Joanna David and the great Anna Massey teamed up on "Midsomer Murders." Season 1, episode 2 "Written in Blood". A marvelous in joke during this episode is Anna Massey telling Joanna David's character to "why don't you go ahead and jump" out of an upstairs window.
Personally, “Pride and Prejudice” (1995) is the best miniseries ever! I’ve watched it several times and it never gets old. The pacing is perfect over 5 hours with each character given ample time and their interactions. Some of my other favorite miniseries are: - Lonesome Dove (1989) - Band of Brothers (2001) - The Pacific (2010) - Chernobyl (2019) - Shogun (2024)
Slowly working my way through your video reviews, and enjoying them very much! I read The Andromeda Strain when the paperback came out and loved it. Then later, watched the movie and loved that too! Thanks for the fascinating review of this Robert Wise film, and especially the insights into the split diopter shots. I have noticed those shots in many Brian De Palma films, and always wondered how he did that. Robert Wise had an amazing career, with a few great films, and many very good films. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Today is my birthday and it is 10:30 PM and I have to get up for work tomorrow but I really wanted to watch one of my favorite Airport movies - and I knew I couldn’t do it in time. I’ve watched this review a couple times, so AHA! That is the solution. Thank you so much. This gave me my Airport fix on my birthday. You have a very calming persona so I’m going to get a good nights sleep! ❤🎉😊
On Sherlock Holmes and Doyle's writing style, I remember getting frustrated that Doyle would hide the clues of the solutions. Sherlock would spout about soil being found on the killer's shoes which is something not mentioned to the reader until the end. I also remember a locked room mystery and (I think it might have been "The Sign of Four") where a snake was lowered down a cord to ring for a servant. On Heinlein, I read that book back in elementary school and enjoyed it immensely. I liked Asimov too but he was nowhere as fun. The ABCs of Murder by Asimov was a pretty good murder mystery. On Douglas Preston, he wrote a non-fiction book, a very frightening account about an Ebola break out that he went to investigate. Also about the outbreak in the monkey house in Reston Virginia. I believe it was called The Hot Zone. It was a very frightening read. I do agree about many main characters. Sadly, also agree about Pelham. Is Relic the book that was made into the movie Relic? Thank you for your reading update Jerome. BTW, I recommend you check out the Murdoch Mysteries. It's a Canadian show based off a series of books. It's currently on the Roku Channel for free. I find it well done though more than a bit formulaic. The acting and show is good. The cast has excellent chemistry. It's about 18 seasons. Some good mysteries. I've not read any of the books. I own a few audio books but I rarely listen to them. I like physical books. I also suggest some audio books that are handled with a larger cast and performed like old style radio shows. There are several Twilight Zone books on audible that are somewhat entertaining. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day and week. Keep on being being happy. :) Got to go, bedtime for me. Take care. Also big thunderstorm coming and where I live we get power outages during heavy storms somewhat frequently.
Wow, I have not seen this film for about a decade ago. I think if it were made today there'd be a lot of pushback on the age difference. Loy was great in The Thin Man series of films. I love Mr. Blandings builds his Dream House. It's a very good underrated comedy. I love Labyrinth! Great music too. Many thanks Jerome. I did enjoy the movie but hardly remember it. I've seen it a couple of times. On other films with somewhat disturbing subjects, I recommend Raising Arizona. It stars Nic Cage, and Holly Hunter. He's a criminal and she's a police woman. It's a very, very early film by the Cohn Brothers (maybe their second film right after Blood Simple; which is great, serious, and much more violent) and makes it's somewhat disturbing subject surprisingly humorous. There is a tiny bit of violence. It's a clean funny film with a fantastic film score by Carter Burwell. You'll be humming the music for a few days. On a side note Blood Simple is a thriller with some bloody scenes, one which is played a bit for laughs. I'd say it's as bloody as Fargo (also by the Cohn Brothers). Maybe a bit less than Miller's Crossing (which is another great movie with a very disturbing scene). I'd recommend holding off on Miller's Crossing (great performances in all these films). As always, if you choose to accept this mission, I hope you and your family have a wonderful day (and evening) as well as week. If you don't accept, well, that's fine too. The IMF will deny your involvement. :) Wait, it's denying my involvement? Well I just got my card from them. What? Give it back? No! I'm keeping it whether you don't want to acknowledge my involvement in mission or not. Give that back. I'll be back in one of the sequels. lol
I really enjoy your passion. It's so rare these days to run across anyone with true passion for anything let alone classic movies and literature. Great video. Citizen Kane is one of my favorites. Not just because the innovations you mention but because of the overall moral of the story; Kane's life representing the post-modern consumeristic world. We have everything we want, all at the tip of our fingers, literally. Yet, we're all completely empty inside and we're all longing for simpler, happier times.
