Change Your Image
tomhull
Reviews
Charlotte Church: Voice of an Angel in Concert (1999)
An must video for anyone who appreciates world class singing
I got this video approx 6/10/00. Today is 8/31/00; 82 days later. I estimate I have already watched it between 50 - 60 times. I haven't bothered to take the video out of the VCR; I just leave it in there. To simultaneously listen to a world class voice and watch the 13 year old body it comes from is an experience that you instinctively know you will probably never have again. Her singing of "The Lord's Prayer", especially the last part beginning with "for thine is the kingdom" has to be heard to be appreciated. There are no descriptive words that can do it justice. The final song, "Men of Harlech" really gets good when the men's choir joins in. And Charlotte really cuts loose with the final note and gets a well deserved standing ovation. Much of the last 25 minutes of this video consists of interviews with Charlotte and others. You will find that she has a totally delightful and HONEST smile and personality.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)
People will still be enjoying this movie 100 years from now
I was not around in 1945 so I have no idea what was going on in the minds of the people who voted for what would be the five nominees for best picture of that year. Maybe this was just one of those movies that somehow didn't register right at first. Or maybe a movie about people living in poverty was not considered proper Oscar material. Anyway, I am sure there are millions today who agree with me that this is one of the great and beautiful movies of all time. The characters are so down to earth real and believable. Except maybe for the aforementioned poverty, you can identify with them and their situation and, therefore, you care about them. There are several very good and solid performances and then there is, of course, Peggy Ann Garner's performance; maybe the best ever by a juvenile in movie history. The most memorable scene for me is near the end, when the audience has just about forgotten about Papa, the director reminds us of him with the flowers and card found by Francie. I tell people who have not seen this movie that near the end there is a scene that will grab them around the throat. At least the voters saw fit to award Oscars to Peggy Ann and James Dunn.
The Parent Trap (1961)
One of the very few movies that can be enjoyed by all age groups
My first exposure to this movie was seeing previews on TV. My response was along the lines of "What a stupid, silly, comedy; I'm not going to go see that movie". Soon thereafter, my parents and I visited for a week with relatives in another city. One day they took us to see; you guessed it; "The Parent Trap". Fortunately, I was open-minded enough to pay attention to it. I discovered that, instead of stupid and silly, the comedy was clever, original, and most of all, very funny. And, of course, I fell in love with Hayley Mills. She was so much more spunky and feisty than any girl I knew. I loved that line "We submarined her". Then there was that darling face with, still to this day, the cutest nose I have ever seen.
I've had the video for years and watch it fairly often. Being nearly 40 years older now, I find Maureen O'Hara as the real beauty of that movie. And my favorite scenes now are those near the end where she and Brian Keith realize that they need to get back together again.
But Hayley still does, and always will, occupy a small corner of my heart.
Shane (1953)
great story line; great performances; famous final scene
I had never heard of this movie when my cousin took me to a drive-in to see it in the mid 60s. He said it was good. After seeing it, my impression was that it was dull, dreary, and much too slow paced. But something drew me back to it when it showed up on TV maybe a couple of years later. After watching it again, I wanted to see it yet again; but I wasn't sure why. That process continued maybe two or three more times and I gradually figured out that I liked (not to mention the Grand Tetons) the fact that the characters were so down to earth and believable and it was easy to identify with and/or understand them. The story line was very believable also; partly because it had no flashy heroics. Any parent of a son has to consider viewing Brandon De Wilde's performance as one of the most special movie experiences they have ever had. The crowning glory of "Shane", of course, is what is (arguably) the most unforgettable final scene in movie history.
Victory at Sea (1952)
Easily the finest TV documentary ever
I have had the video of all 26 episodes for several years now. I have seen other WWII documentaries on television, but where Victory at Sea stands heads and shoulders above them is in Richard Rodgers' music and, most importantly, Leonard Graves' incomparable narration. I just cannot imagine anyone else narrating that documentary. My favorite part is the last half of the final episode, when the men come home. That's what it was all about in the first place.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Should be in the video library of all western movie fans
I liked this movie the first time I saw it and I like it better every time I see it again (I have the video). None of the many other movies I have seen can I make that statement about. It has a stellar cast that gives solid and convincing performances. It has a very good story line. The musical score perfectly captures the mood of the story. The decision to film this movie in black and white reflects John Ford's genius. I cannot imagine seeing this movie in color. Finally, there is that memorable line near the end where the newspaper editor says to Ransom Stoddard "This is the west sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend".
Ride the High Country (1962)
This western is a beautiful (story and performances) film.
Fans of Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea westerns need read no further than this sentence because they already know what I am going to say. This movie has a timeless story line we can identify with. It is filmed on location in the beautiful Sierra Nevada. It is not compromised by special effects. The score is very good on its own; and captures the mood of the story line very well. The supporting cast gives good, solid performances. Most important are Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea in the lead roles. They look their parts; strong and tough when need be and honest and human always. The final scene in which Joel McCrea still hurts every time I watch this movie. Director Sam Peckinpah deserves tremendous praise for putting this beautiful film together.
Bear Country (1953)
This is my all-time favorite Disney nature documentary
It's been approx. 25 years since I have seen this fine film, and my memory is somewhat faded. I do remember the excellent narration. The narrator obviously cared very much about the bears that starred in the film; and also about the people who would be watching it. I can still recall a few real cute scenes that must have required a lot of patience on the part of the photographers. And I vividly remember that poignant final scene where the mother bear left her cubs, "never to return" as the narrator said.