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Understanding Cats (1995)
Excellent presentation on understanding cats and maybe yourself.
This presentation covers a wide range of information about cats including:
The history of domestication
Why and how cats purr
The difference between territory and range
Why cats act the way they do
How to interact with cats
How to help cats interact with cats
The different type of cats
Development at different ages
How to deal with pets kept inside only
How cat's eyes work
The list is only a fraction of what is covered here. It is well presented by renowned cat expert Roger Taylor. The presentation is low-key, without a lot of background noise and snare drums. The presentation is consistent and not a bunch of little bitty sound bites with no background information.
After watching this presentation, you may strive for a new relationship with your best friend.
Undercover Blues (1993)
Romance and espionage with an explosive plot
Undercover Blues is one of those movies that are the first of its genera; so you are pleasantly surprised the first time you view it. Later you will want to view this movie again to pick up on the hints that tell you what is to come next.
Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid are the perfect couple on maternity leave in New Orleans. They do everything together and even involve their baby daughter (Louise Jane or Jane Louise.) They are so perfect that the local bad guy, Muerte (Stanley Tucci,) is constantly trying to get even with them. They are so perfect that the local authorities suspect them of being there on business. Are they and what business might that be?
This movie has lots of action and takes many unexpected turns. It is tightly made and every action has implications later in the movie. Oh, did I mention that it is downright funny?
Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963)
A gorgeous undulating creature only 20 feet away.
The time is the early 60's. Robin Austin (Carol Lynley) and her fiancé Dave Manning (Dean Jones) plan to set up house together in a local apartment to see if they can be compatible without any yum yum. Little did they know that the apartment they chose was part of a planned community. The landlord of this particular apartment, Hogan (Jack Lemmon) only rents to young ladies preferably willing young ladies. Hogan thinks that he leased his apartment to two women. After realizing his mistake, will he be able to overcome the obstacles and achieve his objective? If so how?
Toss in the 60's attitudes a protective aunt, a nosy cleaning lady, a curious gardener, various a sundry women, and you have the makings of a very good comedy.
Many of the jokes in this film are slapstick others have double entendre.
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Once again just the book title was borrowed.
This is a movie that had great potential. If they stuck halfway with the story that the film was supposed to be based on (Trials and tribulations of restoring a villa and vineyard) it would have been great. The film "The Money Pit" came a lot closer to the story.
Instead, we get a canned formula boy meats girl (Diane Lane,) and girl meats girl (Sandra Oh,) and so forth. The villa just happened to be in the way of the story. And talk about slow and dragged out.
There are a few travel poster shots of Italy that are nice, but not any were worth the expense in time to wait for a story that never unfolds.
U-571 (2000)
Good formula Sub movie.
This movie is fun to watch as it has all the elements and "subplots" seen in most Sub movies. They did not go overboard with excess mush or gore. The acting is good enough that you feel that you are there. The action and suspense are constant with no lagging or lingering. I am not going to critique the story in case you have not seen the movie.
However, it was a well thought out story and people that are sticklers for facts instead of primed for adventure may not appreciate this movie. This is the U. S.'s opportunity to obtain an Enigma cipher machine by deceit.
It would be nicer if they had shown the pictures of the actors with their names in the credits instead of just names on a blank screen.
Two Lost Worlds (1951)
James Arness walks through this one.
Filmed at Red Rock Canyon State Park - Highway 14, Cantil, California, USA, the South Seas has some pretty strange desert plants.
It's in 1830. The clipper ship "The Queen" gets clipped by pirates. An Australian rancher's girl Elaine Jeffries (Kasey Rogers) gets pilfered by pirates. The rescue ship gets dispatched by pirates. Pirates get replaced by dinosaurs as a threat. Dinosaurs get replaced by the volcano as a threat. Will this ever end?
Even though this film has popular actors like James Arness in several popular themes with borrowed footage from other films you will still be glad that there is a fast-forward button.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
"Love look at the two of us."
Strangers in many ways - the classic song "For All We Know" from The Carpenters.
This movie starts sort of strange. However, after watching it for a while it gets sort of stranger. Everything gets wrapped up in the end as it is sort of stranger.
