It was Easter weekend and I was typing the final draft in Allan's office as he and Dennis were revising. It was an excellent script and, I thought, very Steinbeckian. When I saw the movie I was very disappointed. The ending you saw was not the ending of the script I typed. The original ending was perfect; for me the ending in the release was a cop out. I heard later through the grapevine that the studio didn't like the original ending and said it had to be changed. Whether this is true or not, I'm not sure, but the ending was, indeed, changed. Had the original script been filmed, it would have been a much better movie.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Soldier's Girl
(2003 TV Movie)
Excellent, powerful film
9 February 2004
I loved the film and I'm still remembering various scenes from it. As a victim of a gay hate bashing many years ago when I was 22 which almost killed me, it affected me deeply.
The military code of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is stupid. As was the segregation of blacks and whites in the military until around 1943. As was the forbidding of interracial marriages in this country in a number of states until 1967. As was the internment of Asian American citizens during World War II. As is the antipathy against civil marriage for same-sex couples now. Where is "love" in all this? Why is it not even being mentioned? Love for one's country and for each other. Barry and Calpernia loved each other. What's wrong with that? When two people love each other and decide to share their lives together, that's a commitment between two people. Not a commitment with the government or any religion. They can only acknowledge the commitment in the way each does. Love doesn't recognize restrictions; it's universal.
Bigotry kills. This movie demonstrates that. Also, back to reality, I've read the commander (or whatever they're called) of Fort Campbell who never said a word about the anti-gay attitude of Fort Campbell at this time was recently promoted. Now what does that say about our government and the military?
I gave the movie a 10. I only wish I could give more people the same score.
The military code of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is stupid. As was the segregation of blacks and whites in the military until around 1943. As was the forbidding of interracial marriages in this country in a number of states until 1967. As was the internment of Asian American citizens during World War II. As is the antipathy against civil marriage for same-sex couples now. Where is "love" in all this? Why is it not even being mentioned? Love for one's country and for each other. Barry and Calpernia loved each other. What's wrong with that? When two people love each other and decide to share their lives together, that's a commitment between two people. Not a commitment with the government or any religion. They can only acknowledge the commitment in the way each does. Love doesn't recognize restrictions; it's universal.
Bigotry kills. This movie demonstrates that. Also, back to reality, I've read the commander (or whatever they're called) of Fort Campbell who never said a word about the anti-gay attitude of Fort Campbell at this time was recently promoted. Now what does that say about our government and the military?
I gave the movie a 10. I only wish I could give more people the same score.
Soldier's Girl
(2003 TV Movie)
Excellent, powerful film
9 February 2004
I loved the film and I'm still remembering various scenes from it. As a victim of a gay hate bashing many years ago when I was 22 which almost killed me, it affected me deeply.
The military code of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is stupid. As was the segretation of blacks and whites in the military until around 1943. As was the forbidding of interracial marriages in this country in a number of states until 1967. As was the internment of Asian American citizens during World War II. As is the antipathy against civil marriage for same-sex couples now. Where is "love" in all this? Why is it not even being mentioned? Love for one's country and for each other. Barry and Calpernia loved each other. What's wrong with that? When two people love each other and decide to share their lives together, that's a commitment between two people. Not a commitment with the government or any religion. They can only acknowledge the commitment in the way each does. Love doesn't recognize restrictions; it's universal.
Bigotry kills. This movie demonstrates that. Also, back to reality, I've read the commander (or whatever they're called) of Fort Campbell who never said a word about the anti-gay attitude of Fort Campbell at this time was recently promoted. Now what does that say about our government and the military?
I gave the movie a 10. I only wish I could give more people the same score.
The military code of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is stupid. As was the segretation of blacks and whites in the military until around 1943. As was the forbidding of interracial marriages in this country in a number of states until 1967. As was the internment of Asian American citizens during World War II. As is the antipathy against civil marriage for same-sex couples now. Where is "love" in all this? Why is it not even being mentioned? Love for one's country and for each other. Barry and Calpernia loved each other. What's wrong with that? When two people love each other and decide to share their lives together, that's a commitment between two people. Not a commitment with the government or any religion. They can only acknowledge the commitment in the way each does. Love doesn't recognize restrictions; it's universal.
