JVIRT99 Reviews

FBI: Sins of the Past (2023) Season 5, Episode 19

STOP with all the liberal messaging already

[6/10 · 5 December 2023]

Been watching FBI in reruns on ION-TV and have caught just about every episode. I think its developing into a good action series, with some good characters. When it sticks to storylines that don't go into political messaging. Its great when the good guys get the bad guys. Just don't like the self righteous indignation that sometimes gets injected into parts of some episodes. Inserting identity politics and political correctness is a loser.

In this episode, "Sins of the Past", we get a decent storyline that is ruined by an ending which vilifies an honored member of the NYPD. Probably made some folks cheer that another dirty cop was taken off the streets. Not to mention, by his former partner who wore a wire to record his ex-partners guilt, All while the cops wife is dying of cancer.

The event in question took place just after 911. Just after 3000 people were murdered in the worst attack on US soil in history. The moral equivalence in this case was as usual, a total fallacy.

Lucky Hank (2023)

Bob Odenkirk Returns!

[7/10 · 22 March 2023]

Viewers of Lucky Hank shouldn't expect this to be in the same entertainment class as Breaking Bad, or even Better Call Saul. Although the last several episodes of BCS fell flat, IMHO. Bob Odenkirk, a comedian by trade, is a good actor. He did a good job as Hank. As the old Hollywood saying goes, "Dying is easy. Comedy is difficult."

The first episode was okay, nothing great, however. The humor was pointed and straightforward. I hope they ramp up the laughs a bit more in future episodes. Don't have to go juvenile, like Welcome Back Kotter, but fresh, sharp and witty dialogue is a good foundation to build on. We shall see.

Better Call Saul: Saul Gone (2022) Season 6, Episode 13

Loved the first 59, not the last 4 episodes so much

[7/10 · 17 August 2022]

Since 2015 I made sure I caught every episode of BCS. Just like Breaking Bad, it was required viewing for me. However. The last 4 episodes were a big disappointment. Nippy and Breaking Bad were wasted efforts and did nothing to advance the storytelling in a coherent and entertaining manner.. Waterworks and Saul Gone were slight improvements, but were subpar efforts by Gilligan&Company. And the B&W broadcasts still didn't impress me and were more of a side-show that took away from the overall impact of BCS. Imho, Fun and Games was the last TRUE episode of BCS. The end. See ya!

Better Call Saul: Breaking Bad (2022) Season 6, Episode 11

Gilligan broke Better Call Saul --- 2 episodes left to make repairs

[5/10 · 2 August 2022]

After watching this episode of Better Call Saul, titled, "Breaking Bad", it reminds me of how good the original Breaking Bad really was and how bad, BCS has quickly become.

I have no idea what Vince Gilligan and his creative crew is doing except to say, they're in the process of ending a quality TV show, by blowing it up. The last two episodes were not the least bit entertaining. The words awkward and tedious come to mind. As in, excruciating boring. The story line jumps around so much that it reeks of pretentiousness.

The scenes with Walt and Jesse are downright silly and can't be taken seriously. Both Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul were thrown into a time frame that is 13 years out of the past, and it shows. They look older and act older. At least with the Mike Ehrmantraut character, Jonathan Banks does a convincing job in hiding his older self in a younger version of himself, pre-Breaking Bad.

Whoever decided to film in B&W, should have their head examined. It doesn't look good and it remains a distraction. Just like the new characters have been in the last two episodes, a distraction.

The original Breaking Bad was a great comedy-drama --- dark, sinister, unpredictable, though highly entertaining. Better Call Saul was always quirky but now, its lost is way. If the final two episodes are anything like the last two, just mark the episode, "Fun and Games", as the unofficial end to Better Cal Saul.

Better Call Saul: Nippy (2022) Season 6, Episode 10

"Better Call Gene".....Say what?!

[6/10 · 26 July 2022]

This was a good episode for Better Call Gene. For Better Call Saul, it was a big disappointment and the B&W presentation was off the mark. And that comes from a Film Noir aficionado. Carol Burnett's appearance was more of a distraction than anything else. The tension in the Security Office was pretentious at best. Sub-par production all around.

After the last two outstanding episodes, this one falls far short. This episode is one of the weakest efforts of the entire series. Frankly, "Nippy" was kind of nutty and boring to boot.

