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The Ray Bradbury Theater: The Playground (1985)
Introduction by Ray Bradbury 1920-2012
The Ray Bradbury Theater Season 1 Episode 2 "The Playground"
Episode aired Jun 4, 1985
All grown-up Charles Underhill (William Shatner) must loosen his parental grip on his son. Yep, it is time to go to the "Playground". Unfortunately, Charles had a bad time thee as a child and does not want his son to experience the same.
He has to find a unique situation to exercise the playground demons. What and see how or if he does this.
We all know this series is cheap and has bad or no CGI. However, "The Playground" is very dark and could stan a flashlight or two.
Take time to see the real Shatner in Shatner in Space (2021).
Julie & Julia (2009)
Half of the movie was great
A woman with no direction in a dead-end job in life, takes to cooking and blogging as an escape. This disrupts what little family life she has. As a standard formula movie this has been done better.
Another story overlapping is that of Julia; she also is searching for meaning in life and finds she has a unique culinary skill and panache for the violent processing of food. This is quite fun viewing.
I immensely enjoyed the interspersed sections that display Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and her husband Paul Child (Stanley Tucci) as you could see their enthusiasm and depth of acting. This could have been a great docudrama. The one-dimensional tripe if the interspersed Julie Powell (Amy Adams) could have been left out and nothing would have been missed.
I have only seen the Blu-ray and cannot compare it to other forms of media. For the people interested in the media the special features contend the standard as a commentary with Writer/Director Nora Ephron. One advantage is you can fast forward with sound through the Julie parts.
See an early Stanly Tucci as Muerte in Undercover Blues (1993).
Father Brown (2013)
It is quite fun trying to outguess Father Brown
Mark Williams plays father Brown in this series based on G. K. Chesterton's books. I cannot tell you how close this comes to the books themselves as I have not read them yet.
Each episode is a complete story in itself where we meet the characters, build up the mystery, try to second-guess father Brown, and wrap up in the end. The ending of his stories is not that neatly wrapped as he usually leaves it to the culprit to do the right thing.
John Light plays Hercule Flambeau (Father Brown's friend); he is advertised throughout the DVD but does not show up for several episodes.
I have to admit that several times on my first viewing I had to stop and think about where I have seen the actor(s) before.
As with many series, there are guest actors. Some of the guest actors show once and others are peppered throughout the series.
The quality of each story varies widely so there will be some favorites and some duds depending on what you want to see. The production itself looks quite inexpensive and locations and production sets. The quality of the recording leaves something to be desired; I am not sure if it is the original recording or the media. In any case, you will be so wrapped up in the story that you will care about the production quality.
As with any series the character mix changes over time. Some of your favorites may disappear. Yet again you may find new favorites.
Chronicle (2012)
Great Blu-ray - the credits were exceptional
Many people watch superpower hero movies. Quite a few have read the comic books behind most of them. And of course, speculate as to what it would be like if you had the powers.
Put on a towel and jump off the roof. It is much more thrilling than this movie. I suppose it is a popular gimmick nowadays, but "Blair Witch" movies do not thrill me. If you enjoy this type of presentation, then definitely watch the movie "Apollo 18" it is just as hokey.
Three teens (Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan) fall in a hole. It is too bad they did not stay there. Of course, if they had we would not have much of a movie I guess, such that it is. Then came the proverbial powers. It is not so bad watching them struggle with their newfound abilities, but having to watch it on a phony homemade movie genre is more than one can take. You can guess the outcome before it starts; so, you better enjoy these people throwing objects around and throwing more objects around and throwing more objects around until they run at objects that are around.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Keeps making the dumbest decisions.
The movie is a series of dumb decisions by the protagonist Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander.)
The story and the people barely fit the Toom Raider formula. However, there is lots of action, many subplots, and a cliffhanger ending.
The basic story is Lara's father, Richard Croft (Dominic West) is missing and presumed dead. Lara has a different take on the situation and goes hunting for her father that was hunting for an evil Chinese queen.
Will she find him?
Will the evil Queen get her revenge?
Will an evil cabal find Lara?
Will this ever end?
Alicia Vikander said that it only took three weeks after filming ended to lose all the muscle mass she'd gained for the role. We all know what happens when you suddenly sop exercising. All that flappy skin.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
A formula, fair formula but formula
This is an entertaining film that looks like it was made as filler while the actors looked for something to do. Robin Williams who did a good job of playing Osric in "Hamlet" (1996), does an average job in this movie. You could almost substitute Eddie Murphy and got the same results. It is good to see Sally, Field "Absence of Malice" (1981), as she is not in too many movies nowadays. I believe that Pierce Brosnan is in his element and adds much to the movie's success.
