gtroup Reviews

Renegades (1946)

Gave a 5 but probably its a 5.5

[5/10 · 16 May 2023]

Gave a 5 but probably its a 5.5. This has traits of early serial westerns without the light-heartedness. The hero is almost too good and some of the plot points are not believable. The villains escape one of the biggest posses you will ever see twice by crossing what looks like the same body of water, and they keep sneaking around town and into peoples homes. The heroine makes an absolutely poor choice half way through and never faces legal consequences. The drunk supplying the gang is over the top gullible and weak minded. The town folks are one moment overly sweet and the next very narrowminded.

Anyway like those old westerns there is almost constant action and a happy conclusion.

I watched a recent BluRay copy which is pretty decent quality.

The Texas Rangers (1951)

Decent Western

[6/10 · 8 November 2022]

My rating is a bit more lukewarm than some others. It's decent but not quite good, in my opinion. The plot was a little weak and characters not fully developed partly due to the short run time. It seemed all too easy for Johnny to get back into the gang after killing a couple of their members and stealing loot from one of their attempted robberies. Also, Johnny's reaction to the gang killing Buff wasn't believable. As well, the romantic angle with Helen was rushed and again not very believable in her about face in her feelings for Johnny.

The action was well done and outdoor scenery and camera work was quite good. It is worth a watch, but don't expect a classic.

Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die (1966)

So So Bond Knock-off

[5/10 · 28 May 2022]

This seems to be a light knock-off of Bond films of the era but certainly not as well done or fun. The positives are Mike Connors and great scenery in Rio, so its a decent watch if you have nothing else to do. The plot is not well presented early on but you will get the idea who the villain is, who the protaganist is, and the grand plan the villain has to take over the world. I guess that's all you need to know, but it isn't very satisfying. Some plot points are a little confusing with an example of a diary, which seems to be important...and then it doesn't. It has decent action sequences, silly car chases, and lame gadgets. I would rate this a 5.5, OK but not good.

The Misfits (2021)

Agree, this is bad.

[2/10 · 12 June 2021]

Tries to be cool and funny and just isn't. Starts with a lengthy voice over trying to setup the plot but is annoying. Brosnan's character takes half the movie to decide if he will even participate in the caper. And the caper is so quick and easy and the guys guarding the gold are pretty stupid. Don't recommend this at all.

The guy who rated this a 10 has got to be related to someone involved in the production.

Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die (1942)

Lightweight 1930s style Western

[24 April 2021]

This feels like a 1930s Three Amigos type western, being semi-serious with some decent action. If you prefer more "modern", mature 1950s types of westerns this isn't for you. My Darling Clementine made just four year later is much more serious and a classic take on the OK Corral story.

As mentioned in other reviews the plot cuts quickly from one storyline to another. And Wyatt is too good to be true, he is part psychologist, part matchmaker and a lawman.

The Chronicle Mysteries: Helped to Death (2021) Season 1, Episode 5

Similar to previous episodes

[6/10 · 23 April 2021]

This latest episode has a very similar feel and mystery as the previous ones. It introduces a new character at the newspaper and takes the main characters to a health and motivational retreat. The plot moves quickly and keeps you guessing as in past episodes. I would rate it slightly lower but if you like this series you will enjoy this one as well.

The Plunderers (1948)

Passes the time

[5/10 · 9 December 2020]

I watched a hi-def copy of this recently that looked quite good, although the Trucolor process gave it a very bluish look with muted reds and greens. There is a good balance of outdoor scenery with some soundstage work. It certainly doesn't lack for action but the plot doesn't make a lot of sense and just seems to be written to cram in a number of familiar western tropes such as a lynching, Indian attacks, sympathetic outlaw, cavalry rescue, and even the upstanding citizen colluding with the bad guys. For a B western it must have had a decent budget with fair number of actors, extras and various sets. The acting is adequate with a couple of notable western actors in Forrest Tucker and Rod Cameron but no real believable chemistry in the two romantic relationships and the outlaws aren't especially menacing as you'd expect. All in all, it passes the time but isn't particularly memorable.

