Change Your Image
gideonlp
Reviews
First Invasion: The War of 1812 (2004)
On Canadian's comments
I enjoyed this docudrama. I am now 80 and went to universities for my degrees back in the 1940/50 era. At that time we had more class coverage in history of the early days of the US. I do remember the War of 1812 being covered, but not as much as given in this presentation. Now as I read the comments of the Canadian, it is apparent that his emotions are getting the best of his judgment and feelings for understanding the realities. Of note is the attrition of the forces in the line charging and slaughter of the front rows as they advance. Modern armies would never do that sort of charging, at least not since the British tried charging the German lines that way, almost, in the Great War (known today as World War I). Historical events are now past, emotions for the most part are healed. Taking sides to belittle any part in the events past is ridiculous and will never change what happened.
Aimee Semple McPherson (2006)
Sister Aimee as I remember her
Wow, what a story! But then that is just about all it is is a story loosely based on real facts, as I perceive them. I was born in 1928. My mother was really smitten by Sister Aimee, and she became from the 1920's a very devoted member of the church. She was the guide for visitors to the temple from 1930's to the 1970's. She worked in the office and did lots of other activities for the Church. Myself, I went to Sunday school at the Temple, and worked with the stage crew in setting up the monthly illustrated sermon settings, and performed in many of them, from the late 1930's till just after her death when I went to the Navy. I even played the kettle drums when the regular drummer did not show up for services. I knew her personally as well as Rolf and his daughter. So what? Well, first of all the producers might have taken a little more care in providing the correct uniforms for Sister and the others shown. I have never seen her in anything other than the white nurses uniforms and capes with the large shield like tie and never saw low cuts to show cleavage. The actress was so far off the natural voice of Sister, she was squeaky and high pitched. Sister to my recollection did not have that high pitch during her sermons. All in all the movie was not that bad as far as it went; although much of the conversations in private must be in the writer's imagination. I remember well the day it was announced that she was dead. Within those who were a part of the Four Square religion anywhere, the shock might be comparable to that on the day JFK was shot.
Lil' Bush: Resident of the United States (2007)
My comments on Lil Bush
I am marking this as a "spoiler" only because of some of my comments of the show's content, not to the content itself.
As I read the comments it is apparent that those Republicans somehow tolerate the show, but disdain it, while the Democrats seems to relish in its so called truthfulness. One reader even (so it seems) actually indicates that he believes these events did or could have happened when Bush was in grade school.
But as to the content as I see it, trying to be neutral, is that the group that made this series must actually be really Bush haters. In the Episode that I saw last, s02e03, it showed that the program must have been put together long before McCain became the front runner for the nomination; because, the other former front runners are all featured.
Another thing that caught my attention, was the use of add in closets. I thought that the series must have been made in Europe of for sure not in the U.S.A., because I know of no home the U.S.A. that does not have built in closets, and most likely in the homes of the artists.
As I watch the show, yes I do get caught up in it, I am amazed to see what must be a terrific desire of the writers to do what they can to embarrass our President. Sure there are problems as most American will agree, but that is no reason to be so hateful in public displays seen around the world. Perhaps the trend has now been set by this show and network, so that IF Obama or Hillary got in, would they continue to produce and air the same sort of "humor" about them?
Just one more comment on a commentator's remarks. IF there had been some sort of change in the election back in 2000, according to that writer, he was so sure that there would be a completely different acceptable president. Wow, wishful thinking on his part. As far as 911 events, I do believe that it was set in motion back when Clinton was president, and I can't see how if Gore was president anything would be much different.
Hell's Kitchen (2005)
Wonderful experiences
I am not sure if this is a spoiler, but since I give a way the winners, it must be. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the first season. I just had to get the second, and the third. Like many others, it is hard for me to conceive of these contestants actually running these big hotel facilities. However, it is obviously being done with the one woman in Season 2. I thought in season 1 that the winner gave up the chance for his own restaurant in exchange for a chance to go to London and work with Gordon, to become a super chef. In Season 3, he is shown running his own restaurant. All in all I am looking forward to season 4, and 5 if they do go. I fully recommend it.
Telephone Operator (1937)
Flood Scenes
I lived through the great flood in the San Fernando Valley of 1937. I even have some 16 mm home movies that my dad took in the big flood basins that now have the flood control dams. As I see this movie, I see what may be scenes from the same disaster. After all, I am sure that the studios in the area had lots of cameramen out taking movies for possible, and here is one, movies that could use those background scenes. The city scenes could easily have been the streets in Van Nuys and the fast flowing water along the Los Angeles River, which at that time was not the pretty looking concrete channel that it is now in the 2000's. We even have a movie showing a Whippet automobile in the flooded area; we jokingly remark that it was a bigger car and that it had shrunk in the flood.
Velikaya bitva na Volge (1963)
Story of the volga
I do agree with the comments of the critic. However, I have been to Stalingrad, now Volgograd (also Volgagrad). This film story of what had happened,according to the Soviet's view, is what the people of today in the area admire and revere. The monuments are enormous. Anyone who is interested in the WWII should see this one as it well depicts the events and activity from the Soviet's point of view. The movie about Stalingrad and the news footage we saw in the US at the time did not come close to showing what this film did. Volgograd has fully recovered from the war, and has left a few structures as they were at the end of the war as a memorial and reminder of the events that happened. The huge statue and mausoleum have a constant flow of people, mostly school groups of kids from all over Russia.
Zis Boom Bah (1941)
Zis-Boom-Bah was made in 1941, remember that
It is a shame that some of the critics of these films fail to take into account the time period when they were made. It seems they try to evaluate them according to the skills and talent of the 2007 era. I find this movie very entertaining, and for the time when made quite appropriate. I went to the movies back in those days and yelled and laughed just as much as the rest of the audience, never once trying to find something wrong with the acting or screenplay. Take for instance the fact that the singing was fully understandable and made sense, as compared to much of the music today with repetitious unintelligible singing by mostly non well trained singers. Of course this is my opinion. As to the tap dancing, I do not remember seeing any of that skill lately.
The Greeks Had a Word for Them (1932)
Critics of 2007 do not share same thoughts as those of 1932
I read with interest the comments of the critic for "Three Broadway Girls." Then I saw the movie. I must say that in accordance with the critic's 2007 standards, he was quite correct in his analysis. However, I am now 80 years old and remember the pictures in those days fairly well. I would say that the critic must be in his 30's or 40's for he evaluates the content and acting with those skills of 2007. If he were a critic in 1932 or the 30's for that matter, I think he would find this a 'charming' bit of humorous story telling. I would offer that those who criticize motion pictures should take into account the era in which they were made, and NOT evaluate them with the 2007 era standards.