The highlight of the movie is Robin in drag tosses fruit at Pierce. The trailers for this movie like to show Robin's fake frontal accouterments going up in flames.
The Tempest (2010)
A cinematic adaptation of the classic play by William Shakespeare
Prospera, once the Duke of Milan and sorceress now reigns over a faraway island, living there with her daughter, Miranda. After 12 years of being abandoned, she has an opportunity for revenge. However, the ships may bring more than she planned on.
It is impossible to have lived in the cinematic world and not come across any other productions by Julie Taymor. With each of her productions, she does not copy but uniquely enhances the originals. In this case, we have quite a few deviations. However, as long as you are aware of the original play you can appreciate the deviations. Prospero is replaced by Prospera (Helen Mirren) one of the greatest actresses of our time. Julie's approach is different but does not go off the deep end and re-create a whole new story; as the story is just enhanced by dynamic technology and cinematic capabilities not available in earlier productions. And naturally, a mother-daughter story will have some different outlook than a father-daughter story.
The only drawback is the curt runtime forcing some reduction in dialog and addition of references.
Added plusses of course first include Helen Mirren. Also, the location (various untreaded locations in Hawaii) is perfect. The underwater or through water scenes gave an ethereal feel.
The Ray Bradbury Theater: Marionettes, Inc. (1985)
Introduction by Ray Bradbury 1920-2012
The Ray Bradbury Theater Season 1 Episode 1 "Marionettes, Inc."
A computer salesman Braling (James Coco) is being over indulged by his wife (Jayne Eastwood.) She looks after is every need. She is clingy and constantly talking. For some unknown reason he is annoyed by this.
He constantly gets ads from "Marionettes, Inc." As they have a unique solution to Barling's annoying problem. So, a friend suggests that Braling visit "Marionettes, Inc.". So, he does.
Inter Mr. Fantoccini (Leslie Nielsen as a more sober character). Mr. Fantoccini has a unique solution that just happens to cost everything in Barling's account down to the last penny.
The solution is working better than expected so Barling confides in his friend, Crane (Kenneth Welsh.) Who also plans to make the purchase to find that his account is already at zero?
While back at the ranch... Oops Balding homestead a permanent solution to the Barling problem may be dispatched.
It is not like you could not guess this one. But id is fun to watch the execution.
The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985)
A series of short programs written by Ray Bradbury
Each of the 65 episodes divided into 6 seasons, pose the problem and solution in under 30 minutes.
As you hear the introduction you will recognize many of the novels the teleplays are based on.
We get many famous actors of the time period that the presentation from 1985 to 1992 are present in these productions. We even start off with Leslie Nielsen playing a straight man as in Forbidden Planet (1956) as opposed to the joke in Airplane! (1980).
Do not get distracted by the ancient technology as devices and transportation of the time. They have something called computers in some of the series.
You will need to watch them all to find your favorite. I can only imaging having to wait for each one for almost a decade.
Different episodes may be of different values to you but the series in general is top notch.
West Side Story (1961)
There's a place for us
"There's a place for us, a time and place for us. Hold my hand, and we're halfway there."
Music: Leonard Bernstein Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
And there is a movie for us. "West Side Story" is a classic on too many levels to describe here. Everything from the music to the choreography to the actors to...
One big plus is even if the storyline is a classic, they did not try to duplicate Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" with modern clothing. The movie still maintains the feel and action of the play.
This movie tells the story of two people Tony and Maria (Richard Beyer and Natalie Wood) from adverse backgrounds that fall in love. They must cope with their new feelings. And to complicate things they have trouble with their families and society. Will they overcome these things or will fate and circumstance thwart their efforts and tragedy arise?
I could write a book on what makes this movie great, but you should watch and judge for yourself.
There are several editions of this film. For Blu-ray viewers, be aware that this film was made decades before the 1080 concept.
Brave New World (1980)
Excellent rendition
A quote from THE TEMPEST ACT 5, SCENE 1, 181-184 by Shakespeare
Miranda:
O wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in't!
By "brave" she doesn't really mean "courageous," but rather "handsome" and "noble."
This presentation by writers Aldous Huxley, Robert E. Thompson, and Doran William Cannon is very close to the book by Aldous Huxley. They leave in all the jingles and Ayn Rand type speeches. They take their time without cutting corners.
