eric-57 Reviews

The Corruptor (1999)

Chow Yun Fat, Excellent as Always

[18 September 1999]

With a much better command of the English language, Chow fills out this role much better than his first American effort, the Replacement Killers. But even if the guy doesn't speak a word, he has 10 times the charisma of anyone else in films these days.

That aside, I have read a number of the other reviews and I cannot understand how anyone can say that this movie doesn't have a plot. It seems like the "action fans" don't think it has enough action and the "film fans" don't like the writing and direction. You could call it the "thinking man's" action movie. The film explores some very interesting moral questions and is a very interesting examination of how different people react to temptation.

The "corruptor" (not the Chowster as some other viewers have maintained) is a Chinese gangster played by Ric Young, who is excellent.

In summary, Chow hasn't yet gotten the right flick yet in his American career, but any Chow is better than 9/10s of the other stuff out there.

Pursued (1947)

Outstanding Noir Western

[10/10 · 20 August 1999]

Outstanding music and cinematography create a mood of brooding suspense which slowly builds throughout the movie. Dean Jagger is great as the sinister presence haunting Robert Mitchum. You don't have to be a western fan to enjoy this film - it is more of a suspense film than a western. Highly recommended.

Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

Not for kids - or adults or animals either

[1/10 · 3 July 1999]

What a terrible movie. I rented it for the whole family to see, but about an hour later, with my 4 1/2 year old daughter crying hysterically, this video went back in the box. You don't have to be a kid to be upset by this movie. My taste in movies doesn't run to sweetness & light (we are big film noir fans), but this movie was just plain bad.

Waterworld (1995)

Ignore the Critics...

[9/10 · 22 May 1999]

Great cinematography, decent acting by Costner, over-the-top villainy by Dennis Hopper - what's not to like? It's not Citizen Kane, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

Classic film noir, classic film, period.

[10/10 · 30 April 1999]

This is truly one of the most interesting movies of the 50s - in many ways very much ahead of its time. The Hammer character is cold, uncaring, brutal, and amoral - with occasional glimpses of humanity breaking through. No sugar-coating here. The acting is incredible throughout. Another interesting aspect is the portrayal of African-Americans in this film - very matter-of-fact, with Hammer treating them the same as white people (better than he treats most people, as a matter of fact). Then there is that scene at the end of the movie when the Lily Carver character keeps ordering Hammer towards her - "Kiss me Mike" - while she holds a gun on him. I won't say anymore, but it is one of the most chilling scenes in cinema. This movie is a classic - right up there with "The Third Man".

The Sound of Music (1965)

Worst Rodgers & Hammerstein Musical

[3/10 · 29 March 1999]

I have to think that the people who rave about this movie have not seen the bulk of the MGM musicals. If you want to see great musicals, see State Fair, South Pacific, or Oklahoma, for starters. Except for Christopher Plummer, the acting in Sound of Music is awful. The movie weighs in at almost 3 hours and you'll feel every minute. The movie is so long the songs have to all be sung several times, which is not a good thing. Overblown, overhyped, overlong.

Practical Magic (1998)

Should have stayed closer to the book...

[6/10 · 20 March 1999]

Having enjoyed the Alice Hoffman novel, I looked forward to the film, as the casting looked to be excellent (it was). Knowing that no film can cover all the ground of a novel, it was nevertheless extremely disappointing to experience the departures the movie made from the book. It was especially aggravating that the love interest for the Nicole Kidman character (not the zombie; it came after that part) was eliminated from the movie, and this was by far the more engaging of the romances in the novel. The special effects were annoying and the exorcism scene was cliche-ridden. However, the movie is worth seeing if only for the aunts (Dianne Weist and Stockard Channing). This could have been a great piece of entertainment - opportunity lost.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Not the best Gene Kelly musical

[6/10 · 8 March 1999]

I've read the raves, but I don't understand them. The dancing is rather tepid, the songs are fair, and Donald O'Connor must be an acquired taste. Gene Kelly's dancing with Cyd Charisse is great, but I would rank On the Town, It's Always Fair Weather, An American in Paris, and Brigadoon as far, far superior to this movie. Check them out - if you loved Singin' in the Rain, these other movies will completely blow you away.

Mighty Aphrodite (1995)

Great Woody Allen Move

[10/10 · 6 March 1999]

If you don't like Woody Allen by now, you certainly won't like this one. If you appreciate his filmmaking, you will rank this one up there as one of his best. Woody almost underplays this role a bit (for him), which is nice if you have become somewhat annoyed by his sometimes overindulgence in a constantly hand-wringing, whining persona. Mira Sorvino is hilariously over the top. I liked the Greek Chorus, too.

Mulan (1998)

Best Disney Animated Movie in Years

[10/10 · 6 February 1999]

I really enjoyed Mulan at the theatre, and watching the video confirmed my initial impression. It has only a few songs, but they are very good. The regular animation is okay with some very nice moments, and the computer animation is stunning. The pacing and story are what really lift this movie above the recent Disney fare. As an overall package, it ranks with the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast as the best of the "modern" Disney animated movies (a pox on the Lion King and that lousy Elton John score!).

Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962 TV Movie)

Best version of the classic story

[10/10 · 15 December 1998]

I know this will sound hard to believe for those familiar with Mr. Magoo, but this is the best filmed version of the Dickens classic. Backus and company do a great job, and the songs are outstanding. I loved this as a kid and I had to scrounge for years to come up with a copy. It's my favorite Christmas video.