Nazi Spies in San Franciso ~4 STARS~ John Carradine~
930057
PLOT: Nazi spies in San Francisco....

Dr. Carl Decker (J. CARROL NASH)Oculist.... is a Nazi spy and walking home in the fog is robbed of his "code book" which also contains a list of Nazi Spies in America. He soon being blackmailed to pay to get the book back. Marlow (JOHN CARRADINE) is a Gestapo Agent/ Killer sent to get the book back. This is a cheesy low budget spy yarn. It has been public domain for many years. Most copies are bad this one is "re-mastered" and better than most copies.  Still worth the watch for the sinister Carradine......4 STAR~ Nazis in America fun. 4 STARS~ Maris Wixon
3827020
When this film was released in 1941, the Nazis threat to freedom and democracy was more and more growing in the middle of WWII. Given this, Frank Capra was no longer optimistic about film-making like when he made Mr. Deeds Goes to Town some years before. Looking at the big difference of characters between John Doe and Longfellow Deeds, both of which are played by Gary Cooper, it is evident that things had dramatically changed. The anti-Nazism sentiment is well mirrored in the characterization of Edward Arnolds D.B. Norton. He tries to do everything he can to take power and debauches the John Doe movement, but the media manipulation eventually failed to unexpected populism. It is interesting to see this overlapping what is happening across the globe.

Cooper is fantastic as an ordinary guy in the role of John Doe who is awakened by his bitter experience after beguiled. Wordy idealism is lackluster though. Barbara Stanwyck is incredibly sublime as reporter Anne Mitchel. Her rapport with Cooper is conspicuous here again.
1912184
This film is a heartfelt yet fast-paced story of two American spies who fall in love amidst the dangers of doing their jobs deep in the heart of Germany during World War II.  Michael Douglas plays Ed Leland, a hard-edged and patriotic military spy who unwittingly falls in love with Linda Voss (played with the warm mix of charm, innocence and thrill by Melanie Griffith), a Brooklyn girl of Jewish descent who wants to do her part using her perfect German speaking abilities to work as a cook and try to discover the location of a bomb being built by the German army.  Both lovers get more than they bargained for when Linda ends up in the home of a high-ranking German official and risks her life trying to discover the location of her Jewish relatives hiding in Berlin.  An outstanding supporting cast that includes Joely Richardson, Liam Neeson and Sir John Giulgud makes this film a must-see, especially if you are a sucker for World War II nostaligia and "I'll Be Seeing You."  Believable or not, this film is a keeper.
387716
It's 1928, and single mom Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) is about to face every parent's worst nightmare.  When she has to fill in for a sick co-worker on a Saturday, she leaves nine-year-old Walter (Gattlin Griffith) alone.  And when she returns after work, he is gone.

With her world turned upside down, she begins the hunt to find him.  When the LAPD in the person of Captain Jones (Jeffrey Donovan) tell her they've found him, she's ecstatic.  However, the boy who steps off the train (Devon Conti) is not her son.  And the police won't believe her.

Christine's only ally in trying to get the truth out is the Reverend Brieglab (John Malkovich) who has a local radio program.  Will that be enough to get the corrupt police to do something?  And what has happened to Walter?

And yet I almost didn't see this film because it wasn't my normal comedy.  I'm glad I allowed myself to be talked into it.  It was wonderful for a change of pace.

Between the mystery of what happened to Walter and the injustices that Christine faces, this is a riveting movie.  I was glued to the screen the entire running time and still can't believe it is over two hours.

The film looked like old film noir pieces with lots of muted colors.  The exception to that rule was Christine's lipstick, which is almost always bright red.  Clint Eastwood did as great a job with the music as he did the directing.  His compositions fit the film beautifully.

I must give special praise to Devon Conti who gave his performance as the fake Walter a slightly creepy edge that fit the movie perfectly.  Angelina Jolie was great as our lead, except in her more emotional scenes.  Crying while trying not to cry just didn't work for me.

