jameshoran8 Reviews

Glass (2019)

The One Hit Wonder Safe Continues

[1/10 · 13 April 2020]

This movie was garbage. Willis and Jackson know it, but it's just a payday for them. How long does this fraud Good Night Shaymalan keep turning out turkeys because he had a novel premise back in 1999. Hello!!!!! That was last century.

Gunsmoke: Kate Heller (1963) Season 9, Episode 1

Dillon Met His Match

[10/10 · 16 March 2020]

I have seen this episode several times over the years and marvel what a great actress Mabel Albertson is in her portrayal of the the strong woman in the title role. I will not say anything more, but if you get the chance, watch this episode. You will not regret the hour taken to see a craftswoman at work.

Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever (1967) Season 1, Episode 28

Amazing - Even 52 Years Later

[9/10 · 9 December 2019]

I have never written a review for any Star Trek episode. However, last night on H&I. I saw COTEOF probably for the fifty some time including when it was originally aired in April of 1967. The more I see it over the years, the more amazing it is and severe admiration is to be Harlan Ellison, the writer. It is wonderfully acted by a restrained Kirk who faces the decision of love vs. humanity. Spock knows this and fears if left alone to make the decision, Kirk would choose love. It is rated the best Star Trek, TOS episode and it's easily to see why. If it's your first time watching this episode, one word....ENJOY.

Gunsmoke: Kate Heller (1963) Season 9, Episode 1

What A Fun Watch When Dillon Finds Out

[10/10 · 26 April 2019]

A lot of Gunsmoke episodes leaves the viewer in the dark as to the outcome. Kathleen Hite keeps you in on all the secrets and inserts Mabel Albertson in the title name and she is fantastic as is every bit as strong a woman as Miss Kitty. Dillon doesn't know who shot an old friend Gus and ambushed him on the trail other than it was both done by a young guy named Andy. Dillon doesn't put two and two together when the four time married, Kate nurses him back to help from the three shots Andy delivered to his back. The scene where Andy tries to get Dillon to stand (against his grandma Kate's direction) and then finding from Kate his name is Andy has Dillon making a facial expression change to pure anger. Albertson carries the episode and is truly wonderful. I won't tell you the ending other than it fulfilled Kate's directive that bullets were meant only for hardened criminals and animals in mortal pain. I am still trying to find which category fit Andy.

Gunsmoke: Chicken (1964) Season 10, Episode 11

Another gunsmoke episode that transcends time.

[10/10 · 25 January 2019]

This review is almost 55 years after this episode originally aired in December of 1964, but the message still resonates today. A man does not know what's inside him until he's been tested. Dan Collins had the label "hero" placed upon him, taking credit for killing four outlaws. He had no part in these heroics. He loved the notoriety at first and took the credit, but his conscience got the best of him. Now believing he was really a coward, he is tested again and this time sacrifices his life saving a couple who basically had little regard for him. Why did he do it? His inner person knew it was the right thing to do and that same person exibited the courage and the strength to get the job done while sacrificing his life in the process. As Matt Dillon said at the end looking at the deceased Dan Collins after his heroics, "When a man puts out his arm to help, he doesn't know how long it will extend." A great Gunsmoke episode that will be relevant 55 years from now.

The Godfather Part III (1990)

Al Pacino playing Al Pacino

[6/10 · 30 December 2018]

The problem with the movie is Michael Corleone is not in it. Al brought Al to the character and he and Francis should have known better. Al also went soft on the character and that was a disappointment. There you have it. The main problem with the film.

Field of Dreams (1989)

Different Meanings

[9/10 · 20 December 2018]

When this movie came out in 1989, I drew parallels to my father that had just died. He never wanted to have a catch with me as he was too old, having me late in his life. I had twin sons in the 1980's and played ball with both of them. Fast forward to a Saturday morning July 31, 2010. RAGBRAI, the most famous bike ride in America the rides across Iowa, was starting its 7th and last day in Manchester to Dubuque, Iowa, passing through Dyersville, the location of the Field. Several of the riders stopped and we had a pickup game on the Field. I had lost one of my sons to a tragic accident the year before, and had a truly wonderful warm thought from the movie playing on the Field that my catch was not with my dad, but my son. Tears came to me and the movie did it. I still had to ride the twentysome miles into Dubuque for the finish, and my eyes were not dry on that hot morning the whole way. My son was on that Field that day having a catch with me. The movie touched so many mens' hearts. Mine came 21 years after the movie came out. To do that makes it a special movie.

The Ghost Writer (2010)

Ich bin ein Berliner.

