TCM Classic Film Festival Passes on Sale December 8th

Last August classic film fans received happy news when Turner Classic Movies announced the dates for the 2027 TCM Classic Film Festival.

The 18th edition of the festival will be held in Hollywood from April 8th through 11th, 2027.

TCM has now announced that passes will go on sale on December 8th, 2026. Early bird pricing will run through January 8th.

TCM previously confirmed that pass prices will remain the same this year.

The festival's theme was also announced, "In Good Company: Friendship in Film."

TCM's press release says "From bickering buddies and silly sidekicks to lifelong confidants and unlikely allies, friendships in the movies have created indelible moments and enduring stories of trust, loyalty and ocnnection."

Along with screen friendships, the festival will also celebrate friendships behind the camera.

TCM also announced the first batch of titles for the 2025 festival. Three particular favorites of mine are on the list:

*A 90th anniversary screening of EASY LIVING (1937) with Jean Arthur and Ray Milland

*A nitrate print of MIDNIGHT (1939) starring Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche, John Barrymore, and Mary Astor

*A world premiere restoration of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944)

Other titles on the initial list include:

*A world premiere restoration of the Fleischer Studios animated film GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (1939)

*ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW (1959)

*A world premiere restoration of THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY (1982)

*A 50th anniversary presentation of SLAP SHOT (1977)

Please visit the TCM Classic Film Festival site for a complete list of the films announced to date.

Stay tuned for many more festival announcements as they develop in the coming months!

Finally, again this year Fandango is selling advance 2027 festival merchandise online.

Over the past couple of years the merchandise available in Fandango's online store has been different from what's sold in the festival boutique, so if prospective purchasers spot something of interest on the Fandango site I recommend ordering now rather than counting on finding it at the festival.

Previously: TCM Announces 2027 Festival Dates.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...

...The Warner Archive Collection has announced their December releases. Among the titles coming to Blu-ray in December: THE INFORMER (1935), TEST PILOT (1938), LITTLE NELLIE KELLIE (1940), THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS (1944), TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY (1946), DECOY (1946), TEA FOR TWO (1950), and THE BOUNTY HUNTER (1954). The release of THE BOUNTY HUNTER, starring Randolph Scott and Marie Windsor, is especially exciting as it will include a 3D version. The complete list is at Blu-ray.com.

...November 14th is the birthday of Dick Powell. Here's my tribute, including a brief career sketch and film recommendations.

...Thanks to James L. Neibaur for making me aware of a new book from David Tucker, TUNE IN FOR ACTION: 34 SHORT-LIVED DETECTIVE, WESTERN, ESPIONAGE AND MEDICAL SERIES OF 1950S SYNDICATED TELEVISION. It was recently published by McFarland. I have a number of Tucker's previous books, including titles on John Hodiak and Gale Storm.

 

...Coming to the Criterion Collection in February: RUGGLES OF RED GAP (1935) starring Charles Laughton. Extras including an interview with Farran Smith Nehme.

...From the New York Times: "The Rise of the Gen Z Cinephile."

...Attention Southern Californians: There's an interesting "B" movie screening coming to the American Cinematheque's Los Feliz 3 Theatre on November 27th: INSIDE JOB (1946), a 65-minute film starring Ann Rutherford, Preston Foster, and Alan Curtis, directed by Jean Yarbrough...I had the good fortune to see ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951) at Disney's El Capitan Theatre earlier this week. It will also have an American Cinematheque screening at the Egyptian Theatre on November 28th...And THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992) is coming to the El Capitan Theatre November 20th-22nd.

...Notable Passings: I was sorry to learn of the passing of Donnie Dunagan at the age of 92. Dunagan was the voice of BAMBI (1942) and went on to have a long military career. His eloquent talk ahead of a BAMBI screening at the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival remains one of my all-time favorite festival experiences. I was fortunate to shake his hand and thank him after the movie, and he looked at me and said intently "Go out and have a great life!" Thanks, Donnie...Actor Randall England, who played Jack Slater on GENERAL HOSPITAL many years ago, has passed away at the age of 75.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my November 7th column.

