I was surprised to read some of the highly negative comments about "Mr. Roberts." I couldn't disagree more. This is one of those rare films that I can watch with enjoyment again and again. The movie's humorous and dramatic elements are as fresh today as they were four-plus decades ago. Henry Fonda is, well, Henry Fonda, and Jimmy Cagney and William Powell carry on like capable, old troupers. Jack Lemmon's performance has been a bit overrated (he was much better in "Some Like it Hot," "The Apartment" and "The Fortune Cookie") but he was more than adequate as the bumbling, spineless Ensign Pulver. "Mr. Roberts" was less a war picture than a study in how men survive the tedium and tyranny of an existence where the true enemy is that one person who can control your destiny. Thanks, Mr. Roberts, for a great movie.
Reviews
8 Reviews
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
(1949)
Typical Ford classic
18 July 2001
"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is another of those great John Ford westerns, beautifully filmed with the sweep and majesty of a classic. John Wayne is perfectly cast as a tough but aging U.S. cavalry leader, counting the days to retirement but with some unfinished business. Like all Ford films, there are colorful Irish characters, and here Victor McLaglen fills the bill as a hard-drinking but lovable sergeant. This wasn't just Ford's sentimentality at work -- there were many Irish immigrants in the U.S. cavalry (about half of the ranks were foreign born)-- so the film has an element of historical accuracy. The depiction of the Indians in the picture is mixed; in one scene Wayne's character calls them "devils"; in another, he shows respect when meeting with an old chief who no longer has authority over his young braves. One unexpected highlight of the film for me is Joanne Dru, who portrays the love interest of two of the young cavalry officers. What a knockout. With her beauty, one wonders why she never made it bigger in films.
Diner
(1982)
Great ensemble cast creates a gem
8 July 2001
"Diner" is one of my all-time favorites. I'm a fan of the 1950s and the film captures that era perfectly, with a nostalgic and eclectic soundtrack and a dead-on depiction of 1959 Baltimore. But "Diner" could have been set in any era and I would have enjoyed it. The reason is the dialogue. Guys sitting in a diner shooting the breeze until the early morning light, talking about everything under the rising sun, from their favorite romantic singer (Sinatra or Mathis? Presley!?) to football to -- what else? -- girls. The dialogue is realistic -- a bit disjointed and unpolished but that's part of the appeal. There's not much of a plot, just the story of young men on the cusp of adulthood who are hanging on to the last vestiges of their youth. Again, that's part of the appeal. It's a film of vignettes and life is a series of vignettes. I can watch "Diner" over and over and still get enjoyment out of it. It's also fun to see so many future stars at the beginning of their careers. As they say in the film -- "There's always the diner." For me, there's always "Diner" to bring me a few hours of enjoyment.
Buffalo '66
(1998)
Hilarious, bizarre working class gem
4 May 2001
If there's one thing about us Buffalonians, we're fiercely protective of our city. So I was reluctant to see "Buffalo 66" when it was first released in 1998, hearing how it showed our beleaguered metropolis in a not so glowing light. Let's face it, though -- Buffalo will never have the urbane sophistication of a San Francisco, Seattle or New York. Best to ignore the jabs thrown our way by those elitist, Perrier-drinking queche eaters. And at least Vince Gallo is one of us -- a working class Buffalo boy. So my wife and I finally decided to give "Buffalo 66" a try on Easter Sunday (after eating a brunch of eggs and Polish sausage from the Broadway Market). We were pleasantly surprised by this unusual picture. Sure, the plot is ridiculous and the characters grossly exaggerated. But the movie is a wickedly satirical romp that never takes itself too seriously and keeps your interest throughout. Buffalo Bills fans will love the references to a fictitious Bills placekicker named "Scott Woods" who misses a potential game-winning field goal in the Super Bowl, a not-so-subtle reference to Scott Norwood of the infamous "Wide Right" in the 1991 Bowl. Better yet, this Scott Woods character runs a strip joint in Buffalo, hilarious when you consider the real Scott Norwood is one of the most upstanding guys you'd ever want to meet. Ben Gazzara and Anjelica Huston are a scream as Vince's wacky parents and Christina Ricci -- an actress I've never particularly admired -- is sexy and sweet as the young Layla. Mickey Rourke and Jan Michael Vincent are great in cameo appearances. "Buffalo 66" is grimy, hard-edged and lacks polish (sort of like the city it represents) and that helps make it an eminently watchable film.
