Don Movie Reviews

Another reason to see this film is because it was shot in the streets of New York around 1948 and from the first shot where we see the Empire State Building before it had the antennae added, it offers us a glimpse of the city that has changed and will never be the same. If you knew New York around this time, or if you are just interested from a cultural perspective, you'll enjoy the views of the city streets where milk is still delivered in horse drawn vehicles and every one seems dressed to the 9s.

Check out Ninth Street! You'll dig it!

Whatever your age, whatever your status, there is that part of you that never wants to grow up - and that is Peter Pan. Similarly, there is that part that DOES want to grow up, but still, still, doesn't want to have to obey the rules that don't belong, doesn't want to have the responsibilities, and isn't sure that the world is what it really should be - and that's Wendy. And finally, there's the part of you that wants to have no responsibilities, but all the fun, but still, if need be - to try to help - and that's Tinkerbell.

Berrie put together the archetypes that are within us all. I will be going to this movie in a strong longing and a strong anticipation - hoping that the makers of the film feel the exact same way - that such a movie reflects us all.

Anyway, I've been dreadfully anxious to see this version Peter Pan ever since I first saw the trailer, and I have to admit that I don't think I'll be disappointed. For one thing it has the great Jason Isaacs, one of my favorite actors, playing the infamous Captain Hook as well as Mr. Darling, a tradition that started with the Broadway play. I'm also very impressed with the way the rest of the cast looks, especially Wendy who is played by the newcomer Rachel Hurd-Wood. She has just the right sort of sweet, half bewildered but resolute look Wendy ought to have. Also Jeremy Sumpter, who plays the title role, is just the way I imagined him. He looks "cocky" enough for the part in a perfect sort of alarming but charming kind of way. (You may know Mr. Sumpter form Frailty in which he played a young Matthew McConaughey. So think him, but smaller and not so chunky looking with light curly hair.) Anyway, I could go on and on about how perfect I think everyone in the cast is, but as that is mostly a matter of opinion I'd run the risk of boring you to death. I shall try and summarize. The lost boys look like lost boys, very lost and dirty, the pirates look mean and rather clueless, and the Indians look very indianish. The entire Darling family looks sweet and perfect and so does Tink who is played by some French actress who I know nothing about.

I've watched both trailers about a zillion times, even going through them frame by frame so as to see all the details. I must say things really seem to be in order, everything from John's Sunday hat, to the acorn button around Wendy's neck to Peter's perfectly white teeth (if your a fan of the book, yes, they're all there, his teeth that is).

Peter Pan is being filmed in Australia. The director of photography is Donald McAlpine, an Oscar nominee, the production designers are Roger Ford and Janet Petterson, both Oscar nominees, the music is composed by James Newton Howard, five time Oscar nominee, and the visual effects supervisor is Scott Farrar, and yes you guessed it, also an Oscar nominee.

So much for the goodies, now for some the stuff that doesn't look so promising. For one thing they seem to have added a character, Aunt Millicant, but as she is played by Lynn Redgrave there shouldn't be much to fear. I think her main purpose is to serve as one of those prim and proper relations, who doesn't understand children and is constantly trying to make Wendy "grow up". (Remember, "drama is conflict".) Another thing is the puppy love stuff, I hope this won't be too much of a problem. Last but not least is the fact that they seem a little obsessed with fancy sword fighting, and also dwelling on the dark side of the story which goes for making it much like any other action movie out there. Hopefully this won't override the plot or the character development, and there'll be a good balance between the two.

If this film is anything like the book it's going to be good, but it truly seems that the people bringing this story to life are dedicated to being true to it. Writer/director P.J Hogan seems to have a great respect and love for J.M Berrie's master piece, and though of course it's a bit early to tell, I believe there's a great passion behind this film. This is not just telling a great story but telling it in a top notch way. But enough of the sappy monolog. The long and the short is that for someone like me, a sixteen year old who already feels the effects of age, it will be a wonderful thing to see Berrie's great classic about children and growing up finally realized on screen to the best advantage. I'm giving it five stars as a benefit of the doubt, so keep your fingers crossed. I think we'll be blown away.

The relationship and it's progression couldn't be more awkward.
Judi plays an accomplished, successful, professional translator, much in demand in her field. She lives well, travels extensively, but is middle-aged and unmarried.

