jcook56050 Reviews

The Guardian (I) (2006)

Action on the Coast Guard flight line

[7/10 · 29 September 2014]

As you watch, please remember "The Guardian" is a motion picture – a lot of the scenes are played in a way that will elicit certain emotions. Some of the scenes are just plain fantasy. However, that being said, please also remember that there are thousands of individuals who serve their country daily in the U. S. Coast Guard, a military service now under the Department of Homeland Security, but previously directed by the Department of Transportation. They serve at sea, on land and in the air. Much of the drama and danger depicted in the film is more than real. These situations happen far more often than you would imagine. How do I know? I served in the USCG from 1976 to 1984 several decades prior to the approximate time of the motion picture. The video training footage is real. And, it's simply amazing that many people are actually saved from some of those hopeless situations.

I almost lost my life on several occasions while tending to routine duty. Had it not been for our CG training and attention to detail, both before and during our missions, I would not be writing this review today. I served in every location depicted in the film, including Alaska, which can indeed be a brutal environment. The major portion of my small boat duty happened in the Gulf of Mexico. As we used to say while on small boat duty, "we are required to go out to sea, but we are not required to return." On the other hand, none of us was given permission by our commanding officer or chief to get hurt of killed.

I used to get somewhat miffed at the amount of publicity and attention that those in the aviation branches get over the much larger force of seagoing officers and enlisted sailors who take care of the daily drudgery and human drama that happens far too often while people are attempting to earn their living from the ever changing and unforgiving environment of the sea. But, the media likes that kind of high visual drama. The Officer of the Day won't spend a dime of the money it takes to fire up a sophisticated, multi-million dollar aircraft and risk a group of highly trained aviation personnel without some definite attainable mission. When things go wrong out there in the middle of nowhere, they can go wrong very fast. Many times a radio call to the USCG is all that stands between Davy Jones' locker and some more time spent on this earth with your family and friends. How much is it worth? Just ask any victim of circumstance who has spotted the red, white and blue stripes of a Coast Guard rescue. There are no words to describe it when a set of strong hands reaches for you and you hear those welcome words, "I'm with the U. S. Coast Guard. I'm here to help you." The relief is overwhelming.

When USCG pilots and enlisted swimmers go to sea, they have only a very limited time to affect a rescue, usually governed by fuel, load, weather, and yes, sometimes even luck. The job they do out there is supposed to be mostly routine. But, when the pilot announces it's time to leave the scene, you leave the scene. There is no question. It's either that or the people in the aircraft face a high risk of death. Every move the crew makes is full of life and death decisions that will determine the fate of not only those they are rescuing, but the personnel on the aircraft as well. Just one small error is all it takes for everyone in an operation to have a very bad day. So, all Coast Guard training is intentionally difficult to account for those variables.

This motion picture, "The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)" and a hand full of other films are a testament to the training, dedication to duty and the constant attention and work by the maintenance personnel that keep the helicopters, airplanes, small boats and cutters operating smoothly and safely to accomplish the over 200 mandated missions of the U. S. Coast Guard every hour of every day.

Cowboys & Indians (2011)

Nice weekend production

[4/10 · 24 August 2013]

First, let me say that I've directed low budget Old West street plays for fairs and events and that I've done a few films in my time. That being said, I would not have been very comfortable with the outcome of this project.

We knew this was going to be what appeared to be a weekend production by a relatively new director, actors and crew when we saw the modern grip sole pattern clearly visible on the boots of one of the actors in the first fight scene. Not much time was taken to age or research the clothing, most of which appeared as if it had been purchased the previous day from an outfitter I know in Tucson. The horse saddles and rigs were so new looking you could practically identify the brand of coating on the leather. And, all through the production, we spotted items that were anomalous to the late 1800's. However, the weapons and Colt pistols appeared to be used and reasonable looking if only the actors had known how to fake a recoil when shooting blanks.

Generally speaking, there are moments and scenes in this film that work as a story of people of the Old West who did not really take themselves too seriously. However, there were so many mistakes in the production and the story line that you had to marvel at the ingenuity needed to pull off the project on what was obviously a low budget, student level film. I've seen local student films at Watsons School of Film here in Nashville that either compare favorably with, or thoroughly outclass this production. Many of the actors gave us the impression of being weekend reenactors who had been given a film opportunity.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed watching simply so that I could learn more about what does and doesn't work on these type productions. Most of the actors had enough chops that, given time and direction, they could have pulled off some very convincing characterizations. For that effort, most of them deserve to be commended for committing themselves to the part for some level of realism.

All in all, had I been the producer, I think it might have been much easier to simplify the story line, dispense with scenes that needed a town or backdrops that were obviously modern, and invest in some better establishing shots and quality lighting and reflection equipment. With those kinds of changes, this production could have been shot to play just like a high budget project by a major studio.

T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous (1998)

Thanks for the Memories

[6/10 · 17 August 2013]

No, not the absolute best movie that could have been made given the resources available to the film makers, but definitely a different approach for a relatively new format - i.e. 3D IMAX size. Compared to some the things that had been done by Douglas Trumbull for the likes of Universal at a very high budget, this motion picture was quite passable for a production done on the cusp of the CGI era. And, IMAX had a tendency to hire actors who were capable of telling the story rather than distracting from the ultimate goal of education.

Let me warn you that the subject matter is educational and meant to evoke some of the possible theories and realities of palaeontology. Much of what IMAX produced for decades filled in the scientific genre of big screen learning before the Discovery Channel had hit its stride. The producers were very limited by the size of the equipment and the resultant technologies needed to bring this very expensive experience to the very large screen. These days, of course, you can do a 3D motion picture using a film camera that practically fits in the palm of the hand.

