baritonevoiceguy Reviews

The Darkest Hour (2011)

Stupid Effing Sci-Fi film parading as a Winston Churchill documentary.

[1/10 · 15 April 2023]

One of the WORST films I've seen on the SYFY channel (which is notable for screening BAD movies, and even worse original series). This movie was supposed to be about Winston Churchill vis a vis Adolph Hitler. Heh - not even close. Darkest Hour has to be one of the suckiest alien invasion movies ever made. It represents why I RARELY ever watch SYFY anymore. The people in charge of the network have NO CLUE about what good science fiction is about.

Thier original series (most recently The Ark) are absolutely horrible. I could only watch the first two episodes before noting how horribly contrived the plot line was, and how un-endearing the characters were. Face it - if you're a real fan of science fiction, the SYFY channel is an utter waste of time. Let's hope someone launches a channel worthy of the name "Science Fiction".

Bloody Mama (1970)

Utter Tripe

[4/10 · 1 December 2020]

This film is not AT ALL historically accurate (read the Wikipedia entry on Ma Barker for a more factual account). This is a pure Corman "exploitation" film, but it's worth ONE screening (and one only) just to see early portrayals by Bruce Dern and Robert DeNiro, both noted for playing psychotic characters during their careers.

I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955)

Good Film w/ A Couple of Annoyances

[7/10 · 28 May 2020]

Overall, I'll Cry Tomorrow is a decent enough film for its time, but there are a couple of things that just grate on my nerves every time I watch it. First, although the film is supposed to be set (mainly) in the 1930s, the costumes and hairstyles through most of the film are definitely contemporary - mid 1950s. Glaring error there. Second, while Susan Hayward does a fair job with the song Happiness is a Thing Called Joe (the Arlen/Hapburg song written in 1943 for Cabin in the Sky), she sings the line "Happiness is JUST a thing called Joe", when the lyric as written is "Happiness is JES' a thing called Joe". She should have listened to the Ethel Waters recording before trying to perform her "whitened-up" version. It jes' ain't fittin'!!

The Relaxed Wife (1957)

Mother's Little Helper?

[2/10 · 25 April 2020]

Interesting to note that this anti-stress "educational" short from the late 1950s was funded by Pfizer. Are they pushing diazepam (Valium)? Just wondering . . . Yes, the production is cheap and the acting is atrocious, but consider the time when it was made.

Two O'Clock Courage (1945)

Remake of 1936's Two in the Dark

[7/10 · 14 April 2020]

Interesting story of an amnesiac's quest to discover his identity with the help of a pretty female, while trying to avoid the suspicions of the police, who are investigating a murder. Unfortunately, this remake doesn't have the cast of the original, which featured Walter Abel, Alan Hale Sr., Eric Blore, etc.,and suffers a bit as a result.

One Potato, Two Potato (1964)

Amazing For Its Time!!!

[9/10 · 27 March 2020]

I just saw this film for the first time on TCM tonight (March 2020), and was completely blown away that a film with this subject material could have been made and released in 1964, at the height of civil unrest in the US. I was only 9 at the time the movie was made, but distinctly remember the racial unrest that was prevalent in the country at the time. I wish the makers would have made clear WHERE the events took place - it was definitely NOT set in the American south. This was a landmark film, and most likely highly underrated. Performances by Barbara Barrie, Bernie Hamilton, Richard Mulligan and Robert Earl Jones (father of James Earl Jones) are compelling and nothing short of amazing.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999)

Still Excellent -30 Years Later

[9/10 · 3 March 2020]

Nearly 30 years after its debut, Star Trek Deep Space Nine is STILL one of (if not THE) best-executed of the four original Star Trek series on TV (ignoring the Scott Bakula pre-Kirk series, which absolutely sucked). The DS9 characters are wonderfully portrayed, the 6-season story arcs are well-written and deeply (if rather darkly) engaging, and the setting takes place on a single space station, rather than on a starship traversing the vastness of space, which gives the series a previously unknown stability. Definitely worth watching. The only downside - Nicole DeBoer doesn't appear until near the end of the series.

Pepe (1960)

An Interesting Hollywood Oddity

[7/10 · 20 February 2020]

While this film doesn't especially take advantage of Mexican actor Cantinflas's talent, it's not nearly the bomb that other IMDB reviewers might indicate. True, the plotline isn't particularly compelling (in fact, it's a bit absurd), there are many memorable moments in the film. Shirley Jones is particularly appealing, and we get vocal performances by Bobby Darrin AND Judy Garland (what's not to like there), as well as a rare screen performance by jazz pianist/composer/conductor Andre Previn. Together with cameo appearances by Edward G. Robinson, Billy Burke, and tons of other 30s/40s/50s luminaries, this film is well worth the 2-1/2 hours or so to watch.

Frenchman's Creek (1944)

Good Film, But Overexposed

[7/10 · 18 February 2020]

While a decent swashbuckling film, featuring the lovely Joan Fontaine (not to mention Basil Rathbone & Cecil Kellaway), most of the print aired recently on TCM is so overexposed/"bleached out" as to be difficult to watch. Definitely in need of restoration.

Always in My Heart (1942)

Don't Believe Negative Reviews!!

[7/10 · 13 February 2020]

Several reviews have been posted for this film which deride the movie's music. Don't buy into them! Gloria Warren's voice (despite the fact that she only made 5 films), is every bit the equal of Kathryn Grayson, Deanna Durbin and Jeanette McDonald. Also, the performances of the harmonica "orchestra" are nothing short of amazing. Coupled with the performances of Walter Huston and Kay Francis, this is decidedly an endearing film.