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Reviews
Urban Cowboy (1980)
A big disappointment. Totally missing the target.
If there was a contest for poor film work, The Urban Cowboy would have to be in the top five. This film chose to portray a blue collar plant worker in Texas as a typical sample of manhood and missed the target. The film's writer obviously has low standards. I resented the uncuth image that was given to the character.
John Travolta traded his superb acting ability for stereotypical popularity. It is ashamed that the creators of this movie couldn't find something more accurate and interesting to dramatize.
The film was a bomb,and drama was cheap. I wouldn't waste a dime to see this film.
Babe (1995)
A terrific character portrayal with good social lessons.
Few films address the issues of coping and dealing with everyday issues. Even fewer try to make a social statement about a social order and status of different characters. This film took these issues and transferred them to a barnyard setting and applied the characters to animals and gave each animal the gift of speech, expression and reasoning. The core issues centered around a pig who wanted to know what his/her place was in society. The lessons learned were dramatized well and simple to grasp.
Even thought this was a childs' film, it had some excellent social statements and entertainment value for parents as well. The climax of the film was completely entertaining and splendid. I felt a rare joy when I laughed at final scene during the final moments of the competition.
The direction and puppet work was the best I have ever seen. The creativity used in this film was excellent. I have only the best respect for the participants who made this film. It had much of the classic Disney Charm used in children's films of the past. This film will have a place in 1990's film Americana.
The Land Before Time (1988)
A terrific character animation film for the whole family.
I took my young son to see this film and watched it expecting something totally different. I was elated and liked the fine casting of characters. Each role was distinguished and all participated in handling all the issues that are routinely faced. This film had good social values and lessons to project to the audience. It is a terrific film for children.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Only a few films could top this one....definitely a top ten for fiction drama.
This film had good casting, acting and was directed with an expert style. M Night Shyamala wrote and directed this film. I have never heard of this writer/director before, but only praise is deserved. He is another genius like the late Alfred Hitchcock! The plot was simple and tasteful. I look very forward to seeing more of his work! I really mean it!
This film visits the concept of spirits and the sighting and communication with spirits. It was done in a tasteful way, and really couldn't offend anyone.
The drama was done free of the modern social pollution that plagues most other films today. The plot was rich and mood was well preserved by the entire cast. The drama pace never skipped a beat, or lost a moment of my attention.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
A simple film revisiting a classic story plot.
When one wonders just how good a film can be when you take out the excessive gore and brutality, one can see that some films are still good. Sleepy Hollow is an example where avoiding excessive special effects, and relying on simple acting can be an effective combination. The plot is from the old classic novel. This film takes on a moderate pace and is fairly sterile of the modern social pollution, although one routinely sees that every actress under the age of 40 is wearing a wonderbra and exposing her chest as if it were fashionable. I can't say that the film was too difficult to relate with, which must mean that the acting was fair or adequate. The special effects of the headless horseman galloping down the foggy countryside was excellent. There is little more to the story that has yet to be developed. It is obvious that the novel was not really written for film, but it produced a mildly entertaining result when it was re-created for this film.
The Bone Collector (1999)
This film has the Boogieman written all over it.
As with most suspense/crime films, this one follows a long bloodline of brutal murder films that entertain a small minority of the population with calculated heinous brutality.
The film actually does have some good character acting though. Denzel Washington did a good job from a bed through the entire film. Ed O'Neill, shook off his typecast role as disfunctional father from "Married with Children". Ed can actually act pretty good. Angelina Jolie, performed as the central character, that was mostly believable. A shy and feminine cop in the NYPD, is well...an unlikely resource for solving brutal homicides, but this is one of the charms of the plot.
Although the film could have went farther into the ugliness of humanity, it went as far as it needed, to make a point. There were a couple of gruesome scenes of disfigured victims, that may satisfy a youth's curiosity, but I would be very careful about letting tender-minded youths see this. Seeing the face of the disfigured victim has some usefulness.