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Tonight's Movie: The Hucksters (1947) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

THE HUCKSTERS (1947), an MGM advertising drama with a terrific cast, was just released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

I first reviewed THE HUCKSTERS nearly 20 years ago, in 2007, after watching it on VHS. The movie was later released by the Warner Archive on a DVD-R in 2011. 

We've certainly come a long way from the VHS recording I watched years ago to the Warner Archive Collection's sparkling Blu-ray! We're really living in the best of times in terms of high-quality prints available for home viewing.

Clark Gable stars in THE HUCKSTERS as Vic Norman, newly returned from wartime service and looking to jumpstart his old career in the advertising business.

Vic goes to work for an ad agency run by Mr. Kimberly (Adophe Menjou) and is tasked with dealing with Evan Llewellyn Evans (Sydney Greenstreet), the odd and very difficult owner of Beautee Soap.

Through his work on a Beautee Soap ad campaignVic meets war widow Kay Dorrance (Deborah Kerr), a mother of two young children (Eugene Lay and Dianne Perrine).

Vic and Kay quickly fall for one another and Vic begins to imagine life as a family man, but before they can have their happy ending Vic has some postwar maturing to do. He needs to change his old standby game plans in terms of both how he treats the woman he loves and what he really wants from his career.

True happiness, in both love and business, will require Vic dropping the most expedient paths to romance and financial success, and instead he'll need to find and live up to stronger values.

This 115-minute movie was directed by Jack Conway from a screenplay by Luther Davis which was based on an adaptation of Frederic Wakeman's novel. It's entertaining and makes good points without dwelling on them so long that the film becomes preachy.

As I noted in 2007, many of the movie's themes remain relevant today, including examinations of business ethics and the roles of advertising and media. It also works simply an enjoyable romantic drama.

The sterling cast gives the film a lot of entertainment value. Gable is always tops with me, and he's great here as the charismatic adman who slowly starts to question his morals.

One might not think Gable would pair well with proper British actress Deborah Kerr -- especially when Ava Gardner is on hand as a nightclub singer carrying a torch for him -- but Gable and Kerr are quite charming together. They hit it off from their first scenes and have genuine chemistry, each providing things missing from the other character's life.

Gardner is also quite appealing, and one wishes for her character's sake that she was given her own happy ending.

Greenstreet's part is frankly way over the top, but it's hard not to be entertained by the actor, and I especially appreciated Edward Arnold as a man who has business dealings with Vic. Vic's mild attempt at blackmail late in the film, as an attempt to pressure Arnold's character, ends up causing Vic to seriously reexamine his personal ethics.

The supporting cast also includes Keenan Wynn, Douglas Fowley, Clinton Sundberg, Connie Gilchrist, Gloria Holden, Frank Albertson, and Richard Gaines.

As I noted in 2007, there are some interesting people in minor roles, including the great Marie Windsor in a brief scene on a train.

A great bit of trivia: A hallway which is seen behind Gable and Menjou late in the film, as they wait to enter Greenstreet's office, was also used by MGM as a Pentagon hallway in THE BEGINNING OR THE END (1947). It's actually a painted backdrop, which five years later was memorably used as a prop in Donald O'Connor's "Make 'Em Laugh" number in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952). The hallway backdrop can be glimpsed in a still seen here.

THE HUCKSTERS was filmed by Harold Rosson in beautiful black and white. The typical MGM gloss is shown off to great effect on this Blu-ray print, which comes from a 1080p HD master from 4K scans of the "best preservation elements."

Disc extras consist of the trailer (which points out that "Kerr rhymes with Star"); the cartoon SALT WATER TABBY (1947); a 22-minute short, GIVE US THE EARTH! (1947); and short audio-only tracks of the Beautee Soap jingles heard in the film.

As is the norm for Warner Archive Blu-rays, optional English subtitles are included.

