movie-viking Reviews

The Stranger (1946)

Good film noir movie, tho I wish Agnes Moorehead got the detective role!

[8/10 · 27 June 2015]

I agree with Orson Welles!

Agnes Moorehead would have been a WONDERFUL Nazi hunter!

Edgar G. Robinson does well, but the Moorehead casting would have been more subtle. It would have been fun seeing the Hidden Nazi get tackled by the wit and shrewdness Moorehead could project!

With her great catlike wit, She would have been dissed by the presumably woman-despising Nazi! But Moorehead ...could have better awakened Loretta Young's trusting young wife character...to awaken from her too blind innocence to see who her husband really is!

Not many women of that era can carry off strength and intelligence (mostly I suspect because those roles were not so common). But suspecting that Welles knew a strong and great female actor when he saw one!

A.D. The Bible Continues (2015)

So far, AD is a great dramatic / informative series!

[9/10 · 31 May 2015]

It gets my rare high rating of 9/10.

As of this review I've only seen 9 of the episodes, but can't wait till I see how nasty, murderous religious zealot Saul deals with...what is going to HIT him in Damascus!

(Yes I know what happens, but AD has done such a great job of showing how relentless and nasty Saul was in hounding the new christians...that I wonder how he could ever be believed/trusted ...by the same people he persecuted...later on? That's why I note a partial spoiler :) )

Whoever cast this movie should get an award. All the main characters so far are good to GREAT in their roles. Peter and Saul...in these last few episodes..both great roles/portrayed well! And you don't need to know the Bible to appreciate the HIGH DRAMA here.

Some of the reviews above will give you much more descriptive detail on the excellence of this series. Lighting, production values in general, script are great also.

Other film producers should take note...of the high quality of this series. The Bible is an incredible source of drama, particularly if you keep true to its basic story. Looks like they pretty much drew also on the ancient history sources we have for that era, which is pretty well documented.

As the great dramatist/writer Dorothy L. Sayers noted "The Dogma (i.e. Jesus' Gospel) IS the DRAMA!"

An Affair to Remember (1957)

Future filmmakers, scriptwriters, actors WATCH this great film & LEARN!

[9/10 · 6 December 2014]

RARELY do I rate any film above "8". This wonderful Grant/Kerr film is a 9. Great eye candy also for those who love well-done 1950s film and costuming! And...being 1950s, the sexual stuff is subtle...No need to quickly change the scene if Junior walks through the room!

From the initial posting, you can get the plot gist. On board one of those ocean crossing shiplines of the 1950s, Famous gigolo,(Cary Grant) about to marry a beautiful millionaire, does not HESITATE to pounce on beautiful kept woman (Deborah Kerr). She, experienced in brushing off men, suggests they just have fun doing -only- the public shipboard activities (Note that unlike airplanes, ships might take a few weeks to cross...and some...like this ship...might make a few port stops...)

Both live off their stunning looks...neither truly loves (i.e. would sacrifice, protect, cherish, stay faithful to...) the one(s) they are currently with.

Enter...GRANDMA. At one of the few-hour ship port stops, Teri McKay encounters Nicky's Grandma. Here the plot turns! This wonderful lady blends sophistication and spirituality...and sums up grandson Nicky Ferrante and friend Teri McKay quite well. She subtly directs them back to God, and they experience a spiritual and romantic love awakening.

Two transformed people reboard the ship back to NYC...

There, they vow...to separate, work and save money, and then meet in 6 months at the top observation deck of the Empire State Building. How wise...as they are not used to sexual and emotional faithfulness!

But...trouble happens. Will both stay faithful...to God and to each other? Will Nicky succumb to his former rich fiancé's call to come back?

You know how it will end, but the joy of this film is in the journey!

...All who come out of a life of sexual, emotional damage and chaos should take heart. There truly is a way back for any of us...!

Left Behind (I) (2014)

Worth a look...Not great but a good Sci Fi ---which could be true...Film!

