1928 - THE DOCKS OF NEW YORK - excellence in all areas

Probably as good as you are going to get in a film.  Director Josef Von Sternberg a filmmaker who struggled in the Hollywood systems always struggled with his artistic intentions and the commercial considerations of the studio.  The Docks of New York is a rare example of both of these objectives being fulfilled for a change.

The story such that it is, is about lowlifes along the waterfront in NYC.  The screenplay was written by Jules Furthman who had a long career in Hollywood.  Furthman is mostly remembered for working with Howard Hawks.

The director Josef Von Sternberg was probably as close to an artist as Hollywood would put up with.   Von Sternberg was considered a difficult individual to deal with and his abrasive personality and lack of commercial success affected his career.

This is one of Von Sternberg's best films, with great photography and lots of atmosphere.  Highly recommended

76 minutes.

2016 - LONDON HAS FALLEN - a time killer about a killer

Terrorists are running amok in London at the state funeral of the prime minister  The President of the United States is in danger.  Good thing our top Secret Service agent Mike Banning is on the job.  If someone needs to be shot or as is Banning's apparent speciality sticking knives in people's heads, he's the man for the job.

This film is strictly a by the numbers action flick.  After about a half and hour of set up the action kicks in with non stop violence.  But for the most part this is just movie violence.  The action scenes are directed to titillate and aren't particularly exciting.

The conceit of the film is that the city of London is completely overrun by middle eastern terrorists dressed as London police officers.  In a way it's almost kind of an insult to the British government and security forces.  As usual the terrorists instead of being ex Nazis are now 3rd world Arab slime balls.

How does it all end?  Will the ruthless agent Mike Banning save the president or will the Pres get his head chopped off on Youtube?

99 minutes.