The Mechanic (1972)

In the 70s, when you talked about action heroes, one of the names at the top of the list was tough guy Charles Bronson. He helped to create and immortalize some of the best characters and action sequences to be put to film by that time in Hollywood. With as many films that Bronson had done over the years there are always some that don't the recognition that they deserve, The Mechanic is one of those films. The director here is Michael Winner, who also directed Bronson in the first three Death Wish movies, shows that he has a great understanding of the suspense thriller that grabs the audience and never lets go. A hit man for "The Organization" Arthur Bishop takes on an aspiring apprentice, who learns quickly that the teacher doesn't always teach you all the tricks of the trade. At sometime during the life of this film the title was changed to "Killer of Killers" thankfully it was changed back to "The Mechanic" which makes more since and the term is explained in the movie. The film moves along very quickly and before you know it, it's over, but what keeps it moving is the constant flow of action and a story that sucks you in. A young Jan-Michael Vincent plays the pupil and does a wonderful job as the spoiled rich kid whose always looking for a new thrill to wet his appetite on. By today's standards the effects are dated and look cheap, but it has the feel of real life, for when is an explosion as spectacular as in the movies. The ending is not your typical movie ending and it will get you just when you think you know what's going on.
Bronson is one of the great film actors who has starred in some of the biggest films of all time, from "The Great Escape" to "The Magnificent Seven" to the "Death Wish" series, he has shown that the strong silent type of man can be the good guy and kick ass doing it. Of all the films that he did over the years there a few forgotten gems that get by people who only know him for the hits that got more play in theaters and on television. This is one of those films that once you see it, it'll become a regular staple in your library of movies to be watched over and over, so enjoy a classic from the hay day of movie making.

Demolition Man

There are some sci-fi films that at the time of their release they were inventive and enjoyable but because of the timeframe that they are set in, they become dated very easily. Here the only part that is dated is the setup for all the out and out violence at the beginning of the film, other than that after all these years this is still an enjoyable film. Sylvester Stallone does a nice mix of characters here, there's an even blend of Rocky, Rambo and Cobra that you could watch repeatedly. But the standout character in this movie is that of Simon Phoenix played by the exceptionally talented Wesley Snipes, who shows us that he knows exactly how to play a villain and play it to the hilt. After being frozen for 35 years in a deep freeze cryo-prison for murder, Officer John Spartan is thawed out in a future that he knows nothing about, to go after an escaped cryo-prisoner that the future is inept to deal with. This film has a excellent mix of action and humor that is hard to get when you have two great roles filled by two great actors, Snipes and Stallone play off of each other as if they've been doing it for years. Some of the ideas that are presented in our "future" are a little hard to accept, let alone tolerate as free thinkers and a people that pride themselves on not being put under control. But some of the props that were designed for the film are very well thought out like the non-lethal Glow-stick that the police use instead of guns, and the crash foam that is released in a car crash to save the driver. So I guess there are some things in this future that I could live with, but being fined for swearing, or any kind of harsh language is just fucked up and I for one won't stand for it.
This is definitely one of those movies that could have been franchised, the characters were likeable and having Stallone's character go beyond this situation was entirely within the realm of possibility. After watching this film you can see why Stallone actually thought that he could do the role of Judge Dredd years later, but we all know how that turned out, and somewhere down the road I'll let you all know what my view points are on that disaster. But for now, with this movie there is enough action, explosions and gun play to satisfy any action fan, and in my humble opinion, is a must have for any sci-fi film library.

Immortal Beloved

Every person needs a little mystery in their lives to keep the mind working, but when you take that mystery to the grave without explaining anything to others they must pick up the pieces and try too solve the mystery themselves. Here the great love of Beethoven goes beyond his music and the direct people in his life, and reaches back from his lonely death. Having a mystery to solve to bring true closure to the death of Beethoven is an interesting idea and it helped bring out his genuine artistic and romantic passions that only a few people in his life really saw.When Ludwig von Beethoven dies, he leaves his entire estate to a woman who is only identified as My Immortal Beloved; his secretary then begins searching for this true love of his life. Gary Oldman plays Ludwig von Beethoven and portrays the gifted composer as the distant and menacing person that he probably truly was. Oldman also does a convincing job at playing a deaf man and plays it so well that you feel the loneliness and hardships that go along with this affliction. As period pieces go, visually this film has a lot to offer between the sets that used and the countryside were the exteriors were shot, you feel as if you are in the late 1820s in Vienna. The story is mainly told in flashback mode to help with the mystery of discovering who this woman in Beethoven's life is, and the make up job done on Oldman only enhances the effect of jumping from year to year. The other magnificent aspect of this film is the music, there isn't anything stronger and more provoking than this great composers works.
Finding your true love in life can be a daunting exercise in futility, and if you don't put your heart and mind in the right state your love could pass you by without even knowing it. But if you do find them hold on to them for all your worth, for as we get older happiness and well being are the things that we all want at the close of our time on this Earth. This isn't one of those films you'll watch over and over again but if you've never seen it before, and enjoy classical music, I recommend that you watch this with a loved one.

The Covenant

If witches and magic are the kind of stories that you enjoy, this is defiantly the kind of movie you should make time to see. This is a Male version of the 90s movie The Craft with a little bit of the TV show Charmed thrown in to make the story a little bit more upbeat. That's not to say this movie isn't good, it is very good, and where it is Male oriented, the action sequences go further and faster than most witchcraft films up to this time. Based on the comic book by Aron Coleite and Tone Rodriguez, this a gripping tale with very strong actors that deserves to have the story continued and a sequel made.As the Sons of Ipswich reach maturity they tap into the supernatural powers that are handed down from their fathers, but there is a force that is determined to absorb all of The Power and kill off all the rest of the families. The effects that are done here are top notch, some of the CGI is blended into the live action so well that it's as if it were real. The film flows so fast sometimes you think that there might have been something that you've missed, and the movie is well worth watching again to see them. The acting is extreme well done, all of the main characters are portrayed by some of the best young actors doing movies today. It would wonderful to see them all come back and do another installment in this story, if that's at all possible.
I'm not one to go after witchcraft films but the effects that were used caught my attention and I was interested in seeing what was done, and I was happily surprise how good they were. There is no over the top gory violence at all in the movie and the majority of the scary violence is more subjective supernatural, than visual gore. So if you like movies that deal with witches and the supernatural, this is one of those films you shouldn't miss, it's worth the time and effort to see a movie that is powerful in story and visually convincing.

Flyboys

World War I was a time of great discoveries and inventions, and not all of the stories have yet been told, but here is a story that should have been told long ago. Until I saw this film all I knew about the American volunteers in WWI was that they fought for the French, after that, I'm sorry to say is all I knew. Where this is based on a true story, it has sparked my interest in finding out more about the flyers that went to France in the early part of the war. The use of the airplane as a weapon during war was a completely new idea in the early part of the century, and from that point forward it changed modern warfare forever.The Lafayette Escadrille was a contingent of Americans who volunteered to fight along side the French as flyers in the early days of World War I, the young men joined for a variety of reasons but this group will learn that they must fight together if they are to survive or die trying. The CGI effects that are used here are as close to perfect as you can get, there are very few places throughout the film where you can really tell the effects from live action. The action sequences are great, even though I'm sure the filmmakers took some liberties with how the planes would actually maneuver, but that is of no detriment to the story. Most people will recognize James Franco from the Spider-Man series of films but here he stands out as the young cowboy who is trying to find his way in the world.
There are not a lot of films out there that deal with WWI and even less that tell about the American volunteers in France, but here we have a wonderfully done film that will peak any military enthusiasts interest. I would have liked to have seen this film on the big screen; the dogfights between the pilots are impressive and would have looked even more spectacular on a larger screen. I will be happy to add this movie to my list of must have war films, its fun, fast paced, and the action sequences keep you captivated to the point of holding your breath away.

Invincible

Feel good movies always work better when the lead character is the biggest underdog and a complete likeable person. Here we have a true set of events that gave us one of the best football stories to come out of the great 1970s seasons. Over the years Mark Wahlberg has shown the world that he is as versatile an actor as anyone in the business, short of Shakespeare he could probably pull off any roll that is thrown at him. Greg Kinnear plays Coach Vermeil with so much conviction that when he gives his speeches and little pep talks you can't feel anything but inspiration. With completing the worst season of football, the Philadelphia Eagles hire a new coach with a radical idea, hold open tryouts for the fans, and he discovers one of the fans has potential of becoming a true football player. The sets, costumes and the use of CGI for the stadium give you the true feeling that you are back in Philadelphia during the mid-70s. The game sequences are very well done, they look like your actually watch a game, just with better camera angles. The story itself has a nice sports/drama with a little bit of a love story thrown in to keep the whole thing on an even keel.
This is definitely one of those films that if you have a son trying out for football he should watch it, so he can see how much dedication and effort needs to be applied to the game to succeed. This movie shows us that even the most unlikely person can be the true inspiration for success, and then go on to become the leader that people will follow. As I've said before, Disney knows how to make movies that have heart and soul and touch us deeply so we remember the characters, and the people their based on, for a long time.

