Lost In Translation; a Hitchcock, etc---

---this week I watched:

Above Suspicion (1943) Joan Crawford, Fred MacMurray. Spy story is okay, but I never feared that our young newlyweds wouldn't come out okay. Not as suspenseful as some spy stories during WWII. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035605/

Dangerous Beauty (1998) Catherine McCormack, Rufus Sewell, Oliver Platt. Story of the cortesans of Venice in the 1500s. Sewell is too small for the lead. McCormack too much a modern looking woman and overwhelms Sewell. Naomi Watts in a small part looks like a woman of the time. Lots of beautiful sets and costumes - and nudity. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118892/

The Pledge (2001) Jack Nicholson, Patricia Clarkson, Aaron Eckhart, Robin Wright. Retiring Police Chief Jerry Black (Nicholson) pledges to a mother to find the killer of her young child. But although he is obsessed with the case, years pass and he has no leads. He buys a roadside service station and convenience store, and becomes the protecter of a woman, and her little girl, who is victimized by her violent husband. A case study in the losing of a mind and reality, through drink, age and fixation on impossible goals. Cast is first rate. The end wraps up the case, but in such an off-hand way, I had to replay it to get what was happening. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0237572/

Lost In Translation (2003) Scarlet Johansson, Bill Murray, Giovanni Ribisi. A meandering and quiet film, focusing on two out-of-place lonely people who connect in a warm friendship. This is one of those films that you either love and understand immediately, or hate and disparage and some can't even get through one viewing. That is the way with films sometimes. For me, it was a a joy to watch and savor. As Bob (Murray) leaves in the car, we see Charlotte (Johansson) walking away. He has the driver stop and hurries back and catches her and whispers in her ear. Fans have gone to great lengths to find out what it is he says:
Whispered words> "Promise me, no matter how hopeless things get, keep on trying, okay? Keep coming chin-up, okay? "
Perfect. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335266/

National Treasure: Book Of Secrets (2007) Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Ed Harris, Harvey Keitel. Second film in the adventures of Ben Gates and his father, Patrick. This time with Mom, Emily helping them along the way. Watched with half a brain on a hot, humid July day in the Heartland USA. Just the ticket - especially with all the water scenes. I wished I was there too. Splash ME! LOL. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465234/

Storms, heat and other sounds of summer....