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Reviews
Joe Gould's Secret (2000)
A bravura performance by Ian Holm
A bravura performance by Ian Holm. An honest treatment of a subject long avoided by Hollywood; namely, homelessness, poverty and mental illness and society's indifference to these problems; more prevalent than society would like to admit. Ian Holm's performance, aside from such legendary performances of Charlie Chaplin, Laurence Olivier, Lillian Gish, Orson Welles, John Gielgud, ranks with Paul Scofield in "A Man for All Seasons", Roz Russell in "Mame", Kate Hepburn in "Summertime" & "African Queen"(H. Bogart includ.)Sophia Loren in "Two Women", Anthony Quinn in "Zorba the Greek", Rex Harrison in "My Fair Lady". Greg Peck in "To Kill a Mockingbird", Jack Lemmon in "Days of Wine and Roses" & "Some Like it Hot"(T. Curtis incl);James Cagney in "1,2,3; Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia", Edith Evans in "The Whisperers" etc. etc.(I'm sure many other actors have been left out over the course of my 60 yrs. of going to the movies). I rate this movie an 8 out of 10.
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
One of the most perfect movies ever made
How could this movie not rate a 10. One of the most perfect movies ever made, from Fred Zinneman's direction to the opening credits and George Delarue's music. What a stellar cast. Paul Scofield's lines are pure poetry. All other actors perfect in this perfect movie
The Hurricane (1999)
Careful observation of criminal car would have set him free
A fine film with excellent acting by all. Denzel proves a superb actor playing African-American heroes and prominent personalities. Careful observation and a knowledge of cars would have set "Hurricane" free immediately. In the movie, the criminals' car was a Ford Thunderbird. Hurricane's car was a Dodge or a Chrysler. It should not have been enough to identify the criminals' car as just light colored. The criminals' car should have been identified by brand name.The movie was also a profound lesson in racism and bigotry; especially shocking by a corrupt police department whose job is to protect society.
Lola rennt (1998)
A thrilling work of art. Most original and imaginative.
A thrilling work of art. Most imaginative and original.Never let's you fall asleep. One of the best movies I've seen in the last 10 years. Has a Joycean (Ulysses)character. Has parallels to "The Swimmer", a movie Burt Lancaster made about 25 or 30 years ago from a short story by John Cheever.
Dear Heart (1964)
Charming comedy of an affair
"Dear Heart" is on of the most charming comedies of a marital affair since "An Affair to Remember" (1959) with Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr. Soft, sensitive and subtle acting by Glenn Ford and Geraldine Page with Angela Lansbury as an excellent foil. It is a classic (a "sleeper" in 1964). It can be seen on AMC. It is always fresh and constantly enjoyable to watch which are the ingredients of a classic.
Hilary and Jackie (1998)
Wonderful surprises about Jacqueline Du Pre's life in film
"Hilary and Jackie" provided wonderful surprises about the life of Jacqueline Du Pre which I could never have imagined existed. Just knowing her through recordings I viewed her like George Washington on Mount Rushmore. The film brought her to life and removed all preconceptions and misconceptions about her and her sister, Hilary. An absorbing and beautiful film with Oscar worthy performances of Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths.
A Price Above Rubies (1998)
Nice seeing Kim Hunter & John Randolph
A pleasant little story. Nice mixture of multi-cultures; also new actors with veterans like Kim Hunter and John Randolph, who I did not recognize as the rabbi.
Brooklyn Bridge (1991)
One of the very best TV series ever
How predictable and unfortunate that CBS took "Brooklyn Bridge" off the air-an "oasis" in the desert of television-one of the very best television series that ever existed. How fortunate that Bravo (on cable) has picked it up. What a treat to watch something as alive and vital as this series is-something not "canned" and contrived as most television is today.
Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998)
Excellent Derek Jacobi-Fine inside look at a major artist.
Derek Jacobi is the finest English actor in the world-succeeding Laurence Olivier , John Gielgud. Paul Scofield & Alec Guinness. The role of Francis Bacon solidifies this claim and adds interest and color to his total work. This film is a fine portrait of the inner psyche of this great English painter.