Ordinary People ( 1980 ) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

There are a few other films with like or very similar names,but there is only one film like this 1980 release that runs 124 minutes.According to the IMDB summary,

"The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father, and the guilt-ridden younger son."

it seems simple enough.Oh contra !!!
I took 1 star off because I generally don't want to see films about those who HAVE it,waste it.Also it is slow and I guess thats the story teller in the films director  Robert Redford.
Today,I doubt audiences would sit thru the hour or so it takes to finally make you feel vested in the lives of the three main characters.Too bad for you than,because the last hour is as tugging yet frustrating as a film can get.There is NO happy ending,only understanding and that will have to do as it does for us all,rich or poor.
There are four standout performances that keep your interest through  Redford's slow early directing. They are Donald Sutherland  as Calvin Jarrett ,the father  and  Mary Tyler Moore     as Beth Jarrett,the mother,Timothy Hutton as Conrad Jarrett as the son and finally Judd Hirsch as Dr. Tyrone Berger ,who will challenge your beliefs as he did mine,that phycologists are quacks.He shows at least that they care and sometimes that just might be enough.  A good cry will come to those who wait and watch the entire film.Trailer URL follows the pix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdjlLq1tqmU

Galaxina - 3 stars out of 5 stars

There are a few reasons to view this film when there is nothing else important to see.First off as a parody of sci-fi and westerns it's so bad it's high camp.Second,some really bad acting that makes you wonder how wonderful character actor Stephen Macht got caught in this as well as veteran funny man Avery Schreiber.Finally,Dorothy Stratten,who was killed in a sensational Hollywood murder the same year,1980 as this 95 minute film was released.She was indeed beautiful and had a screen presence if not really a "good"actress.
Back to the film.It's pretty bad BUT it does reference a few  good films and the "Star Wars"bar parodies as well as the old "Flash Gordon"music are fun to see and hear.The film"Flesh Gordon"had better effects but this parodies a few films rather than spoofing only one well.The "shootout"parody of "Good the Bad and the Ugly"is also amusing.Its just the bad acting and simple plot that forces me to take 2 stars off.Tepid recommendation.
Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below.

Main Plot: Crew of interstellar police ship is sent to recover a mysterious crystal, the blue star. Sub Plots: The ships female android and a crew member fall in love. Alien is spoofed as as the captain gives birth to an alien who grows up on the ship thinking the captain is its mother Written by jk0101

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GrEZZbL4Tg

Texas Across The River - 4 stars out of 5 stars

When this film was made back in 1966,I don't think there was a "genre"of film parodies,I guess they just called them "comedies".Well welcome to the earliest western comedy I can remember.Even before"Blazzing Saddles"which I consider the gold standard of western comedy.Except for some very poor editing and super imposing,its a well made film.That might be my only complaint.There are many funny Texas jokes and some funny if a little politically incorrect,lines as well. But the real fun is the casting of Dean Martin and Alan Delon,both of whom played serious roles in major westerns.Martin earlier in "Rio Bravo" and Delon later in "Red Sun".You also have to LOVE Peter Graves as Capt. Stimpson in a hint to the comedy yet to come from this fine actor.Even Joey Bishop as a indian named Kronk  is low key funny.Finally Michael Ansara as Iron Jacket,a comanche chief is funny.The rest of the cast works well also.So if your looking for a good funny western parody and have already seen "Saddles"check it out.It's worth a few laughs. Especially jokes about that"poison black water" The film runs 101 minutes and I took 1 star of for the poor editing and super imposing.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.

The Louisiana wedding of debutante Phoebe Ann Naylor to Don Andrea de Baldasar, El Duce de la Casala is stopped by the Cavalry over a matter of honor. Don Andrea flees across the river to Texas, where he meets up with Sam Hollis and his Indian sidekick, Kronk, who are carrying rifles to the town of Moccasin Flats. Don Andrea rescues an Indian maiden, Lonetta, tames some longhorns, competes with Sam for Phoebe's affections, eludes a Comanche war party and the cavalry (who have come to Moccasin Flats to celebrate Texas' statehood) and ultimately saves the town and gets his girl. Written by Robin Richmond

