Films Worth Viewing Year 3
- Thread starter zymurg
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Thoughts and plans
I am planning to resume regular posting. I had a tough year, and hopefully I will get back to some sort of normality. Today I am going to return to "Casablanca" for some musings. I watched it twice yesterday' once with a commentary by Roger Ebert and once just the film. There are a few films that I can re-watch every year. Obviously "Casablanca" is one of them. You may have a song or two that pops up in your head seemingly out of nowhere. I'm not sure how this type of memory works, but just now "La Vie en Rose" popped up in my head.
That is the most famous song of Edith Piaf. "Casablanca" pops up frequently. "Play it Sam; play "As Time Goes By." Not play it again, Sam.
Since I am a film nerd, I have some tidbits about my favorite film which I'm going to share. In the scene where Rick is at the train station waiting for Ilsa, Sam brings him a letter from Ilsa. It is pouring rain. The rain washes away the ink. This is obviously tears. Ebert states that these are Ilsa's tears. I disagree. Ilsa's tears would appear on the letter itself. I think the tears are Rick's; men can't cry. The rain allows us to see Rick's feelings which he can't really express. He bottles up his feelings; they explode when Ilsa appears at Rick's. There is a major continuity error in this scene. It is pouring, the raincoat is soaked, but magically it is dry when he boards the train,
I could go on almost indefinitely, but tell me about your favorites, your nuggets that others miss. Don't forget your songs. We love films because they can take us places we couldn't go on our own. I can't remember the first occasion I saw "Casablanca." Certain films and songs touch us deeply; just when we think we can't be moved, startled, almost shocked; we find a new film which reaches us in a primal way. The most recent for me is "Arrival." I don't watch movies expecting or even hoping for such a revelation. I watch for enjoyment. Sometimes when I go back to re-watch a favorite; I am disappointed. "The Court Jester" is the most recent example.
So share with me, and next up is "Man on the Moon." I have commented on several Forman films recently, but I had no idea that he directed this film. Happy New Year. Watch many movies.
I am planning to resume regular posting. I had a tough year, and hopefully I will get back to some sort of normality. Today I am going to return to "Casablanca" for some musings. I watched it twice yesterday' once with a commentary by Roger Ebert and once just the film. There are a few films that I can re-watch every year. Obviously "Casablanca" is one of them. You may have a song or two that pops up in your head seemingly out of nowhere. I'm not sure how this type of memory works, but just now "La Vie en Rose" popped up in my head.
That is the most famous song of Edith Piaf. "Casablanca" pops up frequently. "Play it Sam; play "As Time Goes By." Not play it again, Sam.
Since I am a film nerd, I have some tidbits about my favorite film which I'm going to share. In the scene where Rick is at the train station waiting for Ilsa, Sam brings him a letter from Ilsa. It is pouring rain. The rain washes away the ink. This is obviously tears. Ebert states that these are Ilsa's tears. I disagree. Ilsa's tears would appear on the letter itself. I think the tears are Rick's; men can't cry. The rain allows us to see Rick's feelings which he can't really express. He bottles up his feelings; they explode when Ilsa appears at Rick's. There is a major continuity error in this scene. It is pouring, the raincoat is soaked, but magically it is dry when he boards the train,
I could go on almost indefinitely, but tell me about your favorites, your nuggets that others miss. Don't forget your songs. We love films because they can take us places we couldn't go on our own. I can't remember the first occasion I saw "Casablanca." Certain films and songs touch us deeply; just when we think we can't be moved, startled, almost shocked; we find a new film which reaches us in a primal way. The most recent for me is "Arrival." I don't watch movies expecting or even hoping for such a revelation. I watch for enjoyment. Sometimes when I go back to re-watch a favorite; I am disappointed. "The Court Jester" is the most recent example.
So share with me, and next up is "Man on the Moon." I have commented on several Forman films recently, but I had no idea that he directed this film. Happy New Year. Watch many movies.
"The Man on the Moon"-Milos Forman-1999
Forman was one of the directors of the Czech New Wave. He is the only one who achieved major success in America. With Jim Carey in the starring role as Andy Kaufman'; this should have been a major box office hit. The music was composed by REM. The title song came from on of there albums. They were Kaufman fans as was Forman. For those not familiar with Kaufman; think Sasha Baron Cohen. You can also visit YouTube which has a large collection of videos. Try 123Movies for free streaming.
