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Reviews
Emma Smith: My Story (2008)
What one brings to a film determines what one receives.
From start to finish I was enthralled by this film as I think the audience about me was also. Few left as the closing titles appeared - most stayed to savor the beautiful music of Merrill Jensen and allow their inner feelings to be pondered in their hearts for a few moments longer. I have been somewhat interested and acquainted with Emma's story most all my life, my surname sharing her maiden name and my great, great, and great, great, great grandparents being personally friends with her and her husband, Joseph. I brought to this film a lifetime of inquiring into the subject and came away richly rewarded with new insights into the lives of two who have contributed so much to human kind which extends beyond just their day but everlastingly to humanity. Bravo to the script, the directing, the "living" acting, the music and all the support elements that blend so well together in this film. And a special thanks to all the volunteer help that brought about this project. Bring to this film an open, inquiring mind, not looking for criticism and the harvest you'll reap will be great and pleasing to your soul.
Girls (1927)
A Delightful Short Comedy
Upon viewing this, included with the Fox Video O. Henry's Full House release, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted. It is genuinely funny and entertaining even though it was lacking a music track which if scored well would soar this little short into a real gem. It was good to see Richard Walling whose acting was just right without being over pushed. I enjoyed him in WALKING BACK. The girls were all cute and a lot of fun. The little twist at the end is a riot. A great short almost hidden on a great DVD release. This one should be properly scored along with MAN ABOUT TOWN also included on the DVD. Fox should look into whatever O.Henry based shorts that they made and see what survives and put out a set.
Danny Boy (1945)
A B+ movie
Our dog Danny Boy returns as a WWII war veteran having been highly honored and decorated as a hero. His young owner has doubts that this really is his dog and a certain neighbor has reservations about the safety of such a dog - since he was an attack dog is he yet a menace or danger to the town? This is no BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES though in a canine way it follows the rehabilitation theme. A bit predictable but if you don't expect too much it has its rewards. It is well acted both by the leads and the supporting cast. Ace the German Shepherd does an adequate job. Of course no "dog picture" is complete without a bit a sentiment. Unlike Lassie who always seemed to have super than human abilities, Danny Boy doesn't pretend to be more than what he is. It's worth a watch.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
No Finer Film Sound or Silent
There never has been nor likely never will be another film quite like SUNRISE. I consider it a perfect film in every aspect. There is not a wasted frame, a poor shot, or frivolous tangent in the whole film. It's a director's movie and an actors movie. Cast and crew shine together in brilliance. The art direction, the photography, the almost non-existent titles blend into a symphonic poem of a man and a woman, their family, and the threatening storm of evil both in nature and human character. It's a film about choices - bad choices and good choices. It is a tale of repentance and hurt and forgiveness. It is filmed with types and parable, vivid, tender and powerful. SUNRISE is a simple experience so very complex in its ramifications to the viewer. It is an asset that it is silent as far as spoken dialog is concerned for more is spoken in the mind of the viewer than could ever be spoken by human tongue. It is not a film to entertain but succeeds in entertaining soaring and searching thoughts of the mind. SUNRISE is a veritable experience.
A Trip to Salt Lake City (1905)
A Grand Little Skit Executed With Excellence
At first watching one says "sooo---" Then seeing it again and again one gains an appreciation that this is a little gem at staging and orchestrating its scenario as simple as it is. There's a good description of the film in another viewer comment so I won't go into what it's about. Here's the problem for the filmmaker: you have more than a dozen people ranging from babes in arms to a man and his numerous wives and a porter on the train. The camera sees but one view, the aisle of the train car with the curtains of bunk berths on both sides - the object is to orchestrate everyone getting into their berths, some exiting after changing into their night shirts to chew their husband out for not satisfying the screaming children, the husband exiting and returning with a solution to the problem - all in less than two minutes. The choreography is as good as any you might see. I can imagine putting a coin in a nickelodeon machine, having a good laugh and then turning to a friend and saying "You've got to see this!" Propaganda? Of course but you have to pity the poor husband. It's exciting that Grapevine plans to release this along with Trapped By The Mormons and you will have your choice of two theater organ scores. Fun.
Trapped by the Mormons (1922)
A "B" Movie Finds Some Excellence
A "10" !!! for this movie you say! I've seen something you haven't - some pre-release material for a new DVD devoted to this title slated for Fall 2006 release to be released by Grapevine Video of Phoenix, Az. It contains an organ score so good that it seems to be part of the emulsion of the film. Blaine Gale's beautifully inspiring score was recorded at the newly restored Wurlitzer at the Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden, Ut. But get this - it was recorded using Ray Kimber's fantastic IsoMike system which has to be heard to be believed. The titles for TRAPPED have been cleaned up and the transfer to DVD of the film comes from the finest known elements available (16mm). If somebody knows where a good 35mm print of this title is, let Grapevine know. The disc contains a fascinating commentary track that enhances this "hilarious artifact from a by-gone era". The film so blatantly full of vicious anti-Mormon propaganda, now stands in a new light and is seen for what it was (is) and the whole experience is unintentionally hilarious. Watch for this one.