Action films, a Mystery, and romance

As we get to Summer, and steamy days, it's time for the ice water and the mindless fun of action and romance. This week I watched:

Tulsa (1949) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041994/
Susan Hayward as an Oklahoma oil baron as ruthless as she is beautiful. 7/10

Batman (1989) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096895/
Michael Keaton, as Bruce Wayne, Batman, and Jack Nicholson as The Joker, make this version one of the best. Kim Basinger is the girl photographer who gets in dires straights and must be rescued by our Hero. Joker saying "where DOES he get those wonderful toys?" about Batmans escape by wires is a highlight. Many witicisms and funny bits among all the action. Good summer fair. 8/10

The Morning After (1986) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091554/
Jane Fonda, as Alexandra, wakes up after a black out from drinking, in bed with a corpse. As she dresses and scrambles to get out of the loft apartment, she becomes aware that there may be someone in the place with her and it isn't just the cat. Jeff Bridges as a laid back guy with a broken down 'classic' car becomes her helper - or is he? Her estranged husband, hair salon owner Raul Julia, is also understanding and comes to her aid - or does he? Very enjoyable mystery with lots of set pieces and good acting. 8/10

Moon Over Parador (1988) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095654/
Richard Dreyfus as an actor filming in a South American country, who is given the job of impersonating the look-alike dictator, who suddenly died of a heart attack. The security chief (Raul Julia, again) recruits the actor for just one day, which of course, turns into a year. Sonia Braga is the mistress who teaches our fish out of water how to rule. The dance lesson is so funny and their scenes together are just lots of fun to watch. The final scene of Braga standing in front of the enormous moon as the wind catches her hair and her long white scarf and skirt, with the great music - perfect. A favorite for summer. 8/10

Alexander (2004) 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/
I tried to watch this last winter, but couldn't get into it. This time, I did watch it all and still think it is awful. The scenes of the battles, shot from a distance, are so badly done, I sat there shaking my head. Colin Ferrel does not look like a conquerer of anything. 5/10


Live Free Or Die Hard (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337978/
Good summer action film. John McClane is alive and well and takin' care of business. Yi-pee-kiyae! 9/10

Shooter (2007) 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822854/
Mark Walberg as a trained assassin who is recruited to come out of retirement to assist in finding and taking out a shooter who is going to kill the President of a foreign country. Only the plot is not what it seems and Walberg ends up being the prey. So-so action film, but the story is very confusing. 6/10

I have Juno on my coffee table ready to watch. And my next "classics" lined up from my own collection. Summertime!