Billy Wilder was an Austrian born filmmaker/writer/director… and all-around cinema genius. Born Samuel Wilder on June 22, 1906 in Sucha, Austria, Wilder went from being a Viennese reporter to a free-lance writer in Berlin where he started working on film scripts in 1929. As Hitler rose to power, Wilder moved to Paris to direct his first film, as he feared his Jewish ancestry would threaten … Continue reading STALAG 17 (1953)
Carol Reed’s innovative classic THE THIRD MAN (1949) is one of my favorite films. It stands apart from many films of its time and still remains a unique cinematic experience. A very different film to reflect a very different time and place… post WW2 war, ally occupied Vienna. This aesthetically beautiful film noir was photographed by cinematographer Robert Krasker and written by novelist Graham Greene. … Continue reading THE THIRD MAN (1949)
It’s the dry, sandy desert of the New Mexico landscape of the 1950’s. A small plane circles above in radio communication to the two state patrol officers driving in the squad car below. The pilot has alerted the officers there’s a little girl wandering the desolate area alone and agrees to follow above until they reach her. When Officer Ben Peterson calls to her, she … Continue reading THEM!
Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah). This post is dedicated to all the families tragically affected by this horrific period in history, and in hopes that we shall never forget to recognize the faces of evil, while remembering to seek out the goodness in humanity… The great villains of the big screen have always been a draw for audiences. We love to hate the … Continue reading Orson Welles in THE STRANGER (1946)
Robert Aldrich’s FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX (1965) is a story of struggle, team work and survival. With a splendid cast, the diverse array of characters adds to this solid story. Based on the 1964 novel of the same title, written by Elleston Trevor, this film was not exactly a big hit at the box office at the time. But since then, it has slowly become … Continue reading FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX (1965)
Outspoken & Freckled 