willrams

If you want a rousing Big Fat 8, go see this exciting and eventful film based upon Homer's great epic. The siege of Troy by all the Greek forces. After ten bloody years, the Greeks are not going to leave without taking Troy. Even though the CGI is recognizable in big huge battle scenes, there is much to be said for the fast pace and fine acting in this epic. The film is 162 minutes long, but your interest will be held by the fast pacing and fine acting. Laurels go to Brad Pitt as an audacious arrogant personality unforgiving until the end. I understand the location locales were made in Mexico, Malta and London. Directed by Wolfgang Perersen, the only criticism I can give is that the musical background rarely fits the action. Too bad; somebody like John Williams would do much better directing the music. It was good to see Peter O'Toole back again; he plays the part of Priam. In fact he did so well and was so disguised with beard that I hardly recognized him at all. 8/10

Another old movie from my garage vaults; one I always loved because of the great music and so many MGM stars. The loosely based biography of both Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. They were a great pair. Rogers wrote the music and Hart did the sometimes crazy lyrics Tom Drake plays Rogers, and Mickey Rooney plays Hart. The big numbers in this were by June Allison in "Thou Swell"; Judy Garland's "Johnny One-Note"; Judy and Mickey doing "I'll Take Manhattan"; Mel Torme's "Blue Moon", and many others. I believe this film was one of Perry Como's and Mel Torme's first. The story may seem like a hodgepodge of great talent, but who cares the music is wonderful! How could anyone not love Judy Garland or June Allison? 7/10

I dug this film out of my vaults today and I believe this film is a loosely based bio on the real life of comedian Jack E. Leonard back in the 20s and 30s. Tony, played by Frank Sinatra, seems to be a very hard luck widower who always gambles his life away. He has a 12year-old boy who is a strong asset to him. But when Tony loses everything and tries to get his brother, Mario, played by Edward G. Robinson, to stake him and lets them bring up his son, it doesn't work out. His son loves him and doesn't want to live with anyone else but him. The highlights of this good comedy, directed by famous Frank Capra, is the song Sinatra sings "High Hopes" with his little boy. Good acting and fine performances by Sinatra. Eleanor Parker plays the love interest. But, who plays the son, Ally? I couldn't find his billing. 7/10