Shambulla Reviews

The Harvey Girls (1946)

On her way to meet and marry her groom, a

[8/10 · 25 September 2016]

As long as you watch this film in context - and consider when it was set (Arizona in the 1890s) and where it was made (1946 Hollywood), you'll enjoy it for what it is: a simple and really sweet romance set in the Wild West.

The costumes are wonderful, the songs catchy (catchy enough to pick up the Oscar for Best Song that year) and the dancing divine and, of course, Judy Garland shines, as does a 20-year-old Angela Lansbury.

Garland plays Susan Bradley, a feisty lass on her way to Saltrock, Arizona to meet - and marry - the gent who has been courting her, most eloquently, via letter.

On the fateful train trip from Ohio, aboard the storied Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, she meets and befriends a charming group of girls also heading to Saltrock. They're trainee waitresses on their way to set up the latest branch of the equally famous Harvey House chain of restaurants.

Unfortunately for Susan, her betrothed turns out to be a little too fond of gamblin' and boozin' - and not so fond of marriage, and the pair agree to part ways, but not before he confesses to not being the author of the oh-so-sweet letters she received.

Rather than heading back home, Susan decides to train as a 'Harvey Girls,' which pits her against the owners of the local saloon, which is owned by the dashing Ned Trent (John Hodiak) who, it turns out, is the actual author of the letters which tugged so deeply at Susan's heart.

It really is a sweet story and you'll be singing the lead song, On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe, weeks later...

Barefoot in the Park (1967)

A charming and funny tale newlyweds discovering the seven-day itch

[8/10 · 3 January 2014]

A truly sweet movie about newlyweds (Robert Redford and Jane Fonda) living in their first, tiny sixth-floor apartment in New York City.

It's funny because a movie like this just wouldn't be made (or, possibly, work) today. After all, how many couples are still virtual strangers when they marry these days? Yet this lovely often guffaw-inducing tale, about a stuffy young lawyer who falls for and marries a vivacious, life-loving gal who's quite his opposite, is about just that, a story of two young people who tie the knot and have to grow up - and grow together - very quickly.

It's a simple, funny and lovely film that provides 106 minutes of old-world entertainment and spark.

Fonda and Redford are fabulous together!

The Haves and the Have Nots (2013–2021)

A contemporary soap opera that you can't stop thinking about

[6/10 · 12 July 2013]

It's a show you'll hate to love. The acting is, for the most part, uninspiring, the characters are irkingly unbelievable and, on the face of it, the storyline is, well, 'very soapy' but, no matter how hard you may try not to, somewhere between stirring your coffee and waiting for the train, you'll suddenly find yourself asking, 'Hmmm, I wonder what Candice is up to?' Volumes could be written about the creature known as Candice. She's smart, conniving and willing to do whatever she needs to, to get what she wants. The problem is she's also stunning and brilliant and, as hard as it is to believe, she's actually quite sweet, a combination that isn't going to end well for anyone who crosses her in her one-eyed quest for money, power, acceptance and, above all, freedom.

There's blackmail, there's double crossing, there are family secrets galore and there's even triple crossing! You'll hate it and you'll love it, then you'll hate it again and swear you're not going to watch the next episode - until Tuesday hits and, well, you'll try it 'one last time.' Despite everything else, Tyler Perry's writing is really enjoyable. Some great lines and a script/storyline that could have done as well as Revenge had the acting been a little less forced in a way that only daytime soapies can be.

Henry Poole Is Here (2008)

A heartwarming tale about losing all hope, but then finding it again...

[7/10 · 12 July 2013]

Henry Poole is sad. Sad and angry. No, make that sad, angry and just a little mean. Initially, we don't know why but, naturally, we eventually find out, but EVER. SO. SLOWLY.

What we do know is that he's newly arrived in a small Californian suburb where everybody knows your business, sometimes before you do - and that doesn't bode well for a man who would rather be hiding under a rock somewhere no other humans congregate.

Unfortunately for poor old Henry, a miracle occurs in his backyard and his dreams of solitude are shattered but, in exchange, he gains something so much more valuable; redemption, freedom and the ability to smile again.

There's no doubt this is a beautiful film, one that is lovingly shot and sympathetically cast, however it sits smack damn in the middle of the road between being a wonderful, heartwarming tear-jerker filled with poignant life lessons and a rather average, overly slow, wannabe lesson on the power of faith.

If you've ever been sad or lonely or just felt a little hopeless (and who hasn't?), you'll probably enjoy it - or at the very least be thinking of it - and grumpy old Henry - long after you watch this film.