barryrd's reviews

To say this movie is a nail-biter is putting it mildly. It is extremely well constructed with the gut-wrenching agony of a group of military technicians handling long-range equipment that enables them to zoom in on the target, the people in the streets, and the hideout of the terrorists. They are doing their utmost to avoid any civilian casualties in a location occupied by dangerous terrorists. Several times their superiors agree to wait and time is running out on an opportune moment to hit the terrorists. The problem is the presence of a child selling her mother's homemade bread. Permission to detonate comes from the highest levels of the military and finally from the British prime minister. Unlike their overlords, they are the ones who, in the final analysis, must carry out the command and live with the consequences. This movie is agonizing for the viewing audience. Helen Mirren and Allen Rickman deliver top notch performances.

Burt Lancaster delivers a powerful but sad portrait of a man living his life through an imagination of what he once was. Life has taken an unwanted turn and he cannot admit that he has become a hollow image of his former self. His journey consists of taking a swim in the backyard pools of neighbours in a well heeled suburban setting. When the movie was made in the 1960's, pools were token of luxury and success. So he seems to be taking part in a mirage of material bliss. Burt Lancaster also directed this brilliant film in a decade when many people were taking a serious look at the hallmarks of success in American life.

Zero Day is a superb political thriller that I took in on a single day. The whole movie is a super-charged political drama in which Robert DeNiro plays an ex-President of the USA hired to get to the truth behind a vast political network. The Washington political elite is enmeshed and as a former insider, he seems to be in a no-win struggle. Joan Allen as his wife and former First Lady and his son are his main allies. It plays out as a very rocky ride complicated by his own political and family ties that could torpedo his mission. It is a tale of blood, sweat and tears as he attempts to salvage his honor and uncover the truth. DeNiro delivers a fist rate performance.

What is fascinating about this traveltalk documentary on London is that it was filmed only a year following the end of World War II when this magnificent city suffered severe damage from wartime bombing. Amazingly, many of the landmarks are still standing. We see St. Paul's Cathedral, a 300 year old domed edifice and architectural marvel that survived but now surrounded by rubble from the wartime devastation. Nearby is the Tower of London, another ancient landmark still standing. Piccadilly Circus, a draw for many tourists as well as Londoners remains intact. Buckingham Palace (London residence of the Royal Family), Trafalgar Sguare, Marble Arch are all still there. London is a beautiful world city for its people and the many tourists who come to visit. It is also something of a vibrant museum that has been fortunate to keep its built heritage as a vast treasure.

I had viewed the movie The Servant by director Joseph Losey years ago and found it well acted and an honest insight into human behaviour so I couldn't pass up this movie by the same director when it appeared on TCM. The movie has a fine cast with the two exceptional leads - Michael Redgrave and Leo McKern. The young Alec McCowen, as Redgrave's son on death row, and the elegant Peter Cushing as the lawyer were for me two recognizable figures from the remaining cast. This movie shows the trauma of a flawed but loving father for his son, as he fights to save him from the death penalty. His instincts are right as he fights his own demons and his nemesis played by Leo McKern. Glad I took the time to see this old gem of a movie.

I saw this movie on PBS when it first came out in the early 1990's. Recently I saw it again on Britbox. I remember it as a great drama and it still is. The movie shows the great detective work that goes into nabbing the "prime suspect" in a rape/murder case.

The background story shows a group of policemen who can't get their head around the idea of a woman in charge of the investigation. Helen Mirren is brilliant as that character who shows the toll it takes and how tough she is standing up to the antagonism and jibes from the men. Despite the opposition, Mirren portrays a woman of steel who can get the best from her team, including her loyal assistant who works alongside her.

The prime suspect is smart and eludes the police at every turn. Who is this man? They are on his trail but can never nab him and doubts continually arise. Is he the one?

The cast is first-rate and there is a strong focus on the personal lives of the main characters. The movie I saw was in two parts, each the average length of movie. I had no trouble staying with it and it was well worth the time.

