tim_smit1836 Reviews

Bonanza: The War Comes to Washoe (1962) Season 4, Episode 7

Civil War Theme

[18 March 2010]

British stage actor Walter Craigsmuir ( Alan Caillou ) is feted at a part at the Ponderosa which is disrupted by a brawl over Southern and Northern Civil War feelings. The towns people of Virginia City itself are torn with divided loyalties over the war. At the heart of the issue is the valuable Comstock Lode silver ore deposits that Judge David Terry ( Harry Townes) wants to use in support of the Confederacy. Terry wants Nevada to join the Confederacy and deny Nevada statehood into the Union. Bill Stewart (Barry Kelly ) brings news of a convention to be held in Carson City on statehood for Nevada. Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) and "Little Joe" (Michael Landon) are selected to serve as delegates , but Little Joe, and his vote, are torn between his feelings about the war and his love for Morvath Terry ( Joyce Taylor ), the daughter of Judge Terry. Craigsmuir, secretly working for British textile , sends a messenger to San Francisco with a letter of British support for the Confederacy, but the messenger is killed by American-Indians and the letter is discovered by Adam Cartwright ( Pernell Roberts) and "Hoss" Cartwright ( Dan Blocker ). Together they ride to Carson City, where the statehood vote is to take place, with the incriminating evidence of Judge Terry's secret deals with the British and Craigsmuir. The delegates vote on having Nevada join the Union which causes Judge Terry and his daughter Morvath, to decide to head home back to Virginia.

Hawaii Five-O: Legacy of Terror (1976) Season 8, Episode 16

Spoiler Alert

[10/10 · 14 July 2008]

An aging Japanese-American, Minoru Tahashi (C. K. Huang), prepares his will with the help of his aide Kim Matsu (Haunani Minn). To perform all the litigious paperwork involved in a will; Minoru hires Alex Kelsey (DonPorter) as his attorney. Kelsey in turn, sets fire to Minour's house,killing him. At the death of his father, the son Kazuo (Mako) arrives from San Francisco to claim the contents of his father's safe-deposit box. Kelsey knows of the legendary tales of a hidden two to three million dollars worth of gold bullion hidden by Minoru just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He enlists the aide of Din Lee (Moe Keale) and his men to track down the millions and ship it off the island. At Minoru's funeral, McGarrett has his own questions that he puts to former naval commander Reginald Blackwell (Lew Ayres) knowing he had a connection with Minoru from years past. Kazuo and Kim work together to hide facts from McGarrett and Five-O. For all her help, Kazuo double crosses Kim, killing her to make it appear that Lee's hired muscle-boys have killed her. Kazuo calls Kelsey and arranges a deal with the gold, just between him and Kelsey. Once at Kelsey's hotel, Kazuo kills him by tossing him out of his hotel window. McGarrett deduces that Minoru had hidden the gold bullion at a cabin sold to him by Blackwell. Kazuo also figures out where the gold is hidden. Kazuo takes Chin Ho Kelly captive while at the cabin. As the stand off continues with McGarrett talking to Kazuo as he holds Chin at gun point, Blackwell appears from the underbrush and shoots and wounds Kazuo. When the gold crate is brought out and opened, only three bars of gold are left after years of spending. Blackwell says that he and Minoru agreed that no one owned the gold. Together they used the money to set up scholarships and aided the elderly Japanese-American community. McGarrett smiles with that answer.

