
Devil at 4 O’Clock
Customer Review: “Lady I Missed The Boat A Long Time Ago” ~ Faith, Disbelief And The Good Thief
Synopsis: A small plane headed for Tahiti carrying three convicts makes a layover on a small, volcanic South Pacific Island named Kalaua. The local Catholic priest Father Doonan (Spencer Tracy) convinces the local authorities to allow him to borrow the incarcerated trio to help with repairs at a secluded hospital for lepers during their stay. When the volcano begins to awaken the island residents are forced to evacuate Father Doonan and the convicts are the only ones brave enough to attempt a rescue of the lepers and hospital staff. Will they be able to escape the dangerous eruptions and lava and get to the docks before the schooner leaves at four o’clock? Only God knows.
Critique: The ‘61 film `Devil At 4 O’Clock’ is one of the lesser classics of the early `60’s. Spencer Tracy delivers one of his usual strong performances as the ill-tempered, disillusioned Catholic priest and Frank Sinatra rises to the occasion with one of his best on-screen performances as the hard-nosed convict Harry.
This is a surprisingly good film; the cast is superior, the dialogue intelligent and believable, the scenery breathtaking, the soundtrack memorable and the volcano magnificent. If that’s not enough the film also co-stars the beautiful Barbara Luna in the role of Camille, unquestionably one of the most beautiful Hispanic actresses to ever grace the silver screen.
Footnote: Here’s a little something that might be of interest to all you trivia collectors out there. Take note of the first couple of minutes of the film when the plane comes in for a landing. Did you catch the island boy running into Father Duggin’s office shouting “the plane, the plane!” Now you know where little Tattoo from the popular late 70’s television series `Fantasy Island’ got that phrase.
Customer Review: Not one of Tracy’s greatest, but a very good old movie
I just finished watching this movie for the first time in about 40 years–i.e., since my early teens. For “action” junkies, it will prove tedious because the only “good” part is at the very end. For special effects junkies, it will seem deficient because the techology available in 1961 paled in comparison with that available today.
But if you’re simply looking for a good movie with some human meaning and an emotional punch, this film will deliver. I’m not ordinarily a huge fan of Sinatra the actor, let alone Sinatra the person, but this is one of his best performances. And Tracy is, well, Tracy. ‘Nuff said on that score.
The movie requires a certain level of suspension of disbelief, but no more so than the vast majority of contemporary films. Those of us who still love movies from the 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s don’t regard a certain amount of requisite suspended disbelief as a fatal defect. Like the classic Western, this film is intended not as a reality-fest, but as a morality play, and it’s and a good one. Unlike the classic Western, it’s not racist. Indeed, it’s anything but, and was ahead of its time in that regard, as the final 20 minutes make clear.
A powerful movie. Many TV shows and films which impress one as a kid don’t impress one as a middle-aged adult, as I’ve found out from watching a lot of my favorite ancient TV shows and films in recent years. But this one holds up. If you can enjoy a pair of fine acting performances in an old-fashioned movie, this film won’t disappoint.
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2 In 1 Game Set Chess And Checkers
Another great set for both casual and serious chess players. The pieces store neatly inside the 10 1/2 inch by 10 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch hardwood box. Square size is 1 1/2 inch while the king size is 3 inch. Checkers included. .
Chess Assistant 9.1
Chess Assistant 9 is a unique tool for managing chess games and databases, playing chess through the Internet, viewing electronic texts, studying openings, analyzing games, or playing chess against the computer. Chess Assistant 9 Starter package includes a strong game engine (Shredder: ELO rating 2750), a convenient mode of entering and analyzing games, Chess Opening Encyclopedia 2006, powerful search systems, unique Tree mode, the database of 1,000,000 games played by Masters and Grandmasters that can be automatically updated through the Internet each week with 3,000 new games (for free till the end of 2008). Chess Assistant 9 Starter package supports the strong game engine Rybka, and allows the user to open and edit any data from DVDs, Chess Databases and Advanced Chess Data, add or view databases in PGN and CBH formats, while removing any duplicate games. The Chess Opening Encyclopedia 2006 mode includes rich theoretical material on all the openings, more than 8,000 annotations from GM Kalinin and 500,000 expert evaluations to key opening positions. The detailed key system for any opening allows editing. The new Test Opening mode will allow testing your knowledge and skills in openings. Chess Assistant includes a convenient interface for playing at Internet Chess Club. Chess Assistant 9, Starter package includes: CD, printed manual (112 pages) and box
Customer Review: CHESS ASSISTANT - EVERYTHING FOR CHESS
