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&The only way to have a happy ending is to not tell the rest of the story&- Orson Welles
Reviews
The Great Gatsby (1974)
Don't judge a book by its movie.
This version tries to stay very true to the roots of the story. It's greatest detriment is its lavish budget, made evident from scenery and costuming. Coppola does an admirable job with his script, but it is impossible to fail to realize that he borrowed heavily from the source material, often citing it verbatim. In this sense, the plot is very faithful to the novel. The film fails to recapture the feel, mood, and spirit of the novel and of the twenties. Fitzgerald made Gatsby a very personal character. For him, there was always something unattainable; and for Gatsby, it was Daisy, the lost love of his life, forever symbolized by a flashing green light at her dock.
When it doesn't try, the film captures the mood of the twenties. This is especially true during Gatsby's first party, showing people being themselves. The majority the cast, particularly Mia Farrow, and with the exception of Bruce Dern (Tom Buchanan) play their parts as if they were silent actors. Even the flickering quality of silent film seems to haunt this film stock. It goes without saying the acting was overdone for the most part. This is true of the essence of the characters and of the times, although in the film, it is overkill. The set decoration was visually pleasing and it effectively captured the mood of each scene and the twenties.
This film, more than anything else, is a scary attempt of a tribute. In the novel, the green light, and the T.J. Eckleburg sign had significant meanings. Stranded in the film, they remain merely stripped objects. The set seems to attempt to "fix" Fitzgerald's descriptions. Where in the book, Daisy and Tom Buchanan's home is very inviting, the film drowns in whites and yellows in the film.
Actors aren't exploited to its potential. Clayton fails to give us a relatable Gatsby, a crucial element to the novel. Redford could have played Gatsby very well. It's not his fault that he doesn't. When we are introduced to Gatsby, it's through a low-angle shot of a figure seen against the night sky, framed by marble. This isn't the quiet, unsure, romantic Gatsby on his doomed quest. This is the arrogant, loud and obnoxious Charles Kane, who knows he's rich and isn't shy about it. The scene where Gatsby symbolically reaches out to snatch the green light stays true to the book, but looks stupid on film.
Three essential scenes make the film seem even less credible. These are times where it is essential to portray Gatsby as the one we know and love from the novel. The first is the original meeting between Gatsby and Nick. Redford's inarticulate and formality with Nick is laughable. It's the first time we hear him talk, and he's so mannered that the acting upstages the content of the scene. Nick is supposed to be so relaxed he doesn't realize that he's talking to a millionaire. Changing the location of this scene from in the party to the office is the cause for this dramatic awkwardness. This has to have been Clayton's doing. This changes Gatsby's character, and he Gatsby isn't as sure of himself as the book had made us believe. Doesn't that have to be Clayton's fault? Using The Sting, Butch Cassidy and The Candidate as examples, we know Redford has enough versatility to play this scene several other, better ways. In the Gatsby and Daisy reunion (crucial moments to the picture) we see Gatsby's smiling and Daisy's stunned reaction held for so long, we wonder why Nick just doesn't go out and smoke one cigarette, come back, and go outside again to smoke another one. He'd go through a whole pack. Any tension we might have had has been fed to ridiculousness. The other plot cliché that further adds to this product of celluloid silliness is Gatsby's final scene. The way this is presented may work on stage and it certainly would work in a silent film, but here it is so hackneyed, so irreversibly awkward that any suspense is gone, and it looks silly.
The message of the novel, in my opinion, is that although Gatsby is a crook and has dealt with the likes of Meyer Wolfsheim, gamblers and bootleggers, he is still a romantic, naive, and heroic boy of the Midwest. His idealism is doomed in the confrontation with the Buchanan recklessness. This isn't clear in the movie.
We are told more than shown. The soundtrack contains Nick's narration, often verbatim from the novel. We don't feel much of what we're supposed to feel because of the overproduction and clichés. Even the actors seem somewhat shied away from their characters because of this. We can't figure out why Gatsby's so "Great", or why Gatsby thinks that Daisy is so special. Mia Farrow's portrayal of Daisy falls flat of the novel's description. The musical quality of her voice has been replaced with shrills, and her sophistication has been stripped of her complexity. This is extremely evident by her Clara Bow acting style in this picture, especially in the scene where Redford is throwing his shirts on the floor and she starts crying.
