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Reviews
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)
Sink me!
Sink me! What a splended film! Anthony Edwards leads a splendid cast, & steals the show, due to his marvelous interpretation of Sir Percy as a fop. However, when the chips are down, he's deadly serious, & even manages to deceive his wife, played by the always-gorgeous Jane Seymour, who's wondering why her husband is so cold to her. (If only he could trust her. Then again, if only he knew . . . .)
The definitive version of Baroness Orczy's novels, this film insprired me to obtain all twelve of the Pimpernel books (Which I'm in the process of doing now.) A wonderful film, & one that you can see again, & again, & again.
Gods and Generals (2003)
Wish the 6 hour DVD was out already!
We thoughougly enjoyed the film. Jackson, to the best of my knowledge, has never been portrayed on film, & it's about time. Stephen Lang, who was excellent as Pickett in GETTYSBURG, surpasses his earlier performance, a feat I didn't think possible. Jeff Daniels easily steps into his role as Chamberlain, while Robert Duvall surpasses Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. (And I loved Sheen's performance.)
The score matches the dramatic tempo of the film, which is an excellent homage to those who served in the war.
A stirring tribute.
Casino Royale (1967)
Bonds, James Bonds Galore!
Okay . . . so this isn't the greatest spy film ever made. As a matter of fact, it isn't even the greatest spy spoof ever made. (That goes to OUR MAN FLINT.) However, just sit back, grab your soda, & remember this is supposed to be a film where nothing's as it seems. Enjoy a wonderful cast, & if you're fortunate to be watching it on DVD, catch what Val Guest has to add. Some wonderful remarks about the film's history. Every Bond film has one or two gorgeous women in it, right? I LOSE COUNT whenever I watch this one! Like I said . . . enjoy!
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
Swashbuckling & sizzling. Now for the movie.
Banderas' best film, by far, & Hopkins proves that he can do more than Hannibal Lecter. (That seems to be all that the public remembers him for, when in fact, he's one of today's most talented actors.) Never has Catherine Zeta-Jones been lovelier, & the score by James Horner, who has a tendency to emulate himself, is outstanding. A fine tribute to the adventure films of yesteryear.
Murder by Decree (1979)
Elementary!
One of the finest Holmes films there is, MURDER BY DECREE takes one of the theories regarding Jack the Ripper & puts Sherlock Holmes in the thick of it. Christopher Plummer is perfect as Doyle's detective, & James Mason matches him as Watson. (Pity they didn't do more of the duo.) A masterful supporting cast is on hand for one of the best films of the 1970s. Catch this one, especially if you're a fan of Holmes.
Gladiator (2000)
A B.O. & Oscar winner!
Although much of the plot was lifted from 1966's THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, enough of a new twist was put into the script to make this film refreshing. Crowe's Oscar was well-deserved, as he gives a magnificent performance as the general who craves vengenance against the emperor of the mightiest nation on the face of the planet. Phoenix does a wonderful turn as the emperor, & is frightening, to say the least. Oliver Reed, who died during the filming, gives one final, great performance.
This is a return to the epics that were almost commonplace during the 1950s & early 1960s, but seem to be a novelty in today's day & age. Hopefully, its success will start a trend towards more of them.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
The GWTW of sand!
This is without a doubt, one of filmdom's best. David Lean took his film crew to the desert, where he made not only an Oscar-winning film, but a timeless epic. Thankfully, producer Sam Spiegel didn't get Marlon Brando for the title role of T.E. Lawrence as he'd intended. The results would have been horrendous, especially the way Brando was behaving on film sets in the early 1960s.
The scenery (Yes, the desert can be beautiful!), performances, & script, not to mention Maurice Jarre's magnificent, timeless score, all tie together to make a film that requires countless viewings. However, the real star of the film is not Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quinn, or any of the famed international cast . . . but Lawrence himself. His story & the way it's handled by Lean make this film a must.
Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971)
Rib-tickling.
Garner's wonderful in this spoof, which is a follow-up to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF. Still, this film has more than enough merits of its own. The humor after all these years still holds up, & it's one that needs to be viewed again & again. It's as fresh now as it was then.