Xjayhawker Reviews

Billy Jack (1971)

Jack up the volume and enjoy some HIGH kicks..JUST LIKE THAT..

[9/10 · 21 June 2013]

I doubt anyone born in the 80's and 90's could appreciate this "message" movie made in 1969 and released 2 years later..when Billy Jack came out, I had already been to war in Vietnam..and I didn't understand the Hippie movement or the peace movement and it took quite some time for me to come to grips with the other opinions that began to pervade American culture..I eventually realized that for a lot of US or American involvement in other countries' affairs has been going on for longer than anyone can remember..most of our wars are unnecessary..with that said..Billy Jack had studio financing problems..and Jean was not the first one cast to play that part..however..a lot of people complain that it looks cheap or amateurish..you have to realize..$800,000 doesn't go very far..and still made $65 million at the box office and $ 32 million in rentals..but back to Billy Jack..a guy who would much rather just live his life in peace..but the bigots just won't live and let live..and he is faced with a few situations where his training takes over..instinct..self preservation..he does his best to no avail..there are some classic scenes and memorable dialogue..one which has been quoted..when the deputy holds a gun to the girl's head and Billy levels his Winchester at the deputy.."you mean you'd kill her, just like that?" Billy replies.."You"ll kill her..then I"ll kill you..just like that.."..anyone who lived through that time will see similarities to events around them growing up as depicted in the movie..anyone looking for a CGI special effects..30 explosions per half hour will not find them here..but what they do find here will be thought-provoking and sincere..the characters are NOT stereotypes..I have known folks JUST LIKE THESE ..and hopefully you'll enjoy this minor classic..JUST LIKE THAT..

The White Tower (1950)

It's up there..way up there..with some adventure ..but watch your step

[7/10 · 30 April 2013]

As a film buff,I enjoy who is in this..but as a film lover, I just have to forget some illogical situations..a part played by Lloyd Bridges which may or may not have influenced his acting in High Noon two years later..young gun..so to speak..a young guy who thinks he is superior to the older guy or anyone else..and in each film..gets his comeuppance..albeit in two different ways..but still..beaten..charming Glen Ford..really was a subdued scene- stealer..Valli..the beauty..used here as an anchor of sorts..she's doing it for her dead father..Ford is doing it for her..and everyone doing this climb for their own reasons..but I do have a problem with the climb itself..Swiss Alps?..blowing..snow..near-blizzard conditions..cold..oh so cold..cold enough that you can sit outside in the night cold..just sitting and thinking about your life or lack of one..or later..climbing without your glasses because they are broken and you don't have another pair along for the climb..climbing without gloves in the freezing Alps..with your bare hands while circumventing the dangerous narrow path..getting snow blindness in the process and lest I forget..two people falling in love and getting hitched..see it for the cinematography..not for the plot holes..Oscar Holmolka..Sir Cedrick Hardwick..what's not to like..but I would only say see this when there's not much else on..it's a diversion and you can come up with your own plot holes..and Claude Raines..who shouldn't be climbing any mountains at all and you have a somewhat disjointed movie..unlikely team of climbers doing implausible things..but individually..you know you like the characters from what they did before and after this..and you are hoping this is a good outing..but overall you will be dis-appointed with this..but the high up there scenery is worth looking at..Nuff said..

Colt .45 (1950)

Western cheese and there's no denying it..

[5/10 · 15 April 2013]

I am a big Randolph Scott fan..I really am..and Ruth Roman has always been good eye candy..but I cannot give my support to such a contrived plot..Zachary Scott plays a cowardly gang leader..he stands petrified when the guns are turned on him..he's big man with a pair of colts in his hands..but there is a terrified look in his eyes without them..and I'm not sure why Zachary ever made it in the movies ..he has the weakest chin in town..Alan Hale who played so well off of Errol Flynn is mis-cast as a crooked town sheriff..Randy may be mis-cast as well as a clueless hero who falls for every trick in the book..dirt thrown in your face..hit over the head by a girl..rope across the dark country road..the fight at the end is bogus..it is just a rather lame western..I wish it was better cast and better directed..the action was fairly well staged..but uneven..I also must add that Lloyd Bridges plays an over-the-top ??partner?? In crime with Zachary Scott..he actually believes he's an equal partner in this enterprise..Ruth Roman can't decide where her loyalties lie..but Alan Hale as well as all the townsfolk are just pathetic..there's supposed to be a lot of gold being mined..but I never see miners..just town people..just set dressing..the Indians? stereotypes and not done well..the tepees? Store bought canvas creations..again set decorations..it is watchable..barely so..but you may chuckle a few times inadvertently..like laughing on the inside and crying on the outside..this is a disappointment..enough said..5 out of 10..being generous..

