Nate-48

Brilliant script from the lead actress Amanda Jane Stern.

A true star who shines throughout the thriller.

It's a shock she has not broken through in a bigger way as she is one of the most impressive young actresses I have seen come across the screen in the past two decades.

This is a low-budget independent movie in which the movie is entirely filmed on two sets. Stern and co-star Stephen Carlile are on the screen for nearly the entirety of the film.

Carlile is a talented actor as well, fitting the part with his British accent in which the script revolves around his chauvinistic attitude toward Stern - his love interest.

There is some snappy dialogue written by Stern - the kind you rarely see anymore which is reminiscent of a 1930's Jean Harlow movie or 1940's film noir.

Stern reminds me at times of Janet Gaynor, a young Jodie Foster or Anna Paquin.

There are some interesting twists and turns here. First class cinematography and great use of music.

The direction is first-rate.

I found this to be one of the best films I have seen in the last decade.

I have seen Stern in some smaller roles before and think she is one of the most hidden gems in the film world. She is a student of film who has studied the classics and has written and spoken about movies in-depthly.

She has the potential to be an actress/writer/director like Ida Lupino or Sophia Coppola.

I am interested to see what she comes up with next.

Demille shows his wizardry near the end of his life as one of the greatest directors.

An epic and daring achievement successful through its magnificent artistic direction, special effects, cinematography, costume design, acting and bold stunts including great chariot scenes.

The special effects during the exodus are light years ahead of its times. The deliverance of the tent commandments and the scenes of charlton heston leading the Israelites from Egypt are among the greatest images cinema has ever produced.

The outrageous Egyptian sets are some of the greatest and largest to have been Constructed.

The film wanders a bit in the latter stages, awkwardly handling the plagues and portraying the pharoah in a strangely sympathetic and weak manner, ultimately even as a shakesperean mcbeth to a degree.

Charlton Heston's finest moment, almost the same for Baxter, Brynner and Dexter.

Other great actors include Edward G Robinson, Vincent Price, Yvonne DeCarlo, Debra Paget, John Carradine and Olive Deering among others.

Sure Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau are great together. You would expect nothing less. Ann Margret is divine.

But for me, this movie is all about watching the great Burgess Merrdith. At 87 or 88 depending on when this is filmed, the legend is an absolute show stopper here despite only having a supporting role where he might be on the screen about 15 minutes.

One of the greatest American actors, world war 2 interrupted his career which was just taking off. He rose to the rank of captain in the army. Blacklisted from hollywood in the McCarthy era, he had to return to the stage. He appeared in a couple twilight zone episodes after that. He is best remembered now as the trainer of Rocky and for playing the Penguin on the Batman TV series and movie. Both incredible performances.

But other post ww2 standout performances are not as well remembered.

You can't miss him here.

It is his distinctive booming voice and the power of his personality in the delivery of his lines that truly separate himself from anybody. I can't think of anybody in his league in that realm.

Lemmon, Matthau and Ann Margret are all one of a kind gems but they are all let down by this buffoon of a script which looks like it was piecemealed together over a drunken booze fest.

All I can think throughout this movie is did a fifth grader actually write this crap?

Ultimately the story is just not that important in this case. Its just a last chance to enjoy this loveable group together.