Vlad 1 Reviews

The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)

This should be called Taken by Pelham 123

[1/10 · 12 June 2009]

This had to be the worst remake ever. I should have known it was going to suck. I remember when they were shooting this back in summer'07... I decided to give it the benefit of doubt-the crew people said Travolta, Denzel, Gandolfini, Turturo...so I though okay: what the worst that could happen!Somewhere Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw and Martin Balsam are all spinning in their graves! Took recap my thesis argument: Hands down the worst remake that I ever seen in my almost 35 years. I have lost so much respect for the Hollywood Machine. The plot was ridiculous! The acting was cheesy! The dialogue was hilarious! (and folks this was no comedy) John Travolta was on the rise again- this might have knocked him down a few pegs. Denzel Washington... come on, And I am saying this with the utmost respect and admiration- But you could have picked a better script-if I were you I would fire your agent...I am not saying they ruined you but this was no American Gangster or X etc!

I Love You, Man (2009)

I Love You Man! makes you laugh like a.....

[10/10 · 20 March 2009]

I am a huge fan of Paul Rudd, he is a fantastic comedic actor.I am also a fan of movies that make me laugh like a retard. I have a very loud laugh and some cats hate to go to the movies with me.I should be seeing this movie tonight at some point on Long Island. I have already begun using the phrase "Mandate", like for example I was at the bank the other day and 2 tellers were planning on seeing "Watchmen" again, I said to the "so you guys are going to be going on a mandate?". They seemed to get a kick out of it, because everything I do amuses them. Coincidentally Mandate was a gay magazine in the film "My Own Private Idaho", In fact Keanu Reeves was on the cover-this is the sequence, where all the magazine covers are having a conversation in the adult bookstore.So check this out- River Phoenix's last film and definitely check out Paul Rudd in I love you man.

Notorious (2009)

Notorious -Perfectly released on eve of innaugaration and MLK holiday!

[10/10 · 25 January 2009]

I seen this the first night it opened out in Farmingale,Long Island. I was blown away with how realistic Jamal (a/k/a Gravy) Woodward's portrayal of Christopher (Biggie Smalls/Notorious B.I.G./Biggie) Wallace truly was. I thought for a moment that Biggie really was not killed in senseless violence some 10 years ago almost to the day.The resemblance and manneurisms were just uncanny.I only hope that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences takes a good look at this cinematic wonder for consideration and nomination for the 82nd Oscar telecast in Feb 2010. Angela Basset's portrayal of Biggies hard-working mother was also worthy of recognition. I recommend this picture to all, who haven't seen it.

The Rape of Richard Beck (1985 TV Movie)

Richard Beck gets raped!

[10/10 · 24 January 2009]

I remember seeing this as a little me back in the 1980's.If I remember correctly Beck was underground someplace and is cornered by 2 guys or whatever. One of the guys says to him "I just broke up with my girlfriend" and I think his partner says "yeah he just broke up with his girlfriend-why don't you help him out" or something to that affect. Then due to the magic of television- the camera pulls out as the viewers see a struggle ensue-then the picture fades to back leaving me as a young viewer to wonder-what was happening? As a grown-up I know what was happening- he was getting violated against his will by other men. That one sequence has had a profound place in my mind ever since- It is fatefully stored in my mind with all the other bits and pieces of stuff I would rather forget...I am so glad this is available in some form again, I must revisit this movie again with older-eyes!

High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell (1995 TV Movie)

Uncle Boo stole my radio!

[10/10 · 20 January 2009]

I love this doc...HBO made some awesome docs at one point under the moniker of America Undercover. These days they don't make too much of anything it seems. There seems to be a short-supply of good doc ideas. I am all about Hookers and Crackheads and serial killers.Come-on get fine in 2009...bring back these kind of documentaries...I need to live vicariously through these crack-heads. I can't quit my job and start smoking crack like I was Janet from another planet (remember that lovely lady from this doc).This doc has everything you could possibly need a doc on crack addiction to have. Its got ex-fighters! Its got crack addicts trying to hold down jobs! Its got crack addicts losing jobs and losing loves!Yes was a piece showing my love for "Crack Street" and also a piece about why HBO needs to come up with more docs.

Iron Man (2008)

Does Nick Fury look like a ------!

[10/10 · 6 May 2008]

OMG...This movie had it all. The Effects. The Plot. The Action. The predictable cameo from Stan Lee (look for it).Note to self:cameos are cool and I should be in all of my films.What else can I say about a film that has raked in 200 Million over the last 5 days (according to the radio station that I showered to this morning) and thats darn impressive! I remember getting a text message saying stay till after the credits and I am happy I did and for those who are probably reading this-you know why. Robert Downey Jr.-No relation to Morton Downey Jr. has really delivered as opposed to Mr. Pacino (in 88 Minutes). His Stark is believable-Jeff Bridge's character is also believable.