Love Me Tender (1956)

Love Me Tender..without the frills..Love Me True..if you wait for me..

[7/10 · 11 April 2013]

Get rid of the swiveling hips and Elvis stage gyrations with the girls off stage and you have a very decent post Civil War tale of a family struggling in the aftermath of war..the title could have been Love Me Tender even before Elvis came aboard the project..as that was the central theme..girl waiting for her love to come home from the war and him coming home to find her we'd to his brother but still in love with him..OK..other actors were offered the Clint/Elvis part..Robert Wagner..Jeffery Hunter..and Cameron Mitchell..all contract players but they got Elvis and added songs to the production to take advantage of Presley's popularity at the time..so you end up with awkward moments in the film with Elvis being Elvis the entertainer..and with me wondering what a James Dean might have done with the role or even the other choices..Wagner,Hunter, or Mitchell..the facial expressions or voice inflections..but you have Robert Middleton,L.Q. Jones,Neville Brand, in support..and even Dick Sargent as a Confederate soldier..The leads are more than adequate..Richard Egan showing his emotions on his sleeve and trying not to..Deborah Paget as his true love..and her trying with little success to hide her true feelings..young James Drury and William Campbell as Reno family brothers and you have a family situation..a stolen military payroll at the end of the war..some jealousy..some greed..more than a little action..some really good dialogue..some good direction..just the right musical score for those perfect moments..and you have a nice,taut little film which is really quite good..if only you can dis-engage your mind from those songs and the Elvis stage scene..it's not that he was bad in the rest of the movie..he was well enough for the part which was originally meant to be a minor role..but he was popular enough for the film to make back it's production costs in only 3 days..but get by the music and enjoy a pretty good story..it is well told otherwise..

The Law and Jake Wade (1958)

Not always on the straight and narrow..

[8/10 · 8 April 2013]

See the movie..Don't let yourself be swayed by one or two bad reviews for this under-rated late 50's western with Robert Taylor playing the title character..Jake Wade ..town Marshall..and Richard Widmark as his ex-gang buddy(?) from back in the day..Civil War and post war years..a few have said the score sucked..maybe because of the strike in 1958..I can neither confirm nor deny..if that's the case, it must have been short lived as other films were released the month before(5) and a month later (1) ..big budget movies were released all year with great scores..by this time Robert Taylor was no longer the young handsome face of the 30's and was a veteran actor and a lot like Gary Cooper..played darker,more serious roles late in his career. More gritty..more realistic..the same year he did Saddle The Wind with John Cassavetes..and as gritty as Gregory Peck's The Bravados the same year..1958 and Peck's The Big Country..Cooper also played a town Marshall marrying someone younger in High Noon..he was a star and under played his role here letting Richard Widmark get most of the best lines until the last three minutes of the movie.."I would have handed you your gun" followed by Taylor's response.."you always liked me more than I like you"..good line..great acting..great supporting cast..great scenery filmed on location..but this movie is a sleeper and a keeper..and worthy of some attention..it deserves a look-see..from a good movie year..one of the better performances from that year..

Bright Leaf (1950)

Light 'Em if you got 'em..but now there's a warning label..

