The background is explained up front and via dialogue. There is occasional narration by the renowned Orson Welles. Music is added for emphasis. The lighting is consistently good. There is occasional humor. There are colorful costumes. Less gore...and off-camera. The biggest difference: instead of battles, relationships are focused on. There is more about the crew and their frustrations with their long journey and their fate. Blackthorne learning the hard way about the barbaric nature of his captors. The interplay with the excellent Richard Chamberlain and the wonderful John Rhys-Davies. The immediate attraction between Blackthorne and Mariko. The tense relationship between the Portuguese, their monopoly and ways exposed, and Blackthorne, is firmly established, thanks in large part to the.excellent acting of Damien Thomas as Father Alito. The viewer gets a much better sense as to what John Blackthorne was up against. If you read the book, which I highly recommend, you may-as I did in 1980-appreciate the care and thorough nature of this version.
Reviews
27 Reviews
It's still a jungle out there...
14 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Here's what happened. This movie brought back most of the Monk series regulars, except Bitty Schram, who only "appeared" in a clip, older and more wrinkled, some Randy Newman music, and even the director was from the Monk series. A watchable, though predictable story with a villain that most will see the present-day parallels to, it seemed shorter than a series episode, but it was longer. At least several references to the series, some suggesting Monk was still the same, to me requiring a mild suspension of belief, though there was evidence that he had changed some and those should have been called out. A couple of places that required stronger suspension: the choice of undercover role and the fall towards the end. The most powerful stretch was at the very end, where the door was left open for a revival of the series, perhaps with new characters introduced in this movie, perhaps set on the east coast, maybe with the reception to this movie being the key to that mystery.
Die Hard 2
(1990)
The worst of the series
22 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Worst of the lot, by far. Good cast with lots of action, but more gore and far too much suspension of belief in this one, with threads established, then mysteriously abandoned. Example: there are dozens of airports that planes could have been diverted to: some were, why were others told to hold. Even when communications to planes was eventually established from the outer marker, which was not joined with what the others were doing, that opportunity was not used, then that thread dropped. Later the fuel line is pulled, but not noticed. I wasn't impressed with the instrumental music injected at the end, either. The only positives were occasional snippets of sarcasm from Willis, some unexpected twists towards the end, and a couple of laughs at the end (more apropos would have been the old lady tazing the reporter).
Cobra Kai
(2018–2025)
Pleasantly surprised
20 February 2023
First, though, it would be beneficial if you've seen both "The Karate Kid" and "Karate Kid II" movies, as there are some flashbacks to both of those movies. I was very surprised that a series could come from that material, but it has, and it has been successful because the series has excellent writing, with most scenarios plausible. They cleverly, and gradually bring back many of the characters of the two aforementioned movies, not a small feat given how many years have passed and that actors from multiple countries are involved. They add new characters, i.e., the next generation, with the typical difficulties that they face, with, of course, karate, mixed in, sometimes bordering on too much. They give depth to many of the primary characters from the movies, particularly Johnny Lawrence, who is put into many quite funny situations that many baby boomers in particular will find humorous. Many series seem to run out of material in about the third or fourth season, and with this one, I was feeling that we were getting close to that in season four, though without the wild and sometimes unbelievable tangents that I've seen on other series, but then the writers sprung some new surprises on us. No doubt, this was why Cobra Kai was rewarded with a sixth and final season. As mentioned, prior to the surprises, I could see a logical, though predictable, way to end the series after season four. Fortunately, it kept going rather than going there. It was interesting to see how the characters had, in some cases, changed since way back when. I am in season five now, some things left to be resolved. The main wonder after S5E3 is what the purpose of Daniel's son is, as it was going in an unexpected, but welcome direction, but then that storyline was dropped. The writers have left avenues to explore with his character and other matters thus far unresolved, and with only 10 episodes per season if you're lucky, there's not much time.
A classy, albeit unfortunate, end to this series
20 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
What a great way to end the series! I've watched since the beginning, feeling somewhat of a lull around season 6 or so, never to the level of the Dean/Cain TV series (that seemed in search of subject matter by its third season), then felt that this edition picked up towards the final seasons, transitioning into newer, younger characters and plots that moved from the effects of meteor rocks to what the future held for a maturing Clark. I loved this episode in that it brought many of the characters back from the earlier years, had flashbacks of many of the memorable scenes, integrated the best of the music of the "Superman" movies with Christopher Reeve along with the humor of it towards the end (between Lois and Clark on the stairs), and the high-impact finish that transitioned from the "no tights" era. Well done, and thank you to all that made the series possible.
