bbbaldie Reviews

Mysterious Circumstance: The Death of Meriwether Lewis (2022)

Fun diversion

[9/10 · 12 March 2023]

What did happen with Meriwether Lewis? Here are four different stories, pick one. Did the perennially depressed man kill himself?

With TWO shots??

Or was it something a bit more murderous?

A great way to kill a couple of hours and see some nice Tennessee landscapes.

I'm still wondering about the Native girl, and why she was so frightened at the beginning of the movie.

See? Still thinking about it the next day. The sign of a great flick.

BTW, a treat seeing OU football star Marcus Dupree, and Duke of Hazzard John Schneider.

Enjoy this low-budget treat. It's certainly more bang for the buck than Heaven's Gate.

No Time to Die (2021)

Oh, Hollywood...

[4/10 · 12 April 2022]

(Spoilers ahead)

I deliberately avoided reading anything about the latest Bond film (No Time to Die) so I could draw my own conclusions. I assumed it would reek of enforced diversity and wokeness.

I wasn't disappointed.

Let's see. Q, the gadget master, is now happily gay. Moneypenny is a black woman who runs operations instead of answering phones and bringing coffee. All villains are Caucasian males. Not a bad woman in the bunch, or anyone off-white. And a new 007, a black woman, of course, who has 0 character flaws. Why, she even follows company protocol when arresting white male villains. Oh, and the best part: one white male villain is killed with an acid bath immediately after threatening to exterminate all blacks. Seriously.

Have you noticed how silly hit 70's cop dramas look with their polyester suits and porn 'staches? That's what early 21st century Hollywood movies and TV shows will look like to future generations who have grown weary of the message that Straight White Males Are Evil.

James Bond apparently dies at the end of the film. I rejoice. He couldn't live in that world. The next film without him should sink the festering franchise for good.

Skokie (1981 TV Movie)

Free speech must be upheld, no matter how obnoxious it is.

[9/10 · 21 July 2019]

I saw this film when I was 21, and came away feeling like the title of my review.

Yes, one felt intense sympathy for Danny Kaye's character. But one also admired the ACLU attorney's dogged determination to see to it that a basic civil right of this country wasn't impinged.

It will make you nostalgic for when things were that way, when we all knew, as much as we despised the ACLU for defending people like nazis, that we also knew they would look out for us under similar circumstances.

In 2019, we have hate speech bans everywhere you look, particularly on college campuses. We also have an ACLU which now concentrates strictly on the rights of those to the left of center. Are we better off? You decide.

I would love for this to be required viewing in every high school civics class. Wait, we don't have those any more, do we?

Great News (2017–2018)

Brilliant, then predictable

[6/10 · 5 January 2019]

First of all, Andrea Martin is pure gold any time she's on the screen.

Second, the first season avoided politics, and it was hilarious from one end to the other.

Third, sadly, Tina Fey gave in to the temptation of partisan politics in the second season, and it turned into Murphy Brown (although it's actually funny too, in contrast to MB, thanks to Andrea Martin).

If you lean to the left, you'll think I'm an idiot. If you lean right. or are neutral, you'll spot the trashing of one side and the praising of the other. BO-RING.

Bridge of Spies (2015)

Plain and Simple

[10/10 · 18 October 2015]

I haven't experienced a film like this on first viewing since Raiders of the Lost Ark, a long time ago. This is a riveting tale of intrigue, the striving for justice, and the real fear that the world felt about nuclear war in the 50's and early 60's. I can't stop thinking about it. So many twists and turns! This movie is to spy films what Raiders was to adventure flicks: a changing, defining moment which will force all who follow to shape their own films to match.

I'm done, but this site's silly demand for more lines of text means that I have to add this useless addendum. Too bad speaking succinctly is vanishing. The more one talks, the better what they have to say is, I guess.