How could a screenplay that borrowed so much of Fitzgerald's novel be portrayed so inaccurately? When one reads a novel, it is up to the author to create his symbolisms from scratch. When a book is transformed into a film, the filmmakers must be sure to covey the symbols more than by merely showing them. They must still be carefully developed, whether by dialogue or more action. In the novel it works well. When translated to film symbolism is lost in translation.
As a film on its own, the technical qualities are excellent, and can be more than worth your while catching at least an hour's worth just for the scenery, costuming, and for the few great scenes that successfully convey the twenties.
A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
A Series of Unfortunate Events is just that
Okay, perhaps that is more than it deserved, but hey, it got you to read this, right?
I have not read the books, and I do not plan to in the near future. The fact that this film had star power did not mean anything, as Jim Carrey was in a role that no one would ever dream he would be in- the menacing bad guy.
But the film itself isn't too bad, and one can enjoy it, even without young children, and as a film that can take your imagination someplace else,. I'm not saying that I particularly enjoyed that other place, but it was fun to be inside.
The film starts and we realize that three children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny lost their parents due to a house fire. Sunny is a tiny little infant, and the other two seemingly are within the stages of puberty. Each has his distinct characteristic. Violet is the inventor, and can think her way through any problem using available resources. Klaus is a very avid reader and retains the information he reads from books. Sunny, however is not intellectual as of yet, and her power is the ability to
well, bite. She can bite through practically anything, including wood tables.
The series of unfortunate events begin with the death of the parents. That begins the domino effect. The children are taken to Count Olaf, their third cousin four times removed, (or is it their forth cousin three times removed?) apparently their closest relative living, who they never heard of before. He attempts to kill them and there they learn that he is a monster (He's such a Shmuck!!, as Sunny bluntly proclaims in translated babble talk), who is only after them for their money. After yet another series of events, the government takes him from there and the children live at Uncle Monty's (Billy Connelly) house, but who should appear there than Count Olaf, posing as someone else. And so on and so forth throughout the rest of the film.
Even those who have not read the books (such as myself) could easily predict the upcoming "unfortunate" events. While there was something sorely missing from the plot, namely any sort of suspense buildup, the film was wonderful to look at, with eye candy all around. The film had the feel of a computer-animated movie, and it was fascinating to watch all of the dazzling special effects, even if the film itself left stuff to be desired.
It occurred to me, while watching the film, that I was being engrossed with a Harry Potter like film. However, after reading claims that the books were much more symbolic and filled with room for interpretation, I may just as well take it upon me to begin reading all thirteen (eleven as of now) of the books. That is of course, after I am done with all of the other books I have on my plate.
Overall, the film was a very entertaining way to spend two hours. A quick survey at the end of the theater calculated that fans of the first three books were not disappointed.
MPAA rating: PG for thematic elements, scary situations and brief language
My Rating: 6 and up
6.5 out of 10
Seabiscuit (2003)
Spderman is a Horse Racer!
Fresh from his role as Spiderman, Tobey Maguire delivers his best performance he possibly ever gave in his career. Along with Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper, he rules the screen as a horse jockey with incredible talent. Fans Of the book by Laura Hillenbrand will not be disappointed. Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire) is a young man who would settle for any job offered to him in the Depression Era, and decided to be an exercise boy and stable cleaner. Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges) is a carmaker that has a knack for business, and after financial loss in the Stock Market as well as a personal loss, decided to change directions and train racehorses. Tom Smith (Chris Cooper) is a trainer who liked to heal sick horses so he could let other trainers have a chance to train them. These three men all come together to train Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit is structured like your typical sports film, and it seems to move very slowly in the beginning. They introduce the areas and the times quite nicely, yet excessively. But as the film moves on, it runs much more smoothly as Seabiscuit's tale begins to unfold. Seabiscut himself is a small horse with an immense appetite. He has had many owners in the past, however they all gave up on him thinking that he would never be any good as a racehorse. They lowered his self-esteem tremendously by making him lose to other horses that they were breeding to gain their self-confidence. But this was all before he met three men who would care and love him and help make him a nationally loved sports figure. Since his self-esteem was lowered tremendously, once Red started to express his love and loyalty to Seabiscut, it almost seems as if Seabiscut has an inability to loose, even (and especially) when he is the underdog. (err
underhorse?? Is that a word?) The race scenes are absolutely thrilling. Astounding. Spectacular! Pick any word you like! Cinematographer John Schwartzman gets amazingly close to the actors as they ride towards you. It's almost like being right at the gate at the races. Who knew Spidy can ride a horse? An inspirational tale of determination and a strive for perfection, in a direction style that's not unlike Frank Capra {"It's A Wonderful Life" (1946) and "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" (1939)}, Gary Ross's stunning work is should not have been overlooked at Oscar-time.