[8/10 · 5 October 2014]

Cage is Commercial Pilot Ray Steele. He skips out of his own family-held birthday party...to fly a London route. Ray Steele also plans to have a fling in London with fascinated co worker Hattie Durham, a flight attendant on that plane.

Before Captain Steele boards the plane, daughter Chloe confronts him at the Airport. Chloe (Cassie Thompson) catches Dad out...for not wearing his wedding ring and she agonizes over their family's troubles (which they both think Steele's wife (played by Lea Thompson) has caused because of her newfound faith in Jesus).

Chloe also interrupts another airport conversation to confront a God- believer. Armed with the latest in current college anti-God apologetics, Chloe asks hard questions of the woman who is discussing God with handsome reporter Buck Williams.

Soon the world of Ray Steele, daughter Chloe, new friend Buck Williams, and millions others will be hit with ... the sudden vanishings of millions...Cars will veer out of control, some airlines (now unpiloted) will crash, and quickly looters, robbers will take advantage (Any of you remembering 9/11 or even a local tornado/flood...imagine such chaos going worldwide???)

Is Lett Behind a great film? No. But it is a good film...Cage is realistic as the middleaged restless pilot. He is best when processing his great loss after "The Event"....while still preparing to land his plane in a highly dangerous location.

After...the Event, Chloe screams her contempt at her mom's religious leader, Pastor Bruce Barnes, who agonizes out loud that he said God's message but didn't believe it himself.

No quick happy endings here...all those left behind are figuring out why some were taken...they either knew God or were very young children...Now, those left behind must survive the physical calamities happening when so many people are taken...and figure out what to do next!

The Trial (2010)

Moderately good TV Murder Mystery...

[6/10 · 18 August 2014]

A fairly good story...about a young man facing the death penalty for a murder he says he didn't commit.

"You have NO memory, NO alibi, and NO explanation..." says his defense lawyer.

The defense lawyer (Matthew Modine) lost his wife and two sons in a car accident a few years before...Movie opens on him...in his empty home...he's ready to pull the trigger and kill himself. Till the phone rings...and he's assigned this murder case.

The prosecutor is an older, experienced man who has previously beaten the defense lawyer...Prosecutor rigorously pursues the death penalty.

I do agree with one reviewer above...At some point, the dramatic tension DROPS because you learn too early...who the real villain is... and that the real villain will be exposed.

Is a moderately entertaining TV movie...and does bring up the fact that not only Rohipnol (the date rape drug) but a similar drug...can be used to knock a woman...or a man...out! (The date rape scenario is handled with minimum detail and no scenes in the movie show the crime. Suitable for grade school and above aged children.)

The Genesis Code (2010)

Fairly decent Sory...Intriguing "Time Dilation" Concept! (wanted to know more!)

[7/10 · 13 August 2014]

This is a fairly decent movie. Not great but OK.

I like the college student actors...Thought the school advisor's dialogue and "Conform to the New World Postmodern Order" lecture was too predictable (the actor playing them is fine--have seen her do well in other roles).

The film could be edited down just a bit...took awhile to get going.

But the scene where the students attempt to explain (partly by acting out and partly by interesting visuals "Time Dilation" which concerns the billions of year old universe and the apparent contradiction with a Six Day Genesis account is quite good. It raises my ratings.

Does the Time Dilation Scene work? Not quite, but it really makes me want to hunt down any Time Dilation explanations I (a non scientist) can find!

View the film for yourself.

If you read the attached reviews...Count on the predictable sometimes too-positive Christian reviews (from many of us) and the also predictable too-negative reviews from most who are not Christian.

But the film does attempt to "go where few have gone" (to paraphrase a famous sci-fi show)...and the Science Team acting out...the Time Dilation is a valiant effort worth a view!

PS The late great Ernest Borgnine has a too small role in this movie...as the caring and tormented grandfather.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Manchurian Candidate..Is it happening here? Could it happen here?

[8/10 · 21 July 2014]

There is a big plot surprise in this movie. You do get hints..which you will see on your second viewing.

But I'm holding my cards close---and will not show my hand...and tell you.

