Big Cat 12 Reviews

Secret War (2012– )

Excellent Series about World War Two clandestine missions.

[10/10 · 16 March 2012]

This TV show is a documentary series about World War Two clandestine missions. So far, most of the episodes are about the combat activities of the British SOE (Special Operations Executive) in Europe. The SOE's primary objective was to oversee and participate in espionage and sabotage operations behind enemy lines.

Each episode stands alone and tells about either an individual agent or specific mission. Photos and actual World War Two film clips are shown; along with simulations of events using actors.

As a bonus, M.R.D. FOOT (a former SOE agent, and author of numerous World War Two books) comments occasionally during this show. Sadly, FOOT passed away less than two months after "Secret War" premiered.

If any reader is interested in these types of documentaries, I highly recommend watching this series.

Ocean's Eleven (1960)

Defines what "cool" was in the early 60's.

[8/10 · 11 June 2008]

I first watch this movie on the big screen when I was young and have watched it several times since on TV. This movie is about the 'Rat Pack" (Sinatra, Dino, Lawford, Sammy and Bishop) and others attempting to rob no less than five casinos in Las Vegas in 1960. These guys are ex Army (82nd Airborne, World War Two) and decide to use their talents in their former skills to knock over five of the major Casinos. There are eleven of these former paratroopers led by Danny Ocean (played by Frank Sinatra-hence the title of the movie-Ocean's 11). Casear Romero has an interesting support role in this film also.

As you might speculate (and you would be correct) things don't go quite as planned.

Sinatra, Dino, and Sammy are the definition of "cool" (at least as it was defined in the early 1960s). The way that Frank and Dean treat their women is something that probably would not be currently "polically correct" under today's rules.

I just relocated to Las Vegas a few months ago and rented the video. It contained special features in which Frank Sinatra JR and/or Angie Dickinson (who had a minor role in this movie) comment on each scene. Sinatra JR not only gave interesting information about some of the scenes and actors, but also how Las Vegas has changed over the years (and not always for the better).

I enjoyed this movie, and thought it was very entertaining and highly recommend it.

Timeline (2003)

Much Better Than I Thought

[27 November 2003]

I read the book Timeline about a year ago, and was originally looking forward in seeing the movie. However, after reading mostly negative reviews, I began to have doubts that I would enjoy this movie.

I am please to say that this movie IS MUCH MUCH BETTER than I thought. The acting and special effects was (at least as far as I was concerned) good. The plot of the movie followed (as much as a 2 hr movie can follow a book) the novel pretty well.

I recommend this movie to people who read the book and/or like time travel stories.

Homefront (1991–1993)

Too short lived

[16 November 2003]

Home Front was one of the few shows I looked forward to seeing when it was on TV. My comments echo most of the other comments I read. A short lived classic-I wish the show would have lasted more than two seasons.

The Santa Clause 2 (2002)

If you liked the first movie, you will like this one.

[3 November 2002]

Saw this movie today with my wife. If you are reading this review, then you probably know the plot.

If you saw Santa Clause (1) and liked it, then you should enjoy this movie too. Most of the same actors in the first movie are in this one.

Producers' Showcase: Peter Pan (1955) Season 1, Episode 7

Still Good even 50 years later

[13 October 2002]

When I was a kid, I watch this movie on TV. I really enjoy it. This movie was really a play. Because it was a play, this movie did not have too many special effects (actors flew with wires and Tinkerbell was a light).

Many years later (mid-late 1980's), this movie was once again broadcast on TV. I taped it and showed it to my sons. My youngest one really like it also. He saw it so many times, the tape broke. Goes to prove, you don't need special effects to make a good family movie.

The Mothman Prophecies (2002)

Terrible Ending

[3 August 2002]

Spoilers ahead.

This movie was based on actual facts (though I suspect much poetic license was used).

The Mothman Prophecies contained a terrible ending. It did not answer the question of "what or who the Mothman (aka: Ingrid Cold) was".

Definitely glad I didn't waste big money seeing this film at a theater. Though it might be worth a rental, if you can't find anything else interesting.

Casablanca (1942)

May well be the best movie ever

[3 August 2002]

They are numerous positive comments on this movie-I also think this movie may well be the best ever!

