JKearse

This is one of those movies that you really enjoy when you watch it, but you have to say it is quite bad. Meredith Baxter is certainly a huge reason why this thing works; she takes her part so seriously. And good for her, because other actors might not shine so much in such a campy film. This is was one of those typical seventies TV movies found on ABC in the seventies. It was shot on a small budget, and it shows a little. It really is amazing that these old ABC TV movies were so effective, given their small budgets. It also stars Gale Sondergaard, Hester Black, John Carradine, and Keye Luke. But it's Meredith Baxter that is most memorable. If you like this one try "Bad Ronald."

My problem with Michael Moore is not that I disagree with him, but the fact that he is not fair. He simply distorts the truth and leaves out important pieces of it. I realize that his point of view is legitimate (not that I agree), but if he simply told the truth and defended his position, I could take him seriously as a documentarian. Moore is all about the shock value, which I know makes for a compelling film but not a documentary. He is not the only one to do this; I have not seen a good documentary in many years. A good documentary should be like a argumentative essay. It should take on its subject head on and defeat the opposition point by point. Moore's documentaries don't do this. What makes it far worse is that so many film critics can't see this. It makes me question film criticism.

Alfred Hitchcock's greatest work stars James Stewart as a former policeman turn detective in 1950's San Francisco. As is typical with our favorite director, Hitchcock creates his art without cutting back on entertainment, which is why so many consider him motion pictures' greatest film-maker. First time and repeat viewers of Vertigo are compelled to continue viewing Hitchcock's film until the chilling, unexpected end. Vertigo's conclusion is anything but satisfying but rather a life-changing slap in the face. It is probably the greatest film ever made. Stewart and his costar Kim Hunter also give their greatest performances. Barbara Bel Geddes's small supporting performance is equally effective. Hitchcock's incredible eye for landscapes is never more keen as it is in Muir Woods, a California Mission, and around San Francisco. (By the way, the shots of the mission were taken from several missions and assembled together to create a nonexistent mission.)