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Reviews
Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You (2020)
A waste of time
I watched this on Apple TV. It was free so thankfully I didn't waste my money on it. I get what Bruce was trying to do and say in these songs, but they're really not that good in the way they were recorded. He's written and recorded better ones and these would have been more memorable if they weren't so cluttered with an E-Street wall of sound. A trimmed down sound backed by a simple band (more acoustically) would have helped quite a bit in my opinion. Less is more as they say? His comments between songs seemed to show that he thinks quite highly of himself and I suppose accomplishment does that to those with a high ego. All in all a waste of time for me, but at least it was free. Just sayin'...
The Irishman (2019)
Worth watching
With an all-star cast how could you not enjoy this? Excellent movie, but how much of it is actually factual and true, who knows? After all this is Hollywood's version of events. I'd recommend this movie even if it is a bit long. Enjoy.
The Duel (2016)
Too slow
Top notch actors and acting, but the story as a whole was too slow and boring and I had difficulty watching it all the way through. I found myself skipping through this in order for it to hurry and end. I wish I could give it a higher rating, but I just can't see how.
Wheat and Tares (2012)
Worth Watching
Sadly, it's misguided false prophets and people like this (Harold Camping and his deceived followers) that discredit Christianity and reinforce an unbeliever's skepticism that all of Christianity is a mythical hoax and full of silliness. This movie is worth watching as a warning to those who distort the truth of the Bible, the example here being that Jesus said only His Father in Heaven knows when the end times will happen and that it's not given to man to know. I wonder how Harold Camping overlooked that bit of Scripture?
Hell's Kitchen (2005)
Fun to watch
I did my homework and research on Hell's Kitchen and most of it was as I expected, mostly staged with added drama and conflict to keep the viewer's attention. First of all I watched a number of episodes from various seasons on Amazon Prime (they have all of the seasons and episodes) and all of it looks somewhat legit. After doing some behind-the-scenes investigation via youtube and various articles that I googled I was surprised to find out that Gordon Ramsay is actually a pretty nice guy (off camera) and that his flash temper and outbursts of insanity are primarily staged and a bit scripted. Like all reality shows, the producers know that high reality drama works the best and that's what keeps the ratings high and so that's what they strive for. What did surprise me was that some of the chefs are not chefs at all, but actors. Some real chefs with some actors thrown in creates the mix that makes for good television. After all, this IS a television show with all the hoopla, glitz and tricks needed to keep viewers glued to their TV's. As for the customers (the diners), they're all friends and families of the producers, etc. plus tables full of extras and minor actors hired to make the restaurant look full and it's the extras (actors) who do the complaining to Chef Ramsay if their meals aren't exactly up to standards (under cooked, over cooked, late service, yadda, yadda, yadda). Whenever a customer complains to Ramsay he always lets them have an earful of insults sprinkled with a rich vocabulary of f-bombs and other choice words, etc. (scripted and staged). Speaking of f-bombs, the word is used quite extensively by both Ramsay and the contestants. The grand finale prize is real from what I've read and it's the opportunity for the winner to be an executive chef at an upscale restaurant. By this point the actors have all been eliminated and the final contestants are real chef-wannabe's. The show appears to be quite convincing, but if you pay attention (and also do a little research) you'll see that it's still just good TV full of drama, an unreal reality show.
Night Job (2017)
Very Boring
Filmed in black and white. Boring. Uneventful. No plot. Poor acting. No humor. And that's the positive side of this film. Don't waste your time on this one. I imagine you'd enjoy watching paint dry more than watching this. To be honest with you, about half way through I had to turn it off and move on. I kept waiting for something to happen to keep me watching, but there was nothing. Nothing at all. Just people talking with the doorman. Again, don't waste your time.
Patterns (1956)
This one's a keeper!
WOW! A brilliantly written script wrapped around brilliant acting. This movie was made in 1956 and the Hollywood fluff of today could learn a few things by watching this. I won't go into the details or specifics of what the movie's about, that's for you to watch and find out, but I'm sure you'll agree after watching this that they just don't make movies like they used to. Hats off to everyone involved. What a shame that Hollywood has lost the ability to produce anything of this quality.
Funny Money (2006)
Too silly to be funny
Chevy Chase was his normal self and there were some humerous bits in the movie, but all in all I found the movie to be boring and not very funny at all. If you like Chevy then I guess its ok, but he's made better movies.
Dirty Work (1998)
Very juvenile and unfunny
I don't know why I''m even writing this review. First, I couldn't finish watching the movie all the way through for it being such a dumb movie. Maybe some ten year old might enjoy it, but even at that he'd have to be dimwitted to see any real humor in it. Second, don't waste your time. Even though there's some recognizable names in this fiasco, I can only imagine that they needed the money to even participate in this. Not worth it. Dumb. Boring. Not funny. Move on to something that's funny.