The Sword in the Stone

Turning classic stories into pure entertainment for child, and some adults, is one of the true cornerstones of Disney's history in filmmaking. Some of the films are better known than others, and some of the lesser known ones are just as entertaining but the characters just never struck a strong cord with the audience. In the way of classic stories one of the better-known ones is the story of King Arthur, and Disney showed that even this tale could be enjoyable. Based and inspired by the T.H. White book entitled "The Once and Future King", takes the point of view of Arthur ultimately becoming King as a young boy.Merlin is given a premonition that he will help and teach some one on their road to their destiny, but is unaware that that person is to become King of England. This a pretty basic Disney story with Merlin being a wizard with more humor than straightforward magic, and with Arthur's growing into becoming a man. The whole film fun and like most children's movies there are life lessons hidden inside the story, which is fine their not to overpowering. One of the best parts that are in the film is the Wizard's Duel where Merlin fights against an evil witch that lives in the forest. As you watch the film you will notice early character development for characters that later appear in Beauty and the Beast, so watch closely.
With such a large library of movies that Disney is continually expanding on, some of these older films may fall by the wayside and today's children may not have seen, or even heard of, some of these movies. This is definitely one of those films directed towards the young boys in the audience, but it is so enjoyable that girls would find it fun as well. If you've never seen this one before you might find it interesting to see the King Arthur story with some childish humor, and you might find your children have a new movie to add to the mix of Disney classics that they already love.

Detroit Rock City

In the 1970s there was no greater Rock band than Kiss, and this movie truthfully relays the total experience of what it was like growing up during that era. There are so many pop culture references through out the film its not possible to talk about them all, but I can say that since I lived through that time every thing that you see in the movie is completely authentic. Since Gene Simmons was one of the producers of the film you know that the Kiss side of the story would be as realistic as possible in the way it was back in 1978. Ultimately this is an old fashioned coming of age/road trip film that has one of the best soundtracks out there, with a nice mix of rock and roll, and dance music there's some thing for every one. Having tickets to see their favorite band, Kiss, in Detroit, four high school students must battle all kinds of obstacles including thugs, moms, and their own stupidity in order to see the greatest rock band in the world. The comedy that is laid out in this film is so well placed and set up that you have no problem accepting the situations that the boys get into. The music is also used to help set up the situations and once your in that frame of reference some of the jokes are even more funny. Edward Furlong is the leader of this band of young rockers, who most people will remember from Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and he does a very good job as the hard ass of the group. With his characters leadership the boys are able to stay on track until they reach the final goal of seeing Kiss in concert.
This movie brings back so many memories that its hard to think that those times are so far gone, some of them feel like they were only yesterday. Well deserving to be in the class of other coming of age films like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, this should be watched for the fun and happiness that it brings. So just sit back and remember the first time that you went to a concert with friends and how good you felt about it, this movie does that and more.

Alone in the Dark

Having the job as a paranormal investigator seems like a pretty cool way to pay the bills, but as we've all learned from movies, television and video games the decision to follow this profession can come back and bite you on the ass. This movie is another one in a long line of films based on a successful video game by the same name; unfortunately it did not grab the fan base from the game enough to warrant a sequel. Even though Christian Slater in the lead role was half way decent, the film doesn't have enough gusto to keep you completely enthralled and by the time you reach the halfway point your wondering how long this film is going to take.When creatures, which live in the dark, are set loose from a parallel world, a private paranormal investigator and the government's paranormal division, Bureau 713, must fight together to stop them and close the gateway into this world. The action sequences here seem to be dragged out and with the flickering lights in the scenes it gives the impression that they are trying to cover up some bad effects that they don't want you to see. There's not enough character development to really give you a chance to want the characters to survive against the creatures. As the story is going along you begin to wonder just how much of the storyline is truely from the game and how much was developed in the script, because if this is the way the game played out I can't see how it became a success.
There have been some successes over the years with films that have been made out of video games but this isn't one of them. I usually enjoy myself with a movie that has a blend of horror and science fiction in it yet here it seems that the two genres are forced together kicking and screaming and the marriage just doesn't work. So much more could have been done to beef up the story and then in turn expand on the effects that were used, and then maybe, just maybe, the film would have been more enjoyable to watch.

Romper Stomper

This is a little known early film starring Russell Crowe about a subject matter that the filmmakers don't shy away from, from beginning to end. The issue of racial hatred explodes onto the screen from the opening salvo to the ending fight scene, and keeps the movie moving with the high energy of a bull in a china shop. Crowe shows here the commanding presence of a well-trained and exceptional lead actor who will be one of the best actors to come along in a long time.A group of young neo-Nazi skinheads, in Australia, fight against the expansion of the Vietnamese community in their township and then when the fighting turns amongst themselves none of the group are speared. The harshness of the situations that are presented is so realistic that at times you want to cringe away from the screen not to see it. Having the skinheads be the catalyst for the violence against the Vietnamese was an easy choice and the audience, during the telling of the story, feels for both side of the argument.
If you enjoyed the film American History X, you'll find this movie interesting to see how the same issues are seen from another countries view point. This is a strong film, with very intense issues, to see and it shouldn't be taken lightly with the violence level that is shown. Once you get past the violence, the underlying story of friendship and love carries the rest of the film, but unfortunately the violence starts in the first few minutes of the movie and goes through to the closing credits.

A Scanner Darkly

Substance abuse is usually a subject that can be used to get a message across to the audience, whether it's that the substance is good or bad for you. Here the issue is that a natural flower is being turned into an elicit drug that is slowly destroying the populace and the police are trying to determine how its being manufactured and distributed. From the get go this is a confusing and disjointed story that probably could have been left on the roadside. I've always liked Philip K. Dick's stories; with the imagination and skill that he put into his tales he has shown us different and enlightening versions of our possible futures, but this one is so incoherant that the message is lost and your left thinking what just happened. An undercover cop is on assignment as a person addicted to Substance D, but is the paranoia that he is feeling a byproduct of the act or is something going on beyond his control. The idea of the animation layered over the actors and scenery was an interesting to the point of being distracting. There are times during the film that you are hoping that what you are watching is just in the character's head and at some point the movie will go to live action but that never happens. There are some story concepts within the film that allows the animation to actually work, but its not enough to carry the film being shot in this manner. The acting is alright but the animation distrcats from the actors ability to flesh out the characters behavior and mannerisms.
Confusion and disorientation are the first two words that came to mind once I finished this film, I've enjoyed most of the movies that have been developed from Dick's works, but this one just doesn't do him justice. The one other thing that I did see here is that Keanu Reeves has got to get beyond doing science fiction based films before he becomes just another B movie actor, if its not to late already. So if you haven't seen this movie already don't bother, you'll walk away with a headache that feels like it'll explode, if you have seen it I'm sorry I didn't get to you in time, the room for lobotomies is on the right watch your step.

The Protector

Over the years there have been a slew of martial artists that have tried to become the next king of the action film genre and from this point on the search is over. Tony Jaa is by far the greatest martial artist to come along in years, some of the moves that he uses in this film are truly gravity defying and at times its amazing that the stunt men used in the film didn't end up with some broken bones. There is one quick cameo by Jackie Chan when Jaa's character arrives at the Sydney airport; this adds the little bit of comedy to the tense situations that have been mounting to that point. With the theft of his family's elephants, young Kham goes to Australia to retrieve them and fights through the Asian mob to save his friends. The choreography that is set up for the fight scenes is beyond amazing, at times its breathtaking and the action moves so fast you have to watch it a couple of times to see everything that is happening. The story it self is very strong and multi layered, dealing with a range of issues from the poaching of endangered animals to corruption of the police force. Throughout the film there are times that you begin asking yourself if there is any thing else that they could possibly do to prolong the action, and around every turn the film makers come up with a new way to engage the characters.
This film proves without a shadow of a doubt that Jaa is the best, and at his age he'll be making action films of this type for years to come. If you haven't seen this movie yet your missing one of the best films to come along in years. With the renewed interest in the Asian cinema some of these movies, which would not have normally been seen by a large audience, get the viewing and respect that they deserve. This is definitely one of those movies that needs to be added to any action film library, and will be enjoyed over and over again.

One Crazy Summer

Comedy comes in many shapes and forms, some times subtle and at others straightforward. There were a lot of comedies that were made during the 1980s and most are forgetable and deserve to never see the light of day. Then there are some that even though they look dated by the costumes and props used; they still make you laugh time and time again. Of the early John Cusack films this is one of my favorites, the humor throughout the movie is reminiscent of the Three Stooges, situations that are just to ridiculous to believe until you see them happen.After graduation from Generic High, Hoops McCann doesn't know what he's going to do with his life but a trip with friends to Nantucket helps him understand how to overcome his fears in life. Some of the situations are so fantastic you can't help but laugh at them, but from beginning to end you'll have a smile. The actors throughout the film accept every prop setup and situation that is presented as if they're all every day events and just role with the punches. With a supporting cast with the likes of Demi Moore and Bobcat Goldthwait this comedy shows that it can survive the changing times and still be a fun movie.
There aren't a lot of comedies that could transfer the situational slapstick of the Three Stooges into modern cinema but there are a few out there. This is one of those films that when you need to change your mood you could throw it in and laugh to your hearts content. Watching Cusack in these early roles you can see the accomplished lead actor that he later becomes and the versatility of his acting shows that he could play any character that he portrays. Considering this movie was made in the 1980s there isn't any harsh language and the situations are pretty clean, you can sit down with the whole family and not have to worry about things being to dirty for the kids.

