gcrespo Reviews

How to Marry a Millionaire (1957–1959)

Enjoyed this show

[8/10 · 6 December 2015]

I used to watch this show when I was very young and I remember the characters. Lori Nelson left and being young at the time I didn't understand why she wasn't on any more. But I found the show very funny and wish one of those sub-channels would run it today. I was familiar with the leads having seen them in a lot of film and television and the chemistry was good. Lisa Gaye was brought in as a new character, good idea that they didn't re-cast the Lori Nelson part. Semi-regular parts were taken by Jimmy Cross and Joseph Kearns. I always wondered why Ms Nelson left the series, met her a few years ago at one of those nostalgia shows and should have asked her at the time. Merry Anders who left us 3 years ago worked in a lot of films in the 60's and Lisa Gaye was the sister of Debra Paget, Teala Loring and Frank Griffith, all of whom were in films and of course Barbara Eden. Have to get the DVD of this series.

Machete Kills (2013)

Enjoyable but not as much as the first.

[6/10 · 12 October 2013]

I saw it with about a third of the movie theater filled, it was the first show on a Saturday morning. You don't go in expecting Gone With The Wind but you know what you're getting. As in the first film, I got the impression the actors were enjoying themselves, in fact Robert Rodriguez, Danny Trejo were on a program and said the actors appearing in the films say they are getting a chance to do something that the studios they usually work for don't let them do. It's over the top, violent, tongue in cheek. Was it as good as Machete? No, I didn't think so, maybe a little too long but it was a fun ride. We'll see if a third will really be made.

The Treasure Seekers (1980)

Jamaican Gold

[30 August 2010]

Saw this one late night in New York many years ago..on WCBS...it was faded on TV then but the film was enjoyable. I agree that Whitman and Taylor had better times in the 60's and 70's but they were up to snuff here. Elke Sommers...as sexy as ever and better here than she was in "Baron Blood", maybe that was dubbing but it was not good for her...and Keenan Wynn was his grizzled old self along with Jeremy Kemp...too bad it's not on DVD.This film never resurfaced on TV since and that's too bad. With the dumping of films on late night TV, I guess it went into some sort of graveyard for films that made the rounds on late night. It was better than the film Whitman did about the Jim Jones cult

Dimension 5 (1966)

Dimension 5...lots of familiar faces in different spy angle

[5/10 · 14 December 2006]

I just pulled out my copy of Dimension 5 the other night and looked at it....as with other United Pictures films it was filled with B actors in starring roles, Jeffrey Hunter, France Nuyen, Donald Woods and Harold "OddJob" Sakata. B plot that doesn't make you think much but it kept the pace going. Many of the United Pictures films were quick paced, "Castle Of Evil", "Destination Inner Space" , "Panic In the City, "Money Jungle" and "The Destructors" so if you get a chance to get any of these, they are good for any sci-fi buff's collection...not the top of the heap but not as bad as things like Astro Zombies. Other familiar faces were Kam Tong who was "Hey Boy" In "Have Gun Will Travel", Deanna Lund who went on to be in "Land Of The Giants", Robert Ito who was in "Quincy ME"

Twilight for the Gods (1958)

Interesting casting for Hudson...out of character

[6/10 · 3 December 2006]

Didn't find it to be that terribly bad...my question is...is this film on video tape anywhere...TNT showed it some years back and since they have changed their format, it's not been seen since...I thought Hudson being an arrogant type was a nice change, not that romantic role that he would settle into. Kennedy as usual was good but I wonder if some weren't happy with Hudson in the lead, apart from Kennedy, who would you have picked to play the role of the Captain and the mate? Hudson would be relegated to the role of hero in years to come apart from his role in "Pretty Maids in A Row" but his role in "Twilight for the Gods"? Pretty darn good.

