Writer and Photographer


Movie Reviews

A few samples of my movie reviews. More available upon request.

The Nativity Story
Teacher's Pet
Pride and Prejudice
Matchmaker Mary
Conspiracy

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.

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Last updated 2009