[9/10 · 8 December 2018]

Polanski tackles a film about America and Britain when he is not allowed to set foot in either. The beginning is supposed to open and close in London, and is replete with the wrong way traffic and even red double decker buses. But Polanski was forced to go to Charlottenstrasse in Berlin to shoot these scenes. Interesting Polanski, a convicted sexual pervert, can't show his face in America, similar to Brosnan's Adam Lang who can return to London for alledged war crimes. The movie was interesting but any American could trace the phony American signs, the Denmark coast and Green Screens substituting for Martha'a Vineyard and the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts and a ferry that was as un-American as it could get. Interesting Germany gave Roman a place to do his film. As to the film, the Ghost had a death wish going down a back alley that he knew would not end well. And then the Ghost is baited to come to the book opening by Kim Cattrell' s character so the C.I.A. could kill him shows the stupidity of the whole movie.

Heaven Can Wait (1978)

Who Would Have Thought Fourty Years Later

[6/10 · 19 November 2018]

I am writing this review on November 19, 2018, fourty years after this movie with the Philadelphia Eagles back to be the perennial losers they have been during the 52 year history of Super Bowls. I saw this movie in 1978 in a movie theatre, never thinking how prophetic it was. Last year the Eagles were playing above their heads with their first round pick, Carson Wentz taking them to an above 500 season. However, the Eagles' putrid history hit again in a game with the Eagles playing the Los Angeles Rams who had this year returned to L.A and the Coliseum after a 25 years absence, having moved to St.Louis. This is the same team and locale as in the movie. Wentz, not Joe Pendleton, goes down and a journeyman (No, not Tom Jarrett) Nick Foles enters the game, won it and took the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory versus the superior Patriots not on the same night, but two months later. Think there was not similarities to real life and this fourty year movie is denying a fact. Yes, it was coincidence, but the Eagles first Super Bowl in 52 years and their return to being a lousy team again this year would give any Eagle fan reason to view this movie and arrive at a conclusion. There was Divine Intervention last year. Was Foles sent from somewhere? I don't know. You should asked Bill Belichick or Tom Brady. BTW, Foles is back on the bench this year as the perennial journeyman quarterback he's been all his playing career. This movie was prophetic. As to the movie, it was Warren Beatty being...............Warren Beatty.

Battle of the Sexes (2017)

How Can You Make A Movie.....

[4/10 · 23 October 2018]

The fact be known and have come out years ago. Riggs blew the match to payoff gambling debts. The acting was fine, but it would have been a more interesting movie if they portrayed the scam Riggs put on trying to fake a competitive match. Well, I guess it's a feel good movie for some.

Blown Away (1994)

Why Is It Always The Irish?

[5/10 · 10 October 2018]

The 1990's were certainly a period when Hollywood went looking for a constant whipping boy or should I say class of people to attack as terrorist and imminent threats to the American people. Blown Away is a silly movie and Bridges and Jones were looking for easy paydays, Jones especially coming off his The Fugitive accolades. Let me see in the 1990's you had Blown Away, Patriot Days, The Devil's Own and Ronin where the Irish were always the bad guys. Truth be told, Hollywood knew the Irish would not protest, so this was the group Hollywood would and could go after. The Irish never attacked America, but Blown Away appears to show a personal vengeance would cause an insane terrorist to kill any and all Americans. The movie was senseless, a waste of time, bad music and both Jones and Bridges should be arrested for bad accents. Why didn't Hollywood go after another class of people. How about the group that was behind 911? Because Hollywood and those that fund such drivel as Blown Away are coward, fearful to confront the actual terrorist group.

Blood Work (2002)

Should Have Been Dirty Harry's Finale

[7/10 · 3 October 2018]

A disappointing ending with a weak script, but make no mistake Eastwood fans, this was not Terry McCaleb but was actually Eastwood giving a send-off to Harry Callahan. I know movie rights prevented him from calling himself "Callahan," but make no mistake that was Dirty Harry.

The Rifleman: Letter of the Law (1959) Season 2, Episode 10

Vic Morrow

[9/10 · 25 August 2018]

I have seen the Rifleman episodes many times over, but there are three or four episodes that bear rewatching. "Letter of the Law" is one of them from Season Two, and the reason is Vic Morrow. This episode is from 1959 and from Vic's pre Combat days. He plays a manacing character here, similar to his earlier appearance in "The Angry Gun" in Season One. There is something special about him and the producers of Combat brought this persona to that starring role. The episode bears watching as you know he and Connors will have a showdown at the end. My only question is why his flame burned out in his post Combat years. He is a treat to watch here and I guess you need to enjoy his while his flame still burned bright.