THE HUCKSTERS is an enjoyable film on a lovely Blu-ray disc. Recommended.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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Tonight's Movie: Duplicity (2009) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

The very engaging DUPLICITY (2009), a tale of corporate spies in love, has just been released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber.

I first reviewed this film here way back in 2010, and I enjoyed it just as much on this revisit.

Julia Roberts, always a favorite of mine, and Clive Owen play the referenced spies, whose relationship and goals only become clear gradually, as the story switches back and forth in time.

When you come down to it, Roberts' and Owen's characters are really rather awful people, constantly engaging in lies and theft, but their charm is such that they come off more like the delightful jewel thieves of TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1932), as noted years ago by reviewer Glenn Erickson.

We root for Roberts and Owen as anti-heroes of a sort, made easier by the fact that the corporate heads (Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson) they are plotting against aren't likeable in the least.

The film has a stellar supporting cast, also including Carrie Preston (THE GOOD WIFE, ELSBETH), Denis O'Hare, Rick Worthy, and Kathleen Chalfont. Each actor makes memorable contributions and is part of why the film works as well as it does.

I termed DUPLICITY a "cinematic jigsaw puzzle" in 2009 and continue to feel it's an apt description. The film's editing, by John Gilroy, including occasional use of multiple onscreen views, is part of what makes it a rather unique film.

The movie was written and directed by Tony Gilroy, and it has echoes of his excellent MICHAEL CLAYTON (2007) as far as being a "nonlinear" tale of corporate intrigue.

I'm an admirer of Gilroy, including the Bourne movies and his contributions to ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016) and ANDOR (2022-25), and his polished work on DUPLICITY shows why.

The movie was filmed by Robert Elswit and features locations in New York City, Italy, the Bahamas, and more.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray print, approved by director Gilroy, is from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative.

Disc extras consist of an archival commentary track by Tony and John Gilroy; the trailer; five additional trailers for other films available from Kino Lorber; and an interview with supporting actor Dan Daily, who plays the aide to Paul Giamatti's character.

I reviewed Kino Lorber's new Blu-ray. Kino Lorber has also released DUPLICITY in a 4K edition.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...

 ...The annual November Barnes & Noble Criterion Collection half-price sale has begun! This year it runs through December 6th.

...Over at 50 Westerns From the 50s, Toby Roan reviewed the Warner Archive Blu-ray release of THE LAST HUNT (1956)...and at Trailers From Hell Glenn Erickson has reviewed the Warner Archive's new PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES (1960) Blu-ray disc.

...Thanks to James L. Neibaur for his review making me aware of the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TELEVISION NOIR, 1949-2024. It was written by Vincent Terrace and published by McFarland.

...Just out from Turner Classic Movies and Running Press: CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR MOVIE LOVERS by Leonard Conner.

...Stephen has reviewed FINDING WONDERFUL: HOPEFUL LESSONS FROM JIMMY STEWART AND IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE at his blog Classic Movie Man. The book is by Matt Mikalatos and Aaron Burns, with a foreword by Stewart's daughter Kelly. It was just published by Running Press.

...Coming to Blu-ray in February from ClassicFlix: A 4K restoration of THE MISSOURI TRAVELER (1958) starring Brandon DeWilde, Gary Merrill, and Lee Marvin.

...Jeff Arnold's West has posted the link to a 1971 Columbia University oral history interview with Joel McCrea. There's audio plus a transcript. Check it out!

...The Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys is struggling financially. I've been meaning to write a photo post about my visit last spring, which I really enjoyed. Until I get to it, here's a link for my Twitter photo thread. Their sign collection is fantastic.

...For 4K collectors, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has upcoming 4K-only releases of John Wayne in BIG JAKE (1971) and THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER (1965). BIG JAKE is due out January 19th, with the date yet to be announced for THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER.

...Rachel has written a thoughtful essay, "Why I Watch Film Noir (Even Though I'm a Christian)" at her blog Hamlette's Soliloquy.