Best in Season 1
15 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This was the best of the first season's episode, for it was a seemingly-innocent "occurrence" that provided the key evidence that was later used on the murderer. All of the other episodes of this season were the typical ones of this genre where the evidence is made obvious or, in one case, the evidence was suggestive but was questionable whether it would hold up in court. This is not to say that the subtle clue in this episode was to the level of the Ellery Queen series (starring the late Jim Hutton), where there were sometimes multiple clues that weren't always obvious, but this case stood out from the others in season 1 on this basis.
This Angels episode doesn't fly for this viewer
15 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I've watched all of the episodes sequentially over the last few months, and this one felt like the series fell off a cliff, IMHO, like the writers didn't put in an "A" effort and in seeing the next episode, although somewhat better than this, was surprised that the series was renewed. In this episode, an attempt on the trio is not an unusual plot line, that didn't bother me. It was turning to another agency for help that just happened to have 3 young men with smiles worthy of dentists that started my souring on this episode. Then, as the wary Angels tried to ditch each of those assigned to them, how they did so was clumsy and predictable. Each of the men had a talent, but it was almost an afterthought, held back towards the end of the episode, that each would use theirs, and the execution was weak and unconvincing. A man catching up to a plane taking off with barely any runway left, then lassoing the tail and pulling it off to flip the plane was impossible to believe, the coup d'grace! Altogether, this was a poorly written and executed episode, reminding me of some of my home movies, and it seems that the series has run out of gas.
Bobby Ewing guest stars
15 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
It was difficult for me to see and believe Patrick Duffy in the role of BIll Cord, attorney, which was the opening this episode, as he seemed as genteel as he is as Bobby Ewing on Dallas. This set the tone for this episode, i.e. the plot starts off as a bit of a stretch in that regard, and it seemed like one where some of the usual actors and actresses were given the night off, as Jacyln Smith is whisked off to San Diego, where fate takes her. Ray Milland is an excellent cast for her father, and the means employed to dispose of him was believable, but how the wine came in contact was a longer stretch. So was Robert Reed in part I, but fortunately he came into his usual fine form as a villain in part II, which was a return to more of what I've come to expect from this series. Towards the end of this part, though, was Smith in a rigged up car, and she seemed clueless as to how to slow down her renegade car, bypassing downshifting, spinning around, or otherwise making for a less-dramatic, but quicker resolution to her circumstances, something one would expect from a detective who's been on the series for 4 seasons at this point! But then, it would be less dramatic, yet it was also less believable.
That fish has guts
17 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
A fairly innocuous opening, with Max doing a non-verbal Gorton's fisherman impression, missing the arrival of his ex-wife...and the murder that she's apparently connected to. This script would need altering today, as this episode takes you back to the day of luggage being checked out. That aside, the intrigue is maintained for quite awhile, as Max rekindles his relationship with his ex-wire after he realizes she's alive. We hear and see the good and the bad between them that explains why they split. Meanwhile, a couple of plays on her name, Pearl, "I hope it's not Pearl Harbor" and "I think it's time we stopped letting Pearl string us along" and a nice diversion to what looked like Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach). A brief, dual scuffle towards the end, and all ends well...and that's no fish story!
A vacation in paradise...is murder
17 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The Harts visit Hawaii, where they go swimming off a boat and he plays croquet with the best mallet and hoops this viewer's ever seen. Jonathan makes an unbelievable shot, then the murder and the "key" clue surface. Some wonderful "color" in this episode, with Hawaiian dancers and a terrific backdrop of Diamond Head, too-brief flight over Oahu, Byodo-In Temple, and what appears to be the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (featuring pink). A bird they name "Croquet" is taken in for questioning, but for no obvious reason until later on, when she leads the Harts towards the final confrontation in the case, one where American politics separates a fake agent from a genuine one. Heck, this viewer didn't know the answer to the ultimate question!
Tis the season to check out the toys
17 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The Harts go "undercover" to investigate why their Hartoys company is having their secrets stolen, which they have an over-the-top investigator checking into, that is until he becomes a victim. The key culprit is revealed relatively early in this actor-sparse episode, and then he makes multiple feeble attempts to squelch the Harts' investigation before his demise, which escapes in-episode detection. The Harts' "covers" are cute, but only fool the employees at Hartoys, which at first I thought was because the Harts had never visited the store, but later it seemed that the employees were just plain clueless. The same could be said for the Harts, who took awhile to figure out who was the key insider was despite the electronic-oriented attempts towards them, one of which was foiled with a garage door opener, which seemed to be a leap of faith. The other insider's reason for involvement wasn't ever clear.
