Reviews

A truly heartwarming "slice of life" drama. Conductor of the local town orchestra of Sandy Bottom, Minnesota quits just weeks before their big concert at the agricultural fair. Resident Norman Green must take over the conducting chores now. Green's wife, Ingrid, is choir director at the Lutheran Church there and is getting grief from the minister and music committee about some of Ingrid's music selections. There is a very touching scene when the pastor of the church lets Ingrid know that he is aware that it was Ingrid who left the weeks supply of food for the minister and his family, after she discovered that the pastor's wife has a very debilitating disease. To make matters worse, Norman Green's guest soloist on the Mozart Piano Concerto storms off one week before the performance. Now Ingrid must step in at the last minute and perform a piece she has not tried in years. Very moving performances by Glenne Headly as Ingrid, Tom Irwin as Norman, Madeline Zima as daughter Rachel Green, and veteran actress Jane Powell as close friend Delia Ferguson. This film will have you laughing in places and crying in places, but the story is never maudlin. A must see film for the entire family.

This is a very well put together intricately drawn out 3 hour screen play about the legendary Texas murder trial involving T. Cullen Davis and Davis' famous Houston defense attorney, Richard "Racehorse" Haynes. Dennis Franz delivers a stellar performance as the flamboyant Haynes and is a total departure from his NYPD Blue character, Detective Andy Sipowicz (the real Haynes once made the comment, "If you ain't guilty, you can't afford me"). Peter Strauss is excellent as T. Cullen Davis. Heather Locklear is surprisingly good as Davis' estranged wife, Priscilla Davis. A very worthwhile drama to watch. Five stars all the way!!

What riveting performances Palminteri and De Niro Turn in on this excellently written (by Palminteri) and scripted film. Palminteri's performance will have you spellbound from his very first scene until his tragic final one. De Niro paints a very impassioned and sympathetic picture of an Italian father fighting desperately to win his son back from a ruthless, but charming mobster. De Niro is truly the greatest actor of all time. Another standout is Lillo Brancato as De Niro's confused but basically good son Callogero, torn between the mentoring of criminal Sonny and his dad, Lorenzo. One of the greatest movies of all time. Definitely worth watching and rewatching over and over again. Truly a first class movie all the way!

This is a thoroughly enjoyable serial. The special effects in this film are extraordinary, especially the "flying sequences" and especially considering that this was done in 1941 (as a comaprison, watch the two Superman Serials, shot serveral years later, with the late Kirk Allen, where suddenly Allen turns into a cartoon when he takes off). Tom Tyler was perfect as "The World's Mightiest Mortal" (aka "The Big Red Cheese" as Marvel was known in the comics), properly stoic. This is definitely the best of the "super hero" serials. This should be enjoyed by young and old alike. A definite 5 star serial. Highly recommended!!!

What a great ensemble cast; John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ward Bond, Walter Brennan, Ricky Nelson, Claude Akins, John Russell and a very fetching Angie Dickerson. This is about three men facing off a gang of low lifes headed by John Russell. Probably my favorite John Wayne western. As far as excellence, I would compare this movie to High Noon. This movie was remade two other times (all with the Duke), El Dorado and Rio Lobo (I also saw a variation of this story on an old Gunsmoke episode). On a rating of one to ten, I give this about a twelve. A must see/must own.

If you like Humphrey Bogart (and who doesn't), you have GOT to own this movie. If you have not seen it you are in for a real treat when you do. Bogart portrays a real pathos here that has been unsurpassed. Ingrid Bergman as the woman torn between the two men she loves will tug at your heartstrings. Some of Bogie's most famous lines are in this movie (i.e. Renaud; "So Ricky why did you come to Casablanca?" Rick: "My health. I came for the waters." Renaud: "But Casablanca is in the middle of the desert." Rick: (In a very non chalant tone), "I was misinformed.") This movie has everything; comedy, drama, romance, and tragedy. In my opinion, there is no other movie like Casablanca. It is absolutely incomparable. You must see, rent, or buy this movie.