By the way, I really like the Russian Doll owl set! Very cute! I have to admit I've never heard of this series. I'm a William Holden fan too. I will totally give these a watch! Nooooo! lol I kid again. Yes, often writers want to give actors something to do (reasons) while the story is progressing. In The Thin Man series they are constantly drinking to have something to do with their hands. Good film stuff too. Many thanks Jerome! I hope you and your family have a wonderful day and week!
“ Memory tends to add a filter that softens the edges” - Jerome Weiselberry What a lovely turn of phrase. You’ve provided so many fantastic reviews over the years and this one is right up there with them and It’s really exciting to see so many people engage with this video and respond so positively to it, the world wants to hear your thoughts on Citizen Kane. I have a full size replica of Rosebud so I guess my opinion of the film must be pretty high, truth be told my thoughts are similar to yours, I respect the film to no end and do have love for it but it may not be in my top ten favourites but if forced to pick a film I thought was the greatest ever made I do think I’d say Citizen Kane, it’s the flimsiest film ever filmed lol. When everything is considered, every detail, the technical and creative ingenuity brought by every department and the year it was filmed it’s hard to argue against it, some would say The Godfather and their opinions are valid because art is subjective but for me Citizen Kane brings more in terms of a creative vision from Director, Photography, Music and Art Design, The Godfather is driven by performances and narrative, music too, the performances feel inspired but every single element in Citizen Kane feels inspired, the amazing moments you picked as some of your favourites are packed to the brim with genius. I do love that scene in the screening room with that incredible use of light, it reminds me of photos taken by Hal Morey of Grand Central Terminal in 1930, I wonder could Welles and Toland have been influenced by them. Cheeky charming Welles was the best Welles, if I was told to quickly think of a smiling actor on the spot I’d think of Welles in The Third Man, he had the faceiest face that ever faced or the smirkiest smirk that ever smirked lol he was these emoji’s-😏😉 I loved your take on the Mr Thompson character and the potential reasons behind him being filmed in shadow and darkness, so clever and insightful. I’m glad that Joseph Cotten and Welles became friends because we have benefited so much from it, it is funny how noticeably young Cottons eyes are in that scene and it’s a wonder they didn’t try shooting from a different angle so the light wasn’t reflecting of his eyes or it wasn’t suggested that he attempt to squint a little. The first time I watched Citizen Kane I thought yes it is great but afterwards I began to question myself, do I like this film because I really like it or have I been influenced by its reputation? Do I like it because I’m supposed to like it or do I like it because I as an individual with my own tastes and opinions like it? I waited a little while to see it again and my opinion hadn’t changed and watched it again a few months after that and was satisfied that I did indeed like it because of its merits and my own taste, i don’t though see it as an endlessly rewatchable film and would have other films as favourites, maybe not better films but personal favourites. I’m going to get a snow globe and have it by my bed so when I perish( hopefully as an old man 🫰🏻) I can take it in my hand and drop it whispering “ Weiselbud” someone will say what did he say? I’ll correct myself and whisper again “ Weiselberry” and someone will say what does this mean? Is he referring to that really popular RU-vidr? I’ll pop up and say yup! best reviewer in the buis, watch, like and subscribe! I’ll then apologise for dropping the globe and leaving a mess then keel over and lights out lol. I’m doing a Welles smirk lol. Looking forward to your anniversary video :) ~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~
Hi Jerome. Oddly enough I was looking to watch this yesterday on Prime but apparently it's moved or my searching skill is very bad and that of a 5 year old. I got distracted and moved on. I did watch part of Jane Eyre that was on television today and I swear it had Orson Welles, and possibly a very young Elizabeth Taylor. I could be totally wrong. I joined the film right after Jane was sent to the orphanage. I had to stop and cook a meal and by the time I got back to it, the film was sadly over. I'll have to search for that too. I have to admit I've not really seen or read very much of Jane Austen's works. Thank you for all your opinions, and information on these classics. I think everyone here appreciates all your work. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day and week! On a side note, I've always liked Toni Collette's performances since I first saw her in Muriel's Wedding. A very early entertaining film in her filmography. One more side note. When I was very little, the street I grew up on had trees that made a tunnel with their branches. It was very, very cool. Sadly almost everyone cut down those very old trees. There are still some, but nothing like there used to be. Have a wonderful day (and night) to you and your family. Thank you again for the reviews.
