len-26 Reviews

Ghosts of the Abyss (2003)

visually stunning, but don't look for Jack and Rose

[5 June 2003]

This movie is quite good, but it's not for everybody. The main story line is "going to see the Titanic". If that doesn't interest you, don't see it. If that would bore you after ten minutes, don't see it.

On the other hand, if watching incredible visually stunning footage of the Titanic does interest you, then this is your movie. The occasional overlay of old photographs is very helpful for understanding what we're looking it. I wanted this movie to go on longer.

My only criticism is that I disagree with some of Cameron's interpretations of historical events.

(WARNING, MINOR SPOILER AHEAD)

For example it is a fact that one single passenger reported overhearing a conversation between Captain Smith and Bruce Ismay in which Ismay insisted that the ship go faster. But does that mean the conversation actually took place? Cameron describes the conversation as fact. In reality, we don't know.

In summary, I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in simply viewing the Titanic in its underwater grave.

Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996)

A good but rigid formula

[27 November 2002]

First of all, I liked this show. Having said that, I will now give the plot of almost every single episode (so I guess I better say "SPOILERS ahead").

In the first quarter of the show, we meet the cast of characters. These always include one "bad" person hated by many, and one friend (or relative or other acquaintance) of Jessica. At 8:14PM Jessica's friend says, very publicly, to the "bad" person, "I'm going to kill you."

The second quarter's events must be watched closely, because we all know that at 8:29PM the "bad" person will be found dead.

The third quarter has some potential for variation. Usually the cops dismiss Jessica as an old busybody, but occasionally they listen to her. Either way, by 8:44PM Jessica's friend has been arrested.

Now for the exciting conclusion. At 8:51PM Jessica suddenly realizes who the real killer is. At 8:55PM the killer has fallen for Jessica's trap and confesses everything. The real killer is the peripheral character that had about 53 seconds of screen time before being trapped. At 8:58PM Jessica has the final conversation with her friend.

Home Alone 3 (1997)

It didn't stink

[8 July 2002]

This movie is not a great cinematic work, nor does it pretend to be. If anybody viewed this film expecting otherwise, the movie should not be blamed. Right from the start, major suspension of disbelief is required. Having said that, it was adequately entertaining.

Titanic (1996)

Okay movie; bad history

[19 April 2002]

I do not understand how anyone can feel this is a great Titanic movie. As a movie it was passable. As a Titanic movie it was not.

This movie, like Cameron's movie, put heavy emphasis on fictional characters at the expense of real ones. But at least Cameron had the real characters. This movie does not have Thomas Andrews, the chief builder of the ship and a critical part of the night. In reality, the reason Captain Smith knew the ship would sink was because Thomas Andrews told him.

At least this movie included some of the Carpathia drama, but even there the story was severely distorted. According to this movie, the Carpathia was half-way there before Captain Rostron realized they had to go faster.

Sorry folks, but even if the special effects were equalized, Cameron's movie would be better. Of course neither film can touch A Night To Remember.

The only aspect worth praising is the portrayal of the Allison family and their story.

Seven Days: Pilot: Part 1 (1998) Season 1, Episode 1

I liked it for a while

[27 February 2002]

This show was mildly entertaining. There were some obvious plot problems, as another writer already pointed out. However, this was not a science show; it was merely entertainment.

I got sick of it after the fourth time that the villains were those evil drug dealers.

Reefer Madness (1936)

response to dtucker86

[31 October 2001]

This comment is a rebuttal to the comment of dtucker86. The "danger" of marijuana has never been shown to rival the dangers of substances and activities that we take for granted. Every year more people die from aspirin than have ever died from a marijuana overdose. According to a 1994 US Justice Dept study, alcohol usage promotes violent behavior while marijuana usage inhibits violent behavior.

Certainly intoxication has its costs, and I oppose the reckless use of any intoxicant. However, anybody who thinks that the "dangers" of marijuana justify the enormous cost (in both human suffering and money) of the war on drugs should read the 1988 finding by an administrative court of the US DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (docket no.86-22, Sept. 6, 1988) from which I quote,

"Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man."

Dick (1999)

What a hoot! (But only if you're old enough)

[21 August 2001]

This is a riotously funny movie. Unfortunately, if you're not at least forty five years old (forty, if you were paying attention as a child), you won't be able to fully appreciate it.

Other reviewers have referred to "All the President's Men", and I agree that you should see it before you see "Dick". However, that will not be an adequate substitute for having lived through that time.

The Lathe of Heaven (1980 TV Movie)

It held up well

[8/10 · 21 August 2000]

I just saw this movie after a mere 20 year hiatus. I wondered what I'd think of it after so many years.

The answer is I liked it a lot. I won't go into any details as they have been amply covered already. I will just say that it was thought provoking and my wife and I talked about it for a couple of hours afterward.

Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982)

good film, even though both gene and roger disagreed with me

[16 July 1999]

The following comment includes a piece of the plot. If you plan to see the movie (and I recommend you do), do not read the rest of this.

Both Gene and Roger felt that the title character seemed stupid in that he didn't understand what had happened (i.e. that he went back in time) until the very end. I, on the other hand found it most believable. If you were lost in the desert, and you came across a _rural_ town, wouldn't it take quite a lot before you'd reach the conclusion "Oh, I must have gone back in time!"

