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Reviews
Killer Sofa (2019)
Having actually owned a killer sofa, I felt obligated to watch
Unfortunately, I only discovered it when I awoke at 0300 today and turned on the tube with this movie already in progress so I missed the intro and setup. The "not a sofa" aspect was immediately apparent but it did look somewhat malevolent, at least as much as a possessed recliner can. I'm sure its ability to move and inflict harm was addressed in the story but I missed the first half. Sorry to have missed whatever helped the movie make sense and I hope to have the chance to see it in its entirety.
And, yes, we named our old couch El Sofa del Diablo due to the three deaths and two non-fatal strokes that occurred in our families during the reupholstering process.
Your Cheatin' Heart (1964)
Vaguely Hank's story.
I remember when this movie came out and recall thinking at the time that George Hamiton was an unlikely choice for the role. While watching it for the first time last evening I wondered why, if the actor would not really be singing, not find someone who might be more believable in the role, maybe actor James Best?
Anyway, this version was cute, hokey and not offensive unless you wanted to find out the truth about Hank in a non-Hollywood way. Be sure to watch Ken Burns's Country Music episode "The Hillbilly Shakespeare" and watch this movie again for comparison.
It was interesting to hear the young Hank Jr. doing the singing that Hamilton was (badly) lip synching, and nice to see Susan Oliver in a non-Star Trek role.
Edge of Eternity (1959)
Watch it for the Canyon and the babe.
I don't write many reviews but thought this movie worth it. Tripped over it while surfing broadcast channels for something interesting and was enchanted by the scene of the guy with binoculars scanning the canyon. What followed was an okay mystery, a decent whodunnit with some interesting elements and spectacular scenery, geological and otherwise.
The deputy's background and the sheriff's problems develop and contribute but there's a lot to like otherwise. Cornel Wilde's deputy is creased and extremely well groomed for the rural southwest, but the same treatment of Victoria Shaw makes her a wonder to behold. She's a peach as the daughter of the mine owner but she plays a smart woman who grew up in the gold mining biz and her explication moves the plot along more than once, for which the deputy should be grateful. I particularly liked Jack Elam as a regular working guy instead of the gunslinger/baddie/crazy coot roles he's normally seen in.
As with most movies on this TV channel it was badly chopped up by commercial breaks that made it annoying to follow but I'm glad I watched it and will try to catch it again.
Welcome to Woop Woop (1997)
Weird and interesting little movie
I'd never heard of this movie, never knew Rod Taylor was Australian (this from someone who saw Hitchcock's "The Birds" in a theater during its initial release) and I really need to see it again when it is not interrupted every five minutes by a string of commercials, as on the Sinclair (Charge!) station where I did see it. No need to say much more; the other reviews tell you as much as you need to know, but I will say the opening sequence in New York probably probably nails the world's view of American gun culture and the two endings (preceding and following the closing credits) are worth the wait.
I did love the throwaway line about the asbestos mine burning for weeks.
Gargoyles (1972)
There's some bad and some good.
In addition to what the others have posted, be sure to keep an eye out for side boob in that halter top (pretty racy for '72 TV) and look out for the magical changing cop car during the dirt bike chase scene; it's a Chevy..no, it's a Ford...no, Chevy...nope, Ford again. Seriously.
I saw this when it was first broadcast on TV and fondly remember the line, "Better go with her, man. One of those gar things is gonna get her."
49th Parallel (1941)
Interesting home front war film
I watched this movie a few nights ago and was well into it before realizing I'd seen it once many years ago. I recall the unique viewpoint of the story from the Germans' side but never knew the significance of the propaganda slant until I looked it up on here and read the reviews. No need for me to comment further on that aspect or on the virtues of the film itself; the various reviewers are more knowledgeable than I and have successfully deconstructed it far better than I could, but I thought it a remarkable coincidence that I should stop at an estate sale the VERY NEXT DAY and find a VHS tape of it with a plaid-clad Olivier flanked by Howard and Massey on the cover. I'd have bought it but I no longer have a suitable player.
Incidentally, the movie played on a local broadcast station, one of those late-night-peppered-with-commercials things that makes it exasperating to watch and difficult to follow, but checking the schedule I found that it repeats on Sunday at noon so I will try again and pay more attention from the start in order to better appreciate the work.
One thing I thought everyone overlooked was an exchange by the characters at the Hutterite community when Anna was describing the loss of her mother at sea. One of the Germans asked what ship she'd been on, leading me to think it would be revealed that U-37 had sunk that ship, but the thread was not followed and the moment was lost. I do agree about the numerous plot holes and inconsistencies.
One final note: The plane on which Hirth flies back east alone looks like a Lockheed Electra, the craft in which Amelia Earhart vanished.