cb795 Reviews

Back to the Beach (1987)

Frankie and Annette get back to their home turf

[8/10 · 3 July 2004]

For those of us who grew up on Beach Party movies, this is a fun revisiting of the genre. Done as a combination homage/spoof to these early/mid 60's drive-in specials, the movie reunites some of the principle players and revisits the myth of California as Shangri-La.

Annette, Frankie, Connie and dozens of guests in cameo roles gently rib the genre and themselves. As usual, Annette and Frankie have some difference of opinions and go off in different directions--even though they have been married for 20 years. Their plots to make each other jealous and the ultimate reconciliation are no surprise, but still make for a pleasant 90 minutes.

Annette and Connie are as lovely as ever. The villains are redeemed in the end and, of course, the "Big Kahuna" overcomes his anxiety and wins the surfing competition(even though he has not been on a board in over 20 years)..

Avalon (1990)

Melancholy look at the immigrant experience

[21 January 2004]

The family members in this film could have been my own. This gentle look at the struggles and successes of an immigrant family could not have been more realistic or more beautifully filmed. Mr. Levinson deserves praise for his humor, pathos and eye for detail.

The family members who bicker with each other about the little things, still share love and tradition. When success and the modern world move them apart from one another, some traditions get trampled, but the bonds of family remain.

The scene at the end when the grandson brings his son to visit the grandfather, was perfect in its bittersweet closure to the saga. The Americanization of the family is complete with this 4th generation child who asks why the grandfather talks funny. The young boy is told by his father that the (great-)grandfather came from a different place to this country and found it to be beautiful.

I highly recommend it; especially to those who do not remember THEIR immigrant ancestors.

Thank you, Mr. Levinson.

The Haunting (1963)

terrorizes the mind with fear and apprehension... great!!

[10/10 · 15 September 2003]

This movie terrified me in the theater and still manages to send a chill down my spine after 40 years. Without resorting to clownish and over-powering special effects, director Wise manages to convey the fear of helpless humans when their minds and lives are manipulated by an unseen and unknown presence. There is doubt, then confusion, and finally terror.

The absence of any overt appearance of the spirit infesting Hill House places the viewer into an uncertain frame of mind.

Through the powerful performances of Claire Bloom and Julie Harris, the audience is made to experience the confusion resulting from situations where the mind is uncertain of the reality as conveyed by the senses.

Further anxiety is stimulated by the inability to defend against the unseen. The audience, along with the characters, is thrust into the abyss of terror.

A great story by a great writer brought to the screen by a great director who inspires great performances from his actors... in short, a great movie!