The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three, 1974 (Grade B+)

Director: Joseph Sargent
Awards: BAFTA Best Supporting Actor; & AFI top 100 Thrillers
Cast: Walter Matthau; Beatrice Winde; Robert Shaw; Martin Balsam; Hector Elizondo; Earl Hindman, James Broderick

sez says: we just watched this back-to-back with the 2009 remake--this is by far a superior movie-(the other, newer version being near trash--all crash and gore and wild unrealistic car crashes and violence--the other has some good actor but the whole is NOT equal to the sum of its parts)  This version, for me, is wonderful not becasue it is a thriller -- but it is wonderful becasue of  the script!  What a great bunch of banter, well delivered!   And a wonderful portrayal of New Yorkers--from the mayor who provided wonderful comic relief--to the cops driving the money to the supervisor who marches into the tunnels to find out what, exactly in going on and to set things straight. And that doesn't even touch the wonderful script given to the main characters. This is a classic. (Grade B+)

Being There, 1979 (Grade A)

DirectorL Hal Ashby
Awards; yes--Academy Awards for best supporting actor Melvyn Douglas, and nominated for best actor. ALso on AFI, best 100 for laughs
CAST:  Peter Sellers; Shirley MacLaine; Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard A Dysart, Richard Basehart, David Clennon

sez says: This is a delight..and unlike many comedy/satires it has held up perfectly over the years. It is an absurd story: A man (Peter Sellers) with no experience of the world, except for what he has seen on TV, and what he has learned gardening, is set loose in the world of high finance, national politics and thus enters --front and center into the media's focus.  As well as finds himself in the sites of an amorous woman.  He understands nothing about what is going on around him and constantly answers their questions with simple, honest truth based on his limited life experience. He overwhelms them all  as they hear what they want to hear.  All of this could have fallen flat without great acting, perfects sets, astute timing.  But it does work and it is not jut good laughs--it is good social commentary.  (Grade A)