Bill-Cobbs Movie Reviews

Set in the state of Georgia, James Garner renders a powerful and very sensitive performance of a Judge who following the death of his wife, retires from the bench. He tries to with-draw from life esconced in his own grief and bitterness. The mys-tery surrounding an old friend's refusal to accept the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the personal crises in the lives of those closest to him, compel him to step back into the mainstream of society . As he reaches beyond his own pain and into lives of others, he not only becomes an anchor for them, but finds a renewed reason for living, himself.
The supporting cast is superb, esp. Bill Cobbs and Ruby Dee.
This is an exceptional film, providing wholesome entertainment.

Decoration Day is a great movie - lots of heart and such a fine family show. It reminds us not to make assumptions when we don't have all the facts and shows the great value of friendship and family.

James Garner plays a retiring judge who becomes an unwilling, but interested player in a story centered around the government's plan to award the Medal of Honor to an African American man because of heroic actions during WWII's Battle of the Bulge. Here's the catch -- the man doesn't want to have anything to do with medal!

Garner is convinced that he should intervene and persuade the man to accept the medal. A story of racism, bitterness, decepetion, and revelation unfolds as the movie progresses. Be sure to watch for an interesting, unexpected plot twist toward the end.

This is top-notch drama, and a real treat for James Garner fans.

5 stars all the way! Watch this movie, you'll be glad you did. This is the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" at its best!

Alan Holyoak

Set in the state of Georgia, James Garner renders a powerful and very sensitive performance of a Judge who following the death of his wife, retires from the bench. He tries to with-draw from life esconced in his own grief and bitterness. The mys-tery surrounding an old friend's refusal to accept the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the personal crises in the lives of those closest to him, compel him to step back into the mainstream of society . As he reaches beyond his own pain and into lives of others, he not only becomes an anchor for them, but finds a renewed reason for living, himself.
The supporting cast is superb, esp. Bill Cobbs and Ruby Dee.
This is an exceptional film, providing wholesome entertainment.

Decoration Day is a great movie - lots of heart and such a fine family show. It reminds us not to make assumptions when we don't have all the facts and shows the great value of friendship and family.

James Garner plays a retiring judge who becomes an unwilling, but interested player in a story centered around the government's plan to award the Medal of Honor to an African American man because of heroic actions during WWII's Battle of the Bulge. Here's the catch -- the man doesn't want to have anything to do with medal!

Garner is convinced that he should intervene and persuade the man to accept the medal. A story of racism, bitterness, decepetion, and revelation unfolds as the movie progresses. Be sure to watch for an interesting, unexpected plot twist toward the end.

This is top-notch drama, and a real treat for James Garner fans.

5 stars all the way! Watch this movie, you'll be glad you did. This is the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" at its best!

Alan Holyoak

This highly successful tv-miniseries is perhaps the one that ignited the success of the miniseries genre. Although, there are others who came before this, it was RAGE OF ANGELS who ignited the "mania." Of course, there was Richard Chamberlain starring in all those other successful miniseries based on books and him as a King of the genre but it was Jaclyn Smith's "Jennifer Parker" that gave the glitter and excitement and that finally,a woman is about to claim a throne and she really shine in this beautifully adapted version of Sidney Sheldon's novel.

All of a sudden, people started rushing to read and re-read the book and even the video released during the 80's was a big hit. People who have seen the movie on tv wanted to get a copy and you can hear people talking about the movie during lunch time or coffee break.

Ive never seen Jaclyn Smith more beautiful and her on-screen chemistry with Ken Howard is probably one of the sexiest that has emerged in the small screen for a long time.

This one is a worthy addition to your collection.

This film was incredible. The book, likewise. It's one of the few films based on novels that I have seen that are extremely faithful to the novels theyre based on. Perhaps because the author of the novel did sit in the producer's chair after all! Quite a lengthy film- A bit over three hours- but it's so good that you dont even feel the time passing by. Jaclyn Smith's beauty and talent also are evident in this film that has everything- romance, drama, courtroom tension, suspense, action- you name it, it's there. A great, great film. Read the book! Watch the film!