...Here's another fun list of viewing ideas -- especially if you like Jeff Bridges -- from Phyllis Loves Classic Movies.

...Notable Passings: Film historian David Del Valle, who contributed seemingly countless commentary tracks to Kino Lorber Studio Classics Blu-rays, has passed away at the age of 77...Naomi Ritz, widow of Harry Ritz of the Ritz Brothers, has passed on at 87...John "Bobby" Wright, who played Willy Moss on TV's MCHALE'S NAVY (1962-66), has died at 84. He was the son of singer Kitty Wells.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my October 31st column.

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Tonight's Movie: Time is My Enemy (1954) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

My latest Brit Noir viewing is TIME IS MY ENEMY (1954), from from the Kino Lorber Brit Noir Collection IV.

TIME IS MY ENEMY is quick 64 minutes which rather reminded me of another lean, mean British crime film, the 69-minute WALK A TIGHTROPE (1963).

The movie also calls to mind aspects of NO MAN OF HER OWN (1950), as far as a man from a woman's past showing up to blackmail her, culminating in a "murky" shooting.

TIME IS MY ENEMY was written by Alan McKinnon based on the play SECOND CHANCE by Ella Adkins. It's the story of Barbara Everton (Renee Asherson), who is happily married to John (Patrick Barr), a publisher, and leading a comfortable life. Barbara and John have a young son away at boarding school.

Out of the blue Barbara's first husband, Martin Radley (Dennis Price), thought to have been killed during the London Blitz, shows up on her doorstep.

Martin is a crook looking for money, and Barbara panics at the thought that she's unknowingly a bigamist with an illegitimate child, so she gives Martin an expensive brooch.

Of course, that's never enough, and Martin later comes back for more money... Meanwhile family friend Charles Wayne (Duncan Lamont), a police detective who carries a torch for Barbara, becomes increasingly suspicious as he notices odd goings-on.

This was a moderately entertaining film, made on what appears to be a fairly low budget. I tend to find blackmail stories a bit annoying, as things would inevitably be easier on the blackmail target if they just let everyone know the truth immediately, but then we wouldn't have a movie!

The performances are all adequate, with Price an utter sleaze, but nothing really stands out. It's not a poor film, just rather average, though I did enjoy seeing it as I continue to explore the world of British noir and crime films, and the quick running time works in its favor.

The movie was directed by Don Chaffey and filmed by Geoffrey Faithfull.

The Blu-ray print is a 4K restoration. Again, nothing about the cinematography or film's looks especially stands out, but it's a real pleasure seeing a film like this in such a crisp print, which good sound.

Disc extras include a commentary track by Laurence Lerman along with a gallery of trailers for other films available from Kino Lorber. Although I haven't yet heard this specific commentary, the commentary tracks are a valuable plus as I learn more about British cinema. As the saying goes, "It's film school in a box!"

Previous reviews from Kino Lorber's Brit Noir Volumes I, II, III, and IV include CAGE OF GOLD (1950), THE LONG ARM (1956), THE FRIGHTENED CITY (1961), PAYROLL (1961), and THE TECKMAN MYSTERY (1954).

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray collection.

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Tonight's Movie: Everest: The Other Side (2026)

I've been interested in Mount Everest for roughly three decades now. I've read numerous books on the topic, including the 1997 classic INTO THIN AIR, and over the years I've also seen a number of documentaries.

Needless to say, when I saw a poster for EVEREST: THE OTHER SIDE (2026) at my local theater I was intrigued and made plans to see it despite knowing little about it in advance.

EVEREST: THE OTHER SIDE is a National Geographic documentary about climbers Jim Morrison and Hilaree Nelson, whose goal was to summit Mount Everest from what's described as the "direct North Face" on the Chinese side of the mountain -- after which they planned to ski back down.

Only a handful of climbers have ever summited Everest from that approach, and no one had ever skiied back down.

