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Reviews
The Changeling (1980)
Great Ghost story, great mystery but with an ending typical for films of the times.
I am a lover of ghost stories and have seen all of the best ghost story films plus I have read numerous short and long ghost stories. I recently added the DVD of "The Changeling" to my collection and saw it for the first time. The photography as well as the sets used in this film are very good. George C. Scott's character motivation and his acting are also very good. This brings me to the story and script. As a lover of ghost stories I found this story to have for the most, all the elements that I feel are necessary for a good ghost story. Good ghost stories should have a subtle sense of spookiness coupled with an intriguing and often puzzling mystery. Where this film fell short from my personal tastes is right in the ending scenes and ultimate climax. Without (I hope) putting any 'spoilers' in my comments here, the ending scenes and ultimate climax are typical of the trend of modern film makers feeling that they have to take every sensational film story and build it up to a tremendous climax such as in the film "Poltergeist". As a person who is well read on ghost stories and also on real life accountings of the paranormal, I just do not feel that ghosts if they exist, especially ghosts or spirits of children have the kind of powers that were depicted in the ending of this film. I was dissapointed however I must say that the ending is typically good and in line with films made during this modern era. I still liked the film and will certainly watch it again and every time I see it I will imagine what I would have done with the ending and climax if I were the director.
Trailrider
Triumph des Willens (1935)
A great piece of historical filmaking but also one that serves as a frigtening warning.
After I had seen this film I could well understand why it was banned in Germany for so long after the end of WWII. I recently purchased the DVD of this film and as I watched it I had to marvel as to how successful this film no doubt was in alluring the German people to join the Nazi Party. We who watch this film today watch it having with us the knowlege of the the holocaust the Nazi Party created. We know about the "Final Solution" in which millions of people were murdered. The frightening aspect of this film is imagining ourselves as young people in 1935 Germany, sitting in the theatre and viewing this film. Could we be attracted into the Nazi Party based on watching this charismatic piece of ingenious propaganda? I would have to say easily. The segment of the film that shows the Hitler Youth encampment shows this. I wonder if any of those young people had any idea of the terrible holocaust that was to follow and the part they would play within it? As far as the film itself is concerned based on cinematic art, it is excellent. The photography, sequence of scenes and music combine to make this film a tribute to the talents of director Leni Riefenstahl. Today this film serves as a great lesson as to how easily a nation of people can be swayed into such a thing as Fascism. This film helps serve as a warning that the terrible events that took place in the 1930s are not so far behind in the scope of time and hopefully will not be repeated due to our ability to look back at and study history such as in viewing this film.
Trailrider
The Hound of the Baskervilles (2000)
Not the best version of this story.
Before I bought the DVD of this version of the "Hound of the Baskervilles" with Matt Frewer playing Holmes, I read the other user comments listed on the IMDB and I have to agree that the script was not very good and in fact, I found it to be somewhat poor in many respects. I also must mention that Jason London's performance as Sir Henry Baskerville was in my opinion dismal. He played the role as if the casting company went out in the street and asked the first guy they came across to please step in and take the role. I would think that Joe Namath could have done better but on the other hand maybe that is what London was trying to do. Maybe London was trying to put into the role such realism as a simple man pulled into a situation as an inheritor to a vast English estate that he played the role with a deadpan delivery of his lines. I wonder.
On the other hand I was delighted with Matt Frewer's Sherlock Holmes. His physical appearance fit the role well and his particular charactaristics in stage presentation I think added an interesting twist to the Holmes character. As a Sherlockian, I like to see the differences that various actors give to the character. I would have liked to seen more of Frewer's Holmes in this film but the dismal script distorted and shortened the story so that the Holmes character is only seen in the first quarter of the film and then near the end of the film.
In agreement with most of the other comments made on this version, If you are a film buff and a Sherlockian as I am, than this DVD is worth adding to your collection. If you are simply a fan of mystery films perhaps it is better for you to wait for this version to be rerun on TV or if you find it in your video rental store, the film is certainly worth the rental fee.
Trailrider
The Haunting (1999)
Don't compare this movie
As a fan of the novel by Shirley Jackson and the 1963 film, I would be inclined to critique this film with that bias however it is best to evaluate this film as if the novel or 1963 film did not exist. Here is my unbiased opinion.
What I did not like about this movie were the choice of actors and their characterizations. I think Owen Wilson (Luke) was misplaced in this kind of film and my choice would have been Johnny Depp or someone similar. Another thought of mine was; Why would they waste a great actor such as Bruce Dern by giving him such a small role in the film?
On the positive side, The sets were very good, the mystery is intriquing and the Dreamworks effects are stunning. I think a lot of work and cleverness went into the sets used in this film especially the carousel room and the room with the water on the floor.
To bottomline my opinion of this film, I saw it first in the theatre and then bought the DVD to add it to my collection. I liked the film well enough to have my own copy of it so I feel it is a worthwhile film to see, and to see again.
Auntie Mame (1958)
A film to watch especially when your spirits are down.
