Takes a fine (and proven) concept and never drops the ball. It made me think of more than one "Ghost" romance from the golden age of Hollywood. Specifically "A Guy Named Joe" with Spencer Tracy. This garnered an Oscar nomination and deserved it. "Above The Shadows" is not like this black and white movie from 1943 yet it takes the a lot of the best emotional ingredients and puts them in a realistic present. Trilby and Alan Ritchson both carry the movie well. You can see why Ritchson has shot to the top with his "Jack Reacher" work. A nod also to Johannsen as the sleazy promoter. Well acted, well directed, it is a bargain to see this for free on streaming. I see others giving it a high rating and it certainly earns it.
Reviews
55 Reviews
The Looking Glass War
(1970)
I found this mesmerising...but then I live through it.
15 October 2022
Christoper Jones does a great job. And with Ralph Richardson and Sir Tony Hopkins in support you have to have a real experience. Maybe some people weren't happy that Jones wasn't James Bond. I don't think he was ever meant to be. This is an entirely different protagonist...much more realistic and human. Even with the "correct papers" you were guilty until proven innocent once you entered the Soviet Bloc. The danger he faces was as great as any 007. And he does so without the weapons that J. Bond was provided with. Like Bond, a seemingly impossible mission. But with none of the "Tier One" hardware that Bond ever had. Just a man...no super powers...not even a pistol. This "unfair" powers of force provides a deeper and more subtle level of suspense and tension. He can't survive can he? Can he complete his mission? So I don't spoil it for you I won't go on. Let me say this is one of the best Cold War spy movies I've seen and Jones deserves a great deal of credit. Enjoy.
He was an inexperienced man clutched out of crises and thrown into an impossible situation. I think he pulls this off quite well. Very few remember;e the danger and suspense of penetrating East Germany. The constant striving to be free against the murderous boot of the Stasi.
He was an inexperienced man clutched out of crises and thrown into an impossible situation. I think he pulls this off quite well. Very few remember;e the danger and suspense of penetrating East Germany. The constant striving to be free against the murderous boot of the Stasi.
King Solomon's Mines
(1950)
This is a jewell that couldn't ever be made again.
22 September 2022
Right, 50+ years old.
You couldn't put the African cast together.
You don't have a "Stewart Granger" You don't have Deborah Carr"
Even if you had a gigantic budget, you simply couldn't repeat this movie.
It would be a phony and synthetic and pale attempt.
Hollywood, no matter how much money they could line up couldn't do this story as well as they did in 1950. It's classic...it's a jewel Sadly since it is based in Africa, they would be forced to put it through the Social Justice grinder...that would produce a mutation of a film and a certain money loser. As opposed to this financial and critical success..
You couldn't put the African cast together.
You don't have a "Stewart Granger" You don't have Deborah Carr"
Even if you had a gigantic budget, you simply couldn't repeat this movie.
It would be a phony and synthetic and pale attempt.
Hollywood, no matter how much money they could line up couldn't do this story as well as they did in 1950. It's classic...it's a jewel Sadly since it is based in Africa, they would be forced to put it through the Social Justice grinder...that would produce a mutation of a film and a certain money loser. As opposed to this financial and critical success..
The Haunted Palace
(1963)
Lovecraft meets Poe meets Roger Corman Classic Spooky
22 June 2022
So many of the classic spooky actors from long ago...chewing the
scenery in top form.
Is Ward a reincarnation of the Evil predecessor Curwen from a hundred years ago???
Slow going for the first half...and then...does it have a strong third act?
Uh-hoh...then a twist. Then another twist. More sophisticated than you may expect.
Is it merely a well done "B" pic or something better?
Well....not enough Poe and not enough Lovecraft.
Sorry to say, unless you are a Vincent Price (super fan) This one might work skipping.
As for Roger Corman...big budget....small story.
Is Ward a reincarnation of the Evil predecessor Curwen from a hundred years ago???
Slow going for the first half...and then...does it have a strong third act?
Uh-hoh...then a twist. Then another twist. More sophisticated than you may expect.
Is it merely a well done "B" pic or something better?
Well....not enough Poe and not enough Lovecraft.