Before going on I'll interject that I'm going to cover the documentary's main events, so anyone wishing to see it "cold" should stop reading here and return after catching the movie.

Morrison and Nelson were also life partners. As their stories are recounted, we learn Morrison had lost his wife and two children in a small plane crash, while Nelson was a divorced mother of two young sons.

Early on in the documentary, in a shocking moment which took place on camera in 2022, Nelson is swept away in a small avalance on Mount Manuslu in Nepal, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. She did not survive.

Obviously mountaineering is inherently dangerous, but I didn't realize that one of the lead personas in the film would die early on, essentially on camera, and I suspect this is the main reason for a PG-13 rating.

Following dealing with Nelson's tragic passing, the documentary chronicles Morrison's subsequent attempts to go through with their original plan to summit Everest.

The expedition had to turn back in the fall of 2024, after a Sherpa kwown as "Yukta" broke his leg; he was successfully rescued from high on the mountain, although he tragically would die in a 2026 avalanche in Pakistan. (The film pays tribute to him during the end credits.) Bad weather also added to that year's problems.

A 2025 attempt to summit was successful. I found the "GoPro"-type footage of Morrison's ski trip down absolutely heart-stopping; one wrong move and it would have all been over immediately. Indeed, Morrison said that if things went wrong he planned to just "relax" and go with it, feeling he'd had a full life.

One of the things which has always fascinated me about Everest is the "Why?" question -- why do so many people put their lives on the line to make it to the summit? (And no, not just "Because it's there," as the saying goes.) In this case, it was not even an "ordinary" summit or descent of Everest, which comes with significant risks. The chances of a fatal mistake while executing the north side summit and ski descent were very high.

I do have to say that I found it rather hard to admire Nelson, given that she was willingly leaving her sons at home for months at a time in order to so something so dangerous; she says, in essence, she felt she had to take the risks she took, but in the end it was her choice. Morrison had no dependents due to the tragedy earlier in his life, but Nelson's boys paid the price for her adventurous spirit.

All in all, EVEREST: THE OTHER SIDE is quite an interesting 110 minutes which was directed by Jimmy Chin (seen here with Morrison) and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi; they were the filmmakers behind the excellent documentary THE RESCUE (2021). Chin, a member of the climbing team, was also one of several cinematographers.

There's a sobering scene when, while deciding about a future attempt, Elizabeth asks Jimmy how many climbers who've eaten at their dinner table have died, and it turns out to be quite a long list.

A trailer is here.

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Tonight's Movie: Payroll (1961) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

PAYROLL (1961) is a very good new-to-me heist film which is part of the Brit Noir Collection III from Kino Lorber.

Johnny Mellors (Michael Craig) and his gang of three other men (Tom Bell, Barry Keegan, and Kenneth Griffith) plot with Dennis Pearson (William Lucas) to steal the payroll from the factory where Pearson has an office job.

The factory has just started using a special armored truck to transfer the money from the bank to the company, but that doesn't stop Johnny, who engineers a brutal plan to wreck the truck and access the money.

During the robbery, driver Harry Parker (William Peacock) is killed and his colleage Frank (Glyn Houston) is seriously injured.

Though the police are on the job, Harry's widow Jackie (Billie Whitelaw) sets aside mourning and caring for her two young children to pursue the case herself, including attempting to rattle suspect Pearson with anonymous letters. It works.

Meanwhile, Pearson's disdainful wife Katie (Francois Prevost) -- conjuring memories of Marie Windsor in THE KILLING -- begins pursuing Johnny and working on getting some of the money for herself. It's not a surprise that things don't end well for any of the schemers...

This was a highly entertaining 94 minutes. In the vein of films such as CRISS CROSS (1949), THE ASPHALT JUNGLE (1950), TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI (1954), RIFIFI (1955), and THE KILLING (1956) it follows the classic heist film trope of everything falling apart during and/or after the robbery.

PAYROLL is essentially two distinct parts, initially focused on planning and carrying out the robbery, then shifting gears to become part police procedural and partly a tale of vengeance. Each half of the film is equally riveting.

