I was so happy to come across this documentary. The perfect telling of a real life story from the point of view of the detectives who worked this case. If you are paying attention you will realize how the media and politicians screwed this case over. Some things never change. I lived in Southern California at this time. It was the summer I graduated and it was a very scary time. People were truly scared and it probably changed my thinking completely. I don't think I'll ever sleep without a door locked again. These men worked this case hard and gave up so much to bring a monster to justice. I appreciate all they gave up. Excellent review of a terrifying case.
Reviews
8 Reviews
If you lived in California then... you know how important this is.
18 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The Longest Yard
(2005)
Lots of heart!
5 July 2019
Don't underestimate this film. It is funny but it has a lot of heart. Adam Sandler has a way of doing that with his movies that I full embrace. It reminds me of the way Burt Reynolds did his films. You always feel like you are "in" on the joke. Not just watching it play out, but a part of it. I need to mention that there is more to this picture than meets the eye too. I don't want to give it away, but you aren't human if you don't shed a tear. Watch without agenda and enjoy!
Gosford Park
(2001)
As near a perfect movie as I have seen.
26 June 2018
I have a lot of favorite movies but this one may be one of the most recently done movies on my list. Each line and scene in this movie is part of an overall picture. If you blink, talk, look away you will miss a piece of a magnificent puzzle.
This cast may be one of the most collectively talented casts you could put together. Each member seems to blend in so well that you don't even realize they are acting. I have watched the movie several times and the commentary and I still have a hard time thinking of the characters as anything but who they are in the movie.
The set, the lighting, the little bits all add up to an amazing piece of work that should be watched when quiet and in a time when you can really take in the whole story. It is a time that has gone by, a life that has faded, a lifestyle no longer being lived and yet this snapshot makes it feel so very close.
The mystery is is not only interesting, but heartfelt. Without giving away plot points, my favorite scene is towards the end between two actresses who are legends and who both prefer the scene with realism and caring without being over the top.
A must see if you have ever watched and enjoyed "Downton Abbey", take time to see this masterpiece.
This cast may be one of the most collectively talented casts you could put together. Each member seems to blend in so well that you don't even realize they are acting. I have watched the movie several times and the commentary and I still have a hard time thinking of the characters as anything but who they are in the movie.
The set, the lighting, the little bits all add up to an amazing piece of work that should be watched when quiet and in a time when you can really take in the whole story. It is a time that has gone by, a life that has faded, a lifestyle no longer being lived and yet this snapshot makes it feel so very close.
The mystery is is not only interesting, but heartfelt. Without giving away plot points, my favorite scene is towards the end between two actresses who are legends and who both prefer the scene with realism and caring without being over the top.
A must see if you have ever watched and enjoyed "Downton Abbey", take time to see this masterpiece.
Buffalo Girls
(1995)
Not historical but very entertaining!!
26 June 2018
This movie pulls out the two sides of me. On one hand it is entertaining. On the other hand, it is nearly completely historically inaccurate. Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Dora Dufran, Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull were all real people. There are some portions of this movie that are as close to historically truthful as they can be. If I am being honest, no one really knows the whole truth about these famous people.
My love for stories of the old west and the people in them makes this an entertaining show to me. The acting is very good and the sets interesting if again, looking nothing like the actual Deadwood and Black Hills.
If you are going to watch this show, watch it for the love of Westerns and a decent story, not for the history that you can learn. Enjoy it purely for enjoyments sake.
The Blue Bird
(1940)
Review for this movie from drystyx takes the cake
20 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I first saw this movie when I was a child. It stuck with me so I don't think it was all that bad.
Spoiler: I loved the part where the Grandparents come to life when they kids think of them.
So it is on TCM today and I turned it and looked up the trivia and came across some of the reviews. My favorite has to be from this person named drystyx. I am fairly sure that this person is writing reviews for their own amusement. If they are not in on the joke themselves then I consider it a total abomination of a review. How you could watch this movie and get outraged by the dog/cat prejudice? The review has nothing at all to do with anything about that movie that is in anyway real or interesting. What Nazi propaganda are you talking about you crazy person?
Its a simple story and even though the audiences of its time did not embrace it, its decent and has a good moral. Its really a tale that applies to every era.
Spoiler: I loved the part where the Grandparents come to life when they kids think of them.
So it is on TCM today and I turned it and looked up the trivia and came across some of the reviews. My favorite has to be from this person named drystyx. I am fairly sure that this person is writing reviews for their own amusement. If they are not in on the joke themselves then I consider it a total abomination of a review. How you could watch this movie and get outraged by the dog/cat prejudice? The review has nothing at all to do with anything about that movie that is in anyway real or interesting. What Nazi propaganda are you talking about you crazy person?
Its a simple story and even though the audiences of its time did not embrace it, its decent and has a good moral. Its really a tale that applies to every era.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
(2007 TV Movie)
Excellent movie...not given enough credit.
27 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The only reason I am giving this movie an "8" is because I can see why some people might be confused. Othewise, I cannot understand so much negativity towards this movie.
I will admit that I may have a slight advantage based on being raised by a mother who knows her Indian history and in particular, her Lakota history. I have also been to the area around Pine Ridge several times, so envisioning it wasn't difficult.
Without being able to do a 4 or 5 hour production, I think they did an outstanding job of showing the plight of the Native people and their struggle to exist under unfair and harsh conditions. It was rather plain to me and not colored over for the sake of the film. Showing the reality of Sitting Bull as a leader, as a man, as a captive was eloquent and very real to me.