Alaskan Bush People (2014– )

Like watching a train wreck

[5/10 · 17 February 2015]

ROTFLMAO! This show is actually campily entertaining. Yeah, probably the fakest thing in reality TV, even nudging aside Hardcore Pawn and Amish Mafia, but the fact that the old man is currently staring at some serious hard time along with the adult sons makes this must-see TV! I can't wait to see how the fraud charges are portrayed, probably a plot by some neighbors who resent the helicopters.

Only thing is that Discovery was once known for quality. Sad. TLC was once known as The Learning Channel, too.

Here's hoping that Nat Geo doesn't turn into trash-TV too. We need some of these networks to keep churning out actual quality, no matter how much fun these fake-fests are.

Under African Skies (2012)

An eye-opener

[9/10 · 15 November 2014]

I was amazed to learn how Graceland came about. Turns out many of the songs were instrumentals from the African groups involved which Paul tweaked a bit and then later added lyrics to. What a great tale of creation and cooperation! Paul was vilified by a few for breaking the boycott against South Africa, despite the fact that he performed with exiled artists and also shared with the world some very talented black artists who certainly weren't supporting obnoxious government policies. The angry ones are nowadays pretty much over it, as depicted in the film.

What keeps this from being a 10 is the useless addition of Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldeberg. They had nothing to do with Simon's actions, and their opinions matter as much as mine, in other words, not at all. Whoopi, shouldn't you be out pleading the case for Roman Polanski or something? Off to listen to Graceland now...

Snake & Mongoose (2013)

Better than Its Receipts Would Indicate

[8/10 · 15 March 2014]

Man, this poor movie stunk up the box office. Too bad, it was an excellent, and dare I say it? - family friendly film. I remember buying the Hot Wheels cars, I remember Snake vs. Mongoose on Wide World of Sports, and I immensely enjoyed the more or less true story about the friends, rivals, and ultimately friends again pair who helped take racing to a higher level.

Not too many big names here, John Heard has a minor role, Noah Wyle has a bigger one, but the low-lying stars, Richard Blake and Jesse Williams, and also the delightfully unassuming Ashley Hinshaw as Lynn Prudhomme, will take you back to the 70's, when gas was cheap, cars were fast, and people sadly died when things went wrong with forward-engine top fuel dragsters.

Give this nice film a try.

Evil Roy Slade (1972 TV Movie)

Say, you ain't one of them funny boys, are you?

[8/10 · 28 November 2013]

I saw this when i was twelve years old in 1972, and loved it. I don't believe I saw it again until last night.

Now I've been disappointed a few times by movies and TV shows that I thought were wonderful once upon a time when I viewed them later in life. But this flick is simply excellent. John Astin is one of our great comedic actors, and he was at his best here.

While it's a tame made-for-TV movie, that doesn't hurt its comedy at all. E.g. the blacksmith was a black man named Smith. Very Blazing Saddles. ;-) Watch this movie if you love humor, and watch it with your kids or grandkids, because it has the added plus of being squeaky-clean. It's only a little over 90 minutes, you'll love every second.

Slaughterhouse-Five (1972)

Kurt thought this movie was better than the book

[9/10 · 25 November 2013]

I couldn't track it down, unfortunately, but remember that Rolling Stone interviewed Vonnegut in the late 70's, and he stated that there were two movies that Hollywood had done that were better than their books: Gone with the Wind, and Slaughterhouse-Five. Kurt said Hill left out stuff that he should have left out of the book.

I finally watched the film just yesterday, and agree that it was masterful at capturing the book. The time-traveling was exactly as Kurt described it. The characters were nailed. If only Hollywood could be this good when it interpreted books every time.

If you're unfamiliar with the book and the film, I'd suggest reading first, then watching. It'll make the more obscure parts of the film clear, and you won't be disappointed by George Roy Hill.