Whitelaw's widow becoming deeply enmeshed in pursuing first Pearson and then Johnny is believeable, as from the first she seems to be the stronger personality in her marriage. It does seem a bit odd that she would spend considerable time away from her young babies, but one assumes they're with Frank's wife Madge (Joan Rice from THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRIE MEN).

Prevost makes a cold, edgy femme fatale, and one might say that her comeuppance scene, in which she opens a suitcase, is in its own way as explosive as the end of KISS ME DEADLY (1955). It's a great moment.

Also notable is Michael Craig as the vicious lead robber; Craig had roughly a 60-year career. 

PAYROLL was directed by Sidney Hayers and filmed in black and white by Ernest Steward. The movie's extensive location shooting in the area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne is one of its best assets, making it must viewing for those who enjoy crime films.

Also a plus is the jazzy score by Reg Owen. My husband commented on how good the music was, but we'd never heard of Owen. The opening title sequence, with the music building as PAYROLL appears in big letters on the screen, is just great.

The screenplay by George Baxt was based on a novel by Derek Bickerton.

The Blu-ray print is sharp, with excellent sound. Disc extras are a commentary track by Steve Mitchell and Gary Gerani and half a dozen trailers.

The other films in this Volume III set are NOWHERE TO GO (1958) and THE MAN UPSTAIRS (1958).

Previous reviews from Brit Noir Volumes I, II, and IV include CAGE OF GOLD (1950), THE LONG ARM (1956), THE FRIGHTENED CITY (1961), and THE TECKMAN MYSTERY (1954).

Kino Lorber's Brit and French Noir collections have provided some of my most entertaining and broadening viewing this year. Recommended.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray collection.

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Tonight's Movie: The Mongoose (2026)

I usually enjoy Liam Neeson action movies, no matter how old he gets (grin), and when I recently saw a poster for THE MONGOOSE (2026) at my local theater, I was intrigued,

A supporting cast including "Aunt May" (Marisa Tomei) from the most recent SPIDER-MAN movies and "Luther" (Ving Rhames) from the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise? Sold.

As the film begins, Ryan "Fang" Flanagan (Neeson) is driving a fancy car at top speeds, with the police in hot pursuit.

As the story unfolds, partly told in flashbacks and partly through interactions with the car's computer (voiced by Stella Stocker), we learn that Flanagan is a decorated combat veteran. He's remained on good terms with his ex-wife Tara (Tomei), who left him due to his ongoing PTSD issues, and when she's beaten by her fiancee Todd (Brett Tucker) he volunteers to go to Todd's house and retrieve her possessions.

Flanagan is doing just that when an emotionally unbalanced Todd shows up and immediately begins threatening Flanagan with a gun. Flanagan is shot in the leg and forced to defend himself, and after a brutal brawl Todd has a fatal fall.

Flanagan, because of extremely bad experiences being imprisoned and tortured in Afghanistan, cannot face the idea of being arrested, so instead of attempting to sort things out with police he instead goes on the run.

Ultimately Flanagan's plan is to head for Mexico, aided by two service buddies (Rhames and Marcus Thomas) in a chopper. Due to live coverage of the chase from CNN, other veterans also come to Flanagan's aid.

I found THE MONGOOSE only moderately entertaining. The screenplay, written by Thompson Evans, was a rather odd premise, taking the "innocent man on the run" theme to extremes. The wartime flashbacks, incorporated to explain present-day behavior, were a little more disturbing than I enjoy watching.

Those intense flashbacks were also incongruous alongside Michael Chiklis's performance as a cartoon sheriff in Texas who's right out of THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, and the screenplay doesn't do itself any favors by referring to Texas law enforcement in highly prejudicial terms. "Slanted" doesn't begin to cover the script's political attitude.

