Change Your Image
alydar21
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
The Jack Benny Program: Jack on Trial for Murder (1961)
THE CASE OF THE GUILTY COMEDIAN!
Yes the year is 2023 and I'm new to The Jack Benny show. After a dozen episodes of enjoyable comedy, this episode is next. Jack goes to court for MURDER! Facing large fines and long jail time, he somehow secures a decent lawyer. What ensues is top tier. I'll stop now and let the reader do their own research.
Jack Benny's comedy was a different brand. He would play a normal guy, then branch off into small eccentricities of behavior that seemed almost normal. Maybe we all have friends that have his same characteristics. I'm sure I do and maybe that is why we can identify with his brand of humor.
Star Trek: Voyager: Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy (1999)
RAVES FOR THE DOCTOR!
Voyager is our favorite Trek series, Picardo is our favorite doctor (or at least tied with McCoy). He continually thrives to improve his own holographic contributions, especially if it aids betterment of the crew and its missions. But he splashes a morass when he tries to conquer the unfamiliar art of daydreaming. This provokes him to explore remarkably unfamiliar territory that we begin to wonder if Starship Voyager will survive because now the crew needs to get involved with his overindulgence.
This episode is special to us and you may treasure it also! It garners our vote for 'best Picardo episode.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty: Pieces of a Man (2022)
TRANSFORMATION
Holy smokes this is fun! Learning Abdul-Jabbar's background, reasons for his way of seeing the world, and witnessing his transformation, had me rapt. It may be embellished, but it's a history lesson that is alive and breathing.
Edge of Doom (1950)
Who was actress that played funeral home receptionist?
At funeral home, we learn that death has only monetary value to many. And I froze when Martin darts to that basement, wondering if this could be a horror film. Who knows what could be down there? Then Martin returns home to prove his mother's death. I knew I'd be shocked when he walked through the door.
Detective played by Brian Keith cares not about religion or death, he just wants facts. Liked his part as I did the dark cinematography.
Godfather of Harlem: The Geechee (2021)
Twist and Shout!
Enter Michael Rispoli whom adds plenty here. Had to do a search to remember where I saw him before. And he was Grandma in the movie "Rounders". Like it when the director frames scenes to keep us guess what might happen. Example: Malcolm and wife talking in front of their big window during daylight with shades drawn. But when scenes are in the main den of the Gigante mob, we know that something unexpected may be afoot.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Lonely Place (1964)
Dern, Wright, Buttram
No waste of words in this episode. Everything built to a climax that we nearly couldn't watch. Horror cinema at its delicate finest.
Vintage movies present Teresa Wright mostly as an innocent youngster. And it starts similarly here. Bruce Dern showing acting chops and big dingy choppers as he eats and...
Pat Buttram cannot be ignored here. Interestingly, he performs in two of my favorite episodes in this series. The other being "The Jar", which is a must watch.
But "The Jar" is fantasy, this episode could be non fiction.
Suspicion: Doomsday (1957)
Duryea
Always a fan of Duryea, from "The Little Foxes" to Twilight Zone. Detailed search brought me to this story. Found it on website dailymotion.
His criminal persona here suggests that as mastermind thief he shows compassion while planning and executing his jobs - almost to the end. I'll let you view for yourself. Maybe you will root for the criminal, as I did.
Have Gun - Will Travel: The Vigil (1961)
The Vigil
To me, this is a vigil on how guilty men use spoken words to twist truth. In doing so, they hope to convince the meek and naive of their innocence.
George Kennedy's character does all he can to obfuscate his crime. Paladin sees through his lies. A bystander is convinced that one of them is correct.
Have Gun - Will Travel: Brother's Keeper (1961)
Chess Match
Episode proves the value of good writing. First scene shows Paladin in an imaginary chess match. After his study of battle tactics of Hannibal and Napoleon, he recreates the chess games these two unseen opponents may have played against each other.
Fast forward to a different unseen opponent, a puma that attacks Paladin. He survives only because he shot it, fed on its meat and warmed himself with it's pelt. This information isn't disclosed until much later.
