bd18packer Reviews

Adventures of Superman (1952–1958)

Classic 50's Television

[10/10 · 17 January 2007]

It started the same way, every time...

"Faster than a speeding bullet!

More powerful than a locomotive!

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!

Superman!

Strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men!

Superman!

Who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper,fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way!"

Does it get any better than this?

I think not.

The Great Race (1965)

Funniest Movie of All Time!

[10/10 · 15 November 2006]

At least my funniest movie of all time. This Blake Edwards classic only gets better with age. Comic performances by the villain, Jack Lemmon, the villain's henchman, Peter Falk, and the hero, Tony Curtis, are hilarious. Mr. Curtis' performance is made funnier by the fact that he delivers the funniest lines with the straightest face. Natalie Wood is beautiful as the heroine/love interest, Keenan Wynn as the hero's loyal sidekick, and wonderful supporting performances by Arthur O'Connell, Vivian Vance and Marvin Kaplan. Watch for actors Dorothy Provine, Larry Storch, Ross Martin, Denver Pyle and Hal Smith, in scenes not to be forgotten. The direction by Blake Edwards, as well as his writing, with Arthur Ross, the slapstick comedy, the sight gags and the cinematography are outstanding. I fall down laughing every time I see this movie. I saw it first in a movie theater in the sixties, soon after it's release, and have loved it ever since. It's a gas!

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

I loved it in Black & White, and Colorized version

[10/10 · 15 November 2006]

This is a wonderful Holiday classic. I usually watch it on Thankgiving Day, or the day after Thanksgiving. The acting performances by Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, and a young Natalie Wood are excellent. Watch for supporting roles by actors William Frawley, Gene Lockhart, Thelma Ritter, and Jack Albertson. The B&W version is a treasured part of my video collection, although I have enjoyed the colorized version, too. The 1973 TV remake with Jane Alexander, David Hartmann, & Sebastian Cabot was good, but not as good as the original. The 1994 remake with Sir Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins & Dylan McDermott was good also, but I still enjoy the original the best. I noticed in IMDb archives that there was a 1959 live TV version, but I don't recall seeing it, although I could have (I was 4 then). IMDb states: "This version... was broadcast live and in color on NBC the day after Thanksgiving in 1959...". This could have been the first time I saw it on Thanksgiving weekend, and could be the reason I watch it during this holiday.

White Christmas (1954)

My favorite Christmas movie

[10/10 · 15 November 2006]

I cannot remember a Christmas season when I did not watch "White Christmas" on broadcast television, cable and satellite, at least once. I purchased a VHS copy some years ago, when my job did not permit me to watch it during Christmas Eve with my family. The performances by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen and Dean Jagger are excellent. The Irving Berlin Music, Choreography, Cinematography, and Direction by Michael Curtiz are outstanding. The rich Technicolor on the film, in wide screen Vistavision format no less, the dancing, singing, the indoor and outdoor scenes(even those on a sound stage), the supporting characters and the staging are wonderful. Rosemary Clooney never looked so beautiful or Bing Crosby more handsome. Danny Kaye is marvelous, dancing and singing, and acting too. This film brings a tear to my eye at the end of the film every time I watch it. I love this film, and never tire of seeing it, year after year. I watch other Christmas movies during the holiday season, but this is my hands down favorite. I would love to find a DVD copy of this movie in a widescreen format similar to Vistavision, to enjoy this classic all over again.

The Rookie (1990)

Great Action Movie

[10/10 · 3 November 2006]

If you want a great action movie with Clint Eastwood or Charlie Sheen, this is it. A little less graphic violence than your standard "Dirty Harry" movie, not as much comedy as "Hot Shots!", less dramatic acting than "In the Line of Fire" or "Wall Street", but this movie delivers on all three fronts. Car stunts and chase sequences are great. Only one thing about previous reviews disappointed me; all of them failed to mention the appearance of actress Roberta Vasquez, in the final scene, as Officer Heather Torres. Roberta Vasquez was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for November, 1984. She also served as a California State Police officer(before the agency was absorbed into the California Highway Patrol). Roberta certainly knows how to fill out a uniform. I couldn't understand Charlie Sheen's reluctance to work with her; I'd take her as a partner anytime!

Electra Glide in Blue (1973)

It's in Arizona, Not California

[10/10 · 24 October 2006]

Robert Blake's Character in "Electra Glide in Blue" was a motorcycle policeman in the fictional town of Stockman, Arizona, not California or the CHP. Also, the title "Electra Glide in Blue" refers to the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Electra Glide, favored for many years by law enforcement agencies in this country, before the influx of foreign bikes, (namely Kawaski, etc.) and the "Blue" in the title refers to the Men in Blue, aka the police. A previous commenter referred to these in their comments incorrectly. Several references are given in the film, by Officer Wintergreen (Robert Blake), referring to areas around the Valley of the Sun, namely the Phoenix, Arizona area. Among the aforementioned are "Buckeye Road", "Camelback"(Camelback Mountain), "The Superstitions/Superstition Mountains". Strangely, the Mounument Valley area also appears as a backdrop in several scenes; this area is nowhere near the Phoenix area. The soundtrack from this movie was available on LP, after it's release. It is sometimes seen on Ebay; collectors should note that inserts of the Electra Glide motorcycle, the cover picture and glossy pictures of the cast and action sequences, in booklet form, from the movie were included in the original release of the album, and should be included in the sale of this collector recording. They greatly increase the value of the record. I have seen this movie almost 100 times since it's release, in theaters, on TV and Cable, and in video form. It is among my favorites of all time.

As the World Turns (1956–2010)

Almost 47 years and still watching

[10/10 · 24 October 2006]

ATWT has been on the air, television that is, almost as long as I have been around. My mother started me watching "As the World Turns", (in black and white) before I went to Kindergarden, at age 4. I watched it after morning Kindergarden, in Elementary & High School (when I was sick or on vacation), in College (in the Student Union between classes), as a young adult (thank God for VCR's) and now a mature adult (I work nights so I can watch during the day)! In fact, I probably can recall all the inter-family relationships between the major characters better than most fans, all the plot twists and the famous actors which have had parts on the show. In all these years, I have never failed to catch a show, synopsis or preview, or a death, wedding, or last appearance, of a character from the show. These folks are like a second family, with all their quirks and peculiarities. I have talked to other fans, but no one I found has watched as long as I; anyone else with a longer continuous viewing record than myself? Anyone?

Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas (1977 TV Movie)

Christmas Special

[10/10 · 16 December 2004]

A wonderful made for TV movie, from the "Father Knows Best" TV series, updated for the 70's. Anyone who is a fan of "Father Knows Best", Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, or the other characters and actors would really like this one. Since some of the stars have passed away, it is a reflection back on simpler times and eras. It contains scenes from the original "Father Knows Best" TV series (in black and white) in a flashback format. It has all the actors from the original cast and everyone remains true to their characters. If anyone knows of a copy, VHS or DVD, that can be purchased, I would like to know. My VHS copy was partially erased, accidentally.