Westerns started making a comeback in the 1990s. The Quick and the Dead is one of my favorite Westerns. It has a bit of everything. Ordinarily, I’m not a big Sharon Stone fan. Here, she’s tough and she’s vulnerable, often at the same time. In my opinion, it’s her best role, which allows her to … More The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Films of 1967 nominated for Best Picture. Back then, five films are nominated. Four really good films were nominated, the fifth is a mystery. Here are other studio and foreign films from 1967: In Like Flint Hombre Barefoot in the Park You Only Live Twice The Dirty Dozen Up the Down Staircase The Flim-Flam Man … More Best Film Nominees (1968)
One of Humphrey Bogart’s most famous films, and the one where he flirts with Lauren Bacall whenever they are on screen. This has always been Casablanca Lite, in my book. Both films have heavy atmosphere, quirky characters, a piano-playing pal, Nazis, a world-weary American who doesn’t want to dirty his hands with current politics. To … More To Have And Have Not (1944)
Dick and Mary. A better team of actors? You would have to go back to Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, or William Powell and Myrna Loy to find that kind of chemistry. For five years, Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore played Rob and Laura Petrie. Rob and Laura were like JFK and Jackie … More Dick Van Dyke & Mary Tyler Moore
If you are going to see one Russell Crowe film, this is the ticket. It is not one of his many fine dramatic roles (Cinderella Man, A Beautiful Mind, The Insider), it is light, romantic comedy. This is a Cary Grant or James Garner role. It might be light and frothy, but you still have … More A Good Year (2006)
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
