Reviews

American Bandits: Frank and Jesse James is a low budget, but competently made little Western that nicely captures the spirit, ambience, and panache of early TV Westerns. The budgetary restrictions result in an old school intimate type of story telling, and the "corny " sincerity about the whole thing sets it far apart from the usual direct to video exploitation fare. You can obsess all you want upon its restrictions, but you can't deny the palatable love and nostalgia the director/writer clearly has for classic Westerns. There's real warmth and charm here, and I really appreciate that.

Anyone who loves fun and imaginative TV should give Space 1999 a try. The first season is similar in tone to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Season two is more like classic Doctor Who with an array of far-out aliens. It's quite a mixed bag. That's the beauty of it! Fans of rubber monsters will especially enjoy the cheesy fun of season two. I love it! Give Space 1999 a try if you are a fan of fun and imaginative TV. They just don't make 'em like this any more folks! Pop some corn, pour your favorite beverage, settle back in your favorite comfy chair, and enjoy a fun escape beyond the stars with Moon Base Alpha. It's highly watchable, charming, and fun.

I just watched the four episodes of Dick Tracy available on DVD from Alpha Video. I'd read reviews of this early TV series which described it as an ultra-low budget affair and I got what I expected - and more. This is a very low budget series, but I quickly found myself hooked. The ongoing storyline from episode to episode is enjoyably addictive. I was sad when I finally reached the end of the last episode on the DVD. I wanted more. I'd love to see what happens next! Ralph Byrd is terrific as Dick Tracy. He's honest, brave, and fair. There's good chemistry between Tracy and his partner Pat too. The "live" vibe of this show is another plus. These episodes provide a fascinating glimpse at early 1950's television. I just wish there were more episodes available. We need more of this Dick Tracy TV series on DVD!

Watching WALKING TALL on TV was a blast back in the early 80's. It was unfortunate that they put it up against THE LOVE BOAT which at the time was a major hit. Saturday night TV belonged to ABC which had THE LOVE BOAT at 9 pm and FANTASY ISLAND at 10pm. NBC went up against those two juggernauts with WALKING TALL at 9pm and HILL STREET BLUES at 10pm. Both NBC shows took a beating. Then WALKING TALL was canceled. HILL STREET was moved to another night and became a hit. I missed WALKING TALL for years. TV just wasn't the same without the great Bo Svenson hitting punks upside their heads with a big stick. But my prayers have been answered! WALKING TALL has been released on DVD and I couldn't be happier! Give this one a look folks! Pick this series up, pop some corn, pop the DVD in your player, grab a cool beverage, and settle back and enjoy Bufford whoopin' the crap out of the bad guys! I especially enjoy the spectacle of Bufford Pusser hittin' white supremacists with a big stick! GREAT STUFF! WALKING TALL is classic 80's TV and a helluva lot of fun on DVD!

I have very warm memories of this short lived Nero Wolfe TV series starring William Conrad and Lee Horsley. I was a kid when this TV program aired and it really made an impact on my youthful imagination. I was hooked from the moment I first saw it. William Conrad and Lee Horsley were both highly enjoyable and made a great team. I never missed an episode and enjoyed all of them. Nero Wolfe was fun and exciting stuff! Because of the TV series I began reading the excellent Nero Wolfe stories of the great Rex Stout. I'd love to see this TV series again. Just thinking about it makes me smile! It's too bad it isn't available on DVD.

Django Strikes Again is a blast! It's a very fun and entertaining flick! Just don't go into this sequel expecting it to be a rehash of the original. It's been 20 years since the Old West era of the original Django film, but Django comes back and proves that he can still do things in his own unique, and highly violent, manner. Franco Nero returns as Django and it's great to see him back in the role. He's was cool in the original and even cooler in Strikes Again. Django has definitely gotten better with age! The machine gun is back too! Pop some corn, grab your favorite beverage, start up the DVD player, and have a blast with Django Strikes Again!

I was eager to see "The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm" after recently watching the previous movie in the series and highly enjoying it. I'd loved the first eight Kettle flicks as a kid, but it took me several years to finally catch the ninth movie in the series ("The Kettles In The Ozarks"). I was so entertained by it that I just couldn't wait to see part ten and "The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm" didn't let me down! There's a different actor playing Pa Kettle, but he's a fine replacement and once again the Kettle clan delivers the goods! There really isn't a bad egg in the entire Kettle series. These movies may not be considered artistic masterpieces, but they are dang good fun!