I watched this movie on TCM and thoroughly enjoyed it. I grew up in the 1960's and can appreciate the conflict between the status quo and the winds of change. Richard Burton was caught in this dilemma after meeting Elizabeth Taylor, a free spirit who rebelled against the established order. She sensed the need to live her life free from the constraints of conventional standards. Thus she home schooled her own child and lived outside the nearby town where she was seen as a non-conformist. Once she met and became acquainted with Burton, she realized that he was open to different views, even if he didn't share them. Burton was the headmaster of an Episcopal school which her son was ordered to attend by a local court order. Although he was home schooled, the boy was no slouch and could recite the Canterbury Tales in old English; he adjusted very well to his new environment. Burton and Taylor became fond of one another and if anything, showed the power of opposites attracting. Just as the 1960's represented conflict between different standards and viewpoints, we see the main characters articulating and arguing over different ideas. However, their friendship allowed them to mature in their relationship. Other Hollywood acting talents appear, including Eva Marie Saint as Burton's wife and Charles Bronson, a close friend of Taylor and a leader of the hippie style crowd that Taylor kept company with. The movie does present some clear conflict for two people on opposite sides of the town's social divide. Having visited the San Francisco Bay Area last year, I was able to enjoy some of the familiar scenery along the coastal shores, that are so well photographed. I don't hesitate to give this movie some high praise for the photography, story and acting talent on display.

I did enjoy the acting, beautiful location shooting, and laid-back story in which Helena Bonham Carter, as Lucy Honeycutt, must choose between a conventional marriage with a bookish and very innocent Daniel Day Lewis or a genuine love match with a parson's son, George, played by Julian Sands. During a trip to Florence, she checks into a lodging with her chaperone played by Maggie Smith, where they are able to get their "room with a view", thanks to another tourist abroad, played by Denholm Eliot, father of George - the true romantic interest. It is there in Florence that the rivalry between the two suitors comes to the fore. The chaperone (Maggie Smith) has a total distaste for anything that defies the standards of the Victorian aristocracy. By her standards, marrying for love is not considered a realistic option. One must consider maintaining your position in society rather than risk disaster by marrying for love. The lush, green landscapes and ponds of Florence supply a lovely setting for the story.

I caught this movie on TCM with its gold mine of old movies. It was a superb portrait of a young man and his strong appetite for women and politics (with a few brews along the way). Rod Taylor delivers a great performance in what seemed like an unlikely role for this mid-century, American leading man, surrounded by a strong cast of British/Irish stage and screen actors. The story showed a man of character, great idealism and drive surrounded by his family and friends. His main love interest is Maggie Smith who was excellent in one of her early roles. The movie sparkles with great acting talent ranging from Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans to Flora Robson and Richard Attenborough, who played Taylor's mother and brother. The Irish countryside was well shown in this John Ford epic. I was pleasantly surprised to find this movie, which I had never heard of beforehand. To me it is a fine cinematic tribute the dream of Irish nationhood.

Watching this 2024 Christmas concert with Andre Rieu was total joy, with a healthy dose of comedy and emotion. The entertainment was electrifying and the response to the music, singing and dancing was overwhelming as shown in the cutaways to the audience. The music of Adeste Fideles and the Ave Maria brought on tears that welled up early in the show and continued for the duration. Why this strong response to a Christmas concert? It seems that Andre Rieu is a talent who can put together a production that touches the core of people's experience. Most of the audience was older but there were men and women and couples of all ages who were sharing their love of music and tradition and having great fun. This show is a Christmas classic.

I watched this show on Britbox and thoroughly enjoyed it. Rupert Penry-Jones is excellent as the "new age male" detective. A striking contrast with the veteran detective played by Phil Davis, the two manage to work the beat as an effective team. Davis manages to adjust to Penry-Jones quirky habits - applying facial creams and massaging his temples. The guy is tenacious and follows his instincts, which sometimes backfire, but he gets results. Steve Pemberton is another quirky character who becomes part of the team and uses his street smarts to aid the investigations. It is a stretch for a detective drama but the story works well as an entertaining mystery.

