1958 Movies
OSCARS Won/Nominated
Dracula
Dir: Terence Fisher Stars: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Michael Gough 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I know it has been a long time since I got to one of these movies, and man oh man was I disappointed by the movie I chose to get me back into the swing of things. 1958's Dracula was terrible. I actually liked Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, but the entire production felt like a choppy greatest hits montage. Here is this classic scene, here is this memorable encounter. We all know the Dracula story...but this version has absolutely no narrative pace and doesn't feel to even TELL a story...just exhibit one. The film seems to know that we are familliar with the subject matter, so it just jumps back and forth to the scenes we expect. The castle? Don't make me laugh. Leslie Nielsen's castle in Dracula: Dead & Loving It is far more convincing!! D |
Touch of Evil
Dir: Orson Welles Stars: Charleton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Praising Orson Welles is a cliche...but the man was a legend...and it is obvious in everything he did. From the moment Touch of Evil opens with that incredible tracking shot of a border crossing...I knew this was going to be something special. The story, about a Mexican higher-up sniffing out and combating corruption by famous lawman on the US side of the border, is a bit simple and unengaging. But Welles direction is so kinetic, exciting, and fluid, that it really injects a lot of merit into the bland story. Add that to Welles' outstanding performance as Captain Quinlan...one that totally and completely outshines his two famous co-stars...and you have quite a work of art. B+ |