This is the 1964 Psychological Thriller that can't hold a candle to "Psycho", and even pales when compared to the previous year's box-office-smash "The Birds". Hitchcock gives his newly discovered Tippi Hedren another go as the sexually aluring lead with a deep secret (not quite as delicious as that harbored by Norman Bates). Incidently Hedren walked out immediately after filming, never to work with the director again. The James Bond Sensation Sean Connery is effective as the love-interest to "crack the case" of the mysterious Marnie. A stunningly beautiful Suzanne Plechette is cast in a small role. She should have been the lead in a live action version of Snow White.

As a huge fan of Hitchcock, I was somewhat disappointed by this lame premise with equally lackluster overall production values. No Oscars here, that's for sure. If this one completes a set of films you must watch for a class or some other desperate reason, then go for it. If it's a choice between this and an early night, I'd recommend the latter. Three stars is a generous rating for a barely so-so film.***

Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte convincingly play the real life parents of a boy afflicted with a rare neuroligical disease. Barely even discovered by the medical community, very little was know about ALD, one of several diseases afflicting only males, who were infected through their mothers, who are carriers, yet themselves never come down with the disease. Determined to fight, the couple is discouraged neither by apathy of nurses and doctors, nor warnings by other parents of suffering children to "slow down and wait".

The film is preceded by the lead actors' plea for donations, as funding for researching rare diseases is virtually non-existant. The far reaching implications of curing the particular ailement discussed would go beyond curing ALD, affecting many millions of people suffering from various kinds of deteroration of myelin, without which all brain functions become impossible. A cure for countless diseaes and disorders could be within reach of our current generation. The concluding testimonials blended in like pieces of a large puzzle will bring tears to your eyes. To read about the continuing progress made by "Lorenzo", who was to die within 24 months, but at close of production had survived for more than 8 years is a most encouraging message for everyone not to give up hope.

This is a rare example of film making, where acting and the main element of "entertainment" are not important. Instead of looking for Academy Award recognition, the film clearly is meant to educate and inform. I say BRAVO! More such projects are needed to return our society to a people of thinkers and problem solvers rather than continue the trend of turning intelligent minds to mere entertainment-starved-putty. I am at awe of all who were involved in the production of this enlightning film. I recommend this film without reservations, especially for viewing in high school classrooms and other educational settings.*****

Margaret Cho is the best thing since Saturday Morning Cartoons! More powerful than the Warner Brothers & Sister, funnier than Buggs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Tweetie combined, and always with a lot to think about wrapped into an hour and a half of hilarious stand-up material. The live taping condenses the actual Show to about 70 minutes.

Whether she tackles the falsehoods of advertising that sells "turn over cream that doesn't turn over s*it", or exposes the myths that all women must be thin in order to have any self-worth, Margaret finds the best way to fight these perpetuated lies: Let's all laugh about them. The joke about her experience while on a plane, when a flight attendent changed his routine line "Asian Salad?" to simply "Salad?" once he saw that the passanger was Margaret, is priceless. Political correctness can turn into just another form of racism.

I was privileged to see Margaret perform live twice. No single person today is so actively devoted to fight bigotry, especially the unfair way in which the gay, lesbian and transgender community is treated by the last minority among us: The small circle of desperate bigots. Margaret Cho, you GO!

This CD is 100% pure candy! Like the previous releases, the laughs on this live taping are first-rate. Stand-up fans will definitely like this CD!*****

When a middle aged Bavarian Tourist lands in a remote, scarcely populated California desert town, she creates not only a stir with the locals, but eventually brightens the spirits of her host family as well as all the "regulars" who pass through the "Bagdad Cafe". What started out as a "big mistake" soon looks like divine providence.

"Miss Jasmin" (the German lady with a matching accent) and "Miss Brenda" (the rough-talking owner of a greasy-spoon restaurant who employs Jasmin and gives her a home) become close friends. An aging "showbusiness man" (brilliantly played by pre-City-Slickers Jack Palance) views Miss Jasmin as his "muse" and is inspired to paint her portrait. When word gets out that her tourist visa had expired, the local Sheriff forces Jasmin to return to Germany. Sadness canvases the place where Jasmin had been embraced as a welcome change of schedule. The life she had brought with her seemed drained away with her departure.

