Bernie4444 Reviews

Tron (1982)

Alice oops Flynn in wonderland

[10/10 · 8 May 2024]

What would computers appear like to the uninitiated, 40 plus years ago? Even as we watch this remake of Alice every one knows that computers were getting smaller even then. But this is a fun romp with love and loyalty, and now with time campiness.

The nasty old MPC (Master Control Program) wants to rule the world vis-à-vis remove human contamination or at the least play like "Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970). Only the "Users" (a loose term invented by the moviemakers for programmers) can defeat him. Flynn (Jeff Bridges) and a hand full of loyal programs including Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) will attempt to do so running into many quasi-computer parts along the way. Will they succeed or will their side issue with the lovely Yori (Cindy Morgan) sidetrack them from their mission.

Jeff Bridges looked cute in those days and David Warner (Master Control Program Voice) had just enough touch of evil for a Disney picture.

Trog (1970)

It would have been better if Joan Crawford played Trog.

[3/10 · 7 May 2024]

Joe Cornelius, who played in such films as "File of the Golden Goose" (Gordie) with Yul Brynner, was selected to upstage Joan Crawford as that multidimensional character (Trog).

A volcano heats up a frozen creature from the age of the dinosaurs. Why can they not let the poor creature alone? Can he learn to be civilized or will we fall victim of his rage?

You have seen this story a million times. An innocent cave creature is tormented by a child let loose on it by a sadistic anthropologist. The poor creature must "play ball" or pay the consequences.

Can't wait for the sequel where they have Joe Cornelius Vs the Piltdown man with William Shatner.

Triumph of the Will (1935)

Makes you feel that you are in the Order of the Arrow

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

Just about everyone you know has seen the opening scenes of this Lini Riefenstahl documentary of the NSDAP 1934 six-day Nuremberg Rally (Release date March 28, 1935 (Germany.)) But have you seen the whole two hours?

The opening scenes with the clouds remind me of Lini's mountain movies.

They speak German slow enough that you do not need the subtitles to keep up. However, the film is older than most people, so the subtitles help identify the different speakers. They forget to use subtitles for the songs; however, you probably know most of them. Later we get whole speeches; not just sound bites. If you listen closely, you can periodically hear the Horst Wessel Lied; you get pretty much the whole song around one hour and 50 minutes.

I have a porcelain coin collection (Notgeld) from the different German States so it was interesting with they did the roll call of the laborer force to hear the different states they were from.

I saw the film several times. The best rendition is on DVD with the extras like an audio commentary by Anthony Santoro Professor of History and President Emeritus at Christopher Newport University, Newport News Virginia. He gives a good background to the film.

A side thought that nags me as I watch the rallies and listen to the speeches to massive throngs, is where are the port-a-potties?

Tristan + Isolde (2006)

Two willows entwined.

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

When the Romans pulled out of the English isle they left a power gap and a divided land that was ripe for the picking by the ruthless Irish. Growing up in this turmoil is Tristan. Left for dead he is nursed back to health by Isolde. They find each other only to be pulled apart by loyalty and duty.

The story has many parallels to the tales of King Arthur and other Celtic tales. It looks like a tad of Seigfreid was to send in also.

Two outstanding things that make the film first class besides the story and cinematography (filmed in Ireland and Prague, Czech Republic) are the acting of Rufus Sewell and the music by Anne Dudley. People will want the soundtrack.

Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (1995 Video)

A tad dated (1995) but lots of interesting films

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

A lot of information is covered in a very quick time; it is bettered viewed if you already have a fair background on the subject or use repeated viewing.

This is more of a series of old films of the time. No secrets or details are exposed. This is a good movie and never promised too many technical details.

There is just as much left out as left in to get through the subject in 93 minutes to describe the U. S. detonated 331 atomic devices.

It is, however, a fairly complete historical documentary without a lot of sound bites presentations. I did not notice the background music (Performed by The Moscow Symphony Orchestra) as we get this noise with just about every production nowadays. However, it seems to have been just as much a character as the narrator in defending the mood of the viewer. Towards the end, we did get a good clip from "Where the Boys Are" sung by Connie Francis.

If you do not recognize the narrator's voice it is of William Shatner.

We get some food footage of a young and an old Edward Teller (1908-2003). Along with this is footage of other people significant to the story.

What ever happened to William Shatner? Shatner in Space (2021).

Capabilities of Atomic Weapons FM 23-200

Your next read is - Capabilities of nuclear weapons - Defense Nuclear Agency Effects Manual Number One, Part Two, Section Two, Damage Criteria - Injuries, EMP, Materials, Equipment (Effects of Nuclear Weapons Series)

Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015 Video)

A winged predatory carnivore that uses a mixture of volatile chemicals in its nether regions.