Hawaii Five-O: McGarrett Is Missing (1975) Season 8, Episode 2

Episode "McGarrett is Missing" Plot

[10/10 · 1 July 2008]

After working for three years in prison, inmate Charlie Bombay organizes his escape with the help of prison guard Martin Langer, who is later double-crossed and killed to insure his silence. Bombay doesn't stay free long thanks to an anonymous tip and is recaptured while being smuggled in the back of a trucking company trailer. McGarrett personally leads the arrest and will escort Bombay back to prison using police plane N29162. The plane takes off into an approaching storm and goes down killing the pilot and McGarrett injuring his leg. The Coast Guard begins an immediate search and recovery mission. The recovery mission is temporarily called off by Commander Demarest due to poor weather. While waiting at the downed plane, Bombay and McGarrett struggle and Bombay takes McGarrett's revolver and handcuffs him. The pair struggle through the jungle, avoiding rescue parties and make their way to a small horse ranch where with the help of a young lady McGarrett gets free. Unbeknownst to McGarret who is working himself free, Bombay places a call to his crime buddies for a pickup at the ranch. Finally free and having been given a pistol from inside the house by the granddaughter, McGarrett is able to retake Bombay. While deciding what to do and where they're at, the men Bombay called arrive and begin a shootout with McGarrett. Bombay flees and thinks help has arrived for him. But as he is about to be picked up during the get-away, Ernie Kwan and his men shoot and kill Bombay instead. Local police arrive in time to seal the exit and all are arrested.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

Exciting and Enjoyable movie

[8/10 · 29 December 2007]

AVP_R is just what its supposed to be; action and enjoyment for AVP fans. The movie does a good job of installing the Predator coming to Earth to eliminate all traces of the hybrid Pred/Alien offspring. Humans merely get in the way of the hunter finding its prey. Fans of AVP finally get a brief glimpse of what the Predator home world looks like. The movie moves at a rapid clip, lots of explosions and great special effects. Movie goers find themselves rooting for the Predator to save the day, then go home triumphantly, but I won't ruin the end for those who may not know it already. I know this flick will take its proud place on my movie shelf when it comes out.

The Irish in Us (1935)

A Fine James Cagney movie

[7/10 · 17 March 2007]

"The Irish in Us" is a fine Cagney venue. He is surrounded by a good supporting cast with Pat O'Brien (Patrick O'Hara), Frank McHugh (Mike O'Hara) and Allen Jenkins (Carbarn Hammerschlog). Olivia de Havilland (Lucille Jackson) gives a solid and steady performance in only her second movie of her career. Veteran actress Mary Gordon (Ma O'Hara) lends a strong presence as the tough but caring Irish mother. The chemistry between the two women is very believable. The boxing scene between Harvey Parry (Joe Delancy), the champ and Cagney is non-stop action packed and shows Cagney at his best. I highly recommend this movie for all.

Law and Order (1953)

A Decent Movie to Watch and Enjoy

[6/10 · 2 September 2006]

Yes this is a classic Western tale of 'good guys' vs 'bad guys' which Hollywood loves to recycle. Ronald Reagan (Frame Johnson) gives a fine performance as a Cincinnatus type sheriff who is called upon to quell a lawless town. The supporting cast includes the crooked and bought town sheriff (Barry Elder) and the all-powerful town leader (Preston Foster). Dorothy Malone (Jeannie) and Ruth Hampton (Maria Durling) provide the suffering women-in-waiting roles very well. Russell Johnson (Jimmy Johnson) comes off well as the hot-headed, quick to action younger brother of Reagan. The movie has plenty of color, great location shots, fight scenes and tough talking bad guys. Dennis Weaver (Frank Durling) and Jack Kelley (Jed) make the most of their screen time. This movie stands on its own and I recommend it for anyone wanting so see Reagan give a fine performance.

Superman Returns (2006)

Superman

[8 July 2006]

I saw the movie, loved it and I would highly recommend it to others.

For every person who is ripping apart this movie as 'not good' for its non-technical believability, GET A LIFE. Superman movies, as with the Batman and Spiderman ones, are entertainment, not docudramas.

Superman if filled with excitement, great special effects and solid acting. Enjoy the movie for its two hours, come away feeling a little happier and relax more.

In addition, people need to stop comparing Routh to Reeves. Each actor gives their own rendition to a certain character. I've sure heard a lot of people bad mouthing the other Superman movies to all of a sudden be singing the praises of those actors that they've condemned in the past.

I give Superman four out of five stars.