danzeisen Reviews

The Chairman (1969)

Less than the sum of its parts

[4/10 · 11 May 2024]

Released in 1969 this late entry in the Bondesque spy thriller genre that has all the essential ingredients, yet somehow the direction, the script and the editing make this a movie that is less than the sum of its parts.

A lot of starts made spy thriller movies in the 1960s beginning with the Bond franchise, extending to James Coburn, Dean Martin's Matt Helm series, James Coburn as Derek Flint and several others. Dashing Gregory Peck would seem tailor made for this genre.

The story line of a Chinese scientist, a former mentor of Peck's character, who develops an enzyme that allows plants to grow everywhere regardless of soil conditions, temperature or moisture conditions is certainly intriguing. This enzyme cannot be made in sufficient quantities without the assistance of Peck's character in the movie helping to commercialize it.

Yet the movie never really comes together, the seams are showing and it never really draws one in. The best of the Bond type movies give one a "Wind and a nod" as to the excesses of the movies, but this one takes itself a little too seriously for its own good- to its detriment.

AmeriGeddon (2016)

An oath to protect the nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic

[7/10 · 15 December 2023]

I watched this when it first came out and was somewhat underwhelmed, and would have given it four stars at that time. The acting was ok, and the script has some cliches that just don't work.

But I watched it a second time and have to admit that while the movie has not changed the world certainly has. I can now easily overlook some of the flaws in the movie because the message is so damn scary.

We ARE vulnerable to an EMP attack. Congressional investigations have been done, the 90% of Americans that would die in the first year after an EMP attack will get no refutation from me. We also see that our would be "Overlords" are no longer even pretending, and our politicians have, if anything become even more contemptuous of ordinary everyday Americans. The grid could easily be hardened to withstand an EMP but NOTHING has been done. We are just as vulnerable today as we were fifty years ago, perhaps more so.

Since this movie was made we've all experienced Covid, the lockdowns, the forced "Jab" that is "Safe and effective," the 2020 election debacle, the relentless prosecution of a former President, the unexplained fires and explosions of many food processing centers, a very suspicious fire in Maui and, well we could go on for some time.

The message is that we are vulnerable to foreign and domestics who wish us ill. As a device to awaken people I cut this movie a LOT more slack these days.

Letters to God (2010)

That rare movie that touches your heart, mind and soul

[10/10 · 30 May 2023]

All we need is God, we just need to know we need Him. Letters to God is about a young boy battling cancer with courage and hope. Through it all he inspires others who on the surface seem much more fortunate then he. In the final analysis this is a wonderful movie that told the story with believable acting and a story so powerful it still resonates long after the movie is over.

God's love, shared through a child is so very powerful. In the end it overcomes even death itself to endure for all time.

We need hope in this world. We need the Love of God, who gives us the courage to lift one another up and truly heals. Our Blessings flow from God, let us acknowledge Him once again in the land.

The Glenn Miller Story (1954)

A dose of history, Hollywood style

[8/10 · 8 March 2023]

It's hard to go wrong with any Jimmy Stewart movie, and this is certainly no exception. It is a dramatization of a "Once upon a time in America" story of a poor guy made good thru hard work, ingenuity and stick to itiveness that is all American at its core.

Miller was an icon in the popular music world and gave it up to lead the Army Air Force Band. He was lost under mysterious circumstances. The big facts are all truth as we know it, with some "Hollywood liberties" taken with some of the more minor points. This does not detract from a pleasant and informative viewing experience whatsoever.

The major studios certainly had pretty darn good production values at this point in time and this is a really well done movie and visually satisfying.

It's really easy to get so involved in the story that when Miller does go missing we still wish for a happy ending and he is found safe. Alas he never was. But we still have the Miller sound and this movie, which in fact reignited some interest in Big Bands when it was released.

Enjoy!

But we still have.

Glenn Miller Time (1961– )

Big Band Heaven

[9/10 · 8 March 2023]

I've grown up loving the sound of the Big Bands my whole life. I played them as a young person, and now these are still my preferred music. For those who love this sound this is close to TV nirvanna as I've ever found.

There was a time when networks had replacement shows when the primary show was on "Summer break" There are ten episodes of this show and it sparkles with energy and joy.

Ray McKinely was tapped to lead the GM "Ghost band in the 50s after interest in Big Bands took off after the movie "The Glenn Miller Story" with Jimmy Steward was a hit. He infuses this version of the band with energy, style, swagger and power. The players are all really good.