My only other complaint was some timeline issues at the end, but I can't say too much more without spoiling anything.

Adults looking for a moving drama will enjoy this film.
655740
Excellent television series to watch with some historical relevance to Chicago mobsters like Al Capone. Exceptional acting by everyone with enough gang violence but just once, it would be nice to see Steve Buscemi play a more proactive role as Nucky Thompson rather than someone who always waits until disaster strikes.
3520500
Samuel Goldwyn's THE BISHOP'S WIFE (1947) was released a year after Frank Capra's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/IT-S-A-WONDERFUL-LIFE/dp/0782002064/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE</a>, and the picture is in a way related to it. Both are Christmastime stories of angels sent to help someone, and both feature little Karolyn Grimes as the main characters' child. ("Look, Daddy! Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.")

"The Bishop's Wife" is Loretta Young. Her husband, Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) is trying to raise funds for a cathedral, but he's confounded by Mrs. Hamilton (Gladys Cooper), a curt, wealthy widow and primary donor who wants the edifice to be a memorial to the late Mr. Hamilton. When Henry prays for Divine guidance, an angel named Dudley (Cary Grant) appears.

A side story concerns Prof. Wutheridge, delightfully portrayed by Monty Woolley. He's an aging, atheistic historian with a severe case of writer's block (been working on the same history of Rome for 20 years).

Dudley gets involved in everyone's life, bringing joy to all he comes in contact with except the man who conjured him up, the bishop. Partially scripted by Billy Wilder and Robert Sherwood, this is a story filled with magic, a few neat special effects, and lots of love. Highest recommendation!

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/THE-BISHOP-S-WIFE/dp/B000056HE9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">THE BISHOP'S WIFE</a>&nbsp;is also available in DVD, as is&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/IT-S-A-WONDERFUL-LIFE/dp/B000HEWEJO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE</a>.

Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(7.5) The Bishop's Wife (1947) - Cary Grant/Loretta Young/David Niven/Monty Woolley/James Gleason/Gladys Cooper/Elsa Lanchester/Karolyn Grimes/Regis Toomey
3387284
This film is about finding a Nazi approximately 50 years after World War II in order to assassinate him. The Mossad agent, Eyal, just returned from Turkey and killed a terrorist there. His new assignment is to be a tour guide to a young German named Alex Himmelman, whose grandfather was the Nazi killer. The plan is to get friendly with this tourist and learn whether or not his grandfather is still alive, then "to do God's work before God is ready to take him" according to the Director of Mossad. The elder Himmellman is believed to be alive in Argentina where he escaped after the war. Unfortunately, when Eyal arrives home after the Turkish assignment, he finds his wife dead on their bed. She had committed suicide ... This life-altering event may affect his judgement and skills according to his superior. He is offered counseling but declines. His  shooting abilities are tested on a target range from time to time, to ensure he is able to complete this important mission.

The film is fascinating on many levels. It delves into a deeply serious subject and questions the ethics of doing this type of work in a most creative and artistic manner. As Eyal becomes more friendly with Alex and his sister Pia who lives on a kibbutz, he begins to like them. Eyal places a bug in Pia's apartment to catch any conversation they may have about their grandfather's past. The conversations are all innocent until one night, when Alex tries to pursuade Pia to return to Berlin to visit her parents, to attend her father's birthday party. It turns out, Pia  had a huge fight with her dad about the cover-up of what her grandfather had done during the war. One does wonder, why does the granddaughter of a Nazi end up working in a kibbutz in Israel? The film builds suspense and mystery based on this very question. The complex nature of the film makes it a superior viewing experience. The subject of the film is dealt with in a senstive manner and is balanced with humor. Eyal is played by a very handsome Israeli actor who befriends Alex and then learns by chance that Alex is gay. This subject is presented in a natural flow within the story line of the film ... The metaphor of "walking on water" as Jesus did on the Sea of Galilee is used with great affect and meaning. The viewer will be thrilled and entertained as intensity builds and the mysteries become more complex before they are resolved. There is a huge unexpected climax before the surprise ending brings about a 360 degree resolution to the conflicts. This is a most highly recommended viewing experience. Erika Borsos (pepper flower)
2832255
It was delightful watching this old film, black and white, bad transfer and all.

