darien3 Reviews

The Last Place on Earth (2002)

Good movie...

[8/10 · 19 December 2005]

With all of the movies that I watch, I'm surprised that I had never seen this one before tonight. It's a touching love story, without - as another reviewer already mentioned, and apparently also appreciated - all of the blatant sex and "language" which MOST movies seem to have these days. It also deals with at least 2 subjects which can be delicate and controversial - inter-racial relationships (sadly, yes even in today's world) and premature death. It does so, tastefully. I found the movie's direction nothing short of excellent, and the location scenery is beautiful - some of it stunningly so (Lake Tahoe).

I especially enjoyed the music at the end of the movie, and can't seem to find the soundtrack online. If anyone can offer me some feedback on where to get these songs, I'd appreciate it. Although perhaps not destined to be a "classic," this one is definitely worth taking your time to watch it.

The Last House on the Left (1972)

True Story ...???

[2 June 2002]

I seem to remember that when this film was released, it was supposedly based on a true story. Not sure if that's true or not, but if so it certainly puts things into a different context. I agree that the quality is not that great - but as others have already said: it was produced on a limited budget. Yes - the plot seems very contrived and "hokey" - for instance, what are the chances that the killers would wind up at one of their victim's homes? But, again - now consider if it IS a true story.

Poorly made, perhaps - but still definitely a psychological thriller of the highest order. VERY DISTURBING.

Cross Creek (1983)

A Subdued and Wonderful Drama

[1 November 2001]

Sorry - but I have to strongly disagree with anyone who thinks this movie's boring. I think they've missed the point. The story is supposed to be reflective of the times in which it takes place. This is a VERY "laid-back," rural Florida. Although a "woman's story," in a certain sense, I admire the bravery that this "genteel" woman had - just as I admire anyone who "does their own thing." She took a LOT of chances in order to follow her desire to make something of herself - on her own.

I could go on about specific points in the story, but really don't have the time right now to do that - and, in any case, some others on here have already done that. What I will say is that this is one of the best "character studies" that I have EVER had the pleasure to see.

Perhaps we have become too accustomed to the continuous action-packed and often violent films of today for some viewers to fully appreciate a just plain good dramatic character study such as "Cross Creek." Perhaps we've become too used to the language in today's films: i.e. every other word being "the f word..." Maybe that at least in part accounts for how and why some might consider a just plain down-to-earth GOOD drama as being "boring."

Give it another chance - this time watching it without expecting a "thrill ride," but rather in studying the effort in acting which goes into each and every one of the characters in the story. I guarantee that you will then appreciate it a lot more, viewing it as I believe its creators intended.

Batman (1966–1968)

Yep - it sure was campy, but we loved it as kids

[10/10 · 8 August 2000]

It's ironic that I should wind up here after looking up info on actress Teri Garr. I recently watched one of those Batman series episodes, and I could have sworn that it was her in it - but that isn't at all what I was looking for just now.

Incidentally, Agnes Moorhead did not play the guest villainess "The Black Widow." It was Tallulah Bankhead. I knew that the Black Widow was played by the latter, but I just wanted to make sure that Agnes Moorehead was never in any of the episodes. I was surprised to find that she was from around here - Clinton, Mass - a place where we like to go for a drive sometimes. I always thought that she was a riot as "Endora" in "Bewitched," but never had any clue that she was from around this neck of the woods.

The third "Catwoman" was Lee Merriweather. One other show I remember she had played in was called "The Time Tunnel" - but I was really little then and hardly remember it. I agree that Eartha Kitt was the one most awesome in that role. Just a few years ago, my friend Sean came over and I told him, "you have to see this..." I put on one of the episodes where it has her as Catwoman and "Queen Bess of Belgravia" supposedly visiting Gotham City. The queen instructs her, "make an appointment with my social secretary." She snarls at the queen, "Sorry, Queenie - but I'm ANTI-social !" It's hilarious... We played it more than once, let's just say - laughing uproariously to no end ...

And who could ever forget Chief O'Hara's priceless little Irish exclamations, like "Saints preserve us !" and "Saints alive !" Commissioner Gordon's lines could be pretty funny, too - such as when he says about Catwoman appearing in normal clothing on a TV show, "She should get an award for sheer gall ...!" And another line, from the same episode, "There's a devious and dangerous design here, Chief O'Hara." "I'm beginning to think you're right, Commissioner," O'Hara responds. Then Gordon says, "And what audacious arrogance !"

Some of the lesser-known villains haven't been mentioned yet, I don't think. Art Carney played "The Archer" (the guy from "The Honeymooners" who played Ralph's friend from upstairs, Norton); Milton Berle guest starred as "Louie The Lilac"; Carolyn Jones, who played "Morticia" on "The Addams Family," guest starred as "Marsha, Queen of Diamonds." Shelly Winters guest starred as "Ma Barker." Otto Preminger guested as "Mr. Freeze." Joan Collins guested as "The Siren." There is an episode where John Astin ("Gomez" from "The Addams Family") plays The Riddler - instead of the usual Frank Gorshin.

