iloveperth Reviews

Skidoo (1968)

Terrible.

[2/10 · 5 January 2008]

Like most people, I was dying to see Skidoo after hearing how terrible it was. I was expecting something so campy, so fun and so BAD, I'd be rewatching it for days just so I could laugh myself silly.

Boy was I wrong. Skidoo is not campy, not silly and not fun. Instead, it's just flat out dull and boring. I'm not a Preminger fan to begin with (the only movies of his I enjoy are "Laura" and "Anatomy of a Murder"), but "Skidoo" just kills off any future interest in him, for me at least. I'm not sure what any of the cast members were thinking when they agreed to be apart of this movie. It's almost as bad as "Angel, Angel Down We Go" with Jennifer Jones and Roddy McDowell. What were these actors thinking? Did they really need the money so desperately?

Although, I have to admit Carol Channing is the one bright spot in the film. She looks like she's having a blast, especially at the end where she leads the hippies towards the yacht while dressed as a pirate and singing the movie's theme song. She really throws herself into the movie, although seeing her in her bra and panties is not something I ever want to see again.

The best part are the closing credits. Not because they're being sung by Harry Nilsson, but because you know the movie is finally over.

Fire Sale (1977)

Not bad at all.

[8/10 · 1 December 2005]

After reading the positive comments here and seeing the 1 star rating on my digital cable guide, I decided to give it a chance (plus, I'm a big Alan Arkin fan after seeing him in 'Catch-22', 'Glengarry Glen Ross', and 'Little Murders'). And I have to say that it's not as bad as it's made out to be. It's actually really really funny--if you have a certain sense of humor. I was dying with laughter during the scene where Arkin and Rob Reiner started fighting on the father's bed--on top of the father! There were other good scenes: the kids throwing the rocks through the windows, Arkin approaching the basketball player on the court, the crazy Jewish mother throughout the whole movie, "Keep Out Putz!" written on the office door and the scene with the comatose dad and the insurance guys. I could go on because I really liked this movie. The only thing that kinda bugged was Rob Reiner's attacks, but eh. What are you gonna do?

I think that you have to enjoy a certain type of humor to find this movie funny. During the whole thing I found myself drawing parallels to my favorite sitcom, Arrested Development. Crazy dysfunctional family? Check. Adopting a kid of a completely different race for personal gain? Check. Buring down a business for money? Check. (Episode 2 of Season 1--Top Banana!) Multiple story lines that culminate into one big finale? Yup. And there was even a big wacky ending involving all the family members. Both are very slapstick-y comedies with both dry and over the top jokes. If you love that kind of humor, then you'll really like Fire Sale. If you're more into standard comedies, then you'll probably become very easily annoyed and change the channel.

I'd love to see a cheap DVD of this movie out in a letterbox format. I remember Fox Movie Channel used to run some kind of promo trailer/short documentary before showing it, so I'd love to see that as well. Plus, some of the scenes are very dark. I'm not sure if this is the print of the movie or Arkin's intention, but it would be nice to see this movie remastered and released in the future, but that probably won't happen. A girl can dream though!

A Ticklish Affair (1963)

A fun affair

[8/10 · 5 October 2005]

This is one of those early 1960's movies where you have to suspend disbelief for ninety minutes, but it's well worth it. Shirley Jones is the widowed mother of three rowdy little boys and Gig Young is the naval commander that she falls in love with and vice versa. Red Buttons and Carolyn Jones are very good in their supporting roles. The ending is appropriately wacky (weather balloons!), fun and heartwarming with a little drama thrown in for good measure. 'A Ticklish Affair' is not a movie that a jaded cynic will enjoy, but if you like 60's romantic family comedies then I highly recommend this one. I happened to catch this one on Turner Classic Movies by accident and I'm so happy I taped it. I was smiling like crazy by the end. Great movie.

Raid on Entebbe (1976)

Fantastic.

[10/10 · 9 August 2005]

After seeing both versions of the Entebbe movies, 'Raid on Entebbe' is definitely the better of the two. Not only are the production values and sets better, the acting is much more understated and restrained. It really allows the exciting story to shine through.

The performances are really what makes the movie great: Yaphet Kotto is outstanding as President Idi Amin Dada. His fake cheerfulness towards the Jewish hostages is much more frightening than the actual terrorists with their guns. Sylvia Sydney is great as the doomed woman sent to the hospital. As always, Martin Balsam (which is the main reason I watched this) gives a good solid performance as the hostage who develops a sort of uneasy rapport with one of the terrorists, leading to the scene during the rescue mission.

This movie is excellent--a tastefully done account of a real life, courageous mission with an exciting climax. If it's on, I highly recommend it. It's really worth your while.

Victory at Entebbe (1976 TV Movie)

Okay.

