Eaglegrafix Reviews

Journey to Bethlehem (2023)

It's Not Quite What It's Promoted To Be

[6/10 · 12 November 2023]

No spoilers that spoil the story but there may be some. Producers of this musical try to convince the public that they have preserved the essence of the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus to a young virgin girl. We'll yes, there are pieces of the true story included. But this is not a documentary, it is a musical, and even more, a Broadway/Hollywood style musical show and as such it naturally "adjusts" the story for the sake of show business by taking artistic license with the facts found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

For those who easily dismiss the Bible story as just another fable the show will likely prove entertaining and exciting. Great music, dancing which sometimes is fun and other time hard to watch because it's simply done to make a joke out of the people (Roman soldiers). What is excluded is mixed with what is grossly misrepresented tells "The Greatest Story Ever Told" so that many who don't know the true story will end up confused or leave with a wrong understanding of the story.

Mary is portrayed as older than she probably was. Joseph is much younger than the real Joseph who was a business owner not a carefree ..ager. The Magi did not arrive on the night Jesus was born or even days and maybe weeks before as depicted in the musical. Herod May have been a Bafoon but not quite the crazed lunatic seen in the musical. The importance of the announcement given first to shepherds (who had very low social standing) is an essential fact just left out in order to present three Magi as goofy old men.

Thankfully the baby Mary delivers is represented as the Son of God, King of Kings. Elizabeth and Zachariah are honorably portrayed. For those who know the story of Jesus' birth, the elements are there but not always in the right place.

The production is very well done. The actors are all professional and convincing. It is obvious that the musical was shot where Judean villages like Bethlehem and Galilean villages like Nazareth did not exist.

Elvis (2022)

Could have been so much better.

[5/10 · 8 October 2023]

Why do movies with such great stories to tell fall so short of being great in the telling? Sure, many love this movie. When a great story is told as a biopic it should not be so difficult to follow the development of the true story. This movie would be better titled "The Flim Flam Colonel". It was about one pathetic human who was so blinded by greed, he conned the King of Rock 'n Roll and his family. Even after his death. Maybe there is some redemption somewhere in this version but not for the phony Colonel. Tom Hanks, one of our favorite actors just seemed out of place and Tom can make an evil character seem redeemable but not this time.

When this movie came out I avoided seeing it. Movies about Elvis are mostly fantasy films. Watching it on Prime Streaming this Elvis is the most realistic portrayal of the King. The effort to "be" Elvis did not get in the way of portraying "Mr Presley". In the end though I could have not watched it and would have missed nothing notable.

Kavanagh QC: Job Satisfaction (1996) Season 2, Episode 6

You had to know, didn't you?

[10/10 · 12 September 2023]

The stories in this series are consistently about more than the case before the bench. Job Satisfaction is the best of this series. John Thaw, better known for being Inspector Morris is more likable and personable as John Kavenaugh. Defending a brother and sister accused of the murder of their father and his wife. The case is a mess as the brother tries to do his own defense. Accused by an antagonistic half brother Kavenaugh has a tough job focusing the case where the jury need to bring an acquittal. In all this family tragedy erupts in Kavenaugh life. The ending is climactic but we will not spoil it as other commenters have already done with no warnings of spoilers.

Batman Forever (1995)

Worse than disappointing

[2/10 · 10 September 2023]

What a cluster mess. Very little of the story makes sense. Continuity is atrocious and art direction is so over done the movie is different to focus on. The major fault is in the choosing and casting of one actor for a very key character. Casting someone who can only deliver on one level sinks the Riddler. Every crazy antic done by the Riddler is perhaps acting that can be done by Jim Carrey and was done first in The Mask. Except for Single Dimension Carrey the casting is excellent. But the addition of Robin barely makes it interesting and was unnecessary. Robin should stay in the comics and tv version. So much carnage the concept needed a total re-do. Thankfully we suppose the creative process remains free to venture far and wide from the original Keaton Batman but that was the first and was enjoyable.

