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Reviews
Crossing Jordan (2001)
For a TV show, it's quite good
In my unfailingly overbearing opinion, of course. Anyway, I find the dialogues uncommonly well-written, the supporting characters and the whole milieu entertaining (even if some of the former *have* become somewhat cardboardy), likewise the outrageous situations - what would you expect in a morgue? -, such as the guy who explodes on the autopsy table and the cryogenized stiff - and Miguel Ferrer's performances solidly outstanding (now, *here* is an *actor* who knows the meaning of nuancing!). As with all TV shows, it *is* formulaic, some episodes are outright ludicrous, and plots often have holes you could drive a Mack truck through blindfolded. Big deal. In the kingdom of utter dreck... As for Jordan herself, a great actress Ms. Hennessy is not - but she has a very nice voice, her best feature, although again Butler she's not.
The Hypnotic Eye (1960)
All things considered...
...this movie remains, given the genre, age, and production values, eminently watchable.
Sure, the plot has holes and incongruities one can drive a Mack truck through, the acting is for the most part wooden - but it all winds up being part of the fun. And, it stands out for two other aspects.
(WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS MAY BE CONSIDERED A SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THIS MOVIE!)
On the one hand, the sexual content. Not only Desmond's seduction of Marcia (although he never gets to, er, consummate it - and it's left in the open whether or not he managed to do so with his other "subjects"), but also the relationship between him and Justine. And, of course, there's the rather equivocal character of the Doc. Nothing explicit or groundbreaking, but again, in context...
Second: we're blissfully spared any detailed explanations, of the one-trauma-fits-all kind, about the origin of Justine's predicament, or about her hold over Desmond. Maybe the producers just ran out of celluloid; whatever the reason, it goes against the grain of the typical Hollywood movie, B- or otherwise.
So, if you can get a copy (good luck...), plant tongue firmly in cheek, turn the IL' suspension-of-disbelief on and just plain enjoy it.