The King And I (1956)
Red River (1948)
Dances With Wolves (1990)
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
Gyeonghowon (Bodyguard) (2020)
Undercover Blues (1993)
The Big Lift (1950) ///
The King And I (1956) Allied to lush design and elegant staging, Yul Brynner brings formidable charisma to ruler struggling with tradition and changing world as headstrong teacher Deborah Kerr arrives to tutor his children. Gorgeously realized song score deepens character and culminates with rich emotion.
Red River (1948) Epic canvas of cattle drive provides suitable scale for family and romantic dramas to weave through pioneering action of settling the West. Uncompromising John Wayne pursues rebellious adopted son Montgomery Clift, burnishing myth amid clash of honor, while gritty Joanne Dru knocks sense into the future.
Dances With Wolves (1990) Classical structure of redemption informs unconnected lieutenant Kevin Costner's immersion into Sioux life and respect for nature, entwining mystical and cruel with lucid emotion. Involving characters and powerful set pieces, captured with strong visuals and elegiac John Barry score.
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) Affectionate homage to noir thrillers splices knowing private eye Steve Martin with host of Hollywood stars in 1940s film clips in typically convoluted plot. Willing femme fatale Rachel Ward and sweeping Miklós Rózsa score help maintain playful, absurdist humor amid gleaming design.
Gyeonghowon (Bodyguard) (2020) Unremarkable thriller with loan enforcer Kang Seok-chul finding redemption when reluctantly protecting Yoo Ye-bin, heiress to company that violent Cheol Woong wants to take over. Routine narrative line lacks character twists, though final act fights are suitably crunching.
Undercover Blues (1993) Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid make for appealing spy partners in New Orleans, baby in tow, before being persuaded out of retirement to prevent manic Fiona Shaw dealing to terrorists. Brisk storytelling provides uncomplicated, uninspired gags, enjoyable in the moment though lacking bite.
The Big Lift (1950) Contemporary post-war Berlin locations and society provide underlying cold war tension to curious Montgomery Clift and prejudiced Paul Douglas' experiences as part of air force breaking blockade with relief supplies. Practical Cornell Borchers and enthusiastic Bruni Löbel ensure bittersweet resolutions.
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