Yes, that would be the 1943/1944 version of Jane Eyre, starring Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles, with Elizabeth Taylor appearing as Jane's childhood friend. It's one of my favorite adaptations and was actually my introduction to the story at a young age. It's a very good film, definitely worth tracking down to watch in its entirety. Thank you! I must say, I appreciate your well wishes to my family in all your comments. :)
- “Citizen Jane” (1941) is a highly influential movie. Orson Welles didn’t have any baggage and created a unique masterpiece on many technical levels. It’s an eminently re-watchable movie for all its nuances. The whole bigness of everything and the use of light & shadows. - AFI had the movie at No. 1 in their ranking of “The 100 Greatest American Movies Of All Time” in 1998 & 2007. - BFI's Sight and Sound decennial poll of critics had it at No. 1 for 5 consecutive decades (1952-1992) but it had dropped to No. 2 (2012) and No. 3 (2022). - Don’t forget his other masterpiece “Touch of Evil” (1958) with a fantastic and long opening scene (1:51 not 1:35 version).
My only comment on the film is that I enjoyed watching it. Also when Citizen Kane was released in 1941 it was a Box Office Bomb. But it is the only movie that was released in 1941 that still makes money in 2024 through DVDs, rentals, film festivals, books & re-assessments. That is the testament of its longevity that often gets overlooked by everyone's take on the classic film.
There hasn’t been a single time I’ve thought about CITIZEN KANE that I haven’t also thought about a girl in white dress carrying a white parasol… and she isn’t even in the film! And I think you’re right, we probably have Roger Ebert to thank for appreciating that scene-one of so many deft little touches. Thanks for sharing your thoughts (and congrats on your upcoming 10th anniversary!)
I will be blasphemous and offer one criticism, that Orson Welles actually agreed upon: I don't like that Rosebud is revealed in the ending in a one-dimensional, metaphorical way as Orson's lost childhood innocence. Welles himself said it smacked of ''pocket-book Freudian'' reductionism. I love the cinematography, music and lighting of the final shots, I love the ending of the ominous Xanadu like the castle of a gothic horror masterpiece - - but I'd have preferred, more ambiguity, like three or four different possible Rosebuds are hinted at, and we do not know - and that the film, as experimental and abstract as it was, deserved a more darker, experimental ending - - the high point of the ending to me is when Kane destroys his furniture in his room, and some kind of weird ambiguous ending which invites us to re-watch the film without deciding totally what Rosebud is would have been possible in a nuanced way I think, because in the end it is just a slay, and I think the slay distracts from Kane's more interesting total psychological profile. I'd have taken the slay out of the film and made the mystery of Kane more ineffable in a transcendental way, like the way you can't ever fully figure out what the meaning behind the motivations of Hamlet's character in the play Hamlet are because of how Hamlet remains a mystery to the audience. The type of ending of a film like Stanley Kubrick did in both the Dr Strangelove: Or How I learned to Stop Worrying ... where something totally surreal and impossible happens, and Dr Strangelove begins to walk on his own two feet and says ''Mein Fuhrer! I can walk!'', to end the film with Kane doing something out of the blue, strange and surreal that takes us out of the moment in an abrupt character's uncanny final moment, with the same cinematography and musical score to it. Sort of like when Colonel Kurtz's face fades into the screen of the final shots of Apocalypse Now, but with Orson Welles face instead of Marlon Brando's.
Nice to see a review and reflection of CK from the heart as well as the head. Welles was a genius Hollywood wasn’t ready for, I mean he made one of the greatest movies of all time at the age of 25, what were any of us doing at 25? We weren’t making anything worthwhile that stands the test of time I’ll guarantee you that. He was the rookie star who hits a walkoff grand slam in game 7 to win the World Series and stodgy Hollywood hated him for it.
Your opinion and analysis of any movie, no matter how extensively scrutinized and analyzed before, is always valuable. Your cred as a film critic is as good as any, and better than most. This has been as fascinating a deep dive into one of the most important films ever made as I’ve ever known. As many times as I’ve seen it, I learned some new things from you. For example, I completely failed to appreciate, in all these years, Welles’s remarkable, uncharacteristic generosity toward his DP, Greg Toland, giving him director-standing credit. How interesting and revealing of OW's high regard for one of his most important collaborators. There are so many things to say about CK, but you’ve already said them so eloquently. But I will add one thing: If you’re working for that company whose logo is on your shirt, DO NOT, under any circumstances, let them send you to another planet in search of “interesting” forms of life!
