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Reviews
The Rockford Files: Find Me If You Can (1974)
decent episode
Find Me If You Can was a decent episode. Joan Van Arch plays the beauty in destress who tells Jim to find her. Well acted and directed story which keeps the viewer questing! Jim finds her and the sub story morphs into the real story of what the beauty was actually running from. There was a few slick Rockford tricks. A heavy from the old Starsky and Hutch days. A trip to Denver. The usual of Jim dealing with the mob, the police and F B I all at once. Balancing many angles while saving the girl. Not one of the better Rockford Files episode, but not the worse either. I give Find Me If You Can seven stars out of ten.
Magnum, P.I.: Novel Connection (1986)
Murder She Magnum!
Novel Connection was a segue , and or commercial into the Murder She wrote series. Magnum spends most the episode in jail as that Lady asks a bunch of questions. As a young Magnum found I found no cars chases, gun fights etc made Novel Connection connection boring. Novel Connection I would describe as Magnum meet P B S mystery theater. I give Novel Connection 3 stars. What I liked was Magnum charm the good Magnum supporting cast make the episode watchable. The directing, and acting was okay. Regrettably, the story, script was predictable, and slow. The comic parts could not click so the episode slowly dies.
Magnum, P.I.: Paper War (1986)
So bad it's greats
Paper War was so bad it's greats Paper War story was a lot to do with nothing. Less story and more about characters. The two characters are Magnum and Higgins. The rivalry heats up over Higgins rules and a mix of comic, childish pranks during Magnum's investigation. Memorable scenes of the destroyed Higgin's model bridge, morphs into Magnum's belief that Higgins is Masters. Meaning Higgins was playing the biggest prank of all. Of course Magnum was getting Rick and T C to help with the P I work. What works was the pranks tie all the characters together with the case; Paper War's climax has Higs and Mag stuck in a elevator which was about to collapse during a demolition. Not a great story but so fun to watch. A character episode. 8 stars.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Uh over rated!
2001: A Space Odyssey Uh over rated! I remember watching this oldie with my dad back in the 80's. Well the effects must of been special back in 68. After Star Wars effect 2001's effects still good but has become the norm. Same old. Well the Ape scene, and the other scenes with the moon base was okay. There was a director's effects of acting, camera angles, and space was done with a late 60's movie feel. Either you like the late 60's director type style or not. What bogs the movie down was the movie become a battle between the space station's talking computer system and the protagonist. Make for a good book, but on film mmm not as much. Then, the V H S tape shut off for the ending of the late night movie dad and I saw, and I waiting several years for the ending. Right after the taped message to the astronaut started ugh what a time to stop! Well, years latter saw the ending and the guy turns into energy some strange late 60's type ending. That's it!?! 4 starts. Kind of a disappointed after waiting to see how the movie ended after several years.
Crocodile Dundee (1986)
Now I call that a movie!
Crocodile Dundee Now I call that a movie! A 80's classic with 80's hair, music and of course 80's Aussie macho charm. With Jacko, The Road Warrior many similar 80's rugged man movies hit the screen like hot rubber on the outback highway. What works: The great outback landscape, wild life and of course the legend who fought off a crock attack Mic Dundee make for a great Aussi tall tale . The over top bar scene with the eccentric Aus humor mixes well with straight lace report women. A good mix of danger and romance. The Aussie build up was great for the fish out of water when the second part of Mic's adventures. The I call that a knife adventure, the bar and dinner skits with fish out water Bushman humor was great, as the movie evolves into a memorable romantic ending. Well acted, directed, and original Crocodile Dundee was/is a true 80's classic. Aussie saying and all.
Magnum, P.I.: Little Girl Who (1986)
I did not mind Little Girl Who
I did not mind Little Girl Who. What worked: The Magnum Higgins dynamic was funny at the beginning. The littler girl dropped in Magnum's lap was interesting, and the viewer wonders what will happen next. What did not work: The spy intrigue was lacking. The viewer did not know what really happened or what everything was about. Why was Magnum's love interest so valuable. The spy games and the ending was low budget and anti climatic. Well directed and acted, but the story fizzled as the show progressed. Kind of left the viewer wondering; unless there was a plan for part two. Seen better and seen worse six stars.
Magnum, P.I.: Death and Taxes (1986)
Magnum meets the movie Mind Hunter via Miami Vice style.
