leeulmer-14737 Reviews

Haven (2001 TV Movie)

Finding Life Again

[8/10 · 8 April 2024]

The similarity of roles played by Liam Neeson in "Schindler's List" and Natasha Richardson in "Haven" is apparent (one hero, the other heroine) saving Jewish lives. "Haven" draws the viewer in by focusing on America's neglect for rescuing Jewish families from Hitler during WW2. This movie tells an equally powerful story of the lives of Jewish families that needed restoration during/after the holocaust. This movie reminds us what the word holocaust actually means, both for those lives taken and for those lives left behind. Well told story, with great supporting acting from Hal Holbrook, Anne Bancroft, etc.

The Rose Garden (1989)

Acting personified...without words.

[9/10 · 28 November 2023]

Schell deserves credit for his ability to express horror through his eyes. This movie is an antiphony of emotion between the horror seen in the eyes of Reichenbach (Schell) and the ever increasing awareness of that horror of Freund (Ullman). Schell draws the audience in and we want to know what he is seeing... what is so horrific that turns him into a zombie. Yes, the story line might seem somewhat contrived in the beginning of the movie, but Schell's acting makes up for the contrived opening scene. The ending is where the movie shines, not mushy with sentimentalist, but reality. The reality speaks for itself.

Love and Monsters (2020)

HUMANS BECOME SEE FOOD PLATTER

[5/10 · 1 November 2023]

Part comedy, part sci-fi, part romance... with a rin-tin-tin thrown in. The creators must have been a rin-tin-tin fan growing up, because "dog" is the barking image of that beloved 60's canine. This movie would have rated higher if the Giant Crab scene had been deleted. Crab scene was like a three ring circus, where the Director didn't know where center ring should be...Awkward at best. Then as a climax to the scene, the hero of the movie looks into crab eyes (upside down)and says " you can tell a lot by the look in the eyes" 🤣. So the whole ending becomes a gag (literally) joke. The whole movie kind of reminded me of Gilligan's Island with monster's thrown in. Oh yes, and there is a very wonderful canine named "dog". So, yes, when it comes to "dog", you really "can tell a lot from the look in the eyes." Need for a script rewrite...it didn't work with the crab...really didn't work.