Speaking about cutting corners I only saw the 3-hour presentation after being paired down by an hour from the four-hour presentation. Still, it is well played and the complete story is included.
I saw the 1998 version that was only 1hour and 27 minutes. That version has many popular actor names. This version has actors I recognize but did not remember their names. The advantage in this is that the actor does not outshine the character that he/she plays.
It did not distract so much as it was sort of funny when they used a mock up 747 interiors to pose as a luxury hotel room. I what one of those hotdog machines.
Again, they stuc pretty much to the story but I had fun knowing where the Shakespeare quotes came from as they were being spouted by John Savage (Kristoffer Tabori) and various quotes by Mustapha Mond (Ron O'Neal.)
Werewolves Within (2021)
A campy version of "And Then There Were None"
As with all movies based on video/board games, they are not the game but the characters are recognizable. This movie is way too campy to relate to the game. There are lots of one-liners, a tad too much potty mouth, and politically incorrect innuendo.
If they did not try to make it too funny it would have been a good movie as they did a good job of playing who-dun-it and everyone looks and could be the wolf if there is one. All the characters are a tad unreal but that is to match the game (too bad they had to match.)
The highlight is that the movie has Lily Adams the AT&T girl in it, and Milana Vayntrub plays Cecily Moore the postal girl in this movie; she looks good in uniform.
The basic story is that in the small town of Beaverfield, the residents are divided over letting a pipeline go through their area. To this town came a few new people including the Person in charge of selling the pipeline and a new ranger.
Through a series of weather mishaps, the town is isolated. Now, something is amiss. It seems that people are being dispatched and the little dog too. As things heat up it looks as though they do not have to worry as much about mysterious forces as they are more susceptible to dispatch each other.
Of course, it is always the last person you suspect. Hopefully.
Werewolf: The Beast Among Us (2012)
Even a man who is pure in heart...
"Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright."
If you are into were creatures and the undead then this movie is right up your alley.
It appears that there is a creature much more than your standard werewolf causing havoc or a sort of plague. To this town comes unique bounty hunters. They are so intriguing that a local boy wants to join them and get some of the action.
This movie has a Syfy channel feel.
Will they find the beast before the whole town becomes beast chow?
If not is there a greater danger?
Lycanthropus (1961)
A misnomer should have been "Werewolf in a girl's reformatory"
(AKA): Bei Vollmond Mord (Austria) / The Ghoul in School / Ghoul in a Girl's Dormitory (USA) / I Married a Werewolf / Monster Among the Girls (USA). The original title was "Lycanthropus."
This is supposed to be a disease brought on by a full moon but for those in the know, Lycanthrope is just another name for "werewolf."
Expecting a hairy James Belushi in Technicolor, I was surprised to find that this is a dubbed biting Italian film dredged up from the golden age of Italian horror films to be a pretender to today's cult classics.
The film is B&W and takes place in an Italian castle that is being used as a girls' reformatory. The girls picked for this film were chosen for their tasty looks and include Barbara Lass who was Roman Polanski's first wife (1959-62). There are many other well and not so well known actors. Joseph Mercer known as the Peter Lorre of Italian horror films plays the part of "Tommy the porter". Carl Schell is the brother of Maximilian Schell.
The title song "The Ghoul in School" was written by Marilyn Stewart, Frank Owens, and sung by Adam Keefe. However, most of the music is by Armando Trovajoli; Armando composed over 200 films and videos, many of them were Italian horror films.
The story opens up with Dr. Julian Olcott (Carl Schell) and is greeted at the gate by the limping sneaky looking Tommy the Porter (Joseph Mercer) and the porter's German Sheppard that does not appear too friendly. A young girl swoons at the sight of the Doctor. From here we are introduced to a bevy of babes (each with some sinister past) and a staff of extremely strange people in their way. Girls are being lured to the woods by cash. But shortly after the arrival of Dr. Olcott, one girl is dispatched. This, of course, is attributed to stray wolves. So did the girl go astray or the wolf or the supplier of cash or any of the other mysterious characters? It is up to her girlfriend Priscilla (Barbara Lass) that thinks her friend was murdered, and with the sometimes help of Director Swift (Curt Lowens) that wants to protect the school's reputation, to find if there is a perpetrator before someone else is dispatched.
Oops, too late.
We're No Angels (1955)
Morals abound
All three of these angels hold their own. (Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, and Peter Ustinov) they are "escaped convicts" from Devil's Island; each has an agenda of his own. But they get warped in the affairs of the family of a local general store owner. To add to the mix, it is the Christmas season. The story may not be unique but the way they play it out is both cute and funny.