Clever title, I'll give it that
17 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Early on in this one, Jennifer proclaims her interest in the study of Egypt, which led this viewer to believe that aspect would come in play sometime later in the episode. Not so in a "knowledge" sort of way, although it reminded this viewer of something similar to the second Indiana Jones movie, albeit on a much lower production scale. Another observation was that Jennifer was the lone woman to dress in costume for the Egyptian event held during the beginning of this episode, while the other women limited themselves to formal gowns of the ordinary stripe. So much for a costume ball. What ensues is uncovering a mystery involving a mummy and pharynx (I think it's called; it looks like a dog's head) that bored this viewer.
Back to the successful formula
10 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This marks a return to the successful formula of this series. Introduce the nefarious part of the plot. Introduce the Harts in some light-hearted moments featuring Max. Cleverly bring the two together. Reveal the murder. Keep the storyline going and the audience wondering how the Harts will be connected to it, and to what part(s) they will be connected to. Finally, someone spills the beans and the Harts' curiosity is stoked. An encounter with a thug spurs them to investigate further. We learn the nefarious element, although the murder isn't it (nor is even mentioned - evidently, that element was well covered up). Crooks and Harts have their encounters. The Harts eventually win. Ends with a light wrap-up that has a touch of humor. Where this episode excels is that the intrigue is drawn out, and the sport of the lead thugs is brought into play towards the end.
Better than the debut for season 2, with a long way to go
10 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Jonathan witnesses a murder, then contracts amnesia and must recover in order to capture the killer. For whatever reason(s), Robert Wagner looks terrible in this episode, both around the eyes and lack of his usual well-coiffured hair. As it turns out, the murderer is a friend of the Harts, and he attempts to get rid of Hart by using drugs that he cons the access to from his wife the doctor, who conveniently carries a stockpile at home. That's hard to fathom, as is the fact that Jonathan will get into a car after he experiences the effects of the drugs his "friend" gives to him, which include blurred vision and not feeling well. It would've been better had the effects ensued after he started driving the car. Still, it's clever that his friend chooses a restaurant that's high on a hill, allowing for the predictable wild ride down the curved road, missing all cars and obstacles. Lastly, the most unbelievable part of this episode is that the parking enforcement staff only issued one parking ticket to the Harts' car and didn't tow the car that sat there overnight!
Second season debut less than dazzling
10 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The Harts take a trip to New York and accidentally come across a friend who's there and in front of the same hotel. They meet her new husband, and the viewer is led to believe that there's something suspicious about him via the introduction of the bad guys and the sudden exit of her husband after he spots them. This is fairly standard fare, until it's revealed that it's their friend who has the sinister motive, also not an unusual storyline. However, while it's obvious to no doubt most viewers that the "FBI man" who's brought in to work on what is recovery of lost bank robbery money is a phony, the Harts - with a season's worth of sleuthing under their belts - are clueless, then dumbfounded by this discovery. Too bad Max only got a cameo role in this episode, which also felt odd, as he might've helped them! Where the money is found is clever, though, but it's not enough to warrant a higher rating. Lastly, there is a half-hearted attempt to play on their being in New York with the use of the song "New York, New York."
Writers find their way back towards the successful formula
10 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
It's a case of mistaken identity, as Jennifer is nabbed instead of another but snooty rich woman who looks remarkably like her...and is riding her bicycle on the same streets. This gives Stefanie Powers an opportunity to portray a different role, and she pulls it off well. There's a decent face-off in the auto wrecking yard, which involves all of the main actors in this episode, although it's a stretch why the snooty rich woman would be interested in engaging with the crooks therein, but fortunately that aspect was soon abandoned. The writers returned to closing the episode on a cute note that had seemed to be a trademark of the episodes in the first season.
This one kicks it up a notch
24 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Some wonderful scenery, especially the backdrop to a cemetery, and a plot with surprising twists make this an interesting episode. Jonathan and Jennifer trek to Monte Carlo to attend a wedding that becomes more than a routine event. An informant in a shower changes all that, and extensive investigation ensues, including Jonathan doing a voice impression, use of a fake cardinal who can't hold his liquor to buy time, and what's revealed to be a staged accident adding unique aspects in the plot development that beefs up a more-standard plot of taking advantage of one's wealth via blackmail. Some humorous quips and the usual wonderful chemistry between the two punctuate this episode.
