irish44 Reviews

Some Mother's Son (1996)

Great Soundtrack! Too Bad the Movie is BORING. . . .

[6/10 · 13 November 1999]

The music from "Some Mother's Son", composed and conducted by Bill Whelan, is hauntingly beautiful. Eleanor McEvoy's vocal on "The Seabird" is outstanding.

However, it is too bad the storyline in the movie doesn't match the quality of the music. Quite frankly, the movie was boring!

Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan give first rate performances as the mothers (Kathleen Quigley and Annie Higgins) of two IRA terrorists imprisoned following a rocket attack on British soldiers. David O'Hara (Frank Higgins) plays the hard core murderer who appears to enjoy killing the British. Aiden Gillen is Gerard Quigley, the unlikely terrorist, who aids his friend Higgins in the attack. O'Hara and Gillen are very believable in their roles. In fact all of the actors are good.

The problem is with the storyline and lack of action after the initial rocket attack and subsequent capture of Higgins and Quigley. The scene involving the IRA's retaliation murder of the Maze prison guards happens far too quickly for the viewer to understand what is going on. And let's face, watching people starve to death is not very exciting.

I still gave this movie 6 out of 10, because of the fine acting and music.

Irish44

Above and Beyond (1952)

Powerful War Drama!

[9/10 · 15 October 1999]

Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker star in this true story about Col. Paul Tibbets, the commanding officer of the 509th Special Bomber Group and the pilot who dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Japan in 1945. Taylor is outstanding! The film follows both the personal and professional life of Tibbets, and we as the viewer know that Tibbets alone must bear this very unique burden. He doesn't relish killing thousands of Japanese, but truly believes he and his mission will save thousands of American lives.

James Whitmore gives his usual fine performance as Major Uanna, the "security" chief, and Jim Baccus (Mister Magoo) looks good playing General Curtis Lemay.

I urge you to see this movie, especially if you are one of the "victims" of the 1990's style political correctness, and believe that the USA shouldn't have dropped the atomic bomb on Japan that ended WWII.

The Threat (1949)

Authentic filming locations in LA and Southern California - Average story line!

[6/10 · 24 July 1999]

As is the case in hundreds of Hollywood films, "The Threat" was filmed on location throughout the Los Angeles and Southern California area. Cities like Barstow, Palm Springs and Riverside are mentioned constantly. The story climaxes in the ubiquitous desert hide-a-way.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is after escaped psycho killer "Red" Kluger, played brilliantly by veteran actor Charles McGraw. Inspector Murphy (Robert Shayne, known to many of us as Inspector Henderson of "Superman" fame) leads the manhunt. Average story line.

Baby Face Nelson (1996)

Piece of Garbage!

[1/10 · 19 July 1999]

I caught this movie on cable TV while channel surfing. What a piece of garbage!

I don't blame the actors. .The writers must really hate law enforcement in general, and the FBI in particular. Baby Face Nelson is portrayed as a killer with class and sex appeal. He has his own code of ethics, and although he is a ruthless killer, he isn't a low life like the cops and Feds.

Nelson is brave and is a crack shot. The Feds can't hit anything they shoot at, except John Dillinger's innocent girlfriend during the wedding scene. The Feds also appear to be cowards, and of course, not cool like Baby Face. PLEASE - do yourself a favor, skip this very poor excuse of a movie.

Nighthawks (1981)

Rutger Hauer is Spectacular!

[8/10 · 12 July 1999]

"Nighthawks" stars Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams as NYPD detectives DeSilva and Fox assigned to a special anti-terrorist squad. The world's most wanted terrorist, Wulfgar (Rutger Hauer), shows up in town to disrupt the United Nations.

The story line is a little "cheesy", but acceptable. Stallone and Williams offer fine performances. Rutger Hauer steals the movie as the chilling and truly scary terrorist. He is GREAT!

