328. Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success
1957
Directed by Alexander Mackendrick

I was familiar with Mackendrick's so called comedies before this movie, but I had never seen any of his dramas.  I was nervous about this movie because I hated his previous films.  However, Mackendrick's inability to be funny actually came in handy with this movie, which was a very compelling drama.

This is one of those stories where every person is just awful.  This is usually not my kind of thing; call me a sap but I like having a hero in the story.

Anyway, JJ Hunsecker blackmails a columnist into ruining his sister's fiancé.  It is sort of like a Shakespearean tragedy in that there a lot of schemes and it the end everything goes to hell.

First of all, Burt Lancaster is freaking terrifying.  He had the kind of look in this film that I associate with serial killers.  Take a look:

I mean, what a creep.  Anyway, the book says that Hunsecker had a incestous love for his sister, which makes the whole story even sicker.

So did I like it?  Well, it was certainly entertaining and with stars like Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster, you really cannot go wrong.  Still, it was kind of disturbing and left a bad taste in my mouth.  This is one that I might have to think about for a couple days and then come back to.

RATING: ***--(for now)

Interesting Facts:

Hunsecker was based on Walter Winchell.

"I'd hate to take a bite out of you.  You're a cookie full of arsenic." is ranked #99 in Premiere's Greatest Movie Lines of All Time.

290. Ladykillers

Ladykillers
1955
Directed by Alexander Mackendrick

Previously, I have complained about not fully "getting" British comedy.  It is not that I don't think their jokes are funny, it is that I can't understand when they are making jokes.  I actually don't have this probably with British literature, which I have found quite funny in the past.  Anyway, this is another movie that I didn't find amusing in the slightest.

A lonely old woman lives by herself and has no one in her life so fills her time by making ridiculous accusations about her neighbors to the police. See, it's funny because of how pathetic she is!  Anyway, a gang of criminals rent one of her rooms and convince her that they are actually a string quintet. They plan on pulling off a heist but the old lady gets too wise so they decide to kill her.  See, it's even funnier because if they did, no one would care!

I do not think there is anything wrong with the concept of the film.  It could actually be quite an interesting thriller.  However, to call it a comedy is like calling Reservoir Dogs a comedy.  I like the concept of the film; I wish it had been executed differently.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

A younger actress was cast before Katie Johnson but died before filming began.

Peter Sellers did the voices of the parrots.  Groan.  Peter Sellers.

218. Whisky Galore!

Whisky Galore!
1949
Directed by Alexander Mackendrick

Island people decide that life truly is not worth living if they don't have whisky so they attempt to steal it from a shipwreck.  Does this sound totally stupid to you?  It sounds even more stupid to me since I think whisky has one of the most vile tastes on the planet.

But that is neither here nor there.  This is supposed to be a farce, which means the plot can be paper thin as long as it makes you laugh. The problem is, this movie did not make me laugh.  I feel like my readers (hi Mom and Dad) will think I am a total buzzkill who hates laughing.   I assure you that I there are plenty of comedies that I like that will be reviewed later on.

For now, this movie isn't really funny.  It is actually just about a bunch of alcoholics (including a seven year old boy) with some pointless romantic subplots.  British humor strikes again.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Based on a real life incident.

Shot on the island of Barra.  I do have to say, the scenery was beautiful.

The title was changed in the US because there was a ban on titles with alcoholic drinks in them.  USA!