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Reviews
The Rockford Files: Irving the Explainer (1977)
Great episode - but explains nothing
As another reviewer said, "This was one of the most memorable and original of The Rockford Files episodes."
I have loved this episode, since I saw it when it upon its original release in 1977. And I've seen it multiple times since then. It is a great example of "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma". The plot really doesn't make sense - it's just too twisting, and colluded. But that's how it's supposed to be.
And what a joy it is.
Go along for the ride. The cast is excellent, and the story is really fun. But don't try and have it all make sense, because you'll just end up frustrated.
Xanadu (1980)
Not "good", but can be a great deal of fun!
I originally saw "Xanadu" when it was released in 1980. Gene Kelly was in it, so I had to see it. It didn't hurt that Michael Beck was in it as well. Wow - was I disappointed! I love musicals, especially Kelly's, and "Xanadu" really did not appeal to me - at all.
It really isn't a very good movie. It has almost no plot at all and no real antagonist. What little plot there is, I always felt was just lifted from "Down to Earth" (1947) with Rita Hayworth, and "Cover Girl" (1944) with Hayworth, and Gene Kelly (in which he also plays a character named Danny McGuire, which was a nice homage). The soundtrack is great though, and it is nice to see that Kelly can still dance.
Fast forward to 2006. I got a chance to see "Xanadu" again, on a big screen. Specifically, the wonderful Castro Theatre in San Francisco. The print was gorgeous, and the crowd, which filled the theatre almost to capacity, was incredible.
IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! The crowd really got into the movie and I just had a blast! What a great experience! The music is still great, and it was a really, really fun movie.
Anyway - "Xanadu" still isn't a "good" movie, but if you can see it under the right circumstances (ie., on a big screen with an audience) it is a great deal of fun.
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
What a wonderfully, delightful movie!
I just had a wonderful opportunity to catch a screening of this film on a wide screen. What a treat!
Unfortunately, it wasn't the best print; lots of dust and scratches on reel changes, and the colors were quite faded, but these films simply must be seen on a wide screen with an audience to be truly appreciated. Of course, almost any movie is improved by seeing it at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, and I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity.
Lauren Bacall has always been one of my favorite actors, and she and Powell do work wonderfully together. Monroe is also, always a delight - I think that she was a much better actress than she is generally given credit for. However, though I've seen this movie close to a dozen times before, I was really struck at the wonderful performance that Grable turned in. She was perfect! I haven't seen much of her other work, but in HTMAM, she shows herself to be a wonderful comedic actress, playing a "dim blonde" who really isn't that dim. What a revelation and what a delight.
I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who likes old movies, but if you have a chance to catch it on a real movie screen - DO SO! You won't be disappointed.
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
Kathleen Turner turns in a great performance!
This is a great movie! Yes, Nicholas Cage's voice is a bit irritating, however, Kathleen Turner's performance more than makes up for it.
A few posters have mentioned how KT doesn't look young enough to be a teen, and judge this as a problem. I think that this is being a bit shortsighted, afterall, Turner isn't supposed to be a teen - she is supposed to be an adult, who is reliving her teen years. As such, I think that Turner is perfect - she looks like someone who has already gone through all of that stuff, but has matured and sees it for what it is. Judging it from this perspective I found her to be completely believable in the role and indeed, thought that she turned in a wonderful performance. The scenes where she interacts with her grandparents are simply brilliant. What a cool concept - the idea that you could skip a generation (your parents) and discuss all of the insights that you've learned as an adult with your grandparents and catch them up on what they missed and how much they meant to you. Those scenes always bring tears to my eyes - I absolutely love them.
It isn't a "perfect" film, but then how few are? However, it is a VERY enjoyable, and well done film, with some great performances (Kathleen Turner is superb!). If you "go with" the story, I can't believe that you won't find it highly entertaining.
West Side Story (1961)
A beautiful film!
This has long been, not just one of my favorite musicals, but one of my favorite movies. From beginning (with the establishing shots of NY) to end (with the wonderfully done end credits) this is a breathtaking film.
The Bernstein score is beautiful and the Sondheim lyrics are wonderful. The "America" number is especially good - the choreography is great and the lyrics are as powerful today, as ever (Rita Moreno is a gem!). Sure, it's a bit dated, but the sentiments are still very true. All in all, I think that it's a great update of "Romeo and Juliet".
My only real problem with the movie had always been the casting of Tony. He never seemed like a real ex-gang member to me. Heck, I always felt that Anybodys could have taken him in a fight. About a year ago, I had the great pleasure of seeing WWS on the big screen, at the gorgeous Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA. WOW! What a difference it makes seeing a wide-screen movie like this on a big screen - I couldn't believe how much more powerful the movie was. A TV screen just can't do it credit. What really blew me away though, was Tony. For the first time, I completely believed in his character - and it made me enjoy the movie even that much more.
I can't recommend this film enough, but if you have the opportunity to see it on a big screen - DO NOT LET IT PASS YOU BY! You will be amazed.
Practical Magic (1998)
A Wonderfully fun movie
This movie is one of my favorites - I love watching it.
I have to agree with the remarks by AshIsTheGal and Warlen. Nicole Kidman had never been one of my favorite actress either, but I loved her in this movie (as I did Sandra Bullock). The real standouts though were Stockard Channing and Diane Wiest - watching them perform was almost worth the price of admission itself! They are wonderful.
I don't see this movie as being about magic or witchcraft, the romance between Sally and Gary Hallet or even Jimmy Angelov chasing Gillian (which is a huge catalyst - but not really any more than that). For me, this movie is really about the relationships between sisters and women (the Aunts Franny and Jet, Kylie and Antonia, the Owens' women and the townswomen and of course, between Sally and Gillian - both young and adult).
All of the actresses had a great chemistry, but I couldn't believe how well matched Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman were. I felt that their bond was very believable and I loved watching their relationship to each other (and themselves) grow and mature as they went from being children to adults.
I certainly don't think that this film will appeal to everybody, and I can see why so many people "don't get it", but if you watch it more for the relationships between the women and not so much for the romance angle or the magic I think that you will really enjoy this movie. I thought that the romance and magic were handled very well, I just saw them as being secondary to the real story. Also - it has a wonderful soundtrack.
I read the book after seeing the movie, and while there are many changes between the two, I really enjoyed both. I thought that the changes made to the movie made for a better movie overall.
All in all, a very enjoyable movie. I highly recommend it.
Bonne chance! (1935)
Excellent!
I was fortunate enough to catch this movie a number of years ago in a film festival, and absolutely loved it! The characters were wonderfully written, as was the dialog (though I'm sure that I missed a lot of the word-play as the movie was subtitled and I, unfortunately do not speak French). It is a far more intelligent film than it's American re-make (Lucky Partners).
It is a shame that this film isn't more readily available in the States, as I would love to see it again.