partner and the film’s comic relief. The script is dynamic and well-paced, the jokes consistently hit the mark, and the film slips effortlessly between action and comedy.

Watch True Lies when you’re in the mood for something on the lighter side of the action genre. Though not as gritty as some of Schwarzenegger’s other work, True Lies is a cleanly executed action comedy that delivers a little bit of everything. For another spy comedy centered around domestic life, try Mr. and Mrs. Smith. For an action movie with similar appeal, try The Rock. For the superhero equivalent, try The Incredibles.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for strong action, effective comedy, and all-around quality.