Better Call Saul: Point and Shoot (2022) Season 6, Episode 8

Hitting the home stretch ending for a great TV show

[10/10 · 12 July 2022]

After watching all Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul episodes on first run, I'd call this one, Point and Shoot, the most claustrophobic and personal of all episodes covering both shows. Tensions are always high and characters are highly unpredictable. However, with the manner of death involving a key character in the last episode, the furtherance of that killing in this episode created one of the most disturbing events in the entire BCS storyline. Great writing, great acting and as usual, top notch production effort. Vince Gilligan and Company have done a outstanding job. While not quite up to the levels of BB, will be sad to see BCS end.

The Gypsy Moths (1969)

One of the strangest films ever made

[6/10 · 21 May 2022]

Over the years on several occasions, I tried to watch this movie in its entirety without any success. Always made it about 1/4 to a 1/3 of the way through and then, just gave up. Finally, I watched it from beginning to end. It always struck me as a very strange movie and not one that was very entertaining by any set of standards.

Considering the cast --- Lancaster, Kerr, Hackman, Windom and the rest --- and on top of all that, it being directed by John Frankenheimer, I guess my expectations were sky high. While the acting was generally okay, only Hackman gave it his usual all out effort. The story was plodding and the direction unfocused. Frankly, it was a dull and uninspiring effort all around. Something I thought was highly unusual for a Burt Lancaster movie.

Gypsy Moths had the same feel to it of another Gene Hackman movie called Downhill Racer, made the same year, 1969, and starring Robert Redford. It was about Olympic skiing and while a slightly better effort then the Gypsy Moths, it too fell way short of the mark in entertainment value.

I give Gypsy Moths a generous rating of 6 stars.

Blowing Wild (1953)

3 Big Time Stars in sub-par effort

[6/10 · 8 April 2022]

It's been many years since I watched Blowing Wind. One of those in-between films that a cast of fine actors can't turn into a memorable entertainment effort. Even the great Barbara Stanwyck couldn't save this one. Cooper and Quinn were coming off their Oscar wins for High Noon and Viva Zapata, respectively, yet neither actor rises above mediocre. Two quality character actors, Ward Bond and Ruth Roman, were wasted in this film. I would expect more from a Philip Yordan script too. I think this one might have shown better in color. The drabness of the cinematography and the lackluster script makes for a forgettable movie. The direction is nothing to brag about either. Worth a look, nothing more.

Resident Alien: Girls' Night (2022) Season 2, Episode 3

Really Bad Episode

[5/10 · 17 February 2022]

The first two episodes of season 2 were subpar efforts, but watchable. Episode 3 was so bad it made me lose interest in Resident Alien. The first season was unique and entertaining, because it was dark and unpredictable. The second season so far, is way below average.

The women, the kids, the Sheriff and his assistant, along with the Mayor&Wife are supporting players in the show. The main driving force is, Alan Tudyk as the Alien, PERIOD!

The producers and the writers have to get back on track quickly, or else this show will die.

A Christmas Carol (2019)

Guy Pearce is no Alastair Sim

[7/10 · 25 December 2021]

When I think of Charles Dickens 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, I'm reminded of what a remarkable and wonderful work of English literature it is. A story that stands the test of time and a tribute to the human spirit. Its truly one of the great storytelling efforts in book publishing history.

Beyond Dickens literary masterpiece, A Christmas Carol has been put on film and turned into movies numerous times. However, only a hand full are first class works of pure entertainment. And after all, movie watching is first and foremost about people being entertained.

Okay, here we go. First we have the 1935 film, Scrooge, a British version, starring Seymour Hicks as Ebenezer Scrooge. Yes, its a somewhat creaky film, without high-grade production values, but its still a fine early talky effort nonetheless. Then we have the 1938 Hollywood Golden Age version of A Christmas Carol, with Reginald Owen as Scrooge. Definitely a more light hearted version, but still, good old fashioned family entertainment. A couple other well known modern versions: the 1984 US TV film starring George C Scott as Ebenezer; and Patrick Stewart's 1999 effort as Scrooge. Both highly entertaining efforts.

