This is a film that many people like to take shots at, but I find myself always engaged in watching it. It is a very moving and warm film. There are various reasons why Driving Miss Daisy has been knocked. Recently, TCM featured the film, and even host Ben Mankiewicz mentioned the controversy of films … More Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Sheriff Andy Taylor was his best known character, followed by lawyer Ben Matlock. Country gents with wisdom and a compass heading of goodness. Each could be a bit quirky and capable of a misstep, but learned and made things right. In between Andy and Ben, and even before, Griffith played many characters, most of these … More The Two Andy Griffiths
It’s hard to think of a better character actor than John Hillerman. His voice and demeanor were unmistakable. He patrolled the screen for eight years as Higgins, the crusty, acerbic head of security on Magnum P.I., but much of his finer work was in other roles. Magnum P.I. is on Amazon Prime, so I’ve been … More Remembering John Hillerman (actor)
The first female detective in her own television series: Anne Francis. Although the series lasted just 30 episodes (1965-66), she broke a barrier. There was much more to Anne Francis than just a pretty face, she carved out a respective and successful career as an actress. Anne Francis could do it all, drama, comedy, strong, … More Anne Francis: More Than Honey West
Over the past fifty years, name the actors with longest, box office successful and most honored careers: Nicholson, Caine, Hackman, Streep, Fonda and De Niro. Let’s look at Robert De Niro and thirteen must see De Niro performances. If you glance at the list, you see a lot of omissions. No Mean Streets, The Irishman, … More A Robert De Niro Baker’s Dozen
Will Ferrell: The Laurence Olivier of the 2000s. Okay, his films are not art, but he is a funny guy. No matter how stupid you might think the character or premise, there are some laughs in his films. Ferrell has made a lot of films: Hits, misses and outright bombs. I am not be a … More Will Ferrell: Old School or Semi-Pro?
The turbulent life of Judy Garland is fairly well-known, from her successful juvenile movie career to her difficult adult life ending in tragedy. Less known is the period of time in 1968-1969 when down on her luck, she accepted money to appear for five weeks of concerts in London. Concert-goers in 1969 must have been quite … More Judy (review)
I began noticing all of the television programs on the oldies channels and cable, and how many of them are from the mid 1960s. It is amazing the number of programs that more than 50 years old are still popular. Did you have to be alive in 1965 to be enjoying these series today? Baby … More TV Shows From 1965
This is not the 1997 film comedy starring Harland Williams (RocketMan) and the chimp in space. That was a laugh out-loud film, this one is not. If you have been living under a rock the past fifty years, Rocketman is the story of Elton John, perhaps the world’s most successful singer/songwriter. Rocketman is a … More Rocketman (review)
“For an hour I’m the best actress in the world and the best fuck in the world,” says Bree to her analyst. Klute is the kind of film that could be made today, but it would be ruined. Filmmakers had a very narrow window in 1971 to make daring but entertaining films. The more commercialization, … More Klute (1971)