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes: The Mazarin Stone (1994) Season 1, Episode 5

How To Abort Rather Than Adapt Good Writing.

[1/10 · 26 August 2023]

A miserable adaption of two (at least) stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which on their own are sufficiently excellent Sherlock Holmes tales appear here bastardized badly. Such is the way of commercial television which has frequently trashed the original work for expediency sake. Holmes appears masterfully in both Adventures - Mazarin Stone and The Three Garridebs but nowhere, save brief initial sequence, in this poor effort to mix two good stories. Result? Neither is given justice as characters end up in a confusing miss-mash. Some characters invented and others transposed into the episode. The worst is Mycroft, the brother of Sherlock, is given the responsibility of being the detective. Badly represented whenever he appears in this series, Mycroft is a misfit and portrayed not as anything but a pompous bumbling near foolish arrogant character. When Mycroft appears in an original by Sir Doyal, he is a man of distinction.

So much more could be said but we abstain. If you love the original stories as we do, skip this one. TV fails in this effort to adapt the original with any competence.

Ancient Roads from Christ to Constantine (2015– )

A Broad View of Historical Christianity

[8/10 · 24 August 2023]

Apart from the varied interpretations of historical events in the first 4 Centuries since the beginning of Christianity Phillips does a credible job. For those who know very little about the development and spread of the Christian church and the faith it professes. It is not overly liberal or conservative and is mostly true to orthodox belief. There are a few errors according to our understanding and study, especially about the Apostles which wrote the New Testament books but none that pervert truth. The program does lean upon tradition a bit strongly which is typical of the Roman, Eastern, and later Anglican Catholic Churches. No conservatives Evangelical professors or theologians are included. No representation from conservatives orthodox universities are used. If there is one major complaint is the canned repetition of the same music mixed way too loud which makes hearing Phillips and guests difficult. Especially for those who are challenged with deficiencies in hearing. Thankfully subtitles are well done.

London Kills: Old Wounds (2023) Season 4, Episode 3

London Dead?

[2/10 · 30 July 2023]

So far we have watched every episode up to this one. But that may be our last.

This episode is in our opinion the worst so far. Normally the story carries enough interest to make it worth the time but not this one. Cliche after cliche both visually and plot for what there is. No mystery at all who done this one as it is telegraphed loudly. No complaints about the boring characters since it's clear none of their kind could actually exist in real life police squad. Last episode sealed that fact with the ridiculous "kiss" that disappears from the recorded digital data bank. GMAB Really! Now about the cheap and lousy production value, there really is none. How many time do they use the out of focus cutaways of people walking corridors. Even thinking using different parts or clips the use is obvious. The same person walking the same hall is seen repeatedly and even used it past episodes. Exteriors reused also but that is normal on TV shows but interiors, out of focus of people walking is just screaming how cheap or lazy production crews are on this shoe - maybe both. The one responsible for continuity is obviously asleep or there simply is not on on these crews.

The Jazz Singer (1980)

Finally Watched This

[4/10 · 22 July 2023]

I wanted so much to give this movie a 8 or 9 for the music but to many other less enjoyable elements won't allow that. A 4* reflects why it took me 43 years to finally watch and it isn't even a movie about a true singer of jazz music. When Neil Diamond's Jazz Singer was released I was 30 years old. Now at 73 I finally watch this movie. As a serious Neil Diamond fan since "Solitary Man" was released in 1966 I enjoyed the Neil Diamond performances. The story tries to be sweet but is mostly trite. Neil is a great singer performer and song writer but not so much a good actor. But in this movie he is playing himself more so than some character from imagination. Had to remind myself that this is not autobiographical any more than Al Jolson was in 1921's movie, the world's first talkie. The music in this version makes watching it worthwhile but about as much as like listing to one of his albums. Lawrence Olivier doesn't work. I kept referencing in my memory "Is it safe?" from Marathon Man, where Olivier is a superbly cast and acts. None of the other actors are anything special.

