Frank-White359 Reviews

As Good as It Gets (1997)

Very Funny as it gets.

[8/10 · 24 September 2015]

The movie is an excellent study for anyone who has studied Mazlov's hierarchy of needs. Both of the main characters (Nicholson and Hunt) are hurting, way out on the charts. Hunt has not succeeded learning economic skills and lives at the edge of poverty with a critically ill son. Nicholson while successfully financially, is forfeit of any humanity skills. Both characters change during the movie, and each characters blatant lack can be filled in by the other. Many thought the age too different and Nicholson's character too weird. I disagree. I believe some viewers saw Helen Hunt, not a destitute waitress. Would a destitute waitress with a sick child be interested in a relationship with a prominent author with noticeable character flaws. You bet. Both Nicholson and Hunt did a wonderful job in this film. Greg Kinnear's portrayal of the gay character together with Hunt's provided a perfect contrast with the Nicholson character and I thought he was wonderful in the part, which was very different then anything else I'd seen him in.

Conspiracy Theory (1997)

An extremely well made film!

[24 September 2015]

1. The story is unique, exciting, and well-constructed. You don't know whether Jerry Fletcher (Gibson) is really a kook, psycho, or all of the above until the very end. It is an inspired moment when we finally find out. True 'surprise endings' are rarely well-done in Hollywood, (not since THE STING), and this one rocks. 2. Mel Gibson's acting amazes me again. I was never a Gibson fan until TEQUILA SUNRISE, when Mel dropped his Aussie accent and impressed many. 3. The unlikely romance between Jerry and Alice is breathtaking. That a total loser like Jerry can overcome himself and win the heart of this woman inspires us all. You will cry at the end. 4. Finally, the production and SFX will impress even the most jaded moviegoer. It is peculiar how fast we became bored with gigantic SFX and CGI technology, but these action sequences are really well done with a flair that relies on ingenuity rather than just throwing money at the audience. Give it a shot, it is a great action thriller!

Pretty Woman (1990)

One Pretty Good Movie!

[24 September 2015]

Pretty Woman is the Cinderella like tale of Vivian (Julia Roberts), a street wise and somewhat innocent prostitute, and Edward Louis (Richard Gere), a tough talking, and sincerely loving billionaire! Edward hires Vivian for a week so he doesn't have to deal with his two previously failed relationships (one with a girlfriend, and one with his ex-wife) for the week. While Edward puts in long working days with the client after another, Vivian lives the high life at the Regent Beverly Wilshire, goes shopping on Rodeo Drive (after being turned away by the snubbed shopkeepers), goes to a match of Polo, and goes to the Opera in San Francisco (they take his jet). In the midst of all this, Vivian and Edward fall in love, it's as simple as that. Julia Roberts, in the role that made her a star, gives a simply wonderful, witty, hilarious, and heart touching performance. Richard Gere gives a great performance as well, but he obviously falls back in the light that Julia shines on this film, she is without a doubt a true star! If you love Julia Roberts (and who wouldn't, she's a great actress!) this is the film to see! After all, it made her a star, and is a great example of her early work. Roberts and Gere are such a great team, they were later teamed again in Runaway Bride. Get it, see it, you'll love it!

The Thing (1982)

The Thing is a splendid presentation of horror at its best.

[9/10 · 23 September 2015]

John Carpenter has always been a director of many talents, bringing forth some of the most creative and scary films ever to grace the screen, like Halloween, In The Mouth Of Madness, The Fog, and Christine. But he broke the mold when he made The Thing, and the result is probably the greatest monster movie in history. Sure Jaws was great, and so was Alien, but The Thing blows them all away. It's about a twelve-man research team that unwittingly takes in an alien organism that has been frozen in the ice for over 100,000 years. As if things couldn't be worse, this alien can shape-shift and "absorbs" its victims, so no one in the camp quite knows who is real and who is "the thing." Rob Bottin's special effects for the film are probably its ground-breaking achievement, for it was the first movie with a really gross-looking monster, and the monster effects still look great even today. Ennio Morricone's chilling score, Dean Cundey's beautiful photography, and John Llyod's incredible sets all help contribute to the eerie mood of the picture. Not only that, but the cast does a great job, and as far as I'm concerned, Carpenter was at the peak of his skills when he made this film. It was rather disappointing to find out that it didn't do that well at the box office, but at least it can have a nice long afterlife on DVD market now. So, I don't know what else I can say except run out and buy this wonderful film!

