jjgrimes-2 Reviews

Kiss of a Stranger (1998)

There's some merit to even a slightly hokey movie.

[6/10 · 18 October 2011]

I guess some people see only one side of the bell curve and the other, but there are a lot of movies that, while not even remotely in the Oscar category, are still worth a watch. "Kiss Of A Stranger" is one of them. Sure, it is a low-budget piece, but the acting isn't bad and the plot twists give it some interest at the conclusion.

The opening song, "Another Night Alone" sung by Deborah Holland has a smooth torch song feel to it, and is well done by her (lip-synched by Dyan Cannon). As the story progresses, the movie draws the viewer in, and gives a great "punch line" ending to explain the plot.

Not every movie watched has to be a "Gone With The Wind", or, conversely, a "Plan 9 From Outer Space"...there's plenty in the middle to be entertained by.

If it's on late-night cable sometime, or a copy is gathering dust on the DVD shelf of your video store, give it a try.

The Lady Vanishes (1979)

No Need For Comparisons

[24 September 2011]

There's a strong tendency to compare Hitchcock's version of "The Lady Vanishes" with the 1979 version starring Elliot Gould, Cybill Shepherd, and Angela Lansbury. There's no need to do so. Both have the same title but entirely different moods. This doesn't make one "better" or "worse" than the other. They just should be judged on their own merits.

Both are thrillers, one more somber and tense, and the latter version more of a melodramatic mystery with comedic touches.

What I would suggest is that the viewer simply watch both versions, recognizing the strong and weak points of each. Both are enjoyable, but to interject a personal note, I tend to lean toward this 1979 version for its tone that's more like other mystery films such as "Charade" or "North By Northwest".

Enjoy them both as different cinematic expressions and let others worry about comparisons.