Eero Reviews Film (2025)

13/02/2022

Today's film is "The Power" (1968). So, there’s this group of scientists studying human biology as part of a space program. One of the scientists thinks another scientist is using telekinesis to kill members of the team. So, George Hamilton and the ever wonderful Suzanne Pleshette go off on an adventure to find out who is the killer. They keep stumbling on dead bodies of their team members just a little too late to catch the culprit. Some pretty bizarre and unusual death scenes featured in this one, (directed by George Pal) including Arthur O’Connell’s death by centrifuge. Pretty cool! Review: had a cat = loved it! (P.S. At no point in the movie does Pleshette wear a go-go outfit or dance, as depicted on the poster.)

30/10/2021

For today’s Actors With Cats—Myrna Loy!

16/09/2021

For today’s “Actors With Cats”—Eartha Kitt. 😼😽

21/06/2021

Today's film is "Luca" (2021), a literal fish-out-of-water story from the creative folks at Pixar. Luca is a shy yet curious undersea creature whose mundane existence does not include other kids—until he meets Alberto, another sea-creature-boy who lives adventurously on land in his own secret hideout. When out of water, the boys assume human form, hatching a plan to compete in a local bike race to win their dream vehicle, a new Vespa scooter. Their dreams of traveling the world become slightly dashed by the town bully, Ercole, and Giulia—a spunky girl whose love of learning captures Luca's imagination. A cute, undemanding ode to the power of friendship (with an LGBT-positive subtext), boosted by beautiful seaside settings, nifty visuals, and a talented voice cast. Review—had a cat: loved it!

13/06/2021

Today’s film is “Shadow of the Thin Man” (1941), from the good old days when an audience was satisfied with a famous pair of actors walking across the screen, spouting dialogue, and mostly just telephoning in a performance. While the original “Thin Man” (1934) has its moments, I can’t imagine how the studio got away with making five more (!) films with these characters. Sure, Myrna Loy swans about in fancy designer outfits (like the one pictured) that must have sent post-Depression-era female fans swooning; but I don’t understand William Powell’s popularity, here, clearly not caring a whit about his performance. (After the deaths of his ex-wife Carole Lombard and fiance Jean Harlow, who can blame him?) The story about a jockey who appears to have been murdered and a bookie who appears to have killed himself, is wound to a close in a lengthy and exasperating expository by Powell. Making the film even worse is the police captain who is played like a giant buffoon who, but for Nick Charles coming to the rescue, could probably not even tie his own shoes. Review: had a cat = loved it!

27/03/2021

Today’s film is “Frances” (1982), a pseudo biography about the once famous movie and stage actor Frances Farmer whose life spiraled into alcohol, mental illness and rejection. It’s a hard film to watch, considering how mental illness was treated in the early years of the last century. The scenes of her time in various mental hospitals are harrowing. The success of this film owes much to the performances of Jessica Lange as Frances and Kim Stanley as her star-struck stage mom. Both were nominated for Oscars for this film, with neither winning – although Lange did get an Oscar that same year for her supporting turn in the film “Tootsie” as something of consolation prize. If you decide to see this movie, prepare yourself to be shocked by the treatment she received, furious about the way her mother threw her to the sharks, and relieved that people with mental illness are treated with at least a little more respect in today’s world. Review: had a cat = loved it!

23/03/2021

For today’s Actors With Cats... Sean Connery!

20/03/2021

Today’s film is “Romancing the Stone” (1984), where a romance novelist finds herself hooking up with an adventurer in the jungles of South America to deliver a map to the villains who kidnapped her sister. Why a map? Because it tells the location of a giant emerald (pictured) that a lot people are clambering for. It’s a fun premise that doesn’t quite work, mostly due to the weak performance of Michael Douglas as the adventurer. On the other hand, Kathleen Turner seems perfectly cast as the innocent novelist who has never lived the kind of romantic life she writes about, finding herself thrust into a plot right out of one of her novels. Still, this movie has a lot to recommend it, including jungles, waterfalls, alligators, shoot outs and a ceramic bunny rabbit. Review: had a cat = loved it!

20/02/2021

Today’s film is “Arsenic and Old Lace” (1942), in which the marriage plans of a young man are thrown into disarray when he discovers that his aunts have been murdering their male borders and then burying the bodies in the basement. Things turn dicey when a long-lost nephew shows up with yet another dead body. Based on the huge Broadway hit, this film version drags along, defined by extreme mugging and the repeating of a rather dull joke (about one of the characters looking like Boris Karloff, who appeared in the Broadway production). Star Cary Grant said this was the least favorite of his performances; but really, he’s one of the only bright lights in the production with his hyperactive acting keeping things moving. Another bright spot is an early appearance by dreamy Jack Carson (pictured) as a policeman. Review: had a cat = loved it!

