jeffws Reviews

Columbo: No Time to Die (1992) Season 10, Episode 5

Totally un-Columbo episode

[4/10 · 12 July 2021]

I was bored by this episode, which is utterly un-Columbo-like. Granted, this was a 1992 reboot of the great series, but disappointing to watch.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Malice Domestic (1957) Season 2, Episode 20

One of the best Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes

[10/10 · 27 September 2015]

SPOILER ALERT! This is a superb example of the great Alfred Hitchcock Presents television series of the 1950s. Don't continue reading if you haven't already seen this episode. Without going into detail, I am impressed by the great O. Henry style "twist" ending that this episode has, typical of the series. The "Hays Code" and television censors' limitations on moving pictures released in the US placed restrictions on movies and TV series released to the public, especially on television. This episode is an example of one of the Hays code requirements: crime cannot pay. The bad guys can't get away with crime. Hitchcock was very canny in utilizing his personally filmed intros and, more specifically, "outtros," to allow otherwise questionable endings to fit the code. In other words, the "play" can end with the protagonist "getting away" with crime, as it does splendidly in this case. Then Mr. Hitchcock comes on and explains how the protagonist was eventually caught and forced to pay by going to prison. I prefer to end episodes like this the way that I am sure Mr. Hitchcock (and the screenwriter) really wanted it to end but was unable due to code restrictions and, of course, sponsor and network interference. Absolutely fine episode. One of Hitch's best.

War & Peace (1972–1973)

I heartily second the opinions regarding the superbness of this epic series

[10/10 · 16 February 2009]

I don't have much to say in addition to the adulations given by, especially, those who watched this amazing series at a young age. I was 23 when it first broadcast on public television, a co production of the BBC and Time-Life. I disagree with the verbose UK reviewer above, who felt the episodes boring until about halfway. I was intrigued with episodes 1 and 2, and utterly engrossed by 3, waiting impatiently for the following week to bring the next episode. My only problematic observation from the 1st episode was that it seemed a little stagy, as if I were watching a stage play. Small criticism. Watching it again 37-odd years later ( have finished the 2nd DVD as I write this) I was again engrossed, with the advantage of not having to wait a week for the next episode! The only proper and accurate adaptation to the great novel.

Considering this a television production, I was again impressed (and surprised) by the ambition and quality of the battle scenes. It was refreshing not see an exaggerated CGI army battling another CGI army. My favorite actors were Alan Dobie and a young Anthony Hopkins. Every time I see Hopkins in a movie, I immediately remember his outstanding performance as Pierre. The one scene I always remember is Alan Dobie ad Prince Andre, lying in the battlefield after being wounded while leading a futile charge at Austerlitz, lying on the ground, staring up at the sky and remarking about it, that all is vanity, illusion.

Finally, how can one forget Fiona Gaunt as Helene? Wow, those low-cut empire-style gowns. I kept fearing (if that is the word) that she wouldn't be able to "contain" herself. (Sorry for the moment of male levity).

My all-time favorite British TV production, even slightly ahead of the wonderful Upstairs, Downstairs.

P.S. Thanks to the viewer who pointed out that it was not shown on Masterpiece Theater. I always remembered that it was, and was regretting that Alistair Cooke's introductions and final comments were missing from the DVD. Now I know that they were not! But how I wish they were!

Beyond the Sea (2004)

Not beyond mediocrity

[5/10 · 26 June 2005]

In the first scene, someone says to Bobby Darin, 'you're too old to play Bobby Darin." Kevin Spacey is older than Bobby was when he died, and he frankly looks a little long in the tooth to play him as a young man. The actress who plays Sandra Dee is just too plain to play her role. The movie just rolls from one scene to the next, not really telling Bobby's life story, but showing us vignettes with dancers and Kevin Spacey trying so hard to be a song-and-dance man. This is so demeaning for this great actor. He tries, he sings the songs pretty well....which brings up another flaw in this film: Using Kevin Spacey's (albeit good) voice in place of voice-overs of the original recordings. All in all, it is a fairly interesting film, but overall it fails to tell us his story. On the plus side, the boy who plays the young Bobby is quite talented.