Bloody murder films will never go away, just like murder, itself, will never go away. They are a part of the American Cinema Scene, since they accurately reflect the reality of savage behavior that takes place all over America. There is no community without a Boogieman.
The Game (1997)
A mind-grinding suspense filled with sadistic & cruel entertainment!
Watching a mouse get through a labyrinth may be interesting, but subjecting a successful human to a similar maze of cruel situations is sadistic. If you enjoy watching others suffer, you will love this movie. I personally found the plot simple, but cruel, and not the best way to become entertained. I questioned myself often, "Why do people find this plot to be entertaining?" This film is an excellent teacher for psychologist students to witness the extremes that people go to, for teasing and tormenting of the human spirit. One can easily see the despair of the lead character, and see that the tormenter had no compassion. I concluded the lead character,himself, didn't possess compassion.
There is little in this film that could make a viewer feel good. It is just a "gang up on a victim and torture 'em senseless" film.
Definitely not suitable for tender or youthful minds.
The Omega Code (1999)
This film is proof that warped minds produce bad films.
If there was ever a call to make a bad film that reflected how stupid humanity could become, this one would take the prize. The plot centers around bible prophecies that lie in hidden messages of the scriptures that prompt a group of power-seeking thugs to attempt total control of the world. Just how stupid does this writer believe people to actually be?
The acting was bad at best. Casper Van Dien wasted his talent doing this film. Michael York's work was a fair match for the role, since he was the center of the film, and did a good job.
This plot was sickening and very disturbing. No tender or immature minds should see this film. This is how a basic good vs. evil plot can go astray.
There must be a lot of mental disease floating around the film circles, who look for ways to market this type of junk. There must have been something censored out to get a PG-13 rating, but it was still awful.
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
A definite cutting edge classic for horror and underwater theme!
This film was shot at Wakula Springs just south of Tallahassee, Florida. The grotto scenes were done on a set at a separate location.
The underwater photography posed a big challenge along with the creation of a full functioning creature with underwater acting capability. It was obvious that the creature was an actor in costume, but the retrofit for concealable scuba gear was a huge challenge! The underwater filmwork was all black and white, which for the most part, was more simple than the color filming, which had not been perfected at the time. There is a lot to appreciate in this film for those two items (creature & filmwork) alone, since today, we rarely see either an actor costumed for underwater acting, or filming for long segments or sequences underwater. Most films in these categories today are special effects, mechanical creatures, and some shorter segments and scenes that barely do the job.....very lame when compared to Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Gillman creature was very original and artistic.
The acting and directing on this film was very well done, and carried the viewer through the drama. Wakula Springs, now a state park, was host to other films including Tarzan with Johnny Weismuller. The park is still a splendid and pristine collection of scenery with native exotic birds, animals, trees and plants. It also has a wading beach, touring boats, and an impressive antique lodge. Sequels for this movie set a precedant. Until this film, few could even muster a single sequel, but Creature from the Black Lagoon did manage to get two sequels, a plastic model (from Polar Lights), and several Halloween costumes promoting fame that has spanned over forty years!
Unforgiven (1992)
As close to authentic 1800 drama as you can get.
Few films give viewers a chance to see multiple perspectives on the same issue. The Unforgiven was one of the few that did. It was quite violent and authentic in many ways. The terror and intimidation that is commonplace in law enforcement until just ten years ago can trace it's roots back into the era when frontier expansion was monitored with brutal behavior. Clint Eastwoods' role as a reformed outlaw turned bounty hunter give a chilling example of how the world just seems to be turned up-side-down when a single act of violence occurs. The values of the 1800 society portrayed in this film gave viewers the impression that terror was not the exception, it was the rule. Before public education was born in the 1900's to solve social problems like high crime and skilled labor shortages, one gets a fairly accurate glimpse of the 1800's reality of what type of conditions existed. Morgan Freeman, and Gene Hackman played their parts very well. Few could really criticize the way the film's director defines barbarian. Our frontier expansions of the 1800's were filled with brutal characters in every segment of that society. This film helps me celebrate how much this country has advanced since then.