Two twelve-year-olds, Sam and Suzy, fall in love and run away together. They are pursued by all who care, from relatives, kaki scouts, police, welfare, and a storm.
Look at the many value-added actors make this movie.
Bruce Willis as Captain Sharp
Bill Murry as Mr. Bishop
Tilda Swinton, who better as Social Services
Many others.
We are introduced to lots of exaggerated personalities. However, it is just as I remember it as a youth. So maybe it is not so exaggerated. There is a welfare lady who could be a character right out of a Roald Dahl story.
Twins (1988)
The truth about twins
Julius Benedict (Arnold Swarzenegger) a genetically perfect person has been raised on a secluded island and learned about the world through books. Now he finds that somewhere out there he has a twin. He must seek out his twin that may be in trouble.
Vincent Benedict (Danny Devito) the twin may not be quite as identical as he was the leftovers of the experiment. But brotherly love and a sense of adventure lead them to search for their mother. What will Arnold and Devito learn on the journey?
One of the highlights is the close-up shot of Arnold after his first physical experience with the opposite sex.
Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977)
Should have riled a few folk in 1977
It is easy to look back at a movie in hindsight and say what it should have been. This is directed by Robert Aldrich and loosely based on the book "VIPER Three" by Walter Wager.
There are quite a few recognizable actors from the period that are at the peak of their form. You can believe in their characters.
The basic story is Vietnam War prisoner Gen. Lawrence Dell (is too outspoken) about a military cabal and maybe others playing war games at our expense. He is imprisoned on a trumped upcharge.
Being resourceful he breaks out and using his skills as the builder of an ICBM silo pilfers silo 3 for what looks like his own nefarious purpose.
Will President David T. Stevens let Felix out of the bag?
Burt Lancaster as the besmirched Gen. Lawrence Dell
Joseph Cotton as Arthur Renfrew - Secretary of State
Melvyn Douglas as Zachariah Guthrie - President's adviser
Charles Durning as President David T. Stevens
Richard Widmark as Gen. Martin MacKenzie - Commanding General SA
Leif Erickson as Ralph Whittaker - CIA Director
Too many more to name
For the people interested in delivery media this movie is now out on Blu-ray and looking pretty sharp.
Twelve O'Clock High (1949)
"We'll Meet Again" - Vera Lynn
We'll meet again
Don't know where, don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
'Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away
The 918th Bombardment Group of the U. S. Eighth Air Force is known as the hard-luck group. Gen. Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) does not believe in luck and chalks it down to attitude and discipline due to their leader getting too evolved with the men.
The general plans to take a different tact. We watch as it is applied and the results. You may pretty much have guessed the steps and outcome as there have been several movies of this type.
This movie however is exceptionally good at acting and story.
TV Guide Looks at Science Fiction (1997)
A quickie TV and TV-inspired Science fiction overview
Narrated by William Shatner, we get a whirlwind overview of TV guides of memorable moments of sci-fi through the decades. Too bad this is a 1997 overview which means we are missing two or more decades of more recent TV programs and inspired movies. I could think of a few missed programs but I also found some old ones that I forgot about.
Now with the DVR craze, all of them are coming back or back for the first time for many people. I think it is time for a new TV Guide to look at Science fiction.
Speaking about all the old stuff you need to look for The Bamboo Saucer (1968) with Lois Nettleton who was in The Twilight Zone season 2 episode 10 The Midnight Sun (1961) as Norma.
What became of our narrator - the Alien (Canadian) William Shatner?
Shatner in Space (2021)
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
That girl has an amazing set of... bowling fingers
This is a great movie that expresses the differences in cultures and their ability to better understand each other or the thrills of owning one's very own vacation house. This can even be a tutorial on how to pick up girls.
Tucker & Dale (Alan Tudyk & Tyler Labine) just bought the new vacation home (a fixer-upper) will now way to do a little vacationing and fixing up. They should have recognized the omen as the policeman explains to them that nothing good can come from that area. Little did they know that they would be soon stocked by college preppies that mysteriously also picked the same words to party and possibly even more. Will the two cultures clash from a misunderstanding or is there truly evil lurking there?
