knutsenfam Reviews

Left Behind (I) (2014)

Pretty good action film ..

[8/10 · 2 October 2019]

A young woman( with NO superpowers) on the ground works by phone with her desperate commercial pilot father...to save his damaged plane's passengers and land safely.

Earlier, she learned her father is about to start an affair with an attractive flight attendant. No he didnt tell her, but she reads the situation and he starts the flight...knowing that she knows...

There is extra chaos in the world caused by the sudden disappearance of millions of people. Including some of the plane passengers and all small children!

The words of the pilot's now vanished wife ( Lea Thompson), and messages left by a now- vanished other flight attendant tell us Why and Who caused all the vanishings.

I hope to see a sequel!

Matlock: Dead Air (1994) Season 9, Episode 8

Script and 2 Female Guest Stars belong on Different Show!

[1/10 · 11 September 2019]

Ugh.

This script sure shows the show's writers, in its last season...were getting Tired. Too many Matlock cliches trotted out!

Matlock teams up with an abrasive young woman(Lea DeLaria) to solve the murder of a popular radio DeeJay. However, her abrasiveness repels instead of attracts. Also, Her Italian American family is too TV typical.

One of the suspects ( Melanie Smith) is blatantly sexual..for instance. In her not subtle discussions about sex..and.making Ben very uncomfortable when she asks him to rub suntan lotion on her back..and legs. And she us NOT playing a prostitute.

Ben's uncomfortableness is usually charming, but not here. Again, it's as if he walked onto some other urban based TV show or soap opera!!

There are references to Male strippers, two men in a fluid gender dance club flirting with him. Unrealistic on this particular show.

The clumsy jokes about Ben's suit, the old " spill something on Ben's suit, the unfunny uninteresting abrasive detective, and the creepy woman suspect did not draw me in...then or now.

Father Brown: The House of God (2019) Season 7, Episode 7

Average episode...weak unrealistic Father Brown theology

[4/10 · 23 May 2019]

Father Brown seems unbelievably foggy on his church's teachings on monogamous marriage. Not a believable stance for an early 1950s priest... indeed for most Christian clergy in early 1950s.

Yes a bigamist appears...and murder etc. happens. Moderately entertaining plot.

However, I notice a pattern in this series.. Every now and then in this usually good...sometimes great..series. It's as if...the writers cant bear to fully present the actual theology of GK Chesterton's priest.

Remember again..a fellow great mystery writer, the great Dorothy L Sayers spoke of the underestimated power of actual Christian theology. "The Dogma IS the Drama"

Plot is ok...but not sparkling with the twists seen in their best episodes.

The Fountainhead (1949)

Pretty good...despite preachy script and shallow characters

[6/10 · 28 January 2019]

I agree with some reviewers.who choke a bit on this movie. Ayn.Rand...author of the book by the same name...preaches her windy wordy philosophy thru too much dialogue...spoken by poorly developed characters.

But the A List actors...Gary Cooper, Raymond Massey, and Patricia Neal, still drew me into this story. Their emotions, intensity are real.

And the crisp black and white photography and lush musical score carried me along and drew me in.

Read other reviews for more detail.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008)

Expelled...sure got a lot of people Angry

[9/10 · 18 January 2019]

Ben Stein...does a witty entertaining documentary which focuses on the stifling of debate on universities, in media regarding earth's origins. Essentially those who dare question the sacred Darwinian version of evolution are reprobates...to be stifled as the Issue is ( supposedly) Settled.

Actually, many universities, and much media stifle or minimize debate on many Subjects...if the Challenger questions the Politically Correct Moral Absulotes...of the Moment.

Question is...Why not debate evolution issues? Is anyone really claiming that mid Victorian Darwinian explanations are not to be challenged?

And for that matter, why not encourage open debate on other issues too?

Or should our students just " hear and obey" whatever their teachers or professors say? What kinds of gullible citizens do you get...if they are to accept theories blindly?

Darkest Hour (2017)

Churchill...from despised politician to great leader. Faced off with the Tiger!!!

[9/10 · 29 May 2018]

Spoiler Alert:

Britain does NOT negotiate a Weak Peace with then-powerful Nazi Germany. The Allies later demand only an Unconditional Surrender from Nazi Germany. Churchill's plan to fight on is implemented. Allies win. Churchill's May speeches are amongst some of the best speeches ever given. ***** But...early in the war... in one month...May 1940, Joe Wright's film shows how Churchill was ...almost...pressured by others in the British government into settling with Hitler.

