Bad Day at Black Rock! - Wow!

I recorded this on my DVR machine this weekend and sat down on a snowy Saturday afternoon to objectively view this movie. I was told this belonged in the western genre due to the plot and setting. Admitedly, I was a bit skeptical prior to viewing, but I was dead wrong.

Above all else, the cinematography was spectacular with the wide screen shots, panoramic landscapes. The cloud formations and the rolling hills were so much a part of the movie climate and feel; Desolation.

A predominately male cast led by Tracy Spencer and Robert Ryan made for a tense-ridden, ask no questions movie from start to finish. This was a tight film, coming in a 81 minutes and lasting only 24 hours in screen time.

Long story short, Spencer's character stops at Black Creek looking for a farmer that nobody wants to talk about. He receives nothing but stiff reception and threats from the locals. The best scene, hands down, was the fight scene between Tracy and Ernest Borgnine. I never saw this coming. Tracy's character was injured in WW2 and he doesn't have use of his right (I think) arm. Ernest, one of Robert Ryan's flunkies, tries to bully him out of town, and to my surprise, Tracy pulls out a carnival of jui jitsu moves on the plodding Oscar winner. Best scene!!

In the end, justice is served with these trapped men breaking free of their fears. Some people will say this movie was too simple with nothing but black and white characters. I'll tell you what, don't dig that deep and enjoy what is a great modern western with a man in a suit and hat dishing out the punishment.

Definitely one of my surprise hits from the '50s. You will love this.....

Cloverfield: An intimate horror movie

This is not your typical horror/sci-fi movie. Think Blair Witch meets Godzilla. I had zero preconcieved notions when going to see this over the weekend. I have to say I became acclimated to the 1st person perspective immediately. This could be, in part, due to our cultural obsession with Utube video uploading.


This film has all the makings of another hum-drum video game adapation. But it doesn't flop in the same manner. You feel as if you are part of the action from the first explosion to the last. Excellent idea for this genre!

The director and producer definitely play on post 9/11 fear with smoke and debris littering the streets of Manhattan at the onset of the monster attack. People are running every which way with reckless abandon. The real action starts when the main characters turn back to rescue a lover interest. Dumbest idea ever, but for the purposes of this movie, we say go get her!!

Once the group returns to the city, this is where intimacy enters my mind. Silent subway stations and quiet streets. This is only interrupted by the shockingly loud rumbling of tanks and air missiles whizzing past the viewer on their ways toward a looming monster. Godzilla NEVER felt so real!! Some of the scariest moments are silence broken by distant roaring or echoing clicking of creatures... still makes the hairs stand up on end.

You know, I never felt that connected to the characters, which didn't matter as I simply wanted to see where their adventure ended up. I won't give the ending away, but don't leave until the credits are done rolling!! For better or worse, clues are imminent.....

Dean Jones: Good Clean Disney Fun

Dean Jones has a film resume that spans 50 years. He's most popular starring in a number of live action Disney films. I think it's important to remember these actors and actresses who are quickly being forgotten due to the current Hollywood swoon with movie "remakes."

I can't stand the plethora of remakes especially a couple of my faves starring Dean Jones! All the more despicable is they were remade starring such tabloid fodder as Lindsay Lohan!

While Dean worked in a number of other pictures, here are my favorite Dean Jones Disney films:

1. The Love Bug (Herbie) (1968)

Fun movie from the start. One of the true Disney classics. Does it get any better? Race Cars, Buddy Hackett and of course George Tomlison (George Banks, from Mary Poppins). Dean is a down and out racer who comes into possession of an unassuming little VW bug. I imagine most young viewers today would expect this car to transform into a robot with every CGI graphic available. Not So! This has great race scenes and more '60s nostalgia than you can throw a tie dye shirt at. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064603/

2. Beethoven (1994)

Okay, this isn't a Disney film, BUT, It's not everyday you get to see Dean Jones as the villain. Well, here's your chance! In this movie Charles Grodin gives in to his children's wishes for a pet and ends keeps a rather large (and lost) Saint Bernard. This is all fine and good, but the real fun starts at the opening scene when Dean Jones is revealed to be a crooked vet making side money by selling dogs for experiments. Dean's rough voice is more grizzled in this film making him appear devious and deceitful. He actually does it well. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103786/#comment

3. The Shaggy D.A. (1976)

I was watching the original "The Shaggy Dog" the week after Christmas and it immediately brought my attention back to the Dean Jones's version. In this movie, Dean Jones reprises the role as Wilby Daniels. He is running for District Attorney at the same time a ring he was cursed with years prior is stolen and sold. This leads to unexpected "changes" every time the ring inscription is read. This is good clean fun that re-teams him with Suzanne Pleshette. This movie is '70s galore. Loud suits, roller derbie events and headphones the size of coconuts. You can't overlook Tim Conway in this film. Hilarious as always. Not to mention Vic Tayback as one of the goons. He is probably best remembered as the grease spoon owner from the '70s sitcom 'Alic'. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075200/

4. That Darn Cat (1965)

This never needed remade. So many wonderful supporting actors and actresses. Listen to this list, Hayley Mills (nothing else need said), Roddy McDowell (Planet of the Apes), Ed Wynn (Remember his bit from Mary Poppins?), Frank Gorshin (by far the best villain laugh of all time; aka: The Riddler!) What a cast! Add these together with a neurotic FBI agent (Jones); a wonderful '60 soundtrack (compare this soundtrack to 'The Incredibles') and a great plot and you have a winner!! oh yeah and a cat too......http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059793/

5. The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

This is probably my favorite Dean Jones movie of all time. I love this from start to finish. This is in the heart of the '60s. A married couple with two separate beds, Perry Como cardigans, turf, not grass, etc. This movie teams Dean with Suzanne and they make the perfect couple. He is stubborn while she is pretentious and they play off these traits wonderfully. You can tell Suzanne is having a blast in this movie. This is a movie that even your own dogs will enjoy. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061135/