Cinema - Comments / Reviews by George Slv

Cinema - Comments / Reviews by George Slv

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Member	Item		Review/Comment
George Slv 5th Apr 2016		Cinema Carry On Follow That Camel (Carry On In The Legion) (1967) (1967)	Carry On is not part of the title, just Follow That Camel.
George Slv 5th Apr 2016		Cinema The Shadow Of The Cat (1961) (1961)	Review In this "old dark house" in England an old woman is murdered and her cat witnesses it. The "cat knows" who did it. Then commences a cat and mouse game where the killers are afraid of the cat and the cat seeks revenge on them. Written by George Baxt, Hammer at first was not interested in filming it. Then when they needed an extra film to pair with Curse Of the Werewolf they asked BHP to make it for them. BHP was a short-term partnership including Baxt and Jon Penington. BHP used Hammer's personnel and Bray location, but they owned the rights to it. It was not unusual for other production companies to make films for Hammer, Hammer usually getting the rights for them. Two years later when BHP closed the rights were passed to Hammer. I find the film very satisfying. 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 2nd Apr 2016		Cinema The Hunt For Red October (1990) (1990)	They made a big mistake in not differentiating the crews of the American and Russian subs. Both spoke English, neither had distinctive clothing. What a mess trying to follow the story. They should have used different color uniforms.
George Slv 21st Mar 2016		Cinema The Two Faces Of Dr. Jekyll (1960) (1960)	In the US the film ended up in American-International's hands. They first renamed it Jekyll's Inferno, and then House Of Fright after making cuts for sexual content. Posters with the first title are not hard to find. I found one online with the House Of Fright tacked on the bottom. I seem to recall a newspaper ad for this, with the title and subject not being clear. It did not lead me to go see it.
George Slv 21st Mar 2016		Cinema The Devil Rides Out (1968) (1968)	This is one of those films that just had no effect on me. Did not create an atmosphere of suspense or fear or interest. Just moved from one scene to the next in pedestrian fashion. I'm very put off at Christopher Lee and have to rate him as a poor actor because of it. In what should be a sca-a-a-ry movie, he shows up at the start and just commences to reel off his lines in a careless disinterested manner. No sense for the plot or atmosphere.
George Slv 20th Mar 2016		Cinema The Ugly Duckling (1959)	The first film I know that used the concept of a Hyde more attractive than Jekyll. Then next year Hammer used the theme in the serious The Two Faces Of Dr. Jekyll (retitled House Of Fright in US). If you are looking for Jerry Lewis's inspiration for The Nutty Professor, it would be House Of Fright. This film is hopelessly unavailable, and is on all the Hammer wishlists. Bernard Bresslaw is said to have been good in both roles. Some who recall seeing it say it was entertaining, others say it was not.
George Slv 1st Mar 2016		Cinema Canadian Mounties Vs. Atomic Invaders (1953) (1953)	A serial.
George Slv 25th Feb 2016		Cinema Sea Wife (1957) (1957)	I watched this video, and wondered what the point of the movie was. Seems like much ado about nothing. Joan Collins in her early years was still getting leading roles. Four people in a lifeboat showing various attitudes and concocting various dramas to fill the time. Joan is supposedly tempted by some of the men but doesn't go along. At the end we find out why. But so what?
George Slv 24th Feb 2016		Cinema Sunburn (1979)	Rated 2/10 Does someone actually need to know things like "Richard Sarafian credited as Richard C. Sarafian"? This independent production would never have passed thru a major studio. An amateurish attempt at passing some time, for who knows what. A collection of actors who couldn't find work elsewhere. Farrah Fawcett-Majors had been black-listed for quitting her Charlie's Angels contract. Who would have wanted Charles Grodin for anything? A story that is nonsense after nonsense. If you want glimpses of some of the stars, take a look out of curiousity. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 23rd Feb 2016		Cinema Land Of The Pharaohs (1955) (1955)	It's a good film of the ancient history genre. Had been shown on TV, and is on DVD. Released by Warner Bros, the widescreen was 2.55. Joan Collins beginning to be a major star in Hollywood, she defied "amorous advance" ultimatums by studio bigwig creeps, and then did not receive major starring roles after that. She tried out for Cleopatra. But if you haven't seen it, DO NOT view the Youtube video that shows the burial ending. And please don't post it here.