There isn't much plot to stretch the running time (the original German cut runs nearly 2 hours), however there are many bittersweet moments in this simple, but beautiful film. The last few scenes deliver the inevidible (thus predictable) conclusion. A little on the "artsy" side and clearly without a multi-million dollar budget, but still a palatable final product.****

Boris Karloff gives birth to his legendary "Monster" creature. Dark and dreary with many effects considered tops in its day. The painful over-dramatic acting by Colin Clive (Dr. Frankenstein) and most others in this film takes away from the powerful message the author had intended. Rather than a commentary on man's inhumanity to man, we are left with a campy horror flick.

The 1935 sequel "Bride of Frankenstein" is a great improvement on the Original project, much preferable to this one. Still considered a Classic, "Frankenstein" delivers the chills today as it did more than 70s years ago. Close your curtains tight and check under your beds before retiring at night...the monster is on the loose!***

...in the beginning, there were 2 families, both in verious state of continuous lunacy. On 2 sides of the tracks, each nut-house had daily doses of events, a never-ending "soap opera". The difference is, every minute of this show is absolutely hilarious!

Here is the complete first season. The "Benson" character is still raw and unrefined, with somewhat of an evil streak (on his own show, the star mellowed considerably). Here the "faithful" butler goes out of his way to serves his master foods known to be potentially dangerous.

The wealthy half of this extended family flaunts their blue blood and the cash & status that goes with it, while the working class side struggles. Still, they share many of the same situations, crisis and just plain crazy day-in-day-out events. A regular life wouldn't contain as many "jams" as this family encounters in just this first season of the show. Enjoy!*****

It's about time that a new female hero hits the fiction shelves. Not since "Matilda" and "the Witch of Blackbird Pond" did intermediate level fiction offer the 50% of its readers, who happen to be girls, a role model to emulate.

No less spellbinding than "Shiloh" or "My Side of the Mountain", "The El Dorado Adventure" is loaded with gripping cliff-hanger moments and action packed survival fever. A page turner you won't put down. Recommened for 4th through 7th grade reading. A winner on my book list!*****

The author gives accurate accounts of historical events, which, as the title reveals, did lead to an explosion of ultra-concervatism in America. The similarities to an uprising of the "majority" in depression era Europe are transparent. Rationalization of racial discrimination and segregation, along with many other subtle (yet presnt) injustices are a trade mark of "Christian Concervatism", which clearly (if denyingly) embraces white supremacy.

McGirr is particularly good at pointing out certain ironies that undercut the Conservative agenda. For instance, she notes that Orange Country was and is anti-tax (anti-egalitarian, anti-collectivist, anti-communist, anti-Federal government interference, anti-fair housing), but that the boom it enjoyed in the 60s was fueled primarily by federal defense spending. The Rugged Individualist, Boot-Stapping Entreprenuerial Businessman was in many ways beholden for his economic success on government expenditures. More recently, Orange County, following it's own free-market, low/anti-tax philosophy went backrupt due to investments in esoteric stock market products, investments the County felt forced to make because of budget shortfalls.

This book, like all other literature exposing the flaws of extremisms (especially extreme concervatism), either through satire (Al Franken), comedy (Mel Brooks) or factual, award winning literary works (Michael Moore), will add to the balance of available information. History often repeats itself, and thus is frequently forwarned or foretold by visionary writers who can decipher the writings on the wall. Lisa McGriff is one of them.

Long overdue "Chicken Soup" collection for teachers. Nearly 400 pages filled with dozens of heartwarming true stories from the "pages of teachers' memories" saturated with wonderful experiences. For anyone who is out there, making a difference everyday, or for those who admire the dedication of those who selflessly give to the millions of children whose lives they affect and forever change.

The joy of teaching, summed up by testimonials of a few. There are not enough books to contain all of the wonder, the magic, the laughter and tears; the many precious gifts of this field of work. "Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul" makes a successful attempt at capturing the essence. Further volumes are certain to follow. This is a five star gem!*****

This wonderful book was one of the most-checked-out titles in my classroom library. I eventually had to get a second and third copy to meet my students' demand for the book. Not since "Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn" has a book turned pre-teens into book worms like "Dear Mrs. Ryan". This is a "Harry Potter" without any of the controversy.

The reasonable length is not as threatening to less avid readers; a big plus at the intermediate level. Good, clean fun for kids. I'm tempted to use this book as a general reader for the entire class. Highly recommeded!*****