The film opens with Andy Kaufman costumed and acting as Latka from "Taxi." He is discussing his movie. He didn't like it, so he cut it. Now all that remains is the closing credits, The music is from a 45 single played on a tiny old turntable. The music ends several times before the credits finish. Latka restarts the record; the second time in exasperation he scratches like a DJ. The credits end and the screen goes black. About 10 seconds later, Kaufman appears talking as himself. Since we didn't leave; he'll show us the real film which begins in Long Island many years ago. Kaufman starts the projector, and we see his father's old car.
Kaufman demanded certain things from the audience when he did stand-up, He had a character, Tony Clifton, who was an obnoxious lounge singer, comic. He demanded that Clifton appear on "Taxi." He created an inhabited other characters like the inter gender wrestling champion. He wrestled women in arenas particularly in Memphis. He had a scenario with real pro wrestler Jerry Lester. Lester who smack him around in the ring, and he even appeared on talk shows with Andy, staying in character all the time. When Kaufman was in one of his roles, he stayed in character,
Andy Kaufman was quite successful for a while, but towards the end of his life; he was out of favor and money. He died from an unusual type of lung cancer. He had some difficulty separating his on stage personas from his real self. When he told people about his cancer; most of them thought he was joking. To a certain part of the audience he was a comedy god. Certain people are never satisfied with adaptations of books. Martin Freeman is only one of many people who detested Jim Carey's performance. On the other hand many people close to Kaufman believed that Carey became Kaufman. He moved and spoke like Kaufman in ways not exhibited in public in his acts. Personally, I am not a fan of Carey or Kaufman. This is an excellent under-rated film. It is episodic and chaotic, but so was his life.
Forman worked to metiulously re-create settings like the Taxi set and the David Letterman studio. The pace is quick. The actors like Danny DeVito, Courtney Love, and Paul Giamatti are uniformly first rate. I enjoyed this film; the DVD extras are excellent. This is more than worth a look. Next "Heaven Can Wait" the Lubitsch version.
Forman was one of the directors of the Czech New Wave. He is the only one who achieved major success in America. With Jim Carey in the starring role as Andy Kaufman'; this should have been a major box office hit. The music was composed by REM. The title song came from on of there albums. They were Kaufman fans as was Forman. For those not familiar with Kaufman; think Sasha Baron Cohen. You can also visit YouTube which has a large collection of videos. Try 123Movies for free streaming.
The film opens with Andy Kaufman costumed and acting as Latka from "Taxi." He is discussing his movie. He didn't like it, so he cut it. Now all that remains is the closing credits, The music is from a 45 single played on a tiny old turntable. The music ends several times before the credits finish. Latka restarts the record; the second time in exasperation he scratches like a DJ. The credits end and the screen goes black. About 10 seconds later, Kaufman appears talking as himself. Since we didn't leave; he'll show us the real film which begins in Long Island many years ago. Kaufman starts the projector, and we see his father's old car.
Kaufman demanded certain things from the audience when he did stand-up, He had a character, Tony Clifton, who was an obnoxious lounge singer, comic. He demanded that Clifton appear on "Taxi." He created an inhabited other characters like the inter gender wrestling champion. He wrestled women in arenas particularly in Memphis. He had a scenario with real pro wrestler Jerry Lester. Lester who smack him around in the ring, and he even appeared on talk shows with Andy, staying in character all the time. When Kaufman was in one of his roles, he stayed in character,
Andy Kaufman was quite successful for a while, but towards the end of his life; he was out of favor and money. He died from an unusual type of lung cancer. He had some difficulty separating his on stage personas from his real self. When he told people about his cancer; most of them thought he was joking. To a certain part of the audience he was a comedy god. Certain people are never satisfied with adaptations of books. Martin Freeman is only one of many people who detested Jim Carey's performance. On the other hand many people close to Kaufman believed that Carey became Kaufman. He moved and spoke like Kaufman in ways not exhibited in public in his acts. Personally, I am not a fan of Carey or Kaufman. This is an excellent under-rated film. It is episodic and chaotic, but so was his life.
