SAMTHEBESTEST
Joined Feb 2014
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Ratings3.5K
SAMTHEBESTEST's rating
Reviews2.8K
SAMTHEBESTEST's rating
T-Men (1947) :
Brief Review -
A T-extbook-level classic in the spy thriller genre! How badly do we miss investigation thrillers like this. T-Men's take on counterfeiting is probably one of the best in the genre and one of the best in Anthony Mann's filmography-and I know it's a big statement, but I fully mean it. That's how good this film is, and that's how underrated it remains. The film follows a semi-documentary format of storytelling that brings more realism into it and sets it apart from other cinematic thrillers. It tells the story of a spy operation by the Treasury Department, involving two agents, Dennis and Anthony. From around the 5th minute onward, it grips you completely and gives you no moment to look away because every single moment is gripping and unmissable. It is such a smart film-so detailed and well-researched-that you enjoy finding the nuances and absolutely adore them. In the first scene when the agents enter a hotel, they have a cop pretend to chase them so they can get a recommendation from one of the rats in the underworld. That's so clever and so enjoyable. The film presents one such intelligent scene every 10 minutes, and it runs for about 90 minutes, so you can imagine the kind of entertainment and thrill you're in for. The finale-its sacrifice, patriotism, and victory-deserves to be celebrated, but sadly the film moves so fast you don't get time to do that. Nevertheless, you cherish it after "The End" appears, and then it stays with you for a while. That's the impact the storyline, screenplay, characters, and performances leave on you. Anthony Mann has given us many Western gems, but this precious little gem might just surpass them-or, at the very least, match them. Some TEXTBOOK-level stuff on how to make an impeccable and unbeatable spy drama with a realistic atmosphere. Don't miss it.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
A T-extbook-level classic in the spy thriller genre! How badly do we miss investigation thrillers like this. T-Men's take on counterfeiting is probably one of the best in the genre and one of the best in Anthony Mann's filmography-and I know it's a big statement, but I fully mean it. That's how good this film is, and that's how underrated it remains. The film follows a semi-documentary format of storytelling that brings more realism into it and sets it apart from other cinematic thrillers. It tells the story of a spy operation by the Treasury Department, involving two agents, Dennis and Anthony. From around the 5th minute onward, it grips you completely and gives you no moment to look away because every single moment is gripping and unmissable. It is such a smart film-so detailed and well-researched-that you enjoy finding the nuances and absolutely adore them. In the first scene when the agents enter a hotel, they have a cop pretend to chase them so they can get a recommendation from one of the rats in the underworld. That's so clever and so enjoyable. The film presents one such intelligent scene every 10 minutes, and it runs for about 90 minutes, so you can imagine the kind of entertainment and thrill you're in for. The finale-its sacrifice, patriotism, and victory-deserves to be celebrated, but sadly the film moves so fast you don't get time to do that. Nevertheless, you cherish it after "The End" appears, and then it stays with you for a while. That's the impact the storyline, screenplay, characters, and performances leave on you. Anthony Mann has given us many Western gems, but this precious little gem might just surpass them-or, at the very least, match them. Some TEXTBOOK-level stuff on how to make an impeccable and unbeatable spy drama with a realistic atmosphere. Don't miss it.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Christmas Holiday (1944) :
Brief Review -
No Christmas, just some stupid young love and its consequences. It's disturbing to know that this film is named after Christmas Day, yet it showcases the story of a heartbroken soldier while the main plot revolves around a young woman and her failed marriage. Robert Siodmak, who directed films like The Suspect (1944), Phantom Lady (1944), The Dark Mirror (1946), The Crimson Pirate (1952), The Killers (1946), and The Spiral Staircase (1946), definitely didn't live up to his usual standard. If this film has any of the hype I imagine, then it's definitely not worth it. On Christmas Eve, a young soldier arrives in New Orleans after his lover breaks his heart. He meets a beautiful club singer, Jackie/Abigail, who is suffering from the trauma caused by her husband's wrongdoing. She recounts her story to the soldier, and we learn about her husband, Robert-an aristocrat addicted to gambling who has even committed murder. His mother protects him no matter what. After he is arrested, Abigail assumes a new identity as Jackie and takes a job singing at the club. What happens in the last 15 minutes shouldn't be revealed here, or it will spoil all the fun for you. The storyline isn't very strong or meaningful, as the leading lady is blindly devoted to a man and is willing to follow him down the wrong path. Why would any decent girl do that? She could have started afresh, but perhaps she was too young to be that mature. The problem with the film is that it lacks maturity and isn't meant for mature audiences. Some crazy young lovers might relate to it. Deanna Durbin and Dean Harens perform well, while Gene Kelly's serious role is a surprise compared to his usual charming romantic-comedy and musical performances. Robert Siodmak's direction is decent but unimpressive compared to his better works mentioned above.