His co host Johnny Desmond was an original singer with Miller and had a great career. Not as charismatic a presence as Sinatra or Bennnett he still does a great job on these tunes.

The production has spare sets for the half hour shows and lots of energy and a rare word to use to describe a tv show today- Joy. It's a happy show although there are some slow and somewhat sad songs featured at times. It's difficult NOT to start your feet tapping to these tunes and their treatment of them. This is NOT a plodding "By the numbers" recreation but a living breathing big band that hits on all cylinders. This engine hasn't been downsized!

One of the regular featured singers is the lovely Patty Clark who is somewhat obscure today. She has a lovely voice, delivers great performances and exudes class and charm. It's a shame she never hit the "Big time" hit parade. She certainly had the chops to do so. I hope she had a wonderul life.

The band does an incredible number of Miller favorites, In the Mood, as well as some newer numbers. They were even releasing new recordings on the RCA label up through the sixties.

Highly recommended viewing if you can find it. You might try yourtube for excerpts. It's a wonderful introduction to why Big Bands are so awesome.

...and Millions Die! (1973 TV Movie)

Even Admiral Nelson can't redeem this mess

[4/10 · 28 February 2023]

Richard Baseheart was once asked to compare his role on "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." His reply was that the characters written by Shakespeare had more depth than an actor could ever portray. The challenge with his role as Admiral Nelson was in making something out of nothing. And so he did.

But even Basehart can't redeem this mess of a tv movie. For me the most jarring aspect was the music. It was truly awful, contrived and derivative of several artists, while having none of their virtues. It was almost like throwing ingredients together and expecting a cake to jump out. The score detracted from scenes instead of enhancing them.

The directing was flat and pretty much lifeless. It was almost a "Going thru the motions" effort. There were times when it was almost comical, such as the foor chase involving Leslie Neilson and Basehart. They both came across as not trying too hard. And when Neilson gets away he doubles back and punches Basehart risking capture. Really?

There are more cliches in this movie than you can throw a stick at. That somewhat characterizes the whole film, imho. They didn't bring anything new to the genre, they just threw a lot of stuff on the wall to see if anything worked. It didn't, this was a failed effort at spawning a TV series, and it didn't really deserve a second chance.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

One of the rare sequels that betters the original

[8/10 · 5 January 2023]

Enjoyed this movie much more than I thought I would. Cruise confronts much more than the bad guys here, he actually fleshes out and becomes a human being as well. THAT is a significant accomplishment in any movie, let alone one that previously was a relatively mindless summer blockbuster.

One actually sees the HUMAN side of the character "Maverick" and comes to actually like him despite his many flaws. In fact he grows larger as he continues despite his flaws. That resonates much more than one dimensional super hero type characterization because one realizes the price that has to be paid to achieve the extraordinary.

There is great CGI in this movie interspersed with actual flight scenes. It's pretty seamless and will age well over time.

Downsides? A few- knowing a small amount about aerodynamics and friction at high mach numbers lells us that hypersonic mach speeds are not ejectable and survivable conditions. The limiting factor on the SR71 blackbird aircraft was NOT the engines, but the fact that the leading edge of the airframe could not survive speeds much beyond mach 3. A bit of artistic license yes, but one that pretty much strains believability in any realistic scenario.

The other downside is that one has to wonder, if the Navy possessed sufficient firepower to crater and render enemy runways completely destroyed they could not do the same for the surface to air missile sites that guarded the exctrance and exits to the nuclear processing site.

Flaws aside it's easily one of the best from Hollywood in the last five years.

Fire from Below (2009)

It's close to, but misses being good

[3/10 · 16 September 2022]

I wnated to like this movie. It has a really good premise, and Kevin Sorbo. The topic is really relevant today, as lithium is the prime ingredient needed for modern electric vehicle batteries. And there were some really tense and even a few frightening moments in the film. Plus Kevin Sorbo, who almost alone is a believable character who seems to have more than one dimension.

Alas, sometimes the whole is NOT the sum of its parts. The burning lithium is the worst actor of the whole movie, with flames spreading impossibly long distances and seeking out people to fry. It does so in a way that seems more comic than frightening and the one boat chase scene goes on interminably. I finally started to yell at the flame to just eat the poor people. (IT did) Characterizations are generally vapid and one dimensional and follow a lot of comfortable stereotypes and are thus not very believable or involving.

