Author Archive

When acerbic critic Sheridan Whiteside slips on the front steps of a provincial Ohio businessman’s home and breaks his hip, he and his entourage take over the house indefinitely.

Even if it’s a lot more romantic, which makes it feel kind of dated, Port of Shadows plays like a song to which you know the words and the ending, but find yourself humming it over and over again.

The Ox-Bow Incident is the story of a lynching that went right, but in the wrong way. Simple as an old man’s morality tale and painfully to the point, it covers a timeless debate concerning law, justice and the misconceptions they suffer in our hands and minds.

Room at the Top is one of the first “kitchen sink” dramas that altered the British cinema’s status in cinematic history. But historical context aside, it’s a compelling drama, with a timeless premise, crafty screenwriting and precise directing.

Ernest Hemingway’s famous short story The Killers is a cynical prelude to an unavoidable murder and has inspired two feature films since its first publication. The 1946 old ass version was directed by Robert Siodmak in typical film-noir style and was Burt Lancaster’s film debut.

A poison-pen letter has reached the hands of Laura, a social worker married to the local psychiatrist, Dr. Vorzet, regarding Dr. Rémy Germain and accusing him of severe moral atrocities. Soon, everyone is getting letters.

The remnants of the class system keep things tense between two lovers from different backgrounds. “You’re hurt because everything is changed and Jimmy’s hurt because everything is the same.”

A small time grifter picks the wrong pocket and ends up in the middle of a federal espionage case that gets tangled up in Cold War sentiments and noir sensibilities.

Destry Rides Again still delivers honest fun and a couple of memorable dialogs. Plus, the birth of a great western actor and one hell of a catfight!

Alec Guinness gets his first and only writing credit and dominates the screen as an artist who can’t escape an insane supporting cast no matter how mean he gets.

One can learn a lot from a country’s old ass movies, especially if they’re as fresh and universally relevant as Mikio Naruse’s When a Woman Ascends the Stairs, one of his long overlooked works of cinematic excellence.

Film fans will see a striking resemblance between this classic and the storyline for A History of Violence. Just when you thought you were out – they pull you back in. Isn’t that how it always works out?

Our European correspondent Loukas checks in with an early review of Quantum of Solace from across the pond, and it looks like it’s just as badass as we’d hoped for.

Every week, Film School Rejects presents a film that was made before you were born and tells you why you should like it. This week, Old Ass Movies presents: 12 Angry Men.

Explore the depths of the Zapata’s Mexican Revolution – or at least Elia Kazan and John Steinbeck’s version. And did we mention Marlon Brando’s involved?

Every Sunday, Film School Rejects presents a film that was made before you were born and tells you why you should like it. This week, Old Ass Movies presents Pickpocket.

Every week, Film School Rejects presents a movie that was made before you were born and tells you why you should like it. This week, Old Ass Movies presents: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

Every Sunday, Film School Rejects presents a film that was made before you were born and tells you why you should like it. This Week, Old Ass Movies Presents: Los Olvidados.

Our own super-sleuth Loukas Tsouknidas checks in from overseas with an awesome early review of Iron Man. As you can see, the hype may all be worth it, after all.

The Nazi reign in Central Europe left, besides it’s horrific legacy, a great deal of fascinating stories to be told. One of those, the recount of “Operation Bernhard”, is the theme of this year’s subtitled Oscar winner from Austrian director Stefan Ruzowitzky, The Counterfeiters. Not only of historical interest, but morally diverse and fairly entertaining too.