skirner Reviews

Don't Look Back (2009)

Baffled by some of the harsh reviews of this excellent film!

[9/10 · 4 December 2023]

Originally bought the dvd of this film because Monica Bellucie was the star of the film. The video sat in my unwatched collection of foreign dvd's for a considerable time before I finally got around to watching it with no idea what it might be about. First thing that grabbed me was the the central high concept hook of a woman whose reality is shifting radically before her eyes . First her apartment shifts next her husband, mother and children are different people finally even her appearance alters into a different woman entirely.

Once the you experience this unique hook concept you can't stop watching this movie till you find out what the hell is going on. Is it some elaborate gaslighting perpetrated by her friends and relatives? Is she experiencing some kind of mirror world where her alter ego has a completely different life or she going insane for real and imagining all of it?

All aspects of the film are well done including some remarkable CGI effects sequences where one woman's face morphs into another. Excellent performances by the entire cast and fine cinematography and direction.

The ending isn't specifically clear if her experience is purely psychological or perhaps a possession by her dead sisters spirit which I kind of like. It leaves it up to the viewer to decide if it's supernatural or psychological. I found the film to be a very well done mystery and the ending satisfying. Were all the questions answered and tied up in a pretty bow? No a lot is left open to the viewers imagination to figure out or not.

All in all I rate it very highly for its sub genre of Gaslight type or loss of memory films. It's a unique twist on the subject which I enjoyed a lot.

For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada (2012)

The Catholic Church clinging on to power and subverting the government!

[1/10 · 18 August 2023]

One sided film supporting the Catholic Church's war against the legal government of Mexico to ensure its mind control of the poor peasants and preserve its bleeding of Mexican peoples resources. The Masons tried to end the evil hegonony of the Catholic Church through legal suppression of its worst practices but instead of complying the Church caused a revolt causing the death of uncounted Mexicans! Like earlier wars in Spain the Netherlands it's just one more example of the Catholic Church doing anything to cling to power no matter the cost! Not bad cast and production values however the film lacks info on WHY the Church was being suppressed? It fails to address the many crimes of the Church in exploiting the Mexican people. Hopefully a film will be made from the view point of the Government resisting the tyranny of the Church!

Appointment with a Shadow (1957)

Wow blown away by this great film noir!

[9/10 · 30 June 2023]

Didn't expect much from this movie I just got in a Blu-ray 3 pack of vintage noir thrillers. Never been that impressed with George Nader's acting range I rate him similar to Kerwin Matthews great unique, identifiable speaking voices who can play stalwart heroes but not much dramatic range or emotional intensity. Nader has made me reevaluate his acting a little in this arguably in my opinion his best performance and film.

He gives a pretty good performance as an alcoholic newspaper reporter given one last chance at redemption. His haggard appearance that is strikingly different from his normal robust healthy anc handsome film persona certainly helps sell him being an alcoholic but he does some good layering of twitches and mannerisms that impressed me and had me question my previous opinion he was just an average leading man type of the era.

Besides Nader the film had a great supporting cast including the always capable Brien Keith plus the beautiful lady who starred in "Invaders From Mars" whose name escapes me.

Kudos go to fine direction by Richard Carlson but the best thing about the film is a really suspenseful script that I'm surprised wasn't used in an A list production with a big name star in the leading role. The story is that good with a load of twists and turns once the action starts going in the second act.

I highly recommend this very entertaining suspense film and quite frankly am surprised it had not been remade with a big budget and top line actors and directors.

Route 66: Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are! (1963) Season 4, Episode 3

Great cast outweighs poor to middling script!

[7/10 · 28 May 2023]

Others here have criticized the script for this episode and it's not among the best however when you have a guest cast of Diane Baker, Lon Chaney and Alex Cord chewing up the screen I say who needs a great script to be entertained? Half the reason I watch old tv shows like this is to see the guest stars who actually were STARS unlike todays film and tv actors who have lost the classic actors ability to create interesting screen personas.

I love these stars chewing up the scenery a little showing what they can do and showing up modern realist actors who are ultimately rather boring on the screen. I want to see out of the ordinary screen personalities I see enough reality in my life to want to escape a little from it not experience it when I'm trying to be entertained.

Big fan of Diane Baker so just her being in this episode makes it special to me. Add on a classic over the top Lon Chaney performance and it's a real treat. Never a big fan of Alex Cord but he is actually pretty good in his playing a skirt chasing sailer. All in all I enjoyed this episode a lot primarily to revisit old film friends I grew up with and love to revisit.

