HiFi’s Film Reviews

353 Films have been rated or reviewed by HiFi.

Broadway Danny Rose (1984): Warm and very funny. The comics in the diner seem to have wandered in from a Barry Levinson film. Mia\'s wonderfully unrecognisable. I lost it in the Macy\'s storage shootout. Extras cast by Diane Arbus? Stunning cinematography (Gordon Willis).
Husbands and Wives (1992): Caustic, brilliantly done. Superb cast, especially Davis. The scene where Pollack drags his girlfriend from the party is truly disturbing. I can\'t explain why I like this, but I\'m always mesmerised...best mid–late period Allen?
Manhattan (1979): I don\'t get it – is he mocking the characters, or are they mouthpieces for his values, which you\'re meant to accept? Yes, beautiful looking, but (for me) the smugness sours it.
Stage Fright (1950): Wyman\'s great (the scene with the glasses!), all the British character actors are a real treat, Todd\'s terrifying (the bars of light across his face as he reveals his homicidal nature). Probably minor Hitchcock, but well worth seeing.; DVD ~~$19.95~~ $14.95
How to Steal a Million (1966): Contrived codswallop, but still pretty enjoyable. Hepburn\'s too old for this gamine business, but still very watchable. She and O\'Toole have real chemistry (especially in the broomcloset scene) – no wonder Mel Ferrer was jealous.
Autumn in New York (2000): No, don\'t...for pity\'s sake...please, watch anything else...can\'t breathe...hellllllllllllpppppppppppp...
Small Time Crooks (2000): Crikey! 91 minutes you\'ll never get back...see \'Take the Money and Run\' instead, and never know how much you are in my debt...
Take the Money and Run (1969): As above: more a collection of gags than a movie, this is still thoroughly enjoyable and even quite endearing. Droll narration, wonderful cast (the luminous Janet Margolin!) and one of my alltime favourite soundtracks (from Marvin Hamlisch, no less.)
Anatomy of a Murder (1959): A surprisingly modern, completely absorbing and truly subversive view of the law and its practitioners. Beautifully photographed, with a stunning cast (Remick and Gazzara are particularly good). Knocks other courtroom dramas into a cocked hat.
Born Yesterday (1950): Holliday\'s unexpected changes of pitch and intonation bring many a funny line to life. A bit stagey and preachy in places but hugely enjoyable, especially Crawford and Holliday\'s scenes together.

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HiFi’s Film Reviews