cluciano63 Reviews

Maria Wern (2008– )

I like this show...spoilers

[7/10 · 30 May 2014]

Even though it is not as "dark" as other Scandinavian dramas, it is well-made and acted and the stories, while probably not likely, are much like "Midsomer Murders" in that there as multiple murders and you do wonder how a small area can be so chock full of killers. But I am on episode three and already, her young child has seen a murder victim twice, as Maria happened to be on the spot, off-duty, at discovery of two bodies, which is kind of unreal.

Still, I am absorbed in dramas from this region, both in books and on film and appreciate any subtitled series or films. Whatever they produce is almost always better than American TV, so I am not complaining. Also, I love the settings and even more, the homes and apartments...makes me want to de-clutter desperately every time I see those sleek, junk- free interiors...

Am hoping there is not much focus on romance...I don't need that in my murder mysteries. I do like the cop who tried online dating though.

The Duchess (2008)

A not exactly accurate story for the Duchess's life...

[7/10 · 7 April 2014]

But a lovely movie. I have read biographies on both Georgiana and her sister Henrietta, and the sisters were practically joined at the hip throughout their lives, obviously this is not the real story of her life, since a sister or brother is never even mentioned. And the Duke did not need to threaten her...both she and Harriet were aware of the disgrace of being divorced and did everything to prevent it, as both carried on affairs until their health failed. And both wound up hugely in debt from gambling and excess, what would be tens of millions today. Yes, she went off to have a baby in secret but her husband did not know, much less command it. Henrietta did the same. Both knew they would,lose their status and children if they were divorced. The relationship with Bess and the Duke was true. She lived with them forever, later marrying the Duke must to the distress of some family members and grumbled for more money when died.

The acting is good...one of my favorite KK performances (unlike Anna Karenina, yikes)

War & Peace (1972–1973)

Excellent version, much better than the 2007 one

[8/10 · 18 April 2013]

Still, the casting of Natasha is doubtful for me, as the actress in this version looked far too old to be playing a teenager for much of the series. She acted very silly and young, as per the role, but did not suit completely. But not enough to take away from the overall production.

The hairstyles of the men are jarring at times, rather bad wigs, lol.

Anthony Hopkins is amazing, It is startling to see certain gestures and motions that he retains forty years later.

Overall the acting, settings and costumes are realistic and well-done. I love the role of Count Rostov in this version, he was a charming actor.

As always, it is difficult to hear of the suffering of the Russian soldiers. The contrast between the immaculate uniforms and lack of food and supplies was ludicrous, if represented at all accurately.

All Passion Spent (1986)

Loved this series...

[9/10 · 14 April 2013]

I was so invested in the old lady's happiness in her new home and so hoped some of her horrible children would not ruin it for her. They sure tried hard enough. Some of them acted as though she was not even a person. How horrid they were and how greedy. Only the single daughter Edith and Kane(?) were not greedy.

I was relieved that she had some happiness in her new house and made the friends she did.

Bless her heart. I loved seeing Edith's little smile when the family learned she was giving the money away. Oh how greedy those others were.

I found the series on Youtube and throughly enjoyed it.

Anna Karenina (2000– )

I love this version...the best of them all

[9/10 · 8 April 2013]

I loved the casting from the roles of Anna, Vronsky, Karenin (Stephen Dillane who was so good in the Cazalets) Dolly (loved her in the Forsyte Saga) Levin who was charming, Kitty was just right, even Stivo. Anna actually looked like she could be the mother of an eight- year old, unlike Kiera Knightley in the (my opinion) terribly miscast version last year. This version runs very close to the book and is filmed in a very realistic manner, not so glossy and perfect-looking, again like last year's version. I think it is a gem and only came across it by chance, as I was re-reading the book this weekend and browsed Youtube to take a break and came across it.

I am just so pleased that I discovered it and watched it all in one sitting. When Masterpiece gets it right, they really do a great job.