Father Brown: The Winds of Change (2023) Season 10, Episode 1

What can we say? It's not the same.

[6/10 · 17 July 2023]

The same Father Brown but every thing else has changed. Except for Lady Felicia, she's the same but nothing else that made her character work do well is on the show. I will not go into detail but even the return of one DI and the departure of the annoying Mallory does nothing to preserve the charm of our bumbling lovable padre. And, two episodes in we have more causes pushed down our throats. The charm is gone and the writing and producers won't be bringing It back. G. K. Chester so would never had been so blatant and crass to force such drivel on the fans. With the Charm removed so have the elements that make this an enjoyable show to watch. More preaching of secular values than Father Brown has ever done.

Jane Eyre (1983)

Honest Adaptation Weak Production

[7/10 · 28 June 2023]

We perhaps should suppose and give allowance since this is a 1983 BBC production. The production quality of BBC was rather dull and budgets were most often slimmer in that time. The directing, the acting of most supporting roles, as well as editing is clumsy at best. Art Direction was saved only with the costumes and interiors for the exterior scenes seemed out of place. Timothy Dalton and Zelig Clarke manage to deliver more than adequate and professional level performances. But Clarke still plays an overly meek Jane too often which we assume to be the director's doing more than anything.

The bright bit about this miniseries is it's fidelity to Charlotte Brontë's novel as she wrote it. So we give it a 7. Unfortunately screenplay writers these later years have enjoyed remaking classics into something that has little resemblance to the author's original work. This trend has become the norm. Dalton's Rochester is the best of all we've seen on film or television. The fidelity of this series is a pleasure to anyone who loves classics as written and especially those who have enjoyed reading this one. Of course for those who have read Jane Eyre will view this as full of spoilers but we share none to those who know not the story.

Serena (I) (2014)

Wrapping Double Angst Within Mediocrity

[2/10 · 9 June 2023]

Upon which do I lay the responsibility of making this movie so dismally rank? Not the author of the book for that story is told in a very good way. So, is it the screenplay? The casting/actors? The directing? The editing? The cinematography? In our estimation all all except the last fall quite short of meeting expectations. Honestly we're not Cooper/Lawrence fans. Cooper, yes because is normally great to watch. Lawrence overplays her own importance in films and producers rely too much on her box office appeal, something that has failed often as well as proving successful. In Serena, it failed her. Cooper did what he could under weak direction and with a poor script. He had little heroic qualities and Cooper's George Pemberton was denied the only hope for any redemption. In all it's a very sad story told very poorly in this film. If any part was predictable within the first 10-15 minutes it was how the story closes.

Marple: The Secret of Chimneys (2010) Season 5, Episode 2

One Massive Departure

[3/10 · 16 May 2023]

It is so common to find television series and movies depart from an original author's story that most rarely notice and mostly don't care. Due to financial pressures Dame Agatha Christie was forced to sell her rights to her life's body of work. Therefore there is no protection from massive rewriting her stories all the while enjoying the popularity of her name.

"The Secret of Chimneys" tv show can barely be recognized as the wonderful story which came from Christie's genius mind. But this television show's biggest faux pas is making it into a Miss Marple mystery. Christie novel of the same title has not a mention of Miss Marple. Nor is it in a style of any Marple story. While is does use some names and locations found in the novel, the essence of the plot in the tv show's story is absent from the story Christie wrote. It would be like thinking any portrait of a women and titled Mona Lisa was created by Leonardo DaVinci.

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Ties That Bind (2014) Season 1, Episode 4

A Great Story Well Told

[10/10 · 7 June 2018]

After watching the third of the series we watched #1, #2, and now #4. "The Tie That Binds" is the best of the set. The plot unfolds carefully and is not trite. Whicher is a tenacious detective and does not cower from unpleasantness. In this ephisode, we see a man with a big heart and pretty much free of prejudice and bigotry that is common in the heart. We like that he is not intimidated by the bluster of bullies. We have no intention of giving details of the story for its twists are delightful as well as surprising.