Girl House (2014)

Well-produced Slasher Film

[8/10 · 23 July 2015]

An entertaining slasher film, GirlHouse was probably made for a small budget but you can't tell as it is well shot/produced with decent enough acting by all involved. Ali Cobrin is very likable as the requisite "Final Girl" and there is actually a well-executed romantic subplot between Cobrin and a childhood friend that elevates the film, giving it another dimension beyond the killer slashing his way through the cast. Loverboy is effectively creepy with his pull on mask with it's female face and long hair. He reminds me somewhat of Frank Zito in Maniac as far as how crazy he is. There are some effective scares and creepy atmosphere going on and some of the effects are really well done, even though it's not a gore fest it has it's gory moments. Some of the deaths are really creative. I enjoyed it much more than I expected and I would recommend it to slasher film lovers.

Americano (2005)

Not Great - But A "Must Have"

[9/10 · 23 July 2015]

I think as a romantic comedy it works quite well, and I think it's a great film for couples to watch together - preferably by candle-light, with some wine and some tapas snacks on hand. Tim Sharp & Ruthanna Hopper were fine as the "comic" couple played against the serious (Jackson & Varela) couple. I'll admit the Dennis Hopper character was a bit of a problem: his portentous oracular pronouncements ("Be wary!") were a bit hard to swallow. The chemistry between Jackson & Varela is real. The cinematography was first rate; the sights & sounds of Spain, of the drunken blow-out that is the running of the bulls are captured quite well indeed. What, for me, made the film completely worthwhile was the presence of beautiful Chilean actress Leonor Varela. She is a fine actress, and has shown herself to be also a first rate comedic actress. A must see for a Spanish beauty fans!

Just One of the Guys (1985)

The most under-rated movie of the 1980's.

[9/10 · 5 June 2015]

A light pleasant comedy with great 80s fashion and music. Great one liners and a nice ending. It has everything, to comedy to being serious. Joyce Hyser should of gotten more lead roles, cause she is a wonderful actress, and very beautiful esp. in the scene were she is wearing the bikini by the pool. I seen the other movies she stared in, and with her talent, Joyce is the one that lights the scene. Also, interesting to see Joyce who is so pretty be able to pull off being a guy. Buddy (her younger brother) is a riot and Terry meets lots of interesting classmates at her new school. William Zabka (Karate Kid, Back to School) plays the standard jock bully. Brings back memories of my days in high school when we didn't have to worry about going through gun detectors to go to school. This was such a classic 80's movie. It is a must see!

Commando (1985)

An Action Movie of 80's in it's best!

[10/10 · 5 June 2015]

Words simply do not describe this film. Lots of guns, lots of death, lots of blood, a yellow Porsche 911, a great cast of characters, an excellent story and setting... and of course the ultimate protagonist/antagonist rivalry make Commando a classic 80's action film. Arnold, in his prime in my opinion, does a great job as Matrix, an ex-military man now trying to lead a peaceful civilian life. However, Vernon Wells deserves a damn Oscar for his performance as the villain, Bennett. He's a leather-pants and chain-mail vest wearing mercenary with a bad haircut and porn-star mustache who wants to kill Matrix so badly, that he staged his own death in order to have everyone drop their guard before all hell breaks loose! The fight scene in the mall with the cops and the final battle between Matrix and Bennett are classic. Finally, the music supplied by The Power Station band, deserves recognition. Simply one of the best over-the-top, action packed, take-no-prisoners, no retreat-no surrender, blood-&-guts, death and destruction films of all time.

Raising Cain (1992)

De Palma's tribute to Hitchcock

[10/10 · 5 June 2015]

One of the most jolting and disturbing horror thrillers ever made, "Raising Cain" centers around the character(s) played by John Lithgow, as a man outwardly known as Carter but in whom lie submerged a number of other personalities, including the malevolent title character Cain. Carter, as it turns out in the first few minutes of the film, was the original personality but was split off into new side personalities as a result of the deliberate infliction of trauma by his father for the purpose of researching multiple personalities (one of the most disturbing incarnations of the 'mad scientist' idea ever seen on film). The re-emergence (or raising) of Cain and the subsequent abduction of the child of Carter and his wife Jenny (well played by the underrated Lolita Davidovich) sets off one of the scariest movies in history, with riveting suspense and visual shocks that are literally jolting, like few movies have ever achieved. Extremely recommended for horror, suspense and mystery fans.

The Shadow (1994)

One Helluva Superhero movie!

