larry smith

Simply put, the format of having the lead character only actually appearing via his voice following the short opening scene and never thereafter being seen physically was an enormous turn-off. After attempting to watch it twice and failing for that reason, it was a essential for me to leave this review in order to remember never ever to try to do so again.

Virtually anything with some semblance of a plot and well-planned and filmed action scenes within the western genre with Robert Mitchum is well worth watching, and this one is no exception. Mitchum’s voice, stature and very presence ooze charisma, and the screenplay here, though quite basic, is more than sufficient to take full advantage of those assets. If you like Mitchum and you like westerns, you will enjoy this film.

“Undercurrent” comes out of the gate with great strength within its film noir genre, but then falters badly about 2/3’s of the way through as the fanciful dual nature of Robert Taylor’s character surfaces. I use the word fanciful because it is nothing if not awkward and stiff, with its drastic changes completely divorced from reality unless a likely confining diagnosis of severe schizophrenia had been made. Hepburn is miscast in her lead role, adding to the lack of credibility this film’s attempt at character development must carry. From the critic’s perspective, only Mitchum’s natural charisma salvages the film, along with expertly chosen lighting for the most critical scenes to enhance the drama. In this film’s favor, despite the above flaws, is its ability to pull the viewer in by the collar early on and keep him planted in his seat for the whole ride. You’ll watch it, you’ll see its flawed nature, but you won’t turn it off until the end. May you enjoy it!

Although pretending to profoundly offer a glimpse into a possible apocalyptic, post-nuclear global disaster scenario, this one best falls within the mindless action genre. Fans of Mel Gibson may cast aside the lame script and dialogue, but more objective viewers will likely be embarrassed by his participation in this poor excuse for an action thriller. In truth, the film is only worth watching for the charismatic performance given by Tina Turner.

An EASY five stars for me. This one, you see, is all about dreams, and what is necessary to pursue them: grit, perseverance, and determination. Even more so, when it seemed THE DREAM was over and done, only to come around yet once more. Like Jim Morris, I was a baseball fanatic, a dreamer who lived and breathed the game in my childhood and youth. And even in my early forties, in what was termed The Fast Pitch Over 30 Hardball League, playing against good former high school, college, and professional players—and yes, even a couple former major leaguers. Like Jim Morris, I had certain skills, but unlike Jim, not enough to even come close to playing in the bigs. Probably many of you watching this film were similarly situated, but like me, didn’t let that diminish our great love of the game—we continue to embrace it, to cherish it, because unlike unrequited love in the classic sense, the game gives something back: a sense of sheer, unadulterated joy! The Rookie will take viewers such as myself back to those days, when the dream was throbbing with life, encompassing so very much of our being. Dennis Quaid is superb in his role of the aging Jim Morris, finally given his chance to seize that dream for all it’s worth! Sheer joy to watch, for those of us that feel the same way!

The director’s objective is to plop each viewer down directly into the platoon, to impart a feeling of having lived the experience of participating in battle and the preparation for it, rather than simply watching those things as they developed. We are thus privy to all of the emotions our fictitious 101st Airborne warriors feel, from the boredom of merely passing time to the tension, fear, and immense satisfaction that comes from having behaved courageously under fire. Pace, however, has been sacrificed in the quest to achieve the former objective. The film suffers as a consequence, and many may well find it boring through the early going. A worthy effort!

Probably the easiest five stars I’ve ever given a western. Within its genre, the film had absolutely everything: great CHARACTER performances by Stewart, Ryan, and Leigh, with tremendous interplay between them (including a beautifully done developing romance between Stewart and Leigh); action scenes that were not overdone and not included for their own sake, but rather entirely within the scope of the plot itself; and wonderful cinematography. You’ll likely want to see this one several times over the years, and each viewing will prove rewarding indeed.

A true gem of a film for all red-blooded American patriots to cherish! While some might characterize Dennis Quaid’s portrayal of Reagan as awkward, I submit that is simply because of the complexity of the man, who beyond dispute became one of our very greatest presidents. Indeed, Quaid succeeds admirably in capturing the very essence of Ronald Reagan, be he considered a man of destiny, or something greater, as I do—one who was meant to be, by our great God in heaven who watches over America in its times of greatest need. Recommended reading on Reagan’s key role in essentially bankrupting the Soviet Union includes Peter Schweizer’s “Victory.” But the film itself captures not only President Reagan’s great successes in dealing with what was then our greatest foe, but also the indomitable nature of the man himself. Well done—Ronnie, you made us proud to be Americans!

One very, very deep movie, dealing not only with the utter horror of a zombie-like viral plague, but even more significantly and masterfully with such horror’s impact upon loved ones and family. These characters are so very well-developed that they could easily fit right in to the viewers’ own group of closely knit family and friends. Anyone with a scintilla of humanity within them can understand and experience their pain as the horrible transition to something less than human, something foul and imposing, takes hold upon those to whom they are most dear. Anyone expecting Arnold in a heroic action figure role will be sorely disappointed—this is, instead, perhaps his finest performance as a serious actor, in a drama that shrugs off any attempt to place it within the horror or science fiction genre. I would suggest it is instead a tribute to those qualities within us, in the face of unimaginable tragedy, that represent the best humanity has to offer. Bravo!

Five stars within its genre. One very heartwarming tale featuring the very best in us, from family to friends to our alliance with one of God’s most beautiful and majestic creations—that four-legged symphony of poetry in motion, the horse. This one was perfectly cast, with Don Johnson’s ever-present charisma lending an indispensable element to the film!