Route 66: Suppose I Said I Was the Queen of Spain (1963) Season 3, Episode 18

A try out for Robert Duvall!

[8/10 · 12 May 2023]

Searching for a replacement for George Maharis the producers approached Burt Reynolds but he was under contract for "Gunsmoke" and couldn't get out of it. They gave Robert Duvall a this try out episode as a possible replacement for Maharis but the producers decided he was not handsome enough. Both Burt and Duvall would have supplied the street wise angst needed to replace Maharis and balance the two lead actors. Unfortunately the producers decided on a pretty face for Maharis replacement and the chemistry was lost between the two lead actors and the show ended on an aborted 4th season. Not a bad episode it's unfortunate Duvall was not chosen to replace Maharis.

Terror House (1942)

Mary Clare as the housekeeper steals this movie!

[8/10 · 31 March 2023]

First off let me inform readers that a pristine print of this very good movie is available on Blu-ray Disc from Classic Flix. Great sharp, crisp black & white restored film unfortunately no significant extras like documentaries or commentary tracts.

Other posters have described the plot of the film so I won't duplicate their info except to say it's an in gaging old dark house mystery with a GREAT British cast head lined by the superb James Mason in an early role. In the supporting cast one actress virtually steals the film as arguably one of the most fiendish females in film history I'm talking about Mary Clare as the house keeper who takes glee in killing cute bunnies, assorted other animals and people.

I highly recommend this film for those lovers of vintage British cinema, James Mason fans, mystery fans and suspense films. The biggest draw to me however is experiencing the best female villain who is scarier than the Spiderwoman herself Gale Sondergard, Mary Clare!

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015–2024)

Exposes how bad the police and attorney generals are!

[10/10 · 4 April 2022]

This documentary basically reveals if your rich enough you can get away with murder several times! If not for the Hubris of Robert Durst he would never have been brought to justice. Big kudos to the producers of this documentary who did police work that the police should have done resulting in opening a new trial of Durst that finally brought him to justice after 30 years. Saw the film on Durst and heard about the documentary done after the film and had to see it and it was well worth my money time and effort. Arguably one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Absolutely mesmerizing I recommend this show to anyone who loves a good mystery and police procedurals.

Mindstorm (I) (2001)

I noticed as well!

[5/10 · 5 January 2022]

Happy to see another reviewer noticed "Mindstorm" recycled action footage from the remake of "Narrow Margin" a big budget action film starring Gene Hackman. I noticed it almost immediately it seemed a little out of place in "Mindstorm" but I figure if a producer has the opportunity to inject a big budget action scene into his film for free you go for it and find a way to include it. It does make me wonder if any of the other action scenes were pilfered as well.

Over all "Mindstorm" is above average for a b movie science fiction action film sporting a good cast and half way decent script. I recommend it over other similar type films which do not measure up.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997)

Not as bad as other reviewers claim it does have reddening qualities and worth watching.

[6/10 · 13 December 2021]

To start off it is certainly not as good as Disney's iconic film version that being said it tries to expand on the Jules Verne and Disney tale most of the time badly but there are some interesting concepts explored. The best things about the miniseries is the production values that rival in some ways the Disney version. Very lavish and large sets and loads of extras used in the film. The effects are not that bad I particularly liked the films version of the Nautilus submarine a totally different take and look from Disney's iconic submarine but very cool in my opinion. The cast is exceptional as well with Michael Caine as Nemo and the rest of the cast name actors or professional thespians. The big flaw is of course the script which twists and demonizes Ned Land . The length of the miniseries is noticeably padded to make it a miniseries event hurting the film as well. The dialogue is stilted and stiff hurting the actors deliveries. Despite these shortcomings it's worth a watch for people interested in seeing lavish well mounted science fiction particularly if your a fan of Jules Verne and Michael Caine.

National Velvet (1944)

"National Velvet"'a modern Myth tapping into ancient divine archetypes that tap into our subconscious and reenact the hero's journey.

[10/10 · 21 November 2021]

I have lived this film since I first saw it on tv as a child but never understood why it's magic ensnared my devotion until I became aware of Carl Jung the famous psychologist and studied ancient myths. The characters in the film all can be seen in many myths and legends throughout history the film uses these well worn figures to tell a modern tale but in reality they represent divine paradigms as old as civilization itself.

Before the Christian male Trinity there was the the pagan female trinity of the Goddess with three faces. The wise old crone, the beautiful maiden and the beloved girl child. These three are represented in the film by the wise other, beautiful daughter Angela Lansbury and the child by Elizabeth Taylor.