Forman worked to metiulously re-create settings like the Taxi set and the David Letterman studio. The pace is quick. The actors like Danny DeVito, Courtney Love, and Paul Giamatti are uniformly first rate. I enjoyed this film; the DVD extras are excellent. This is more than worth a look. Next "Heaven Can Wait" the Lubitsch version.
"Heaven Can Wait"-Ernest Lubirtch-1949
This is one of Lubitsch's last films, and his first film in color. We have discussed a little about how many Europeans migrated to the US after if became the center of the world film industry after WW I. Economics was more of a motivation even for Jews like Lubitsch than politics. He was adept at crafting both musicals and comedies. He developed a friendship and working relationship with Samson Raphaelson who scripted many of his films, They worked together from an idea Lubitsch took from obscure often Hungarian plays, They bounced ideas off each other Three bad ideas and then one good one as Raphaelson put it. When they both agreed; it became part of the script.
The film opens brilliantly; the recently deceased Harry Von Cleve (Don Ameche) arrives at the entrance of Hell. It is very stylized and modern. It evokes the interior of a modern skyscraper, Von Cleve tells His Excellency (the impressive Laird Cregar)) that he believes he belongs below. Harry has been a ladies man all his life, and he has not been faithful to the great love of his life, Martha (Gene Tierney).
Harry tells his story to His Excellency. It turns out that the women in his life have manipulated him rather than him being the real Don Juan.
When Harry was nine he was attracted to Mary. He gave her a beetle in a box. She conned him out his second beetle while maintaining her moral superiority. She asserted that she wasn't the kind of girl who would take a boy's last beetle. Of course that is exactly what she did. Harry saw himself as the seducer, but his women had the upper hand.
Lubitsch didn't want Ameche for the lead, but this is a superior performance. He is the suave seducer, impeccably dressed, verbally facile, sophisticated, good looking with plenty of charm, but he is innocent. This part of his charm. Ameche worked for more tan 30 years after this film, but he considered this his best work.
Gene Tierney was shocked at how Lubitsch treated her. After one awful five hour session; she berated him. Lubitsch replied that he was paid to yell at her. Tierney replied that she was paid to be yelled at but not enough. Lubitsch laughed, and the tension was ended. He was an icon to many; Billy Wilder had how would Lubitsch do it on his office door.
The character actors : Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette, and Margert Main are all excellent. Max Steiner's score has subtlety like his use of music from "The Merry Widow." I smile every time I picture Laird Cregar as the Devil. The end of the picture where his excellency advises Harry to try upstairs is Lubitsch at his best. Free streaming on You Tube. This is a joy to watch.
This is one of Lubitsch's last films, and his first film in color. We have discussed a little about how many Europeans migrated to the US after if became the center of the world film industry after WW I. Economics was more of a motivation even for Jews like Lubitsch than politics. He was adept at crafting both musicals and comedies. He developed a friendship and working relationship with Samson Raphaelson who scripted many of his films, They worked together from an idea Lubitsch took from obscure often Hungarian plays, They bounced ideas off each other Three bad ideas and then one good one as Raphaelson put it. When they both agreed; it became part of the script.
The film opens brilliantly; the recently deceased Harry Von Cleve (Don Ameche) arrives at the entrance of Hell. It is very stylized and modern. It evokes the interior of a modern skyscraper, Von Cleve tells His Excellency (the impressive Laird Cregar)) that he believes he belongs below. Harry has been a ladies man all his life, and he has not been faithful to the great love of his life, Martha (Gene Tierney).
Harry tells his story to His Excellency. It turns out that the women in his life have manipulated him rather than him being the real Don Juan.
When Harry was nine he was attracted to Mary. He gave her a beetle in a box. She conned him out his second beetle while maintaining her moral superiority. She asserted that she wasn't the kind of girl who would take a boy's last beetle. Of course that is exactly what she did. Harry saw himself as the seducer, but his women had the upper hand.
Lubitsch didn't want Ameche for the lead, but this is a superior performance. He is the suave seducer, impeccably dressed, verbally facile, sophisticated, good looking with plenty of charm, but he is innocent. This part of his charm. Ameche worked for more tan 30 years after this film, but he considered this his best work.
