Change Your Image
jameslipski
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Psycho (1960)
Hitchcock Masterpiece!
Well it's Spooktober again and today I watched the classic 1960 film PSYCHO. This film directed by the genius Alfred Hitchcock stars Janet Leigh who goes on the run after stealing $40,000 from the company she works for. She ends up stopping for the night at an empty motel that is cared for by Anthony Perkins and his mother. The Bates Motel is a lonely and creepy place. This film brought horror to a new level as the main character is killed off 1/3 of the way into the movie. Actor Perkins was known in Hollywood as one of the nicest guys to work with. He nails the role of the mentally unstable Norman Bates. He is totally controlled by his domineering mother. This is a thriller murder mystery at its finest. This film has the famous shower scene and the reveal of Norman's mother is a terrifying shocker. The last scene of Norman sitting in a chair looking at the camera with the voice over, "she wouldn't hurt a fly" is a fantastic ending to this classic. Decades later several sequels were made and were enjoyable too.
The Car (1977)
Surprisingly creepy and entertaining
This film did surprise me. I consider it a "B" film that came out the same summer as STAR WARS so it was crushed at the box office. The music is perfect for the demon car that has no driver. For many years I had forgotten about it. But with on line streaming I rediscovered how much I enjoyed watching it. I now own a copy and have watched it many times. The storyline builds up the tension as innocent people are run over and killed. We never do learn where this killing machine comes from or what it's ultimate mission really is. There is a really terrifying scene where the car has teachers and school children trapped in a cemetery. Plus the chase scene with multiple sheriff cars is nicely done. The ending is explosive. Was it the Devil driving that car?? Highly recommended for those who enjoy "B" movies.
Midway (2019)
Major Disappointment
As someone who has studied World War 2 for 50 years I was looking forward to seeing this film. When I did watch I was so taken aback by the awful confusing editing. The facts are there but the way the film jumps from one scene to another left me totally confused. The director has had hits and misses in the past. This one is a total mess. Even the special effects are lame. Woody Harrelson does give a wonderful performance. That is the only good thing I can recommend about this film. The 1976 version is far better and flows in a way one can understand what happened during the battle. Just ignore the crappy love story.
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
My Favorite Comedy of all time
I really enjoy classic films from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Tonight my wife and I watched this classic comedy from 1948, This screwball comedy is about a family and their struggles to build a house from the ground up. Gary Grant and Myrna Loy are in top form as the husband and wife team. Anyone who owns a home can relate to all the cost overruns and the unexpected problems they encounter. This is a comedy I have watched dozens of times and still laugh out loud at some of the ridiculous situations.portrayed. I know a lot of today's generation would balk at watching an old black and white film. But that is a shame. This film proves a comedy can be made without one curse word and still be funny. Highly recommended when one is looking for a fun movie.
Tiger King (2020)
Both sides are crazy
Was told to watch this by one of my family. I watched two episodes and could not bear to waste my viewing time anymore. Let me just say that both sides of the story are nuts and deserve to be in prison. The big cats deserve better.
Washington (2020)
Fascinating documentary
Watched this show about America's first President. And another first. I am the first one to review it. This show looks at George Washington's life starting as a young officer at 22 serving the British King and moves all the way to his death. I love learning about the past and this show did not disappoint in teaching me many facets about Washington's life I did not know. Including him resigning his officer's commission three times. His wife Martha who was far wealthier than him. As commander of the Continental Army he had to be very strict in order to keep the army from falling apart. Plus he never wanted the job as the first elected President. Highly recommended.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Worth the Five Year Wait!!!
So I had to convince my wife to travel to Las Vegas to see the new Godzilla film. I have been a fan of of this franchise since I was a child of the 1960s. We both enjoyed the 2014 film so I just had to watch the sequel. Let me tell you it was worth the 60 mile drive!! We watched it on IMAX and she held my left hand throughout the film. She had several scares and tightened her grip. She had just as much FUN as I did. This movie is an all out wrestling match of giant beasts. Actor Ken Watanabe, just like the last movie, had the best lines. The real villain of this film surprised me. But it is the battles scenes that are truly fantastic. Hearing the original Godzilla theme music from 1954 brought happy chills up my spine. Cheering on the King of the Monsters in the final battle scenes, I felt like I was rooting for Rocky Balboa. I know this is not a film for everyone but I don't see how lifetime fans of the Godzilla universe cannot enjoy this film. My wife and I give it 5 stars. She now feels the Kong versus Godzilla film scheduled to be released next year that Kong doesn't have a chance of winning and she will be cheering on Kong.
Sausage Party (2016)
Raunchy. A cartoon NOT for the kids.
Funny as Hell. You will never look at food the same way again.