Arthur 2 may just touch your heart. It touched mine. It's really a very sweet and charming film and it's unfortunate that it's so underrated. Arthur 2 made me smile, laugh, and shed more than a few happy tears. It's been said that the original Arthur didn't require a sequel, but it's a pleasure spending more time with the characters. 99% of the fantastic cast of the original returned for this one. It's especially wonderful to see more of Dudley Moore as Arthur. I love Arthur! There are plenty of funny, cute, and charming moments in Arthur 2. The moments with Hobson and Arthur at Christmastime are especially touching. I'm very happy that they made Arthur 2.

I recently watched The Kettles In The Ozarks with my family and we had a wonderful time! This was the ninth movie in the Kettle series and I went in to it wondering how they were going to come up with anything novel in the ninth film of the series. Fortunately there are indeed some funny moments in this one and it's pretty darn good for a part nine. It certainly made us smile. The Kettles in the Ozarks is really an enjoyable little movie with plenty of cute, charming, and funny moments. I laughed out loud quite a few times. Pa's brother is a hoot and the inebriated animals made me almost bust a gut! No it's not an artistic masterpiece, but it is darn fun!

The four Sherlock Holmes movies by Hallmark are just good fun versions for kids. Don't even try to take 'em seriously folks. Don't expect them to be artistic masterpieces based on literary classics. These TV movies were made for a family audience and there's plenty of comedy for kids in these things. Frewer's Holmes must be seen to be believed! He's a hoot! He's the most eccentric Holmes EVER! Kids will love this guy! Kenneth Welsh is much more traditional in his role and he makes a very fine Watson. These Frewer Holmes flicks are sure to entertain kids and will hopefully encourage them to read more about The Master Detective. They certainly wont get bored watching any of these with the ultra-intense and comedic Frewer on the screen.

The four Sherlock Holmes movies by Hallmark are just good fun versions for kids. Don't even try to take 'em seriously folks. Don't expect them to be artistic masterpieces based on literary classics. These TV movies were made for a family audience and there's plenty of comedy for kids in these things. Frewer's Holmes must be seen to be believed! He's a hoot! He's the most eccentric Holmes EVER! Kids will love this guy! Kenneth Welsh is much more traditional in his role and he makes a very fine Watson. These Frewer Holmes flicks are sure to entertain the kids and will hopefully encourage them to read more about The Master Detective. They certainly wont get bored watching any of these with the ultra-intense and comedic Frewer on the screen.

The four Sherlock Holmes movies by Hallmark are just good fun versions for kids. Don't even try to take 'em seriously folks. Don't expect them to be artistic masterpieces based on literary classics. These TV movies were made for a family audience and there's plenty of comedy for kids in these things. Frewer's Holmes must be seen to be believed! He's a hoot! He's the most eccentric Holmes EVER! Kids will love this guy! Kenneth Welsh is much more traditional in his role and he makes a very fine Watson. These Frewer Holmes flicks are sure to entertain the kids and will hopefully encourage them to read more about The Master Detective. They certainly wont get bored watching any of these with the ultra-intense and comedic Frewer on the screen.

The four Sherlock Holmes movies by Hallmark are just good fun versions for kids. Don't even try to take 'em seriously folks. Don't expect them to be artistic masterpieces based on literary classics. These TV movies were made for a family audience and there's plenty of comedy for kids in these things. Frewer's Holmes must be seen to be believed! He's a hoot! He's the most eccentric Holmes EVER! Kids will love this guy! Kenneth Welsh is much more traditional in his role and he makes a very fine Watson. These Frewer Holmes flicks are sure to entertain the kids and will hopefully encourage them to read more about The Master Detective. They certainly wont get bored watching any of these with the ultra-intense and comedic Frewer on the screen.