Then a 3rd encounter with unseen opponents happens. As he lay near death, he is robbed by two faceless men. They take his horse, gun, cash and food while making excuses why they cannot help this dying man.
But Paladin does survive and he struggles his way on foot into a western town. He uses his own chess tactics in an attempt to regain his possessions. The ending explains all and is well scripted.
I was so impressed by the care taken in presenting just another 1950s-60s western series show. Don't miss this chess match!
Hunters of the Deep (1954)
1050's ocean exploration
Held my attention for the hour as an historical documentary. I tried to imagine what it may have been like in 1954 to be sitting with my family, with all of us crunched around our luxury tv set and viewing undersea wonders. The logistics of weighted belts, heavy air tanks with their limited breathing time were emphasized as divers explored, gathered new species, and defended themselves against predators.
Pawnography (2014)
How low can they go?
Are you kidding me? Do these guys need to suck every penny they can from their fame before petering out? We all know that you are multi - millionaires already. Viewers have followed your family through several successful seasons and enjoyed the various parade of 'experts' brought in to enhance our interest in your field of endeavor.
Always thought Corey was the worst and most disrespectful member of this cast, but his dad Rick, comes across as a sincere lowlife when he raises his arms after answering a question correctly.
My respect for this family has dropped to zero after watching this atrocious drivel. Thank goodness the 'old man' didn't participate.
If this was the only show on TV, I would check myself into Hospice and beg for a quick end.
711 Ocean Drive (1950)
Rooting for the bad guy
Yes, I was heavily rooting for O'Brien to prevail in this flick. The cops seemed to get too much out of the smallest bits of info in taking him down.
The crappy preach at the ending, and the inevitability that O'Brien wold be foiled spoiled it somewhat. And it was much too long to get to the predictable conclusion.
But Dorothy Patrick as Trudy was a nice plus! O'Brien's aide, "Chippie" was good as his reliable 2nd man. Constant visible Cash profits from vigorish helped the realism.
Also enjoy the gambling lingo. This is year 2013 and I believe 'past posting' is still prevalent today!
Dragnet 1967: The LSD Story (1967)
LS Delirious
Too bad the Harry Morgan died with this show on his resume. I guess that "High Noon, All My Sons and Inherit The Wind" weren't good enough.
Show was almost fun to watch, but it was soooo stupid. It's a shame that the public believed the silly drivel of non-facts told in this episode.
Characters in program are having fun listening to music etc...but you can't have any fun on Dragnet. If you are, it must be against the law.
It was badly dated and irrevocably ignorant, but that was what this entire show was about - most of the time. And it is told to us in such a serious tone, that I couldn't stop snickering at this comic misrepresentation of LSD.
The Rifleman: Gunfire (1962)
One of the better episodes
This is about as deep a plot as the series has. Almost 'High Noon esque' as one volunteer deputy asks to be excused from the inevitable gunfight due to family. Another deputy boozes at the saloon between news.
Also, Micah is mentally broken down after days of Gordo's verbal poundings. He shows anguish and is sweating. he is scared and shows it. Lon Chaney as Gordo, lays it on thick from behind bars.
Of course Lucas saves the day feigning death in the dirty night street.
And the episode lives up to its title 'gunfire'. A dervish of blistering ammo fire rings out at climax.
This average plot certainly is viewable if you want more more than simple 'western gun justice' in your 30 minute diet of 50's western morality. Actually makes you think.
The Andy Griffith Show: Andy Discovers America (1963)
Paul Revere
The viewers can see and hear what a superb storyteller Andy Griffith was here. His story about Paul Revere and his horse Nellie is dramatic and gripping. I had to give this episode a rating of 10 simply from that tale alone.
And his using of reverse psychology to set up that story so he could make up for his earlier goof-up, very well written and performed. Barney added his usual naive flare in the backgound and his "emancipation proclamation" skit in the first scene of the show. Fine comedy it was!
