Reviews
Schindler's List (1993)
Couldn't have been that great.
Watched this one in the dorm via UWRF campus cable station. Yeah, this was great and that was great, but I honestly can't remember much from it. Only two scenes, in fact. One with the execution outside the factory and one at the end with the pin on Schindler's coat.
I thought maybe it seemed bland to me because I was watching on my little old b&w unit, but later I found out the whole movie was in b&w, so I'd have to say it just wasn't very entertaining.
I'd rather watch a documentary about this stuff. I just didn't grasp the tragedy of it on account of the film, i.e., I didn't forget that it was just a movie, which would be important here.
Star Wars (1977)
I don't understand all the fuss.
I highly doubt a more scientific poll of movie fans would produce anywhere near this high a rating. There seems to be a common thread between Star Wars and computer geeks, however.
I hardly can follow the plot in three tries, and I find it boring. I wouldn't say the movie is "bad" and I recognize its significance, but that's all I can say. Overrated be the word.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
This is all Walken.
As it is a very long film, you can count lack of entertainment points against it. Even as a patient viewer, I would have rather seen it edited down quite a lot. Had it been shorter and more direct, I'd have loved it. The plot was very good. I enjoy movies about real people, and much of Deer Hunter is devoted to making the characters and their relationships genuine. But that's not what made it big.
Christopher Walken makes my blood run cold every time I even think of the movie, two years now since I saw it. My God he was so scary that I thank you every day that I was born too late to go to Vietnam. Holy Lord, please don't ever take our country's proud sons and turn them into monsters again.
To see this, the most memorable supporting performance ever, and to get a riveting perspective on war, I'd suggest you watch it. Not the greatest movie, but perhaps one of the most significant
Taxi Driver (1976)
not worth two hours
I'd say Taxi Driver was good enough to hold my attention, but not good enough to entertain me. DeNiro is simply a good enough screen personality to make any movie watchable. Heck, I could watch him read the paper and be intrigued. There were a couple of memorable scenes, and we all know what they were, which made me glad to have seen it. The rest was just weird and hard for me to identify with. Jody Foster was annoying to me. I'm not saying the film was bad, but that's about it.
Caddyshack (1980)
I can't believe the people who don't think this is a great movie.
I'm astonished at some of the mediocre response I've seen here. Caddyshack is the greatest comedy of all time. Every minute of the film contains a gem. Chevy Chase is perfect, the man I hope to be someday. While most people remember Murray and Dangerfield, they are the least hilarious of the actors.
If you happen to be one to knock this movie, you just don't get it, do you? Well, why don't you just watch Titanic a couple more times anyhow.
Subtlety is the reason this movie is not just a sophmoric piece of 80s recycling. There is the silliness if that's what you need, but to fully appreciate it, you need to absorb the artistry of every little comment. The quirkiness, the awkward dialogue, and the recurring snapshots of honesty make it work for viewers seeking something more than a two hour collection of jokes.
Following Danny, the straight man and lead character, you see how funny reality is for a poor white boy trying to be something more. We all see how pointless the high life is eventually, and can then feel better about not being a member of a country club.
I grew up on this movie, no less. Please love it.
Annie Hall (1977)
falls short of all the hype
I can't say this is a bad movie, because it is alright. I laughed out loud at a couple of the lines, and appreciated the honesty presented, as it always is with Woody Allen. Unfortunately, I didn't really get the whole idea. I had heard so much praise for it by so many credible folks, but failed to be impressed once I got around to seeing it.
Maybe it's just because I'm a young midwestern boy, so different from Woody, that I can't connect with it. But I tried, I really did! I'm going to watch it again in ten years, just to be sure.
Thunderheart (1992)
If you're not in a hurry, a great film.
I had to go with a 9 for this one, because it is a bit long and sleepy, plus the viewer must pay very close attention to follow it. The first time I saw it, at age 17, I didn't really get it, but I had been impacted by it's honest portrayal of the reservation.
Now that you've been warned, I recommend it. I had immediate respect for the Indians I had always considered worthless. We cannot expect them to succeed in a world they didn't create, nor particularly wish to participate in. The intelligence level of the Indian characters is admirable, complimentary, and believable. I'm going to watch it again tomorrow.
Val Kilmer is superb as usual, and Graham Greene should have gotten an Oscar, but sometimes there aren't enough to go around. The cinematography is just amazing. If you like movies that meet you half way and take energy to watch, you'll be impressed. If you liked Titanic, don't bother.
Glory (1989)
The most triumphant war movie.
This is another one of those films that made me cry. I don't want to run long here, but the movie is excellent. I intend to watch it every year of my life. It is that important. In fact, "important" is the best word I can apply to it. Aside from the high quality, the message is essential. And I don't usually stick up for minorities.
There's Something About Mary (1998)
I don't know how they did it.
Most films with stupid humor like this are just that - stupid. This one is probably the funniest of all, and is also incredibly engaging. Ben Stiller, an actor I was unfamiliar with, was awesome. I just loved his character, and cared so much for him, even in the midst of all the painfully retarded jokes. This film will serve as a model for all comedies to come. Rather than trying to be funny with believability, all reality was thrown out the window with a much more digestible result. Cameron Diaz was, well, Cameron Diaz, and I mean that as a huge compliment. The best comedy since Caddyshack.
Sling Blade (1996)
I cried, and I don't cry much.
The film just blew my mind. By the time B.B. Thornton is done with his little career, his photo will be located in the dictionary next to "motion picture,' and he has mastered every aspect of it, with Slingblade as his masterpiece. I've seen the film 3 times, and I still can't decide whether his character is a moron or a genius.
Special credit to the boy (name?), Dwight Yoakam (didn't even know it was him), and John Ritter, who plays a faggot like nobody can. Even my dad was interested and moved, and he's the embodiment of 60 years' cynicism. See it.
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
This is some really great stuff.
John Cusack is extremely cool in this film. Minnie Driver always thrills me because she looks like a woman that actually exists in real life, yet is as hot any Hollywood star.
Other than that, it is a funny, witty script over an interesting plot. Liked it all over.