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Reviews
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty: 'BEAT L.A.' (2023)
it just gets better
Equally great episode to previous one; was that jay mohr, now husband in real life to jeannie buss playing cap's agent tom collins? Not listed in credits, but I think it is him. They are really painting the picture of what was going on behind the scenes with the main players. Jason clarke is superb as west, as is cap portrayal by solomon hughes. Too many great performances to mention them all. This really gives one an idea of what was happening back in the 80s in l.a. I really hope there is a season three as next episode is last of the season. Please let season three happen. Please. John C deserves an award.
Kate (2021)
much better than i would have thought, excellent
I did not think I would like this as I never like movies that are computer game oriented/slick/netflix formula, but I watched it just to see anyting with winestead. But I was radically surprised at how good it was. Totally kept me captivated. I had thought from previews it would be too car-crashy (is that a term?), but not the case.
If you can get past the incredible fight scenes, it is a great move. Outstanding were the obviousl female lead, but also the young japanese girl who more than held her own. Gentleman playing Kajima was really effective. I highly recommend this film, it is not the typical netflix flick. Not bagging on netflix, but like disney, they have a way of making movies; this was not that.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty: The Hamburger Hamlet (2023)
it just keeps getting better
15 eps in imho this was the best ep of the run thus far. Brody, somewhat like riley himself, is stealing the show, in a good way. I remember so well the presser and drama that surrounded riley's ascension and the downfall of westhead, which ironically was somewhat shakespearean. So, as a laker fan of 40 years or so, this was my fave season/championship of all in 82 (it is not a spoiler, it is history). I love love norm nixon and this was his best year. I also really like ow almost in the background, at the same time riley is exerting his pwer, as is magic, Jeannie buss is as well; just not as obviously. Of all the great acting in this series, the actor portraying jeannnie buss has most impressed me. I cannot wait for more. I so hope this goes beyond 2 seasons. Hell you could have a season per season.
Pressure Point (1962)
great hard hitting movie
Great movie that tackles not only racism, but deep psychological/sexual issues. Very hard hitting for it's time, almost to the point I'm surprised some of the sexual things were not edited out. Highly recommend.
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As a kid, I never failed to catch this movie when it was on TV. Bobby D. Steals the show as a nazi punk with big time mental problems. He played a similar role in" Captain Newman, M. D." but this one had more meat to it. The boy actor who played Bobby D. As a child is Barry Gordon. There is an interesting Jack Benny connection here. In a 1961 Jack Benny Show, Jack was casting a TV special about his life story. A little boy comes in to audition and Jack is pleased that his parents aren't with him probably because he can get the kid for less money. Then the boy actor's "agent" (Barry Gordon) storms in and makes demands on the surprised Benny. Jack immediately signs up Barry to play him as a child instead of the kid actor. Little Barry wowed the studio audience with a letter- perfect imitation of Benny's famous"Well!" complete with black suit and tie and eyeglasses. A few years later Benny did an episode where he was casting a movie about his life and Bobby D. Was the guest star. This time Jack wanted Bobby to play him as a young man! It should also be noted that James Anderson who plays Barry/Bobby's sadistic butcher father in "Pressure Point" is the same actor who played the sadistic racist father in "To KIll a Mockingbird" which like "Captain Newman, M. D." featured a young actor called Robert Duvall as a catatonic. Mr. Anderson was always excellent in a malevolent role. Downright menacing I'd say. If Bobby had lived he might have tied Sinatra in the "legendary all-around entertainer" category.
Walk of Shame (2014)
Excellent comedy
Highly recommended comedy. Eliz banks really has comedy chops.
The cops played by bill burr and ethan suplee were friggin hilarious. They could have an ongoing series of those two characters and I would watch it. I watched this in 2023, in terms of political correctness it probably could not be made today with all the same humor. The foray into the crack house (shout out to pookie!) would not see light of day today; thankfully this was made ten years or so ago. Those three guys were hilarious as well. I am actually searching to see if this received fome flak at time of release; I hpe not. So no academy awards for this, but a legit comedy "like they use to make".
