JACK LEMMON'S ABSOLUTE BEST - PART THREE - "THE UNDISCOVERED"

Wrapping up the Jack Lemmon fest, thought it would be cool to feature four Lemmon flicks I just recently watched for the first time. These are all available on Tubi, enjoy!

HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE (1965) - An effective comedy-mystery although entirely dated and would have been better at 90 or 100 minutes instead of close to two hours. Jack's okay, he did a bunch of these flicks in the sixties, but the real star surprisingly in this is British actor Terry Thomas. He plays Jack's butler and narrates the film as well often breaking fourth wall. This gives the extraordinary talent of Thomas some nice room to breathe.   2.75 stars/5

COWBOY (1958) - Jack plays a happy-go-lucky stand up kind of hotel desk clerk who goes partners on a cattle drive with a questionable tycoon (Glenn Ford.) What I like to call a "set piece" Western very typical of the Era. Has its moments but your time is easily spent with another title.  2.0 stars/5

12 ANGRY MEN (TV 1997) - In this remake of the famous play and 1957 movie, Jack plays juror number eight, the one hold out in twelve who thinks the man on trial for his life might be innocent. A meaty gathering of A-listers here, everyone from Edwarc J Almos to George C Scott - and what's Gary Frederickson doing in this thing? Not bad, Jack was 72 when he did this and still had it.   2.25 stars/2.75

THE LONG WAY HOME (1998) Not much I could find out about this Lifetime-esque TV movie, but Jack is great as an elderly man who gets lost and eventually joins a much younger woman on a hitchhiking adventure.  2.75 stars/2.75 watch on Tubi 

JACK LEMMON`S ABSOLUTE BEST - PART TWO - "THE UNDERRATED GEMS"

 Greetings All- having a bit of technical difficulties lately with a laptop, tablet and phone, none of which are working properly but nonetheless the show will continue 😀 👍 the following is a list of 4 Jack Lemmon flicks lesser known but outstanding performances. Since its Valentines Day 💝 we'll start with the first of two films that Jack did in the year 1969. They're both shot in NYC, both have unusual but perfect leading ladies and both are on this list...enjoy!

THE APRIL FOOLS (1969) - A fun and very '69 romantic comedy where Jack plays Brubaker, a married exec who falls in love with his bosses wife. You see, he's a frog and Catherine Deneuve wants to turn him into a prince. His boss (Peter  Lawford), however, has made it emphatically clear that Brubaker is not, nor ever has been a frog. A lot of very classic NYC locations including what was at that time the new Madison Square Garden. And look out, a fantastical third act w Harvey Korman as a drunk womanizer.  3.5 stars/5

THE OUT OF TOWNERS (1969) -  Again Jack plays an exec new hire. This time, he's trying to make his way to his first day. However,  once he land's in NYC from Ohio, he and his wife (Sandy Dennis, another unusual choice but she kills it) encounter one NYC mishap after another. Only Neil Simon could make all this comical somehow - it's not one of his best but his pairing once again with Lemmon doesn't let down.  3.0 stars/5

THATS LIFE (1986) - Those in the over-55 crowd may remember this Blake Edward's sort of comedy and lot of melodrama. It played in heavy rotation on late night cable, anyone remember the Z channel? Edward's crafted this one on a shoestring budget, even using his actual Malibu house as the main location. Jack plays a disgruntled 60 yr old completely fed up with life, and that's putting it mildly. At the same time his wife (Julie Andrews) may have cancer but hasn't told him yet.  2.5 stars/5

THE GREAT RACE (1965) - Blake Edward's again but a mid 60s epic comedy, three hour complete with intermission, oh yeah. Tony Curtis (in one of his best as well) is the good guy The Great Leslie and Lemmon the bad Professor Fate in a race from NY to Paris. You like screwball, slapstick kind of comedy 🤣?  Let's put it this way - the film is dedicated to Laurel and Hardy. 3.75 stars/5

JACK LEMMON'S ABSOLUTE BEST - PART ONE "THE OBVIOUS PICKS"

Greetings All - Hope this week finds you and yours all well. But even more than that, I hope you're in a JACK LEMMON mood because we got a massive three-part post for you. My personal favorite actor of all-time, and as we all know, one of the all-time greats. Like this Aquarian was majorly talented and it's B-Movie Gazette's proud to present this tribute in three parts.

I - "The Obvious Picks" (that's this post, stupid!) - iow, the cream of the crop.

