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Reviews
Jane's House (1994)
Heartwarming story
James woods and Anne Archer put in top performances who fall in love and marry, however becoming a stepmother seems to be an impossible task moving into the home that another woman shared for so many years. Mary was a pro tennis player for many years and single. She's never been dependent on anyone but herself. New hubby has done everything to make her feel welcome, but his children cannot help but be critical. They are so used to having things done as their mother did which leaves little room for anything different. Finally, hubby realizes he hasn't treated Mary fairly. He says he wasn't fair to expect her to move in and share into the footsteps of his former wife.
Diamond Head (1962)
Movies, the great way they were
I can only imagine myself back when this hit the big screen, seeing the magnificent panoramic scenery of Hawaii spread across the screen and just being absorbed by such a great story and great actors. It has a lot to do with that time in history and back in the day. This matches up with such an epic like Dr. Zchivago which I saw when it came out in 1965. I was too young to fully understand it, but fell for Omar Sharif just the same. There are many layers to this one, but the main thing is the racial prejudice big money man Heston (Howland) has against the Hawaiians. His sister is determined to marry Paul, a native of the island whose family has worked for How lands for generations. Exceptional acting by all and quite a thriller.
The Test of Love (1999)
Poignant heartwarming story
Roma Downey and William Russ are at their best playing a couple who have been happily married 20 years. They have a seventeen year old son. Husband is a pilot for a major airline. There is a horrible accident and many people are killed on a flight. Husband William is badly hurt with a spinal injury and is unconscious for some time. Wife Roma is greatly puzzled when a bag with Williams name on it is brought to her she doesnt recognize. More questions arise when inside are a womans clothing and makeup bag. Soon a neighbor who was friends with Cheryl the woman who died, presents to Roma a girl of 8 and explains she doesnt know what else to do, but she can no longer keep the girl. William was married a short time years before and the girl is the daughter of that marriage. Much anger and pain is faced as Roma must find what to do with a girl she already loves and a marriage she no longer wants.
Pack of Lies (1987)
great intense film, over the line test, superb acting
The Jacksons and the Schaefers have been long time friends in 1961 England in a small town who live across the street from each other. The Jacksons have a teenage daughter and the Schaefers have no children. Barbara and Helen Schaefer have no secrets from each other. Helen is a little younger and encourages Barbara to be more outgoing in manner and dress. Barbara stays busy as a stay at home mom and seamstress. I think her husband sells insurance. The Jacksons lives are drastically changed when a high intelligence investigator visits them one day. He only explains that FBI have their eye on one man who is involved in criminal activity and has been seen in the neighborhood. He says there is a need to watch all activity from a close location and the Jacksons agree that he may watch from their home. A few days turns into weeks with round the clock watch. If the Jacksons tell anyone about any of it, then they break the law. The whole experience not only does away with friendship, they find they are caught in much lying to each other. An intense thriller. Barbara almost breaks the promise at least a couple of times as Helen knows something is wrong.
Now, Voyager (1942)
Best Bette ever! An Ugly Duckling transformation
Absolutely wonderful film, wonderful story about a reclusive young woman who has a terribly strict mother who dictates to Charlottes every move and action and she has no freedom. The mother has always maintained that because Charlotte was born late in the mothers life, that it has marred the girls life. Finally, an aunt has a doctor come visit since shes on the edge of a nervous breakdown. As a result, Charlotte goes with the doctor to the sanitaruim for a stay. It turns out to be a lifesaver for there she is encoiuraged to be independent and she lives her own life. She breaks out of the sheltered life and finds love along the way and becomes well traveled.
Mermaids (1990)
Such a great film! Love it!
Charlotte, a teenager, her mom and younger sister live in a small New England town, although they have moved often. There's a great chemistry with everyone in the film. I love the films set in the 50s,and 60s since I grew up mostly in the 60s and 70s. I was 5 when Kennedy was shot but I recall watching all of it on tv. Rachel played very well by Cher, is a newly hired secretary, who I think dates her boss who runs a shoe store. Rachel is a free spirit and single mom. She has no desire for another husband. She isn't religious, but daughter Charlotte is. The film certainly is delight as it takes you on a journey of young love, sexuality, as well as serious challenges.