P.s. The taller friend of banks is insane loco hot. Just sayin.
Lethal Weapon (2016)
I know I'm in the minority, but I liked cole better than riggs
I highly recommend all 3 seasons of this show.
The first two years I just did not buy the actor who played riggs. It was like he was winking to the crew or something most scenes.; and I certainly did not buy him as a tough guy who could win fights. And certainly the chemistry from Damon was better with 'cole'. As to whether the scripts were as good is a different matter. I think the production values dropped S3, but not sure if that is blamed on the actors.
Another thing about S3 that I think failed was the new detective joining the group. Is all she did was take away screen time from Bailey, they never clicked, to the point it seemed like they started finding reasons to not have them together as much in scenes, as if they knew it wasn't working. No clue why they felt the need to bring her in. In my book more bailey would have been good.
Too much time spent on cole's cia handler. It would have been a decent enough 2 ep arc, it just did nothing for the show. Should have stuck to more actual l.a. Crime stuff, not cia plots.
But again chemistry wise s3 was the best, ditto with murtaugh's family.
Re the end of the series (SPOILER alert): it sure seemed like someone knew they would not be back. It really was a goodbye of sorts.
All around it was surprisingly good.
Gotta say, longtime star crush on Keesha. Just sayin'.
Deep Cover (1992)
A masterpiece, fishburne's best role
I saw this in the theater the first week it came out. I was amazed at how great it was. It has the big 3: superb directing, writing and acting (both the lead and supporting roles, esp. Gregory Sierra). I do not recall its overall reception, I fear it did not do too well but on that I do not recall.
There are so many great touches, the sleazy lawyer (is that a redundancy??), great scene when he first flirts with his love interest while undercover, and many more. Special note not only for fish, but the role performed by Gregory Sierra.... It is easy to overdue a drug lord, so many have turned in overdone performances, but he took it to the brim without going over.
In the mix of goodfellas, etc. Highly recommended, especially for those who think fish is only morpheus.
The Last Stand (2013)
"high noon" for the new millenium, highly recommend
As others have written, not going to compete for oscars, but very entertaining, well acted. And it is about time hollywood made a movie about an austrian born country sheriff! Good balance of bad vs good. Love luis guzman and forest whittaker; they are always great. And I'll be the first to say it: never pass on opportunity to see Genesis Rodriguez. She is always worth the price of admission. I really got a kick out of the 'sword' reference between arnold y Luis. I thought it was a good mix of humor and action, not just a bunch of robots and stuff taking over. So think of it as a thinking person's genesis rodriguez/arnold schwarzenegger type of movie.
Dumplin' (2018)
superb sleeper!
I was blown away by how great this movie is. I had no expectations going into it. Very real story and performances. Highly recommended to everyone. The title character held her own with some real established talent i.e. Harold perrineau, of course jennifer anniston. I never knew I liked dolly parton music so much until I saw this. It is much more than a 'chick flick. I think all students in high school should watch this; but it is far more than a 'teenager' movie as well. It was a treat seeing kathy nijimba; I could easily imagine her younger self in the millie role. Considering it was a lot of unknowns, I thought teh cast meshed perfectly.
Seven Seconds (2018)
outstanding performance by Regina King....
Superb acting by king and secondarily the british actress who played KJ. Often when a topic like this is done it gets too preachy/one-sided. This series balances it all out ver well. I also liked that there were no cookie-cutter endings. Often in crime/court dramas it is like the supreme court changed things for those involved; I liked the reality that portrayed that the trial ended and they all just went home from court; I've experienced that.
Yes a couple of plot holes/logical conclusions, thus my rating of 8 and not 10. I highly recommend it. It was a job to watch the bravura performance of regina king; one of the best roles i've seen protrayed.
You People (2023)
Guess who's coming to dinner? it aint Axel Foley..
