eman_groove Reviews

The Wild Wild West: The Night of the Inferno (1965) Season 1, Episode 1

History is repeating itself..,

[9/10 · 10 January 2023]

It's amazing how these kind of series produced in the late 50's and early 60's predict events that are currently happening or unfolding today. This episode refers to insurrection and over throwing a government or leader bent on destroying democracy. Uncle Sam is sparing no expense to thwart that proposal. The President enlist a special agent to be undercover to ensure the task will be successful and save the free world. Although the time and settings are the Wild West, those storylines apply today.

Who knew Susan Plesshett would be Bob Newhart's tv wife years later. She proved she could portray a wide range of characters that gave way to being a television personality on a hit tv sitcom.

Robert Conrad & Ross Martin could have been the" I Spy" of the Wild Wild West. Love it.

Land of the Giants: The Clones (1969) Season 2, Episode 11

A Clone is Born

[8/10 · 16 August 2020]

This episode plays well today given the climate the world is facing during a pandemic. It unites the characters and gives them some depth as they are captured then cloned by a well rounded character actor Wm. Shallert. This episode also highlights critical subject matter about race, trust, unity and teamwork. Don Marshall's character Dan takes the lead and rescues his "original crew" away from danger. I think this is also the first time Dan is called a "black" clone by the Dr.( Shallert) . Great writing and a break from the predictable outcome.

The Hard Way (2019)

Good action flick without a lot of gore.

[7/10 · 30 March 2019]

While the setup is interesting, the plot turns are predictable as most revenge movies tend to be. The cast is great but the script is a little weak for the support players in this movie. Michael Jai White is great as the lead actor and he does his typical moves and voicing in this role. His character is seeking answers and revenge for his brothers death in a European city where his brother was killed while on an undercover operation which is led by Randy Couter's character. Luke Goss is an actor who could had played the lead role as well. He plays second to White's character in seeking revenge because he was partners with the brother who was killed. This is the premise for movies of this type. But it it's about finding out who is the true villain in the end - The Hard Way!

Cleaver Family Reunion (2013)

Funny & familiar - yet different with a twist.

[7/10 · 29 January 2014]

At first, I thought "Leave it to Beaver 2013". Wow! Then when I read the trailer notes. I thought it was going to be the typical "Family Reunion" flick that's been done over and over but this one has a unique twist. I thought the story-line was good and most people can relate to it which gives it marketability in the genre. The acting was good too. New faces and a cohesive cast of characters that surface in the film. The production value was good but the audio suffered a little in the beginning of the film. It moved along at a good pace. A nice balance between drama & comedy. There were moments of profanity & innuendo but nothing "over-the-top". I gave it a 7 out of 10 because the overall production value could have been 3 points better. Great effort!! Look forward to seeing more from the producers.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Classic movie that explains the !st two installments

[13 August 2007]

I thought it was moving but kind of predictable. We were introduced to the reason why he was chosen to be an "assassin". I really like the pace and the intense action from the car-chases and fighting scenes. The sequence between Bourne & Desh should be placed in the "best fighting in a tight-spot" category. If stunt men could get awards - this would be a winner - hands-down! They used a cadre of stunt performers that would blow any high-action martial-arts movie out of the water. Great camera-work too. Some of the actors roles were limited to accommodate the plot line. Everybody was hoping that the director of the unit would give way to more of the story than to the action. We got some of both worlds. I thought they should have left us hanging at the end...

Vanilla Sky (2001)

Goofs- Car in opening scene

[5/10 · 26 December 2005]

Tom Cruise is driving a black car in the first dream sequence, then he is driving a nice green Mustang with the big slick tires in the next dream sequence. Is this also the Mustang he drove in Steven Spielberg's "War of the World"? Wow! What a coincidence. Kurt Russell's role could have gone to Nick Nolte or Kris Kristofferson. By the way - was that Steven Spielberg who hugged Cruise and called him a SOB during the party scene?? I was lulled to sleep during some sequences in the movie as the plot became abruptly disconnected and the characters seemed lost or preoccupied with some irrelevant chatter. Penelope Cruz seemed like a distraction for the Cruise character. I could understand how he fell in love with her during the shoot.

Key Witness (1960)

Really a solid "B" movie

[18 July 2004]

This movie really had me laughing and rolling in my lounge chair. The corny lines and predicaments the main characters were faced with let you know how advanced the screenplay writer was in the 50's & 60's. The so-called "hip-talk" was so funny that I know the actors probably had to do several takes to keep from laughing at themselves saying the lines. This movie believe it or not touches on the urban social conscience of the world too.

I thought Key Witness was interesting. The characters were of different genders, race, class and creed. It also also gave you an understanding about life in East L.A. during the late 50's & early 60's.

If Key Witness was re-made to reflect the times of today, the following actors should be cast in the character roles: Mr. Morrow - David Hasslehoff or Rob Lowe, Mrs. Morrow - Christina Applegate, Cowboy - Brad Pitt, Apple - David Alan Grier or Micheal Beach(Third Watch), Ruby - Christina Applegate, Carmen Electra, Madonna or Melissa Milano or Melissa Rivers (first acting gig) Muggles - Brad Pitt, Vince Vaughn or Colin Ferrell, Det. Turno - Obba Obatunde, Giancarlo Espisito, Charles S. Dutton, Magician - Vince Vaughn . The plot would be the same only updated to reflect the times. Its a classic for any young filmmaker to use as a guide and training tool. Check it out!

The Killing (1956)

Deserved to be nominated for some sort of Film / Acting award...

[18 July 2004]

This movie catches your attention right from the beginning with the opening shot being at a crowded horse park where people are dressed in hats, dresses, suits & tie for a day at the races. The music is tense and almost makes you wonder if its a war movie or a gangster crime movie. It has Dragnet appeal with its narration from a very good narrator to introduce each movement of this step-by-step approach on "How to rob a horse racetrack during the 7th race". The acting was on key with sometimes subtle overacting in some sequences which gives it the "B" movie flavor. Sterling Hayden was great! I liked how his character was derived and the knowledge Johnny Clay would furnish about each person's role & penalty "if" they were caught. I guess he became a jail house lawyer during his "Nickle" stay at Alcatraz. Funny - I thought Alcatraz housed " only the best of the worst criminals. Very clever plot that weaved together "average Joes" with a little larceny in their hearts. The performance I thought that should have received stellar reviews and possibly an Academy Award nod for supporting actor was Elisha Cook Jr.s performance as Geo. Peatty. Cook owned that role and really brought it home for the "little man or affable, lovable, cowardly schmuck" who wants to "strike it rich" overnight. Peatty's mind is already clouded by being paranoid, jealous yet focused in spite of the odds. He rides on a guilt trip that no man should have to endure from his beautiful wife. Check out what Geo. Peatty does to prevail. There were other subtle moments in this movie that could have been deemed as controversial for the time. For instance - The scene were the character Nicky is hired. Nicky has a small confrontation with the guard at the gate who is a Black man. Nicky (Italian) has to bribe him to let him park his car at this lot. They befriend each other but Nicky later tarnishes that bond when the time comes for him to do his job. This Black man is in his way and Nicky has to use the "N" word to shoo him away from the task he needs to carry out. Well - watch it to see what happens next. Overall, this is a movie that embodies the use of concise scriptwriting, dialogue, lighting and great acting by each actor for each character in the movie. I enjoyed The Killing directed by Stanley Kubric from the beginning to the end.