Trust Me (2007)
Fit for the family
This was an entertaining movie fit for the family to watch. I don't recall or remember any profanity and there was no violence or sexual innuendos either except for one incident which lasted about two seconds at the very end of the movie and why they put that in I have no idea. It added nothing to the movie. Enn Reitel who plays Joe is the one who makes the movie work. I won't spoil it for you by explaining so if you're looking for a movie that the whole family can enjoy I'd recommend this. However, the movie would go over the heads of smaller children, but maybe from age ten and up it would be appropriate. Enjoy.
American Chain Gang (1999)
Boring with the same old pros and cons concerning prison punishment
This is suppose to be a documentary on the reinstating of prison chain gangs. The interviews with prison officials and guards is good, however there's too much complaining by prisoners who hate the chains which is also included in this. The liberal side of the movie seems to indicate that the chains are barbaric and inhumane when in fact the chains are mostly applied to hardened repeat offenders, escape risks, and those who constantly violate prison rules and policies. As it so often goes, the prisoners interviewed here blame society for their crimes (no jobs, lack of education, poverty, etc., etc., etc.) as opposed to taking responsibility for their own choices in life. Maybe those with the anti- social behavior patterns need to see this movie in order to see that prison is no playground and that its primary purpose is punishment and a consequence to bad choices and not meant to be some rehabilitation center. Rehabilitation is a personal choice and not a prison responsibility so maybe chains are the way to go in an effort to show that prison isn't a fun place to be especially if one doesn't follow the rules. Bottom line? If one can't do the time then don't do the crime and this movie shows some of the consequences of those who still choose to do the crime.
Ricky Nelson: Original Teen Idol (1999)
Very Good
Having grown up watching all of the "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" on the one and only b&w television that our family owned, the best episodes by far were the ones where Ricky was singing. This movie brought back those memories and it was interesting to see some of the behind the scenes things that went on and how Ricky's musical began and developed. Ozzie with his total control over the program along with his control over Ricky were the things we never knew about while watching the shows. A very good portrayal of all involved in the family by the actors in this movie and I'd recommend this to anyone who grew up with that show playing in their living rooms. It was tragic how Ricky's life ended and his fans remember it well. Thumps up to all involved. Great movie.
Art Bastard (2016)
Interesting
From the point of view of myself also being an artist, this is an interesting documentary on the artist Robert Cenedell. We get an intimate and inside look at him and his art, his thoughts, philosophies, life and influences along with explanations by him on some of his paintings. He calls himself a contemporary artist, which he is, although he could also be considered an outside artist. The documentary was well done except for the annoying background music and obnoxious sounds which was splattered throughout the documentary. It was loud, too loud, and one has to really strain to hear what Cenedell is saying at certain points. One example was him on a train talking and the rumble of train noise coupled with background music made it almost impossible to understand what he was saying. There was no point in that and this was done throughout the documentary and it took more away from what could have been really good instead of adding anything to it. With that said, if you can bear the loud distractions this is worth watching. If you're an artist then even more so. Had it not been for the annoyance of the background music I would have rated this with more stars.
I Am Comic (2010)
Worth watching
Hosted by Ritch Shydner, this is an insightful behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to be a stand up comedian. From the highs and successes to the lows and failures, this movie gives the viewer an honest peek at what all is involved in being a performing comic. Apparently only a handful of comics can make a decent living at it, but the ones who do rise to the top can "laugh" their way to the bank. There's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than we're normally privy to and this movie exposes it all. For any aspiring comic who wants to choose this as a career, this is a must see.
WARNING: Lots and lots of foul language (the UNfunny part of the movie. It's not necessary)
Just Crazy Enough (2012)
A good clean family movie
This wasn't for me and I couldn't find much humor in it, but for a family with children this might be entertaining. The movie is clean, no foul language and no nudity, all of it safe for children to watch. Actually Chris Kattan's acting was better than I had expected considering that I've only seen him on SNL. I think children would enjoy this one and although I do support clean family movies, this one was a bit too juvinile for my tastes.
Man Overboard (2008)
Good
This was a good movie with some great characters. Although it was a good one I thought the ending was a little weak as I was expecting more to happen to the main con man for all the wrong that he did. Boat salesmen and car salesmen are all about the same in the way they trick and twist your arm into buying and it was well played out in this movie.
Paul McCartney Really Is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison (2010)
Not worth watching
Horrible and awful. And those are the kind words. Don't waste your time on this one. I watched this after watching Joel Gilbert's "Elvis Found Alive" which was somewhat entertaining (not really), but Gilbert went way too far in making up the myth of McCartney's death. Harrison's accent in this movie was laughable and I'm surprised there wasn't a lawsuit from his estate on how George was used in order to line Gilbert's pockets with a few extra bucks. Again, don't waste your time.
Cannes Man (1996)
Entertaining
An entertaining movie with a surprise ending. There's not much of a plot to the movie, but it's one of those that you watch and just follow along. The cameos from Cannes were good and fun to watch and Semour Cassel was brilliant. I'm not going to spoil it for you, but keep in mind that Cannes = Cons and Cassel was the best at being a true Cannes man!