Unforgiven (1992)
As close to authentic 1800 drama as you can get.
Few films give viewers a chance to see multiple perspectives on the same issue. The Unforgiven was one of the few that did. It was quite violent and authentic in many ways. The terror and intimidation that is commonplace in law enforcement until just ten years ago can trace it's roots back into the era when frontier expansion was monitored with brutal behavior. Clint Eastwoods' role as a reformed outlaw turned bounty hunter give a chilling example of how the world just seems to be turned up-side-down when a single act of violence occurs. The values of the 1800 society portrayed in this film gave viewers the impression that terror was not the exception, it was the rule. Before public education was born in the 1900's to solve social problems like high crime and skilled labor shortages, one gets a fairly accurate glimpse of the 1800's reality of what type of conditions existed. Morgan Freeman, and Gene Hackman played their parts very well. Few could really criticize the way the film's director defines barbarian. Our frontier expansions of the 1800's were filled with brutal characters in every segment of that society. This film helps me celebrate how much this country has advanced since then.
The Cowboys (1972)
Boys do manage to turn into men when properly led and handled!
This film was my favorite John Wayne entertainment film, that centers around the subject of males growing up. The rigors of life and realities of death, play their parts in forming an overwhelming impression about growth. Many young men experience disillusion and question the validity of the adage, "Growing up means that one has attained the discipline to follow orders". These boys, who played as John Waynes' trail hands on a cattle drive, had to learn to overcome the simplest obstacles on an on-going basis. The role played by Roscoe Lee Browne as the cook, was refreshing and superbly handled. It served to create an example of how an education could build confidence and self-assurance to serve one through difficult times. It was obvious he was the most educated, and served to share the leadership of turning boys into men. Bruce Dern's role as the longhair villain was well done. The make-up of looking beat up and mean helped the character a little, but Bruce Dern could have managed the scene with a little less of of it. Let's face it - Bruce Dern is an accomplished villain actor.
If you are seeking a womans' contribution in the film, it came in the form of artificial grace. John Wayne's Wife, Coleen Dewhurst; along with the madame; and the school teacher, demonstrated the behavior standards that were presumed in effect in different times. The reality was that this standard was a total myth. Women rode the emotional merry-go-round promoted by oppression back in the 1800's and didn't always express theirselves so graceful. Women without education were just as mannerless as men. The list of "faux pas" in the film could be found in the shooting scenes. One scene, a boy is killed when the cow herd becomes spooked by a horse and rider. Two other scenes, while a shootout was taking place, most all the cow hands are presumed to be in the scene and it's funny to learn that the shooting didn't spook the herd off into a wild stampede. Some scenes did refer to the black character, Jedediah Nightlinger, using the "N" word, which edited out in televised versions of the film. It is left in the video. This film, for a 1972 production, did typify the 1972 man in the 1840's or pre-civil war era. It was not authentic 1840 drama.
Le Mans (1971)
Discovering racing was never more fun. Speed Thrills!
This film has excellent footage of the Porsche 917's that made some fine racing history in the early 1970's. The car did what cars never did before. This film had the best edited work I have seen. The plot was slow and buried in the flow of the race drama. The slow motion crash scenes of this film were ultra-entertaining. It was sad that Actor Steve McQueen went bankrupt creating this film and had to sell off his interests in this film to climb out of debt. Some scenes from this film have been borrowed for use in other high speed entertainment, such as Hardcastle & McCormik.
The Porsche 917's were tops in their day. Only McLaurens F-1's approach the caliber of the 917 in performance. Here are the 917 car's stats: H-12 turbocharged; 1100 BHP; 0-60 in 2.3 seconds; 0-100 in 4.3 seconds, and a top speed exceeding 238 mph - right out of Guinness Book of world records-1971/2. If you would like to discover racing and see how racing teams are coached, and high speed competition is managed, this film is for you.