Taggart (1964)

Bottom Rung B movie

[5/10 · 12 October 2020]

This is a mediocre low budget movie. The acting is OK including Tony Young as the lead but personally I find Dan Duryea really annoying in this one. As mentioned in other reviews there are a few familiar actors from the era. An abundance of stock footage takes away from the continuity and limits some of the action scenes. The plot starts out OK but then becomes somewhat weak and the ending rushed. It has a TV movie feel and definitely is a bottom rung B movie. OK to pass the time but that's all.

Passport to China (1960)

Pedestrian spy movie

[6 April 2020]

Visa to Canton (Passport to China) is a routine and below average spy movie. The opening music sequence is reminiscent of the early Bond movies but that is where the similarities end. Richard Basehart is pulled into an adventure to rescue his 'brother' in communist China, who piloted a plane that had crashed. It is not actually a brother but a friend from a Chinese family who is very close to Basehart and helped him during WW2. After bringing his brother back he is then recruited/coerced into returning and tracking down an agent who has valuable scientific information, which is never explained. The plot is quite pedestrian and none too complicated. He encounters a Russian General who is the main antagonist. The Russian has bad make-up seemingly to look part Asian. He is more cartoonish rather than sinister. Anyway, Basehart's mission is only partly and much too easily accomplished. Nothing very interesting or complex in this plot. I watched an HD copy so the cinematography is colorful and interesting.

The Espadrillo Fortune (2017)

Unusual Movie

[5/10 · 28 September 2019]

It is hard to find any reviews for this movie. It is basically four adventurers searching for a lost Spanish treasure on Sardinia. They are followed by a manipulative antagonist who resorts to threats and violence as they track down the treasure. It is low on action and an unusual movie, with a semi-serious feel. The pacing is unusual with background music and the occasional use of an effect which briefly converts the video into an animation-like image. The ease with which they track down the long lost treasure is sometimes unclear and rather unbelievable.

What it has going for it is mildly pleasant characters, and beautiful scenery presumably filmed in Sardinia. All in all if you want to watch something without investing too much mental energy it is decent as a timewaster.

Across the Great Divide (1976)

Has a Disney-like Feel

[6/10 · 9 September 2019]

Watched this in HD recently and enjoyed it with some reservations. It has the feel of a Disney family movie. There are plenty of adventures in the wilderness with bears, mountain lions, natives and hunters. The acting is good and development of the three main characters is not rushed. The scenery is beautiful and it looked to me like most of it was in the Canadian Rockies.

Another reviewer commented that the ending is rushed and I agree. The whole reason they are heading to Oregon is not concluded, and I guess we are left to assume they were going to achieve their goal. I would rather have seen a couple less mishaps in their journey and a more complete ending.

But all in all it is a decent family, feel good movie.

Robbers' Roost (1955)

OK B Western

[26 July 2019]

This is a decent time waster for western fans. George Montgomery is pretty good and there are a handful of recognizable actors such as Richard Boone, Peter Graves and Leo Gordon. The outdoor scenery is very good, reminding me of Utah without the red colour to the rocks.

My biggest problem with it is the plot and premise which is pretty unbelievable. I have not read the Zane Grey book so don't know how faithful the movie is to it. But I found the whole premise of two competing gangs working for a wealthy rancher and keeping each other in line silly as well as some other aspects.

The final shootout between the gangs is entertaining.

Something for a Lonely Man (1968 TV Movie)

OK, feel good story

[6/10 · 22 October 2018]

This is an OK made for TV western with a number of familiar actors from the 60s, in particular Dan Blocker. He is really likeable and his acting is good. If you're a fan of more traditional westerns this may not be to your liking as there are no shootouts, just some decent fist fights. The antagonists are not particularly intimidating and cannot be taken too seriously. However, if you're looking for a feel good story about perseverance, character and love this one works.

The Yellow Mountain (1954)

Decent B Western

[6/10 · 16 September 2018]

Watched a HDTV copy of it. It is a pretty decent b western with good action. Barker, Powers, Duff and supporting actors are fine. Recommend watching it if you're a fan of westerns.