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"THE KILLING OF JOHNNY SWAIN"
A great PBS "Mystery" movie. This was the first time I saw Detective Jericho but I recognized some of the supporting actors from other English mysteries. I liked this twisty-turny mystery with lots of action and lots of characters to love and hate. The Russian agents were typical '50s kitsch, heavy men in heavy overcoats with sinister eyes riding in black Mercs. The English accents were very heavy. The athletes were difficult to understand because they talked so fast which is natural in a group of happy, excited people. The accents made it difficult to clearly identify who was who in places like the 2 sisters looked like the same person to me. I didn't realize that the neighbor was the same woman seen in the bar scene until I read the movie description afterwards. Of all the foreign films, the British have always been my favorite. Normally I can get the hang of the lingo and it is no problem.  And even if I can't grasp it all, everything usually fall into place in the end for a satisfying experience. There are a few "Mystery" detectives that I don't watch because I don't understand a thing they say -- like Inspector Lyndley and his sidekick - I've never understood one word out of that woman's mouth!
The Killing of Johnny Swain is worth watching because it has all the ingredients of a great mystery -- keeps you guessing right up to the end and a number of good surprises along the way.   10/1/10

"JOHN & ABIGAIL ADAMS"
If you are a bit of a history buff, you'll enjoy this "PBS HomeVideo" that starts with the British bombing of Boston Harbor and ends with the amazing circumstances of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson's deaths.  Adams is portrayed as a brilliant but self-conscious man who worries a great deal about how he'll be remembered in history.  It appears that without him there would have been no revolution and no American as we know it today.  He penned the Massachusetts Constitution which became the model for our national constitution.  He was not an astute politician and was often bested by Franklin, Jefferson and other who formed our government.  The relationship between he and Abigail portrays a couple who loved each other very much in a relationship where they saw each other as equal, independent persons who helped each other be their best.  He was away from home for long periods of time in the service of his country which showed how strong Abigail was in raising her family and running the family farm mostly by herself in difficult times.   this movie has whetted my appetite to see the 7 volume series on John Adams that goes into great detail about the most important man in creating a free America.    10/4/10

"THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES"   Juan Jose Campenella, Director.    
(Yes)  The Argentinian film, "The Secret in Their Eyes" delivers intrigue, romance, suspense, vibrant characters, a twisting plot, good guys, bad guys, nasty bad guys, excellent camera work and surprise ending. There is plenty of sexual tension between the retired criminal investigator (Benjamin) and his former boss (Irene). The lead actors have the ability to show their emotions their faces as the camera lingers on their eyes, mouths and expressions. It speaks so much louder than words.
Benjamin seeks out Irene to tell her that he has decided to write a novel about a 25-year old unsolved murder on which they had both worked. She does not encourage him in the endeavor but is obviously happy to see him again. The film switches back and forth between the present and the events of 25 years earlier. It was a bit difficult at times to tell if it was present or prior times but it became clear as the film progressed. (Women's hairdo's always give a clue). His old friend and side-kick was played to perfection as a drunk who was destined to die early but did it as a hero on his own terms.

In his hatred for Benjamin, a competitive colleague was able to arrange the murderer's release from prison and subsequent employment as a gun-toting bodyguard to Eva Peron. The colleague's cruel vindictiveness seemed overdone until one realized the shift of powers that takes place in a revolution. It was a reminder to the audience of the societal upset and the horrors of Argentina's revolution.
I won't give away the ending. But it was absolutely great. Hitchcock would be proud. "The Secret in Their Eyes" is a must-see. PS: Campenella also directed "The Son of the Bride" which is also excellent. 8/1/10


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RECKLESS. (Yes) This is a "Masterpiece Theatre" production (2004) starring two of my favorite British actors, Robson Green and Richard Kitchen. It is a lighthearted story with sad undertones. Young doctor (Green) takes job at new hospital to be near his aging, ill, grouchy, -yet endearing - father (a role Clint Eastwood could play well). Then the young doc falls in love with an older woman who turns out to be the wife of the head of surgery (Kitchen) -- his boss!   Unfortunately the story moves so slow that my impatience won out. The actors play their parts skillfully and are good enough to carry a poor script. It's just a shame they had to.
PS: The accents are a real challenge, but that's part of the charm of British movies.
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TRACES OF STONES. (No)  This is an old (1966) German movie with English subtitles. Although it won a critics award at the Berlin Film Festival, it isn't a very good movie. It's a rather trite, predictable, chauvinistic love triangle that I could do without.

NINE QUEENS.  (No) A movie from Argentina about some small time "grifters" planning "the big heist." Movie reviewer, Roger Ebert, called it "A thriller that can best be described as a more complicated 'The Sting'" which doesn't say that it is a good movie, only a complicated one. I didn't finish it. If the movie doesn't grab my attention in the first 20 minutes or so, I don't finish it. /      August 8, 2009 9:06 PM

CHUNKING EXPRESS  and WATCHING FOR TRAINS   (No, No)  Both duds. How could a film called "Chunking Express" be anything but kitchy. "Watching for Trains" just moved way to slow for me to stay interested. Don't bother with them -- too many others out there to enjoy. I'll review a few of them later.