I remember going out with my sister to see the Movie Mind Hunter, before I stared my grade 12 years. Watching Death and Taxes during the school year; I noticed Magnum P I had a Miami Vice feel, blue lighting, slow motion action, heavy serious moments, and a memorable climax. Death And Taxes like Mind Hunter, has the protagonist Magnum trying to get into the head of a killer while working with the police. Phone calls, the creepy laugh, clues, and long wild phone tag out of Dirty Harry movies hits all the mark for a memorable episode. Even a sleazy reporter, like mind Hunter, adds to a simmering plot. Magnum still keeps the true Private Eye character (with narrations) which makes Death and Taxes digestible for fans. Quite the ending. The harder edge changes in stories , characters, sets gave the series a couple more years on the air. Death And Taxes was memorable. 8 stars.
Magnum, P.I.: L.A. (1986)
Magnum meets Miami Vice.
L. A was an episode of Magnum meets Miami Vice. Nothing gets copied more than success and Miami Vice was hotter than the South Florida sun during the 80's! L A had drugs in the Hawaii, dealers, slow motion machine gun action, and Magnum meets a new love as a set up, which leads Magnum in a similar Miami Vice territory. What works: Nice change with a different style form some of the throw back 70's murder mystery of many previous episode. What did not work: Selleck is not the Miami Vice type actor or character. The romance part was a bit too much of a yin and yang for the episode. Not all bad, but not all good either. More of an experimental episode. 6 stars.
Meet the Press (1947)
Was better now rotten!
Meet the Press was better then now rotten! Journalism is dying. Nope is dead. The media has budget cuts and a monopoly, and there is no investigations and almost all the media recites the same narrative. Now the media targets what their target market needs to believe. Responsible, media which asks follow up questions, investigation for logical conclusions of what's and whys are gone. The days of guest like Peggy Noonan and others on the panel which made the viewer more informed are gone. I believe we are in the news entertainment industry, or take the news out and just call it entertainment. I remember when meet the press hit Biden so hard back in 88 in the failed attempted to run for president. Those days of media vetting are over. We, the viewer, will know what will be said and omitted before the viewer even watches the latest installment. Why watch. 2 stars.
True Lies (1994)
One of the last good movies by Arnold!
True Lies was one of the last good movies by Arnold! As Arnold went on the decline True Lies was one of the better movies. Many actors are making sequels at the tail end of there acting jobs and start doing t v show. Arnold did another big budget movies. It was a strong story of terrorist and James Bond spy script. A count down, explosions, and James Bond stunts all added into the action. What makes True Lies different was the double life of lies Arnold tell his wife ( Jamie Lee) The comic side of the script develops into a fish out of water comedy as Arnold and Jamie Lee must save the world after Jamie Lee gets kid napped and becomes part of the adventure. Well directed and executed. Seven stars out of ten.
The Bikeriders (2023)
The bike riders best movie of the Summer so far!
The bike riders is best movie of the Summer so far! What works for the bike riders is the story. Through a few conversations I had about the 50s I was explained how a the local club of biking fans/trouble makers evolved into a criminal organization. Which was how the story line unfolds. Not a story about choppers but accounts about members. People who are frustrated with their jobs and the conformation of life's rules. The crew has trouble makers and hanger ons. Hardy and others have strong roles as each character contributes to the story. A stew were one character is the meat the other carrots etc. The mini stories bubble into the main story line that Hardy created a group which became a force the leader could no longer control. There is the appearance of the Kid in the bike riders which is the harbinger for the store's climax. And what a climax it is! Well crafted film. 9 Stars.
Almost an Angel (1990)
Well both good and bad!
Almost an Angel well both good and bad! I liked this film, when I was dating my wife. A good date night movie. What works: Hogan as famous people bank robbers was a funny gig. Helping a kid and given a second chance script keeps the viewer watching. What does not work: After second watching, almost an Angel has, like most comedy, as some jokes that work, and other well, not so well. Some of the gigs do not age well, but the one saving grace was Hogan. Hogan has charisma and charisma can go far in acting. Hogan's mannerism, facial expression etc can make even bad material better. When I first watched this one I gave it a 7, on re run a 5. Split the difference 6 stars.
M3GAN (2022)
A mix of Westworld, Chucky and the Terminator.
M3GAN was a mix of Westworld, Chucky and the Terminator. Low expectation with high hopes as I bought M3GAN D V D for my wife last Christmas. Not knowing what to expect we waiting tell this summer to watch M3GAN. Like Chucky evil doll story, but with a robot twist. M3GAN has a Westworld theme of technology the benefits of artificial intelligence and robots. How robots can help. The negatives of dependency, isolation, and what happens when the robots go bad. No belief in God, or morality a good sub plot the viewer sees M3GAN with no moral restraints turn into the Terminator. M3GAN's climax turns into a The Terminator ending. Well directed, edited, acted M3GAN merges 3 classic films into 1. I watched M3GAN with low expectation and had a pleasant surprised. 9 stars.