If you know anything about 1940's Hitler, Britain likely would have become a hamstrung vassal of Nazi Germany rather than a free but isolated state. But then, as now, some politicians live in isolation bubbles of their own making.

Two women show you Churchill through their reactions/words...The young secretary to Churchill shows you perhaps the common person's view of him... Clementine, a strong queenlike woman, Churchill's wife, who sometimes worked to temper Churchill's outbursts, gently prepares him for the expected leadership. Hints of the Clementine revealed in their daughter Lady Mary Soames' bio of Clementine come through.

Movie is a good intro into why Churchill was a great man. Suitable for junior high and above students. -------- Extra note...When this film came out, many (including director Joe Wright) scornfully spoke against US President Donald Trump and any favorable comparison of him with Churchill. But it's way too early to compare ANY active world leader with Churchill.

First, 1930s Churchill was considered "a voice in the wilderness" and a "warmonger" for some years before...he gained traction as his prophecies of Hitler as dangerous...came true. Churchill made his decisions (most WW 2 decisions were good) but then then his time in office...came to an end. His record is done. Finished.

Thus, People may wish to forego comparisons with any living, active world leader. The hot tempers of current politics--the active name calling need to cool...rational judgment needs to be used-- to sort through any current leader's deeds...and then the long view of history might give you a better perspective of that leader.

Remember also, Churchill was once despised and called "a warmonger". His early tirades against the Nazi buildup made him look like a "rabble-rouser".

Churchill's life and works are done. finished. Yes, there are some dubious spots on his record, but overall he succeeded in the most important task he had...of rallying Britain to defeat the Nazis.

It's way too early to compare Churchil to President Trump (or indeed any other active leaders). Let time pass. Let long history discard the silliness of name calling and let historians sort through the long consequences of Pres. Trump's or indeed-- any other leader's decisions.

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Great intro to Austen

[9/10 · 16 January 2018]

This fine movie also has generated some fine reviews.here..notably the one entitled "jaded seniors".

Seniors...as in High School seniors--liked this movie!

The teacher who shows it to seniors says thateEven the guys ended up really liking this movie (to their great surprise)!

Sense and Sensibility (the book) is a bit wordy and the plot wanders a bit. Along with removing a few superfluous characters, the plot moves along a bit faster. Yet, the book's main themes and content are not stripped out...Those later reading the novel will still recognize the main characters and their struggles.

I glanced at a Roger Ebert review of this movie. He was a famous Chicago film critic. He didn't "get" this film...after all, there is personal taste. But many people...women AND men...will "get it"

S&S shows up regularly on big box DVD/Blu-ray shelves. It is about $5 US dollars (i.e. cheap).

For moms, grandmas...Consider pairing this movie with a Regency (i.e. Jane Austen) early 1800s empire dress....for your young daughter's favorite 18" doll. Might be a good way to introduce the 9-11 year old girl to Jane Austen!

Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden Figures essentially TRUE....and entertaining!

[8/10 · 22 June 2017]

At first, I thought this movie Hidden Figures was exaggerating the role of these three brilliant women.

Why would I doubt? Because we live in a time where some play fast and loose with history...but my scan of other sources indicated the movie (in the most important ways) essentially is correct.

I was told that despite the huge sizes of these 1960 era IBM computers. some electronic home sewing machines of today...have more computing power.

And...the new IBM computers were not yet trusted, so it's true...Astronaut John Glenn asked one of the soon-to-be-obsolete human "computers" (Ms. Johnson) to hand calculate his launch trajectory to "verify" the machine computer. I'm wondering at the HIGH level of math it takes to do that!!!

These 3 shrewd, smart women of color carved out positions for themselves. Young people could learn how to "manage upwards" from their techniques. All 3 worked hard, did fine work, researched and asked for new/better opportunities, and...did all the above with courtesy (most times). *****

"Hidden Figures" is a great family film for all but very little kids who might not understand it.

NOTE: There was a real Cold War going on. Despite what some of you learned in school. Stalin's spies had stolen atomic bomb technology from the US sometime in the 1940s.Read up on how dangerous Stalin was...he outdid Hitler in numbers of persons who died in his camps (called "gulags").