RATING - 5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
No Christmas, just some stupid young love and its consequences. It's disturbing to know that this film is named after Christmas Day, yet it showcases the story of a heartbroken soldier while the main plot revolves around a young woman and her failed marriage. Robert Siodmak, who directed films like The Suspect (1944), Phantom Lady (1944), The Dark Mirror (1946), The Crimson Pirate (1952), The Killers (1946), and The Spiral Staircase (1946), definitely didn't live up to his usual standard. If this film has any of the hype I imagine, then it's definitely not worth it. On Christmas Eve, a young soldier arrives in New Orleans after his lover breaks his heart. He meets a beautiful club singer, Jackie/Abigail, who is suffering from the trauma caused by her husband's wrongdoing. She recounts her story to the soldier, and we learn about her husband, Robert-an aristocrat addicted to gambling who has even committed murder. His mother protects him no matter what. After he is arrested, Abigail assumes a new identity as Jackie and takes a job singing at the club. What happens in the last 15 minutes shouldn't be revealed here, or it will spoil all the fun for you. The storyline isn't very strong or meaningful, as the leading lady is blindly devoted to a man and is willing to follow him down the wrong path. Why would any decent girl do that? She could have started afresh, but perhaps she was too young to be that mature. The problem with the film is that it lacks maturity and isn't meant for mature audiences. Some crazy young lovers might relate to it. Deanna Durbin and Dean Harens perform well, while Gene Kelly's serious role is a surprise compared to his usual charming romantic-comedy and musical performances. Robert Siodmak's direction is decent but unimpressive compared to his better works mentioned above.
RATING - 5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
When Worlds Collide (1952) :
Brief Review -
One of the earliest films to explore global catastrophe and the world's end in the sci-fi genre. The history of science fiction cinema would be incomplete without mentioning Rudolph Maté's When Worlds Collide. As we know, the 1950s gave us some of the best sci-fi films, many centered on the end of the world, nature's wrath, and deeper philosophical ideas. When Worlds Collide is based on a similar concept-visually appealing and intellectually strong-but it falls short in its climax. Was that happy ending really necessary? I don't think so. A more philosophical or metaphorical end would've worked better, even if it meant showing total destruction instead of a sunrise on a new planet. Even within that idea, they could've shown something deeper-like humans already starting conflict on the new world. Also, the theory of saving only 40 people doesn't make sense and fails to evoke much emotion. That said, the film deserves praise for its bold ideas-another world, interplanetary travel, planetary collision, and scientific breakthroughs. We were blown away by similar themes in Interstellar (2014), so imagine the wonder this must've sparked six decades ago. You really had to be there. The story is still good and convincing, though the screenplay has a few gaps, patched up with clichés and a typical ending. I liked the entire process of preparing to go to the new planet and the lottery system, which has a very predictable follow-up. Still, it's a fantastic concept and a film worth watching. The visuals are standard for the time, direction is solid, acting is decent, and production design is top-notch. Overall, a commendable sci-fi film that had the potential to be a classic but didn't take enough risks. Half a star extra for the daring concept.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
One of the earliest films to explore global catastrophe and the world's end in the sci-fi genre. The history of science fiction cinema would be incomplete without mentioning Rudolph Maté's When Worlds Collide. As we know, the 1950s gave us some of the best sci-fi films, many centered on the end of the world, nature's wrath, and deeper philosophical ideas. When Worlds Collide is based on a similar concept-visually appealing and intellectually strong-but it falls short in its climax. Was that happy ending really necessary? I don't think so. A more philosophical or metaphorical end would've worked better, even if it meant showing total destruction instead of a sunrise on a new planet. Even within that idea, they could've shown something deeper-like humans already starting conflict on the new world. Also, the theory of saving only 40 people doesn't make sense and fails to evoke much emotion. That said, the film deserves praise for its bold ideas-another world, interplanetary travel, planetary collision, and scientific breakthroughs. We were blown away by similar themes in Interstellar (2014), so imagine the wonder this must've sparked six decades ago. You really had to be there. The story is still good and convincing, though the screenplay has a few gaps, patched up with clichés and a typical ending. I liked the entire process of preparing to go to the new planet and the lottery system, which has a very predictable follow-up. Still, it's a fantastic concept and a film worth watching. The visuals are standard for the time, direction is solid, acting is decent, and production design is top-notch. Overall, a commendable sci-fi film that had the potential to be a classic but didn't take enough risks. Half a star extra for the daring concept.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.