Custom Detailing Movie Reviews

"The African Queen," director John Huston's other foray into very similar territory (rough man & religious woman forge friendship to survive against nature and enemy in wartime), is justly celebrated as a classic and an acting tour de force for leads Bogart and Hepburn. I only wish "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" got as much attention as TAQ since I think it is an equally splendid movie. Mitchum and Kerr are perfectly cast and give outstanding performances in their roles as as a battle-hardened Marine and a dedicated nun. The acting fireworks in "African Queen" are great, but I actually think I prefer the exquisite subtlety of Mitchum & Kerr's approach here, where the conflict between the characters is not as volatile as in TAQ and therefore calls for even greater amounts of calibration and control in body language, facial expressions and tone of voice from the actors. Follow Mitchum's many successive emotions during the proposal scene -- desire, hesitation, courageous candor, disappointment, humiliation, and finally face-saving stoicism -- and you witness a flawless and masterfully intelligent piece of acting, with Kerr just as perfect in her responses and counterpoint (including Sister Angela's reaction to knowing she has just crushed this man who, for perhaps the first and only time in his life, has completely revealed his heart to anyone).

This is a wonderful character study of two people who are simultaneously polar opposites (warrior vs. woman of peace; street-tough vs. refined) and yet twin souls (courageous, loyal, unselfish, and duty-bound, one to the Marines and the other to Christ). Their attraction to one another is just as natural as their parting in the end (each following their duty) is inevitable, albeit bittersweet. Kudos to the filmmakers for not lapsing into sentimentality or cliches. Every creative choice for these characters is perfect.

This film would, of course, make a great companion piece to "The African Queen" for comparison and contrast, but it also stands quite well on its own as a first-rate story, well told and well acted.

Heaven Knows Mr. Allison is one of those feel good movies thats fun to watch with a good love story and more than enough excitement to keep the viewer interested. It's the story of a shipwrecked U.S. marine (Robert Mitchem) who finds himself stranded on a deserted island. Stranded that is except for the nun (Deborah Kerr) and about 1000 Japanese soldiers who keep coming and going throughout the film as if they cant make up their minds how important occupying the island really is? The movie then becomes not only a struggle to survive the island and its lack of food and water? But also a struggle to avoid detection by the Japanese while keeping their romantic feelings for each other in check? The acting by both Mitchem and Kerr (who won a best actress oscar nomination for her role) is superb. And the ending in which Mitchem once again finds himself crucial to the war effort by taking out the Japanese big guns before the American invasion add up to a fun and very entertaining film that doesn't leave a bad taste in the viewers mouth. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

20th Century Fox has done an OUTSTANDING job remastering & digital transferring to DVD many of their World War II movies under the heading of FOX WAR CLASSICS!

"Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" is the best of this series thus far. This 1957 film is presented beautifully in Delux Color & Anamorphic WideScreen (automatically adjusts to your tv size including 16:9 HDTV) format.

Summary: John Huston directs this outstanding story about two of the dearest, most delightful & wonderful people who must survive together in the Southern Pacific during World War II. Sister Angelia (Deborah Kerr - absolutely fantastic (Oscar Nominated for Best Actress)) as a missionary nun and U.S. Marine Corporal Allison (Robert Mitchum - perfectly casted truly) who are stranded on an island in Japanese occupied territory. Their 2 faiths (hers in God & his in the Corps)bring them together and provide each other the strength to overcome over whelming odds.

"Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" is a great family picture. Is so delightful & entertaining (the story line is a pleasant surprise). Kerr & Mitchum are magical together. Don't miss this one. I guarantee you will be watching this one more than once. This is a great movie to buy!!

Get out the popcorn & see a Great WideScreen DVD movie today. Find out why "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison"? Enjoy.

Special Features include: 1957 Movietone News (including Heaven Knows Mr.Allison clip), Theatrical Trailer & Fox War Classic Trailers.

Movie with a big reputation and critical acclaim (mostly). Ho hum. Just a barely average movie.

The positives first. Um, lets see here...
1. The music was pretty decent (Yes, King Crimson)
2. Christina looks nice, but only has two looks in this movie - "pout" and "gaze".
3. A few funny moments.
4. Somewhat interesting camerawork. Except for the boring parts.

