Lasso The Movies- Classic Movies | Film Reviews | Movie Topics

Hulu Tuesday- Hobson’s Choice (1954)- David Lean

Hulu Tuesday- Hobson’s Choice (1954)- David Lean

Hulu Tuesday- Hobson's Choice (1954)- David Lean

Cinemark Classic Series Teams with Steven Spielberg

Cinemark Classic Series Teams with Steven Spielberg

Cinemark Classic Series Teams with Steven Spielberg

The Devil’s Backbone (2001)- Guillermo del Toro: Countdown to “Pacific Rim” Part 3 of 8

The Devil’s Backbone (2001)- Guillermo del Toro: Countdown to “Pacific Rim” Part 3 of 8

The Devil's Backbone (2001)- Guillermo del Toro: Countdown to "Pacific Rim" Part 3 of 8

Sunday’s New Release Round-Up!

Sunday’s New Release Round-Up!

Sunday's New Release Round-Up!

Hulu Tuesday- Hobson’s Choice (1954)- David Lean

May 21, 2013

★★★★ When you hear the name David Lean, comedy probably isn’t the first thought that crosses your mind, but with his 1954 film, “Hobson’s Choice” (1954), that is exactly what you will get. Set in the 1880′s, “Hobson’s Choice” is about an upscale boot shop owner named Hobson (Charles Laughton) and his three daughters, [...]

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Cinemark Classic Series Teams with Steven Spielberg

May 20, 2013

Cinemark Theaters have released their lineup for the June Classic Series, and wouldn’t you know it, these four movies have a few things in common. All four of these films were immensely popular upon their release, all were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, all four are listed on the American Film Institute’s 100 [...]

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The Devil’s Backbone (2001)- Guillermo del Toro: Countdown to “Pacific Rim” Part 3 of 8

May 20, 2013

★★★★★ In Lasso the Movies preparation for writer, director and monster aficionado Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming film, “Pacific Rim,” in theaters July 12th (see trailer at the bottom of the page), I have journeyed back to the beginning of his career and am re-examining each and every one of his directorial films. In our last installment, [...]

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Sunday’s New Release Round-Up!

May 19, 2013

New Releases on blu-ray and DVD for Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 For this weeks edition of New Release Round-Up, Lasso the Movies is showcasing four of the greatest gangster films from the classic era, a pair of films from the 1990′s that couldn’t be more different if they tried, a new edition to The Criterion [...]

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People Will Talk (1951)- Joseph L. Mankiewicz

May 18, 2013

★★★ “People Will Talk” (1951) is not your typical Cary Grant movie. In fact, there is almost nothing typical about this film at all. The plot itself is rather hard to describe, except to say that there are actually two plots, involving the same characters, that are interwoven to create one somewhat secretive story. [...]

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Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951)- Raoul Walsh

May 17, 2013

★★★★ Set during the Napoleonic Wars, “Captain Horatio Hornblower” (1951) is, quite appropriately, about Captain Hornblower (Gregory Peck) and some of his adventurous travels throughout the world as a Captain in the British Navy. This film is based on three of the Horatio Hornblower novels written by C.S. Forester, and as such, the plot [...]

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Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)- J.J. Abrams

May 16, 2013

★★★★ The USS Enterprise is back… and possibly better than ever. In this 12th film in the “Star Trek” franchise, “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013), Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) face off against a new foe for them, John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), but an old adversary to us. Harrison has attacked [...]

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Escape to the Theaters This Weekend

May 16, 2013

If you’re looking to enjoy yourself at the cinema this weekend, here is a guide to the films that will be opening. Opening Thursday, May 16th, 2013: “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013): Being release on Thursday, May 16th, this 12th installment in the Star Trek franchise promises to be one of the biggest films of [...]

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New Criterion Collection Titles Announced for August!

May 15, 2013

The new titles that are going to be added to The Criterion Collection this coming August have been announced, and these selections are very interesting to say the least. These films are not common “household” names, but each has become a revered film in its own right. Here are the upcoming titles: August 6th, 2013: [...]

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You Only Live Twice (1967)- Lewis Gilbert

May 15, 2013

★★ James Bond #5: “You Only Live Twice” (1967) Well it had to happen eventually. “You Only Live Twice” is just not a good Bond film. Directed by Lewis Gilbert, who would come back to direct two future installments late in the 1970′s, this film seems wrong from the opening moments, and never gets [...]

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Hulu Tuesday- Voyage in Italy or Viaggio in Italia (1954)- Roberto Rossellini

May 14, 2013

★★★★★ Hulu Tuesday is a new event here at Lasso the Movies, but hopefully it will be something that is enjoyed enough to stick around. Each Tuesday, I will get a review up from a film that I streamed through Hulu. They have a wide selection of films from The Criterion Collection, which makes this [...]

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Cinemark Theaters Presents: Cleopatra (1963): 50th Anniversary Celebration

May 13, 2013

Cinemark theaters have announced that in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s “Cleopatra” (1963), they will be showing a restored print of the original 243 minute version in their theaters nationwide. (The theater is listing the running time at 260 minutes, and I can only assume that this running time includes an [...]

