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Magnificent Obsession, a review by Antares

Magnificent Obsession (1954) 65/100 - This film had three things working against my enjoying it for more than just a curiosity. This is my first film Douglas Sirk, a director whose particular skills were in the realm of Technicolor. So I was a bit disappointed by the fact that after the first half hour of the film, he starts to use a more muted palette, with most of the cinematography dwelling more on shadow. He proves that he also can master the lighting techniques needed for highlighting faces in light and shadow, but at the cost of Technicolor splendor. It doesn't help that the story is beyond hokey, with elements bordering on melodramatic, romantic fantasy. Which brings me to my second problem with the film, Rock Hudson. You remember that episode of Seinfeld where Elaine is dating Tony, the guy who always says Step off. George has a man crush on him and Jerry tells Elaine that Tony is a mimbo, Seinfeldese for male bimbo. Whenever I watch Hudson, I'm reminded of this, because he was probably the first actor in Hollywood who could carry this sobriquet, unless you mention Robert Taylor. Both of these actors were movie stars, not thespians. They are there as eye candy for the ladies and tend to be outclassed by the cast around them. Hudson is beyond unbelievable and somewhat cartoonish in his delivery of his character's lines and emotions. Finally, my third reason for yawning at this movie and why I consider it romantic fantasy, is Jane Wyman. Never for a moment, could I believe that someone with such a shallow personality like Bob Merrick, would fall head over heels in love with her, especially when Barbara Rush is in the same room.

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on December 5th, 2014)

The Hustler, a review by Antares

The Hustler





Year: 1961
Film Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Rossen Films
Genre: Drama, Classic
Length: 135 Min.

Director
Robert Rossen (1908)

Writing
Sidney Carroll (1913)...Screenplay
Robert Rossen (1908)...Screenplay
Walter Tevis (1928)...Novel

Producer
Robert Rossen (1908)

CinematographerMusic
Kenyon Hopkins (1912)...Composer

Stars
Paul Newman (1925) as Eddie Felson
Jackie Gleason (1916) as Minnesota Fats
Piper Laurie (1932) as Sarah Packard
George C. Scott (1927) as Bert Gordon
Myron McCormick (1908) as Charlie Burns
Murray Hamilton (1923) as Findley
Michael Constantine (1927) as Big John
Stefan Gierasch (1926) as Preacher

Review
       Throughout the history of the Academy Awards, there have been moments of sheer stupidity on the part of the voting members. One such year was 1962. In what could be considered a rather weak field of nominated films, you would think that a strong character driven film such as The Hustler would have swept the honors. Looking at its competition that year, Fanny, Jugdment at Nuremburg, The Guns of Navarone and West Side StoryWest Side StoryThe HustlerCarrie, another film which earned her a nomination from the Academy.


Review Criterion
5 Stars - The pinnacle of film perfection and excellence.


(From The Hustler (1961) on June 23rd, 2010)

Angel Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

22. Not Fade Away
Original Air Date: 5/19/2004
The gang prepares to attack the true powers of evil by attempting to take down the Circle of the Black Thorn - a battle none of them expect to survive.

Guest Stars:
Vincent Kartheiser
Christian Kane
Sarah Thompson
Adam Baldwin

My Thoughts:
And this is it... the end of the series. I must admit... I loved the fight between Angel and Hamilton. While it made for a hell of an ending... I so wanted more... so wanted to see what happened next. I always wished for a reunion movie or something to continue the story... but that just wasn't meant to be. But this series definitely ended for a hell of a bang!

My Rating:

(From Angel Marathon on March 25th, 2010)