Negatives...
1. Hopelessly unbelievable story. Christina's character "Leyla" (but going by Billy's imaginary only-previous-girlfriend's name "Wendy") had many chances early on to escape her loony kidnapper, but chose not to. We have no character developmnet for her, so we don't know if she is emotionally unstable, rebellious against her family, etc. Actually, the fact that she ends up liking the unlikable grimy ex-con loser points to fact that she has no taste, or sense.

2. I can not emphasis enough how much of a loser the character of Billy is. He would not have survived 5 years in prison without getting his teeth knocked out and his nose broken because he was such a messed up ass. He needs some serious psychoanalysis ("Hold me a minute" - she does - "Don't touch me!" Give me a break. His fashion sense has to be seen to unbelieved. Although Billy seems to see the light at the end, I doubt he will make any lasting recovery. Bottom line - "Does not play well with others."

These 2 large negatives pretty much balance out the 4 positives. It is a professionally-made movie, and the participants seem to be trying, however.

Supporting cast of Mickey Roarke as a bookie, Jan-Michael Vincent as a washed-up alcoholic bowling-alley owner, and Ben Gazzara and Angelica Huston as his parents are decent.

Recommended for fans of Christina Ricci, and maybe residents of Buffalo.

DVD has no extras. A generous 3 of 5 stars.

I saw this film on a movie channel in a hotel...I had never heard of it before. It is probably my favorite of all time, funny, happy, romantic in a non chick-flick way, and extremely cool.

This is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. The acting is absolutely amazing and the film and editing work is incredible. This is one of the best scripts ever written and deserves to be acknowledged a lot more. Viewers never get to see the better movies in life because we are all hocked up on mainstream films.

LOVESICK is a movie that has only a small ration of wit. However, if you like to believe that schzophrenia describes split personality, the script that this film followed was schzophreniic. There were moments when it followed a comedy line, then split to drama--you were never quite sure which-- but it was rarely comedy funny and hardly ever dramatic suspenseful. You could call it a dull romance. Dudley Moore, psychiatrist, falls in love with his atttractive patient, Elizabeth Mc Govern. He develops some stupid, not funny, cupid induced behavior. The love fixation develops into a romance that overcomes some pesky obstacles. Those obstacles are an erstwhile Mc Govern boyfriend, and Moore's wife. But, love conquered: [1]Mc Govern didn't care much for her boyfriend, and [2] Moore's wife has been having an affair with an artist--she's quite willing to give up Moore. Some suspense, the chance that Moore would lose his license, is directed at him from the psychiatric psychoanalysis community, but it is simply not an awful threat to Moore nor his career. I caught only one memorable funny scene when Moore complained to Elizabeth that she failed to help him with a patient because she had penis envy. Let me paraphrase: "You say I did it because I was castrated?" Elizabeth asked. "Yes," replied Moore. "Well, doctor, they are going to come after you with a net." That scene is worth three stars. It made my wife laugh. I saw this movie because Moore was linked in the casting to Alec Guiness and Elizabeth Mc Govern. Their talents were wasted even though the underlying thesis of this movie is correct; viz., guys who are lovesick belong in the funny farm.

This is a subtle, low key but very funny and wise film. Great showcase for Dudley Moore. Beautiful, sophisticated music score as well!

According to Leonard Maltin, this is a 2 star movie. And I can agree with that on most counts. What makes this movie a 5 star film is the special magic it casts upon the viewer - I mean me.

How can you put magic into words? Impossible.

I can only say this...there is a special magic about Moore falling for McGovern. You can see it happening - hell, I could see it on their faces. It's that knock-down-drag-me-out kind of love that defies emotional definition. It has happened to us all - at least I hope it has, for this kind of love is worth experiencing at least once.

What makes this film magical is the fact that it all works out. In real life there are too many variables that inevitably screw everything up. But in this movie, everything worked out perfectly. Only in Hollywood.

I would be greatly remiss if I didn't give special kudos to Peter Gabriel, whose beautiful music perfectly captured the beauty of the scenes. This music worked to enhance the magic still further. I only wish it were on CD! I'm a 56 year old male who still feels a tear when the last scene lifts to a panoramic view of Central Park and the music takes you away.

Last and not least, the actors collected for this enterprise are of noteworthy status...Moore, McGovern, Ron Silver, John Huston, David Strathairn, Alec Guinness, Alan King, Selma Diamond, and my favorite, Wallace Shawn. Quite a cast for a 2 star movie.

If you're not a romantic, you won't have the foggiest notion of what I'm talking about. But then, this movie is not for non-romantic people.

