Il Sorpasso

 

This is one of the better road movies I have seen. The little plot involves a bachelor and a law student. There's a subplot with the bachelor's fifteen-year-old daughter played by the gorgeous Catherine Spaak. I've only been familiar with Spaak through her excellent music, so it was nice to see another aspect of her entertainment career. I completely agree with Leonard Maltin that the movie ends on a sour note that destroys the free spirit of the movie. 

Chak De! India

 

This movie about a hockey star coaching a female field hockey team was just ok. He sets out to redeem his wrecked reputation and succeeds. The problem with this movie was that the personalities of the women weren't really all that memorable. Shahrukh Khan though has such a large presence. He really steals the movie like he usually does. 

Aaja Nachle

 

I've been watching a lot of Madhuri Dixit movies. It's nice to see that she was given the chance to be the lead later in her career. In this movie a choreographer goes back to India after hearing that an old theatre is going to be torn down. She makes sure to have another play performed there. I liked the storylines of the people cast in the play - their love stories and such. This movie was cute.   

The Big Clock

 

This was an ok noir where Charles Laughton commits a murder and tries to pin it on editor Ray Milland. The real reason to watch this is Elsa Lanchester. She plays an eccentric artist. There were some really hilarious moments with her. This isn't essential noir but it's worth a watch. 

Gregory's Girl

 

This was a cute British comedy about a teenager who has a crush on the girl who just made it on his soccer team. But he begins to realize it isn't just particularly her. It's simply the emotions that he's just started having towards girls. This movie embraces the awkwardness one feels in adolescence. The only thing I didn't care about it in the movie was the opening scene of nudity especially since this is PG. But it's still worth a watch.   

Broadway Danny Rose

 

Woody Allen plays an agent of mostly losers which includes a has a been crooner. Once the people who he represents go somewhere they usually dump him, and the crooner is no exception. Half the movie is spent with the crooner's mistress (Mia Farrow) and Woody running away from the mob. I really like the ending where Farrow goes to Allen for forgiveness. This isn't one of the major Woody Allen works that people talk about, but it is one of my favorites. It's subtle but charming and Woody Allen's character is pretty likable in this one.   

Take the Money and Run

 

This was one of the starts to Woody Allen's film career. It has potential but it doesn't successfully pull it all off. The romantic relationship with Janet Margolin is what kills the movie. I just didn't care. It's sad because I like Janet Margolin as an actress. I loved in David and Lisa which I plan to watch again. The movie is about an unsuccessful criminal and there are funny moments especially with the cello. It's a mixed bag.