Edward the King (1975)

I love this series

[8/10 · 6 April 2013]

But I am obsessed with the Victorian and Edwardian monarchies. Most of the acting was excellent, although I have to say, most of the portrayals of Victoria's daughters were extra flattering, physically. They even had Vicki as slim as a girl with Willie full-grown, when in fact she had assumed a rather massive size at a rather young age, just like her mother. Victoria too appeared far slimmer than she actually became at a much younger age.

I thought the actor playing Bertie was especially good. As well of course the role of the Queen. I think Willie was portrayed as a little more lucid than he actually was. Alex was well portrayed and was indeed fierce and fiery on the subject of Prussia, nearly causing international crises more than once.

Such a shame how Victoria put Bertie in such an untenable position for decades. What a crazy old bat she turned out to be, no matter if she retained some wisdom.

It is so sad in retrospect to see now blind they all were to the dangers of Germany for so long. Sometimes, when I am feeling especially cruel, I almost wish Victoria had lived to see what horrors her beloved Willie wrought.

Overall from everything I have read, this series is very true to actual events and attitudes.

Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)

I found this a delightful film in many ways...

[8/10 · 5 April 2013]

Kind of surprised at the low overall rating by reviewers. I am pretty attuned to the FDR story and the visit by the King and Queen. I know they were well-received by the US, despite some of the connotations shown here. The acting by Bill M. as well as some of the others were fantastic. Not crazy about Laura L . In this role. She generally plays such strong women and would have made a wonderful Eleanor. But maybe she wanted the challenge. But Daisy was way too passive.

King George was a kind man, far kinder than his father George V. And not as narrow- minded. Queen Elizabeth was extremely popular, even if she became something of a hanger later, living to over 100 and just never wanting to give up her spotlight. But they were the first royals to love and enjoy their children in a somewhat normal fashion. They certainly had a more "normal" marriage and family life than did FDR and Eleanor.

Overall I really enjoyed this film, it was beautifully filmed, well-acted and only suffered in spots from the script.

The Cazalets (2001)

Enjoyable adaptation of the books

[8/10 · 25 March 2013]

I love the books and this adaptation is fairly accurate although it ends way too soon. Some of the characters are just as I pictured them. A few annoyed me, especially the characters of Sybil and Rachel, both such martyrs. Also, the role of Diana, as in the book she seemed much softer and kind of helpless, not the way she was presented here. But that is mostly a quibble against the book. Mostly it is an engaging story of an upper class family before and during WWII. (Rupert is a bit wimpy too.)

I wish they had not ended it the way they did, as the final book tied up many loose ends.

That Forsyte Woman (1949)

Horrible casting, poor adaptation

[4/10 · 13 March 2013]

I never liked it when Hollywood tried to adapt huge novels in little films. It does not work here. And the casting is atrocious. Greer Garsom already seems matronly, and does not work as Irini. Errol Flynn as Soames is all wrong. He is too charming a character to pull off the necessary awfulness of Soames. None of the main characters worked for me and the plot was shoved into a two hour film, leaving out too much. The worst casting of all was Robert Young as Bossiny. Impossible to imagine anyone throwing away their life and world for him, no matter how dreadful their husband may be.

Of course this was made during the dreadful,days of the infamous code, so it captured almost none of the true relationships between various characters as outlined in the book.

The two later adaptations, made correctly as miniseries, are so much better, this film fails entirely in comparison.

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Okay if you do not expect a faithful adaptation

[6/10 · 6 March 2013]

The costumes are so ridiculous, compared to the pretty, simples dresses and jackets generally worn in the country in the early 19th century. Not an empire waist or low bodice in sight.

Greer Garson looks far too old for the role of Lizzie Bennett. MGM was never big on realism, and they do not bother with it here, veering from a classic novel and using their stars, whether they suit the roles or not. GG looks like she could be the mother of some of the younger sisters. . This film was made during the infamous production code, so any remotely interesting remark or scenario from the book have, of course, been left out.

You really have to toss the book out of,your mind and pretend you are watching a historical romance rather than a Jane Austen novel come to life.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Not my favorite version...

