Movie Review - Time Lock

Time Lock

1957

The Cast

This is a simple story of a boy who finds himself trapped in the vault at the bank where his father works and the race to get him out alive.  It's Friday and the Bank is getting ready to close for the weekend.  Stephen Walker (Winter) has just turned six and as a treat, his mom, Lucille (McDowall), takes him to meet his father, Colin (Patterson), out of work.  His dad just has to close up the vault and then they can go and celebrate.  However, while Colin and his boss, George Foster (Gifford), lock up the vault there's an automobile accident just outside the window, which takes their attention away for a couple of seconds.  When they finally close the door and the time lock kicks in it's the teller, Evelyn (Francis), who alerts them to the child's predicament... now the race is on...

What I really liked about this was the simplicity of both the story and the location.  You get a few outside shots, which only take up a couple of minutes, at most, and then the rest of the movie is set in two rooms.  Though you never really notice as the Director, Thomas, keeps you involved in the unfolding story.  As time passes, the question, "Will they be quick enough?" becomes more and more imperative... while the outlook grows bleaker and bleaker.  Thomas uses the limited space well, moving the camera around to its best advantage.

Then there's the acting, which is above par.  Every person involved in rescuing the boy has an urgency in their voice and in their movements.  Robert Beatty really sells the self-assured and strong-minded Pete Dawson, the mind who is responsible for the banks' security.  He is quick with a plan and quicker to rally the troops.  Whereas, Gifford as the Bank Manager Foster hits all the right notes in portraying a man who feels accountable for the accident and the possible death of a child. One thing which got under my skin was how little the parents appeared in the film.  It would have been better if these two characters had been stronger, then you would have had a near-perfect cast.

I'd recommend this film to all.  It's a nice way to spend an afternoon on these cold winter days, while the central heating keeps you nice and cosy.

I give this a time-critical 6.25 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Murder On The Orient Express

Murder On The Orient Express

1974

The Cast

  

This is an apotheosis of a star-studded movie - but where most films of similar ilk fall flat this reigns supreme...  The Story is so good and the director does a brilliant job of bringing this to the large screen and the actors add to the strength of their skills.

There are a couple of drawbacks, for me...  Firstly, I'm not a fan of Hercule Poirot (I much prefer Miss Marple) and Finney's portrayal of the detective left me cold and irritated.  Though he and the director did get his pompous peacock preening down pat, it was more Finney's vocals and no-neck stance that got under my skin.  Secondly, there were a few scene's where the director used Perkins "Norman Bates" to cast suspicion on his character, as Norman does make an appearance a couple of times.

Though, all this said, the rest of the film is delicious and splendidly filmed.  There are some really nice panning sequences; I especially liked the sequence where the train guard walks down the platform as the train pulls out - this is expertly done and sets a great atmosphere, though the music is a little too saccharine for me.

This is a great whodunnit, which I did solve before Hercule, but not too quickly so as to spoil the film, so this is a bonus as it draws the audience in and makes them part of the story and movie.  If you like murder mysteries then this is the one to watch, you should even enjoy it if you've read the novel and know the outcome, as the acting and direction is that good.

I would recommend this to mystery and thriller lovers as well as movie aficionados.  This is now on my favourites list and I will watch it again - even though I'll have to put up with Finney's Poirot.

I give this a mysterious and suspicious 8.75 our of 10.

The Trailer