Forget "reality". Just watch this movie and let it take you away!!!!

Agnes Browne is so fine from beginning to end it will give you a prolonged organism (if you don't understand thst, view the video for a clue).

Agnes Browne is one of my favorite Irish films of all time. Set in Dublin in 1967, it is about the struggles of Agnes, played by Academy Award winner Angelica Huston, who also directed the film, A Moore Street fruit and veg stand vendor, whose husband dies in an auto accident, and she is left to raise their seven children. Anjelica had much of her early education in Ireland, so she knows about Irish life, and made sure that her film was loaded with realism. My wife was born and raised in Ireland, and says that Anjelica's Dublin accent was flawless. She was not so kind about other American acresses, playing Irish parts, like Julia Roberts in "Michael Collins," or Cameron Diaz in "Gangs of New York." The language in this film might seem a little strong to somw viewers, but it is very realistic for Dubliners, so it adds to the film's quest to just "Tell it like it is." Huston surrounded herself with experienced Irish actors, led by Marion O'Dwyer, who plays her best friend and fellow street vendor Marion. The friendship between these two is one of the highlights of this amazing film, but the interaction between the two of them with other venders carries a lot of weight also. In her situation, Agnes was bound to have financial problems, and went to local gangster "Mister Billy," who thinks nothing of dealing with children and has an unorthodox collection system, and no sympathy for the poor souls he lends money to. Overall, this film keeps drawing you in, and makes you want more, which is why you feel kind of sorry when it ends, because you want it to continue. My wife and I watch Agnes Browne whenever we need a pick-me-up, and we always feel better after watching it.

Agnes Browne has to be one of my all time favorite movies. I have watched this numerous times and walk away each time with something new. It's about friendship, life, struggles...and Angelica Houston is just so fabulous. WOW! I laughed and cried so much throughout the movie, I went throught tissue after tissue. Watch with you're best girlfriend. I know I sent a copy to mine. I also own one and bought another for my Mother. A movie that just really stayed with me.

The 60's and early 70's produced several great comedic westerns i.e. Cheyenne Social Club, Dirty Dingus Magee, McClintock, Great Scout, The Rounders, Evil Roy Slade, Support Your Local, etc. The list goes on and on. Those movies were all great, but pretty much one dimensional and set the tone for some collective disappointment over the content of Judge Roy Bean.

There are some great hilarious moments in this film but I never really got it until recently. It's actually a love story above all else, and a comedy, as well as John Huston's own statement about the retreating old west. If you view it in that context you'll be very impressed. If you're looking for pure comedy you may find that it drags in moments. However, this is the last time you'll get to see Paul Newman with that devilish Eddie Felson/Ben Quick light in his eyes, he was made for the part as a self-appointed and self-styled Judge/philosopher that dispenses justice to just about everyone that wanders through his town whether they deserve it or not. This film also showcases IMO the best villian of all time in Bad Bob, a murderous long haired psychotic albino come to lay ole' Beano to rest. Victoria Principal is so cute you just want to, well you'll see. Anyway, it's very funny but it is a love story. I found that rather distraction 30 years ago but I didn't get it. Well worth a watch.

This is not only my favorite western, but it is also one of my favorite films. I don't buy a lot of videos to own, but I had to have this one in my permanent library. When the DVD comes out I'll be sure to get it, too.
When I first saw this in the theaters in '72 I was attracted by the action, the humor, and the sentimentality ( I still can't keep a dry eye when I watch the final scene with the watch bear....) As I got older I realised that there is a lot more to this movie. There is a consistent theme about Law and Justice, and the distinction between them.
When we first see Roy Bean he is a petty outlaw, less than a man. He has total contempt for law and justice, which he doesn't distinguish between. Then, when he first becomes a "Judge", it is in dubious title only- to fill his own pockets. As time goes on he intuitively dispenses true Justice in the name of the Law. By the final climactic scene, when asked who he is , he replies simply, "Justice." He has gone full cycle, from a scoff-law and less than a man, to the embodyment of Justice itself, to more than a man.
You'll notice that his chief adversary is a Lawyer Gass, a man that knows everything about the Law and nothing about Justice. A "man" that steals more with legal trickery than the old outlaws ever dreamed of stealing. It was this movie that made me see that Law is the creation of men, while Justice is an ideal that emanates directly from God.
I don't know if this is the theme that John Huston had in mind, but it is what I get out of it.