Gene Tierney was shocked at how Lubitsch treated her. After one awful five hour session; she berated him. Lubitsch replied that he was paid to yell at her. Tierney replied that she was paid to be yelled at but not enough. Lubitsch laughed, and the tension was ended. He was an icon to many; Billy Wilder had how would Lubitsch do it on his office door.
The character actors : Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette, and Margert Main are all excellent. Max Steiner's score has subtlety like his use of music from "The Merry Widow." I smile every time I picture Laird Cregar as the Devil. The end of the picture where his excellency advises Harry to try upstairs is Lubitsch at his best. Free streaming on You Tube. This is a joy to watch.
"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"-John Houston-1948
This is a true classic. It won Oscars, made Ebert's Great Movies List, is continually ranked among the top 100 American films of all time. Iy is also a film which is still surrounded in mystery. John Houston adapted the film from a novel by B. Traven. The first mystery is who was B, Traven. That he used B, Traven as a nom de plume is about the only point of agreement. Did he work for $500 dollars a week on the film?
Was the first name of his pseudonym Bruno? Was he a German anarchist publisher who emigrated to Mexico? There are no clear answers almost 75 years after this film was made. Why did a film which drew universal critical praise not become a box office monster? Why did it take Houston 5 months to film? Why was the marketing so poor?
Hal Wallis was unhappy, but Houston often made him unhappy. This was one of the first films shot on location outside the U.S. Humphrey Bogart was the star, but the best role was that of Howard(Walter Houston) the old prospector. He directed three of Bogart's best films: "Treasure", "The African Queen", and "The Maltese Falcon." Houston seemed to cherish off beat locations with terrible conditions.
The film's most famous line is misquoted almost as often as Play it, Sam..." "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges, I don't have to show you any stinking badges." Alfonso Bedoya plays Gold Hat the bandit who won't go away. There is a lot of Spanish dialogue which wasn't translated. Walter Houston's character knows Spanish, Houston didn't know Spanish. He memorized his Spanish lines. The film is set in 1925; we know this because we see a poster for the lottery with the date The lottery plays an important part in the film.
to be continued
This is a true classic. It won Oscars, made Ebert's Great Movies List, is continually ranked among the top 100 American films of all time. Iy is also a film which is still surrounded in mystery. John Houston adapted the film from a novel by B. Traven. The first mystery is who was B, Traven. That he used B, Traven as a nom de plume is about the only point of agreement. Did he work for $500 dollars a week on the film?
Was the first name of his pseudonym Bruno? Was he a German anarchist publisher who emigrated to Mexico? There are no clear answers almost 75 years after this film was made. Why did a film which drew universal critical praise not become a box office monster? Why did it take Houston 5 months to film? Why was the marketing so poor?
Hal Wallis was unhappy, but Houston often made him unhappy. This was one of the first films shot on location outside the U.S. Humphrey Bogart was the star, but the best role was that of Howard(Walter Houston) the old prospector. He directed three of Bogart's best films: "Treasure", "The African Queen", and "The Maltese Falcon." Houston seemed to cherish off beat locations with terrible conditions.
The film's most famous line is misquoted almost as often as Play it, Sam..." "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges, I don't have to show you any stinking badges." Alfonso Bedoya plays Gold Hat the bandit who won't go away. There is a lot of Spanish dialogue which wasn't translated. Walter Houston's character knows Spanish, Houston didn't know Spanish. He memorized his Spanish lines. The film is set in 1925; we know this because we see a poster for the lottery with the date The lottery plays an important part in the film.
to be continued
.-.
ClifSpliffy
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new year? same ol zymurg, awesome as usual!
John Houston has a nice walkon as an American in a white suit. Fred C, Dobbs begs from him on multiple occasions , He never looks at the man's face. Dobbs meets a fellow impoverished American (Tim Holy); they take jobs building a camp in an oil field. They are scammed, but they finally beat the money out of there scammer. When I first saw the film as a kid, I loved it. 70 plus years later, it looks phony. I've lost the shadow magic, and I'm not any better for it.
Dobbs and Curtin use this money to go into partnership with Howard, They go prospecting for gold. They make a strike, but it changes Dobbs for the worse. The ending is classic. My only complaint is that I grow to dislike Dobbs so much that I really don't like watching him.
My kvetching aside, this is a true classic. This is a must see.
