This film took too long to get going. Setting up the story is important but does not need to be sluggish. Once the plot got to the point it got interesting but there were still too many plodding interludes. Because of the good parts and the stellar cast, this films rates four out of five stars.
Using plot devices found in Unstoppable (2010), Speed (1994) and both versions of The Taking of Pelham 123 (1974) and (2009), Bullet Train Explosion crafts a suspenseful ride that is clever in its execution and its climax. It doesn't rise to the level of excellence of the films that inspired it but it is definitely worth watching.
This Silent Era romantic comedy is a fine example of how entertaining silent films can be. Clara Bow demonstrates why she was so popular and it is clear that she deserved the nickname that derived from this film of The It Girl. Humor in silents is generally situational or physical, but this film adds an element of verbal wit with clever intertitles. If you have never seen a silent film, this would be a good place to start.
Rebecca (1940)
The femme fatale who wasn’t there.
Rebecca (1940) is named for a principal character who we never see. She is dead. Her absence does not mitigate her influence; it propels the story. She is an unseen femme fatale who entices strong men (and women) to their doom. In the words of film critic and historian Imogen Sara Smith, this film is “an almost Noir”.
“Last night I dreamt of Manderley again” are the opening words of the first…
