Sean84 Reviews

Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974–1975)

A show you have to watch

[29 September 2000]

No comment alone can do this show justice. You simply have to watch a few episodes to understand its appeal. It is like crossing Columbo with the Twilight Zone. I don't know why it faded into obscurity. Forget what some people say, every episode has its moments. Little things, like the Massage Parlor bust scene in "The Ripper", or the telephone tag in "bad Medicine", are what you need to look for when watching it.

Inherit the Wind (1999 TV Movie)

Good for understanding the current debate

[8 June 2000]

Have you ever seen the four-legged fish with Darwin written in it and wondered "What's that supposed to mean?" Have you seen the current religious debates on Evolution and thought, "It's just a theory, why the big deal?" Rent "Inherit the Wind" to help you understand why. While it has been a common practice to label fundamentalists as religious zealots, this movie helps show that anti-religious zealots can be a big problem, too. Both Bridges and Lemmon portray exploitive agnostics bent on tearing down a town's cornerstone of faith, and peace. These actors deserve an award for making their portrayal of opportunists completely believable. This was George C. Scott's final role. He played it brilliantly, the final moments are some of the best. One of the most shameful parts of the movie is when the town forms a mob and chants "We shall all hang Mr. Drummond" to the tune of "Give me that old-time religion". However, the film overplays these attacks and in the process makes a point that the characters' promotion of Darwin has more to do with debasing religion than it has in promoting science, and much less in proving the innocence of their client.

Just so you don't confuse this with the actual trial: John Scopes (Cates in the movie) was a football coach/math teacher; he hadn't ever been a disciple of Darwin or champion for Science as the movie promotes him. The students were never even taught evolution. Darrow(Drummond in the movie) actually demanded that Scopes be charged guilty.

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)

Goes nowhere slow!

[30 May 2000]

Smart-aleck wife's jaded husband passes away leaving woman with obnoxious kid to raise alone. Made in 70's when[like now]anyone in her situation could have gotten aid, but show passes over the obvious [ex.where did she get the money to drive a couple hundred miles in a gas-guzzler, when she's supposedly penniless?] because then what would it do with the remaining 105 minutes. There are some entertaining points but they are too few in a very drawn out movie that does not seem to go anywhere. There are few times when a movie becomes so boring, you're forced to fast-forward. A surprising disappointment from Scorsese. It did win several nominations and granted Ms. Burstyn an Oscar. She played the role very well, I won't deny that, but it's a shame the movie couldn't keep its pace up.

Free Money (1998)

Hilarious!

[6 April 2000]

I, too, am a fan of Marlon Brando. The talent the man has is unbelievable. Who could have imagined a brilliant slapstick comedy featuring Brando, Sheen, and Sutherland? Both the writer and cast director deserve an award. The shifting role Brando plays as overprotective father to ruthless Warden is one of the best things about the movie. But the show also belongs to Sheen and Church. I hadn't seen much of the other actor, Church, before, but he was hilarious in this movie, too. I never saw this in the theaters, I don't know if it showed. If you want to see a good, light-hearted movie that will keep you laughing, go and rent this movie tonight. This is one of the few actually funny comedies to come out of the 90's.

Machine Gun McCain (1969)

Not the lizard king, but not too bad

[5 April 2000]

The movie is pretty good to see in that Peter Falk, of Columbo fame, gives an unexpectedly good performance as a ruthless gangster. I saw the movie on A and E, so I probably missed some details. The gist is that Cassavettes tries to win one more score from Ganster Falk(sort of like Superfly)and attempts to do so with the help of his "Little Friend", a Thompson Automatic. For a film of the late sixties, it is pretty violent. However, Cassavettes created his own style of directing, and this film showcases it.

It was hard to follow at parts, but again this may have been due to the commercial interruptions and editing.

It's about a 7.5 out of 10.

Black Sabbath (1963)

Mario Bava and Boris Karloff, the godfathers of Heavy Metal?

[4 April 2000]

Yes, that's right. This THE Black Sabbath that inspired an obscure blues band named Earth to adopt the movie's title and dark overtones, creating a legacy which is still evident today. This movie deserves that recognition, and I'll be honest, that's what led me to watch it in the first place. However, all this aside, the movie is truly great in its own right. In all the shows, especially The Telephone, you will have a hard time remembering that this movie was made in the 60's. The cinematography is so clear, not grainy like most B-movies of the time. But then again, this is not exactly a B-Movie: The plot of a vampire which can only feast on his loved ones is a rare twist to the genre; a story about an unseen terror behind the telephone nearly 30 years before "Scream"; and a ghost story with only a minute or two of the actual ghost helped add to the already developing trend of psychological thrillers. All of this done by convincing actors, props and settings make this one of the greatest horror movies around.

Get a Life (1990–1992)

One of the funniest ever

[1 April 2000]

There are only three shows that guaranteed a good laugh any time you watched them: Married with Children, Nightstand, and Get a life. However, with the other two, there was a certain amount of predictability in the gags. You never knew what to expect with Get a Life. One episode, Chris got a wheel-barrow full of spoiled shrimp and served it to his friends. They didn't die, but fell into a trance-like condition which Chris exploited. At the end of the show he found a label warning him, "do not hypnotize friends if they eat the shrimp." The episode ended ala "Night of the Living Dead." Just one of the many shows. Man, I wish they would bring it back, or at least have reruns like they do for the other two I mentioned.

