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hpringnitz
Reviews
Star 80 (1983)
I found this movie to be a pleasant surprise
I downloaded it on a whim and watched it with an admittedly low set of expectations. I found it to be well acted and well made. The subject matter (a real life murder/suicide of a promising young starlet by her pimp daddy man/child husband) cannot help but be tragic and sad. But the script was well paced and outlined the backstories of all the characters vividly. But the acting is what steals the show this time.
For me, the biggest question I ask myself when evaluating a theatrical performance is "did that actor make me hate/love him/her?" In this movie, both Roberts and Hemingway by far exceeded that goal. He was disgusting and vile in almost every way imaginable. A completely loathsome character in light of knowing how the stary was going to eventually play out.
Hemingway made the screen ooze with sensuality and tension while at the same time glowing with sweetness and heartwarming passion for living. Of course, the fact that Dorothy's centerfold picture was scotch taped to the inside door panel of my wall locker when I was in the Army especially made me appreciate the remarkable resemblance Mariel had for the real Stratten after her breast enhancement implants. You guys know what I mean.
Robertson did a fine job playing Hefner. He was just sleazy enough to make me want to retch when he was describing his (what we now know to have been) intelligence gathering honeypot operation called Playboy as a "family-like" operation. I felt like I needed a moist towelette after watching that scene. Ick.
But thos are 3 fine actors doing their craft well to elicit those kinds of feelings. Because of them, I think this film deserves 7/10.
Well worth the time taken to watch.
The High Chaparral (1967)
High Chaparral was a great series from David Dotort
While I never was as devoted to Big John and Victoria Cannon the way I was to Matt Dillon, Miss Kitty, or the Cartwrights as a kid, it's still right up there with them near the top. Especially when I watch it now as an old man and am savvy to some of the more nuanced aspects of the characters. They just don't make em like this anymore.
A good one to watch with the grandkids!
Rawhide: Walk into Terror (1965)
Pretty cheesey
The story itself wasn't bad. Nor the acting. Akins and Dern were both fine actors in their prime at the time this was made. But the operating budget of these episodes in the 8th season was cut all the way to the bone. It's a shame what the studio cheapskates did to this fine show after season 7.
That guy in the bear suit that attacked Quince in the mineshaft literally had me laughing out loud. That was awful!
Body Double (1984)
Somebody at the studio should've told De Palma.....
.....that inserting all those blaring horns into the soundtrack isn't ever going to turn Craig Wasson into a good actor.
This movie gives the viewer absolutely no reason to connect with any of the characters. The plot was predictable and quite boring. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone.
Night Moves (1975)
A young Melanie Griffith skinny dipping......
....is worth the price of admission all by itself! But some good writing and acting by all involved makes this a very enjoyable crime mystery story to boot. Hackman at his finest!
The Kid (2019)
Usually, I can forgive a certain amount of licentiousness.....
.....with historical facts when watching a movie. If it is done to enhance the story or add drama. In this case, neither of those things were accomplished.
I don't know how one can make the story of Billy the Kid and the Lincoln county war boring and tedious, but these guys did it.
This movie is just plain bad. A total waste of 100 minutes.
Gunsmoke: Once a Haggen (1964)
One of the most memorable episodes in the series!
With Dennis Weaver, Ken Curtis, and Slim Pickens all together with all the series regulars, it doesn't get any better. Add to this the absolutely gorgeous Elizabeth MacRae and this one gets a solid 10 in my book.
I was only 6 when this was new, but I had such a crush on Miss MacRae it wasn't funny. Always have had an eye for the purty gurls....... ;)
Gunsmoke: Lover Boy (1963)
Legend has it that Ab Fisher's bay horse....
....is still tied up outside the blacksmith shop in Dodge City with only two shoes to this very day. Ab sure did get back to his farm in one heck of a hurry after showing up to tell Quint about Luke's death anyway!
Fine performance by Ken Curtis as a slimy little lady killer. Though with the him being such a lousy fist fighter, it's hard to understand how he kept all those nice straight teeth.
Another fine episode!
Absolute Power (1997)
About 90 minutes into this movie and it becomes obvious....
....that it is far, far away from being one of Eastwood's best. But by this time, I may as well finish it. It's kind of like shooting one's horse once he breaks his leg. The only kind thing to do with it.
Gunsmoke: With a Smile (1963)
James Best really was one of the best.....
....at playing weak, stupid, evil characters and he made quite a successful career doing it. Both for laughs (Roscoe P Coltrane comes to mind) and for dramatic effect. Which this episode of Gunsmoke did in spades. One the very best from Best!
Gunsmoke: Abe Blocker (1962)
A soul stirring performance by Chill Wills....