Some annuals (Christmas season) wear out in time. This is one of those. However, it does not distract from the first few times of viewing.
We are very busy watching the major characters so it is easy to overlook the fact that this movie has many other good actors such as Leo G. Carroll, Basil Rathbone, Joan Bennett, Peter Ustinov, among others.
Who plays Adolph? We must never forget the protagonist.
Welcome to the Jungle (2013)
Van Damme is in a wheelbarrow doing bird calls
This movie is nothing more than it appears to be. A pansy knockoff of "Lord of the Flies." We know the formula and they do it to a tee. The only redeeming social value is Jean-Claude Van Damme; Jean-Claude Van Damme really adds character to the movie.
Dysfunctional office workers are sent for a two-day team-building course on a remote jungle island. There they become stranded. Their real personalities emerge. Can they survive as a team or is it the Lord of the flies all over again?
We get to pick our favorite characters while kibitzing a bit as we watch them having to deal with nature.
Be prepaid for a bit of potty mouth and slapstick.
Alien Avengers (1996)
We come in peace
You may recognize George Wendt as Norm Peterson from the TV series Cheers (1982).
A family is vacationing on a strange planet Earth. It is lovely with the exception that some of the natives have a negative attitude. So if a few of the natives get dismantled it is no big deal. The daughter Daphne is going native herself. This is a true love story.
This movie is a work of art. It has a shred of redeeming social value. So, move over Charles Bronson's Death Wish (1974) and see how vacationers George Wendt, Shanna Reed, and Anastasia Sakelaris correct the anti-social situation in a run-down area. I like their sweetness and light attitude, which mixes with their vast knowledge of the English language, which reminds me of The Stupids (1996).
If you liked this vacation movie you will like Out There (1995).
Welcome to Macintosh (2008)
A bunch of disjointed sound bites.
Yep, all we get is a bunch of soundbites from irrelevant people. Not one of them can finish a thought before being kicked off for someone else who cannot finish a thought.
There is no chronology or details or consistency, let alone documentary.
With all the excellent choices of personal and small business computers in the world Apple was just a side note. Now long after the Macintosh has turned into a doorstop, and Apple has moved on it would have been nice to see a real documentary of this forgotten era.
Macintosh has come and gone decades ago and if anyone remembers this or wants to remember this critter thar are a lot more places that give just the facts with out all the fluff.
Weird Woman (1944)
Part of the Inner Sanctum Mysteries 1943
Weird Woman 1944. A variation of Conjure Wife by Fritz Lieber that became a movie Night of the Eagle (1962).
Both movies have the main character named Norman as does the book. Some characters have the same last name.
Professor Norman Reed (as Lon Chaney) on a visit to a south seas island meets and marries the daughter of his old professor. The old professor died and the girl was brought up by a native spiritual leader.
He takes her back to the college he teaches at and becomes a great success with everyone except the woman he jilted.
Being logical and not a promoter of magic, finds his wife to be a conjurer and corrects her bad habits.
You can guess what happens next. The ending is a tad different then Fritz's book. Watch and see.
Weird Science (1985)
Check out the shower scene!
Here we have a movie that teaches us that anything is possible if we work at it hard enough and with a little luck. This was my first Kelly LeBrock movie and I can tell you that you do not have to be any certain age to appreciate her.
Lots of lessons are learned here by many people from different walks of life. Most people focus on the scene where Lisa is confronting Gary's parents, By the way commercial television really hacks this up and sometimes removes parts. Others like the run-in with Chet Donnelly (Bill Paxton). However, I will always carry with me the shower scene like the one I could personally relate to (especially the shot where the camera pulled back to reveal the occupant's attire).
You can compare this to movies like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) and "Sixteen Candles" (1984); however, those films have a more realistic chance of happening. This film is pure fantasy (or some sort of fantasy?)
See Kelly LeBrock again in "Wrongfully Accused" (1998) as Lauren Goodhue.
Wege zu Kraft und Schönheit - Ein Film über moderne Körperkultur (1925)
Loses something in the translation
The film is one big to go to the country and exercise project. It is a silent film and works much better silent than with the monotonous piano compliment.
Maybe I did not appreciate this film as I do not like to exercise and be reminded of it.
We get scenes on how healthy the Romans were with their Olympics. Then we have to sufferer through what looks like military drills even for women.
There are artistic dance scenes with historic value as the first appearance of Leni Riefenstahl. There is a hand full of birthday suit scenes. All the youngsters look malnourished. They may be healthy but it looks like they go from malnourished to looking chunky and touting spare tires.
