The Beekeeper & The Third Man

I saw 2 movies recently:

"The Beekeeper" (2024) -- who says you can't make gonzo cinema anymore? Children today will grow up and watch this alongside "Con Air" (1997) or "Face Off" (1997) as examples of stupidly entertaining cinema. Acting students will memorize Jeremy Irons lines as monologues* for class. I almost bailed out at the 10-minute mark because the predation on Phylicia Rashad really bothered me. She was very compelling. Right after that tragically brilliant piece of character the film double clutched into coocoo banana pants gear and took off on a streak.

"The Third Man" (1949) is brilliant -- Orson Welles makes an entrance!** There are entrances and then there are ENTRANCES. Mr. Welles definitely did the latter. If it is possible, I think he is underrated as both an actor and director. All the characters are fun - the dialogue (in multiple languages) does a really good job of increasing the tension. The camera work and music play a real role in pulling you along. It is a really well-made movie. Joseph Cotton is a movie star for sure, but my favorite performance was Ernst Deutsch as 'Baron Kurtz'. His work with that tiny dog and his smile are devious.

* If they are wise, they will also recall Gene Simmons in "Never Too Young to Die" (1986)

** Josh Hutcherson makes an ENTRAance in "The Beekeeper" which is memorable as well.

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