Bigotry kills. This movie demonstrates that. Also, back to reality, I've read the commander (or whatever they're called) of Fort Campbell who never said a word about the anti-gay attitude of Fort Campbell at this time was recently promoted. Now what does that say about our government and the military?
I gave the movie a 10. I only wish I could give more people the same score.
Identity
(2003)
OK, but...
14 September 2003
... I still prefer the Christie touch -- "Ten Little Indians" and "The Mousetrap."
And for me, "Seven" was far scarier. It revealed the operation of a psychotic mind without having to resort to the cinematic tricks of jumping time and place.
And for me, "Seven" was far scarier. It revealed the operation of a psychotic mind without having to resort to the cinematic tricks of jumping time and place.
The Music Man
(1962)
Really good flick, but it shoulda been...
17 February 2003
... Barbara Cook as Marian.
I guess Hollywood (whatever that is) will never learn to cast the people who create the roles onstage in the movie version. Fortunately, they did cast Preston who is phenomenal. But then, so is Barbara Cook.
Shirley Jones was big at the time, and is a pleasant performer, but Cook had the feisty bite that the role requires.
I guess Hollywood (whatever that is) will never learn to cast the people who create the roles onstage in the movie version. Fortunately, they did cast Preston who is phenomenal. But then, so is Barbara Cook.
Shirley Jones was big at the time, and is a pleasant performer, but Cook had the feisty bite that the role requires.
West Side Story
(1961)
Shoulda' been...
17 February 2003
This is just me. But the two leads (Tony and Maria; Beymer & Wood) didn't work. I would have preferred 2 very talented unknowns who looked, acted and sang the roles. The supporting cast was fine, especially Rita Moreno. I felt the photography and sets were a bit too clean; I would have preferred more trash in the streets; that's the way New York is.
A Perfect Son
(2000)
Excellent acting and character study
20 October 2002
Warning: Spoilers
For me this movie was powerful. I don't want to be a spoiler, but I had a friend years ago; we were like brothers. This movie brought back some vivid memories.
For some reason, I couldn't place my vote for this movie which would have been a 10. I kept getting a message like "No votes have been placed...." And yet I saw in the stats that there were. Will try again tomorrow (Monday).
Minor flaws I overlooked. It was the relationships between the characters that got me. Beautifully acted and real situations. I've been in a couple of them.
A small gem of a movie. Just like "Spring Forward" is another overlooked gem. I'm very glad movies like these are still being made; about relationships between people, well written, sensitively unfolded with first-class acting and direction. After all, isn't that what it's all about?
For some reason, I couldn't place my vote for this movie which would have been a 10. I kept getting a message like "No votes have been placed...." And yet I saw in the stats that there were. Will try again tomorrow (Monday).
Minor flaws I overlooked. It was the relationships between the characters that got me. Beautifully acted and real situations. I've been in a couple of them.
A small gem of a movie. Just like "Spring Forward" is another overlooked gem. I'm very glad movies like these are still being made; about relationships between people, well written, sensitively unfolded with first-class acting and direction. After all, isn't that what it's all about?
The Brotherhood III: Young Demons
(2002 Video)
Pointless
5 October 2002
I must say I'm amazed that I have spent nearly 82 minutes watching bewildered people walking around through dimly lit corridors of a school frequently illuminated with inexplicable flashes of "lightning." And that's what 90% of this movie is. Boring. Perhaps seeing the first two "Brotherhoods" would have clarified the seeming lack of purpose of this sequel, but I don't believe I want to waste the time to discover if this would help. The only innovative scene was that of a person taking a shower in his underwear. I don't know about you, but that's a first for me.
Tell Your Friends