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Reviews
U Turn (1997)
Make a U Turn and run from this turkey!
Easily, by far and away, the worst movie made by a major American director. Ever. Nothing else even comes close. (The system tells me I must use up at least 4 lines for this to get posted. But I said everything I needed to say in two. I have never suffered through a movie this bad in my life! No redeeming features at all. And I like Oliver Stone!)
Up Pompeii (1971)
Lacks the lunacy of the series
I just watched the film version of "Up Pompeii" and, boy, was I disappointed. Many years ago, our PBS station showed the TV series on an irregular basis, and I adored it. Frankie Howerd as Lurcio, the narrator and slave of a Senator, was a riot. The swift pacing and all the double and triple entendres was a delight to watch. Obviously a rip off of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", never the less, it remains one of the funniest TV series I have ever seen. The film...well, it isn't very good. The script is filled with the same type of gags, but the energy level of the film is almost non-existant. It is also a dark film, in the physical sense. Very badly lit, it appears gloomy, which isn't good for a comedy. Mr. Howerd tries his hardest, and he is still wonderfully droll to watch, but the magic of the series just ain't there.
However, since I haven't seen the series on the air for far too many years, I guess it will have to do.
The Man in the Glass Booth (1975)
Brilliant performance overcomes other flaws
This is my all-time favorite film. Maximilian Schell's Oscar-nominated performance completely dominates everything else on the screen. His long courtroom speeches are both disturbing and riveting. This is based on a book and play by Robert Shaw, who'll you'll probably remember as an actor from "The Sting", "Jaws" and "A Man for All Seasons". He disowned the movie version because of changes made. It has been too many years since I've seen the film, but I have re-read both book and play this month. I think a significant change to Col. Dorff's heritage was probably his objection. While I see his point, I think he overreacted. The film itself is a bit slow moving and everyone else is overpowered by Mr. Schell's breathtaking performance. But those flaws didn't kick in for me until I had seen the film a dozen or more times. It is a must see for Maximilian Schell's work- one of the greatest performances ever filmed.