W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975)

An under-appreciated gem

[8/10 · 3 November 2013]

Burt hit it big in the 70's, but some of his best stuff is now obscure. This film was poorly based on a book, and that's cost it in terms of appreciation, but after all these years it stands up well on its own. Sure, there are silly plot holes, but it's a lighthearted comedy that features some great country and bluegrass, and a rockin' Jerry Reed belting out a respectable Johnny B. Goode, too! But particularly savor the fifteen minutes or so given to Memphis blues legend Furry Lewis. That man played a wicked slide guitar, and I'm not sure how much footage actually exists besides this film.

Art Carney was perfect as the preacher with a gun and plenty of fire and brimstone who loved tracking down the occasional sinner/thief. Yes, there's great comedy here too, but the music is what makes the film.

This film was replayed a lot on 70's TV, that's where I learned to love it. And after having watched it last night (on a poor TV-formatted copy which was, I believe, otherwise unedited), I believe it's gotten better with age. Don Williams showed that he was a pretty darned good actor in addition to being a successful country crooner of the era. Mel Tillis was great as a goofy gas station attendant. But savor Furry Lewis. How wonderful that we got to see this wonderful legend in good health making that slide guitar scream on his front porch.

Larry Crowne (2011)

A polarizing film indeed

[8/10 · 8 November 2012]

People love it or hate it, it seems.

Probably not among Hanks' classics, but I was downsized at the age of 51 a week before this movie came out.

Needless to say, it was an emotional experience.

A year and change later, I have the best job I've ever had. I watched it again, and the experience was still emotional, but this time it was triumph screaming in my soul instead of poignancy and worry.

Sue me, I loved it.

(addendum) God, is my review really too short to be submitted? Is brevity something to be penalized? I know a lot of people, and believe me, most of them err on the side of yakking too much. And here you are telling me my review must be lengthened. Geez. :-/

Minority Report (2002)

A 3rd SF classic?

[9/10 · 29 November 2003]

I've only seen it three times, so it's a little early to tell, but it seems that (maybe) Hollywood has finally popped out a third great SF movie! I think that MR belongs just might deserved to be mentioned in the same sentence as 2001 and Contact. Tom Cruise plays a non-smarta** for once and shows he can really act. The cinematography is muddled and strange, just like it needs to be. The bizarre storyline is paradoxically believable. Plot twists will blow you away. Is it great? I'll let you know in a few years.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Aw, come on

[5/10 · 8 September 2003]

The movie ended darkly, with nurse Ratched firmly back in charge. Kesey's book showed that Randall's standing up to the evil woman was contagious, with the surviving loonies telling her to shove off. Why change the whole point of the story? 5 stars for great acting.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

Maybe it ain't Raiders, but I'll buy the DVD

[8/10 · 19 July 2003]

Apparently, there was lots of anticipation for this movie from fans of the "graphic novel" (that IS a comic book, right?). Well, book fans are inevitably disappointed by movie adaptations. Therefore, I'm not surprised by the dissing coming from them.

Lots of dissing is coming from history fans, too. I can understand that, because if this film gets a D- in World History for its liberties.

However, I didn't go to see the film because of the comic book. And if I want history, I go to the library or watch History Channel. I saw the film to be entertained, and entertained I was!

I'll have to see it a few more times to catch all of the twists and turns, but it was a blast to see the Victorian scenery, the bad-butt Nautilus, the amazing Invisible Man effects, and the world's worst machine gun marksmen.

I'm going to buy this on DVD. I don't buy very many, so consider that my endorsement of some great, albeit lightweight entertainment.

Goin' South (1978)

Not a classic, but I've been repeating its lines for 25 years . . .

[8/10 · 23 June 2003]

The critics slammed this movie when it came out, as I recall. Exceedingly lofty expectations for Jack the director or something, I don't know. I just know that 25 years has made this movie better. I liked it from the start, and it seems that the rest of the world is coming around.

There are slow sections of this film, to be sure. But the great lines! "I wouldn't take you to a dog fight if you was the defendin' champion!" "We were just sayin' how much we needed a figurine." "Good mornin', ladies! I SHORE ENJOYED them CANNED APRICOTS LAST NIGHT!!!"

