Bruce Bruce
Bruce's Collection
Bruce's collection is private.
Bruce's Friends
Bruce's Activity
Bruce reviewed...
The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
The is from the MGM Midnite Movies Double Feature Collection. These… More
The is from the MGM Midnite Movies Double Feature Collection. These movies are always worth getting and make a fine collection. Sheer terror doesn't get much more frightening than this. Scare-master Vincent Price plays a doctor who loses his voice in a car accident, but can still speak by way of an electronic device. He vows revenge on the nine doctors that were responsible for an unsuccessful surgery attempt on his wife, Victoria. He, along with his fiendish but sexy assistant Vulnavia (Virginia North), murder them one by one in such grotesque ways as draining one guy of all his blood, attacking a nurse with a swarm of locusts, and giving an attendee of a costume party a frog mask that becomes so tight around his neck that it snaps his head off. The sheer audacity of these grisly murders, along with Price's meticulous and methodical planning, make for a one-of a-kind scary experience. 4 stars 6-08-13
8 days ago via Flixster
Bruce reviewed...
Herod the Great (1960)
One of the better movies from Mill Creek 50 Movie Warrior Collection.… More
One of the better movies from Mill Creek 50 Movie Warrior Collection. The story is about King Herod and his love for his Queen Mariam.
It has been a while since I read Josephus and his account of Herod, but I will assume the movie follows Josephus' storyline to some degree. In the last ten minutes, a little subplot taken from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew is added. In it Herod orders the killing of a brat born in Bethlehem. Oddly, according to the movie, King Herod only ordered the killing of the new born babies because he was so distaught that Mariam did not love him anymore.
There are some nice sets and costumes, but nothing really spectacular here. There are no real battles or sword fights, so action fans should stay away. This is a small cast with only a few dozen extras. It has more of an intimate stage play rather than an epic quality feeling.
The real reason to watch is the acting. Edmund Purdom is actually quite good as Herod. You actually do feel sorry for Herod at moments. Sylvia Lopez is extraordinary as Mariam. This and "Hercules Unchained" are basically the only known widely released movies she was in during her short three year movie career. If she had not died at 28, she might have been one of the great stars of the 60's. She kind of reminds me of Diane Cilento. She's more sexy than beautiful and she really dominates the screen. One can easily see why she drives Herod crazy.
If you're interested in 1st century B.C.E. Judean history, the movie is worth a look. Also if you want to see a beautiful young actress who died at the door to stardom in 1959, you should check it out. 3 Stars 6-10-13
8 days ago via Flixster
Bruce reviewed...
Rocky (1976)
Back in the day this was a great movie, but after the number of Rocky… More
Back in the day this was a great movie, but after the number of Rocky movies made and the other Sylvester Stallone movies that have bombared us over the years. It kills me to pay top dollar for cable and still see movies like Rocky and First Blood played all the time. Stallone took to many mpunches to the head and to much white powder up his nose, 1/2 star 6-11-07
8 days ago via Flixster
Bruce reviewed...
Truth or Consequences, N.M. (1997)
I watched this one because Mykelti Williamson is in it and I'm trying… More
I watched this one because Mykelti Williamson is in it and I'm trying to watch all his movies. Neat little thriller about a group of ex cons who while ripping off a drug dealer accidentally kill an undercover cop, forcing them to take to the road. They head for Las Vegas to sell the stolen drugs taking along with them a couple as hostages as they are pursued by both the cops, and the drug dealers associates, who are not best pleased with what they have done. The film moves at a reasonable pace and the acting is good, especially from leads, Gallo, Williamson and an evil Kiefer Sutherland, who clearly enjoys his role as the psychotic Curtis. It's just a shame that the plot seems to run out of steam for the last 20 or so minutes but it does come together again for an exciting finale. Well worth checking out. Sutherland also directed. 3 1/2 Stars 6-4-13
8 days ago via Flixster