Sorry to say, unless you are a Vincent Price (super fan) This one might work skipping.
As for Roger Corman...big budget....small story.
No Time to Die
(2021)
Out with a loud whimper not a bang
11 June 2022
Plot sacrificed to gunfire.
Evil villain flaccid....that means soft.
Substitute "007" boring Hip shots with AR's never miss....ridiculous.
Story convoluted and not engaging.
Fight scenes like with the snow battle....comic book grade.
Even "M" was soft-boiled and twitchy.
I think Craig decided this was his last Bond the instant he saw the script. A sad ending to a great run for D. C.
Compare it to his 'Casino Royale'....now that's how you do it.
Disappointing. If they bring back the 'substitute 007' actress...The series is dead.
Evil villain flaccid....that means soft.
Substitute "007" boring Hip shots with AR's never miss....ridiculous.
Story convoluted and not engaging.
Fight scenes like with the snow battle....comic book grade.
Even "M" was soft-boiled and twitchy.
I think Craig decided this was his last Bond the instant he saw the script. A sad ending to a great run for D. C.
Compare it to his 'Casino Royale'....now that's how you do it.
Disappointing. If they bring back the 'substitute 007' actress...The series is dead.
Dr. Strange franchise kills itself off with an insulting Meta-jumble
31 May 2022
Let me say I loved the first Cumberbatch version and had high hopes for this one.
Boy...hope in one hand and garbage in the other.
I stuck it out as long as I could (90 minutes) before I was compelled to stalk out of the theater.
How could Raimi allow this???
Red Witch...FAIL
Teeny girl...Fail
But the biggest fail was the INSULT to decent film writing. It isn't present; just millions and millions of dollars of CGI in place of a story or even a sensible plot. They managed a first though...."Jumping the Shark" in multiple universes!
It is also INSULTING to turn all the other Marvel characters into little more than CLAY PIGEONS.
"Yeah, wild....we can really do something BOLD this time....we can kill off all the heroes.... BUT bring them back in the next movie!!!!"
I think the writer's conferences were heavily fueled with DMT instead of any skill.
I'll put a bet down.... Cumberbatch will never return no matter how much money they throw at him.
GARBAGE.
Boy...hope in one hand and garbage in the other.
I stuck it out as long as I could (90 minutes) before I was compelled to stalk out of the theater.
How could Raimi allow this???
Red Witch...FAIL
Teeny girl...Fail
But the biggest fail was the INSULT to decent film writing. It isn't present; just millions and millions of dollars of CGI in place of a story or even a sensible plot. They managed a first though...."Jumping the Shark" in multiple universes!
It is also INSULTING to turn all the other Marvel characters into little more than CLAY PIGEONS.
"Yeah, wild....we can really do something BOLD this time....we can kill off all the heroes.... BUT bring them back in the next movie!!!!"
I think the writer's conferences were heavily fueled with DMT instead of any skill.
I'll put a bet down.... Cumberbatch will never return no matter how much money they throw at him.
GARBAGE.
The Wolf of Snow Hollow
(2020)
Not a classic but underrated
20 May 2022
I think this is one of those movies you'll be drawn back to in order to watch again in a couple of years. Unique combination of characters in a totally believable setting/plot. Lots of realistic human actions in an age of comic book CGI hoo-hah.
Life on the Line
(I) (2015)
More than a "B" movie...a statement
12 May 2022
I can see why a big name like Travolta would join this project. There's more going for it than a small budget.
It's a good story and the acting is sound with many proven actors. And, it's a story that DESERVES to be told. I found it gripping from start to finish. Expect something different from the comic book tent pole features. These are real heroes, not comic book heroes. Flawed....in ordinary human ways but capable of risking their lives for working man's money.
It's a good story and the acting is sound with many proven actors. And, it's a story that DESERVES to be told. I found it gripping from start to finish. Expect something different from the comic book tent pole features. These are real heroes, not comic book heroes. Flawed....in ordinary human ways but capable of risking their lives for working man's money.