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The Major and the Minor (1942)- Billy Wilder

May 13, 2013

★★★★★ The best thing about a screwball comedy is that the details don’t have to make any sense. All you need are eccentric, well written characters who find themselves in a situation that seems impossibly fake. And then you have to exploit those details to no end. For Billy Wilder’s American directorial debut he [...]

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Sunday’s New Release Round-Up!

May 12, 2013

New Releases on blu-ray and DVD for Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 Another week… another series of great releases. Two of which are from The Criterion Collection, and they have me more excited than I thought imaginable. Although there aren’t a significant number of newer releases coming out, the quality of these titles (especially the classic films), [...]

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The Power of Hindsight: 1963 at the Movies

May 11, 2013

It is incredibly difficult to pick the best films of a given year-especially while still in that year. Each winter, when the Academy Award nominees are announced, I sit back and contemplate all of the nominees, as well as those who I feel were snubbed in some way. Of course years later when we look back, [...]

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The Great Escape (1963)- John Sturges

May 10, 2013

★★★★★ It’s been 50 years since “The Great Escape” (1963) was first released. Somehow, due to the enormously intoxicating story and the pitch-perfect performances throughout, this timeless classic about courage and determination still feels as fresh and as exciting as if it were released today. Set in Nazi POW camp Stalag Luft III, in what is now [...]

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Thunderball (1965)- Terence Young

May 9, 2013

★★★ James Bond #4: “Thunderball” (1965) Another Bond film directed by Terence Young, and another attempt by SPECTRE to take a major step toward world domination. This time around, SPECTRE agent #2, aka Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), has stolen two atomic bombs and is holding them ransom for 100 million pounds. James Bond (Sean [...]

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Pandora’s Box (1929) aka Die Buchse der Pandora- Georg Wilhelm Pabst

May 8, 2013

★★★★★ “Pandora’s Box” (1929) is a German silent film from director G. W. Pabst. The film is credited as being based on “the variation on the theme of Frank Wedekind’s Lulu“, with a screenplay written by Ladislaus Vajda. The story revolves around a dancer/prostitute named Lulu (Louise Brooks). Filled with an overwhelming sexual prowess, [...]

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Mimic: The Director’s Cut (1997)- Guillermo del Toro: Countdown to “Pacific Rim” Part 2 of 8

May 7, 2013

★★★ After the success of Guillermo del Toro’s breakthrough debut film, “Cronos” (1993), the director moved his career to Hollywood and chose the science fiction-horror film “Mimic” (1997) to be his American debut. In this film, the children of Manhattan have become plagued by “Strickler’s Disease” through the overrun population of cockroaches. Entomologist Susan [...]

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Across the Pacific (1942)- John Huston: Part of the Mary Astor Blogathon

May 6, 2013

★★★★ This post is not just about “Across the Pacific” (1942), (which incidentally is a film that I love) but also about one of the film’s stars, the very special and lovely Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke, aka Mary Astor. As I am writing, Mary Astor is (or would be) celebrating her 107th birthday, and as [...]

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New Blu-ray and DVD Releases for Tuesday May 7th, 2013

May 5, 2013

Now this is what I call having a good variety of choices! There is a little something for everyone this week, so… what are you going to watch? “Jack Reacher” (2012): In this action packed film, Tom Cruise takes on the famous Lee Child’s character of ex-U.S. Army Military Police Corps officer Jack Reacher in [...]

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Man on a Tightrope (1953)- Elia Kazan

May 4, 2013

★★★★ People who perform in a circus always make great movie characters. They’re interesting, a little bit strange and are willing to do absolutely anything. Characters being oppressed by a Communist government also are interesting to watch because, like a circus performer, they are prepared to do anything in order to live (or die) [...]

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Iron Man 3 (2013)- Shane Black

May 3, 2013

★★★★ Every comic book franchise eventually reaches the same stagnate point where a decision has to be made; which direction do we head, now? After the lackluster feeling of “Iron Man 2″ (2010) and his hugely triumphant place in “The Avengers” (2012), Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), and his illustrious team of Iron Men, had [...]

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Goldfinger (1964)- Guy Hamilton

May 2, 2013

★★★★★ Bond #3: “Goldfinger” (1964) At last it all comes together. It’s not as if the first two James Bond movies were lacking in some enormous way, but “Goldfinger” has been carefully crafted to take the best parts of the first two films and combine them together in order to create the ultimate Bond film. [...]

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The Great Gatsby (1974)- Jack Clayton

May 1, 2013

★★★ F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, “The Great Gatsby”, has been adapted for the screen several times. Up to this point, the most popular version (that is available, anyway) has been the 1974 film, directed by British filmmaker Jack Clayton. In this brilliantly adapted film, Nick Carraway (Sam Waterston) rents a small house on [...]