The burning lithium puffs out flames from a lake and unbelievably a soldier radios the general that a dam is going to give way because its too damn hot. Come on dude, water BOILS at 212 degrees and there is NO boiling or even steam. Are we expected to believe the concrete and steel gateways are going to melt as he said? And it goes on.... What should have been, and could have been a good movie is undermined by aspects that really should have been thought about for more than one beer.

They can't all be Citizen Kane, but with a little more effort this could have been a really decent movie. Missed it by "That" much as Maxwell Smart used to say.

Terror in the Sky (1971 TV Movie)

A pretty good TV movie

[6/10 · 16 September 2022]

My family and I watched a lot of these TV movies, and honestly I hadn't seen this one in a LONG time. This is a remake of the old movie "Zero hour" 1957 with the same plot line of a flight crew disabled by a bad meal.

It's hardly Shakespear, but the cast is professional and do a great job with the story. Keenan Wynn is a complaining passenger. The ever beautiful.and classy Lois Nettleton brings a likeable and believable stewardess role to life. Doug McClure.does a really nice job with the angst of a man who is haunted by his memory of being the only survivor of a rescue flight he piloted during Vietnam. I'd like to add this was a VERY unpopular war in America, with some of the returning veterans being spit upon at the airport on their return.

Leif Erikson is great as the crusty retired pilot brought back to try to get McClure back on the ground. He's very believable in his role.

There are a few noticeable flaws in the film that really do somewhat detract from it, but its still fun.

Like the original the plane lands and then the brakes are slammed on and the landing gear breaks off. REALLY? The tires would skid first. Pilot MCClure is really ham fisted when he tries to fly the aircraft causing it to pitch up and down and all over the sky, then he insists on no practicing and demands to come right on in. OK then.

And in the landing, the gear and it appears at least one of the engines is broken off with flaming debris scattered about. Yet nobody is hurrying to get off and they all slowly file out of the plane, eventually. I guess they never saw later air crash movies where flames often cause burns.

All gripes aside its an enjoyable blast from the past, with good performances by some really well respected actors and actresses. Pop the popcorn, snap open a soda and enjoy.

Hamilton (2020)

I'd be pissed if I paid to see this.

[3/10 · 4 July 2020]

Well filmed and lots of energy. That's about all the good I can say... I could seldom follow what they were singing. Incredibly self indulgent, overly woke to the point of self caricature. If I paid for a ticket I'd be angry at myself. I respect those who liked this, but I can't bring myself to pay attention.

Don't Say a Word (2001)

Never really draws you in

[4/10 · 30 May 2020]

Just finished watching the movie and the word that comes to mind is - well- underwhelmed. Despite having some fine actors and actresses it never really draws one in to the level that you suspend disbelief to really "Get into" the movie. Much can be forgiven if a movie packs an emotional pull to the audience- plot holes can be forgiven and wooden acting given a pass. But the really truly big flaw in a thriller type movie is not getting the audience involved and caring about the characters. That's really a fatal flaw for a thriller.

The Night the Bridge Fell Down (1980 TV Movie)

Yes, this movie is a true disaster alright.

[2/10 · 5 July 2018]

Sometimes when we revisit the past we find ourselves seeing things with a new layer of meaning or understanding. That's really hard to do when there is almost no substance worth revisiting. The Warner brothers print WAS clean and revealed a well preserved movie that looked and sounded great. The special effects were pretty well done, especially for a TV movie. Sadly, that's about all that's worthwhile. This movie may have singlehandedly destroyed the career of Desi Arnez Jr. There is not much on his resume after this movie, and its kind of easy to understand why when you watch how he flails away so ineffectually in this movie. Even his aggression comes across more as spasticity. Just count the number of times he starts to climb down the bridge and then gives up and comes back up. There are also seemingly endless shots of him playing with rope and doing other seemingly pointless actions. It's a relief when his character finally falls to the water. The time frame given this movie should have allowed really good character development and lots of insight into who they are as people. Instead the writers filled the time with a lot of nothing that led us to care about the characters as people. Even te great Leslie Nielsen comes across as one dimensional and so wooden you almost fear splinters. The writing here is the real disaster and the actors and actresses are left to take the blame. There really is NO excuse for such wooden, cheaply formulaic and cliched writing.Irwing Allen, as producer, was also clearly past his prime. The era of the big budget "Disaster film" was over when this movie was made, but maybe it should have ended before this was filmed. The movie is the real disaster.