The Brotherhood of Justice (1986)
Actually not bad for a made for t v movie!
The Brotherhood of Justice, cheesy name, but not bad for a made for t v movie! What I like about The Brotherhood of Justice was many future 80's youth actors, Keanu Reeves, Lori Loughlin, Kiefer Sutherland, and others. The storyline of a principles speech which sets into motion another 80's vigilante movie was believable. Some of the vigilante incidents get across as real life events.. Inspired by real life incidents? Perhaps! The sub stories of richer kids, poor working kids, drugs, crimes and different personalities mix well with the story about The Brotherhood of Justice. The Brotherhood gang starts out not so bad, but goes out of control. The ending wraps out well, and the black white stills was a nice touch of how story ends. Still a on the cheaper side made for T V movie, but maybe that's what made the film likable. 6 stars.
Act of Vengeance (1986)
A solid movie!
When H B O started making movies, being more than a first run movie super station H B O had a golden formula. Good for H B O being diversified, unlike Block Buster, H B O survived Netflix first run movie purge. I digress, the golden formula is/was get a named actor Bronson, a decent budget, good director, and great movie location H B O makes movies than cheaper C B S movies of the week. Act of Vengeance has all the components for the golden formula, plus a great true story. Act of Vengeance was done in a gritty manor of union corruption and the assassination of a union critic. A dark story, but a good story. Being a Bronson fan I was waiting for Bronson to go into Death Wish mode which well that was a different movie. 7 stars.
Force 10 from Navarone (1978)
I did not mid Force 10!
If you want to watch an old school world war 2 movie this is it. What works: Decent cast Ford, Weathers, Niven Bach etc. Big budget for a epic W W 2 movie needs strong cast, great locations, and great sets. The secret mission with the double cross, and the banter back and fourth was great. The W W two musical score, and the collapsing dam was epic. Ages well for a 1970's film. Get's across as a book which translate well into a movie. There was a British World War Two movie style of yester year which ages well. Force 10 from Navarone was a fun movie to watch. Just as fun to watch as in the back in the day times. 7 stars.
Magnum, P.I.: Way of the Stalking Horse (1986)
One of the better Magnum episodes.
Way of the Stalking Horse was an episode were a hitman uses the Stalking horse play to trick Magnum and hit someone. I knew something was up from the beginning. One of the more violent episodes, as the hit man takes out several character in a ugly hit. Magnum almost dies and lives with guilt and anger. Ice Pick gives a hospital visit and the low down and says he hurt a friend. The episode turns into a mono a mono show down as Magnum pits himself again the assassin, with the help of a runaway. A gritty, memorable episode with a strong violent finish. Left a viewing impact on me. Well directed, acting and written. 8 stars.
Magnum, P.I.: This Island Isn't Big Enough.... (1986)
The series was slowly fading away!
This Island Isn't Big Enough.... was a sign of the series was slowly fading away! This Island Isn't Big Enough.... has and exciting mob style Yacht assault. Rick is missing! Magnum to the rescue! This time there is a John Wayne style officer on the case too which adds comic relief. Not a bad episode. I liked the ending with the radio mic. This Island Isn't Big Enough more of a filler episode. Acted well, and directed well. One can tell after five season most series start to run out of ideas. The partner tandem of Magnum and John Wayne want a be was okay. Just not a lot heat on this episode. Just okay six stars.
Magnum, P.I.: All Thieves on Deck (1986)
Well a murder mystery 80's style
All Thieves on Deck was a throw back of the Ellery Queen murder mystery aka 70's shows. A stolen artifact, many suspects, and many theories of who dun it. What works was the poor dog got shot. An attempted robbery at Robins nets. Strong stars but fades. A murder after a stolen artifact, with a mix of 40's movie style just got across flat. Kind of went by the number episode. I know a change up in the action from car chases. The suspects were a bit lame. Looked like shot on the quick and cheep. With an anti climatic ending. All Thieves on Deck was a mix of The Love Boat mixed with murder mystery theater. 3 stars.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Set the mark for 80's action adventure movies
Before, Rambo, Chuck Norris, Conan there was Raiders of the Lost Ark; which set the mark for action adventure! I had the movie poster and watched Raiders a record four time as a teenager. Raiders never got old, and even today Raiders aged well. Set in a 40's action serial genre was a new look on action films replacing the downer films of the last decade. Raiders made Ford a mega star Jones who had humor, faults, and survived over the top action. Great supporting casts, Sala, and Marion added humor and likability for a script which pitted the good guys pitted against evil Nazis and ruthless French rival for the Ark. Jones chased after the Ark with many well directed action sequences in exciting location in Asia and Africa. The bar shoot out, the Truck fight, and the brawl on the plane are classic action sequences, mixed with humor breaks ie the sward part creates a balance of breaks along with breath taken action. Spielberg and Lucas make great pace for direction and great casting which can only be topped by the over the top, Star Wars style special effects ending, which mixes with an epilogue that ties in the movie nicely. Not to many 10s out there and Raiders was a movie Icon. Such a Icon the great soundtrack was played for Raiders during home games.