Now on to something I'll bet very few folks recognize in the story line. Listen to Ally's experience in the museum, and some of you may realize that she is either a full blown diabetic or somewhere on the edge. Many kids have this problem, and it's a real limiting factor when you go out there on a professional dig where it's possible to get lost in the canyons of the west when being overtaken by low blood sugar. It clearly explains why her father is reticent to take her on a dig. Despite his seeming distraction with work, he really does care about his daughter's well being.

Finally, I want to thank the film makers for the location of their shoot. Anyone who dares to travel the badlands of Alberta, Canada, will not regret taking a trip to Drumheller to see the world's greatest palaeontology museum, The Royal Tyrell. We've never seen anything that gets near to the quality of displays and historical information as this amazing organization. Both my wife and I have been to all the filming sites used in the motion picture, including the preparation rooms (minus the little changes they made for the film). It brought back some incredible adventures to our memory. It's the only place I know of where a walk of 100 feet will transport you one million years into the past.

Saints and Soldiers (2003)

Down to the human level

[8/10 · 27 May 2013]

A lot has already been written about this little film that could. So, let me say that one of our local Christian stations played Saints and Soldiers on Memorial Day. I had my doubts, but it's rare that a highly rated film gets placed on the schedule for midday from this station. So, I sat for a while to check it out. By the time I knew what was happening, the film was over. Wow. That doesn't happen very often.

For such a low budget film, this is one of the best human interest stories I've ever seen from the World War II perspective. It gets down and dirty in the trenches and explores the inner doubts, fears and certainties of the soldier's reality. It even, God forbid, shows us that even the enemy can have members that are both compassionate and understanding in the face of mindless human tragedy and death.

My compliments to the extraordinary effort the technicians and extras put into placing these actors into real human situations and into a scenario that is hard to detect as a forest in Utah. We had a hard time figuring the location, even though we had been there in person. If high budget motion pictures had just a fraction of the attention to detail and freedom to express real stories that this one has, what an amazing set of movies we'd see on the big screen.

I can do nothing other than highly recommend this film. It is exceptional. (written by a U. S. Coast Guard veteran).

The Bear (1988)

One of the best

[8/10 · 30 August 2012]

I've always been a big fan of Bart the Bear (1), and whenever I think of Bart, this movie always comes to mind as the highest achievement of this amazing bear and his trainer.

There are two things that surprised me about the film. First, I've lived in Kodiak, Alaska where Bart's relatives originate, and I've visited much of the Rocky Mountains and the mountain ranges of Alberta, Canada. The mountains in the film seemed strange and unidentifiable to me. Later, I discovered that the film was actually shot in the mountain ranges of Italy. The other, more natural surprise, was that a male bear had been coaxed into accepting the presence of a baby bear - something very strange in the real wilderness. Most bear cubs who get anywhere near daddy bear end up as lunch meat, unless momma comes to the rescue. distasteful as it may seem to us, it's just part of the real bear world. In fact, much of the natural behavior of living bears was altered or ignored in this film for the sake of the story. Yet, somehow you simply become immersed in this charming tale of childhood survival and learning. And, those of us who are familiar with the species of mushroom the little bear ate, were rolling in the aisles with laughter.

For those who may consider the face off of the Bear and the Hunter near the end of the film as pure fantasy, this encounter is actually quite possible. Bears are very predictable in many respects, but their behavior under duress can often be startling and unexpected. Bears are built by nature as the perfect killing machine. But, they are also extremely intelligent and capable of incredible survival instincts. We were told in Alaska that a simple coke can with a stone inside makes a sound that bears are scared of. Bears also react to strange smells. People have been known to drop their shirts or coats while being chased by a bear. More times than not, the animal will pause to sniff the garment, and cease the attack because of the strange scent. However, to be even more prepared, a hiker or camper should carry a fully charged pepper spray canister in the back country just in case. They really do work.

Saving Hope (2012–2017)

Saving Hope? When?

[6/10 · 12 July 2012]

I've given this show a six with the "hope" that the producers have not pinned themselves into a corner from which they cannot extricate themselves. A man in a coma walking the halls of a hospital while discussing philosophy with the forth wall cannot sustain itself for an entire series. That said, the plot and the handling of the general story line are enough to keep me coming back for some pleasant TV. The acting is good, though the characters have not excited me all that much. I remain hopeful.

As with so many recent entries into the prime time television fold, the most disappointing trend of all is the general lack of real character types with an age spread. My wife worked at a hospital for 15 years, and I can say with some authority that there are indeed a small selection of babes and hunks who ply the medical trade. However, there are also plain Janes, gray hairs, odd faces and attitudes and the obese. And, doctors come in all sizes, shapes, attitudes and backgrounds. Some speak with accents, and some just jerk your cookies with their "I'm just here for the check," attitude. Some even break many of the cardinal rules of hygiene by not washing their hands and entering rooms dressed in dirty wool suits. What I'm trying to say here is that no hospital has a top heavy staff of perfectly healthy photo models running the show with no real oversight by bothersome administrative suits. I'm hoping that Saving Hope soon begins to explore those realities and reasonably resolves the issue of a nice, lonely, comatose wandering spirit so that the story can move into other realms. Stop letting one spirit hog the show. We want to see Dr. Reid and Dr. Harris experience real life in a real hospital environment together. You don't have to remove the ethereal side of the story - just mix it up a bit and make it more interesting.