In the late 50s to early 1960s, Nikita Khrushchev was the next Soviet leader and had threatened that Communism would outlast Capitalism (mistranslated ...his son claims...as "we will bury you".) His shoe and fist pounding at the UN (which can be seen on YouTube) certainly did nothing to reassure the West that he was peaceful.

And later...Khrushchev would be involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Nuclear warheads were in some of the US planes(and no doubt in some Soviet planes/missiles also). I knew a former fighterpilot, part of the US pilot group in the Cuban Missile Crisis, who confirmed "I had a nuclear warhead in my plane." We came within inches of Nuclear War.

So...you can better understand how the racist cop put aside his prejudice to help the black women get to their NASA jobs! The Soviet threat was real. And you can understand the ANXIETY of NASA leaders, as they sought to pull ahead of the Soviets.

The Cold Warco uld have gone into "Hot" war at any time during this era, especially if the Soviets had gotten far ahead with satellites/missile delivery systems. The communist stated goal per Khrushchev and others, was world domination.

Hidden Figures is a film suitable for home school kids from grade school on up. (There is a small scene where the three women drink alcohol...at home...but basically it's a PG film with no bedroom scenes and no violence.) **************************************************************

PS...Next, I hope someone makes a film about another Hidden Figure --- the woman who did the groundbreaking DNA photography that Crick and Watson used to "discover" DNA. The woman who got left out of the Nobel prize...that Crick and Watson collected!

Columbo: Butterfly in Shades of Grey (1994) Season 10, Episode 8

Hammy...with a poor script and a too pompous villain..badly channeling Capt. Kirk

[2/10 · 1 May 2017]

William Shatner's style does not work here... ...imagine Star Treks Captain Kirk landed on 20 th century Earth...got amnesia...and then transferred his bold leadership style and grand dialogue delivery...into an overly pompous and thoroughly corrupt talk show radio host. Not good.

Shatner's delivery is almost identical to his script-appropriate Star Trek delivery...making this Columbo episode sort of "campy".

Of course, some popular likely right wing hosts are being satirized.

But the satire is heavy handed...Let's just take some red paper and make a set of devil horns for him to wear! Perhaps he has an Olld barbecue fork that he can hold up...as..his pitchfork.

Ironically...spoiler alert...it's Shatner's hand-held communication device ...that is his downfall in this...not so good Columbo episode.

Teacher's Pet (1958)

College versus Experience -- Gable "versus" Day!!! Fun!

[7/10 · 22 June 2006]

This fun movie shows the "old school - Learn on the Job" Clark Gable versus "new school - Go to school first" Doris Day.

Post World War II, people WERE going to college more for skills (such as journalism) that they used to learn on the job. This was a real debate.

The movie is fun and supporting actor, Gig Young is great as the very likable "Mr. Perfect" who is Gable's rival for Day.

It's not quite suitable for little kids -- as an old girlfriend of Gable's (a singer who moves like a stripper---excuse me exotic dancer) does her stuff. Tho she's a great foil for Gable's lack of emotional maturity.

I love Gig Young's deft and friendly analysis of Gable, including Gable's feelings for Day, and Gable's maturity issues...Almost like two knights jousting, but honoring well all Knight's rules

and liking each other the same.

Extra fun bits: There's a great running dialogue about journalism that's quite interesting. Sensationalism versus "think pieces". Education versus apprenticeship.

*** You know they come together at the end,

but whether journalism is better or worse for transforming into a degree job, well, hmmm...

The Mortal Storm (1940)

Decode "The Mortal Storm" to understand Nazi youth!!!

[7/10 · 25 May 2006]

It's such an early anti Nazi film that...The nazi uniforms are not quite correctly made...in this pre Pearl Harbor movie. (Germany did not declare war on the US till right after Pearl Harbor.) Teens and young adults might vaguely recognize the very young Robert Stack and James Stewart from...old TV reruns that their Mom might watch. They probably would not recognize Margaret Sullavan.

But wait, the grey haired college Prof Roth...It's the Wizard of Oz!!! (aka Frank Morgan).

Watch particularly how the young college men first revere Prof Roth, and then hate him when the Anti Jewish Nazis come into power. Watch how Nazi propaganda destroys both family and friendships!

Lust for Life (1956)

Good film--also, teach your jr high & older child re Van Gogh!

