Movie Geeks Club - February Nominations

John and I have chosen the selections for the February Movie Geeks Club that will held at the time and place on February 26th. The Feb. selections were focused on classic noir. It just so happens that in 2008, we have nominated a film from 1938, 1948 and 1958. Purely coincidental. As usual, if you cannot attend tomorrow's Movie Geeks Club featuring Corn Dog Man, you may submit your vote to us through e-mail. Here they are:

Angels With Dirty Faces (1938)

This film stars James Cagney in one his best performances. It's about two kids who grew up on the wrong side of the law. One became a priest and the other became a sophisticated criminal. Rocky (Cagney) meets up with his old friend Jerry (Pat O'Brien) to help him get organized again after being released from prison. Jerry tries to keep his old friend from corrupting a group of teenage boys who come to idolize Rocky. It's a great story and if you're not familiar James Cagney, watch this. You'll see why his one of the all-time greats. Humphrey Bogart has a supporting role.

Key Largo (1948)

This is an intense film starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Edward G. Robinson. Frank McCloud (Bogart) travels to a hotel in Key Largo, FL to honor the memory of his old friend from World War II. Nora Temple is his friends widow and her father runs the hotel. The small hotel is taken over by three gangsters led by Johnny Rocco (Robinson). McCloud reluctantly has to act as Rocco kills two local Indians and a Deputy Sheriff. The other antagonist of the story is a hurricane which creates even more tension. I watched this film several times as a child and Edward G. Robinson still gives me the chills.

Touch of Evil (1958)

I have not seen this film so I will quote IMDB.

"An automobile is blown up as it crosses the Mexican border into the United States. Mike Vargas, a high ranking Mexican narcotics official on honeymoon with his bride Susie is drawn into the investigation because a Mexican national has been accused of the crime. The figurative and physical presence of Hank Quinlan as the 330 pound sheriff looms all over. Quinlan is a fanatic where "justice" is concerned, even if obtaining it involves planting evidence. Quinlan's reputation for law and order enables him to bend the law without question until Vargas confronts him. From that point on, it's a battle of wits between the two that, with an accelerating pace, rushes to a thrilling climax."

Orson Wells wrote, directed and starred in this classic film. It also stars Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh. I have always wanted to see this and never gotten the chance. I don't believe you can go wrong with this.