http://www.starz.com/titles/texasacrosstheriver

Conan the Barbarian (2011) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Usually remakes"suck",this one is,well,so,so.I wanted to see it because I be loving me some Jason Momoa,who plays Conan in this version.While he was GREAT in "Stargate Atlantis"and "Game of Thrones",both TV series and both reviewed on this blog,sadly he can't make you forget Arnold who first played Conan.Its also unfair to compare the two film versions as the first with Arnold was really over the top and therefore really good fun.This film is much more serious and well,that doesn't work as well.Stephen Lang who plays Khalar Zym,the baddie who kills Conan's father,is no James Earl Jones ether.Perhalps it would have been better to name the film something else??However,even so,the story is too similar to confuse with something else even through there are some major changes,still its a story of a youth who seeks vengeance over the years and finds it.
So see this version which was released in 2011 and runs 113 minutes only if you like the cast,as I do,and you enjoy the genre.However there is no comparing the two films,Arnold wins hands down,thus 1 and 1/2 stars off.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below.

 The tale of Conan the Cimmerian and his adventures across the continent of Hyboria on a quest to avenge the murder of his father and the slaughter of his village.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi990092569/

The Big Lebowski - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Ethan Coen and Joel Coen have written many scripts that became hit movies.Like most prolific writers you might like some and others not so much.My sons LOVE this movie,it is NOT one of my favorite Coen films,that would be "Fargo"which I also reviewed,however this movie is viewable in spite of the heavy drug overtones.A fabulous cast and crazy mixed up story make for a few good laughs and a good musical score. In fact afterwards I felt like bowling a few games.Released in 1998 and running 117 minutes I took the 2 stars off for the language and drugs.Still,gotta love the Saddam and Cong references as well as small roles by Sam Elliott as The Stranger and John Turturro as Jesus Quintana.However the movie stands on the main characters ,Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey Lebowski - The Dude and John Goodman as Walter Sobchak. I felt that Steve Buscemi as Theodore Donald 'Donny' Kerabatsos and Ben Gazzara     as Jackie Treehorn were wasted but the rest of the cast was fillers but performed well.Comedy is subjective but you could do far worse.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below.

"Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire Lebowski, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4018733337/

The Fountainhead - 4 stars out of 5 stars

For this political election season I recommend this old 1949 classic that runs 114 minutes,as a primer on the republican parties goddess,Ayn Rand.This film is in B&W and VERY dated and might not interest younger viewers.That is a shame and the only reason I took off 1 star. Clearly defined is the argument of individual vs the collective as this film is based on the novel and the screenplay itself is written by Ayn Rand.The metaphor is freedom of ideas expressed by a architect who must fight against conformity to have his own work commissioned.Adding to the intense melodrama is as weird a triangle as you'll ever see between Gary Cooper as Howard Roark,the idealistic architect and the always dynamic Raymond Massey as Gail Wynand ,one who was as Roark but is no longer.Finally never more beautiful Patricia Neal     as Dominique Francon  who loves one,but marries the other. The rest of the cast are well recognized actors of that era. The story covers years of fighting against the norms for ones own integrity and clearly defines that giving of oneself for nothing,in regards to helping others through collectiveness,is slavery.This film does define the arguments of big government ( the norms) vs small entrepreneurial spirt ( the individual) we hear today in yesterdays terms.Both are clearly defined.Highly recommended.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.

An uncompromising, visionary architect struggles to maintain his integrity and individualism despite personal, professional and economic pressures to conform to popular standards.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1751647513/

Texas Killing Fields - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This is a strange trick that producer Michael Mann and his daughter,director Ami Canaan Mann have played on us.Up front I must admit that as a director,I have always loved me some Michael Mann,so I was somewhat disturbed at this movie.His daughter shows much of the grit of her dad and may someday rival him,HOWEVER,this film is a tease and not what it seems.You will have to be the judge of if it was worth the view.You see I have family that live around Texas City  Texas and well,it is at the center of what may be the largest unsolved collection of murders in the country.Of course it was naive to think this film had answers,but I didn't expect a gritty story of life on the edge with the murders as only a background for the story of of these characters.Even at that,the characters are never fleshed out enough to really care about them.Only the acting excels and was enough to keep me watching.Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Brian Heigh,a ex New Yorker,like me,is the best of all. Sam Worthington as Mike Souder,local boy and son of a cop,and now one himself.Underused Jessica Chastain as Pam Stall,ex wife of Mike and a detective herself. 
There are others in smaller roles and all are fine.But they aren't worth really caring about and the murders aren't really tied in but for a very vague maybe with no evidence or proof.
So watch only as a curiosity.Thats why I only rated it my lowest ok at 2 1/2 stars.Released in 2011 it runs 105 minutes.Trailer URL follows pix and a IMDB summary is below.

