godfreecharlie Reviews

The Keep (1983)

The Soundtrack

[6/10 · 28 February 2024]

This movie caught my eye sometime back in the 80s. It included several criteria to spark an interest like cast, director, and the soundtrack.

Tangerine Dream. I've found I have enjoyed every movie they have enhanced. They are extremely adept at getting the feel of the scene into a melody of entanglement. Slips through the scenes without much notice until you realize you have been entranced by both the scenery and the music. Several other good examples are Firestarter, Sorcerer, Thief, Risky Business, Legend, Miracle Mile...... the list is long and nearly all the movies are worth watching like The Keep!

Twelve Hours to Kill (1960)

Half A Day

[6/10 · 21 January 2023]

Thought at first it was about someone laying over between trains and the mischief a person could find while "killing 12 hours" of time. Still an okay pic, great for "killing an hour and a half".

With the improved resolution it looks quite clean. I've seen movies with way worse props, location, writing... Labled "B" movie is a bit harsh. Don't know what got this movie that distinction but it it's not entirely accurate. Sure there's some hokey scenes like the short bleacher setting at a ball game. The actors may not be big names but the talent level is better than many films given good reviews because of the big names.

The Red Ghost (2020)

Watch the Ghost

[8/10 · 28 October 2022]

I was quite impressed with every aspect of this production. I seen a number of Russian films and they do seem to insist on quality work. Artistic, realistic abilities are not short here. The plot is straight forward but the directing makes it so interesting, one yearns for the next scene, trying to anticipate upcoming action. Sets are real looking because there's no stage shooting, all on location. Props are as real as you can get but I'm sure someone can find a discrepancy. Wardrobe is accurate to the time and place as far as I can tell. But isn't that what the director wants? A believable story. One that just might be true?

Hitchhike to Hell (1941)

Not review of movie..

[1/10 · 27 November 2021]

It is nearly impossible to write a review or even a "hi ya" when the damn screen won't scroll!!! After the first few lines the text being typed out is nowhere to be found. That's because it's hidden behind the keyboard.. the gd screen is stuck. This only happens with this app.wish someone would fix it.this quite unnerving, actually it pisses me off to no end fixable irritan.the *ucking curser is on my keyboard now!. There's my review. Hope someone can help. Otherwise I can just uninstall it off my Toshiba Smart TV and phone. P. S.: I know it can be fixed because it has run for a few minutes and then took a dump.

Blood Brother (2018)

I Should'a, I Should'a

[2/10 · 5 August 2021]

I'll read deeper into the reviews from now on. There's some insight to be had by reading thru the evaluations of others. A time saver in the least.

My Three Sons (1960–1972)

Good.... But....

[8/10 · 21 July 2021]

The show had some memory inducing spots but the several character choices, the casting choices leave me sad. Sad they didn't cast better actors.

When I look at the appearance of Beverly Garland I want to gag. She is made up to be ugly! Why? Those fake eyelashes are hideous! The choices for uncles two times got dead weight with their spots. All in all it could have been done better.

Terrordactyl (2016)

Extinction Event Needed

[1/10 · 10 June 2021]

.Saturday, 7:30 in the morning. Las Angeles. Not a soul on the streets, sidewalk, neighborhoods, to be seen !!!

The huge disappearance of millions of people evidently left out the three most expendable life forms. Where the players were cast from should be closed down.

Evidently the actors capable were ALL working. The director might consider another profession. I doubt any reputable film school would be much help though.

The stench mentioned in the first ffew minutes should have been a clear wwarning.

World War Z (2013)

Which Virus Is This?

[8/10 · 9 January 2021]

I was reluctant to watch this zombie clone but when I saw Brad Pitt was cast in it I gave it a shot. Glad I did. Not the average mutation movie. Having a cast that keeps to the good writing is a plus. The necessary cgi is quality work also. When I compared it to the hideous zombie encroachment on the US Capitol building it was really hard to find any difference between the cgi constructs and the terrorists. The rabinous frenzied troglodytes clamouring up the steps were identical, Xerox copies of the WWZ clones. I definitely found the movie versions more entertaining. After all, they are the villains and a villain has to be credible to make the protagonist come off as a hero. The script stayed true to the plot. Written with enough technical support to make it plausible. I won't spoil it but only recommend it when you want to watch an emotion stirring film.

The Man with My Face (1951)

Robbie Douglas of MY THREE SONS?

[5/10 · 16 December 2020]

Premise for a My Three Sons episode. Easy fix: Have them drop their pants and shorts. She should know which one is the real one. But then she may like the imposter if he's endowed with a better appendage. Hmmm, what a dilemma.