Gunsmoke: The Gallows (1962) Season 7, Episode 22

I Watched It Again Today 7/31/2018

[10/10 · 31 July 2018]

I never much go into watching episodes I have seen previously, but to this 66 year old man; this episode was the exception. We all pretty much by now (56 years past the original airing) know the story of Pruit Dover, but no episode of any T.V. series or even movies both touch and haunted me as this one did. And I cried again at the ending. I think I know why Dover succumbed to his fate. He basically, during the story, told Matt Dillon he was a drifter all his life, never wanted to get married, raise a family and was always unlucky. He also just got beat out of $100.00 by a nefarios character who he had to kill during a fight. Dover wanted out of this unfair life beset him so he did not claim self defense that every viewer and Dillon knew was in play here. He was tired of life's agonies so he let the law solve his problem. Matt Dillon tried his best to let Dover run free, but Pruitt was tired of life. This was his way out, and as he walked up the gallow's steps with the executioner, he was telling life that he could not take it anymore. Dillon at some later date probably figured it out. Yes, some future date in time that Matt gazed upon the hat Pruitt gave him before he took that walk up the stairs. Matt realized why Dover did what he did that day. A sad and touching episode. The best Gunsmoke episode in its twenty year run. R.I.P. Pruitt.

Gunsmoke: Ten Little Indians (1965) Season 11, Episode 4

A Fun Episode

[9/10 · 26 June 2018]

Whenever you have Bruce Dern staring down Warren Oates for a gunfight, you know you're going to be in for a fun time. The collection of all star gunslingers come to Dodge to wax Matt Dillon for a handsome fee of $25,000. But who is paying for it, and are all the noted gunmen showing themselves since all of their identities are only known to the mysterious promoter? Dern's performance is creepy, but what else would you expect from the man who killed John Wayne in the Cowboys and would later pilot the Goodyear blimp in efforts to kill 80,000 people at the Super Bowl. And whenever you have a character in the ensemble named Jack Pinto, you know he is going to be trouble. A fun watch.

Gunsmoke: Prime of Life (1966) Season 11, Episode 32

Five Years of the Most Impressive Television - EVER

[21 June 2018]

I have written reviews on various Gunsmoke episodes in the past. You know the ones where you can't get the story out of your mind, even an hour after it has been finished. A perfect example is "The Gallows" from Season Seven. Gunsmoke was divided into three parts during its twenty year run. They are The Half Hour Episodes Year 1 - 6, The One Hour Black and White Episodes Year 7 - 11 and The Color Episodes Year 12 - 20. There has never been more consistently good writing that those five years of hour long black and white episodes in the early to mid 1960's with primarily John Meston and Kathleen Hite at the writing helm.

I am writing this review here at the last episode of these 176 presentations spanning the five years. My only wish was that the great James Arness could have been in more of them as the show suffered with his absence. I know he was in all 176 just as he was in every Gunsmoke episode for the 20 years; but lets be honest, some were merely cameos as even Mr. Arness could not handle the grind of cranking out on average 35 episodes per season and keep up the quality of his acting at the same time. His presence on the screen was as every bit as commanding as any other actor. In fact, the actors of today pale in comparison. I am 65, so my Gunsmoke baptism came with the color episodes starting in the Fall of 1976. I never saw any of the black and whites episodes until last year on morning television when I saw the pure treasure of the 176 episodes that, at two per day, took 17 weeks plus to view. I was stunned at the acting, the stories and the beautiful outdoor scenery in high def T.V. that was simple beautiful. I cannot tell you the number of times I could not get a story out of my mind the whole day. The stories did not always ended well, but they ended leaving a message. Today's T.V. pales in comparison. If the Smithsonian was ever to house a collection for posterity, it should be these 176 episodes. Were there clunkers? Sure, but that is to be expected. My favorites are the aforementioned "The Gallows" "The Way It Is" "False Front" "With A Smile" "The Glory and The Mud" "No Hands" "Caleb" "Owney Tupper Had A Daughter" "Old Man" "Chicken" "Seven Hours to Dawn" and "Ten Little Indians."

There are other great episodes and stories, but these were my favorites. The five years allowed me to see what a great ensemble of a cast Gunsmoke had with Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake and a never seen before Dennis Weaver who I previously only knew form his later series McCloud. I saw Burt Reynolds and saw what a fine actor he was in a serious role. Yes, "Prime of Life" completed the five year, 176 episode run of fine television. And to think CBS was to cancel the series after the 1965 season. Only CBS President William Paley knew that was a mistake and interceded. My last thought. I will never forget the character played by Jeremy Slate in Dover Pruitt. When Marshall Dillon walked down the street at that episode's conclusion......I cried. And I never did that at any movie or T.V. show in my life. Bravo Gunsmoke and R.I.P. Mr Arness. You were good.