As other reviewers note, the leads in this film are potent. Frank Sinatra (who was a backer of this film) is great as the PTSD before we knew he had PTSD military officer...who has to "handle" the problem of the senator's stepson...played well by Laurence Harvey.

Janet Leigh talks piffle to Sinatra...somehow sensing her babbling will soothe his war-induced stress. She then gives real support to Sinatra, showing her character's substance...as Sinatra works to cure another...and himself...and figure out why their distress is connected to each other and to national security.

Sinatra must figure out why he and some similarly stressed former military companions have the same dream...and what that dream has to do with...the US Presidency!

If you wonder "Why haven't I heard of this good movie before?"...

Frank Sinatra pulled it and put it away for several years...because of a real life distressing event which hit the US shortly after this film's release. (Can't tell ya...it's a partial spoiler).

Well worth your time.

The Monuments Men (2014)

A good movie for art/WW2 geeks...Perhaps a starting point for more research on the real Monuments Men (and that AMAZING real life French woman!!!)

[7/10 · 21 May 2014]

I actually liked this movie. Not great, but not bad.

Some say that the movie is not really like the real "Monuments Men" detailed in the book of the same name this movie is said to be based on...

So, time to find the MM book!!!

But if this film gets people started on researching the Monuments Men that's great.

And the real life woman (the basis for Cate Blanchett's fictional museum lady) is a big hero!!!

But it's not so much about fighting as it is about outwitting the Nazis...and the Russians who were quickly advancing across Germany (who were like the Nazis in...their desire to just grab artworks for themselves)...

I'm not a fan of George Clooney (his politics) but find it interesting that he recognizes the great importance of preserving one's culture and one's history...for the next generation.

God's Not Dead (2014)

Too simplistic, but still some good movie moments!

[6/10 · 5 May 2014]

God's Not Dead has some good moments...my teen son was engaged with the movie and was moved by parts of it.

However, he noted some of the script/drama flaws, notably that there are too many sub plots. I agree with some others here...that the characters are portrayed too simplistically. Notably the high powered business man (played by Dean Cain) automatically dumps his girlfriend (Trish LaFache) when she says she has cancer. Really? Some guys might be that shallow, but probably his gradual pulling away would have been more realistic...

And the college professor who demands a signed "anti belief" signed statement from his class of 80...I find that demand a bit unrealistic. Also, more than one person surely would have pushed back against signing the statement! His character is also weakly drawn. His purported academic brilliance collapses way too easily against the young student's researched comments.

However, parts of the professor/student engagement rings true. This was the best part of the film...hearing the student present some important sources to show that atheists do not have reality/the origins of the world "all settled".

My college age daughter (and other students I have heard about) do sometimes face anti-God propaganda...in their supposedly secular (i.e. supposedly neutral) college.

Notably at her college, a Jewish professor was hounded (through protests and articles) by some students of other faiths who disagreed with some things he said. They could have countered his statements with solid research but as far as I ever saw, they hammered him with protests... (argument ad baculum...Smack 'em with the club). I think the college caved to their badgering...instead of caving in to well-reasoned rebuttals of his assertions.

And there are many cases (probably many, many more than listed at the end credits) where students or professors had to go to court to protect their right of free speech/belief. Not sure his case went to court, but just ask highly credentialed Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez how badly he was treated by his past university??? (See "Expelled-No Intelligence Allowed" for more documented cases of academic tyranny against those holding unfashionable views/theories/faiths.)

Some students' arguments/sources are ignored or merely belittled on popular atheist sites/or by some professors who substitute their opinion or their favorite source as "the final word"...instead of encouraging students to research and examine for themselves.

Dean Cain and Trish LaFache play a couple...a high powered businessman and an upscale far left "gotcha" reporter/blogger. After she announces she has cancer, he immediately dumps her. I suspect a more realistic scenario might be that he gradually withdraws from her...instead of immediately dumping her.

There is a touching scene which seems fake but is actually medically probable where Dean Cain's character visits his mother (who has dementia--). In one short clear moment, she speaks of her faith, and the comfortable self-imposed prison he is in...and then she relapses back into her dementia. Because there are too many coincidences in the film, this possible scenario (her one clear moment) also looks contrived.

