Reviews
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Based on true events
From Stephen E. Ambrose's book, 'Band of Brothers,' written in 1992. In Chapter Six, 'Move Out,' Fritz Niland -- a member of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army, lost his brother Bob Niland, who was killed on D-Day. A second brother had been killed on Utah Beach on D-Day. And a third brother was killed, a pilot in the China-Burma-India theater that same week. His mother received all three telegrams on the same day. However, in "real life" Fritz was never lost, was immediately located by a Father Sampson, escorted to Utah Beach, and was flown to London, and then back to the States.
MacGyver (1985)
The original "MacGyver" returns to American TV.
Beginning in January of 2003, the "MacGyver" series will be shown on the cable network TV Land.
http://www.tvland.com/postmaster/
Q: WHAT WILL BE NEW ON TV LAND IN THE NEW YEAR? A: Well, it is time to let you all know...MacGyver, Bewitched (both
the black and white and the color episodes), I Dream of Jeannie, Mr.
Ed and Sanford and Son are all expected to join us in the next year.
Fred Sanford (junk man) and MacGyver (makes things with junk-man)
will show up in January, Samantha and Jeannie are slated to pop in at
the beginning of the summer, and Mr. Ed is expected to come trotting
through right around "back to school" time.
Incubus (1966)
Can see the influence of "The Outer Limits"
From the very familiar musical themes of Dominic Frontiere, to the stylized directorial mode of Leslie Stevens, it's quite easy to see the influence of "The Outer Limits" in this movie.
However, it is an interesting movie to watch, especially as it is in "Esperanto", and is a pre-"Star Trek" enterprise for actor William Shatner. Interesting how towards the end of the movie, the right shoulder of his sweater is torn (and the hole grows larger) ala the torn tunics of Captain Kirk.
And Milos Milos was just plain spooky to watch. Supposedly there was a curse on this movie, as Milos Milos and Ann Atmar committed suicide in separate incidents in 1966.
Past the Bleachers (1995)
A rainy afternoon movie
"Past the Bleachers" is a perfect movie to watch on a rainy afternoon. Instant sunshine for your heart and soul. A style of movie that is, uh, the hallmark of Hallmark Entertainment.
This is a made for TV movie that originally aired on ABC in 1985. It is about a husband and wife struggling to continue on with their lives after the death of their 11 year old son. About their friends who care about them, and want to help them.
A charming movie, with some humor, poignancy, and love.
Firehouse (1996)
Take a chance - it's an interesting flick
What a dichotomy! Directed by Alan Smithee but written by Tom Fontana. Alan Smithee is the pseudonym for Directors who have asked to have their names removed from the Directing Credits of films. Alan Smithee films have usually have a noticeable, ah, bouquet about them.
However, Tom Fontana, is a well respected name for creating solid TV series and for his craft in writing.
Take a chance on this film. It is different. Some very solid performances by Richard Dean Anderson, Bert Young and Skip Sudduth (of Third Watch fame).
Also, a correction on the synopsis of the film by a previous reviewer. The movie concerns a New York City Fire Company, and the drama revolves around of the firemen being shot by a sniper.