Blade Runner (1982)
bombed at the time, but aged well!
I remember Blade Runner back in 82 and could not wait to, head out with my sister, too see Harrison Ford's new character! I expected another Harrison Ford as another Hans Solo. Well, as a young teenager, I found Blade Runner slow. A Bogart type ex cop with narration with a slow un folding heavy story with heavier dialogue. When I was taking university, and The course of understand ideas threw film our class retraced the Blade Runner movie. The ideas of being a collection of our memories, and controlling the replicants by short life spans add to the movie and dialogue. The 80's mix of music, slow motion sequences, and sets was brilliant 80's film style. Less a action movie, but more of literary classic film. Well directed with a perfect role by Ford. As a young teenager I found Blade Runner a 4 as a college I would give Blade Runner a 8. Split the difference 6 stars.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Just lacked the magic of the predecessor!
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom lacked the magic of the predecessor Raiders of the lost Ark. I was a huge fan of Raiders as a kid. Had the movie poster on my wall, and could not wait for part 2. 3 years latter my dad, sister and I went to see with high expectations the sequel. Well what worked: Ford was amazing as Jones. The sets, director and the budget was top notched. But, and there's a but here, without a good script all was meaningless. What did not work: My buddy, Tony told me the kid was annoying and I have to agree. The Chinese kid just took away from the film. Kate Capshaw funny at times, but got across as memorable like a bad date. The story missing any memorable action sequences like the plane flight, or truck flight; also lacking a memorable bad guy like the French guy int the first. The ending was missing the special effects of the first. Maybe, I am too hard on this one because any movie will look bad after following up to a classic, but I still give the second installment a 2 stars.
Witness (1985)
One of Ford's better performances!
I remember my mom going out with her friend to see Witness and my mom gave Witness a thumbs up! Back in the day, as a teenager, I was thinking Witness will be a action Rambo, aka Cuck Norris style film. After seeing Ford in Star Wars, and Raiders I did not see expect a more drama cop movie. When my buddy Darrel and I rented, at the video store, Witness the guys found Ford's film lame. Years latter I found Witness a solid film. Ford performance as a harden big city cop was a believable character. The contrast of the Amish life, and the Amish boy who witness a dirty cop murder creates a contrast story of the big city world vs Amish life. Ford becomes more divulged into the Amish life as the cop hides on the farms and has a spark with the boys mom; while the dirty cops track Ford and the boys down was a great story of contrast and people. Witness' memorable scenes was Ford punching the jerk and the dramatic Amish ending. Great casting and direct of a film which divulges a story of many characters with the right mix of action and drama. 8 stars.
The Mosquito Coast (1986)
Highly under rated
The Mosquito Coast is a Highly under rated movies. Not to often can a concept book, with the exception of King's books, translate well into film. I remember watching The Mosquito Coast as a teenager and got enthralled with film! What was so enthralling? The story/script of a genius dad who is border line crazy which moves to the Amazon to create a new way of life. Ford wants the natives to experience ice for the first time! The Mosquito Coast slowly unravels new twists making the viewer wanting more! There is preacher character and the preacher's daughter, rebels, and other characters which which helps unfolds new problem as the son River Phoenix narrates a strange tale. Ford's acting drives the father character. One of Ford's best characters a likable, but genius/crazy dad. First Ford looks like a genius, but as events move forward a crazy man appears instead of a visionary. I will not divulge the end, but a memorable one it is. Well directed and acted with a memorable story. 8 stars.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
More of the funny one!
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was a decent comeback after the Temple of Doom! What the Last Crusade did was have more humor. What worked: The beginning with young Indiana was great with the train. The intellectual Connery dad added goofy humor. The Nazi look a like and getting that book signed by Hitler was memorable funny. What did not work: Too many goofy characters in the action sequences; how could such goofs survived? The tank part was lame because of the goofy comic characters took the excitement out of action wrong placement of characters. The rugged individual of the first Jones' films was watered down with comic characters Jones was rugged and survived the grit was taken out of the action sequence with Connery etc. The Nazi bad guy was good but not spectacular as the original French character. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was not a bad movie but not a classic either. As my uncle, and father left the theater both said the film was just okay. I give this installment 6 stars.