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: Beyond the Pale (2014) Season 1, Episode 3

Authentic and Gripping

[9/10 · 29 May 2018]

A much better than usual story with good acting from the primary actors. Although two movies of this series proceed this one, this is the first of the series we've watched. There is a reasonable consideration that is why there are some holes but they are minor. Whicher's character is already well developed as are some of the relationships he has with other primary characters.

Much of the film happens at night. The complaints about the low key lighting are without merit. 100 years or more ago our world after sun set was very dark compared to the over abundance of light we have now. The film accurately represents this. It augments and adds authenticity to the feel and mood of this film. Electric lighting did not exist nor did flashlights or other battery powered torches. I love the look of this film. It makes me feel as if I am there.

The Crown (2016–2023)

Good Program - Horrible Soundtrack

[5/10 · 11 December 2017]

Honestly, we would like to rate the Crown with a 9 or 10 but are hard pressed to do so because the soundtrack really messes up a great production. Just began to watch Season 2 on Netflix. The stories do not have quite the charm as Season 1 but QE has settled into being Queen and he problems are now more modern. This season seems to be more about family and marriage relationships. Prince Philip draws sympathy as one who is not ready to be a true nobody - which is all it seems a royal can be. Season 2 also has the drawback of having no John Lithgow who was marvelous in Season 1.

We did wish form more on the political crisis and less on the life of Margaret which seems to be the weakest part of the story. Too much time on her snivelling is what we believe.

But the really big downfall is the sound track. First the mix is atrocious. No, it is worse than that, much worse. Dialogue is often buried beneath sound effects. It is a noisy movie and when a quiet place would be nice what passes for music is ear numbing drone of various tone instruments. Like no music was actually scored to fit the time and style. This kind of terrible sound is a trend and not just here but in many current productions. It is our guess that the sound (where there used to be orchestrated music pieces) is generated by a computer and nothing more than formula synthesizer. And we don't mean the 70 and 80 style Moog. This is simply sound used as fillers because there are no good composers left or no money in the budget to hire them. It is the most expensive production for Netflix so it is likely just what we expect. Problem is it is so distracting it's annoying beyond the ability to bear it. Thank goodness for the mute button which we use frequently between dialogue sequences.

NCIS: Blood Brothers (2015) Season 13, Episode 10

This One Is The Straw

[1/10 · 9 June 2017]

In most series the juice runs out around the 4-6 season. The writers have exhausted their repertoire and new writers are brought in or the original writers have to start looking deeper for reasons to mystify the viewers. NCIS has been a bit different and able to hang longer partly because of the changes in the characters. And because they found a way to get a really good cast together that viewers actually cared about.

The show went on with unusual success but this episode is the demonstration that they have finally jumped the shark. Bishop, as a character has been awful and with a husband that is even worse. When a character has to become a cry-baby just about every other show, any dedicated viewer will notice and not like it. Even Gibbs character showed chinks in the armor and mostly because of the Bishop character's propensity to whine. Oh, Da-Veed, why did you have to go and leave the show. You took the balance with you.

This episode brings the team one of the most ridiculous assignments ever after already presenting several that are week-kneed and really really bad. Now we have one that is so bad it has changed the very purpose of the team. Pathetic non-creative work up of a story that nearly brought me to shut it off. I've been watching the whole series on a streaming service and the 13 season is the last one. I was kind of hoping we would hear about season 14 coming on line soon but now, I don't think so. Having NCIS doing the work of a relief agency or the Red Cross and not investigating some murder or other nefarious action from those who want to bring America down. What are they going to do next? Have Tony and McGee looking for who forged some famous painting? Oh, wait, they already did that.