[7/10 · 16 March 2006]

When Vincente Minelli was filming onsite in France, some elderly peasants saw Kirk Douglas running around in Van Gogh garb and hair color ....and the old peasants cried out ..."It's him again!"

The optional film commentator says that Minnelli shot the different times of this film in the colors Van Gogh was currently using...i.e. during his missions work with coal miners, the film's colors are subdued mostly to gray and black.

And the end of Van Gogh's life is shot in brilliant sunlight, like his last years' paintings.

This film's bio of the adult Van Gogh, from his missions work to his death, is said to be relatively close to his actual life. It's entertaining, yet also works in shots of the most famous Van Gogh paintings.

Minnelli used the best color technology of his time and secured permission from private and public Van Gogh painting owners to film the original artworks.

It's a good movie---great if you like Van Gogh, and worth your time.

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)

Great Movie on Fake Man Versus Honest Man!!!

[8/10 · 3 March 2006]

Gregory Peck's character Tom Rath is dishonest on several levels and his wife Betsey (Jennifer Jones) knows it!

At the films beginning, she says "You've changed!"

Through several flashbacks, we see some Tom Rath's rough war life. And Jennifer Jones pushes him to achieve, and go for the better job, but maybe it's because she KNOWS she doesn't have his whole heart, as she once did. And he's losing his moral backbone too!

Work---Will he be a "yes" man or will he tell his boss the truth? Home---Will he tell his wife the truth about his war past? And how will they deal with the consequences??? Family vs. Work--Will he be a "9 to 5" man? Or will he climb up the corporate ladder with a boss who admires him???

Great supporting role by Frederic March, as his boss... ----- DVD has great commentary by James Monaco, who was in his youth in the 50's, and a man unknown to me but a media and film expert (per the website he gives out at the end). He mixes standard film commentary with relevant "life in the 1950's" details.

Secondhand Lions (2003)

A film for...the young lions and lionesses...in IRAQ!

[10/10 · 1 February 2006]

Gets my rare 10 out of 10... Great story.great actors. Buy, don't rent, the DVD. PS I loved the lioness too!!!

..Maybe "Secondhand Lions" will become a synonym and metaphor for the old who have (why did we ever forget??!!!) so much to offer the young...and even the middle-aged, like me.

See on this, and other sites, the mostly glowing reviews.

See also many reviewers BEGGING Hollywood to take notice and "Make more films like this!"

Will Hollywood take notice? Aster all, Texas is neither California nor New York.

Director/writer Tim McCanlies was able to both write and direct this great film. (He didn't want his vision lost...see the interesting DVD extra on the script for details.) Buy a DVD for the secondhand lion in your life. My dad has his copy!

PS: Maybe the young "lions and...lionesses" in Iraq would enjoy this movie too!

Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936)

Great British/American partnership---once again.

[7/10 · 23 November 2005]

Two great 1930's child actors, Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney, play Little Lord Fauntleroy--Cedric Errol, and streetwise American friend Dick Tipton respectively. (Part British Ceddie fights the bullies--and Dick Tipton runs to help...they fight together. A preview of what a lot of Brits & Americans did in WWII a few years after this film!!!)

Also watch for Sir C. Aubrey Smith as the definitive hostile old Lord Dorincourt, who is charmed and warmed by his newly-met half American grandson's unconditional love. Character actor Guy Kibbee also seems made to play staunch anti-aristocrat American Silas Hobbs. If you read the book (free online), the movie fits it well!

Did you know the book LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY was an incredible late 19th century "hit"? Some statesmen actually credit this tale of reconciliation between an old Earl and his half American grandson with improving the then-strained 19th century British-American relationship.

Drew Barrymore's grandmother Dolores Costello Barrymore plays Cedric's charming American Mother.

While this film needs a sound and picture cleanup, it is still worth the watch!(TO YOU FILM PEOPLE--LOTS OF PEOPLE LIKE THIS OLD FILM. CAN'T SOMEONE CLEAN UP THE PICTURE & SOUND?)

Laura (1944)

Love the movie? Buy the DVD! Read the Book!

[8/10 · 8 November 2005]

I only add a footnote to the great and good detailed reviews this great movie has inspired. Read them for the basic plot & details...