Souder, a homicide detective in a small Texan town, and his partner, transplanted New York City cop Detective Heigh, track a sadistic serial killer dumping his victims' mutilated bodies in a nearby marsh locals call 'The Killing Fields'. Though the swampland crime scenes are outside their jurisdiction, Detective Heigh is unable to turn his back on solving the gruesome murders. Despite his partner's warnings, he sets out to investigate the crimes. Before long, the killer changes the game and begins hunting the detectives, teasing them with possible clues at the crime scenes while always remaining one step ahead. When familiar local girl Anne goes missing, the detectives find themselves racing against time to catch the killer and save the young girl's life. Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi152149017/

TV Series - Strike Back - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Extremely violent version of a "24"type show with much better locations and modern effect as it is about covert UK military operations and all THAT entails rather than homeland type US security.I'm HOOKED.It's basically about a special branch called "section 20"which travels all over the world in search of terrorists and weapons of mass distraction.It has its "secrets""double crosses"and other intrigue that the hugely popular series "24" had but MUCH more violent and action packed and I saw it on cable TV cinemas. Now over 2 seasons and 14 episodes I like it much more than 24 but fans in the UK should understand that were it NOT for the HUGE success of 24,would there be a strike back series. It would be very hard to unravel the series many plots and sub plots but it revolves around Philip Winchester as Sgt. Michael Stonebridge,who is SAS trained and the main" in the field "operative and Sullivan Stapleton as Sgt. Damien Scott a disgraced former US Army Iraq war vet.There seemed to be a earlier 3 episodes that weren't shown here but may be available as a movie,but the 14 TV episodes so far are well worth it and they continue.Anyway,these 2 characters bond and have each others backs thru combat and intrigue and personnel crises.The FX work well and don't kill the acting and the"real time"satellite imagery views are fascinating.MUST SEE TV. It came out in 2010 and my only issues are the extreme sex and violence make it a truly adult series,thus 1 star off.
By the way,if you like "Game of Thrones"you'll note from that series these actors in THIS series.Iain Glen and Charles Dance.Trailer in this case is a scene and follows the pix.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1313578009/

Cowboys & Aliens - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Interesting if a bit uneven film that I enjoyed more than I thought I would.Took 1 star off for length and the unevenness towards the end.Never thought i could believe Daniel Craig as Jake Lonergan but I did, and i fully expected Harrison Ford to work as Woodrow Dolarhyde and he did.There was a full range of good actors rounding out the cast in what began as your dark but typical western and finally became uneven when they tried to mix in the aliens at the end and NO,not the ones from the movies with the same name but more like the ones from the TV show "Falling Skies"also a Spielberg production as is this movie,but not quite so don't look for prequels here.Released in 2011 and running what seems a little long at 119 minutes because I didn't quite buy the ending.Still,it is different and worth a look for western fans more that sci-fi fans.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.

A spaceship arrives in Arizona, 1873, to take over the Earth, starting with the Wild West region. A posse of cowboys and natives are all that stand in their way

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2016976153/

Father of Invention - 3 and 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

OK I admit I always be loving me some Kevin Spacey and "Black Comedies".While this film pales as good comedy,its still good enough Spacey for me and thus the ONLY reason to see it.Infomercials are boring and silly and so are the people who make them.In some regards this film is a update of "The Jerk"in the sense that a guy has it all and loses it because of a bad product then gets it all back.Instead of being  born a "poor black child"
Spacey's Robert Axle is the common emotionally poor father.The rest of the cast are unimportant as their characters really mean nothing including Axle's daughter,played well enough by Camilla Belle.No,its the sharp ever scheming mind of Axle that matters and Spacey can do this sort of part very well,see "Casino Jack "as a example.Released in 2010 and running but 93 minutes,its for Spacey fans only as no one could really care about someone like Axle for real,or his pathetic life.Thus I took 1 and 1/2 stars off.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below.