05/02/2021

Today’s film “In Old Chicago” (1938), did for 20th Century-Fox what “San Francisco” did for MGM two years earlier: created a big disaster -- the good kind. Here, the plucky young O’Leary family heads west cross country to a mythical land called “Chicago.” When they arrive, the two eldest sons strike out for fame and fortune – one (Tyrone Power) is corrupted early by a taste of power; and the other (Don Ameche) plants both feet firmly in honesty and truth. Of course, their paths wend closer and closer together until – you guessed it – their cow kicks over a lantern and sets the entire city ablaze. It’s a completely fictional backstory dotted here and there with historical elements. The performances are about as good as one would expect (Alice Brady, pictured, won an Oscar for hers), but the real draw here is the amazing special effects that can still wow eighty-two years later. Fire, exploding miniatures and a panicked cast of thousands bring life to a real tragedy. Review: had a cat = loved it! [P.S. The Chicago City council has since exonerated the O’Leary’s poor cow.]

02/01/2021

For today's Actors With Cats, Clark Gable.

29/12/2020

Today’s film is “The Little House” (2014), a quiet, unassuming movie that reveals two parts of the life of a woman: one, taking place today, when she is old and nearing the end of her life; the other when she was a young maid in the late 1930s working for a nice couple in a grand house in Tokyo. The story spans these time periods as the woman’s grand-nephew encourages her to write her autobiography. As she writes, we see her previous life unfold. When young, she is treated well by her employers, who regard her as one of the family. As time marches on, Japan celebrates their attacks on China; food and other necessities begin to be found in short supply; and the wife begins to be attracted to her husband’s new employee causing gossip in the town. The maid also finds the young man attractive, but no one thinks of her when they press him to find a wife. Then the young man gets drafted. Notable for its accurate period production design, costuming and handling of historic situations, this movie draws the viewer into an otherwise idyllic world that the viewer (but not the characters) knows will ultimately come to an end. Wonderful and believable performances by all in the cast. The twist that ends the film is both satisfying and very sad – but also plausible and true. Review: contained no cats = hated it!

12/12/2020

Today’s film, “The Uninvited” (1944), is the ghost story that we need right now – if now is 76 years later. Here, a pair of adult siblings come upon an abandoned house high on a cliff overlooking a scary stretch of ocean. Of course, they set out to buy it – not once questioning why it is being sold for a ridiculously small amount of money. They move in, and discover that one room is suspiciously cold while the rest of the house remains cozy. Through discussions with the daughter of the previous owner and others, they come to understand that the house was the scene of at least one murder and another suspicious death. Considered by many to be the first serious ghost movie, this subtly crafted film has all the highlights of the genre, without the tricks and cliches that made most ghost-story films of the period just so much schlock. The ghostly entity is seriously considered and real attempts made to satisfy its needs and allow it to move on from this world into the next. Excellent performances by the cast and believable special effects. Review: had a cat = loved it!

18/11/2020

Today’s film is “First Cow” (2019), a surprisingly engaging film about a pair of men who meet up in the rugged Pacific Northwest of the 19th century. One is a cook who was once indentured to a baker; the other an Asian man being hunted by vigilantes. Together they talk about their hopes (to not starve to death) and dreams (to make it to San Francisco). Their lives are difficult until a neighbor brings home the first cow in the area (pictured). Why is a cow important? Well, cows make milk. Why is milk important? Because the cook can use it to create the best biscuits in town. It all sounds a bit unusual, but this quiet, deliberately paced film draws in the viewer. Performances are outstanding in their subtlety from the leads to the supporting players. Even the cow performs with aplomb! Film receives bonus points for featuring authentic indigenous Americans speaking their own language(s). Review: had a cat = loved it!

30/10/2020

Today’s film is “Doctor Cyclops” (1940), in which a group of scientists get on the bad side of a scientist who is perfecting a way to shrink living organisms; he first succeeds with a horse and then decides to try it on his snoopy visitors. Sounds kinda schlocky, but “Cyclops” is a surprisingly entertaining film – thanks in no small measure to the excellent special effects. Clever use of rear projection, matte paintings and the now familiar over-sized furniture (thank you, “Land of the Giants”) makes for a believable entry in the “little people” genre. Nominated for a special effects Oscar, it lost to “The Thief of Bagdad” (with its giant genie). Thirteen other films were nominated for special effects that year including “Rebecca” (burning down of Manderley), “Boom Town” (exploding oil rig), “Foreign Correspondent” (the windmills and the plane crash) and “Swiss Family Robinson” (storm at sea), so it was in good company. Review: had a cat = loved it!

05/10/2020

Today's film is "The Student Nurses" (1970), compulsively watchable drive-in fare from legendary producer Roger Corman. Four nubile young nursing students face unexpected obstacles and s*xy situations as they go through their first year in residency at a Los Angeles hospital. Although clumsily performed and dated (count the number of "right on"s and "groovy"s in the script), the characters are given a surprising amount of depth, and one ends up rooting for these young ladies carving a place for themselves at the dawn of the feminist movement. Directed by a woman, Stephanie Rothman, the film has a lot of interesting on-location work, giving it a strong "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" vibe. Review: had a cat = loved it!