All this said, I was still glad I went to see it, as it was a reasonably entertaining 98 minutes despite its flaws. I'm a "glass is half full" viewer, and even imperfect films have their place as entertainment, as I've experienced multiple times over the past week.

I also always appreciate when a film knows not to wear out its welcome and has a relatively short running time by modern standards.

The movie's theme, with Neeson mostly driving a car, harkens back to his superior film of a few years ago, RETRIBUTION (2023). The storyline is plausible for an actor of Neeson's age, and he's always a compelling screen presence. Any time with Neeson is generally a good time for me, and he imbues Flanagan with a nice mix of humor and emotion.

I also appreciated the film's considerable use of practical driving stunts. The film's first-time director, Mark Vanselow, has a long career as a stunt coordinator, including extensive credits with Neeson, so that aspect of the film is well done.

Tomei is sympathetic as the loving wife who felt her marriage had been backed into a dead end with her husband being unable to move on from the effects of his PTSD. She and Neeson only actually share a couple scenes onscreen, but they have believable chemistry as a couple who have known one another for decades. The rest of Tomei's scenes have her interacting over the phone, and I suspect her role probably only took a week or so to film.

Rhames is always a welcome presence, and Thomas previously worked with Neeson in THE ICE ROAD (2021). Maurice Marvel Meredith does a nice job as a sheriff who attempts to talk Flanagan into giving himself up to law enforcement.

A minor yet not unimportant side note: I liked that the film makes clear the fate of Tara's cat!

THE MONGOOSE was filmed by Tom Stern. I appreciated that, unlike many modern films, it wasn't "brown" but was instead a normal color palette.

This movie is rated R, mostly for the wartime flashback scenes. Here is the trailer.

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TCM in November: Highlights

Happy November!

The year is moving right along, and it's time for a look at the November lineup on Turner Classic Movies.

Burt Lancaster will be the November Star of the Month, with 31 of his films screening spread across Tuesday evenings. I'll be highlighting some of the titles below.

 The November Noir Alley films will be BREAKDOWN (1952) on November 7th and 8th, SLANDER (1957) November 14th-15th, NORA PRENTISS (1947) on the 21st and 22nd, and THE GREAT FLAMARION (1945) on November 28th and 29th.

BREAKDOWN, starring William Bishop, is a TCM premiere.

The November TCM Spotlight is "Leaders of the Band," featuring big band leaders every Monday evening. Other highlights this month are "Gems from the Selznick Library," "Thanksgiving With Carol Burnett," and a centennial tribute to Terry Kilburn, Tiny Tim of the MGM version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938).

Below are just a few of the highlights from this month's TCM programming. Please click on any hyperlinked title to read an extended review.

...On November 2nd TCM celebrates Ann Rutherford with a nine-film tribute. I've seen most of the movies airing that day, and I especially love the "B" film TWO O'CLOCK COURAGE (1945), costarring Tom Conway and directed by Anthony Mann.

...Burt Lancaster's Star of the Month movies begin with some adventure films airing during daytime hours on November 3rd. In the evening there's a killer (sorry) crime/noir lineup including two of the all-time greats, THE KILLERS (1946) and CRISS CROSS (1949). There's more on a special screening I attended of CRISS CROSS, at one of its Los Angeles locations, here.

...On November 4th the daytime lineup features Warner Bros. films starring various combinations of James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, and Ruby Keeler. Among the films is A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (1935), which I recently revisited and thoroughly enjoyed.

...Only on TCM will we find a tribute to director Edward Sedgwick. A whopping 10 of his films will be shown on November 6th, including the enjoyable DEATH ON THE DIAMOND (1934) starring Robert Young and Madge Evans.

...One of the screenings I wish I'd been able to attend at last month's TCM Classic Cruise was THE LAST OF SHEILA (1973) with Dyan Cannon present. (I did get to see her at HEAVEN CAN WAIT, in which she's hilarious.) It's on TCM November 7th.

...The first of two evenings of "Gems From the Selznick Library " on November 8th honors Jennifer Jones, with showings of GONE TO EARTH (1950) and DUEL IN THE SUN (1946).