After 8 years in prison, inventor Robert Axle struggles to win over his estranged family and catch up on current technology as he works to once again become the king of the infomercial.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi269523993/

J. Edgar - 2 and 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Clint Eastwood may not have done his best work directing this film.Released in 2011 and running a very long 137 minutes,I was bored and confused but I wanted to k now so much about the man,J Edgar Hoover who just might have been the most powerful man alive in his day.Yet what we get is a so/so back and forth confusing rehash of some very questionable parts of his life.Thats why I took 2 1/2 star off.Perhaps the issue is the final cut and editing,I don't know,but I wanted so much and got little.I thought everything was was done acting and film wise except the total story and concept of how it was done.So i recommend only for serious government geeks who want to know who Hoover was ( head of the FBI for 48 years and 8 presidents) as there is no other film about him.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below.

Biopic of J. Edgar Hoover told by Hoover as he recalls his career for a biography. Early in his career, Hoover fixated on Communists, anarchists and any other revolutionary taking action against the U.S. government. He slowly builds the agency's reputation, becoming the sole arbiter of who gets hired and fired. One of his hires is Clyde Tolson who is quickly promoted to Assistant Director and would be Hoover's confidant and companion for the rest of Hoover's life. Hoover's memories have him playing a greater role in the many high profile cases the FBI was involved in - the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, the arrest of bank robbers like John Dillinger - and also show him to be quite adept at manipulating the various politicians he's worked with over his career, thanks in large part to his secret files. Written by garykmcd 

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1849990169/

What's Your Number? - 4 stars out of 5 stars

OK we know all about how comedy is personal,yadda,yadda,and I always be lov'in me some Anna Faris,whom sadly makes some lousy movies that no one would see if not for her,but be warned,this is full of VERY ADULT content.Only she could pull off the off color jokes and situations and you still love her for that shred of innocence that is always there just below her characters surface.While the rest of the cast has talent and you've seen most of them before,this film relies on her and her alone.Released in 2011 and running but 106 minutes,I took the one star off for the STRONG sexual innuendoes but hey,so many OTHER comedies are full of drug innuendos,I rather prefer sex,just me.I'll tell you this,her "number"is shocking,but only she can pull it off without seeming to be a slut.Oh,by the way,a girls number is "how many guys she slept with."My number is…….,MUCH less than her's,ha,ha.
Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below.

A woman looks back at the past twenty men she's had relationships with in her life and wonders if one of them might be her one true love.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2886245657/

Live ( 2007) - 5 stars out of 5 stars

There are a few film with this title so it may be hard to find but worth looking for."Black Comedy"done well is very hard as politically correctness always seems to get in the way.Not in this film.It's "The Onion"meats "The Deer Hunter".Bill Guttentag's fine effort starts as a simple Onion spoof of the absurd overtaking of network television by silly self absorbed money hungry producers and 15 minutes of fame TV wanna bee common folk.However slowly and sometimes painfully,it turns into the Deer Hunter.Quick reminder here,Deer Hunter was about the violence of war,not being enough,had to include a suicide game of Russian Roulette for money and fun by soldiers driven half mad by war.
Mr. Guttentag may or may not have intended to draw any comparisons between the films but if you have seen both,its hard not to.Even to the fact of the film character of the producer is killed in the end.So for those looking for "light"entertainment,look elsewhere.For those who want to be shocked and warned that we continue to climb a slippery slope,HOLD ON before we all slip.
Oh,the film is about the ultimate quiz/reality TV show of Russian Roulette by 6 people with 5 getting 5 million dollars apiece and one,well……….
Meanwhile the producer of the TV show herself is the subject of a documentary being filmed in real time.
It's well acted and cast although I'm not really sure Eva Mendes nailed her character of Katy,the TV shows producer.Started as a sexy money grabbing bimbo and then seemed to feel the pressure of what she started to the point of her own death.Or maybe she really did,and I didn't "get"it ? In a film like this,its hard to always feel the "texture"of the moments.I  felt Jeffrey Dean Morgan and David Krumholtz in defining their roles,were OUTSTANDING and Monet Mazur had a movie scene stealing moment.Must see movie.
Released in 2007 it runs  only 96 minutes.Trailer URL follows the pix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNGlRH1nQac