For the Music lovers:
"Soon" by John Craig "Meet My Maker", Holding On", & "Belong" by Mike Shields
"You Won't Hate Me Forever" by Mile Shields & Russell Broom
"Pump Up the Jam" by Thomas De Quincy & Manuela Kamosi
"I Dug My Grave and Walked Away "By David Isbister, Alan Calimbas, Michael Mestrovic, Brandon Lazenby
If the location looks familiar it was filmed in Alberta, Canada.
I had a great time with this movie as it was much better put together than your standard spoof. The presentation is not a campy as you would assume and even carries a redeeming social value.
True Lies (1994)
The Last Line of Defense
A conservatism film staring Carlton Heston as Spencer Trilby. Heston sends out his tango-loving agents to protect the U. S. from terrorists. Harry (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is one of their best. His family thinks he is an innocuous computer salesman.
Sometimes he horses around with the bad guys. At other times he is a little flighty.
Harry has to watch the "Sand Spider" (Art Malik.)
The wife, Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) being a little board finds satisfaction in helping a dubious faux spy Simon (Bill Paxton.)
What would Harry do if he knew the truth about Simon?
How would Helen react if she found out the truth about Harry?
What if the "Sand Spider" found out about Harry's daughter?
Is the world safer?
Tom Arnold is so helpful with his "one-liners."
Troy (2004)
"I lived in the time of Achilles"
This film pretty much follows the story of Homer's Iliad with very few exceptions and a possible ending. However, the few exceptions and ending are what make this story work as a movie instead of a long poem. Stories being told many ways five different insights and there should be no conflict between the reader and viewer and both stories are real to the observer.
For you, that forgot the story and you that know the story well but have not seen this movie we are looking at a story that you may or may not have had an opportunity to sidestep in school but can never have a grasp on social history without it. Some call it real and lost in antiquity. Others say that homer had a Good imagination. And others treat it as an allegory with a historical background.
Brad Pitt who has played fickle people before is excellent in the part of Achilles and is sort of a heel. Nothing less was expected. It was the other actors that played their parts so well that you forgot you were watching the movie.
The story:
Two Trojan princes are the guests of the Spartan ruler Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson). While Menelaus is preoccupied with other matters he leaves his wife, Helen of Sparta (Diane Kruger), to her devices. The younger Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) is left alone too many times with Helen and decides against everyone else's better judgment to make her Helen of Troy and thus pilfers her from Menelaus.
As a husband, Menelaus is of course miffed. However, his brother the Greek king Agamemnon (Brian Cox) sees this as an opportunity to absorb Troy into his territory. Naturally this spawns a war in which Agamemnon recruits Achilles an extremely gifted and charmed warrior. Achilles goes to make a name for himself. He brings his cronies and his cousin. Together they do many bold and callous things.
I will not go into the details of the war as you either know or will soon know the details. However, I will say that I thought that the Trojan horse was well and realistically designed. And you may want to pay attention to the background music as it is relevant to the film. The gods that fire the war are missing from this presentation.
Tron: Legacy (2010)
If you liked the original TRON you will like this presentation
Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) misplaces his father (Jeff Bridges) at an early age. I suppose this has something to do with San growing up with a renegade attitude and a propensity for freedom of information.
Then one day his mentor Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) receives a page from a defunct phone line. The adventure begins as Sam is digitized. In the process of finding his father, he is mesmerized by a cutie (Olivia Wilde) with a secret of her own. Will he save his father? Will he want to? Will the cutie serve a higher purpose or perish? Let's have some fun telling Sam not to fall into obvious traps.
Of course, we have to be updated to the presentation in terms of graphics and complexity as it would be a tad hokey to try to limit us to the original costumes and terminology. But we still get the TRON thrill.
Tron (1982)
Alice oops Flynn in wonderland
What would computers appear like to the uninitiated, 40 plus years ago? Even as we watch this remake of Alice every one knows that computers were getting smaller even then. But this is a fun romp with love and loyalty, and now with time campiness.
The nasty old MPC (Master Control Program) wants to rule the world vis-à-vis remove human contamination or at the least play like "Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970). Only the "Users" (a loose term invented by the moviemakers for programmers) can defeat him. Flynn (Jeff Bridges) and a hand full of loyal programs including Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) will attempt to do so running into many quasi-computer parts along the way. Will they succeed or will their side issue with the lovely Yori (Cindy Morgan) sidetrack them from their mission.