I was fortunate to catch this 1980 movie on TCM, which featured George C. Scott in a short but pivotal role as the head of a military academy. Scott had the persona to perform in a leadership role where he earned the loyalty of young men strongly dedicated to a military career. Scott departed with a sudden and shocking announcement that broke his heart; the school was going to be closed. The young men decide to take action against the military authorities. There was a powerful performance by Tim Hutton as the leader of the young recruits in their standoff, which saw them occupy the school in defiance. This was early in Hutton's career, shortly after his performance in Ordinary People. His convincing leadership kept the recruits from abandoning the campus despite the army's advance outside the grounds of the academy. Sean Penn and Tom Cruise were featured alongside Hutton. Cruise was particularly strong in his fiery role, quite different than his later romantic roles. Very glad I was able to catch this great movie.

I have to admit I'm not a fan of this type of movie. It is slow, overly dramatic and totally predictable. Perhaps a 1942 audience would appreciate the lavish costumes, the perfect diction and acting, and a heroine who is the object of a vile persecution by a tyrannical husband. The movie was technically remastered so the 80 year old b/w film-making is of flawless quality. Charles Boyer is the villain and Joesph Cotten, the knight in shining armour, out to rescue the damsel in distress. Ingrid Bergman was superb and won an Oscar for her performance. I did enjoy the performance of Dame May Whitty, the nosey neighbour who suspected a secretive story behind closed doors. Considered a great movie in its day but not my cup of tea.

The death of a pope and the subsequent election of a new one is an event that the Catholic world follows with great interest. As a period of mourning for the deceased pope is observed, the suspense builds and a worldwide audience learns the names and nationalities of the main contenders. This movie shows the protocols that follow the death of a pope and takes the viewer inside the walls of the Vatican as we see the various contenders. Ralph Fiennes is superb as Cardinal Lawrence, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, the church prelate who organizes and manages the conclave. Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini is the liberal favourite while Sergio Castellito is Cardinal Tedesco, the conservative alternative. Other contenders rise and fall. There is tension and infighting that highlights the rivalry because the stakes are so high. The outside world never knows what form the discussions take or the possible conflicts because the process is highly secretive. This movie lends drama to what could happen during the course of the conclave. Some conclaves are over in a short period of time; others take longer to play out. In this movie, the voting reaches a stalemate followed by a surprise and then another. We see how the Vatican and the world are not at odds but are interwoven. As an observer of these conclaves, I was drawn to the character of Cardinal Lawrence and how he had to navigate the challenges and limitations of his role. A fine movie and a great performance by Ralph Fiennes. The ending seems a pleasant surprise and is followed by another surprise that is just a step too far and detracts from an otherwise great drama.

This movie by director Roman Polanski has a very good cast, a certain realism of the 1960's and some fine street photography in New York City. I like the two main characters, with John Cassevetes and Mia Farrow as a young, romantic couple; Ruth Gordon was very entertaining as the snoopy, older tenant in the nearby apartment. However that's about all the praise I can muster for this film. I am even more disappointed because I read and enjoyed the book by Ira Levin. Very little of that enjoyment transmitted to the screen version. The film was shown on AMC and wasn't helped by lengthy and frequent commercial interruptions. The horror didn't register on the fright meter for me. Just ridiculously phoney. I'm totally surprised by the number positive reviews it actually gets.

This movie from the 1940's wouldn't strike modern moviegoers as much of a treat at first glance. I accidentally found myself watching it on TCM and was riveted to the screen. The rear projection during the drive across the USA always struck me a very dated feature in movies but it held my attention during the Tom Neal dialogue. Ann Savage added a dose of drama as the female interest who caught his eye while hitchhiking. It took little time for her to think of ways to get hold of some of the cash. Savage plays a hard-nosed schemer as she shows during the car conversation. The movie was a first rate black/white story in which Neal kept making life worse for himself despite the best of intentions. I would recommend seasoned movie goers see this as an entertaining and watchable piece of movie history.