Cold Case: A Perfect Day (2005) Season 3, Episode 9

Amazing acting and directing

[10 March 2012]

It took me a while to warm up to this series while watching reruns on ION TV. One has to realize that in order for this series to work, the writers had to provide clues to the detectives that sometimes stretched the boundaries of credibility. With that in mind, this particular episode covers a home scenario that far too many of us have had to endure. I am not ashamed to admit that I sat there completely transfixed by the amazing acting and directing job done by all of the main actors, including Maridith Monroe, Michael Roderick, Charlotte Stewart, the twins, Amy and Zoe Schlagel and all of our regular cast. Director Roxann Dawson (Lt. Torres of Star Trek Voyager) is seeing her best moment in this episode. Whether she personally had this experience or not, she and the show's writers have created a timeless expression of what so many families have gone through. The episode covers spousal and child abuse with a chilling note of restraint. You may not actually see the worst of the physical and emotional moment, but the story demands that we slowly come to realize the secretive manipulation that occurs when a husband develops an insanity that compels him to injure or kill those he loves. And, I can say from personal experience (in my childhood) that wives who discover they are victims of the insanity will cover up the crime when there seems no reason to do so - sometimes ignoring the problem until it is far too late to save their own children. Family abuse is also one of the most emotional, difficult and dirty sides of police work. I will rate this episode as one of the most riveting and poignant portrayals of an all too common social sickness. As a man I don't often tear up during a television show. But, this one jerked my heart out.

Nova: Why the Towers Fell (2002) Season 29, Episode 7

The worst of Nova

[1/10 · 21 December 2011]

One of the worst productions in NOVA's history. The source of the animation used to depict how the buildings collapsed is far too close to the Bush administration and completely one-sided. There are no alternative theories, and the science and engineering conclusions make no sense in the real world. Nova has simply followed the dictates of what the National Science Foundation and the government have approved and sanctioned. There were many glaring omissions from the program; first, why did the buildings collapse at free-fall speed, that is, less time than it takes an unimpeded object to fall the height of the building? The smoke of the fire was a tell tale sign that the fires were not hot enough to melt the massive beams of steel used to construct the building. Nothing is mentioned about the heat generated nor the massive amounts of asbestos and cement dust that eventually caused so many emergency workers to lose their health. And, nothing at all is mentioned about Building 7, the building that supposedly housed the mayor's emergency headquarters, SEC records, and many other important government offices. Even though the building was only hit by spurious pieces from the nearby collapse of the twin towers, many hours later it too collapsed at free-fall speed, just like a planned demolition. This was one of Nova's worst moments.

Grayeagle (1977)

Another one of those "if only" movies

[6/10 · 23 June 2011]

I'm going to make a suggestion here. When you watch this movie for the second time, turn down the volume completely. Make up your own wonderful scripting and music. Somehow, the scenes, acting, and storyline make complete sense and the movie becomes a wonderful exploration of images from a first rate motion picture that might have been. There are moments of incredible color and western imagery that are delightful to see, even if they fall far short of being the reality of the era depicted. Sorta reminded me of a nice western novel you picked up in a shop while in the airport. There's Alex Cord and Lana Wood in a classic lover's pose on the front cover with Iron Eyes Cody looking on in the background. Perfect Native Americans, who of course, are not native at all. This motion picture had everything it needed to be a wonderfully engaging drama with spectacular filming and broad scope. Yet, somehow during its production, it simply became a good children's tale. So, the question here is; how do you manage to get the money and all these industry tools, Ben Johnson, Jack Elam, and all those great actors, and turn a wonderful movie into this? I don't know. But, it saddens me.

Little Smokey: The True Story of America's Forest Fire Preventin' Bear (1953)

A part of American History

[6/10 · 19 June 2011]

This is not a review as much as it is a remembrance and memorial to one of the most powerful icons ever invented by the U. S. Government. Back around 1997 or so, my wife and I were driving on a vacation through a small town in New Mexico called Capitan, near Lincoln National Forest. We had no idea just how close we were to a famous memorial grave. It was Sunday, and the sign said, Smokey Bear Historical Park. There was no one around, and the park was closed. Yet, based upon what we could see in the windows and in the postings, it was obvious this park was a memorial to the original Smokey Bear, the cub who was rescued from the Capitan Gap fire of 1950 by soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas. The cub had been horribly burned and its paws and hind legs were charred. After being nursed back to health by a Game and Fish ranger, and transported to Washington, D.C., the cub became the living national symbol for the Smokey Bear campaign against wildfires. Smokey became so famous during his 26 year stay at the Washington Zoo, the U. S. Postal Service assigned him his own Zip Code. I noticed a peaceful, very nicely kept garden out back of the building, but had to jump a fence to see it (I know, that's trespassing, but we were not going to be coming back that way for a very long time, and I'm always respectful of government property). I walked around and reverently enjoyed the garden for a while until I noticed the large rock with a plaque mounted on it in the back corner of the lot. It was the monument and final resting place of the original Smokey Bear, whose body had been transported from Washington, D.C. in 1976. I read the plaque, and a tear formed in my eye. Here were the remains of one of the most famous icons of my childhood. It was a simple, powerful, peaceful admonishment to children and adults alike to be careful with your campfires. Smokey was the symbol of environmental stewardship to millions of young children of my generation. Yet, so few folks even know he is buried in this little garden in New Mexico. I left with a rekindled appreciation for the story of Smokey, and someday, I'd like to return for another visit.

If you get a moment, please look up Smokey Bear on the web and share it with your children. His wonderful story still exists. And, if you happen to drive through Capitan, New Mexico, take a moment to visit Smokey Bear Historical Park and the grave of one of the most famous icons in American history. It will be a moment long remembered.

