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Reviews
Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951)
Only in technicolor can you get a sky like that!
This film has a great story (C.S.Forester wrote the script from his novels), solid lead acting from Gregory Peck, Virginia Mayo as the romantic interest, super supporting cast, and that beautiful '50s technicolor! Push the pause button on this film anywhere; the cinematography is lush, gaudy and gorgeous! I don't know how historically accurate the battle scenes are, but they kept me glued. (Questions I had during the battle scene: doesn't it hurt when a mast falls on you? How do they clean up after the battle?) I don't know a yardarm from a topsail, but Gregory Peck convinced me he knew every time he'd squint up at the top of the mast, or yell out "clear for action!" I was a sucker for Midshipman Langley and Lady Wellsely's exchange after the battle but El Supremo's makeup man should have been whipped with the cat'o'nine tails! The ending was "way too" convenient: Let's hope A & E's rendition is a winner!
Escape from New York (1981)
Seeing Manhattan before it was Eisnerised in the 80s was refreshing.
Once I saw that wall go around Manhattan, I knew I was in for a stinker! OK, so I swallowed that and hoped that the story kept me interested. Seeing Manhattan before it was Eisnerised in the 80s was refreshing. Kurt Russell did a terrific snarl for the entire movie. (Who'd have known he had that snake tattoo during the shooting of the "Computer Wore Tennis Shoes"?) John Carpenter's shooting of Adrienne's cleavage (just like in "The Fog" and "Swamp Thing") was amazing: There was even a moment when I thought "pan down" and the camera followed my direction!! I could dig Isaac Hayes more if he had helped on the soundtrack.
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
Wayne, McLagen, and Natwick make this movie; as soon as they were out of sight, I was walking to the 'fridge.
Wayne, McLagen, and Natwick make this movie; as soon as they were out of sight, I was walking to the 'fridge. The story and the characters are juggled well by John Ford, mixing the main plot, cowboys and indians , Brittles retirement and the (yawn) romantic competition of the two young lieutenants. John Wayne/Captain Brittles is the tough S.O.B. military leader that defines the old school of leadership: "Don't apologize, it's a sign of weakness." Anyone who's been in the service, or employed anywhere knows of some manager who tries to emulate the Duke, for better or worse. Yeah, we know he's no Shakespearean actor, (you'd have to be a real sap if your'e touched by the retirement watch scene) but just watching that guy makes you a little suspect of your own testosterone content. Victor McLagen! I want to drink with that guy! And I just missed having Mildred Natwick teach my first grade class! Technically, It may have been the quality of the video tape I rented, but there were moments in the outdoor sequences when all you could see were the outlines of the soldier's hats.
The Mark of Zorro (1940)
Yes, the sword fight was great, but you really have to wait for it.
The oddest thing about Zorro, Batman, and all of these masked avengers is this: How do they see out of those things? You lose all peripheral vision. It's as if you're wearing the thickest framed glasses ever made.
I thought the movie was going nowhere until Tyrone whipped out the lace hanky! "The satins and silks, comparing one delicate shade to another . . " Nice writing! The mother-daughter competition was fun to watch. Oh yeah, great sword fight.