[7/10 · 19 February 2013]

I prefer the 1996 version, especially as I found Jennifer Ehle a perfect Lizzy.

Also this version was a little too Hollywood for me and a few historical details do not ring true to me. For one, I do not believe Lizzy would ever have run around with her hair down, since she was twenty or twenty-one. It was pretty standard for the hair to go up once they were "out". Also the dress worn by Carolyn Bimgham at the first ball seems wrong. I cannot find a single gown from the period that was completely sleeveless in that way. Even if she were meant to more fashionable than the Bennett girls, that did not seem accurate.

It is also difficult to believe that Keira Knightley would be anyone's idea of second place in looks. Although she tend to thrust out her chin in an odd way, in all of her roles.

Darcy's hair always looks unwashed, lol.

It is also surprising that Carrie Mulligan became such a star off of her role as Kitty. Her next role was a starring one in Bleak House, in which she was wonderful and lovely, but I hardly saw anything from her role in P&P that would lead me to believe she would be given such a chance.

Also, being a feature film, it skimmed over the story instead of letting it unfold as the mini series in the nineties did. Everything seemed to happen as a breakneck pace.

This was the only version where the part of Jane was played by an actress who could be believably as beautiful as Jane was meant to be.

Obviously the film is beautifully done with an expensive cast and sets and locations.

A Royal Affair (2012)

Well done story based on fact

[8/10 · 11 January 2013]

The acting was wonderful. Love the actress who played Caroline, the young queen. The two male leads were excellent too. Overall this film rings true to the books I have read about this.period in Denmark's history.

Beautifully filmed, good script, fine performances, not overwrought. I do love a historical drama and this one was a good one, although sad and frustrating as I knew how it would all end and found myself wishing for a happier ending.

The young queen was a typical royal victim of the time, sent off to become the wife of a monarch or heir of a foreign state, without even meeting her groom first. She was married in a proxy ceremony before setting out. This was done partly because it was unseemly for unmarried women to travel abroad.

Poor Caroline, poor Christian too. He was quite mad but that did not prevent his ascension or his ruling for some years. I had forgotten how conservative and tyrannical Denmark once was.

War and Peace (2007)

I wanted to like it...

[5/10 · 17 December 2012]

But it was pretty ridiculous and melodramatic. And the acting was terrible, especially in the main roles. I think Natasha's character was the worst, just a silly girl, and I could not figure out why she was considered so special and the actress was feeble in this role. And Pierre-he went from a drunken dolt to a noble Count or whatever, just by his father dying? All of a sudden he was wise and great, etc.

The scenery and costumes were good anyway.And it was a way to pass some hours. But the script was sometimes ridiculous. The characters not believable; Andre's sister such a martyr to that lunatic father of hers. Andre and Natasha of course getting together again and the references to her constant suffering when she was fool enough to fall for that treacherous prince. Just a mess of a script and performances. And then Pierre's cruel selfish wife dying to make it convenient for Natasha after Andre dies...I just did not see Natasha as such a prize that she should fell man after man.

Dr. Monica (1934)

Production code does its dirty work to this one...

[5/10 · 28 September 2012]

It is predictable in that the fallen woman, i.e. the mistress of the married man (Dr. Monica's husband) has to pay the ultimate price for having sex, basically. A woman was not allowed to live once she had premarital sex, unless she opted for a nunnery; that was the only variation on the theme.

Kay Francis as Dr. Monica is her usual stalwart self; suffering expressions, well-dressed, etc...Warren William has the lousy luck to play the wimp of a cheating husband. I usually enjoy him so much, but not here.

But the sacrificial speech made by Monica is too much...she is willing to hand her husband over to his mistress in exchange for two weeks of love with him first.

But don't worry, the code won't allow that anyway. Husband and wife must remain together, whether they want to or not, And of course, the biggest rule in these movies is that the husband must be lied to, all the time. He must never know what he has wrought...he must get to have everything, a wife, a baby who he is really his, even if he doesn't know it, and peace of mind.

