darkblue

This is a very good point. I myself have simply developed the habit of skipping your reviews in this thread, Lawrence. That's because I also abhor spoilers, and many of the films you've reviewed - some which you give poor ratings (2's, 3's, 4's) - hold no interest for me. The titles of many are a tip off to me that it's highly unlikely I'd have ever watched them anyway, so my curiosity to read what you've written is unprovoked. So, as moderator1 has said, we have the choice not to read them. The member that advised you that they don't appreciate your style of reviewing - and possibly felt that so many reviews of movies you didn't even like seemed peculiar - may have been feeling that your proliferism was amounting to a domination of the thread and may not have been in sync with the OP's intent (which, I believe, was the creation of a kind of "recommending" thread, as opposed to a collection of mini-reviews of both good and bad films. I admit that's just my impression - quite possibly incorrect). Maybe I'm wrong, but the member who contacted you may have been trying to be helpful in the advice they gave. That you have been so offended, reacting with such a serious resolve to stop posting altogether because of that advice, is probably more fallout than he/she ever expected. Did you reply to that private message?

It is. The original is considered a classic, the more recent version is considered a dud. I like Cage in many films, but he's no Edward Woodward in this role, that's for sure.

The Ivory films on the 1st are always great to see. But, when, oh when, are we gonna get to see 'Howards End' (1992)? That's the one in which I fell head over heels for Helena Bonham Carter.

That's what mods everywhere do, though. It comes with the gift of a forum in which to post - pretty much as a standard condition.

As we can't actually see inside your rationalizing mind, perhaps you'd be kind enough to specify the "reason" you see. And, by the way, it's spelled whinge.

It is, though. The original version ran 99 minutes. The first cut of the movie was actually nearly 114 minutes, but it was considered - even by the director - to be too long, and to Christopher Lee's displeasure (he loved the project completely, and objected) the movie was finished for release at 99 minutes. But the filmmakers could not get a release for it. Roger Corman expressed an interest in it and was sent a copy of the film. At his suggestion the film was cut by 12 minutes specifically so it could play the "drive-in" market and be re-classified as a b-movie to make it appropriate as an undercard feature of a double bill. So, reluctantly, but with an eye to recouping some of the investment spent, his suggestion was followed. They knew it wasn't as good a movie, scenes were cut and moved about to the detriment of it, but they were stuck with this deal or no deal. Years later, they decided to re-release the movie in it's correct 99 minute version - and found to their horror that none of the original 99 minute prints still existed. Or so they thought - they remembered that they'd supplied one to Roger Corman - and sure enough, he still had it. Using that, the 99 minute version was released on VHS home video. Finally, the movie as it was originally made was seen. So, why is it back to the 87 minute version on DVD? Because the Corman copy has now been lost as well. I suspect that it's being hoarded by a private collector, but whether I'm right or not, it's gone for all commercial intents and purposes. The film quality cannot be matched from what's available of the 12 minutes of re-introduced footage and the much more superior quality of the 87 minute version's film stock. So, that's what we get on official DVD releases now - the "short" version.

I can think of t least one member who would be aghast at having a "don't like" option. Such dislikes would be surely characterized as abuse by that person.

When a movie is made about a factual occurrence, I do think it's best to stick to what happened. So many great movies about unpleasant crimes that are hard to watch - (looking at you 'In Cold Blood' and '10 Rillington Place').

SCTV did a brilliant take on it - it was called 'Rich and Jealous' and had Barbra Streisand and Ruth Gordon(!) as the women. Funny!

Dialogue was probably way too clever for the mass audience. Priceless stuff all the way. "I'd hate to take a bite outta you, Falco - you're a cookie full of arsenic"

Wow, GayD - if I'd heard that on Bob Dylan's 'Empire Burlesque', I'd not have thought twice about it not being him. Woulda fit perfectly.

Dammit! Jerry Lewis' 90th birthday and still we don't get 'The Patsy' (1964). That's my favorite Lewis movie and it's never shown on TCM. They are giving us 'The King of Comedy' (1983), though. Score. Lewis plays it straight as a Johnny Carson-type host of a late night talk show who's pestered by a determined and clearly insane wannabe named Rupert Pupkin, played by Robert DeNiro. Good one - not to be missed.

Walter Hill's 'The Driver' (1978) on the 26th is a cult item well worth circling on the old calendar. Wow - I'm only about 15 percent of the way through (I'm working backward, ay) and already see this one in addition to 'The Wicker Man'. I'm getting excited.

A Peter Fonda night on the 29th is pretty cool. Sure wish they'd managed to get 'Open Season' (1974) for us, though. That movie is as rare as hens teeth - never released on DVD. Well done (and disturbing) "most dangerous game" riff with Peter, William Holden, Richard Lynch, Cornelia Sharpe and John Philip Law. I heard a rumour that Cornelia Sharpe is ashamed of the movie and has had hubby Martin Bregman - a big time producer - somehow prevent the official release of it on home video. Perfect movie to show on 'Underground'.

Speaking of Dion, here's a 45 I owned back in the early-mid 60's that has always stayed with me. I still find myself singing the final stanza of this mournful offering from Mr. Dimucci.

First time I ever saw Robert Loggia was when he starred in the unusually interesting mid-60's series "T.H.E. Cat'. The T, H, and E, by the way, were his characters initials - his name was Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat. He was an ex break-in artist turned private investigator/bodyguard. Wonderful show that I loved and therefore might just as well had the kiss of death placed upon it - like so many of my favorites that routinely failed in the ratings game. I was glad for him that he went on to have such a lengthy career as a character actor.

Oh, Yeah! World Party!

Like I care about anything you intend.

Wish TCM would show 'Beyond the Door'. I've wanted to see it ever since the commercials ran on tv for it back in the 70's. They made it look like a more extreme 'The Exorcist' kind of thing, but I know that couldn't be true really. But I didn't see it then and never have.

I was watching 'Electra Glide in Blue' (1973) last night - and I saw Nick Nolte standing in a crowd scene. I probably would not have noticed him if the director hadn't pointed him out in his commentary. He said he really liked Nolte a lot and wished he could've given him a speaking part, but it wasn't in the cards at that time.

Because they're messages?

Maybe it's ISIS code.

Bob's your uncle.

More Scott and the Pilots The 90's was an awesome decade for music - so much better than almost anything happening now.

'Stagecoach' has been shown here before. Guess some channel currently has the rights for now. 'Topper Returns' is part of the Hal Roach problem. Not sure if TCM will ever be able to show those up here.