Reviews

Let me start by saying to all those that want to hate...GET OVER IT! In other reviews I have reminded those that love to tear down, go get a camera, write something prolific and do it yourself. If you think you can. Now, to the review.

It's very hard for me to throw around the word 'cowboy' and direct it to anything that we see in film (movies or television), but this is fairly close. Life in the 19th century USA was no picnic and Mr. Sheridan seems to have captured the essence of what life might have been like. People struggled just to live but were motivated by something better just beyond the horizon...that horizon being west. So, he takes the Dutton Family west, chasing dreams. Since I have come to appreciate the incredible cast that makes up Yellowstone, I had my doubts he could do the same for 1883. I stand corrected. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are more than adequate as James and Margaret Dutton, as they are able to play characters off of each other's strengths and weaknesses. They don't have to be stellar performances, but instead, solid performances that lend realism and help ground the series into something that will keep us coming back. And it's obvious that Mr. Sheridan knows his actors and write to that effect. Then there is Sam Elliott. I read some reviews that he plays the same brooding character in everything he's in. For you shortsighted people out there, he does more acting with his eyes than any other actor I know. He didn't need dialogue because his expressions told the story. Not many actors can do that. He does it effortlessly. LaMonica Garrett is another delight in this cast. His Thomas is a man of few words but the insight we see is deep. But the best part of this hour is Isabel May. As Elsa Dutton, Mr. Sheridan has chosen her to be the rock. We are watching this through her eyes as she sees the unfolding and uncertain future ahead of her. Again, someone complained about her narration. Her narration opens the story up for all of us.

In summary, for all intents and purposes, this is a western. It's also about 'cowboys' and I feel comfortable using the word here. It's also about dreams and a hope for the future. A hope for ourselves and those that come after us. It just happens to be the Dutton Family sans Yellowstone, not what is now, but the journey there. It's also television at its best and how this medium can educate us, entertain us...move us.

What an incredible film! I have always been a fan of Mr. Kilmer's work but I set that aside to see the man behind those incredible characters he gave us. At times the film is unflinching and brutal, exposing the soul of a man battered by the industry, personal conflict and serious illness. Warts and all, he is courageous in showing us the real Val. At one point, when he wept over his mother, I had to walk out of the room and compose myself to finish the film. At other times, there is a whimsical, lightheartedness about Val that shines through, especially, toward the end of the movie, playing a little joke on his son, Jack. I laughed out loud. We are all dealt hands in our life, some good and some bad. Watching this, the hand that Val was dealt is one he's worked with, soaring to great heights while coping with the lows that were part of the hand. This is one of the most courageous films I have ever seen, and if you see nothing else this year, make sure you see VAL.

I just watched this on TCM. Being am a fan of old Hollywood Musicals, and this did not disappoint, I found that I had tears in my eyes by the final number. Maybe it was the nostalgia for that time or when a circus was the thing to go to, but I had just a great feeling at the end of the movie. Everyone was cast perfectly (except for Mr. Boyd, who I am a big fan of, but he seemed out of his element). Jimmy Durante was marvelous as Pop Wonder, Martha Ray a hoot and Doris Day, beautiful as always. But, for me, the real star was Jumbo. A soft spot in my heart for elephants, building the old musical around the prized pachyderm worked wonderfully. It is sad that this was Day's last musical (it seemed box office decides everything) and critics were not kind. No spoilers here, just a recommendation to watch this when you get the chance. In the divided world we find ourselves living in now, this throwback to a gentler time is worth the investment. You too, might find tears in your eyes at the end.

"Harnessed to your Heart". Such a beautiful film with a wonderful performance by Willem Dafoe, who plays Leonhard Seppala, who raised Huskies in the Alaskan Wilderness. History tells us of the great serum run in 1925, but Balto was the dog honored on the last leg, the final 55 miles, and that's the one remembered. Within that run was a 264 mile round trip led by a dog considered too small and too old to do the job. But, Seppela knew otherwise, hence the basis for the film Togo about a forgotten dog that Time Magazine called the 'greatest animal hero of all time'(2011). Shot in a way to give us the loneliness of that era is the story of frustration with a mischievous puppy that turns into an incredible bond of love and loyalty. Dafoe is in his element here with a character that plays to both strengths and weaknesses. Add to that a subtle but haunting score from Mark Isham and guarantee you will be in tears by the time Seppala says the words "harnessed to your heart". A monumental achievement for Disney +.

This is why I go to the movies. James Mangold has always been a favorite Writer/Director of mine and he delivers perfectly with this 'buddy' movie about one of the greatest drivers of all time with one of the greatest car designers of all time. Bale and Damon are spot on , though it's hard for me to decide which one turned in the best performance, because, as of this writing, Bale has locked the Golden Globe and SAG nominations. The rest of the cast just added to the incredible story of Ford taking on Ferrari at the 24 Hours of LeMans. For racing enthusiasts, this is pure adrenaline, several scenes during the race sequences that made me jump back in my seat. Phedon Papamichael's cinematography is amazing. There is a scene where Miles (Bale) takes his son out to the LAX runway and explains to him the perfect lap. It was such a touching scene (it plays later in the movie) because of the way Papamichael lit it. It sent chills down my back. In conclusion, a must see film for anyone, racing enthusiast or not. One of the best race films ever and one of the best pictures of the year.