Patterns (1956)

Definitely Not a Duplicate

[9/10 · 10 December 2020]

Most viewers that have been impressed by this movie are of an earlier experience in life. I'm sure there's still corporations run on this film's depiction but I doubt it is the template for current business operations. Yet in the same sense the personalities portrayed here that run these businesses are still around, wandering through the corporate world looking for a place to land. I do wonder where Serling gained the incite and knowledge that inspired such a fantastic, gripping story. He should be identified and known for his work here instead of the less admirable TV series, especially the Night Gallery schlock that the easily entertained, less sophisticated audience knows him for. This film is a masterpiece that has qualities that are disappearing from filmmaking. Sad.

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)

Things Ive Done In Jail Before Sentencing

[8/10 · 6 December 2020]

Yah, that's what I'm talking about. This movie. Has the cast, the class, the past. Just watch it. The dialogue, spot on. Nailed. The plot, storyline is original. No heroes, plenty of people to not like. Even the likeable ones. Love without much loving. Brotherly love, to kill for. Set a reminder to watch this movie. Unless you are gonna watch it now.

The Thing from Another World (1951)

The Stranger From Who Knows Where

[8/10 · 28 November 2020]

From first viewing this was my favorite scifi movie until the Alien saga. The story line is a quite believable set of events considering the mindset of the country, the world actually ever since the two UFO occurrences in 1947. Arnold's sighting of " ...like saucers skipping across a pond..." and the overplayed Roswell conundrum. This film tapped straight into the freaked out heads of the inadequately educated American movie goers who were also nervously waiting for the hordes of Russians to come over the arctic north pole hurling A Bombs. Its not a complicated story but it weaves several plausible ideas into a frightening predicament for the crew of a mission of science flight to a northern outpost. One event after another, involving a previous mission, discovery of a ship along with the possible pilot, the rapid, (and I emphasize "rapid") thawing of the comatose pilot, a storm, attacks by the pissed pilot, and...., well I'm not gonna be a spoiler. Fortunately this alien doesn't morph into a single scoundrel, jelly mass, or hideous slithering genetic material oozing pus. Its just a violent and possibly scared big guy. He's portrayed by a familiar face in Hollywood TV and movies. Everyone is actually a familiar person but just not celebrity status. This movie should not be missed by anyone who gets enthused by 50's scifi. But then I can't believe there's anyone who hasn't seen this one at least once already. Great for cold dark night in a good chair with a blanket.

Gangster Story (1959)

Charley Varrick Where Are You?

[4/10 · 21 November 2020]

The highly implausible circumstance surrounding this unlikely scenario is it's failure. Both the criminal and the victims are perfect candidates for MST3000. Enjoy this film as a comedy, as it should have been promoted this way. Nothing more to say here.

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Price-less? Nope!

[8/10 · 6 November 2020]

Not the usual thing that V Price does so be ready for a lighter version of Vincent. He still retains his murderous ways in order to accomplish his focused goals. The sequential dispatches of men he sees as responsible for his loss. A big meaningful loss worthy of the death of 9 men. His wife had the misfortune of dying while surgery was supposedly bungled by an odd assortment of victim surgeons. Price doesn't have much speaktime, its in a voice amplified by a gizmo necessary due to the auto accident he survived. This kinda surrealistic story is reminding me of A Clockwork Orange. Watch it and see what you think. It is a fun and funny story.

The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)

They had a Flat in Yucca

[3/10 · 28 October 2020]

A soon as the US began testing fission bombs in the Nevada desert people started walking out into the blast zone at the moment of detonation. Why? That's the question that needs to be addressed. Monsters and bad things are secondary. The causes of this walk into hell is the most important thing the AEC should be working on.

Vampires (1998)

Catholic Cover up

[6/10 · 24 October 2020]

If half stars were allowed I would add it to the 6 I gave it. Carpenter is good at what he does, we all know this. Woods is a plus, his abilities are well known too. The rest could have been replaced with many other qualified cast members. Baldwin, Lee, Sierra made no huge efforts here. Even Schell in his small part was nothing noteworthy in his role. Alternate choices might have helped the film get some momentum and anticipation going. Most scenes are predictable, nearly like being able to see the future. But its a week before Halloween and for a warmup its acceptable.

The Head (1959)

The Head Is Not a Headache

[6/10 · 17 October 2020]

Looks like there's a bit of an Anglo Horror Story movies centric bias here and there in the comments. European films and filmmakers are essentially unknown by American viewers. Closed captions and dubbing are too inconvenient for an audience from America. For the most part the European horror movies are as enjoyable and watchable as any American eyesores. And they outclass almost all films made in England. British productions, casts, writing, sets....are transcended by all others. This film is done with the usual shortcomings found in most films of the genre. The props are definitely a cut above. The laboratory is realistic because it is using real lab ware. It doesn't look like it was just thrown together surplus high school glassware. The dialogue is good even in translation. The soundtrack is not annoying like so many other fright films that use musical noise to set the pace and tension. It may be over the top stuff but not so far that it goes in a nose dive straight to the bottom like the extremely unnerving British attempts at horror movies. Try to watch "The Man From Venus" sometime. Nauseating. The Head is not award winning but it will please people who like scream free horror.

