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joealthouse
Reviews
The Human Jungle (1954)
Merrill's Revenge
A great noir-crime thriller. Such a great cast of character actors. Regis Toomey (Guys & Dolls), Emile Meyer (countless westerns), James Westerfield (on the Waterfront, Hang 'em High), Chubby Johnson, Chuck Conners (The Rifleman), Claude Akins. But it doesn't take a genius to recognize Merrill's role is almost a mirror image of his wonderful performance in 12 O'Clock High where he got kicked out of his job, replaced by Gregory Peck. In Human Jungle he replaces Westerfield. Leading up to Merrill's promotion and in the immediate aftermath dialogue is almost identical to 12 O'Clock High. The film could be a case study in personality types and leadership styles.
Mothers' Instinct (2024)
Real Housewives of New Jersey
Hathaway and Chastain have a professional interest in this film. They are both producers. A drawn out, burdensome, film with a predictable outcome. Yes, there were a couple twists, red herrings, enough to make me consider alternative outcomes. Some have said it was Hitchcockian. It wasn't. Background music was adequate but not suspenseful. Upon leaving the theater my wife asked me what I thought of the movie (she gave it a 5). My first thought was, "why would two accomplished actors invest their own money in this stinker?" Coming from New Jersey, and growing up in this era, I loved the cars, homes, and costumes. Smoking was normal then but somehow I felt it a bit offsetting having lost parents and siblings to cancer caused by tobacco use. It's a remake of Duelles (2018). I'm thinking of watching it for comparison but not so sure I'm willing to invest another 90 minutes.