[31 August 2011]

I have to say that although it is a cheesy remake, it holds a certain place in my heart. I liked Alec Baldwin who played Lamont Cranston aka the Shadow. I found him to be very charismatic and sexy in the role. I like the semi Gothic feel of New York City especially at night. John Lone who played the madman trying to destroy the city was great. He was very believable. He was also very attractive especially at the beginning with the long hair which upset me when they had it cut off. But thats just me i suppose. The thing i liked most was the look of the eyes on both mentioned actors when they went into the minds of others and manipulated them. Overall a great film and very entertaining. It becomes a bit addictive so watch in small amounts.

Two and a Half Men (2003–2015)

really good show

[9/10 · 20 June 2011]

I really love this show, much to the my brother's Macki Grand disbelief who told me that "if this were not such a popular show, I would think that something's seriously wrong with you!" I explained the appeal of the show to me as that of a modern take on "The Three Stooges". It's all about the ridiculous situations in which these three fellows find themselves! I see Charlie as analogous to Moe--the smartest of the three and the leader of the group--but still a complete dunce with a completely absurd take on the world. Alan is analogous to Larry--and, as a result, routinely berated and beat up on by Moe. And then you have Jake who occupies Curly's position in the trio--as the dumbest and funniest--but with an uncanny ability to maneuver through the minefield of the Harper household, complete with his dad and uncle's sexual antics. Jake's character is the expansion of a good concept--don't make the kid in the show a precocious jerk (I am so tired of that!)--instead make him an amusing dolt!

The rest of cast is great too--from Melanie Lynskey as Charlie's kooky but good-hearted stalker--to various guest stars as Charlie and Allen's wide range of girl friends. I love the episode where Kevin Sorbo (from Xena/Hercules) plays the dimwitted dad of Alan's second ex-wife (and Charlie's erstwhile hook-up) Candi (the hilariously mindless stodgiest April Bowlby)! And the one where Rose positions herself as Allen's blind double date with Charlie and Chelsea is fantastic! (I am not sure that these two episodes were from the seventh season though) Ryan Stiles is great as the freshly emasculated second husband of Allen's harpyish first wife Judith.

I could go on and on about what a great job the writers and actors do on this show, but I'll stop here. Cheers!

Die Hard (1988)

great movie from 80's!

[7/10 · 20 June 2011]

At the end of the Eighties the action movie genre, which had flourished throughout the decade, began to stagnate. Cinema goers had seen enough explosions and gunfights cloned from the same formula made popular by Arnie and Sly. Both of these men were moving in the direction of comedy and action movies needed something new.. something fresh. In stepped John McTiernan and Bruce Willis with DIE HARD. Willis, most famous at the time for the comic T.V. Series 'Moonlighting', made a perfect ordinary-man-in-an-extraordinary-situation action hero. He was believable as John McClane and not immune to being hurt. He bleed and felt pain, a first for the genre. And yet his cool confident delivery of a great wisecracking, intelligent script made him all the cooler. But most credit should go to Director John McTiernan, king of the sophisticated action flick. He made action movies slick, smart and full of pace and wit while never letting up on the bullets, cars and bombs front. Special praise must go out to Alan Rickman too whose performance as chief baddie Hans is to this day one of cinemas finest, moving convincingly from cool, calm and collected to desperate and nervous, never once seeming anything less than utterly ruthless and calculating. Die Hard is a great movie for a number of reasons but adding three dimensions to the action genre is this films finest achievement and anyone who has not sampled its delights before now would be wise to get a copy as soon as possible. But don't see it on T.V. oh no, because it is never without significant and completely unnecessary extra editing for violence and language. Enjoy it on video or DVD if you can, see it in all its original splendor, it is arguably the greatest action film ever made. And then go see the sequels.. they rock too!

No Witness (2004)

review

[8/10 · 4 February 2011]

actually it was nice movie to me, nice conspiracy theory thriller but acting too. i think that they must made a video game from this movie that would be great...anyway i think that acting can be better maybe it was just low budget thing for a movie, but story is good, and in some parts of a movie is really good music entertaining at the moments. there is a lot of movies with this type of thriller stuff but this one is good because of a story it is really amazing what people can do for their sacrifice even do their family...plot line is good at least for me and script maybe can be better in some dialogs but will do. there are no famous actors here at least Steve Barnes is like Stephen Baldwin to me in some parts of a movie but is good. Jeff Fahey is a legend of these kind of movies and he is the best in it, i love him. And at the end Marisa Petroro...ah what a lady what a beauty...I suggest you this movie it is worth a try!