When I tuned in to watch this Joan Crawford movie on TCM, I had no idea what I was in for. The movie drew me in at the start with the unlikely romance between an eligible young man and a middle-aged producer, Joan Crawford. Jack Palance, as the male lead, appears romantically attached to Crawford, who soon is head over heels with this guy. Before long, the tide turns and we find Crawford delving into the motives of the man she fell for. The story delivers a knuckle biter as Crawford and Palance, along with his girlfriend, become involved in a brilliant cat and mouse drama. I've never seen a more stunning portrayal of a woman scorned as Crawford makes her moves. Light and shadows are used to great effect as the two try to cover their tracks. It is a real film noir gem. It has the feel of the 1950's with the Hayes Code keeping a proper lid on the romantic elements. Joan Crawford is an acting talent who can deliver a range of emotions and uses them to full effect. Well worth viewing.

John King is a top notch journalist who has excellent insight into U. S. politics. I always enjoyed the charts and graphs that he presented and analysed for the viewers. This reference material has become a regular and welcome feature of CNN. These often tell us what Americans are thinking, whether on the left or right. I never detected any particular bias in his reporting and interpretation of the political landscape. CNN has a great asset in this broadcaster. As a Canadian, who happens to be a political junkie, I feel that programs like Inside Politics and other programs from CNN have given me a wealth of information. I find it unfortunate so many reviews that I read on IMDB are so negative about the US media. Often, the negative reviewers have only one review. They have no interest in anything more than attacking the media. I am very concerned about this trend and the unsubstantiated attacks on the work of conscientious journalists to present and interpret the news everyday.

I was glued to Britbox watching the first season of this highly enjoyable show. This great drama consisted of several episodes and showed how a young woman, who lost her mother as a child, struggled valiantly to find out the truth of her mother's death. The story had me transfixed to my screen and highlighted the science of forensics which is such a fascinating part of solving crimes in the 21st century. There are several fine performances by a number of well-known actors, in a variety of roles. Dogged determination, research and science was well portrayed. A love match between the young woman and her conflicted boyfriend was another key element in the story. I would recommend this show for anyone with several hours available to view this top notch entertainment.

I often tune in to this show to get friendly, intelligent and timely information and analysis on the stock market in Canada and the USA. Not sure what it offers on weekends because I like to follow what is happening on any given weekday, when the markets are open. The guests are generally very well informed and credible. Larry Berrman, Gordon Reid, Christine Poole and John Zechner, among others, are very well informed, and appear comfortable talking to average investors. Other guests appear on the show to take question from listeners.

The US counterpart on CNBC is racier, louder and more controversial. I don't tune in regularly but it isn't exactly my cup of tea and not designed for most Canadian investors. Serious Investors, whether in the US or Canada, want unbiased information and a serious approach. Think Warren Buffett.

I don't think too many Canadians get involved in personal investing. Maybe too conservative for what some might consider too erratic or complex. However, I think we need a more balanced view of "playing the market". It is a learning curve and requires patience but the rewards can be substantial.

In this show, we see some well known personalities like Sebastian Coe, William Roache and Richard Grant react to the characters in this ground-breaking telecast. It is truly heart warming to see how they interpret and relate to the observations and lives of the characters in the series of telecasts, filmed every seven years in the lives of the participants. There was laughter and tears and human interest as they listened to them and saw their progression through life. Sebastian Coe said he was able to compete successfully and go on to become an Olympic gold medalist and could understand how the young man who aspired to be a jockey would feel when his efforts fell short. There, but for the grace of God go I. There was happiness for the young man who never knew his father and had five children when he was still in his twenties and went on to become a grandfather to many more. There was sadness for another who was very spontaneous at seven but seemed to lose his moorings as he grew older, to the point of being homeless and living on the street. Yet, when he was well into middle age he was applauded by William Roche of Coronation Street when he became a councillor fighting for the downtrodden and later a minister. Richard Grant wiped tears from his eyes as one visited the grave of his mother, the type of sorrow we all face at some point. I think they reacted as many of us would react with joy, regret and great understanding for the ups and downs we all face in our own lives. There were fewer women than men in the series so they were not given the same amount of air time in the original and later shows. This failing became more apparent over a period of time. There were criticisms of the questions posed to the girls/women by the director Michael Apted, who recently died and may have addressed this criticism if he had lived longer. Nevertheless, he did leave a great legacy, whether the series continues or not. This series gives visual and verbal evidence of what happens to us over the course of our lives and as such, constituted a great series of documentaries on the human condition.