I'm surprised by the remarks of Laurel and Hardy fans who expected this cute little movie for kids to be as much of a masterpiece as the classic works of the genuine Laurel and Hardy. It's truly astounding. Why in the world would Laurel and Hardy fans expect this to be anything more than a cute little movie for children by Larry Harmon (Bozo the clown) who previously produced the wonderful cartoon versions of The Boys? Are the same Laurel and Hardy purists just as critical of Laurel and Hardy cartoons and comic books that entertained many youngsters? It may alarm the purists, but I have many fond memories of Stan and Ollie's encounter with Scooby Doo. It introduced me to The Boys and it was fun. So is For Love or Mummy.

One Down, Two to Go may rank a few notches beneath other celluloid team-ups with these stars, but it definitlely has it's share of fun moments. Jim Kelly's character is wounded for most of the movie, but it's always a pleasure to watch big bad Jim "SLAUGHTER" Brown team-up with Fred "The HAMMER" Williamson! Especially when Richard "SHAFT" Roundtree is in the mix! One Down is no Three the Hard Way, but there's just nothing like the spectacle of the Hammer uttering the immortal line "Back off Mojo! You may know Kung Fu but I know Gun Fu!"! LOL! One Down, Two to Go is a cheesy blast of fun that goes best with favorite beverages, good popcorn, and a room full of rowdy B-movie lovers.

George Reeves' Superman was a tremendous heroic figure to many of us as children. It's unfortunate that some previous reviewers have made remarks about Reeves' appearance which indicate that they just don't get it. The fact that Reeves' Superman seems more mature than others who have played the same role only helps the appeal of his type of Superman. Many heroes of classic TV and movie serials may not have "the look" of their modern incarnations, but there's more to a hero than just looks and fashion. The great myths tell us that small boys can be slayers of giants, the elderly can be wielders of magic, and a poor battered carpenter can be the savior of the world. It's not all about looks. It's much deeper than that. It's about HEART. It's about BRAVERY. It's about TRUTH and JUSTICE! Reeves' Superman is a symbol of all these things. I appreciate everything that made (and still makes) George Reeves' Superman a great hero.

I'm a sucker for all of Republic's "Rocketman" adventures. There were three Rocketman serials before this: King of the Rocketmen (1949), Radar Men From the Moon (1952), and Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952). Next came these 12 episodes of Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1953) which are like chapters of a serial only without cliffhanger endings. It's an entertaining hybrid of a serial and a TV show. This series uses plenty of stock footage, but that doesn't bother me one bit. It adds to the fun! I wasn't alive back in the 50's, but Commando Cody never fails to provide me with enjoyable escapism in 2005. All of Republic's Rocketman adventures are a blast!

I rented this one thinking it might be an entertaining bit of tawdry trash with some cheap thrills. It is. It is also one of the saddest love stories ever. I can't say I "enjoyed" Another 9 1/2 Weeks, but I can say that I love the movie's romantic streak. It's a terribly sad romantic streak, but a great romantic streak nonetheless. Another 9 1/2 weeks is also cheesy and trashy. It's cheesier and trashier bits actually work to the movie's advantage by adding much needed levity to a very tragic story. Some have said the filmmakers should have had Mickey Rouke's character move on after losing his great love, but that would have diminished the power of their connection. He can't just move on. She's gone and he can't change that. There's no way out from his torturous pain. Mickey Rourke makes you believe it. The filmmakers were smart in building their entire film around him. He truly seems like he's been through Hell. His character begins the film in tremendous pain and ends the film in tremendous pain. There's no happy ending (although I like to imagine he changed his name to Marv and moved to Sin City). Another 9 1/2 Weeks isn't an easy movie to enjoy. Very few love it, but I do. I rented it, watched it, and then I bought it.

Listen to Stu from Australia! Stu is absolutely right! This was fun! I loved these cartoons! I loved the Superboy cartoons that were shown along with the New Adventures of Superman too. The Aquaman cartoons featured along with Superman also rocked! Aquaman was at his best and kicked serious butt in those cartoons. It was all extremely exciting stuff and a blast to watch when I was a kid. The voice artists were superb and there was great music too. The pacing of the adventures was fast and thrilling. There was never a dull moment. I'd love to see these again. I'd buy them immediately if they were on DVD. Put 'em out on DVD somebody!

