robb_mavins Reviews

Seven Days in May (1964)

Seven Days - an amazing film even today 2003/04

[13 September 2003]

2003/04 This is the fourth time, I have watched this movie over the years, and each time it just gets better; Its interesting, who could not be awed by Kirk Douglass as Colonel Jiggs Casey USMC and Burt Douglas as USAF Gen Scott the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

The thing that got me this time was that ( I am now 39,) the supporting characters, especially the phenomenal Frederic March as President Jordon Lyman, Martin Balsam as Secretary Paul Gerrard, and the amazing Edmund O'Brien as the alcoholic but heroic Senator Ray Clark are outstanding. Not totally true to the book but VERY exciting. Catch also John Houseman as Vice Admiral Barnswell and Ava Gardner as Elie Holbrook. This is a not to be missed movie.

It seems slow by today's standards, but it is a worth watching again. Funny how we come full circle, our cold war today is a little warmer in climate,

but still cold in the mind.

One of the 3 great films of the cold war `Seven Days in May' , the `Manchurian Candidate' & `Ice Station Zebra'. Just my opinion of course.

Comments are welcome (to the author, Robb Mavins)

1-800-Missing (2003–2006)

Caterina Scorsone is amazing as Jess Mastriani

[12 September 2003]

I just had a chance to watch the pilot episode and Caterina Scorsone is amazing as Jess Mastriani, I sincerely hope this show gets a long run. The interplay between the characters is well crafted and I very easily bought into the premise. There was something about the understated & matter of fact way that Caterina Scorsone delivers her character's gift that works well for `suspension of disbelief'

It was also a joy to see Alberta Watson playing a mom, she scared the heck out of me when she played Madeline from `Nikita'. Writer Producers Davis & Laurin deliver great characters. I hope that this show us given a chance to build an audience.

The Jack Bull (1999 TV Movie)

The Jack Bull will surprise you

[10/10 · 17 August 2003]

WATCH IT. A great moral translated to a western tale. I have been a fan of Cusack for some time; my first impression was that in a Western he would not be strong enough. As Myrl Redding, the strong true and moral man pushed too far, he is driven and tortured by theft and the death of his wife; and he is wonderful.

The great thing about this movie is that L.Q. Jones' Ballard is not evil just the antagonist. This movie is filled with good people trying to do what they feel is the right thing including John Goodman as Judge Toliver. <br> The best compliment I can give is that it reminds a lot of `The Crucible' by Arthur Miller, though to be honest, I am never sure who is on the side of right . Since the movie is also set against the statehood debate there are so many subplots. Both Redding & Ballard are pushed and pulled by so many other forces, I am never quite sure to whom is delivered `More Weight' as was Giles Corey in the Crucible but the result is very watchable. That's why in the final analysis I like this film, it is not about `white hats' and black hats just sadly about flawed people.