Other than for historic value (I like to collect UFA) there is not much to redeem. That is unless you are an exercise fanatic.
Just a note the intertitles are in simple German and they stay up long enough to read and have time to interpret if you are not familiar.
The Great Dictator (1940)
Look up Hanna
"The soul of man has been given wings"
This movie is hyped up causing some sort of frenzy; someone calls it a classic or likes the thought that someone is mocked, and the next person repeats it until everyone gives this less than mediocre film a positive spin when reviewing it.
This is Chaplin way past his prime still trying to be a Keystone Cop and using mundane slapstick humor years after the film industry became more sophisticated. From the first scene you ask, "This is a top-star movie?" and it goes downhill from there. The sets are cardboard, and the camera is pretty much still.
If you like films that mock the era a much better production was rendered by Jack Benny and Carole Lombard in To Be or Not to Be (1942).
The basic story is of a dictator and a barber "that is not all there" getting their Identities crossed. Chaplin gets to play both parts. The only redeeming value of the movie is the acting of Henry Daniell who played Garbitsch. Then again, he is a veteran actor and can be seen in over 60 films including The Woman in Green (1945) as Prof. Moriarty.
All the people are exaggerated stereotypes (maybe on purpose) and this distracts from the story like having a musical with songs not related to the movie.
If you can make it to the end of the film, you get a long tedious speech in the style of Ayn Rand however not quite as good. "The sun shines and the wind blows."
Hollywood Homicide (2003)
Romper Room
All in all the story and plotline is very formula; there are good guys that are misunderstood and bad guys that are silly and scared. The good guys chase and chase and chase the bad guys. Will they catch the bad guys? Will the bad guys confess to unbelievable crimes? Or will just once the bad guys getaway. Don't hold your breath.
There is an added wrinkle as both Detective Joe Gavilan (Harrison Ford) and his rookie partner Kasey Calden (Josh Hartnett) take care of outside interests while in pursuit.
Meantime it is fun watching this almost cartoon-like execution, as they run past all the familiar landmarks that you may recognize out and about Los Angeles, California, USA:
Beverly Hills, Hollywood & Highland, Hollywood, Los Angeles Subway System, Mt. Olympus in Hollywood Hills, Pacific Palisades, Parker Center Police Headquarters -at 150 N. Los Angeles St., Parking Lot, L. A. P. D. Hollywood Station at 1358 Wilcox Ave., Santa Monica, Venice Canals, and Venice.
Weekend at Bernie's II (1993)
One of the better Zombie movies.
As with any sequel, the viewers of the original movie may be a tad disappointed because the formula may have changed some. However, this movie can stand alone as one of the outstanding zombie movies like "My Boyfriend's Back" (1993).
Seems we have not seen the last of Bernie. Turns out he embezzled a couple of million dollars and others are out to get it. Our old friends Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Jonathan Silverman), accused of being accomplices, found the key and once again are off to the islands. Meantime back at the ranch, Bernie is undergoing a voodoo process to track down the deposit box; this process leaves Bernie a dancing fool.
We Were Soldiers (2002)
Irresistibly watchable
Well, it is Mel all right; he started getting gung-ho with whit Braveheart (1995) hand has been gearing up ever since. The only problem I have with this movie is I cannot figure out what he has to say even when he tells you. With the probable exception of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), most war movies just use war as a backdrop to their main purpose as in Apocalypse Now (1979) (an updated Heart of Darkness (1993)). This movie has the look and feel of an updated "Green Berets" Pluck out John Wayne and plugin Mel.
We know the base story is of the stand-off of the NVA at Ia Drang in November 1965 against overwhelming odds, with a little help of superior technology. The uniforms and equipment look pretty authentic. The terrain was well done also; it could be the real thing as much as California. Not all of Vietnam is a swamp.
Even though there is a lot of action (more phosphorus than C4) this is not just a shootemup movie. They also focused on the wives back home, showing how they had to cope with the situation. There were also some cursory sub-stories as a combat photographer getting more than he expected.
I have the same conundrum as others do that has not been there. The Vietnam I was in (67-68) had a few firefights, but most of the time it was our spies against their spies and there was no front. When we tangled both sides lost an even average of 15% but if you could find them and drop something on them you got your 15% from a safe distance. I was in the special reactionaries and trained for just the situation this movie depicts. I was the RTO and was supposed to fight out and retake the base to not let the NVA get a foothold. However, it never came.
One thing you can say about this movie is that you will get involved and almost forget that it is a movie.