Day 68: "In or out, kiddo. In or out, right now."

There is something to be said for the style of movies pre-MTV.  The Star Chamber (1983) is a great thriller that relies solely on script, acting and an effective director to tell its story.  There are no jump cuts to a different actions set piece every 30 seconds, no overbearing techno-metal soundtrack to build tension, no 3D gimmickry, and no unnecessary special effects.  A story told simply and acted marvelously.  The Star Chamber is the story of a Los Angeles superior court judge who, through myriad technicalities in the modern penal code, has had to let known, hardened criminals walk free.  He discovers that a like-minded group of judges has put together their own court to decide the innocence or guilt of the men who got off because of clever legal maneuvering.  This is a thriller told in the classic, golden-age of Hollywood way.  Scenes are shown in such a way that the actors and the script absolutely shine.  Here's a tip to the young up-and-coming directors out there: Let the camera and actors do the work.  I found the tension built in this very well, because I could see how the actors were reacting to particular pieces of the story, because the camera stayed on them. 

Michael Douglas, recently off his stint on The Streets of San Francisco (severely dating myself here) does a fantastic job as Judge Hardin.  You actually see this man's anguish and pain over the choices that he is forced to "legally" make, and the actions he is made to perform.  Honestly, this is my favorite performance of his next to Gordon Gekko.  Hal Holbrook also stars as Hardin's mentor/friend, Judge Caulfield, a cynical battle-weary judge who brings Hardin into the cabal.  Yaphet Kotto and James B. Sikking also have great roles to perform in this.

This movie bombed back in 1983, but I love it.  This movie has some really far fetched plot points, but the thought of a group of judges getting together to mete out justice in their own "cowboy court" is just to cool to pass up.  Check it out.  8.25/10

See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!