Rated PG-13 for some sexual situations and violent sports-related images. Running Time: 140 Minutes. Appropriate for Children aged 12 and up.
The Ring (2002)
Scary but could have been better.
The Ring, a story of a killer videotape is a good concept, and it was very scary, but it could have been much better. Causes happened without effects and effects occurred without causes. The film was a touch too long, and lots of the scenes were played out for way too long.
I can't say that I didn't enjoy it, but there seemed to be something missing in the film. Perhaps it was the element that nothing ever seemed to go together. Seemingly random newspaper ads and such were throughout the film.
While the film was entertaining, it most definitely had flaws. While this film is much better than some of the other things that comes out nowadays, it certainly is no Halloween or Psycho, and it shouldn't be treated as such.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 My Rating: 13 & up My * Rating: 7/10
Hold That Ghost (1941)
See This Film Make Sure You Don't Pee In Your Pants
As hilarious today as it was 62 years ago, (Wow! It's that old?) Hold That Ghost, AKA Oh Charlie is a great picture for all ages. It is witty and fun and most of all, it's an hour and a half of non-stop laughing! So make sure you don't pee in your pants!
As two clumsy gas station attendants (Abbott and Costello, Who else?) are washing a mobster nicknamed Moose's (William Davidson) car, the police find them. The mobster jumps into the car and starts driving away from the cops. Knowing where his arms are in the back seat of the car, he hands Costello the wheel and starts shooting at the cops. The cops shoot him and he dies. In his will which he has in his jacket pocket, he leaves his house and all his worthy possessions to whomever is with him at the time of his death. So Abbott and Costello inherit a house/hotel/speakeasy with supposedly a lot of money, kept in Moose's head. As they go to the house via taxi, some other people come with them, including Moose's best friend, Charlie (Marc Lawrence), whom the boys think is Moose's lawyer. It turns out that he knows that there is money in the house somewhere and he's off to find it. But when the murderers arrive
he is the first one dead.
While Joan Davis, Evelyn Ankers, and Richard Carlson help the show along as great supporting characters, this laugh-a-minute, pee-in-your-pants comedy is one of the best of Abbott and Costello's Comedy Thrillers. A close race with `Bud Abbott And Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein' (1948).
The gags include:
`Changing Rooms'. This is one of the funniest in the film. Costello is trying to go to bed and he takes of his pants to reveal a nightgown. He puts his pants on the hooks and it pulls down to reveal a casino with slot machines, dice tables, card tables, and everything. So then he takes his pants off to show Abbott, but of course the room changes back to normal.
`Moving Candle' When Costello sees a candle moving and Joan Davis and Abbott don't believe him.
`Playing Post Office'
Joan Davis (To Abbott): Is he old enough?
Costello: I play games!
Joan Davis: What kind of games?
Costello: `Post Office'.
Joan Davis: `Post Office'! That's a kid's game!
Costello: Not the way I play it!
And of course, Lou's dance with Joan Davis, which in my opinion is the funniest gag in the entirety of the film.
Watch `Hold That Ghost'. You'll love it. You'll find it hard not to pee in your pants, too!
MPAA Rating: NR
My Rating: 8 and up.
My * Rating: 9/10
EminemTV (2000)
EmTV on MTV. Not that bad.
I saw this show about a year ago, and it is constantly being replayed on MTV in a one-hour format and in its original length. I admit that I am no real fan of rap or to tell you the truth of Eminem himself. I do, however like some of Eminem's music. This was filmed approximately three years ago, just months before his second big album `The Marshal Mathers LP' was released. It is prominently advertised several times throughout the show.
