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Friday Foster: A Reversal of Genre Fortunes

Friday Foster: A Reversal of Genre Fortunes

Starring: Pam Grier, Yaphet Kotto, Godfrey Cambridge, Thalmus Rasulala, Ted Lange, Eartha Kitt, Scatman Crothers, Carl Weathers and Julius Harris. Based on the syndicated newspaper comic strip of the same name, 1975’s Friday Foster stars Pam Grier in what would be her final film with American International Pictures. Directed by blaxploitation veteran Arthur Marks, Friday Foster follows the…

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[thefifthobserver]

Reacting to the Short Films of Melvin Van Peebles

Reacting to the Short Films of Melvin Van Peebles

Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images 2021 saw the loss of Melvin Van Peebles. A trailblazer in cinema who came into the art with his own voice and style. His cinematic language was unfiltered and this was unquestioned in every facet of his work which was not only film, but music, theater and literature. I acquired the Melvin Van Peebles: Essential Films box set from the Criterion Collection and want…

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[thefifthobserver]

DeaconsDen Classic Reaction - To Catch a Thief

DeaconsDen Classic Reaction – To Catch a Thief

To Catch a Thief is Alfred Hitchcock on vacation. If you are watching the works of the Master of Suspense, whether it’s Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, Rebecca and so forth, you have expectations to be on the edge of your seat. Although it has moments of suspense, We pretty much spend our time in the beautiful setting of the French Riviera with two beautiful leads or Grace Kelly and Cary…

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[thefifthobserver]

DeaconsDen Classic Reaction - WATERSHIP DOWN

DeaconsDen Classic Reaction – WATERSHIP DOWN

WATERSHIP DOWN does absolutely no holding of hands. It’s naturalist, it’s visceral and it showcases the absolute fleeting idea of nature. Death is quick and sudden most of the time and when it isn’t, like a scene where a rabbit is caught in a snare it’s brutal because it’s a slow process of dying.  In adapting Richard Adams’ novel, director Martin Rosen could have easily removed the elements…

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[thefifthobserver]

DeaconsDen Classic Reactions - The War of the Worlds (1953)

DeaconsDen Classic Reactions – The War of the Worlds (1953)

Although science fiction films of the 1950 tend to have a reputation for being cheesy and cheap, there are a few that presented some form of perspective. The Thing From Another World for instance can be read as a warning of communism already being here. Forbidden Planet is a look at man’s unwillingness to be part of society once he’s realized he gained power. The Day the Earth Stood Still could…

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[thefifthobserver]

The Invisible Man - DeaconsDen Reaction

The Invisible Man – DeaconsDen Reaction

A contemporary adaptation of the classic story by H.G. Wells, The Invisible Man is brought into 2020 with a modern sensibility that makes this an early contender for best horror film of 2020. Horror veteran Leigh Whannell writes and directs a film that from the very first frame, oozes suspense.

Elizabeth Moss stars as Cecilia who is trapped in a controlling and violent relationship with optics…

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[thefifthobserver]

DeaconsDen Classic Reaction - Wyatt Earp

DeaconsDen Classic Reaction – Wyatt Earp

This is my first watch of Wyatt Earp. I’ve owned the dvd for years because I love westerns and never watched it. I know of it’s reputation and I always had to wonder is it that bad?  The answer is no.  Wyatt Earp is well directed by Lawrence Kasdan. Kevin Costner does serviceable work as the legendary lawman, even if he’s outshined by the other performers in the film, particularly Dennis Quaid…

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[thefifthobserver]

NO TIME TO DIE: A Reaction and a Confessional

NO TIME TO DIE: A Reaction and a Confessional

I do agree with the consensus that NO TIME TO DIE is a fitting farewell to Daniel Craig as James Bond. Craig is the first Bond actor who gets such a moment as the others in the past simply said they weren’t coming back. Since Craig is the one actor who’s tenure consists of a character arc over multiple films, we get a satisfying conclusion to his Bond story. However I came away feeling mixed…

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