Watching this film 80 years after it was made feels like watching some sort of science fiction...it is such an unbelievable plot.

Footsteps in the Fog (1955)

I kind of liked this film...for a while

[6/10 · 24 September 2012]

and especially liked Stewart Grainger in it, as well as Jean Simmons, playing Lily, the woman who knows all of his secrets. Stewart Grainger portrays a very bad man in a very elegant and terrifying way. Some of the other acting is a bit hammy, i.e. the young barrister at times, as well as the cliché of a lower class Englishman who play the husband of Lily's sister (Lily is the housekeeper who is blackmailing Stuart.)But the plot gets muddled at times, with so many people trying to off other characters.Also the black cat throughout is a bit cheesy.

The story loses steam in the middle and kind of gets muddled, as if they were trying to figure out how to end it.

But they did come up with a twist that at least was unexpected.

Wuthering Heights (1939)

Hollywood rendidtion of a classic

[8/10 · 20 September 2012]

I watched this film after reading about the making of it in a biography on Sam Goldwyn, making it much more interesting to me. In fact, Olivier couldn't stand Merle Oberson and thought she was a lousy actress, nothing more than a chippy belonging to Korda, and told her so on more than one occasion. She often fled to her dressing room in tears and would not return until the director forced an apology out of Olivier. Vivien Leigh had wanted the part of Cathy and did not want to play the role of Isabelle offered to her, and in the end, her price was too high for that role. Goldwyn was determined to use Oberon, as she was his only female star.

Also Goldwyn insisted on the tacked-on ending after a poor preview showing and the couple shown in the fade out is not Olivier and Oberon as they were off on other films by that time; instead they simply used stand-ins.

Olivier had to be restrained throughout the production by Wyler as he had no idea how to act for film, using outrageous gestures, etc...the set was a constant battle, including an outburst when Merle told Lawrence she was getting his saliva in her face and he blew up at her.

In spite of all of that, they came across well in their roles, although at times, Oberon comes off as more constipated than distraught, in her facial expressions.

Smart Woman (1931)

Old fashioned story trying to be modern

[5/10 · 18 September 2012]

It's ridiculous that Mary Astor would prefer Richie Cunningham-I mean Robert Ames to anyone else. What a dolt and he is totally unappealing as the role of the cheating husband she is desperate to hold on to, by cooking up schemes.

Mary Astor looks better than she ever has-she is so much more beautiful than Norma Shearer ever was in similar roles and so much more natural.

I'd give this an even lower score, if not for some of the acting. The plot is the usual silliness of such films.

If you watch it, watch it for Mary as you know perfectly well she will end up back with her doofy husband.

Blanche Fury (1948)

Surprisingly good film

[9/10 · 17 September 2012]

I was expecting a cheap melodrama set in Victorian era, but instead this is a well-done, suspenseful movie concerning the struggle for ownership/inheritance of an estate, and a young woman who arrives as a poor relation and marries the heir.

Valerie Hobson gives a strong performance as Blanche; once she is widowed (due to the machinations of her obsessed lover, Stewart Grainger as the illegitimate heir) she even looks different, older, strained, whereas she was all frills and glamor before. It is difficult to see Stewart as such a vindictive man, cruel to the end, and a surprise, as I figured he was only doing hero roles once he became a star, but maybe that was an American thing; this film is British.

The ending does come as a surprise and shows that one can control even from the grave.

Guest in the House (1944)

Low score due to low combined IQ of characters...

[4/10 · 17 September 2012]

OMG, could Ralph Bellamy's character be any more stupid? I know men are infamously dumb where women are concerned, but this is ridiculous.His character almost makes this film impossible to stay with. Anne Baxter is as scary as it gets...

Overall the film could be suspenseful, but is spoiled by the blindness of so many of the characters; this woman showed herself as a nut job, at the very least, upon arrival.