It bears up well to repeated watchings. What higher rating can a movie have?

Children of Dune (2003)

Brilliant! But Frank didn't know when to quit, does Sci-Fi?

[22 March 2003]

An outstanding offering from Sci-Fi. Brilliantly produced, and faithful to the storylines. Alia's psychosis was particularly well-presented.

Unfortunately, Frank Herbert kept going back to the well too many times, and wrote the awful God Emperor book (and another in the series that I never bothered to read). So if Sci-Fi is smart, they will rest on their laurels regarding Arrakis, and maybe turn their attention to other SF masters. I'm still waiting for a great Heinlein movie. And what about Niven's Ringworld, Anderson's Tau Zero, or Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama? Ooooh, how about the Sci-Fi version of Lucifer's Hammer?

Keep up the good work, folks. Let's try another master's work.

Dune (2000)

Almost enough to make you forget Dino . . .

[8/10 · 22 March 2003]

While nobody really has any business attempting to capture Herbert's greatest work on celluloid, this Sci-Fi channel offering took a pretty good stab at it.

The problem is that a movie has lots of sand, lots of blue eyes, and lots of big man-eating worms. But what does the viewer learn about the Butlerian Jihad? The Orange Catholic Bible? The universal ban on thinking machines?

But, to their credit, the producers kept a lot closer to the story line than Mr. DeLaurentis. The only movie ending I can think of that took a more direct 180 from the book was The Firm (and that particular exercise was debatably an improvement on the original, unlike psychotically speeding up time a couple hundred years).

Anyhow, read the book, then find this on DVD or VHS. You won't feel overly insulted.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

I get it, SnobbyDude

[9/10 · 11 February 2003]

Don't the rest of you? The man obviously LOVED the movie. Hey, so did I. you either love or hate this movie, and even if it moved you, you just can't help poking fun at it! More great lines than Forrest Gump (another love-it-or-hate-it film), music that makes bluegrass fans out of old time rock-and-rollers, and a plot that goes back a few thousand years. The digital manipulation was astonishing. My favorite thing about this movie? It's truly a film for all ages. Kiddies old enough to handle the PG language through old geezers who were around in the depression will all find something to love. Thanks, Coens. "I seem to be the only one who remains unaffiliated!"

The In-Laws (1979)

On my Top Ten funniest list

[10/10 · 28 July 2002]

This brilliant and hilarious film just makes me ask one question: why didn't Arkin and Falk become the next Newman and Redford? Why was their chemistry, so obvious in this movie, never exploited? 1985's Big Trouble teamed them with writer Bergman once again, but, as most agree, it was the wrong vehicle.

Arkin's constant look of stupefied amazement at what Falk was getting him into made this movie. That same look was present when Senor Pepe was kissing him, remember? And Falk, apparently oblivious but in reality well on top of things, had his defining movie moment.

The movie was a hit, and should have spawned many more Falk-Arkin projects. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. We're the losers because of it.

Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)

Lighten up!

[6/10 · 27 June 2002]

**Spoilers** This is basically a decent movie, but it's played out in a very maudlin manner. Joking and kidding around, essential for dealing with problems great and small, are made to appear childish and immature. Moriarty's Wiggen is content only when he succeeds in getting his teammates to stop their ribbing of De Niro's Pearson. Man, if I was dying, I would feel REALLY depressed when the folks around me stopped joking. I would have liked to seen the same story told with the traditional pranks playing a part in making the country boy catcher feel a part of the team, instead of his being shielded by his misguided friend.

Monday Night Mayhem (2002 TV Movie)

Not bad . . .

[8/10 · 18 January 2002]

This was my time. I was 11 years old when the Monday Night Football thing got rolling. I probably watched as many games through the 70's as the guy in the movie who converted his garage into a Monday night football sanctuary.

I was a Cosell hater who often listened to music on the stereo while watching games. But I also defended him against the ridiculous racism charges (well presented in the film). He had a runaway mouth and an ego the size of John Madden's stomach, but he was colorblind in the truest sense.

