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Reviews
Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Fortune (1965)
Adams and White are wonderful
This episode is one of my favorites. There is a charming, believable and palpable chemistry between Julie Adams and Jessie White. I love all the scenes with them. Both very underrated actors. Adams has never been sexier and White gives the surprise performance of his life, I think. I wished I had seen him in more lead roles on TV. He proves he had the acting chops to handle such roles as does Adams. It's sweet she takes a liking to an older man. Their banter is fun, real. I found the script pretty good for season ten. The first time I saw this I thought it was in one of the earlier seasons. I found myself surprised at the collusion at the end of the show. They had me fooled. Perry, Della and Paul Drake were at there usual best and I also like Richard Anderson as well. I have no complaints about this episode. A great night in TV.
Mapplethorpe (2018)
Matt Smith is Robert Mapplethorpe
I just finished watching the Director's cut. Very well done. I was around NYC when Mapplethorpe, Patti Smith and Sam Wagstaff hit the scene and they completely nailed that time period, NYC, the Chelsea Hotel and the West Village vibe. The film also captures the gritty artistic esthetic of the time. I love the way his evolution progresses in the film where his personal atmosphere evolves with the perfection he sees in the frames of his pictures that make him so famous. Excellent script. Well Directed. Smith becomes Robert Mapplethorpe uncompromisingly. I also enjoyed the actors who play Patti Smith, Wagstaff and his models. I would have liked Smith's and Wagstaff's character's more deeply explored. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Well done Matt Smith. Very pleased with this film. Smith should have been nominated for an Oscar for his uncompromising performance.
Licorice Pizza (2021)
A wonderful film
I can't believe I am going to say this - I loved this film. I can't believe I'm saying this because I've consistently hated the films directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. For instance, I hated "There Will Be Blood" (a movie many feel is one of the best films ever made) and I also hated the recent "Phantom Thread" - also extremely acclaimed. The only film I ever liked of Paul Thomas Anderson's before this one is "Magnolia" with Tom Cruise - made about 30 years ago. Cruise got an Oscar nomination and it's infamous for a scene where it starts raining frogs (which is a biblical allusion -(Exodus VIII). To me "Licorice Pizza" is fantastic - kind of a cross between "American Graffiti" and Ang Lee's "The Ice storm". The two kids who star, Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman (Phillip Seymour Hoffman's son) are wonderful. She is a 25 year old Jewish girl circa 1973 searching for her personal destiny and he is a very ambitious 15 year old determined to be rich and famous. This is their insane love story. One things for sure - the young folks of Sherman Oaks California are a hell of a lot more sophisticated than I ever was in 1973 - by a long shot (everyone was tho). It is very funny in places, very dramatic in places - also somewhat bittersweet and has a dynamic soundtrack - think "Is there Life on Mars" by David Bowie. Also, Bradley Cooper plays Jon Peters (Barbra Streisand's lover at that time) and is hilarious. Haim, Hoffman and Cooper should have been nominated for Oscars. One of the very best films of that year. I loved the ending. A strong best picture nominee. Should have won.
Gunsmoke: Thursday's Child (1965)
Brilliant performance by Jean Arthur
How wonderful it is to see the subtle brilliance of Jean Arthur working with Doc. The two of them act off of each other like only 2 pros could. There are those on this platform that try to hawk their knowledge (or lack thereof) of Miss Arthur's acting chops only to disclose their novice opinions. Her brilliance is an example of "less is more" and the subtle nuances of her reactions are a testament to her knowledge of the camera. Make no mistake - this is a wonderful performance given by Ms. Arthur aided with a great script and a masterful pair up with Doc. Thankfully this has brought us one of the great Gunsmoke episodes in its 20 years. This is a master class in how legendary talent often make the most of what they are given. It's so nice to see performances where the principles are deeply devoted to providing their audience with the highest of quality in entertainment.