[5/10 · 2 April 2013]

This is one of those should I watch this or not? Much has been made of the score..trust me..it's OK..but it does'nt soar or enrich the movie in any way..and what may be a good thing..there are large portions which are left alone..with only dialog to drive it..this is a movie where you have to take the good with the bad to get through it..like cough medicine..the star here is Gary cooper who does a good turn in this as a sleep walker..I do not know how he envisioned playing this role, , but he shows very little emotion..that's not acting..that's just taking up space on a stage..likewise Patricia Neal ..if only a little less so..the good? Lauren Bacall and Jack Carson who manage to steal their parts while on screen..Donald Crisp, as Patricia Neal's father..steady..as always in everything he's in..James Griffith as a southern book keeper working for Cooper plays a part unlike anything else he's ever done..usually someone on the dark side..other reviews have given you plot..I'm just giving performance reviews..a bit talky and slow..the direction by Michael Curtiz of Errol Flynn's films seems off his game..otherwise, why would it drag? The story..one that's been told a thousand times over ..revenge and mis-placed desire..there's no love lost here..it's revenge and more revenge ..and a climax you can see coming ..an ending that leaves you a little empty..another Cooper/Neal pairing from an earlier talky film..The Fountainhead..another unwatchable outing..Sorry..the good with the bad..COOP..how could you?

The Kid from Left Field (1953)

Grab some hot roasted peanuts and enjoy this for about nine innings.

[7/10 · 1 April 2013]

One of the reviewers said the players on this team couldn't play Major League Baseball..just to be clear..the original New York Mets couldn't play either..they were all players from other teams that became expendable to create a new team in New York..they were the lovable..fumbling..bumbling team that everyone felt sorry for with a manager that had more one-liners than Milton Berle..they had older players at the end of their careers..and young,inexperienced players..but over time and new talent, they became world champions of the baseball world..this film deals with a father-son bond..and aging ball players..one at the end of his career with one last summer in the sun..Ray Collins/Lt. Tragg of Perry Mason fame..Lloyd Bridges of High Noon and Sea Hunt..22 year old Anne Bancroft..Delightful Dan Dailey..Fess Parker/Davy Crockett/Daniel Boone..Richard Egan as a slimy..credit-taking manager for his team's turn-around..all players playing their parts superbly..some romance..some ball playing and some decisions about end of career choices..and young Billy Chapin as Dailey's son..turning in a performance not to be missed..for my money, you can have your Field of Dreams or Bull Durhams..this is sweet and innocent and worth your time..a lot of owners in the old days did things like this just for the publicity..and it worked..whoever heard of a 3 foot tall ball player? Or a pitcher with one leg? Times were different..but they were good times for a lot of us..and this is a nice little story that may have been true in another city and time..7 out of 10 for me..

Strange Lady in Town (1955)

Tepid..telling of familiar story..all too well.

[4/10 · 25 March 2013]

Low marks for too many reasons.. Mis-casting all around..plodding and talky at times..with unbelievable dialogue from top to bottom..how a person (in this case a woman doctor) can move from Boston to Santa Fe,New Mexico and expect things to be socially the same as in Boston is beyond belief and not try to adapt to her surroundings or new customs..Dana Andrews and Greer Garson sparring continuously and he supposedly falling for her enough to propose marriage..-and still be squabbling beyond the proposal..Dane Clark as a third-rate Cavalry officer (Greer's brother) very fancy clothes to wear in the southwest..but this was Hollywood..and this was not well done..some will say this was a good performance or this was a unique story.. I wish this was the case..but a poorly written script cannot coax a superb performance from A list stars..it just sounds contrived and in itself, the story-telling is dis-jointed and badly directed..regardless of what you may want to believe..this movie is contrived and not worthy of a viewing..unless you feel sorry for the cast..

Battle of the Bulge (1965)

The Ardennes Counteroffensive saw heroism and sacrifice in the line of fire..

