ivanklives Reviews

Christina (2010)

Fine film, fine script, fine acting.

[9/10 · 15 December 2023]

This is a serious morality play. With only 3 characters, played in a single room, it begins slowly and builds to a gripping climax. The German police inspector and the woman he intends to arrest and deliver to the American authorities for trial are superbly played by Stephen Lang and Nicki Aycox, respectively. The American soldier, well-played by Jordan Belfi, represents American decency, as well as the general naivete of American soldiers in general -- a naivete commented upon by the inspector. Billed as based on actual events, I surmise that it was crafted out of a number of real-life events in Germany after the Russians took over Berlin. I strongly recommend it.

The Glass Bottom Boat (1966)

Good film, deeper than it appears

[9/10 · 30 November 2010]

I was in my mid-20s when this came out, but I never saw it. Doris Day is as cute as ever, and very appealing. The supporting actors are perfect for their roles. The movie seems to me to be a spoof on the cold war, and contains something of a prescient comment about CIA ineptitude; something I would not expect from a major studio. Overall, an enjoyable film with guffaw-generating moments.

That said, I am also interested in knowing a bit about the locations. The "NASA" exteriors look very much like California State University at Northridge, CA where I began my own college career in 1959. What looks to be the library building was not there then. The genuine rocket engine tests and locations shown were almost certainly shot at the Rocketdyne facility in the Santa Susana Mountains. The Saturn 2nd stage J-2 rockets were tested there. The first-stage F-1s were tested at Rye Canyon in the Castaic area. I worked graveyard at Santa Susana for 1-1/2 years 1963-65, and also watched a night J-2 test; possibly from the same bunker that Day and Taylor watched from. Any information on these locations will be appreciated.

Christabel (1988– )

A very important film

[8/10 · 21 October 2008]

Unfortunately, there is no authorized version of this important docudrama available. The BBC has not seen fit to provide a high quality DVD to the general public.

I purchased both a DVD and a VHS version of the film from the Amazon sellers marketplace a few years ago. I realized later that they were both copied off the television (I assume). As of this writing (October 21, 2008), even these pirated versions seem to have disappeared.

I recommend that visitors contact the BBC and ask them to put this docudrama on DVD, if only for the 6-1/2 minute segment where Christabel meets an SS officer on a train. It is to my mind the most perfect marriage of cinematography, directing, script, and acting that has ever been produced. Andrew Wilde plays the SS officer, and he deserves an Oscar for his performance.

Zorro: The Gay Blade (1981)

Great film

[10/10 · 10 August 2007]

I just finished another of many viewings of this superb comedy. Everything is virtually perfect: the script; the actors and their performances; the cinematography; the various comedic zingers. Hamilton's dual role is a masterpiece of comedic acting, as is Liebman's over-the-top and subtle portrayals of the sexually repressed martinet Esteban. Hutton is more than gorgeous; she presents the ideal of liberated femininity and power. The actors are having a contagiously great time with this, and that alone is worth the viewing.

I do not see a single wrong move in the film. Great farce is not easy to do, and this is an example that should be appreciated on its own terms and not measured against other genres.