MirrorMask

In the genre of fantasy films there have been, over the years, some hits and some misses, and then you have the ones that are a good idea but the true spirit of the story doesn't come out within the scope of the movie. Here that problem is tenfold, the idea behind the story is very good and heartwarming, but the fantasy part of the tale warps in a way that it's easy to lose the meaning that's trying to be conveyed. The man behind the story is the great Neil Gaiman who, with the help of the Jim Henson Company, tells an interesting tale about a young girl growing up in a life she doesn't appreciate. 15 year old Helena doesn't like the way her life is going, but when her mother falls ill she discovers that the fantasy world she has created with her drawings is as out of balance as her own life and she is the only one to put both back to normal. The CGI effects and the costumes are very well done, as the movie goes on you get used to the actors wearing the masks, they become just as common as the masks that we all wear in our every day lives. The young actress that plays Helena, Stephanie Leonidas, does an outstanding job when her character has to deal with the blending of reality and fantasy, and when she goes into her Anti-Helena role you see a complete transformation of the actress.
Unless you're really into fantasy films this movie isn't for you, but if you like films such as Time Bandits and Labyrinth you might enjoy this. With all the underlying themes throughout the film it's hard to keep track of what issues are actually being dealt with. I can't say that I'd rewatch film, not that I didn't enjoy it, it was thought provoking and stylish but after you've seen it once you've got the whole thing. But I will say this in the way of fantasy films about problems that young women deal with; this was a creative and artistic way of visualizing the issues.

Saints and Soldiers

With movies like Saving Private Ryan and mini series' like Band of Brothers, films made about World War II have become more involved and realistic. It has been a long time since the audience accepted the actors playing the Axis characters speaking English just so the filmmakers didn't have to use subtitles. This story was based on actual events that happened during the war, and after watching this it just puts more emphasis on the idea that this generation was by far the greatest of them all.A small group of soldiers are trapped behind enemy lines when they rescue a British airman who has information about an enemy offensive that could break the lines of the Allies. The action starts right from the opening credits and your tied to the soldiers until the very end. The realistic battle scenes that are set throughout the film work to the point of making the audience edgy and this helps with the air of tension that builds from being behind the lines. With the solid acting that comes from the entire cast it's a shame that this film didn't get more playtime in the theaters.
The whole story is almost tailor made for Hollywood, with the uneven odds against the American soldiers of being outgunned and outnumbered and with the daring escapes and near misses. This movie should be seen by any one who is interested in WWII. After seeing Ryan and Brothers, my expectations were raised for any WWII movie that was made afterwards, and this one meets those expectations on all levels.

Castle in the Sky

I've watched a lot of Japanese anime movies over the years and every now and then I see one that I just have to sit back and say, wow. This film is a nice blend of sci-fi and fantasy with a storyline that captures you right from the beginning. With all the anime features that have come out over the years you'd think that eventually the stories would become stale or repetitive, but here the story is fresh and exciting. A young miner and a mysterious girl work together to find a long lost legendary island that floats in the sky and the unimaginable riches that it holds. The action sequences that are throughout the movie keep the pace up and at times rival many action films that are on the market. Hayao Miyazaki here has another wonderful story to go along with his other magnificent tales like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. The character development happens fast and you learn what you need to know about each of the people in good time but the main characters continue to grow throughout the story.
With characters that include pirates and robots this movie would be enjoyable for boys of all ages, it sparks the imagination and shows that anything that is possible if you just set your mind to it. I had wanted to see this film when I first heard about it, but until now never got a chance to see it, and I'm sorry I waited to long. I enjoyed this film so much that I could watch it again with out a problem and enjoy it just as much.

Barnyard

Finding enjoyable children's films has become easier in resent years, now that there are more companies out there that realize that the market for these movies goes farther than the theater. Most of the movies have some kind of fantasy world that the characters live in, but here the world is ours and the characters that star in this very inventive children's comedy are the farm animals that we all know and love, except maybe Mad Mike. With the idea that the animals have a secret life after dark or when no one is looking is a great concept and within the realm of believability for children. When things down on the farm start to go crazy the joyous and fun loving cow, Otis, jumps in to save the day after his fathers death. The CGI animation that is used gives you the feel that you are watching one of the old claymation stories that most of us have grown up on. The voice acting is very well done and the characters seem to fit the actors, and with seasoned actors like Danny Glover, Kevin James and Sam Elliot the effort from the entire cast was stepped up a notch. One of the fun things about this story is the idea that the farm animals are responsible for some of the strange things that go on around the local farms and towns.
This movie should be one of those films that children should watch; it helps show the ideas about responsibility, loyalty and how to stand up for ones self and for others. Some of the concepts are a little over kids heads, like the farmer is a vegan, and these might need to be explained to them. But the film is funny and enjoyable, and when you're looking at children's films, that's the most important thing. If they learn something from the movie then that's just an added bonus. So sit back, relax, and see whats been going on behind your back when your not looking.

Snakes on a Plane

There are movies out there that don't get a fair shake because of the bad choices that are made at the time it's decided on how to promote the film. This movie was toted as the summer's biggest blockbuster, and with a star like Samuel L. Jackson everyone thought that the advertising was true for once. Unfortunately what we ended up with is a film that reminds the audience of the old horror/monster B-movies, and if you watch it with that in mind, you'll enjoy the story more. If you have an aversion to snakes, its kind of obvious that you should not watch this film, but if you can get by that then you might enjoy it. While a federal witness is being flown back to LA, the crime lord that he is to identify loads the plane up with poisonous snakes in order to kill the passenger and crash the airliner. Throughout the film there are times that you can tell that they were using CGI effects and others where the live snakes were, but it all works out for the stroy. Every kind of airline passenger that there could possibly be ends up on this plane, from the anxious passenger who doesn't want to be there to the young mother with her baby to the traveling pop star who wants things his way, their all here. This movie is an hour and forty-five minutes and it moves so fast, by the time the film is over you don't even realize how much time has gone by.
This film reminded me of the good old days of watching the Creature Double Feature and being scared of the different monsters in the movies, everything from werewolves to giant spiders to mythical creatures, there was no limit to what the imagination could come up with. Just like those old time movies the title of the film tells you exactly what the movie is about and you know what to expect. I enjoyed this movie more than I thought I would but I didn't enjoy it enough to honestly want to rewatch it, but to see it once and enjoy it for what it is.

Tales from the Hood

As a rule anthology films don't do well in the theater when they're first released, it takes the release of the video/DVD to get into the publics hands to become popular in any way. This film was entirely geared towards an African-American audience, but the biggest problem that it has is evident from the very beginning. From the outset, this movie tries to inject reality into a series of horror stories but before long it becomes too preachy for its own good. As four young men try to rob a local funeral parlor, they are approached by the owner and given a tour of the house, which includes the telling of four tales about horrific deaths. The special effects that are used here are the only bright side to this movie; some of them are very inventive in how they are used. The stories are okay but they could've used a little bit more plot development to make them a little stronger. Out of all the performances in this film, David Allan Grier's role as the abusive boyfriend in the monster story shows how much of a range he has to be a dramatic actor. The Executive Producer of this little romp into the black horror genre is the famous director Spike Lee, but unfortunately even his talented hand could no save this film.
Done in the style of Tales from the Crypt, Twilight Zone or any number of other anthology films, or TV series, this film had to fight an up hill battle to capture an audience that it failed to do. This movie isn't the best of what's out there but its at least worth watching once or twice, if you've never seen it before it's interesting to see the view points shown in each of the stories.

Feast

As the years have gone by horror films have taken on a new direction, with the explosion of the Japanese horror genre and the sophistication of the audience, filmmakers have had to step up their craft to keep the viewers content. With the advance in special effects, even low budget films get the look of bigger budget movies, but here the better effects don't help a story that is weak in plot and doesn't have an ending that's satisfying. Four murderous beasts trap patrons of a out of the way desert bar and begin killing them off one by one, and as the people realize that the only way to survive is to work together, the beasts start to change their tactics of attack. The set up of characters through captions as each one is brought into focus slows down the scenes and becomes annoying real fast. The effects used for the creatures and the killings are very well done but as I've said before good effects are not a substitute for an inadequate storyline. The array of characters are well identified, every single one of them are people you would find in any bar on a Saturday night, and the actors portray them as honest representations of the stereotypical barflies.
With no clear conclusion to the story its hard to say that you can enjoy this film and want to rewatch it, the plot is cloudy and with no resolution to the story you feel that you've been cheated after watching the whole thing. The ending would have been better if it was being set up for a sequel but its not even that inventive, it just ends and that's it. Coming from first time director John Gulager, its not that bad but with a little bit more effort in the way of a story it could have been a lot better.