Buy or rent the DVD if you also love extras like commentary. For instance, The composer of that wonderful LAURA theme...shares what sad "note" inspired him one lonely weekend to compose LAURA, a theme that Carly Simon recently rerecorded (yes, the theme is that timeless).

Vera Caspary's book LAURA is worth the read.

You will understand why Mark admires the crystal in Waldo's apt...why Auntie Sue is so catty...Why self absorbed Waldo admires selfless Laura and what fuels Shelby's southern selfishness...

the film changes some details, but the basic essence is there.*****

******don't read below if you haven't seen the movie. The surprise is worth the suspense!

Best part of The Book: The Conversation which happens after "the Event..."

They talk. Mark & Laura. For hours.

Wow! Both working class, grandparents from the "Old Country", both self improved... both like the (then NY) Dodgers, both like Gulliver,....Mark started falling for Laura --not just her fabulous appearance, but because they had a lot in common!

I don't know if LAURA is in print (my copy came from a second hand shop) but there are some cheap copies on the Net. A fun, elegant read!

Left Behind III: World at War (2005)

Pretty good movie with charming blond super Hitler!

[7/10 · 3 November 2005]

This movie stands alone, but is third in a series about the possible end of the world. The weapon today is...biological warfare!

Blond, handsome, charming Nicolae Carpathia (played by Brad Pitt's one time roommate Gordon Currie) had charmed the US President Fitzhugh (the distinguished Lou Gosset Jr) into disarming "in the name of peace". (Yes, like Hitler in 1930's who pretended peace as he rapidly rearmed. We haven't learned...)

And in an early scene, great editing and effects punctuate this question: Will Carpathia attack the US??? Gossett, not above pulling a gun to get info, will strike...but how can he attack back?

The US has no real weapons left.

Here, the small, very new Cloud Ten Productions shows how quickly they are learning to put together good films. (Even the first 2 "Left Behind" movies do not have the sophisticated editing, directing, scripting of this movie...)

North by Northwest (1959)

"Subplot" Cary Grant versus James Mason; also "Slighting Chicago"!

[8/10 · 23 October 2005]

Read reviews above for the exceptionally witty commentary this film attracts.

I add one sub plot and one slight to Chicago...

Subplot: Cary Grant, the good actor versus the less popular but greater actor, James Mason.

Read the list of Vandamm quotes to see how many times Mason's character digs at Grant's...acting! Only one instance listed below:

Phillip Vandamm: Has anyone ever told you that you overplay your various roles rather severely, Mr. Kaplan?

(hear Mason as Vandamm comment on Grant's "acting school"

etc...!)

See Mason and Grant--observe their similar wardrobe and physical resemblance in their Mt. Rushmore restaurant...

Mason played Shakespeare well-- see his Brutus in Mankewicz's great 1952 Julius Caesar. Yet he sometimes got roles Grant had rejected...the most famous being Norman Maine in the great "A Star is Born".

I bet Hitch sensed this and encouraged Lehmann to hype up the actor rivalry in N by NW script.

This real life "competition" only enhances the on screen N by NW movie.

And the "Slight to Chicago"? Here, the greatest movie crime N by NW commits! Chicago offers so many sinister possibilities and great visuals in its skyscrapers and shore line, etc, etc. But no! Only a quick train shot of Chicago in the daylight...all the stellar skyline is shot in the dark! (Took the Blues Bros and later The Untouchables to "discover' Chicago's many layers... of film possibilities.)

Still---a great movie! A study in stylish dialogue, too!

The Loretta Young Show (1953–1961)

Seek out old Loretta Young show or movies!

[23 October 2005]

I saw reruns of Loretta Young's TV show when I was little.

My lingering impression was... one of the most beautiful women on TV, and a lady of class and kindness.

When I purchased a DVD with a few old TV show episodes, I found my childhood impression essentially---correct. Note also the beauty of her gowns.

One episode (based on a reader letter) of Loretta as the devoted wife working to save her husband in an iron lung from dying during a power outage was quite touching.

Young is also great in the 1940's movie "The Farmer's Daughter" as a Swedish immigrant's daughter turned politician, and in an earlier 40's movie "The Minister's Wife" with Cary Grant.

The Women (1939)

Scratch, Bite, Claw in the Female Jungle---over Men!

