MINI REVIEW:
DARLING (1965)
DIRECTED BY: JOHN SCHLESINGER
STARRING: JULIE CHRISTIE

Portraying the flighty, sexy Diana Scott may not have been much of a stretch for Julie Christie but the range of emotions and the fact that she's in virtually every scene definitely qualified her for the oscar she won. However, I can't say I liked this movie all that much. Diana Scott is not a very likeable person after all, and therefore I didnt really care what happened to her throughout her many romances or her hasty marriage to an Italian prince. I found myself not even able to focus on the lovely direction by Schlesinger or the artistically constructed screen entrances which were probably the movie's strongest point outside of its principal performance. Sometimes a movie just doesnt grab you and I chalk it up to my inability to connect w/ the lifestyle or ambivelent attitude of all the characters involved with this one.

Not a waste of time, really, but I wouldnt watch it again.

My rating: 6/10

Mini Review:
THE BAND WAGON (1953)
DIRECTED BY : VINCENT MINELLI
STARRING: FRED ASTAIRE AND CYD CHARISSE

As long as I've heard of this movie, I only just caught it yesterday on TCM. I'm glad I did. The ballet at the end is one of the greatest cinematic moments for either of the film's lead stars and the choreography is innovative and awe inspring, to say the least. Other than the final dance, however, the only other scene that stands out is the famous 'That's Entertainment' number early in the film. Along with Cole Porter's 'Another Opening, ANother Show' from 'Kiss Me Kate', it goes down in history as one of the 'theme' songs of the musical stage productions. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie does little else than build up to these two numbers and remains largely forgettable. Astaire is funny and charming, as always, but his character doesnt have the same draw as some of the earlier leading men he portrayed. It's a good film with two GREAT scenes.

My Rating: 7/10

MINI REVIEW:
HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE (1964)
DIRECT BY: ROBERT ALDRICH
STARRING: BETTE DAVIS, AGNES MOOREHEAD, JOSEPH COTTON and OLIVIA DEHAVILLAND

I've often seen this movie grouped in and compared with Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?, but I find it superior in almost every way. While the performances in 'Baby Jane' are noteworthy (Victor Buono underplays his character wonderfully), I find them a painfully over the top, for the most part. In this film, the acting by DeHavilland, Cotton and Davis is also memorable, principally from Davis who provides a layered performance as the half-crazed Charlotte while still retaining an air of poise. Cotton is a surprising scene stealer with his drunken drawl and DeHavilland's sinister grace is so unlike most of her films that we can't help but be impressed. The direction by Aldrich is on par w/ the crisp black and white style of 'Baby Jane' but it favors this lazy Southern landscape and comes off as even more atmospheric, almost regal. The grislier scenes are unique and suspenseful where they could have been formulaic and dull. For those reasons, I give this a nod and an easy:

8/10