This cartoon movie takes place in your typical neighborhood grocery store. It stars a package of hot dogs and a package of buns who believe that when they are picked by the Gods "the shoppers" and leave the store they are going to their version of the land of Milk and Honey and will live happily ever after. Little do they know the real truth.
A shopper returns a container of hot mustard and it tries to tell everyone that the world outside the store is nothing like they were lead to believe. The Gods are not kind but brutal evil beings that will murder and eat you. A shopper comes by and grabs the hot dogs, buns, the returned hot mustard, a bottle of douche and a host of colorful foods.
The hot mustard is so distraught that he jumps out of the cart to commit suicide. There is an attempt by Frank the hot dog and Brenda his girlfriend bun to save the mustard. A crash into another shopping cart and chaos ensues.
The rest of the film is divided into the outside world and what happens inside the store when it it closed for the evening. There is graphic depictions of what food goes through as a dinner is being prepared. There is the douche bottle who becomes a villain. There is more cursing than I have ever heard in a film, drug use, outright racism and an orgy scene that would make a porn producer proud and had my wife and I hollowing with laughter.
Folks I have not seen this kind of cartoon since the classic Fritz the Cat. If you are easily offended stay away, but if you can just let loose and see the rough life our poor food goes through you will enjoy this film.
Them! (1954)
Scared the hell out of me as a kid!
As a child living in Michigan I would watch giant monster movies every Saturday afternoon on channel 50 broadcast from Detroit. This movie scared me so much that it took maybe three times before I could watch it to the point of actually seeing the giant ants.
Filmed in 1954 at a time when the world was in the beginnings of the atomic age and the fear many people had as to what all the bomb testing would do to our world. The testing of the original atomic bomb in New Mexico had a terrifying affect as desert ants mutate to become 12 foot meat eating creatures.
The story opens with two state troopers searching the desert because of a report of a child wandering alone. A search plane sees her and the troopers pick her up. She is in total shock and unable to speak. The spotting plane notices a trailer a few miles away and suggests the troopers check it out. They go there and discover a scene of destruction and bloody clothing and evidence the little girl came from there. This is when we first hear the terror of screeching. But what was it?
The troopers leave the trailer when the 1950s version of a CSI team arrives. They then head on over to a local store to see if the owner might know anything about the trailer. It is night when they arrive and a sandstorm is in progress. They find the owner died and a large hole in one wall. One trooper stays behind to guard the crime scene while the other drives away to see the little girl in the hospital. The left behind trooper then hears that same screeching noise nearby. He exits the building and a moment later we hear him scream.
From then on the FBI gets involved along with a father-daughter team of scientists. Eventually we see the giant ants and they are a true terror to behold. I can see that the studio spent good money to make the ants as realistic as possible. No CGI in 1954. They really are scary!! The story line goes from discovering the nest to finding out that two queen ants have flown away.
These queen ants have to be found and destroyed before they can make new nests and hatch new queens. If not found and killed the human race would become extinct within a year.
Eventually one queen is found on a merchant ship and destroyed while the other is suspected as laying her nest in the sewer system of Los Angeles. The hunt is on as the Army is sent in. A final battle with the giant insects and mankind is saved.
"But what about all the other atomic tests"? Have they produced anything other to threaten us?
I watch this film at least six times a year and anyone who is a fan of classic sci-fi or monster films should see this.
Remington Steele (1982)
Delightfully fun series
When I was in college a series came on TV on Tuesday nights called Remington Steele. I fell in love with it. This series features a young woman named Laura Holt who opens a detective agency. But in the male dominated private investigator field she has no clients. So she invents a male boss. "Suddenly there were cases around the block." No one ever saw the mystery boss Remington Steele. Until, as seen in the pilot, a conman/thief with no name enters Miss Holt's life and through circumstances assumes the identity of Remington Steele. The fun continues from there.
Laura Holt is portrayed by the stunningly beautiful Stephanie Zimbalist. In case you wonder I had a huge crush on this lady. She is bright, funny, a workaholic and a great detective.
Irish actor Pierce Brosnan is introduced to America as the dashing Remington Steele. He assumes the role with the expertise of a conman, impeccably dressed in the latest men's fashion, and a deep knowledge of old movies.
Together these two take cases with Holt doing the real detective work and Steele making public appearances to promote the high standards of the agency. There is humor, romance, mystery, and at least once in every episode we hear Steele tell us about the plot of an old movie that helps cracks the current case.
I my opinion some of the most fun episodes are when actress Zimbalist real life father appears on the show. Efrem Zimbalist Jr plays an old partner of Remington Steele mystery man past. As the series progresses we find out more about what Remington Steele did before he became Mr Steele. We learn he was a conman with multiple fake names, a cat burglar, art expert, he knows his way around alarm systems, and charmed multiple women.
