Tcm

[Johann]

Just saw this enchanting masterpiece from Powell and Pressburger, part of TCM's "The Essentials" series with Mank & director Brad Bird.

I'd never seen this one before, and now it's a favorite.
David Niven plays Peter Carter, an RAF bomber squadron commander in WWII who gets shot down and jumps from his Lancaster with no parachute.
He should die, right?
You would think so, and this movie explores how and why he didn't, with color sequences showing Earth and black & white showing Heaven. (or "the Afterlife")

Kim Hunter plays a beautiful American girl who talks with Peter over the radio in his final moments and they fall in love, without meeting.
Peter is visited by a dandy French spirit guide who figures prominently.
Long story short, he goes to an eternal "court" where his fate is decided. This part blew me away- what vision and bravado by Powell & Pressburger!
The defence and prosecution deftly battle it out, and Love Triumphs. (and why Shouldn't it?)
See it. It is a Special film from 2 of the biggest names in movie history.

[Johann]

"Hello Baby...C'Mon Baby...Look Baby...Goodbye Baby..."



This is a must-see film.
Excellent movie, with snappy Raymond Chandler dialogue.
Fred MacMurray stars as Walter Neff, an insurance salesman who falls for a married woman (Barbara Stanwyck) who wants to kill her husband for the insurance money.
Walter is smart and he knows better, but Love is blind. He hatches an elaborate plan to "Get the Money and Get the Girl"...
He's even gonna attempt to get double the money, with a double indemnity clause in the policy.
Problems arise in the execution of the plan, not least of which from Lola, Stanwyck's step-daughter and Walter's boss Keyes. (Played by Edward G. Robinson)
See it.
It's one of the must-see classics.

[Johann]

Directed by cinema legend Sam Fuller, this is one gritty slice of film noir.

Tolly Devlin (Cliff Robertson- "The Big Kahuna" in Gidget) is 14 when he witnesses his dad get beaten to death by 4 thugs.
He's no "Fink", so he vows that he'll find them and mete Justice out personally.
And he does, some 20 years later.
Dolores Dorn is his pretty love interest Cuddles, and his mother figures prominently with juicy scenes.

"NOIR ALLEY" TCM host Eddie Muller called it Fuller's signature "Smash-Mouth Cinema", and it was.
I loved it. Movies like this are why I watch TCM!