Reviews

This was a little surprise recent movie for me..... Considering, I've been watching so many newly released junk, cranking from Hollywood these days....... I mean, to the point, where I was just simply hopeless, wondering, if Hollywood was ever gonna make anymore decent, quality films, ''which made sense''...... I found ''Up At The Villa'' a consistent film, which held on to my attention..... Kristin Scott Thomas plays her role very well.... Her character was believable thru out, and her acting, natural...... Although, I kinda found this film, pretentious at times, involving upper class europeans etc...... Very typical, or maybe just the way, the movie is presented..... Sometimes, the film is too talky, especially, w/ scenes between Kristin & Sean Penn...... Sean Penn, is probably the entire film's, most miscast actor...... He seems so detached from the movie, like he dropped in from somewhere else...... He doesn't have much chemistry w/ Kristin, and their relationship, isn't believable..... It's not even about Sean's physical appearance, but the way her carries himself, and his gestures, when he talks, sounding like he's some rebellious hitman, or druglord, or ganster...... whatever..... As much as he tried to belong, I think, this is not the type of film suitable for him..... I don't even know, why he accepted it, to begin w/....... As such a reputable decent actor, playing an unconvincing role like this, just downgrade's his status......

I guess, I've never been much a fan of sci-fi, futuristic, techno movies....... Although, this film is interesting at first, then, it starts to get confusing, and I got lost....... Especially, when I couldn't care less about most of the characters, when they seem just as robotic, as the movie iteself......! I dislike cold movies, where characters role display no emotions, or care for much about anything....... We are human beings, and we have emotions, and I would appreciate if they display those characters in movies........ It was especially funny, seeing police chasing Tom Cruise, while wearing some sort of flying engine, that allows them to fly......... They just looked silly....... Tom Cruise gives his usual creditable performance....... I would recommend this movie, if you like sci-fi, techno films, and robotic characters........

The drop-dead gorgeous gown, (you all know, which one I'm talking about) that Joan Crawford wears in this film, is probably the best gown ever designed in Hollywood..... (really the greatest trend in hollywood history) Joan Crawford wears it with such class, and elegance...... Hollywood could never make such a film nowadays....... (everything has gone from tasteless, to trash) Now, about the movie itself...... I would say, that it's an above average movie, although nothing really outstanding about the story...... Evidently, the high fashion display outshine the movie itself....... (at times, I felt the movie was a fashion showcase)Nevertheless, Crawford & Montgomery, are the great team duo...... Crawford chic, and beautiful never looked lovelier, and Montgomery his usual handsome, dashing self....... Recommended for both Crawford & Montgomery fans.

Goodness, I can't believe, I'm saying this, but Garbo is good in ''Conquest''...... Here I was, complaining the other day, about Garbo's ''Inspiration'', and saying the only good performance she ever gave was in ''Ninotchka''...... I take that back now, so far, her good performances are given in both ''Ninotchka'' & ''Conquest''...... Garbo & Boyer displays well blend chemistry together...... (a surprise, since this is their only movie together) However, it's Boyer who carries off, and holds the movie together, w/ his charm & wit...... (during some flat spots) You could see, that Garbo is responsive to Boyer's performance/character, unlike her usual ''I want to be alone'' self...... What's more stunning, is Garbo smiles in this movie..... (more than once too!) That's enough good shock for me...... We do see a rare, lighthearted Garbo here, just like in ''Ninotchka''...... I would even say, that Boyer is Garbo's best co-star so far..... Charles Boyer & Melvyn Douglas......

''Inspiration'' is no doubt dated, but that's not the only failure of this film....... The plot also does much to ruin the film...... First of all, there is absolutely NO chemistry between Garbo & Montgomery to speak of...... The plot of how they met, and fell for each other, makes no sense, and is totally unbelievable...... They both looked bored with each other, throughout the film, and not to mention, putting the audiences to sleep...... It seems as though, they weren't even in the same movie together...... ''Inspiration'' only adds to my confusion, about what made Garbo such a superstar.....? Most of Garbo's performances are slow, sluggish & dated (with a minor exception of ''Ninotchka'') Otherwise, every Garbo's performance, is the same performance..... Same acting, same pace...... In my opinion, the most overrated, and undeservingly legendary actress of all time....... Watch this film, is you're really, really serious fans of Garbo & Montgomery...... Even so, you'll be disappointed......

''Untamed'' surprised & delighted me, in the way, that I've never seen Joan play such a sassy, upbeat role before...... It's totally different from all her other roles, and I don't think, she played another similar part after...... Joan plays her part ''Bingo'', so charmingly & adorably...... (in a way, naive & innocent) It's really not something, Joan fans are used to watching...... This proves again, Joan's versatility, and her capability to do comedy...... Even though, certain parts in ''Untamed'' were silly & offbeat...... I really didn't seem to care, or really noticed it...... Because, Joan & Robert Montgomery had such marvelous chemistry together..... (It's always a refreshing & fun experience watching them every time) They had so much give and take, in their scenes together....... ''Untamed'' is obviously dated, but in a classy, old fashioned way...... What ''Untamed'' has, that other same genre movie lacks today is, ''classy romance''....... I recommend Joan & Robert Montgomery fans to check out this movie...... Really wished Joan & Robert could've made movies together...... They're simply superb, each time they team together......