I liked the movie very much. It was a very well written, literate script. A refreshing change from wizard and superhero movies. I feel many who have reviewed it are unfairly bashing it; especially role of Eddie Murphy. It is not a "eddie murphy" comedy. I feel that was made clear in previews, etc. So if you are waiting to see his beverly hills cop persona, snl jokes, etc. That is not what you are getting here. He is not the star. He plays a 60 year old african-american father of a bride. So when people say he's not good in that role, I question that. He and nia long are very convincing in their roles of concerned parents, as are julia dreyfuss and david D (no clue how to spell his last name). They did what the script called for. I found the discussions of current race relations, religious differences to be right on. So, not for everyone; especially if you want a rehash of axel foley.
12 O'Clock High (1964)
I preferred paul Burke........
I'm probably in the minority here, but I liked the series better after Burke took over from Lansing. Both were good. I feel burke brought more similarity to the movie version. Great great series. Better than the movie and I loved the movie.
Hawaii Five-O: The Cop on the Cover (1977)
I liked this episode........
This was a very good episode; Im surprised to read the neg comments about it. Every cop show in history at some point did the old stand by, "Im the boss and that reporter is going to follow you for a day, we need the positive publicity!". Why others feel it is far fetched is beyond me. I especially like Henry Darrow's role. It was actually a pretty unique take on the father of the kidnapped kids angle. Even the drinking did not seem a goof to me. Maybe he just needed the right lady to invite him for a glass of the bubbly.
Talk of the Desert - ROTD - Part Two (1999)
Melinda is an excellent interviewer
The half hour interview show is very laid back, even comfortable. You can see her guests high comfort level with her which is a nice change of pace from other hyper talk shows.
Rommel (2012)
the rare combo of historically accurate and very well written and acted
Outstanding movie, even better than Valkyrie. It really keeps moving and holds one's interest. Highly recommended. Just imagine a movie about nazi germany without tom cruise!
Lansky (2021)
Very good movie
This is a very well made movie. Many of the reviews focus on what one wished were in it; regardless, what was in it was very good. The actor playing young meyer 30s/40s was especially good. As was Keitel.
It is not a detailed bio, but gives an excellent understanding.
I read the book about 5 years ago, and the author, Stone, definitely put forward the impression that had Meyer stashed away money, that he would have found a way for at least the medical facility his son was in to not be in a position to kick him out. That is detailed very well in the book that at the time of meyer's death buddy was in process of getting kicked out. I really agree that meyer would have found some way for a charity to get involved, something. The daughter was too unstable, granted (at that time at least) but he was creative enough to have found a way. It is not too tough to think that he lost the money when cuba fell. No one feared castro and a handful of guerillas in the mountains, so no one really saw that coming. The entire bruhaha of the "300 million stashed" was from one interview done in early 70's, not from any research, and that figure was just thrown out by that interviewer like a weather balloon, but the media would not let go. I recommend the film and do feel it is quite accurate; and again the scenes with young meyer are excellent.
Patrick Melrose: Bad News (2018)
The best episode of the series
His portrayal of an addict is absolutely amazing, and I usually am not that impressed with addict portrayals. I wish the entire series would have been him in this stage; but then that wouldn't have progressed the story along too well.
The scenes with him and the woman in the armenian restaurant, and the ashes in the hotel room should be shown in film schools.
Patrick Melrose: At Last (2018)
a great conclusion
Many stories of this type, when going from page to film, basically run out of steam. Quite the opposite for this. The ending made total sense and somehow (considering the subject matter) left the audience feeling fulfilled.
Patrick Melrose (2018)
Bravura performance by Benedict Cumberbatch
I often feel portrayals of addicts get undue praise; however this is ghe greatest portrayal of an addict I've ever seen. Of the five episodes the best imho are the first and last as those two show the most of his addiction. Difficult to pinpoint the precise audience for this, but if you like outstanding acting, watch it. Beyond him kudos goes to jennifer jason leigh, who is amazing, and pip torrens as well. 5 episodes not overly long, a true classic. The elusive 10 was not given as I wanted more of what epis 1 and 5 had, but it really is outstanding.
