The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
[5] I'm at a loss for this one. I saw the movie, but I'm still not sure what it's about. There's a town that sabotages drivers, all so the community can trade auto parts among themselves and hand the drivers…
Marked Woman (1937)
[6] Five ladies of ill repute muster the courage to take the stand against their evil nightclub boss in this Bette Davis vehicle. Davis overacts a tad (doesn't she always?), but Humphrey Bogart is reliable in the role of the…
The Formula (1980)
[4] George C. Scott stars as a police officer who follows a murder case that gets him embroiled in a mystery involving the Nazis and big oil. The film's ahead of its time in vilifying the oil companies, represented here…
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)
[8] This one is often regarded as the first quintessential Alfred Hitchcock film, and what's not to like? A little girl is kidnapped and her family are forced to go through the hoops for her safe return. Peter Lorre steals…
The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927)
[5] A London couple begin to suspect their new lodger might be a serial killer who preys on blonde women. And it just so happens their daughter is blonde. And dating one of the detectives on the case. Even though…
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
[7] Two Boston detectives try to solve the mystery of a missing girl in this tight dramatic thriller from director Ben Affleck. Yeah, Ben Affleck. Who knew? Strong performances from Casey Affleck, Ed Harris, and Amy Ryan. I like how…
Tightrope (1984)
[5] Clint Eastwood plays a detective (who isn't Dirty Harry) assigned to a case involving a serial rapist and murderer whose victims begin to include Eastwood's acquaintances. This is a paint-by-numbers serial killer movie, full of all the old cliches…
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
[7] Young Holmes meets young Watson in prep school and the two solve a mystery involving an ancient Egyptian cult that is killing members of a secret society and sacrificing virgins in ceremony! Unfortunately, the mystery isn't very engaging and…
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
[6] A CIA researcher tries to avoid multiple assassins until he learns who he can trust in this well-made suspense thriller that prophesied the current oil crisis and the wars therein. Robert Redford carries the movie superbly as always, and…
Satan Met a Lady (1936)
[4] This second retelling of The Maltese Falcon (before John Huston proved the the third time was the charm) is a bizarre pseudo-comedy with an ingratiating performance by Warren William in the role Humphrey Bogart would later immortalize. Warren got…