rajaroberts33 Reviews

Terror on the Prairie (2022)

Gritty and Realistic

[8/10 · 7 December 2023]

This is one of my favorite Westerns of the past 20 years. Described as slow by many on here, but this story is not meant to be bombastic and colorful like a Marvel movie. This is a naturalistic painting come to life. The acting is actually terrific, especially Carano and Searcy: there is no ham to be seen by the actors.

The story is minimalist but engaging. The decisions made by the characters are realistic. The entirety of the film is gritty, often brutal, and devoid of inane comments made to inject false humor.

The cinematography is beautiful with the incredible backdrop of the mountains in Montana. The lighting made sense in this type of Western, no lit up scenes in the dark cabin or outside that would give away light that should not be there.

I loved the lack of an underlying musical soundtrack to serve as a manipulation of where my feelings should go.

I understand that this may not be a film that is everyone's taste, but the one, two and three star reviews are, frankly, ludicrous. I will watch this one again, there is no doubt.

Du Barry Was a Lady (1943)

Wasted Potential

[6/10 · 15 July 2022]

The film itself is watchable, but mostly I was struck by how things could have been. I won't dwell on that.

The starkest realization I had watching this movie was the absolute mishandling of Lucille Ball's career as a film actress. The studios, both RKO & MGM, had no idea how to use her to fullest effect. She was every bit as drop-dead gorgeous and talented as any of her female contemporaries, yet her gifts were never fully realized in film because of poor casting or poor writing or poor direction. She deserved better.

Filmdom's loss was television's gain, however, so I suppose we all can be thankful that her movie career was so mishandled. I Love Lucy would not have been made had she the movie career she truly was worthy of.

Seven Days' Leave (1942)

Enjoyable B Movie

[7/10 · 12 July 2022]

Can't really put my finger on it, but I really enjoyed this movie. The plot is completely implausible and corny, but that is beside the point. Lucille Ball is gorgeous, and seeing Victor Mature being charming and having fun is a treat. I also truly enjoyed the songs and dancing which came out of left field, but all brought a smile to my face. A very pleasant diversion on a Sunday afternoon, and I can't say that about a lot of movies. Enjoy.

The Barkleys of Broadway (1949)

Fred and Ginger in Living Color

[8/10 · 17 December 2021]

The plot of this movie is beside the point, as it is worth the time spent to bask in the talents of three phenomenal entertainers. To see the effortless chemistry and magnificent dancing of Astaire and Rogers in vibrant color is a treasure in and of itself. They are legends for a reason, and American cinema must owe a huge debt to their unique talents.

The third reason to see this film is the often overlooked Oscar Levant. If he had only been an actor, his presence in any movie would have been memorable. He was not only an actor though, and his skills as a pianist can only be described as wondrous. I was mesmerized watching him play in two scenes which otherwise could have easily been excised from the plot of this movie.

Enjoy this movie for what it brings: pure joy.

The Human Comedy (1943)

Sentimental, Beautifully Acted Classic

[7/10 · 8 January 2021]

Given the cynicism, division, chaos and downright bleakness of this moment in our American experience, to be able to be immersed in a story of hope like that presented in The Human Comedy is a welcome respite. Is it overly sentimental, simplistic and, as some reviewers said, schmaltzy? Yes, but the older I get, I realize that those qualities in a film are just what I need sometimes to course correct from my ever-present pessimism to to a more realistic perspective of everyday life. That any film or media of this current day would celebrate faith, family and service for a greater good is rare enough; to have a film of this current day celebrate those things and be as excellently crafted as this one is nearly impossible.

The story is old-fashioned, gentle, even treacly, but the vignettes presented are vibrant and heartfelt. The war propaganda certainly hits you in the face in the 2020's, but the intentions of the propaganda were to unify a country to help a world in turmoil and felt genuine.

The acting is rather good throughout. Superb performances are turned in by Mickey Rooney and Frank Morgan, their best that I have seen. Rooney can tear at your heart one minute and make you smile through tears the next. His chemistry with Fay Bainter, who plays his mother, is natural, warm and sincere. Jackie Jenkins and Darryl Hicks, as Ulysses and Lionel, give performances by child actors that cannot be taught. They truly highlight my favorite scene in the movie. The radiant Donna Reed has a small role. Robert Mitchum pops up in an even smaller role, but just his physical presence cannot be underestimated. John Craven, as Tobey, is saddled with the role of a soldier who is just to good to be believed, even in a picture chocked full of sentimentality.

The technical aspects are good as it gets for 1940's black and white cinema. The art direction makes the town of Ithica, California, as inviting and dreamy as Bedford Falls.

There is much to be enjoyed in this classic, especially if you take your 21st century glasses off. I'll revisit this film whenever I need to feel good about humanity and the country in which I am blessed to live.