Special Bulletin (1983 TV Movie)

The world is full of idiots. Don't blame this movie for it.

[2 July 1999]

I enjoyed this movie. The biggest problem I had with it were the continual disclaimers. Every time it went to and from commercial there was a disclaimer. Every time they went to a field reporter there was a disclaimer. I found it difficult to stay engaged with all those reminders.

I liked it anyway. I bet I would have _really_ liked it if they had let me watch it without so many disclaimers.

Star Trek (1966–1969)

a good show that wears well

[21 June 1999]

The original Star Trek was, overall, a much better than average television show. However, some of the episodes were beyond excellent and still stand up after many viewings. Some of the best episodes had the most minimal sets and special effects. These include "Devil in the Dark" and "Journey to Babel". Other fine episodes include "The Tholian Web", "The City on the Edge of Forever" and "Balance of Terror".

On average, the original is better than TNG or Voyager, but there are some good thoughtful DS9 episodes that can stand with the best of the original Star Trek.

The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)

Rod Serling was a genius

[31 May 1999]

First of all, some episodes stank. Now that that's out of the way, "A Stop at Willoughby" and "Walking Distance" are [I do not know an adequately superlative adjective to place here.] excellent. I think about "The Odyssey of Flight 33" every time I fly.

Honorable mention must go to very good _first_season_ episode (remember what years this show aired!) titled "The Big Tall Wish". This story had nothing to do with racial issues and yet all major roles were played by blacks.

I wish Rod Serling had had more opportunities to craft television post Twilight Zone.

Duck Soup (1933)

How could the best comedy ever, have flopped?

[10/10 · 31 May 1999]

This movie may be the best comedy ever. Many people feel that A Night at the Opera is better, but (IMHO) they're wrong. So how could this movie flop at the box office?

"No one's allowed to smoke, or tell a dirty joke, and whistling is forbidden......this is the land of the free!"

Who, oh who, was that about? My conspiracy theory is that the audiences loved it, but the media panned it. Any takers?

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987)

One of the worst movies I've ever seen

[1/10 · 20 May 1999]

I had enjoyed the previous Death Wish movies. Clearly they would never win any awards for thoughtful movie making, but they were fun nonetheless. This one was not. Perhaps it is because the previous villains were violent thugs and here the villain is "those damn drugs". All I saw was the usual bad acting coupled with violence that, this time, didn't pull me in.

Titanic (1953)

What ship was this about, anyway?

[10 May 1999]

Although it's been a few years since I saw this movie, I remember the most striking aspect of the film was it's lack of accuracy. Several users have referred to the special effects as superior to those of "A Night to Remember". However, that is insignificant considering the disregard for facts. Oh sure, the ship in this movie is named Titanic, and it hits an iceberg and sinks, but that is where the similarity to historical record ends.

Panic in the Skies (1996 TV Movie)

pretty bad, but fun anyway

[5/10 · 15 April 1999]

Perhaps I have a soft spot for Kate Jackson. This movie does not have as much reality and plausibility as "The Jetsons", and yet somehow, she can carry it and make this movie entertaining. Just forget about reality and enjoy the show.

A Week's Vacation (1980)

good film - I liked it

[8/10 · 9 April 1999]

Although my memory is somewhat hazy (I saw this movie 17 years ago.), the concept of being stuck in a rut caught my attention. When the heroine takes her vacation, it is not just from work but from her personal life as well. I remember thinking about how her self-assessment would not have been as effective had she maintained her personal contacts during that time.

The Delta Force (1986)

I'm embarrassed to say I like this film

[23 December 1998]

This movie has so many "goofs" and implausibilities that it's not worth entering them. Yet, I've seen this movie a few times (not always in its entirety) and I've enjoyed it every time.

S.O.S. Titanic (1979 TV Movie)

acceptable

[9 December 1998]

This movie was better than some and worse than others. It was interesting to see the second class point of view, but two major errors in the movie made it difficult for me to take the rest of it too seriously.

At the start, when the Carpathia arrives, we see that Captain Rostron has made NO preparations until they've reached the scene. Dramatic license is not adequate reason to show Rostron as incompetent. A little later on, the big Sunday is shown as April 12 rather than April 14. I've made typos myself, but this was a bad one.

The Immortal (1969–1971)

I liked it, but I was a child

[9 December 1998]

I saw every episode, few as there were. Although I remember few plots, the recurring theme was similar to The Fugitive. Each week, Ben Richards would encounter some good people in desperate straits, and he would help them, despite the threat of capture. Frequently that help involved him giving someone a transfusion.

I suspect this concept would not work in the 1990's.

A Night to Remember (1958)

Excellent, with reservations

[10/10 · 3 December 1998]

This is an excellent dramatazation for reasons already given by others. However, the actual role of the Californian is a debated topic. This movie, as well as the book, adheres to the findings of the US and British inquiries. There is strong evidence that the situation was more complex than those findings indicated. Those complexities made the view from the Californian far less obvious than the movie implied. For more information, I recommend "The Titanic and the Californian" by Peter Padfield.