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Reviews
Sundown (1941)
A relic from another era of cinema
One judges films like this with criteria different from those applied to contemporary works, otherwise, it would receive a failing grade. However, as cinematic nostalgia it works well. The struggle against the Nazis and Fascists spread to Africa where the colonized population was enlisted to fight for the Allies in order to prevent a calamitous spread of an "evil empire". The images of "natives" is consistent with the stereotypes current at the time, but the plot---preventing the arming of tribes whose assistance was also desired by the Axis powers---is plausible. The techniques use to tell the story and the sets and scenes of skirmishes are a bit amateurish. The exteriors were obviously filmed in the Southwest and a large rock formation described a "Rhinoceros" mountain or peak looks like the Shiprock formation. For someone like me who spent Saturday afternoons at matinées, it's a trip back to another era of cinema; therefore a bit of fun. But,it's not a very good film.
The Depraved (1957)
Not great but I enjoyed it
Although this is less than a minor "noir", with poor acting, the story has an unsuspected twist (which I won't reveal). It contains some of the elements of "noir", but falls short. The main male character does become involved with a beautiful women who lures him into a fatal situation, but it is poorly done and contains many of the errors described in other reviews. I also noted the odd arm bands worn by the MP's One can always cite this film in a discussion of B (or C) movies. "Body Heat" and "Double Indemnity"(mentioned by others above) are successful. This one is OK for a few minutes while doing some exercise on your stationary bike or treadmill.