Space Cowboys

With this summer's movies, and some in the near future, we are going to see if some of the actors that we have grown up with can comeback and do action films. I have heard that some people say that it may not look to promising, that they maybe just to old to do this kind of movie. And this is why I chose this movie today, to show that age doesn't have to dictate the age of the star in an action film. With Clint Eastwood at the helm, he directs James Garner, Tommy Lee Jones and Donald Sutherland in an action movie that shows that age is just a figment of the imagination and you're only as old as you feel. Four Air Force pilots, who are testing to go into space, are side stepped in the 1950s for bureaucratic and personal reasons, but 40 years later when NASA can't do a job, the four men are called into action and show that they still have the right stuff. The opening sequences for the 1950s are done in black and white, and the men portraying the older actors have their voices dubbed over so that the audience can identify the characters easier. The humor that is laced throughout the film works every step of the way, and all the old people jokes are done tongue in cheek so that they are not to offending. The CGI works without a flaw and some of the footage of the space shuttle in orbit is so believable that you think that they are really there. All four main actors carry their characters as if they were the true representations of themselves, and that helps with the believability of the movie and the situations.
A couple of quick stats about this film, this is Eastwood's 22^nd time directing and this is the 42^nd film that he has starred. I enjoyed this movie so much that I rewatched it a couple of days later and laughed just as much the second time around. Movies like this show that given the right story, the right situation and the right actor's, an action movie doesn't need young stars to carry the film or the action within.

Reindeer Games

There are just some actors that are not cut out to be action heroes, most will give the genre a shot or two before they realize that its just not for them. This was Ben Affleck's first attempt at action and he just doesn't carry the movie well enough to say, lets try again. We all know that he did but that's a story for another day. Here Gary Sinise plays the bad guy and he does a good job, he's ruthless and headstrong and you can tell that the character will do anything to get things to go his way. A newly released convict is forced into robbing a casino that he used to work at, but the real question is who is robbing who and will any one survive. The beginning of this film starts out okay, but it quickly turns into a downhill fall that doesn't stop until it crashes. The storyline gets mucked up rather quickly and never recovers, as soon as the plot is intertwined it becomes a knotted mess that's not only confusing but also boring. With a director like John Frankenheimer you would think that the movie would have been more adventurous, like some of his other films, but you can only do what you can do with what you have, and here he didn't have that much to work with. Charlize Theron is good in her role as the girlfriend and throughout the film she shows, with a few nude scenes, why she's there (no body double used here and the only highlights worth watching for).
There are some films within a genre that you should avoid so that you don't end up with a bad feeling about other movies that fall into the same category. I was hoping that this film was better than all the things that I had been hearing about it over the years, but unfortunately everything I heard was true. You could get up from this movie and not really care if you got back to watch the rest of it.

Revenge of the Nerds

Of all the collage movies that have been made over the years very few have made such an impression that they are remembered fondly. This movie made the point that all people are alike in one way or another, and every single one of us has a little nerd inside that is just trying to come out. When this film came out there wasn't much hope for it being a hit, but once the audience got a taste it became as big a hit as Animal House was years earlier. However, if this movie were shot today the nerds would have pulled out automatic rifles and shot all the jocks while they were at the Homecoming Rally. But this is a comedy and most of us can look back at those times in our lives when there was some one that picked on us or we picked on them and laugh about the times when life was easy and carefree.When a pair of boys go to collage and are ridiculed for being nerds, they join forces with other nerds on campus to fight against the jocks and show what they're really made of. This movie showed that with a little ingenuity brains would triumph over brawn every single time. The scenes that are set up for the movie are, in most cases, to the extreme and wouldn't be allowed on any collage campus but the situations here are so funny you just don't care if they're real or not. Of all the actors, the shining star here is that of Anthony Edwards, who is better known for his role in the TV series E.R., but here shows the comedic side of his talent and with the help of the other nerd actors pull off some of the best sight gags on film.
I've been watching this film for years and no matter how many times I see it the laughs just never get old. There were three sequels done in this franchise but unfortunately the first movie is the best and the only one worth watching, the sequels just get dumber and dumber as they go on. If you've never seen this 80s classic its definitely a must see, you'll laugh so hard milk will come out your nose and that's even if your drinking Pepsi.

The Maltese Falcon

When you talk about the mystery genre one of the films at the top of the list of the best is The Maltese Falcon. This classic stars the great Humphrey Bogart in one of his most memorable roles as Sam Spade created by Dashiell Hammett. This film set the standard for all mystery films that followed; it became film history's first film noir, along with it being John Huston's directorial debut. This was the third time this story had been brought to the screen and this was the most successful version to date. Detective Sam Spade is drawn into a mystery with a group of lowlifes looking for a jewel-encrusted falcon that could be worth millions, if it exists. Huston shot this film with the brilliance of a seasoned director; there isn't one scene that isn't plotted out to give the audience just enough information to keep them on the edge of their seats. There are two other recognizable faces, besides Bogart, here; they are Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet. Lorre is known for the many characters that portrayed in mystery and horror films and Greenstreet is probably best known for his role in Casablanca. Bogart's role here was his brealtrough performance after years of being a contract player for Warner Bros., and showed that he was a bankable leading man.
Over the years there have been many films that have tried to copy the style and feel of this classic but so many fell short of capturing the audience the way this one does. There are many people that I have talked to over the past few years that have heard of this movie but have never seen it; this movie is a nice introduction into the genre of mystery films. Filmed at a time when there was more substance in the story than in action sequences, you might find that you enjoy this film on its merits and not the effects.

The Departed

When we talk about mob and crime dramas, we usually talk about the best and never talk about other films that are good but never reach the top of the mountain. This movie starts at the top and never looks down, it blows most of the competition away and buries them deep in the marsh, the way Frank likes it. Even though the three main actors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson, there is strong supporting performances by Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin and Martin Sheen that show this movie was well deserving of the Academy Award for Best Picture. When the Massachusetts State Police send an undercover officer to infiltrate the Boston Irish mob, they are unaware that the mob is doing a little undercover work of their own in the State Police ranks. Every facet of this movie is done superbly, from the accents that the actors are using to the locations where some of the exterior shots were done; everything is straightforward and very believable. Martin Scorsese directs this drama with the masterful eye that turns on every project that he is connected to, but here he gives you a story that maybe a retelling of an original but is so unique that its become an original all its own. The action sequences are so great that at times your left on the edge of your seat and you don't even realize it. This is filmmaking at its best and it deserves every accolade that it gets.
So many movies that are remade from Japanese films just don't capture the essence of the original but here it blows the original storyline out of the water. Coming from the Boston area myself, I wanted to see if they were going to depict a true Bostonian feel to the film, knowing that the final parts to the movie weren't shot in Boston. But everything looks and feels like you're here in the city, and truly you can't tell what was and wasn't shot here. The film grips you from the very beginning and never lets go, and by the end of the film when you think that the story is all over it just gives you another punch in the gut. Not to say that Scorsese didn't deserve the Best Director Oscar before but he certainly deserved it now considering that this is one of his masterpieces that will rank right up at the top with Goodfellas and The Godfather.

The Man with the Screaming Brain

There are a lot of movies that are made each year with very successful actors that just fall through the cracks and most people never hear of them or they just aren't good enough for studios to advertise for. This movie starring Bruce Campbell falls into the category of the studio trying to forget that they even put money into it and hopes that it gets swept under the rug. With a title like The Man with the Screaming Brain you know that there is going to be a lot of tongue in cheek humor, but once it starts trying to be like the old B-movies from the 1950s, 60s or 70s it loses any hope of being watchable. A businessman in Eastern Europe is attacked by a crazed Gypsy and is killed along side his cab driver, then an experimental surgery is performed to combine the brains so that the businessman can survive. This film is a combination of two other movies and just doesn't do it successfully; the two films are Steve Martin's All of Me and the 1972 classic The Thing with Two Heads. Campbell does a bad impression of Martin and unfortunately the story doesn't help when it drags its feet every step of the way. This movie shows how low budget it really is, the jokes aren't funny and they're as stale as last years bread, the sets are cheap and they don't even try to cover it up.
It was hard to sit through this film knowing that Campbell could do so much better, with all the great characters that he has fleshed out years its amazing that he went ahead with it, even though he wrote this story. I had hoped that I would enjoy this film, I like a lot of the B-movies that were made in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and this one gives the impression that it could be good. But regrettably it falls short of being anywhere near as enjoyable as those classics.

