James T. Hamada
Tomatometer-approved critic
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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The Dark Angel (1935) |
Admirably directed by Sidney Franklin, The Dark Angel is a poignant wartime drama, a beautiful love story... - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Mar 11, 2023
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Frankenstein (1931) |
No matter how much you may dislike this sort of entertainment, you can't resist the desire to take a look at it and you'll be thrilled and spellbound. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jan 18, 2023
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The Lady Eve (1941) |
Entertainment everyone will enjoy. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Dec 29, 2022
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) |
There are many charming moments. And there are many rhythmic scenes. The mining and marching scenes wherein the dwarfs sing a “hai ho” song are a masterpiece of rhythm. And so are the dancing scenes staged by Snow White and the dwarfs. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Dec 21, 2022
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King Kong (1933) |
After you see this picture, you'll say it's unbelievable but will admit that it's one of the grandest thrillers, one of the grandest pictures, you ever saw. And you'll feel thankful to Hollywood for having made it. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 10, 2022
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) |
James Stewart and Claude Rains easily give their best performances to date. Edward Arnold is also impressive and he is probably at his best, too. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 09, 2022
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The Shop Around the Corner (1940) |
It's a simple but effective comedy-drama, telling a very human story... Director Lubltsch has put on a lot of his characteristic comedy touches but he has also woven plenty of dramatic interludes into the picture. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 08, 2022
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The President's Mystery (1936) |
Naturally the picture, as made, must be more satisfying to the chief executive than if it adhered strictly to the original. Besides, the film is Interesting enough as it is. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 25, 2022
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Shanghai Express (1932) |
All aboard the Shanghai Express, everybody! ... It's one grand ride of an hour and 20 minutes -- a ride that is melodramatically entertaining and highly artistic. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 21, 2022
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The Life of Emile Zola (1937) |
The Life of Emile Zola has that much-over-worked thing called "grandeur" in the true sense of the term. It's an impressive picture that holds interest throughout the hour and 55 minutes that it stays on the screen. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Aug 03, 2022
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Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) |
Mutiny on the Bounty is a masterpiece of brutality, one of the greatest sadistic entertainments. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jul 28, 2022
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You Can't Take It With You (1938) |
With Capra’s directorial genius, it’s a smash hit. Being a screwball comedy, It’s lunatic stuff -- zanier than the screwiest of the Brethren Marx’s comedies. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Feb 08, 2022
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The Wizard of Oz (1939) |
All these adventures are interestingly and charmingly depicted and sometimes you wish you were in this dreamland yourself. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 14, 2021
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Room Service (1938) |
William A. Selter directed with excellent results. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Aug 18, 2021
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Five Scouts (1938) |
A stirring and high-powered drama of the current Slno-Japanese war. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jun 23, 2021
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The Philadelphia Story (1940) |
Miss Hepburn scores heavily, giving the best performance of her career. Grant also licks. Our favorite Ruth Hussey, who heads the featured cast, also has a field day. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jun 10, 2021
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The Women (1939) |
The telephone scene is a magnificent piece of acting, direction and photography. To me it's better than the somewhat similar scene enacted by Luise Rainer in The Great Ziegfeld. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted May 24, 2021
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The Power and the Glory (1933) |
One of the best episodes is the childhood story presenting Tracy and Morgan as children. This is one of the most touching dramas seen In a long time. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted May 13, 2021
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Modern Times (1936) |
It doesn't seem possible to inject a large quantity of heart appeal in a heavily gagged-up comedy but Chaplin does it. That's Chaplin's forte, and that's what distinguishes his comedies from all others. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted May 06, 2021
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Soyokaze Chichi To Tomo Ni (1940) |
Miss Takamine gives a charming and delightful performance as always and Fujiwara is a good character actor, convincing in drunken scenes. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Apr 15, 2021
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Hana-tsumi Nikki (1939) |
Two girls and a teacher are the central characters who provide a simple but charming drama in Hana Tsumi Nikki. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Apr 15, 2021
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Machi (1939) |
Obinata gives a stout performance, displaying a physique that is perfect for soldiering. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Apr 15, 2021
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Ren'ai Jinmeibo (1935) |
The best performance Is given by Miss Hanayagi who brings a unique form of characterization to the screen. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Apr 15, 2021
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Misomerareta Seinen (1934) |