Men of a Certain Age (2009)
good show..second characers
Very above average show that has excellent acting and humor from the three stars. Shows the fifty-something guy thing as well as anything as. But I would say it is not for guys only.. It tackles the divorcee dating thing that both sexes can relate to extremely well. Highly recommended. "Manfro" is in the exalted territory of highly rated second characters.
Suits: Good-Bye (2018)
not a good send off..........
Regardless of how much one does or does not like the duo of mike/rachel, they should have done a better send off. Seattle? Don't they have a separate bar there for lawyers? Let them leave sure, but it semed as if zero thought went into it aside from Donna's preperations.
Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York (1975)
Superb 70's NYC drama/comedy/rom-com
This is a highly, highly recommended film. Very difficult to categorize it. Does not easily fit into the categories of chick flick, rom com, or even comedy vs. Drama.
It is that rare film that can be truly heart warming without being sappy. It is not a retread.
Jeannie Berlin absolutely deserves high praise for this. As great as she was in the 'heartbreak kid', the slays in this.
I have no idea if it is 'in print', etc. But if you are alone one evening, your plans fell through, etc. Watch this.
This film made the film co-op rounds in the mid to late 70's and I probably saw it 3-4 times in college.
As a heterosexual male, just 'getting started', this helped me take the first view into the female psyche.
The Wire (2002)
it is a 9 instead of a 10 because of season 2.......
First of all, this show really deserves entry to the smithsonian. It so realistically depicts what is going on in inner city america, especially obviously baltimore, add in detroit and maybe st. Louis.
Absolutely stunning achievement that it could get on the air.
The duo of avon and stringer, is beyond compare. Seasons 1 and 3 feature them, thus those are the two best seasons, giving the nod to season 3. Their downfall, especially stringer was shakespearean.
I have to say, season 2 was beyond disappointing. Not trying to start a conspiracy theory, but it was so far from where they should have been, i've always figured someone high up pressured them to 'whiten' teh show, specifically the 'bad guys'. So just skip season 2.
I was very disappointed wehn s4 started with no avon and stringer, but you know what, those kids grew on me. The growth they showed s4 to s5 was really great; not as good as seasons 1 and 3, but excellent. Had they kept avon and stringer all 5 years, it would have been a 12.
I would say it is requred viewing for anyone who wants to take part in a discussion of drugs/crime/ race relations/police corruption in America.
Make it the next thing you watch.
Every time I'm asked who my fave character was, I pick a dif one.
Bubs
bunk
so many, but Omar is just surreal. "Omar's coming!".
Doña Bárbara (1943)
the greatest female lead performance in film history
Yes, that is a big claim. To say teh camera loved her is an understatement.
You should watch this movie just to say you saw her at her zenith. Those eyes. Wow.
Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)
casting.........
I too wish it had been made in spanish. I hope someday soon that still happens. Mike Newell is a great director and he did a lot of good things in this movie. But the casting I think doomed it. Javier is great, yet Im not sure he was ideal for this. John L who played fermina's father I think would have been a better choice, especially the younger version. The biggest problem is the female lead, which should have included names at the time such as salma and penelope, went for an italian woman with questionable acting chops. For the life of me I cannot figure out how/why during the prime of the careers of salma hayek and penelope cruz one of them was not chosen. Certainly there are other latina and spanish actresses who could have been on that list. To the point I have tried to click around to find out how and why this casting decision was made but have found nothing. Even catalina moreno who played a small role would have been a pretty good choice for the lead.
I'll defend Bratt a bit; I think he delivered what the production called for.....but.......again, had it been made in spanish a different selection would have been better.
It is not fair to compare a classic novel to a 2 hour movie. I think the structure of the movie was as good as could be. The language was more an issue than the structure.