An Affair to Remember (1957)

This will bring a tear to your heart

[10/10 · 30 April 2006]

Having seen this movie for the first time in 2005, I couldn't pull myself away from it. The acting, story, mood all kept my full attention and the ending....I don't feel ashamed to admit I cried when I saw it and recently it had the same effect on me. It mirrors something in my own life with a very special lady. But it's excellent, I would include it in my top 100 film list... The remake pales in comparison, most of them do anyway but the characters trying to get together even though everything is being thrown at them to block their way and there are touches of humor but those don't overshadow the what's going on...you want them together, plain and simple.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)

Day The Earth Caught Fire

[10/10 · 28 March 2006]

This film holds a special place for me.....it was the inspiration to get into news broadcasting...no lie. I saw this film in the earl 60's and always was fascinated by the "newsroom", the teletype machines and, the reporters. The story was typical sci-fi but instead of filling the film with bug eyed monsters or giant creatures(which ain't bad by the way), it delved more into characters, emotions, plot... The idea of the world coming to an end has been done time and time again, but this was very well done. The black and white added to the dismal attitude, you could "see" the heat on the screen and feel it...Edward Judd, Leo McKern and Janet Munro were all excellent....kudos to director Val Guest. I understand that a re-make is being considered...please don't...you'll ruin it....

House of Dark Shadows (1970)

House Of Dark Shadows

[8/10 · 27 March 2006]

There was more gore in this film but it was necessary...the Barnabas Collins character was less sympathetic and characters were killed who didn't suffer such fate on the day time soap opera such as Nancy Barrett,Thayer David and Louis Edmonds characters. Interesting how Joan Bennett seemed to disappear from the film upon discovering an aged Barnabas....on the whole it was a much better film than the follow up "Night Of Dark Shadows". This film had a better budget than the day time program, better use of "shadows". I would have liked to have seen a sequel to this film rather than the other. Dan Curtis had earlier success with TV versions of "Dr.Jeckyll & Mr.Hyde", "Dracula" and "Frankenstein" but "House Of Dark Shadows" was very enjoyable.

I Promised to Pay (1961)

Excellent crime film

[9/10 · 17 March 2005]

Something about this film always stayed in my memory, I saw it in the theater when I was oh, 7 years old and the music, the grittiness and the infighting of the gang were some of the items that jumped out at me. Liked the black and white film and remembered the 4 main character names over the years...it was one of the films I've had the hardest time trying to get and I finally got it and added it to my library. No one gets the money, no one really wins anything, even the character Jackie Parker doesn't get any real revenge, sure she gets even with Johnny but it doens't bring back her husband...never get tired of this film and I would like to see others of the same style made around the time.

Beyond Atlantis (1973)

Enjoyable entre of the "Blood Island" series

[15 July 2003]

This was a very enjoyable film, combination of horror, action, plot and some comedy. Sid Haig was very memorable as East Eddie. Had some of the better lines to deliver. John Ashley made the transition from teen star to producer and Patrick Wayne was the perfect choice for the square-jawed hero. Leigh Christian was ....hmmmmm... and the final film appearance of George Nader...too bad the other entries "Womanhunt","Beast Of The Yellow Night",and "Black Mamba" couldn't put together the same formula.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

Somebody tried to make another "From Here To Eternity"

[18 July 2002]

I didn't want to shell out 9-bucks for this when it came out, didn't rent it, didn't order it on pay-per-view....waited until it hit the cable channels (STARZ, HBO,SHOWTIME, etc.) The love story went on too long and I got the impression that "From Here To Eternity" was lurking in the back of somebody's head...Battle footage was good but the romance, as someone said seemed a bit too forced.

Stoney (1969)

Double-cross film set in the Philippines in which nobody wins

[29 June 2002]

Interesting cast, professionals such as Michael Rennie, Richard Jaeckel and Barbara Bouchet, mix them with some locals, Mike Preston, Vic Diaz, Leopoldo Salcedo and some amateurs in a film where you think the "alleged" good guy will come out on top,but doesn't. To put it in a few words....nobody wins.