The one true standout film that comes to mind, is the 1951 British film called, Scrooge. It stars Alastair Sim in what should have been an Oscar nominated performance for his playing Ebenezer Scrooge. Two of the five Oscar nominated performances for best actor that year, Humphrey Bogart for "The African Queen" and Marlon Brando for "A Streetcar Named Desire", were the top rated choices to win. The other three really had no chance of winning. Bogie took home the Oscar and rightly so. My point being, the Academy completely overlooked Sim's outstanding performance, and in the end didn't think he was worth a nomination for best actor. An historic oversight at the very least. In my opinion, a pathetic cop-out by the Academy that robbed Sim of his just reward, being an Oscar nominee.

Now its time to address the 2019 BBC production of A Christmas Carol, starring Guy Pearce as Scrooge. Call it, "lights, camera, atmosphere!". Production values were first class. Dialogue was very good. Cinematography, editing, sound and costumes, all top notch. And while the acting is good, its not going to carry the film into iconic or classic film territory. Sorry. The problem this version of A Christmas Carol has, is not technical related. Its the basic presentation that is flawed. Its way too dark, way too sorrowful and way too long. Also, it takes too much dramatic license and narrative license with the original Dickens story. And some of the segments were superfluous.

This film starts out rather slow and gets sort of tedious as it enters its second hour. Things do pick up in the third hour as it gets more on track with Charles Dickens original intent, and for that, it deserves an overall IMDb rating of 7.0. Not a great film, not a bad film. If the film makers had tightened up the script, may be edited out some of the more frivolous segments and cut the run time down to two-hours or so, it would have played better on the screen, been more entertaining with broader audience appeal.

As for the ending of the film, it has no punch and no closure whatsoever. Its like Guy Pearce did a mike-drop before the director yelled, CUT! Either that, or they just ran out of film.

Bone Tomahawk (2015)

Kurt Russell's All-Time Stinker

[3/10 · 21 September 2021]

After seeing Mel Gibson & Vince Vaughn in Dragged Across Concrete, I checked out another movie from director, S. Craig Zahler, Bone Tomahawk. My curiosity and interest was piqued. However, after two-hours plus view time, I found Bone Tomahawk was not only dark and unpleasant, it was disturbing and disgusting. The script was bad, the dialogue was poor and the action was sick. I came away saying, WHY? No idea why Kurt Russell would get involved in such a movie. Even his films with Quentin Tarantino are not quite this dumb. Sorry, cannibalism in the old west, is not entertainment.

Harry Brown (2009)

Harry Brown Meets A Clockwork Orange

[5/10 · 14 August 2021]

The first 3/4ers of this film was good. An old, retired senior, played by the great Michael Caine, reached his limits. After the death of his wife, his best friend meets his death at the hands of sadistic young hoodlums. So, Mr. Brown/Mr. Caine decided to take things into his own hands, vigilante style. Fine. Things went from a violent Death Wish type storyline, to all out hell. Gruesome and senseless. A solid 7.5 movie rating, reverts to a mindless, juvenile rating of 5. Don't waste your time. And Michael Caine should be embarrassed. Rant over.

Tom Jones (1963)

Tom Jones? Oscar Winner! No thanks.

[3/10 · 29 April 2021]

Tom Jones is a movie that continues to leave me puzzled. Over the years I've tried to watch Tom Jones from beginning to end several times without success. Yes, in my opinion, its that bad. Today TCM is showing Tom Jones as part of their April 2021 month of Oscar nominees and winners. So I DVR'd it and will view it at my lesuire to see if I could finally get through it.

The key to any successful movie, is that it entertains. Some movies are entertaining from beginning to end. Some entertain at certain points throughout its run time. Some others fall flat as entertainment. Tom Jones is in the last category. Not an entertaining movie. Nor is it a memorable movie either. But lets be charitable. Its not the worst movie ever made. Just one of the worst.

The bigger issue is, how did Tom Jones ever win the Oscar for best film of 1963? In that context, the Academy made a truly horrendous choice. Especially when you see what was nominated along with it. My pick in 1963 would have been, How the West Was Won, but any of the other 3 nominees --- Lillies of the Field, Cleopatra and Kazen's America, America --- would have been a far better choice then this boring claptrap. Tom Jones sort of reminds me of a bad Monty Python film. Whatever you may call it, its still a boring endeavor and a waste of time. No thanks.