Another part which seems "fake" but which has happened to someone my daughter knew...was when the female college student is discovered to be a Christian and is tossed out by her devout (probably Islamic) family. Not all families would reject a daughter who converts to Christianity, but it does regularly happen. (Search the Net.)

The minister is played well by David A.R. White...but the many cars not starting --which work to prevent his vacation--is a bit unbelievable.

So...yes those not knowing God will be exposed to some great music (Newsboys)...and to some good to great arguments for the existence of a Creator...in a moderately entertaining film. And the film will encourage students to not accept professors as "semi deity".

But this fairly good film could have been better written had they made their characters more complex.

Jane Eyre (1997 TV Movie)

Liking this movie version (only a miniseries can cover the whole book) Hinds...a great brooding Rochester!

[8/10 · 23 September 2013]

I like this Ciarian Hinds/Samantha Morton version better than the 96 version with William Hurt as Mr. Rochester.

Now...the book is LONG...so every movie has to leave out lots of the story...I have't seen a Jane Eyre series, but, like the Pride & Prejudice series (versus P&P movies) it would cover Jane Eyre's story much better.

That said, I like Ciaran Hinds as the edgy, volatile Mr. Rochester in this version. William Hurt is a bit too tame and too "nice". The Jane Eyre character is tough. She can deal with a few raw edges in her boss/love interest. After handling all the abuse in her childhood, she has incredible inner strength, which we usually see in Morton's performance.

And I unfairly didn't think Samantha Morton could play Jane Eyre, simply because she plays a bland young woman in "Emma". (Her character in EMMA, however, is SUPPOSED to be a bit bland and dull...). Morton does not quite match Hinds' intensity till the end...when I do believe her "Jane Eyre" character's refusal to go.

Mr. Hinds is top rate Mr. Rochester all the way through...and Ms. Morton grows stronger as she goes along...It's a good version of the book to find and watch.

Jane Eyre (1996)

Shortens the Book's long ending...only a minor problem.

[7/10 · 23 September 2013]

The book JANE EYRE is long. I've watched at least three versions of JANE EYRE (including the Orson Welles version...still think he's the best Rochester yet).

Thus, expect that most movies will shorten the rather long ending.

I do like where they touch on "the cousins" and hint at the passage of time before...she goes back.

But expect that, except in a series, the "cousins" segment gets removed or vastly truncated. It's simply too long...and I think gets the reader way too caught up in Jane's new life.

So most Jane Eyre movies will drastically shorten that segment. It's not totally needed. This film is a fairly good interpretation of Jane Eyre. Guess, tho, I see Rochester as more dark...and brooding than William Hurt.

Annie Get Your Gun (1950)

Annie Get Your Gun still is a Fun Watch!

[7/10 · 5 September 2013]

A fun movie partly based on Real Life Annie Oakley, girl sharpshooter. Yes, Oakley really did shoot a cigarette out of the mouth of the German Kaiser. Imagine if she had missed...would we still have had WW1 later on???

Native Americans are the leaders in some of this film (they have to finance some of the shows--some counsel naiive Annie). This is slightly advanced for 1950, in giving Native Americans the positions of the better counselors for this young naiive girl.

Lots of fun songs, fun moments, and Betty Hutton as the Naiive but Talented Annie Oakley.

Betty Hutton seemed to BECOME her roles (or...perhaps directors cast her in roles that resembled the real life exuberant Betty Hutton).

The only awkward moment for me was the "I'm an Indian Too" song...where she dances with Native Americans (who actually appear to be true native Americans, not white people with dark makeup). They dance beautifully, but Hutton's naiive mugging doesn't work for me...in this scene.

Executive Suite (1954)

EXECUTIVE Suite...Quality Movie. Good for business class showing also!

[9/10 · 16 July 2013]

Just enjoy this movie. And/or use it for a great teaching lesson. On great drama, On great classic actors, On maybe moral concerns facing all corporations!

