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coreybryant59
Reviews
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
Excellent movie, nice romance---definitely an Academy Award nominee
As Lt. Comdr. Qweeg says: "Excellent performance is standard, standard performance is sub-standard, and sub-standard performance will not be permitted..." And, indeed, this movie is excellent. The romance between tours of duty make a real foundation for the other action. I think that this was Humphrey Bogart's best dramatic performance, as he played an unstable man in command of a sub-standard ship, which might drive someone insane. I also liked the enforcement of discipline upon the ship, although Qweeg cracks up and becomes OVERLY disciplinary. You see a really disciplined ship when Commander De Vries takes over again at the end. I also liked Barney Greenwald's scolding of Maryk, Keith and Keefer during the party. They deserved the scolding, because Qweeg needed help and they didn't help him. And Yosemite National Park was nice, too. All in all, I'd say that this was an Academy Award nominee and might have won best picture. However, there were several wonderful pictures when this one came out. THE CAINE MUTINY will always live on as an excellent movie.Enough said.
A Star Is Born (1954)
Not the fantastic movie it was built up to be
This movie is not the fantastic motion picture it was built up to be. I classify it above average to good. There is a disappointing lack of action and the photo scenes are phony. Still, I like the 1950's hamburger joints with the neon signs, plus the old 1950's cars. Judy Garland salvages this movie with her excellent songs and her grace, but the movie isn't all it was built up to be. Give it a 6 for above average, but if we were allowed to have .5's, I'd give it a 6.5---above average to good.I hate to be a critic of anything Judy Garland does ---I like her so much---but in all fairness, this movie just isn't the fantastic movie it was built up to be. It just isn't, it's as simple as that. I can't be expected to be anything but fair---it gets a 6.5 from me.
The Harvey Girls (1946)
Too much music: not enough action
Arthur Freed is noted for his musical productions, but this movie is choked with too many songs and lack of story content. One can learn to like it, though, and I particularly like the performance of Judy Garland and Virginia O'Brien. John Hodiak sort of reminds me of Clark Gable in GONE WITH THE WIND---his easy-going nature and good humor. It's refreshing to see Angela Lansbury as a young woman and there are some hilarious moments, such as when Judy Garland gets the Harvey House's beef back with her errant Colt pistol. But, as I said, this movie is too full of songs and not enough story content. In all fairness, I have to put a fair rating for it.
Summer Stock (1950)
For once, Judy sings you happy
In contrast to her role as Dorothy in "THE WIZARD OF OZ", Here's a movie in which Judy has you happy and singing great songs like "If You Feel Like Singing, Sing" and "Howdy, Neighbor, Happy Harvest". The only song that brings tears to my eyes occasionally is "Mem'ry Island": Such a beautiful song. All in all, this is what we as viewers want---happy songs from Judy Garland, hilarious moments of misadventure (such as Phil Silvers totaling the tractor) and a show that displays Judy Garland's talents. To criticize this movie is nit-picking. It has all one wants---humor, uplifting songs and a happy ending. What more could one want in a movie?
I must mention, it certainly is uplifting when someone whose farm is in trouble can be so carefree. Great movie!
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949)
A good movie
This is a good movie. Gene Kelly is fabulous and the story is well written. Esther Williams is a natural and best of all is Betty Garrett as the domineering Shirley. Garrett reminds me of Zeme North in the movie PALM SPRINGS WEEKEND the way she manhandles Frank Sinatra. You see Biff(Jerry Van Dyke) in PALM SPRINGS WEEKEND getting manhandled by Amanda (Zeme North). In both movies, this is hilarious to watch and only enhances the movies. TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME is a very nice movie and is a good work of Betty Comden and Adolph Grren, but then, you expect this from that duo. Only three years later, they came out with one of the best movies of all time, SINGIN'IN THE RAIN.
A Farewell to Arms (1957)
classic epic
This movie reminds me of a later film: LOVE STORY. It is the same sort of plot. A man falls in love with a woman and they have a happy courting. Then she succumbs to illness. In between we see war and its consequences. This is sort of a departure from the usual David O. Selnick formula. He usually has a happy ending of sorts such as in Gone with the Wind, he has Scarlett realizing that Tara is what really matters, and in PORTRAIT OF JENNIE he has Eben Adams realize his ability. This is the first REALLY sad ending in a Selznick movie. Strange that he waits until his last movie to do it. An excellent movie.
Disneyland: Disneyland 10th Anniversary (1965)
Walt Disney shows the future plans for Disneyland
This is a wonderful episode where Julie Reems, Disneyland's official ambassador, is shown the future plans for Disneyland. Among other things, there are new rides in the works, and a new restaurant. Some of these new rides are rides that I rode on years ago when I went to Disneyland, such as the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. One part of this episode that brings tears to my eyes is right after the dancing candles when the pieces of the big cake separate and go every which way. I have this ache in my heart to be a five year old boy again, to experience the magic of Disney. The ending of the show is very enjoyable with the Dixieland at Disneyland celebration, with jazz bands doing such numbers as "Red River Valley" or "When the Saints come Marching In." I also like the fireworks that explode above in the sky near the end of the show.
It is my favorite episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, even better than Disneyland Goes to the World's Fair.