A
few samples of my movie reviews. More available upon request.
The
Nativity Story
(this was also published in the KCStar Newspaper)
"The
Nativity Story" Movie Review I have just seen "The
Nativity Story" and I have to say that I was extremely
impressed by the sincere and honest interpretation of
this simple narrative. This was truly the best account
of a Biblical story brought to film that has been done
in years including Mel Gibson's "Passion" which
although very good, had far too many "strong man"
Hollywood scenes and continuous distractions by the endless
language subtitles.
"The
Nativity Story" also gave a sense of romance between
Mary and Joseph of genuine and deep abiding love that
only comes from knowing an individual through hardships
and adversity to see their true character rather than
the distorted physical love that is over concentrated
in today's society.
The
subtle hints of humor throughout the film, chiefly centered
on the Magi, illustrated in-depth characterization as
well as the real feel of threat from Herod and the Roman
soldiers kept the film from loosing its humanistic traits
and avoiding the "too holy" theme that is so
often overdone in Biblical accounts. The only disappointment
I experienced was that in the shepherds and angels' sequence,
the sky wasn't filled with angels "declaring the
glory of God." But this was only a small regret quite
over weighed by the beauty and earnestness of the entire
film.
Music
was unobtrusive and went along with the Christmas feeling,
and the grayish color tint was in theme with the overall
desolate feeling of the people from their servitude in
dealing with Herod and Roman occupation.
I
would say that anyone who watches Catherine Hardwicke's
version should give her a standing ovation, but as I and
my fellow theater goers of December 8, my applause was
in silence and awe. No one moved for several minutes;
no one spoke as they exited the darkened theater; it was
truly that moving.
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Teacher's
Pet
(this was
approved to be published in IMDB.com)
Unprecedented
and Unmatched in Film Excellence
After
reading all the reviews of "Teacher's Pet,"
I feel that there are some things that need to be mentioned
that haven't been so far.
Yes,
Gable was much older than Doris Day, however, the professionalism
and chemistry between them overcame the more than obvious
age difference. However, which woman of us wouldn't use
almost any chance to play a scene with the "leading
man of all time" who up until the day he died looked
the way a man should. What was more shocking was to realize
that Calamity Jane was released over five years before
where Day played her most vigorous role opposite leading
tenor Howard Keel.
The
story of the "hard knocks" journalism learning
by the self-made man and the traditional educational journalism
background of the then-modern day woman was a very strong
plot and illustrated the change that was not only happening
in the world of journalism, but in the professional world
at large.
This
plot demonstrated the coming of the humankind we now have
today where degrees are more important than learning by
common sense and hard work; where employers are more interested
in schooling by professors than schooling by life; where
the self-made man is pretty much non-existent in today's
world because there is no room at the top for someone
who never jumped through the hoops. It is a very sad revelation
because of so much pressure for degrees that good, strong
workers with intelligence but lack of opportunities due
to life intervention are not able to forge the same pathway
in American life that brought our forefathers over to
this country in the beginning.
However,
with this in mind, the picture still gives an impression
that is not so very prominent in today's society and that
is respect. Respect for the self-made man who fought his
way to the top. You can see that "the rest of the
story" if the plot were to continue, would show that
Gannon (Gable) would gain more self respect by the obvious
maneuver of Stone (Day) and Pine (Young) encouraging the
dean of the college to give him "faculty status."
You can see that after a very highly emotional scene,
which has been totally ignored by other reviewers, of
Gannon's displaying a crack in his tough exterior by clearly
demonstrating his emotional and intellectual hunger by
having to "excuse himself to the men's room"
because all he knew was newspapers, that he finally met
traditionally educated individuals who could help him
breach this gap in his life and still have great admiration
for the man. I felt there was a strong connection that
predicted that Gannon's relationship was not only going
to grow where Erica Stone was concerned but a long-lasting
friendship with Dr. Hugo Pine who could master him intellectually
but not in intelligence.
Besides
comedy and chemistry, this movie clearly expressed pathos
on the men who are not able to express themselves and
their appreciation even to other men. In the scene where
Gannon was impressed with the young educated Harold Miller's
(Peter Baldwin) beyond the call of duty to the long interpretive
article, he was only able to show it in one way
moving Miller to the day shift. The final scene with Miller
arguing with him of the character in the article, Sallas,
and his four partners also express an acceptance in his
own rough, gruff manner.
Strangely
enough, both Gannon and Stone's comments on journalism
are timeless as the profession then is not too dissimilar
to the now in paper, television, or online.
Much
attention should also be given to Gig Young's character
in the comedic role for the very funniest scene in the
entire movie was "the egg shell in the concoction"
he made for his hangover. His timing and slight hesitation
plus Gable's reaction was one of those scenes that can
never be duplicated as well in any other picture.
And
one last mention to another old friend of the movies who
seems to have his name in every good movie that was ever
produced before, during and after the Golden Age of Hollywood
Charles Lane. From "It's no skin off my nose,"
in It's A Wonderful Life to The Night Before Christmas
produced in 2006, the 100+ year old actor has never failed
to give us something to remember in each of his short
but important roles. His attendance in this movie, as
his others, was extremely pleasant.
