Gina Lollobrigida's smoldering presence dominates the screen in "The Law," an Italian-French movie that tells the story of a southern Italian fishing village governed by corrupt criminal elements. An engineer comes to town to drain the swamp, and in the process attempts to aid the townsfolk to [..]
The Ipcress File (1965)
"The Ipcress File" is a classic British spy thriller featuring Michael Caine as secret agent Harry Palmer, something of an opposite of James Bond with his low-key personality and the film's unglamorous depiction of espionage work. The story centers on Palmer sent to investigate the disappearance [..]
Funeral in Berlin (1966)
Excitement reigns supreme in the second stint by Michael Caine as British secret agent Harry Palmer in "Funeral in Berlin." Palmer is sent by his boss Colonel Ross to Berlin to arrange for the defection of a Soviet intelligence officer. Director Guy Hamilton ("Goldfinger" 1964) directed [..]
Billion Dollar Brain (1967)
Michael Caine plays the British secret agent Harry Palmer for the third time in as many years in "Billion Dollar Brain." Director Ken Russell ("Women in Love" 1969) keeps a tight ship in this story of a retired Palmer being drawn back into the espionage business with [..]
Topaz (1969)
"Topaz" is an Alfred Hitchcock film about a French intelligence officer who becomes involved in Cold War politics as a Soviet ring of spies in France is discovered just before the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The movie contains much of the famous Hitchcock suspense, but with [..]
Nanny McPhee (2005)
When one thinks of an English nanny who magically arrives and solves all of your problems, the mind naturally turns to Mary Poppins. However, Emma Thompson had other ideas when she wrote the screenplay for "Nanny McPhee," adapted from the series of children's books called "Nurse Matilda" [..]
Nanny McPhee Returns (2010)
The success of "Nanny McPhee" in 2005 prompted the production of "Nanny McPhee Returns" in 2010. Director Susanna White and screenwriter Emma Thompson wisely decided on a different family for the magical nanny to help, now in the English countryside during World War II. The story [..]
Evening in Byzantium (1978)
"Evening in Byzantium" is an exciting 1978 made-for-television movie that features all kinds of drama at a film festival on the French Riviera. The excellent four hour film was expertly directed by Jerry London ("Wheels" 1978 miniseries) and well penned by Glen A. Larson and Michael Sloan, [..]
Grease (1978)
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are featured in one of the most popular rock-and-roll musicals of all time. "Grease" is the story of teenage love set in a 1950's high school, based on the 1971 stage musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Catchy tunes, good [..]
The Greek Tycoon (1978)
Stunning Mediterranean scenery, big name stars, and opulent lifestyles of the jet set are all components of "The Greek Tycoon." Anthony Quinn and Jacqueline Bisset do a fantastic job of portraying characters based on Aristotle and Jacqueline Onassis in this glossy soap opera motion picture. [..]