Well the slide has been going on since Da-Veed wandered away and got lost. What a shame. It took Criminal Minds only 3 seasons to tank so that says something for NCIS I suppose.

Criminal Minds: Masterpiece (2008) Season 4, Episode 8

Started great but then, what happened?

[4/10 · 16 May 2017]

I did not watch this show during its first broadcast. I am watching it through streaming. I was drawn into this episode immediately. Reid is great - one of the best actors on the show and one of the most honest as well. The condescending and disrespectful David Rossi putting Reid in his place with both verbal and non verbal communication was on par. It's what Rossi does. Believing and acting out how he is so much better than the rest of the BAU team. He does it so well and it makes the missing of Gideon that much more potent. Enter Prof. Rothschild (Jason Alexander who has yet to shake his George from Seinfeld personae) and his entrance is elegant and strong. He did well at first holding command. What happened? As strong as he was at the first, he seemed to not be able to hold that and the Rothschild character faded away revealing that Alexander really can't do much more than play one kind of person. All the evil menace he had at first just melted and wasn't any more by the end of the show. The bad guys need to be really bad when they start out with so much promise.

And about the ending, this is yet another gotcha ending and it reveals the weakness of the writers have (or is it their commitment to excellence) to deliver more than a good good synopsis and beginning. This is happening too frequently - by the end of an episode the writers are lost and because of time constraints they have to just "find an ending". The viewer is left with and ending that is less than promised. What they were watching were circumstances that were not nearly as perilous as lead to believe. "Oh, is that all?" Yes, Rothschild was playing them with an end he couldn't reveal but it never payed out. No clue how the BAU team learned of the trap he had set and they were never in danger. I'm tiered of the shows flipped endings that end up as nothing more than a sorry attempt to punk the viewer.

Skyfall (2012)

Best of the Craig Bond Films

[8/10 · 17 November 2012]

Daniel Craig is without question in this reviewers opinion a great actor. The roles he has played as James Bond are not his greatest work and the reason can be the the stories and the Bond character are not demanding enough to pull the best out of Craig. Bond has had a formula that must be followed or he fails at being bond. His vodka martinis, his trysts with and treatment of "girls" or beautiful women requires little talent. In fact requires little less than to look, walk and talk in a suave and sexy way. But that's our James Bond so those who play Bond are judged not by their overall acting ability but by the way they play the role to our satisfaction. So we develop the fan clubs for Connery and Moore and even Brosnan for those that managed to play the role for at least three times.

Craig, in Skyfall does his most credible job as Bond and show his overall acting ability to a greater degree, making this film one where Bond is a bit deeper than most others. I can say that the Craig section of the Bond films did release us from the obligatory monster sets and monster king pin "Dr Evil" kind of villains. No kitty cats to pet and no sharks to feed and that is a relief because then the story has to rely on other things to entertain the audience.

Skyfall does take the audience to other spots in the world but the focus of the story is London and Great Britain. Is this good? Perhaps but London herself is no a very sexy city to use as a backdrop or even as a main stage. In spite of many great individual buildings with interesting architecture, it does not have that overall sense of intrigue or sexiness. Perhaps it is simply not different enough for most of us. But the story is an English story this time and the villain targets London for his nastiness.

The villain is the number one best villain as far as character is concerned. Javier Bardem, the super evil killer tank that could not be stopped in No Country for Old Men, the one that had ice cold freon running in his veins has has been out done by Bardem in the role of Silva. So totally ruthless without a drip of conscience for the evil he plans and carries out you are amazed at how much of a connection you make with him. Just as the quote from Goldfinger has become almost universally known James Bond asks "Do you expect me to talk" Goldfinger replies "No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die." The quote from Skyfall will be Bond:"(dodging an explosion) Was that for me?" and Silva's reply with a laugh is: "No, but that is". If you've seen the film you know what the scene is. If not, you'll still be just as surprised.