Oh the wife...she kind of sickens me at the end. But then this is the era when wives must forgive anything and not only that, smile about it. Also, deception is always the answer, as they plan to invent a story for the poor befuddled shrink in love with the psycho. But of course, he is just another ignorant male, so nothing matters as long as his tiny brain believes that the lunatic loves him.

This could have been a real "Fatal Attraction" if not so ridiculous. In the last few minutes, while trying to figure out what to do with psycho, hubby and wife smooch and flirt...makes perfect sense, no? Only moments earlier, he was never going to forgive her for distrusting Evelyn, and she was leaving him, child in tow. Now they are lovey-dovey, with psycho still in the house, and they are willing to go into "hock" to keep her in a sanitarium for the rest of her life.

And of course the child's bird plays a pivotal role, even from his grave. That was a given. There is very little in this movie that is not predictable, from the first few minutes.

The ending is anti-climatic, in a dramatic sort of way, if that is possible. You knew that she couldn't be allowed to go on, to continue her path of destruction and having her recover would be even less credible.

My favorite character was Miriam the model, in all of this. She was the only one who seemed to have her brain still functioning, without an agenda of any kind. She doesn't mind being accused of fooling around with husbands, but not when she isn't.

Overall a disappointment, in what could have been a much more entertaining movie. Can't put the blame on the code for such a dumb script-the code didn't state that male characters had to have a double-digit IQ, which is the thing that ruined the movie the most for me. The forgiving wife was a given from the start.

Dial M for Murder (1954)

Glossy fifties film in living color

[8/10 · 16 September 2012]

A little bit dragged out at times...everyone seemed to love the sound of their voices in this one, lots of talking, not much real action. Ray Milland gives the best performance of the film for me. Grace Kelly is fine, but bland and stiff. She isn't required to do a whole lot but change her expression from time to time and barely does that. To me, she is always aware that she is on screen and instinctively models for the camera. Of course she is beautiful, but she is so staid it is difficult to believe she ever had an affair passionate enough to cause all of this drama. And what the heck was in that darned letter at the center of the film? Still, you have to stay with it and watch all the way through to learn the great mystery of the latch keys. I have to admit, I hadn't figured it out. Some parts are a little unbelievable, such as seeing Grace's character coming back at the end, allegedly still facing execution the next day, and yet she is carrying her little purse, the center of so much controversy, as is a death row inmate would still have possession of her things, and she is shown standing alone on the sidewalk in front of her building, rather than in handcuffs, etc...since the audience does not yet know that the police have figured the whole thing out, it is a little beyond belief.

Also, if she has so much money, why do they live in that cramped apartment? I've never seen such a small apartment in a film not set in the lower income brackets. I guess they wanted it small for atmosphere, but goodness, they were tripping over each other in there. I guess Grace spent her money on clothes...that nightgown alone was probably several hundred and just what one would really wear to bed, lol, tight bodice, zipper and all. I can picture Hitchcock salivating behind his lens as she struts about in that, and her infamous red dress, which signals danger ahead. Her wardrobe was pretty restrained overall, lacking any turbans or astonishing hats, the better to show that shining blond hair, which in the early scenes is as stiff as a helmet, but a little softer later on.

With all of my griping, an entertaining way to spend your time, especially for the performance of Milland and the wily old chief inspector.

Ladies of Leisure (1930)

One the cusp of the code-can't quite tell which side

[6/10 · 15 September 2012]

A pretty good film of its kind, with Barbara Stanwyck giving her usual high level of performance. I find Ralph Graves, who plays her artist/lover, to be a stiff and totally miscast as an artist. He seems more like an undertaker and the worst part of the movie is trying to figure out why Barbara's character was ever attracted to him in the first place. Otherwise, acting is good and the plot is one that we've seen before; poor, "working" girl in love with son of a rich, important family. Of course they object.

The only time Barbara does not ring true is in the emotional scene when his mother comes to ask her to give him up. It is a bit over the top. Again, the problem is Ralph Graves. He is not worth all of that drama and sobbing. And what an odd-looking man he was, with an unusually shaped head.

