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jonnieking
Reviews
My Favorite Martian: Man or Amoeba (1963)
Martin Helping Angela With Her Homework
Good Episode in a very funny, entertaining Series. Bill Bixby and Ray Walston were always superb in whatever they did. Pamela Britton, as Mrs. Brown, a PERFECT part of the Cast for this Series. AND, Ann Marshall, as Mrs. Brown's Daughter - Angela - couldn't have been better.
It's a shame that this warm, sweet character of "Angela" was dropped after a few Episodes. She was a wonderful diversion for the "younger set" at the time, had a crush on Tim (Bixby's Character), and added much to the blend of characters' in the show. Many more Episodes, plotted at least partially around her character, would have made the Series even better than it was.
The addition of the Detective (Alan Hewitt) though good at times, was pretty much done at the expense of losing Angela, and Bixby's Newspaper Boss (J. Pat O'Malley) another real "old pro" that should have stayed in the cast. And that was truly sad as, much of the time, Hewitt's Detective was just a one-note, boring-as-written character in Episodes that Angela and J. Pat O'Malley could have livened up and brought some fun to.
JK
The Iron Mask (1929)
A Must See Classic
Forget all other versions of this film...including the Leonardo DeCaprio version. This is a Fantastic look back at the Golden Age of Films ! I am actually watching it right now: the version which has the Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. narration.
Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and truly a 'Cast of Thousands' run through this exciting, wonderful motion picture giving true meaning to the word 'motion' ! The cast is perfect: the heroes, the villains, the beautiful damsels, the sets, the townspeople...all interwoven into a true classic and a superb follow-up to "The Three Musketeers". Dumas himself would be proud.
Like "The Bride of Frankenstein", this sequel almost surpasses the original and for film buffs and historians this is truly a 'must see' film.
Perhaps, in this age of 'short attention spans', maybe some younger viewers won't be able to stick with this film. Silent, Black & White, some over-acting involved. BUT, if you fasten your seat belts, grab a big bowl of popcorn and a large soda or two, and, maybe a "Three Musketeers" Candy Bar for a special tie-in treat, you will laugh, you will cry, you will be impressed. AND, you will take a wonderful trip back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood...and you WILL ENJOY !!
The Love Letter (1998)
Time-Travel Fantasy...No Space Ship Needed ! One of the Best !!
"The Love Letter" was written by Jack Finney. If you are familiar with his classic time-travel novel "Time And Again", you will definitely love this TV version of his short-story "The Love Letter".
The leads are very competent. Campbell Scott, for those who don't know, is the son of the late George C. Scott...one of America's Greatest Actor's. Campbell has come into his own, and does very well. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Daphne Ashbrook are perfect as the female time-travel counterparts.
Remember: this IS a fantasy. But a beautifully constructed one at that. If you've ever wanted to reach back into the past for a long-lost love, this story will surely tug at your heart strings. And the ending is "just right" and very touching in its own way...there may not be a dry eye in the room when it's over with. And that's okay.
PS: Jack Finney also wrote one of the greatest Sci-Fi Thrillers of all-time: "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers". In addition, if you like "The Love Letter" and want more of the same, treat yourself to the above-mentioned "Time And Again" ! Time-Travel, Romance, Mystery, Fantasy...all wrapped-up in the full-blown novel that has become a true Cult Classic.