The Thing
(I) (2011)
Better than Carpemters Thing
10 May 2022
The story itself was more powerful with less expected events...I feared it would be a remake of Carpenter but there is enough fresh thought in this to keep you guessing. . I found Carpenter's formulaic and "weak cheese" (story wise) after the original Howard Hawk's black and white first version. I was gripped from start to finish and would call it a top "alien monster" movie for decades. There were also an unforeseen neat trick or two that was original. I recommend it.
Wrath of Man
(2021)
I am so glad I didn't spend money to see this!
21 April 2022
Formulaic....and not in the best way. Wooden performances. Hard to follow plot. Violence without emotion. I could go on but why bother. Statham is carved out of wood with no personality AT ALL.
If you just want to see a second rate shoot-em-up and kill some time....this is barely adequate. You'll forget it as soon as you go on to the next movie. In short , a waste of a lot of money. When I saw Ritchie's name on it I thought I was in for a treat.
No treat, no creativity. Compare it to John Wick and it comes off as 2 out of ten.
If you just want to see a second rate shoot-em-up and kill some time....this is barely adequate. You'll forget it as soon as you go on to the next movie. In short , a waste of a lot of money. When I saw Ritchie's name on it I thought I was in for a treat.
No treat, no creativity. Compare it to John Wick and it comes off as 2 out of ten.
Les rivières pourpres
(2018– )
WWeak cheese. Unfitting to be associated with the original
18 April 2022
SLOOOOOW plot. Wooden acting. Very little action. A lead character that I would consider unemployable except as a silent extra. SAD. May the high ratings are a European thing. It doesn't wash in America. No guts, no glory, no story. Waste of time. Watched the first episode twice HOPING for something. But, the second episode delivered nothing.
Outer Range
(2022– )
After watching four episodes....
15 April 2022
Josh Brolin, first rate as usual. True Slow Burn. Solid family faced with issues they never asked for....especially supernatural ones. I think by the time we've seen four to six episodes we'll know what we've got. X-Files meets Longmire??? Have a feeling that more "odd" info will be revealed as the episodes unfold. If it proves itself in Episodes four to six, we could be on to something....or not.
Well, after four episodes, I see no need to go up from four stars. Plot weak or confused. No attractive characters. Little suspense.....WHY BOTHER. A weak effort excluding scenery and such. But these can be purchased with a check....plot and writing require more.
It fulfilled none of my hopes outlined above in the first paragraph.
As far as episode four...most of these plot elements are boring, insensible or just cliches. Josh Brolin deserved a better script and the viewer deserved a better series.
Why should I watch more of something that will sink into the bog of mediocrity within weeks?
Well, after four episodes, I see no need to go up from four stars. Plot weak or confused. No attractive characters. Little suspense.....WHY BOTHER. A weak effort excluding scenery and such. But these can be purchased with a check....plot and writing require more.
It fulfilled none of my hopes outlined above in the first paragraph.
As far as episode four...most of these plot elements are boring, insensible or just cliches. Josh Brolin deserved a better script and the viewer deserved a better series.
Why should I watch more of something that will sink into the bog of mediocrity within weeks?
Muscle Shoals
(2013)
I'm one of the ten out of ten guys...maybe for a surprising reason.
4 November 2021
Heard this music on the radio when I was a kid in the late fifties and sixties. Wasn't my style but I could welcome hearing it. By the late sixties I'd shifted on to acid rock and progressive rock. So, why am I giving it a ten?
This, IMHO, is the best documentary I've seen in 2021 although it was produced earlier.
Why? Why did it bring me to tears? When I never bought the records (other than Simon and Garfunkel)?
It's because it captures so much of the spirit of creating music. Unique in its power and humanity. I commend it to anyone that like music OF ANY STYLE.
PS Anyone that enjoyed this should see "Whiplash".
You won't regret it.
This, IMHO, is the best documentary I've seen in 2021 although it was produced earlier.
Why? Why did it bring me to tears? When I never bought the records (other than Simon and Garfunkel)?
It's because it captures so much of the spirit of creating music. Unique in its power and humanity. I commend it to anyone that like music OF ANY STYLE.
PS Anyone that enjoyed this should see "Whiplash".
You won't regret it.
