sheldonlgreen's Reviews

The Mike Douglas Show (1961–1982)

15 August 2007

When I was a teenager and Mike had his show (live) in Cleveland 5 days per week, my friends and I made the trip to KYW TV-3 at least twice a year. Among the people I remember seeing are Carol Lawrence, Robert Goulet, Tody Fields, Meadowlark Lemmon, William Talman, etc.

But what I recall most was a show I saw on TV. On November 22, 1963 I was home ill from school. My mom and I were having lunch while watching Mike's live show...I remember that one of his guests that day was Jayne Mansfield. Shortly after the show began at 1pm there was a cut away to Bud Dancy (soon to become NBC's JOHN Dancy) one of TV-3's reporters who said that President Kennedy was shot at in Dallas and he would keep us informed. Then they cut back to the Mike Douglas Show--they had continued the show and obviously the people locked in the studio had no idea what was happening outside. Several minutes later, in mid-sentence, Mike turned around to see Bud Dancy walk on the set--Mike said "Hi Bud, what are you doing here?" There were no more seats on the set so Bud sat down on the floor, looked up, and said, "President Kennedy had been killed in Dallas". They tried to carry on conversation on the set--and within a few minutes NBC cut in and took over the coverage.

Mike Douglas was a nice man, very talented, highly respected, and loved by this city. His voice was tremendous. It would be nice if more people would write their memories of Mike.

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When a Stranger Calls (2006)

4/10

How boring can anything be?

13 June 2006

Warning: Spoilers

When a Stranger Calls, starring Charles Durning, Carol Kane, Colleen Dewhurst, etc. in 1979 should have been the end of the story. But some greedy people had to redo what could not be redone. That is, match the suspense of a great story entrusted to the talents of truly fine actors.

There is no suspense to this third rate copy. "Bad" girl, banished to babysitting servitude, goes into a palatial home of strangers and is immediately trusted with the kids. Silly! Those parents would never have done that.

Then the sitters drunken girl friend shows up. And then she leaves. And then there are a bunch of phone calls with hang ups or strange sounds.

It is ALL so phony and poorly acted! WHO CARES? If you are looking for something scary or suspense laden then try Rear Window or Silence of the Lambs.

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Rat Race (2001)

9/10

How Funny!!!

28 May 2006

Warning: Spoilers

In the 1960s it was "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" when Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Ceaser, Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hacket, Terry Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Phil Silvers, Ethel Merman, Edie Adams and literally hundreds of others of the funniest people in Hollywood got together for the ultimate "finders keepers" hunt for missing cash.

Rat Race is this generation's "finders keepers" classic--funny as can be, but more of a ensemble than a who's who in comedy because, frankly, there are not that many classic funny people left.

John Cleese, Jon Lovitz, and Whoopie Goldberg are the comedic stars, joined by the absolutely gorgeous Amy Smart and others including the rock group Smash Mouth. Together they create one laugh after another--a car climbing poll, a cow flying high, an air-ground war between a chopper and a truck, Hitler's car and a team of wealthy greedy bettors all will make you roar with laughter! I have watched this movie several times, and although I know what is happening before it happens, it is still hilarious. Enjoy!

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Munich (2005)

9/10

Exhausting!

28 May 2006

I love Steven Spielberg's movies but I truly wanted to hate this one.

The happenings at the Munich Olympics, 34 years later, are still fresh in my mind, and my feelings of that day, that someone needs to get even with Black September and its supporters is still present. Therefore, I wasn't ready to accept a large part of Spielberg's premise---that there was a great personal toll on the Israelies who were commissioned to carry out targeted killings of those who actually planned and/or carried out the terrorist plot.

With mixed emotions I have to say that this is an outstanding movie pointing out the complexities of how a free Western society reacts to the actions of society's lowest common denominator--those who would rather destroy a perceived enemy than attempt to work with them as partners.

While there are many fine technical aspects of Munich--the precision needed to hunt down and destroy the terrorists--what is most memorable is the final questioning by the Israelis of the implications of what they are doing. And, it is important to note, Israel has pretty much gone out of the targeted assassination business.

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King Kong (2005)

9/10

Too Long But Too Short Too!

28 May 2006

Warning: Spoilers

Now that I've seen all three King Kong movies, I can say that this rendition really cannot be compared to the others and that is both good and not so good.

Without question Jessica Lang is the most beautiful of King Kong's love interests. But not only is she the most beautiful but also gives the most heartfelt warming response to Kong's advances. Naomi Watts is a "5" in her response to Kong whereas Lang is a "10".

Because of advances in technology Kong himself seems much more larger than life than in the first two renditions. His proportions compared to all his surrounding really helps the viewer with perspective and the feeling that Kong overwhelms all.

And then there are the dinosaurs. Very strange at first to see these prehistoric creatures appear, suddenly, in the movie. BUT this IS a new millennium--gotta grab today's audiences. And then there are the blood sucking things--even I had to turn my head. BUT then again, this was placed to entice today's viewers. Still, that entire scene could have been cut by 15 minutes, making the movie more watchable.

Jack Black also made this movie, as usual, more memorable. He is a natural at scheming as he showed in "School of Rock" and now in Kong. However, there was one HUGE missing link in the movie. After Kong was captured the next scene has him show up in New York--how did they get him back to New York? What extraordinary things did they have to do to make this all work? Something needed to be cut so that this could be included--like shorten the prehistoric chase scene.

All in all, this was well shot, well written, well acted and exciting movie, one that I will no doubt purchase at some time.

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Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)

5/10

Real definition of a "small movie"

28 May 2006

Should Webster ever define "small movie" Good NIght, and Good Luck should be part of the definition. The time frame of this film does not do justice to Edward R.'s amazing life in journalism.

IF that was not the purpose of the film, then merely telling (retelling) the story of Joe McCarthy didn't do him justice either--his negative impact on society then and even now should be shot through the eyes of a REALvictim, not one who had a public forum.

More could have also been done to highlight the politicians whose careers were given birth or sustenance by McCarthy and his followers. This is where Richard Nixon was able to magnify the use of the "red scare" to add to his already loyal following. In a way, Nixon was more of political danger than McCarthy. Beginning with his defeat of Helen Douglas in his first race for Congress from California, Nixon was able to play the "red scare" card. The movie would have taken on much more meaning by showing what McCarthy left behind...

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