An inside job, with ingenuity
24 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
We commonly think of drugs being something that the nefarious seek to steal from the outside; this plot is almost the opposite and shows this vulnerability. What would be common in some future episodes would be something devious taking place at one of Hart's industries. As is often a stereotype in similar shows, there's one strong villain and one weaker one, the former ruthless and the latter prone to slipping up. Karen Austin plays the strong role with a vengeance, although some of her decisions were suspect. Her first was tampering with the company coffee to get to Jonathan, which didn't camouflage her involvement too well, and the latter was her using the test chamber to do the hot and cold on the Harts at the end, showing ingenuity beyond a simple shooting. Some noteworthy occurrences of this episode: Jennifer takes the lead at one point, showing her moxie and equal partnership; Jonathan does some goofy faces for Jennifer, one of which becomes part of the opening in future shows (as I recall); both do an excellent job with their facial gestures of trying not to recognize the other when Jennifer goes undercover to inspect Jonathan's chemical plant; and there's a snappy one-liner, almost reminiscent of Roger Moore's James Bond. If you're watching this DVD one at a time, the overuse of the song "Now" becomes irritating by this point of this DVD.
Soak the rich
24 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This episode demonstrates the series' maturity at an early point in its evolution. One realizes that it's the excellent casting (Wagner, Powers, and Stander) is what makes this series run. The plot of this particular episode isn't too unusual: using an associate of the rich, in this case, Max, to infiltrate the world of the rich for the purposes of robbery and fencing the goods. Greed causes a desire to "cut overhead," and one of the villains gets weak-kneed. The plot is well executed, with future "Benson," "Star Trek-Deep Space Nine," and "Boston Legal"regular Rene Auberjonois as the central villain. On the writing side, the need to keep a cigarette lighter on in the back of a moving semi truck and their choice of where to escape from the truck seemed odd and more fit for the ensuing gunfire than practicality.
Hooked up wrong
24 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
For a reason unbeknownst to the audience at first, a detective goes to the side of evil in order to avenge for his mother. His targets are a collection of people with a couple of things in common: their occupation and their hair color, but then one doesn't follow the pattern. In addition, a crucial error is made, which this viewer picked up (from practice in viewing episodes of Jim Hutton's Ellery Queen), and Jonathan Hart gets a whiff of the perpetrator...his memory momentarily fails him as to connecting the pieces. The perpetrator makes a critical error in judgment, both as to the selection of his target and fortunately for the Harts, he failed target practice. Richard Herd plays the Lt. who is more adversary than gracious for their help...a bit over the top. Future "Night Court" star Markie Post plays a role in this one that gets th ball rolling. I had to re-watch it again to realize it was her. She changed a lot!
Casino Royale
(2006)
This is a new direction, no question
19 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Just saw the movie. It definitely is a change of direction for the franchise and the series, appealing to a different viewer than the first 20 Bond films. In no particular order: (1) Unusual opening that didn't feature a great chase sequence to some sort of surprise; (2) No "R" (John Cleese), with the only gadgetry of the life-saving nature...no Moneypenny for that matter; (3) No megalomaniac/rule the world type of singular enemy; (4) Bond isn't a ladies man, nor are they particularly interested in him; (5) No significant car chase scenes (the airport struggle was creative, however); (6) A lot of vulnerable moments for Bond; (7) the infamous lines are skipped (shaken, not stirred) or deferred (Bond, James Bond); (8) the comic relief is minimal, delayed until at least 1/3-1/2 way through, and some of the jokes are missed altogether due to their lengthy development; (9) the famous Monty Norman music is largely ignored and delayed until the end, almost as if an afterthought or an annoying prerequisite (although the up-tempo music used in the beginning was interesting); (10) Bond falls in love, something not really seen since On Her Majesty's Secret Service, where the reasons were far clearer; (11) Craig plays a rougher Bond, even topping Dalton in this regard, and a bloodier Bond (although he heals remarkably quickly and illogically between scenes); (12) Judi Dench is showing her age and really is an almost-cameo character who, in this film, distrusts Bond; (13) there are excellent foot chase scenes; (14) a lot of the verbiage is missed as it's close to if not "under the breath" (I recommend turning subtitles on when it's out on video), particularly at the black and white type of beginning when it was crucial to get on board as to the plot; and (15)it's long, seeming to miss a natural ending about 1/2 hour before the actual ending. Plot-wise, it was confusing to this long-time Bond film watcher that Craig was bestowed a "double O" status in this show when Dench was in the film, when it was more logical to skip the fact that this was the first book and merely portray it as continuing the Bond legacy with a new episode and still another actor in that role. The standpoint that was taken felt similar to the making of "Never Say Never Again" which was reportedly an attempt to improve "Thunderball." Craig didn't gain instant acceptance as Bond with this viewer as Moore and Brosnan did, who were in familiar detective roles pre-Bond (The Saint and Remington Steele, respectively), so the jury is out for him like it was for Dalton. More importantly, the significant structural changes might just well relegate future Bond releases to DVD watching.