The Linda McCartney Story - 3 stars out of 5 stars

This was a CBS TV movie released in 2000 and running 90 minutes.I found parts of it very interesting but it really told the story of Linda's marriage to Paul basically but with a few interesting sidelights and omissions.Thus I took 2 stars off and recommend only for really Paul fans as you are led to believe his life would have been in ruin after the Beatle breakup if not for Linda.Still the film has some fine moments as its told in a back and forward framed timeline, as Linda is fighting cancer which finally she died from in 1998 after 30 years with Paul and being talked into playing in his new follow up band"Wings".They had 3 kids together and seemed to love each other though both were very experienced before they met.See she was a photographer for Rolling Stone and had affairs with Mick Jagger and  Jim Morrison and already had a daughter from a prior marriage.So if you want to see actors portraying Rock Stars when they are still alive,its another reason to see the film.Most of the cast are "b" list but work well in their rolls and Elizabeth Mitchell is a better actor than I thought. Notably absent is the heavy drug use though Paul's 9 days in jail in Japan for possession is touched on.So its worth a view for the specialized audience I mentioned.Trailer URL follows the pix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q3heAE40Qo

Spaceballs - 4 stars out of 5 stars

OK again I admit to being a butt boy,in this case,Mel Brooks.I've already reviewed "The Producers"and"Blazing Saddles".This film is different in that it is direct satire of others films.In Blazing Saddles it was a broad satire of a film genre,in this case,its individual films.The main target is "Star Wars"and thats maybe 75+% of the jokes,but there are shots at "Alien",Jaws",Rambo",Lawrence of Arabia","Planet of the Apes","The Wizard of Oz"and even Star Trek.There are also healthy servings of yiddish humor and good music throughout.Brooks was the best of his day and perhaps today he's not as relevant in this politically correct climate but judge that for yourself.It was released in 1987 and runs only 96 minutes.I took 1 star off for the relevance of satire to these older films for todays audiences.However there is a funny "transformers"reference scene which points to just how popular those old cartoons were.For those younger fans,there would be NO transformers movies if there were no cartoons first.My favorite lines are still the jewish/yiddish jokes.Nice "nose"joke,"princess"ect.Even a funny line about seeing seeing you again in the sequel,the search for more money…………
Trailer URL follows the pix and the cast is great headed by Brooks himself and the late John Candy and many others.MUST SEE for movie to comedy parody fans.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4171498777/

Soul Food ( 1997 ) - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Not in the class of Spike Lee's "Crooklyn" which I reviewed previously,but ok anyway.There is another film with the same name but I haven't seen it so I don't know what if anything,it has in common with this one.Released in 1997 and running 115 minutes,this films strength is also it's weakness,thats why I take 2 stars off.The issues in this film,though seen thru black eyes,could be just as easily white issues.Thats the problem as well.In"Crooklyn"disaster was always around the corner.In"Soul Food"you get the feeling they put themselves in their own problem positions and would figure away out,or else,so be it.That most certainly is NOT the case in Crooklyn.Anyway,back to this film.Brandon Hammond is outstanding as a the young lad who is telling his families story while trying to keep it together after his grandma's death.HE is the main reason to see this film.The rest of the cast is ok,with some just ok music by"Babyface"If you want to see a black film,its JUST ok.There are better,but few better performances than the ending by young Brandon.Trailer URL follows pix and a IMDB summary below.

Matriarch Mama Joe has held her family together for 40 years around a Sunday dinner of soul food. When diabetes hospitalizes her, the dinners stop and tensions among her three daughters start to break the family apart. Two of the sisters feud continuously: Teri is jealous of Maxine's marriage and irritated that everyone assumes her corporate salary is open to the rest of the family's uses. Maxine resents Teri's bossiness and insensitivity to family tradition. Bird, the youngest, newly married to an ex-con, accepts a favor from an old lover that leads to her husband's arrest. Mama Joe's grandson Ahmad cooks up a scheme to bring the family together, back to the table. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4286841113/