[5/10 · 23 March 2013]

As reviews go, , I feel reluctant to offer anything to what has already been said..after all you can only say the same thing only a few thousand different ways..With that said, this movie is poorly conceived..Is it to depict the actual battle? No, it is not..Then what? The battle itself was a mish-mash of countless skirmishes of positions over-run and ground held..pockets of resistance..my family settled in Jamestown,Virginia in 1747 and has fought in every war or police action (take your pick) that this country has been engaged in and my father was in Gen. Patton's Third Army at that time..and I have been in Belgium in the same area as the battle ..this is a movie with a lot of actors that are excellent in other movies, however this movie is an excuse to put them all together to make money for the studio..Dwight D. Eisenhower criticized this film for its inaccuracies..Robert Ryan did it for the money..Fonda thought this movie was beneath him..acting-wise..go for Hans Christian Blech for his portrayal of Robert Shaw's enlisted aide tired of war..or George Montgomery as a Staff Sergeant who takes a naive young officer under his wing..Charles Bronson and Telly Savalas doing some fine work..Robert Shaw..not bad..but not that good, either..Bronson and Savalas would be together 2 years later in The Dirty Dozen and a Warner Brothers actor Clint Walker in that but another Warner's actor..Ty Hardin in this one..Dana Andrews sleep-walks through his role..so maybe he also just did it for the paycheck..one reviewer called this one of the best..Sadly..it is not..good cast..overall poor acting..highly inaccurate in the telling and geography..cinematography?Poor..at best..I have always considered this poorly done ..to follow the actions of so few to get a comprehensive view of what took place on an eighty-five mile "breach" in the Allied front lines in on of the worst winters in fifty years..is impossible to correctly convey..and I must agree how silly it looks when the model tanks get their turrets blown off..and how both sides are fighting with the same equipment(tanks) just painted differently..and yes..I served in the military also..for my 20..which includes Vietnam..sunny skies when they are supposed to be over-cast and heavy fog..but still bright and clear and flat (no forests) for the climactic tank battle..it's just very poorly staged and executed..will never suggest watching this unless you are strapped down and forced..but for the record for the person who said The Battle of the Bulge is accurate..Military unit citations were for the Ardennes Counteroffensive..not for participation in the Battle of the Bulge..just say in'...

Transporter 3 (2008)

The thinking man's tough guy is not a James Bond type at all..

[8/10 · 18 March 2013]

I suppose too many people give their view of a film fresh after having just seen a certain movie..the proper way is to see it more than once..then give a logical unemotional reselling of what you have seen..which is always the case with me..You like Jason Statham movies? Then you'll love this one..Action? Over the top almost flat out non- stop. Some have said the girl in the movie is annoying..at first..but the girl Natalya Rudakova playing Valentina in the movie not Valencia as one reviewer stated was working as a hairdresser in New York when she was spotted by Luc Besson who ran after her and suggested she take some acting lessons and then call him..Jane March of The Lover was a magazine cover model with no acting experience and played opposite Bruce Willis 2 years later in The Color of Night..Jason/Frank Martin is again offered a job which he turns down only to be persuaded that it is a job he can't refuse..driving across Europe with a young woman that he must eventually have to try and save without getting killed first..It is better than people have given it credit for and part of that is due in part by the go-to guy that can fix any thing..seal any deal..get anyone to agree to his terms..Robert Knepper in a great turn as a killer who doesn't believe in killing..sometimes it's just more efficient that way..who believes he does things for all the right reasons..here..the subject is TOXIC ..and the ending is a real blast..ENJOY..

Carson City (1952)

A good B western made better by dependable Randolph Scott

[8/10 · 16 March 2013]

Early 50's..still thrilled with re-telling stories of the old west..a lot of us couldn't' wait for the next western to be released..whether it was Johnny Mack Brown or Wild Bill Elliott..or Hopalong Cassidy..we didn't care..but we all had our favorites..or whether they were shooting 8 or 10 shots from a 6 shooter without re-loading..it was all good fun..but when certain actors showed up in a western we seemed to pay a little more attention because these guys seemed authentic..James Stewart, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Henry Fonda..for me it was Randolph Scott and Joel McRea..now with Carson City, we have Randolph Scott who always wanted to see the other side of the mountain and meets up with his brother..the stable kind of guy with a regular job and a girl that Scott hasn't seen since she was 16 and admits to having a big crush on way back then..he's in town to build a railroad..a faster, easier way to ship all that gold coming out of the mines..Raymond Massey as the mine owner with no gold..but he always has plenty of it..you guess where it's all coming from..hold ups by a gang called the Champaigne Bandits because those robbed are well treated..fried chicken lunch and Champaigne for their troubles..there is animosity between the town folk and the railroad crews.. And a pretty good fight between Scott and one of his men in the saloon..pretty well staged..the girl in question has never gotten over Scott and she has never thought of his brother in that way..they both work for her father publishing the town newspaper until he is killed..it's got to be the railroad people, right? The way it ends reminds me of the Errol Flynn/Olivia Dehaviland western from 1939..Dodge City when someone proclaims that their railroad building days are over only to have their mind changed by a good woman..all in all there is plenty of action..some romance..some wolves in sheeps' clothing.. A good story made better with Scott..

Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun (1986 TV Movie)

A new different Perry..now he's armed..and still dangerous..

[8/10 · 14 March 2013]

Some people claim this one isn't up to the series standards..and although I don't know who comes up with the ratings that show up on television..this episode gets 3 out of 4 stars..so that makes this one pretty good..as with most Mason movies..this one also has faces that are familiar to most everyone..one face and voice that always stands out is William Prince who played corruption and evil perfectly in Clint Eastwood's The Gauntlent..and in this he plays above reproach..it's always been special to look upon the faces of the guilty as they are exposed and this no exception..stunned looks all around..this was still early in Paul Drake juniors turn as in-house Mason detective before he let his hair go from normal to over-the-top..there are enough sub-plots to satisfy and Mason with a gun in his hand is startling and somewhat amusing to see..but back in the 90's the Church was still held in high esteem..but there has always been dealings within the Church that looks better under a rug..swept away and not talked about..in this case an audit uncovers corruption and the guilty must cover up all they are involved in..hence..murder and scape goats..actually a nice entry in the series..

Hang 'Em High (1968)

Hang 'Em a Little Higher Next Time

[9/10 · 12 March 2013]

Too many people look for a performance or a story line or a tight script..but here you get a chance to see actors whose performances in other movies or TV shows were brilliant..adding their performances here as a way to cap off long and distinguished acting careers. Based upon the real hanging judge in Indian and Oklahoma Territory in 1889..thousands of square miles to police with a handful of deputy US Marshals..this is a story that many of those marshals faced every day..without the love interest thrown in..Jed Cooper is a man who is unjustly hung for rustling steers..and cut down from the mob's noose by a deputy on his way back with a wagon-load of prisoners..either to be found innocent of the rustling charge or found guilty and sentenced to hang a second time..Pat Hingle..Judge Parker..learns that Cooper used to be a peace officer in St. Louis and offers him a badge..his first assignment..bring in your lynch mob conspirators alive to face court room justice..Inger Stevens plays a young woman who has been raped and with each wagon load of prisoners..is searching for her rapists..the music is dead on punctuating the moments needed to be punched up..drama..tenseness..the trail..the hangings..the decisions..punctuated by a brilliant score that one reviewer described as epic..excellent performance from Clint Eastwood before he started turning in copy-cat performances..this is a sensitive portrayal of a lawman conflicted by the judicial system in Oklahoma Territory..there isn't a subpar performance from anyone..standouts are Ed Begley..Bruce Dern as evil as The Cowboys..Pat Hingle in a marvelous turn as the federal judge..star turns everywhere ..but Eastwood simply shines and delivers the goods..deserves to be seen and not downplayed..a 9 or better..

Perry Mason: The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host (1993 TV Movie)

Never leave any loose ends or witnesses.

[4/10 · 11 March 2013]

It would be nice to see actual actors in films and television "plays", but it seems as if in the Perry Mason tele-movies that to get people to watch they had to go out and bring in "faces" or celebrities..people whose faces were well known and easily recognized..in this case Gordon Liddy, Regis Philbin,Montel Williams..but in this episode the acting by actors is sub-par and irritating..the "actors" act as if they were in a high school play..why would an undercover police operative let herself be taken so easily..why when Ken Mulansky is searching for her in the house he acts as though he's sleep walking and when he finds her he doesn't rush to her side to see if she's still alive, he casually walks over..and when they are aware of the threat at the courthouse, no one bothers to alert anyone that a man is on the way with a gun and to take precautions..there are just so many things that ordinary people would not even do that these professional police or investigators do it just makes for a really annoying episode..I do not make a habit of saying some production is badly done but in this case I make the exception..Sorry, but this is not a well-done entry in the franchise.