....combined with the raw, gritty realism of John Meston's style of writing makes this one of the best Gunsmoke episodes. I enjoyed it very much.
But as a retired OTR trucker, I happen to know the closest mountains to Dodge City are about 500 miles west of town. So what was Abe Blocker doing in those stomping grounds anyway? Still a good episode, though.....
Rawhide: Incident of the Pale Rider (1963)
This was about the spookiest episode of Rawhide ever!
Made even creepier by the performance of Albert Salmi as the mysterious stranger who looks just like the guy Rowdy killed in town to start the episode. Of course, Salmi was a pretty creepy dude in real life, too. On April 22, 1990, he murdered his estranged wife at their home on Spokane and later committed suicide. All in all, a guy I wouldn't want to have much at all to do with!
Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990)
This was NOT Gunsmoke
This was Gunsmoke Lite. Watered down Hollywood tripe. John Meston and Andy. McLaglen must have been spinning in their graves when this garbage came out.
I only give it a 5 because of Jim Arness.
The Wild Bunch (1969)
Unless my tired old eyes deceive me....
....that hooker who was on Robert Ryan's arm in the flashback scene in the hotel room with Bill Holden (the one who opened the door to the Pinkerton man who shot Ryan) was a young Dyann Cannon. Looking rather sexy, I might add. As Dyann always did......
Rawhide (1959)
While Rawhide didn't run as long as Gunsmoke.....
....it was every bit as good if not better. The hour long episodes made for better character development over the earlier half hour Gunsmoke episodes. In my book, Rawhide ranks in the top 3 best TV shows ever made.
Rawhide: Incident of the Portrait (1962)
John Ireland was one fine actor
And Nina Shipman was just as pretty as dew on a dry desert morning! This was a very touching episode that I enjoyed very much. I wish they would make TV like this nowadays!
Gunsmoke: Brother Love (1960)
Doc doesn't like Chester's coffee!
That look he gave him when Chester asked what he should do with it was priceless!
That Lurene Tuttle was one heck of a good actress. Though one shouldn't be surprised as she was one of the most prolific actresses of her age. Absolutely loved her as Effie Perrine on the Sam Spade radio shows. She cracked me up! Not so much humor in this portrayal, though.
All I can say about it is; "Goodnight, sweetheart"!
Gunsmoke: Don Matteo (1960)
Anne Whitfield was quite the looker!
Even though she had a child's voice on radio (Our Miss Brooks and other comedy shows) she was sure a grown up woman in this episode of Gunsmoke.
For a nickel, I'd be happy to buy her beers all day long!
Gunsmoke: The Peace Officer (1960)
Boy, if looks could kill....
....that one Kitty gave Matt at the bottom of the stairs after visiting with Stella would've had Marshal Dillon pushing up daisies!
Stella was a cutie and Kitty knew exactly what she was trying to do with Matthew. Good episode!
Gunsmoke: The Bobsy Twins (1960)
What a pair to draw to!
Those murderous twins were two of the most evil characters Meston ever dreamed up. Disguised somewhat by the strange comical type music in the score of this episode, they would make one's skin crawl. Thankfully, they got their just desserts in the end due to their own stupidity. But yikes!
Showdown at Boot Hill (1958)
Very good western!
The first top of the bill starring role for Charles Bronson. A nuanced, subtle performance much different than his later tough guy movies. I enjoyed it very much!
Gunpoint (1966)
Good movie!
This is one of the few Audie Murphy movies I hadn't seen before. I thoroughly enjoyed it. That Joan Staley was mighty easy on the eyes. Playmate of the month the month after I was born!
Appaloosa (2008)
Good movie
Harris, Mortenson, and Irons all gave a great performance. I've never been impressed with Zellwiger. Much ado about nothing IMO. She doesn't even rate as a 7 in her home state of Texas. Good movie. But no Open Range, Lonesome Dove, or 1883.
1883 (2021)
Fantastic series!
I think this is the best western series made since Lonesome Dove. Maybe even better. I wish there was going to be more of it. I enjoyed each and every one of the ten episodes. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill did much better than I expected they would. Sam Elliot did exactly the masterful performance that I did expect. The newcomer, Isabel May, is a great beauty and a great talent. I will be watching for her next project with anticipation.
1883: Boring the Devil (2022)
For a cold-hearted, grizzled, old cowboy.....
....like me to be sitting here bawling like a baby over a TV show is a sure fire sign that that TV show is one of the best ever made. That scene with Ilsa and Shea at Ennis' grave was heartbreaking. And a testament to the acting chops of that old man and that young lady. She is very talented and about as beautiful as they get. Quite a future ahead of her!
I don't give out many 10 ratings, but this episode deserves it.