Jeff Bridges looked cute in those days and David Warner (Master Control Program Voice) had just enough touch of evil for a Disney picture.
Trog (1970)
It would have been better if Joan Crawford played Trog.
Joe Cornelius, who played in such films as "File of the Golden Goose" (Gordie) with Yul Brynner, was selected to upstage Joan Crawford as that multidimensional character (Trog).
A volcano heats up a frozen creature from the age of the dinosaurs. Why can they not let the poor creature alone? Can he learn to be civilized or will we fall victim of his rage?
You have seen this story a million times. An innocent cave creature is tormented by a child let loose on it by a sadistic anthropologist. The poor creature must "play ball" or pay the consequences.
Can't wait for the sequel where they have Joe Cornelius Vs the Piltdown man with William Shatner.
Triumph des Willens (1935)
Makes you feel that you are in the Order of the Arrow
Just about everyone you know has seen the opening scenes of this Lini Riefenstahl documentary of the NSDAP 1934 six-day Nuremberg Rally (Release date March 28, 1935 (Germany.)) But have you seen the whole two hours?
The opening scenes with the clouds remind me of Lini's mountain movies.
They speak German slow enough that you do not need the subtitles to keep up. However, the film is older than most people, so the subtitles help identify the different speakers. They forget to use subtitles for the songs; however, you probably know most of them. Later we get whole speeches; not just sound bites. If you listen closely, you can periodically hear the Horst Wessel Lied; you get pretty much the whole song around one hour and 50 minutes.
I have a porcelain coin collection (Notgeld) from the different German States so it was interesting with they did the roll call of the laborer force to hear the different states they were from.
I saw the film several times. The best rendition is on DVD with the extras like an audio commentary by Anthony Santoro Professor of History and President Emeritus at Christopher Newport University, Newport News Virginia. He gives a good background to the film.
A side thought that nags me as I watch the rallies and listen to the speeches to massive throngs, is where are the port-a-potties?
Tristan + Isolde (2006)
Two willows entwined.
When the Romans pulled out of the English isle they left a power gap and a divided land that was ripe for the picking by the ruthless Irish. Growing up in this turmoil is Tristan. Left for dead he is nursed back to health by Isolde. They find each other only to be pulled apart by loyalty and duty.
The story has many parallels to the tales of King Arthur and other Celtic tales. It looks like a tad of Seigfreid was to send in also.
Two outstanding things that make the film first class besides the story and cinematography (filmed in Ireland and Prague, Czech Republic) are the acting of Rufus Sewell and the music by Anne Dudley. People will want the soundtrack.
Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (1995)
A tad dated (1995) but lots of interesting films
A lot of information is covered in a very quick time; it is bettered viewed if you already have a fair background on the subject or use repeated viewing.
This is more of a series of old films of the time. No secrets or details are exposed. This is a good movie and never promised too many technical details.
There is just as much left out as left in to get through the subject in 93 minutes to describe the U. S. detonated 331 atomic devices.
It is, however, a fairly complete historical documentary without a lot of sound bites presentations. I did not notice the background music (Performed by The Moscow Symphony Orchestra) as we get this noise with just about every production nowadays. However, it seems to have been just as much a character as the narrator in defending the mood of the viewer. Towards the end, we did get a good clip from "Where the Boys Are" sung by Connie Francis.
If you do not recognize the narrator's voice it is of William Shatner.
We get some food footage of a young and an old Edward Teller (1908-2003). Along with this is footage of other people significant to the story.
What ever happened to William Shatner? Shatner in Space (2021).
Capabilities of Atomic Weapons FM 23-200
Your next read is - Capabilities of nuclear weapons - Defense Nuclear Agency Effects Manual Number One, Part Two, Section Two, Damage Criteria - Injuries, EMP, Materials, Equipment (Effects of Nuclear Weapons Series)
Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015)
A winged predatory carnivore that uses a mixture of volatile chemicals in its nether regions.
Whoever typed the subtitles in this movie must have been having fun; a man on a rock relieving himself and the subtitle says (tinkling.)
