The Towering Inferno

This is the 1970's disaster movie in all its glory.

There is a FIRE in the HIGHEST BUILDING ON EARTH on the night of its first big party way, way up on its top floor. It may all be the fault of the owner's son-in-law, who was responsible for the electric wiring and cut corners because he was expected to work as cheaply as possible. Wouldn't want to upset wife's daddy, since he's got the big bucks and all.

While the attendees of the party are kept in the dark for a bit, because the building is so state of the art and the fire is way down on the 81st floor (initially), surely there is nothing to worry about. Wouldn't want to cause a panic when nothing much may be happening.

Among the ones not blissfully ignorant to the unfolding disaster are the architect and the commander of the fire department, heroically portrayed by professional heroes Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. Also on their side is the security chief, played by O.J. Simpson back in the day when he could still get a job in films.

The fire expands and expands looking magnificent and, yes, people will die, because in the 1970's everything was out to get you.

Of all the disaster movies of the decade, this is the one with all the stars in it. I kind of love it.

7/10

Absence of Malice

Investigator Rosen and his team get nowhere with the disappearance of a union figure. Realizing they are stuck they manipulate journalist Megan into making a connection between the case and liquor importer Michael Gallagher, who just happens to be from a not quite clean family background.

In reality, there is nothing that suggests that Michael himself has anything to do with anything but law enforcement's idea is that he could get them some information on the case in exchange for being left alone. Michael Gallagher is rightly pissed off and tries to find his way out of his troubles.

He does actually have a solid alibi for the time of the disappearance, as well, that he does not wish to share. He was in Atlanta with a friend to support her after she had had an abortion. After Megan talks to said friend and - despite being asked not to - uses the abortion story in a news story, the woman commits suicide.

DA Quinn gets involved in the story as well, offering Gallagher that he makes a statement clearing that their investigation in his business brought no result and Gallagher is cleared of any wrongdoing. In exchange, he too expects information on the union figure.

In the end, it all comes to blows with both Rosen and Quinn losing their jobs.

6/10

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

This film is perfect.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof features two of the greatest movie stars ever. What's more, both are at their most beautiful in it.

Elizabeth Taylor is Maggie, the 'Cat', married to Brick, who - when drunk one night - decided to relive his glory jock days by jumping hurdles in the dark. Not as agile as he once was, he falls and ends up on crutches. And this right when they are to celebrate Big Daddy's birthday with the family.

The relationship between Maggie and a ceaselessly drinking Brick is strained to the maximum, gleefully noticed by Brick's sister-in-law, Mae, who believes that her husband Gooper is more worthy of Big Daddy's love, always having stayed in line and produced grandchild after grandchild after grandchild.

But the difficult dynamics among the brothers and their wives are not all that is plagueing the family on this suposedly joyous occasion. Big Daddy has terminal cancer, a fact the doctor chooses to hide from him and Big Mama but shares with the sons.

Big Daddy, annoyed with all the attention and the bickering, retreats to the basement where he talks and fights with Brick and evantually learns that he is, in fact, dying and Gooper and Mae are already in the process of securing Gooper's place in the family succession.

Wonderfully acted by all. They don't make films like that anymore.

Love it!

Bonus pic of one of the most handsome actors ever!

10/10