88 Minutes (2007)

88 Minutes too long

[1/10 · 6 May 2008]

I had the privilege of meeting the great man himself, Al Pacino. He is a God to me. However even God makes mistakes too. This mistake was 88 Minutes. The man who portrayed Tony Montana in Scarface & Frank Serpico in Serpico has really disappointed with this latest release.When I met Mr. Pacino the day after he won his Best Actor Oscar for Scent of a Woman. I was in awe of this man.He was making another soon-to-be classic, Carlito's Way.I remember thinking this is a man who will never drop the ball as an actor- he will never give a bad performance- he will never not deliver....but you know what he has and it took only 88 Minutes.

Mr. Untouchable (2007)

A Saint in a world of Sinners

[10/10 · 6 November 2007]

Sitting at the Cinema Village the other night was a mind-blowing experience.There was more to Leroy "Nicky" Barnes: the man, then Cuba Gooding Jr: the actor could have ever portrayed in "American Gangster". Marc Levin has captured the real deal with "Mr. Untouchable", he paints a picture of the drug-infested landscape of the forgotten Harlem in the 1970's.We are reminded of how Harlem was before the War on Drugs was initiated in the Nixon administration.This was a true story of cops and robbers, dealers and kingpins, junkies and victims.Where bodies were dumped in the 1970's-hipsters now guzzle down Pumpkin Spice Lattes at the newest Harlem Starbucks.There will never be another Nicky Barnes.

28 Weeks Later (2007)

I was scared out of my damn mind!

[10/10 · 12 May 2007]

"28 Days Later" really freaked me out-the camera work and fast- edits was so profound.I thought it couldn't get any better-then I seen "28 Weeks Later" and was stunned at how scary that world had become.I was glued to the edge of my seat, from the beginning of the movie-the heart-palpitating horror didn't cease until the closing credits.The zombies have clearly taken over...from what I seen in this hellish world there was plenty of fertile ground left for "28 Months Later" and "28 Years Later". I was blown away with the make-up and special visual effects-there were so many people involved with getting this film so right and so scary- I counted almost a thousand people in the credits on effects alone.

The Royal Family (1991–1992)

Were Cameras Rolling when Redd Foxx died?

[20 February 2006]

I seem to remember watching this show on a Monday night in the early '90s on CBS..I swear that I seen Redd Foxx have a heart attack and the crew running onto the sound-stage.I remember this as if it was yesterday as opposed to 15 years ago(time flies when you're not having fun-hay)This seemed like it would of been a great show, it had an awesome premise and also a certain someone that Mahalia Jackson discovered-a certain someone named Della Reese.They had the perfect fit together-I was just as impressed with those two in Harlem Nights also. Della Reese in my opinion is a strong black female actor- I wish she would do more stuff like Touched By Angel..I can't front-I watch that on PAX just for her.

Gimme a Break! (1981–1987)

Gimme a Break-The Game is Survival!

[20 February 2006]

I am so happy that this show has finally made it to the era of DVD. I still remember watching this show on Saturday nights back in the '80's over at my grandparents house.I believe it was on NBC-at 830pm right after Diff'rent Strokes (another classic sitcom that also has finally made it to DVD).It was an amazing show-It had the premise of a maid taking care of her employer-a police chief and his 3 teenage daughters.After 25 years since its premiere, several cast members have went to that great casting couch in the sky- Dolph Sweet (Chief Kanisky), Nell Carter (Nell Harper) and Howard Morton (Officer Ralph Simpson: They will live on forever via DVD.

Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer (1983 TV Movie)

This was filmed in Greenpoint, Brooklyn NYC

[10/10 · 19 February 2006]

I am still in the same house -I was born there-and as of 31years still there....anyway, I remember being a little kid- probably 7ish- I was in 2nd grade? On the way to school I seen the big movie trucks- Haddads- Lighting- whatever else they use.... My house is seen on the screen for a while, is across the street from me. This was the first of many movies that would find its way onto my block, sadly no one has yet said to me "hey handsome get your pretty self over here and be the star of our movie"...hasn't happened yet-but I am still waiting. Thats all I really wanted to say

PS I forgot my house ever looked like that-gotta love the '80's! Vlad.

Gloria (1982–1983)

The Final Spin-off from the All in the Family Franchise.

[28 August 2005]

I remember watching this show back in the early 80's, I recall it being on in the Sunday evening rotation on CBS, Thats Channel 2 here in NYC. If I recall correctly the show didn't last too long, I only remember seeing this show maybe one time, so that might actually be the reason for that.I bet if they wanted-they could do a 3 disc set of this show for like 20 bucks.I mean with all the shows that are coming out on DVD that don't warrant release, Gloria should be out as its the final spin off of the All in the Family franchise.