A camera is found at a yard sale that still has undeveloped pictures in it. The finder is a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer that collects cameras. These picture will change his life and lead him on a quest joined by a woman who lost here dad in under mysterious circumstances.
After you experience this movie, you will never go back to the 'X-files" You will see the real Rod Steiger as Col. Buck Gunner. You will see many elements from this movie copied in other movies as "Mars attacks" and "Five Million miles to Earth" Only this movie is more realistic. However if you live in a trailer park, don't watch this under any circumstances

When I first set down to watch this movie I wasn't sure it would be up my alley, I don't usually like animal stories where you hear the animals talking because, well, it is so [unrealistic]. But you know, parrots really CAN talk, which helped this movie have a great realistic feel to it, even though Paulie turned out to be much more, well, expressive than the average parrot! He is a sassy yet charming bird with an attitude that will have you in side splitting laughter! His story starts out with him living in a dark dreary basement in a cage by himself, and he is discovered by a man who wants to know his story. Paulie won't talk at first, but eventually tells the story of his life, from when he lived happily with his child friend Marie, and how he was taken away from her and then proceeded to try and find her and ended up with different people and adventures. "Paulie" is entertaining throughout with a very nice ending. I bought this movie for my collection since is such a nice family movie.

No kid but I love my parrot so this was a natural choice. So far, I've watched it twice and 4 hankies each time. This movie covers the human heart: love, devotion, separation, sadness, friendship, trust. I caution people: love this movie but do not to run out and buy a bird without doing lot of research--this is a huge commitment, much more than it appears.

I sat at my computer as my son watched Paulie, which I thought was going to be a silly.; stupid movie(ie amazon has it paired up with mouse hunt as a combo deal) . At first it did seem like a typical goofy talking animal thing...but at some oint I found myself glued to the piece...this is a movie that can be kind of dumb, but also dares to be smart, sensitive entertainment. There are great contributions throughout, funny lines, and a sentimental moment or two. The tone of the movie is much more reverant and lovely than I thought it would be.
Again, if it wasn't for my son, these movies would never exist is my psyche....this is a nice little movie...let's hear it for nice.

That Thing You Do! is a movie that only gets better every timeyou see it. This story of a young bad from Eerie, PA tells a commontale, that of the one-hit wonder. This film does an excellent job ofshowing a normal garage band hit it big with the success of a hit songin 1964. The band is then put on the road, signed by the Playtonelabel, and gets heavy airplay thanks to their manager, the incredibleTom Hanks.

With this being the writing and directing debut ofHanks, it is one incredible piece of work. This film has a rapid firestory line. It includes many events of the bands rise to fame in ashort amount of time, but also shows what can ultimatly happen to anoverworked band. This film does well by the superb acting jobs by allof the band members, most notably Jimmy (Jonathan Schaech) and theincredible performance by Tom Everett Scott as Guy "Shades"Paterson.

This film is also noteworthy due to the fact that it israted PG. So many movies feel that they need to be rated R to get adecent point across. Not this film. It can show the real life of aband in a way that includes very little adult language and no violenceor sexuality. This is one refreshing film that goes at its own paceand takes the viewer to new places. A great film for Tom Hanks on hisdebut. It was overlooked in theaters but it deserves a home in everyvideo collection.

Hanks' writing and directorial debut is a hit. Four Erie, PA boys dream of stardom as they form a band called the Wonders. Talented as he is concieted lead singer Jimmy (Jonathon Schaech)is supported by his loyal and ever-loving girlfriend Faye (Liv Tyler)as he writes a touching ballad-type song called "That Thing You Do". Fortunately, the bands' drummer Guy "Shades" Patterson (Tom Everett Scott)accidentally picks the beat up a notch at a local band competition, and the crowd goes wild. They soon have a hit on their hands, and are being played on the radio. Enter manager (Hanks), who takes them on a tour for the record label Playtone, and turns them into stars. But Jimmy's growing ego and the bass player's small problem of having to report for Army duty pose a problem for the Wonders, even after their huge success on a variety show (the host is played by Hanks' longtime friend Peter Scolari, who starred with him in the sitcom "Bosom Buddies"). The most amazing thing about this movie is that no matter how many times you hear them play "That Thing You Do", you never get sick of it. Great cast, great script, and Steve Zahn as the bands guitarist is fabulous. DVD extras including the making of the movie (where you learn that the actors had to actually learn to play their instruments), the theatrical trailer, and 2 music videos, one for "That Thing You Do", and the other for "Dance With Me Tomight". Fun and refreshing.

This is just such a superb movie. I've watched this film no less than 20 times and enjoy it each and every time. Hanks does a tremendous job as always, and so do the young unknowns a well. Believable, funny, engaging, entertaining... and a catchy tune for the soundtrack as well. What more could you want?

Though Craven should be forced to live out his own horror scenes for creating a movie like "Scream", one must acknowledge his past, less dubious, achievements. The People Under The Stairs portrays a wicked little "fun" house where the insane whims of a self righteous "family" reap havoc inside. The concept of this film is remarkably unique, with a sharp tongue-in-cheek humor wired throughout.

This movie is not scary in the traditional, slasher-zombie-ghost story sort of way. Rather, it bases it's terror on the absurb (like a gun-wielding, S&M clad maniac), as well as the all too real, like the issues of child abuse and poverty.

