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Reviews
Stevie D (2016)
A fun night out at the movies!
As indies go, this IS AN INDIE for sure. By that I mean it is easy to see that there were budget constraints and maybe more time could have been spent editing in some spots. But overall, this film hits the mark, tells a good story with likable, well written characters brought to life by a solid ensemble cast.
At the opening of the film, I was concerned that I was going to be subjected to 2 hrs of a predictable, mafia-trope-laden tale of caricature bad guys from the East Coast doing and saying "down and dirty" East Coast things (in LA). While there were elements of this (strip clubs, the uber-machismo of the film's antagonist and his legion of sycophantic followers) the story quickly settled into an engaging and charming ride for the audience.
In the end, this is a wonderful film. Chris Cordone scores the proverbial hat trick - It is well written, directed and acted with ALL the characters from main cast to supporting players to the bit parts so well developed and ALL contributing to the story. A fun tale that I characterize as: "Prince & The Pauper meets the confluence of RomCom, Mafia, ActorLife & Noir"
The Friends of Eddie Coyle Tribute Project (2010)
A solid tribute to an outstanding film
After seeing Ben Affleck's "The Town" pay homage to "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" - in a few ways but namely in the blindfold scene along the water - I came across this cool tribute project that was shot in 2009 and released online in 2010 (a year before The Town).
The project consists of two recreated scenes from the film, a trailer, behind the scenes photos and a brief interview with the project's composer who felt honored to be able to pay tribute to David Grusen, the composer on the original 1973 film.
This is a true tribute where the blocking, pace and melancholy atmosphere of the original scenes are honored with minimization and gritty, low-key dialogue. A nod is even given to George V. Higgins, the author of the novel from where much of the dialogue in the film comes from.
Great work by these "fans" of the film but I think they actually scored points with their production value and overall approach to honoring this wonderful 70's master piece. Well done!
Youngblood (1986)
Ahh No.
This movie had some redeeming qualities but was really just bad. I am sorry. And for these reasons: 1. I hate when a the main character is supposed to be a super star and the actor playing him obviously sucks. Lucky they Peter Zezel for the cut away shots. This also happened with Michael Keaton and Emilio Estevez in their hockey movies. 2. Stick Fights at the end of Game 7? Especially when one guy was an enforcer? Come on. 3. The stupid acting of the Bomber's coach. 4. Rob Lowe is too much of a whining baby throughout the movie (puck in the garbage, walking out on the team, "I should've hit Racki, I should have done something!" Jeesh!) 5. Sutton's quote: "I never watched a game in my life." Huh? That's crap.
Godzilla (1998)
Jack the Ripper 1888 sounds like he was born in 1998..as you can see from his analysis of this movie!
He gives Godzilla (1998) a 5/5. I agree with him if the overall scale is a 20. He sounds like a 6 year old in his analysis. This movie was absolutely TERRIBLE! The best and only good part was when the the tug boats or fishing boats (whatever they were) got pulled under the ocean. Other than that, it was a ridiculous cgi remake of Jurrasic Park, which by the way wasn't that great of a movie either.
From a story line perspective. Godzilla 1954 was immense compared to the joke of 1998. First of all, it was a real monster movie that is pretty scary. If you are the type of person that thinks special effects makes a great movie, than you are probably too young and naive to know any better. Sorry, but that is the way it is. Come on, a high speed chasde through NY in helicopters? What a joke.
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963)
The Fix Was In - Kong wasn't even in the same league with GZilla.
Sorry but...
All of a sudden writers make these these things happen to "level the playing field":
1)Kong is now 400 ft tall (He was no better than 30 ft. in 1933 - someone said he got that big after eating the berries? Huh? What? His son was no bigger than 20ft either. btw)
2) One line is thrown in during the fight by an onlooker to justify that lightning re-energizes Kong - "Lightning makes Kong Stronger"...again huh? what? when did this happen?
3) Godzilla's radioactive breath simply singes Kong's chest instead of engulfing him in flames (remember the power-line towers in Tokyo?)
Sorry, but the fix was in. Godzilla dominated and bewildered Kong during that whole fight. If you think otherwise then get back on your royal barge and float down the river "denial".
Also, Godzilla came back to make how many movies? How many did Kong make? He went back to his island in disgrace until he had to fight the robot Kong (not a bad flick).
Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956)
Great "Monster Movie"
We have been spoiled and I'll say duped by CG and special effects as well as high def TV, and "super-ultra-hifreq.-tranmorphous-mulltdecible-remastered-bit scraped" sound.
Use your IMAGINATION folks! Concede that in 1954, this is the best that special effects had to offer and recognize what "Godzilla King of the Monsters" (American Title) really is
A classic Monster Movie that is dark, emotional and full of suspense. And oh yes, is a MUCH better movie than the CGI-heavy Jurassic Park and is easily superior to the fiasco that was the 1998 "Godzilla". Jurassic Park could be re-titled "Let's Run Away from Dinosaurs Don't You Love Our Cool Special Effects?" Sorry but
Here is what I liked about the original: When we hear the thunderous footfalls of the "approximately 400 ft tall" Godzilla, echoing through the streets of Tokyo and the island where he first appeared, you know that; "Here comes Godzilla and there isn't a damn thing we can do about it!" No where to hide. If you can suspend your disbelief for a moment, you should really be able to get into it the terror and suspense of the movie. From the scene of the young mother cowering in a building doorway protecting her children as rubble and fire left in Godzilla's wake rage around her, to the children of Japan singing a prayer of hope over National Radio while scores of injured are shown, to glimmer of hope offered by the Japanese warships searching to destroy GZ to the backdrop of an inspiring musical score - the movie showed the actual horror of complete devastation and the hope you need to muster when trying to combat it. If you can't get into it, then you probably think too much (or just have different taste).
The monster in this movie is unstoppable, brutal and absolutely devastating. A great combination that frightened me as a kid and still pulls me in today when I see it. Man in a rubber suit? So what? If you want cool graphics, rent a video game. A good movie will make you forget S.E. shortcomings. Think "Jaws", "The Terminator" (first one) and any good live play you have seen. Besides, appreciate the fact that hindsight will always make older movies obsolete when it comes to technology. Appreciate them for what they are.