Don't be too hard on this made-for-cable flick and you just might dig it. I did! Angel 4 was made as a pilot for a proposed Angel cable series. It's an interesting curio that does have a certain degree of enjoyable cheesy charm. Too bad this made for cable TV pilot wasn't included as an extra in the excellent Anchor Bay DVD set of Angel movies. Darlene Vogel is quite adorable as Angel. There's also some nice female nudity that I enjoyed. The Axel Rose like character is a hoot! It's great to see the late great Roddy McDowall too! I took this Angel for what it was (low budget made-for-cable cheese) and had a ball.

I'm no Scrooge. I accepted Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys in the spirit of fun in which it was offered. Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys premiered on the Sci Fi Channel and it was one of the funnest Christmas TV movies I've ever seen! I'm not sure what Christmas TV movies those who didn't care for it prefer, but I like irreverent B-movie fun. Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys delivers! Every Christmas TV movie should have Corey Feldman, a blood draining machine, demonic toys, living puppets, and a demon! It all makes for a fun and humorous Christmas gift for fans like myself. I'll definitely be adding PuppetMaster vs Demonic Toys to my DVD collection and re-watching it every Holiday Season.

Another poster called this Kong a guilty pleasure. I agree. It's flawed and the special effects are not very special by today's standards and there's a lot of silly stuff. I won't argue about any of that. It's all true. And so what? I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I love the flaws and the not-so-special effects and all of the silly stuff. I enjoyed Dwan's comment about telling Prescott's sign by his ears and all of her silly lines to Kong. Jessica Lange is beautiful, lovely, and wonderful. Jeff Bridges is excellent too and how can ya not hate Charles Grodin in this? He's the character I most love to hate! Great work! King Kong himself is always entertaining in this even if he is incredibly goofy at times depending on which special effect they used. The giant robot Kong just kills me! LOL! I loved it! When they use an actor in a costume it works better and dammit this Kong has got the most soulful eyes! My heart strings were tugged by this sweet and silly movie. POOR KONG! HE'S JUST LOOKIN' FOR LOVE! WHY CAN'T THEY JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE?! I guess if they did there'd be no movie. No this isn't a perfect movie but I agree with the poster who said this movie is an old friend. All of the flaws are part of it's charm and I've had a wonderful time with this Kong.

Kong is back and this time it's personal! lol! This flick is a blast for B movie fans and those of us who love monsters! The rest of you will hate it. I love this! Linda Hamilton shines here and there's plenty of humor, action, gator munchin', redneck chompin', and tank smashin' fun! A poster for this one said that "America's biggest hero" was back..."and he's not happy"! That's the truth! When the human bad guys mess with the King's lady he's one big furry fury and nobody does it like The King does it people! I love this for all the reasons others hate it. It's a hoot! King Kong Lives delivers the goods when you are in one of those moods to enjoy fun cheese featuring a big romantic monkey with a mechanical heart rippin' assh*les in half and smashin' 'em to kindom come. This is the ONLY film to watch when you are in that type of mood folks. There's really no other film like it! Way to go big fella! ALL HAIL THE KING!

The other reviewers have done an excellent job of summing this TV movie up. This is an okay TV movie aimed at kids who like scary stories. Those who say it seems like and After School Special are correct. It's fair for the most part but what really makes this something unique is Ron Silver's performance. Silver is fantastic! He brings real pathos and darkness to his role as the vampire Valentine. I rented this thinking it was a more adult oriented horror film. I was a bit taken back when it turned out to be a children's movie. I continued to watch it and Silver as Valentine was such a compelling character that I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Silver really brings things to life each time he's on the screen and he has become one of this horror fans favorite cinematic vampires.

Loved this movie! The original Astrozombies was enjoyable horror/sci fi/espionage/ shlock and I was thrilled to know there was a sequel. This film has it all! Most importantly it features THE SEVERED HEAD OF JOHN CARRADINE! LOL! What a great idea! Both this movie and the earlier Astrozombies have a great classic "50's" sci fi vibe to em that I love. They don't make movies like this much these days. It's a hoot! Yes folks those Astrozombies are back and this time there's an army of em! They still love to swing huge machetes too. Ted V Mikels does it again and it's nice to know that fun movies like this are still being made. The design of the Astrozombies themselves is still too cheesy and cool for words. Great fun!