The banter between these characters is so much fun to listen to. There is a physical attraction that creates sexual tension. Will they or won't they? Even when Laura Holt is screaming at Mr Steele for interfering with the current case they work well together.
When the character Mildred Krebs is introduced in season 2 she is a wonderful addition to the cast. Played by Doris Roberts she is a motherly figure who keeps watch over Holt and Steele. She soon runs the office in such an efficient manner that she is vital to each case.
The series lasted just over 4 years and could have gone on for many more, but everyone must move on, so I enjoy the reruns when I can.
David and Goliath (2015)
Just Plain Bad
My wife and I enjoy biblical movies so when we saw this available on Netflix we decided to watch. It was a terrible experience. Just five minutes in we were laughing at the abominable dialog and the monstrously bad acting.
Had to wonder if the script writers were trying to do a comedy about this event. We kept laughing as this movie never got any better.
It became such a chore to watch that my wife asked if she could fast-forward it to the final fight scene. I told her, "please do".
As we were watching David in the stand-off with Goliath my wife remarked that is not the way it is written in the Bible. I don't know who the religious technical adviser was, but he must have wanted to play a joke on the film makers.
I will admit the only bright spot in the film was the performance of the actor playing David. He has a bright future, if given a good script.
I cannot stress enough just how horrible this movie really is. You have been warned.
Avoid this movie!
Excalibur (1981)
Brilliantly Mesmerizing
I first saw this movie on laser disk in 1982. I was captivated from the opening minutes. This movie took me on a thousand year old adventure. The magic of the King Arthur story has aways fascinated me. This movie is the best telling of the fable. This movie has bloody violence, humor and terror rolled into a great story.
We see King Arthur's life story from his conception due to a rape, being taken away by Merlin to be raised, to discovering as a young man he was born to unite Britain, to falling in love, to betrayal by his half sister, to his final battle and death.
The actor who portrays Merlin gives the best performance. The magic of the sword Excalibur and its importance to Arthur is given its due. The score is haunting beautiful. The sets are beautiful. The battle scenes are realistic. But it is the overall story that makes this movie one of my absolute favorites.
Family Guy (1999)
Tears run down my eyes from laughter
OMG! A show that pushes the limits of decency and I love it! As Americans we are so stuck up about political correctness in our TV shows. Censoring everything we can say and that is just wrong. This cartoon shows no mercy; black, white, Jewish, Catholic, Islamic, Native American, handicap, the homeless, etc are all fair game for the creators.
Stewie the baby is always coming up with ways to kill his mother and dominate the world population.
Lois and Peter really do love each other and their children.
The family dog is actually the smartest one in the house.
There is the strange neighbors. One who is only thinking about his next sexual encounter. Another who is an implied child molester.
Pay attention to the background as a lot is also happening.
This show does not disappoint in offending anyone it can and does with no need to apologize.
We all need laughter and this show delivers!
The World at War (1973)
History brought alive!
I am a World War 2 history fanatic and any series that show what life was like during the war I have to watch. This documentary produced by the BBC is in a class by itself. Narrated by the great British actor Sir Laurence Olivier he talks like your favorite college professor whose class you never wanted to miss.
This 26 part series shows everything from the causes of the conflict to the celebration of the war's end. Using actual footage filmed in numerous nations we are living in that time. The interviews with actual military and political leaders give an incite into the thinking of why battles happened the way they did.
Even though the series is 40 years old it still is the best of any WW2 documentary. I am so glad the military channel still shows episodes and I watch whenever I can.
Glory (1989)
A history listen for all
Glory is a film showcasing the talents of Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. It is based upon a true story of the first black soldiers organized to fight for the Union during the American Civil War.
Matthew Broderick portrays Colonel Robert Gould Shaw who has volunteered to lead the regiment. The movie shows the struggles he goes through to take raw recruits and train them to be a fighting unit prepared to kill and be killed. He hires a tough Sgt Major to do the training and he is unmerciful. No one who is white believes the black men can be anything more than parade soldiers.
Morgan Freeman is the oldest recruit and his calm is the voice of reason for he has buried many white soldiers during the first 2 years of the war. Col Shaw sees him as the go between the officers and the enlisted and he is terrific as the father figure.
Denzel Washington is the young former slave who has so much hatred inside him that he will fight anyone just for the sake of fighting.
The unit faces many challenges during training, not the least of which is the Army supply unit not wanting to issue them new shoes and socks as they are reserved for "fighting regiments".
Slowly we watch as a disorganized group of 600 men are turned into a real disciplined cohesive regiment. As the men are nearing the end of their training two things happen that could tear the group apart. First Congress has ordered the men not to be paid the regular army wage of $13 per month, but only $10 because they are black. Then a letter is read from the Confederate States that say any black man caught taking up arms against the South will be returned to slavery. Also any white officers leading blacks into battle captured will be immediately executed. After reading this letter Col Shaw expected mass requests to leave, but is shocked to find not one member wants to leave.