The Magical World of Disney: Texas John Slaughter (1958) Season 5, Episode 5

Disney western with a twist

[7/10 · 20 March 2011]

"With Texas John Slaugher, men did what they oughter, 'cause if they didn't, they died!"

And, with that opening, Tom Tryon carved his most memorable character as an actor. It's typically Disney in style, and pretty standard western story telling. However, many of the story lines are loosely based upon a real Sheriff of Southern Arizona by the same name."Texas John" Slaughter was a Civil War veteran, trail-driver, cattleman, Texas Ranger, Cochise County (Arizona) Sheriff, professional gambler, and an Arizona State Representative during his lifetime. He died at the age of 80. Slaughter was known as a quiet and reserved character. He was five feet six inches tall, with dark eyes and occasional stutter. Slaughter seemed intent on making a name for himself. After years of driving cattle in Texas, Slaughter eventually settled south of Tombstone, Arizona, and bought the 65,000 acre San Bernardino Ranch near Douglas in 1884 that stretched all the way to the Mexican border and employed 30 families. It was during this period that he was elected and served as one of the most successful sheriffs in Arizona history.

Of course, many of the Disney Slaughter episodes played on this history, and emphasize Slaughter's effective methods of tracking and arresting outlaws using stealth and planning while keeping his cattle ranch running. However, Tom Tryon at six feet three inches obviously makes the role and Disney character his own. There are many liberties taken with the original history. And, that is somewhat unfortunate, because, as a character, Texas John Slaughter was one of the most colorful and unusual of the Old West period. His skill and effectiveness as sheriff made him a legend in his own right. Therefore, it is strange indeed that someone with Slaughter's amazing law enforcement techniques became entirely overshadowed by a nearby 30 second gun battle at a place called the OK Coral in a no name cow town called Tombstone.

Someday someone other than Disney may contribute a real film history in honor of this American legend. But, for now at least, the Tom Tryon episodes give some glimmer of how southern Arizona was tamed by a short, but dedicated sheriff that legend has it, sometimes accepted the quiet surrender of criminals who simply did not want to tangle with a man they knew they couldn't beat.

The Halloween Tree (1993 TV Movie)

A Bradbury Masterpiece

[10/10 · 9 October 2010]

First, I'm going to say that if you haven't read Ray Bradbury's masterpiece, "The Halloween Tree," go buy it and read it through and through, especially the copy illustrated by Joseph Mugnaini originally published in 1972 by Alfred A. Knopf, Publishing. (The story was originally conceived with co-author, animator, Chuck Jones as a screenplay by Bradbury in 1967). This is some of the best and most poetic of Bradbury's writings. Before the great animation factory of Hanna-Barbera finally closed its doors, they managed to produce this gem of a story using updated and original material and the voice of the author himself as the narrator. The combination of voices and the memorable theme music penned by John Debney, including the great Lenard Nimoy as the magical, chilling, informative, yet somehow comforting Mr. Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, embellishes the animated version with a breezy, leaf filled Fall season feel of warm humanity. At once educational and entertaining, this is one of the greatest and least appreciated features from television's stellar collection of seasonal classics. Like Disney's "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh," from 1964, I expect that someday Warner Brothers will clean up a copy of this motion picture and distribute it on DVD for the sake of its production quality alone. And, were I a producer with a reasonable budget, I could think of no better challenge than to translate this incredible story to live action, hopefully remaining faithful to the heart and soul of Bradbury's original concept.

Proof (2005)

Lacks spark but has depth

[5/10 · 14 March 2010]

I studied mathematics for five years in college. I must admit that I did meet some folks in this game whose lives were about as lackluster as this film. Rather than parrot what others have said about the movie, let me just say that I understood what the producers and actors were attempting to portray. However, I could have zapped through the first 2/3rd's of the film, and gotten to the real proof behind the plot. They simply took too long to begin exploring the more interesting aspects of a mathematics professor's insanity. You hired high powered actors to portray a deeply cerebral subject, yet didn't even gloss over the best of human struggle with more complex mental stresses in the academic world. I accidentally discovered myself rewriting the script in my mind before I had even finished the movie. Oh well. I enjoyed the last third of the picture, but found it severely lacking overall. I think I'll fault the script and director on this one.

ChalkZone (1998–2009)

Erased but not forgotten

[8/10 · 12 March 2010]

Growing up in the 50's and 60's exposed me to some of the masters of animation and the ever consistent ten minute gag. Back then an animator was lucky if they could create a few dozen cartoons in their entire career. They put love and creativity on cellulose, and kept us entertained no matter how many times we saw the same old cartoon. We heard classical music for the first time, laughed at corny jokes we may not have completely understood due to our age and inexperience, and generally had a great time. In that vein, ChalkZone is an intelligent, creative, and well thought out adventure with some very subtle commentary deeply embedded into a topsy turvy land located just beyond that 2D surface that anyone schooled before the "white board" knows as the chalk board. Students from my era knew just how dusty the tool of learning could be. We were all burdened at one time or other with cleaning the erasers. We all got called forward to write on that surface. Bad little boys would intentionally scratch their dirty fingernails across its dull green surface sending involuntary goosebumps up everyone's spine. Some of our teachers could draw an entire world on that board, and those images taught us things by graphic representation that followed us the rest of our lives. Here is a cartoon that mirrors an experience common to everyone of my era. We all suspected there might be a huge, strange world just on the other side of its flat reality. And, most of us drew those imaginary images in chalk when the teacher wasn't looking.