One of the best scenes ever in a cops 'n robbers movie is the disco scene in which Stallone and Williams have only a composite drawing of the suspect.

Experiment in Terror (1962)

Ross Martin is Sensational! Best scenes even filmed at a baseball stadium!

[10/10 · 11 July 1999]

It's San Francisco in the very early 1960's. We've never heard of Inspector Harry Callahan of the SFPD. The Giants have recently moved to town from New York. When they play the Dodgers, it's always a sellout. And tonight, the Dodgers are in town and Don Drysdale is pitching. Great night to be at Candlestick Park if you're a baseball fan, or if you're a psychopathic extortionist!

Ross Martin is absolutely terrifying as the asthmatic extortionist who kidnaps little sister Stephanie Powers and demands $100,00 from bank teller Lee Remick. Glen Ford gives perhaps his finest performance as the FBI agent in charge of the investigation. Martin instructs Remick to deliver the payoff to a sold out Candlestick Park during a Giants-Dodgers game. Real major league stars make cameos during the baseball scenes.

The late Ross Martin is sensational! If you've never seen this film, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Dead Reckoning (1946)

Now you know why Bogey died of lung cancer!

[7/10 · 9 July 1999]

"Dead Reckoning" is an average film-noir made better only because of Humphrey Bogart. The story line is completely implausible, especially with Bogey not being arrested for kidnapping the police homicide detective and after tossing two phosphorous grenades and burning up the night club.

However, Bogey does deliver some great lines in a story centered around the murder of his army buddy who has been awarded the Metal of Honor. The film takes place in a fictitious southern city, Gulf City (Tampa, Florida?) in 1946. Lizabeth Scott plays the love interest. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I don't "buy" her act.

And by the way, if you don't know why Bogey died of lung cancer, just count the number of cigarettes he smokes in this movie. He's even in bed with a coffin nail!

Them! (1954)

Make me a Sergeant - and Give me the Booze!

[9/10 · 7 July 1999]

New Mexico State Trooper James Whitmore and FBI agent James Arness track down giant mutant atomic ants spawned at Alamagordo, NM, following the first atom bomb tests. Edmund Gwenn plays the scientist. Very above average horror flick and a must see!

The film's climax takes place in the storm drains of Los Angeles, a familiar site for movie goers (we've all seen either the storm drains or dry river bed in dozens of films). The best line of the movie is the psycho drunk being interviewed by FBI man Arness. He has seen the ants near the storm drain, but no one believes him (except Arness, who, because of national security, doesn't want anyone else to believe him). The drunk sings "make me a sergeant and give me the booze!"

Air Force One (1997)

AF One Insults your Intelligence!

[2/10 · 5 July 1999]

As actors, Harrison Ford (the President) and Gary Oldman (the terrorist) give their usual first rate performances. But that's not the problem with "Air Force One".

As a movie fan, I can suspend common sense and belief for science fiction and comedy movies, but not for a movie about the President's plane being skyjacked by terrorists. I don't blame any of the actors. I do blame the director, the producers, and most of all, the writers. They are idiots. Did the writers even consider doing research into the methods of the Secret Service, perhaps the most respected law enforcement agency in the world. (And this from the same director of "In the Line of Fire", an outstanding and believable movie about the Secret Service).

Unless you enjoy having your intelligence insulted, don't go see this movie. Rent an old Indiana Jones or Hans Solo flick, at least you know its pretend!

Wild Wild West (1999)

OUTRAGEOUS!

[1/10 · 3 July 1999]

Wild Wild West the movie is an insult to the memory of the 1960's TV show "The Wild Wild West". To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. Why make changes to the original formular? James West (Robert Conrad) and Artemus Gordon (the legendary Ross Martin) played Secret Service agents in the 1870's who took their orders from President U.S. Grant. In the plot lines, they worked cases connected to the real jurisdiction of the Secret Service in the last century, like protection of the President and investigating crimes against the government (remember, those who the days before the FBI and the CIA). The anachronistic gadgets and dialog made the show unforgettable.

