Travis Simpkins

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Laura (1944): Gene Tierney and Film Noir

Produced and directed by Otto Preminger, based on the 1943 novel by Vera Caspary, Laura (1944) is a classic of the Film Noir genre and ranks on the AFI's list of the 10 Best Mystery Films of All Time. The story concerns a police detective who falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating… only to find out that nothing is as it seems. Tense, dramatic and stark, the cinematography is superb. Gene Tierney, one of the most beautiful actresses who ever lived, is great in the title role as the desirable Laura Hunt. Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb and Vincent Price are great as the men who are infatuated with her. The film is a great production all around, a masterpiece.

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

Laura: Gene Tierney

Laura: Gene Tierney and Vincent Price

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

Laura: Gene Tierney

Laura: Gene Tierney and Vincent Price

Laura: Gene Tierney

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

Laura: Gene Tierney and Vincent Price

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

Laura: Gene Tierney and Vincent Price

Laura: Gene Tierney

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

Laura: Gene Tierney

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

Laura: Gene Tierney

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

Laura: Gene Tierney

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

Laura: Gene Tierney

Laura: Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010): Merlin's Ancient Magic in Modern New York City

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010) was the product of the same skilled teamwork that created the hit National Treasure films for Walt Disney Studios. The story concerns master sorcerer Balthazar Blake, a disciple of the wizard Merlin, who has waited over 1,000 years to find Merlin's successor to battle the dark sorceress Morgana le Fey. The bumbling 20-something apprentice he finds in modern day New York City must undergo a crash course in the art of science, magic and sorcery in order to defeat the villains Maxim Horvath and Morgana. The magic special effect are amazing, and the set design crew did wonders in rendering the antique gadgetry. The cast does a great job, including Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Monica Bellucci and Teresa Palmer.