Shiloh-3 Reviews

I Heart Huckabees (2004)

Not relevant or important or entertaining

[6/10 · 2 May 2005]

I get the existential part but choose to get over it. I am not really gung-ho about the meaning and purpose of life; I simply choose to live it. This film has no living in it; everyone is so busy questioning that no one is out there trying to make the difference they all seem to yearn for. I can see that as the humor side of this film, but I do not care enough for the premise to think it worth the bother. Existential thought is valid as any thought is but I choose to get over it, so this film is non-essential and vapid. If I choose to sail the ocean I do not wonder about the makeup of the water or why the wind blows and the storms come or why a boat floats. I am there, I adapt and I make the sailing the point and not the environment I sail in. Just a choice I make. This film was a waste of time for me.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

This is the best yet

[10/10 · 15 June 2004]

This film is wonderful. It is a very faithful adaptation of the book - with all the time limitations of conversion to film duly considered. I love the acting and I am pleased to see that the story leaned more to the characters and relationships that Harry forges through his years at Hogwarts. There is a sense of beginning and growth in this film and not a total focus on special effects and visuals, which by the way are fabulous. The time shifting element is handled perfectly and the whole film is just a delight. I hope the trend continues to the next film which represents the jewel in the crown so far as the books go up to now. Please see this film and enjoy it.

Stanley & Iris (1990)

Good film, great acting

[10/10 · 6 April 2004]

I just read the comments of TomReynolds2004 and feel I have to jump in here. I understand he doesn't like the film, but his reasons are not evident. My feeling regarding this film is that it is not afraid to travel the darker roads of loneliness, failure, disappointment and sorrow. Each of these two people, as portrayed, have plenty of reasons to be bitter and angry, yet find tenderness and comfort in each the other. Only great acting could make this work without becoming an emotional quagmire, sentimental and sappy. I really became interested in these people because of their overwhelming humanity given to them by such strong performances. I have every reason to dislike Jane Fonda for her Vietnam era actions, but personal feelings apart, she is fabulous in this role. Robert DeNiro is superb as a man whose intelligence and goodness begins to fail him in a world indifferent to his abilities. This is the first I have seen DeNiro using tenderness rather than toughness to sell a character and I really like it. This film was a big surprise when I first viewed it and I look forward to seeing it again.

The Shootist (1976)

It just might be my favorite John Wayne Western

[10/10 · 15 January 2004]

I have seen this film countless times and it continues to amaze me. Its simple, elegant story seems perfect for the Duke's last film and portrays him more like the man I like to think he was and less like the icon he became. His scenes with Lauren Bacall and Ron Howard are superb and Harry Morgan adds some humor that balances the overall sadness of the story and what was happening to the Duke at that time. Richard Boone, Bill McKinney and Hugh O'Brian round out a good cast giving very decent performances. This is John Wayne's best western and ranks second for me only to his "Quiet Man" film, another role he played where his human side shines though the iconic presence. Please see this film. If you like John Wayne I think this will be a hit for you. If you don't, give him this chance to fool you.

One Foot in Heaven (1941)

A very good film for all to experience

[10/10 · 19 February 2003]

Chronicling the struggles, hardships and successes of a minister and his family. Real life circumstances and true depictions of faith pitted against human nature at its best and worst. The human quality of this film is spiritually uplifting. Please see it if you can.

Christine (1983)

Highly underrated.

[8/10 · 31 October 2001]

In my opinion, this film, like The Shining, is often compared to the novel it is based on and then quickly dismissed as not being good. I think this is unfair, because I think it is a real task to bring hundreds of pages of written prose into less than 2 hours of master film making. Christine has really made it in my mind. It is a great fim based on a great book. The license taken by the director is not only warranted, but justified by the final result of this film.

The Quiet Man (1952)

The single best John Wayne/John Ford films. Perhaps the best of all films period

[10/10 · 25 October 2001]

This film is a constant amazement to me. The visual imagery and story line are a single work of art. The character portrayals are astounding. I believe I can smell the countryside and taste the beer in the pub and I feel transported to another time and place when I watch this film. I love all the people as friends and I belly laugh more and more each time I watch it. John Wayne is a real life person in this film and I really like him. His bigger than life wooden characters that comprise most of his career are not evident here. (I like John Wayne, just believe I see his limitations) The John Ford troupe are at their best in this one. It is a family film. It is a guy film. It is a women's film (in my opinion) Boy, what a film!! It is a movie I turn to for a spiritual pick me up. Please view it and enjoy.

Blondie (1938)

Highly enjoyable fun. The first in a great comic series.

[9/10 · 15 October 2001]

I have seen this and countless others in the series and always beat a path to the TV if I know any one them is on. AMC, in their less commercial era showed these every Sunday morning. Please watch these films if you have the opportunity. They are great, clean, non-violent family fun. And they work wonderfully well today.

This Island Earth (1955)

Thought provoking and intelligent

[8/10 · 2 July 2001]

I have seen this film a few times over the last two years. I recently decided that it is much better than it apparently seems at first watching. My issue with the film is not the message which I think is very good, or the special effects which really do bear up under time (my 17 year old son commented on the good quality of the effects, much to my surprise), but with the unevenness of the story line. The way the transition between visiting aliens on earth and those same aliens in fear of extinction on their home world was handled did not work too well for me. Perhaps the fact that the film had two directors has something to do with my reaction. I don't know but feel there was a disconnect somewhere. Things did not flow in the film, but were abrupt in transitioning. I really like this film and wish that the people who made it gave it the chance that the people who will view it do. It could have been first rate. As it is I give it an 8 on the imdb scale. I think if anyone who likes the Sci- Fi genre gives this a chance they may agree with the strengths of the film as I see them or find something they too will like.

The Punisher (1989)

This might be the worse film I have ever seen!

[1/10 · 25 June 2001]

The violence is ludicrous, the plot inane and the dialog insipid. I couldn't even find a way to laugh at the ridiculous quality of this movie. Shame on Louis Gossett Jr. for lending his talent to this one. Dolf Lundgren is his normal untalented self.

Queen of Outer Space (1958)

This is one of the funniest movies made.

[26 March 2001]

I was going to vote for this through IMDB, but I didn't know whether to vote low for the quality or high for the hilarity. This is a must see for anyone with a good sense of humor. When I saw it got a 3.3 voter average, I almost busted a gut laughing. I have never seen a lower tally. Boy, is this one fun!

Tarzan's Three Challenges (1963)

Excellent adventure film with great action and beautiful scenery

[9/10 · 18 April 2000]

This is Tarzan at its best. A man of nature dealing with the nature of man. Defending the spiritual from the corporeal. Terrific allegory. Jock Mahoney, although a bit old at the time of this film, is a terrific Tarzan. My favorite.

The Enchanted Cottage (1945)

A wonderful tale of love and faith against all odds

[10/10 · 15 September 1998]

This is a story of dreams and hope. Two people, ugly to the world at large, see the beauty in each other and so, in themselves. The beauty and love they share are shaken for a small time, but they discover them again. Their faith in each other and themselves is now unshakeable, much as the boy in the children's book, The Polar Express, who hears the sleigh bell long after others have lost the ability to do so. Mildred Natwick is terrific in her supporting role. A good fable and love story.