Special Effects are not the star in this film as much as the often have been but the stunts still reign supreme. Bond can still do things and survive things that would kill the ordinary man in fit condition. But that is why we like him. He is virtually indestructible. In Skyfall however, his mortality is shown more than any other Bond film to date. This seems to make him even more of a hero. He suffers and yet does not fall, well that's not exactly accurate.

All said, Bond is more human, more sensitive and less a chauvinistic brute wrapped in suave dressing. He is more one of us and for that all the more amazing what he accomplishes without super powers, super gimmicks and super effects. It is a pleasant relief that after 50 years in the field, Bond can still carry the flag.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy Excellent

[10/10 · 26 April 2012]

Once I rate this 10 what more is there to say. The movie could not be better. First, the story is one of the best spy stories ever written - especially about the cold war. Second, the technical aspects are also top shelf. It does help to know the story, to have read the book or to at least have seen the Masterpiece Theater production of the same title with Alex Guiness. Both actors, by the way play the character superbly. But if you have not seen or read the story, then pay attention. Every scene, every dialog is important. Many flash backs and the story is not told in a linear manner. Keep the various time frames straight and you will put the story together as it develops. Do not expect the unexpected...expect that George Smiley will find the mole and will settle many accounts, as will others. Colin Firth is again one of the best actors ever to be on screen. Somehow he can absorb the person he is playing to such an extent, we forget it is Colin. Tom Cruz cold learn a lot from Colin. Not all the dead stay dead so keep your eyes open.

True Grit (2010)

Not a 10 or even a 9 But Still a Great Movie and Story.

[8/10 · 29 January 2011]

Not a 10 or even a 9 but the Coen brothers bring their superb touch to the remake. As a avid Western buff, I was very eager to see this film. I had seen the 1969 film in a tacky little theater in Virginia Beach 41 years ago. Nothing about this newer film is really better than the John Wayne version but it still holds up as a great and entertaining film.

The two films very obviously have two different approaches to tell the story originally created by Charles Portis in the book. From a different beginning and a very different ending, we see that this is a story about Mattie and not Roster. Marshall Cogburn is very important but the story comes from the journals of Mattie Ross' life and not from Roster Cogburn. While watching the film I kept looking for a larger presence in the story from Cogburn and then realized that this was the greatest difference and the Cogburn character was not the driving force as in the first version 41 years ago. I believe it is because, as good as Jeff Bridges is, he is not and never will attain the stature John Wayne had achieved by the time he played this role. But because of that, it was more Cogburn and less Bridges.

Better points include a more realistic age for the actor playing Mattie, a 14 year old girl. LeBoef is a more believable character, young and very dedicated to his calling. Maybe only a Texan can appreciate the difference between Matt Damon's and Glen Campbell's performance. The exchange with Col. G. Stonehill is better not having to play it around the persona of Strother Martin. It shows the intelligence and presence of mine that Mattie possessed.

Points that were weaker include a very awkward LeBoef in his first conversation with Mattie. The obvious age difference sets this up. I was not convinced by Josh Brolin's portrayal of Chaney the murderer. Continuity errors are rampant as if the audience will believe in an 8 shot revolver or an amazing shrinking and growing rope.

But never mind any of this, the movie is from the same book and this screenplay has less of a fairy tale ending than did movie made in 1969.

The Ghost Writer (2010)

The Story Makes the Movie, as it Should

[10/10 · 24 April 2010]

Whatever one may think of Roman Polanski for other reasons, no fan of film-craft can honestly deny that he is an excellent film maker. As a director, he understands how fundamentally important a good story is in the making of a good film. His skill is very clear in Ghost Writer.