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

Whoever typed the subtitles in this movie must have been having fun; a man on a rock relieving himself and the subtitle says (tinkling.)

Yep, it is time for Tremors 5 - Bloodline AKA Burt Gummer in South Africa. They run across freshly washed Graboid-chow. We will see Inkanyamba and the impundulu. The Inkanyamba is a legendary serpent said to be living in a waterfall lake area in the northern forests near Pietermaritzburg most commonly in the base of Howick Falls, South Africa. We have a veterinarian with a machine gun. Looks like scenes borrowed from "Jurassic Park" and "Shenna." There is even regurgitation. Oh, no not a "stay-in-the-car" scene! There is "worm sign."

This film has cranked up the conflict while still not letting the action replace the personalities. We'll always have Florida.

Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2004 Video)

Tremors 4- The Legend Begins (Video 2004)

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

Nevada, 1889 starts with a munching scene.

With this edition of the series, we see some new actors and some familiar. Michael Gross makes a John Wayne (Marion Robert Morrison) style entrance.

We see some new structures and some familiar (renamed to protect the innocent.)

With lots of action, we quickly learn what we are up against "Dirt Dragons." After watching the first three movies in the series I am pretty sure Old Fred (J. E. Freeman) will be found under his hat on the ground. Let's see. Looks like they may have Kelly for breakfast.

The subtitle should be "This Land is Mine"

Can not wait for the next installment.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

"Love look at the two of us."

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

Strangers in many ways - the classic song "For All We Know" from The Carpenters.

This movie starts sort of strange. However, after watching it for a while it gets sort of stranger. Everything gets wrapped up in the end as it is sort of stranger.

Two twelve-year-olds fall in love and run away together. They are pursued by all who care, from relatives, kaki scouts, police, welfare, and a storm.

We are introduced to lots of exaggerated personalities. However, it is just as I remember it as a youth. So maybe it is not so exaggerated. There is a welfare lady who could be a character right out of a Roald Dahl story.

The Criminal Within (1936)

Could rival Christie or Sayers

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

Bill Holt (John Miljan) is a famous detective. He is on vacation and borrowing a house on Glen Athol. He is invited and practically forced to go to a party in the mansion next door. A wickedly flirtatious girl Muriel Randel (Iris Adrian) tells him of all the skeletons in everyone's closet. She seems to be some sort of scamp that uses everyone including the detective. It seems to be an early night as the detective goes home to finish a book he is writing. The scamp is exhausted and goes to bed early. All is well.

Bang! Bang! Shots heard. That night the butler mistakes a nephew (guest) of being a burglar and shoots him. Soon other bodies are found and the simple-minded police pin it on the nephew. Our detective without overtly playing his hand must find out the truth.

Be sure to concentrate on the first 10-minute introduction of the characters or you will get lost in the shuffle.

Watching many detective movies it is not hard to guess the whole story as it is thinly masked and hurried at 69 minutes. However, it is fun to watch the story unfold before our eyes and a rather refreshing but not unique conclusion.

The film has the feel that we are coming in in the middle of a series. However, there is no reference to a book or any other movie either this character. The Writer of the screenplay, John W. Krafft, has a string of credits to his name for many other movies and TV series.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Oh, what a tangled web we weave

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

Based on The Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, it was appropriately directed by Mark Webb.

Usually but not always the remakes lack originality and the following of the first. Well, this version very much surpassed any previous versions, and the character of Peter Parker (Spidie) is better rounded, and his background made the character is better told. The whole story seems better-rounded and consistent with the magazine.

I appreciate the mix of actors, some well-known to many others well-known to followers. Each made their character come alive.

I do not want to go into too much detail as the fun is anticipating the events. Some of us do not need to compare not seeing any original movies or magazines. So, it is well worth a look.

There are several DVDs and download combinations of this presentation. If you have the opportunity to watch the extras they only add to the experience of the movie. I liked the voiceover commentary with Mark Webb.

The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Jazz up your lingerie just like a melody

[5/10 · 7 May 2024]

The reason I decided to watch this movie was that it had a formula that could not miss. Being from the 30s it'll have it THIRTIES feel. This movie is directed by Ernst Lubitsch with a young Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert soon to be of Cleopatra's fame. Cleopatra (1934).