The picture is a light comedy and satisfactory for light entertainment. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Apr 15, 2021
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It Happened One Night (1934) |
It makes no difference where you see it, just so long as you see it. But if I were you, I'd see it now. And you've got to see it, for it's straight, genuine fun. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Mar 31, 2021
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Cavalcade (1933) |
These early reels, even though boresome, have bits of incidents that are necessary parts of the epic. If you can withstand them, you'll be amply rewarded. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jan 13, 2021
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Daughter of Shanghai (1937) |
A thrilling romance based on the alien smuggling racket. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Dec 11, 2020
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Anne of Green Gables (1934) |
This is a wholesome and Interesting picture In which Miss Shirley is surprisingly good. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 20, 2020
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Night Alarm (1934) |
Thrilling. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 20, 2020
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Star of Midnight (1935) |
There are several bits of rowdy fun. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 20, 2020
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[A] stirring picture. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 20, 2020
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A Night at the Opera (1935) |
They call it A Night at the Opera, and what a night! But equally entertaining is what precedes that memorable night. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 20, 2020
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Thunder (1929) |
This Is a picture whose interest doesn't depend upon plot. It is a simple, straightforward story like The Big Parade and its interest is built upon evolution of details and characterization, plus spectacular shots. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Nov 05, 2020
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The Invisible Man Returns (1940) |
Sir Cedric, who distinguished himself In "On Borrowed Time" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," turns In a fine performance but the most outstanding Is Vincent Price's voice. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 16, 2020
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Sweethearts (1938) |
Filmed entirely in natural colors, it brings out a vivid new personality in Miss [Jeanette] MacDonald, who proves herself a decided knockout with her flaming red hair and her jade-green eyes. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 14, 2020
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Stand Up and Fight (1939) |
A stirring account of the rivalry between early railroads and stagecoach lines for the nation's commerce of the 1850's. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 14, 2020
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Son of Frankenstein (1939) |
The story of "Son of Frankenstein" isn't as absorbing as that of its father but is good enough to serve the purpose of this picture. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 14, 2020
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Jesse James (1939) |
Tyrone Power heads a staggering cast as the heroic Jesse. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 14, 2020
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The Raven (1935) |
Lugosi and Karloff are terrifyingly effective us usual. Irene Ware and Lester Mathews provide the romantic interest. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 14, 2020
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The Mummy (1932) |
[Director Karl Freund] employs some good moving camera tricks and presents tremendously effective full-sized close ups of Boris Karloff. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 08, 2020
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The Invisible Man (1933) |
James Whale's direction is excellent. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 08, 2020
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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) |
While thrills principally abound In the story it also contains comedy Interest and a most enchanting romance. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Oct 07, 2020
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White Heat (1934) |
There are many spots where the film looks like the Infant talkies back in 1929, and the acting is generally amateurish. Despite its crudity, movie fans on Kauai will : undoubtedly want to see it. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Sep 16, 2020
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The Girl From Mexico (1939) |
The Girl From Mexico isn't an Important picture. It's just a fill-in attraction pending the arrival of better films, and yet it has its diverting moments. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Aug 27, 2020
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Mexican Spitfire (1939) |
The climax is a riotous slapstick but Charlie Chase or the Three Stooges are better at this sort of monkey business. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Aug 26, 2020
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Convention City (1933) |
Believe you me, Menjou gives a knockout performance. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jul 01, 2020
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Dark Victory (1939) |
[A] dramatic triumph. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jun 24, 2020
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Second Fiddle (1939) |
Second Fiddle is one of the most delightfully entertaining pictures that Sonja Henie has ever presented. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jun 24, 2020
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Magnificent Obsession (1935) |
It's a long film, slow In tempo, but is beautifully directed, acted and photographed. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jun 24, 2020
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Employees' Entrance (1933) |
The Important thing about this picture Is that Warren William, who plays the lending role as a ruthless but extraordinarily efficient department store general manager. Is back In his old form. - The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)
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| Posted Jun 24, 2020
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