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Reviews
JFK (1991)
Cinematic tour de force
Even if you think Oliver Stone's conspiracy theory on the JFK assassination is all wet, you can still enjoy-yes, even love- this movie. As a political crime thriller it is gripping and dramatic. The cast of renown stars playing big and small roles is superb. The John Williams music is great. The use of black and white flashbacks and the intermixing of genuine archival news footage with theatrical scenes makes the film's three-plus hour running time go by in a flash. The reenactment of the scene and events at Dealey Plaza is painstakingly detailed and chilling. Despite the somber subject, there is even humorous over-the-top behavior on the part of some characters which relieves the dramatic tension.
Then there's the history and the assassination point of view conveyed here, which is very much open to doubt and debate. JFK's merits and demerits as both a cinematic experience and historical treatment are the subject of a spirited debate in the latest episode of The Celluloid President, a podcast I co-host about American presidents on film. You can find it on any of the familiar podcast platforms.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of President Kennedy's death, Stone's epic film is more relevant and provocative than ever.
Leave It to Beaver: Beaver's Tonsils (1961)
Continuity Goof
A pretty good episode, except that in season three's "Beaver's Monkey," Beaver makes reference to having already had his tonsils out. Guess they grew back between seasons three and four!
Leave It to Beaver: Beaver's Prep School (1963)
Touching scenes and a continuity error
While I basically agree with the previous reviewer, to me the scenes of Beaver walking around his changed and bygone childhood haunts were worth the price of admission. The faded pictures of old Mayfield sports teams, the initials carved in the tree, the old dog who barely recognized him and especially the shuttered fire station (and no more Gus). You really get a sense that things are changing--and ending.
The error comes in the scene where Beaver walks into his room and Wally is changing around all the furniture. Oblivious so far to Beaver's change of heart, Wally goes on at some length about how much extra room he will have when Beaver is gone and how he's going to put Beaver's bed and belongings in the basement. A cot can be set up when Beaver returns home on school breaks.
None of this makes any sense because it has already been well established that Wally is leaving home soon as well for college. He won't be living in that room on a regular basis either. So,what difference does rearranging the bedroom make?