The Phantom Menace (1999)

Years after the original Star Wars trilogy changed the world, the prequel trilogy began with this film. Did it work?

The galaxy is in a state of flux, on it's edges trade disputes are leading to conflict. The Jedi, who maintain peace in the Galactic Republic send Qui-Gon Jin (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to sort things out on the distant planet of Naboo. The planet, led by Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), has come under threat from the Trade Federation... 

However, the Trade Federation seek the deaths of the Jedi. Unknown to the Jedi, the eternal enemies of the Jedi, the evil Sith Lords are behind the disputes. On Naboo, a young boy is discovered who has an incredible presence in the Force, Qui-Gon thinks this boy, Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), could be the Chosen One who can bring balance to the Force...

So, this is how the Star Wars saga begins, with a trade dispute. The problem with this film is that it needs a story that can stand alone for new fans but also fit into the canon and lore established by the original trilogy. It doesn't quite succeed on either score though isn't that bad a film, it certainly looks superb with highly imaginative aesthetics and design but is let down by the overly meandering plot and frequently banal dialogue. The special effects maybe rely a little too heavily on CGI.

But it is a Star Wars film! Due to the massive fan base, the film was a success despite any misgivings, and these can be amplified by the highly engaged fans. Truthfully, the Phantom Menace is a perfectly watchable film, not a classic but an impressive achievement.

The Hat Box Mystery (1947)

A bright and breezy little crime drama with a good cast ensemble.

Russ Ashton (Tom Neal) is a private detective low on work and even lower on cash. His assistant Susan Hart (Pamela Blake) takes on a job to secretly photograph a woman using a camera hidden in a hat box. However, when she takes the photo she finds out the hat box really contains a gun and she shoots the woman who later dies! 

Russ works to prove Susan's innocence with the help of his rather dim assistant Harvard (Allen Jenkins). A criminal gang is behind the plot to kill the woman and now they are moving in to make sure nothing is directed at them...

A simple enough story, the hidden gun plot device is a not uncommon one in 1930s and 1940s crime films. The stupidity of the bad guys is a much more common plot device! An enjoyable film, it was set up with an introduction of the cast directed at the fourth wall, one wonders if a series of films based on the characters was planned at one stage.

City on Fire (1979)

Hot action (literally) as a city is set on fire by a disgruntled worker.

Stover (Jonathan Welsh) is denied promotion at work and doesn't take it well and now seeks revenge. Unfortunately, he works at a chemical refinery which has been built in the centre of town, due to the corruption of the Mayor Dudley (Leslie Neilsen). Stover pumps chemicals and gasoline into the town's sewers which soon catches light and sets the whole town on fire! It is up to fire chief Risley (Henry Fonda) to try and save the day...

A fairly standard 1970s disaster movie, with it's characters covering a number of stereotypes including Maggie (Ava Gardner) the fading alcoholic star news reporter. 

The film has a good cast (though many of them do not really seem to have their hearts in it) but it doesn't raise the film much above OK. The premise really demands a decent budget, unfortunately there wasn't one which makes the special effects rather laughable. But as the genre goes its fine.

The Preview Murder Mystery (1936)

A new film has been completed but some kind of maniac is killing off the cast and crew one by one.

Neil Du Beck (Rod La Rocque) is the leading man for a new film but he has been receiving death threats, when he is killed during a preview showing of the film the police realise it isn't just a crank. 

The publicity officer of the studio, Johnny Morgan (Reginald Denny) decides to help the police out (of course!) especially when the studio is locked down after more attacks and deaths. Who is the culprit? Suspicion falls on a most unexpected name...

This is a very enjoyable film, a crime romp set literally behind the scenes at a movie studio. It has the usual tropes of a crime film of the period, plenty of red herrings and tangents, and of course an enthusiastic amateur helping out the police!

Dangerous Afternoon (1961)

A genteel situation with deadly crime bubbling under the tea cosies.

Miss Frost (Ruth Dunning) runs a boarding house for elderly ladies in a leafy suburb. However, behind the afternoon tea and games of patience is a secret: Frost and all of her boarders are ex-cons! Caldwell indeed is a notorious jewel thief who is still on the run after escaping prison! Frost's "niece" Freda (Joanna Dunham) is due to marry, though Frost still can't tell the girl she is really her daughter. 

Meanwhile an ex-fellow con (Gwenda Wilson) arrives at the home and threatens to shop Frost and ruin her cosy little set-up, a deadly mistake to make...

A great little film, a real period piece of Britain as the 1960s begins and before the great changes to come. A gentle film with a hint of menace not far below the surface and very enjoyable.