Out of all the classic Universal horror films, DRACULA is the one I revisit the most often. It has a haunting, eerie/dreamlike quality that satisfies me at every viewing. Lugosi, Frye and Van Sloan are magnificent.
I forgot to mention. Bill Forsyth. I really like his films and recommend him. Local Hero might be his most famous. It got a Criterion release. Good uplifting (well sort of) film. Thank you again Jerome! Keep making reviews!
I have to admit I'm a little surprised about your film preferences. I would have thought you'd have more films you enjoyed from more recent years. You are quite the rarity. Watching a lot of your videos I'm leaning heavily on creating my own corner of video reviews. It's yet another project on my shelf of things I'd like to do. Another is to go through and copy all your reviews and suggested titles into a spread sheet as films to check out that I might not have seen. Journey to the Far Side of the Sun has some fantastic model work by Gerry Anderson who did a lot of great work on movies, tv, and kid shows. I almost rewatched Fiddler this week. 1776 is great. Big fan. I own it on vinyl, bluray, and digital. Soylent Green is good. Make Room, Make Room was the title of the book. Pelham is wonderful. I have it on dvd, bluray, and the score on CD. Close Encounters almost made me go to become a model builder for a career. Love the film. Spielberg has criticized Dreyfus's character for basically running out on his family. I kind of agree a bit. I do like that version of Dracula. Alien is a favorite, as is Empire and Return. Wrath of Khan is great (though it borrows a bit from Run Silent, Run Deep). E.T. was just too sweet for me. As a kid I did not enjoy the film. I enjoyed the Never Ending Story. I loved LadyHawke and own the film and sound track (Alan Parsons Project!). Say Wessels! I love Little Shop of Horrors. William Goldman's Princess Bride is wonderful. T-2 is good. Jurassic's film score is great. I love While You were Sleeping. Great cast chemistry. The Fifth Element is fantastic. Especially the Diva song. Also the great Chris Tucker swipes a lot of the movie. Frequency is very good. I liked Kate and Leopold a lot. Great chemistry and film score. Signs was very good. Pirates was a very fun movie. National Treasure is very fun. Red Eye was good too. I love Pan's Labyrinth. I owned about two copies. I loan the film to my sister who either lost it or sold it by accident. I had to purchase it again. I highly recommend The Orphanage which is also a Del Toro movie. There's a bit of violence. It's actually a beautiful ghost story. I agree about Up. My sister has a huge crush on Colin Firth. I kind of felt Inception was an audition by Nolon to direct a James Bond movie. I did like some of the visuals but it's not on my list. I haven't seen any of the new Planet of the Apes movies yet. I do intend to watch them. I liked Robot and Frank. I got to see it early. Prisoners was good. Oddly I never saw the Railway Man. I'll have to check it out. Some films are guilty pleasures.
While I like CITIZEN KANE well enough, I can't say it's in my top 10. It's probably not even my favorite Welles film, that might be TOUCH OF EVIL. The fact is that earlier films already used filmmaking techniques that KANE is often cited as innovating. What Welles did differently was to combine many of those techniques in one film. You pick up on that from watching a lot of movies, especially the German expressionist films from the silent era.
Always review any film you like or that you feel is important. Most of my favorite films are from the 30s and 40s. The cinematography and sets are wonderful. Ever notice you see a lot of ceilings in it. A lot of low angle shot. All the fascinating characters minor are so interesting. Is it the greatest American film, maybe. But i will always think that Gone With The Wind is the greatest achievement in Hollywood history. You should review it. Thanks Jerome.
This has been on my watchlist for a very long time. Thank you Jerome. I love the pew pew pew film category description. I hope you and your family have a wonderful evening and week.