The movie, however, is terrible. How can you cast an African-American (Will Smith) as a government agent in the 1870's? Very hip and cool for the 1990's, but really stupid for a movie set in the 1870's. And how about a cross-dressing agent (Kevin Kleine), again hip and cool for today, but really, really stupid for the 1870's.

I hope this movie crashes and burns at the box office and the producers lose a bundle! Maybe then they'll realize that social engineering the cast and their rap music sound track will not be accepted by the movie going public who remember the original TV show.

NYPD Blue (1993–2005)

Stop the "Soap Opera" - PLEASE

[15 April 1999]

"NYPD Blue" is one of the best TV shows ever - period! However, there is a problem when drama and character development in a police show turn into a "soap opera". Sometimes "Blue" crosses that line. Let's see more great dialog between the detectives and the bad guys (watching them solve their cases), and a little less of the "soap opera" story line.

Secret Service (1992–1993)

We Need TV Shows Like This Again!

[10 April 1999]

"Secret Service", narrated by Steven Ford, son of President Gerald Ford, was unique in the field of "cops 'n robbers" TV shows. The stories were adapted from real U.S. Secret Service cases. Former Secret Service agents consulted with the production company to ensure realism. The scripts and dialog were superb! The bad guys (usually counterfeiters, mobsters or would-be assassins) were always brought to justice by the very professional men and women of the United States Secret Service. Occasionally, Steven Ford would comment on his father's admiration for the Secret Service, having saved his life twice during attempted assassinations in 1975.

Son of the Morning Star (1991)

Superb! Every high school student in America should be required to see this movie.

[10/10 · 1 December 1998]

This movie is history coming alive. Gary Cole IS George Armstrong Custer and Rodney A. Grant IS Crazy Horse. David Strathairn, one of the most underrated actors of our generation, is tremendous as the "oily" Captain Benteen, quick to bad mouth Custer after the disaster. The final battle scene is first rate. I do find falut, however, with the Kate Bighead character (Buffy St. Marie) who serves as the narrator. At times, it smacked of "political correctness". I don't need this character telling me right and wrong. Let the facts speak for themselves! Even with this major fault, I still recommend the movie. Every high school student in America should view this film as part of their American History course.

The House on 92nd Street (1945)

FBI smashes Nazi spy ring in New York - Don't miss it!

[9/10 · 28 November 1998]

When this film was made in the 1940's, the ultimate evil that is Adolph Hilter and the Nazi movement was still a serious threat to our way of life. Lloyd Nolan, a major star of the 30's and 40's, gives his usual strong performance as FBI Agent Briggs, in charge of the Nazi spy case. Leo G. Carroll steals the movie playing the Nazi spymaster. Enjoy this film and remember why our fathers and grandfathers fought WWII. As a side note, real FBI agents appeared in this movie in support roles at the direction of J. Edgar Hoover, who gave his full co-operation to the producers.

Appointment with Danger (1950)

Classic 1940's style mystery with a twist - the cops are Postal Inspectors!

[9/10 · 27 November 1998]

Postal Inspector Al Goddard (Alan Ladd) is a man on a mission. His partner has been murdered and he must solve the case and prevent the gang from pulling the big mail heist! Location filming in Chicago and Gary, Indiana, adds a touch of realisim that can't be captured in a Hollywood studio. This movie is above average, but the following makes it a MUST see: Jack Webb and Harry Morgan (Sgt. Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon in a future life) are members of the gang. Webb's character is particularly vicious, and he kills Morgan with a pair of bronze baby shoes!

Assassination (1987)

Assassination is not worth your time!