Kind of a ridiculous ending, but so many of the movies of the day had that in common. At least she was allowed to live.

One More River (1934)

Good entertainment

[7/10 · 15 September 2012]

I enjoyed this film, but must be nearly alone in not particularly finding Diana Wynyard appealing in any real way, in her role as the unhappy, abused wife. Jane Wyatt on the other hand, as her sister, is sophisticated and lovely, very Myrna Loy.

Having read lots of books set in Edwardian England, I am familiar with the often ludicrous plots involved in setting up divorces and cases of criminal conversation. If you accept that the laws were limited and often ridiculous, you can overlook what seems so old-fashioned.

It is amusing to see Mrs. Patrick Campbell in action; she is a grand ham. The part of the abusive husband is a stereotype; he is oily and creepy and cruel. The new love is the opposite of course, charming and kind and gentle.

Overall a well-made film; just wish it had been made a year earlier before the draconian production code took over.

Too Late for Tears (1949)

I'll give it an 8 for never letting up

[8/10 · 15 September 2012]

I came across this movie posted on youtube and really was pretty much glued to it. It is tense and well-acted, although at times so dark it was difficult to see what was going on, but that could be due to the copy posted, not sure. Reminded me of Robert Mitchum once saying about one of his noir movies, that it was so dark on set, they had to light a match to see one another.

Lizbeth Scott plays a woman ruled by her desire for money. She wants to keep the money that was inadvertently tossed into the back of the car she and her husband were driving in so badly that she will kill him if necessary. And of course it is. She just takes him out onto a little boat on a small lake and shoots him. Then she picks up the money's real owner, who is already after her for the loot (a creepy Don Duryea), to replace him in the boat, so that the boat renter guy won't notice her coming back alone, lol.

Speaking of acting, the gal who plays the husband's sister Cathy is terrific and great-looking too. Name of Kristine Miller, I've never seen or heard of her before. Hard to look elsewhere when she is in the scene. What happened to her? Lizbeth is tightly wrapped in this film, even for her.And she is on crazy street this time. It is a little incredible just what this woman will do to keep that bag of cash, body count no issue. She kind of reminds me of Lauren Bacall on steroids. You just know she has to come to a bad end and can't wait to see how they'll do it. She's too bad to get away with her deeds, even in a noir.

And bad end does come...in a slightly cliché, awkward manner but it does the trick.

Pitfall (1948)

Wow a surprisingly good film

[8/10 · 8 September 2012]

I really got into this movie. I never expected to like Dick Powell, as I hated his persona in musicals, but he does a great job in this hard-boiled drama as the married man who has a one-night stand and troubles ensue. His wife is Jane Wyman, always perfect in the good wife role, the other woman is Lizbeth Scott, and the creep/bad guy who has a thing for Mona (Lizbeth) is a very scary Perry Mason.

For a movie made under the code, it maintains the suspense and excitement without any of the usual namby-pamby stuff. Even the ending is realistic, instead of the pap audiences were often forced to swallow after a film of this type. All of the performances are good, or better than good, and it is a film worth watching. (I found it posted on youtube in full.)

The Opposite Sex (1956)

Whether or not you've seen the original...

[5/10 · 2 September 2012]

not only doesn't this version come close, but it just is not a good film. Poor casting, poor use of the cast they did choose. Beginning with June Allyson, who is so badly miscast that nothing else matters. She is way too old for the role, and if not, she looks it, which is almost worse. She looks about 50. The hairstyle could not be less flattering if that were the point. And making this into a musical is just comical and not in a good way.

Some of the sets and costumes are worth seeing. But oh, the 50's were hard on women, as far as hair and make-up went. Very difficult for beauty to shine through. Even Joan Collins looks older than she was at the time, due to the styling. Maybe I am old-fashioned, but the longer, soft hairstyles of the 30's and early 40's were so much prettier and sexier. In the 50's, they all looked so priggish and stiff, but I guess that represents the entire decade.