All fine actors... The devious guys can out Gecko - Gecko (of "Wall Street" fame).

The good guy speaks at the meeting...better watch out for flying furniture...as he makes his point.

Let's see ...Insider trading (not even sure if it was illegal back then) will destroy someone...Corporate Backstabbing...Power Plays...Lobbying Committee Votes... Trying to sway the company heiress...Quality products made versus...bigger profits.

The business suit-clad vultures start circling minutes after the Big Exec is dead!!!

Executive Suite could be a good film for your high school (or home school) business class.

But if you just want a quality drama...just watch and enjoy!

Saige Paints the Sky (2013 TV Movie)

Cute movie in Garland/Hardy Super Achievers Tradition

[6/10 · 13 July 2013]

I watched "Saige Paints the Sky" with my 14 year old son. (My little girl is 22...alas, so no young girl perspective!)

WE enjoyed the movie (and it is quite suitable for any child to see) but...we also had fun marveling at the little girl geniuses who indeed "painted the sky" enough to raise...$5000 (in one stunning musical show) to SAVE Saige's school's visual arts program!

My "theory" is that in the 1940s, Saige's GREAT grandma was one of the OVERachieving TEENS who sang and danced behind MGM superteen stars

Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney. Somehow she transmitted SuperGenes to her great GrandDaughter Saige!

Garland/Rooney starred in a series of early 1940s "Backyard Musicals". Super talented teens raised money to help someone...by QUICKLY throwing together a Broadway quality singing/dancing program--on a stage in someone's back yard.

And surely 10 year old "Super" Saige (who paints horses at an adult skill level...who is able to quickly learn special horseriding techniques in order to lead the festival parade, Saige...who can give a quality press conference AND who can make a successful fundraising speech) is a marvel.

Saige's school must be the unofficial FAME style magnet school for the Southwest!

One of her 10 year old friends writes the songs for a Musical these 10 year old girls will quickly throw together. A couple other friends can sing great American Idol quality harmony...and only await the call to go on StarSearch. These game 10 year olds will dance great dances in the great musical scene number--with fabulously lit artsy sets worthy of any Broadway show.

Unseen elementary school 10 year old geniuses include...the kids who were able to move and arrange about 15' high painted art panels onto the school state, and the other people (again 10 year olds???) who did the marvelous backlighting.

Yes, the movie and its precocious kids are too much for some of us (Particularly my 14 year old son who made snide comments throughout the movie).

But the movie, tho unbelievable, is quite enjoyable! And it's nice to see stylishly (tho modestly) dressed girls...OVERachieve...

Pollyanna (1960)

Pollyanna (and young Hayley Mills) tame a Tough Town!

[8/10 · 2 July 2013]

This Disney movie charms me now as much as it did...when I watched it -- Sunday Nights (in two parts surely) on "The Wonderful World of Disney" - on TV years ago!

Read the other reviews to get details. It's a fine family movie, but unless you "need" some gratuitous scenes, the story will reach anyone!

"Pollyanna" is a fine adaptation of "Pollyanna" the novel, a huge 1913 bestseller. This film represents...Walt Disney at his best...with quality actors (wow...just put the top 10 actors' names into IMDb and see how IMPRESSIVE each actor is!!!)

The story's essence is captured well in a quality script...and a believable young "Pollyanna" in Hayley Mills. (Note...her father was a great actor also - Sir John Mills.) Am GLAD that Hayley Mills got a special child's Oscar. She deserved it.

So Pollyanna wins over her town...and young "tween" Hayley Mills tames Aunt Polly (Jane Wyman), as well as Karl Malden, Adolphe Menjou, Donald Crisp, and many, many other fine actors.

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1936)

Movie has charm, drama which still works today!

[7/10 · 4 February 2013]

The film, shot mostly outdoors, starts out a bit dated. (Sylvia Sydney and family come across slightly comic...) But then...one gets caught up in the real agony of these fictionalized Hatfield and McCoy families... They've feuded and murdered each others...for years. Beulah Bondi (the mom) is the visual barometer of this murderous situation. She, almost like an inner city mom of a teen male, expects the bullet which will take out her beloved family member (young Henry Fonda). SPOILER: Spanky McFarland is the charming little boy who is the center of attention...and his later death sparks the agonizing actions of the main characters.

Recommended: Suitable for family viewing...for any film buffs of old time quality color movies---and for schools/homeschools where they wish to discuss a quality film about unforgiveness, unresolved hate, and the damage it does to later generations.

All That Heaven Allows (1955)

1950s movie fans...will like this richly colored film!

[7/10 · 31 January 2013]

The "may December" movie is more a "Working Class Guy vs Slightly Older Well-off Widow".

Jane Wyman was only 8 years older than Rock Hudson, and she looks great in this movie...barely old enough to be mom to her 17 year old girl and college age boy.

So what's the REAL obstacle?

The contrast is... rich widow with know-it-all college kids versus the creative working class guy.

The dialogue and some of the so-called obstacles just a bit corny, but is beautifully lit. Mr. Sirk--the director--was a master of color and scene layout!

Young filmmakers can learn from this wonderfully lit and shot film. Note the use of shadows also!!!

Man on Fire (2004)

Good acting--setting but WAY TOO LONG and dragged out movie!

[5/10 · 21 January 2013]

"YAWN" Good actors/interesting Mexico city setting and people/but 146 minutes? Really? Moderately decent plot but---CUT this movie down and make it...better! I bought the DVD because it (at $5 ) looked like a good deal, since I've enjoyed other Denzel Washington films.

I fast forwarded through some scenes once I got to the "hunt them all down" portion.

NOTE...this is not a young child family film. Dakota Fanning gave a fine performance, but the scenes of kidnapping, violence and some sexuality are (in my opinion) not good for a small child...her age!

176 minutes!!! Some film student needs to get permission to edit this thing down...into a crisper, tighter film!

I, Robot (2004)

Chicago (the city) is a Character in this movie!

[7/10 · 27 November 2012]

Liked the movie.

Chicago...is another "character" so to speak. The digital 2035 Chicago skyline includes leave some of the ACTUAL futuristic buildings (like the Hancock and Sears towers. They realistically leave some of the late Victorian buildings and such in the residential and fringe Loop areas intermingled.

Probably they could have pushed the Chicago architecture's cutting edge even further...but I am grateful for some attention to Chicago's fabulous downtown cutting edge architecture.

A few other films have suggested Chicago's long history (at least since the huge 1877 Chicago fire) in setting building trends...where you go to work past archaic buildings which were new to your great grandparent immigrants, which are juxtaposed to Mies Van der Rohe mid 20th Century skyscrapers, which are nearby the still cutting edge Sears Tower or 333 North Wacker buildings which will still look modern to your children.

There is a precedent for the Chicago architecture influence as a futurist look...The 1927 futuristic German film METROPOLIS has a painted skyscraper background which--generically--replicates the overall look of early Chicago concrete and steel skyscrapers...so there is precedent for relying on the underused...but so rich in texture and past/future juxtapositions that are regularly seen in Chicago.

The Firm: Chapter Twenty-Two (2012) Season 1, Episode 22

THE FIRM ends on a HIGH Note...someone Pick UP this series!!!

[9/10 · 16 July 2012]

Good to great NBC 22 episode series based on John Grisham's book and hit 90s movie of the same name...THE FIRM

THE FIRM TV series...especially later on...started approaching CBS's Person of Interest in the "EDGINESS...Watch YOUR BacK post 9/11 Drama" category! Now...even crazy Mob boss...Joey Morolto Jr. seems almost "safe" compared with some loose cannon guy from the Russian Mob! Lawyer...Mitch McDeere, wife Abby, daughter Claire, brother from prison...Ray McDeere, and his longtime girlfriend Tammy Hemphill...solve current cases...and also try to get free of the Morolto Mob's grip on them!

Lots of action...tension in Episode 22...the last one for now...as this small family is now batted around by the Morolto Mob, the Russian Mob, and the FBI...They are pawns in a larger game...and no one else seems to care if they get crushed in the process.

How did hotshot lawyer Mitch McDeere get his family into the "Deere in the Crosshairs" situation? Here, this TV series offered only a weak, incomplete BACKSTORY of why everyone is hunting the McDeeres!

Watch the 90s hit movie THE FIRM ... to get the FULL back story...and hope that either NBC renews this quality series (which they later buried in Sat. Nite lineup) or that some other station picks it up.

Because it's really heated up and I want to know what happens!

Gidget (1959)

Time travel back with this fun GIDGET 1950s movie!

[7/10 · 15 June 2012]

Sandra Dee's "Gidget" is too naiive to be real by teen standards today, but what a fun trip to the late 50's past it is! She is determined to surf with the slightly older teen boys...and along the way she meets the grown "Big Kahuna"...a beachcomber guy who has no job but just surfs and leads a pack of teen boys to surf all day long...

And she bumps heads with "Moondoggie" a boy near her age...Of course, she ends up with Moondoggie...and even the cynical "Big Kahuna" shapes up his act...because of little Gidget's influence!

I love the 50's shirtwaist dresses, crop tops and original capri style pants...and the great old cars!

The only slightly creepy thing is Gidget thinks she's not a woman because she came home "as pure as the driven snow". Mom does not do what I would have done...(I'd freak out & ask who was trying to seduce my underage daughter!!!) She does point to a late Victorian embroidered sampler hung on Gidget's bedroom wall which says "To be a Real Woman is to Bring out the Best in a Man". Hmmm Somehow Gidget never read that little sampler!

That said, the movie is fun to watch. I'd use the slightly disturbing portion where Gidget tries to get seduced in order to "become a woman" to discuss with my tween or teen aged children why that lifestyle choice is foolish. Otherwise, Gidget actually exhibits some beginning strengths of character in her quest to find herself. She is not afraid to question her world and the adults around her.

Enjoy the late 50's dresses, cars, and the beautiful California beaches and surf culture!!!

The Rockford Files (1974–1980)

Open the Rockford Files to learn good scriptwriting...acting!

[7/10 · 24 April 2012]

Still...loving little raunchy "Angel" as Rockford's former cellmate...and he got the awards to prove it!

Rockford seems to have a permanent target on his back saying "Kick me...Punch me". He doesn't have the slick super moves of, say, MANNIX.(a series of late 60s or so) ..MANNIX never got a hair out of place and who was a Semi Deity Detective---Never really lost it...never really got rattled as he brilliantly solved crimes.r Jim Rockford...who was unfairly imprisoned earlier...still is the dog that gets kicked sometimes...but he still struggles through to solve cases.

I hate 70s fashions (lived it...tired of it) but...as I started watching the reruns...got drawn in by the good shows...I can even forget the doubleknit polyester suits.

And the cast of slightly beat up characters...Noah Beery as his dad (son of the late great Wallace Beery, an early comedic film actor)...leads off...Joe Santos is the harassed police officer --- Beth Davenport is okay...but I still also like Angel Martin (mentioned above) who won awards for his recurring role as the skanky scam artist friend of Rockford.

Study how these make characters hit you...

One mild criticism...(Yes I do think they were weak on creating substantial women characters...a common TV flaw) Beth Davenport..with her usually immobile face---is pleasant...but looks like too recent a grad from law school.

A Face in the Crowd (1957)

It's one big CON - "Lonesome" Roads changed his clothes ONLY!

[7/10 · 6 January 2012]

Am... rewatching this good movie...Andy Griffith plays a grifter who charms the local, then the national 1950s radio and then TV media...with his song and folksy talk. Roads (who never truly changes for the better...except for his shirt) is charming even political leaders. Will Roads end up in high office?

Then...Mr. Roads' media con will all blow up in his face when - finally - his true unchanged selfish con is exposed to the world.