II - "The Underrated Gems" - a collection of ones you really should see.

III - "The Undiscovered" - a post of films I will be watching for the first time.

THE CREAM OF THE CROP OF JACK LEMMON FILMS "The Obvious Ones"                                                     

SAVE THE TIGER (1974) - We may have a divided country now but way back in 1974 the writings were already on the wall as our main character Harry Stoner (love that name) will attest to. Harry has had it with America and longs back to a time when morals and decency ruled. In the meantime though, he has a factory to save and will do anything to save it. Maybe a detour with a cute hippy chick in Malibu is what Harry needs. I'll give you a key to figuring out this whole movie - it's the last line right before credits role, it's said by a kid, and that kid represents Harry's past.   4/0 stars/5  Pluto or VOD

DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (1962) - An amazing performance from Jack as he and Lee Remick play a married couple caught up in the throes of alcoholism. A brilliant film on so many levels. And that should come as no surprise considering it's a Blake Edwards film.  5 stars/5

PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE (1975) - Neil Simon fires on all eight cylinders in this oft overlooked neurotic NYC comedy. Jack plays a married man who gets fired and has a nervous

breakdown. This forces his wife (Anne Bancroft) to become the man of the house. Pound for pound, Simon has packed this script with one-liners about the Big Apple and Lemmon and Bancroft are just stellar together.  3.5 stars/5   VOD

THE APARTMENT (1960) - Another holy shit performance from Jack on this one, an obvious pick, had to be on the list. It shows it's age a lot, this one but what a cast and what a script, just magnificent. 5 stars/5 Free right now on Roku channel & Pluto. 

THE ODD COUPLE (1968) - Yep, this is the original that spawned so many great television versions and of course, countless renditions on Broadway. Another incredible performance here from Lemmon. But it's the pairing on this one of him and real-life pal Walter Matthau that sends it to the moon. They were so great together in this and it's Neil Simon once again slamming it out of the park.  5 stars/5

BODY HEAT (1981) & DO NOT DISTURB (1999) - 2 GREAT EARLY WILLIAM HURT FLICKS, BOTH MYSTERY THRILLERS

 

BODY HEAT (1981) - As the decades roll by, this one has been a little shuffled under the carpet, you don't hear it mentioned that often. But it's a great Lawrence Kasden directed neo-noir with Hurt and Kathleen Turner torching up the screen with a sizzling chemistry. So much so, they're going to have to knock off Turner's husband, played by Richard Crenna in yet another great performance. Also, look for Mickey Roarke in an awesome cameo - this flicks a don't-pass-go and don't collect $200, just see it, ya dig? 4.0 stars/5 VOD

DO NOT DISTURB (1999) aka Silent Witness - I stumbled upon this one completely by accident while researching Hurt's filmography. It's a Dutch-German production filmed in Amsterdam on location. It's kind of like Polanski's Frantic except instead of Paris, it's Amsterdam and instead of the wife going missing, it's a mute teen daughter. But that same kind of mystery with some local twists. Jennifer Tilly flexes her acting chops very nice in this, best I've seen her. The teen actress, a one-off performance, should also be mentioned. Out of print but here is a "very watchable" version some kind soul upped, enjoy. 3.75 stars/5

IN MUSIC - If you haven't made it down there yet, we would like to call your attention to the new "MUSIC CORNER" of the Gazette, down in lower right of blog. There you will find the new Rolling Stones blog "Squares," a large collection of classic rock Vinyl Rips completely stream worthy from my personal collection. There are a lot of vinyl bootlegs I purchased on Hollywood Blvd in the early '70's. Finally, we have added the "Album of the Week" which currently is "Alice Cooper Goes To Hell" (1976) ENJOY

CLOONEY'S NOT A LOONIE! - OUR TOP 4 GEORGE CLOONEY FAVORITES - ONE OF THE HIGHEST GROSSING ACTORS OF ALL TIME

 

TGIF movie fans - tonight, my top 4 favorite movies featuring superstar George Clooney. The actor doesn't hit it out of the park every time but few actors do and we think these four films back that up. Be forewarned though, the picks may surprise you. 