Lightning in a Bottle (1993)
Great film!
Superb in every way. I don't believe I have ever seen a film like this. Linda plays a young mother who has lost some of her memory due to a car accident which seems to be an open and shut case. Looks like the incident was caused by a drunk driver who was killed along with one child. Another child in critical condition. Linda also spends time in hospital. She feels extremely guilty. Her heart goes out to the mother of the boy that died and spends much time by bedside of the recovering little girl. As a result, the two women become friends. Linda has been particularly interested to know how the wreck happened since she has no memory of it. Slowly flashes of that night comes in view and she realizes she is responsible.
A Child's Cry for Help (1994)
extraordinary movie
Perhaps the acting could have been better, but overall an interesting film. A young mom brings in her young son with what appears to be appendicitus. The surgery proves there is inflammation but appendix okay. This doesnt lay a great start for an unusual situation. Before the boy goes home though becomes gravely ill with an infection in which one other boy on another floor also develops. Wide spread alarm occurs and it becomes a media circus. With time things calm down and the boys health returns however almost overnight he becomes ill again. The only thing that seems to be a common denominator is that the boys mother is constantly with him often overnight. The doctors theory is that the mother is causing the boys illness. She consults psychiatrists in another hospital as well as social services and police and they form a case.
Too Close to Home (1997)
EERIE FACE OF CRIME
Indeed much too close is the obsessive sociopath Diana Diana toward her attorney son Nick. Judith Light and Rick Schroeder as always put in excellent portrayals of a real life criminal Diana and Nick her son. Judith is haunting and oh so smooth as she envelopes Nick with all consuming desire to have him all to herself. She is an expert liar and manipulator. It doesnt matter who she hurts along the way as long as she gets her way. She talks an elderly neighbor into signing over the social security check to buy Nick an expensive watch. When Nick marries and leaves her, she has the daughter in law killed and yet Nick continues to defend her til the end.
Forever Love (1998)
Extraordinary wonderful film! Reba shines!
Reba and the Brooks, a real love story from start to finish, as is poignantly portrayed mostly as flashbacks as Lizzie visions so clearly while in a coma. Only a young woman in her 20s, she suddenly becomes unconscious and the only thing to do is wait. Her little girl is only about 11 at the time. Her husband truly fulfills his vows by caring for her in their home. When she wakes the world has drastically changed and she feels like a real stranger to all she knows. It will be a hard fought battle to begin to find her place all over again. It is an incredible heart breaking yet wonderful story.
Custody of the Heart (2000)
absorbing great film
Lorraine Bracco does an excells as a hard working mom whose job requires travel away from home often. Her husbands anger has been building up for a while because he thinks she puts her job first and ignores her family which is partly true. I think the key factor to start with is each times he wants to talk to wife about it, shes always too busy. The reality is though that he harbors a self defeat and jealousy because he has made serious attemts toward reviving his career, but to no avail. He seeks some control by suuing for full custody of the kids meaning limited time for her and the kids. She is outraged, but before long the truth comes out.
In the Best Interest of the Child (1990)
How far would you go and to what end? Sacrificial love
When Mandy, 5 year old of Jennifer, begins having violent nightmares as well as violent behavior at school, she is alarmed. When Mandy tells her mother that her father has hurt her describing details of sexual nature, she seeks help. Her husband soon becomes ex husband and repeatedly denies the abuse. Despite multiple testimonies from doctors, the judge still refuses the charges. The judge sees no reason to deny the ex husband visitation rights. Jennifer is understandably outraged. She tells the judge, she will not agree to such terms, and is found in contempt and jailed. A woman of strong conviction! While in prison, a cell mate, knowing her situation, gives Jennifer a phone number. The number leads to a path of illegal destinations out of view of authorities.
A well acted sensational insightful story.
Gone in the Night (1996)
heart breaking brilliantly done film!
