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Titanic (1953), a review by Tom

Title: Titanic
Year: 1953
Director: Jean Negulesco
Rating: PG
Length: 94 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Clifton Webb
Barbara Stanwyck
Robert Wagner
Audrey Dalton
Thelma Ritter

Plot:
CLIFTON WEBB, BARBARA STANWYCK and ROBERT WAGNER star in this gripping re-enactment of the tragic 1912 sinking of the Titanic in which over 1,500 people lost their lives.

Supposedly an unsinkable ship, the huge British luxury liner met with disaster on its maiden voyage when its captain ignored numerous warnings of impending danger. Though based on facts culled from eyewitnesses, fictional characters depict the men and women, many of them international celebrities, who courageoulsy faced this unexpected tragedy in the icy, bleak waters of the North Atlantic.

This tremendously moving and extraordinary film continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Extras:
Featurettes
Scene Access
Trailers

In my opinion this effort is inferior to the German movie released 10 years previously. The sets are cheap, scenes set outside even cheaper. Two third of the movie are showing rather uninteresting storylines. Only the last 25 minutes or so are about the disaster. And that is handled very unrealistic. There is hardly any panic involved. Everybody is going in very orderly fashion to the lifeboats. The men are only willing to stay behind. Everybody has time to have a nice undisturbed dramatic little last chat with their squeaze.
Beside those glaringly obvious flaws, this movie is still watchable. The cast is good. You can see a young Robert Wagner in an early role. Wouldn't it have been for his way of talking, I wouldn't have recognized him at all.

Rating:

(From Titanic Marathon on May 31st, 2009)

Ashanti, a review by Rich

a quick yodel in switzerland...



Dr. David Linderby and his wife Anansa are carrying out an inoculation program in a small African village when Anansa disappears. The police can do nothing to find her and David has almost given up hope when he hears a rumor that Anansa has been kidnapped by a slave trader called Sulelman, to be sold to an Arab prince

How can a director go from Soylent Green to this?    Dire script, poor acting, laughable accent by the normally reliable Ustinov as the Arab slaver, and Caine looking totally uninterested. Only overshadowed by the worst acting ever seen by model Beverly Johnson as the kidnapped wife, and the cheesy cameos by end of career actors Sharif and Harrison. Avoid this unless on pain of death - 2/10

(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on January 7th, 2008)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

1.03 Manhunt (1994-10-06)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Paul Haggis (Writer)
Director: Paul Lynch
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Daniel Kash (Detective Louis Gardino), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Leslie Nielsen (Buck Frobisher), William Smith (Harold Geiger), Cali Timmins (Julie Frobisher), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr. (voice)), Conrad Bergschneider (Chuck), Donald Fleckser (Donald), Judith Scott (Head Nurse), John Carroll (Scow Captain), George Buza (Welker), Ernie Grunwald (Morgue Attendant)

Leslie Nielsen as Fraser Sr.'s old partner
It's nice to see Nielsen in a more serious role but still retaining a little of the typical Nielsen humor.

Rating:



1.04 They Eat Horses, Don't They? (1994-10-13)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Stephen Neigher (Writer)
Director: Timothy Bond
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Daniel Kash (Detective Louis Gardino), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Al Waxman (Vince Leggett), Teri Polo (Stephanie Cabot), Kaye Ballard (Mrs. Vecchio), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Domenic Cuzzocrea (Landlord), Paulina Gillis (Maria Vecchio), Vito Rezzo (Tony), Richard Moll (Zaleb Carney), Yanira Contreras (Mrs. Gamez), Francesco Figliomeni (Mario), Brooke Johnson (Adelaide), Robert King (Norm), Gary Hill (Auctioneer), Walker Boone (Crew Chief)

Teri Polo and Richard Moll guest star.
A fun episode. I always enjoy the scenes, when Fraser is visiting Ray's family. Especially Francesca is a riot.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on June 28th, 2009)