Dobbs and Curtin use this money to go into partnership with Howard, They go prospecting for gold. They make a strike, but it changes Dobbs for the worse. The ending is classic. My only complaint is that I grow to dislike Dobbs so much that I really don't like watching him.
My kvetching aside, this is a true classic. This is a must see.
Agreed, Treasure of Sierra Madre is certainly a must see. It is a particular favorite of my wife, who absolutely loves Walter Huston in this film. For us, a great Walter Huston double feature would be this film and "Yankee Doodle Dandy".
As was mentioned in this discussion, in addition to directing Bogart in The Maltese Falcon (possibly my favorite movie of all time), Treasure of Sierra Madre, and The African Queen, John Huston also directed Bogart in Key Largo, another high quality film that Bogart did at Warner Brothers. Huston directed Bogart in a total of six movies.
It was the fight sequence that I loved as a kid. Years later I could see how staged it was. I should mention how great the ending is. 10 months of labor, and the gold blows away. Howard laughs, and laughs, and laughs and finally Curtin joins in. Who could predict this? Yet, Houston (both Houstons) sell it. I'm smiling as I write this.
Remembering the 60's
The 60's brought us the Bond series the longest lasting movie series in history. "No Time to Die" should mark the end , but the search has begun for the new Bond. The Beatles had some huge successes with scripted films. In art houses, film societies, and on college campuses a market developed for non English language films. Today we are facing the effects of a worldwide pandemic. This is accelerating the change in viewing patterns. Next up is "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." Leone was a great master, but he never really reached the US market in his lifetime. MGM did a great job restoring this film at the turn of the century. We are able to see this movie as he wished it could be seen.
The 60's brought us the Bond series the longest lasting movie series in history. "No Time to Die" should mark the end , but the search has begun for the new Bond. The Beatles had some huge successes with scripted films. In art houses, film societies, and on college campuses a market developed for non English language films. Today we are facing the effects of a worldwide pandemic. This is accelerating the change in viewing patterns. Next up is "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." Leone was a great master, but he never really reached the US market in his lifetime. MGM did a great job restoring this film at the turn of the century. We are able to see this movie as he wished it could be seen.
"The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"-Sergio Leone-1966
Leone directed few films, but the quality was very high. This film received an infusion of capital from United Artists, Itwas made in Spain with an Italian cast except for the principals. The actors spoke their native tongue. Leone spoke little English; Van Cleef, Wallach, and Eastwood spoke no Italian, Wallach and Leone spoke French.
The Spanish Army was heavily involved in the production. They provided the Civil War weapons; they cane from a military museum. There is a scene where a bridge is blown up. The Spanish captain blew the bridge up early before the cameras were running. They rebuilt the bridge at no cost to the film.
The original version ran just under three hours. It was cut drastically for the US market. MGM completed a major reconstruction early in this century. That version ls available on DVD. Try your library, It streams for free on Daily Motion, but the extras are excellent and take up an entire disk. They include an extensive discussion of Ennio Morricone's score. Leone worked with Morricone before shooting. Parts of the score were played during shooting. The score was so popular that it became a bestselling album. The use of a coyote like sound in the theme us particularly memorable.
None of the three principals has a real name. Tuco for Wallach's character comes the closest. Van Cleef is angel eyes, and Eastwood is blondie. Wallach;s character has the most screen time. He has the best line "When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." This was an ad lib by Wallach. Bond would have died in the 60"s if the bad guys were Leone fans.
The story is confusing with several plot holes. How does Angel Eyes become a Union sergeant? A huge stash of Confederate gold coins has gone missing. The trio are determined to find the stash. Tuco and blondie had a relationship where blondie collected the bounty then shot the noose, freeing Tuco. They split the bounty, but they fall out.
This is still a winner 60 plus years after opening. The TV version runs 95 minutes, avoid it. I still prefer "Once Upon a Time in the West," but this film deserves its rep as a classic.
Leone directed few films, but the quality was very high. This film received an infusion of capital from United Artists, Itwas made in Spain with an Italian cast except for the principals. The actors spoke their native tongue. Leone spoke little English; Van Cleef, Wallach, and Eastwood spoke no Italian, Wallach and Leone spoke French.
