Road House (Fox Film Noir)
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.17 You Save: $7.81 (52%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.80 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Road House (Fox Film Noir)
Movie Review: Gorgeous movie, but the worst audio commentary ever
Summary: 4 Stars
I know a friend who likes to comment on good pictures' first five minutes. She would be absolutely delighted!!! You see a film noir which is tempted to be more realistic and tougher than some pictures several years before, you are introduced to the four main characters, you learn to know all their relevant characteristics and the upcoming relations by little hints, their way to use their voice, the dialogue, some brilliantly phptographed superimpositions, etc...
The rest of the movie will not always keep that density, but is very good, with an excellent Ida Lupino as a nightclub singer who maybe has not a classically beautiful voice, but "she's a cutie with more than beauty, she's got a lot of personality" and she would pass any round of a TV casting show better than 10.000 of the would-be-starlets you can see in such shows.
Well, and all this is missed by the audio commentators, who giggle to themselves and annoy us with silly anecdotes and praisings of each other. I really got furious. I admit of course that anyone has his expectations, but I would have liked a deep-focus analysis of the movie, which you won't find here.
However, the picture itself and its technical quality are excellent.
Movie Review: Slow-paced but sizzling film noir
Summary: 4 Stars
"Road House" (20th Century Fox, 1948)
Although Cornel Wilde had top billing, Richard Widmark steals the show as a twisted man driven mad with jealousy -- so mad that he frames his best friend in order to keep him from getting away with "the girl". She, of course, is an ice-cool Ida Lupino, in one of her best acting roles as Lily Stevens, a world-weary nightclub singer who comes between two friends, even though she initially resists both their advances. Although the film moves slowly, it has plenty of atmosphere and some tart dialogue, made even better by the laconic, offhand delivery. Lupino's character, especially, is one of the best cynics ever onscreen -- and she sings a lot, too! This was only Widmark's third feature film, and he's the one to watch, as he works his way up to some serious scenery chewing at the end. Although he became a familiar, frequently typecast character actor in the 1950s, it's fun to see him here in his fresh-faced youth. Both he and Lupino had a remarkable modernity to their work; in this film he reminded me quite a bit of Steve Buscemi, while Lupino is in a league all her own. Definitely worth checking out, particularly if you're an Ida Lupino fan. (Joe Sixpack)
Movie Review: JEAN NEGULESCO, OPUS 9
Summary: 4 Stars
**** 1948. Directed by Jean Negulesco. When Lily Stevens is hired by Jefty to sing in his bar/bowling, everybody knows that Lily will soon be his mistress. But she's rather attracted by Jefty's friend and employee Pete Morgan. Jefty will imagine an ingenious scheme to get his revenge. ROAD HOUSE is a film I've always enjoyed very much for years. I particularly like the first part of the movie until Pete Morgan's trial. Ida Lupino clearly overshadows Cornel Wilde, Celeste Holm and Richard Widmark then with her hoarse voice and her sexy wardrobe. I also like a lot the bowling lesson given to her by Cornel Wilde. The last part of ROAD HOUSE is more outdated and the final game hunting reminded me at times of The Most Dangerous Game - Criterion Collection. But, all in all, I highly recommend ROAD HOUSE, a film that will defintively stay in ma library.Movie Review: Widmark Goes Psychotic Again!
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a very interesting character study of three people: "LIly Stevens" (Ida Lupino), "Jefty Robbins" (Richard Widmark) and "Pete Morgan" (Cornel Wilde).
The two guys are attracted to Lupino, who prefers good-guy Wilde. The scorned Widmark then gets his revenge. This film was a year after Widmark played sadistic killer "Tommy Udo" in "Kiss Of Death" and his character in this movie isn't too far removed from Udo. In both films, Widmark provides the spark when the story needed it.
That's not to say the rest of the cast isn't good, too. Ida Lupino always played interesting roles, but Widmark playing these psycho villains is just fascinating and stands out.
I'm glad to see this film noir finally now available on DVD.
Movie Review: delightful surprise...thank gosh...after boring Moontide.
Summary: 4 Stars
bought Moontide and Roadhouse at the same time. Sorry, but Moontide was so dull! I almost didn't watch Roadhouse. BUT Roadhouse was wonderful! Lupino great...and wonderful costumes for you few Noir fans who like that..I DO... and story all around really good. Wonderful to see Celeste Holm, who is so refreshing and normal, in contrast to all the other characters. Lots of good one liners...
but...as an older viewer...and somewhat free of drama in my ripe age of 46...I couldn't help think---wouldn't Cornel have been much happier with Celeste??! But then it wouldn't be Noir would it?
4 stars because Double Indemnity is 5 stars.