This won't be long. Michael Douglas is at his best with Alan Arkin along for the ride, so what could go wrong. Laugh out loud funny and sentimental at the same time. The writing is superb. If you haven't checked this out, please do so.

I've been a fan of Billy Crystal for many years. Not just a comedian and actor but a real story teller, giving us an incredible tour of his life from childhood to today and the family that is so much of who he is. I was laughing one minute, crying the next, then laughing again. His love of jazz, baseball and comedy were so well punctuated throughout, as you listen to him you personally reflect on the things that are important in your own life, the things you love, family and friends. I was most moved by the relationship with his father and how he would so wonderfully talk about the good and the bad. This is a must see and thanks to HBO for mounting this production. And for the man himself, pure genius. Bravo Mr. Crystal, BRAVO!

This one is not to be missed. The writing is brilliant, the acting pitch perfect and the direction of Michael Landon Jr. reminds me of why I loved the films of his father. Cultural barriers are so well presented but handled with loving care that it makes you appreciate, or should appreciate, the differences in us all. I lived in Amish country for 17 years and came to love the simple, honest life of these people. And even though differences exist, we all have the same hopes and desires, the love and compassion as human beings, no matter what our exterior looks like. My hat is off to everyone for such a moving production. No spoilers here, just watch the movie. You won't be disappointed.

Hollywood at it's best. A film that never ages with timeless performances by all. A writers dream script. What else could be said, except that we need more movies like this, even today. Mister Wilder's ability to draw in his audience, as he does with most of his films, is a feat many directors lack. The haunted story line with an underlying creepy nuance, makes you care for even the most despicable characters, and there are plenty here. Our one touchstone is the Nancy Olson character, but even she was willing to look the other way at one point as long as Joe (William Holden) would walk away. Simply a great film that has earned it's place among the best films ever made.

The two hour premiere was a barn burner. Let's hope they can keep up the same level of suspense, drama and creepiness from that. What appears to be the best thing is the unusual ensemble cast, with Peter Dinklage and Brent Spiner stealing scenes and making the best of well written one liners. With a great premise and off to a good start, let's see if they can keep the momentum. Since science fiction is a difficult thing to do well on television ( the "X Files" not included on this ) it will be interesting to see how the story unfolds. The advantage is having the wonderful Brannon Braga at the helm of the writing, who I consider one of the best scifi writers in the business today. Friday nights not be the best time for this series to find an audience, but if CBS is wise, they will give this show the chance it deserves.

Not a nail in Chuck Norris' career, as one reviewer put it. I come to the defense of this nice little film for the strong message it carries. Anyone who was a fan of "Walker, Texas Ranger" can certainly see the core values of Chuck Norris in this film. Mister Norris is a man of great integrity and strong human values. He accepts diversity and from watching him, tolerates no bigotry at all. That's the message I appreciated so much in watching top dog, although the vehicle used could have been better executed. In a world where diversity should be the rule of the day, and learning from our past a virtue, Mister Norris, like a lot of us, sees the need to remind people of our past and what we should strive for in the future. It's one of the reasons I regularly watched Walker, to see the triumph of good over evil. More films like this, with a strong message are needed. Film is a medium, not only to entertain, but to educate us. That education could be for good or bad. Mister Norris chose the good, and I applaud him for that, and his integrity.

I have just seen "The Village" on DVD, failing to make it to the theater to see the first run. As usual, Mr. Shyamalan's movie is a delight to watch for both script and performances. After reading several dismal reviews about this film, I thought it would be good to level the playing field. First, Mr. Shyamalan has been referenced in several statements with the noted film maker Alfred Hitchcock. Although both film makers have the ability to project fear with both script and visuals (and I don't mean graphic visuals), each has their own style of film making. With each new film, Mr. Shyamalan grows as a film maker, a true story teller, which is a rare thing in current film. Second, the story itself is one of simplicity, yet grounded in realism. Simple in the fact of showing us the lives of the characters and the events that surround them. Realistic in the enlightening, not jaw dropping, revelation near the end of the film. Right now I am beginning a career in film writing. I can only hope to write something this good. Third, the fine performances of all, notably, Ms. Howard. There are no scene stealer's and Mr. Shyamalan has the ability to evoke low key, yet indelible characters that remain with you after watching the film. Finally, Mr. Shyamalan himself. One only needs to go back and review "Praying with Anger" to know that a great artist was in the making. Mr. Shyamalan does not just make movies; he tells us stories. When so much junk is green lighted and put to film, that comes and goes without so much as a twinkle, "The Village", as with his previous films, add to the genre not of thriller or horror or mystery, but to the genre of storytelling. A great ability indeed.

Unlike the comment that said "unoriginal", for a western of the early seventies, when the western was at that time dying out for a period, this is a gallant effort on the part of all involved in the production. I must confess, it would be hard for me to say anything bad about a John Wayne movie, it certainly is not "The Searchers", but no where near "The Geisha and the Barbarian". Cahill was a milder Wayne as a family man, with a good lesson of being there when your needed as a father. A strong point that stands out in the movie, with the other elements (bank robbers, bad guys, boys in trouble) well incorporated around the basic theme. Andrew V. McLaglen did justice to the script, keeping things simple but well rounded, with a conclusion that will satisfy the western fan. After watching the film on TCM recently, I came to realize that it may be dated, somewhat, but a true measure of what good film making is all about. In a world of high budgets, overpaid actors and grand special effects, "Cahill, U.S. Marshall" gives what any viewer would want from such a film: A good story.