SpruceLee Reviews

Home for the Holidays (1995)

Glimmer of genius - Jodi Foster...

[9/10 · 28 November 2023]

I watch this film every time I find it playing. It's a bit of an acquired taste, though. First time, I couldn't stop watching, but didn't know why; now, because it's shown so seldom, I'm happy to find it.

Watching the movie is like living it. I experience most of the emotions that are on the screen. That's when I know I'm watching something worth watching. Every movie I like has some aspect or segment that I actually don't like. Soon's I realize that (about a movie), I'm hooked.

This cast probably won't be assembled again, ever. They work even when they don't, which is what the movie is really about. Fact is, the movie like, Jodi Foster, gets better with age. Thanks, Jodi.

If you don't like this movie, you must be an orphan or something...

The Night Agent (2023– )

Who Cares?

[9/10 · 4 April 2023]

I can't remember who in the film industry once described a successful project, small or large screen, as one that causes the viewer to care about the characters in it. Of the millions of such statements I've heard this is the one that has proved to be most, and most often, true.

I realize that fact once I've finished watching something I really liked and did happen to care about the characters.

The Night Agent, is one of those.

The premise is an effective hook. The action is consistent and almost immediate with few slow spots. Some characters are not who they seem which makes for some healthy ambiguity that keeps you guessing.

The Night Agent is for those of us who love conspiracy/action flix involving underdogs who are expected to accomplish overwhelming tasks against bigger, badder, diabolical foes.

It wasn't perfect. It's the first season. It's surely gonna have another and that's a good thing. A good thing because we'll get to see the newest Night Agent come into his own. And being the insomniac that I am, I'll probably watch the next season without a break like I did the first.

Look forward to season 2...

Last Call with Carson Daly (2002–2019)

Since you've been gone...

[10/10 · 26 October 2022]

...I've struggled to find new bands making interesting music who deserve a forum like, Last Call, gave to many. Regardless of where this show started, it morphed into food for the soul of those who consumed it. The reviewers who slam this show have the attention span of gnat; how long did, Henry Ford, take to find success, which came with the letter, "T?" All preceding letters were failures, discarded. So much music that I now have and listen to came to me via, Last Call. Even at the end of the run, and with Carson playing a minimal role, the core of the effort remained and provided great, live performances that you will struggle to find anywhere, now. Sure, you can go to YouTube and get great examples of what I refer to, but the fact is, if you don't know the band(s) you're not gonna find the videos regardless of where you look. Carson, did that for me, Daily.

Thanks, Carson, for the good work. Any time you wanna return with, Last Call v2.0, I'm watching.

Woman of Straw (1964)

M, might not approve...

[9/10 · 28 March 2021]

Found this, today, for the first time, on SCREENPIX: Flickers of Bond, with Hitchcock undertones combined with a lavish lifestyle replete with mansions, yachts, Rolls-Royces and E-type Jags. Richardson steals the show, but... Classic Italian beauty, Gina Lollobrigida, is smart in both of her roles, while Connery, exudes his 007 style (coming off 2 consecutive Bond films), but on the other side in this one. Full of loathing for his uncle, mother and himself, he does a bad guy great; one of the only times he does. I think this is one of those UK films that never made it across the pond; no wonder, 1964 was loaded with great US films.

Watch it if you find it...

Rawhide: The Captain's Wife (1962) Season 4, Episode 14

You're supposed to dislike her...

[9/10 · 29 September 2020]

Stanwyck is pretty much who you'd expect her to be at this point in her career. In this episode of Rawhide, she plays a strong woman, who is on the wrong side of things, and does it well enough to make you dislike her. That's the intention. Things were done differently in the 50's and 60's, so when you see intensity, it's typically overt and in the extreme.

Considering the director of this episode, Tay Garnett, got his start with Mack Sennet/Hal Roach and Pathe, you know you'll get traditional performances from his actors. Stanwyck, probably had more input than the usual guest star, but she's doing what she's told. After all, she was a professional; anybody would tell you that.

I like the surprise of a, Stanwyck, showing up in a 1961/2 episode of, Rawhide. Watching her do what she does is such a pleasure. The episode is a cut above the usual fair that's so common in this series, i.e., Rowdy, Mushy and Wishbone go to town and get in trouble with the local sheriff, who locks 'em up, while the rest of the drovers plot a plan to break 'em outta jail, etc.

Fact is, you get to see, Stanwyck, ride a horse, handle guns, shoot people and then, unexpectedly, die. All done competently, long before she assumed her place in TV history as western matriarch, Victoria Barkley, on The Big Valley, where she continued to turn out complex performances not unlike this one. And, btw, long after she did so much more on the big screen in starring roles with all the major costars of the 30's, 40's and 50's. This woman deserves your attention.

So, if you've seen this and didn't like it because, Rowdy, didn't show up, or Stanwyck, showed (way) up, watch it again with an open mind and consider this review, because you're supposed to dislike, Nora Holloway, but you should like the actor who played her...

Roughly Speaking (1945)

Exceptional Curtiz Outing...

[8/10 · 30 January 2018]

I thought I'd seen everything Curtiz had done. TCM snuck this one in late this afternoon. Maybe it should be an 8pm feature around a minor holiday. It's that good.

With great chemistry two of my favorites, Russell and Carson, create a memorable depiction of married life thru the first half of the 20th century, while maneuvering their ups and downs, rearing children and finally within view of the '39 NY World's Fair, as the Polish Pavilion shuts down, personally struggle with the onslaught of WWII; lots o' emotional swings supported by numerous others in the movie, all of whom deliver.

It's too bad Russell and Carson didn't pair up for more films. They work together as well as any of their other pairings.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

The Importance of Editing...

[4/10 · 19 April 2017]

"Never Go Back," was never going to live up to the first JR project, but it would've been better than, "watchable," if not for the editing by, Billy Weber.

I'm all about directing and editing, and this fell below the line in the edit; it felt rushed and unbalanced. McQuarrie/Child should've been brought back to direct/write, and Stitt to edit.

Nothing against Zwick, but the continuity from the 1st to the second was lost; completely lost. Not unlike MI1 to MI2.

The real standout in this movie is Danika Yarosh. She commits. Smolders smolders, at best. Cruise even seems preoccupied.

Again, it's watchable, but the overriding awkwardness gets it a "4."