ChalkZone uses a simplified line image and characters to convey a fun experience on the other side of the chalk board reality. It was probably never meant for students whose primary education came from film, television, and pretty pictures in a book. Here you must imagine, define, and draw the solution to a problem. Here the animators were probably having far too much fun discovering what they could do with the lines. And, if you look closely, you'll see that every line drawn behind the board has a consistent chalk look. Look closely, listen carefully, and you'll see a gem of a production with a very wry wit and commentary on the world of adults through the unbiased eyes of children. It's all here; love, loyalty, insanity, order and chaos. If anything, the production may be a bit too cerebral in its own innuendos to please the Beavis and Butthead crowd. Here are cleaver story lines with much less absurdity than Spongebob Squarepants. This one fact may explain the incredible number of flatly stated negatives in the reviews listed here.

Finally, besides the subtle intelligence of clever animation, producer Bill Burnett has crafted a fine grouping of short songs as an aside to each adventure. Burnett is one of those rare song writers that delight in composing music that is serious, funny, absurdist and/or thought provoking. He doesn't mind composing in simple form while concentrating on the tune, not the orchestrated gimmick. Two of my favorites composed for ChalkTales are "Puttin on the Dog," a countrified, corny salute to the music of the hills, and a haunting, beautiful, yet sweetly short piece called, "Dream a Little Dream" that evokes some of the wonderful experiences to had in the land of nod. I was so taken by those songs, I went and visited Burnett's website at www.billburnettsongmine.com . You can also hear some of those ChalkZone songs on YouTube.

I highly recommend these toons to anyone who would enjoy visiting another less defined reality that depends on the creativity of children for its entire content.

Call to Glory: Call to Glory (1984) Season 1, Episode 1

Wings in the Air, Family on the Ground

[8/10 · 16 October 2009]

"Call to Glory" was the first television experience where the producers bothered to show that for every minute of flight, there is a life to live, a family to support, human emotions and conflicts to deal with, and people who are sometimes thrust into support positions that test their ethics and abilities. It showed us rank, both high and low, and it showed us that not every war hero has a perfect home life. These are real people living real life with a veteran Vietnam War pilot and test pilot with extraordinary skills. Craig T. Nelson is completely convincing as a seasoned combat jet pilot who is tasked with more than his share of serious missions upon which the security of America and the world depends. His practiced cool headed attitude, his deliberate and calculated control, and his inner spiritual strength mirror aspects of many real pilots of this era. And, the support offered by Cindy Pickett, Elizabeth Shue, and Gabriel Damon as Colonel Sarnac's family rounds out this full featured story as realistically as you can ask.

One of the best character depictions of the series, and possibly one of the very best of his career, belonged to veteran actor, Keenan Wynn, a member of the famous show business Wynn family, and son of character actor, Ed Wynn. Wynn was a continuing guest star on the series, playing Colonel Raynor Sarnac's father, Carl Sarnac. Carl was a pilot of the open cockpit era who's stick and rudder skills remained sharp, even for an old man. Carl makes no secret of his love for flight and his American Indian heritage, and passes this pride over to his son. All of the cast members of the show were keenly aware that their co-actor, Wynn, was suffering from ill health during filming. In a mirror of real life, the writers of the show fashioned a storyline for Carl Sarnac in which he concealed and fought a terminal illness. In one of the best shows of the series, Carl finally succumbs to leukemia and passes away. Nelson and Wynn seem particularly dedicated to this portrayal of a son who knows he is losing his father. The actor, Keenan Wynn, died not long afterward of cancer.

And, then there are the flying sequences that are artistically and technically spectacular for this era. They round out the visuals of a series that, despite its short run, had sufficient time to depict and honor those military pilots and airmen whose flying skills and technical expertise have helped keep the United States safe.

"Call to Glory" was an era that I lived. My father spent 21 years in the U. S. Air Force, including several years at Beale Air Force Base, where parts of this series was filmed. As a family, we rarely stayed in one place more than four years. I later spent 8 years in the U. S. Coast Guard, and later, trained for my license as a pilot. The Air Force life, as with any life in the military can be very exciting at times. Yet, the vast majority of time before flight is spent training, planning, briefing, and debriefing for the actual mission. Part of that time is simply waiting for optimal conditions, or working long hours to make sure the mission can be accomplished. Just as in this TV depiction, a routine flight with no surprises is always the safest flight. I once came across the Phantom jet cockpit used by Craig T. Nelson in the series, which was then on display in an aviation museum. It gives you a very clear idea and respect for just how small and complex an area these superior pilots were expected to operate from during what were often life-threatening and wildly challenging situations that rarely lasted more than a few minutes. I have nothing but respect for any pilot whose commitment and love of country compels him/her to endure the training, education, sacrifice, hard work, and danger involved in high performance aerobatic and defense flying.