I enjoy the Peter James books so I was glad to tune in for this superb television series set in the coastal town of Brighton. John Simm plays Detective Grace with his laid back and unassuming personality. Despite years of living alone after the disappearance of his beloved Sandy, he channels his professional instincts to hunt down some very nasty criminals in this seemingly sedate seaside town. A down to earth guy, he will persist in getting the job done despite his by the book boss who is more concerned with being mocked by the press than nabbing criminals. John Simm fits the mold as the dogged Detective Grace, who goes against the grain as a modest guy who gets results.

This convention took place amid one of the most fascinating Presidential election years I can remember and I remember them going back to 1968, which was a year marked by riots, political assassination and a growing civil rights movement.

The 2024 election year has been calm by comparison but by no less eventful.

The Democrats met following the nomination of Donald Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021 and has been one of the most divisive politicians in American history.

Following a debate with Trump, one term President Biden decided not to run for reelection because the fallout from the debate with Trump had delivered a fatal blow. Biden resisted for several weeks before he had to clear the way for his Vice-President. Trump was thrown from his lead in the polls as VP Kamala Harris was duly assigned as the nominee. Within days, Harris became the new front runner and Trump's campaign to unseat Biden had to refocus on Harris.

The Convention outcome was a foregone conclusion because Harris was the clear choice with no apparent opposition. The Convention turned into a huge party for the Democrats as they met in Chicago to formally endorse Harris as the nominee for President and a popular mid-western governor Tim Wahls as nominee for Vice-President. Wahls easily won the delegates support for his experience as a governor and former member of Congress.

The convention highlighted luminaries of the party including Biden and past presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Former First Ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton were also given speaking roles. Hillary Clinton, herself the 2016 nominee for president, gave a speech that fired up the Convention delegates.

Kamala Harris' speech was one of the most effective speeches I have ever heard. She talked about the influence of her immigrant parents, especially her mother and her fight to help average Americans and the responsibility to care for the less fortunate. The people are her client she said. She contrasted this stand with Trump "whose only client has been himself". She also talked about his support for the insurgents who stormed Capitol Hill and killed six police officers, a frightening event about the danger he poses for democracy.

The convention was a huge success and brought about a tremendous show of unity among the delegates. The campaign that follows will be a hard fought one. Trump has a tremendous well of support among Americans who see the opposition as an elite group who represent news media, Hollywood activists, intellectuals and liberal thinkers bent on favouring minorities over average Americans. It is ironic that a multi-millionaire who was raised in privilege and has nothing to offer but rants and tax cuts for the wealthy is considered to be a friend of ordinary Americans.

So as the campaign gets underway, there are two hostile camps ready to engage in national combat.

I was very taken with this series which I watched on PBS-TV. It is very much an inside look at the major events in the House of Windsor - the extended family of Queen Elizabeth II - and the Royals who have played a role over the decades. The Queen is the focus and all others are in supporting roles. We see Elizabeth's reign as she evolves from a woman in her mid twenties to an experienced head of state. We see Prince Charles, her eldest son and heir, who is mentored by Earl Mountbatten. He grows up to be somewhat of a playboy before his marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales. After she suffers an untimely death, Charles carries on his long love affair with the woman who later becomes his wife and Queen. Prince Andrew and Prince Harry appear to share much of the negative attention. Prince Andrew was a very popular Royal who served with distinction in the Falklands War. Later his lavish, self-serving lifestyle and rude behaviour eroded his early popularity. Prince Harry, a military man who served in Afghanistan, seemed to be at loose ends after his war service and marriage to Meghan Marple. To me, Harry is the victim of his mother's early and tragic death as well as being the "spare" for the throne who is now superseded by Prince William and his children. Unfortunately the series pays no attention to Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, who have assumed a larger and highly positive role in recent years. Generally, however this series is a comprehensive review of the life and times of Queen Elizabeth and her family. There is a lot of fascinating film footage and intimate profiles of her family.