Master Spy (1963)

A modest but intelligent spy drama. Distinguished physicist Turganev (Stephen Murray) demands political asylum at London Airport. The British agree and send him to a secure facility to continue his work. Turganev is assigned Leila (June Thorburn) as his assistant, at first he doesn't want her around but soon they forge a good relationship, Leila's chap Richard (John Carson) starts to get jealous.

However, there is more to Turganev than meets the eye. He likes to play chess with Skelton (Alan Wheatley), who is really his spy contact. Indeed, Turganev didn't defect after all and is really a spy sending secret information back to his homeland. When Leila discovers the plot, she is put into danger. Luckily Richard and the chap from MI5 save the day... However, there is a rather enjoyable twist at the end.

A highly enjoyable film that is well plotted and makes the most of a small budget with some good performance from a solid cast.

Alien Nation (1988)

An alien space craft filled with slaves lands in the US, a few years later these aliens - known as newcomers - are trying to integrate into human society with mixed results. Hard nosed cop Sykes (James Caan) dislikes the newcomers, especially after one of them kills his partner. However, when a newcomer joins the detectives, Sykes volunteers to take him on as a partner...

Sykes has an ulterior motive, he wants help from George (Mandy Patinkin) to find his ex-partner's killer. However, as this is basically a buddy cop movie with a bit of sci-fi added on they are soon getting drunk together. Meanwhile, newcomer Harcourt (Terence Stamp) is rising through the ranks in society but what link does he have to a number of killings in the city and a mysterious drug that can turn newcomers into vicious killing machines?

Although full of cliches, Sykes for example is almost a self-parody, the sci-fi edge to the story help make this a very good film. Quite gritty and violent but also with plenty of good humour.

Head (1968)

The Monkees' psychedelic masterpiece. Of course it makes no sense whatsoever, not having any plot or narrative, just a stream of odd vignettes and nonsense separated by music. But the music is very good indeed, The Monkees took 1960s psychedelic pop in their stride, the title track of Head (Porpoise song) for example is probably one of the best examples of psychedelic pop outside of the Beatles discography. 

Truthfully, this film is best enjoyed by listening to the soundtrack album and not the actual film though it does have some highly entertaining moments, such as the scene in a groovy 1960s nightclub with acid backgrounds, Davy Jones does a wonderful song and dance routine which is at once incredibly dated and modern.

This is a film review blog of course not a music review one, the music might be wonderful but what about the film? Taken as it should be, an experimental stream of surrealism, it is a great film. Anyone expecting a traditional film with a story though will be disappointed. It is fun and so of it's time, a great time.

Manhattan Tower (1932)

An interesting if not especially thrilling drama set in the Art Deco glory of the Empire State Building. This is the story of the lives of a number of workers in the building, from crooked executive down to hard working secretary. Burns (Clay Clement) is that crooked executive, his investments are going South so he uses other people's money to prop things up. He chases skirt as much as he chases cash.

His employee, Mary (Mary Harper) dreams of a fancy house with her man Jimmy (James Hall). Burns is as keen to get his hands on her hard earned money as he is her. It doesn't end well for either of them, though especially Burns who certainly makes a grand exit...

Although the film doesn't enter high gear it certainly has enough to keep your interest. There is plenty of good dialogue, varied characters and interesting camera effects to make it a perfectly acceptable B movie. The real star of the film is the building. 

Golden Dragon, Silver Snake (1979)

A madcap kung fu comedy, a Jackie Chan style film of violence with slap stick. The plot is fairly familiar, Dragon Lee arrives in town to investigate the murder of his brother. He takes a job as a chef and observes a group of gangsters on motorbikes who demand protection money. These gangsters, led by a mysterious man who strokes a cat, are also trying to force a young woman and her uncle to sell them their farm. They are resisted by Silver Snake (Johnny Chan), who is also being trained in kung fu...

Obviously these gangsters are the bad guys Dragon Lee is looking for and he soon links up with Silver Snake and helps battle the gangsters, leading to an extremely long final showdown in a holiday resort.

The film is a shameless Bruceploitation film with Dragon copying many of Bruce's mannerisms and even a Game of Death style yellow outfit. However, there is also a lot of innovation and interspersing the fighting with comedy skits and stunts, some of them very bizarre. The film is unintentionally hilarious with the terrible dubbing, at times it seems like a parody but is highly entertaining.

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (Serial) (1940)

The evil Emperor Ming (Charles B Middleton) has returned to threaten the Earth with a new plague (no not Covid). After his rocket ships are seen spraying a purple mist in the atmosphere, Flash Gordon (Buster Crabbe), Dale (Carol Hughes) and Dr Zarkov (Frank Shannon) head off to stop Ming all over again. They link up with old friends and infiltrate Ming's palace (rather easily it must be said).

Ming is holding the general of a new faction from the frozen North of Mongo captive and he must be rescued too as well as stopping the production of the purple mist. But Flash gets chucked down a large hole in the first of this serial's cliffhangers...

In some ways a bit of a retread of the original Flash Gordon serial and not quite as good, the action is not quite as dramatic with a bit too much padding out of the story. The addition of Frigia, and it's Arctic like wastes, is good for variety but overall this is a decent but not brilliant serial.

Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981)

Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies (Bernard Cribbins) is always given the worst jobs, which often end up with him getting beaten up. Chief Inspector Yardbird (Joss Ackland) selects him to look for a dangerous hardened criminal for Special Branch, Yardbird suspecting Davies' usual clumsy manner will flush the criminal out. During his investigation, Davies discovers a fifteen year old cold-case involving a missing girl.

With the help of his friend Mod (Bill Maynard) he begins to investigate the disappearance and this takes him down a dark and murky path. 

A highly enjoyable film with a feast of great characters and performances including from Maureen Lipman, Frank Windsor and Patsy Rowlands. Davies as a detective is very believable, no flash or super human skill just good old fashioned determination and grit. There is also some good humour, which adds to the realism.