The Film Yap

An early progenitor of the big-budget action spectacular, “Hell’s Angels” is astonishing during the flying combat scenes and embarrassing on the ground. Continue reading →

The culmination of the Spaghetti Western genre, “The Good, the Bad and Ugly” is more a continuation of an ethos than a literal sequel. Continue reading →

Though it’s slim from a storytelling perspective, “For a Few Dollars More” kept the spaghetti Western party going until it could reach its culmination. Continue reading →

If John Ford used landscapes as the backdrop for his character-driven stories, then Sergio Leone’s primary canvas was the human face — preferably ravaged. Continue reading →

Emblematic of everything bad about its cinematic era, “Flat Top” crash-lands into mediocrity and predictability. Continue reading →

“Gentleman Jim” is a Hollywood-hooey depiction of the iconic fighter, with decent boxing scenes and a wearying romance. Continue reading →

This 1954 British WWII romance/adventure contains two admirable halves that never quite mesh together. Continue reading →

One of the most bone-headed and turgid spy thrillers you’re apt to see, containing a few neat stunts and the exceedingly rare quintuple-cross plot device. Continue reading →

“The Warriors” exists in a quavery dimension between silliness and sobriety that is largely impenetrable. Continue reading →

“The Man Who Never Was” is a smartly told heist story folded into a World War II movie. Continue reading →