To the Shores of Iwo Jima (1945)

Real war footage, some of the most graphic seen of WW2

[8/10 · 2 August 2017]

This is a documentary of the taking of the Pacific island of Iwo Jima. Thousands of Americans died here, and many thousand of Japanese soldiers, virtually all of whom refused to surrender. We know now that many of the interconnected caves were "Booby trapped" to kill and maim those who came into them. This makes the brutal flame throwing "Pacification" a lot more understandable.

I find it interesting that a lot of folks mention the politically incorrect terms used in the film- "Japs" and "Nips." Get over it folks. If these soldiers were shooting at you, you would likely come up with some even stronger epithets. Political correctness is deadly in war. Your enemy is trying to kill you. You HAVE to see him objectified to justify killing him first.

That said- the Japanese government full well understood the strategic importance of Iwo Jima and the island was fortified to the hilt of their considerable capabilities and the soldiers had orders to kill anyone of them who surrendered. They were literally ordered to fight to the death.

It's difficult to watch this movie and not feel how truly awful war is. These soldiers endured almost constant combat for 28 days. One wonders if many of the youth of today could withstand this intensity for even 28 MINUTES. My thinking is that these young folks of today would grow up in a real hurry. Many would have to shed dozens of years of false programming about reality however. Real war is NOT a video game. You can end up dead real quickly, or be maimed for life. It is for keeps.

The photography is pretty good, it's said four combat photographers died in this effort and eleven more wounded. In real war even the photographers get killed. My copy, from the "Film Detective" lists it as "Restored" but there are numerous spots where film damage presents itself. Further the resolution is not the best, my guess is around VHS level resolution. These defects prevent me from giving it a higher rating.

This film is both a warning about the horrors of war and also the incredible cost of war, in lives snuffed out and ruined. There are shots of the dead, but in keeping with the public release there are no ghastly shots of people dying in the flame thrower footage.

This is an important film that warns us about war, the cost and the sacrifices necessary to win it. It is very "real" in a way that even the highest resolution video trickery can never replicate.

God Bless the warriors who fought to save our nation. Though their numbers may dwindle I pray their spirit lives on in our young of today.

Aftermath (IV) (2017)

Mr Schwarzenegger has some acting chops!

[7/10 · 29 May 2017]

I GET that this is not another spectacular action picture starring Mr Schwarzenegger- heck the air disaster isn't even shown, only the two blips merging and then disappearing from the screen. Yet, despite that this movie really doesn't suffer for it and truly it was pleasantly surprising that Mr Schwarzenner has the acting chops to portray a man eaten by the cancer of endless loss.

The acting is a big plus in this movie, and Schwarzenegger surprises with a wonderful acting job that just makes us cringe as we almost viscerally feel his loss. He was VERY believable in the scene where a gun was put to his head near the end of the movie and he just said to "Do what you have to do" as a man given in to his pain.

Life has NO guarantees, and the happy person who made love to their spouse before work and gave their child love and guidance may return home a shattered and broken person- if they return at all. The movie does a GREAT job of showing that transition with the air traffic controller and his wife and son. We are never treated to that with Arnold's character however. We see him as a dutiful worker at his construction foreman job, and he is stiff and wooden as he tries to straighten out the "Welcome home" sign. But the greatest weakness in his characterization is that the character is never truly shown as a vital, loving human being. We DO, however, get clips of his wife and daughter in his "Memory flashbacks" and they are vital, lovable people.

For me this was indeed a terribly weak part of the movie. In real life we see subtleties that show us that a person is a real human. In the movies it falls to the actor or actress to get us to care, to project their humanity on the screen. I have known stoic people who didn't easily show their true feelings, and this is definitely a difficult thing to portray on the screen while still coming across as a loving human. I get that, but great acting is NOT necessarily easy. At times his character does some creepy things, such as sleeping at the grave where his family is buried. BECAUSE of his lack of projection of humanity this action and others come across, to me, as more creepy than tragic.

Even with that flaw the characterizations are gut wrenching and sad, at times almost unrelentingly so. Real life sometimes is like that, and we can forgive it in a movie if it shows us a reason to go on and persevere.

