travelgoer Reviews

Ironside: The Taste of Ashes (1974) Season 7, Episode 18

Is she or Isn't she??

[9/10 · 10 May 2024]

I rather enjoyed this episode and not only because of the great actress Kim Hunter but the supporting roles of Gretchen Corbett, Scott Hylands, Whit Bissell, and Anne Seymour One of the most highly rated of episodes although for the most part all were better than most schlock we have on network TV these days.

It starts out typical as Ironside is visiting another endearing friend; this time a rich widow played by Kim Hunter and her son who both share a horrible loss in death of the daughter years ago. Unbeknownst to Ironside and the mother, son has been hiding postcards that are coming from the supposedly dead daughter over a matter of months. The son asks Ironside to investigate which leads to tragedy soon after and the surprise arrival of the supposedly dead daughter!!

I felt the writing in this one was expertly done as I kept guessing on what was the real truth since there were so many red herrings you had to really see who was pulling the strings. The ending was a bit of a surprise on who the killer turned out to be as was the last scene between Ironside, the widow, and the daughter and husband. Also it was nice to see Fran involved more in this episode than Mark or Ed for a change. She discovered a few of the mysteries that goes to solving the case.

Cab to Canada (1998 TV Movie)

With Maureen O'Hara in it how can it miss??

[9/10 · 16 March 2023]

I have always been a fan of Maureen O'Hara since I first saw her in the Parent Trap when I was a child. Now 57 I still recall when she came out of retirement to do what I consider some classic movies, The Christmas Box, Only the Lonely, and this great gem Cab to Canada. While the majority of the cast are great, Ms. O'Hara always made me smile as she rarely ever agreed to give up her Irish lilt for an American accent and glad she stood her ground because it makes her more genuine and a great actress of her time. Sadly she discontinued acting not soon after this movie was made and permanently retired only to catch glimpses of her on TCM or when she was finally honored with an Academy award for her legion of films a few years before her passing. As for the remaining cast, we all know that Jason Beghe made a career of his own starring currently on the Chicago PD series but had many roles previously including his zany character in Californication;Catherine Bell for JAG and the Good witch series of films, and lastly Haley Joel Osment for the Sixth Sense.

I consider this a movie to definitely see once and not bad to watch when around the holidays.

Drive, He Said (I) (1971)

A true clunker that should have been rated X

[4/10 · 24 February 2023]

All I can say Jack Nicholson must have been high on LSD when he directed this crazy sex crazed farce and nudity with basketball mixed in. Did not make much sense and after reading how Nicholson auditioned over 100 women for the role of Sylvie on his casting couch, surprised some have not come forward for the Me too band wagon. He really seemed to enjoy showing men and women nude ranting and raving. The last scene was really bad with Gabriel fully nude unleashing pets in the lab. At one point I thought maybe the rattlesnake going to bite him and that would be the ending instead of what happened and being whisked off to the funny farm. Only reason I gave this a 4 is because of Karen Black and Bruce Dern and their respectful acting careers for the most part. Everyone else including the male lead stunk. Without them would have rated a 1 since 0 is not possible.

Alex in Wonderland (1970)

Horrible and not worth making

[2/10 · 7 January 2023]

I found this movie disturbing. I probably should have stopped watching after the first scene with father and six year old daughter naked in the bathtub. Found it quite disturbing so fast forwarded through probably over half. Despite the big names at the time of Donald Sutherland, Ellen Burstyn, and Jeanne Moreau singing no less it was just a lot of schlock. Can see why it was a big bomb at box office. Even had to have relatives of director and stars to fill empty roles. Even the scenery stunk compared to what Los Angeles has to offer. Very droll and boring. Definitely pass this one by if you see it.

Counting for Thunder (2017)

Tragic Yet Poignant Movie

[7/10 · 10 July 2022]

I enjoyed seeing Mariette Hartley and John Heard in a film together although bittersweet since Heard passed away not long after film was released. Hartley has always been a favorite of mine since her beginnings in films and same with Heard. If not for these two in it probably would have passed this one by. It would have been nice to see more dialogue between the two but this was clearly more about the dynamics between mother and son and how she missed him being away from home. I also liked the scenes between Hartley and the housekeeper played by Valeri Ross. Her teaching Tina how to curse was humorous.

Triangle (2009)

Wished I never watched it

[2/10 · 14 April 2022]

Probably one of the worst loop movies ever seen and do not really understand the great reviews. You can fast forward through most of it in no time at all and not miss much of what is going on. My advice is to skip it because it will not get any better.

Cagney & Lacey: The City Is Burning (1987) Season 7, Episode 2

A Great episode but highly controversial in 2021

[8/10 · 30 October 2021]

I have currently been watching all episodes of Cagney and Lacey on the Start TV channel and enjoying them. First time they aired on CBS I was a bit more involved in being a teenager and college student so missed most of the series. This episode is probably one of the best I have viewed although highly controversial now and probably why Start TV completely omitted it from their schedule. It deals with the same things we are handling today but quite blatant with slang terms used which are pretty much absent from network and cable tv these days. Carl Lumbly who plays detective Petrie probably has one of the best episodes here in the entire series. The ending was depressing but all too realistic then and now almost 35 years later.

Bad Witch (2021)

Low budget but overall enjoyable

[6/10 · 30 October 2021]

I actually liked the movie. Seen much worse on a low budget. Actors were decent and the plot understandable. Witch/warlock debate does not matter as everyone know a warlock is a male witch/sorcerer so calling them witches seems matter of fact. The ending was a bit more violent than I expected since only main character that lived is well.. the main character and Roland's father. Overall do not feel like I wasted 81 minutes watching it.

Megaconda (2010 Video)

Stella Stevens last hurrah is a cheap scifi movie?

[2/10 · 24 March 2021]

It is really sad to think this was screen star Stella Stevens last acting gig before five years later she had to sell home and go into a long term nursing facility and now wastes away her last years. Her acting scenes were unfortunately not memorable as the lowly barkeep at local watering hole and also as nursemaid for the last hiking survivor. Only glad thing was to see this was not like most of the big snake movies where everyone is gobbled up. Stella Stevens character was able to live!!! I hope she made enough from this movie to keep some $$$ in the bank.