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The Twilight Zone: Walking Distance (1959)
Such a beautiful dream we all have
This episode is really a dream sequence straight from the deepest subconscious of our minds. The music, photography, and surrealism of it strikes our emotions to the core. It expresses a longing for warmth and inclusion in escaping our alienating cold world.
We all want to love and be loved and we find it again in our distant past. It doesn't matter that it never was the perfect world we imagine, but rather the image of what we mentally created is what counts in our desperate search and need.
Rod Serling captures these emotions beautifully. There is no god or religious message here, and none of that is necessary. It stands on its own as a poignant reminder of our frailty and forlorn search for acceptance and security.
Broken Lance (1954)
As dull as it gets for a western
One of the most boring and dullest western films I've ever seen. The plot is completely uninteresting.
The fight over land, between sons, and subsequent succession of family holdings is the archetype of the King Lear story. But who really cares about who gets what wealth? I saw no sympathetic characters whatsoever. The father figure (Spencer Tracey) was especially overbearing. It was impossible to relate to the 1950's stereotypical romantic scenes that were both overdone and overacted. Richard Widmark (as always) put in a fine performance, however.
The cinematography and outdoor scenery were gorgeous to see, and about the only redeeming value for me.
Seven Days in May (1964)
Most applicable in these times
I couldn't help but think how this film reminded me of recent events surrounding an unhinged, flag-waving, borderline-fascist former president and his mob of followers wanting to overturn a national election.. Attempts of insurrection or seizing control of the government are essentially the same acts of sedition and government takeover. Throughout viewing, I kept thinking this film should be shown much more frequently these days, as it perfectly highlights how mindless super-patriotism can potentially destroy a democracy. A lesson most applicable these days, still.
The Twilight Zone: Death Ship (1963)
Best TZ episode of all
This is the best Twilight Zone episode of them all. It exceeds in surrealism by perfectly displaying the ambiguity of life vs death. The unknown nature of why they encounter their dead counterparts and what caused their ship to crash adds provoking philosophical elements to the plot.
It has a very dark, eerie, and unsettling atmosphere aided by the equally chilling music score. The episode is only made better by the superb acting of the 3 crewmen. The story written by Richard Matheson is most original as outstanding fantasy and science fiction.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Conspiracy (1988)
Intriguing but unrealistic
This episode is intriguing and starts with the fascinating gut-wrenching premise that something is significantly amiss at Starfleet Command on Earth.
However, as the plot progresses, the storyline seems more and more improbable and somewhat absurd. Why would the initial Starfleet Command contact and subsequent reception for Capt. Picard be hosted by only 4 senior officers in an isolated compound with none of the normal military buzz, activity, and atmosphere of a central command? Where is everyone? This is, after all, the headquarters for the entire federation. Yet the crew seem oblivious to this unbelievable situation.
The entire dinner event doesn't make sense and appears to have been created for pure entertainment at a pretty silly level. If the alien creatures seek to take over the federation, ribbing each other as they sadistically serve their guests unpalatable food seems pretty dumb.
The story has a good start as an original and intelligent idea, but descends into a prepubescent fantasy of disgusting alien parasites obviously ripped off from the popular movie of the time, "Alien". But again, credit for a fresh and original science fiction plot.
Dark Eden (2018)
Revealing aspect of Canadian life and values
Well made documentary showing life in some parts of Canada is not what the world often thinks of. Many came to Ft. McMurray chasing dreams through high salaries. Others came simply to survive and escape poverty. But ultimately, events often overtake inflated and unrealistic goals.
The film does delve into the political aspect of oil extraction as an environmental issue, portraying defenders of the industry as one-sided and unable to see the reality of the resulting devastation. The famed Canadian health care system also seems unable to adequately cope with industry related health issues. It makes the viewer question whether the resulting damage to the environment and human health is worth the high price of oil extraction.
The documentary pace is purposefully slow with sparse narration, which allows the viewer to form their own opinion based on what is presented. But ultimately, it gives much pause to think at what price is Canada willing to pay in terms of environmental and health damage in order to support a standard of living.
36 Hours (1964)
Well made but improbable
Though well made with competent acting, highly improbable and hard to believe.
- That the German military would stage their own story of defeat in such elaborate detail under a regime which saw itself as superior and undefeatable.
- That German military high command officers would be so explicitly identified as having been executed following Germany's own defeat.
- That a concentration camp victim would be used in a feigned sympathetic role, despite the view that such people were subhuman.
- That the same camp victim, so previously brutalized, would agree to enact such a pretense despite threatened retribution.
- That as the war was nearing its climax and Germany's resources severely stretched, such an elaborate and costly ruse with a highly uncertain outcome would be attempted.
Yes, it's entertaining to audiences more than 100 years later expecting such intricate plot twists and thrills. But highly unlikely in any serious historical context.
Captain Blood (1935)
Vigorous attempt but ultimately failed seafaring adventure
What an uninteresting, uninvolving, and convoluted storyline of a movie. MGM's sea adventure of that time, Mutiny on the Bounty, is far more engrossing and believable. Captain Blood looks like Warner's desperate attempt to be an answer to that fine film. But it doesn't work at all. Flynn seems to be straining in the role. A waste of Basil Rathbone's talents. This movie's plot just seems to be a countdown until it's over.
