Oh Ida...

While the City Sleeps(dir. Fritz Lang)
I liked the core story concerning the mystery around who the killer is, even though we, the audience, already know since they showed him in the beginning and throughout the experience before the other characters know. I wouldn't really say that finding out his identity is the point of the movie since we know, but how the other characters find out the identity of the man. There are some subplots that are given a lot of focus within its last ten or so minutes that I wasn't particurlarly fond of, but other than those subplots, I really had no problem with the movie. Ida Lupino is easily the best part of the movie.
***1/2 out of ****
The Lady from Shanghai(dir. Orson Welles)
My DVR cut off recording it right before the end. I read the script so I know what he says in his narration at the end. I'll just assume he walks away from the amusement park narrating. His style seemed to fit with this story a lot more to me than say Citizen Kane. It is more narrative-driven while Kane is more character-driven. His acting works well with this film while with Kane, he just seemed unlikeable. All the actors play the roles at a certain intensity and the style of the film is about as intense. The scenes in the aquarium and the crazy house were pretty awesome. The guy who played George was particurlarly memorable. Rita is definately better looking than Ida, but how Ida just exudes sexiness with her performance. I loved it.
**** out of ****

Oh Richard...

The Blue Gardenia(dir. Fritz Lang)
I was liking this alot until the twist near the end, but I guess you should have expected it since Richard Conte and her were becoming something of a couple, which felt really forced.
*** out of ****

Oh Edward...

Woman in the Window(dir. Fritz Lang)
Not one of his best. I really liked the beginning between Edward G. Robinson and the "Woman in the Window." I spread this over two days. I have a feeling that was part of my problem with the movie because I was generally not interested it today. Its still good. Better than Scarlet Street.
*** out of ****

Oh Big and Tall..,

The Tall T(dir. Budd Boetticher)
I usually like the more subtle moments in westerns, but action also helps too. There wasn't many subtle moments or action. I have the same sort of feeling I did with The Naked Spur and Winchester '73, but I appreciate this movie more. It is probably because the story is so simple and straightforward. The film is only about 75 minutes, but I feel it could have used more time to develop the characters. I'll definately check out more of this director's work. I'll probably check out Seven Men from Now.
*** out of ****
The Big Heat(dir. Fritz Lang)
This kind of took me by surprise because of how underwhelmed I was by Scarlet Street. In Scarlet Street, the characters seemed to be pretty much stereotypes and the film lacked subtlety. This film has some of the same qualities, but it simply works. It works amazingly well.
**** out of ****

Oh Red River...

Scarlet Street(dir. Fritz Lang)
It kind of dragged at parts.
*** out of ****
High School(dir. Frederick Wiseman)
I didn't quite grasp it. It felt really jagged and rough at times, but had its moments.
*** out of ****
Red River(dir. Howard Hawks)
I don't know. I definately don't think this is the best western ever. Some talk about how the build-up is amazing and the ending is bad. I kind of have to agree to a point. I didn't think the build-up was that great, but this movie was still pretty worthwhile.
*** out of ****
The Butcher(dir. Claude Chabrol)
I liked it, but I'm not in love with it.
*** out of ****