Mixed Nuts (1994)

Over the top screwball comedy just doesn't quite make it

[5/10 · 24 December 2004]

This film tries really really hard to be crazy, wacky, screwball-y, but just doesn't quite make it. It has some funny scenes, but does not hold together well. The scenes with Liev Schreiber as the drag queen are quite funny. Madeline Kahn does as much with her character as possible and succeeds just because she is so good. Adam Sandler is pretty weak just doing his old Saturday Night Live shtick, over and over. Steve Martin and Anthony LaPaglia are just wasted. Still it is not an entire waste of time. It wasn't one of those movies that you watch and immediately experience buyer remorse: another 2 hours of my life wasted! Also the film betrays a stage play adapted to screen. It is pretty much limited to the crisis center, with a few street scenes thrown in.

The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag (1992)

Enjoyable romantic comedy

[24 January 2004]

I beg to differ with the previous reviewer. On the contrary, this film does have a plot and is funny, with a rewarding ending. It is a light comedy, true. What I liked about it is that it is not just another cookie-cutter formula Hollywood movie. The plot is unique and believable, the writing is intelligent, the acting is adequate, the conclusion is appropriate to the plot. The two main characters, Betty Lou and Alex, grow and mature from their initial portrayal.

It is not a major film, but it is rewarding in its own way, an enjoyable way to spend 89 minutes. Lots of fun.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Empty pretention wrapped in artsy-fartsy cinematography

[14 August 2003]

If Adam Sandler hoped to gain respect as a "serious" actor, this movie seriously fails him. I like Adam Sandler in his limited capacity as a fairly humorous comic--though not in the same league as Steve Martin or Jim Carrey. This film is disturbing; it is also shallow, the characters totally devoid of eliciting empathy; all this cloaked in a phony artsy stylistic cinematography. The plot is ridiculously stupid, and the ending makes me think, "so what?" Who cares what happens to this mentally deranged putz. If I feel anything for any character, it is for his girlfriend who will have to go through life (or at least part of it) putting up with sudden fits of rage, lies, whininess, etc., etc. Talk about anger management. This guy is a time bomb. I like bizarre comedy (Raising Arizona, Fargo, for two examples), but this is just plain idiotic.

Evita (1996)

A lavish operatic adaptation of the musical

[10 May 2003]

Surely Madonna was made for this role, that of Eva Duarte de Peron, a young girl from the country who rises to the top with a combination of brains, wits, political savvy and sexuality. Sure she used men to attain her dreams, but what was a girl to do in 1930s-40s Argentina? Antonio Banderas is superb as Che, the "narrator" critic, perhaps the soul of the Argentinian peasants. Banderas' background is stage musicals, and he matches Madonna in every way. Jonathan Pryce is also excellent in his role as the dictator who rises to power only with the talents of Eva. This is not your ordinary musical. Almost every word is sung, as in opera, and the whole thing works. Andrew Lloyd Webber proves himself again a master tunesmith. Besides "Don't cry for me Argentina," all the other songs (if you can call them that) are beautiful, ranging from sweet ballads to waltz and rock. The film is lavish in breadth and depth, with thousands of extras just like the old Hollywood spectaculars. No f/x here, but real people. The cinematography is also superb. This is truly a triumph, a glorious experience, totally unique in film. Highly recommended. *****

Meet Joe Black (1998)

Hollywood at its best

[10/10 · 23 February 2000]

This is vintage Hollywood: a great, romantic love story, excellent acting, top-notch production values, very good screenplay! Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt are together again (previously on Legends of the Fall) in a beautiful love story, a remake of The postwar Death Takes A Holiday. Long, but quick-moving: you won't notice that the film is 3 hours long! One of my top 100 films. This is going to be a true cult classic: shunned by critics and missed by millions of film-goers, yet enthusiastically loved by millions since its release on video.