I did not realize that it was a musical until I started watching the movie. The film was fun to watch and has historical value. We get to listen to "Jazz up your lingerie!" Jazz up your lingerie Just like a melody There's music with every ribbon And a flowing rhythm

Wear lace in harmony A silken symphony It's music!

And just the right note for you

Color should be seen Let your step-ins have no dull or gray tones Wear your crepe de chine with some pep in up to date, hey-hey tones

Jazz up your lingerie Just like a melody Be happy!

Choose snappy music to wear

But I'm not too sure of the underlying message when Princess Anna (Miriam Hopkins) goes from Princess Princess Leia Organa's classic to Mary's "Reefer Madness" just to impress a smiling Lt.

The Thing from Another World (1951)

James Arness veggies out.

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

It is easy to just say, "This is a classic. "What makes it the classic is the formula and people (Directed by Howard Hawks). There is the standard 50's sci-fi prolog. You are set up as they go to investigate a crash in the snow. The investigators hold hands in the snow to figure out the size of the downed plane under the ice and find it has a peculiar shape. From there you know it can only get better.

The film is loosely based on the novella "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell. But do not expect the book story. Nevertheless, do expect blood, fire, and sinister doings. There are naïve scientists, dubious airmen, and a generator running out of fuel.

By the way, while you are at it just whose side is Dr. Arthur Carrington on?

And does Nikki just scream a lot or does she usually bring up the true nature of the threat?

Any way you slice it or dice it this movie holds its own up against the big bug pictures like Them! (1954).

They Live (1988)

Universal economics

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

Turns out that some economic entrepreneurs are in the process of exploiting people. (All people. O. K. The world.) They seem to have a different physical appearance than you or I and for the sake of keeping the exploitation covert, have electronically masked themselves to appear normal.

All is going well until the presents of this drifter come to LA looking for work. He finds himself in an unbelievable situation. Malcontents have devised a way to spot these interlopers and are threatening exposure. He is skeptical at first then after a bout of fisticuffs will be forced to see the truth. Subsequently, he becomes the most radical in a plot to blow up the masking device and expose this cabal to the world. Will he succeed or are they clever enough to catch him at the last moment? A more sinister thought is will anyone care?

In a world where you can not tell the good guys from the bad without your glasses, there is also a quasi-love interest between the vigilante and a worker (Meg Foster) at a local TV studio.

Titan A.E. (2000)

Brat discovers father

[2/10 · 7 May 2024]

Planet Ice(Working Title)

Take a formula story; add celebrity voices to distract you, throw in graphics that you would not know was better if they did not yell it at you every chance they get. And you have Titan A. E.

If this is supposed to be 3'D a D is missing. It is slightly better than the standard Anime. They fill in the slow spaces while the graphics are catching up to the story with crude imitations of contemporary bubble gum music.

The story is the formula. The characters are stilted and the technology is not.

This is a very lengthy cartoon, designed for people that would be better off with a computer game.

Perry Mason (1957–1966)

The case of the defense lawyer that skirts the law

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

This is a series of programs based on a character in the writings of Erle Stanley Gardner. The CBS TV series stretched from 1957 through 1966.

Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is a defense lawyer who is always thought of after it is too late for him to save the defendant from being accused of murder. Supporting Perry is his trusty more than friendly but professional secretary Della Street (Barbara Hale). And their trusty and sneaky private investigator Paul Drake (William DeWolf Hopper, Son of the actress-turned-gossip-columnist Hedda Hopper). On the other side of the courtroom is the district attorney Hamilton Burger (William Talman) assisted by the not-so-neutral Homicide Lt. Arthur Tragg (Ray Collins) Ray Collins lasts for 241 episodes 1957 to 1965; Died July 11, 1965 · Santa Monica, California, USA (emphysema).

You wonder how they get away with manufacturing evidence and the defendant usually has a foot in their mouth. Then there are the signature courtroom demonstrations. Occasionally we go to the scene of the crime.

Be sure to re-watch these programs as you can then see at even in TV programs they can sprinkle in subtle clues.

The was a mad magazine mock that had a boy scout immediately confess from the back of the courtroom upon seeing Perry Mason.

Many of the subsequent programs allowed many TV actors of the time to become different characters and even replace the Burger and Tragg characters. You find yourself not only trying to outguess Mason but also saying "Hey I saw that actor in..."

Even though the characters are from Erle Stanley Gardner the actual programs are written by many different TV writers of the day.

The series starts out close to the actual books and the time period is perfect. Unfortunately, the series goes off the rails towards the end as they try to make it more modern changing it to something unrecognizable for the excellent first part of the series.