..."Leaders of the Band" on November 9th spotlights a pair of favorite films from 20th Century-Fox, SUN VALLEY SERENADE (1941) and ORCHESTRA WIVES (1942). They're followed by the TCM premiere of BIRTH OF THE BLUES (1941).

...The second day of Burt Lancaster films, on November 10th, includes SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957). I revisited it for the first time in years at the 2026 Noir City Film Festival. It's terrific.

...Veterans Day programming on November 11th includes TILL THE END OF TIME (1946), starring Guy Madison, Dorothy McGuire, and Robert Mitchum.

...A Grace Kelly birthday tribute on November 12th includes HIGH SOCIETY (1956), which I confessed last year I probably like more than THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940). Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra costar.

...Saturday, November 14th, includes MGM's interesting sailing drama, ALL THE BROTHERS WERE VALIANT (1953). It stars Robert Taylor, Ann Blyth, and Stewart Granger, with a wonderful musical score by Mikos Rozsa.

...The second night of Selznick films, on November 15th, features two films in which Alfred Hitchcock directed Gregory Peck, SPELLBOUND (1945) and THE PARADINE CASE (1947). While SPELLBOUND always ends up disappointing me somewhat, I thought THE PARADINE CASE was better than rumored.

...The November 17th "Leaders of the Band" lineup includes Cab Calloway in HI DE HO (1947), a film I compared to "turning on a nonstop jukebox!" I found it very enjoyable.

...The thriller EDGE OF ETERNITY (1959), filmed at the Grand Canyon, stars Cornel Wilde and was directed by Don Siegel.  It makes its TCM premiere on November 18th.

...TCM pays tribute to the wonderful Diane Baker on November 19th with a lineup which includes Hitchcock's MARNIE (1964). It's always a delight to see Diane out and about at Southern California classic movie screenings!

...A November 20th tribute to director Gregory La Cava includes a fairly rare TCM showing of SHE MARRIED HER BOSS (1935), starring Melvyn Douglas and Claudette Colbert.

...It's a good month for Preston Sturges fans on TCM, including a showing of the hilarious THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK (1944) on November 22nd. Keep reading for the date of a six-film Sturges marathon!

..."Leaders of the Band" features HOLLYWOOD HOTEL (1937) and several other fun films on November 23rd. The music, including Benny Goodman and his band, is incredible.

...The (almost) annual airing of PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE (1952) will take place on November 24th. I wish it were a better film, but I do appreciate its rarity as a film appropriate to air Thanksgiving week. Spencer Tracy, Gene Tierney, and Van Johnson star.

...British actor Terry Kilburn turns 100 on November 25th. He was born in London in 1926 and, following the passing of June Lockhart last year, he's the only surviving cast member of A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938). Eight of Kilburn's films air on the 25th, including GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS (1939). The inclusion of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is particularly nice given that it airs exactly a month before Christmas!

...Thanksgiving Day on November 26th has a perfect lineup of seven MGM musicals, including my two favorites, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954) and MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944). What a great day of family viewing! In the evening Carol Burnett and Dave Karger host a trio of Burnett's films, including ANNIE (1982).

..."Black Friday" on November 27th features a day of hilarity with six Preston Sturges movies, including the always-hilarious THE PALM BEACH STORY (1942), which I just revisited a couple of months ago.

...The Warner Bros. "B" film THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET (1949), with a great cast headed by Wayne Morris and Janis Paige, airs on November 29th.

...The month wraps up with a birthday tribute to Virginia Mayo on November 30th, including the wonderful Western FORT DOBBS (1958), opposite Clint Walker. It deserves to be better known. I've seen every film in the lineup, some multiple times. As it's "Cyber Monday," why not stay home from work, do a little online shopping and watch some great movies?!

For more on TCM in November, please visit my Quick Preview of TCM in November along with TCM's online schedule.

Best wishes to all for a very happy November and a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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