THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: Bob Rafelson's THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE features a gorgeous young wife, a dull older husband, and a sexy drifter--perfect noir ingredients in a recipe for murder. While hitchhiking his way toLos Angeles during the depression, Frank Chambers (Jack Nicholson) stops at a small roadside cafe where he meets the beautiful Cora (Jessica Lange). He decides to stick around, taking her husband, Nick (John Colicos), up on his offer of a job; but Frank and Cora very quickly decide that they'd rather not have Nick around. With its high-voltage cast, screenwriter (playwright David Mamet), and cinematographer (Sven Nykvist, who previously worked with Ingmar Bergman), Rafelson's adaptation of James M. Cain's novel has the makings of an engaging thriller. The novel had previously been filmed by director Tay Garnett for his 1946 movie, starring Lana Turner and John Garfield; this version reveals Rafelson's desire to remake the classic without the censorship constraints of the former era. The film also features Anjelica Huston, who was romantically involved with Nicholson at the time.DARK PASSAGE: Bogart and Bacall headline a wild tale of an escapee from San Quentin who has his face surgically altered to allow him the freedom to find his wife's murderer. Now a man without a past, he meets a sultry stranger willing to put him up until his face heals and they can solve the mystery.THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Vincente Minnelli directed this scathing study of the movie industry and Hollywood glamour. An egotistical producer, Jonathan Shields (Douglas), determined to prove himself the finest filmmaker of all, gladly steps all over those who helped him when he was starting out. Told from the perspective of three victims -- an actress (Turner), a writer (Powell), and a director (Sullivan) -- this picture captured five Oscars and also includes what many believe is Turner's finest performance ever. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All