I have thought long and hard on why this movie is remember as one of the best. I have listed the reason why I think this movie is great:

1) This movie was filmed during World War 2 when our (Allied) victory over the evil Nazis was not a done deal yet.

2) This movie has a guy (Bogart) finding redemption in two ways: a) Losing and then winning back his true love (though he rightfully gave her up at the end to her husband). b) Bogart (as Victor pointed out) got back into the fight for freedom against the Nazis.

3) The dialogue between the main and supporting characters was very sharp and interesting.

Brigadoon (1954)

A Loyal Friend

[25 July 2002]

Brigadoon was okay in my opinion. However I would like to complement on the loyalty of Van Johnson's character (Jeff).

Toward the end of the movie, after Gene Kelly (Tommy) and Van Johnson (Jeff) return to New York-when Kelly wants to return to Scotland, he tells Van Johnson to "get them a flight to Scotland".

The next scene depicts them flying to Scotland (while certainly no mean feat today, flying to Scotland in the 1950s would have been a very expensive undertaking). Van Johnson proves his friendship by going with Kelly to Scotland with only the goal of visiting where Brigadoon used to be located.

Also, I have always wondered: How did Van Johnson explain to people what happened to Gene Kelly? Two people walked into the Scotland marsh and only one walked out. I don't think the police would go for the ideal of "my friend vanish in the Scottish mist in a village that only appears once every one hundred years". Van Johnson would probably still be doing time in a Scotland prison.

Cats & Dogs (2001)

Better than I thought

[17 June 2002]

My wife dragged me to this movie one Saturday day. I have to admit this movie was a lot better than I thought it would be.

It was very entertaining. It reminds me somewhat of the campy spy movies of the late 60's (In Like Flint, etc) with the plot and spy equipment. The dogs are the good guys and the cats play the bad guys trying to take over the world.

Worth a rental in my opinion.

No Time for Sergeants (1958)

One of the funniest movies I have ever seen

[19 April 2002]

No Time for Sergeants was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen (SOUTHERN YANKEE with Red Skeleton is another).

Having been in the military, I can appreciate the humor. This movie is about a recruit going through Air Force Basic Training. I (like other reviewers) thought the funniest scene was when Andy Griffith arranged the toilet seats to rise up to "attention" when the inspecting officer inspected the barracks. This film shows you can produce a funny movie without R rated jokes. I highly recommend it.

A Southern Yankee (1948)

A very funny movie

[19 April 2002]

This movie is about a hotel bell boy who wants to be a soldier in the Civil War (Red Skeleton's role). By sheer luck,he becomes a spy (Northern spy pretending to be a Southern). The flag carrying scene (I won't give it away anymore) is definitely one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen. My only critique is that the last part of the movie was not quite as humorous as the first part (at least in my opinion). However, this movie is definitely worth seeing.

The Phantom Planet (1961)

Its Not that bad

[7 April 2002]

This movie is not that bad when you consider the type and time this movie was made. It was a 50's science fiction (even though it was made in 1961). It does have a plot-astronaut is on a mission to check out why rockets keep crashing on asteroids. Crashes into one, shrinks, meets good looking girls and helps fight evil space invaders. Typical sci-fi 50's movie. If you want good acting, see Casablanca or Citizen Kane. This movie was entertaining enough. I rate it 6/10 for a 50's type sci-fi.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)

Entertaining with decent special effects

[2 April 2002]

I first saw this movie on the big screen with my Dad when I was a young boy. I really enjoyed it. The plot concerns a group of scientist traveling beneath the earth and trying to reach the center of the earth. It was film in part in the Carlisbad Caverns. Since the earth is approximately 7000 miles in diameter-it would be a very long journey of at least 10 thousand miles (since they would have to travel at an angle) to reach the center. Also the dinosaurs are obviously lizards with fake spikes. Still, this is an enjoyable movie-worth seeing if you like science fiction. I rate it 8/10, perhaps not quite in the league with the Time Machine (1960 version) but still a good movie.

