FilmNoirOnline Reviews

Holiday Affair (1996 TV Movie)

Okay, but kind of a downer and not very nice

[5/10 · 17 December 2007]

I suppose I understand all the positive reviews. It had that warm, fuzzy holiday feeling - until the end. I mean, I'm sorry, I just could not get excited about her falling in love with someone else and basically dumping Paul during the holidays, after playing with his heart strings for how long? To me, it said, "Go for the younger, hotter guy who has shown you nothing." Paul had "been there" for her. This Steve guy just waltzes in; and that PATHETIC Christmas Day(!) proposal in front of her fiancée was so low class and snotty. Sorry, but I felt sorry for Paul and all those, whether they be male or female, that are toyed with in the way she did with him.

Second to Die (2002)

One Of Paul Winfield's Last Movies

[7/10 · 26 June 2007]

An interesting thriller that has Paul Winfield as a detective on the case of a murder. Paul Winfield was an underrated actor who pulled off all his roles with such ease, it was hard to tell the man was even acting. Maybe most known by younger viewers as the voice/narrator of "City Confidential", Winfield ends his career with a so-so movie; but as always, Winfield shines. A treat to watch.

Erika Eliniak is well, Erika Eliniak, nice to look at but leaves a lot to be desired in the acting department. Though, to be fair, this is one of her better efforts.

Bottom line: a watchable thriller that shouldn't be missed by any Paul Winfield fan. A decent telefilm to help send Paul Winfield off to celluloid heaven. What an actor. He will be missed.

Dial 'M' for Murder (1981 TV Movie)

A Remake That Thrills!

[8/10 · 4 February 2007]

Master TV director Boris Sagal brings us an excellent remake of DIAL M FOR MURDER. I haven't seen this but twice in 25 years, but I would love to see this making the TV rounds again or a DVD release soon.

We all know the story from the 1954 classic, but Christopher Plummer is nothing short of brilliant as Tony, while Angie Dickinson is perfect as Margot.

Generally not a fan of remakes - especially remaking films from the master of suspense, but Sagal puts it all together in a superb Made-For-Television classic back when the networks were still spending top dollar for Movies Of The Week.

Don't miss this one - if you ever get the chance(!)

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

What a surprise!

[10/10 · 8 October 2006]

Honestly, I was dragged kicking and screaming to see this. I don't know that I've ever been as surprised with a film as I was with Little Miss Sunshine. I am not a big laugh out loud type of person - it's just not me. However, I found myself laughing out loud not once, or twice but all through this movie. It felt good to leave a theater feeling like I got my ten bucks worth - plus a whole lot more. Belly laughter is good for you they say, maybe that's why I am feeling so good this week! Little Miss Sunshine was a surprise from start to finish. Great cast, great script, just a great little film that left me feeling good about movies again.

Selling Innocence (2005 TV Movie)

Selling SEX

[3/10 · 28 July 2006]

This movie makes me think of that anti-death penalty bumper sticker: "Why do we kill people to show people that killing people is wrong?" Here's another: "Why do we make movies showing off half-naked kids to show that showing off half-naked kids is wrong?" The hypocrisy is sickening. Do you think they made this movie to "wake people up?" Really? Or, was this a movie made to make money by selling the titillating notion of teens showing themselves half-dressed on web sites? Duh.

It is amazing to me how many people watch this and say, "This is what we need to wake people up!" Please. Hollywood is not known for their altruism for true blue altruistic purposes. But, preachy movies that make people THINK they are crusading against this or that - WHILE EXPLOITING the very thing they are crusading against? Hollywood knows that game better than anyone.

Hypocrisy - plain and simple.

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Home for the Holidays (2005 TV Movie)

A Lifetime Surprise

[7/10 · 29 December 2005]

You know how a Lifetime movie will sometimes leap out of the box and surprise? HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS does just that. While the movie is billed as starring Sean Young and Perry King, the movie really belongs to Young and Lucia Walters. Perry King is in only a few scenes and is not worth writing about. Young, playing the role of an Aunt who gains guardianship of three children after the death of their parents, gives a truly compelling performance. This was the first surprise. The second was a wonderful performance from Lucia Walters as a Social Worker who must work inside a bureaucratic system - and actually care at the same time. The final surprise was a plot that kept me interested and a script that was fairly well-written. There are some weak spots and plot holes, but for the most part this little holiday telefilm fits into my category of a Lifetime Surprise.

Going Home (2000 TV Movie)

Jason Robards: The Final Take

[7/10 · 28 May 2004]

After a long and acclaimed career, Jason Robards leaves us with an above-average telefilm, GOING HOME. Unfortunately, as of this writing you won't find this movie on VHS or DVD. (UPDATE 2007: Now available as Region 1 DVD). More than likely if you see this at all it will be by way of our friends at Lifetime Movie Network. This aired originally in March of 2000 and Mr. Robards died, after battling cancer, eight months later. There was something about Jason Robards that lifted even otherwise poor small-screen films to a higher level. This Made-For-TV drama, however, is actually quite good; with Jason Robards showing that even at his most difficult times personally, he could still carry a film. GOING HOME is worthy of seeing anyway, but it is must-see being Robards' final on-screen performance.