Rosalind Russell -IS- Auntie Mame and there is no doubt in my mind that she being cast in the role was a perfect choice. I read Dennis' book and I have to stress that anyone who loves this film but who has not read the book should read it. I think they did a great job in adapting the novel to film although I could imagine the great temptation to include the very racy parts of the novel. If they did include them, the "G" rating would probably have needed to be changed to "R". One of my favorite lines in the film is delivered so expertly by actress Coral Browne (Vera Charles), who upon being wakened out of a drunken sleep (with bottle still in hand) looks out the window at the sun and says "Ohhh---that moon is bright". Another favorite line delivered by Russell (in Mame's comment about Vera Charles' phony English accent) "When your from Pittsburgh, you have to do something". Rosalind Russell brought such magic to the character of Auntie Mame so much so, that I wish I had an Aunt like her. Auntie Mame helps stress the point to appreciate diversity in life and to live life to the fullest. I have often chosen to watch my copy of this film when feeling low and I can tell you it is a spirit lifter.
Ghost Story (1981)
Forget the movie, read the book.
Well--I guess the movie could be worth seeing based on the merits of a superb cast although whose talents are wasted in this movie. I first read Peter Straub's novel shortly after the book was published and was making a sensation in the ratings. The first chapter was confusing but once you read into the second chapter, you just could not put the book down. When the advertisements about the movie version came out I just could not wait to see it having recently read the book. When I finally was in the theatre watching the movie I became so dissapointed with it that I nearly walked out demanding my money back. First of all, the movie runtime at less than two hours is quite short and before I saw the film, I was wondering how they could properly convey Straub's story into such a short time. The answer to this was that they threw out 99% of what made Straub's story so good and replaced what they threw out with a commonplace story and plot. If you have seen this movie but have not read Straub's book, do yourself a favor and read it.
The Haunting (1963)
Amongst my favorite films
I first saw this movie in the theatre when it was new and found it to be delightfully spooky very much like another favorite of mine, "The Uninvited". The movie version does not exactly follow Shirley Jackson's novel but with the excellent performance by Julie Harris, the beautiful cinematography, the superb sets and perfectly adapted music, the dark psychological and eerie story that Jackson wrote is well played out on the screen. I read Jackson's book after I had seen the movie and wish that some of the story parts that are in the novel would have been put in the movie such as the picnic that Elenore and Theo have out on the grounds of Hill House. I also think the movie would have been much more fun if Dr. Markway's wife's character or motivational role would have been as it is in the novel. None the less I still enjoy this movie for the great work of art that it is.
The Uninvited (1944)
Worth seeing again and again
I could go on and on with various paraises of all the details concerning this film but as I don't fancy myself as a good critic or writer, I will just say what I really liked about this movie. The sets, acting and story are excellent and the ending is a surpise. It is spooky, mysterious and just plain fun. Whenever I watch this film I always imagine myself as a memeber of the Fitzgerald family helping to sort out the strange happenings and mystery of the old house. One of my favorite scenes in this film is where Ray Milland is comforatably tucked in his bed listening to the final strains of "My Foolish Heart" playing on the battery radio sitting on the night stand, unaware as he was as to what was in store for him. Another memorable scene is where composer Fitzgerald (Milland) is playing "Stella By Starlight" for Stella when the candles darken making the scene fade from cheer to eerie depression. Cornelia Otis Skinner who played the evil Miss Holloway did an excellent job of portraying a controlling woman who lost her own control. If you like mystery and ghost stories you must see this film.
Hold That Ghost (1941)
Correction to my comment
Correction: Lou's character name was 'Ferdie' and not Chuck as I mistakedly put in my main comment.
One thing I forgot to mention was the line that Marc Lawrence as gangster Charlie Smith delivered. I thought this line is so funny; "It'l be a pleasure to take you boys for a ride". I still laugh when I see that scene.
Hold That Ghost (1941)
Correction to my comment
Correction: Lou's character name was 'Ferdie' and not Chuck as I mistakedly put in my main comment.
One thing I forgot to mention was the line that Marc Lawrence as gangster Charlie Smith delivered. I thought this line is so funny; "It'l be a pleasure to take you boys for a ride". I still laugh when I see that scene.
The Cocoanuts (1929)
Pure madcap and interesting 1920s music
What can be funnier than Groucho running a Florida Hotel and auctioning off Florida real estate. I really liked the music in this movie although I must say the song "When My Dreams Come True" although not bad in itself, was just simply over played. Characters Poly and Bob sing the song in the near beginning of the first reel and that song just seems to go on and on throughout the movie yet the song and dance routine of "The Monkey Doodle Doo" is very good and appropriately only performed once. Groucho's lines were so funny in this film as his style of delivery is so subtle that you have to see some of his films more than once to catch them all. As he was auctioning off some real estate, he was explaining as to the type of houses you could build on those lots which included stucco; "And you can get stucco". His quick follow up quip was "Oh can you get stucco". One thing I will say is the ending of this film forever spoiled my ability to listen to Bizet's music from Carmen without laughing.