This ace of a flick really catches the spirit of the old judge who made his own law west of the Pecos. They don't make small colorful eccentric little films like this much these days. Everybody in the movie is right on the money too. A beautiful Jaqueline Bisset stars as the judge's tough assertive daughter. This must have been one of her earliest roles, and she turns in a fine endearing performance. And of course there are too many great names in this movie, Ned Beatty, Roddy McDowell, Stacey Keach, Tony Perkins, and of course Paul Newman as the judge himself. Do yourself a treat and pick this one up! You'll be glad you did.

Is this a post-WWII patriotic vehicle or is it a true adaptation of Crane's powerful and ground-breaking story?

The story is NOT about heroism. Frankly, I was surprised to see this film was made so soon after WWII and right at the beginning of the Korean War. Crane's novel is one of the great anti-war pieces ever written, ranking with "All Quiet on the Western Front." So is this film to be likened to "Apocalypse Now" or more like "The Green Berets"? Sadly, I fear the latter, if the spin on the trailer is accurate. Comparing it to "Birth of a Nation" would suggest that it is thought of as a patriotic vehicle rather than a message film. I thought maybe John Huston himself had the courage to film this story the way Crane intended it, but of course it is up to the viewer to "get it" or not.

Crane's work is a naturalistic rendering of the inhumanity of war. It is not about becoming a hero -- it is about a soldier who begins as an isolated and fear-filled boy but through the horrors of war becomes part of the "war machine." It is not about the glory of war; it is about the loss of humanity that war demands of its participants. In the end, even after acts of "bravery" the soldier wants to go home and flee warfare altogether.

It is ironic that Audie Murphy, one of the highest decorated soliders of WWII, is playing the young soldier. I wonder how many WWII veterans watching this film related to the fear and the sense of inhumanity presented at the core of the story.

But of course, the Civl War is held in a different context than WWII, perhaps rightly so. The enemy here is quite different than Nazi troops, or is it? Read or watch "All Quiet on the Western Front" if you want to explore that question further.

The film itself is well-made. Huston's direction is quite good, with some interesting camera angles and great cinematography. The censored language is quaint now, but the overall feel is still one of comeraderie and some realism. Newcomers Murphy and Mauldin both hold their own quite well. It is great to see Andy Devine and even William Schallert in supporting roles. As for the DVD, I would like to have seen more extras and more notes on the production itself -- were the actors just that or were they early re-enactors?

Overall it works as a war movie, I just wonder which side of war this movie really is supporting.

John Houston's story of a young Union soldier who overcomes his fear of battle is wonderful. Audie Murphy's portrayal is stirring and quite lifelike, the movie doesn't portray any super human motives, but a simple soldier who is quite naturally scared going into battle and overcomes his fear. However, Houston doesn't allow Murphy's character to get into excessive machoism either, as he finds out that many of his comrades did the same thing he did, turn and run. Had the movie execs not chopped this movie up, it could have been even better. As it is, it's a bit too short and lacking in details such as the battles portrayed in the movie patterned after a real battle. The unit portrayed isn't even mentioned until the end of the movie. It would have been fun to follow Murphy's character's unit through the war.

The purely psychological aspect of this film -- not only about fear on the combat field, but of being afraid of being afraid -- is great. The young men really personify a young man's innate fear of failure, fear of death, fear of combat and fear of being a coward. "He was a real Jim Dandy," an unknown soldier says of the "Tall soldier," who, for the purposes of the movie personifies what a REAL soldier should be -- brave, willing to give his life, going on until there is no energy left in him. But the main character personifies every human -- outwardly trying to act the part expected of him, and inwardly doubting himself. This movied really touched me. Stephen Crane's portrayal is brought to light in such a vivid way.

The reader can discover an exotic world through the eyes of the Macphails. He can very well feel the umcomfortable experiences and situations with which the two married couples are confronted after their arrival at Pago-Pago. That part is very well described. After the appearance of Miss Thompson the story becomes interesting, more and more until the climax, Mr. Davidson's death at the very end. And there are also some other unexpected turns and surprises in the story which make it interesting to read. The end is open and the reader can imagine himself what has happened to Mr. Davidson. This open end gives the reader the impression to have read a quite interesting book even if it is not so exciting in the beginning. Also the rain produces a lot of tension. But some parts are also a little bit to long. Next to the main story there are also other small stories. For example the hidden fight of Mr. Macphail against Mr. Davidson. I think the writer of this book also writes his opinion about the very enthusiasm missionary in this story. It is exaggerated a bit, for example the shocking methods with which the missionary couple tries to convert the natives. And the thinking of the people to that time after the second world is also obviously in this book. The natives are going to discriminated from the white people, they are regarded as not real human...In the whole the book is surelly a bit a special one but also a good desicion to read.

