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Reviews
The Hound of the Baskervilles (2002)
It could have been good
The location and photography were excellent but it ends there. Watson did not look like he had retired because of health after a long hitch in India. Holmes did not have aquiline features. But those are minor distractions. Why oh why do these makers always have to rewrite the story. No one yet has equalled the story as written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I really had hopes that Masterpiece Theatre would do it right. Not a chance! This version is a disappointing dud. I sort of thought I was in for disappointment when they completely left out the analysis of Dr Mortimer's cane. They could easily have left out the seance. Too bad! They could have had something good with the same effort.
Scary Movie 2 (2001)
Move over Ed Wood.
This movie had some really impressive names associated with it so maybe I expected too much from it. What I got was something very close to the worst movie I've ever seen. The only thing that would help this movie would be to see it from backseat of a '49 Buick at the local Drive-In theater. And even then a little more help would be required.
Confessions of Boston Blackie (1941)
You just can't beat these old Boston Blackie movies!
The only way currently to see an old Boston Blackie movie is to buy a copy that has been copied off television somewhere, sometime. I think they are priceless. I bought this one off eBay. You can't use them to study law or police procedures and usually they have a spot or two that defies chemistry or physics or even common sense. But they are always fun. Just fun. No reality. I think this one was great. I especially like the scene where the radio was reporting on Boston Blackie's escape. And the newspaper headlines. I really wish the studios would release these on tape or DVD.
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
absolute genius
I don't think anyone who didn't live in the movies of the thirties and forties can fully appreciate the absolute genius of this movie. Carl Reiner combined with Steve Martin have woven scenes from the great old black and white movies into similar new scenes to make a coherent great new movie that is really funny. I liked the scenes where Rachel Ward dug the bullets out of Rigby with her teeth, mumbly peg style. And Rigby cleaning his gun in a sink full of soapy water. Plus a hundred quickies like when Rigby was adjusting Rachel Wards breasts because when she fainted, they shifted all out of whack. I have seen this movie several times and it just keeps getting better.
Up in Mabel's Room (1926)
A subtle sort of humor
"Up In Mabel's Room" has a gentle slapstick sort of humor. Not like Buster Keaton, but a sort of subtle sit com sort of slapstick. Watching a silent movie is quite unlike a talkie in that you can't look away and still keep track of the storyline by just listening. The only sound is usually a piano. This movie is really funny. It's well written well directed and easy to follow. And the story is funny. But the title may be misleading because it is very clean. It's a shame that it is so difficult to rent silent movies. But I bought this one sight unseen because I remembered the 1944 version and I am very glad.
The Heart of Texas Ryan (1917)
Good Tom Mix movie
Tom Mix western movies that I have were contemporary for their time. This movie was made in 1917 and the setting is 1917. I particularly liked the low key humor. Maybe they had to; no laugh track. This movie was no ground breaker, but except for Buck Jones, I don't know any other cowboy who could come close to Tom Mix as the personification of the upright western good guy. I also kind of liked the way the purty girl saved Tom instead of the other way around.
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel (1951)
An accurate,I think, movie of an historic giant, without being ostentatious.
James Mason played the part perfectly. The script was excellent, and the supporting cast was without weakness. Excellent photography also.