donnellx Reviews

Con Air (1997)

Airhead Con Job

[1/10 · 19 November 2006]

I saw this movie on TV and watched it just for lack of anything better to do. Of course, at home it is possible to occupy oneself with other activities while viewing a show. I wonder how anyone who actually went out to see it at a theater where they are expected to give the silver screen undivided attention could possibly come away satisfied or anything but disgusted. For me, the most enjoyable part of the experience turned out to be reading comments here about how incredibly bad others may have found this piece of cinematic junk. Negative criticism was so overwhelmingly abundant that I will not even attempt to elaborate on what was already there, except to say that it felt like a relief to locate something else that at least made a reasonable amount of sense by comparison. The IMDb gives people the chance to express themselves instead of remaining completely passive, so the very act of composing an opinion can become entertaining in itself.

24: Day 5: 6:00 a.m.-7:00 a.m. (2006) Season 5, Episode 24

new / old fan

[10/10 · 12 November 2006]

Even while well aware it was supposed to be a big hit, I ignored the first couple of seasons of 24 for whatever crazy reason, such as thinking it would be too much like The X Files or something that never really appealed to me. Then one evening I noticed advertising that another "day" was about to get underway and decided to at least take a look at the new episode to see what all the excitement was about. It turned out to be better than expected and I got hooked on following the show regularly ever since. A local TV station (not the Fox affiliate) now plays reruns that I also like to watch in order to catch up on what might have been missed and that part of it is still brand new to me.

Parrish (1961)

of interest to cigar aficionados

[10/10 · 30 March 2006]

Regardless of how one regards the human interest story here, it nonetheless revolves around the activities of a tobacco plantation in Connecticut where they specialize in a certain kind of "shade grown" leaf that is still in demand for making the outer wrapper of premium cigars ultimately produced in the Caribbean islands, such as Macanudo. I just happened to recall seeing this movie on TV and recommended it during a casual discussion with some fellow connoisseurs of fine tobacco and then later decided to browse the web on this subject. Now I have little or nothing to add to other comments made about the quality of the film, except to say that I would not mind experiencing it again sometime.

The Glass Menagerie (1950)

worthwhile experience

[10/10 · 10 June 2005]

The word "menagerie" just happened to come up in a conversation(unrelated to show business) and reminded me of this story. So later,while casually browsing the web, it occurred to me that very title of Tennessee William's play probably had much to do with adding that item to our general vocabulary. Defined as an assortment of animals, the expression here takes on both literal and figurative meanings that sort of intertwine throughout the screenplay. I have yet to see the Glass Menagerie performed live, and really have nothing much more to say now about the motion picture versions, except that further commentary may very well be forthcoming since my mind has been activated on the subject more than ever before thanks to websites like this. Feel free to check the few other brief impromptu reviews I'vesubmitted to get some idea what to expect.

Bullitt (1968)

always riveting

[25 June 2003]

Bullitt is an example of a deeply entertaining motion picture that can be enjoyed on a reasonably casual basis whenever it happens to show up again on television. Generally speaking, there is none better in this regard and still makes much that has come along since pale by comparison as a completely stimulating story which somehow also provides a remarkable sense of satisfying. relaxation.

A Sensitive, Passionate Man (1977 TV Movie)

somewhat unfortunate title

[4 August 2002]

I remember seeing the original broadcast of this made for TV movie at the age of about 25 in the late seventies and finding it well above average in every way one with an appetite for much beyond mindless nonsense might wish for in passing prime time, and since then have enjoyed reruns of A Sensitive Passionate Man at least once or twice and probably will again if the opportunity arises conveniently. My only problem with this story is its title, because most guys would probably feel uncomfortable reciting those words to describe a good show they experienced about a hardcore alcoholic and his otherwise reasonably successful family life. So my main suggestion would be to warn anyone against neglecting this fine film on that basis alone because you definitely will be missing something very special. David Janssen and Angie Dickenson both give very moving, unschmaltzy performances complemented by a capable cast of believable supporting players including the children victimized by this suburban American tragedy.

Executive Action (1973)

excellent achtung

[1 June 2002]

That's kraut talk for attention: For all as yet unaware of this picture it is an absolute must see film for anyone with the slightest interest in Kennedy conspiracy theory. While fully realistic this show is considerably easier to follow than Oliver Stone's version almost twenty years later and amounts to a comparatively straightforward scenario of how this roundabout coup d'etat or forceful government upheaval might very well have taken place. Even though they never specify exactly who committed this ultimate crime, the story these moviemakers tell provides a satisfactory enough general idea as to what kind of executives could have been motivated to carry out such a terribly asinine agenda in a totally professional way that is probably still producing un-American results for them and theirs today in the absence of true democratic leadership that was largely eliminated by actions abruptly ending an incredibly popular presidency.