[5/10 · 9 August 2005]

After viewing both versions of the Entebbe rescue (the Encore Drama channel is showing both of them this month), I have to definitely say that this is the weaker of the two. While the true story is exciting and excellent, the bargain basement sets (most of this movie looks as though it were being filmed in an abandoned high school!), melodramatic overacting (Linda Blair and Liz Taylor I'm looking at you) and terrible Nazi caricatures really take away from the wonderful rescue story at hand. This is basically a soap opera, Hollywood version of a true story.

I'm sorry, but when Linda Blair walked around with that damn box of chocolates, I was ready to beat her up myself. If you want a great account of the Entebbe rescue, I'd highly recommend 'Raid on Entebbe' instead.

Death Wish 3 (1985)

The Greatest Movie Ever Made!

[10/10 · 17 June 2005]

Death Wish 3 is exactly what a bad movie should be. Terrible acting! Implausible scenerios! Ridiculous death scenes! Creepy, evil-for-no-reason villains! The last 30 minutes of this movie just might be the best 30 minutes ever put on film, especially in the scene where the decent, hardworking citizens string chains across the street, knocking down the evil bikers and then shoot them, only to be joined by the neighborhood children (!!!) in celebration. And how can I forget the elderly woman with the broom? She's sweeping out the scum! And if that's not enough, let's not forget how quickly the punks give up after Fraker is killed. I'm laughing just thinking about it.

I also love the death scene of Kersey's girlfriend. He just *walks away* after seeing her get blown up. It's little things like this that make Death Wish 3 such a bad movie. And I'm not even mentioning the bizarre soundtrack.

I watched this movie because of Martin Balsam, who I seriously think is one of the finest character actors ever (and who's own "getting beaten up by the scum" scene is hilarious) and I walked away with a new favorite movie. Thank you, Death Wish 3 for making me laugh so hard.

Some other things I forgot to mention: 1. The weird sound effect after Kersey says "Cash!" when buying his used car. Ha! It's so evil sounding. 2. MANDY Fraker. Mandy! Did the writers run out of tough guy names? 3. The fact that the gangs apparently have a "lend and lease" thug exchange program: "I need some more guys." And that Mandy has a working phone line in an abandoned building. 4. At the end of the movie, after Kersey blows up Fraker: is it just me, or does it look like the street gang is about to break into choreography as they're giving up? Just watch how in sync they are after the female punk gives the "stop" signal.

I love this movie. Nothing cheers me up like Death Wish 3!

Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)

"I'm never going to suffer for you again. Not EVER."

[10/10 · 25 February 2005]

Although some might say that the Joan/Bette backstory behind 'Charlotte' is a little more fascinating, I respectfully disagree. 'Charlotte' is one of my all time favorite movies. It's got a great cast and gives Olivia de Havilland her first taste at playing a real bitch (the car scene where Miriam (de Havilland) slaps Charlotte is fantastic!) It's hard for me to think that Joan Crawford was cast in the original role of Miriam, only because de Havilland brings such a refinement to the character. She's well-mannered, classy and eloquent, which makes it that much better when she finally snaps.

Agnes Moorehead is a hoot playing Velma, and while her whole character is a tad overexaggerated, the true caring she had for "Miss Charlotte" is nice to see. As always, Joseph Cotten is great as Dr. Drew Bayliss, and unlike his other roles, he doesn't underplay this one. I enjoy the chemistry between him and de Havilland in their scenes together, particularly in the one after Velma's death. The black and white cinematography is wonderful--giving the whole film a moody, creepy look.

The whole movie leans towards the category of "campy bitchfests", but what a fantastic campy bitchfest it is! 'Charlotte' is always labeled under horror, but the scene where Bruce Dern is murdered always makes me laugh. Compared to today's gore standards this one is the equivalent of a paper cut!

10/10. And personally, I found 'Charlotte' much more interesting than Baby Jane, which just rubbed me the wrong way (I think I spent a good half of that movie just staring at Joan Crawfords eyebrows.) Come on Fox! Get going on a DVD!

The Heiress (1949)

one of my all time favorite movies

[10/10 · 25 February 2005]

This is one of those movies that stays in your mind long after its ended. The performance given by Olivia de Havilland is nothing less that brilliant and anyone who's ever been harshly jilted by a past love can certainly cheer her on in the final moments of the movie.

There are so many heartbreaking scenes in 'The Heiress'. Many people have mentioned the scene where her father berates her, but another sad moment for me was in the beginning at the dance, where Catharine is dumped by her first dancing partner. Perhaps that's why I kept hoping Montgomery Clift's character really was in love with Catherine--you just wanted her to be happy. The joy in her face when Morris wants to marry her, fills up the entire screen.

Could another actress have been cast in the role of Catherine Sloper? Possibly, but I seriously doubt they would have done the superb job that Olivia de Havilland did. For me, the ending was a tad hopeful--the giving away of the cufflinks, the snipping of the thread and the line about never doing another embroidery again made me believe that once she exacted her revenge on Morris, she was ready to move on with her life.

A 10/10 film. If it's ever on TCM, I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed.