crmfghtr Reviews

Point of no Return (II) (2018)

Amateur low budget film

[2/10 · 5 April 2021]

Check a lot of the 8, 9 star reviews here, they only reviewed one movie which is this one. Imagine that. They are spam reviews. The movie is low budget the acting very pedestrian and even at times terrible.

Togo (2019)

Best movie of 2019 bar none!

[10/10 · 21 February 2020]

Short and sweet. Great cinematography, real dogs, acting is superb, and really tugs at the heart. Brilliant!

Christopher Robin (2018)

Here we go another grown man tearing up

[9/10 · 22 March 2019]

I am not into fantasy/family films etc but running out of things to watch saw this on streaming TV. I almost turned it off in first 5 minutes but once you get into the guts of the movie you are hooked. I was a state trooper for 20 years and am now a hard working business man and like others got the message like a punch in the gut. The tearful moment for most of us comes about half way into the movie. It is truly a wake up call. Ewan is wonderful in the lead role and the movie is truly funny. The CGI characters we all know so well are totally hilarious especially the donkey, great fun! Watch it, unless you are a total cynic you will dig it.

Thunder and the House of Magic (2013)

An overlooked gem, for adults as well as kids

[8/10 · 8 February 2019]

First off Im a 53 year old retired police officer who almost never watches an animated film but this was free on Shout TV channel and I thought the title looked cool so what the heck!

Of course the story is a bit juvenile but it is after all an animated film, but never the less I found it very charming and actually laughed out loud a few times. The animation was well done and the cat, Thunder carries the lead role well.

It does get a bit cliche with the villain, but then I guess we have to expect that. The magician and his magical home are fun for all ages. Unique is Einstein the sort of robotic light bulb who steals the show a bit. Its a pleasant and fun way to pass an hour and 20 minutes. (pssst, I might even buy it on DVD but don't tell anyone)

2036 Origin Unknown (2018)

Oh boy, here we go again

[4/10 · 22 December 2018]

Somebody got the bright idea of doing a deep thinking confusing mess like 2001 again only without the budget. It starts out interesting enough but almost seems like a lot of stuff was edited out. They did another attempt to make a thinking persons movie, but as so often happens all they do is leave you kind of numb. If you are looking for any fun or humor whatsoever in this movie, BIG PASS!

The Other Side of the Wind (2018)

More praise from Orsonites for another turkey

[2/10 · 11 November 2018]

It seems for some anything that Orson makes is a masterpiece. This is no masterpiece. It's a mess, sometimes a nice mess, but mostly a mess. As usual in his later years another bizarre satire message film. This one a stab at Hollywood. Think of it like Chaplins a King in New York, but that one actually had some great laughs.

Watch the first 5 minutes, if you arent' scratching your head or bored, you will be 5 minutes later, the movie just goes on and on with cut after cut of this sort of nonsense. Sorry Orson, I love Citizen Kane but this should have stayed in the can.

Lost in Space: The Epilogue (2015 Video)

Brings the series to a close

[7/10 · 25 November 2017]

You might think for a table read it would be dull but it was spiced up with some effects clips, music, and of course the best prop of the show the robot. The cast were mostly in fine form and read it as though they were acting in an episode, giving it their all. Mark Goddard really was diving into it. A must see for the fans and a fitting conclusion to this great series

Thunderbirds Are Go (2015–2020)

Nice CG but for an adult lover of classic series, not my cup of tea

[5/10 · 9 March 2017]

I really enjoyed the CG Captain Scarlet reboot. Even within its half hour format, they got some good story and character development. There was plenty of people story in it and enough darkness to keep an adult interested. I was hoping to see the same with Thunderbirds. But they use most of the brief 22 minutes to do non stop action. There is really nothing along the lines of people stories. They really should have made it the hour format like the original.

On the plus side they are faithful to the vehicles of original show, the action is good as is the CG. But it just doesn't fill the shoes of the original. Probably great for kids but as a long time Gerry Anderson fan, its not the same for me

The Outlaws Is Coming (1964)

Good satire

[7/10 · 1 February 2017]

This not only has some great Stooge schtick but lots of funny satire on old west films, modern life, even spoofing the Stooges themselves. Some bits are like a forerunner to Saturday Night Live "A Japanese Beetle?" Not my favorite Stooge feature film that goes to Hercules for its wonderful story, and great fun. However it is the funniest and most clever in delivery of humor.

I like the Stooge 2 reelers a lot, seen them all. However lets face it, how many times can you laugh at Moe slapping or doing an eye poke? The feature films matured them, pun intended, into good story, cast and broader humor. The stooges morphed into whatever era situation was required to keep going. They should be proud of this, well done boys.

So if you want non stop eye pokes and slaps, watch a Jules White directed 2 reeler, if you are in the mood for something different, this is for you.

Utopia (1950)

Feels like a Hal Roach Film

[7/10 · 31 January 2016]

This film has the look and feel of one of the Hal Roach films like Bonnie Scotland with the annoying subplots of other characters. That said it also resembles a Hal Roach film in the fact that Stan had control of the gags and execution. Plenty for a Laurel and Hardy fan to enjoy here. While the rest of the cast has dubbed dialog Laurel and Hardys is right from the horses mouth. on Yes Stan looked bad as he was ill but you get past that on repeat viewings. The ending is a rather fitting close to a great career.

As for the later years films. If you are looking for a slick polished faster paced film try a Fox. If you are looking for classic style Laurel and Hardy in their later years, this is for you!

Captive Wild Woman (1943)

Great fun!