A healthy way to exchange differences!
30 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Another episode that withholds the answer to the puzzle until near the end. Despite the "who" being obvious and some forays into other possibilities that seemed too obvious, the "how" is not. The storyline for this one is interesting and without a major flaw. Jonathan did get away with parking in a long "no parking" zone, however! The best and perhaps telling (for the series) parts of this episode was a scene about 2/3rds in when Jonathan and Jennifer have a lengthy exchange where they disagree but ultimately conclude back to normal tones. It was a delightful bit of acting and one wonders how many takes they did it in.
Meanwhile, the ending of this one is clever and brings a smile, the second episode in a row that had something like this and what makes for a more successful episode.
Meanwhile, the ending of this one is clever and brings a smile, the second episode in a row that had something like this and what makes for a more successful episode.
A threat within
30 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A better title might have been "Obsession," or even "Split Personality." Jonathan finds that he has a secret admirer who eventually musters up the courage to try to take if further. However, his machismo gets in the way of considering the initial ventures a threat...it takes something close to fatal to do so. That's also what it takes for the competition to reveal themselves. Meanwhile, a smarter Jennifer picks up the too-obvious clues from her competitor who isn't very careful in covering up her trail.
The storyline flows well, despite not covering new territory, and the fight scene for the finale makes one wonder how Jonathan instinctively knew what to say to neutralize his adversary.
Despite the aforementioned flaws in the storyline, a fair episode.
The storyline flows well, despite not covering new territory, and the fight scene for the finale makes one wonder how Jonathan instinctively knew what to say to neutralize his adversary.
Despite the aforementioned flaws in the storyline, a fair episode.
It's more than a car
25 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A vintage car becomes the centerpiece of a mystery that doesn't reveal itself until nearly the end.
Jonathan has bought this car, but a couple is keenly interested in it for reasons unknown. Unfortunately, there are a couple of major holes in the storyline. The couple manages to find out the buyer's name (Jonathan), but didn't steal nor even attempt to take the car until it's been transported across the globe (to L.A.). In addition, only one attempt is made to contact the seller to ask why this car wasn't as expected, and the unsuccessful attempt is easily accepted.
In summary, the positives of this mystery are the delay of finding out what's so special about the car and the creativity behind what that is. The negatives are an absence of logic in two major ways.
Jonathan has bought this car, but a couple is keenly interested in it for reasons unknown. Unfortunately, there are a couple of major holes in the storyline. The couple manages to find out the buyer's name (Jonathan), but didn't steal nor even attempt to take the car until it's been transported across the globe (to L.A.). In addition, only one attempt is made to contact the seller to ask why this car wasn't as expected, and the unsuccessful attempt is easily accepted.
In summary, the positives of this mystery are the delay of finding out what's so special about the car and the creativity behind what that is. The negatives are an absence of logic in two major ways.
Blackmail is on his mind
25 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A woman who had a chance meeting with Jonathan resurfaces unexpectedly due to something she said to her ex-husband several years ago, a mildy believable plot despite the passage of years. While what ensues is partially predictable, what's not is that this decent woman doesn't separate herself from this man, and there are holes in the story that left me wondering. In addition, this man continues to pursue enrichment rather than accept what he got and move on.
On a heartening note, the young man known as Jonathan Hart Jr. doesn't need to be told the truth about his lineage; he figures it out for himself based on his assessment of character.
On a heartening note, the young man known as Jonathan Hart Jr. doesn't need to be told the truth about his lineage; he figures it out for himself based on his assessment of character.
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