Next to her beautiful, perky, popular, MARRIED, younger sister, she always comes off badly and out of place. And despite all of her loving sister's (and her husband's) efforts to treat her well, be kind, be loving, be considerate AND try to draw her out socially and introduce her to men, each episode documents the disasters.

They do introduce her to an equally socially gauche "landscape gardener' whose business skills are as tattered as his favorite sweaters. They grate on each other, but team up to avoid further interference by their well-meaning friends.

The series is slow paced, low key, sometimes subtle, but always very funny. We bought all nine tapes at once. And the last tape was, in fact, the last episode of the series. We were VERY disappointed to learn there were no more.

We enjoyed it immensely. And now, my mother is in the process of screening the tapes. She's so pleased!

There has never really been a perfect edition of the movie for public consumption. I've even seen an edition minus any credits whatsoever and usually the editing seems like it was done with a pinking shears. This DVD version is probably the best one can buy right now and there are no special features, unless you consider Stanwyck performing "Take It Off The E String--Play It On The G String" a special feature. It is. She bumps, she grinds and the camera stays chastely above her waist.

There are several musical numbers and a few comic sketches that give us a taste of what burlesque must have been. The supporting cast is terrific. It includes Pinky Lee as a comic, Iris Adrian as a tough but friendly stripper and Michael O'Shea as Stanwyck's love interest. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for show business fans. If you're looking for a good murder mystery, look elsewhere.

There has never really been a perfect edition of the movie for public consumption. I've even seen an edition minus any credits whatsoever and usually the editing seems like it was done with a pinking shears. This DVD version is probably the best one can buy right now and there are no special features, unless you consider Stanwyck performing "Take It Off The E String--Play It On The G String" a special feature. It is. She bumps, she grinds and the camera stays chastely above her waist.

There are several musical numbers and a few comic sketches that give us a taste of what burlesque must have been. The supporting cast is terrific. It includes Pinky Lee as a comic, Iris Adrian as a tough but friendly stripper and Michael O'Shea as Stanwyck's love interest. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for show business fans. If you're looking for a good murder mystery, look elsewhere.

McCain is a single father, trying to find a new life with his son in North Fork. His goal is to teach his son what he needs to know to survive in the old wild West. McCain's methods are basic "tough love", and may seem harsh by today's standards. But underneath the gruff exterior, is the true warm love of a father for his son. A similar treatment is applied to others undergoing life crisis, like the alcoholic Micah Torrance, and Michael Landon's outlaw character, as well as many others in future episodes in order to help them see the error of their ways.

Issues of morality are typically presented as black and white, compromise is usually out of the question. Justice is often administered by McCain's tricked out Winchester lever-action rifle. Some episodes (particularly Peckinpah's), not necessarily in this collection, are particularly violent. The violence is treated as necessary, but the dead are not dwelt upon, and therefore the effect is softened, and passes as we fade to the commercial break. McCain kills only when forced to, and as a last resort.

Others may not agree, but "The Rifleman" is a show about men, primarily for men. Sure, it will find an audience with some women, but this show definitely has a masculine view of the world. In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks, there may more of an audience for a program where moral issues are clear, and justice is swift.

My only complaint is that there is not enough material included. Five episodes is good, but six, seven, or eight would have been better. Sorry, but I'm greedy, and don't want to buy an excessive number of DVD's to complete a series (like Star Trek or Twilight Zone). Volumes 3 and 4 already scheduled for release, so we can look forward to more Rifleman DVD's. Picture quality is excellent, and Elmer Bernstein's moving music comes in at all the right moments.

Whether you are not familiar with this series or not, this is definitely the place to begin. And thanks to MPI Home Video, there will be many more adventures on DVD to look forward to. This collection is highly recommended, and the best is yet to come.

Too bad we get shortchanged, this DVD needs at least two more espisodes. DVD's longer service life makes it worthwhile to upgrade to have the best episodes of the best western series.

"The Rifleman" is superior to the other westerns of its era, nearly 30 years after its debut, this series was a prime component of one cable channel's lineup. Surprisingly, Conners began a short-lived attorneys series immediately after "The Rifleman" went off the air. This series was a coming together of talented actors with good chemistry together, mostly good scripts, and the best music of any TV show ever.