Reviews
Beautiful Thing (1996)
What are they saying???
I was born and raised in Southern California. I have "very American ears" and I'm afraid a lot of the film went over my head because I couldn't understand what anyone was saying!!!! I recently bought the video and played it on my television which has "closed captions." This way I could read the dialog and I really appreciated the film for the first time!!!! It truly is a "Beautiful Thing" and I wish everyone could see it and (hopefully) relate to it in some way. Just goes to prove that love is love, no matter who you give it to.
Stir of Echoes (1999)
Dial 911
This film came on the heels of "The Sixth Sense," and pales by comparison. I found it entertaining, but long. An easy 15 minutes could have been trimmed from the final print. One amusing comment that my companion made to me while were were leaving the theatre was; "it never occurs to anyone in these type of films that in dangerous situations you should call "911" (for the police). Everyone, from small children to young women, brave all the elements and go forth alone!
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Awful!
How anyone could find this film scary is beyond me. What this film was - just downright boring. I had trouble keeping my eyes open while it was on the screen, plus it made me dizzy. I was not alone in my opinion because when the film came to a conclusion, the audience booed! I saw it at a special screening, so thank God I didn't put down any money to see it!
Peg o' My Heart (1933)
Marion was charming!
I recently saw this film on Turner Movie Classics and was surprised how charming the performance of Marion Davies was. This proves that she was indeed a fine performer when given the opportunity. Despite the fact she was in her mid 30's when this film was made, she is quite believable as a teenager.
Sunset Blvd. (1950)
A Hollywood Masterpiece
I have always been a movie fan. As a small child, I preferred a vintage movie over a cartoon any day. At age 12, during a visit with my family to the famous "Farmer's Market" in Los Angeles, I found myself standing next to screen legend Gloria Swanson, and to her astonishment I not only knew who she was, but informed her that she was "robbed" when she was not given an Oscar for her performance in "Sunset Boulevard." That was 34 years ago, and I still believe Gloria should have taken home the golden man. Her brilliant performance has not been dimmed by the passage of time and the film is still an unchanged masterpiece. Brilliantly directed by Billy Wilder, who wrote the script with Charles Brackett, it was a side of Hollywood that was totally unseen before. (The Hollywood of 1950 still believed their own publicity.) But this story, so biting in its reality left many shocked and angry. Wilder held the mirror up, and few were pleased with the reflection. (Legend has it that MGM boss, Louis B. Mayer, stormed out of a screening and had to be subdued before he could punch the nose of very amused Billy Wilder.) I have seen the film countless times and never tire of seeing it again, so recently when I noticed that American Movie Classics was showing it one afternoon, I tuned in. But this time, I made a promise to myself to keep my eyes off Gloria Swanson. Her charactor of Norma Desmond so dominates the story that even when she is off screen, she is all you can think about. So the film began and I watched everybody but her and was amazed that I saw the film in a totally different light. At first, I was extremely sympathetic to Joe Gillis, played by William Holden. After all, he was struggling writer who just wanted his shot at success. Circumstances, not by his choice, threw him into the world of Norma Desmond, a world where her star had shone bright above all the others, but dimmed, as he described, "10,000 midnights ago." It was here that my feelings for Joe changed for the first time. As I said, the film is so dominated by the presence of Gloria Swanson that I had failed to see something that was very plain for all to see. Joe Gillis, as played by Holden, was not a victim at all, he was the guy in the black hat. He was the bad guy. The original choice of to play Joe was 29 year-old Montgomery Clift. This casting would have validated the supposed age difference between Norma and Joe. Clift, who had been in a similar liaison in the early stages of his career with singer Libby Holman, got cold feet and backed out of the project. Holden was the replacement for two reasons, he was under contract with Paramount and he was available. So despite his initial reservations, William Holden accepted the role. Gloria Swanson looked the same age as the 31 year-old Holden, a fact that did not go unnoticed by Gloria herself. Wilder had requested the make up department to age the youthful looking 49 year-old actress during pre-production test shots until a frustrated Swanson snapped back; "Why don't you try and make him (Holden) look younger?"
Holden plays Joe with a hard edge, a self-loathing for everyone including himself. He feels compelled to take from Norma, feel pity for her, but hate her nonetheless. His preference for Betty Schaefer (played by 21 year-old Nancy Olson) now seems a mystery. Why this plain Jane over the glamorous Norma? The ending of the film also changed for me. Joe really murdered Norma, not the other way around. He knew how unbalanced she was, yet he pushed her over the edge with glee. When Norma takes the gun and aims it at Joe, I found myself feeling that the bastard got his "just deserts," and felt satisfaction when he plunged into the pool riddled with bullets. Billy Wilder's first draft of the this story was a comedy that he wrote with Mae West in mind. This Norma Desmond did in fact return to Paramount and would make "Salome" as her "return to the people out there in the dark," which was so "over the top" the public assumed it was a comedy, becoming a huge hit, making Norma a star all over again. (This concept was used seventeen years later by Mel Brooks in "The Producers.") Apparently, Mae was not amused about playing a "has-been," and Wilder re-wrote the treatment as a drama. In a way, I'm sorry he changed the ending. I would have loved to have seen Norma have the last laugh.
Trick (1999)
Charming performances!
Christian Campbell and John Paul Pitoc give charming performances that make this rather slim story line very enjoyable. Campbell is especially appealing, while Pitoc is wonderful "eye candy." Tori Spelling, always underrated, gives a great comic turn.
