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Reviews
Sum1 (2017)
Slow moving, but I couldn't stop watching it
An alien invasion movie with a twist, an unhappy ending. At first I thought the slow moving nature of the film was a problem. Then, I realized that it perfectly captured the loneliness and bleakness of being a sole person guarding an outpost for 99 days (the period of duty) and the endless repetition of daily activities in a relatively confined area. Being alone for 99 days would wreak havoc on anyone's mind. This is a psychological thriller. Is the alien real? Is it a ploy by the government to control people? We never see it until close to the end. It's also different from the depiction of so many aliens in films. That was a welcome relief, something new.
Ice Soldiers (2013)
Was somewhat OK until the soldiers get thawed in current day
The concept of genetically engineered soldiers from a WWII Nazi doctor experimenting in genetic engineering being taken into the USSR is interesting. The initial discovery in 1962 of the frozen trio (the plane transporting them crashed is done well. The discovered and thawed soldiers decimate the scientific team investigating the frozen men. However, the jump to 50 years later is not plausible. It starts out OK. But, when they get found again, thought to be dead, revive, again decimate the scientists, and make their escape is where it fell apart for me. They are from 1962 yet they instantly acclimate to 2012, knowing exactly how modern vehicles and planes work. Their bobbing their heads to rap music in the SUV/snowmobile is where I totally gave up on the film.
Murder, She Wrote: Murder in High "C" (1995)
Not an original for Murder, She Wrote
I have always enjoyed "Murder, She Wrote" episodes with Angela Lansbury as the main character, Jessica Fletcher. However, "Murder in High C" was a disappointment. A mysterious and obviously disguised voice in the Genoa fog speaks of imminent death to a beautiful opera singer. The woman in fear and shock tells others, her dutiful husband standing by her side in support. Then, the same voice with the same message comes via repeated phone calls. Murder attempts appear to take place. There is a prime suspect who could easily be the villain planning the crime. The prime suspect gets killed. The danger is over, or is it? It sounds like a great murder mystery. It is, but this "Murder, She Wrote" episode is not the original of this story. Watch the more gripping 1960 movie "Midnight Lace" with Doris Day, Rex Harrison, and Myrna Loy. The cities are different, London vs. Genoa. The beautiful woman is an heiress rather than an opera singer. But, the voice in the fog, on the phone, the murder attempts, and the would be villain getting killed are all there. And the danger being over? Well, you'll have to watch it to find out. Compare it to this "Murder, She Wrote" episode and see if you agree that "Murder in High C" is interesting, but "Midnight Lace" is far more satisfying.
Cleopatra (1963)
It has it all
Breathtaking photography, fabulous costumes, wonderful lead and supporting role performances, a dual love story that is timeless - the romance with Caesar for power and the romance with Marc Antony for love, unmatched music by Alex North, that's what's in Cleopatra. From the time that it came out, I have remained a person who has not been afraid to say that I have loved it.
Elizabeth Taylor's legendary beauty is very evident here. My favorite scenes of hers are Cleopatra's anguish upon finding out about Marc Antony's [Richard Burton] marriage and the closing scene with her reunited with the dying Marc Antony. Similarly, Caesar's [Rex Harrison] opening war scene, Marc Antony's gut-wrenching soliloquy as a broken man after the defeat at Actium , Octavian's [Roddy McDowall] harsh scolding of an officer that let him know of Marc Antony's death, Sosigenes' [Hume Cronyn] death scene, Apollodorus' [Cesare Danova] support for Cleopatra, and Rufio's [Martin Landau] support for Marc Antony are all permanently etched in my memory.
The shear lushness of the production has to be seen to truly believed. Remember, this was released in 1963 far before the gimmickry of computer enhanced effects. The crowds in these scenes are real, the buildings are real, this is not a movie that was put together with the smoke and mirrors of computers. I truly do hope that restorers are able to eventually find the footage that was deleted, primarily due to Zanuck's influence and not Mankiewicz's desire, so that we may see more of what Mankiewicz had in mind.
I also strongly recommend that one view the DVD release. The included documentary about putting the film together helps one get a good perspective about the real headaches involved in getting this film made.
With a Song in My Heart (1952)
A wonderful movie that showcases Susan Hayward
This remains one of my most favored films. From the first time that I saw Susan Hayward I was mesmerized by her. Her beauty, timing, flashing of eyes, everything about her epitomized for me what a glamorous star should be. The beautiful story, Jane Froman's captivating singing, Thelma Ritter's typically wonderful supporting role performance [another favorite actress of mine], David Wayne's performance as a complex husband, and Rory Calhoun's handsomeness and understated performance combine to produce a totally satisfying tribute to the great lady, Jane Froman.