The Prestige

There is a fine line between obsession and dedication, and the people who are wrapped up in an obsessive situation do not see the harm that it is doing to their lives. This movie goes far beyond an obsessive behavior but shows how it can destroy not only the person with the problem but all of the people around them. Christopher Nolan has created a psychological thriller that goes beyond the every day thriller and he uses so much smoke and mirrors that the audience starts to question what they are truly seeing on the screen. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale who do such a convincing job as the two rivals play the characters with such hatred that it comes blazing off the screen. The secrets that a magician keeps are close to heart and when they are threatened they will do whatever it takes to keep them, but when two rivals become desperate for each other's secrets the obsession becomes dangerous and deadly. With a very nice blending of magic tricks and the advancement of science, with a little dash murder, suspense and science fiction, your drawn into the story of these two men and you can't look away until its over. The supporting cast headed by Michael Caine, is just as strong and commanding as the two leads, but here the sub-characters are such a significant part of the story, that without them you couldn't have this tale at all.
Once you've seen this film you end up with a new appreciation for the art of magicians and the work that goes into the suspension of belief in what you see is real. This is definitely a movie that can be watched over and over again, and you would never get board of it. As each trick is done on camera the audience feels the thrill as if they're seeing it for the first time and they're as amazed as little children who have seen true magic.

Freejack

Sci-fi films are some of my favorite movies to watch, and time travel storylines are some of the most inventive. Either the main character purposely goes into the time stream or is pulled in unwittingly by unknown forces, the fish out of water idea holds true in both instances. If the tale is inventive enough it can carry the audience's imagination to the edge of reality and beyond where everything that is viewed almost becomes an acceptable past or future. Here the idea that there is a technology that can pluck a person from the past, if you have the correct space time coordinates, and then transfer the mind of a dying person into that new body. Alex Furlong has just died in a spectacular race car crash, but wakes up in the future after being brought there at the time of his death by a power hungry businessman who wants his body. There are strong performances from everyone in the cast but the best out of all of them is Mick Jagger's part. Jagger as the relentless villain here shows how much he can truly act and carry a major role throughout the film. Up against the likes of Anthony Hopkins and Emilio Estevez, who are the two main adversaries, he shows that he belongs in the company of Hollywood's echelon of actors. The action sequences are well placed and keep a fast pace that goes throughout the film and never lets up until the end.
I enjoy this movie for a number of different reasons but the top one is that it's a fun ride and you could see so many possibilities of where the story could go from the end of the film. Since this story takes place in the future you would think that it would be decades down the road, but when the movie was made it was 1991and the future here is 2009, so isn't great that in two years we'll have all this technology to help screw us up even more. But seriously if you've never seen this film, or haven't seen it in a long time, check it out, it will bring back some fond memories and you'll see these actors in the prime of their careers.

Borat

Every now and then a comedy comes along that just strikes a cord with the audience, whether it's for the outstanding acting or the great script that has been brought to life by the cast. Here the comedian is Sacha Baron Cohen and the entire situation that he brings out in this film is so hilarious you'll feel like your sides are splitting from all the laughter. Some of the humor is crude, and the treatment of some people is demeaning and cruel, but if you just step back for a moment and see that what they're truly making fun of, is the stupidity of some of our every day situations and interactions, you'll enjoy the movie from beginning to end.Borat Sagdiyev travels to America, with a camera crew in tow, to examine and bring back the cultural teachings to benefit his own country of Kazazkhstan. Having the entire movie shot as a documentary works so well that you almost forget that what your watching is fictional work. Also with some of the editing techniques they make the film feel like it truly is a film produced in a foreign country for very little money. To see some of the true reactions from different people throughout the film your amazed at times that there are still people that live in country that act like this. Some of the situations that are in the movie are a little over the top but with the realistic banter between Borat and every person he comes in contact with you get the honest feeling that everything you see is possible.
When I started watching this movie I was hoping for a comedy that would live up to all the hype, and what I got was a movie that I couldn't stop laughing at. I haven't had this much fun watching a movie in a long time, once your in the right frame of mind, the story flows from one scene to the next like it was completely natural. To watch this film you have to be able to laugh at yourself, and not take offense easily. So if you've never seen this film, find it and have some fun at your own expense, just remember your jar of gypsy tears for protection, it's a must.

Whale Rider

There are few family films that are around now a days that show the changes from generation to generation, and how these changes can be harmful to the community at large. The entire story focuses on the young life of Paikea and how the choices that were made at the time of her birth, and then for the twelve years of her life, have effected the village that she lives in. The story is so strong that its hard not to fall in love with this little girl and her family, and with all the hardships that they go through there are times that you want to breakdown and cry. After years of being without a chief, through a twist of fate, to guide the village, Paka decides that all of the first-born boys be trained and completely ignores his granddaughter who is the rightful heir. The cinematography of this film is at times breathtaking and leave you awestruck and wanting to see these places for yourself. The conflicts that are shown throughout the film are no different from situations that many of us have had to deal with, and for that reason the movie is gripping because of the similarities to our own lives. The growth of Paikea's character from beginning to end shows how the ways of her ancestors were just as important in today's world as it was in the ancient times.
It's a pleasure to watch a story about a people who have such a rich history and can trace their origins back to the beginning of life on this island. A friend of mine recommended this movie and was well worth the time, after watching it I have the feeling that I've watched one of the better pieces of film out there on the market. This is a movie that the whole family can sit down and watch, and maybe learn a few things about what we all go through in life.

The Postman

There are some movies out there that have gotten a bad rap over time and in actuality the film isn't that bad to begin with, but because there's no one to say anything different it stays back in the shadows as a failed film, this movie defiantly falls into that category. After the failure of Waterworld, Kevin Costner attacked the post-apocalyptic world once again with The Postman. Here Costner's ability to direct very dramatic scenes, helps give this film the needed emotional landscape to drive the story to its natural conclusion of hopefulness.A dying world that has lost all hope and is driven by madmen, is given a chance at salvation when a lone drifter puts on a postman's uniform for warmth and comes up with a tale of a reestablished government in order to get food to eat. With the opening shots of the film Costner shows that it's going to be a complete contrast to Waterworld, since the opening shots are of a desert wasteland with not a drop of water in sight. Some of the action sequences just grab you and never let go, with elements from gladiator movies and the Mad Max series of films, at times you just don't know what's going to be coming next.
There are some movies that are worth watching again and again, and then there are some that you enjoy but don't watch a lot because of how long they are. This film is just shy of being three hours long, and well worth the time watching it, but because of the length most people will wait a while before rewatching it. I'm not a huge Costner fan but when an actor or director is willing to try and repair their mistakes in a genre of film I'm more than happy to give that person the benefit of the doubt that can do better. Here I'm happy to say that he redeemed himself and he did it with some style.

Brick

Usually when you want to see a movie in the film noir genre you have to look into the past and watch one from the 30s or 40s of filmmaking, that was until now. This movie brings back the style of film that to this day is popular and extremely fun to watch. The story is so gripping that once the movie begins you have a hard time looking away or even thinking about pausing the disc. Setting the story in the halls of a High School opens up the use of the natural cliques and social stands work perfectly for this murder mystery. When an old flame asks for help and then turns up dead, a young High School student must work all the angles of the mystery to discover what she needed help with and who killed her. The acting throughout the film is like watching the old actors from the early film noir era; every actor here plays their characters to the hilt and walk away with some of the best roles of their young careers. The camera work with the low and angled shots is so impressive that it's like watching the old masters at play.
I was amazed at how good this film is, the mystery, the intrigue, they just blow you away at how well planned and executed the whole thing is, at times you're literally sitting on the edge of your seat. Up until now we have not seen the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson on the screen in years, yet these actors carry the attitude and the swagger of the old time stars. As the debut work of writer-director, Rian Johnson, this film is a homerun with his first swing of the bat. If you've never seen or heard of this film its definitely something to search out and watch, if you like mysteries and are looking for something new, this is one of those films you can't miss.

Cinderella Trilogy

This is one of the most popular Disney stories of all time and with two sequels to continue the tale of Cinderella they have guaranteed that her name will go in the memories of young girls for decades to come. With all the advancements that have come along with the digitalization of pictures, Disney has taken the time and effort to clean up these early films and present them in a way that can only make them better for viewing. Cinderella - A young woman is tormented by her Stepmother and Stepsisters to the point of exhaustion, and when her Fairy Godmother comes to help her get ready for the Royal Ball, Cinderella's greatest dreams are about to come true. Considering the age of the film, and that the story is even older, the plot is straightforward and as essential to the values of young girls as it was when the movie was originally released. The comic relief that was added to this drama/musical is the mice and the other animals that live on the estate, and with the antics that follow them throughout the film there is no shortage of laughs.
Cinderella II: Dreams Come True - Although this movie sounds like a continuation of the first movie its not, its three tales that give more information about the supporting cast of characters. The first tale that is told takes place right when the Cinderella and the Prince return from their honeymoon, and she must put together a royal banquet. The second is about the mouse Jack who feels left out of Cinderella's life now that her dream has come true. And the last is about her stepsister Anastasia who gets into trouble when she falls in love with the local baker. The movie is very well done and the magic side of the stories live up to the Disney standard for the target audience, which are young girls who love the Princess stories.
Cinderella III: A Twist in Time - When the evil Stepmother finds out that Cinderella used magic to win the Prince's heart, she steals the magic wand from the Fairy Godmother and turns back time to a point where she keeps Cinderella from trying on the glass slipper. Putting a "What If" twist to this sequel was a very ingenious plotline and carries the story extremely well. With all of the major characters returning you get the feel from this film that it's the true sequel to the first movie and a much more enjoyable one than Dreams Come True.
Cinderella is one of the cornerstones in Disney's film vault and with the kind of stories that they continually turn out for the Princess storylines; this will be a long running series of films. My two nieces love these movies and it's quite understandable why, the characters are loveable and funny, and Cinderella is drawn with the beauty that could stop traffic. Then with a life that ends with a happily ever after, what little girl wouldn't want to be swept up by their handsome Prince and marry him for true love.

