p36mohawk Reviews

Fatal Vision (1984)

Have to vote for acquittal

[3/10 · 16 May 2012]

There has been so much written about the MacDonald case that it's hard to find an objective opinion. There is indeed circumstantial evidence to convict MacDonald, but there are many troubling aspects of the case, including the lack of any coherent motive.

Those who believe in his guilt claim he's a sociopath, but this is largely based on Joe McGinniss' book, "Fatal Vision" and the TV movie. However his (McGinniss) credibility has been severely compromised through the years, the most recent example being his book on Sarah Palin, which has been condemned even by those hostile to her. There has been no psychological evaluation proving MacDonald capable of such a brutal murder, and his actions before and after the murders likewise do not support that theory.

DNA hair evaluation has been inconclusive, showing hairs with MacDonald's DNA but also showing that others were in the apartment.

Did MacDonald murder his family? He could have . . . but I would not judge him on the basis on a TV-movie obviously biased against him, and written by an author whose objectivity has been discredited.

Based on what I know, I would have to find MacDonald innocent. The prosecution simply has not proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, as it must do according to our laws.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

big disappointment

[3 November 2011]

Following Star Treks II & III I was eagerly anticipating this movie but I thought it was a colossal letdown when I saw it in 1987, and still do. It seemed cheap and superficial, nothing more than the ST cast running around in present day San Francisco. In the series, and in the previous movies, some attempt was made to justify events with some sort of science fiction, even if far-fetched. But flying around the earth three times and winding up in 1980s SF? An invisible spaceship in a public park? It seemed like an SNL gag or a Mad magazine send-up.

Not even a very good TV episode, IMHO. The City on the Edge of Forever was vastly superior. My least favorite ST movie.

Gettysburg (1993)

Gripping, but flawed ----

[28 January 2003]

Despite its length I thot Gettysburg was a gripping movie that for the most part captured the drama of this epochal event. My main complaints with it were the rotten treatment given to Union Gen. George Gordon Meade and one of his staff officers, Governeur Kimble (G.K.) Warren. Meade is given hardly any exposure in the movie, and Warren none, despite the pivotal role both played. Meade had only been in command for a few days and was under tremendous pressure from Lincoln, yet showed remarkable coolness when faced by Lee and his formidable army. It was Meade's decision to fortify the Union center in anticipation of Lee's attack, a fact not mentioned in the movie, nor was Warren's rapid reinforcement of Little Round Top. But at least Meade got more respect in the movie than in Shaara's book.

Throughout the movie one got the impression that the proper command decisions should have been obvious for both sides, but this is only possible with 20-20 hindsight. If the Federal center had been weak and Pickett's charge had succeeded, Lee would have been hailed as a genius. His daring gamble at Chancellorsville, when he split has forces, was a success. He gambled again at Gettysburg and this time he lost. The entire Union Army was not made up of the Irish, as the movies seemed to imply. Despite this it was an enjoyable movie & I'm looking forward to Gods & Generals.

Sweet Poison (1991 TV Movie)

Well done

[11 August 2002]

Most b-movies feature gratuitous nudity featuring surgically-enhanced bimbos. You watch them once and forget about them. While "Poison's" plot was somewhat predictable, the characters were believable and the story did a great job of developing erotic tension between Bauer and Patricia Healy.

Bauer was what I'd expect a prison inmate to be like - mean and streetwise, but with some morals and not thoroughly bad. Healy, while attractive, was not some 20-year-old ingenue and was convincing as a amoral gold-digger. She didn't have that many nude scenes but they were well-placed and highly effective. Ed Herrmann was good as a man faced with life/death for the first time. When he finally has to fight he does so in the clumsy, bumbling manner that you would expect, he isn't suddenly transformed into Bruce Lee.

Like the 50s and early 60s b-movies, but with enough sex and violence to make it interesting without being excessive. Good movie!

Screen Two: The Vision (1987) Season 4, Episode 1

Remick makes it worthwhile --

[26 June 2002]

A rather implausible story about a sinister quasi-religious group that is plotting to . . . what, I'm not exactly sure, something about using TV to fill a power vacuum and create a new order in Europe following the expected collapse of the Soviet Union (which did indeed self-distruct a couple of years later). Dirk Bogarde is a has-been UK TV personality hired to front the organization but grows uneasy about its aims. I got this little-known video because classy beauty Lee Remick was cast as the head of this new UK TV network. And I wasn't disappointed as she appears in most scenes. Even though in her early 50s she was as gorgeous as ever. This was unfortunately among her last movies and is possibly the least known.

Everybody's All-American (1988)

Among the most underrated movies --

[3 September 2001]

As I recall this movie was panned by the critics and was a box office

bomb when it was released in '88 but I consider it one of the best films in recent years and one of the best sports movies of all time.

Gavin Grey is a '50s LSU football star who has few interests or talents off the field. He's seen as a shallow. but basiclly decent, product of the 1950s south. He's under no illusion about the fleeting nature of his fame, and the movie avoided the usual cliche of protraying him as a bigoted simpleton or a sanctimonious do-gooder. It takes you through his pro career with the Redskins, a humiliating stint with the Denver Broncos when he's way past his prime, and the final heartbreaking episode with his 1955 teammates at LSU Tiger stadium. In the meantime wife Jessica Lange has found unknown talents as a businesswoman, adding to the pathos of Grey's status as a has-been. Dennis Quaid is superb as Grey, especially when showing him as a middle-aged ex-jock.

Everybdy's All American? Everybody connected with this project should be congratulated. I'd like to think that, someday, this film will get the credit it deserves.