I have on occasion read some of the Erle Stanly Gardner Mason's and they are closely related. The TV version has a few fewer characters and has to write in some of our favorites.

The DVD's themselves usually have four episodes with a glaring lack of the extras that are so popular nowadays. The plus is that there are no advertisements.

Hollywood Homicide (2003)

Romper Room

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

All in all the story and plotline is very formula; there are good guys that are misunderstood and bad guys that are silly and scared. The good guys chase and chase and chase the bad guys. Will they catch the bad guys? Will the bad guys confess to unbelievable crimes? Or will just once the bad guys getaway. Don't hold your breath.

There is an added wrinkle as both Detective Joe Gavilan (Harrison Ford) and his rookie partner Kasey Calden (Josh Hartnett) take care of outside interests while in pursuit.

Meantime it is fun watching this almost cartoon-like execution, as they run past all the familiar landmarks out and about Los Angeles, California, USA:

Beverly Hills, Hollywood & Highland, Hollywood, Los Angeles Subway System, Mt. Olympus in Hollywood Hills, Pacific Palisades, Parker Center Police Headquarters -at 150 N. Los Angeles St., Parking Lot, L. A. P. D. Hollywood Station at 1358 Wilcox Ave., Santa Monica, Venice Canals, and Venice.

The Social Network (2010)

Starts with an annoying conversation.

[3/10 · 7 May 2024]

Once you get past the annoying conversation and through the credits and plan to settle on the intriguing film of history and success, you will find to your chagrin a blasé pre-cursor give-and-take conversation, a long conversation, a monotone conversation, a dragged-out conversation. It seems like hours of a monologue with a dash of dialog thrown in. As the ending credits roll up you realize that all he did was talk and talk and talk.

Of course, if you like long boring conversations this is a great movie and a perfect representation of one great big long diatribe that starts from nowhere and goes nowhere. On the positive side, the music was nice and the period costumes were up to acceptable.

I only saw the Blu-ray. I'm not sure they made anything other than Blu-ray. There are the standard scene selections, languages special features, and whatnot however none of them contribute to this presentation. You might want to listen to the audio commentary to see what they were trying to do.

Don't get me wrong I like history's I like biographies but this thing wasn't history or biography.

Tremors (1990)

Gulp!

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

We are looking a the first of a series of movies that will "grab" your attention.

From the weird minds of S. S. Wilson, Brent Maddock, and Ron Underwood.

Yep, it's daybreak and the Garboids want to have Kevin Bacon for breakfast. Then suck down some sheep like you would suck an egg. These creatures will worm their way into your heart and wrap their way around your axle.

This is a fun movie with all the standard horror elements including lots of "don't move", and one element that was not expected "Reba McEntire" with a huge gun. This movie is worth re-watching.

This is not one of those movies where you want to stay in the car. However, that might not be the best option.

One encounter after another. If you have a copy of "Up on the Roof" by The Drifters play it now.

Treasure Island (2012)

Fun Travel and Adventure

[9/10 · 7 May 2024]

After the death of his father, young Jim Hawkins takes over running the Benbow Inn with his mother. One day an unexpected lodger, Captain Billy Bones, takes refuge there. He is located and handed the black spot the pirate sign of termination) by Blind Pew. While retrieving money owed Jim Hawkins comes across a map. The adventure begins.

There have been many versions of this in movie form and plots lifted from other books. However, get ready here it comes, none are as good as the book; that being said this comes quite close with three hours they cut out less. They added some prequel information which helps set up the movie. You can tell that this is a TV movie as with all the guns and knives there was no excess gore.

One of the DVD extras is a voice-over commentary by Steve Barron the director and Eddie Izzard who played Long John.

I am afraid that the Charlton Heston (1990) version will always be my favorite but this version is up there with the best.

I have taken this story to heart so I have a tripod cat called Long John and a blind cat named Pew.

Treasure Island (II) (1999)

Jack Palance makes a good Long John Silver

[9/10 · 7 May 2024]

Mostly true to the story. It starts with the treasure being buried and we see how Long John loses his leg. So, we are ready for blood and guts. Then the scene at the inn turns into "Home Alone" type antics.

Then the movie settles down and pretty much follows the book. Well, there may be a tad different as to who are the good guys and are bad when their social veneer wears off. However, it works well. We have been betrayed and shootouts abound. The screenplay is written by Peter Rowe. The filming location is Castletown, Isle of Man.

The YouTube version has closed captioning that reads differently than what they are saying and has no idea what English words are. It is of no use except for a laugh.

One positive is that the ending credits match the names of the actors and characters with their pictures.

