Necrotongue

In British espionage film from the fifties, it probably wasn't bad, but the fact remains that the film seemed more amusing than suspenseful at certain moments to me. As for me, I must admit that I was never bored for a moment and against all expectations, I actually had quite a good time. The creators managed to move a significant part of the story outdoors, departing from the multitude of largely chamber films that I have seen recently. It was a small, but pleasant refreshment. The Brits did not hesitate to put into action one of the peaks of the technology of that time and it was a joy for me to watch the pilot of this technical marvel, who (unlike his successors from later crime films) sat behind the wheel in a suit and tie, not in a jumpsuit and futuristic helmet. As I have already written above, it was nothing groundbreaking, but I have not experienced disappointment either, so my three out of five stars probably fairly accurately capture my experience of what I just saw. / Lesson: I am sure that I have never seen or experienced a more understanding, tolerant, patient, and therefore fictional woman. No one could bear this wait.

A bit of a peculiar one. The dinner table conversation at the start instantly gave me flashbacks to Harry Enfield’s "Women: Know Your Limits!", so I couldn’t help but smile right off the bat. Then, when the inspector arrived, things started to feel a bit off in a good way, like there was something more beneath the surface. I was enjoying the story, the cast was solid, and I was set on giving it a strong three-star rating. But then the film shifted gears into full-on social commentary mode, and suddenly I found myself losing interest. I don't care much for moral lectures in today’s films, and I wasn't any more entertained by the ones from the past. And that ending? Felt like pure cop-out territory. It took the potential third star and buried it. / Lesson learned: when in doubt, let it fizzle out.

I had pretty mixed feelings about this one. It’s another British, mostly single-location crime drama that was enjoyable for the most part, especially thanks to the strong performances. Duncan Lamont, in particular, stood out for me after seeing him in back-to-back films. But… the twist with the "not-so-dead" husband just didn’t land. The idea of trying to blackmail someone with information that could get the blackmailer into even more trouble than the victim felt far-fetched, and I found it hard to believe the filmmakers were serious. It felt like the script underestimated the audience or wanted us to believe Barbara Everton was incredibly naive. Either way, it left me disappointed and took away from what could’ve been a solid film. 3*-

Honestly, I didn’t expect much going into The Teckman Mystery. Early on, when Mr. Chance returns to his apartment to find it trashed, and he’s about to call the police, I noticed a sinister shadow on the side of the desk. For a second, I thought the hero was about to be knocked out—until I realized it was just a crew member’s shadow. I had a good laugh and moved on. Overall, it's another British, mostly single-location film with a cozy vibe, and sure, there were a few logic gaps along the way, but I was entertained enough to bump up the score. / Lesson learned: Never back up without checking what's behind you!

I was really curious about this film because I figured if the filmmakers wanted to unravel a mystery in just 72 minutes, the plot would have to be pretty tight. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong. If the director had cut out all the scenes where the main trio is just walking or traveling from one place to another (and they do a lot of that), we could’ve ended up with a fun, fast-paced half-hour adventure for fans of the genre who don’t mind a bit of over-the-top storytelling. Instead, we get a story that's almost painfully naive, with a bizarre finale at sea and characters behaving oddly throughout. The shootout in a random French alley felt like it was thrown in just to ramp up the tension, but it didn’t really serve any purpose, even in the broader context of the film. Overall, it’s a bit of an oddball. / Lesson learned: before watching, brush up on the difference between a ketch and a sailing sloop.

In my current phase of watching British black-and-white crime films, I’ve been picking titles completely at random, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that Herbert Lom once again plays the main villain in this film. Even though his character didn’t get a ton of screen time, it was a nice surprise. The movie is clearly dominated by a certain unnamed Scottish Highlander, and I have to say, I was pretty entertained throughout. The main downside for me was that Britain at the time was culturally and legally more restrained, so it couldn’t quite compete with the American gangster films where the action was nonstop and the weapons could supply a small army. Because of that, this gangster flick felt a bit too subdued for my taste. But it still had its moments, and overall, I was a pretty satisfied viewer. Lesson learned: Watch out for the French, no matter their gender. 3*+

Overall, this isn't a groundbreaking film, and a three-star rating would be fair, but there was something about this old-school gem that I really enjoyed. It's basically another classic British chamber mystery/crime film where you don’t have to overthink to figure out who the culprit is. Still, the story kept me entertained, the dialogue was well-written and delivered, and the cast did a great job. Herbert Lom was the standout for me, playing a slimy villain who you just love to hate — reminding me once again what a fantastic actor he was. I was initially worried about the mix of crime and humor, but those fears were unfounded. The humor was subtle and worked perfectly with the story, making the whole experience quite enjoyable. / Lesson learned: Leave gas and electricity to the professionals.

Another British courtroom drama that left me a bit underwhelmed. The story felt predictable, and I didn’t have to think too hard about it—especially after the main defense witness had their first speaking scene. But even more frustrating than the weak plot were the dialogues. They often seemed pointless, and those awkward pauses between lines were really off-putting. It made the whole thing feel disjointed and uncomfortable to watch, which is why my rating is on the lower side. This isn’t a film I’d willingly revisit because, frankly, I was a bit bored throughout and there wasn’t a single moment that really grabbed my attention. / Lesson learned: Always suspect the horse. 2*-

The movie had a solid premise, blending elements of courtroom drama, film noir, and a spy thriller, but the execution was pretty shaky. And I don’t just mean the plot, which lost its logic at times and seemed to forget about the secret service angle altogether. There were also some glaring issues, like a shooting victim in white clothing, shot in the heart, lying there without a single drop of blood on them. I know it’s an old film, but that really stood out. What bothered me most, though, was how the filmmakers wrapped things up without even touching on the main point — the reason the "couple" came to London in the first place. The original plot just disappeared into thin air. / Lesson learned: If you find yourself in a tight spot, keep your mouth shut. 3*-

I was leaning towards giving this film a solid three stars for the well-crafted story, but the way the filmmakers played me by the end bumped it up to four. While it’s not a classic noir in the traditional sense, it definitely carries some noir elements. I always enjoy trying to figure out the culprit before the film reveals them, and if Daniel Birt intended to pull a fast one on viewers like me, he absolutely succeeded — even after nearly eighty years. Modern writers and directors could learn a thing or two from these old films about keeping the audience on edge until the very end. Sure, the film has its flaws (like the overly theatrical display of emotions), but the misdirection was masterful. / Lesson learned: If you’re naturally indecisive, avoid making big decisions.