The show was formatted like Total Request Live (TRL for you teenagers who cant remember the show's official title!) but since Eminem was hosting along with Carson Dally, it was Em's request and of course, he picked all rap videos. The show was entertaining, but only when nothing else was on TV.
While the show is old and die-hard rap fans would call it dated, the concept of the show remains very interesting. They need to make a newer show titled EmTV2 or something. Perhaps they are planning on doing this before he releases his fourth album. Who knows?
MPAA Rating: TV-PG
My Rating: 12 and up
My * Rating 5.8
Some Like It Hot (1959)
The `Chicago' Of The Sixties
Filmed in 1959 with an all-star cast, Some Like it Hot is definitely one of the funniest pictures I have ever seen. It was rated the funniest picture of all time by the AFI, a milestone achievement. The film is a great achievement and the comedy is perfect. Jack Lemmon steals the show. Tony Curtis is a millionaire, and Marilyn Monroe singing! What can be better?
When two male musicians whiteness a mob murder in Chicago, 1929, they are forced to flee to somewhere so that they are not caught. They find a job for three weeks in Florida, but there is one problem. It is a girl's band. So what do they do? They buy shavers to shave their legs, they buy wigs and dresses and they are now Josephine and Daphne, the pretty girls who play the Tenor Sax and String Bass, respectively. They are not suspected until a crazy ending with a load of laughter in between.
The film is a no-brainer classic with all the ingredients to last a lifetime of wonderful funny memories. You'll laugh like you've never laughed before. And it was made over 40 years ago! Not every movie holds up like that!
***The Next Paragraph Includes What Some May Call A Minor Spoiler***
This film is worth buying the DVD, and it is fun to watch different segments over and over. One segment particularly comes to mind: the ending. Jack Lemmon tries to explain why he can't marry Osgood, another man.
With a great story, plot and laughs, Some Like It Hot is one of the best films of all time.
MPAA Rating: PG
My Rating: 13 and up
My * Rating: 9.1
One Night in the Tropics (1940)
Abbott and Costello's Debut Is Not Focused On Them.
A delightful movie, `One Night In the Tropic' Features Abbott and Costello in their first film together, but they are not leads. Their next film, `Buck Privates' (1941) they would save Universal and they would star in their first leading roles.
Yet anyway, this film casts Allan Jones as Jim "Lucky" Moore, an insurance salesman who comes up with the idea of selling his friend, Steve (Robert Cummings) a love insurance policy, because if his fiancée, Cynthia (Nancy Kelly) won't marry Steve, he stands to collect. Jim has Roscoe (William Frawley), a nightclub owner, finance the policy. However, complications occur when Lucky finds himself falling in love with Cynthia. Not wanting to pay off the policy, Roscoe hires his stooges, Abbott and Costello, to make sure Steve does marry Cynthia. Complications soon follow after boarding an ocean liner to San Marcos, South America.
Abbott and Costello do however; steal the show with many of their sketches, including The Mustard Routine, Money Changing, Jonah and the whale, Paid In Full and Two Tens for a Five. Who can forget `Who's On First'? Apparently the Paid in full Routine has only been in this film and the film is worth catching for this sketch alone.
I enjoyed this silly B-Musical and had a fun time with it. You will, too!
MPAA Rating: NR
My Rating: 6 and up
My * Rating: 7.2
Pippin: His Life and Times (1982)
We've Got Magic To Do
What a wonderfully filmed Broadway show! The show is wonderfully done and the direction by Bob Fosse is like always wonderful. Ben Vereen was great as the Leading Player; full of life and song. William Katt sings beautifully, my only regret is that he is a stick when he does.
The plot is simple. Pippin is a prince who wants to do something important with his life. First he becomes a warrior, and then he becomes obsessed with women. And so on. Yet he never finds what he wants to do until the end, in the delightful scene, entitled `Pippins Grand Finale'. What a show. What a circus.
A musical not to be missed. Its only flaw is that like all taped live on stage videos is that something is lost. But thankfully, not as much is missing here. We have great entertainment, and the show was incredibly funny. So now it is time for me to stop rambling on and for you to click that little `buy the DVD from Amazon.com' button and purchase this movie from Amazon. You won't regret it!