Conan the Barbarian (1982) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Before Conan Arnold Schwarzenegger was a virtual unknown but he not only became a star he also revived the "sword and sorcery"as I call it,genre of films  including a sequel.There is also a remake that I have to see.However this is about this 1982 film that runs 129 minutes.The film stands up well over these years but its not for children.Sexual content.It is for those who like the tradition good vs evil storyline.Here is good,Conan,with a questionable past,vs pure evil in the form of James Earl Jones as Thulsa Doom  whom is not in that much of the film,but he sure commands it when he's in it, even as a really bad guy.The rest of the cast is good but i loved the small role by William Smith as Conan's Father. A veteran character actor that I like a lot.Also for fans who like to spot athletics in film roles,I give you Oakland Raider Ben Davidson as Rexor. Type casting?? Now some may say its a little corny,well,it is,thats why I took 1 star off.However its still a classic and a must see for film historical reference points,and just plain fun !!!! Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below

The epic tale of child sold into slavery who grows into a man who seeks revenge against the warlord who massacred his tribe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1XmZ9_ckdw

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ( 2009 ) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Not since Federico Fellini's films,as a young man n the 70's,  have I seen a Swedish film and the ONLY reason I saw this one was to see why it was remade in 2011 in the US and I have since reviewed.I rate them both 4 stars and take the one star of for the dark subject matter.The big plus is that both films are pretty much the same with only two major differences.The US film seem to be star driven and the accent in on the performance while here it has a more dark,dare I say Fellini, story overtone.Finally the ending goes in different directions and one would have to see the swedish sequel and await a US one to see if that matters much.Bottom line I recommend both for the story line and contrived plot line.Must for mystery who done it fans.It has a few shock scenes but not quite as graphic as the US version,close however.
Trailer URL follows the pix and the IMDB summary below.Remember there are 3 books written in this series,this is but the first and all 3 have been filmed already in Sweden.I have only seen this first one which the original swedish name is Män som hatar kvinnor.

Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, ruthless computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. When the pair link Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves. Written by Music Box Films

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2735866905/ 

Man on the Moon - 5 stars out of 5 stars

Andy Kaufman was a acquired taste and not for everyone.He was made for the 70's and will always be remembered both fondly by some, and as a "pet rock"craze by others.I have a family connection from Great Neck LI,though I never met him,and choose to remember him as something like a comet,Here as a big flash,and then gone.This film was released in 1999 and runs 118 minutes and Andy died in 1984 so ,many people from his career appear as themselves,but not all.Four actors must be singled out.Danny DeVito as George Shapiro his manager.Courtney Love as Lynne Marguiles ,Andy's girl.Paul Giamatti as Bob Zmuda his writer.Finally Jim Carrey as Andy, nails his quirks as close as another can.Andy was "different"in the way he put YOU on and you had to laugh for falling for it.His only real great mainstream act was a dead on Elvis impression,but then even THAT was a put on in the sense that who can't do a great Elvis if they had a shred of talent?? See the film "3000 miles to Graceland"which I reviewed to prove that point.
     No Andy's thing was the put on.What finally polarized the public on him was wrestling.First he wrestled women in the most chauvinistic ways.Then a real male wrestler with a fake injury and threat of lawsuits for credibility.But as he was dying and desperately trying any cure for Cancer he could find,he traveled to the Philippines for"Physic  surgery"and had to laugh when he witnessed that it was a fake and thus a "joke"on him.
Till his death,many though cancer was another joke on THEM.
Andy had to be remembered and this film is as fair as can be to show what he was and then you can decide was he a talent or a fake.Trailer URL follows the pix.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi497811737/

13 Rue Madeleine - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Ok,ok,I admit I'm a James Cagney but-boy but this old chestnut from 1947 running but 95 minutes is as good as it gets before FX and cold war Bond or Bourne flicks.This is WW11 and the beginning of the secret wars still being fought till today.Yes its shot in b&w and might seem silly sometimes by todays standards BUT look closely and you see what we have become and how important getting "intel"can be.I took 1 star off for being dated but its a classic and if secret agent films are your thing its a MUST see.A very young Richard Conte makes a good"Bad"guy and we sometimes forget how good a actor Sam Jaffe was.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.Oh and yes in bit parts that was future stars E.G. Marshall,Karl Malden and Red Buttons.

Documentary-style prologue follows training of O.S.S. agents for WWII work behind enemy lines. One of the group is a German "mole;" leaders Gibson and Sharkey are aware of this and scheme to feed him false info about the invasion of Europe, while the real agents go to France to find a secret V-2 rocket depot. But the German spy outsmarts them and rejoins his people knowing too much; Bob Sharkey takes the risk of going in after him. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

13 Rue Madeleine - 4 stars out of 5 stars