Thanks Andy for telling us all about the "shot heard around the world". I think I even learned something from this episode - and it wasn't entirely about history. Life lessons count also.
Fantastic Voyage (1966)
White Blood Cells
Apparently the Proteus and Donald Pleasence are destroyed by the envelopement of white blood cells before the 60 minute time frame expires. Good way to tie up loose ends at the finale. Solves the deminaturization problem.
Moving flick for a 6 yr old at the movie theater in 1966! Widescreen mesmerizes nicely. Is this on DVD? Think I'll add this to my collection.
High ratings here, if only because it takes me back to childhood. Good for youngsters to learn a bit about the human circulatory system, laser beams, and above all - fortitude in the face of disaster.
I still hate hypodermic needles!
Jonny Quest (1964)
I fall asleep at night...
Knowing that Dr. Quest and Race Bannon are saving the world from atrocities that would certainly destroy us all, and way ahead of its time also. Computers, jet-packs, laser beams, nerve gas, world travels better than the "Wide World of Sports"...fantastic!
And the music makes my eyes water with reminiscence of my childhood.
Race Bannon was my childhood hero, bar none. People look at me strangely when I say that. No one else could "outjudo" Sumi as Dr. Ashida shouts, "KILL HIM! KILL HIM!" Blood curdling.
No wonder I have grown to prefer Drama movies! And I think I'll have the DVD's played at my funeral.
In This Our Life (1942)
whew! The sweat was rolling!
After 5 minutes I almost rewound this film to decline the viewing. Boy am I glad I hung on - for dear life!
Everyone else can badly criticize Davis for her ranting, but I enjoyed it! She gets crazier and more wicked as the movie progresses. Her eyes simply tell so much and I like the way she danced to her expensive victrola records - usually with her back turned to whomever was yelling at her.
I need another viewing to lower my blood pressure!
Bull Durham (1988)
Pish posh
Best baseball movie ever? What a laugh! Can't take this movie seriously at all. Kostner always acts the same no matter what acting roll he assumes. No versatility Kevin, sorry!
Sarandon is too old, and Robbins is too young. The best acting is performed by the old dancer in the movie beginning. After that, predictability and boredom take over..asleep yet?
Meet the Parents (2000)
Yuk Yuk
Pretty stupid and unbelievable cinema. Deniro lowered his personal rating on this one. Did he need the cash this bad? Slapstickish comedy scenes - about the painted, lost cat and the burning sculpture just too contrived...and cliched.
Watching Gomer Pyle is funnier.
The Story of Seabiscuit (1949)
Read the book, see the movie.
Had to see the movie after reading the wonderful bestseller about Seabiscuit. Supposedly uses the real footage of the match race between War Admiral and Seabiscuit. Acting aside, the historic race alone is worth viewing the movie.
The Kentuckian (1955)
For Burt Fans, Isn't everyone?
Lancaster's only directing role. A decent western with a twist or two, especially at the ending showdown, which features 10 dramatic seconds of feat that only Lancaster could make suspenseful.
How does a man defeat an armed enemy while standing opposite a 40 yard wide stream, and with no gun? The daring Lancaster meets this challenge with a surprising, brash dash. Check it out.
Brute Force (1947)
Check the attempted breakout!
Ok, ok, I will give away a tad bit of the ending here, but not much. This movie builds decently towards the eventual climactic ending. But wow, what an ending!
Rewind and check the camera shot of Burt giving the go-ahead to begin the escape, and see Jeff Corey (the fink) tied to the front of the tram (and thus first to take the machine gun bullets).
Also don't miss the smoke that comes out the back of Jeff Corey's shirt as he is riddled with those bullets. And it takes a quick eye to catch the guard's shotgun blast actually pierce part of the iron cell bar as he kills Duff from above. How about the bleeding bullet hole in Burt's back as he fights with his new warden? And the strength he shows when tossing him off the tower. The small stuff helps the realism of this oldie!
Burt, you were so cool! I wish you had accepted the Ben Hur and Patton role you were offered!