broosr Reviews

Below (2002)

Great!

[3 May 2003]

Once upon a time, makers of 'ghost story' type films understood that the most effective scare is that which the viewer concocts for him/herself. Suggestion is more powerful than visual evidence. For a prime example of this genre, find 1960-something's "The Haunting" (Claire Bloom etc). Easily the most frightening movie ever--but everything is very skillfully left--or perhaps placed--into the imagination of the viewer.

Then there came a long, long period where directors forgot that fact. What became more important wasn't "whodunit" but "howhedunit." Gore galore. The only problem was that these films completely lost the haunting tone of their predecessors.

In the last few years, amazingly, filmmakers are returning to the former genre of filmmaking. Witness Blair Witch, The Ring, Ghost Ship, and now Below, in which more is left to the imagination of the viewer, and these films are better for it. If you hold up "The Haunting" as penultimate, these movies are well worth watching to see the genre being reborn.

If you're a fan of, say, Wes Craven, give Below a miss. Otherwise enjoy.

Rates a solid 7/10

The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

A worthy addition to the Disney lineup

[21 March 2002]

In this day of computer animation, fine though it may be, Disney bucks the trend to produce another hand-animated feature. And the results are wonderful! Stylistically animated, the results are nowhere near as lush as the Little Mermaid, but seem to suit the film perfectly. Kudos to the cast for wonderful voice-acting. Spade and Warburton shine, and John Goodman is fine in the role of straight-man Pacha. Don't miss this one!

Twister (I) (1996)

I'll get you, my pretty! And your little dog too!

[21 March 2002]

Energetic actioner unhampered by any plot whatsoever (increasingly less surprising in Crichton's work). Effects are top-notch and the cast of largely-unknowns has a fine silly time chasing twisters across Oklahoma and merrily chewing the scenery in the process. Bill Paxton is fun, as he has been ever since stealing scenes in Aliens, but seems less comfortable with a leading-man position than he is with a supporting role. If slam-bang action is your bag, this is the flick for you! But if you prefer byzantine plotting and meaningful dialogue, move along, move along. Nothing to see here, citizens.

Dark Star (1974)

An Indie before Indies were popular

[18 March 2002]

Some 25 years before Indies became the vogue, a young John Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon produced a low-budget space-opera entitled "Dark Star." Space-operas of a cheesy sort had been around for a number of years, but Star Trek and Lost In Space had done much to legitimize the genre (the first few episodes of Lost In Space were, in fact, top-notch). Now, Dark Star was neither of these and was possessed of a certain dark hopelessness, a theme that would tend to resurface in the works of both men, but introduced some ideas and concepts that were absolutely unique. To this date no one has been able to do anything much at all with the concept of the conversant bomb and certain others, but in the confines of Dark Star they work magnificently. The acting, characterizations and cinematography are on the whole forgettable; however, as Carpenter went on to have a spectacular career of hits and misses and Dan O'Bannon lent a rather Dark Star-ish weirdness to whatever he touched, this movie should not be missed by the serious film buff. Themes from this seminal spacer would echo for years in Carpenter's work, and whatever you think of his style, he is certainly one of the more notorious directors of the last twenty years.

A Knight's Tale (2001)

A rip-snorting mideval actioner!

[17 March 2002]

An exciting, oddball period piece that can't seem to quite figure out what it's trying to be. Not that you'll care much; the cast is terrific and, though largely unknowns, throw themselves into their roles with a real zest. Although parts of the movie, notably the soundtrack, prove fairly jarring, the characters are so appealing and the pace brisk enough that it hardly detracts. Film buffs will note similarities in the middle-age 'feel' of A Knight's Tale with that captured by the sadly-forgotten 1973 Michael York outing 'The Three Musketeers.' Fine action, a nice love story and a satisfying conclusion. And where did they find a Lisa Bonet lookalike?

One Fine Day (1996)

Charming, throwaway romantic comedy..

[17 March 2002]

A charming if forgettable romantic comedy aided immeasurably by two attractive leads. Michelle Pfeiffer is irresistable, although at this period in Clooney's career his range was precisely one character deep, and he played that same character whether that role was Batman or any other. Lately, however, he's broadened out with roles like O Brother, Where Art Thou? But he's pleasant enough in One Fine Day and clicks with Pfeiffer in a way that keeps your attention. Rather recalls Neil Simon, and if you enjoy movies like Seems Like Old Times, you'll enjoy this one.

Film buffs will note a few appearances here by actors who would join Clooney later in O Brother, Where Art Thou.

Jurassic Park III (2001)

A good, fast-paced romp!

