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Cruella and the Archeologist Clown

 Monday: The Ipcress File (1965)

            Harry is a former criminal that now works as a secret agent. He is transferred to a new unit that is investigating missing scientists. A large piece of scientific tech was stolen as well. All the scientist connected to it are the ones who are missing. Harry tries to find the main suspect who has info on it. He is successful but doesn't get all the info that he needs. One of the missing scientists is found. He doesn't remember anything to do with his job or anything scientific. Harry gets too close to the case and starts to question who is really behind it all. I thought this movie was ok.

Tuesday: Frenzy (1972)

        There is a serial killer in London strangling women with a necktie. The police are unsuccessful in finding him. Richard is a man down on his luck. He gets fired from his job and has no where to go and little money. Desperate for help he goes to his ex-wife. Their marriage didn't end well. Richard has a temper. Later that night he finds money in his pocket that his ex must have slipped in there. The following day, shortly after Richard tries to talk to his ex again, she is found strangled with a necktie and money missing from her purse. Richard becomes the prime suspect. He is innocent but everything points to him. Richard hides until he can figure out what to do with the help of his girlfriend and friend Robert. This movie was ok. It is a Hitchcock film. Not one of his best.

Wednesday: Merry Andrew (1958)

        Andrew is a teacher at an all boys school. His father is the headmaster. He is engaged to a woman named Letitia. He is set to take over for his father when he retires. Andrew feels like he hasn't done enough in his life. He wants to explore before he settles down. He is not like is father and brothers. Before he gets married he decides to go on a archeological dig. He believes he knows the location of a lost statue of Pan. When he gets there he sees that a circus is right on top of where he plans to dig. The circus lets him dig. He gets to know an acrobat named Selena. She points out how funny he is and that he would make a good clown. Andrew and Selena start to fall for each other. He can't avoid his responsibilities forever. This is a good movie. Danny Kaye is Andrew. He is amazing as always.

Friday: Cruella (2021)

        A young girl named Estella lives with her mom in a small English town. Estella is obsessed with fashion. She has a wild side. Her mom tries to get her to rein it in but with little success. They decide to go to London. They make a stop on the way to ask for some money. Estella's mom ends up being pushed over a cliff. Estella runs away and makes it to London. There she meets to pick pockets named Jasper and Horace. They take her in. The three kids become an unstoppable pick pocketing team. They continue stealing even as adults. Estella still wants to work in fashion. She ends up working for the Baroness, one of her favorite designers. She is harsh and cruel. Estella discovers things about the Baroness that drive her to wanting revenge. She puts on the persona of Cruella and does what she can to bring down the Baroness. This is a good movie. Don't let the trailer fool you. The music was good. We got to see Anita and Rodger before they met. There is a movie playing in the background in one scene with the original actress who voiced Cruella.

Sunday: Double Feature- Foreign Letters (2012) and Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind (1984)

             Foreign Letters is about a 12 year old girl  named Ellie who moves to the US from Israel. Ellie struggles to adapt. She write letters to her best friend in Israel. Ellie has a hard time learning English. She notices an Asian girl who sits apart from everyone else and also doesn't fit in. Her name is Thuy. Thuy's family came from Vietnam two years ago. She speaks perfect English and sounds American. The two girls bond over shared experiences and become friends. I liked this movie. It is based on the director's life. She also wrote the screenplay and played the part of her mom.

             Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind is set in a post-apocalyptic world. Thousands of years ago a toxic jungle with huge insects started to invade the planet. Kingdoms were swallowed up and the people died. Nausicaa is the princess of the Valley of the Wind. She has a way with all creatures. She is able to calm the insects and keep them from attacking. One day a airship from another kingdom crashes into the valley. With it come bugs and toxic spores. They also have one of the ancient giant warriors that helped destroy much of the planet. Nausicaa and her people don't want the warrior to wake up. They also try to stop the bugs and spores. The people from the airship take hostages to another kingdom they are attacking. Nausicaa agrees to go. On her journey she learns more about the forest and plans to destroy her kingdom. This movie was alright. It is a Studio Ghibil film. Not one of their best.

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