klamut1960 Reviews

The Victim (1972 TV Movie)

Movies of the Week Really Rock - The Victim is GREAT

[9/10 · 29 October 2016]

I saw The Victim starting Elizabeth Montgomery when I was 12 years old. I just watched it again on You Tube and really enjoyed it, 44 years later.

It's an old-fashioned woman in jeopardy suspense thriller and I wish there were more movies like this today.

Elizabeth Montgomery plays Kate, a well to do woman who is concerned about her sister Susan. Susan lives in an isolated house, sounds troubled when she talks to her sister on the phone and a terrible storm is coming. Kate calls her sister back, but the line is dead, which worries Kate. Kate decides to drive to her sister's home in the storm and arrives to find her missing. The storm is in full force, the phone's not working, the power goes out....as a 12 year old, this scared me to death. As a 56 year old, I still enjoyed it. Eileen Heckhart gives a terrific performance as the sister's creepy housekeeper and George Maharis is excellent as the missing sister's husband.

For baby boomers like myself who loved Elizabeth Montgomery on Bewitched and who adored watching The Movie of the Week (a precursor to Lifetime Movies), this one's for you. I truly wish all the old Movies of the Week would be released on DVD or at least as Amazon Prime videos. There's a real market out there among the baby boomers and most of the movies, like The Victim, are really good.

Shades of Blue (2016–2018)

Excellent show - Liotta and Lopez are riveting

[10/10 · 16 January 2016]

I have watched the first two episodes of Shades of Blue and am completely hooked. It's dark, edgy and tense, filled with complex characters, each with their own secrets and loyalties. Jennifer Lopez owns her role as Harlee Santos, a tough female cop who is also a devoted single mother to her 16 year old daughter, Christina. Ray Liotta is her long-time boss and father figure, Matt Wozniak. Matt is her Lieutenant and he, along with the rest of their unit are her family. Their unit is incredibly successful, but does not hesitate to cross the lines when it comes to justice and self-interest...loyalty is the name of the game and they stick together, no matter what. Matt is the kind of cop and man who is always able to do what is necessary to survive and protect those he cares about - the end will always justify the means.

In the Pilot (which I watched twice), one of the unit members is entrapped by the FBI and faces some very tough choices that instantly change their life. The second episode is even better, but I don't want to give any more away - just watch it and don't listen to the negative reviews. If you liked the Sopranos, NYPD Blue or currently are a fan of Chicago PD, you will love this. My test of a good show is that I'm sorry when the credits are rolling - that's how I felt when each episode of Shades of Blue ended.

I can't wait until next week!

Homeland (2011–2020)

A show that stays with you long after the final credits

[10/10 · 24 December 2015]

I have been watching Homeland since the beginning and have found every season to be among the best television I've ever seen. The characters are complex, flawed and human, the psychological suspense makes your skin crawl and the performances are astounding. Clare Danes and Mandy Pantinkin are the heart of the show, but every season has introduced new characters that we grow to care about, fear, or even despise. The show addresses the real issues that confront the world today - terrorism, national security and does an excellent job showcasing the viewpoints of both sides. Nothing is "black and white" - there are always shades of gray, which make the show fascinating, both as a thriller and as a character study, particularly of Carrie and Saul, the main protagonists.

This last season was especially haunting, particularly the final episode. I know I will be re-watching the entire season - it's that good. So glad the show has been renewed. Bravo to Showtime for continuing to provide us with intelligent, thought provoking television.

Quantico (2015–2018)

Suspenseful, character-driven drama keeps your interest.

[10/10 · 9 November 2015]

I have been watching Quantico since the beginning and have thoroughly enjoyed each episode. It's suspenseful, character-driven and keeps you guessing, with the story shifting between the present day (a shocking terrorist attack and the efforts to find the the suspect) and the past (the training and relationships of a class of recruits at Quantico, each of whom has their own tangled motivations for wanting to be an FBI agent). The flashback technique is very effective and allows the viewer to get to know the characters through the training they undergo and their own individual stories, which are slowly revealed to the viewer in each subsequent episode.