The Last Cowboy (2003 TV Movie)

Roundup what's left of the past and let's reach for the future..

[8/10 · 10 March 2013]

A lot of people that have never stepped foot outside a city will not appreciate the openness of the outdoors country life..you have to be there and see it..but this comes pretty close..a man estranged from his daughter since his wife died 8 years ago re-unites with her when she returns for her grandfather's funeral..the ranch..not farm..is in debt to the bank with no real hope of operating in the black any time soon..Dad (Lance Henrickson) is stuck in the past..raising cattle and breeding them but never getting ahead..and a daughter (Jennie Garth) who has ideas that are solid and detailed for the saving of the ranching business..somewhere they will have to meet in the middle..Throw in M.C.Gainey as best friend/foreman who has known everyone involved since way back when and you have a complex family in dis-array that needs healing and understanding..Gainey, in a scene- stealing portrayal of a loyal family friend rings true and Lance and Jennie deliver a solid performance as father and daughter at odds over ideals..on a small note..a farm is where you raise chickens and maybe cows for milking..but a ranch is a somewhat larger operation requiring herds to feed off the land..an enjoyable outing on the ranch..at any rate..

Flower Girl (2009 TV Movie)

Best friends should want what's best for you.

[7/10 · 9 March 2013]

I never bad-mouth any one's work, although I do sometimes offer constructive criticism.. In the case of a film that's already been finished, it's too late..I figure there are a few movies that I know their central story-line and am not interested so I don't watch. Others like Flower Girl I find have some redeeming things going for them. This one has a case of mis- casting..Marion Ross as an over-bearing,meddling grandmother who thinks she knows who may be better suited for her marriage-age grand-daughter more than the young Laurel (Marla Sokoloff) is a lot to put up with..someone playing it more subtle would have played better. Terry Maratos playing Dr. Evan Cooper is quite unbelievable as the doctor..not even after the first date he has already told his mother about this girl he can't forget. There is no chemistry whatsoever between them. Other reviewers have said the pacing is awkward..TRUE..some of the character's names came right out of central casting..check out the credits ..Evan Cooper..Stephen Banks..but back to the story..a lot of stories have a romantic mis-understanding..we have it here in spades..but hopefully it will all work out in the end..the things it does have going for it are the two leads playing Laurel and Stephen..that's it..they are good together ..mis-understandings aside..there is a good natural chemistry..he doesn't feel as though he's acting..he's pretty good and Marla/Laurel complements him..not a bad film..just annoying in those two areas..Marion Ross and the hard to take Dr. Cooper as a love interest..when their scenes are on you can always head to the fridge..7 out of 10..

Loving Leah (2009 TV Movie)

Sometimes it's no one's fault when life takes a left turn.

[10/10 · 3 March 2013]

First, I would like to thank Hallmark for putting on this movie because in doing so they took a chance that people could actually relate..and not be afraid to throw in a story with a religious element..the old adage is never talk about politics or religion. While it is true that we delve into some fundamental issues of the Jewish faith, this is first and foremost a story of friendship offered and love found. One review called this a romantic comedy..others found faults here and there but there will always be those that look for some shortcomings. I see this as a tender story of two people discovering that they have much to offer each other after Jake's brother dies leaving a widow. She has her ways steeped in tradition and Jake has his ways..not being home much and a girlfriend and working long hours at the hospital..did I mention that his girlfriend initially encouraged Jake (Adam Kaufman) to befriend the young widow (Lauren Ambrose)?After all, she's family. The first days and weeks thrown together as "roommates" are played in such a realistic and touching way, you are drawn into "their" story..and it is theirs and the memory of his dead brother..and mothers wanting what's right for their kids..this is a sweet, innocent and tender. Telling of simple love..there's no comedy here..but the facial expressions and the eyes say this is really some fine acting..I waited for this to come on and was not disappointed. And neither will you.It's that good.