The Ghazi Attack
(2017)
Must see for fans of submarine warfare. Espcially Old School
17 September 2021
Some of our veteran "Bubblers" might really appreciate this depiction of sub warfare in the sixties and seventies. It's an old boat by US standards but the crew is solid. There are political elements that submariners will recognize from that time. The acting is fine and the tale is easy to follow.
I liked it...a lot.
I liked it...a lot.
One of the best episodes ever
6 September 2021
This episode is one of the best of the season
30 August 2021
Whole crew pulling together in a critical life saving mission. Good plot, good suspense. Swain shines in his character. A true good bloke. And good father. It also sets up very well the final episode of the season. Check it out.
I love Sea Patrol but this is one of the worst episodes from the standpoint of relaity
15 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is where X fouls up big time. She knows they have a psychopathic threat on board, She finds Bailey dead. Why didn't she pick up his pistol and ammo when she discovered him??? I fairly certain the Navy has them carry a spare 15 round mag for their pistols. She fired fired 5 rounds at Nathan Talbot then panicked. With Bailey's pistol and his thirty extra rounds she would have had 50-60 rounds of ammo...and a second pistol. She fires five as he chopped through the door (exposing him to a high volume of fire) then panicked, He has to come through that fatal funnel of a single door...and she had 25-50 rounds of 9mm ammo. Why run? She could have chopped this clown into hamburger. But she ran. Not an example of good training and coolness under threat.
From a military standpoint, she flunked. She's a weak reed.
So, she ends up saving the day with highly improbable bit of martial arts.
The writers had to save her from coming across as the emotional fool.
So, a exciting episode. But one that shows and extreme lack of CQB training and an XO that can't take advantage of a CLEAR advantage.
I love Sea Patrol, but the writers let XO down on this big time.
From a military standpoint, she flunked. She's a weak reed.
So, she ends up saving the day with highly improbable bit of martial arts.
The writers had to save her from coming across as the emotional fool.
So, a exciting episode. But one that shows and extreme lack of CQB training and an XO that can't take advantage of a CLEAR advantage.
I love Sea Patrol, but the writers let XO down on this big time.
Without Remorse
(II) (2021)
Stupid silly piece of trash. Total waste of time.
12 July 2021
Disgrace to the name of Tom Clancy.
No apparent plot of interest. Action robotic.
I looked for anything to interest me. I thought when they were caught and surrounded there would be some smashing, super cool way they escaped.
Sorry. Nothing clever, nothing cool. Nothing like that anywhere in this box of junk.
Avoid it like poison. Meaningless garbage. And I'm being GENEROUS.
No apparent plot of interest. Action robotic.
I looked for anything to interest me. I thought when they were caught and surrounded there would be some smashing, super cool way they escaped.
Sorry. Nothing clever, nothing cool. Nothing like that anywhere in this box of junk.
Avoid it like poison. Meaningless garbage. And I'm being GENEROUS.
After watching this three times over a fifteen year period....
24 June 2021
My respect for it grows over ever viewing. The very high quality of acting is obvious. So, that leaves us with the premises. I feel it is a question of the noble versus the vile on one level. And on another level, the naive versus the calculated (even social-pathetic) on another.
What I'm trying to say is that this is not mere WWII propaganda....there are more levels to it than that.
Maybe that's why Churchill didn't like it.. He didn't want depth and conflicting emotions. He wanted the Nazis to be unambiguous Bad Guys. The certainly cooperated in this.
One soft level of inventiveness is using D. Kerr over a period of more than 20+ years in different characters. This introduces a sort of Jungian or dream-like quality to her presence. She remains an unaltered figure (morally) over a decades. OK, I get it. General Candy ages but she re-incarnates as a lovely young woman again and again. He ages, but she doesn't. She doesn't change...as she "re-incarnates". He can't deny her goodness.
I think this is great from a writer's perspective.
She's not a non-corporeal ghost that haunts him but rather a flesh and blood woman that is a consistent (morally) presence that crosses his path, always there through the years. Always young, always moral. Always the soul he must consider and try to live up to.
Look for this. It makes this film very special.
What I'm trying to say is that this is not mere WWII propaganda....there are more levels to it than that.
Maybe that's why Churchill didn't like it.. He didn't want depth and conflicting emotions. He wanted the Nazis to be unambiguous Bad Guys. The certainly cooperated in this.
