robert_ponce Reviews

The Golden Compass (2007)

"Sedulous"

[10/10 · 15 September 2021]

2 minute Read: There are Fantasy movies and there are FANTASY MOVIES!

There are child Stars, then, there are CHILD STARS!

How can One tell?

Well, how convincing are the performances? Many tell-tale signs are there. You just need to identify them. Not to say that I'm keeping my eyes out for boo-boos or blunders. But when they occur, they slap ME in the face.

This movie carried me away as if I were still a child. As if, when I read L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz" and it's subsequent series, I felt I was in the story as an unseen participant.

"Dorothy" was played by a young Judy Garland. And in Golden Compass, and a young Dakota comes out as sedulous as Judy did, in there respective roles.

I've seen GOLDEN COMPASS as if I were addicted. ALL the actors are splendid.

They Live by Night (1948)

"Innocence and Its Virtues"

[10/10 · 22 March 2018]

Many people forget, at one point or another, they once were young. Youth was a time of wonder, exploring, learning. Att the time, most Parents instilled values that were going to be needed, as the years went by. Many Youths remembered those values. Others shoved them aside for what ever reasons. And yet others got caught up in situations- being at the wrong place at the right time...like Bowie and the girl he falls for, Keechie As things've turned out for me, I'm a sucker for old movies. Black&White, Color, SciFi, Sit-Coms (My Little Margie) any ones! I hadn't realized how much I love to watch them. In this movie, the acting is unlike today's acting and that's another attribute that makes me go for noir movies. All of the Actors in "They Live By Night" add to the tragedy of the story by Screenwriter Charles Schnee. Sherman Todd's Film Editing is a sure story sequitur, while The Black & White photography (Kenneth Peach) captures the essential sinister scenes. The Lighting, shadows & depth of field (in the end scene) is pure Hollywood genius. Ollie Sigurdson (Stills) captured the youthful, innocent beauty of Keechie. Literally, I got all choked up. I wanted to embrace and console the poor, inconsolable child. Go see it. Have some popcorn too.

Nacho Libre (2006)

I can relate.

[10/10 · 21 July 2015]

I remember (when 5 years old) watching wrestling on TV from the Olympic Auditorium in LA. Then when my son was around 6-7 we visited relatives in Mexico and were taken to a wrestling match. My son enjoyed it so much that, when grown and he saw Nacho Libre, he called me. Told me to watch Nacho Libre. I did and the rest is laugh history. The setting for Nacho is very authentically Mexico. Jack is superb as is Jimenez and "Encarnacion" aw well as the rest of the cast. I've watched the movie so many times, I quote it (by heart) in conversations now and then. I just bought the CD Sound Track as all the music and songs as perfect. The main song (I love in the movie), "Mucha Muchacha" is not in the CD. I could have had a heart attack. Many other song as are omitted. Why? I need to know. I love Mucha Muchacha and the other ones not found in the CD.

Rock Rock Rock! (1956)

"Blast From The Past"

[10/10 · 18 September 2014]

When growing up, I often heard the older generation comment: "Today's Youth just isn't the same as when I was growing up!" Now that I'm part of an older generation I can see the truth in what I heard. Yet, every generation exhibits the same wants, desires, needs, hatred, loves, peers & fears. The things that HAVE changed are out of control and society searches for answers in vain. In this little known classic movie about Youth and its tribulations, is a wonderful and refreshing one. One that demonstrates how the Teen Generation of the 50's felt about being accepted, seen and viewed & thought of by their contemporary peers. Listen to the spoken English of that generation and compare it to how teens today try to articulate the same language. Pay attention to the dress of the day and its modesty. Listen to how Rock got its roots. And much much more. Tuesday Weld was barely in her teens when given the part of Dori. She was born August 27, 1943. This movie came out on Dec. 7, 1956 so how old does that make her? She was gr8 then and continues to be. Connie Francis is a little more seasoned (in this movie) being 5 yeas older than Tuesday. And Connie sang while Tuesday lip singed the song (as I understand it). All in All, watch it and enjoy the "Blast From The past" (to borrow a Title from another movie of the 80's)

Still Mine (2012)

"Human Dignity"

[10/10 · 13 August 2014]

This movie is a refreshing detour from what's put out there now-a-days. They didn't have to inject vulgarity, violence (physical), suggestive nudity, gross blood shed and other popular attractions. On account of today's popular standards, of fast action, violence and sex (as frequently as they please), this movie does not fit that bill. But any caring person will understand and feel the angst, frustrations, disappointments but above all will feel the LOVE shown by the main characters. The human empathy & sensitivity Craig feels towards his wife Irene is masterfully portrayed by James Cromwell, a character actor fully & competently equipped for "Craig's" part. Geneviève Bujold's portrayal of Irene is just as believable and touching- true to the effects of aging. I was glued to the screen the whole time. See it!

The Millionaire (1955–1960)

Oh My God!

[10/10 · 19 March 2014]

At the time, the last years of the age of innocence were waning into the past. The nation was busy creating its middle class with blood, sweat and tears. Russia and the USA had their differences (still do). And the TV was filled with offers "you got to have." But the problem was, where's the money? Our whole family loved The Millionaire. If someone got up during the commercial break, we would yell out "It's starting, It's starting!" After the show we'd each tell what a million dollars would be like, if we had it. At that time I remember wanting Western outfits like Kit Karson's, Daniel Boone,Davy Crocket. So my dream would be to spend some on that. Or get my mom a new car, etc. The show, I feel, gave the general audience a thrill, a moral lift and a little time to dream of eliminating poverty. And it goes without saying that we were happy for the person getting the million dollars in the first place.

Because They're Young (1960)

You'll like "Because They're Young" because you were young too.

[10/10 · 19 March 2014]

At the time this movie came out, the generation emerging from the late Fifty's into the early Sixty's, didn't have any desires different than the previous generation. Since the turn of the 19th century parents became more and more lax or permissive you might say (for whatever reasons). The main difference, to me, was the way in which those teens behaved & expressed themselves. More and more, kids wanted to have fun but found that "Fun", doing different things. My formative years experienced dire warnings of "bad associations, trouble making rebels, leather jacket kids were no good, combing your hair with in a jelly roll style was for delinquents and so on." So I tended to be careful but respectful of others. "Because They're Young" was a successful attempt to capture the "atmosphere" the "Ambiance" of the era. Being Hollywood, over dramatization was and is not uncommon. Yet the sense of being "young" (after all these years) isn't a lost cause. It will always be very much alive and well. All it will ever really need is for older folks to empathize, sympathize and not forget that "Because They're Young" was them too, once upon a time.

Laverne & Shirley (1976–1983)

Women becoming of age.

[10/10 · 22 November 2013]

When Lavern & Shirely first aired, America was undergoing historic changes in many areas. So were American families. Values once held dear suddenly were facing new ideas, new challenges. So were Lavern & Shirely. Stereo typing women was not going to be tolerated any longer. Neither in the home, Entertainment, common work place and in politics. Lavern & Shirely's writers were aware of women's rights and wrote accordingly...with taste and humor. I loved watching the show for several reason but mostly on account Cindy Williams was my personal "Girl Next Door" ever since seeing her portrayal of 'Laurie' in American Graffiti (1973). Above all that, I was the same age as Laurie and Steve then Shirely. I could totally relate to what they were up against. Lavern & Shirely just took the experience to a different level and a different city. Gr8 Program.