The story idea itself wasn't bad, but the screenplay, editing and much of the acting were deficient. Many points in the portrayed events seem to have been skipped over, instead of tying them together into a coherent presentation. The film thus tended to be rather choppy and to jump around a bit. Although it was allegedly filmed in Virginia, it seemed to be more like a Canadian film than an American film. I never figured out why the woman from the home office in New York, who was allegedly sent there to examine the finances, seems to have moved into a house there, with her son. (Her son, by the way, seemed to have very little to do with the plot, except perhaps for some background on her.) This movie could be remade, with the needed improvements and be a decent horror film--perhaps becoming a classic. But, as it stands, it is more of an instructional film of what not to do in a movie.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Canadian Bacon
(1995)
so different, right in front of your eyes!
8 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I love this movie. It cracks me up every time I watch it. One of the things I think is funny is the fact that so many Canadians appear in it--although they could be walking undetected among us Americans! The idea of Canadians' massing along the border, preparing to invade the US, is hilariously depicted by the "news media," trying to whip up anti-Canadian feeling. And, Alan Alda as the vacillating politician, with Rip Torn as his Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were perfect! I enjoyed hearing the two Mounted Policemen debating about how to end a sentence without using a preposition. Their Canadian accent is more noticeable in that scene than in most others. In real life, it is interesting to consider how-different we are, even though we have so many apparent similarities. Only the Australians or Israelis are more like us Americans than are the Canadians. Yet, we are different. The scary thing is how realistic the idea of creating an enemy, where one doesn't exist may have turned out to be, as in the alleged "weapons of mass destruction" that motivated the invasion of Iraq.
Curse of the Swamp Creature
(1968 TV Movie)
Shoulc have been titled "Yech!"
18 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
As another reviewer writes, the "curse" part of the title is correct! This has to be the worst movie I remember seeing! I would have rated this film with a negative star, if such a rating were available. The only redeeming feature is Francine York as the mad scientist's wife. She is beautiful! The production, though, looks like a high school film--but worse! The sets are really cheap looking, and one of the actors actually compliments the doctor on having a ceiling fan that works! An alternative name for this film could have been "Yech!" The local dancer, though, is good. Too bad the director couldn't have emphasized some to the film's good points and rewritten the movie, accordingly.
Strange Things Happen at Sundown
(2003 Video)
fresh blood
27 February 2010
The movie,as others have said, started off as if it were going to be another cheap vampire flick. But, it got better when the bad guys showed their fangs. From there on out, it turned into a pretty good movie. It was gory and had a lot of thrashing, groaning or screaming victims--definitely not for kids or the halfway-squeamish viewer. But, I thought it was well-told from a vampire's perspective, and I liked the vampire-turned-vigilante angle. Although much of the scenes had been done before, this movie ties a lot of these different elements together in a fascinating way. It ran for 138 minutes, because it had a lot to tell. And, I liked some of the twists at the end. Altogether, Strange Things turned out to be an entertaining, sometimes funny, vampire-flick that I would recommend to viewers who like this genre.
Suddenly, Last Summer
(1959)
very strange story
18 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The acting is superb, but the story is very strange. Without spoiling, the crucial scene took place in Amalfi, which is in Italy, not Spain. It was interesting to see Katherine Hepburn playing against Elizabeth Taylor. Montgomery Clift seemed rather wooden, but that was due to his role as the sympathetic doctor. As usual, Elizabeth Taylor stole the show. She is at her most beautiful and dramatic in her role as Catherine. She is, really, the main--if not the only--reason to watch this movie in its entirety. The contrast between the rich and poor is very revealing in this film. It was interesting to see whether the doctor played by Albert Dekker would overlook his principles, to obtain the funding for his proposed new hospital. And, the elevator in the patron's home seemed rather ostentatious. But,what do I know?
Rhapsody
(1954)
acting better than the music
4 November 2009
Like stacym said above, I think this was a very good film. While others have complained that the story is mediocre, I found Elizabeth Taylor's subtle eye movements and facial expressions intriguing, and the story changed enough that it kept me wondering what was going to happen next. Gassman and Ericson played their instruments so lifelike you almost thought they were playing them. Louis Calhern again provided a sophisticated performance as her distanced dad. In fact, I thought that the music was not as exceptional as the acting, although the selections were chosen to show off the virtuosity of the performers rather than for their beautiful melodies. (I am a Puccini and Lehar fan.) The actors were all impressive in their roles and should have received more awards than they did for their consummate collaboration.
The Eagle and the Hawk
(1933)
great performances
23 October 2008
As the others have said, this surprisingly turned out to be a realistic, antiwar movie. Frederick March gives an Academy-Award-worthy performance as the jaded fighter pilot, and Cary Grant gives a good performance as his rival. Since Hollywood made more pro-war movies than isolationist movies up to Pearl Harbor, this one was a bit startling, judging from its era and its title. Perhaps that is why it has not received its due rewards. Those who have experienced war usually try to prevent its recurrence, and the grim reality of its death and destruction are shown in this film about as graphically as they were allowed at that time. I have heard that even Germany's greatest ace in WWI, the "Red Baron," was very disillusioned when he went home the last time before his death. When his mother asked him who his friends were in a photo, he told her sadly when each of them had been killed. War is only glamorous from a great distance and in games. "The Eagle And The Hawk" captures the real essence of so many wasted lives in the Lost Generation and the destruction of prewar civilization.
A Perfect State
(1997– )
Wonderful series
17 May 2008
I love this series! It actually inspires me, although it is primarily intended to be a comedy and entertainment. What a wonderful premise! Just try to imagine yourself as a Flatbyan, and think how you would love your new country to be run! The characters are realistic, I think, with some allowance for comedic expression and laughable situations. The producers chose perfect actors to portray the various residents, especially members of the town council (or whatever the ruling board members choose to call themselves). I think "A Perfect State" is an exceptionally witty satire about local and international politics, such as I have rarely seen portrayed elsewhere. I hope I can find out how to purchase a copy of this wonderful series! Please write more episodes!
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