George Slv 1st Feb 2016		Cinema When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth (1970) (1970)	Rated 8/10 Hammer Films' followup to One Million Years BC. More clay animation dinosaurs, very well done by American Jim Danforth. This one really comes thru as a good movie as well as a dinosaur pic. Worth noting that Danforth's animation was superior to Ray Harryhausen's because the motion was perfectly smooth. But Hammer found the process expensive and did not do more with him. In the uncut edition Victoria Vetri appears fully nude in the swimming pond scene. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 26th Jan 2016		Cinema Une Parisienne (La Parisienne) (1957) (1957)	If the English version is available, without subtitles, I'd like to find a good copy. Mine is a low quality VHS.
George Slv 24th Jan 2016		Cinema Ice Castles (1978) (1978)	A noble story about a figure skater, Lynn-Holly Johnson, who goes blind but still learns to keep skating and wins. Seems far-fetched, oh well. And they managed to degrade it considerably by using crass language and other unaesthetic elements. But I can't resist Lynn-Holly. Remade in 2010.
George Slv 23rd Jan 2016		Cinema Cash On Demand (1961) (1961)	Review A stagey drama set inside a bank. Produced by Michael Carreras, who tried to counterbalance Hammer's other horror movies. Peter Cushing is the bank manager who is held hostage by bank robber Andre Morrell in an elaborate plot. The story adds an element of Scrooge learning a lesson at the Christmas season. You see, Cushing always demanded that the pens be filled with ink and other fussy nonsense, and was not considered charitable by his staff. It's okay, but not special. 6 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 23rd Jan 2016		Cinema Hell Is A City (1960) (1960)	Preview from YT Hammer channel [YouTube Video] A Hammer Film that emulated the American style of exciting crime film noir, set in Manchester.
George Slv 23rd Jan 2016		Cinema The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse (1962)	Posted movie poster showing those f-f-fea-fea-fearsome horsemen flying toward us thru the sky, to haunt this terrifying awesome [NOT] non-movie.
George Slv 9th Jan 2016		Cinema Inherit The Wind (1960) (1960)	I happened to see this as a surprise "Sneak Preview" when seeing some other movie. Meaning the entire movie was shown to this audience. Made me wonder what the purpose of that was. No one was taking surveys in the lobby or anything. As a 14 year old what the hell did I care about a film like this, buncha dialog drama. Plus it's from an anti-God philosophy. Made no impression on me.
George Slv 8th Jan 2016		Cinema Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972) (1972)	It rates negative only if one doesn't like this 70s culture. Otherwise it's a great film. I'd like to know how it did financially.
George Slv 6th Jan 2016		Cinema King Of Kings (1961) (1961)	Rated 10/10 This film was done as well as can be, I think. Similar followups later in the 1960s like The Greatest Story Ever Told and The Bible were incapable of measuring up. No flaws in this one. A fine story flow, effective and moving scenes. The baptism of Jesus by John The Baptist, who looks into the gorgeous eyes of Jeffrey Hunter and feels something, while the camera shows doves flying in the air. Another fine crucifixion scene, tho not as heartrending as in The Robe. The sermon on the mount. Ben Hur is another movie that deals well with this subject. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 6th Jan 2016		Cinema The Robe (1953) (1953)	Rated 10/10 I'd like to give it more than 10. This was the first widescreen Cinemascope movie. A drama about a Roman officer's (Richard Burton) interaction with Christ's crucifixion. The story is very poignant and compelling. Victor Mature is awesome as Burton's slave, who becomes converted after watching Christ die. What a scene. One of the greats of that era, and maybe the best movie of all time. 6 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 6th Jan 2016		Cinema Demetrius And The Gladiators (1954) (1954)	Rated 8/10 Good entertainment. I saw it in a double bill ~1960 with The Robe, which was the first part of the story. The Robe was really great drama, while this went more into gladiator adventure. Must have been one of the main inspirations for the 2000 Gladiator, which turned out more of a downer than adventure. 4 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 5th Jan 2016		Cinema Dracula: Prince Of Darkness (1966) (1966)	Rated 7/10 I've never considered this an excellent movie. 1965 was a different time from 1958. The mood in this film lacks the concentrated intensity. Andrew Keir is much too broad a personality to create a sinister atmosphere. I didn't think the storyline holds together as well. But there are strong scenes which will create new fans though. That would involve the castle encounters with Klove and Dracula. Barbara Shelley has some chilling sequences. There have been several video releases, of varying quality. The Eastmancolor positives went reddish as usual within ten years of distribution. Recent releases had to be remade from the negatives. Some processing was done. The Optimum DVD turned out a little overly bright, overcompensated. The TCM (Turner Classic Movies) release is well regarded. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 5th Jan 2016		Cinema Promises..... Promises! (1963) (1963)	Review After the 1950s the day of the Blond Bombshell was over, and Jayne wasn't being used. So she got her husband to produce this showcase for her, with several nude scenes of her. Fat chance that would be shown in US theaters, it was all cut up and didn't amount to much. 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 27th Dec 2015		Cinema The Cassandra Crossing (1976) (1976)	Rated 3/10 A passenger train running across Europe is carrying a deadly plague, and the passengers will not be let off. A plan is developed that may sacrifice their lives, while another group works to save the situation. A European production like The Andromeda Strain. I can only conclude that continental Europeans aren't very good at making movies. These do not turn out exciting or involving or interesting. 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 27th Dec 2015		Cinema Arthur The King (Merlin And The Sword) (1985) (1985)	Review The film is controversial because there are fairy tale type story elements, which some people become ashamed of. The TV network hesitated 3 years before giving it a national showing. I say never fear, that's what fantasy movies are for. It was shown on random stations including Canadian before that. For example there's a story of a girl with a curse on her in the form of a pig's nose. One of our knights agrees to marry her in return for release from captivity. This theme was developed in Penelope (2006). This was to be Candice Bergen's US TV premiere in 1982, but by 1985 not a premiere. As the witch Morgan Le Fay she was given a 1970s afro wig. She has been mocked for this and her non-Oscar acting. I say it's not often you can get a quality filming of the Arthur legend, so I enjoyed this find. It's a colorful and intriguing tale. From a local Winnipeg TV showing at night, I seem to recall an ending after Arthur's funeral where Lancelot continues the quest, and finds Morgana still alive living in a cave. This was cut from the US and VHS editions. Take a look at a sample TV showing in this TV magazine. 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 27th Dec 2015		Cinema The Last Temptation Of Christ (1988) (1988)	I noticed a still picture from the film which looked like a butcher shop, and one of the skinned corpses hanging there had the definite shape of a human female. Explanation about the filmmakers?
George Slv 24th Dec 2015		Cinema Casino Royale (2006) (2006)	The kind of gambling they used for LeChiffre here was "shorting" a stock. Something that was controversial with those who knew the stock market. However how many people actually understood what that meant? Another theme was sabotaging this largest plane of its kind. I saw this as a reference to the Ukrainian Antonov transport, which project I suspect was sabotaged when a plane carrying all its engineers to a meeting in Georgia or thereabouts crashed mysteriously in real life.
George Slv 22nd Dec 2015		Cinema Drop Zone (1994) (1994)	Rated 10/10 I'm sorry, I tried hard, but I can't think of anything wrong with this movie. It revolves around skydiving and parachuting. A gang led by Gary Busey, who is super in the role, will parachute onto a building roof and from there rob it. Another group of skydivers try to stop them by parachuting after them. Colorful photography, good stunts, great pacing and action. 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
George Slv 22nd Dec 2015		Cinema Deep Blue Sea (1999) (1999)	You lock all the doors in your station, but the sharks know how to open them. Be very afraid.
George Slv 22nd Dec 2015		Cinema The Abyss (1989) (1989)	Rated 9/10 The final reward for watching flop underwater pix in previous years, this Cameron film delivers. Cameron developed a reputation for stuffing two movies into one. Studios gave him enuf money, and I guess he didn't know when to stop writing. The first story here is the peril of a submerged submarine crew, a hurricane above water, and rescue attempts. The second is the discovery of underwater aliens in the area. Maybe the Bermuda Triangle? I was a little dissatisfied that the first story took up so much attention, when you got this potential with the aliens, which seems secondary. Photography and special effects are superb. James Cameron writes his own screenplays. He seems to have establishment liberal tendencies. For his characters' situations here he wrote in a bunch of scorn for "conspiracy theories" or "paranoia". When someone calls others "paranoid" I immediately write them off as a fool. He wrote Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as a bitchy feminist a***ole. Those were the times. Cameron was told by a female TV interviewer later that it annoyed everyone, male and female. (Are females annoyed by that? I thought they gloated.) He pointed out as we know now that most scripts are written by males, and it's hard for them to see the female approach. (which I guess would be to throw down their arms and offer themselves to the enemy. or, there are no enemies. Vote for Hillary to be sure.) So anywayzes, this was a milestone theatrical event. The theatrical release had to be cut in length to 2:25, and Cameron made the decisions on cutting. Then the full length of 2:51 was released on video as the Special Edition. 4 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?

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