Craven really hit the perfect combination of elements in People Under The Stairs. The movie is visually compelling with freakish and surreal images, the acting is fun and devilishly brash, and the social commentary is obvious, but light-hearted.

This is a great movie. It has everything you can want for a horror movie,gore,action,comedy,suspense. There is no nudity,well no need for it. Just picture a couple(man and woman) who are cannibals with a bunch of kids they kidnapped living in their basement. They kill anyone woh comes by the house and feed them to the kids. They have a scene(which may disturb some) that they show the gutting of a human being. so if you have a week stomach then you may not enjoy this. but it's not that bad. My dad hates horror movies but enjoyed this one. Of course it's not for everyone. my advice is always this: RENT BEFORE YOU BUY!

peope under the stairs has all the right things to make a good filme the story is full of twists with some grate acting by the cast.the action is fast and not over the top like some films.and best of all its a wes craven film.

funny and awesome. this is a treat. featuring the talents of Paul Newman, Tim Robbins, Bruce Campbell, Charles Durning, John Mahoney and the gorgeous and wonderful Jennifer Jason Leigh as Amy Archer. Durning(Hudsucker) lep from the building of his own building(hilarious bit) and splats and then Paul Newman and others are faced with a horrid truth, they have to have some lowlife run the company. Robbins(dipwitted at times) gets a BLUE LETTER and is sent up the stairs to see Newman who then Newman hired Robbins to run the company and all the longwile, Leigh(Archer) trys to undercover a big story. the Coen brothers are masters at what they do. Bruce Campbell adds some spark as well as one of Leigh's coworkers for the newspaper.

If Fargo could bag an Oscar, The Hudsucker Proxy should be Required Viewing. To put it simply, this is sheer genius on tape, there really is so little not to like about this film.

The Coens attempted to revive the screwball comedy genre, and boy did they do it. Tim Robbins enjoys himself immensely as the gormless mailroom boy promoted to company President in the space of one day as a patsy to allow boardroom creeps to gain control of the Hudsucker company. Jennifer Leigh's amalgam of Katharine Hepburn/Rosalind Russell/Jean Arthur (from the 1930s) is priceless. I personally felt Paul Newman was a bit wasted in his role, but that's just me.

However, these performances would be for nothing if it wasn't for the marvellous script- witness the boardroom scenes in which the directors discuss how many floors it was that Mr Hudsucker fell ("not including the mezzanine") or the scene in which they interrogate Norville about his new invention. The script is also responsible for the fantastic line "Y'know, for kids!" which means nothing if you haven't seen the movie but now always makes me laugh whenever I think of it.

Film making at its finest. Rent it, steal it, embezzle it -- but watch this gem!

Two things killed this movie at the box office when it was first released: first, its title. Americans didn't seem to know what a "proxy" was, much less a hudsucking one. The second was its time of release. The movie came out in May as an early summer release but was actually a movie that would have been better received at Christmas. "Jaws" is a prototypical summer film. "It's A Wonderful Life," by comparison, would hardly be a summer blockbuster but sets the perfect tone for the holiday season. Come back in twenty years and you will find that "The Hudsucker Proxy" IS the Frank Capra classic for a new generation. It is Capra meets "Metropolis" blended with the smart humor of the Coens. The casting is near perfect. Tim Robbins is the naive and goofy savant. Paul Newman is as wonderful a villain as you will find as the evil Sidney Mussberger. Only Jennifer Jason Leigh takes a bit of getting used to as the tough talking reporter but she will move you by movie's end. I've had to beg, plead, wheedle and cajole my friends through the years to watch this movie and not let themselves be turned off by its title. Thus far it's left no one disappointed.

funny and awesome. this is a treat. featuring the talents of Paul Newman, Tim Robbins, Bruce Campbell, Charles Durning, John Mahoney and the gorgeous and wonderful Jennifer Jason Leigh as Amy Archer. Durning(Hudsucker) lep from the building of his own building(hilarious bit) and splats and then Paul Newman and others are faced with a horrid truth, they have to have some lowlife run the company. Robbins(dipwitted at times) gets a BLUE LETTER and is sent up the stairs to see Newman who then Newman hired Robbins to run the company and all the longwile, Leigh(Archer) trys to undercover a big story. the Coen brothers are masters at what they do. Bruce Campbell adds some spark as well as one of Leigh's coworkers for the newspaper.

If Fargo could bag an Oscar, The Hudsucker Proxy should be Required Viewing. To put it simply, this is sheer genius on tape, there really is so little not to like about this film.

