spidymac Reviews

Redline (1997)

I started out to watch an Action Film and ended up a Fan.

[11 May 2000]

Rutger Hauer has done a number of action films in which the story and overall production where much more entertaining e.g., "Split Second". However, I am an avid "Action" movie devotee and my personal appraisal of them is usually much higher than say, most movie critics. For what its worth, I think most action lovers would enjoy this film. I, however, never expected more than the action promised in the given film synopsis i.e., until I saw Miss Yvonne Scio. In my opinion, this young lady stole the movie in both an acting and physical sense. She has a wholesome beauty and a fantastic physical presence. I became a "Fan" immediately.

Further, I was just as pleasantly surprised with Miss Scio's action performance as I was with Mira Sorvino's in the "Replacement Killers". 'course the critic (Maltin) only gave this movie 2.5 stars and I thought it deserved at least 4.5 stars. Hell, I guess I'm still the only one who thinks "The Matrix" was the best movie of the year and can't understand why I must be the only one with such keen insight. Oh well, I'm buying the DVD (USA) version titled "Redline", if for no other reason than to ogle Miss Scio.

Smiley's People (1982)

British espionage at its best!

[2 February 1999]

Just a reminder, this was the follow-up (sequel?) to the novel "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (1980) They both were extremely well done. Sir Alec Guinness.......great! I wish someone would find a way to get both of these great PBS broadcasts on video. PBS is always looking for funding support? Could be missing a bet.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)

Superb rendition of this espionage novel

[2 February 1999]

I was captivated during the entire PBS broadcast of this espionage mini-series. As with most of John Le Carre's novels, this program was full of twists and turns and you must pay close attention so as not to miss any of the nuances of the hunt. I agree, Mr. Alec Guinness was made for the part of George Smiley. In fact, I think the casting as a whole was above average, as was the sequel, "Smiley's People" (1982), another follow up PBS mini-series. The crime of the century is the inability to obtain either one of these programs on video.

The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire (1981 TV Movie)

Excellent Fantasy Film with unique premise, good action & villain.

[25 January 1999]

As with certain films of the filmed noir genre, there are unheralded fantasy films that also fall in to the category of "sleepers" i.e., very entertaining but not widely reviewed/seen. To name a few: Forbidden Planet, The Forbidden Street, I'll Never Forget You (Berkely Square), The Sword & the Sorcerer, Sinbad the Sailor, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Sinbad & the Eye of the Tiger, Demon Seed, Five Million Years to Earth, Omar Khayyam, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (now a classic), as well as The Dam Busters, (if you are not offended by the name of the dog) and the exceptional, Curse of the Demon.

These are but a few examples of some lesser credited "sleepers", yet they are thoroughly entertaining films. I would handily rate it **** out of ***** stars.