Well, that should sum up, how I feel about CTHD...... CTHD is a disgrace, to HK Films...... It's even more unbelievable, for Chinese audiences to understand, why it won Oscars.....!!! Let's just call it a MIRACLE!!! Supposedly, what's ''so-called'' NEW to foreign audiences, is what I've been watching, ever since I was born, and that's over 20 years ago......!!! I feel especially sorry, for Chow Yun Fat to be a part of this crap..... Since, he's such a major icon, and wonderful actor in HK...... Plus, Chow Yun Fat was never suitable for period costumes roles in HK films...... Chow Yun Fat has ruined his reputation, as well as his HK film credits, w/ this piece of trash...... The costumes, and art direction looked soooo...... awful & tasteless.......!!! (with the exception of two, Zhang Ziyi's costume in her first scene, and her red wedding costume. They were acceptable) Please believe me, when I say, there are 1000x better period costume dramas, and series in HK...... I swear to GOD!!! The only deserving award for CTHD, is the Cinematography...... Otherwise, NOTHING!!!

I had high expectations for CTHD, when I heard all the good reviews...... I mean, how often do film critics compliment a movie.....??!! Geez, I should've known better...... This movie, is only surprising for foreign audiences...... I have never, ever walked out of a movie, before it ends, but CTHD made me do it...... This is such a dull, and boring movie...... Why the hell, does it have to be so dramatic......??!! It didn't make sense, when they included one comedic scene, when it seems so misplaced.......

I don't care, if I'm Chinese, this movie is horrible......!!! It's such an insult..... Some of the wire scenes, looked so fake.......! I just feel so sorry, that CTHD won Awards....... I feel sorry, for the Academy, that gave out the Awards..... This movie doesn't even deserve 1% of it's recognition, and I can't emphasize that any more....... I'm sure, many HK moviegoers, who are familiar w/ much, much better HK fantasy period costume drama, will agree w/ me that this movie is a piece of garbage, beyond words.......

I was surprised, that ''The Secret Fury'' was an enjoyable good film...... Probably because, I didn't have any expectations for this movie..... Though, the film does have it's plot holes..... I would say, that you couldn't guess who was behind the whole scheme, until the very end of the movie..... At first, I thought, it was Robert Ryan, using the same method, like ''Gaslight'' where husband tries to drive his wife mad, but I was wrong...... The main problem, with the movie is, they drive at a whole other direction, which gave no clues at the beginning...... I thought, Robert Ryan & Claudette Colbert carried their parts well...... Plus, Vivian Vance, a fine character actress, who steals scenes in this one...... Those who like movies, that keeps you guessing, will like this one......

Maid's Night Out is a delightful little romantic comedy....... No grand performances, or breakthrough's here, but it's a fun little movie...... Especially, for Joan Fontaine fans..... Joan's very pretty, and cute in this film...... I recommend this, for Joan fans, and those who are looking for a lighthearted film..... I'm glad, there's TCM channel, that shows these lost treasures......

I would say, that I enjoyed this movie, to a certain extent..... Because, it was romantic, touching, and it starred Robert Montgomery...... One of my fave actors, from the golden age...... He, and Helen Hayes had pleasant chemistry in this movie...... Right beside, Joan Crawford, as his best leading ladies....... Their likable chemistry, almost managed to distract me, from how dated, and old fashioned this movie was..... Which is the main reason, why the film didn't succeed in all ways...... Also, there were poor, dull, dated performances, from the miscast actor, who played Ellis, Vanessa's insane husband, and the barmaid woman...... There were some parts, that were unnecessary for the story, and made no effect anyway....... For example, about Robert Montgomery marrying the barmaid woman..... Many situations happened too quickly, like when Vanessa gets angry w/ Benjie, and then forgives him so quickly....... The film could've been stretched longer...... Otherwise, for those who enjoy romance movies, this is worth a look...... I also look forward, to watching other Robert & Helen Hayes movies soon......

I was looking forward to this movie..... Since, I heard all the praise on this site..... Needless to say, I was disappointed, and I think it was because I had expectation in Bette Davis's acting, and even though this is the first comedy, I've seen her in...... I thought, she could pull it off...... Throughout the movie, Bette acts as though she was in a drama, instead of a comedy..... She says her lines, in absolute witless, and charmless style...... Instead, in a serious, grouchy kind of manner...... (which is her usual style) Overall, Bette's acting was too serious, and her face was hardened most of the time...... She could've eased up a lot...... I have heard comments, that say neither Bette Davis, or Joan Crawford could do comedy...... Believe me, Joan Crawford apparently, has more comedic talent than Bette Davis...... Joan may not be the best comedy actress, but she does displays charm, and wittiness fairly well in her comedic roles....... Robert Montgomery did well, and provided most (all) of the charm, and humor in this movie, next to the stoned Bette Davis...... Their chemistry together was okay...... Though, I must admit, they appear rather odd as a couple...... I think, we'll all prefer that Bette sticks to her dramatic roots......