Mr. Holland's Opus

Life journeys don't always have a clear starting point, and usually we don't even realize that the journey has begun until it has reached its conclusion. Here the journey is on display, so we may all learn from the triumphs and failures, real or imagined, of one mans dedication to teaching young men and women the beauty of music in our lives. Richard Dreyfuss is in the lead role of Glenn Holland and brings off one of the must emotionally charged characters in his career, and once you see the whole film you can understand why he got an Oscar nod for his performance. The use of the changing times of the 60s and 70s and the growth of society in the 80s and 90s as the musical backdrop, works from beginning to end and you witness the evolution of the music with the classics as the bridge between all the forms that we know and love. This is the story of a passionate musician's 30-year journey to realize that the greatest gift he could give the world was not just the music he created but the understanding of the love for that music and how it touches each and every person he comes in contact with. Dreyfuss is in top form here and shows why he can literally play any role that comes along. Starting with his portrayal of the reluctant teacher to the passionate composer, he shows the range of emotions that every one of us has felt at one or another. The combination of the music styles is done expertly, showing how the early classics influenced the modern music that was being created in the 60s and 70s is done in a way that you walk away from the movie with a new appreciation for Bach, Mozart, and the other great composers. The make job that is done on all of the main characters is extremely well done; all of the actors look like they truly aged 30 years.
I have always loved the classics and have known that the music that was created by the great composers has influenced so many of our more modern musicians, but here you actually see, within the story, how the natural progression of the music happens. This is the kind of movie that should be watched by anyone who is in school and learning to play an instrument, or learning about music in general, you can see how lives are changed just by the notes on a piece of paper.

Secondhand Lions

Eccentric relatives are usually the relations that we learn the most from, whether it's the fact that we are taking life way to seriously or that we just need to relax and let things take their course. Here the relatives are played by Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, as the uncles, and with the stories that they tell their nephew throughout the film you can just about see someone from your own family being to be played out in front of you. The story is laid out very well, and doesn't allow either of the two stars to take too much of a commanding position in the tale. Like in most families one brother is usually more domineering than the other and that is the case here, but the two complement each other in a way that you can tell that neither would have survived their lives if the other wasn't there. Walter's mother has just dropped him off with his rich, eccentric and gun toting great-uncles for the summer, and Walter is about to learn the life lessons he'll need to grow into a man. Almost the entire film takes place on the uncles farm, and through the stories that are told you realize that the reason for the uncles wanting to be alone is just that they had always lived their lives the way they wanted to and no one was going to stop them. The twists and turns that this tale takes are very well placed and keeps the story moving to the point that by the end you feel that you know these characters well enough to call them family.
This film will give you a new appreciation for the older relatives in your family, and make you wonder about the lives that they have lead and the stories that they told you. After watching this film I realized that my grandfather at one time or another told me stories about his youth and how things were different back in the day. Stories about how he lived and grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania and how he went into World War II and the fighting he did. Between the guns, the pet lion and the stash of money somewhere on the property it's like watching home movies of the family, well maybe not all of it, but I can dream can't I.

Layer Cake

When it comes to drama the British seem to know how to do it and do it with style, where even the killings that need to happen seem to be done with grace and finesse. Also the star of this very well thought out drama is Daniel Craig, and after watching it you can see some of the reasons why they went with him as the new James Bond. Matthew Vaughn is the director of this elaborate drama and it will be very interesting too see what other films are out on the market by this very talented man.A British drug dealer is ready to get out of the illegal life that he has been a part of, but before that can happen he must complete one final deal that will either leave him a very rich man or a very dead one. The camera angles that are used helps with the mystery aspect of the film, at times you just don't know who kills who until Craig's character finds out. Some of the action sequences are just so straight forward that it's a surprise that they are just so enjoyable and it's a relief that you can have a pleasing experience without all the special effects that most of us expect now a days.
The style of the film just enhances the drama and just when you think the movie is over; they give one last kick in the ass. I had heard of this film before but didn't get a chance to see it until a friend suggested that I see it since I loved Casino Royale so much. The meaning of the title is quite evident by the fact that there's so many layer to the story and it a very delicious tale. If you've never heard of this film, or have heard of it not had a chance to see it yet, I'd say it's definitely worth the time to see.

Eragon

With the success of The Lord of the Rings trilogy a whole new life has been given to the fantasy epic story and a number of companies have thrown their hats into the ring. The latest addition to this realm is the first film in its own trilogy, Eragon, with a dragon and its rider being the main focus of the story. Any good story will have morals and lessons mixed into the plot for the audience, and here it's no different, but it's done with such flair that it's not over powering and it doesn't ruin the film.A young farm boy finds out that he is the long awaited Dragon -rider who prophecy has spoken about, and once he has control of his dragon he can fulfill his destiny. The CGI effects that are used are top notch, there are so many places within the film where things could have looked fake, but with the expert work that was done it all looks as real as if you where standing in front of Saphira herself. With the likes of John Malkovich and Jeremy Irons contributing to this epic story all of the acting comes away at a higher level then you would expect. The action sequences that are laid out help build the suspense as the whole story begins to unfold in front of you, and as each plot twist makes its appearance you get drawn more into the realm of the story.
If you, or your children, like the fantasy genre of films this is a great addition to any library and if you weren't sure if it was going to be any good, cast your doubts aside, its great. This will definitely go down as one of the better films with a fantasy theme, and if 20^th Century Fox does things right with the next two films, it could stand as an equal with The Lord of the Rings. With the wonderful acting and the great special effects, and the box office money it made, there is no reason that we won't see the rest of the trilogy real soon.

Unforgiven

Over the years Hollywood, and the audience that it entertains, has been fascinated with films about the old West, whether the stories being told were fact or fiction. The true stars of the westerns are few and far between, but Clint Eastwood stands at the top of the heap with few counterparts. This movie just adds another layer to that; already extensive persona that he has developed over the years with the characters that he has played. The main focus of this film is in the underlying story of how, even at the time that the events were taking place, that the truth about people and their actions were distorted for the public's benefit, and that true redemption comes from within not from without. A farmer's past life catches up with him when a young man rides in to ask for his help in shooting down two cowboys that attacked and cut up a prostitute in small Wyoming town. There are no pulled punches with this film, the costumes that all of the actors wear look as authentic as can be, along with the firearms that are used. You can tell that a lot of effort went into research to make sure that everything was just right. At the beginning and end of the film there are short text pieces that are scrolled on the screen, to give the audience a little more background on the main character. But it does something else, it gives you the impression that what you are about to see is a part of history, not just another piece of fiction, and this helps with the believability of the story.
Seeing Eastwood as the aged gunfighter trying to stay on the straight path of good is wonderful to watch. As the movie progresses you see that his character has, and hasn't, changed that much and the world still needs men of his stature to keep things balanced. After watching the film you can see why it won the four Academy Awards in 1992, the actors are great in their roles and the story itself is just enhanced by them all, and once again Eastwood has shown why he is one of the best directors in the business.

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles

Some of the rifts that are created between parents and children are nothing more than misunderstandings or a perceived blame is placed on one or the other, and then over time these issues become hatred. The situation that is in this movie shows how, without talking to each other, this hatred can destroy your inner spirit and leave you a shell of a person. The journey that is traveled in this film, not only has the emotional baggage of an isolated relationship of father and son, shows that with the right help any problem can solved, whether the issues are real or imagined.
After years of estrangement, a Japanese father finds out that his son is dying and as a show of love, he embarks on a trip to China to fulfill his dream of seeing a special folk opera. The filming of the contrast of the two countries is extensive, you see the difference between Japan and China isn't just land size and language it goes well beyond into mind set and belief of the two cultures involved in this drama. As the characters travel through the country the scenery that is shot, is at times, breathtaking and you start to realize how large and expansive China truly is, instead of a shape on a map. The emotions that the main character Gouichi Takada(Ken Takakura), the father, display are so genuine that at times it brings you to tears to see the hardships and roadblocks that he goes through just to accomplish one task.
This film is a very touching and moving piece of human drama; I can only imagine that there are some fathers out there that would go through the trials and personal examination that this character does. To see the difficulties that this man goes through is heartbreaking at times and you begin to wonder if you yourself would be able to do the same if the situations presented themselves. This is a highly emotional film directed by Yimou Zhang, and if you can sit through all of the subtitles, it is well worth the time to see.