16/09/2020

Today's film is "Puberty Blues" (1981), an insightful coming-of-age drama from Australia. Debbie and Sue, two girls in the suburbs of Sydney, navigate school, boys, drinking, peer pressure and other hazards of contemporary (as of the early '80s) teen life. They're also eager to explore s*x with their male classmates, despite the shockingly arrogant, misogynistic attitudes of the boys. In the end, the guys' insistence that "chicks don't surf" is happily proven wrong. Review: had a cat = loved it!

09/09/2020

Today’s film is “Night at the Museum” (2006), a rather fun little offering in which a new security guard discovers that the inhabitants of a museum come to life at night, once the building closes. Just by the description, the premise seems a little weird, but it actually works, with animals from Africa mingling with Roman soldiers, cowboys and a lovable Tyrannosaurus rex who just wants to play fetch. The security guard discovers that this all happens because of an ancient Egyptian curse (of course) while he tries to balance his life with his ex-wife (of course) and his poor son who so wants to look up to him (of course). Not much new to see here, but it is an enjoyable time nonetheless thanks to some eye-popping computer effects. Review: had a cat = loved it!

02/09/2020

Today's movie is "The Great Muppet Caper" (1981) in which our fuzzy friends get wrapped up in an attempt to heist some jewels while Kermit falls in love with Miss Piggy. Pretty standard fare in the muppet oeuvre, with a few noteworthy scenes -- including the big song and dance number in the run-down hotel. So many dancing and singing muppets! Special effects are notable, especially the lengthy scene where the muppets are riding bicycles. You have to look really hard to see how it was done. Review: had a cat = loved it!

26/07/2020

For today's Actors With Cats, Carole Lombard.

25/07/2020

Today’s film is “The Day After” (1983), one of those gritty, realistic TV offerings from the 1980s that attempted to make people think the program they were watching was really the unfolding of some horrible disaster (akin to radio’s “War of the Worlds” in 1938). Here, an unknown country fires off nuclear missiles aimed at America. The movie follows the people who live in a small Kansas town as they realize the missiles are coming. The bombs hit, followed by blood, devastation, death, war and horror. Watched at the time by more than a hundred million viewers, it became the highest rated television film in history. It is no longer as convincing now as it must have been then: The special effects are cheesy when compared to what modern films can achieve, the pace is slow, the acting rather wooden; but it does still grab the viewer with a plausible “what if?” scenario that could easily come true today. The movie gets extra points for featuring a dishy, young Steve Guttenberg who walks around in those tight pants so popular back then. Review: had a cat = loved it!

12/07/2020

Today’s film is “The Invisible Man” (1933), one of the great entries by Universal in their 1930s monsters series. Here, a man finds a formula to became invisible, but is having trouble finding a way to reverse it. He goes into seclusion in a small town, terrorizing the local folk as he slowly starts to go bananas. He kills to get what he wants and the police come gunning for him – but, where is he? Why, right under your noses! Excellent, top-drawer performances by all in the cast (Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, and the inimitable Una O’Connor [pictured]), superb direction by James Whale, and ahead-of-their-time special effects that would have surely earned the movie an Oscar if the Academy gave that award in 1933 (the special effects Oscar didn’t officially became a thing until 1939). Review: had a cat = loved it!

03/07/2020

Today’s film is “Kung Fu Hustle” (2004). China, the 1940s, two schlubs – the R2D2 and C3PO of post-war Shanghai – go through the motions of living their lives. Suddenly, one of them decides he wants to do something with his life, to be someone. So, he and his friend opt to try to join the notorious Ax Gang, known for hacking their opponents to death with axes. Lofty goal indeed! The gang gives them one task to complete before they qualify: kill someone. The pair explore life’s little roads trying to find a victim and trying really hard to make it happen. The mishaps and goof ups along the way are hilarious, made even funnier by amazing special effects and direction. Review: had a cat = loved it!

20/06/2020

Today’s film is “The Nile Hilton Incident” (2017), the film that has been called the “Arab version of ‘Chinatown.’” Here, a Sudanese hotel maid hears a commotion in a room. She sees a man leave the room. She goes into the room where she finds the bloody body of a famous singer. The police come out to investigate, only to be told by higher ups that the singer died of su***de. But, one officer thinks otherwise and sets out to find the maid -- the only witness to the murder. This intriguing tale is filled with police corruption, immigrants who live in fear of being deported, privileged Arabs who bribe the police into submission, all set to the backdrop of the famous Arab Spring. Based on a real-life murder, this film is gritty and dirty, and wends its way through the streets of Egypt to a satisfying conclusion. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and a handful of Guldbagge Awards (Sweden’s film awards). Review: had a cat = loved it!

Eero Reviews Film