Change Your Image
froberts73-379-217403
Reviews
The War Game (1966)
a truly frightening look at what could be
I would like to see the so-called realism TV shows exit for one night and all the networks replacing that phony crap with "The War Game," the BBC documentary-style film which not only shows the result of thermo-nuclear war, but ties in with horrible events that have already happened. I wonder what would happen if this were mandatory for showing in schools and, yes, churches. It would probably be shown, then people would go about worrying about their own mundane problems.
If this film is not a wake-up call, there is no such thing.
"The War Game" should be a must-see.
It frighteningly illustrates the physical and mental effects of such a war. Those scenes are interspersed with statements by state and religious leaders and officials - most of them mundane - just like in real life.
Spiders 3D (2013)
spiders is creepy good
Non-stop excitement with these ugly spiders. The special effects were quite good, unless you are totally anti-spider - in which case you would never make it to the end.
Story-wise there is nothing new. Certainly nothing new about the ending. We've see that type of thing many, many times.
If you want the h--- frightened out of you, if you like a lot of suspense, some of it familiar, you will really enjoy this flick. By the way, some expert with these things should be able to sum up the number of movies about spiders - excluding Spiderman.
One goof, obvious to those from the neighborhood. There is a scene at a subway station called Vernon-Jackson. In the movie it was an underground station, but in Queens it is an elevated station - three stations away from my old home station of Bliss Street.
Nothing blissful about "Spiders," but loads of excitement, it is to be recommended. So there!!
Delinquent Parents (1938)
better than you might think
Oh, oh, I thought - exploitation cheapie but, surprise, surprise, "Delinquent Parents" turns out to be a pretty decent movie. The story makes sense, the acting is quite good, the solution is satisfactory. The leads are quite good, quite likable. The 'who is my momma?' story keeps you interested throughout. Much better movie than you might expect. Sure, you can see where some expenses may have been cut, but the end result is a damn good movie. No, not a blockbuster, but plenty easy to take.
One surprise was the Big Apple dance. I had heard about it but never saw it. The movie did not go the route often taken by many of these types of movies - it stayed within the decency limitations, perhaps more than need by. By today's standards it might be a bore, but if it is a good story and good performances you are looking for check this out. For the most part, by the way, the title is misleading.
In Which We Serve (1942)
One outstanding film
I became an Anglophile during WW2. I was a teener and this movie served Noel Coward's purpose - to show the spirit of the Brits both at home and abroad. The cast was letter perfect, particularly Coward and my all-time favorite Jn. Mills, who made it until he was 98. The 'couples' in the movie, all of them, were perfect matches, particularly Mills and the soft, lovely Kay Walsh, a real 'bring-tears-to-your-eyes' couple. As far as I'm concerned this was the perfect movie. By the way, if the English accent scares you, carry on. The entire cast was easy to understand. "In Which We Serve" will keep you enthralled, top to bottom. Put it on your A-plus list.
Milk Money (1994)
milk money is worth your money
"Milk Money," every now and then looked like it was landing in the land of sleaze. It came close but never really crossed the line. Add to that no cuss words, no nudity, and a quickie anti-smoking message. Considering the theme - a trio of boys grabbing their milk money for a quick look at a naked lady - the pic was relatively PGish. It was at times funny, at times warm and, at all times thoroughly enjoyable. The youngster was delightful, Ed Harris was quite good, but Melanie Griffith out-prosted Julia Roberts. Her portrayal of the age old prosty with a heart of gold was dead on. All in all, unless you are totally nervous about the theme, I can guarantee much enjoyment
King of the Hill (1993)
king of the hill is fabulous
There is nothing wrong with this movie. Everything is just right - perfect. First of all, the atmosphere of the '30s was captured to perfection.
The story was warm and wonderful, told with great heart. You never want to take your eyes off of it, even for a quick moment.
The acting was -well - fabulous. The brothers were totally believable, and the older bro should have received some kind of award/recognition.
The bad guys - the porter, and the cop were properly hateful. Outstanding scenes abounded, especially the one where the youngster overheard his peers disdaining him because of his circumstances. (There was also the 'fat-boy-wolfing-his-lunch scene).
This fantastic flick will be especially meaningful to those of us who grew up during the depression. (I was five in '33). We had damn little money, and there were some mean adults and children around but, although I was not as tough as the kid in the movie - I made it and managed to have a damn happy childhood.
Bottom line - gather your family around for an outstanding history lesson from an outstanding film.
Paris Follies of 1956 (1955)
parisian delight
Jeez - who's the sourpuss who found everything to complain about? He was way off base (and he can't spell). I expected little from "Fresh From Paris," and was pleasantly surprised. Unlike most such grade-B jobs this one has a good-sized cast including a host of good dancers and some pretty good Berkley-like arrangements. The songs were pretty good and the 'idjit' who put down Maggie Whiting's singing is nut-so. In the '40s and '50s she was one of the most popular singers, helping to keep Capitol on the map. The Sportsmen had an excellent spoof on their boss, Jk. Benny. The plot was decent enough and, all in all, it was time very well spent.
Fear in the Night (1946)
have no fear - "Fear in the Night" is top notch.
Still more film noir - and quite a grabber it is. First of all - Kelly and Kelley are excellent. The story - short as it is - will have you paying attention from top to bottom..
This is a tight, well-scripted movie. It is, of course, small-budgeted, but it is big on excitement. This flick is well worth your time and, as is usual with these dark flicks, you have to pay constant attention - no wandering minds allowed. "Fear In the Night" is worth your time.
The gals are good - what little they have to do.
It is fascinating to watch DeForest Kelley when he was just getting started. He does well with his 'rabbit-caught-in-the-headlights" expressions.
Anyway, check this out. One more thing - the attempted suicide scene is almost Hitchcock-like.