Batman & Robin (1997)
How could this be allowed to happen?
Batman and Robin were bought, paid for, and killed by one of the worst movies ever made in this era. This film was DOA within minutes after the start. Maybe in another era, one could gain entertainment from a film like this, but that may take a long time, and I hope I am not around when the world changes enough to like this film (if ever). I don't think that even the modern Batman & Robin merchandise has value, or should.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
This film stoops to the level of Star Wars.
There is no doubt that the entertainment value for a shoot 'em up plot is there, and people will pay good money see that...but that is not what Star Trek is all about. The director did an awful job on controlling Shatner's ego by letting that comment "I don't think these kids can steer", make it to the screen. Even in today's armed forces, no good leader would ever utter an expression like that. The film didn't appeal to any mature leader. Every mature leader of today knows that an adversary with a personal vendetta to launch, can cause excess casualties. Would you serve on the Enterprise if your captain had enemies all over space or the open seas, waiting to get him? Come on.... No wonder Spock eventually leaves Star Fleet. The plot was very good, but poorly written. Kirk's character was filled with weakness that made him unsuitable for command. The final death scene with Spock was very dramatic and moving. McCoy and Scotty's roles were underutilized. Lt. Saavik (Kirstie Alley) was youthful, but weak, and also underutilized. Dr. Carol Markus (Bibi Besch) injected some of the most positive character in the film, and nearly stole the lead. Much more could have been done with her to help the plot, if Shatner didn't have so much weakness to keep in check. Looking back on the whole movie shows where Star Trek has grown from. The New Generation rectified much of the flaws left from the Original Series. The Wrath of Kahn was among the Original Series worst dramas. This film would appeal to a child with an empty imagination to fill.
The Day of the Triffids (1963)
Way out there! Too much ground to cover for a movie.
I never read the book, and only saw the movie. I had to see it twice to make the connections to several details. The acting was fair, but the effects were just terrible. One scene allows the view of the actors' legs under the triffid costumes when the army of triffids follows the ice cream truck off the cliff. The film did have it's moments and spawned a lot of thought. This film was very forgettable and even though it entertained me as a child when I was so impressionable. I was embarrassed when I bought the video at Walmart and showed it to my children at home. I later regained my credibility with my kids by showing them "The Blob" with Steve McQueen.
The Blob (1958)
This creepy sci-fi thriller was gripping and scary!
OK. Let's get over the notion that Steve McQueen was a grown man when he played a teenager in this film. The rest of the film was very enjoyable. The Movie Theatre scene was by far the most impressive of its' type. The screaming kids running in a panic from the monster blob.....well, that couldn't happen today. The police were nearly "Mayberry Mellow" and the rest of the characters just seemed to be overly tranquil. I thought I was going to see Ward Cleaver appear next at one moment. The casting just seemed a bit low budget. The Blob was the star of the show, and only got about one minute and a half of screen time. One idea still rings loud and clear about modern times. No one believes there is a problem to solve until they see it for themselves. I guess that today, we would need to see the Blob on CNN before anyone believes we have a Blob to kill. The Remake of the BLOB had a chance, but blew it!
The Monolith Monsters (1957)
Oooh, you better not miss this one!
This film had some simple ideas turn into an action drama that centered on survival. I liked the idea of something so bizarre becoming an actual threat to deal with. Growing rocks killing people just sounds so unbelievable! I was impressed with the plot and the acting that supported it. The effects were also fair. This film blind-sided me and actually impressed me.
Them! (1954)
An easy B&W monster flick to watch when it's raining outside.