[10/10 · 31 May 2013]

This film gets an unfair bad rap sometimes, mainly because of the inferior sequels. In reality it is a great change of pace from other Universal Horror films. Yes it did utilize some animal footage from another film, but it had plenty of its own new shot sequences with the lions/tigers.

Hats off to John Carradine for turning in one of his best, if not THE best horror film role he did. Evelyn Ankers is in fine form as usual. The ape womans transition is nicely done and the character was unique in the Universal Horror series. This along with Man Made Monster deserve better praise and discussion since many of the other films have been discussed endlessly in books and magazines.

10/10!

The Green Hornet (1966–1967)

Not just a good superhero show, but good crime drama also!

[10/10 · 11 March 2013]

Perhaps the best super hero series ever made. The criminals were realistic and not over the top. Sometimes there was a true mystery involved that kept the viewer guessing until the end. The music was classy, the guest stars could be quite good, and the writing was solid. I'm guessing the ratings were poor because adults thought it was more of a kids show, and kids found the shows plots too adult. Then you add Bruce Lee to the mix. On the verge of becoming the number one star in the world in just a few years, he did an excellent job of being the first to bring martial arts to American viewers. The show should have really been one hour to flesh out the plots more, but thankfully 3 stories in the series were 2 parters. One really has a hard time finding any fault at all with this series, and perhaps because it didn't fit into the camp craze of the time, it lasted only 1 season. However the number of episodes made would equal 2 seasons of any of todays shows. It's a pity the new movie didn't follow the guidelines set by this series, if it had, it could have been dynamite. Black Mask is a more appropriate homage to this series then the GH movie was. Here is hoping for a DVD release of the series with unseen footage and all the goodies.

Longstreet (1971–1972)

Very underrated and inappropriately forgotten series

[10/10 · 17 August 2012]

A series that truly had depth and got you into the character more then any series today. Brilliantly scripted, directed and acted. Anyone having issues coping with life on any level will find the show inspiring. Yes the mystery aspect was well done, but more well done is the portrayal of a man overcoming impossible odds to strive and persevere. Add to this some bonus episodes of the incomparable Bruce Lee and you have a winner of a series. It's a true crime that the series did not continue, because it had a depth rarely found in series of the time, or in fact on TV today. Longstreet is one of those rare treasures waiting to be found by those who wish to dig.

White Fang (1936)

Hard to find but worth the effort

[12 June 2012]

After years I finally was able to get my hands on this movie. A story told with more heart then subsequent versions. The black and white seems to lend itself better to the winter feel on the movie, hard to describe until you see it. John Carradine is the definitive version of Beauty Smith, well done indeed. The acting and direction is both competent, and with quite a healthy dose of humor. My only complaint would be the dog used is more akin to a German shepherd then a white wolf. There is a sweetness to this film also, and genuine warmth. Other then that, if you like the story of White Fang, this will warm your heart.

Kook's Tour (1970)

Good fun but needs an upgrade

[10/10 · 28 December 2011]

I actually find this movie quite fun. The purists expect these old men to be bonking and hitting like they were 30 years ago. The fact that in 1970, this team who made their first film in 1933 should make a film is in itself just amazing. Imagine Chaplin, Lloyd or Laurel and Hardy still going strong in the 1970's? The details of the film have already been posted by other reviewers. My only complaint is there is much better prints of this film, existing in 16mm in the hands of collectors. The color is more rich and the picture quality is of course much superior to Super 8.

It is also possible that the Maurer family even still has the original negative but I am not sure. Little effort was made in locating a 16mm print, one collector sold one on ebay a few years back. Perhaps someday we can see Kooks Tour as it was meant to be seen.

Time Machine: The Journey Back (1993 Video)

Simply brilliant!

[10/10 · 24 December 2009]

This is what a sequel should be. The documentary was fantastic loaded with clips and interviews. The mini sequel was nothing short of outstanding. I always had hopes that it would spawn a sequel yet again as both cast members could still portray the roles very well. But the time has past I guess. I would love to see something like this done for another Pal film, When Worlds Collide. It was a last wonderful gasp of classic Sci-Fi.

This in my opinion blows away the new movie remake that was OK. But I only watched it twice This little show I must have watched over a dozen times. I was one of the first to get the video tape in the mail and it certainly was a golden moment.

Shock Waves (1977)

Unique horror film from the era and a pleasant surprise!

[9/10 · 16 June 2009]

I too purchased this movie for the appearances of Carradine and Cushing and the favorable reviews. I must confess to finding something subtly scary about the haunting music score, Carradines doomed Captan and Cushings doomed Nazi. There is as has been said NO gore in this film as one would expect from something of this genre in this era. For this the film makers must be applauded, for its definitely scarier then many of the gorefests from this time. The performances too from the rest of the cast are more then adequate. It certainly outshines many of the modern day typical horror films even with its dirt cheap budget. This film represents the end of an era,, old horror stars, Zombie Nazi's, and people working a shoe string trying to make a legit decent movie. Three cheers for this fun film!

The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

Still much fun to watch!

[9/10 · 21 October 2008]

I saw this in the movie theater when it came out with college buddies and we thought it rocked. Today over 20 years later, I still think its awesome. If you like fun Sci-Fi I really don't know why you wouldn't like it. No its not heavy drama but its got its action, effects and a nifty plot that lets you wonder in the back of your mind, what if the stories are true? What more could ya ask for! However I do think some of the younger generations call the movie "cheesey" perhaps I am getting old at 43, but I thought the acting, story and direction were just fine. It came out only short period of time(no pun intended) before Back to The Future, and foreshadowed some of the humor of being out of your time and not quite realizing it yet. I think this movie has been highly underrated, along with another gem of the 1980's, Time after Time.