Father's Little Dividend (1951)
Excellent Sequel!
I usually do not care for sequels, but this one is a complete joy! The first film; "Father of the Bride" was rightly nominated for the Academy Award for best picture, so this film had a lot to live up to. Spencer Tracy does not come to mind when you think about comedy, but he is hysterical as Stanley Banks, who has to come to terms on grandparenting. Joan Bennett is a perfect co-star for him, they work extremely well together. Her "double takes" with him are particularly funny.
Lucky Night (1939)
Not great, but entertaining!
Okay, this is a dumb movie. But with a cast that includes Robert Taylor and Myrna Loy, it's still an entertaining film.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
A Star Is Born!
I saw this movie right after it was released. I remember leaving the theatre and commenting to my companion; "that Brad Pitt will be a big star one day." I was right, wasn't I?
American Pie (1999)
I admit it, I thought it was funny.
As a parent of two teenagers, I would like to be appalled by what I saw in AMERICAN PIE. But hey, I was once a teenager too, and this generation is just as horny as my generation. We all faced similar situations. So relax, watch, and laugh. You may not agree or like what you are seeing, but I guarantee, you will laugh!
Born Yesterday (1950)
Poor Bette and Gloria!
When you consider that Judy Holliday won the Oscar for her performance in BORN YESTERDAY, she beat out Bette Davis as Margo Channing in ALL ABOUT EVE and Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in SUNSET BOULEVARD. Controversy over this award, given out 50 years ago, is still raging!
A Night at the Opera (1935)
Their funniest film!
In the late 1920's, the Marx Brothers were the toast of the Broadway Stage. They were soon signed to a contract with Paramount, and although their pictures created a loyal following, the masses were unamused by their antics. Paramount canceled their contract after five films. Irving Thalberg, the boy genius of MGM Studios, signed them immediately. Their first outing for their new studio was A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, which is considered by many to be their funniest film. Even the opening credits start you laughing. The famous MGM lion is replaced by a roaring Graucho, Chico and the honking of a horn by Harpo!
L'assedio (1998)
This would cure insomnia!
After watching this movie for 30 minutes, I fell fast asleep. I didn't wake up until the ending credits. My friend, who managed to watch the entire film, said she wish she could have joined me in slumber. Truly boring film!
A Foreign Affair (1948)
Tame by today's standards.
Tame by today's standards, one can only imagine what the viewing public thought about a romantic comedy against the backdrop of post-World War II Berlin in 1948, only three years after peace was declared. Leave it to Billy Wilder to pull that one off. I love Marlene Dietrich as a "slinky chanteuse."
Get Real (1998)
Leave it to the British!
Americans don't have the guts or the good taste to produce a fine film as "Get Real." An excellent script with fine performances. A charming, heartfelt film that hits the target every time.
Stagecoach (1966)
Never re-make a classic!
The 1939 film; "Stagecoach" is a historical treasure, one of the greatest films ever made. So remaking it is like tearing down the historic home of Thomas Jefferson (Monticello) and replacing it with a condo!
Smilin' Through (1941)
Jeanette's glory days at MGM were coming to a close!
Jeanette MacDonald was one of MGM's biggest stars of the 1930's, but by 1941, her glory days were coming to a close. Her last couple of films had not generated all that much excitement from the critics or the box office. So instead of purchasing vehicles for her, they reached into the past and re-made a past hit, which was the 1932 Norma Shearer tear-jerker, "Smilin' Through." This time, they added songs and Technicolor.
Smilin' Through (1932)
One of Norma's biggest hits!
A big hit at the time of it's release, it was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture of that year. It still holds up, thanks to the timeless performance of Norma Shearer.
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Charming!
Anyone who felt awkward during high school can totally relate to this movie. I had a smile on my face from the beginning to the end. Even the closing credits are amusing, showing the cast and crew in their high school pictures. Drew Barrymore has never been more appealing in a film and her personally hand-picked co-star, Michael Vartan, steals every scene he is in.
Queen of Outer Space (1958)
"I hate zat queen!" - Zsa Zsa Gabor
This film is beyond camp. It's so bad it's good. I watch it whenever I need a good laugh.
I Love Lucy (1951)
The best television series every produced for television!
Not only is the series a landmark in television (developing the three-camera process, filmed before a live audience) but it is by far the best television comedy series ever produced. Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, William Frawley and Vivian Vance will live forever as long as their our television sets. Never off the air since it's premiere in 1952, the episodes can be viewed again and again, evoking the same laughter as it did on its first run. A treasure!
Honky Tonk (1941)
Great cast makes it fun!
A very predictable script, but the screen team of Clark Gable and Lana Turner cannot be beat! Plus, the supporting cast is first-rate with Majorie Main, Frank Morgan and Claire Trevor.
Land of the Pharaohs (1955)
The ending gave me chills!
When I watched this film, I fully expected to witness a 1950's camp drama. But what I found was a very gripping script and excellent performances, in particular Joan Collins. The ending gave me chills!
And Then There Were None (1945)
One of two best Agatha Christie screen adaptations!
This is one of two of the best screen adaptations of an Agatha Christie novel (the second being 1974's MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS). A great cast with snappy dialog and a script that is photographed with great style. A classic.
Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937)
One of the best of the series!
Not politically correct by today's standards, but Charlie Chan is probably the most entertaining of all the sleuths. This film is one of the best of the series, proving that Warner Oland was the only actor who played Charlie Chan with great humor and dignity.