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Reviews
Biruma no tategoto (1956)
A superb film
This is really a terrific film, one which I saw during my tour of duty at Itazuke AB, Fukuoka, Japan(59-62). I saw it in the "Film Tower," a six-story building, with some eight theaters of different sizes. It seemed the largest one always had John Wayne, and the one adjacent always had a Japanese war film. They were both sold out for every showing. I was twenty- one years old in 1959. It seems to have stood the test of time quite well. I feel the same sense of isolation now as then. Only John Wayne films and the American and Spaghetti Westerns drew larger crowds. There was always a disabled Japanese soldier with an upturned uniform cap and a hand-lettered sign asking for help. I always put something in the hat. Now that I am a disabled combat veteran of Vietnam, I wish it had been more, but I only made $34.00 a pay day. Thank you.
Ozark Sharks (2015)
Ozark Sharks, a Love Story
I just can't believe all the reviewers who approached this film as a serious effort. High drama it is not. Had Elizabeth Taylor played the lead, it would still have been a laffer. Everything was amateurish, except for the acting. The acting was clearly not well done. But that acting done by the leading lady was deliberately, intentionally dreadful. No one got away clean, except perhaps, for Grandma. If you approach this film, or any of this ilk as high drama, you will be disappointed. Don't. Enjoy!
Father Brown: The Rod of Asclepius (2016)
Suspicious deaths in hospital.
I am absolutely sick and tired of Inspector Mallory. This incompetent boob drags down every scene in which he appears. Mine cannot be the only observation of this sort. Mystery should be well above this sort of sophomoric scripting. I must say that Father Brown is enormously inconsistent in this regard. His predecessor in this role was quite competent, all the while being a worthy adversary for Father Brown. Mr. Mallory's histrionics bring the teleplay's ratings down at least two full points. The gentleman may well be a competent actor, but with all of the mugging, the viewer might never be aware. The fault must be shared equally among the producer, director, scriptwriter, and at least partly the actor in question. Mr. Williams is indeed competent in the role, the others are marginally effective, but adequate. I do expect more of the BBC, even though I have not paid a license fee in some time. Thank you.
NCIS: Los Angeles: Command & Control (2015)
End of NCIS for me
I have never been particularly fond of Mr. Deeks, but the enjoybility of the episode is in inverse proportion to the length of time he appears in each episode. No one of his appearance is tolerated in a para military organization. His job requires occasional contact with troops who are liable to display their contempt for his Ish Kabibble impressions and his rather casual approach to the task at hand. I just can't take it any longer. The two male leads are competent while not stirring. Miss Hunt and Mr. Ferrer do fine work in roles that should be beneath their scope. The other participants are there. The scripts range from the sophomoric all the way to the peurile. I have long observed the deterioration of the scriptwriters' art. This is a shining example of that deterioration. I am very sorry that I am unable to continue. In the first few years of production there were occasional episodes that were truly entertaining. They are very rare indeed now. With regret.
John Carter (2012)
Good film
A fine film which I have thoroughly enjoyed at least a half dozen times. I also enjoyed all of the books some 60 years ago. I suppose I shall order the DVD now. I do wish the lead actor had a more recognizable name. The graphics were very well done indeed. The voices fit the actors as we'll. at the risk sounding rather sophomoric, I must also state that Woola was among my favorite characters. Most enjoyable! Thank you. This phrasing looks as wooden as it must sound, due no doubt to the requirement for at least ten lines. Law of the Medes and Persians, no doubt. But if that is the price I must pay in order to comment, then so be it.