Can not find a DVD with voice over commentary.

Treasure Island (1990 TV Movie)

This movie has the feel of the book

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

One day a mysterious person comes to stay at an inn run by a boy and his mother. It is obvious that this stranger led a rough seagoing life. What was not obvious is that events with his previous associates would eventually lead to adventure and "Treasure Island."

Of course, nothing can replace the book "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. However, this movie comes closest. I also have a copy of Treasure Island (1934) because that is what I watched as a kid and thought of it as a classic. But Wallace Beery can not come near Charlton Heston as Long John Silver.

What you do not want to waste your time on is Treasure Island (1950) with Bobby Driscoll. This version is chopped up. People are missing. And the story is so sweet that you don't recognize the plot. However, Robert Newton makes a good Long John.

If you are or have kids you do not want to miss Muppet Treasure Island (1996) with Tim Curry. This one has better songs and frogs with cold feet.

Treasure Island (1950)

Incomplete, inconsistent, and misleading (1950) version!

[3/10 · 6 May 2024]

One day a mysterious person comes to stay at an inn run by a boy and his mother. It is obvious that this stranger led a rough seagoing life. What was not obvious is that events with his previous associates would eventually lead to adventure and "Treasure Island."

The only thing in this movie that relates to the book or the other movie versions is the Title.

Half of the characters are missing. Much of the dialog is missing. The whole point of the story is missing. It was not necessary for the movie to cut these as other movie versions did not do this.

In an attempt to be cutesy Byron Haskin lost the mystery and the morals of Treasure Island. You do not want to spend any money on this version with (Bobby Driscoll.)

A better choice is "Treasure Island" (1990) Charlton Hesston, Christian Bale.

For that matter "Muppets Treasure Island" is closer to the book and the singing is better.

Treasure Island (1934)

This (1934) version is the classic that measures other versions

[10/10 · 6 May 2024]

The basic story is about a mysterious sailor who calls himself Captain takes lodging in an obscure location. He is visited by mysterious unsavory strangers and pays the sun of the Inn owner to watch for a mysterious one-legged man. The story leads to tests of loyalty with pirates and a treasure island.

Of course, nothing can replace the book Treasure Island ISBN: 3895084581. However, the Charlton Heston version comes closest to the book.

I also have a copy of "Treasure Island" (1934) because that is what I watched as a kid and thought of it as a classic. But Wallace Beery is of a different acting era than Heston; Wallace Beery is good in his way for the time. He has a way of looking at you. He is also much better than the Bobby Driscoll version of (1950.) Actually "Muppets Treasure Island" is better than the Bobby Driscoll version.

This film should be a part of your permanent library. It has lots of energy.

Ghosts of Mars (2001)

This is a thinly veiled shoot-em-up movie

[3/10 · 6 May 2024]

All this movie is just mad Max on Mars. There are great quantities of blood lots of action and an appalling lack of sex. Luckily, I saw the Blu-Ray version so I was able to fast forward through most of it. The Blu-Ray also has commentaries that are not worth listening to.

200 years in the future, a train on autopilot enters the station with only one passenger handcuffed. She is brought in to the Council to explain her experiences. We get one big flashback. She was sent to pick up a prisoner in an outpost-mining town. However, what she found there could infect the whole planet. We get to watch as they handle the situation or try to handle the situation or whatever.

No time for the story too busy slashing each other up with makeshift weapons that have little points on them and take more energy to build than the standard weapons of the time. No time for love just drugs and killing and more killing and slicing and dicing and chop-O-medics and spitting blood and scratching your eyes out and so forth and so forth and so forth. Wouldn't you know it, no one stays in the car.

The Living Ghost (1942)

A good old-fashioned whodunit.

[8/10 · 6 May 2024]

Good-natured Banker Walter Craig (Gus Glassmire) is kidnapped. The police seem to be at a dead end. So, a family friend suggests hiring a private detective. The suggestion is to hire Nick Trayne (James Dunn), a friend that gave up that profession. Nick comes on the scene to find Craig has been returned, in the body that is as now, he is a zombie. Unable to control himself, it looks as if some evildoer is guiding him to murder. Meantime Nick is falling for Craig's secretary Billie Hilton (Joan Woodbury) so the best way to protect her from being a victim is to unravel the plot; that is before he also gets dispatched.

This is a light-hearted mystery that has all the elements that make for a good story. It looks like everyone could have done it and yet no one. Is it always the last person you suspect? And even a romantic interest between the detective and one of the cute suspects. We get one-liners and innuendoes, even an in-depth pathology of the brain.