From
beginning to end, "Teacher's Pet" was one of
the pictures in a lifetime never can be repeated
or duplicated and can never be topped in its field of
the unusual comedic movies with three main characters
who are unmatched.
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Pride
and Prejudice
(this
was approved to be published in IMDB.com)
Colin
Firth as Mr. Darcy Wins My Heart!
Colin
Firth plays no other roll in his motion picture career,
it still will have been worth it just seeing him in the
character as Mr. Darcy in A&E's production of "Pride
and Prejudice." He controls the scene whenever he
is on and whether he is silent or talking, he is the total
focus of what is happening around him as a true lord and
master should. Firth can convey more in the slight curve
of his lips and the ruffling of his hair across his forehead
than many other actors of this day and age.
From
the beginning of his "meltdown" after his proposal
is rejected, you fall more deeply in love with the character
with each step. Viewers can see his determination to win
her goodwill. He has finally understood that he had not
in least "courted" her as every woman longs
to be and arrogantly presumes she will marry him for no
other reason than he asked. However, after he has been
rebuffed, he does a slow 180 degree turn in character
and mannerisms. From their Chance Encounter, he demonstrates
an anxious nature to please her and draws her slowly into
his close circle.
He
begins by breeching the estrangement between them by showing
her and the Bingleys that he not only prefers her but
is "prodigiously" proud of her. He introduces
his sister and reintroduces his friend, Mr. Bingley, both
of who Elizabeth Bennett can soften towards while he illustrates
his changed attitude.
His
reticence is finally understood.
His
manner grows deliciously softer when he learns of Lydia's
indiscretion and determines to solve the problem of Wickham
once and for all for the Bennetts as well as his own sister
and future innocent young ladies.
First,
he bribes Wickham to marry Lydia, therefore, releasing
the Bennetts of their disgrace meanwhile learning an even
more meaningful lesson in his arrogance as he scours the
streets of London in search.
Second,
he works secretly through the uncle and aunt, Mr. and
Mrs. Gardiner, to preserve the honor and face of Mr. Bennett.
He was apparently so remiss in taking a step back from
the discipline of his younger children and it is so obvious
that he cared more for his first two and was more involved
with their upbringing.
Third,
he purchases a commission for Wickham and his wife, Lydia,
to be located far away to avoid future scandal entanglements
that they would involve the family and embarrass his sister.
Fourth,
he makes peace and encourages his friend, Mr. Bingley,
in his own pursuits of Jane Bennett.
Fifth,
he works hard to bridge the gap he created so heartily
in his former character against her parents recognizing
that they were good people in their own way, " .
. . as much as I respect them . . ." From beginning
to end, after the "courtship" has been established,
Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), and his pursuit of Elizabeth
Bennett (Jennifer Ehle), leads the viewer on in a path
where you long for even more before the final culmination.
A
Knight in shining armor slaying a dragon for his lady
fair could not have been better depicted than Colin Firth's
Mr. Darcy clearing the way to Elizabeth Bennett's heart
and hand.
Jennifer
Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett was very well done and her portrayal
of this honorable and unforgettable character in Jane
Austin's book was very good. Her hesitations, embarrassment
at being found at the home of the man she rejected, and
her bright and shining smiles gave depth and a sense of
gaiety to the plot. Nonetheless, one has to say Greer
Garson was so much better as Elizabeth Bennett than anyone
else who has before and since portrayed her that to compare
Garson to any other actress with her quality and beauty
would be harmful to the competitor. Ehle did very OK.
Another
major credit should be given to Alison Steadman, who played
Mrs. Bennett. The character as portrayed in the book is
annoying and embarrassing. However, in the A&E production,
every time she opened her mouth, I wanted to reach for
a baseball bat. Extremely well done, Steadman! The movie
holds a lot of eye work and chemistry that the viewer
forgets until the final kiss that they have just watched
a wonderful and beautiful romance with no bad language
or sexual innuendoes and all love and desire for the other
partner's goodwill. Oh, that we had more of these! No
one can refute the mastery and importance of the roll
of Mr. Darcy played by Sir Lawrence Olivier in the 1940
version with Greer Garson. Seeing the A&E production,
you recognize the amazing adaptability of the screen writer
in 1940 to condense so much information into a much shorter
and yet, poignant film.
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Matchmaker
Mary
(excerpts of the review were printed in the Kansas
Colloquies syndication)
Good
but lacks the "ah-HA!"
I
was fortunate to attend the premiere of Matchmaker Mary
last night, September 17, at the Glenwood Fine Arts Theatre,
95th Metcalf, Overland Park, KS.
