Tag: michael caine

The Island (1980)

The Island 1980 UHD

The Island is so close to being a good movie. Or at least an interesting one. Michael Caine stars as a reporter investigating some disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle, only to be captured by a gang of pirates. It is as silly as that sounds, but not quite as silly as it should have been. Or fun. There are several things they could have done to push it into “good” territory, but they never quite get there. It is worth a watch if you are bored, but there are plenty of other Michael Caine films that are more worth your time. You can read my full review over at Cinema Sentries.

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

a bridge too far cover

A Bridge Too Far is an epic, star-studded war movie about the failed Operation Market Garden, where the Allies tried to secure a single road and several bridges across the Netherlands right to the German border.  It is pretty good, but also a bit too long and somewhat confusing. 

Kino Lorber just released a 4K UHD disc, and I’ve got your review.

Sleuth (1972)

sleuth movie poster

This was originally written and posted on March 1, 2006.

A delightful plot-twisting mystery starring Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier, and nothing but Michael Cain and Laurence Olivier – albeit in two roles for Michael Caine. It is essentially a showcase for both actors, and it is quite a show they put on.

The plot gets complicated, but essentially Olivier plays a mystery writer in the vein of Agatha Christie. Michael Caine has been having an affair with Olivier’s wife. The two meet at Olivier’s house to discuss the state of things. Fiendish plot point after another and things get sinister and fun very quickly. There isn’t much more to say, for letting the twists and turns come as they are is half the fun.

Director Joseph L Mankeiwicz manages to adapt what was originally a successful stage play into the cinema very well. He uses his set pieces as supporting actors. There are dozens of games lying about Olivier’s house, and nearly all of them play some part of the plot.

Though the DVD seems to be out of print, Sleuth is well worth tracking down at the local library or video club.