One soft level of inventiveness is using D. Kerr over a period of more than 20+ years in different characters. This introduces a sort of Jungian or dream-like quality to her presence. She remains an unaltered figure (morally) over a decades. OK, I get it. General Candy ages but she re-incarnates as a lovely young woman again and again. He ages, but she doesn't. She doesn't change...as she "re-incarnates". He can't deny her goodness.
I think this is great from a writer's perspective.
She's not a non-corporeal ghost that haunts him but rather a flesh and blood woman that is a consistent (morally) presence that crosses his path, always there through the years. Always young, always moral. Always the soul he must consider and try to live up to.
Look for this. It makes this film very special.
Iron Fist
(2017–2018)
Gripping, ecitement with a great Lead (Finn Jones) and good supporting cast.
22 March 2021
Don't know why people are hung up on details. This movie checks all the boxes.
You may get popcorn overdose. Of course there's the small fights....but there is the cosmic fight as well. A sure fire mix.
Complex enough plot but easy to follow. All set decoration and effects are first rate.
Special Kudos to his Bushido ally Jessica Henwick and a solid turn from Jessica Stroup..
Had to watch episodes until my eyes gave out!
You may get popcorn overdose. Of course there's the small fights....but there is the cosmic fight as well. A sure fire mix.
Complex enough plot but easy to follow. All set decoration and effects are first rate.
Special Kudos to his Bushido ally Jessica Henwick and a solid turn from Jessica Stroup..
Had to watch episodes until my eyes gave out!
The Mountain II
(2016)
A Turkish Seven Samurai on a mountain top? It works.
11 March 2021
Couldn't figure our exactly who they were fighting. ISIS, Kurds ???
Interesting that they were doing it all with US weapons.
The take away is that SPECOPS are SPECOPS whether they be US or Turkish (Who I suspect they were US trained) but each nation has its own national flavor as to how they conduct operations. This leads to some good insights into Turkish (government approved) culture.
Turkish propaganda? Absolutely.
But a good action flick with a lot of the right buttons pushed? Yeah.
I Liked it.
Interesting that they were doing it all with US weapons.
The take away is that SPECOPS are SPECOPS whether they be US or Turkish (Who I suspect they were US trained) but each nation has its own national flavor as to how they conduct operations. This leads to some good insights into Turkish (government approved) culture.
Turkish propaganda? Absolutely.
But a good action flick with a lot of the right buttons pushed? Yeah.
I Liked it.
Well done. Very smooth production with some classic actors and a nice spin.
25 February 2021
Having done this so long ago, it's easier for them to keep the flavor and tempo of Conan Doyle.
Seeing Christopher Lee as Baskerville is a a unique treat. Jeremy Brett is the most 'electric' Holmes, but, there's more than one way to skin a rabbit.
I've seen this story told by many writers, directors and actors.
Costuming,(let me say that later productions would not have used truly accurate, or the most exciting costuming that this production does) set decorations are maybe the best ever for a Holmes story.
Truly representative of the time period. In other words, it's easier to evoke the flavor of a time you remember (fifty years previous) as a screenplay writer as opposed to catching the flavor of a time 100 or more years before you were born.
Ha...just look at the boots and cutaway that Baskerville wears. Could make a woman swoon.
Christopher Lee, as is usual, more than adequate to the role of Baskerville. Peter Cushing as Holmes is a pleasant change: more than pleasant... he does a fine job. He is completely believable. However, he is not the ideal Holmes IMHO. However he is in the upper rank compared to some that have bodged the job. One of the FEW best.
In my Sherlockian dreams I'd like to see a version with C. Lee as Holmes. I think he would have done a magnificent job of it.
Andre Morel as Watson is the weak point in the script.
Stapleton is weak compared to other version (J. Brett versions and others) in particular.
Many later productions give Watson his due. The Jeremy Brett BBC series and more than ever the B. Comberbatch version of Holmes/Watson. I DON'T want this weaker Watson deter you from watching as this particular version is worthy. It is what is it is (taking into consideration when it was done) and it is a unique version worth watching.
Looking at "the Hound" from different perspective does not wound the story. In fact, it shows the strength of the story as is is so durable to different interpretations.