Yep, it is time for Tremors 5 - Bloodline AKA Burt Gummer in South Africa. They run across freshly washed Graboid-chow. We will see Inkanyamba and the impundulu. The Inkanyamba is a legendary serpent said to be living in a waterfall lake area in the northern forests near Pietermaritzburg most commonly in the base of Howick Falls, South Africa. We have a veterinarian with a machine gun. Looks like scenes borrowed from "Jurassic Park" and "Shenna." There is even regurgitation. Oh, no not a "stay-in-the-car" scene! There is "worm sign."
This film has cranked up the conflict while still not letting the action replace the personalities. We'll always have Florida.
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2004)
Tremors 4- The Legend Begins (Video 2004)
Nevada, 1889 starts with a munching scene.
With this edition of the series, we see some new actors and some familiar. Michael Gross makes a John Wayne (Marion Robert Morrison) style entrance.
We see some new structures and some familiar (renamed to protect the innocent.)
With lots of action, we quickly learn what we are up against "Dirt Dragons." After watching the first three movies in the series I am pretty sure Old Fred (J. E. Freeman) will be found under his hat on the ground. Let's see. Looks like they may have Kelly for breakfast.
The subtitle should be "This Land is Mine"
Can not wait for the next installment.
Murder at Glen Athol (1936)
Could rival Christie or Sayers
Bill Holt (John Miljan) is a famous detective. He is on vacation and borrowing a house on Glen Athol. He is invited and practically forced to go to a party in the mansion next door. A wickedly flirtatious girl Muriel Randel (Iris Adrian) tells him of all the skeletons in everyone's closet. She seems to be some sort of scamp that uses everyone including the detective. It seems to be an early night as the detective goes home to finish a book he is writing. The scamp is exhausted and goes to bed early. All is well.
Bang! Bang! Shots heard. That night the butler mistakes a nephew (guest) of being a burglar and shoots him. Soon other bodies are found and the simple-minded police pin it on the nephew. Our detective without overtly playing his hand must find out the truth.
Be sure to concentrate on the first 10-minute introduction of the characters or you will get lost in the shuffle.
Watching many detective movies it is not hard to guess the whole story as it is thinly masked and hurried at 69 minutes. However, it is fun to watch the story unfold before our eyes and a rather refreshing but not unique conclusion.
The film has the feel that we are coming in in the middle of a series. However, there is no reference to a book or any other movie either this character. The Writer of the screenplay, John W. Krafft, has a string of credits to his name for many other movies and TV series.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Oh, what a tangled web we weave
Based on The Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, it was appropriately directed by Mark Webb.
Usually but not always the remakes lack originality and the following of the first. Well, this version very much surpassed any previous versions, and the character of Peter Parker (Spidie) is better rounded, and his background made the character is better told. The whole story seems better-rounded and consistent with the magazine.
I appreciate the mix of actors, some well-known to many others well-known to followers. Each made their character come alive.
I do not want to go into too much detail as the fun is anticipating the events. Some of us do not need to compare not seeing any original movies or magazines. So, it is well worth a look.
There are several DVDs and download combinations of this presentation. If you have the opportunity to watch the extras they only add to the experience of the movie. I liked the voiceover commentary with Mark Webb.
The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)
Jazz up your lingerie just like a melody
The reason I decided to watch this movie was that it had a formula that could not miss. Being from the 30s it'll have it THIRTIES feel. This movie is directed by Ernst Lubitsch with a young Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert soon to be of Cleopatra's fame. Cleopatra (1934).
I did not realize that it was a musical until I started watching the movie. The film was fun to watch and has historical value. We get to listen to "Jazz up your lingerie!"
Jazz up your lingerie
Just like a melody
There's music with every ribbon
And a flowing rhythm
Wear lace in harmony
A silken symphony
It's music!
And just the right note for you
Color should be seen
Let your step-ins have no dull or gray tones
Wear your crepe de chine with some pep
in up to date, hey-hey tones
Jazz up your lingerie
Just like a melody
Be happy!
Choose snappy music to wear
But I'm not too sure of the underlying message when Princess Anna (Miriam Hopkins) goes from Princess Princess Leia Organa's classic to Mary's "Reefer Madness" just to impress a smiling Lt.