Peacemakers (2003)

Rare Historically Accurate Television

[9/10 · 17 August 2009]

The Peacemakers is one of those rare television pleasures; a program whose producers went to great pains to develop an environment that was just about as close to the real thing as you can get. Each everyday item and situation seem to be fine tuned for producing a reality straight out of the Old West era, right on the edge of the Age of Oil. The viewer can literally get lost in the details while savoring how each frame is composed. But, somehow, things get a bit bogged down. This is not a perfect production. Unfortunately, and probably the reason for its short lifespan, the deep overall story of the characters becomes murky, and the audience may be somewhat expectant of those strong character relationships that, disappointingly, never quite seem to develop as the series goes on. We are also asked to believe that unlikely situations and murder are the norm in this small town. Although it is quite satisfying to see characters of intelligence using current technologies and psychology to solve a crime, perhaps the progression of everyday life and the laboratory time should have been more intermixed with lasting human drama. The portrayals are somewhat flat, and the slow pace of life of Victorian America might have been sped up a bit to retain the interest of the audience. Many viewers in the present day expect more action from a western genre, and perhaps that is not a bad thing. The producers seemed timid when it came to staging a flat out scene of action. The colors were washed toward sepia in order to place a final touch to the period feel of the piece, however, color adds a certain feel of immediacy to the stage, and might have brightened the production somewhat. For those who really appreciate a nice deep bath of historical truth, I cannot recommend a more carefully crafted nine part mini-series. You will come to appreciate these characters, and wish they had been given time to develop more fully into a real and intriguing community.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Documentary gives it a 3

[3/10 · 11 August 2009]

Honestly, at some age many of us are scared of going into the woods. But, for those of us who have been there at night with some preparation, it's really not that scary. The creatures come out to do what evolution and nature have given them the tools to do. In the winter, it's quiet, peaceful, and no senseless screaming. I kept watching and watching expecting someone in this acting group to calm down, look around them, assess their situation, and do something about saving what would have otherwise been a nice little outing. Alas, these bimbos kept whipping themselves into a self induced psychological frenzy; you know, the type that might get people killed. The real torture for me was trying to stay with the film until the end.

That said, I do recognize the elements of film making here that may have appealed to the, supposedly, young audience that fed the hype machine. "The Blair Witch" breaks several of the cardinal rules that ran Hollywood motion pictures since the early history of film. Yet, the fact that it hyped its way to a huge profit will be the only footnote listed in the history books. It just doesn't stand up to good storytelling.

Finally, one last observation. I gave this movie a 3 for one reason; I found the documentary about the Blair Witch Legend to be passable. However, for those of us from Tennessee, the parallels and similarity to our "Bell Witch Legend" is so obvious it's almost insulting. But, take heart. No one in Hollywood has yet made a passable film of our legend yet.

I read today that the producers have announced they may make a sequel to the film. Be careful when you go back into the woods guys. I hear that the Hollywood money machine still lurks in the dark.

August Rush (2007)

It's the Music

[9/10 · 5 August 2009]

August Rush is not one of those films you can watch from the middle. In order to comprehend and enjoy the artful filming, seamlessly integrated music track, and a subtle story line that works on so many different levels, one must see the film from beginning to end several times. If there is one particular aspect of the film that sets it apart from so many others of its genre, a tip of the hat must be given to how hard the producers worked to join the actions on screen with the carefully chosen and performed music. Too many films of this type attempt to convince the audience that the main characters are musicians of extraordinary caliber, and end up convincing us there is no relationship between what we are seeing and what we are hearing. August Rush shows us moments of music creation that do not necessarily need to be perfectly synced to convince us that extraordinary talent is being given a chance to rise above the mundane and ignorant realities of everyday life. Here we have a music genus seeking expression with an innocence of youth that transcends the frustration and violence of his temporary keeper, a sadly flawed man who is doomed to roam the halls of mediocrity and short sightedness. Rarely do we savor Robin Williams with no sense of humor, but "Wizard" Wallace manages to make us feel uncomfortable every moment he appears on screen. Most people of extraordinary ability tend to understand their art to a depth and breadth that extends far beyond the comprehension of their audience. The film makers have certainly given us a small glimpse into the world of such genus. The teachers of Julliard School immediately see Rush's talent, and are ready to help him, though so many such talents simply go unseen and unfulfilled in the world. August Rush hears music all around him, and is forced by an inner drive to compose. He also subliminally understands that his music message will bring him the one thing he wants most of all, to be reunited with his real parents. What wonderful music that moment becomes.

Martha Speaks (2008–2016)

Martha is a dog lovers dream

[9/10 · 12 February 2009]

What would my dog say if it could talk? That was the question the daughter of children's author, Susan Meddaugh asked one day while eating alphabet soup. Susan took that one premise and her real dog, Martha, and constructed a very creative series of books which have now been transformed into a PBS animated series. Martha is the dog of Helen Lorraine, a ten year old little girl. One day, Martha accidentally eats some of "Martha's Alphabet Soup," and discovers that the letters go to her head instead of her stomach. Thus, she begins to talk, and talk, and talk. Produced by WGBH Boston and Studio B Productions, Inc., the show creatively introduces words to a young audience straight from a dog's point of view. Martha manages to wriggle herself into all kinds of situations while learning what words and phrases really mean by human standards. And, consequently, her human caregivers learn some new tricks from this very intelligent mutt. The fact that she can translate what other animals say comes in very handy at times, as she attempts to live in a world that real dogs rarely understand. To say that her antics are sometimes hilarious is somewhat of an understatement. Here is a family, two dogs, a group of friends, and a sly sense of humor located in a comfortable neighborhood that could be located just down the street. Martha creates a casual, entertaining learning mood that is easily revisited. This show is geared not only for children, but, as with the most successful cartoons, it works on many different levels for adults as well. As a new fan of this wonderful series, I can highly recommend that parents "sit" and watch this show with their kids, "speak" about what they have just seen, "roll over" with laughter, and go eat some "alphabet soup" for lunch. I promise you won't hit the "paws" button.