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Usually when you have a low budget B-movie, that's so bad most people don't even want to waste their time thinking about it let alone watch it, that it slips into obscurity and only hardcore fans ever see or enjoy it, it's just labeled as a waste of time. But here there was something different, who in their right mind would have thought that Roger Corman's Little Shop of Horrors would have a highly successful run as a Broadway musical, and then have it turned right around and go back to the movies and become an extremely successful musical comedy. If nothing else history has shown us that even the most ridiculous of ideas sometimes become that most successful triumphs.
A failing flower shop pins all of its hope on a bizarre plant that lives on blood and has a plan to conquer the planet with plant domination. With cast members that fit every role, even the voice acting for Audrey II, this is a nonstop ride that keeps you laughing and singing along with them from beginning to end. You can tell that the entire movie was shot on a soundstage, but that helps the campy feeling of the movie and for the time period that it's set in. The greatest feat that the effects offered here was the creation of Audrey II in his fully-grown form, between the fluid movements of the character to the lip syncing for the talking and singing, you can almost believe that the plant is real.
I'm one of those hardcore fans that love the original Little Shop, but I could watch this version forever, between all the comedy situations throughout the movie and all the up beat music, I can't help but enjoy myself. After the success of this 1986 film many audiences were given a chance to watch the story on stage, because high schools across the nation started performing the play as part of their theater groups senior classes. As you watch this movie you can't help but tap your feet and sing along with the cast, so if you've never seen this film prepare yourself for fun, laughs and excitement, that's non stop from beginning to end.

Munich

History is a constant flow of facts and events that are not always seen in a complete light until years later when the truth is told by people that were present at the time and only then can the world judge the actions that were taken. I can barely remember the incidents that happen at the beginning of this film, considering I was only 7, I do have a memory of the gunmen out on the balcony and thinking, they don't look like gorillas.
After the televised hostage situation at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, where the whole world stood witness to the atrocities that took place, Israel took matters into its own hands and searched for the men that were ultimately responsible for the operation. This is a perfect example of how Steve Spielberg has grown as a director, expanding the adult oriented library of films that he has made. While you're watching the film you begin to realize the detail that went into the making of the movie, from the cars to the costumes to the props that are used by every single actor, all of it looks like it came right out of the mid 1970s. The lead actor here is Eric Bana, who most people will remember from The Hulk or Troy, but here he shows the versatility of his acting where his character has a hard time coming to terms with the mission that he is sent on.
This is a highly emotional film and I wouldn't expect anything less from Spielberg, but its not like other films he's done over the years, once you've seen it you could probably go a very long time without seeing it again. Watching it once will be enough for me, I'm glad I've seen it but to rewatch it'll probably never happen. This is a very well done thriller and it'll keep you're mind occupied, but to think that any one would want to watch it over and over again is asking a little much.
I think back on all the things I've seen over the years, and I wonder how many times are we going to go to the brink of destruction and turn away at the last moment. How many times before we just say, we just can't do it any more and jump into the abyss. We all must learn, as a whole, that violence begets violence and it does not bring peace and understanding, if we continue in this direction the only people that are going to know peace and understanding are the dead.

Lost in Space

Within the genre of movies based on TV series there are few that capture the original storyline as well as this film. Basic sci-fi always uses the fantastic to help drive the story, but keeps the characters well grounded so that the audience enjoys the trip and hopefully by the end they want more. The cast of actors are headed by William Hurt and Gary Oldman, who bring this troupe of spacefarers through a highly action based story.
When an interplanetary space flight is sabotaged, sending the ship and crew into the far reaches of the universe, the family of explorers must battle against unknown forces to find survive and find their way home. The whole movie has the feel of the original series the cliffhanger scenes and the dialog that just seems to come naturally for each of the characters. Having some of the shadows of the TV series show up throughout the film, actors, sound effects and props, help remind the fans of where the story comes from. Some of the effects by today's standards aren't that good, and there are a few spots where they could have been cleaned up for the DVD release but weren't, but all in all they don't draw anything away from the movie or the story.
With the success of this film you would think that New Line would try to turn this into a franchise, and continue the story. But for whatever reasons this turned out to be the only film, and it's a completely enjoyable ride from beginning to end. I think with the right cast and the right storyline almost any of the old TV shows could be successfully brought to the big screen, but as we've all seen over the past few years sometimes the stories are just thrown together and we get a disaster which leaves a sour taste in our mouths for the next movie that comes out.

The Black Godfather

I have always believed that to be a good reviewer of movies, you have to willing to watch films that maybe out of the scope of the genres that you would normally watch for enjoyment. This film falls into one of those genres that I haven't watched a lot of but I am willing to explore new ideas and new films to expand my way of viewing. In the hay day of 1970s film making the film genre of Blaxploitation ran the gambit of issues from drugs, crime fighting, fighting militants, just to name a few. Most of the films had a completely black cast but there were some, like this film, that had white actors in supporting roles.
A black man leads an attempt to overthrow the mob organization that is running the drug trade in his neighborhood of the city. The title of the film is an obvious play off of the success of The Godfather, just set up for the black community. The acting is a little stale but for the time period that it was shot in and the fact that there probably wasn't too much money spent, it comes off pretty well. The story itself is strong, but with the mild frontal nudity, the occasional swearing and the over exaggerated gun play you can tell that the film makers were doing what ever they could to grab hold of the audience.
The social issues that are examined throughout the film are straightforward and some of them are still a concern in today's world. The biggest issue that is identified is the drug use and how it's destroying the black community, almost sounds like a story that could be shot today. This film is worth watching to see how the black film community took matters into their own hands to create movies that showed the world that they had just as much talent as any other person in Hollywood.

Blade Runner - The Director's Cut

There are some sci-fi movies that just seem to get better with time, and then when the director is able to release their movie in the style that they wanted it just steps up another notch. When Warner Bros. released this movie on DVD it gave Ridley Scott the opportunity to change some of the things that were bothering him about the way the film looked. The three major things that were changed were: 1) the happy ending was taken out, 2) Harrison Ford's voice over narration was removed, and 3) a dream sequence was injected to give the Deckard character the look that he may not be what he seems.
When a group of replicants come to Earth on a murderous rampage, Rick Deckard, a professional Blade Runner, is given the assignment to track them down and kill them. The action sequences that are throughout the film are very well done and they help give you the feel of that this is a sci-fi suspense story. The sets that are used are completely believable as a future Los Angeles and with the little bits of advanced technology; you have the feeling that this could be the future that is right around the corner. The two stand out actors here are Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer, both do a wonderful job as the good and evil characters, but as the story progresses you just don't how evil Hauer's character really is.
This film rightly deserves the description of masterpiece, and with the changes that Scott did for this cut make it almost a completely different movie. Even though this story is set in the not to distant future, it doesn't take away the human side of the characters and they seem more modern then most. I've seen this movie repeatedly over the years and just never get tired of it, and with the changes that have been made I now have an alternate movie to watch depending on my mood.
When they re-released this film in a DVD box set, the set included four versions of this tour de force, the 1982 original, the 1982 international release, the director's cut and then a final cut, with new footage and special effects. This is the kind of movie watching that true fans get into, they are given the oppertunity to see all of the versions available and choose which one they want to watch. It's a shame that more film companies don't offer box sets in this fashion, they would find that more often than not there is an audience out that would truely love to watch films the way they want to see them.

15 Minutes

Andy Warhol said that in the future everyone would be famous for 15 minutes, there are some people out there now who have gone far beyond their 15 and should be stopped before they go any further. But this movie takes that adage and pounds it into the ground showing the different sides of fame and how each of the characters deals with it differently. With the examination of today's society and how it acquires its information at whatever cost, we are offered a look at the down side of the journalistic morals.
When two European men come to New York and begin a murderous rampage, that they record, are tracked down by one of New York's finest, who has a thing for the limelight, with the help of a FDNY arson inspector. Edward Burns is the stand out actor in this film, even though it was billed as a Robert DeNiro film, and he does a very convincing job as the arson inspector. Any movie that uses fire as one of the aspects of the story has got its work cut out for it, and here, like so many others, its used in a way that drives the characters to fight to survive within the story. The drama that is laid out keeps the story intriguing to the point that when you reach the end; you almost want to cheer for the good guy.
There were some things in this film that I would have considered at the time to be slightly over the top, but with all the things that we have been exposed to since the making of this movie those same things seem rather tame now. This is a very good movie that has some interesting ideas that should be examined, about the video journalist and their viewing public. Once you watch it you have to wonder what side of the fence do you sit on, and what side would you admit to sitting on.

Watership Down

When a book comes onto the scene that completely captivates the public's imagination it's almost guaranteed that it will be turned into a movie. And since the characters in this story are almost completely of the rabbit persuasion you get nothing less than an enjoyable movie for the children. Like any good story you have to have a good villain to counter the strong lead characters, and with the rabbit General Woundwort as the nemesis you get as vicious a character as in any action film. Since the entire movie is shot from the viewpoint of the rabbits it gives the audience a chance to see the life and tribulations of this species and how it struggles to survive on daily basis.
After seeing a vision of death and destruction, a small group of rabbits leave their warren to escape the hazard but fall into the adventure of a lifetime during their journey to a new life. This film was made in the late 70s so the animation isn't as good as it is now, but it's the story that drives this movie and with the cast of characters that are involved it's enjoyable from beginning to end. The voice over work is very well done and the cast of actors is lead by John Hurt who does a wonderful job as Hazel. There are some violent parts, so it may not be suitable for younger children, but some of the traditional values that are dealt with, loyalty, courage, spirit, are well worth the time for our younger generation to watch and learn from.
Obviously due to the constraints of turning a book into a movie a lot of information that is given in the book isn't used to make the movie, and some of the actions, situations and attitudes of the characters aren't completely explained. The movie is a wonderful piece of work, but if you have the time and the inclination you should find and read the book, it will captivate you just as much as the film does.