Hangmen Also Die! (1943)

Somewhere the war goes on.

[5/10 · 1 March 2013]

Here and there you see faces that popped up throughout the forties. Brian Donlevy and Walter Brennan. I see most people consider this Fritz Lang film of 1943 to be quite good. I truly wish I could concur. The Germans don't act like Germans in the office behind a desk. The film is two things..world war II propaganda and massive over dramatization.. It is a lot of over acting..only ever able Walter Brennan does somewhat of a decent job, but I am quite sure he knew this would not be anything but rousing the spirit of all oppressed under the boot heel of Adolph Hitler..No acting nominations came of this and the dialog doesn't come off as authentic..I wish I could urge you to see this, but I cannot. There are many old forgettable films..alas, this is one.Sorry! Good actors..not good acting.

The Moon Is Blue (1953)

From stage to screen to early 50's censorship to a small screen gem.

[9/10 · 28 February 2013]

For the life of me, I have to admit I had never seen this until a rainy Thursday on TCM. It is easy to see this stage play was easy enough to adapt to the screen.The entire movie takes place in two apartments and a hallway. Well I suppose you have to include a shot of a fire escape in the rain. Two fathers (David Niven and Tom Tully) and two daughters attracted to the same man , a 35 year old William Holden playing 35. A girl of 23 looking very much like a young Debbie Reynolds..really quite cute and charming and capable of holding her own with two veteran actors Niven and Holden..just a little sad she ended up a typist and overdosed in NY at the age of 48..She is splendid in this piece and the five are all pretty good. It is a little "tell" that Tom Tully admits in this movie he's a cop when he would end up playing a cop in San Francisco Beat/the Lineup with Warner Anderson also in the early 50's maybe a year or two later. I admit this is a delightful film and it is only at the end of the movie that you hear the movie's title uttered by William Holden.

Time after Time (2011 TV Movie)

Let's go back and do it one more time.

[8/10 · 26 February 2013]

Too many people look for the little things they see as faults and "goofs", however a movie is intended since the earliest times to be a "break" from your everyday life , a diversion from your worries . For some reviewers, I suggest not going to the fridge during critical junctures in the film. One said he didn't understand what Doc did that was so bad and also said we would all be confused at the ending having to guess who our lady would end up with or why the mega-mart would be so bad. Enough! For starters, every time travel flick I've ever seen has never been able to convince anyone on the first try that they have indeed come from another time. A doctor who is cheating on his sweetheart has character issues. A small town inviting a mega-mart to build there would expect life to change dramatically for everyone regardless of an impact study.No brainier. Small stores downtown would all disappear as the big store supplied all of your daily needs. The clues are there to see which way our town mayor Jackie(Christine Chatelaine) is leaning. Our central character Dick/Richard (Richard Thomas/Kaj-Erik Eriksen) writes an editorial piece that tugs at the heart-strings of the townspeople including a tearing up Jackie..what do you think the town will do or Jackie?If you watch all the little things, you will end with a fairly well portrayed little piece of Hallmark..sweet..history changing heartfelt story telling..

Out of the Woods (2005 TV Movie)

The woods were lonely dark and deep and there were promises to keep..

[10/10 · 24 February 2013]

The premise is not that unusual. A lot of ungrateful sons and/or daughters try to have parents put away. I have lived on a farm with an outhouse so I know it's not a pleasant place to spend time. We had propane gas for cooking and pump water for drinking or bathing..cold water like in this film..I have had kerosene lamps for light. No overnight delivery.I know that feeling,too. Whatever Ed Asner has going for himself in the woods I do understand and appreciate.Not everyone can understand that kind of life. Los Angeles is not mainstream America. Ed Asner seems to get better with age. His grandson, Jason London is becoming a pretty good actor and does well in this turn both playing off each other. Forget all these people trying to portray this as life lessons. It's not overly sentimental and it has a pretty good flow in the story telling. This is a pretty good walk in the woods.It gets a ten for the acting and a ten for the natural beauty of the location filming.

Before You Say 'I Do' (2009 TV Movie)

Who wouldn't like to go back and try to avert some personal disaster?