The fact is that the movie was a pretty good show. The historical accuracy was a bit lacking (e.g. the theme song of the "first" game was actually not used until the 80's. I was disappointed that the catchy original tune was not featured. I Love Lucy was also long gone by the late 1960's.). But John Turturo played a mean Howard. His performance made up for the lightweight, almost parodied emoting of Brad Beyer and Chad Coleman. Kevin Anderson's Gifford passed muster, but what a shame we didn't get more of Shuler Hensley's brilliant Keith Jackson. I guess that was ultimately Roone Arledge's fault (nicely played by John Heard).

As far as TNT offerings are concerned, place this movie a (distant) second place to Pirates of Silicon Valley. Not too bad, really.

Ed (2000–2004)

Don't tease me, NBC

[24 November 2001]

I know that you are the network that has hormone-laced garbage like "Friends." You also ripped off "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" with "The Weakest Link," thereby dividing an audience and degrading the ratings of a TV show that actually challenges our intelligence. So why are you presenting a completely original, delightful, witty, and, dare I say it, intelligent show to anchor the best night on TV?

Ed manages to actually surprise me, a veteran of too many years of watching TV. True, as I write this, it seems to have given in to a bit of cliche, that of the beautiful girl falling in love with the man who annoys her the most (Carol Vessey and the new principal), but I'm optimistic that there will be a bizarre turn of events there to look forward to.

Comparisons to Northern Exposure are inevitable, and this show matches or surpasses the Alaskan exercise in quirkiness. Let's hope it doesn't slip into an excess of strangeness, as unfortunately happened to NE. For instance, despite what you Hollywood producers fervently believe, a gay wedding just doesn't play in the heartland.

Perhaps Ed's most biting episode is the one where Neil Patrick Harris played an attorney who came to town and admired Ed so much that he bought his own bowling alley and hired his own eccentrics to run it. If this show's ratings continue to rise, look for CBS to do the exact same thing.

Thanks you, David Letterman, for showing us what that idiot box is capable of doing right.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Like Unearthing King Tut's Tomb

[9/10 · 19 October 2001]

This is one lowbrow film. It has a strong air of tight budgets, underpaid extras, and general disorder a la your typical B movie.

Yet, this production ends up a masterpiece whose cracks enhance it, a classic painting whose poor condition makes it more appreciated.

Wallach, the lone "known" actor at the time, has no airs. He just comes across as your typical self-centered individual who learns something from his fellow humans.

Eastwood is Eastwood. Quiet, unassuming, intense beyond human limits. An amazing performance.

Van Cleef is evil and debonair.

Perhaps the most chilling presentation comes from Mario Brega. This Italian character actor makes you really think that he's about to gouge a man's eyes out. The difference between this cinematic triumph being made then and now is that now, they'd probably show him doing so in gory detail. Implication is everything.

Forget the jet trail, the pickup, and the other low budget goofs. Just lose yourself in a great movie.

Contact (1997)

It's Science Fiction, not Star Wars . . .

[10/10 · 13 October 2001]

Talk about miserable batting averages. Hollywood is way below the Mendoza line when it comes to SF films that compare well to the books that they are "based" on. Classic books like The Puppet Masters, Fahrenheit 451, Starship Troopers, 2010, and Dune all swung and missed. It's just stinking hard to capture a great book on film.

Well, Contact pulled it off. This movie defines SF of the 90's like The Godfather was the penultimate 70's drama.

The effects, the story line, the lack of cinematic "extras" that detract from the book, they all add up to a great presentation.

A great movie, like a great book, makes you walk away thinking "that could really happen!" Contact is such a film.

You hardcore SF readers that haven't been to a movie adaptation of a book since De Laurentis gave Baron Harkonnen the disgusting skin condition way back in 1984: read Contact (like you haven't already) and then enjoy the film. You'll be glad you did.