For my money, it is the best television series **EVER**. You can find many youtube videos in addition to yours (your video is excellent but it is a testament to the series that it was so complicated and deep that it can never be fully understood). Do Not Foresake Me was made because Patrick McGoohan was filming "Ice Station Zebra" and wasn't available for the series. The ending? McGoohan had to leave England for reason of death threats. He always said if you were dissatisfied and uncertain of what the series meant, then he did his job. In many ways, McGoohan reminded me of Stanley Kubrick - In particular "2001 : A Space Odyssey". Both productions treated the audience with respect; they didn't aim for the 5 year old in everyone. In the end, we all live in the Village - a place full of uncertainty, ambiguity and full of questions with no answers. It was quite an experience when I first saw it (in 1968). I was 11 at the time and I had never seen anything like it. Thanks so much for the video! This series is endlessly fascinating - like a fractal that no matter how many times you zoom in, you still have more to see😀
It has been a long time since I saw it but I still remember when Marty stands up to his buddy and lets him know that he DOES like her and she is just fine with him. What a great scene. Marty is a wonderful movie.
I'm pleased you watched the Last Hurrah. My appreciation for the Last Hurrah has grown each time I've seen it. John Ford himself came from an Irish immigrant family who settled in Portland ME. He was very aware of Irish ward politics, including nearby Boston politics. This is, of course, a romanticized view of the real life James Michael Curley. But it essentially captures the loyalty and ethnic identity that ruled local politics throughout this era. The tragedy of Skeffington/Curley is the loss of ethnic based urban community that propelled his success. With the onset of the New Deal and the modern welfare state, ward politics of this era could not survive. Also, the upward economic movement of the offspring of immigrants, and later movement to the suburbs, undermined this kind of politics fatally. Even JFK's grandfather "Honey Fitz" somewhat distanced himself from this brand of politics when he was mayor of Boston in the early 20th c. This type of political loyalty was dead and buried by 1958. As a born and bred Bostonian of Irish immigrant parents the film resonates with me still. Also, my mother's best friend worked as a housekeeper for James Michael Curley in his latter years. The sets of the Curley/Skeffington house and adjoining park area, as well as sets of row houses on Beacon Hill are precisely recreated. There is a free YT copy of the film if you want to watch the final minutes. ( Looks like it was taken down since last I searched it.)
Thank you Jerome. I saw this when I was very little. It scared the crap out of me. I find it still very eerie. Yes it's goofy but still.... Supposedly, Tamblin couldn't remember his dialog when doing the dub track. He stated had a lot of difficulty during the process. Tamblin is very miscast in the movie. Nick Adams would have been a much better choice. Footie pjs? lol Yep. Your following the logic at 9:22 made me laugh very loud. :) Technically this keeps happening to Godzilla with his bits being dropped off everywhere. It is almost like a Simpson's gag. Thanks Jerome. Now that I think about it, there is a Simpson's gag about that scene.
I am so glad you heard this album. :) I grew up and still own two copies. One CD, and one on tape. I used to own it on vinyl which had bigger pictures. It's a very beautiful album and companion piece to the book. I heard it when it came out. Our local stations would play a lot of unusual music at late night. I researched it and purchased it on tape. Interestingly there are shows of this in England with all sorts of special effects. I believe it still occasionally airs in England. I'm thinking part of it might have been similar to Peter Frampton's mouth piece instrument. It's a great album. When I played it for my class, my friends liked it and said it was spooky back in then. You might also like some Alan Parson's Project. They did a super loose adaptation of I Robot (though it's nowhere as good as this, it's still good music). They did similar albums that were a bit more traditional and closer to Mannheim Steamroller. Many thanks for this Jerome! The album used to be on youtube. There was talk of Wayne creating an animated feature but it never happened. There was some test footage you can find if you look enough. It was a wonderful, magical, ideal. Wayne also wanted to do an adaption of A Brave New World (by Huxley) and there was a story that was either about the Greek or Roman mythology but it didn't do well. I never could find a copy to buy. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day! *insert Martian sound
@@Weiselberry the new one is better than most, if not all, the franchise films after Aliens but that's not saying much since they all lowered the bar so low. Ha!
I came here for Godzilla Final Wars. I kid.... Vertigo is good. The color pallet is really beautiful. Also a good film score. Many thanks Jerome. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day and week! That scene with Stewart, and Midge brings back the memory of Stewart in Rear Window. I'm going to put out an idea you've probably have heard before. You should write a book on films. You're very knowledgeable and willing to do research. I think it would be a good seller. Thank you again for all your work! But what about Godzilla? lol I kid again.
Thank you again Jerome. I do like this movie and a couple of the remakes. I haven't seen the most recent one. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day!
Good movie. It's a very, very light plot. Many thanks Jerome. I don't think Hitchcock did any super artistic shots in this movie. Any of those were during the opening. Odd how abrupt the ending of your video on this review kind of sort of just stops. Unusual. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day and week!