There appears to be a lot of concern voiced in prior reviews that the show is not "realistic. Well, it's not a documentary, it's a TV show and it's meant to be entertaining, not instructive. If you want to be entertained on a Sunday night, I highly recommend Quantico, one of the best of the new fall shows.

Blood & Oil (2015)

Engaging pilot, new ABC soap has lots of potential.

[9/10 · 28 September 2015]

I watched the pilot episode for Blood & Oil and this new soap, set during the oil boom in North Dakota, held my attention from start to finish and has an engaging, attractive cast of characters. There is the wealthy oil baron (Don Johnson), his power hungry wife (Amber Valetta) and the black sheep son, who is unable or unwilling to please his hard driving father and despises his stepmother. Then, there is the working class couple who comes to the boomtown to seek their fortune (aptly played by Chace Crawford and Rebecca Rittenhouse). These characters are well cast and very appealing, with good chemistry between them. Chace Crawford is especially good as Billy and shows that he has grown up since Gossip Girl.

The themes of family dysfunction, love and money and power struggles don't break any new ground, but that's what the soap opera genre is all about. I enjoyed the pilot, the actors and the character development and am looking forward to future episodes.

No Good Deed (I) (2014)

Suspenseful and chilling, with a great twist at the end

[10/10 · 8 July 2015]

Idris Elba is outstanding as Colin, an escaped convict who shows up at the door of Terry, a perfect wife and mother, (well played by Taraji P Henson) on a stormy night following a car accident. He is a charming sociopath and she is a lonely, neglected wife whose husband is on a weekend trip. We feel the tension from the moment they meet - the actors have true chemistry which only raises the level of suspense and keeps you watching. He senses that she's vulnerable - she's alone during a storm with two small children and he knows just what buttons to push.

Leslie Bibb is also excellent in her role as Meg, Terry's longtime best friend who immediately senses that all is not what it seems when she comes over for a planned girls night. We don't see much of Terry's husband Jeffrey, but Henry Simmons does a good job playing the indifferent and arrogant spouse who can't wait to leave the house for a golf weekend with his Dad. We see right away that Terry gets very little attention and longs to be appreciated, which are qualities that make her vulnerable to Colin's attention.

I don't understand the negative reviews - this is a nicely acted, suspenseful thriller with a great twist at the end. If you have 90 minutes or so to sit down and be entertained, I highly recommend this movie.

State of Affairs (2014–2015)

State of Affairs - Suspenseful and Entertaining.

[10/10 · 25 December 2014]

I binge-watched this show today (5/6 episodes) and really enjoyed it. Katherine Heigl is excellent as Charleston Tucker and Alfre Woodard shines as President Payton. I also enjoy seeing Courtney Vance as the President's husband and James Remar (who was fabulous in Dexter and Sex and the City) in the role of Syd.

I don't understand all the negative reviews. It's very well done, especially for a network show and the issues it explores are very timely. I think people need to give it a chance. Each episode held my attention and I could not wait to watch the next one. In fact, I'm off to watch Episode 6 right now.

Murder in the First (2014–2016)

Love Murder in the First

[9/10 · 2 July 2014]

I am really enjoying the new TNT show Murder in the First and can't believe the negative reviews. It's well written, suspenseful, has complex multi-layered characters and is perfectly cast. I have my DVR set every Monday night and can't wait for the next episode.

Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson are superb in their roles and Tom Felton and James Cromwell are great as well. James Cromwell is particularly effective playing the seasoned, high-priced defense lawyer. Even the supporting players do a great job in the smallest roles.

It's a perfect show for fans of Law and Order, Chicago PD, Blue Bloods and NYPD Blue. I highly recommend watching this show. Don't believe the negative reviews - watching this show is time well spent and I've been sorry when each episode ends.