DK Publishing brings me another mechanical menace from its highly enjoyable Monsters in the Movies book. This time around, he’s not so much a menace as he is menace. Very much a product of its time, the 50s, this film, dramatically set in the future of the day after tomorrow, it’s a charming, if not…
Tag: 1954
Gog (1954) – Herbert L. Stock
DK Books’ Monsters in the Movies beings me another mechanical menace, as I am introduced to Gog, in this 1954 science fiction film, that despite it’s terrible pacing, story, and acting hints at tech that is currently in use today, like stealth planes, solar energy, and malware. We are introduced to Dr. David Sheppard (Richard…
Live and Let Die (1954) – Ian Fleming
Ian Fleming’s second James Bond book finds its way to my book shelf this week as I delve into the character’s literary history as well as all the 007 films I haven’t covered for the blog. It’s an enjoyable novel, although it is steeped in way too much racist language and descriptions as Bond goes…
Ulysses (1954) – Mario Camerini
Kirk Douglas stars in this Italian sword and sandals (and sorcery) epic that also features Anthony Quinn, and is the next film in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book as I explore the chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. Using Homer’s epic poem as its basis, the film follows Ulysses (Douglas) on his…
A Star is Born (2018) – Blu-Ray Review
The Oscar nominated A Star is Born comes home today on blu-ray from Warner Brothers, and it makes a great addition to the collection, and a fantastic new iteration of the classic story. Starring Bradley Cooper (who also served as the film’s director) and a bravura performance by Lady Gaga (both of them were nominated…
Sabrina (1954) – Billy Wilder
The next, oh-so-enjoyable classic from DK Canada’s The Movie Book following the recommendation of Some Like It Hot as I delve deeper into the What Else to Watch list. Audrey Hepburn plays the titular Sabrina, the daughter of the chauffeur, Thomas Fairchild (John Williams) who works for the wealthy Larabie family. All of her life,…
Seven Samurai (1954) – Akira Kurosawa
The next film recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book is yet another iconic film from Kurosawa’s oeuvre. In a catalogue of films that are all exceptional, it’s tough to pick a favourite, but this may very will be mine. I love the American remake from 1960, The Magnificent Seven, it’s…
The Shape of Water (2017) – Guillermo del Toro
del Toro’s latest film, The Shape of Water is very much a fairy tale for adults, as well as sharing a kinship with the horror films of the 1950s, specifically, 1954’s The Creature From the Black Lagoon (as well as to Abe Sapien as seen in del Toro’s own Hellboy series). But in this film,…
Rear Window (1954) – Alfred Hitchcock
James Stewart and the stunning Grace Kelly star in the next recommended title from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book as I continue my time with Hitchcock’s thrillers. Voyeurism leads to problems as laid up photographer (is there a more voyeuristic career) L.B. Jefferies (Stewart) believes one of his neighbours, he can…
Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) – Jack Arnold
I got to revisit one of the classic Universal monsters for the next entry in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book, director Jack Arnold, and the monster… the Creature from the Black Lagoon, or as he’s also known… The Gill Man, and I have to say, some 60 years on, this is still one solid piece…
The Mind Reels 