This film could impress any child under the age of 11 who wouldn't challenge the ideas too strong. Most kids like giant bugs or monsters. I know I did. This film is a step above a cartoon with a monster plot to resolve. I didn't think I could get into the action and enjoy the film 30 years after I first saw it, but I managed to escape my adult inhibitions and become captivated by a simple little idea. I await my opportunity to see other sci-fi giant bug films like the Scorpion, Tarantula, Preying Mantis, and also the Monoliths (Growing Rocks) and Triffids (deadly walking plants). You can't take them so serious...you just enjoy them.
Being There (1979)
Truly the finest work of Peter Sellers!
This film amazed me and drew appreciation for the noble and the innocence of our most uncorrupted segment of our society. While these people may be mythical and somewhat child-like, they do carry the core of humanity at its finest. It must have been a tough character to portray. Most viewers can't imagine a soul like Chauncey wandering through our society invisible and unaffected by our most impressionable expressions. To think his education came from a TV is alien. The rearing from his companions in his home was a big segment omitted from viewers. Was this guy retarded or something? I liked it anyhow.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Terrifying! Not a detail of horror left out for the bizarre!
Being from Texas myself, I watched intently to learn what people do in other parts of the state. This couldn't be about someone in "My Hometown". It was unbelievable and extremely impressionable. Watching this film in a drive-in also contributed to the horror. At this time, other films, such as "The Town that Dreaded Sundown" and "Small Town in Texas" were depicting Texas as a breeding ground for America's most wanted killers. The stereotype was not deserved, but killers have to come from somewhere! The film was horrifying and graphic! The weirdo family that kidnapped innocent victims and ate them, or used them for prize-winning barbeque recipes, was unspeakable. Watch this film, and dare yourself not to be suspicious of where your next lunch came from. The fright will choke you!
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
D.O.A.
This film had potential and again failed because of the budget cuts from the bean counters. It was childish and cheap. I think I recognize the bus they used on this film as the same one used in the MASH TV series. There were a lot of left-overs and loose themes floating around in the plot. The human mutants were mis-directed badly. They could have saved the movie from earning such a poor rating. The work here was awful. It must have intentionally been done this way to end the film series, because it did.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
Save yourself some time and skip this one.
This film was a victim of bean-counters! The cast that carried the previous three films just seemed to die off, without becoming replaced by other good performers. Roddy McDowel did ok, but was not allowed to live up to his potential because of bad writing. This film really stinks. There is little to no entertainment value in watching militant underdogs take over a city. Nothing was even believable. The plot lost something through the translation of budget cuts.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
A mixture of more drama and tragedies between Apes and Humans.
This film was the beginning of the end for the Planet of the Apes film series, and just about broke even when it came to delivering the entertainment that viewers expected. The outcome was pretty predictable. It was clear that talking apes surviving in a human-dominated culture weren't going to do any better than talking humans in an ape-dominated culture. The tragedies of the drama were hanging on fine threads, and only the most compassionate viewer could become enthusiastic about seeing the series continue. Kim Hunter, Dr. Zira, did a terrific job of inspiring us through three episodes. She was the central figure that gave most viewers the desire to keep watching. The unspeakable miscarriages of the political machine that were dramatized still ring loud and clear today. Trusting something you don't know much about is sometimes impossible, and that is why valuable contributions to society become D.O.A. so easily. This film depicts the 1970's Americans as a proud, but paranoid culture, for a pretty good reason....we were.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
A miscarriage of sanity that cost the world its existence!
This film places the viewer in the grip of tense confusion and intense emotion. The challenge of relating to James Franciscus leads a viewer to ask "When will this end?" James Gregory did a convincing job of portraying the commander of a political machine with Maurice Evans. Watching Nova, Linda Harrison, get shot by the militant ape attack was a heartbreaker, but connected the audience with the long stream of miscarriages that the Planet of the Apes Series was famous for - tragedies. The ultimate tragedy of seeing the "Nuke Button" pushed by Charlton Heston was impressive, but insane! What would you have done in his situation?