After training and being issued their blues and weapons they go south to fight. But discover they are only to be used as laborers. But Col Shaw finally gets his wish for combat duty after blackmailing his commanding General. When they do go into battle for the first time they prove their worth.
Then we see as an attack is planned on Fort Wagner near Charleston. The regiment commanders present are informed that due to the terrain only one regiment at a time can advance on the fort. Col Shaw volunteers his regiment to lead the attack despite knowing the losses in men will be horrific.
The night before the attack we see how the soldiers prepare for death. They show no fear and know their duty. On the morning of the attack Col Shaw prepares for his own death in letter writing to his mother and asks a newspaper reporter to make sure his personal effects get to her. There is a scene where he is on his horse by the waters edge and the expression on his face brought me to tears.
Bravely Col Shaw and his officers lead the attack and it is a brutal realistic scene of humans being wasted for a small plot of land. When the attack is over I know I was not the only one to cry.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn about our nation's history.
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo (1966)
Seen 100+ times and never grows old
What can I say about this magnificent epic film that hasn't already been written or spoken? Saw this first as a teenager in the 1970s and was glued to the TV along with my two brothers. Great story, acting, scenery, and the score is fantastic. Clint Eastwood plays the Man with No Name who along with Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach hunt for a stolen cash box filled with gold coins buried in a cemetery during the American Civil War. They each know only one part of where the gold is buried so they have to keep each other alive despite the fact they want to kill each other. This 3 hour movie moves along gracefully and never gets boring. The final cemetery scene and standoff between the three main characters is riveting. Once again the score is unforgettable. Yes I have seen this film over 100 times and love every minute of it. Not only a great western but one of the best films ever made!!
Watching this great movie again on TCM in 2016. The difference is they now play the restored extended version with an additional 25 minutes included. These "new" scenes makes the story even more riveting and tie in some loose ends. To the director Sergio Leone all I can say is thank you for your talents.
Phantasm (1979)
A Low Budget Winner
I first saw this movie on HBO back in 1980 and was taken in by its imaginative story line. I saw that it was going to be on TV again on Holloween in 1984 and rediscovered it. Watched in awe at the creepiness of the Tall Man.
Michael is your typical teenager who wants to explore the strange going ons at the towns mortuary after he witnesses a 600 pound casket being lifted up by one man. His older brother does not believe him at first but eventually comes around. Along with a good friend who drives an ice cream truck they discover the mortuary has a more sinister purpose. It is taking the dead and reanimating them. Then using a portal to another dimension making them slaves.
There are many scenes that gave me the chills and that is what a horror film is suppose to do. It is low budget but the film team does a lot with a little.
I must admit seeing and hearing the Barricuda made me want to own one.
The film moves along at a good pace and never bogs down. It has been said the music will make a scene even more intense and the music in this film has that effect. The ending caught me totally off guard and I loved it.
There is a few missteps in editing but that can be forgiven as the movie has become one of my must see films every Holloween.
The House of the Devil (2009)
The best horror flick since the original Holloween
Saw this movie on the shelf at my local video rental store and took a chance because my wife asked me to get some scary movies for us to watch. Boy was I thrilled with this movie. It has everything I want in a spooky movie. It took me back to my high school days in the late 70s going to the drive in theater.
This movie is creepy, terrific, slow buildup of the tension, sitting on the edge of my seat horror waiting for the next scare. It is not a slasher gore fest. It is a well written scary film which I put right up there with the original Holloween. For lovers of creepy classics I highly recommend this film.
Tremors (1990)
One of those addicting movies
This movie is creative. I have seen it numerous times when channel surfing and stopped to watch. I don't know why but it grows on me and I am very entertained. It has the right mix of horror and comedy.
Plus since I live in Nevada I can relate to the feeling of isolation in the wide open countryside shown in the film. The towns people have the trapped feeling when the roads are blocked by the creatures and that is exactly the way it is here in Nevada.
The characters are fun to watch as some panic and others want to make money off of the discovery.
Truly a low budget winner.
The Terminator (1984)
One Hell of a Thrill Ride!
So I am watching this movie right now on AMC and it took me back to when I originally saw it. I was in college in 1984 and I went to see this film with a good friend of mine. It grabbed my attention from the opening credits and would not let me go!
I had seen Arnold in a few movies so he was familiar. His performance was perfect. The adorable Linda Hamilton is terrific as the scared "mother of the future". The story is creepy because 26 years after it opened the concept of a machine man is believable. When this movie ended I walked out of the theater exhausted. Very few movies have had that effect on me.
I have watched this film maybe 30 times and never gotten bored. Highly recommended for viewing.