Four bad guys are on their way to East Africa to secure a deal with uranium mines. Their agent is Billy (Humphrey Bogart) a man who is a "typical rare spirit." His wife is Maria (Gina Lollobrigida). They meet a British couple who are also on their way to Africa. Gina falls for the husband Harry (Edward Underdown) while Harry's wife Gwendolen (Jennifer Jones) falls for Billy. They are stranded in Italy as the boat is in need of repairs and the captain is always full of spirits.

Jennifer Jones steals this film as a fast thinker with an over active imagination who is prone to lying in every situation. The dialouge, in part written by Truman Capote, reflects national stereotypes that translate into today's world as well as clever oxymorons, mispronounced words and misused phrases. It is film in which you want to pay close attention to the words. The bad guys are quite the lot. Peter Lorre plays Julius O'Hara, claiming "There are a lot of German O'Hara's from Chile." Maj. Jack Ross (Ivor Barnard) spouts off his love for Hitler and Mussolini along with wild conspiracy ideas. Would make for a wicked remake.
3758891
Excellent movie about an extraordinary man, priest and high level official at the Vatican.  He opposed, at great personal peril, the savagery of the Nazis and saved countless Allied POWs who escaped from their camps. Well acted, believable portrayal by Gregory Peck.
3388874
Alan Furst fans will be pleased with yet once again spies made real in the shadows of pre-WWII Paris. Caught up in the suspense and tension of pre-German invasion of France, the dramatic device of an Austrian-American film star making a Hollywood Warner film title "After the War" under the noses of Nazi Germany's elite propagandists is appealing and allows Furst some license in sending his hero to Berlin as he never seriously flirts with becoming an American-Nazi German double agent escaping by the skin of his teeth and superb guess work with his lover in tow back to America. Suspenseful and well-written, Alan Furst's cleverly draws the reader into the shadows of the Nazi propaganda war played out in the salons and homes of German rich and famous in Paris.
1788732
Sam Rockwell is my new fave actor. (Five stars for his performance alone) He is superb in anything he is in. Well done. Excellent performances & spot on direction. HA! The Pitt & Damon cameos. Fact, fiction? Who really cares if Chuck Barris was actually in the CIA or not. It is a surprisingly thoughtful, yet fun movie ... considering it is littered with murders.
1081419
This is a German made WWII movie filmed in Poland.  The historical accuracy is second to none.  Even the location of where the bodies where found is accurate along with Hitler being a vegetarian.  Subtitled in English.
2676051
I enjoyed this movie very much on various levels.  The cast is very strong.  The movie is a fine example of film noir.  I am extremely interested in film noir.  A lot of film noir is about the use of dramatic lighting effects.  Also, this is perhaps my favorite Robert Ryan role.  Additionally, this is an early example of the post World War II movies about civil rights and equality.

It has become crystal clear to me that the America of today has changed very much from the World War II era.  Prejudice of all types was accepted as a fact of life.  Slowly there was a movement towards civil rights.  This movie is an early example of the theme of anti semitism in American Society at that time.  Let us remember how much people of the Jewish Faith suffered during World War II.

But there is another very interesting aspect to this movie.  It is based on a novel "The Brick Foxhole" written by a gentleman named Richard Brooks.  Richard Brooks' birth name was Reuben Sax and his family is of Jewish Heritage.  Mr. Brooks was very sensitive to prejudice of various kinds.  Although the book The Brick Foxhole mentions various prejudices including anti semitism, the most serious incident, a homicide, is about homophobia in the book.  This theme is morphed into anti semitism in the movie.  I have read that the theme of homophobia was deemed to be a "bridge too far" for the time.