[8/10 · 23 October 2005]

Wow! what great actresses,

from Joan Crawford (husband stealer) versus robbed wife Norma Shearer,...Paulette Goddard as "been there done that wrong" marriage counselor to Norma, with great appearances by Mary Boland (much-married rich Countess now a Cowboy's wife), little Virginia Wiedler as Norma's young daughter, and many, many more.

Rosalind Russell as the silly loud wife of poor long-suffering unseen Howard Fowler was the biggest hit of all!

There is an undercurrent of sadness, tho. Apparently most women are to accept the fact that their man will stray (as Norma's mother and others tell her). And child actress Virginia Wiedler (excellent earlier in The Philadelphia Story) shows a child's pain as she faces Mother and Father's separation, divorce, and Father's selfish new wife...

It is really fun to read the more detailed reviews above. I won't rehash the great quotes and quips they repeat...from this well written movie.

And check the Internet for that Renaissance Woman's name ---who wrote this zinging play...

Clare Booth Luce! She not only wrote plays, she ran for office, and started a magazine.

Big PS--- Rosalind Russell was the BIG HIT as unseen Howard's silly wife...Ironies of ironies...A danish man crossing the Atlantic when UBoats were sinking ships like his...watched this movie over & over, maybe to relieve the tension of hoping they won't be torpedoed...& he was so charmed by this movie's best actress, that he hunted down Rosalind Russell and married her... Rosalind was a great actress (she originated the MAME role) and she also possibly saved some of us Baby Boomers from Polio as she promoted Polio research...

High Noon (1952)

US Sheriff Gary Cooper helps Kick Down---Iron Curtain!

[9/10 · 28 September 2005]

This film of a United States western sheriff standing against a more powerful evil man, Frank Miller...even as his friends and wife desert him ...is a great example of where a good film may help change society for the better.

Gary Cooper's image (from the movie poster) was pasted all over Poland in the graphics arts war fought against the Frank Miller of Poland, the Communist Party.

In a June 11, 2004 commentary in the Wall Street Journal, one of the "Gary Coopers" of 1980's Poland, Lech Walesa, said that he is asked regularly to autograph copies of this High Noon Poster.

So...watch this movie to see what happens when the lone sheriff stands against the evil man who seems to have the rest of the town in thrall.

Here, life imitated art and the Polish people reenact the High Noon story... and inspired other European then-iron Curtained countries to do the same...

Murder by Decree (1979)

Prostitute victims shown in all their tragedy!

[7/10 · 27 September 2005]

Comments above summarize some of the great moments.

I wish to say that the director here also shows the main victims (prostitutes) as well as other women/girls exploited by the powerful, as truly vulnerable and abused.

And he does so without glamorizing the victims (thus this film is not voyeuristic, but truly tragic). The scenes of violence against the women are somewhat muted, so no one can go "voyeuristic" over the fate of these women---whose main reason for being murdered is ---that they were in the wrong places---at the wrong time.

For instance, the prostitutes are women mainly in their forties, ravaged by their so destructive life style, and they show it. One slightly younger prostitute, maybe late 30's, trues to lure Watson with the line "But I have all my teeth!" And then she finds---a loose tooth. The look on her face! *****

So unlike Hollywood which "uses" most prostitutes in their films as an opportunity for voyeurism...as most prostitute characters look like they entered the field of prostitution---yesterday, ...and are not yet ravaged by the disease, violence and emotional damage that is the lot of most prostitutes then and now.

This is a film where the strong do stand for the weak.

Our civilization would be worthless...if the strong didn't stand up for the weak.

Rope (1948)

"Values" have Consequences in ROPE

[8/10 · 27 September 2005]

Does this film seem improbable to you? Too contrived? Too unreal that two young modern American men, highly gifted and educated, with plenty of money, would just murder for the "fun" of it???

I live a few miles south of Hammond, IL -near Wolf Lake, where the real life victim of Leopold and Loeb was dumped.

(Leopold & Loeb were the famous real life 1920's brilliant but extremely amoral men who were the models for the film's 2 young murderers).

Some people will get tangled up in a side issue---the implied homosexuality of the film characters. (The real life Leopold and Loeb were a homosexual couple.)

But they miss the large, central point. The elephant in the room.

As we think, so we become...Thoughts lead to actions!

The professor (played well by Jimmy Stewart)comes to realize that his amoral Nietzchean philosophy -- essentially that the strong & smart can do what they like with the weak and "inferior"---i.e. an Americanized version of the then-recent Nazi superman ideology, is practiced by the young men (John Dasll and Farley Granger). And he taught these 2 this "superman" philosophy!!!

who murder an acquaintance "just for the experience".