Star Trek: Enterprise: In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II (2005) Season 4, Episode 19

The Star Trek Universe Blown up

[5/10 · 1 April 2020]

This review covers both episodes of In a Mirror, Darkly, parts 1&2. First off, Part 1 was definitely one of the worst episodes of ANY Star Trek series ever. A totally weak effort that seemed to come from the mind of a juvenile delinquent. Part 2 was somewhat fun to watch with all the Original Series sets, uniforms and production values, but it can't hold a candle to TOS Mirror, Mirror episode. A true ST classic all the way.

The hope that many of us old time Trekkers had with the minor successes of Enterprise seasons 1&2, faded fast with the mind numbing outrages of season 3. One example. What compelled the producers and writers to take Captain Archer, the great explorer from Earth and turn him into a violent and emotional joke, I will never understand. After which it was all downhill. These 2 episodes show why ST Enterprise was finally doomed, making this its last season.

If someone was setting out to destroy the Star Trek universe, blow up the timeline and rip out the heart of ST canon, these 2 episodes would be the way to go. Sad and pathetic.

Star Trek: Enterprise: Daedalus (2005) Season 4, Episode 10

bad episode all around

[4/10 · 30 March 2020]

My first review of a Star Trek Enterprise episode. In fact, after 50+ years of watching Star Trek in all its incarnations, this is my only review of ANY Star Trek series episode. Just felt like it was time. I'm an original series fan, along with Next Generation and what I consider to be the best of the Star Trek universe, Deep Space Nine. Never thought much of ST Voyager. Sorry Voyager fans.

After viewing most of Enterprise 4 seasons back when it was originally broadcast, I came away unimpressed. For the last month or so I've been binge watching this specific ST series on Hulu. It seems the second time around, 15 years later, I came away slightly more impressed. Just not totally convinced it was really worth my time. (ha,ha) And especially after binge watching Deep Space Nine over the holidays. Oh well. Season 1 of Enterprise was good. Season 2 was okay. Season 3 was fun to watch but seemed like a bad rip off of Deep Space Nine. And now we have season 4.

Daedalus was a bad episode all around. One thing I finally figured out and the main reason for this review. Captain Archer is unstable. He lost it early in season 3 and never fully recovered. He acts like a man not in control of his emotions. At times, he's totally whacked out! Archer definitely was not made in the mold off Kirk, Picard, Sisko or even Janeway. This has hurt the Enterprise series overall.

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Not a great movie - Not a bad movie either

[8/10 · 16 January 2020]

I caught Once Upon a Time in America last night on TCM for its premier showing. In the 36 years since its original release I've seen it several times, from the shortened version of 2 hours plus, to the extended 3 hour - 29 minute version released in 2012. I also remember seeing one version --- just one time --- clocking in at something like 4 or 5 hours! Bottomline. The 2012 version seems to be the best one.

While never a big fan of Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns, I was willing to give this gangster tale a chance. At first, it fell flat. I didn't like the film. It had a disjointed appearance that effected its overall storytelling aspects. Which in turn left it with a boring quality. Well, its still a bit boring at times, but it offers a unique movie viewing experience. A few things to consider. Leone leaned more towards the visual aspects of film making and less towards the spoken word. Remember too, Leone's parents worked mainly during the silent era of film making, when the visual vision, trumped dialog 100% of the time. So, maybe they had a bigger influence on him then people realize.

While Sergio Leone was an assistant and second unit director on many films, he only directed 7 full length feature films in his career. Once Upon A Time in America may not be in the same class with the Godfather films or Goodfellas, but it is a good representation of what life was like in the Jewish gangs during the prohibition era. Leone is not John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock or Orson Wells, however. He is considered one of the most influential film makers of the second half of the 20th century.

I give Once Upon A Time in America, a 7.5 rating.

Swimming Pool (2003)

Intriguing film

[7/10 · 18 August 2005]

From reading some of the reviews on IMDb, it appears some people understood this movie and some didn't.