This movie was a critical flop at the time of its release, but history has been kinder. Crawford gives one of her best peformances as a bawdy prostitute who falls under the spell of a zealous preacher. Moody, frighteningly believable in spite of the period mannerisms, this ranks as one of the best films of its era and a great study in filmmaking, too. Surpasses even the short novel by Somerset Maugham.

Crawford fans already know that while this movie was a famous flop for Joan, it contains one of her most interesting performances. Now they can see it struck from a near-immaculate print and enjoy both the gorgeous cinematography and those wild closeups of Joan. A friend of mine who is not a Crawford fan described her look in this movie as "Makeup Poisoning". Personally, I love Joan's characterization of South Seas prostitute Sadie Thompson. Highly stylized, it's a little ridiuclous, but compelling. In her "redeemed" scenes Sadie is quite moving (and stunningly beautiful! This was Crawford at her peak). Sadie's ascent up the staircase to confront Walter Houston's lustful preacher is brilliantly handled and has to be one of Joan's best confrontation scenes ever --ranking right up there with Mildred slapping Veda. A little talky and slow in spots, but the rewards are worth the wait.

The reader can discover an exotic world through the eyes of the Macphails. He can very well feel the umcomfortable experiences and situations with which the two married couples are confronted after their arrival at Pago-Pago. That part is very well described. After the appearance of Miss Thompson the story becomes interesting, more and more until the climax, Mr. Davidson's death at the very end. And there are also some other unexpected turns and surprises in the story which make it interesting to read. The end is open and the reader can imagine himself what has happened to Mr. Davidson. This open end gives the reader the impression to have read a quite interesting book even if it is not so exciting in the beginning. Also the rain produces a lot of tension. But some parts are also a little bit to long. Next to the main story there are also other small stories. For example the hidden fight of Mr. Macphail against Mr. Davidson. I think the writer of this book also writes his opinion about the very enthusiasm missionary in this story. It is exaggerated a bit, for example the shocking methods with which the missionary couple tries to convert the natives. And the thinking of the people to that time after the second world is also obviously in this book. The natives are going to discriminated from the white people, they are regarded as not real human...In the whole the book is surelly a bit a special one but also a good desicion to read.

This movie was a critical flop at the time of its release, but history has been kinder. Crawford gives one of her best peformances as a bawdy prostitute who falls under the spell of a zealous preacher. Moody, frighteningly believable in spite of the period mannerisms, this ranks as one of the best films of its era and a great study in filmmaking, too. Surpasses even the short novel by Somerset Maugham.

Crawford fans already know that while this movie was a famous flop for Joan, it contains one of her most interesting performances. Now they can see it struck from a near-immaculate print and enjoy both the gorgeous cinematography and those wild closeups of Joan. A friend of mine who is not a Crawford fan described her look in this movie as "Makeup Poisoning". Personally, I love Joan's characterization of South Seas prostitute Sadie Thompson. Highly stylized, it's a little ridiuclous, but compelling. In her "redeemed" scenes Sadie is quite moving (and stunningly beautiful! This was Crawford at her peak). Sadie's ascent up the staircase to confront Walter Houston's lustful preacher is brilliantly handled and has to be one of Joan's best confrontation scenes ever --ranking right up there with Mildred slapping Veda. A little talky and slow in spots, but the rewards are worth the wait.

Iam john and i like the disney one better. That one is great than any otther of the old ones. There is nothing wrong with this one but i said what i said.

I totally agree with Racquella because Play is the 4 most amazing girls who ever step foot on this universe. If you're getting it, make sure to listen to 'It's a Hard Knock Life' because if you've never heard of PLAY, then
1. You're crazy
2. You're missing out a TON!

So get it and be obsessed with Play like me! They deserve it!

Well even tho this DVD hasen't releaced yet, PLAY is doing a preformance of "It's a Hard Knock Life" in the Featurette. PLAY Rox... That's enough reason to order this DVD to begin with.... What More can I say????