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garyb513
Reviews
The Challenge (1982)
Under rated
Not the greatest film ever, but certainly entertaining. I liked Scott Glenn in the role. This is one of those films that the hero has far less than perfect character. Glenn's character is so cynical that he cannot see the dignity and character of Mifune's character right away. His character is not the only one who did not get the Japanese warrior code Bushido. A large part of the movie is about cultural differences.
Probably the battle scene at the end made a lot of people lower the score. It was very over the top, and Glenn's character survives by using unconventional tactics. To me, the scene is the the big payoff in the movie.
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of 'Smile' (2004)
See this film! Even if you are not a BB/BW fan!
This film could be re-made as dramatization and if made by the right people it would be in contention for an Academy Award for best picture. I am not sure that you could fictionalize a story as engrossing as this one.
First, lets get this out of the way...Brian Wilson is a genius! Sir George Martin (the Beatles producer, who worked with Lennon and McCartney for 7 years), said that if he had to name a living genius of pop, it would be Brian Wilson. If you still have doubts get the Pet Sound Sessions box set, listen to the music and read the making of Pet Sounds book that comes with it. Make sure you read the comments of the Studio musicians who worked with him...Case Closed!
What is really amazing is that Brian Wilson seems genuinely to be sweet heart of a guy! How many extremely talented people are also nice people? It seems to be a small club.
I have listened to the finished SMILE album many times since its release and I think that it is brilliant!