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Lust for Gold (1949)- S. Sylvan Simon

April 27, 2013

★★★ “Lust for Gold” (1949), is an extremely interesting story because, in addition to being an adventurous searching for gold movie, it also happens to be true, at least as far as legends go anyway. The screenplay by Richard English and Ted Shereman is based on the novel, “Thunder God’s Gold”, written by Barry [...]

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Mud (2013)- Jeff Nichols

April 26, 2013

★★★★★ “Mud” (2013), is a simple coming of age tale. Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) are two teenage Arkansas river boys looking for some adventure. The smart-mouthed Neckbone lives in a trailer with his uncle (Michael Shannon), and the more sensitive Ellis lives in a boathouse with his emotionally distant, constantly bickering [...]

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From Russia with Love (1963)- Terrence Young

April 25, 2013

★★★★ Bond #2: “From Russia with Love” (1963) The villainous organization SPECTRE is angry and ready for revenge after the killing of their operative, Dr. No. In this James Bond film, we actually get to see the SPECTRE group at work, including their awesome training island and some of the group’s leaders. Their evil plot in [...]

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Cronos (1993)- Guillermo del Toro: Countdown to “Pacific Rim” Part 1 of 8

April 24, 2013

★★★★ Over the past twenty years, Guillermo del Toro has made quite a name for himself throughout the cinematic world. For that matter, his love and passion for the unusual has gone beyond films, as he has also written novels, worked in television and even helped in the design of some video games. His [...]

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Sorry Wrong Number (1948)- Anatole Litvak

April 23, 2013

★★★★ “Sorry, Wrong Number” (1948) is unlike the other films that Barbara Stanwyck made in her long and glorious career. Her character, Leona Stevenson, is not a strong, independent woman, but rather one that is weak and insecure. Of course, this isn’t the Barbara that we all know and love, and perhaps that is [...]

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New Releases to Blu-ray and DVD for April 23rd, 2013

April 22, 2013

Here I have been complaining the last few weeks about not having enough choices, and then this week there are so many new releases I don’t think I can even cover them all! The downside is that although there are numerous titles being released, many of them are uninspiring films, and the week still feels [...]

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Torrid Zone (1940)- William Keighley

April 21, 2013

★★★★ It’s hard to beat that winning combination of James Cagney and Pat O’Brien. Their real life friendship helped their on screen chemistry, and with “Torrid Zone” (1940) being their eighth film together, their comic ease and constantly scintillating exchanges make this film one of complete enjoyment. Of course the screenplay by Richard Macauley [...]

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The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)- Derek Cianfrance

April 19, 2013

★★★★★ Boldness should be acknowledged, and in “The Place Beyond the Pines” (2013) that is exactly what you will get; bold and inventive filmmaking. It is a daring, gritty, realistic glance into the relationships between fathers and sons, and with a high level of craftsmanship, it is a stand alone film hiding among a conglomerate [...]

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Oblivion (2013)- Joseph Kosinski

April 19, 2013

★★ “Oblivion” (2013) is set on Earth in the year 2077. Jack (Tom Cruise) and Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) are the mop-up crew for the human race that is now living on one of Saturn’s moons, after an alien invasion left the war torn planet in an uninhabitable state. Their primary function is droid maintenance, [...]

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Dr. No (1962)- Terence Young

April 18, 2013

★★★★ Bond, James Bond. That’s right, it’s time to finally get around to writing down my thoughts and feelings on one of the most historic film franchises in history. I will attempt to go through each of these films, one by one, and separate the good from the bad, and also figure out which [...]

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For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)- Sam Wood

April 17, 2013

★★★ “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1943) is an epic romance drama film, based on the even more epic novel of the same name by Ernest Hemingway. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the film follows an American named Robert (Gary Cooper), who opposes the fascists. Because he is an experienced dynamiter, Robert is [...]

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To the Wonder (2012)- Terrence Malick

April 16, 2013

★★★★ To attempt to write a synopsis for Terrence Malick’s latest opus, “To the Wonder” (2012), is a bit like trying to describe a specific sunrise that one has seen. Since the film itself is focused on the stunning visuals, how can it be accurately described with words? The story in and of itself [...]

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New Criterion Collection Titles Announced For July!

April 16, 2013

The Criterion Collection titles for July 2013 have been released, and it’s a very interesting and extremely exciting group of films indeed. These aren’t necessarily movies that were considered great films upon their initial release, but over the passing years each has earned a place in the minds, heart and sometimes nightmares of those lucky [...]

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New Releases on Blu-ray and DVD for April 16th, 2013

April 15, 2013

Is anybody else getting tired of not having great choices in our new releases? It’s been so long since there was a full slate of films that I tried to dig up some smaller, lesser known ones, but alas… it was just a waste of time. Here are the three titles that I found worth [...]

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The Night of the Iguana (1964)- John Huston

April 14, 2013

★★★★ There is no mistaking a film based on a Tennessee Williams play. From the opening moment of each and every one of his many adapted stories, there is an unmistakable element to the dialogue that screams, “Pay attention to what’s happening, or you’ll never make it through the film!” You can’t watch these [...]

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