Change Your Image
jechampionink-46200
Reviews
To Have and Have Not (1944)
You can see the love develop before your eyes
It's so much fun watching Bogey fall in love in this movie. A few tables away, Bacall immediately zeroes in on him with the undistracted focus of a hungry predator. He looks up and realizes that, of all the men in the room, he's her next meal. He reacts with raised eyebrows, a delighted smile, and straightened posture. He puts up no defenses. His ego doesn't get in the way. He just takes her advances as they come and happily falls in step with her, taking control and changing direction only when necessary. And when she interacts with others, he watches her antics with a proud smile. You can see that he trusts her completely. There is genuine affection. No wonder she falls for him so deeply.
Screen Two: Persuasion (1995)
By far the best adaptation of the novel
The casting, costuming, set design, and period details of this version of Persuasion were perfect. Sophie Thompson was a special treat. The love story was believable and satisfying. I truly liked all the characters - even the "villains." Jane Austen would have approved of this treatment of her own feelings about opportunities lost.
The other versions are nothing short of cringe worthy--especially the 2022 version with Dakota Johnson's eye-rolling snarkiness. She totally missed Anne Elliot's decency, reticence, regrets, fading youth, backbone, and quiet longing for another chance to tell Capt. Wentworth how much she loved him.
Duel at Diablo (1966)
Did you know that those old frontier forts had dry cleaners?
All the costumes were beautifully cleaned and pressed - even the hats, wagon covers, and Indian clothing. They lived rough, brutal lives, but dang they were sharp dressers.
Madame (2017)
Why the ending was so satisfying
There are complaints about the ending. But I found it to be a happy one. There were a lot of clues about the art dealer's true motivations. He found Maria charming, yes. But his true motivation was to meet her supposedly aristocratic family in Madrid and make some lucrative sales. He was no different than the other shallow, unfaithful, mercenary characters in that social set. She escaped the ultimate fate of Anne and the other chronically cuckolded characters with her dignity intact. And the knowledge of Maria's integrity and character, along with the expression on her face, made her appear truly beautiful as she crossed that bridge - despite her oddball features.
The Gallant Hours (1960)
Victory after desperation and apparent futility
One of the things I remember from my childhood is hearing family members who fought in the war talk about the horrific odds they encountered in places like Guadalcanal (victory) and Corregidor (defeat and capture). This movie brings the situation at Guadalcanal vividly to life.
Odd Mom Out (2015)
Very entertaining show.
Clever, quirky, mischievous writing. Kargman is a genius.
But I skipped forward to all her scenes with Andy Buckley. I loved that portrayal of a marriage - the humor and the rapport.
Buckley is totally adorable and should be a much bigger star. He should be getting James Garner type roles.