Murder in Coweta County (1983 TV Movie)

Surprisingly shocking

[31 March 2000]

"My momma always told me, Do what you have to do, just never let your conscience get in the way." - Wallace (Griffith). The movie is surprisingly shocking. The movie showcases both Griffith and Cash in non-typical roles; Sheriff Andy Taylor on the other side of the Law, and The Man in Black walks behind the badge. The movie is based on a true story, and most of the actors are convincing in their roles. Though the quality is rather grainy and the sound a little muffled, you will still probably enjoy it. It is similar to "All the King's Men", but only ninety minutes of your time. 9 out of 10.

Scarecrow (1973)

Excellent

[14 March 2000]

This is one of the very few features that Pacino doesn't give an over-the-top performance in. It shows truly what a great actor he is. The meek, kind-hearted dreamer he plays is completely believable. Hackman also shines in his performance as a defensive man with high hopes who later gains compassion.

An excellent show that is worth hunting for.

Meet the Applegates (1990)

Hard wit, but you may have to look hard to find it.

[9 March 2000]

"Meet the Applegates" is more of a social commentary than an ecology lesson. The movie shows what can happen to total aliens who immerse themselves in our culture. Even the best of families can go bad if they lack substance to keep their values and goals intact.

This film is one of the lightest dark comedies made, and one of the best. I would give an 8 out of ten.

The Doors (1991)

Watch Live at Hollywood Bowl, etc and see The Doors in Action

[23 February 2000]

Before I saw this movie, I only had occasionally heard "Light My Fire", and "Touch Me". It is important to note that this movie helped make me the Doors fan I am today. However, after becoming a Doors fan, I have completely denounced this movie. This movie would like to say that Jim was just an acid head who had the good luck of having a few minutes of fame. This is entirely WRONG. The doors were the most ambitious band of the sixties/seventies. Their likes would not be seen in rock for decades to come. The next time you go to a concert and you actually see a show and not just some guys plucking guitars, thank Jim Morrison and the doors.

If/When you really want to see a true story of the doors, watch "Live at the Hollywood Bowl", "The Soft Parade", "Dance On Fire", or any other actual footage of the concerts. There are several biographies on Morrison, and he himself had written a couple of poetry books. Please, don't rely on this 130 minute film to provide you an accurate assessment of THE DOORS' career and legacy.

Chisum (1970)

Odd, but good Western

[31 January 2000]

The odd thing about this western is that it has the notorious murderer, Billy the Kid, as a good-guy vigilante. This break in history adds some questionable moments in the film. Also the movie relies heavily on The Kid character, more so than does the character of John Chisum(Wayne). This aside, it is still a great film, as John Wayne plays the traditional role of Justice vs. Tyranny. Forrest plays the role of "the villain you love to hate" completely, but does not over do it. One of the most memorable lines of the show is the confrontation of the "Duke" and the town boss. The town boss had relied on a puppet sheriff, as well as a weak governor to promote his control of the town. When Chisum confronts the boss, he mentions,(something to this effect) [When you try to take over my land], "...I won't call the Rangers, I won't call the Governor, I won't send a letter to the President, I come after you myself!" Traditional line of the Duke, but never so passionately delivered. This scene alone makes the movie worthwhile. It also has the traditional western action, but don't be surprised if you question yourself at the end, "Was I actually rooting for Billy the Kid?

The Mind Snatchers (1972)

"One flew over the cuckoo's nest" meets "A clockwork orange"

[11 December 1999]

I saw this movie under the "Demon Within" title. I believe the movie was based on a play and at times, it shows. The movie is slow in some parts, but overall is good. The character of Ronny Cox is often annoying. However, he does a good job in portraying the pity of a man losing his mind. Walken gives an non-typical performance of a comparatively straight-laced man who never really loses his mind but instead has it robbed from him. It is not really worth a long search. But if you do come across it, check it out.

The Matrix (1999)

Old ideas, but great movie just the same

[19 October 1999]

First off, The Matrix was one of the better movies I have seen in a while. The effects are amazing, and the premise of hope in a hopeless world is inspiring. If you haven't seen the movie yet, rent the widescreen version if at all possible, and try to watch the movie on the largest screen possible.

That having been said, The Matrix in some ways is like Tron meets Wild Palms. And if you get down to it, most "Technology replacing Man" themes comes from Mary Shelly's Frankenstein.

The Uncanny (1977)

Review and trivia

[27 September 1999]

This movie is often melodramatic, but in a campy, enjoyable way. The second story has an unpredictable ending, watch for it. The third is mediocre, but probably the most humorous of the three. The first is a classic. It has been lampooned recently(summer'99) in a "Got Milk" commercial and possibly even in a South park episode. I would give the show 4 out of five stars. Watch it when you have enough time to enjoy it.