The Magical World of Disney: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh: Part 1 (1963) Season 10, Episode 17

A Disney Masterpiece

[10/10 · 16 November 2008]

As a child, I was fortunate enough to have seen all three episodes of the "Scarecrow" on a black and white TV set. Despite that, the warm tones of Disney's "Wonderful World of Color" stuck in my memory, and have remained there since 1964. The world of Dr. Christopher Syn, alias the Scarecrow haunted me all those years along with the wonderful theme song performed and written by Terry Gilkyson. I finally received at long last the Disney Treasures limited release of the two DVD set featuring both the three part TV version and the motion picture version released in Europe. The restoration is nothing short of masterful. The entire three part story was produced in wide screen, and this restoration is presented in that format. Included are all of the introductions and commentaries by Walt Disney, which were also filmed in wide screen format by a genius who was far ahead of his time. Each frame is lovingly restored and color balanced, and there are special features that explain why Roy and Walt Disney decided to produce films in Great Britain. Chills ran down my spine as I played this three part masterpiece on my HD 16:9 television, experiencing the story once again for the first time in more than forty years. The elements that make this production so memorable include wonderful acting performances, masterful direction, unforgettable music, and attention to every little detail. There is not one wasted moment of story telling. My household now has a motion picture that will be played once a year every Halloween from now on. To the Disney Corporation and film artists I must say a very heart felt "Thank You!" You have finally restored one of the best memories of so many children from my era, and that is truly what Uncle Walt would have wanted.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1999 TV Movie)

There is still room for faithful adaptations

[8/10 · 18 October 2008]

I'll warn you that, in some cases, when motion pictures tread into the territory of faithful adaptations, the modern day audience will find the result slow, but in this case, not altogether ponderous. In order to enjoy this film fully, I would recommend that you go back to the original novel, and read it's wonderfully descriptive characters and carefully crafted New England world of spooky surroundings. Washington Irving's masterful work has been carefully reproduced here, but in doing so, the producers have painted a very rich and colorful world that lacks that ever so intangible spark that gives a motion picture good pacing and story appeal. I'll give it an eight simply because they made such an energetic effort to remain true to Irving's vision. Despite its strictly bookish feel, this film is worth an evening with the kids curled around Mom, Dad, the TV, and an explanation of why this version doesn't bleed all over the couch.

The Great American West (1995)

Sweeping scope and attention to details

[9/10 · 4 January 2008]

Full of sweeping scope and wondrous panorama, this IMAX presentation revels in the magnificent scenery of the American West. Barely scraping the broad abundance of historical material available concerning the general history of the West, the audience is present in France as Napoleon Bonaparte grants Jefferson his purchase of the majority of the American wilderness beyond the Mississippi River. Covering brief, picturesque moments in the life stories and moments of pioneers, native Americans, and colorful characters provides the usual IMAX abbreviated, yet intense experience. The photography is nothing short of spectacular, and for those of us who have been lucky enough to actually travel through some of these picture-postcard locations, the film delivers us once again to the thrilling moments when we could barely take in the splendor of scenery that most cameras simply can't capture. It brings tears to the eye and goosebumps to the arm. Attention to detail and historical accuracy is one of its strong suits, as the production designers obviously did their homework on both the costuming and recreation of personal events in the lives of people inextricably woven into the fabric of the land. Perhaps the only shortcoming is a fantasy presented by a storyteller at a trapper's rendezvous starring America's most famous bear, "Bart." Bart can be forgiven for obviously having great fun with his trainer. In the tradition of IMAX, this film can only be appreciated fully while viewed in full High Definition and Wide Screen format. For those who want a brief but intense dose of American landscape and pioneer resolve, this is a forty-five minute emotional tour not to be missed.

The Alamo (2004)

David Crockett

[24 December 2007]

I found this motion picture very interesting, and discovered that the producers had exerted some admirable effort in attempting a more authentic look, feel, and historical interpretation to a story that has been extensively researched and debated for more than a century by experts and amateur historians alike.

I have visited the original Alamo in San Antonio, and I was very closely involved with one of the finest exhibits on the life and times of David Crockett compiled and constructed by the Tennessee State Museum in the 1980's. One of the minor controversies that continues to bother me about these films is the use of the name "Davy" as a nickname for Mr. Crockett.

The name Davy got its start in the stage shows that idealized the life of Tennessee's Congressional Representative while allowing a hefty dose of entertainment. In the 1960's, Walt Disney Productions took the name, and engraved it upon the American psyche to such a degree that film makers hesitate to simply discard a name that does not appear to have been Crockett's choice. If you read his autobiography, you will not see it mentioned. Not once. Crockett's book is a wonderful work by a masterful politician, and admitted humanitarian. It is well worth reading.

That being said, I will recommend this film for what it is, .... a much better attempt at telling a part of American history with less legend and more fact. What a grand method of bestowing the gift of history to children! Perhaps it might even inspire them to read a good book on the subject.

Loose Change: Second Edition (2005 Video)

Worth an open minded view

[8/10 · 2 July 2007]

Video and film allow vast numbers of our citizenry to gather around our intentions while discovering the best or worst of our nation. The possibility of conspiracy on 9/11 is one of those ideas that will continue to incite more and more discussion as time goes by. So much of the 9/11 Truth movement makes total and logical sense. Many of those ideas are certainly in error. But, many are not. As with any disputed historical event, there will be those who deny any truth to a new theory, especially one as foreboding as this one, and those who will believe in conspiracy, no matter the evidence to the contrary. For those who watch "Loose Change" with an open mind," I suggest going to: www.911scholarsfortruth.org for a detailed and evolving discussion of the alternate possibilities. Videos such as "Loose Change" cannot cover the entire subject, nor will it ultimately force the government to conduct a totally unbiased and complete investigation (most of the evidence at ground zero has been destroyed anyway). As usual, only time and sincere scholarly legwork may eventually reveal to us to what really happened that day. For now, however, those of us who find grave gaps in the official investigation must continue to question the intent of a government that desperately needed a "Pearl Harbor" level excuse to once again invade the Middle East. Whether this disturbing video contains truth or not, it should be considered amid all the other explanations by anyone who seeks a personal truth amid the mountains of data now available on the internet. To question the official version of this event IS a patriotic act. To allow your government the luxury of unquestioning loyalty is to allow those in power the luxury of corruption. This was not the intent of our founders.