The Twilight Zone: The Arrival (1961)
Check me out, Bengston
This episode is an excellent psychological horror drama and suspenseful exercise in existential story-telling. The improbability of an empty airliner arrival along with various interpretations of the meanings and causes adds to the tension throughout. The ending is completely unexpected but ultimately not surprising based on the unfolding mental state of the main character. "The Arrival" is often negatively reviewed and underrated mostly because it's not formulaic science fiction and not well understood. It's a superb drama revealing the deviations of the mental state of mind told in a well-written and acted horror story.
The High and the Mighty (1954)
The Smarmy and the Ridiculous
How this film can be taken seriously is beyond me. The premise of a plane in trouble over the ocean is interesting. But this movie then completely destroys any such optimistic anticipation. A few of the highlights:
Sarcastic comments from airline clerks gossiping about their passengers. Joy Kim as a caricature of the simpleton Asian who fawns over Americans. This along with an equally slow-minded Swedish immigrant with an accent that sounds half Italian. What does this say about arrogant attitudes toward foreigners in the early 50's? An embarrassingly endless closeup scene of makeup removal for unknown effect. Uninteresting flash backs of unsympathetic passengers solely interested in maximizing their personal pleasures. Stone-faced John Wayne saving the day by slapping his copilot silly.
As another reviewer said, I wished that all 4 engines had failed and the whole lot of them put to a quick end, along with this painfully tasteless and tacky movie.
Nachts, wenn Dracula erwacht (1970)
Dated and painful (but not due to a bite)
Oh how dated this film looks. Some movies outlast their era and still look fresh. Not this one. The acting is way overdone, and almost comical. Actors look self-conscious as if always aware of the camera.
But what makes this almost unwatchable is the cinematography. I got dizzy with the constant zooming in and out on faces, objects, and scenery. The lens also seems to move back and forth in rooms always looking for subject matter. My gosh, leave the camera on the tripod and let the story do the telling.
Finally, for a 1970 movie, the narrow aspect ratio and film quality is awful. Colors are blaring without any subtlety of in-between shades. That may be the fault of poor lighting technique. Sound was was often unsynchronized with the speaker. It almost looks like it was shot on someone's home 35mm camera.
The story is fair, and seems to follow the original literature. But I was so distracted by the half-hearted production values, I lost interest. The best version for me is with Louis Jourdan in PBS's version only a few years later.
Father Goose (1964)
Ridiculous and totally implausible
A pack of school girls in uniform and caps running around in constant tropical heat? Food and water never a priority and nobody showing a trace of sweat? This movie is so silly and unbelievable the comedy seems to be straining and never hits home.
Cary Gant and Trevor Howard put in good performances. But I don't know how these fine actors could have resisted smirking and scoffing at this silly script. With all the alcohol consumption tagged as funny and frivolous by the storyline, no wonder Trevor Howard became a serious alcoholic and later succumbed as a result.
The World War 2 setting as backdrop for a situation comedy rivals Hogan's Heroes. If this had been a story about survival on a tropical island during the war, even with some comedy, it might have worked. But the party-like atmosphere and antics under what would really be fear and hardship makes it simply silly, vapid, and uninteresting. A waste of acting talent and energy.
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
Violence as entertainment - pretty awful
This movie is all action with not a whole lot of intelligence. Violence is worshiped and glorified for the sake of exciting the audience. I saw no redeeming values and nothing I could learn from it. The scene of pouring gasoline over German civilians (men and women) was the highlight of disgusting.
I like war movies that are well done and have something to say. "The Longest Day" had violence but it was portrayed accurately in historical context. This movie was pure fiction with a storyline created purely to push gory violence. No wonder Lee Marvin refused to do any sequels as he also thought it glorified war to an unnecessary extreme.
Some of the acting was very good and the only reason for my 2 stars.
Mission to Mars (2000)
Beautiful film with heart
This is a beautiful movie on many levels. It's fascinating and believable science fiction and gorgeously produced. Cinematography and special effects are first rate with a most intriguing story line that reminds me of that other excellent science fiction movie, "2001", which I think this equals.
This is not the typical Spielberg/Lucas comic book sci-fi flick as seen with Star Wars or Star Trek. There's an artistry and depth here that pulls you in emotionally on many levels. The acting is excellent as is the outstanding musical score - Ennio Morricone was at his best here.
The story and music go so well together and have a level of emotional impact that's rare these days. I don't at all understand the cynical view of this movie taken by others. I was shocked that the cable TV rating system gives it only one and a half stars. In France, it was rated the 4th best movie of the year.
There must be some psychological damage with American audiences. My personal suspicion is that this movie explains life's origins outside the context of religion, and in the American Puritan culture, this isn't liked, accepted, or tolerated. The way the film portrays human origin, evolution, and development doesn't jibe with their biblical and religious traditional beliefs based on God and creationist stories. What a pity.
I highly recommend this movie as one of the all time best in science fiction.