publicenemy Reviews

Barnum (1986 TV Movie)

Wonderful Movie

[25 October 2001]

First the bad news. Burt Lancaster is much too old for the part. Though they use a younger actor for much of Barnum's youth, when they switch to Lancaster, he's clearly much older than the character he's playing.

Now the good news. Burt Lancaster. He's great. No one else could play P.T. Barnum as well as Bur Lancaster. Thank God they overlooked the age factor and went for someone with the right soul. If you want someone to play the great Barnum, get a great actor. And they did.

The script is beautifully written. Because of that, even though the movie was obviously shot on a budget, it suffers not at all. Much as my kids loved it, this isn't really a kids movie. I mean it's good for kids -- they will like it -- but so will anyone interested in P.T. Barnum or 19th Century America. In other words, do not write this off as a mere kids movie because it's not.

The Stunt Man (1980)

A terrific movie on every level

[10/10 · 23 October 2000]

It's an action movie, but not really. A drama, but not quite that either. It's a comedy, but suspenseful. It's kind of everything rolled into one. Richard Rush pulled out all stops when he made this one. Peter O'Toole is incredible, as you would expect. But keeping pace with him every step of the way is Steve Railsback as O'Toole's unwitting victim. Barbara Hershey gives one of her best performances and the supporting cast is top-drawer with such able actors as Alex Rocco and Allen Garfield.

The Invisible Man Returns (1940)

A disappointing film

[4/10 · 23 October 2000]

Considering that this is the sequel to one of the all time greats, it's very disappointing. Slow and dull, it has very little suspense. Apart from the still excellent special effects, there isn't much to recommend this movie. I'd skip this one and watch the first one twice.