Chess Assistant 8.1 is a chess program and game database combined. A recent review by FIDE MASTER ERIC SCHILLER (www.chesscity.com) said Chess Assistant’s the “Best Chess Software for Rapid Improvement”. [quoting SCHILLER’S REVIEW] “There are two popular full-featured chess processors, Chess Assistant and Chess Base. I’ve used both of these programs for many years. In the past, I have split my recommendations depending on the level of play, but recent additions to Chess Assistant make it hands down the better choice for all chessplayers.” Myself, I’m just now returning to chess, so I’m starting out with both ChessAssistant and Fritz9 (Chessbase). Both Fritz and ChessAssistant are different products with a different emphasis. Fritz has a large number of complementary training videos, but all of them require at least Fritz8 to run. Here in the States there’s http://chessbaseusa.sectorlink.org (USA), otherwise www.chessbase.com But ChessAssistant not only includes (game) database management with their product, but ChessAssistant is working to be known as “EVERYTHING ANYONE WOULD WANT” IN A SINGLE PACKAGE. It’s written by CONVEKTA, who’s also responsible for producing many of the CHESS-PLAYABLE TRAINING CD’s on the market. You can go to their STORE at www.chessassistant.com or www.convekta.com and browse their selection. They are always adding to their collection as they have working arrangements with Chess Masters on developing new products - individual CD’s or volume 1234 collections. All of Convekta’s products are listed on Amazon.com as either Convekta or ChessCentral. Some of the training CD’s include: CT-ART (tactics), Chess Tactics for Intermediate Players and combo packs such as Total Chess Training 2 (with modules covering opening, middle and endgames). CONVEKTA’S DOWNLOAD PAGE includes not only DEMO VERSIONS of their training CD’s, but also recent product updates and a LITE VERSION OF “CHESS ASSISTANT 7″ itself. Go to Convekta’s site and the “download” page, so you can try out Chess Assistant before buying. You’ll need to place all of the separate downloads into the same folder on your pc, then run setup. This lite version has no time limit
The latest version of CHESS ASSISTANT 8.1 includes a DATABASE OF 2,710,000 GAMES that can automatically be updated with 2,500 new games weekly on the Internet. You can also add databases in the CA, PGN or CBH formats while removing any duplicate games. The CHESS OPENING ENCYCLOPEDIA 2005 mode includes theoretical material on all the openings, over 8,000 ANNOTATIONS FROM GRAND MASTER ALEXANDER KALININ as well as 500,000 key opening positions with expert evaluations. The GAME ANALYSIS uses the built-in playing programs Tiger 2004, Ruffian, Delfi, Crafty and Russian Dragon. The game provides for automatic, multi-variant and background analysis. WHEN PLAYING THROUGH A GAME(compared to a chess tree), you can see all the commentaries, information about the game, and the current position with graphics. You can search the encyclopedic table for pawn structures, material differences, positions, maneuvers and sacrifices. As you play, Assistant will also highlight the best move for each position using the CHESS TREE. You can also play out variations in Test or Demonstration mode. You can COMMENT AND HIGHLIGHT GAMES and email them directly, as well as export to PGN, HTML or PUT THEM IN WEB PAGES TO REPLAY using Java. (It’s the same type of “interactive” game displays you’ve seen on other chess internet sites.) NEWS AND TOURNAMENT GAMES are available for download from www.convekta.com and “Chess Weekly” http://weekly.convekta.com If you want to play chess online or watch the games of others, Chess Assistant has an interface for connecting to the ICC INTERNET CHESS CLUB www.chessclub.com and their own ww.chessassistantclub.com An independent site also provides a series of “HOW TO” ARTICLES AND REVIEWS at www.chessassistance.com Other reviews may be found at “Seagaard Chess Reviews” The expanded version is CHESS ASSISTANT MEGA PACKET for an additional $40 … this includes a Correspondence Database and twin DVD set with Nalimov Endgame tablebases. Personally, I’m happy with Convekta’s customer service and I’ve always had a response within a few hours. On occasion, they offer special discounts and shipping is reasonable. You could also find Convekta at www.chesscentral.com www.wholesalechess.com and other chess sites. With the company continuing to make new improvements to ChessAssistant and still adding to its line of products, MAYBE CONVEKTA SHOULD BE THE FIRST INTERNET SITE YOU GO TO FOR CHESS!!! * My Amazon Guide “Chess Sampler” has a list of additional books, videos and internet sites *
Go Set, With 2 Pullout Drawers
This particular GO set is our most popular one, including a beautiful wood board with drawers to store the stones. Consider yourself a militaristic genius? Ready to set out for blood to gain territory and crush your opponent? Not so fast. GO, an ancient game of Chinese origin, rewards patience and concentration rather than greed and aggression. The shifting balance of territory and power can unnerve even the most disciplined and intellectual player. Like martial arts, GO is an exercise in concentration, balance, and discipline. GO can be learned in minutes, but can take a lifetime to master.
Customer Review: Great
This is a wonderful item. I bought mine from board games superstore and it arrived several days earlier than the earliest estimated time. The product was in great shape when it arrived and everything was there. Although I wish that it was a little bigger and that it had a book to teach you how to play, but that would ruin the price. Overall this is a wonderful product and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to play go.
Customer Review: Very Nice
For my first go board, I really like the way this is made, the chips stored in the drawers made for very easy access and for transportation (assuming you have something holding the drawers shut.) The board is made very well and so are the chips, with the exception of the few chips I found that were broken in half for whatever reason. (But none of my games ever go that long as to use all the chips so I don’t mind.) Overall, this is a good product, especially for first time buyers.