Taylor is the muse to Mickey Rooney inspiring him to greatness but first he must sacrifice his ego and let her ride the Pie to victory showing his submission to the divine feminine and worthiness of her love.

Another great classic film also uses the female trinity in its more obvious aspects. I'm talking about "Portrait of Jennie" where you have the wise old woma played by Ethel Barrymore with Jennie herself played by Jennifer Jones portraying both the divine child and later the beloved maiden. Joseph Cotten is the male protagonist on his hero's journey to find inspiration and love.

Modern films unfortunately have abandoned these time honored divine paradigms but fortunately we have these classic films preserved to enlighten us and entertain us.

Voice from the Stone (2017)

Slow moving but with a conclusion well worth waiting for!

[8/10 · 11 September 2021]

This romantic fantasy film really took me by surprise in a good way. Several twists and turns in the third act had me knocked on my ass after the rather sedate and slow pacing in the first two acts of the film. Absolutely loved the ending which blew me away. The acting by all the cast was first rate and the location photography was outstanding.

I compare this film favorably to great romantic fantasy films like "Portrait of Jennie", "Somewhere in Time" and other classics of the romantic fantasy genre. I wouldn't put it equal to those great films but even getting compared to them is high praise undead in my opinion.

I went into this film not really knowing what genre it fitted into mystery, horror, psychological drama or fantasy. Ultimately it has elements of all of them but primarily it turns out to be a fantasy. Like the best of romantic fantasy films it's conclusion fills you with ecstatic fulfillment and satisfaction at the triumph of love over death and despair. I recommend this movie to those wishing to be uplifted spiritually and emotionally.

Riders of Justice (2020)

Another Mads Mikkelsen hit!

[10/10 · 3 September 2021]

Love this Danish films take on the American action film. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger's best action films this movie combines hilarious comedy and serious butt kicking. Hope Mads makes more movies like this and takes over the action film genre now that Liam Neeson is getting too old.

Under Capricorn (1949)

Very unfairly criticized epic historical melodrama that ranks as one of the best of its type!

[8/10 · 7 May 2021]

Just watched the Blu-ray and was pleasantly surprised how good this much maligned Hitchcock film is. Being a historical melodrama it deviates dramatically from Hitchcock's normal suspense mystery genre that he excelled at. In my opinion Hitchcock made a minor masterpiece in this departure from his usual fare.

I found the film very entertaining and engrossing with a good story and intriguing characters well played by an all star cast. I have always liked Michael Wilding in films like "The Glass Slipper" and "The Egyptian" and found him in this film equally likable. Joseph Cotten stared in my favorite film of all time "Portrait of Jennie" and he doesn't disappoint in this film. What can you say about Ingred Bergman one of the greatest stars and actresses of her generation except how delightful to see her in a film I had missed seeing until now.

All in all I find it outrageous that critics have damned this quality film by Hitchcock just because he dared to make a film outside the genre the critics had pidgeon holed him in. I consider this one of Hitch's better films and certainly not one of his worst. I highly recommend it for people who love historical costume melodramas. One of the best films of its type by the great Hitchcock!

My Wife's Lodger (1952)

Don't know why this film is being browbeat? I find it very entertaining!

[8/10 · 3 April 2021]

Seems from the previous reviews that Brits don't much care for this film. Sorry but I found the humor in this film very funny. Love the lead comic actor a lot. He has really great comedic talents and makes the film memorable to me. Mr Roche enlivens every frame of film he is in and I'm so happy to have discovered this British comic that was unknown to this American cinephile.

The screenplay has some great comedic scenes starting right off the bat with a funny skit in a crowded train cabin with a mean little kid causing mischief. From there it brings us to the main protagonists home where he has been away for 6 years in the army overseas. Instead of being overjoyed at his return the family ignores him or disparages him in favor of a sleazy lodger who has taken his place in their affections.

The rest of the film details how our putupon hero recovers his families affections and reveals the true nature of his adversary in a series of comic set pieces that had me laughing out loud at times. The film is helped considerably by a fine cast of supporting actors particularly the cantankerous elderly mother in law who steals every scene she is in.

Diana Dors the British Marilyn Monroe is excellent as well playing Roches bombshell of a daughter. Roches wife in the film is very well played as well. All in all the film is a nice example of slap stick character driven British comedy of the period. Some reviewers have put it down as a Marx Bros type film.

Being a great admirer of classic American slapstick comedy I can't think of a higher praise for this film. Unfortunately some British critics have their noses so high in the air they can't smell the roses of brilliant farcical comedy! This is definitely one of those times.