[9/10 · 24 February 2013]

George and Jane are in love but she's afraid of taking another chance on love..a lot of people have been there and done that..but our Ad exec has a habit of two things apparently, making wishes while going through yellow lights and driving poorly sometimes both at the same time, thus we have another version of time travel. An enjoyable enough take on girl marries wrong guy but does the one that's right for her have a chance to un-do her vows? Is there enough magic to straighten out everyone's lives and make things right? The leads are Jennifer Westfeldt as the forgiving girlfriend not-yet-bride and David Sutcliffe as the make-a-wish true love. That being said, this is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours with commercials thrown in. I give this presentation 9 out of 10 only because there are very few 10's and hopefully when a 10 comes along, I'll know it. Watch and enjoy. Don't over analyze this work. Don't look for short-comings and you'll find yourself getting into this little story of 3 days of man racing to woo his true love.

Elevator Girl (2010 TV Movie)

This elevator chance meeting turns serious.

[8/10 · 24 February 2013]

I had to review this for a couple of reasons. Maybe Lacey Chabert will never be an Oscar winner, but that's OK. What she does well is take parts in small enjoyable to watch television "movies". Ryan Merriman (jonathon) and Lacey Chabert (Liberty) meet and become somewhat acquainted on a stuck elevator. What ensues is a helped along courtship and also one with some naysayers. One of the reviewers must have fallen asleep not to have understood the ending..I must throw in a spoiler here in that the other reviewer couldn't understand the elevator opening with Liberty wearing a necklace on when she didn't enter with one. Well let's face it..it's not moments or minutes after the elevator doors closed but weeks or months later, and what better way to start off together than the same way they met, the elevator..this time it's opening as they are getting married. The one reason I gave this a 8 out of 10 is that I just found it hard to believe he would have been made partner so young..usually it takes ten years to get that far up the ladder..but 26-ish is a little much..but they made a good couple, there was good chemistry, it was plausible, the secretary was a treat, and the situations where he was out of his element,ie..the birthday party were realistic..I do recommend this as a sweet diversion on a late Saturday afternoon. Enjoy the chemistry..

The Seven Year Hitch (2012 TV Movie)

Love can come calling even disguised and seven years late.

[9/10 · 23 February 2013]

This is a quirky, charming unexpected delight.I'd like to say it is predictable, but it isn't. The characters surprise you in some ways. There are some people even in today's world that remain in their childish ways,refusing to accept responsibility for anything in their life. Darren Brooks is one young man who never stepped up to accept the fact that everyone around him has grown up and moved forward. His childhood friend is successful and being the life-long friend she has always been offers him her place to crash at until he "finds himself" Fast forward. And seven years have gone by. George Wendt from Cheers lives next door and your childhood friend has grown into a beautiful young woman, Natalie Hall. Just when she is about to marry is when our slacker begins to see what he's been missing in his life, even though she's been there the whole time. It is told around the world every day in hundreds of other people's lives..Love can be standing in front of you. You just have to open your eyes.You could be surprise. Good TV movie and a good two hours well spent.

Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)

You've got to follow the saxophone to it's final conclusion.

[10/10 · 22 February 2013]

I have loved this film for the last forty or so years.If it's on or I know it's going to be on,I'll make time to watch. One of the few movies where you will be sucked in from the very opening shots.It's a shame James Gleason didn't win as Best Supporting Actor. He played the mostly compassionate, caring and befuddled Max Corkle to perfection, and the last looks on his face when he realizes that "Joe" doesn't remember is classic. Donald MacBride should have some kind of mention as the detective searching for a body ("Where's the body?") or playing the suspicious hotel manager in Cary Grant-Irene Dunne's masterpiece His Favorite Wife.The man had facial expressions unequaled in today's Hollywood. Gleason was under-appreciated as an actor. Catch him as taxi driver in The Bishop's Wife. As far as a film full of treasures, this is the one to hold on to and treasure. Every single performance is a joy and done to perfection and not the least of which is Robert Montgomery's quick change between characters. Not only do I suggest watching but buying and sharing it with another generation of movie lovers.