I caught Swimming Pool by chance. Flipping through the cable channels one evening I came across this movie and immediately became captivated by the beauty of Ludivine Sagnier and the intriguing nature of the storyline. The movie was fairly easy to follow and was obviously about a frustrated writer of serial novels, called Sarah Morton, who took the advice of her publisher, John Bosload, to come up with a fresh idea for a new book while vacationing at the publishers villa in France. Little did Bosload know that the idea for this new book would be hatched from Sarah Morton's imaginative use of the publishers daughter as the main character and involve the publishers own vacation hideaway. The twists and turns that take place in the film are expressive of Sarah Morton's desperation to end a serious creative block.

This was an interesting and entertaining movie. Good acting and a decent plot. I enjoyed watching it.

The High and the Mighty (1954)

Good movie.

[8/10 · 17 July 2005]

Just caught "The High and the Mighty" on AMC. Hadn't seen it in more then 20 years. While the commercials were annoying and the acting was a bit soapy at times, all in all I enjoyed this John Wayne classic. What a treat. Some may say this film is dated, but I believe it has held up pretty well for being produced 51 years ago. I was thankful that AMC showed it in its widescreen version and not in "pan and scan" mode.

The film had a solid storyline. Everyone from Robert Stack, Robert Newton, Jan Sterling, to Claire Trevor, Paul Fix and Lorraine Day did a good job with their parts. The Duke gave a fine effort himself and tempered his screen persona to fit into what actually was an ensemble cast of characters. Wild Bill Wellman direction was professional as always.

Too bad they don't make entertaining movies like "The High and the Mighty" anymore.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

Bad Film!

[1/10 · 14 June 2004]

This is a bad film. Period! I don't know where to begin.

Both Michael Moore's hatred for the Bush family and his disdain for traditional American values, are well documented in this piece of trash. Moore's a malcontent with a warped sense of reality. At least his early documentary, "Roger and Me", had some redeeming social value. "Fahrenheit 911" is pure left-wing hate propaganda. It's filled with lies, distortions and fabrications. I have no doubt, Moore's fellow malcontents in Hollywood will vote him an Academy Award for his efforts.

I suggest Michael Moore move to France. Over there, Moore's overall film work would be better appreciated by all the anti-American Euro-socialists that populate the old world.

Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur: A True Masterpiece

[9/10 · 27 May 2000]

Ben-Hur is one of the finest examples of moviemaking from the 1930's/40's/50's, The Golden Age of Hollywood. It is also one of the greatest motion pictures ever produced. I place it in my personal top-25 list of the best films ever made.

Ben-Hur exceeded all my criteria for measuring a motion picture and it's effects on the viewing audiences.... and our society and culture in general.

• Highly entertaining

• First class storytelling

• Superior production quality

• Top notch directing

• Forceful acting/solid characters

• Thought provoking

The entire cast gave tour de force performances. Especially Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Jack Hawkins and of course Charlton Heston! Originally MGM wanted Rock Hudson to play Judah Ben-Hur, but he turned it down and so did the second choice Burt Lancaster. Heston was slated to play the part of Messala and wasn't considered for the Judah Ben-Hur part until Hudson and Lancaster said no thanks. Boyd was set to play a small part in Ben-Hur, but was then promoted to be Messala in what was the films most significant supporting role.

Ben-Hur is a great film in so many ways not to mention it being a true action film. The chariot race is one of the greatest sequences ever filmed in the history of moviemaking. This is also a film about human relationships and human passions revolving around actual historical events and based on Judah-Christian teachings and influences.

The author of this story Lew Wallace shouldn't be overlooked either. The book Ben-Hur was a best seller in the 1880's and Wallace will always be remembered for writing an outstanding original story that was expressed so wonderfully in this motion picture masterpiece.

William Wyler was nominated 11-times for an Oscar as best direcor starting with Dodsworth in 1936 and ending with The Collector in 1966. He won for Mrs. Miniver in 1942, The Best Years of Our Lives in 1946 and Ben-Hur 1959. Wyler directed many great stars and great actors in his career and was a true professional in every sense of the word. A true master director and creative genius!

That's it folks. Watch and enjoy Ben-Hur..... they don't make them like this anymore!

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

A Great Movie!

[10/10 · 27 March 2000]

Not only is this film one of the greatest westerns of all-time, but it is also one of the greatest American movies ever made.