It got magic to do
Just for you!
MPAA: NR
My Rating: 13 and up for mature themes, language and a brief scene of violence.
My * Rating 8.6
Popeye (1980)
I'm Popeye The Sailor Man! I'm Popeye The Say-lor Man! I'm Strong To Dee Finnish Cause I Eat Me Spinach I'm Popeye The Sailor Man!
Two hours of pure delight! I saw this film on television years ago and it keeps on getting better and better. I have always been a Popeye fan and the cartoons from the thirties are always fun to watch.
While the acting is definitely not the best, it is a cute movie and can be enjoyed whenever it is on TV. A fun movie is fun no matter how many times you see it.
While the film is nothing compared to the wonderful cartoons of the thirties through the fifties, Popeye creates a world like none other. We can relax and have fun with Popeye as he journeys with Ms. Duvall.
A fun movie for all to watch. Recommended especially for the little ones.
MPAA Rating: PG
My Rating: 4 and up
My * Rating: 8.0/10
Pete's Dragon (1977)
Pete's Dragon A Perfect Childhood Film Still Loved By Kids of the 70's!
Once you see this film you'll never be able to forget it. I haven't. I can remember it like I first saw it yesterday. I loved the entire movie and I shall never forget it. I was in the library a few days ago and I recommended this movie to a young girl, probably no older than five or six. When I coincidently saw her again, she said she loved the film and so did her mother. They loved Elliot the animated Dragon and thought that it was even better than Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Although the actors are not up to the Disney standard (Helen Reddy wasn't that bad) Elliot was funny, cute and most of all, fun. No offense to anyone, especially Mickey Rooney, but Elliot was the best actor, as he stole the show. And I think that they knew that
but I'm not complaining. The movie is fun to watch even at 14! Notice how it holds my regards!
To all who bash the film for what is could have been, what else is missing except for a little better acting? I love the music and I sometimes, even now blurt out some of the words whenever I'm feeling down. A DRAGON
A DRAGON! I SWEAR I SAW A DRAGON!
With all the above in consideration, I am forced to close on a very positive note about this film, one that I hope will be in everyone's hearts for the rest of eternity!
And I know that people who were born in the 70's like it because my teacher has a little sun catcher of Elliot! Beat that!
MPAA Rating: G
My Rating: 1 and up (SERIOUSLY! MY NIECE WATCHED IT AT THIS AGE! SHE STILL LOVES IT!)
My * rating: 8
Rugrats (1991)
The Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years.
I have been in love with this show for about eight years. Then it died with Rugrats in Paris, which totally kills the continuity of the plot. Although it had some great moments, the show is dead, something that I hoped this show never would be.
With the addition of two new characters since Rugrats In Paris, whom the audiences loved, it seemed as if they were there but didn't know what the heck to do with them. They were there occasionally and never had anything real serious to do in the plot. Dill is so annoying!
The original series that ran under the first contract was by far the best. (These are the episodes where the title is red in the beginning) The plots were fresh, the Rugrats characters were as well and the entire show was a laugh out loud marathon. Now the show is unfortunately digging its own grave where they meet the Wild Thornberries.
MPAA Rating: TV-Y
My Rating: All ages
My * ratings:
First Contract: 10/10
New Contract: 3/10
The Simpsons (1989)
The Snoopy of Teenage Years
Live on, old friends!
For Fourteen years now, the Simpsons have entertained, and put all in awe..full laughs. While the new episodes are not as good as the old ones, they are still fun to watch, and play along with the humor of the show.
Although many would say on the boards that the show deserves to quit while its ahead, I think it would be a bad idea. It is still extremely fun to watch and they are not that bad at all. They are very entertaining. And oh, 'From now on I shall be known as Homer JAY Simpson!'
While against any moral value, the Simpsons are still a way to get out of your own self and go into a cartoon world where nothing matters but the sake of these yellow humans. A fun and enjoyable experience for all who are old enough to love it. And that range is smaller than you would think! Long Live The Simpsons!
MPAA: TVPG
My Rating: 12-45
My * rating: 10
The Graduate (1967)
`The Graduate' graduates Hoffman from amateur actor to a great professional.
The Graduate, a 1967 film directed by Mike Nichols is a wonderful film starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.
Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a graduate from Berkley college has just arrived back home to find that there is a graduation party for him. He feels a little down throughout the entirety of the party and then he meets up with Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). She asks if he could take her home in his new car, as she cannot drive. When they get to her house, we learn that she has known Ben for his entire life and that her husband is Mr. Braddock's boss. They have a few drinks and then go up to her room, where she gets undress. (`Can you get that zipper for me Benjamin?') Ben thinks he is trying to be seduced and is frightened out of his wits. What would happen if Mr. Robinson came home? Mrs. Robinson goes to the bathroom and she undresses, then comes into her bedroom, naked. Ben is there, and is scared out of his wits. A car is heard. Mr. Robinson is home! Mrs. Robinson presses herself onto the door while telling him that it is perfectly okay and Ben grabs the doorknob trying to get out. He does without Mr. Robinson knowing that he saw his wife naked, but he does see Mr. Robinson. And they have a long conversation
Trying to win back' Mrs. Robinson, Ben asks her to go to a hotel to get a drink at night. She accepts and unbeknownst to her, he rents a room. They sleep together for the first time, and they talk in the darkness of a hotel room. After several times of this adultery, we learn that Elaine Robinson (Katharine Ross) is coming home. Mrs. Robinson forbids him to date her. We learn that the Robinson had to marry because Elaine was born.
So Elaine and Ben go out because Ben's parents literally force him to. Mrs. Robinson tells him that he must make sure that she doesn't like him. After a horrible date, they do fall in love with each other, until he realizes that she's getting married to a jerk.
What a movie to think about! This movie has a profound storyline and the effect it has when it leaves you is something you will always remember.
MPAA Rating: PG
My Rating: 14 and up for partial nudity, adult themes and mild language
My * rating: 8.99
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953)
'Abbott and Costello Go To Mars', but land on Venus instead.
1953's Abbot and Costello Goes To Mars has a misleading title. They got to Venus instead. Though the film had a relatively large budget, the film's plot is not saved and the special effects are average B-Movie effects. The film was definitely one of A+C's wort of all time.
The ending is at an all time worse, where the Venus women are attracted to Bud and Lou after they were defeated in a war against the females. What a plot, eh?
While this is one of the worst A+C films ever, A+C are not to be blamed. They were going through a fanatical problem with the government, which could have very well ruined their careers. The budget is not to be blamed since it was rather high, and the sets were rather lavish (especially for a B-movie!). What couldn't be saved, however, was the plot, which needed to be edited much further than it was. It was an interesting concept, but it was done without heart. A+C's talents were wasted.
MPAA Rating: NR
My Rating: 5 and up
My * Rating 5.2/10
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
`Next time I tell you that I saw something that I think I saw, you'll believe me that I saw it!'
So shrieks Costello to Abbott in this movie, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). But the fun doesn't end there! How would you like to see Abbot and Costello meet the Wolf Man, Frankenstein and Dracula, all in one movie? Sound too good to be true? Well here you are in Abbott and Costello's arguably best picture and without a doubt their best Monster Comedy.
Freight handlers Wilbur Grey and Chick Young are afraid and confused when they ship the remains of Frankenstein's monster and Dracula arrive from Europe to be used in a house of horrors. Dracula reawakens and escapes with the weakened monster, who he plans to re-energize with a new brain. Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) arrives from London in an attempt to thwart Dracula. Dracula's reluctant aide is the beautiful Dr. Sandra Mornay. Her reluctance is dispatched by Dracula's bite. Dracula and Sandra abduct Wilbur for his brain and recharge the monster in preparation for the operation. Chick and Talbot attempt to find and free Wilbur, but when the full moon rises all hell breaks loose with the Wolfman, Dracula, and Frankenstein all running rampant.
What a funny movie this is! The timing is perfect, the story is great and best of all, it is one of the funniest movies of all time! A MUST SEE! So good, you'll want to see it again
Over and over!