Cindy and David, a hard working couple with two children are living life happily when its all shattered when they wake up and their 7 or 8 year old daughter has beenkidnapped from her bedroom. The case is incredible because there is really no hard evidence of any kind. The media and the community push for some answers especially when the girl is found brutally murdered not far from where Cindy and David live. There are many layers to the case which drags on for years. Unfortunately, much deception is involved with some police andlawyers involved in the prosecution efforts. Cindy and David Dowaliby and their young son, go through unimaginable and horrendous obstacles before all is said and done. I can only believe their strong faith and strength of character helped them, as well as finding enough good people finding the real truth.
Shannon D., Kevin D. And Ed Asner, as well as all involved put in wonderful performances.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Sandra charms again!
Just a wonderful fun film. Sandra gets into a real situation when she saves Peter from getting ran over by a train and he remains in a coma for some time. There is confusion and a doctor thinks she is his fiancee. His family arrives at the hospital and before she has a chance to say anything, they hear she's engaged to him and warmly welcomes her to the family. In reality, she has no family of her own and lives alone selling transit train tickets. The family has her share Christmas with them and she enjoys it thoroughly. She also has the chance to get know Peters brother and they fall in love. The world could really use a lot more of these light hearted stories and less murder mysterys. The story is well written.
Bad for Each Other (1953)
Classic great film!
When has Heston ever not made a film great! He once again captures the screen with his personable strength of character guy as a colonel coming home on a break from the Korean war. He has an exclusive engaging relationship with a twice divorced woman who is also wealthy and the daughter of an old family doctor who warns him his daughter is only after his money and she will destroy him. The relationship continues. He is offered to work with another older doctor who caters to the wealthy. The offer seems too good to pass up. However, he is disillusioned with such a job. A critical operation is successfully performed and he is asked to let his partner older doctor take credit for it since the patients has always had deep faith in him. Then things come to a head when he is needed back in the coal mines where has been explosions. Great performances by all!
The Story of Esther Costello (1957)
Wonderful story
I understand there was a libel suit by Helen Kellers people because this story is much like her own. I am sorry to hear that. It doesnt take away from a great movie. Joan Crawford again dazzles the screen with her excellent acting, beauty, and grace, as someone who is wealthy and does charity work in Ireland associated with the Catholic church and her friend a preist. The preist tells her about Esther, a deaf/blind girl who is in the care of an elderly woman, perhaps her mom. Joan,sees the girl is mostly kept in a shabby dirty situation and that the woman who oversees her is an alcoholic and ignores the girl. Joan, (Margarita) takes Esther under her care and her life is never the same.
A Mother's Revenge (1993)
great film!
Lesley Ann Warren and Bruce Davison put in powerful performaces of a busy couple with two daughters, a teenager and i think a 10 year old Wendy. Carol the mom, must stay late at work one day and asks her older daughter Jill to pick up Wendy from school. Jill is late in picking her up. Wendy goes back inside the school and calls her mom, but before the call is completed, Frank, a janitor who Wendy has been friendly with, attacks,beats, and rapes her. Of course this the ultimate crime against the girl and family. Frank has beenin trouble with molestation charges in another state. The school only requires info about employees from a state wide view, so they had no knowledge of such charges. Things heat up when Franks charges against Wendy are dropped due to lack of evidence. Carol, the mom, in reaction to such news, spots a gun that becomes visible when she drops her purse and shoots Frank there in the court room who later dies in hospital. Quite a thriller!
Black Widow (1954)
Absorbing 50s thriller!
Top notch acting from all involved from this colorful who dun it. The story is told thru the eyes of Peter Denver i believe a famous writer or director in the theater who is happily married to Jane. A young lady writer, new to the city,Garner, by chance meets Peter at one of his friends parties. Peters wife takes a trip for a few weeks to tend to her ailing mother. Miss Garner asks Peter if she could have the peace and quiet of his luxury apartment so she can write. Willing to help, he agrees. The story has several layers to it. The mystery presents itself when Peter returns with his wife to his apartment and Garner has hung herself. Interesting!
Small Sacrifices (1989)
Harrowing, intense,brilliantly done
Indeed, its hard to imagine that such a sociopath could exist and such events took place. The movie leaves you with no doubt about Downs and such crimes. I hate that such cruel upbringing and molestation could lead to such horrifying deeds as murdering your own children, and yet there must be something in them when they are born that also plays a part. The characters are very real and great acting by all especially Farrah. Clearly, as she is described, she is a narcissist and her only concern is getting what she wants with no concern for anyone else. She is a master manipulator. Kudos also to the one who played her lawyer, he was superb.
