Movies

Cry Tough (1959) John Saxon is a first-generation Puerto Rican American faced with the choice between drudgery and crime. A very nice New York independent production with many familiar faces from movies and TV, and a fine performance by Joseph Calleia as the father. 7/10

Flying High (1931) Formulaic aviation comedy of interest to me primarily for the Busby Berkeley dance numbers, but this is the first time I have seen Bert Lahr in something other than a lion costume. Charlotte Greenwood is his comedy mate, and Pat O'Brien takes the leading man role. Fills the time adequately. 5/10

La Nave de los Monstruos (1960) This Mexican singing-cowboy vs. space-monster movie was my choice for a completely ridiculous Family Movie Night. Women from Venus are wandering the galaxy in search of men, but until they arrive at last on Earth they find nothing but crazy looking monsters which they keep frozen in blocks of ice. The most appealing feature of this film for me is the spectacular Lorena Velasquez, also seen in Planet of the Amazon Women. Silly robot, crazy rocket set, nice space model shots probably lifted from another film, goofy monster suits, and of course a singing cowboy still can't overcome its basically soporific nature but it was fun anyway. 7/10

Lorena Velasquez: Beautiful but deadly

Freejack (1992) A chase movie in which Emilio Estevez is snatched from a fatal car crash into the dystopian future of 2009 for a rich man's mind transplant. Lots of running, shooting, driving, crashing, getting chased by non-actor Mick Jagger, and things blowing up; but the numerous huge bloblike cars of the future were great. Also great is any opportunity to enjoy charming Amanda Plummer, here endearing as a shotgun-wielding crotch-kicking nun. It's all kind of stupid but mostly fun. 6/10

What we will drive in 2009