Change Your Image
johos3
Reviews
Bullet to the Head (2012)
Retire the Old Fogies.....or lose more millions
OMG.....What audience is this movie made for? My Great-Grandpa?? Watching Sylvester Stalone trying to be exciting is absolutely painful. I actually took my Dad to see it, for his birthday. He apologized to me! It made him feel older to look at a Stalone who's had a few too many plastic surgeries, so now he looks like a nightmare.
We laughed when we were supposed to be shocked, and were shocked when I guessed it was supposed to be funny. Boring, warmed-over plots that have done a zillion times before by much better actors. No wonder this movie is a Bomb....and to watch it through you need a bullet to the head.
Personal Maid's Secret (1935)
Pre-Code and Post-Depression Piece of Fluff
I just saw this movie on TCM for the first time. If you want a movie with so many miraculous doings, all wishes come true and the ending is sweet, this one pretty much covers it. About 25 minutes into the movie you learn the maid's secret. The scene is poignant and could have been the beginning of a lovely movie. However, it misses that opportunity for sake of happy feelings.
Apparently this maid is also full of magic. The regular guy comes home to find his wife has hired a maid at $75 a month and they can't afford it. Quicker than you can smile, the maid suggests they move to a more expensive place and they're there. Another suggestion gets them to a 14-room mansion with tennis court and pool. Plus other servants and a Governess. This all happens in rapid succession without explanation or time to figure out how one person can become wealthy so quickly. Their little boy doesn't age a bit or grow in height, so it's a maid's miracle!
The beauty of the film is not what happens to this family but what happens between the maid and another person, who she also tries to rescue.
The beautiful Anita Louise is so radiant and stunning. All the actors are good, despite a choppy script.
This movie is not played for seriousness or tears. If you stop to ask questions, you'll dismiss it as ridiculous. Movies like this were made to uplift folks who wanted to believe in a dream during the Great Depression. With a minor bit about an adulterous married man, you can tell it's also before the Code of Decency kicked in.
Final Witness: Graveyard Love (2012)
Follow-Up Needed to this Episode
I lived and worked in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina hit, so when this program came up, I was really interested. The reenactment is done with some reality of how it is in the French Quarter. But the French Quarter and surrounding streets are in Orleans Parish and the majority of residents do not shoot, maim and kill. Okay, that's just a pet peeve of mine when they portray my city.
SPOILER! REALITY CRIME SPOILER! Since this was not a fictional movie or program, I did a bit of research. The blonde-haired Sanchez woman who says she was Addie's best friend, is a real person, not an actor. But Sanchez is now in Tangipahoa Parish jail, held on a large bond, wanted in connection with harboring a known sex offender. She and the sex offender were suspects in a murder. When officials saw this program they noticed her and pieced her attachment to the other crime, also committed in New Orleans.
SPOILER AGAIN Sanchez knew and was friends with another female who was also murdered and dismembered. It makes this program even more unique, because it may provide investigative officials with crucial evidence against Sanchez. As one stated in a New Orleans news article, what are the chances that you would be friends with two unrelated people who were murdered and whose remains were disposed of in the same gruesome way?
The Iron Petticoat (1956)
Katherine Hepburn's worse movie.....locked up until now (sigh)
I do love Katherine Hepburn and Bob Hope. Although I constantly watch Turner Classic Movies and see rare films, I never even heard of this one. After viewing it today, I know the reason.....it's very very dull and silly, but not in a good way. Hepburn, a multi-Academy Award winner, has always been able to do it all. Drama, Humor, even a bit of Thriller. What she obviously can't do is a Russian accent! The host of TCM mentioned that Hepburn grew more uncomfortable with the role and had eye problems, so her role in the movie was reduced to favor Bob Hope. I did notice that he gets top billing .....over Kate Hepburn! Both actors were either in their 50's or approaching that age. The romantic roles look awkward and silly. There's absolutely no chemistry between them.
They should show respect for these wonderful actors.....and keep this disappointing dog in the vault!