mjrobbins111 Reviews

The Truth About Charlie (2002)

Badly over-directed movie

[1/10 · 30 October 2002]

Poor direction, overdone performances (with the exception of Christine Boisson as the Police Commandant) and a multitude of plot holes make Truth About Charley a movie to avoid. Director Jonathan Demme spends the entire movie calling attention to himself. No scene is shot straight on. Every camera cliche learned in "director's school" is employed to distraction. Demme's attempt to dazzle us with continual use of a hand-held camera merely makes us dizzy. Truth About Charley is loosely based on the Cary Grant Audrey Hepburn thriller, Charade. Do yourself a favor - watch the original on TV.

Wagon Train (1940)

Hard to believe this is a B western.

[8/10 · 11 January 2002]

One of the best B westerns I've ever seen. Original and intelligent script, solid acting, great scenery and production values not normally found in this type of movie. Scene with wagons racing across the valley is spectacular and does not appear to be stock footage (though I could be wrong). Tim Holt westerns, particularly those from the early 40s, usually exceeded the normal standards for series westerns, but Wagon Train is in a class by itself. Truly a great movie of it's type.

Johnny Angel (1945)

Very poor film noir ( and I'm a big film noir fan).

[3/10 · 9 January 2002]

Confusing script, poor acting and unrealistic New Orleans setting lead to very disappointing movie. Coincidences abound and long boring exposition scenes are required to tell the story. George Raft much too old for his character and, seemingly, much to bored to make a real effort at acting. Miss this one.