13 Rue Madeleine (1947)

One of the better World War Two Spy/counterspy movies

[24 March 2002]

I liked this movie. The plot concerns James Cagney as an OSS Type agent (I believed that for some reason the producers of this movie could not actually reference the term OSS). Cagney is one of the chief instructors in a US spy school (all the action happens in World War Two). Cagney finds out there is a top German agent going through this school. Cagney decides to let the German agent finished the training course and let him (German agent) parachute into occupied France (so the enemy agent will give the Germans false information). All this happens shortly before D-Day. However, the operation goes sour and Cagney has to parachute in to try to save the day.

I won't comment anymore on the plot as to not spoil the movie.

Probably the best World War Two spy/counterspy movies I have seen. I rate it high marks, very high marks indeed.

The Professionals (1977–1983)

HARD CORE

[23 March 2002]

I remember watching this British TV show when I was stationed in England in the 70's. I remember it was (in a way) similar to Starsky and Hutch but much more hard core. Two guys ( counter- terrorist agents type) would fight crime. Very fast moving and explosive. (I learned quick that British TV was much more liberal than regular TV shows in the states-I missed it alot).

Kelly's Heroes (1970)

Good movie that in its own way was an anit-Vietnam war movie

[23 March 2002]

Kelly's heroes was, in its own way, an anti-Vietnam war movie. It takes place in World War 2 where Kelly (Clint Eastwood) leads a bunch of other soldiers behind enemy lines to try to steal gold (this is not a spoiler, as you will know this fact in the first part of the movie).

The reason it was an anti-Vietnam movie was (keep in mind it was filmed in 1970-71-height of the war) that every officer (representing the establishment) is seen either as an idiot or a gung ho lunatic. It even had a hippie (Donald Sutherland) in the movie (I didn't know there was hippies in World War 2).

I thought it was an entertaining movie and rate it quite high.

The Time Machine (1960)

Best of the time travel movies

[10/10 · 23 March 2002]

I really enjoyed the Time Machine (1960). First saw it on the big screen when it was released. Also saw the Time Machine (2002). This newer version is not 10 per cent as good as the older version.

Rod Taylor and Allan Young (pre MR ED days) are absolutely superb. Warning --very slight spoiler ahead

The plot is is similar on both Time Machine movies, but the 1960 version has much better acting. The special effects on the original were outstanding (I believed it may have won an Academy Award).

This version beats the newer version by 800,000 years I wonder what three books Rod Taylor took back? Probably the best of all the time travel movies I have seen.

The Great Escape (1963)

one of the all time greats

[22 March 2002]

I first saw this movie when it came out and I really like it ,and still do (I even bought the DVD). It is,of course,based on a actual event though they were some changes (no one jumped a fence on a motorcycle, or flew a German plane). James Garner was super. Definitely one of my favorite movies. An 10 out of 10.

The Time Machine (2002)

Okay, not as good as the 1960 original

[17 March 2002]

Just saw the movie today-its okay,not as good as the original (but I was a kid back then and much more impressed by movies).

My only comment is this--When Alexandria goes back in time to try to save his girlfriend and fails, I think if that was me, I would have definitely made more than one attempt to save her (after all, as the original movie stated, "he had all the time in the world".

Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957)

Entertaining for a 50's type SCIFI

[15 March 2002]

After reading some of the other comments, I must be one of the few who actually liked this movie. Invasion of the Saucer Men can be either enjoyed as a serious movie or a comedy. I like the old style special effects where they have to make a model flying saucer instead of computer generated graphics. Also, this movie may have been the first to depict Air Force coverup of UFOs.

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

An all time great

[15 March 2002]

This movie is only THE best post World War 2 movie ever. The acting was superb. I have seen this movie numerous times and still like it. It has stood the test of time, and like a fine wine, just gets better with age.

Joe and Max (2002 TV Movie)

Not bad actually pretty good

[11 March 2002]

I liked the show. I know something about boxing and I far as I know, it was pretty accurate.

One thing though-Max Schmeling was an ex-world heavyweight champion before he fought Joe Lewis and I don't believe that was mentioned in the movie. The part when Max saved the Jewish family from the Nazis was fairly accurate, as was the fact that Max did much better than Joe after their boxing careers ended.