Fun with Dick and Jane (1977)
Love it! Vintage comedy from start to finish!
One of my favorite movies! Fun from start to finish!😁Dick and Jane and son live in a high class neighborhood in the suburbs. He works for a big aeronautics company and she works at spending money. Their son is about 10. They have enjoyed success for some years. Suddenly, his boss played by Ed McMahon brilliantly, fires him and many others saying the company has been running on a loss for a while. They try the normal phase of shock, panic, public welfare, trying for loans. Then they lurch into a zany crime spree of robbing small businesses, then bigger businesses as well as auto theft. A trip with many twists and turns and a surprising end!
Patterns (1956)
Ultimate dog eat dog business world. Excellent film!
Top notch acting by all, gripping realistic power play from the get go. A rare gem of a film. New employee Staples and his wife have come into a great opportunity in a new town. Staples has a job at one of the biggest and most progressive corporations around. A new home has also been provided with all the amenities one could ask for. Staples meets the man that soon he is to replace, although he doesn't realize it at first. The two men share the same interests and values. However,everything becomes painfully clear how the Boss and the company runs things with an iron hand holding no sentiments whatsoever for the aging employee fixing to get pushed out. I greatly admire the Staples character played by Heflin, for we learn he has no room for such sadistic patterns.
Without Honor (1949)
great film!
Much like aHitchcock film, leaves on the edge of your seat. Jane is with her married lover. He tells her its over and he wants to stay with his wife. Janes reaction is extreme and she impulsively grabs a knife and threatens to kill herself. Theres a struggle and lover falls on knife. Jane thinks hes dead, and drags him into the laundry room, wondering what to do next. Then her brother-in-law, who has never liked her, shows up. He says she has always done him wrong by interfering in the relationship he had with his brother. He says he getting back at her because he hired a detective to follow her. He knows about her affair and plans to tell all. Good thriller.
Betrayed by Innocence (1986)
great film! Well done!
I have seen this about twice now and it stands the test of time well since the story remains strong and relevant. Barry Bostwick plays a 40 ish year old man, married with a daughter in college and his wife is a lawyer. He is in charge of making a travelogue movie and is very excited to do so since it is his first. It seems that he and his wife are on different wave lengths. She is very involved with a case and must leave home a short while. Their daughter has just left for college and he feels a bit lost and lonesome, wanting to talk with his wife. A young lady of 16 catches his eye at a friends party. Of course, he has no idea she is 16, since she looks older. She says she takes a college class studying film. He mentions he is working on his film on location the next day.
The girl, Marissa has a father who is a cop. She has no mother and her dad keeps a very tight leash on her whereabouts. In fact, she feels she is drowning because she has little freedom.
There are interesting layers to the story. You wont be disappointed!
The Face on the Milk Carton (1995)
good movie fine performances by all
I always enjoy Kellie Martin, shes great in all shes in. She finds herself a teenager who sees herself as a child on the side of a milk carton which brings about many memories and questions. She knows her parents could never have been kidnappers but she finally must ask them. They tell her that she is actually the daughter of their own daughter who was part of a cult. For fears about the cult, their daughter wanted the Jasmines (her parents) to raise Jenny. Realizing how traumatic and life changing it will be, Jenny and the Jasmines decide to report the truth to authorities. Indeed it a real joy for the real parents, and devastating situation.
Cruel Doubt (1992)
great thriller!
I have seen this several times thru the years and its one of my favorites. Top rate acting put in by all especially Blythe danner and the young guy who plays Chris Prichard. There are many twists and turns to this horrible nightmare of crime. A middle aged couple are attacked in their home, one is killed and the wife survives. Blythe plays the wife who has complete belief her son chris is not involved. However throughout the movie with his history of drug and alcohol abuse, he has some obvious mental trouble. His behaviour is suspicious. The story tells a very strange tale of Chris and two of his friends and their involvement withe the game of Dungeons and Dragons, a role playing game. On almost a dare situation, all three are involved with the murders. Quite fascinating.