This John Ford classic western has been underrated since it's original release. Frankly I've never been able to figure that out. You've got Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne and Lee Marvin all giving powerhouse performances in a movie filled with great characterizations by everyone involved. A mature western that tells a simple and basic story of events surrounding the bid for Colorado Statehood (at least I figure its Colorado-the Purgatory River or the "Picketwire River" is located in southeastern Colorado) and about life in the old American west of the second half of the 19th century. It was a lawless and reckless time and always a hard life for even the most rough and tough individuals of their day.

Bottom line. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance with it's black and white cinematography gives us what we want most from a movie, to be entertained. This movie does that from the first scene to the last frame. Ford's direction is outstanding in what would be his last great film production.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance belongs right up there with the greatest westerns ever made. The best of the best, like Red River, My Darling Clementine, Shane, High Noon, The Searchers, The Westerner, Rio Bravo, Once Upon a Time in the West, Unforgiven, Stagecoach and Winchester '73. Let's not forget the John Ford-John Wayne cavalry trilogy of Fort Apache, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grande.

Over the years few directors have been as successful storytellers as John Ford had been. Ford could hold the audiences attention with his highly crafted style approach to filmmaking. No director has won more Oscars then Ford who had four to his credit, plus two additional for his WW2 documentary, Midway. Surprisingly none were given to him for a western. It doesn't matter. John Ford perfected the western in a career that spanned almost 60 years as a director, beginning with silent films. What a life.

The iconic director, Orson Wells, was once asked who his three favorite directors were. He replied, John Ford, John Ford, and John Ford.

Sling Blade (1996)

Interesting and Entertaining

[8/10 · 26 March 2000]

Sling Blade was a highly interesting and suprisingly entertaining movie. It was very well acted by everyone involved and was uniquely directed in a professional manner by Billy Bob Thornton.

There were two things that struck me odd about this movie and both seemed somewhat comical at times. The first being the easy way all the characters seemed to accept Karl for what he was, a mentally challenged killer just released from the State Mental Hospital. The second was the obvious fact that almost every individual character in this movie on some level, displayed a dysfunctional nature to their behavior and attitude. No one seemed truly happy or even content with their lives!

The first half of Sling Blade was indeed very emotional at times and uplifting in a strange sort of way. You were given the impression that Karl would somehow overcome and escape his horrible past. That he would find a way to fit into society and function with an acceptable level of awareness. Obviously that didn't happen as the second half of the film took a different direction.

As much as the first half of this movie was enlightening the second half became a dark study of THE violent anger that exists in all human beings and how it can adversely effect those people at the center of it all. It attempted to show how some people can control their anger and how some people let their anger control them for whatever reason(s). This was played out two-fold by the Karl and Doyle characters.

The film was a good off beat portrayal of subject matter that is not always a properly understood or accepted part of the human condition. Both physically and mentally challenged people deserve opportunities that allow them to be a part of society. Karl was of course a gross exception and should never, ever have been released from the State Mental Hospital.

What clearly comes out of this movie is the existence of a mind-set that looks down upon those people less fortunate or those less gifted then others in our society. The ability to overlook others shortcomings is very difficult for many individuals. Whether those shortcomings are self-inflicted, inflicted by society or acquired at birth....all in all we aren't a very forgiving people as history has proved time and again. Sling Blade offers a small glimpse of this reality to those that are willing to pay attention.

The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)

The Duke With One Lung

[26 March 2000]

I don't usually comment or review any John Wayne movies because of the strong personal bias I have in favor of this great American and great actor!

However the other day I watched The Sons of Katie Elder for the 50th. time.... or was that the 55th. time.... or perhaps the 60th. time for all I know. It's one of those rare movies that I can personally watch every six months and not be bored.

A few of those other highly "watchable" John Wayne features are Donovan's Reef, In Harm's Way, and El Dorado. Most of the Duke's movies I consider easily viewable every 12-18 months under normal "Duke-view" conditions.(LOL)

Sorry folks, they just don't make movies like this any longer. Some may say thank God, but I say why not! Movies/films are suppose to be above all about pure entertainment value. Movies aren't suppose to be reality based but should have a strong surrealistic nature to them with some fantasy overtones. FUN! That's why it's called acting.

