the_great Reviews

Mr. Ricco (1975)

Better than you'd expect

[7/10 · 23 February 2012]

Dean Martin's final lead role has somehow managed to slip under the radar of his fans and 70s crime thriller aficionados. Watching this, I expected to find some critical flaw that accounts for it, but found none. Maybe playing against genre expectations hurt the reception. To me that is not a flaw.

Like others have said, this is a very 70s movie. This time the renegade is not a cop but a defense lawyer. Cop is not the law, he's there to enforce it, is the running theme. There are delightful gags involving Ricco's dog that could be from Columbo, and Dino makes fun of his own golf playing. Cindy Williams plays a spunky aid that Ricco tries to help find a man. Philip Michael Thomas of Miami Vice fame has a memorable early performance.

Inspite of the mellow insider group, pay attention to the case. The action is on the streets. Not much happens inside a courtroom. You may think you are about to see an open and shut case, but there are twists and turns. There are clues as well. To avoid spoilers, avoid Robert Ebert's review that misses the point.

Tall in the Saddle (1944)

The kind of John Wayne Western you always wanted to see but wasn't sure existed

[10/10 · 24 April 2011]

Out of nowhere comes a stranger. Silent, mysterious... You hear about the clichés, but certain clichés are more talked about than seen. How many times we want The Duke to just kick some butt, only to see someone like James Stewart or Montgomery Clift knock him down. Even in Stagecoach he lets himself captured. Enough of the dark side, where's our hero?

He's in this one, Tall In The Saddle. I'm so happy I found this film. John Wayne in his most heroic form! With iron fists and swagger that charms the hottest ladies. Ella Raines, hubba hubba! The story is fast moving and wild, with all the characteristics of a fine mystery.

The positive reviews are right on the money. The trailer doesn't show all the best action, just gives you a taste. This forgotten gem needs to be preserved among the finest examples of the art form known as Traditional Western, polished and put on Blu-Ray. Holla if you hear me!

Easy Money (1983)

Rodney Dangerfield is the best stand up comic ever!

[9/10 · 18 August 2006]

I rarely watch a movie more than twice, but this one I've watched four times since I bought the DVD. I just want to hear the theme song one more time - and end up watching the whole movie!

The story is very good, both funny and thought provoking. There's not a dull moment. Even the scenes with Monty's daughter and Julio, which at first seem a little unnecessary, make sense at the end (SPOILERS!) when Julio accidentally shoots Monty in the a**. If this isn't Rodney Dangerfield's greatest film, I don't know what is. It's the best that I have seen, and I have seen a lot of good ones: Caddyshack, Back to school and Meet Wally Sparks. Little Nicky with Adam Sandler is horrible, avoid it like plague... Speaking of - Joe Pesci as Rodney / Monty's pal Nicky does one of his best comedic performances as well. The scene where he shows Monty how easy it is to control smoking is hilarious.

At the risk of sounding a little naive (like Monty's pal Paddy, when he tries to pick up the stripper by asking her to meet his parents), I have to say I was a little disappointed (SPOILERS!) at the lack of moral the end of the story provided. Therefore - 9/10.

Your Cheatin' Heart (1964)

...this movie shows us the magic of songwriting...

[8/10 · 8 January 2006]

If you are a songwriter or have ever written a song, you must marvel at the work of Hank Williams, and this movie shows us the magic of songwriting. Where do the greatest songs come from? And if we happen to write one, is it our responsibility to let the world hear it?

Unlike so many other movies based on the lives of legendary musicians, this one is fun to watch (and not just listen). George Hamilton is great as Hank Williams, and it's his performance that saves the biopic from turning to a tiresome melodrama somewhere in the middle. You see, he doesn't seem to be all that serious even when the script calls him to be, and that my friend, however strange it may seem, is the key to success. So many biopics based on the stories of bitter ex wives and rivals suggest that our favorite artists never had a sense of humor.

All the actors do a good job. Beautiful Susan Oliver plays a credible nag, and although the script doesn't put the blame on anyone (which is good), the performance allows us to question her motives from the get go.

All the songs heard in this movie are classics. We hear two different versions of I saw the light, and the later one makes otherwise a sad ending the perfect ending.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)

A true classic. The best version of the story. Tracy at his Best

[10/10 · 10 November 2005]

I have to disagree with the comment "For all you Tracy fans only", and also with the comments that suggest the 1931 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is far better.

First of all, I am not a Spencer Tracy fan - at least I didn't consider myself as one. Yes, the word dull came to mind. But after seeing the superb 1941 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I found myself wondering if anyone could have played Dr. Jekyll and especially Mr. Hyde any better than him.

In the 1931s original a handsome, wimpy Dr. Jekyll transforms into an ugly, retarded Mr. Hyde. While this Mr. Hyde hardly resembles his alter ego Jekyll, except for neediness, I do not find that as a strong, interesting controversy in the film. Fredric March was a great actor, but in this film with this script different actors could have played the parts of Jekyll and Hyde and it wouldn't have made any difference. Awkward, still boring film.

I was expecting so much, but stopped taping this pretty soon into the film. The psychology is awful (I am not suggesting that all films should emulate "real" life, but all films should be "real" in a world of their own, whatever it is.) I had seen the 1941s version earlier, and boy, it doesn't have a dull moment. I started watching this for Lana Turner, and there she is, looking pretty. Yes, she should have played the part Ingrid Bergman took, but you can't have it all all the time. Perhaps Ingrid Bergman was the girl to play the waitress. I truly enjoyed her masochistic portrayal of the bad girl.

Yes the film owns a lot to the original - filmed on same location, same choreography? The makers of this film had a decade to learn from the mistakes of the original and turn it around with better lines and nuances.

With one look from Spencer Tracy, a trouble maker changes his mind. "I'm sorry governor". Imagine Fredric March, in his monkey make up, doing that? He would have been laughed out the club, or not get in at all.

To add the grade to 10, Peter Godfrey as the butler. The end of this film is truly spiritual, merciful and frightening at the same time. And all of this is accomplished without any phony art stuff, as they would have tried these days.

A true classic.

The Strawberry Blonde (1941)

Realistic (believe it or not) and funny

[9/10 · 19 October 2005]

Watch this and High Sierra (both directed by the great Raoul Walsh), you won't be disappointed. The plots have similarities, but you have to be hip to what is happening to get it.

In The Strawberry Blonde Cagney plays Cagney (The only movies that I've seen Cagney in being slightly out of character are Yankee Doodle Dandy and These Wilder Years - serious). This is his best tongue in cheek performance right next to White Heat.

He doesn't get the girl he wants. This was the spoiler. And neither does Bogart in High Sierra. See, the plots had reality those days. Cagney reeks of desperation, which is the ultimate turn off for women.

I wish TCM Europe would show more Rita Hayworth movies. She plays a very realistic tease... Watch out!