ivyfield Reviews

The Karen Carpenter Story (1989 TV Movie)

Hasn't stood the test of time - except for the music.

[4/10 · 9 October 2013]

I've just watched this movie again - for about the 4/5th time and now understand Richard Carpenter's comments. The project could have been so much better. Historically incorrect (using the Made in America sleeve in the early stage of their career footage and the exclusion of Karen's solo project)which, I suppose is expected when you have to cram an entire life into 120 minutes. Yes, Cynthia Gibb is at time uncannily like Karen but boy, Ms Gibb really should have been given some serious lip-syncing lessons and whoever was in charge of the wigs should have taken up a different career! The guy who played Richard did a decent enough job, but you can't help feeling that this really could have/should have been a much better movie. I guess the budget was low and thank God we got the original Karen vocals - I shudder to think how it could have been without her vocals!

This is a story worth telling properly. Like 'Ray' (Ray Charles biopic) with a big budget and maybe some extra soundtrack from Richard. What's he doing these days? The soundtrack alone would sell millions. No-one loves The Carpenters more than me. I have everything they've ever released on CD (and vinyl!) and regularly visit YouTube to check if any more gems have been uploaded that I haven't seen before. Like Nat King Cole, Karen's voice is beyond any words of praise. Thank God for all the recordings that will be around long, long after we've all gone. Steve Weaver, UK 9 Oct 2013.

Stage Fright (1950)

Dietrich - the campest vamp the world will ever see!

[8/10 · 2 August 2013]

She steals the movie. I really enjoyed it and bought it for £1.29 on Amazon! Don't want to write any spoilers so if you get the chance, watch it. There's some really bad editing and vocal over-dubbing which in itself is quite amusing. Certainly worth a watch. I find some of Hitchcock's work a little reliant on his name to put the essential bums on seats but this I'm glad to say is an exception. The songs performed by Marlene are instantly forgettable with the exception of 'La Vie En Rose' despite one of the forgettable numbers being written specifically for her/the movie by no other than COLE PORTER! The extras on the DVD are nice to watch. Always like a bit of insight into the projects tho if I want to know more I always look to IDMB who do a GREAT job.

A Kid for Two Farthings (1955)

The best actor was the unicorn!

[2/10 · 23 May 2010]

I love old movies and looked forward to seeing this on Film4 today. It's just finished and I have to say it ranks very high in the 'Why did they bother' stakes. Very bad casting, some appalling acting with the lead character - a little boy, raised in the tough East End of London who talks with more marbles in his mouth than he has teeth! I'ts in colour though really should have been b&w to give it more atmosphere but frankly, it would have taken a hell of a lot more to save this old crock. Only watch it if you're wrapped head to foot in a plaster cast and have nothing else to watch. Much worse than I expected, given the great films turned by the British studios of that era. To cheer me up I'm now going to watch Sunset Boulevard for the umpteenth time. Disappointed, Steve Weaver, UK.