''Rage in Heaven'' wasn't a bad movie, but it wasn't good either...... I'm not sure, if it's because of the story, or because of the actors performances...... Ingrid Bergman was fine...... You could tell, that she tried to make the best of it, but there was NO chemistry at all, between her and Robert Montgomery, George Sanders...... Montgomery looks tired, and seems to be sleepwalking through the movie...... He downplayed his mentally disturbed character too much...... He seemed more alert, towards the last half of the film...... From what I read, in Ingrid Bergman's autobiography, she said, that Montgomery was forced to do this movie, so he told her, that he won't act..... That probably explains his bored looks in the movie...... Overall, could've been a better movie, if they rearranged the cast or something.......

Gosh, I just luv ''Three's Company''.....!!! My fave TV show of all time!!! No wonder, it's the most popular show, of the 70's-80's..... I think, the reason it was so successful, was because the storyline, was fresh, smart, and funny..... Even when you watch it today, you don't feel, that it's outdated or anything..... Also, because the plot was simple, it wasn't pretending, to be anything else...... It just brings you, continuous fun, and laughter..... Plus, a great comedic cast, John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers, Priscilla Barnes & Don Knotts, who deserves all the credit, for their great comedic timing..... It was a team, that collaborated perfectly...! I could watch this show, over and over again, and it still brings me, non-stop laughter.....

First, I have to admit, that ''The Uninvited'' wasn't as scary, as I thought it would be, but it's definitely a 1st class spooky movie..... This is how, a good horror movie should be made, with thrills & chills, not with blood & gore.... Which makes you sick, rather than scared..... I really liked, how the film combined horror with romance, which created a relationship between Ray Milland & Gail Russell, and was totally convincing..... I also liked, how Ray Milland & Ruth Hussey's characters were portrayed.... Something I didn't expect, was that Ray & Ruth had charming & witty personalities, which adds some brightness to the film..... Without it being, down-right dark..... The only expressions, people usually see in horror movies, are serious, tense & terrified looks..... Like, they knew what was going to happen, before it happened....! Great performances all around...... Especially, Ray Milland & Ruth Hussey.... Also, Gail Russell is absolutely lovely...... Those who like, genuine horror movies..... This is a must-see!

This is the first, Desi & Lucy movie I've seen, and it was a pleasant surprise!!!!!! I really enjoyed this movie!!!!!! Desi & Lucy are great together.... It's full of fun & laughter.... If you're not looking, for anything deep, this movie's for you.... This movie also, defined typical 50's America..... With Lucy, wearing those neat 50's flare dresses..... But, this movie gave me creeps, about buying a trailer.... After, one bizarre situation, after another..... One of the funniest scene, had Lucy cooking in the trailer, while it was moving..... Also, the scene, driving up the 8,000 ft. mountain.....

Cary Grant & Ingrid Bergman are my favorite movie couple, of all time!!! They have undeniable chemistry together. I wish, they could've done many more movies. ''Indiscreet'' is a very enjoyable, and delightful film. Any fans of Cary & Ingrid must see! Though, the script is not as interesting, as ''Notorious''. Cary & Ingrid's presence, makes that seem invisible. Neither, Cary nor Ingrid, looked 10 years older, since their last collaboration in ''Notorious''. What makes, their teaming so meaningful. Is the fact, that Cary & Ingrid are close friends in real life. Cary has commented, that Ingrid is one of his favorite leading ladies. In 1957, Cary also accepted the Oscar for Ingrid, as Best Actress. ''Indiscreet'' is probably, Ingrid's first US comedy, and proves she's a very versatile actress. She's very sweet, and charming in this movie. Not to mention, funny. Unlike some actresses, who are in comedies, but still acts like, they're in drama. Cary, was debonair and suave, as usual. What surprised me, was that he looked younger, than when he was in ''To Catch a Thief''! Which was made earlier. One reason could be, the pairing with Ingrid. The bedroom scene in ''Indiscreet'' is most memorable. Ingrid, shows-off her comedic ability. I just can't, get enough of Cary & Ingrid, they were superb in ''Notorious'', but because of the plot, their relationship seemed bittersweet. ''Indiscreet'', makes up for that, the characters are warm, funny and romantic. Most importantly, Cary & Ingrid looks gorgeous in Technicolor!!!

Cary Grant & Ingrid Bergman are my favorite movie couple, of all time!!! They were so great together, I wished they could've done many more movies. ''Indiscreet'' is a very enjoyable, and delightful film. Any fans of Cary & Ingrid must see! Neither, Cary nor Ingrid, looked 10 years older, since their last collaboration in ''Notorious''. This is probably, Ingrid's first US comedy, and proves she's a very versatile actress. She's so sweet, and charming in this movie. Not to mention, funny. Unlike some actresses, who are in comedies, but still acts like, they're in drama. I just can't get enough of Cary & Ingrid, they were superb in ''Notorious'', but because of the plot, their relationship seemed bittersweet. ''Indiscreet'', makes up for that, the characters are warm, funny and romantic. Most importantly, Cary & Ingrid looks gorgeous in Technicolor!!!