Farce of the Penguins

When something becomes so popular that it gets a parody made about it, you know that it has entered into the public consciousness and just the mentioning of it brings a smile to your face. The latest influx of penguin movies, and the re-release of others, has shown that the public, young and old, are interested in the lives that these little critters live. So it is only natural that someone would come along and show us the inner thoughts and interactions that goes far beyond the information that we learned in March of the Penguins. Bob Saget took it upon himself, with a little help from his friends, to show us that these cute, little, adorable animals are as charming and lovable as frostbite on your privates.
Two penguin buddies, Carl and Jimmy, march the 70 mile trek across Antarctica to the penguin mating ground to meet their mates and change their relatinship problems once and for all. The entire film is all stock footage that had been filmed over the years about penguins and that alone makes some of the situations that are in the film even funnier. With more stars than most Hollywood parties this movie openly tells you that these stars can't be mentioned or else they have to be paid. Saget called in all kinds of favors to get some of these actors to do their parts, but it's worth the effort and shows how much fun they all had making this film. Samuel L. Jackson does the overall narration and with his work here he shows how commanding a voice he has and that when he says something, you'll listen and not talk back.
This is not a movie for the children, it has a complete adult oriented theme and dialog, and at times it's so funny that you just have to shake your head in disbelief. I wasn't expecting too much from this comedy but from the trailers it at least looked like it would be some fun. This is a very enjoyable film, and its even funnier if you've already seen March, but even if you haven't you'll laugh and have some fun.

Babel

There are some movies that are made that start out to show the problems we have in the world and what we should do to solve those problems. Unfortunately this isn't one of them. What this is is a confusing, discombobulated story that starts out fine but 15 minutes into the film and you need a road map to figure out what is exactly going on. The main part of the storyline plays on the stranger in a strange land concept and does it very well, with everything from the environment to the languages that are used you get the full attack on you senses.
When an American female tourist is shot while on vacation, it sets into motion a series of events that span the globe and cross the language barrier repeatedly. The stories that weave this tale together are very intricate and interconnect repetitively throughout the film. The use of the different languages, with the characters not truly understanding the speech around them, works very well to show the disadvantage of not knowing another language. The movie doesn't have a clear starting point, let alone a clear ending, and this is the biggest drawback for it. Even though it is a very highly emotional story the way it jumps around does not give a true handle of what's going on. There is one high point to this film and that's Brad Pitt's performance as the American father in Morocco, he plays an older character with wrinkled skin and graying hair and does it extremely well.
This was by far one of the most disconnected films I've watched in a long time, I was hoping for an intelligent straightforward film, but what I got was a puzzle that I had to put together backwards. There were some parts of the film that were good but unless there is a strong story that's going in one direction to connect them all what you end up with is a jumble and who wants to spend two and half hours trying to figure out a jumble. I'm sure when they came up with the idea of using the biblical Tower of Babel story it sounded like it would work very well, but even in the Bible the story has a beginning and an end and goes straight through from one to the other.

Watchmen

After years of waiting for The Watchman comic book mini-series classic to be turned into a movie, fans were ecstatic to hear that their dreams were coming true in 2009. Teaser trailers and then longer theatrical trailers pumped the adrenaline into the fans at breakneck speeds, with action sequences that seemed to come to life right from the pages. With all the hype from the studios, and the fight with Fox studios over ownership, the movie fans were getting a little leery about how good this film was really going to be.
After years of being in retirement The Comedian, a former member of the super hero group The Watchmen, is murdered and sets off an investigation the may lead to the destruction of the world. Visually this film is drab and unremarkable which reflects the “real world,” but then where the heroes are involved the color strikes out and almost breathes life into the scenes. The film gets bogged down in the outdated 80's message that its trying to convey, that nuclear weapons are bad and that the super-powers should disarm and play nice with each other. Because the film makers push the message as much as they do they don’t spend to much time on the action aspect of the story. The action sequences are very well done, the sequence at the prison riot is extremely good, but there are so few its hard for the audience to keep focused through this 2hr 43min movie. One thing that you must keep in mind about this film is that there isn’t too much that you need to see on the big theater screen. There aren’t a lot of special effects that you need to see in the theater, any household with a big screen TV, which is most of them now a days, will show you the same thing, and where the film is almost three hours long you’d be more comfortable. All in all the movie is well worth the time to see, the only draw back is that if there is a younger audience watching then there may be questions afterwards about different aspects of the story. But that’s something we should all be looking for in our movies, something to take us away for awhile and to challenge our minds, and this film works both of those facets nicely.

Dracula (1979)

Over the years there have been hundreds of movies made about vampires and dozens of those that use the character of Dracula. There have even been successful plays about Bram Stoker's most famous vampire and in the mid to late 70s a version starring Frank Langella hit the stage to rave reviews. And of course anything that is successful Hollywood jumps right in and turns it into a movie as fast as possible. Bringing this version to the screen, Universal was able to create an eerie and suspenseful story that at times draws the audience so far into the tale that you yourself can feel the terror and desire of the characters.
The mysterious Count Dracula moves from Romania to a deserted Abbey in England and begins his reign of terror on the local populace. The music for this film was done by the great John Williams and sets the mood from the opening scenes to the closing credits. With Langella as Dracula, the sexuality of his character with that of Lucy and Mina just drips off the screen and you can't help but see the love story that Stoker imbedded in the original. The other strong performance in this film is that of Sir Laurence Olivier as Van Helsing, his portrayal of Dracula's nemesis is by far one of the best.
I have always loved this version of the Dracula mythos and there are parts of the film that were done for suspense, that to this day have not been repeated on film for this story. Langella is a very good Dracula and brings that human side of the character to the film that has been lost over the years in other versions. With the examination of the character here, you feel the loneliness and the desperation of the long stagnant life that he is forced to live. If you love the vampire stories and have never seen this version, you are truly missing out on an adaptation that is well worth the time.

The Right Stuff

After the launch of the Space Shuttle in the early 80s, we as a public became complacent about sending astronauts into space, just like we did in the 70s. It just became something that we do and that there is no real risk involved, but we learned twice with the shuttle flights that that isn't so. The risk and training that these men and women go through was pioneered in the 50s and 60s by some of the bravest men this nation could ever produce. This film shows the trials and tribulations that the early astronauts had to go through with the military, the scientists, the government and media of the day.
Sending the first men into orbit around the Earth is not an easy task and with some of the best, hot shot pilots from the military doesn't make it any easier, but they get it done. The mix of stock footage within the film helps with keeping the story grounded in reality, and as the story progresses you feel all the hardships and pain that the astronauts and their families go through. The sets that were constructed were done with meticulous detail and it shows with all of the props that are used throughout the film, you feel like you're in the time period that this is all taking place. The acting of the eight main characters is just superb, you truly begin that these men were the astronauts that were going up into space.
If it weren't for these men in the early stages of the space program we would not be where we are today, an international space station, the landings on the moon (and the planned return trips), and the talks of interplanetary travel to Mars. After watching this film I had the proud feeling of being an American, and seeing that with determination and perseverance we can do what ever we set our minds to do. This is a nice film for any one who is interested in the space program and how it was developed; it has a lot of good information that you can learn from.

Into the Blue

Having movies remade with a more current theme is a trend that has been going on for decades and more recently they have flourished with some very good remakes and some poor ones as well. This film here is a new imagining of the 70s movie The Deep, that was originally written by the famed author Peter Benchley. With the stepped up action and the more complex storyline this is one of the better remakes I've seen in a while, and with Jessica Alba running around in a small bikini and her underwear half the time, the film is made that much more enjoyable.
When a group of divers find the possible resting place of a huge deep-sea treasure, their problems are just beginning when they also find a downed plane with a cargo hold full of cocaine. This film is full of action sequences and with a cast of actors that know how to the carry scenes, with their looks as well as their acting talent, you are left breathless through most of the movie. With the more intricate story to work with, the filmmakers were able to expand on all of the characters involved and actually add a few new ones for good measure. The film moves along at a good pace with so many twists and turns, that before you realize it you're left wondering who the bad guys really are.
The similarities between the two movies are great and with the modernization of this story, along with the action, it helps bring an audience to a pair of films that may not get the attention they well deserve. I'm a big fan of the original film and this remake does it justice. I was a little skeptical about this film, after all so many remakes are done poorly and leave such a bad taste afterwards that many people don't even search out the original t see what was done wrong. But after seeing this film I can honestly say that its well worth the time watch and hopefully it will interest some people to find the first movie and do their own comparison.