Change Your Image
tobers
Reviews
Cabin in the Sky (1943)
A faith-based film.
It has taken me 58 years to finally see this film. It was produced at a time when racial segregation was in full flower in this country and, therefore, had to be an all-black film. This dates the movie, but shows how far the U. S. has come as regards race relations. Based on the stage play of the same name, it was hoped that with the success of this picture, the wall for black actors and actresses would fall. It didn't. "Stormy Weather" followed it with another all-black cast, but that was it except for the exceptional "Porgy and Bess". Ethel Waters returned to being cast in stereotypical fashion as a maid, and Lena Horne made several films in parts which could be cut out so that the film could be shown in areas if the country which still practised segregation.
I was disappointed with the film primarily because of the acting and singing. I also feel one has to be very faith-oriented to enjoy this type of picture; I am not. The songs themselves were wonderful and many have become classics. I would recommend this film only because it shows the tremendous progress that has been made in the United States as regards race relations and integration. In other words, it is now an historical film which can be shown for purposes of teaching tolerance.
The Birdcage (1996)
Very, very slow.
I had the opportunity to see the play (under another title)in both New York and in Los Angeles. Compared to the play, this movie is very slow and very drawn out. Much of the musical side of the play is gone and the comedy doesn't measure up. Considering that the Director was Mike Nichols, it should have been far superior to what was actually filmed. On the bright side, it was good for a change to see Robin Williams less than frantic.
Circle of Friends (1995)
An exceptional film.
Minnie Driver, amongst the entire cast, is excellent and certainly shows great promise as an actress. She should get more impressive roles as she gathers experience and years. The other cast members are all very good and very realistic. In this particular case, the writer of the original book deserves most of the credit for a good story and a look into the workings of the Church in Ireland.
Big Jim McLain (1952)
Dreadful!
An HUAC (House UnAmerican Activities Committee) propaganda film at its worst. How John Wayne could persist in claiming that the HUAC was good for the country is beyond my comprehension. It is even worse that he stated publicly that he was "delighted" that this film probably brought on the scandalous McCarthy hearings of the 1950s which, in many cases, ruined the careers of many leading Hollywood personalities of the period.