The Sum of All Fears (2002)

Excellent film, kept me on the edge of my seat

[8/10 · 7 June 2002]

Film was well done, acting was very good and when that bomb went off in Baltimore, you could hear a pin drop in the theater....it hit very close to home. Think it's a good time for this film to come out, it doesn't capitalize on the events of September 11th. An excellent thriller. Ben Affleck was good as a young Jack Ryan, a good follow up to the excellent performances of Harrison Ford.

The War of the Gargantuas (1966)

One of the more popular Japanese Giant Monster films.

[7 June 2002]

Memorable film, the musical score for the original version, not the dubbed version is very appropriate. The monsters seem more human than before and there is a human sub-plot. Special effects were excellent. And there's the song by Kipp Hamilton, the late sister-in-law of Carol Burnett.

Laura (1944)

Never tire of seeing this film complete with excellent acting

[10/10 · 9 April 2002]

A great movie. All performances are top-notch. Dana Andrews and Clifton Webb sparring back and forth at the top of their game. Vincent Price and Judith Anderson head a fine supporting cast. And the always stunning Gene Tierney. Who can forget the theme...one that stays with you long after the film is over.

Killer Force (1976)

Good action thriller typical of those released in the 70's

[18 February 2002]

Hasn't turned up too often on television but was good. Nice casting, with Peter Fonda the lead but not actually leading the robbery. That was left to Hugh O'Brien, Christopher Lee and O.J.Simpson. Maud Adams always good to look at on the screen and Telly Savalas as a security officer who had a dark side to him. Nice soundtrak, might still be available if you look hard enough.

Heist (2001)

Action thriller that harkens back to those of the 70's in the vein of "The French Connection" "Shaft" and "The 7-Ups"

[11 November 2001]

Nice to see an action thriller without a car chase....dialogue..sharp, biting, to the point...the film didn't lag. It's all right that the ending with Hackman walking off with the money was somewhat predictable but, who cares...It didn't hurt the overall flow of the film. Mamet's direction was excellent. Good cast assembly.

The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1969)

The man tried to do something other than Batman...

[22 June 2001]

One of the good things about this film is picking out the veteran actors that show up. Nehemia Persoff, David Brian, Robert Alda, Buddy Grecco(?). The plot, if you can call it that, was held together with string. Bad guys, syndicate types having deals with the Chinese. West is a "Soldier of Fortune" up to his nose in trouble, with an ex-girlfriend in tow, cops and the mob and the chinese after him. And one scene with a pilot of a private jet..watch him as he does his scene with his hand in his jacket pocket, but not the usual way one would put his hand in his pocket.....Was a soundtrack made of the theme? Who knows.

Serenade für zwei Spione (1965)

A unique version of the spy craze of the mid 60's

[19 June 2001]

I too saw this film on late night tv. I remember the Pepino gang chasing our hero up and down the hilly streets of San Francisco. The film aired only once in New York back when the networks would show movies all night long, many of them were European or Japanese films, spy,comedy, romance or horror. But I would like to see "Seranade For Two Spies" again...a rare treat like the original OSS-117 Film.

Madman (1981)

Poorly-done slasher/psycho rip-off film. Some special effects were laughable and the soundtrack when the killer was on the loose was enough to give you a headache.

[2/10 · 1 June 2001]

Another attempt to cash in on the slasher craze of the early 80's. The head being cut off a wheel-chair bound victim was poorly done, in sillouette. Then the "drump-drump-drump" sound when the mad man was coming after a victim just got on your nerves. It's a wonder this film hasn't shown up on cable yet. Bad? That's a good word for it. Especially when you notice no sequel was made. Thank god.

Assignment K (1968)

Enjoyed the film, nice sound trak, good interplay of the characters and nice locations

[10 May 2001]

Quick paced film, good interplay between Camila Sparv and Stephen Boyd. Nice location especially the scenes at the Ski resort and the "search for the blue wine". Not too overhanded with the espionage...always one of my favorites, back to when I first saw it on a double bill(remember those) with King Kong Escapes.

The theme song was always memorable...jazzy and you almost expected Sparv and Boyd to hook up at the end, but it was not to be. Would like to see the film on video tape.