gonzalezrv1 Reviews

Ike: Countdown to D-Day (2004 TV Movie)

Historical Docudrama

[8/10 · 1 June 2004]

If you're not a student of WWII, D-Day Invasion and D. Eisenhower, AND if your looking to be "entertained" with action/adventure, this movie is not for you. I think "Ike: Countdown to D-Day" was well written; Selleck was a convincing Ike as were the actors who played Patton, Churchill and Montgomery. Selleck portrayed Ike successfully for what he was, a tea-totaling, chain-smoking military strategist who galvanized and lead the largest multi-national military machine ever. The actors who played the other famous characters, Bradley and de Gaulle could have done a better job.

However, all-in-all a very good movie, and I'll certainly include this in my library when the DVD is released.

Great Performances: La pastorela (1991) Season 20, Episode 3

EXPERIMENT IN CULTURE

[7/10 · 26 December 2003]

I first saw "La Pastorela" (A Shepard's Play) on PBS's Great Performance, and recorded it to show to my family. It was originally performed by a Non-Profit Northern California group called El Teatro Campesino (The Farmer's Theater). (Note: I purchased a Legal VHS tape from them several years ago). It's a Wizard-of-Oz type adventure/musical; a demonstration of the Mexican-American or Chicano culture, as this movie is replete with a mixture of English and Spanish dialog also known as Tex-Mex or Spanglish. If you're not Mexican-American or familiar with the culture, you may not be entertained by "La Pastorela." My family and I enjoy watching this movie every Christmas as a tradition along with "It's A Wonderful Life," "White Christmas" and "Home Alone." If you watch it for the first time, you may be surprised to see (beside Linda Rhonstadt), some now well-known faces such as Comedians Paul Rodriguez and Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci); Musicians Freddy Fender and Falco Jimenez and Actor Lupe Ontiveros (The murderous Yolanda in the movie "Selena"). La Pastorela is both funny and moving, and has a great message of hope and good triumph over evil.

The Omega Code (1999)

Accurate Biblical Drama

[3 April 2000]

The movie, based on the Book of Revelations and the controversial Bible Codes depicts the rise and fall of the Anti-Christ. The special effects were convincing, and the action was fairly intense and thrilling. With the exception of veteran actors Michael York and Michael Ironside the acting was a little rough. A true student of the bible and those who have an interest in the bible code will find the movie interesting, all others will be entertained, but will be satisfied with one viewing of the movie.