Reviews
Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983)
...THE FUNK OF 40,000 YEARS...
I grew up watching this music video (I taped it on Beta tape when I was a kid back in 1983) and the making of it as well. I have always loved it, and I still do. As far as I'm concerned, it is the best and most classic music video ever made. Not really worth buying being that it's so short, but if you come across it on one of MTV's Top so-and-so of all time countdowns, definitely record it. It's close to miiiidnight...
Superman III (1983)
PRETTY GOOD
Yeah, it is kind of goofy and silly, but overall it is good. Pryor is hilarious as always, and Reeve does a good job. I think the scene where he plucks peanuts at the mirror is hilarious!! Anyhow, this is the last good Superman sequel (please don't see Part 4!!).
Superman II (1980)
BETTER THAN THE FIRST
Yes, I must say. This one is better than the first. We actually know the whole story now so it makes the occuring events a whole lot more exciting. One of my favorite films as a kid a well. Especially the prison scenes and the Niagara Falls scenes! Oh, the diner scene is interesting as well. worth your time, though the DVD extras are not good.
Nine to Five (1980)
"It Looked Like Skinny and Sweet..."
One of the best comedies around. I simply love this movie. All performances are wonderful, and I especially like Coleman's slimey peformance as Mr. Hart. From square one, it never bores and always entertains. A real comedic treat (even from Fonda). 10/10
Superman (1978)
CLASSIC CINEMA
I can not believe that they are making a new version of Superman. How dare they? Yeah, the old series was OK, but Reeve made Superman who he was and still is. Though it is a bit overlong, it is definitely worth it and it is very exciting to watch. Great performances, and a great DVD as well.
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
OH MY GOODNESS
This film is fall-down funny. I love it so much, and always have since I was a child. It's so colorful and Herman's whole appearance and character is so unique and child-like that you can't help escape from reality and laugh your hardest for a little while. Also, E.G. Daily is a little cutie. 10/10
The Warriors (1979)
WARIORS...COME OUT AND PLAY...
I was always reluctant to watch this film due to the whole idea of it not really intriguing me. Boy was I wrong!! This film is one of the best films I've ever viewed, and I actually consider one of my top favorites. Many familiar faces, an awesome '70s score, superb Walter Hill direction, and even THE THING's Windows (Thomas G. Waites) made this film a pleasure to me. I highly recommend it. 10/10
Adaptation. (2002)
STRANGE YET ENTERTAINING
One of the strangest films I've viewed recently, but it is still extremely entertaining. The characters are oddly very involving and the storyline is very involving as well. Cage is wonderful and totally convincing as are the talented Streep and the slimy character perfomed by Cooper. 9/10
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
NOT BAD
Totally entertaining film (one of the better of the year) featuring amazing performances from all involved (including Walken). Every event moves at a good pace and the film never bores. I was quite shocked to see Brolin in a mainstream film for a change as well! 9/10
About Schmidt (2002)
EXCELLENT COMEDY-DRAMA
This is possibly the best movie I've seen in years. Nicholson is totally amazing in this role-wonderfully dramatic yet painfully hilarious. I was shaken to tears in the final sequence as well. Great all-around (except for the hot tub scene!!!).
Night Shift (1982)
LUUUUUUUUUUUUUVBROKERS!!
Very funny comedy from Ron Howard. Winkler and Keaton are a great duo and they team up very successfully from what I see. The whole premise is completely absurd, but you never know, it could happen. Nonetheless, engaging performances and great humor serve up a very good film. 9/10
Psycho (1960)
SHE WOULDN'T HARM A FLY...
Clearly, the best horror film ever made. I have never seen a movie with so many tricks and surprises pulled off in a successful manner. I was so involved with Janet Leigh's character when I first watched this film. Yet I knew she was doing something wrong. Suddenly when her final destination is at hand, I was purely surprised. Then suddenly, I'm pulled into the world of a hermit-like motel owner who cares for his invalid mother. I see no mistakes or bad moves in this film, and the performances are excellent. 10/10
One Dark Night (1982)
HOLY MAUSOLEUM, BATMAN!!
I have to admit, this film is definitely worthwhile. It is somewhat corny and silly, but it still means well. Meg Tilly (when she still had her teenage-girl hair) plays a high schooler who, in order to fit in with a bunch of snooty girls, must accept a very challenging initiation: sleep in the Hollywood Mausoloeum! Not many surprises or spoilers here, but the film does have very eerie atmosphere. We learn to sympathize with the quiet, shy and sweet Tilly and we learn to totally despise her nasty tormentors. And why Adam West is in this movie is beyond me. 8/10
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
WONDERFUL
Possibly the greatest film ever made. One of the most moving and uplifting ones, too. I seen this movie in theaters in 1982 and I absolutely remember every moment of it. The overall look and feel of it is just so rich and refreshing and the performances are outstanding from all, especially Drew Barrymore. Spielberg is indeed the master of filmmaking. 10/10
Body Bags (1993)
HUMOROUS THRILLS
Oh yeah! This is pure entertainment. All stories are good in here and all performances are good. Carpenter has finally put out something that I LOVE to watch since CHRISTINE. The first story with Carradine is a predictable story but is still well-made and it looks absolutely chilling. Stacy Keach is great as a man with a strong desire for more hair....Sheena easton is sexy as ever as his girlfriend. And Mark Hamill is just as good as a baseball player with an eye for certain things...Definitely worth owning and being watched repeatedly. 10/10
They Live (1988)
I HAVE COME HERE TO CHEW BUBBLEGUM...