[14 March 2002]

Director Johnston does much to redeem the franchise after the debacle of The Lost World. Although Sam Neill seems to be getting a little long in the tooth, he does a much better job as protagonist than did Goldblum in the second. Effects are top-notch, and Bill Macy turns in a solid performance as does Tea Leoni, whose acting is significantly less wooden and more enjoyable than it was in Deep Impact. Fans will note the appearance of venerable character actor John Diehl, who has been around since the earth was cooling. Crichton should be scolded for the silly plot, but the cast doesn't seem to pay much attention to it and after 20 minutes, neither will you.

Tango & Cash (1989)

Great buddy-cop flick

[14 March 2002]

Tango and Cash may not have invented the buddy-cop genre but certainly set a high-water mark for witty banter, at which no movie has done as well since. Stallone steps out of his typical intense-palooka character and seems to enjoy a more laid-back role, a tendency he also indulged in Oscar and the forgettable Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot. Sadly, he is back to his old style these days. Kurt Russell is his usual loopy self, the same character he plays in every movie that doesn't have 'Escape From' somewhere in its title, but is nonetheless infectiously appealing. Veteran character actor Brion James turns in a weird performance as Requin, and Terry Hatcher is, as usual, delicious. The plot clips right along and fans of the genre should not miss this one.

Sole Survivor (1970 TV Movie)

Odd, haunting TV movie

[14 March 2002]

Sole Survivor is one of the weirder entries in the WWII genre and difficult to classify. Written by Guerdon Trueblood as a TV movie, it tells the tale of a B-24 stranded in the Libyan desert. Comparisons are sometimes made between this and Flight of the Phoenix and shouldn't be, as Sole Survivor really has no thematic equal. Richard Basehart and Vince Edwards are fine in their roles, although Shatner had by this time been typecast as Captain Kirk and can't seem to shake that in his role as Gronke. Fans of Pat Wayne will enjoy a somewhat better performance than his usual, and Lou Antonio was in the middle of a career that spanned multiple decades. For some reason this one is difficult to find, which is a shame as it is absolutely unique and an experience that tends to stay with you long after the closing credits roll.

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1966)

Fun Blake Edwards war flick

[14 March 2002]

The Sixties produced a slew of funny war comedies demonstrating that WWII was basically good fun for all concerned, rather than being peopled with the kind of angst-filled, hand-wringing adolescents you see nowadays in movies like Memphis Belle and Saving Private Ryan. Edwards would go on to fantastic success with the Pink Panther series and writer Blatty is notable for his later work, The Exorcist. Edwards draws on a solid cast, including veterans Carroll O'Connor, Harry Morgan and Aldo Ray, without whom no war movie is complete. Italian star Fantoni turns in a meatball performance as Oppo but Dick Shawn steals the show with the best role of his career. Although a little slow in spots, Blake Edwards nonetheless gets where he's going and the result is a fine, though underrated, entry in the genre. The interactions between Shawn and Fantoni are worth the price of admission alone.

The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960)

Fans of Lemmon should not miss this one!

[14 March 2002]

It's too bad Hollywood stopped making war flicks like this one. They were much more enjoyable than the kind of hand-wringing performances you see nowadays. Lemmon took a break from chewing the scenery in the classics "Some Like It Hot" and "The Great Race" and returned to a more straight-man character of the kind he played in Mister Roberts. Although Lemmon is, as usual, great, the movie suffers somewhat from a bland supporting cast and the insufferable Ricky Nelson, whose acting is as wooden as it was in "Rio Bravo." Although slow to get going, the movie eventually takes off and maintains a robust pace to the conclusion. Note that TV showings tend to trim this one heavily, so if you see it sitting in the bargain bin, be sure to pick it up!

For fans of Lemmon or the genre only!

Down Periscope (1996)

Amiable, upbeat Navy comedy

[13 March 2002]

A welcome throwback to Navy comedies of the sixties, Down Periscope tips its hat to such sleepers as Jack Lemmon's "The Wackiest Ship In The Army." Director David S. Ward moves the pace along briskly and ensures the movie has its tongue firmly in its cheek. It's difficult not to like a movie where the cast seems to be having such a good time. Down Periscope features fine performances all around, most notably Kelsey Grammer stepping out of character as Tom Dodge, the sub's skipper, and veteran character actors Rip Torn, Bruce Dern and Harry Dean Stanton-- having been around since the earth was cooling--make welcome appearances. Bradford Tatum as Seaman Stepanak is especially fun to watch, and the director even slips a little character development in when you aren't looking. I wish they made more movies like this one, that so obviously isn't taking itself seriously! "Down Periscope" is a fine way to spend a couple of hours.