The story's main character, "The Ghost" is hired to take finish a writing job because the first ghost turned up dead. The book is supposed to be the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister Adam Lang. Under extreme time pressure from the publishers, the Ghost must juggle the priorities and interests of almost everyone else in the story. He quickly realizes that he has become a tool for influences he does not really know. Although he protests the increasing mystery with, "I'm not a proper writer you know, I'm a ghost writer and not an investigation reporter." But he can not avoid the draw to investigate. And so is the viewer is drawn into the story trying to solve the questions that keep coming up.

It was such a relief to watch a film where the camera is actually placed on a tripod. It is also a relief to watch a film that does not have to inject naked bodies and steamy sex scene even though we do get a brief shot of the Ghost's bare buttock and there is a sexual encounter, the sequence enhances the story by allowing the viewer to exercise their imagination. Actually, the act is less important the why the act takes place.

This is one movie that can very easily be spoiled if certain parts are revealed before the movie is viewed. Avoid the reviews that contain spoilers until after you have seen the movie - especially if you want the greatest satisfying experience possible.

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

A movie that ends where it was headed - nonsense in nowhere.

[1/10 · 20 April 2010]

Even the collection of great actors Clooney, Bridges, McGregor, and Spacey was not enough to give this movie a reason to watch. I'm convinced that this movie was written while the author was at a party with friends and was stoned or high. It must have been a group effort with each friend providing their ideas for the story and each one is included.

There is essentially no plot. One can hardly even write a synopsis of this film - but we try. "Looser journalist Bob Wilton, desperate to make some kind of mark in his world and impress his wayward adulterous wife, decides to take at face value the story of one certified lunatic. To get the story, Wilton must track down lunatics #2 & #3 to research the story. In the process #2 takes him on a journey through Iraq through what is a drug-head trip and Wilton converts himself into a lunatic. Wilton becomes his imagination and lives as if it is his reality." That might make a good story but, it doesn't have the cohesiveness to make any sense and each unbelievable event has no or very little connection to the rest of the film. Some of the events are funny such as when #2 stares at a cloud in and effort to practice his "cloud bursting" skill, he takes his eyes off the road in a flat dessert and runs into the only rock able to total his vehicle. It must have been the revenge of the cloud that placed the rock in the middle of the flat road. When finally we get to see #2 stare at a goat, the joke is dead, as dead as the goat and not at all funny.

There is a funny part, when the whole "camp" is fed LSD by #3 in its breakfast of eggs and in its drinking water. The troops begin to trip and actually do things that are hilarious. Some get into a tank and drive it through the security gate and into the desert with no destination or mission, it goes back and forth in the background of the following scenes. The breach in the fence allows the prisoners of war, - oh, this post was a holding jail for captured enemy we see - to escape into the desert. Again the problem is, it has no connection to the rest of the story.

Without a story, there can be no climax and no ending so the writers and director have Lunatic #2 & #3 fly off into the sun in a helicopter (that seems to come out of nowhere) leaving Wilton, now certified lunatic #4 to "carry on the mission". We ask, what mission? The copter literally flies off into the sun like the cowboy rides off into the sunset in a western. But that is not then ending after all. We are smitten with having to watch Wilton go back home and come to terms with a wife that prefers another man and maybe that is what was needed for his peace of mind all along - to be rid of an unloving woman both physically and emotionally.

Apache Blood (1973)

What it is and What it is not

[4/10 · 17 April 2010]

I came into possession of this film with the purchase of a 5 disk/20 movie set called "Spaghetti Westerns" Apache Blood does not belong in this collection but that is not my greatest disappointment with the film.

The story and its ending is the only value this film has and we will give 4 stars for that alone. No other effort in the making of this film deserves any stars at all. The directing is awful and the only thing worse is the editing which was probably done by the director. At first I thought that the film was a student project done by a student that flunked out of film school. It is a sin what was done to a provocative story about the treatment of the so called "Indians" (native Americans) because of the prejudice, bigotry and hate of the invaders of their land.