The Coens attempted to revive the screwball comedy genre, and boy did they do it. Tim Robbins enjoys himself immensely as the gormless mailroom boy promoted to company President in the space of one day as a patsy to allow boardroom creeps to gain control of the Hudsucker company. Jennifer Leigh's amalgam of Katharine Hepburn/Rosalind Russell/Jean Arthur (from the 1930s) is priceless. I personally felt Paul Newman was a bit wasted in his role, but that's just me.

However, these performances would be for nothing if it wasn't for the marvellous script- witness the boardroom scenes in which the directors discuss how many floors it was that Mr Hudsucker fell ("not including the mezzanine") or the scene in which they interrogate Norville about his new invention. The script is also responsible for the fantastic line "Y'know, for kids!" which means nothing if you haven't seen the movie but now always makes me laugh whenever I think of it.

Film making at its finest. Rent it, steal it, embezzle it -- but watch this gem!

Two things killed this movie at the box office when it was first released: first, its title. Americans didn't seem to know what a "proxy" was, much less a hudsucking one. The second was its time of release. The movie came out in May as an early summer release but was actually a movie that would have been better received at Christmas. "Jaws" is a prototypical summer film. "It's A Wonderful Life," by comparison, would hardly be a summer blockbuster but sets the perfect tone for the holiday season. Come back in twenty years and you will find that "The Hudsucker Proxy" IS the Frank Capra classic for a new generation. It is Capra meets "Metropolis" blended with the smart humor of the Coens. The casting is near perfect. Tim Robbins is the naive and goofy savant. Paul Newman is as wonderful a villain as you will find as the evil Sidney Mussberger. Only Jennifer Jason Leigh takes a bit of getting used to as the tough talking reporter but she will move you by movie's end. I've had to beg, plead, wheedle and cajole my friends through the years to watch this movie and not let themselves be turned off by its title. Thus far it's left no one disappointed.

THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD is more than just the best movie title in years; it's also a great movie.

When his mob-sponsored 'warning' inadvertently becomes a hit, Jimmy the Saint finds he has 48 hours to come to internal peace, even if that is at someone else's death. But, with all its Tarantino and "THE USUAL SUSPECTS" type characters and dialogue, it lacks the twists and turns of those films.

Andy Garcia (THE UNTOUCHABLES, THE GODFATHER III) easily carries the film, faring better than he does in Romantic Comedies. Supporting characters like Treat Williams (1941, HAIR), Christopher Lloyd (BACK TO THE FUTURE), William Forsythe (RAISING ARIZONA, DICK TRACY) and the always greasy Steve Buscemi (FARGO) are excellent as is Christopher Walken (VIEW TO A KILL, BATMAN RETURNS) as the 'head' of the organized crime center. Gabrielle Anwar is absolutely stunning and fills her role nicely, although as the romantic interest she gets too much screen time, a distraction from the more gripping murder tension.

The film is creatively photographed and directed. Overall, the film is entertaining and could continue a nice directing career for Gary Felder (KISS THE GIRLS). The DVD has a nice widescreen transfer and a good audio mix.

For those of you who haven't seen this thing, go out and get it. One of the most underrated crime flicks of the last twenty years, it has Andy Garcia as Jimmy The Saint, a former crook who abandons his vocation in favour of the more leisurely business of filming the departing wit and wisdoms of the terminally ill. Life is calm and profitable until Christopher Walken, a wheelchair- bound mob boss calls in an old favour. His son, a... paedophile, has assaulted a young girl and Walken, convinced that the root of the problem is the departure of his son's girlfriend to the arms of another insists the new boyfriend be given a scare. Garcia is reluctantly forced to reassemble the old gang, a now fifty-ish crew of misfits, bums and losers who drift through American lowlife in various guises, the most monstrously entertaining of whom is Treat William's 'Critical Bill' a corpse-punching psychopath whose antics on the night turn the 'scare' into a homicide and whose reaction to Garcia's incredulous wrath is "Well, it was sort of your fault, Jimmy. You trusted me." Walken's response to the unmitigated disaster is to declare 'Buckwheats' on all of them, an instruction that they are each to die in the most painful way possible. ...BR>If this sounds too off-the-wall, let me tell you that it works superbly, partly because of first rate acting by Garcia, Williams and Christopher LLoyd as well as a great script, but mainly due to the criminal argot and patois which at times achieves almost poetic levels and makes anything by Tarantino seem amateurish and contrived. What more is there to say?

Wow, this is probably the best gangster flick nobody knows.Andy Garcia,and Christopher Walken are fantastic.This is better than King of NewYork and Untouchables!Please watch this band of misfits try to get right before mobster Walken Fixes them all.Boat drinks, anyone?