#4 - TOMORROWLAND (2015) - This muddy and uneven Disney sci-fi has been the appropriate recipient of many mixed reviews and two and a half star ratings. But something about Clooney's performance in this just draws me in somehow, he's at his most amicable and comfortable best in this. Visually stunning but, boy, what flimsy story execution.  2.5 stars/5

#3 - THE DESCENDANTS (2011) - At the podium when George Clooney accepted his Oscar for this Hawaiian set drama, he said "Alexander Payne makes such real movies about real people and real life." How true. This was a demanding role for him, playing a dad whose wife is in a coma, but Clooney certainly rose to the occasion. This one had to be on the list.   4.25 stars/5 

#2 - FROM DUSK TIL DAWN (1996) - Now if you want to see the bad side of Clooney, the heavy, then he can play bad boy on turbo power as represented in this horror classic from Robert Rodriguez. From the first few frames to movie's end, he's over the top and up in everybody's face relentlessly. One sidebar comment on this one - a very strange and different role for Harvey Keitel playing a meek ex-preacher hoping to redeem himself.   3.0 stars/5

#1 - THE PERFECT STORM (2000) - This is a seriously underrated performance in my opinion. As skipper of the ill-fated Andrea Gail fishing vessel, Clooney is a hand-in-glove fit for this. His scenes with Walberg I would add have great chemistry. Til the last monster wave buries the boat once and for all, we're rooting for him to succeed.  3.75 stars/5

FROM THE OVER 60 DESK - THREE CLASSIC DISNEY MOVIES THAT MOST CRITICS HATE BUT I LOVE (PART 2)

 

Good evening once again - Here's part two, - 1969, 1970 & 1974 are represented this time, hopefully you'll find one to enjoy. If you haven't figured out already, these are all watchable on Disney channel only or VOD, DVD VHS - n joy

THE CASTAWAY COWBOY (1974) - The one-and-only James Garner does what he does best, a Western part. He plays a wrangler from Texas that gets shipwrecked and stranded in Hawaii. He's nurtured back to health by a family who has one big problem - a bunch of hands that don't know jack about running a farm. That's where Garner comes in hand and saves the day. You may recognize child actor Eric Shea from Poseidon Adventure, he's co-stars right along Garner here and kills it.  3.0 stars/5

THE BOATNIKS (1970) - Oh my, if there was one thing I wouldn't want written on my tombstone, it's "this was the guy who loved The Boatniks." Rather keep that one to myself, ya dig? But hey, we all have our crazy favorites, right. This is mine. I'm actually going to let this vintage trailer speak for itself, it's a goodie.  2.75 stars/5

MY DOG, THE THIEF (TV 1969) - Ok, so this one is a little bit of a cheat as it's actually a television production. It originally aired on Wonderful World Of Disney in two parts. These were combined to make the version commonly available. An adorable Saint Bernard who happens to be a kleptomaniac attaches himself to a goofy weather reporter. Disney stalwart Joe Flynn also stars. Dog lovers can't resist this one!  2.75 stars/2.75 

REMEMBERING DAVID LYNCH (1946-2025) - A 25-MINUTE CLIP OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE ON SET OF "MULHOLLAND DRIVE" (2001)

 

Greetings All - An imaginative mind like none other. Instead of the usual tribute film, (since i would pick Mulholland Drive anyhow) I found this fascinating clip of backstage scenes shot by someone authorized to - there's footage of them shooting inside the infamous diner in the movie, scenes shot at the pool party that appears towards the end of the movie and some others. Enjoy, to watch him work is to see the genius that was behind the man, in a sense the David Bowie of cinema. 

IN MUSIC>> Holy crap, it was 52 years ago this very evening, I saw the Rolling Stones perform the concert streamed below, long considered a very legendary show with Santana and Cheech & Chong, yes, Cheech & Chong opening at the LA Forum. As an 11-year old Stones freak and new guitar player I can't express in words how it set the course for my life and love of rock n roll music and performing. 

FROM THE OVER 60 DESK - 3 CLASSIC DISNEY MOVIES 🎬 MOST CRITICS HATE BUT I LOVE (PART 1 OF 2)

 

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth as tonight I share three classic Disney movies - two from the 60s and one from 1972 - all majorly dogged thru the years. They may not have had the greatest reviews but I personally dig these and all three made money and were re-released thru the decades.