One of Carpenter's better latter-career projects. Roddy Piper and Keith David keeps things going (especially in their extended fight sequence) as two construction workers who fight to save the world from being taken over by a whole different race. Though the storyline is completely absurd and the conclusion is an utter let-down, the film is overall a good action flick that is, as always, handled well by Carpenter. 7/10
Prince of Darkness (1987)
DECENT
I can't bag on Carpenter - he's my favorite director of all time - but this film lacks something. Or it has too much of something. Whatever the case, it is nonetheless worth a watch because Carpenter DOES know how to make a decent film.
Escape from New York (1981)
HEARD YOU WERE DEAD...
The definitive action flick. One of Carpenter's first bigger-budget flicks, EFNY is a highly entertaining action piece graced by the solid tough-guy performance of good ole Kurt. Well-made by Carpenter and his entourage (again working with a somewhat low-budget) and Ernie Borgnine is wonderful as Cabbie. Though the sequel, EF L.A., is made by Carpenter and it does star Kurt again, it was made with a humongous budget and basically has the same storyline, so it is therefore a near-carbon copy. 10/10
Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT
Any movie that has Norris from THE THING, John Larroquette, the dad from LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, Dick Smith, a frightening monster, John Lithgow, and Dan Aykroyd in 2 different roles, has got to be worth viewing. Well, that it is. TZ-THE MOVIE is great entertainment from the first story featuring the late, great Vic Morrow to the last one featuring the frantic Lithgow. Although Spielberg's story is somewhat not what I expected for a movie like this, it is nonetheless still worth a view. 8.5/10
This House Possessed (1981)
NEAT LITTLE THRILLER
Utterly weird but extremely neat little TV thriller. Once again a perfect example of how they do not make TV movies like they used to. Parker Stevenson is pretty good as a rock singer who is inexplicably drawn to take a vacation and move into a top-notch, amazing home. Suddenly, strange things start occuring to him and his girl Lisa Eilbacher. Though it has a very low-budget look to it, this film is good entertainment and the last time I viewed it was on TBS several years ago. Worth tracking down.
The Onion Field (1979)
COMPELLING
THE ONION FIELD is one of the better crime dramas ever made. If it weren't for wonderful performances from John Savage and James Woods, this would have been your typical TV-movie-of-the-week rubbish. Even though it looks completely dated by today, the film wonderfully tells the true-life story of a pair of motiveless criminals who decide to abduct two policemen and eventually kill one of them. The other (John Savage) escapes and the two thugs are captured. During the trial, Savage starts to fall apart due to guilt for not having done his duty. Seales seems to be overacting in his role, but at least he tries. Nonetheless, I give it a solid 8 out of 10.
Three's Company (1976)
JACK!
My all-time favorite TV show. They sure don't make 'em like this anymore. John Ritter is priceless in his classic role of Jack Tripper, the clumsy, good-hearted ladies man who aspires to become the world's greatest chef. Joyce DeWitt is cute as ever as the level-headed, sexy and intelligent florist. The rest of the cast, particularly Suzanne Somers and Don Knotts, were all memroable and great as well. Every episode is worth watching, but the best seasons were 1979-80, 1981-82, and 1982-83.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)
DARJEELING OR EARL GREY???
Unique suspense film made in Canada in the mid-1970s. It's a shame that no one has ever really noticed this little film. Well, TBS sure did and I first watched it on there in 1987 or 1988. Since, I have found it in a couple of video stores and eventually taped it off of TBS in 1990 or 1991. Nonetheless, it is a truly wonderful thriller featuring a spectacular performance from a young, gifted Foster. Sheen and Smith are quite nasty as her enemies, and Shuman and Jacoby are good as her friends. Altogether, a remarkable suspense film that has not received the praise it deserves.
Easy Rider (1969)
CLASSIC PIECE OF AMERICA
One of the best films ever made. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper (as well as Jack Nicholson) went looking for America, for freedom. They only discover as much heartbreak now that was in the last place they visited. Truly a great film talking about each man's search for existence in this world. Don't miss it. 10/10
Carrie (1976)
THEY'RE ALL GONNA LAUGH AT YOU!
CARRIE is one of the better Stephen King adaptations, fueled by dazzling performances from Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie. Brian DePalma (before his endless streak of big-budget productions) has managed to let us know the characters and each and everyone's motives before the suspense begins. In a weird way, the film isn't entirely "horror" perse. We utterly care for Carrie; she does nothing wrong, she's just a reserved girl (sure, she has telekenesis, but it's not her fault) who is bound by her mother into a strict religious lifestyle. Her tormentors are utterly disgusting, we do not like them. So when the revenge hits, it's in a strange way because we care for the so-called bad guy. Nonetheless, CARRIE is a well-made (if somewhat corny) suspense drama. The new DVD is definitely worth purchasing as well.