Remember you had All in The Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, Archie Bunkers Place and finally Gloria. Thats 5 shows that came from one show, thats fascination in the annals of television history, what other shows can be credited with that many spin-offs?

Wattstax (1973)

phenomenally soulfull

[25 December 2001]

Back when being black , meant being proud .Melvin"Sweet Sweetback's Baaaadass song"Van Peebles came along with Wattstax. This was the Woodstock for soulbrothers and soulsisters held in 1972 at the L.A. Coliseum.This was the kind of show that made you wnat to jump out your skin and dance up a storm. Rance Allen's "Lying on the Truth" makes a man wanna go to church. Unfortunatly this movie hasn't made its way out on DVD or even VHS as of yet.The only way we can hear the legendary performances is to get the Wattstax soundtrack on cd.There is actually more than one soundtrack out, Wattstax and Wattstax 2. The first one made the leap to cd..while its latter partner in crime is stuck in vinyldom. I can say I have Wattstax 2 and it makes me thank Gd for a turntable...soulfully decadent.

Mother's Day (1980)

This movie changed my life!!!

[7 September 1999]

There I was sitting in the movie theatre,a good looking blonde precocious 5-year old watching the carnage envelop the massive UA ASTORIA #3 screen.This carnage would play a role in my life through the years. While my mom was in another theatre watching Herbie Goes Bananas here was her little blonde boy Satan , watching a semi-toothed redneck slam a sleeping-bagged clad rape victim into sudden unconsciousness against a tree trunk. Mothers Day was just one of many classic horror films to come out in the heyday of the genre. The Shining, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street and this Mothers Day are just a few examples of the carniverous masterpieces that came out in the glorious 1980's. The next generation of horror lacked the gratuitous use of blood-gurgling violence that the 70's -80's brand of this genre presented if not perfected.As Scream 3 approaches for an overpriced Thanksgiving release, we as true horror conoseurs must really asked ourselves if this new brand of MTV horror really measures up to the stuff that had you sleeping with the lights on as a little kid...Sleep Tight. VLAD

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

what a piece of garbage!!

[15 August 1999]

I do not know what all the fuss is about. I seen this movie and its garbage.Critics have the gaulfull audacity to compare this to The Excorcist. Do these critics have their heads up their butts.I seen it at the Angelika Film Center on Houston/Mercer). The thing was sold out for 5 days straight, I had to sneak into the theatre.This was garbage. Have we as Americans become tolerant of garbage all of a sudden, This ain't no Excorcist, This aint no Shining...this ain't sugar. Sixth Sense is the stuff though.As a fan of horror-since I'm 5 with The Shining, I was utterly disappointed with this heaping lump of dog-sugar.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

An interesting plot twist

[15 August 1999]

This movie rocks check out the plot twist. It will have you examining your religious beliefs. You will also find this film interrupting your sleep pattern. Bruce Willis has come a long way from Die Hard.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

This ain't no Blair Witch..this is good stuff

[15 August 1999]

This movie has disturbed my sleeping pattern. I am scared to walk around my house alone. If I was 5 I'd have nightmares from this quality piece of cinema.I don't remember in recent times being so scared then seeing this film with my mom at the Sunnyside Center. This movie made me scream a couple of times. That rose-bathrobe lady "No dinner isn't ready Stanley...Youre a bad husband Stanley" was the first to make me jump. Then that vomiting little girl almost sent me over the seat into the next row. "I'm feeling much better".The kid with the hole in the back of his head was chilling as well."Comeon I'll show you where my dad keeps his gun".The Sixth Sense is a worthy comparison to The Excorsist and The Shining. This is the first Bruce Willis vehicle to give me nightmares. In fact this is the first movie to give me nightmares since I was 10...15 years ago.

The Shining (1980)

A classic of bloodshed

[26 November 1998]

When I was 5 years old Stanley Kubrick gave me the gift of cinema , This masterpiece of Stephen King-esque gore The Shining.I can still vividly recall the day my mother took me to a Times Square movie theatre for a revival showing of Mary Poppins.On the walk home I saw the title The Shining on a marquis and had to have my mother take me in to see this film,my first horror movie.It was with this movie that I became hooked on the gore and bloodshed being projected onto mammoth screens in my local theatre.Since that time I have seen several other horror films and none of them compare to this classic. Stanley Kubrick has masterfully rewritten this King novel of terror at a desolate hotel into a classic film which can be a hellish version of ,Capra's "Its A wonderful Life"