pauliemississippi Reviews

The Herculoids (1967–1969)

Somewhere out in space... LONG LIVE THE HERCULOIDS!

[10/10 · 27 June 2007]

Maybe it was a case of the right series' at the right time, but during the fall and winter of 1967 I discovered the magic of animated superheroes. And at the core of this revelation was the wonderful Herculoids.

I always thought there was a great story behind the story. What was apparently the only three humans on a planet that was home to other humanoid species... leading a band of powerful animals who also did not seem to be indigenous to the planet Amzok... changed to the planet Quasar with it's revival on NBC years later...

But the stories that were told were very gripping. There was a camaraderie and a fellowship between the family and the animals; Zok and Gloop & Gleep and Tundro and Igoo... none of them would think of allowing anything to befall Tara or Dorno... and though obviously not the most powerful of the group, Zandor was the leader and all the animals knew it...

Yeah, there was a deeper story here that never got to be told... but what they did tell was quite enjoyable in 1967 and still is in 2007. :D

The Corruptor (1999)

Way Better Than You'd Expect!

[9/10 · 19 August 2006]

I bought this movie when I was away from home and needed some entertainment. I found a close out bin of movies and remembered seeing Mark Wahlberg in "The Truth About Charlie", another surprising movie, and gave it a shot. I was very glad that I did.

Chow Yun-Fat plays a NYC policeman who is part of the Asian Crimes Division. Mark Wahlberg joins the team as a member against the wishes of Yun-Fat who doesn't think a white cop can be effective in China Town.

Very soon we find Wahlberg being gently drawn into a world of corruption by the leaders of the Chinese underworld who are out to see to the safety of their operations. Wahlberg is fed info that enables him to crack a series of murders of unidentified illegal Chines immigrant women and becomes a decorated hero in the department. He also learns that the same "corruptor" who is steering him has his partner, Yun-Fat, in his pocket.

As the movie builds, we learn that all is not as it seems as Wahlberg's character is in fact undercover to gain evidence on Yun-Fat for Internal Affairs. And despite the two men's budding friendship and the fact that they save each others life during the action; the movie does build to a head and a bitter-sweet climax.

One of life's pleasant little surprises. Highly recommended to anyone who is not afraid of a little language and some adult situations.

Snakes on a Plane (2006)

This Movie Has BITE!

[8/10 · 19 August 2006]

At the last minute I decided to go be one of the first people in America to see "Snakes on a Plane" Thursday night... and compared to most movies I have paid to see, this one was more than worth the money! It could be that I went expecting a bad movie and so when it was actually quite good it was surprising! Samuel L. Jackson is definitely within his element as the foul mouthed FBI agent tasked with accompanying a star witness on a "redeye" flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles.

Obviously, unknown by him or anybody beside the bad guys, there has been a large shipment of poisonous snakes placed on the plane and a small charge has been put on to cause an explosion to release them. It works, and then people start dying.

The first victims, as luck and the movie producers would have it, are in restrooms so the vast majority of passengers don't realize there is danger. But when hell breaks loose, ALL hell breaks loose...

Of course this movie was targeted to internet users. Blogs for months have tracked the production and according to some reports the producers even took some of their ideas from those bloggers... like the MF laden tirade that Jackson goes on as the movie nears climax.

This movie was also fun because the audience was so much into it. In fact, as reported elsewhere, this movie might indeed eventually supplant "Rocky Horror Picture Show" as the biggest audience participation movie out there.

It does, of course, still stand to be seen if this movie will be a one-weekend wonder or if it will have the "legs" to slither along for many weeks as a hit. I have no doubt that the video release will probably be a major hit. I'd expect an uncut version to do quite well with the majority of the fans.

Yeah. I paid to see "Snakes on a Plane"... or SoaP as it is being referred to in the press... and I'm glad I did!

Bull Durham (1988)

Best Baseball Romance Ever!

[10/10 · 23 May 2006]

Bull Durham is one of those movies. From the moment it hit the big screen, baseball fans who are romantic at all fell in love with it! The concept of the minor league ballplayer (Kevin Costner) falling for the baseball addicted groupie (Susan Sarandon) is just too good to be true.

Most men who are true baseball fans I suspect fantasize that they might some day find a woman as interesting as Annie Savoy! The fact that her interest in the National Passtime is mere icing on the cake.

Bull Durham has been called, with good reason, the best sports movie of all time. I know, I just bought a new copy of the DVD with that sticker on the cover! Who ever made the claim hit the nail right on the head.

Costner is a hoot as the antagonistic Durham to Tim Robbin's "Nuke LaLoosh... the airheaded pitcher with a million dollar arm. Crash Davis (Costner) has had a fleeting taste of "the show", as the Major Leagues are referred to; and he knows that his protégé has the talent, but might lack the intellect to make it. Davis knows his best days are behind him and he is simply trying to set the record for home runs by a minor leaguer (a bogus record it turns out as the writer did not research that particular point of trivia too well)... and does what he must to do that.

Savoy understands that she has stumbled into a season like no other; having a relationship with "Nuke" while wanting "Crash"... and watching her beloved Durham Bulls change from a bumbling squad of kids to a team of professional ball players.

Just my two cents. If you've never seen Bull Durham, do yourself the favor; although I do caution to keep the kiddees out of the room unless you like them seeing some really mature, sexual situations!