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Reviews
The Trap (1946)
The "Plan Nine From Outer Space" of Chan Films
This is the worst of the Chan films, watch as our heroes use the wrong car in chase, listen to the famous "Scream" that will curl your toes and watch as Birmingham Brown writes one word on a note and Tommy Chan can get an entire address out of it.
Be warn, this one is not for serious Chan lovers, but for people who like "Plan Nine From Outer Space". But you have to watch it once to appreciate how much better other lowly rated Chans films are in comparison with this movie.
Hollow Man (2000)
Great Special Effects, Low Level Script
I like Kevin Bacon and really have enjoyed most of his work, but after you get over the really niffy special effects in this movie, there is not much left to satisfy your movie thirst. No real characters to care for (all of them did nothing for me), no real development of a story line as you are stuck in a basement with characters that you don't care about, so it leads to boredom in-between special effect scenes.
It is not a complete waste of time, but I would like to really know what happened to the lady in the apartment, they just left that up to your imagination, and that is very much what the whole script lacks, imagination.
Doug
The Perfect Storm (2000)
Too Much Storm, Not Enough People
The Perfect Storm was not a bad movie, but it did lack some elements, the action was good, but the Storm became the star and I became bored. When the human element was left out, it got old quick. A little more of a cut here and there, and the movie would have been better, the rescue of the sailing ship wasn't necessary, and wasted our time about characters we didn't know and didn't really care about.
But other than that, the movie was fairly good, just the storm sequences ran long and got to be boring. I gave it a 6, I thought the Patriot, X-Men, Shaft, Gladiator and MI2 were better movies than the "Perfect Storm" this summer season.
X-Men (2000)
Solid Effort
The X-Men was a solid outing of entertainment. Not too action oriented, good plot, stayed away from trying to be the comic book.
Patrick Stewart was a believable Professor X. Wolverine stole the show and Rogue was a good surprise.
Sabertooth was a bore, Toad wasn't too good either but besides that, the characters/actors did a nice job.
There is plenty of story to tell, so there should be a couple sequels, hopefully they can get Stewart back and explore Wolverine some more.
Good job, not perfect or great, but a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Philo Vance's Gamble (1947)
Solid Effort
I thought Philo Vance's Gamble was a very solid effort, especially for a movie that is a long way down the list of Philo Vance films done. It was a solid mystery, with a little comic relief, good acting and a better than average cast.
I have seen almost all of the Philo Vance films, and besides two or three of the early ones (Kennel Murder Case is a classic), this is one of the better films in the long running series.
The Mandarin Mystery (1936)
Good show
Nice little mystery, with a good deal of comedy mixed in. Eddie Quillan is not my favorite Ellery Queen, but he has an interesting twist to the character. I though Wade Boteler did a great job as Inspector Queen and Franklin Pangborn did a great job as comic relief as Mellish, the hotel manager.
Overall, a nice film, I was quite pleased with it.
The Return of Charlie Chan (1972)
Somewhat Complicated Film, But the heart is in the right place
This movie starring Ross Martin of Wild, Wild West fame was a good effort at adding to the Charlie Chan Mythos, but in the end, failed.
It is too complicated and hard to follow. Not that I don't mind good mysteries, but I doubt anyone could solve it on their own and that is part of the fun of Charlie Chan movies.
Martin does a decent job as Chan, but a little more of the family Chan might have added to this film. It is fun seeing Leslie Nelison in an early role, but overall, this movie just doesn't hit it and we can see why it stayed on the shelves for over five years after production before seeing the light of day.
Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981)
Some laughs, mostly pain.
Not a good movie. Has a few laughs but mainly nothing a real Chan fan would like to see. It is a spoof, but just doesn't work. Too silly without real slapstick. No real inside jokes for Chan fans. And wouldn't work as a regular comedy, even without the Chan link.