The Spanish Army was heavily involved in the production. They provided the Civil War weapons; they cane from a military museum. There is a scene where a bridge is blown up. The Spanish captain blew the bridge up early before the cameras were running. They rebuilt the bridge at no cost to the film.
The original version ran just under three hours. It was cut drastically for the US market. MGM completed a major reconstruction early in this century. That version ls available on DVD. Try your library, It streams for free on Daily Motion, but the extras are excellent and take up an entire disk. They include an extensive discussion of Ennio Morricone's score. Leone worked with Morricone before shooting. Parts of the score were played during shooting. The score was so popular that it became a bestselling album. The use of a coyote like sound in the theme us particularly memorable.
None of the three principals has a real name. Tuco for Wallach's character comes the closest. Van Cleef is angel eyes, and Eastwood is blondie. Wallach;s character has the most screen time. He has the best line "When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." This was an ad lib by Wallach. Bond would have died in the 60"s if the bad guys were Leone fans.
The story is confusing with several plot holes. How does Angel Eyes become a Union sergeant? A huge stash of Confederate gold coins has gone missing. The trio are determined to find the stash. Tuco and blondie had a relationship where blondie collected the bounty then shot the noose, freeing Tuco. They split the bounty, but they fall out.
This is still a winner 60 plus years after opening. The TV version runs 95 minutes, avoid it. I still prefer "Once Upon a Time in the West," but this film deserves its rep as a classic.
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TGB&U is a tremendous film. Easily one of the top five westerns ever made. Leone balances drama, humor and pathos beautifully. The underlying moral of the film is that there is almost no difference between the good, the bad or the ugly.
The backdrop of the Civil War sets the story on a larger canvas that makes the drama of our players smaller, almost petty. Blondie got the gold. The world is still awful. It means almost nothing.
None of the plot holes bother me. Angel Eyes was smart and devious. How did he become a Union Sergeant? Where did his gang come from? Not important. He could shown up anywhere at anytime as anyone and the audience would have have bought it. In the chaos and confusion of the time, all things are possible especially for such a man as Angel Eyes.
The backdrop of the Civil War sets the story on a larger canvas that makes the drama of our players smaller, almost petty. Blondie got the gold. The world is still awful. It means almost nothing.
None of the plot holes bother me. Angel Eyes was smart and devious. How did he become a Union Sergeant? Where did his gang come from? Not important. He could shown up anywhere at anytime as anyone and the audience would have have bought it. In the chaos and confusion of the time, all things are possible especially for such a man as Angel Eyes.
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The Drop - 2014
This is a taut, well made, well acted mystery suspense gangland romance. Yeah, I said that. The characters are interesting and layered. The performances are tense yet restrained. The movie simmers yet never boils over. The cast is top shelf, Tom Hardy, James Gandolfini, Noomi Repace, Michael Aranov, Matthias Schenaerts and John Ortiz. Aranov as a Chechen crime boss delivers a knives edge performance part psychopathic criminal and part sophisticated, even friendly, capitalist. He is completely unnerving.
The story slowly unwinds with small twists and turns the entire way. Bob the bartender is robbed in his cousin Marv's bar that is actually owned by Chechen gangsters. The Chechens want Marv to make good. But nothing is what it seems. This is woven over a subplot of Bob, his new dog, his would be new girl friend and her psycho ex-boyfriend.
Shot in Brooklyn everything feels completely authentic. I LOVED it. Not for everyone but just a notch below a four star for me.
This is a taut, well made, well acted mystery suspense gangland romance. Yeah, I said that. The characters are interesting and layered. The performances are tense yet restrained. The movie simmers yet never boils over. The cast is top shelf, Tom Hardy, James Gandolfini, Noomi Repace, Michael Aranov, Matthias Schenaerts and John Ortiz. Aranov as a Chechen crime boss delivers a knives edge performance part psychopathic criminal and part sophisticated, even friendly, capitalist. He is completely unnerving.
The story slowly unwinds with small twists and turns the entire way. Bob the bartender is robbed in his cousin Marv's bar that is actually owned by Chechen gangsters. The Chechens want Marv to make good. But nothing is what it seems. This is woven over a subplot of Bob, his new dog, his would be new girl friend and her psycho ex-boyfriend.
Shot in Brooklyn everything feels completely authentic. I LOVED it. Not for everyone but just a notch below a four star for me.