In this movie John Wayne is well, John Wayne!....at his best! Dean Martin plays a very low-key but important part. James Gregory, Paul Fix, Jeremy Slate, Dennis Hopper, George Kennedy and the rest of the cast are all at their best in this real good Henry Hathaway minor western classic.

It was also the first movie John Wayne completed starring-in following his cancer surgery that removed one of his lungs. You will notice him "huffing and puffing" at certain times during many of the movie scenes. Especially when the script called for him to ride a horse and/or get active with other cast members. An oxygen tank followed the Duke wherever he went during filming for obvious reasons. The scene under the bridge when the brothers are being fired on by the bad guys, was a very demanding physical point for John Wayne in the movie.

At times no one thought the Duke would ever finish this film. As Ethan Edwards said, "That'll be the day!"...pilgrim!

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

VERY DISAPPOINTING FILM

[7/10 · 7 November 1999]

Having viewed all of Steven Speilberg films over the years, I was extremely disappointed in Saving Private Ryan. The first hour of the movie was very intense and unique. The D-Day landing was captured with realism and superb direction. Tom Hanks and Tom Sizemore give a very good portrayal of men in combat. As the film progressed, it became stagnant and eventually down right boring. From the time they leave the crash site of the airborne paratroppers....to the "Ted Danson" village segment....through the destruction of the heavy machine-gun....right up to meeting Matt Damon as Private Jim Ryan, THE MOVIE BECOMES CONTRIVED, ARTIFICIAL AND PLODDING. In all honesty, I can`t understand what all the fuss is about. At no time did I consider this in any way a patriotic war movie. While Speilberg gives a good directing effort, in no way should this movie be considered in the same class as "Shindlers List". I don`t think it builds very good characterizations. By the final battle scenes, I got the impression these actors were only going through the paces. They had lost that 1940`s feel for the times, that was neatly instilled during the first half of the film. Saving Private Ryan, in my humble opinion, will never rank up there with the greatest war films of all time. Even "Full Metal Jacket" with its second half letdown, was a superior motion picture endeavor then Saving Private Ryan. The best war films about 20th. century conflicks ever produced are: THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI; THE LONGEST DAY; THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES; THEY WERE EXPENDABLE; PATHS OF GLORY; BATTLEGROUND; TWELVE O`CLOCK HIGH; FROM HERE TO ETERNITY; PATTON; THE DEER HUNTER; APOCALYPSE NOW; A WALK IN THE SUN; GUALALCANAL DIARY; SAHARA; PORKCHOP HILL; IN WHICH WE SERVE; THE DAWN PATROL(1938); IN HARMS WAY; FULL METAL JACKET; OPERATION:BURMA; DESTINATION TOKYO; SAHARA; 30-SECONDS OVER TOKYO; THE STORY OF G.I. JOE. To many observers most of these films are old, in black & white and just not real enough. In my book, realism should be left to the documentaries and people should use their imagination more....films/movies/motion pictures should be more surrealistic than realistic....and of course, above all, ENTERTAINING. There are probably several more I`m overlooking, but these remain the mainstays in the 20th. century war film genre.

Revolution (1985)

Very Effective and Entertaining Film

[7/10 · 31 October 1999]

This movie has consistantly been trashed by numerous professional and amateur reviewers alike. Even Leonard Maltin, my personal favorite movie guy, rated it a "BOMB". I can`t understand why. Although it isn`t a perfect film endeavor, it does tell a story that`s never been told before...but obviously in a manner that many found extremely annoying at best. Aside from New York and L.A. movie houses, I don`t believe this film was released nationally at any time. Personally, I thought it was a very different type of movie, but effective and entertaining in a strange way. It gave me a feel for the time period, including an appealing atmospheric identity. Being an ex-NewYorker and exposed to the famous Revolutionary battlefields, that still exist throughout the metro area, I felt an aura of actually being present in that time period, with events occuring on both surrealistic and realistic levels. Al Pacino is a born/raised New Yorker and I believe captured the essence of his character very well. Pacino gave a solid portrayal of an 18th. century individual caught up in a violent period of American history. This movie has been unfairly criticized and overly maligned in my humble opinion. A unique film deserving of more praise then it has been awarded. See it for yourself.

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