This is perhaps the greatest weakness, and to some, the greatest strength of the movie- that it comes to no conclusions, even the "Fault" of the accident is not determined. In reality, the buck has to stop somewhere. When Schwarzenner's character show his family picture to the lawyers glibly offering him money, and a "Fair settlement" would it have been too much for them to look at the picture of what the man lost and humble down a bit and say that they were very sorry for his loss? I get that his character wanted an apology, and in a perfect marriage of art and reality this movie is released to DVD just as the Doctor was dragged off an airline for not surrendering his seat and beat to a bloody pulp. Shortly afterwards the CEO of the airline involved posted that it was all the Dr's fault in not yielding his seat. Corporatism CAN easily become arrogant and inhuman. I get that. It is part of most of our lives, as the connection to most of our lives as companies no longer seem to value long term workers is very applicable to our daily lives. In the instance of the Dr dragged off the aircraft the lie was undone by the numerous cell videos taken of the incident, where he was forced to apologize.

In a strangely ironic way this movie also forgot about the movie. Movies, at their best transport us to places and situations we seldom encounter in real life and show us a slice of life that we might otherwise not get to experience. The BEST movies give us hope and reason. This movie had a great setup to do just that, but ultimately failed to deliver. In that sense it was a little too much gritty reality. People still want movies to deliver- which is why I believe the movie is rated this low.

In another life meets art moment this movie kind of accurately reflects the "Fall" of Schwarzenner, who was himself fired from the "Apprentice" and has in the last several years had some sad and tragic divorce wars publicized.

There IS dignity in just going on and keeping one's life going. But his character missed a great opportunity to help others when one of his fellow mourners sought him out for counsel and he delivered.

Schwarzenner has the chops, we know that now. I hope in a future product he can deliver maybe not a storybook ending, but at least an older wiser and mature sense of hope and Faith in something greater than his own limitations. Or else his famous line "I'll be back" will remain just a few words.

Age of Ice (2014 Video)

THE Ugly Americans

[1/10 · 23 February 2015]

This is a movie for the ages. Many movies require a suspension of disbelief, that you set aside skepticism for the sake of a good story. This movie requires not suspension of disbelief, but divorce from reality. I highly doubt the tag line "Made by psychotics, for psychotics" tested well however.

Just as artists like Clint Eastwood keep raising the bar in movie making, Asylum seems just as determined to lower the bar to new lows. Low budget does NOT have to mean bad, but here that seems to be the intent.

Asylum specializes in making movies that are "Rip offs" to fill the kiosk of Red Box and other vendors. Rather than learning how to do cheap movies well, Asylum seems to strive to get worse.

One has to look far and wide to find a movie that has worse writing, characters that annoy rather than endear, and dialog that only an eighth grade drama class could recite without bursting into laughter. An epiphany of sorts occurs when you realize that you are more interested in the family actually getting killed off then arriving safely at the promised "Safety zone."

Truly, if Middle Easterners see Americans this obnoxious one understands why they have come to largely hate us. The father and titular "Lead" is incredibly annoying, largely clueless and seems to have never heard of something called "Real acting." The mother, a not unattractive woman, is also incredibly annoying and seems to mostly go through the movie with her mouth distorted in a grimace as though she is having a really bad bout of constipation. The rest of the cast, with the exception of the daughter, is given little to work with, and mostly make the least of a bad script.

Trite, clichéd and suitably for teaching how NOT to make a movie this is a modern day "Plan 9 from outer space."

Species II (1998)

Pretty darn bad at that

[2/10 · 5 January 2014]

The species franchise started out on a fair note, and was dealt a mortal blow by this movie. Let's be honest, its always good to see Natasha H, but that is really about all that's good about the movie. There are more plot holes than swiss cheese, more non sense science to shake your head about. Most of us can suspend disbelief for a decent plot effort but this requires ratcheting that up to a new level. For instance when this movie was made the danger of blood borne pathogens was well understood, yet people blithely handle blood soaked "alien" blood soaked material as though they didn't care about becoming infected. In addition the characterizations were so wooden even a termite might have become interested in the "People." Do yourself a favor and spend your time doing something better with your life than waste it on this movie- walk the dog, take the trash out, scrub your tile or anything else.