Aidan Quinn was excellent in portraying a Christian man who honestly felt he was doing the right thing, but operating without a full understanding of what was being taken for the people he thought he was helping. Adam Beach did a great job of playing a young man disillusioned by the world he was forced into and saddened by what was happening to his people.
Some of the best moments of the film seemed simple outwardly, but were in fact so powerful that I cried. When Charles has his braids cut before going off to school, I felt so sad at that part of his culture being stripped from him. When the Indian men are lined up at Charles's window, asking for cod liver oil for the alcohol content, and when Sitting Bull arrives at the agency and is told that he no better than any other man there, those are some powerful moments. In fact, there were so many, I cannot count. Perhaps my favorite was the conversation between Gall and Sitting Bull in which Gall basically tells Sitting Bull that he has sold out and how much it has hurt him because of his view of him as a man who would never give up.
The only issues I could even mention about the movie is that at times it was hard to know who was who. It took me until the second time of watching to realize who was Gall and who was American Horse.
Watching all of the extras and commentary on this film gave me even more of an appreciation for what was attempting to be told in this film.
I will admit that I may have a slight advantage based on being raised by a mother who knows her Indian history and in particular, her Lakota history. I have also been to the area around Pine Ridge several times, so envisioning it wasn't difficult.
Without being able to do a 4 or 5 hour production, I think they did an outstanding job of showing the plight of the Native people and their struggle to exist under unfair and harsh conditions. It was rather plain to me and not colored over for the sake of the film. Showing the reality of Sitting Bull as a leader, as a man, as a captive was eloquent and very real to me.
Aidan Quinn was excellent in portraying a Christian man who honestly felt he was doing the right thing, but operating without a full understanding of what was being taken for the people he thought he was helping. Adam Beach did a great job of playing a young man disillusioned by the world he was forced into and saddened by what was happening to his people.
Some of the best moments of the film seemed simple outwardly, but were in fact so powerful that I cried. When Charles has his braids cut before going off to school, I felt so sad at that part of his culture being stripped from him. When the Indian men are lined up at Charles's window, asking for cod liver oil for the alcohol content, and when Sitting Bull arrives at the agency and is told that he no better than any other man there, those are some powerful moments. In fact, there were so many, I cannot count. Perhaps my favorite was the conversation between Gall and Sitting Bull in which Gall basically tells Sitting Bull that he has sold out and how much it has hurt him because of his view of him as a man who would never give up.
The only issues I could even mention about the movie is that at times it was hard to know who was who. It took me until the second time of watching to realize who was Gall and who was American Horse.
Watching all of the extras and commentary on this film gave me even more of an appreciation for what was attempting to be told in this film.
The Nativity Story
(2006)
If you don't believe, don't go.
10 December 2006
This movie was beautiful, touching and lovely.
I see a lot of people commenting on the movie and mocking Christianity. I basically feel that if you don't believe in Jesus and who he was, why are you going to see it? If you are that bored, there are lots of other movies out there.
For me personally it was the bringing to live of a story that I have been told since a child and a story in which I believe. I don't insist that any one see it or be converted if they are not interested.
The thing that touched me so much was the relationship between Mary and Joseph. The telling of their struggle to accept what the Lord had for them to do and to deal with the opinions of their family and friends. In the process, they had to also cling to each other.
The one distracting thing for me was the angel of God who I thought came off smirky and plain odd. He didn't seem like what I would envision as an angel would be.
Ciaran Hinds is AWESOME as Herod. There were also some wonderful scenes of humor that I did not expect but that added much to the story.
People should open their eyes and stop attacking this movie based on their own hang ups on religion.
I see a lot of people commenting on the movie and mocking Christianity. I basically feel that if you don't believe in Jesus and who he was, why are you going to see it? If you are that bored, there are lots of other movies out there.
For me personally it was the bringing to live of a story that I have been told since a child and a story in which I believe. I don't insist that any one see it or be converted if they are not interested.
The thing that touched me so much was the relationship between Mary and Joseph. The telling of their struggle to accept what the Lord had for them to do and to deal with the opinions of their family and friends. In the process, they had to also cling to each other.
The one distracting thing for me was the angel of God who I thought came off smirky and plain odd. He didn't seem like what I would envision as an angel would be.
Ciaran Hinds is AWESOME as Herod. There were also some wonderful scenes of humor that I did not expect but that added much to the story.
People should open their eyes and stop attacking this movie based on their own hang ups on religion.
The Haunted Mansion
(2003)
Better than I expected.
10 October 2006
First of all, I am a Disney kid that grew up going to Disneyland in CA every year. Since I am a fan of the ride, "The Haunted Mansion", I guess I expected this film to be good. When I heard the mediocre reviews, I backed off from watching it until I just bought it on DVD this past weekend. I was very surprised to find it a lot better than I expected. My kids loved it and have watched it about 3 times.
The sets were beautiful and intricate, the costumes and make-up are gorgeous and the special effects are amazing. Rick Baker "Monster Maker" is so talented and has done an impressive (as always) job creating a vision from the Haunted Mansion ride that he also admired.
If you are a fan of the ride, I would imagine that you would enjoy this movie as much as me.
The sets were beautiful and intricate, the costumes and make-up are gorgeous and the special effects are amazing. Rick Baker "Monster Maker" is so talented and has done an impressive (as always) job creating a vision from the Haunted Mansion ride that he also admired.
If you are a fan of the ride, I would imagine that you would enjoy this movie as much as me.
Tell Your Friends