IN SEARCH OF THE CASTAWAYS (1962) - Disney's biggest star ever, the lovely Hayley Mills was twenty-one when she made this comedy- adventure about two children trying to find their kidnapped father. Some great early matte work here, the whole movie was filmed indoors. Plus, who can resist timeless Maurice Chevalier!  3.25 stars/5

BLACKBEARDS GHOST (1968) - You know, in retrospect I really think Dean Jones was a little underrated as an actor. He certainly had that charismatic face and was a natural comedic actor, The Love Bug being his most iconic. But the poor guy had his problems in the women department big time. Contracted by Disney twice, he's in a slew of their films, this one finds him playing a track team coach haunted by the ghost of Blackbeard (Peter Ustinov) Could have used 10-15 minutes of trimming but still an enjoyable one  2.5 star/5

SNOWBALL EXPRESS (1972) - Since its winter, here's another Dean Jones. He inherits a ski lodge and quits his job on impulse only to find out its a broken down wreck. Some cool location photography on this one, Harry Morgan co-stars.  3.0 stars/5

5-STAR MOVIES - ITS A RATING WE DONT TAKE LIGHTLY, HERE'S 5 B-MOVIE GAZETTE PICKS

Greetings All- Sure, I could mention some of my 5 star favorites like Apocalypse, The Conversation, American Beauty, Midnight Cowboy, but these 5 are some less obvious choices. And, 100% 5'star worthy. 

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES (2013) - A modern crime drama epic and tour de force for Ryan Gosling.  While only in the first act, he enters and leaves the movie with such intensity, the film is already five star worthy. But then the film really clobbers you over the head with it's equally stunning second and third act featuring Bradley Cooper,  Bruce Greenwood and Ray Liotta. VOD

THE BOUNTY (1984) - Anthony Hopkins spell-binding performance as Captain Bligh will never be topped nor will this version of the famous Mutiny on the Bounty story. From the amazing score to the cinematography and every thing else. And Mel Gibson? He should have just been handed the Oscar without any other nominees, he's that good.  Tubi, Pluto 

GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1946) - If you're in the over-55 gang, you may remember seeing this either on a 16mm projector in yr classroom or perhaps channels 52 or 56 in LA. If you're young, God help you as you probably don't even know what great expectations is. The story will teach you about life and this penultimate version is still listed #5 on BFI's all-time greatest films.  Tubi

IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (1984) - The late, great Ryan O' Neal worked for scale because he believed in the project written by an early Nancy Meyers of Somethings Gotta Give fame. He later said he considered it some of his best work next to Barry Lyndon and we agree. Now, Shelly Long. Another flat out might as well go up to the podium and make your speech, might just be the biggest snub of all-time. Sharon Stone"s very first feature, also quite impressive. Out of print but just do a search on YT, lots of full versions to find.

LIMBO (1999) - John Sayles, master indie director specializing in multi-character tales (usually with a socio political slant) crafted this genius Alaskan drama. Part survival story part coming of age (Vanessa Martinez, off the chart) part romance (Mary E Mastrantonio and David Straithern) And - are you ready to hear Mastrantonio sing several songs with a voice as sweet as an angels? Sayles crafted a masterpiece with this one.  Tubi

7 MOVIES I REVISITED OVER THE HOLIDAYS THAT I HAVEN'T WATCHED IN A SH*T'S AGE w/ trailers, rating, where to stream

 

Greetings All - I pulled a lot of movies off the shelf last couple weeks. These are 7 that I enjoyed the heck out of -

NORTH DALLAS FORTY (1979) the quintessential football movie 🎬 period, end of sentence. 4.0 stars/5 VOD

WILD (2014) This is not the perky Reese Witherspoon from Election, let's get that straight. A mature, hardened divorcee here, she takes to hiking the Pacific Coast Trail. As her journey progresses, flashbacks tell her characters life story. Too many of those flashbacks and uneven pacing bring the rating down considerably for this movie lover. 2.75 stars/5 Plex only

SWITCHBACK (1997) Danny Glover's unusual turn as the bad guy is reason one of many to see this crime thriller directed by Jeb Stuart, writer of v Die Hard. Jared Leto and many others, just an awesome cast. A little slow to get going but give this one a chance. 3.5 stars/5 VOD

THE DROP (2014) Mob crime drama w James Gandolfini, he owns a bar that's a drop for the Mafia. A robbery takes place that shouldn't. Fully enjoyable thriller but unnecessary.  2.5 stars/5

ALIVE (1993) The story of the Andes plane crash and is the greatest survival tale in human history. There's lots better films about them but this a good place to m start for a newbie.  3.0 stars/5

AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999) A masterful performance by Kevin Spacey and quite frankly one of the greatest films ever made.  5 stars/5