Patricia Neal is the reporter who tracked "Lonesome" Roads down and gave him a job. Walter Matthau is the writer who (early on) recognizes the ROADS con...Neal takes many hits from the selfish (yet clinging) Roads...enduring other women, an ex wife, and then...Road's elopement with yet another woman.

Only the Ex Wife who is not really an ex wife...sees Roads for the fake he is...

"...Oh, Mr. Roads don't do no courtesy to no one. I could write a book about him..." says the Ex Wife...wanting to be paid off!

...It's a fun visual lesson in how to get duped by judging someone on CHARM and not CHARACTER!!!

Person of Interest (2011–2016)

High Tech Vigilantes...in sharp drama with a Heart!

[9/10 · 11 December 2011]

Michael Emerson (as Finch) is the little billionaire geek who taps into his own US government invention/program which predicts likely terrorist plots. However Finch takes the discarded names of people likely to be involved in NON terrorist violence, crime...and has recruited former CIA agent Reese (played by Jim Caviezel) to track the machine-named person of the week...and find out..if that person needs protection...or prosecution.

Reese has bullied a seedy corrupt cop Detective Lionel Fusco (Kevin Chapman) into helping him access police records or do needed surveillance. And the Finch/Reese vigilantes have their watcher... Detective Carter (Ms. Taraji P. Henson). She is honest and thus has their respect...but she is NOT a fan of vigilantism.

Spoilers...for some early episodes are below: In an early episode, a smart District Attorney's number came up. But as she was found to be corrupt, the Vigilantes made sure her crimes were exposed...And in the most recent episode (Dec. 9) Detective Carter was the target...in her case, Finch/Reese had to protect her from various bad guys gunning for her in...and out...of the local government.

The scene has good video enhancements and editing...There is a sadness to the Watcher/Vigilantes...but a sense of purpose. They want justice done. It's their therapy...for scars not really yet exposed to us...

And we keep seeing a file with a sad faced young boy's photo. Is it Reese as a boy? And is the old creepy jailed crime boss (shown in the Dec. 10 Carter episode)...maybe Reese's unacknowledged father or other relation? These little teaser moments hang there...possibly to be exposed later!

I've had my fill of fairly good dramas which are merely soap operas...and which are not rooted in any core purposes or ethics. This show...so far is a cut above...My 13 year old son hunts up the DVR'd episodes to watch...and he is hard to please!

Reese and Finch...both a bit damaged emotionally...both presumed "dead" by the system...are working out their angst -- by helping others and fighting evil. They don't make flowery speeches - they genuinely care for the persons they protect, but are ruthless in threatening, attacking or exposing the evil ones...Just ask the seedy corrupt Detective Fusco if he would dare underestimate Reese's reach...and ruthlessness.

The Messiah: Prophecy Fulfilled (2004 Video)

DRAMA: What the Jewish Seder Dinner SHOWS us about Messiah

[8/10 · 4 September 2011]

What's life like...for Iudah (also called "Judah") who - just last year had seen Yeshua (whom we gentiles call "Jesus") crucified, dead, buried, resurrected...and ascended back to heaven?

Iudah comes back home after telling people about Yeshua...and is invited by his large family (parents, brothers, sisters, other kin) to celebrate the Passover Seder with them. But...there is CONFLICT as some family members see Jesus as a false Messiah and Iudah (played by Nick Mancuso) as a cult follower and Troublemaker.

The movie is a good dramatization of a long, complex (but beautiful)ceremonial dinner still celebrated by many Jews to this day. Why does Iudah say that the Seder Dinner is about Jesus? You must watch to find out!

Use this DVD movie to teach your family what the ancient historic Jewish Seder Dinner of Passover...shows us about the Messiah, His Sufferings, His Death, and His Resurrection.

This movie is a bit heavy with discussions to entertain small kids, but is suitable for junior high and above... It is a total family film, but the discussions, while entertaining to the mature child or teen, might bore small kids.

Are you a teacher? Contact the filmmakers about using this DVD for a class!

I rate it high also---for the classy cast especially the lead actor, Nick Mancuso.

I also rate this movie high...for the AMAZING message it conveys! Have watched it several times.