We make no comment on the acting. It is difficult to critique the actors performances with the obvious sub-amateurish directing. The director just did not know when to say "cut"; did not understand screen direction; did not know that one does not have to play the whole journey or day to communicate distance or time.

Extremely protracted scenes of being on the run or on the chase made this movie too long by 30-40 minutes. We can not blame the editor too much since the director probably provided minimal options. Then, to add even more, the end has a recap that is totally unnecessary and presumes the viewer won't understand the ending without it. Instead, if you do watch this movie, stop it when the recap begins as it only confuses what is the best part of the movie.

One reviewer here states that if you make it half way through then stick around for the end, its worth it.

The Last Station (2009)

Count Leo Tolstoy, a life revealed.

[9/10 · 15 April 2010]

Because of "War and Peace" even those of us who had never read it or even seen the movie or knew that he was a Count thought we knew who Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was. He was the Russian author that wrote that immense tome. We are wrong, unless we are a scholar and student of Russian life, history and literature, we've never know who Leo Tolstoy was.

Revered in his time and and by the Russians still today, Tolstoy was in the opinion of this critic and many others, one of the top three novelists of all time. Time magazine compiled and published a list of the 10 greatest novels of all time, Tolstoy's War and Peace and Anna Karenina placed took places 1 and 3 respectively.

The Last Station is the story of the last year of the Count's life. Played by Christopher Plummer, he is still vigorous and active but he is also fragile and under the constant watch of his physician. All around him seem to know that he is at the end of his days. Influences in his life range from Chertkov, a devotee and somewhat leader of the "Tolstoyan movement" that has captured many of the youth of the time. It was about self awareness, self denial, nonresistance and nonviolence. The movements principles as put forth by Tolstoy influenced Gandhi and Martin Luther King. But Tolstoy exempted himself from the rules - most notably chastity. In his 80's he was still sexually active after fathering 13 children with his wife.

The Last Station is powerful, thoughtful, and shows a very spiritual man who struggles with his convictions. Chertkov is played by Paul Giamatti superbly. He is passionate to get Tolstoy to leave his works and legacy to the Russian people. Tolstoy's wife Sofya, played by Helen Mirren knows him, loves him and is passionate to stop Tolstoy from robbing their children of their inheritance. The conflict between Sofya and Chertkov has no love lost, they despise and distrust each other as much as two can.

Examples of the Tolstoyan followers and their idealist youth are seen in the characters of Valentin and Masha. Valentin is hired by Chertkov to be Tolstoy's personal secretary and Chertkov's mole by keeping track of the activities of Sofya. Masha is the blessed relief of youth and love in the story and can see right through Vanentin's wobbly commitment to Tolstoyan life style rules.

This is a movie that will rank at the very top of our list for a long time, it is deep, satisfying, sorrowful, disheartening, joyous and painful. It is life as it was and is for great people of influence and wealth. I keep the rating one star down from 10 because even though Plummer does a faultless job of playing Tolstoy, I kept seeing slivers of the personality of Captain Von Trapp. When an actor has played such a great role, he/she have either made the first character so much of them or they have taken on so much of the first role that it shows up in subsequent characters they play - especially for the avid movie buff.

Sweet November (1968)

Surprise November

[8/10 · 10 January 2010]

I watched this movie because of Sandy Dennis. I don't know a lot about Dennis but I have been watching her movies to become more familiar. She has a quirky way about her that it wonderfully exploited in this film. She never fully reveals why she does what she does with her men in this movie. Whether it is truly to provide therapy for her guests or if it is a clever way of having intimacy without commitment is no made clear since she has an angle in just about every other enterprise she runs.

What makes this movie good is how well Dennis play the character which fits her quirkiness. While the movie is a great comedy, it has a compelling ending. Of course if you've seen the 2001 version, then it has already spoiled it for you. But if you, like me, have not watched the 2001 version because....well because then this movie will be very enjoyable. There is no Keneau stardom stardom to get in the way and you will enjoy the characters.