The Rocket Pilots (1981 TV Movie)

An Aviation and Space Flight History Lesson

[9/10 · 11 June 2007]

This program is titled, "An American Adventure: The Rocket Pilots," and was broadcast originally in 1981. It was rebroadcast in its entirety by the Arts and Entertainment cable network many years later. The sole sponsor was General Motors. Though not yet available, a DVD of this feature would be an excellent educational tool.

It's difficult for younger folks to imagine the excitement and wonder with which fans of space flight first greeted the broadcast of The Rocket Pilots in 1981. On April 14th, 1981, the Space Shuttle made its maiden voyage, piloted by the able skills of veteran astronaut, John W. Young and his co-pilot, Robert L. Crippen. This was prior to our knowledge of the design flaws engineered into a space system designed to do everything for everyone, yet fated to fall far short of its ultimate promise.

The Rocket Pilots was produced by NBC that same year. It was co-written and narrated by one of its ablest reporters, Lloyd Dobyns, part of the cadre of professional journalists who had helped to produce one of the finest news programs of the decade, NBC News Overnight, which also featured Linda Ellerbee and Bill Schechner. The Rocket Pilots came from an era of great television news reporting and production. Its quality, attention to historical detail, and entertainment value are obvious from start to finish. It was, perhaps, a documentary labor of love, attempting to capture the final moments of innocent awe and wonder for the U. S. space program.

Opening in 1981 with a scene of the first landing of the brand new Space Transportation System at Edwards Air Force Base in California, this fascinating news documentary takes us on an historical journey to an earlier, more adventuresome time of the American Space Program. From 1959 to 1968 legendary, yet relatively unheralded and unknown test pilots "flew into and out of space" on a regular schedule. They piloted NASA's X-15 experimental space plane. When America's race to the moon committed NASA to using ballistic missiles as our primary space vehicle, the resulting media frenzy completely obliterated the historical significance of this incredible program. America already had the beginnings of a viable, practical, and well developed space transportation system by 1960 that was essentially forgotten and discarded for twenty years. The Space Shuttle was the finished result of data gathered during the X-15 program.

The Rocket Pilots reveals this unfortunate oversight while reminding us that machines do not make technological history, … humans do. During the first part of the documentary, we are shown some of the finest and most significant historical film footage of aviation's greatest triumphs and tragedies. We are transported from the first successful powered flight of the Wright brothers, into the desperation of two World Wars, and witness the engineering and advancement of better airframes and power plants over half a century of challenging innovation. Built within that history is always one goal, one challenge, …. GO FASTER. Many men died attempting to challenge that goal. Many planes simply broke apart while attempting to exceed the "sound barrier." Some very spectacular images of aviation's more notable crashes and explosions are included throughout the film.

The Rocket Pilots takes us to the golden era of aviation research at the dry lake bed of Muroc Field, known in aviation history as Edwards Air Force Base, home of the U. S. Air Force Flight Test Center. Edwards was THE place to be a test pilot from the 1950's and on. Here we meet the legends of test flight; Chuck Yeager, Scott Crossfield, Mel Apt, William Knight, Neil Armstrong, and many others. We hear their personal stories, and, we are given an up close and personal view of Chuck Yeager's flight of the X-1 past the speed of sound. We are shown Scott Crossfield's early test flights of the X-15 for contractor, North American Aviation. Showing what could certainly be classified as the "Right Stuff," Crossfield states flatly in an interview that he considers himself the first American Astronaut, despite the fact that he was never actually allowed to take the X-15 into space. One could certainly argue his point, but sympathy abounds for his opinion. Yet, there is simply no argument concerning the absolute flying skills of both Yeager or Crossfield. Before computers could automatically design or fly an aircraft, skilled test pilots routinely placed their lives at risk to discover the limits of the planes they flew. This film documents their amazing contribution to aviation and space flight.

Through NASA's wonderfully detailed color films of the actual flights, the documentary shows the highlights of a space program that met and exceeded everyone's engineering expectations with only a few tragedies along the way. Perhaps, when viewed from a non- political agenda, the X-15 engineering program would have been the more practical and logical choice when planning a space transportation system. The roar and fire of thundering rockets made exciting photos, and landing on the moon was a spectacular media event that ignited the imagination of the public in the decade of the 60's. However, ignoring symbolic and temporary political needs might have gotten us a shuttle system or space station that much earlier. The X-15 could have made that possible. Yet, the point is made that without the imagination and support of the American public, no national project of this magnitude is likely to progress or succeed. For better or for worse, we have inherited the rocket.

Before the thundering rockets of the USSR and the USA began to challenge each other for the high ground of space, a half century of test pilots had brought us to the edge of Earth's atmosphere. A small, stubby winged, experimental rocket plane called the X-15 first made that huge leap into outer space in 1959. And, this spectacular American Adventure was captured on film for all of us to remember.

Executive Producer: Dan O'Connor; Produced Directed: Darold Murray; Written by: Lloyd Dobyns, Darold Murray, Patrick Trese