Gunsmoke: Caleb (1964) Season 9, Episode 26

It Takes an Excellent Episode to Make me Cry

[10/10 · 22 May 2018]

Today was the first time I saw the episode having grown up in my early years in the mid 1960's and 70's and watching endlessly the color episodes from Years 12 through 20. This was a masterpiece from the 176 episode collection of one hour black and white presentations representing Years Seven through Eleven, Gunsmoke's best period helmed by the exceptional writings of John Meston and Kathleen Hite. Caleb is the story of a man reaching 45 years of age and despite his hard life as a dirt farmer, he never amounted to much. He couldn't even grow a decent batch of potato's. His wife did not make his life any happier, always belittling him and denied him children as he was not worthy, in her eyes, of children. Caleb sees Marshall Dillon and that's who he wants to be. He knows that is an impossibility, but in that one brief instance, his strength comes forward and he lays down his life in protecting the Marshall from a ruthless killer. All he had at the end dying in the street was the friendship of his dog that laid beside him and surrounded by the Marshall and townsfolk thankful for the sacrifice he made by taking a bullet meant for the Marshall. Caleb is the story of people reflecting on their lives. Most see Marshall Dillon and see who they want to be and then seeing Caleb and realizing that's who they really are.

Gunsmoke: The Gallows (1962) Season 7, Episode 22

I Just Could Not Forget This Episode

[10/10 · 30 March 2018]

I originally saw this episode perhaps six to seven months ago. As an avid Gunsmoke fan being 65 years old, I never saw the first ten years of episodes being too young. I have been watching the hour long black and white episodes from Years 7 through 11, and this is the best of the 175 episodes and probably the best in the entire Gunsmoke collection. It is John Meston's masterpiece that I viewed again today. It is haunting and will not leave you alone as such an injustice is done with the hanging of Pruitt Dover, a flawed but basically good man who just had a string of bad luck with his latest lapse of judgment trusting a scoundrel and being cheated out of $100.00 that he was truly owed. They both get drunk, the scoundrel pulls a knife on Dover, and Dover, in a drunken state, kills his attacker. He runs but Dillon captures him, but even Dillon know this person was not a murderer. This fact was reinforced after Dover saves Dillon's life on the trail from a range hunter who shoots Dillon. Dover nurses him back to health and returns him to Dodge with Dillon's promise he would do everything he could to have Dover avoid a hanging. This is where the wheels of justice derail. A replacement judge discounts the good deed Dover did and that self defense could have possibly been in play here. He sentences Dover to hang despite a fierce protest from Dillon. The balance of the episode has the viewer hoping the judge will change his mind or that Dover takes advantage of one of the opportunities Dillon gave him to escape. You're convinced this will happen, but as they arrive in Hays, the place where the hanging is to take place, you slowly realize this is not going to end well. As Dover and the hangman walk up thee steps to the gallows, Dillon walks away too shaken to see the eventuality. Pruitt Dover is hung and the Marshall walks away in silence stunned that such a miscarriage of law, one that he pledged to uphold, was carried out. If you watch the episode, it will leave you sad and you will not forget Pruitt Dover. He was a drifter....yes, but he was a man that was basically good and deserved a better fate. I am sure Dillon never forgot him and kept the hat Pruitt gave him prior to taking his last steps up to the gallows where his fate awaited him.

Gunsmoke: Chesterland (1961) Season 7, Episode 8

Poor Chester

[21 March 2018]

I am 65 years old and came upon Gunsmoke in its original run the last nine years or those hour long shows in color from 66 to 75. I heard of Chester, but never saw him in his role until the last couple of months as it runs in syndication on INSP daily. What is so apparent in several Season 7 episodes is that woman have a spell over men and basically use them. Marry the rich guy no matter how dastardly he is and don't give the nice honest guy a chance unless he is loaded with dough. This is what happens in this episode. Dennis Weaver is given the primary role in the episode and his efforts are not good enough for his new girlfriend. Try as he did, he fails until he hits water on his land and sells it, giving all the proceed to his girlfriend. When the well runs dry, he finds out she took the first stage out of town with all of the money, leaving Chester penniless. The viewer feel sorry for Chester as he returns to his old job doing menial tasks for Marshall Dillon. Dennis Weaver was great in the role and I wonder was he thinking after playing this unimportant role in Gunsmoke for seven years being Dillon's "caddy" that maybe it was time to move on.

The Rifleman: The Angry Gun (1958) Season 1, Episode 12

The Angry Gun

[9/10 · 27 February 2016]

I again saw the episode this morning, and thought back that I was six years old when it originally aired. I have always been a fan of Vic Morrow and in this episode, he did not disappoint. He comes off as a natural actor and his scenes were riveting. It is easy to see that three years later, he would be chosen for the lead in Combat and one of the most interesting characters ever as Sgt. Saunders. This episode, as all the Riflemen, had a lesson. In this, the love of a father for his son that was the prevalent theme in the series as a single fathers only wish was that his son grows up right. They don't make them like this anymore. R.I.P. to both Chuck and Vic. You both died before your time.