The pacing of this production is slower than recent efforts but DOES NOT lose momentum.
I won't reveal any spoilers but, the climax is a glorious scenery-chewing surprise!
Seeing Christopher Lee as Baskerville is a a unique treat. Jeremy Brett is the most 'electric' Holmes, but, there's more than one way to skin a rabbit.
I've seen this story told by many writers, directors and actors.
Costuming,(let me say that later productions would not have used truly accurate, or the most exciting costuming that this production does) set decorations are maybe the best ever for a Holmes story.
Truly representative of the time period. In other words, it's easier to evoke the flavor of a time you remember (fifty years previous) as a screenplay writer as opposed to catching the flavor of a time 100 or more years before you were born.
Ha...just look at the boots and cutaway that Baskerville wears. Could make a woman swoon.
Christopher Lee, as is usual, more than adequate to the role of Baskerville. Peter Cushing as Holmes is a pleasant change: more than pleasant... he does a fine job. He is completely believable. However, he is not the ideal Holmes IMHO. However he is in the upper rank compared to some that have bodged the job. One of the FEW best.
In my Sherlockian dreams I'd like to see a version with C. Lee as Holmes. I think he would have done a magnificent job of it.
Andre Morel as Watson is the weak point in the script.
Stapleton is weak compared to other version (J. Brett versions and others) in particular.
Many later productions give Watson his due. The Jeremy Brett BBC series and more than ever the B. Comberbatch version of Holmes/Watson. I DON'T want this weaker Watson deter you from watching as this particular version is worthy. It is what is it is (taking into consideration when it was done) and it is a unique version worth watching.
Looking at "the Hound" from different perspective does not wound the story. In fact, it shows the strength of the story as is is so durable to different interpretations.
The pacing of this production is slower than recent efforts but DOES NOT lose momentum.
I won't reveal any spoilers but, the climax is a glorious scenery-chewing surprise!
Cop
(1988)
One of the few great apaptiions of a Noir novel.
18 February 2021
Caught this on Netflix last night. I thought it was a deja vue experience..
Things seemed so familiar until I realized I had read the book "Blood on the Moon" twenty years ago.
Rarely does Hollywood capture a novel's spirit. In this case I think it does.
James Elroy might even be proud.
Woods captures the obsessed Cop perfectly. He also embodies the "super alpha" The guy the worst of society needs to be afraid of.
I found it gripping throughout ....Especially the last third I highly recommend it.
Things seemed so familiar until I realized I had read the book "Blood on the Moon" twenty years ago.
Rarely does Hollywood capture a novel's spirit. In this case I think it does.
James Elroy might even be proud.
Woods captures the obsessed Cop perfectly. He also embodies the "super alpha" The guy the worst of society needs to be afraid of.
I found it gripping throughout ....Especially the last third I highly recommend it.
Pascali's Island
(1988)
Even though this is not set in 1930's England, Hercule Poirot fans would love it.
8 February 2021
It is set in a long ago time. A world that no longer exists.
It is not the same place and it is not the same time of Christie and the later Noir writers but so many attractive and fascinating elements are the same. Not to omit the fine acting and dynamic actors.
The plot twists and turns but the viewer never has to lose his way. Good writing throughout.
Aside from the film itself, it is good to see the bulk of revues be so honest.
I pointed out echoes of Agatha Christie but, I also saw a touch of Raymond Chandler and John LeCarre' One reviewer said "timeless". These are timeless themes
A heart-breaking and surprising ending awaits. Watch closely. Watch closely.
A small, yet polished, gem of a movie..
It is not the same place and it is not the same time of Christie and the later Noir writers but so many attractive and fascinating elements are the same. Not to omit the fine acting and dynamic actors.
The plot twists and turns but the viewer never has to lose his way. Good writing throughout.
Aside from the film itself, it is good to see the bulk of revues be so honest.
I pointed out echoes of Agatha Christie but, I also saw a touch of Raymond Chandler and John LeCarre' One reviewer said "timeless". These are timeless themes
A heart-breaking and surprising ending awaits. Watch closely. Watch closely.
A small, yet polished, gem of a movie..
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