Walter Slezak played "The Clock King." Malachi Throne played "False Face." David Wayne guest starred as "The Mad Hatter."

Michael Rennie played "The Sandman/ Doctor Somnambula," and Maurice Evans (see "Bewitched," "Planet of the Apes" - and probably scores of other things) played "The Puzzler."

And, last but not least, let's not forget the 3 guest appearances of "The Green Hornet/Britt Reid" and "Kato" - played by Van Williams and Bruce Lee. And, for you younger folks, yes - Bruce Lee was the father of Brandon Lee ("The Crow") and he also met an untimely demise. "Enter The Dragon" is probably his best known movie. Undoubtedly there are other listings here in the IMDB database. If you're interested in martial arts, be sure to check him out.

Many others, from 50's/early 60's teen idol singer Leslie Gore ("Pussycat," - one of Catwoman Julie Newmar's accomplices) to, uh, yes - Teri Garr made guest appearances. Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr. - remember how someone would always look out of a (supposedly high-story) window and greet the Caped Crusaders as they "batclimbed" the side of a skyscraper? By all accounts of those involved with the making of the show, "campy" or not - everyone wanted to guest star on it ...

We certainly loved it, as kids. And today - well, I'm glad to say that I can still get a good laugh out of the show. And that Batmobile? STILL very kewl - even after all these years.

Shows like "Batman" helped make childhood in the 60's a lot of fun. Perhaps that was at least in part because the invincibility of Batman and Robin served to counteract the truths in life of that time - that either you had a relative or you at least knew someone who was serving or had died in Vietnam; that the disgrace of civil rights issues just wasn't healing fast enough either ... At least, for kids, "Batman" and similar programming served as a distraction from the evening news - and perhaps even offered a hope that no matter how bizarre situations seem, in the end goodness will still prevail.

Deliverance (1972)

Maybe not a "shocker" by today's standards ...

[10/10 · 7 August 2000]

I've just been reading all of the comments about this movie and was interested by the different points of view of those submitting them. I have to say, first of all, that I totally agree with the person who said that you SHOULD ALSO READ THE NOVEL. Like any other story, all of the various elements within it can NEVER be transferred to the screen - novels are just too long and involved. I totally DISAGREE that Boorman did a crappy job of directing or that this film in ANY WAY stinks. The first time that I saw this is when it came out in 1972. In "judging" this picture, you need to remember that societal expectations were a LOT different (in America) than they are today. EVERYONE was talking about the "rape scene" in this movie. NO ONE had filmed something like that, that I know of - or that I remember anyone else ever having heard of being in a movie at that time. Most probably, the issue hadn't been addressed within a novel, either - until Dickie wrote this. I was 14 when I snuck in to see this - and it had an impact even though I knew what was coming. I'd read the book right after seeing it - and, again, it's MUCH more involved and dramatic. A few years ago, I took a course called "The Male In American Literature" and was surprised and pleased to find that "Deliverance" was on the syllabus as one of the stories we'd be studying. In re-reading this as an adult (and after a higher education) there were many things I had never noticed before. Dickie uses a LOT OF "foreshadowing" in the story - right down to something that no one else in the class noticed, but I did: the color orange is often associated with "caution" and he mentions it a whole lot of times. I went back and watched the movie again, as well - it had been many years since I had first seen it. I did notice what another reviewer mentions here - that you never do see the identity of that other person in the tow truck - and I mentioned to my friend that for the first time I thought it was those same guys who were involved in accosting the canoeing party further downriver. Someone else mentions here (in these reviews) about how the kid who had played "Dueling Banjoes" with Drew doesn't even acknowledge him when they are passing under him, under the bridge. Again - foreshadowing - another subtle hint that something terrible is about to happen. I don't think that this story - whether the book or the novel - is a "bad" one at all. I agree totally with the person who said that there are much deeper elements at work here. If you thought the movie stunk, read the book - then go back and give the movie another chance. You'll understand the story better and will see it in a totally different light. It is also interesting how in this story, like in Harper Lee's American classic "To Kill A Mockingbird," the author raises the question if killing another human being is ever "justified." I don't think that any of can really say, with complete conviction and assuredness, that we "never could." I sure as hell wouldn't have wanted to go through something like that canoe trip. But we all have our own "baggage" in life, don't we? All have our own stories to tell - if not about ourselves and things that have happened to us, then certainly about horrible things which have happened to someone we know. In closing, I'd just like to say that whoever compared this to "Blair Witch" ... Well, let's just say that I think any 5-year-old could have made the latter. There's NO comparison in "literary value," so to speak. I debated asking for my money back from renting the tape. Had I spent the extra money to see it at the theater, I definitely would have walked out half way through, and would most likely have demanded my money be returned. "Deliverance" is NOT trash. The characters are VERY realistic, the story line is haunting in subtle undertones, and the acting is nothing short of EXCELLENT. Personally, I can't see how anyone would think any different of it, but we're all entitled to our opinion.