Buffalo '66
(1998)
Hilarious, bizarre working class gem
4 May 2001
If there's one thing about us Buffalonians, we're fiercely protective of our city. So I was reluctant to see "Buffalo 66" when it was first released in 1998, hearing how it showed our beleaguered metropolis in a not so glowing light. Let's face it, though -- Buffalo will never have the urbane sophistication of a San Francisco, Seattle or New York. Best to ignore the jabs thrown our way by those elitist, Perrier-drinking queche eaters. And at least Vince Gallo is one of us -- a working class Buffalo boy. So my wife and I finally decided to give "Buffalo 66" a try on Easter Sunday (after eating a brunch of eggs and Polish sausage from the Broadway Market). We were pleasantly surprised by this unusual picture. Sure, the plot is ridiculous and the characters grossly exaggerated. But the movie is a wickedly satirical romp that never takes itself too seriously and keeps your interest throughout. Buffalo Bills fans will love the references to a fictitious Bills placekicker named "Scott Wood" who misses a potential game-winning field goal in the Super Bowl, a not-so-subtle reference to Scott Norwood of the infamous "Wide Right" in the 1991 Bowl. Better yet, this Scott Wood character runs a strip joint in Buffalo, hilarious when you consider the real Scott Norwood is one of the most upstanding guys you'd ever want to meet. Ben Gazzara and Anjelica Huston are a scream as Vince's wacky parents and Christina Ricci -- an actress I've never particularly admired -- is sexy and sweet as the young Layla. Mickey Rourke and Jan Michael Vincent are great in cameo appearances. "Buffalo 66" is grimy, hard-edged and lacks polish (sort of like the city it represents) and that helps make it an eminently watchable film.
Niagara
(1953)
The evil side of Marilyn
28 April 2001
Being from Buffalo, Niagara Falls is only about 25 miles away, so I've always been rather fond of this movie. Marilyn Monroe, in one of her first significant roles, shows some range as the sexy but evil Rose, plotting to kill her mentally unstable husband. The plot is somewhat outlandish and Marilyn overacts a bit, but it's all great fun. Joseph Cotten is solid as Rose's husband and Casey Adams and Jean Peters are well cast as the honeymooning couple who are unwittingly caught up in the proceedings. Peters does a particularly good job as Polly Cutler. She's beautiful and brainy and, in my opinion, outshines Marilyn (in this movie, at least) with her performance. Too bad she more or less quit acting after marrying Howard Hughes. Also fun to watch are some great scenes of Niagara Falls when it truly was one of the world's premiere tourist attractions.
The Seven Year Itch
(1955)
More than just the subway scene
27 April 2001
Most people associate "The Seven Year Itch" with the famous scene of Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate and allowing her white dress to be flipped up by the breeze from a passing train. To me, it's an afterthought in the movie. Heck, you can barely see her ankles (Remember, folks, this was the 1950s). The best thing about this film is the comedic interplay between Tom Ewell, Marilyn (The Girl) and capable supporting characters such as Oskar Homolka and Donald McBride. There are some great comic touches (i.e. Tom Ewell and Marilyn dipping potato chips in champagne, Ewell trying to seduce Marilyn with Rachmaninoff and ending up playing chopsticks; the waitress in a health food restaurant offering to use Tom's tip for her nudist camp, etc, etc.) Not only that, but Marilyn is perhaps at her zenith in terms of beauty, elegance, raw sexuality and comedic skill. There is none of the cheap, platinum sleaziness she projects in later films. In my opinion, it's her best film. Tom Ewell is perfect as Richard Sherman and the film is a delightful time capsule of 1950s New York.
Winter Meeting
(1948)
Slow-moving, drab, perhaps Bette Davis' worst film
25 April 2001
I caught 'Winter Meeting' the other day on Turner Classic Movies and decided to watch because I was interested in seeing a young Jim Davis, some 30-odd years before his famous Jock Ewing role. He clearly was in over his head. His acting style was wooden and awkward and he seemed uncomfortable playing the romantic lead. You could almost see Bette Davis cringing in their love scenes. His dismal performance dragged her down with him. You should have stuck to westerns, Jim. One of the film's few bright spots was the performance of John Hoyt in a sarcastic supporting role. He brought some comic relief (intentional comic relief) to this otherwise drab soaper.
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