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jameswarrenp
Reviews
No Highway in the Sky (1951)
Stewart & Dietrich reunited again after 12 years in airplane drama
It's a long way from the Wild West to the wilds of Labrador, but Jimmy Stewart and Marlene Dietrich have made the trip just fine. The two iconic stars first appeared together in 1939 in "Destry Rides Again," he, in the title role as the man who tamed a rowdy town without using his six-guns and she as Frenchie, the boisterous dance-hall queen who fell victim to his quiet charm. Their roles in "No Highway in the Sky" couldn't possibly be further from their first get together. As a brilliant designer of airplanes, Stewart shines as he warns Reindeer Airline officials of the certain crash of their newest model due to metal fatigue. Dietrich is on board and comes to his defense when he sabotages the suspect plane while on a stop-over in Canada. It is based on true experiences encountered by writer Neville Shute when he was working as an aeronautical engineer for British air plane manufacturer, Comet Air Lines.
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
Does for NYC what Crash did for LA
A staggering achievement, a work of art (the N.Y. Times) -- the kudos continue for first-time director/writer Montiel. Hopefully, they are the kind of comments that will compel people to see this this film, which to me is the best picture I've seen this year. I just hope Academy members take note and give it serious and thoughtful consideration. It deserves nominations in at least 7 categories, including Best Supporting Actor (Mategna, Tatum, LeBouef), Best Supporting Actress (Dawson, Wiest) Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound. The cast is uniformly excellent (it rec'd Sundance's ensemble award). But the breakout performance HAS to be that of Channing Tatum. As the Dupont Twins in Beverly Hills (213) warn Brad Pitt: Watch your back. JWP
April Showers (1948)
A terrific genre musical of the period
I am an inveterate movie fan and am astonished that this little gem of a flick managed to escape my attention. I only saw it today (10/26/03) for the first time. Although Warner's Forties period musicals ("Shine On, Harvest Moon," "Daughter of Rosie O'Grady," et alia) couldn't quite match those of 20th Century-Fox's, especially those of Grable and Faye, this was a a valiant effort and totally watchable. The 15-year-old Billy Ellis' portrayal of the 12-year-old Small Tyme was a stretch, but he was such winning presence and so talented that one can forgive the producers for not making the character closer to the actor's true age. Sothern was wonderful. Even Jack Carson, an actor whose screen personality can often be grating, performed winningly in a starring role. Robert Alda rounded out the cast in a not very sympathetic part. This film gets my thumbs up.