The film has relevance today as some say that we are moving to use the weak for our own purposes, for instance...

Some advocate creating fetuses to dissect for "parts" so to speak; others want euthanasia pushed as an option for the old, the weak, the depressed, others who are not "fully productive" as in the famous Netherlands euthanasia practices.

Shades of Dr. Mengele and the "Master Race" practices!

This film is suitable for older grade school on up viewing and would be a great discussion starter on the importance of values in society.

The Verdict (1982)

The Verdict. - Edit swear words out for great SCHOOL version!

[8/10 · 19 September 2005]

Comments above sum up many of the MAIN movements in this movie. Here are a few more...

A self-doubting, hard drinking lapsed Catholic remembers the ethics of his youth and fights for the severely brain damaged & disabled young woman. ***

How can alcoholic Frank Galvin come back enough to fight for his poor and silent client, the brain damaged young woman?

Lots of ethical questions, dilemmas could be discussed after viewing this movie. (Note: on TV the many F words are edited out.)

In addition to the major cast players, watch for great performances by Edward Binns (Bishop Brophy--late coming to realize he needs to do some ethical housecleaning...but still realizing this)

and the middleaged, brutally honest nurse (a bit tough, beat up by life some)--Maureen Rooney (played well by Julie Bavasso).

One hopes the Bishop starts listening regularly to the "little" people such as Nurse Maureen, who could have given the Bishop the real story ages ago...

...had she thought her opinion would have been wanted.

(After all, most Christian hospitals were started to "serve the weak" as in the story told by a Jewish man 2000 years ago. Thus, the Bishop must house clean to get back to the "Good Samaritan".)

(SPOILER below...

I thot of "The Verdict" and the barely seen other 12 heroes... the JURY. Despite the legal webs woven by both hostile judge and corrupt superlawyer Concannon, the jury does not let themselves stay enmeshed in such legal minutae. They look at the whole picture and return the just verdict.

I just wish the legal "gods' known as the US Supreme Court (and the demigods of Florida) could have had the view of the jury in THE VERDICT and looked at the whole picture instead of drowning in their own legal minutae, for instance some judges... (like the judge in The VERDICT) felt that they needed to protect their judicial turf or needed to "teach" upstarts who challenged their position---and thus did not deal with the CRITICAL issue---a severely brain damaged, yet healthy young woman who was being forcibly starved to death...I thought of THE VERDICT many times as Terri Schiavo took the couple weeks to slowly---die.

The Boys from Brazil (1978)

"Boys" --timely still--because of new Technology!

[6/10 · 26 August 2005]

Dr.Josef Mengele (in this "what would Mengele do" campy yet chilling movie...)clones lots of baby Hitlers which are birthed by young women in a Lebensborn center located in the Nazi-friendly country of Brazil.

.and thus Mengele hopes to resurrect a 4th Reich.

Dr. Josef Mengele was a deadly Fact who copied fictional Dr. Moreau when he performed ghastly experiments on humans, ---and the movie uses the real Nazi Lebensborn human breed-cow plan, in the jungle of Brazil. (Shades of HG Well's Island of Dr. Moreau!!!

"Nature versus Nurture" or How to Hatch a Hitler!

Ever the thorough scientist, Peck as Mengele also recreates the basic home-life of all his baby Adolfs. All Adolfs go to middle aged, stern men with much younger, more stupid wives. Now, the fathers must all be murdered to simulate the original teen Adolf's loss of Dad.

However, Nazi Hunter Ezra Lieberman is alerted to Mengele's scheme. Will he be able to stop this "clone the Fuhrer" plot? Or???

The score is a kind of frantic, Strauss like waltz which seems to speed up...like a merry go round which might go out of control.

Genetics spinning faster than ethics!

Are you all listening and watching at the Human Genome Project?

PS: There are 2 unneeded scenes of nudity which are usually cut from the TV version. I skip by them on my DVD. This is not a family film, also due to the violence of the last fight scene. But it is a discussion starter & is suitable for teens, esp. if you skip these parts or view the edited TV version.

And search the Internet for amazing stories of real-life Mengele.

Nazi work in early genetics (called eugenics) is a true life horror subject!!!