buzzdaly Reviews

The Devil's 8 (1969)

a grittier, low-end, backwoods version of the Dirty Dozen

[9/10 · 19 January 2003]

the feds are after moonshiners, who are very well organized, and recruit some good 'ol boys to fight fire with fire...lots of action, fair amount of humor, and some killing's to give it a dose of reality, keep this flick rolling along most satisfactorily.

terrific cast, especially a sarcastic, mean spirited Ralph Meeker...likable Ross Hagen....charismatic Tom Nardini and very appealing Leslie Parrish....

believe it or not, this film has a wonderful soundtrack, including a very catchy theme, several songs that relate to the ongoing action and one that is sort of a spin off of thunder road, but is much better...i had the album on an LP (33rpm) and really enjoyed listening to it.

This film seems to have disappeared...i haven't seen it anywhere in many years....

Vigil in the Night (1940)

nurse helps doctor overcome medical prejudice

[18 June 2002]

poignant story about ignorance among medical professionals...Carole Lombard is excellent as a conscientious nurse who teams with a local doctor to overcome medical incompetence and prejudice. Her sister, who is also a nurse means well, but complicates matters...Lombard's comedic skills certainly didn't hurt her portrayal, and gave more than the usual depth to a role that could have been one-dimensional...the music is evocative, and it makes the scenes in the children's ward of the hospital especially poignant. The finale, tho corny and reflective of Hollywood mores of that era, is uplifting. Despite a bitter-sweet resolution, it leaves us with an offer of hope for the future.

Winter Kills (1979)

the ultimate tongue-in-cheek conspiracy theory movie

[10/10 · 17 June 2002]

it has been over 20 years since i saw the theatrical release of this movie, and i still remember some of the more exotic scenes as if i saw them yesterday...it is as confusing and convoluted as a "rockford files" script, but instead of solving a caper, it centers on political machinations, and conspiracy theories vaguely related to the j.f. Kennedy assassination.....if you enjoy dark, dark humor, a nothing is sacred mindset, and a story without answers to all its riddles, this is definitely worth watching....Jeff Bridges is both inquisitive and persistent as he investigates the assassination of his brother, the president of the U.S...Sterling Hayden, Elizabeth Taylor, Anthony Perkins and Ralph Meeker in over-the-top cameo roles add to the weirdness. This movie both mocks and embraces all the theories, assumptions and official explanations of who shot JFK. It is pure entertainment.