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Reviews
Taken 3 (2014)
It's a Liam Neeson action movie. What more do you want?
If you don't know what you're getting with a Liam Neeson action movie by now, move on to the next film. Neeson is such a likeable, bankable star. He's thinking: "Why not take advantage? Let's make the same type of movie... over - and over - and over again." This is not a criticism. If I was him, I'd do the same thing. Mo' money!
Let's review the tried and true formula: Life is good. All hell breaks loose. Liam is either the pursuer or on the run. Lots of gunfire. Liam kicks butt! Liam achieves justice/redemption! Liam lives happily ever after! Roll Credits.
So comforting.
Forest Whitaker, Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen offer reliable support.
Elsbeth (2024)
Disappointing after 2 episodes
I did not watch an episode of "The Good Wife." So I didn't know anything about the "Elsbeth" character prior to the pilot. But I liked the premise of a female-style Columbo, so I wanted to give this a shot.
First thoughts: Elsbeth Tascioni is performed wonderfully by Carrie Preston: Eccentric, annoying - but funny & loveable. It is well shot.
Yet after 2 episodes, I was disappointed with the rest. The plot is not setup well. Chemistry is lacking. We don't care one way or another about the supporting players. The grit & character of New York City is lacking (I lived in NYC for 50 years). And the story feels rushed in the 60 minute format (with commercials). Remember: the original Columbo (part of NBC's Mystery Movie series) was 90 minutes. A longer run time would help in developing the plot & characters.
There's humor, but little drama.
I'll watch a few more episodes. Rooting for improvement. No doubt: Preston deserves another Emmy nod.
Super 8 (2011)
A disappointing mix of E.T., Alien and Close Encounters
I wanted to love Super 8. It was well shot. The period music & score were fine. Special effects: good. But the messy & predictable script fails to make you care enough for the characters. At the start, the lead character and family deal with the death of his mother. An old trope we've seen too many times (along with the tired storyline of the military hiding secrets). The actors do the best they can with the material.
Super 8 doesn't have enough gore to please horror fans. Not enough science to please sci-fi fans. Not enough moments of fun & humor to offset an overly serious script. Too many plot holes. Countless events unexplained, especially at the end.
Super 8 was just okay. I was disappointed. A missed opportunity.
Mannix: Murder Times Three (1971)
Horse Racing fans will love scenes shot at Santa Anita Park
I enjoyed this episode on ME TV in May 2023. Horse racing fans will love the long, exciting sequence filmed at Santa Anita Park. As a racing fan living on the east coast, I've only seen the scenic track on television. I would guess racing fans out there would agree the place hasn't changed much in the almost fifty years since this episode was filmed. Such a beautiful location.
Otherwise, the episode features the usual mayhem. Joe fights, runs into a gang, gets shot at. And as always, the hit man fails. Thank goodness the bad guys never shoot straight. If so, Mannix wouldn't have survived more than 1-2 episodes! LOL.
Safe House (2012)
Routine action fare
Quick thoughts: Nothing new here. Average plot. Denzel is Denzel. Usual violence. Shaky cinematography is overdone. Grainy film quality and oversaturated colors also overdone.
(I have to add 450 more characters. LOL)
My wife and I watched this at home. There are better ways to spend 2 hours. We love Denzel, but wish he had better material to work with.
Some personal notes on Hollywood (trying to fill the quota here!): I try to avoid watching too many of these type of movies. Too much violence. Too many characters have no soul, integrity or dignity. It's not good for us. Wishing for more uplifting, positive, hopeful content in cinema.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
My all-time favorite film
Saw this prequel twice in 1984 at the Lowes Astor Plaza, Manhattan, NYC (70mm blowup from the original 35mm). A wide-eyed kid at the impressionable age of 15. As Spielberg has stated many times, Temple of Doom was meant to be a throwback and homage to serials/musicals/adventure films of the early to mid 20th Century. It achieved its goal... and then some.
Don't expect a plot that will make you think. Archaeology takes a back seat. Just sit back with your popcorn and get ready to go on a fun-filled ride. Good guys vs. Bad guys. It's hokey...silly...corny. But I laughed throughout and had the time of my life. And as usual, John Williams' soundtrack elevates the material.
Don't think too seriously about it. You will miss the point entirely. If you want 2 hours of old-fashioned adventure, nostalgia and entertainment, you will be richly rewarded.