What's John watching?

Escape from the Planet of the Apes: I have to admit, after reading the synopses for all the Planet of the Apes movies, I thought this one would be one of the worst; it seemed to be reaching... for more money. However, very early on I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, right from Dr. Otto Hasslein's (Eric Braeden) televised interview explaining the infinite perspective - I believe that's what he called it - I was entranced by his character.

Now, there was a moment - right about when Dr. Lewis (Bradford Dillman) gave Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) a pistol, making Heston and all card-carrying members of the NRA proud, no doubt - when I figured the movie would descend into cheesiness - more than one, in fact - but it always managed to turn it around. When I thought Dr. Hasslein wouldn't call in the Army, so he could board the ship John Wayne style and have a big shootout, they knew right where to find him, indicating that he had called them offscreen at some point. And when I thought the happy ending was inevitable, a bittersweet ending emerged.

And then there was Ricardo Montalban as Armando. :-) I don't remember watching a lot of Fantasy Island, but, with the grin that that guy puts on my face every time I see him, I must have. (I always think of him with his arms wide open too. Not sure what that's about. Welcoming people to the island, maybe.) ¶ 10:08:00 p.m.