Screen One: Hostile Waters (1997) Season 9, Episode 2

Rutger Hauer shines in this cold war suspense movie

[8/10 · 2 March 2013]

Playing the captain of the Soviet sub which has an inadvertent collision with an American sub Rutger Hauer does a wonderfully understated job of acting the role. In fact I was pleasantly surprised by all the acting, especially being a TV film. The Soviet sub has a leak of missile fuel which catches fire with toxic fumes. Hauer contains the fire with desperate work by the crew, some of whom die in the effort. The fire threatens the reactor, which start to run out of control and must have manual control rods lowered in the reactor room. By this point they are low on oxygen and have a very small amount for use by the men selected for the job. "Hunt for Red October" while also sub movie is a different kind of movie, more in the tradition of a blockbuster. This movie shows the tension that the men feel, and breath, and is more subtle and realistic in showing how folks under pressure have to contain themselves and their situation to survive. Really a good movie, and yes, let's give Rutger Hauer some more good meaty roles like this one, he has shown the acting chops for it!

That Hagen Girl (1947)

Would not be made today

[8/10 · 2 January 2013]

I had a friend who was like Mary Hagan. He was raised by his Grandmother after his parents died. His father killed his mother in a restaurant where she was a waitress and then killed himself. I was told this when we met in sixth grade and sworn to secrecy so as not to hurt my friend. On the day we graduated high school his brother told him the truth, that his parents really did not die in a car wreck. From this point on his life was changed, and not for the better. He degenerated in mind and spirit, and sometimes he told me that he wondered if he was destined to do the same thing that his father had done. He made suicide attempts and stumbled through life and lost his way, becoming angry, and bitter. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if his brother had not told him, if he had just left it alone. Would it have turned out differently for him? Would he have seen himself in a better light and his life taken a better path? Watch this movie and think about how you may have bought into a falsehood about someone, perhaps even whispered it yourself to others and then found out in the end it was not true. Think about the damage you can do to another soul with idle gossip that has no basis in fact. It is said that if you repeat a lie often enough it soon gets accepted as truth. While times have changed, human nature has not. Think before you speak, be open to your fellow human beings and open to the thought that your preconceived notions could be radically wrong.

Blankman (1994)

Damon Wayans is always hilarious

[6/10 · 10 December 2012]

There are few comedians today who are heartwarming AND funny at the same time- and Damon Wayans is one of them. His childlike quality a perfect foil for the incredibly crazy collection of junk he cobbles together to assist people in need. His first super hero rescue is a pregnant woman in the elevator, whose door he pries open with a prying tool he calls "The Speculum of life." As a spoof on the genre of superhero movies this movie hits the bulls eye and make kids and adults chuckle and laugh. I am amazed that Damon has not made more movies, as he has talent to spare. If you and your kids like this I highly recommend "Major Payne"- in my opinion his funniest so far.

A Man Called Adam (1966)

A Contrast in Choices

[7/10 · 30 November 2012]

The watching of "A Man called Adam" reminds me that we all have choices, even when we make bad ones. Sammy Davis plumbs the depth of despair as a man haunted by the memory of his wife and child's death in an auto accident. The accident occurred while he was drunk and Adam is ruthless in his destruction of himself and those who love him. This is his story and of those who tried to save him. The amazing talent of Mr Davis really allows us a glimpse into this troubled mans world- at once a titan of talent and ability and a captive, of his own choosing in the angst of self hatred. This is not really a story of the price of fame, but of the power of choice. We can choose to look backward, forever condemning ourselves for our mistakes and errors. Or we can go forward and forgive ourselves and allow ourselves a new beginning. God, mercifully, allows U turns. The movie shows us the raw side of life at the top and killing oneself as a result. We have seen this play out so many times in the musical world. Or you could dispense with all the preachy crap and just enjoy the movie for it being a mini time capsule of a fragment of the rat pack-Sammy Davis of course, Peter Lawford and while Sinatra Sr. is not present, his son FAS jr is. He is a decent actor as well. Father of Jazz Louis Armstrong also is here and gives a strong showing. A decent movie, deserving of more than being an obscure mid 60s piece.

Dick (1999)

Dick is going down

[8/10 · 23 November 2012]

A really fun movie, that takes a serious national mess and makes it a comedy. It is so much more fun to get behind official stories and get the real stories that move events. This is, of course, all make believe and fantasy, but the historical events- the break in, the tapings, the resignation, etc. really did occur. It is in fact a great way to introduce younger people to what happened, while getting a real laugh, actually a lot of laughs, especially at the end. A really fun movie- for those of us who lived through those times it provides a great flashback to the times, the scenes, the music and even the people that were making news back then. Not a grand educational type movie, but the good girls prevail in the end. Don't blame me if you spit your popcorn out a few times with laughter, and if you are old enough to get the jokes you just might. For the type of movie it is- a comedy, it is hard to see how it could get much better.