Roses Are Red (1947)

Defective Detective

[7/10 · 15 October 2020]

If all cops and bad guy movies were this good I could be just fine with that. It's not the best film but if this was the standard I could see a decent movie evry night.

Tarantula (1955)

Domesticated Spider Escapes

[7/10 · 11 October 2020]

The right cast, fhe right location, the right plot, the right spider. Not the best anything mind you but it is somewhat plausible and that makes it watchable. It would do the viewers better to watch it on a streaming video or other rather than Svengoulie with all the breaks and ridiculous stuff one has to endure. It is a cut above most other SciFi fare by not going out too far in the believability setting. Most atomic era scifi movies deal with something or someone caught in a bomb test, exposed and then running amok.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Hilarious Nightmare

[9/10 · 17 September 2020]

Nuclear war is a deadly serious game. Near total lethality. Man made cosmic catastrophe. Worse than a cosmic apocalypse; the event that keeps on giving long after everyone is gone. Kubrik eased the tension with his take on senseless annihilation, using realistic scenarios that most Americans would recognize thru the many PSAs and newsreel boasts of American prowess. The characters K cast were spot on, giving a comfortable realism that didn't cause consternation, wondering why so and so was chosen etc. Whether so and so was the first choice is no issue here, his final decision was the right one. All that rolled up with the plot made for a film that is so much more in a multitude of ways. Viewing Strangelove at least 2, no, 3 times is my recommendation. Sellers' dominance is not in the least bit distracting. He was a master of his profession. The other cast members are made for their parts. This honesty is what keeps one thinking "what if this really happened?" all the while laughing incessantly at the absurdity. Damn, Stanley you have left a lasting impression on my worldview.

Fat Man and Little Boy (1989)

How To Make A Fizzle

[5/10 · 5 September 2020]

Biography, history, action drama, docudrama, patriotic something.... Couldn't figure it out, but after 15 minutes or so I didn't really care. The film is not any of the genres above to any degree. Lots of embellishments, distortions, liberties, license, etc. Enough to make it into something that someone thought would be interesting and enjoyable. For anyone who is familiar with the Manhattan Project this schlock will be a huge disappointment.

Godzilla (1954)

Gojira -->Gone Zilla?

[8/10 · 4 September 2020]

Am I the last one to know that Gojira is Godzilla? I honestly have never taken the time to investigate. Always figured Godzilla had one name only. Now I am wondering if Raymond (Perry Mason) Burr could help him get his name legally changed to prevent the kind of confusion I went through. For me to have never heard of Gojira was irritating as I've been watching Japanese films for decades. Since this isn't a new film to me and the review would be redundant I'll just come back with a comment on a different Japanese movie. Say HaraKiri - Death Of A Samurai.

My Three Sons (1960–1972)

Men's Warehouse

[8/10 · 1 September 2020]

This long running series was never a favorite when I was younger watching other "family life in America" themed shows. Now I find it interesting, comparing the setting to other similar shows. MeTV makes it more enjoyable by broadcasting when I have the time to view and running it just before Leave It To Beaver. The two different takes on suburban survival. The writers for MTS saw children and teens as a bit more responsible, needing parental permission or guidance less often. MTS came along two years after (1960) LITB but I don't think things changed too much. Maturity, thats the distinction between the two. How the Douglas boys were written with a more developed attitudes, the Cleaver kids have their mother doting over "her babies". I have my own opinion on why this is. The location is more realistic because it is real, in California. But even more enjoyable than comparing MTS to Beaver is analyzing the current social structure next to the1960's Hollywood TV writer's version. Damn, I know I'm getting old now!

The Jigsaw Man (1983)

Where's Meredith Burgess?

[4/10 · 18 July 2020]

Philip Kimberly, gotta love it! I get the title now. Scrambled real life historical people's names. Possible remake of Sleuth? Same adversaries. Either way it might be entertaining to British spy film audiences. Michael Caine was good as Harry Palmer and I even hoped a 4th film would be made. Olivier is giving his talent to a banal production, and this is the only thing keeping me casually interested. The time could be better spent with The Good Shepherd, or if you want Brit spooks try Richard Burton, my favorite.

The Tale of Zatoichi (1962)

Fight Ichi, Fight!

[9/10 · 13 July 2020]

From my first viewing of The Blind Swordsman I have been a big fan of Shintaro. His role is performed with precision, measured, as a blind person does in real life. The plots are always serious enough to draw Ichi into the ordeal but it's his nature to become involved. He cares about the ubiquitous downtrodden, luckless, and forlorn, people in need of a hero. The qualities of a hero conveyed through the excellent abilities of Shintaro is what makes me a longtime fan. I just wish I had command of the Japanese language.