The Mummy (1932)

Ok this is really old! Well it is about a 3700 years old mummy...

It was a simple carefully done movie, that never terrifies, but it must have been terrifying to watch in the 30s. I have a soft spot in my heart for these classic monsters, I do not know why, I just do.

Karloff had such power, as an actor and as a chair filler, that he was advertised only through the last name, sometimes it was followed by “the Uncanny”, a tag created for him by Universal Studios. He was/is the greatest monster movie actor of all times, followed by Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. In this movie, his strong and overwhelming presence on screen was carefully toned down, he almost does not move, he is extremely calm and silent, leaving all the performance strength to his face and eyes. To attain Imhotep’s look and to strengthen his look, Karloff was subjected to a very long and painful characterization, an ordeal that helped him get into character, I imagine.

Watch it, it is part of the film history, and it certainly played and still plays a part in the definition of Horror movies. Some of its imagery will haunt you...




Rating: Mostly because it is more than 75 years old 6,5/10

To Catch a Thief (1955)

One can argue that Hitchcock’s work fluctuated. That the quality of his movies wasn’t constant, but did he ever made a bad movie? Well, did he?

One cannot say that “To Catch a Thief” is a bad movie because it is a great movie and an ode to the beauty of cinema and its visual impact (Oscar for best Cinematography).

The movie tells the story of a former jewel robber (John Robie – Cary Grant) wrongfully indicted of a series of robberies. We follow his attempts to prove his innocence and assist has he falls in love with the beautiful Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly). Some of the dialogues between the couple made me remind the dialogue in “North by Northwest” (1959). The wit of the Screenplay is wonderful, and the Storytelling is done with a great understanding of time and pace.

As always in Hitchcock’s movies, this movie does not end in blissful happiness, the final scene unveils the troubles ahead!

I have to say once more that Grace Kelly is beautiful; she dazzles the camera and her image is still one of the strongest in Hollywood.

Rating: 7,5/10

Blue Velvet (1986)

This Lynch movie starts and ends in the same way with the image of flowers against the blue sky. This idyllic image contrasts with the dark subject of the movie. Mystery, seduction, crime, sex and an ear…

Please watch this movie and let yourself be taken, but never, never lose your touch with reality, otherwise you might end up in someone’s closet.

Rating: 7,5/10