Bigfoot (2006 Video)

A modern version of the old B movie

[5/10 · 9 November 2012]

A decent effort, decidedly better than ANY I have seen from Asylum, which seems hellbent on product of the lowest common denominator. A down on his luck soldier, who was recently discharged from the service due to striking a superior officer is moving with his 9 year old daughter to his old hometown, an old house now surrounding by development in the Ohio mortheast. He meets up with his old best friend who is now the Sheriff. Good times ensue,until a series of animal mutilations occur. Soon they morph into human deaths and mutilations. This is the biggest departure from typical Bigfoot movies, where the alleged creature shuns humans and is portrayed as mostly non threatening. It is suggested that development has caused Bigfoot to lose his hunting grounds and that he turns mean to survive. The script is a bit weak, the acting decidedly on the B level, but it is a fun romp as the goodguy seeks out the creature to destroy it.The creature itself is quite well done, with an effective costume and moves that show him to be powerful and threatening. Hokey at times, also in the tradition of the old B films. I have spent time on less enjoyable flicks, but a good effort. I hope to see more from Bob Gray, the writer and director and also co star. Unbelievable what he did with a reportedly 40k budget. Deserving of at least a 5.0.

The Snow Creature (1954)

Did Asylum make movies in the 1950's?

[3/10 · 7 September 2012]

Inexpensive does not have to mean bad, but it does mean being resourceful and clever. You want those qualities? Look elsewhere. W Lee Wilder makes the first modern Yeti movie and, there are a few good scenes. One of the expedition hears a strange noise at night and goes outside to investigate with a flashlight, and just misses seeing the creature. Fear and intensity make an appearance, and are then squandered by endlessly dull stock type shots of the expedition trudging through the snow. The lead guides "woman" is captured and he hijacks the expedition to find her. They find the Yeti, he tries to kill them, instead he accidentally kills his own mate and child, knocking himself out in the process. Forgetting the woman they came to rescue, they ship the creature to America in a Frigidaire. A customs official holds them up to investigate, and the thing escapes. They should have waited 40 years and had him come across the border as an undocumented worker! Of course the Police have to track him down, as he is killing folks in LA. To me the creature looks like a man wearing clothes who stuck some substance resembling fur on them. He is the worst 'Monster' I can recall, resembling not so much a poodle, but a mangy dog wearing levi's. Of course they kill him. So much opportunity to make a good movie gone to waste. Music was good, dialog weak and script pretty cornball. Has its moments, but they are few.

V (1983)

I cannot believe this was a made for TV mini series!

[9/10 · 14 June 2012]

This is the finest ever made for TV mini series I have seen. I remember watching it when originally broadcast and recently bought the DVD and re watched. Not only does it hold up, it seems better to me now than when I first saw it 29 years ago. Leonard Cimino is brilliant as the aged holocaust survivor who lost his wife in a concentration camp. He makes the most of his part and teaches us all not only how to fight, but how to love. The beautiful Faye Grant is awesome as the leader of the resistance. While there are obvious allusions to the Nazis, it is amazing how much of the story mimics today- There are allegations of "Owning the press and the news media." Civil rights and homes are lost. The visitors, with their own version of Obama's "Hope and Change" really had their own agenda, which they dare not reveal. I really enjoyed this, there was surprisingly little gore, and scenes of torture were implied, but not shown. Well done and very enjoyable.

Night Fright (1967)

Relax and enjoy yourself

[5/10 · 4 May 2012]

John Agar is always fun to watch, here he has the only really strong role in the movie. A weak script, lots of hokey dialog, and some characters seem so weak they are really almost ONE dimensional. So why rate this as a 5?

Simple, this is a fun movie that makes no pretense at serious cinema. There are some really pretty young ladies, and the 60s hairstyles are really fun to look at. There are also some really cool cars in the movie- 1966 Olds Toronado, '67 Pontiac Firebird convertible, '65 Chevy convertible, '67 Ford Galaxie convertible,and a first generation Riviera briefly seen.

Don't expect too much, and just relax and have some fun. Don't think too much, but the monster really looked pretty decent, especially considering the whole budget was listed as $18,000 !!!