[2/10 · 26 November 1998]

Secret Service agent Jay Killion (Charles Bronson) has been assigned to protect the President-elect's wife, the new First Lady (Jill Ireland). She is a very difficult woman and Killion has his hands full. She is the victim of numerous assassination attempts, all directed by the President's Chief of Staff, who wants the First Lady dead. This movie insults your intelligence with not only the story line, but also with the lack of realistic locations. For example, in the scene depicting the Inaugural Parade, the First Lady is in a Rolls Royce convertible with agent Killion and without the President. Also, we know what Washington, DC, is like weather wise in January, and not only is everybody "top coat less", you can even see some palm trees in the 70 degree and sunny weather! (Obviously filmed in Hollywood, not Washington, DC). This movie is a joke. It is not worth your time.

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Secret Service agents outsmart FBI and LAPD, triumph over evil counterfeiter.

[10/10 · 26 November 1998]

"Live and Die" is not your typical cops and robber movie. Not only are Secret Service agents Chance and Vukovich (William L. Petersen and John Pankow) pitted against a truly evil and cunning counterfeiter named Eric Matsers (Willem Dafoe), they must also battle the FBI and LAPD in their misguided mission. The Secret Service has always considered themselves the "elite" of law enforcement, and this movie, based on former Secret Service agent Gerry Petievich's novel, clearly implies that agents Chance and Vukovich are able to bend and break some of the rules, and not have to worry (much) about the LAPD or FBI catching them. As a side note, the assassination attempt against President Reagan by the Arab terrorist in the beginning of the movie, is very realistic. This scene ties together the "essence" of the Secret Service as the rest of the movie unfolds, and helps the viewer understand the uniqueness of the Secret Service.

Mister 880 (1950)

Secret Service agent with a big heart!

[10/10 · 26 November 1998]

Secret Service agent Steve Buchanan (Burt Lancaster) and the entire New York Field Office of the Secret Service have been trying for many years to track down an elusive counterfeiter who has been making poor imitations of $1 bills. The counterfeiter, called "Mister 880" by the Secret Service after the file number assigned to the case, has been passing the counterfeit $1's all over New York City for many years. Agent Buchanan notices a pattern of passing activity that follows a subway line from Manhattan to Brooklyn. He and his fellow agents "stake out" Coney Island (the next stop on the subway line) and soon develop "The Skipper" (Edmund Gwynn) as a suspect. He is a kindly old gentleman who prints only enough counterfeit money to survive. Agent Buchanan has a big heart and feels terrible about arresting The Skipper. He asks the U.S. Attorney and the Federal Judge to go easy on The Skipper. The movie is based on the true story written by St. Clair McKelway. Ironically, in real life, the Secret Service never identified the suspect, who was a "junk dealer", until a fire started in his apartment. The New York Fire Department responded and "threw out" of the apartment window all sorts of "junk" while putting out the fire. Among the items tossed out the window was a small hand operated printing press and plates for the counterfeit $1 bills. The press and the plates were found by the NYPD who called the Secret Service. But, as we know, the real story wouldn't have made such a good movie, and Lancaster and Gwynn (Oscar winner for this role) are terrific.

The Naked City (1948)

One of the greatest "films" in history, New York City is the "star" of the movie !

[10/10 · 26 November 1998]

"The Naked City" is one of the treasures of the golden era of the 1940's. A young woman is murdered and the New York Police Department, the finest in the world in the 1940's, sets out methodically to solve the crime and find the killer. Barry Fitzgerald plays the older Lt. Dan Muldoon and Don Taylor plays the younger Detective Jimmy Halloran. Both give terrific performances. Howard Duff is surprising as the "oily" boy friend Frank Niles. Ted de Corsia is very believable as the suspect, Willie Garzah. The real (or should I say reel) star of the movie is the cinematography depicting New York City. The chase scenes filmed on the lower East Side leading up to the Williamsburg Bridge are great! And of course, at the end, one of the most memorable lines of a narrator in a movie, ever: "There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them." If you are a film buff or just enjoy a good "cops and robbers" movie, you MUST see "The Naked City".