In
attendance was the nationally acclaimed actress and former
Kansas City, Kansas resident, Dee Wallace, and her co-stars,
Kevin Brief, Jilanne Klaus, Jon Daugharthy, Cynthia Hyer
and, in her first on-screen role, Katherine McNamara,
local Lee's Summit resident, as Mary Carver. Also attending
was writer and director Tom Whitus and other members of
the cast and crew of Silver Hills Pictures.
The
movie is set around the background of Wayside Waifs and
their many features in helping and assisting individuals
find animal pets that would otherwise be sent to the pound
or eliminated. Mary Carver (Katherine McNamara) is a very
energetic, enthusiastic and creative young lady who believes
that simply placing two people together with the help
of some trusty canine will eventually bring about a happy
co-habitation.
However,
little does she know that while working diligently to
match up two friendly strangers she met by accident at
Wayside Waifs, her own parents are undergoing some intense
self evaluations about their own personal relationship.
Mary organizes and engineers a masterful plan to endeavor
to bring her parents back together again using Wayside
Waifs and the cast of characters she has accumulated around
her since her introduction into the land of the animal
pets' kingdom.
The
entire cast is very intense and completely devoted to
their characterizations, however, the film lacks a big
influx of "ah-HA!" that is needed to bring it
all together and unfortunately, a few very obvious film
bloopers and redundancies.
McNamara
played charmingly as this young girl on the verge of womanhood
and meddling into adult lives, but her thought processes
are a little dim to the viewer in this particular film.
Dee Wallace, of course, was fantastic in her role as Aunt
Karen and really brought the film alive in her scenes
as was Kevin Brief, Mary's emotional father.
The
story does have a pleasant theme and background by emphasizing
the connection between people's need for "unconditional
love" and understanding as well as bridging the gap
of internal conflicts. The undeniable "cause"
of the film, of course, is to save animal lives by adopting
them through organizations such as Wayside Waifs.
Even
with several obvious issues and loopholes within the film's
plot structure and filming, it is still rather endearing
and pleasant to watch its naiveté from a child's
point of view. It has a great pre-teen film style that
is appealing.
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Conspiracy
(this
was approved to be published in IMDB.com)
The
Horror of What Could Happen DID Happen
This
movie, I have to say, completely floored me and
for all the right reasons.
I
have to admit that I am actually on a quest to see as
many of the Colin Firth films as I can since I have taken
an active interest in his career, and frankly, I am trying
to see if somewhere sometime, he played in something as
good as A&E's production of "Pride and Prejudice."
Unfortunately, I have not been too successful in this
regard and realize completely, why Colin Firth has never
been able to drop his alter-ego, Mr. Darcy. P&P was
basically the best thing the man ever did. Especially
as far as romance goes.
However,
I rented "Conspiracy" recently and was utterly
amazed. It wasn't Firth's portrayal as Dr. Wilhelm Stuckart
or even the remarkable performances by Kenneth Branagh
as Reinhard Heydrich and Stanley Tucci as Adolf Eichmann.
It
was the entire plot, direction, script, performances and
sincere "Nazism" attitude so perfectly demonstrated
in this film.
The
fact that the members of the table were attending to "discuss"
the issue of anti-Semitism and then find out a horrendous
"solutions" had not only been discussed but
was in effect for several years were utterly amazing.
Branagh, I am afraid, stole the show with his "smiling
intimidation tactics" and other members of the cast,
most especially Tucci, was truly astounding in their complete
devoid of a conscience regarding the fate of the Jewish
people.
The
cold disregard for human life and discussing them as if
they were animals was extremely effective and lasted with
me long after the film concluded. This is definitely a
film that I would love to have a copy of and yet only
watch once every ten years that is the most I could
stand to watch the cold-blooded display of true Nazi control
and the amount of lives destroyed and how easily.
I
was so lost in the film that I didn't even realize that
Firth, Branagh, or Tucci was in it anymore. Their representation
of the characters of the subject gave the viewer the utter
amazing disbelief of what they were discussing and that
it DID happen. Even Dr. Wilhelm Stuckart's (Firth) protests
were more for mistreating and sterilizing a useless "animal"
or "pet" rather than an individual human life
being affected.
When
discussing the death of lives, whether it comes from the
2004 Tsunami or the Gas Chambers of Nazi Germany, understanding
the true meaning of thousands of lives destroyed, one
has to stop and think each life was an individual,
each had hopes and dreams and plans.
To
have a film depicting the cold assassination and deliberate
"evacuation" of millions of people like this
was, I consider, a necessary evil that definitely needed
to be recorded and shown in a realistic light.
Much
appreciation should be given to the film makers and director
for this startling film. This is a moment in time that
needed to be recorded for the preservation of preventing
this atrocious depravation of humanity from happening
again God willing. Also have to thank the director,
etc. for giving "closure" to what happened to
the men at the table in their real lives. It is sad to
note that justice was not served in many cases.
Forgetting
the actual actors and seeing instead who they are representing
is EXCELLENT film making. THIS is acting! Last note: Once
again, however, the film makers always try to find a way
to insert the "F" word in unnecessary situations.
It does nothing to advance the plot or characterizations.