I have read The Brick Foxhole.  Although I enjoyed both the novel and the movie, I liked the movie better than the novel.  Probably because of the strong cast and the fact that I am fascinated by film noir.  But the most interesting part of the whole experience to me was the various themes of prejudice being portrayed and the judgement to change themes from the book to the movie.  If a viewer wishes to see another post World War II film about anti Semitism, please consider "Gentlman's Agreement".  Thank You...
2236045
I am a huge fan of World War II movies and damn near have everything ever made, from the Sands of Iwo Jima to Saving Private Ryan, and while I  enjoyed U571, it seemed to hollywood to be considered a great movie. While  the interactions and chain of command descions by the crew was top notch,  it lacked the intensity and in-depth characterization that the great WWII  movies possess. We could all feel for Patton as he stormed through Italy,  we all wanted Prv. Ryan to come home safely, and in this movie, I was shown  more explosions and action than actual in-depth character appeal, which is  the real strength of a WWII movie, to humanize war.
If you are looking  for a seriously good World War II movie based on submarines, look no  further than DAS BOOT, directed by Wolfgang Petersen. The level of  intensity is insane as I was stuck to the edge of my seat for the majority  of the movie and its best factor is that it humanizes an entire crew. We  feel that we are there with them, through their pain and triumph.
Nice  try Hollywood but i'm not buying this one as great!
4579390
Very funny movie with Robert De Niro as a Syndicate goon/thug in the Witness Protection Program in France.  (France!  Would that I could join the Cosa Nostra and get hidden in France! )  This is kind of a fish out of water movie meets the Godfather story where the kids have trouble fitting in and too bad for the locals.  The school bullies wind up getting a butt whooping (by the daughter in one case) and when the local French merchant makes derogatory remarks about Americans his store gets blown to hell and gone.  Tommy Lee Jones is great as the weary FBI agent who has to watch over the family and keep them hidden.  It doesn't quite work out but it all works out for your funny bone.
3161176
Robert Mitchum plays Ben Kane who teams up with  the eponymous Billy Young and they  become lawmen in the town of Lordsburg .He is motivated by personal reasons as well as professional-he believes he will find the slayer of his son in Lordsburg .Young (Robert Walker)is himself on the run and is a former associate of the bad guy ,Jesse Boone(David Carradine)and his vicious father(John Anderson) and part of the movie hinges on Billy's desire for  redemption and  to turn away from the outlaw life .It is no mean feat that Kane sets himself -the rscue of Billy,cleaning up Lordsburg ,avenging his son's death and romancing the delectable Angie Dickinson ,cast here as a dance hall  girl

Andrew V McLaglen directs with style and the performances are uniformly strong .Indeed ,given the importance of family in the story of the movie,it is appropriate that  several offspring of notable stars figure in the cast -Carradine ,Walker Jones(son of Jennifer Jones) Chris Mitchum and Deana Martin also appear

This is not a great Western but it is a good one  and will be appreciated by lovers of the genre .I also strongly recommend the source novel Who Rides With Wyatt by Will Henry -its  very good indeed
2696584
PLOT: one of the BEST Moto films. Moto undercover helps a prisoner escape Devil's Island to be part of the spies in London.

Moto UNDERCOVER helps a prisoner (A SPY)... escape Devil's Island ....Moto and the SPY end up in London... Moto is soon the "trusted" houseman of the SPY in London. THE SPIES are trying to get a NEW formula for stronger steel. Henry Wilcoxin has the STEEL FORMULA... who spends most of the time in his apartment being guarded but gets plenty of threats....'give US formula or die'. LOTS of plot twists...when Moto moves to the BAD part of London to met up with a Eurasian woman who knows a great deal. THE bar scene is very funny as Moto plays it perfect as the shy man. an excellent plot co written by Philip MacDonald. all trails lead to an art exhibition where the spies will get the formula or die trying. 5 STARS~~~