Bugles in the Afternoon (1952)

Best of the Ray Milland westerns and a pretty darn good flick!

[8/10 · 13 March 2021]

Surprised by the rather large production values displayed in this Ray Milland western. Big time film score by Dimitri Tiomkin, great cast of actors, nice sets and large cast of extras in pretty extravagant battle scenes between Calvary and Indians. While some reviews criticized the plot I found the love triangle main theme engaging and interesting and thought it dove tailed nicely with the epic canvas of the battle of the little big horn.

I enjoyed seeing George Reeves in a nice supporting role along with Barton McClain being cast as a good guy rather than his usual bad guy role. I particularly loved Forrest Tucker playing the role of an endearingly jovial Irish cavalryman. He steals the movie in many ways. I'm a fan of Ray Milland so I'm naturally going to like his trike in this film one of the best in the latter part of his career.

The movie is not "They Died With Their Boots On" but it is a well made big budget western for its time deserving to be seen and celebrated. Hope it comes out on a deluxe Blu-Ray I would buy it on day one!

Drive Hard (2014)

Well written action comedy that Had me laughing out loud several times.

[8/10 · 10 March 2021]

Picked the Blu-ray up a while ago and did not expect much when I decided to watch it. I found it to be a very entertaining popcorn movie that had several hilarious moments particularly one scene involving a mean granny action piece that needs to be seen to be believed. The girl actress who plays Thomas Janes daughter gets some very funny scenes as well.

The film does suffer from the usual action movie tropes of thousands of bullets shot by the bad guys who can't hit the broad side of a barn. The two lead American actors aquit themselves well in this Australian film well directed by veteran Australian director Brian Trenchard Smith one of the titans of the original OZploitation craze that put Australian action films on the map decades ago.

Drive Hard is not "Gone With The Wind" but it is a fun entertaining little film that will put a smile on your face for a couple hours. More than can be said for a lot of films these days.

The Rising Hawk (2019)

Not bad interesting historical film about a time and place rarely seen.

[7/10 · 9 February 2021]

I don't have any idea why this film is getting so many bad reviews I thought it a nice action historical film with an interesting story, good action scenes and spectacular set pieces. I liked the authentic looking costuming and sets. I also liked the casting of the Mongols as Asian actors so it looks more authentic. Ie it a GREAT historical film maybe not but it's certainly a very good one.

The Bishop's Wife (1947)

The best Christmas film ever made and my second favorite film of all time!

[10/10 · 27 December 2020]

Good beyond hope this film is a masterpiece of the first water! Impeccably cast from top to bottom, perfect script and excellent direction and cinematography the only reason this film did not win best picture in 1948 is because of political correctness. The winner addressed discrimination against Jewish Americans and was socially relevant at the time. "Gentleman's Agreement starring Gregory Peck is a fine film but not on the par of "The Bishop's Wife" an absolute timeless classic. As has happened many times in Oscar voting so called important , dramatic films upstage timeless masterpieces that outlast the politically important films of the time that over time lose their power to changing attitudes and concerns.

Another reason "The Bishop's Wife" was not rewarded as much as it deserved was that the same year it came out two other extremely good romantic comedy fantasy films also came out " Miracle on 34th Street" and "The Ghost and Mr's Muir." In fact "Miracle on 34th Street" was also nominated for best picture that year splitting the vote between "The Bishop's Wife" for people who found a tough choice voting between two classic Christmas films.

Amazing to me that Monty Woolley who steals the film in my opinion from the three main stars did not get a supporting actor nomination at the very least. He deserved to win that year in my humble opinion. I can understand however the difficulty of choosing between a host of great character actors in "The Bishop's Wife" which boasts the greatest ensemble cast ever to appear in one film where the parts are not just cameo's but integral and important to the film. The academy really needs to copy the Golden Globes and have a best ensemble award so pictures like "Thd Bishop's Wife" with magnificent casts from top to bottom get the recognition they deserve.

Special recognition should go to the screenplay which Adapts Robert Nathon's novel of the same name elevating it to heavenly heights of sublime dialog and profound insight. An absolutely perfect screenplay that holds up even after countless viewing. I would not change a single word in this magical script and am astounded that the producers of the poor remake "The Preachers Wife" decided to jettison a script that deserves respect like Shakespeare's plays and rewrote the entire film except for the barebones central plot structure.

In conclusion it amazes me when I see people list the top Christmas films of all time and "The Bishop's Wife is omitted while action movies like "Die Hard" for gods sake are listed! Are these people just stupid or just ignorant? I don't have a clue why this film is not number one Christmas film and two not celebrated as one of the best films ever made.