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Reviews
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
Excellent late-day Woody comedy!
I finally got to see CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION, and it is a delight. I see around the interwebs that it is one of the lower rated Woody films, but I can't understand why. A crackling script, set design to die for, and a great cast--what more could you ask for from Woody? This time around, he takes the lead as a 1940 insurance investigator who is very, very good at his job. A brand-new lady comes into the company as an efficiency expert to streamline the company and bring it into the modern age. She and Woody do not get along at all, trading venom as only Woody can write. The plot concerns hypnotism, a fake swami, Constantinople and Madagascar, lots of jewels, a great banjo-led jazz piece by Wilbur De Paris, office politics, office romance, and a jade scorpion. Maybe it didn't make any money in its day due to the expense of recreating such a beautiful 1940 ambience, but give it a try. It is very funny, and a nice addition to the Allen catalogue. It's a keeper.
The Whale (2022)
SEE IT!
I just saw THE WHALE, and it's affected me more than any film I've seen in a long time. Brendan Fraser more than deserved his Oscar. The small cast is compelling, the direction claustrophobic, but there is a sense of wonder and hope to the film that made me cry more than I have all year. I can relate to some of the story, as, at the age of 68 with a fractured left hip and foot and type 2 diabetes, I too am limited in what I can do. I am now no longer allowed to drive, and live on the second floor of my apartment building, but I can still get around okay. I can use Lyft to get around, and can get up and down the stairs just fine. Still, I can relate to what Charlie goes through, and I will not spoil anything by noting specifics of the story. I will say that the movie is 1.33 to 1, and is shot dark, because Charlie keeps his house dark. I like mine full of light. Please, see this movie when you can, and set aside any preconceptions. It's a beautiful story, well told and acted.
The Twilight Zone: Nothing in the Dark (1962)
One of the very best!
I won't rehash the bulk of this outstanding episode, however: Note how the first time Redford's character addresses Wanda by her name is when she now knows who he really is. He also addresses her as Mother. He might be the emissary of Death, but he comes to comfort and lead her to a better world. Her present has become dark and she is shown many times behind bars of her own making. He leads her, significantly, out of the dark, up the stairs and into a world of light. When our time comes, may each of us have such a beautiful path to whatever lies beyond our perception. Many thanks to George Clayton Johnson and Lamont Johnson (writer and director, no relation) for this outstanding and memorable episode.
Cheers: What's Up, Doc? (1989)
They left out one thing......
Excellent episode, in which Sam is asked to confront the shallowness of his life. But, no mention is made of his having been in love with Diane, or his Baseball career. Why not? His life has not been completely shallow. The writers could have taken a moment to speak to more than Sam's enjoyment of the Three Stooges.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Spiraling Down (2011)
One of the best
Heartbreaking episode highlighting the ongoing horror of long term football injuries. I cry every time I watch this one. The first time I ever heard of "sundowning", which now I am very aware of in my personal life. Treat Williams does a great job as the football player who can't face what is happening to him.