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.