MPAA Rating: NA
My Rating: 5 and up
My * rating: 8.9/10
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Great Movie, But Will Not Be On Any "Top Movie" Lists in the Future
The Fellowship has been broken. Boromir (Sean Bean) is dead, Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) have gone to Mordor alone to destroy the One Ring, Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) have been captured by the Uruk-hai, and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) have made friends of the Rohan, a race of humans that are in the path of the upcoming war, led by its aging king, Théoden (Bernard Hill). The two towers between Mordor and Isengard, Barad-dúr and Orthanc, have united in their lust for destruction. The corrupt wizard Saruman (Christopher Lee), under the power of the Dark Lord Sauron, and his slimy assistant, Gríma Wormtongue (Brad Dourif), have created a grand Uruk-hai army bent on the destruction of Man and Middle-earth. The rebellion against Sauron is building up and will be led by Gandalf the White (Sir Ian McKellen), who was thought to be dead after the Balrog captured him. One of the Ring's original bearers, the creature Gollum (Andy Serkis), has tracked Frodo and Sam down in search of his 'precious', but is captured by the Hobbits and used as a way to lead them to Mt. Doom. The War of the Ring has now begun...
The above is the plot in a nutshell. This 3-hour (3.7 for the Extended version) movie has gone beyond the imaginable. Trees that talk and pick up humans, to this Gollum character who's downright annoying. What is in store for the Return of the King?
Don't misunderstand me, I liked the film, and after seeing the original I was anxious to see this one, as I had heard that it would be coming out in the upcoming months. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. well that would be a like. I enjoyed the movie as a whole, but it was way too long. I will definitely see Return of the King in the theater next year but SOMEONE TELL PETER JACKSON TO INCLUDE AN INTERMISSION!
While the movie is very visually impressive, I believe that the film is not up to the hype that it was given. I should have known however that it was LOTR worshipers who gave it 26269 ratings of 10. Did it disserve a best picture award? It absolutely did not. I was glad that it got the special effects Oscar, however. But nonetheless, I was able to hold my urine for to hours, for I was intrigued to find out what happened in the end.
The Battle of Helms Deep was probably one of the best battle scenes done since Braveheart and I thought it was an excellent adaptation of Tokien. However, it lingered for too long. I think Tokien would have liked these movies, but disliked at how bored you sometimes you get sitting in the chair.
This movie was very good. However, the American Film Institute need not revise its 100 greatest movies of all time for Fellowship or Two Towers. Like many series films, I thought that the first film, The Fellowship, was far superior.
MPAA Rating: PG 13
My Rating: 12 and up for epic battle sequences and scary images
My * Rating 8.8
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
A 10... Sort of...
Back in 1960, this was a typical B-movie fare. B-movies usually took six months to make, and were often not that good, as it was shown after the main feature.
This was watchable, and it was often very funny in a black comedy was incredible and horrible. NO, not incredibly horrible! This film was film was shot in two days, and knowing this made the film incredible. Roger Corman, the director did a wonderful job.
People claim that the bought this movie for `Jack' but `Jack' wasn't any good. Jack Nicholson had a bit role in this film
A man that enjoys pain. Jack Nicholson stole the show
while Seymour stole his teeth.
The movie, in all due respects was funny, dark and crazy. Although the special effects are horrible, get over it! It was shot in two days! What special effects do you want?
The remake, all in all was not even close. The darkness is gone, and worse of all, they changed the ending
I'm glad the show was more similar
Nerdy and clumsy Seymour Krelboyne (Jonathan Haze) and Audrey Fulguard (Jackie Joseph) works at the Mushnick Floral shop on the dirty and poor Skid Row. Impassionate Gravis Mushnick (Mel Welles) the owner of the shop continues to threaten Seymour that if one more thing goes wrong, and if they lose another dollar because of him, (since they are not getting any) he will be fired. BOOM! He breaks a vase.
It all turns out OK when Seymour makes a deal with Mushnick. He says that he has a newly crossed plant that he would bring to the shop. The store's sole customer pursues Mushnick into believing that the plant would bring in lots of business. Mushnick agrees and Audrey Jr. is brought into the shop.
It gets sicker and sicker, and Seymour hopes that he will find some sort of food it likes before the end of the night. He cuts his finger on a rose thorn and the monster's mouth opens up! He's found something the plant will eat! Blood!
But soon Jr. becomes more demanding, forcing Seymour to murder for the survival of the Audrey Jr.
Recommended to all! A Must-See!
MPAA Rating: Unrated
My Rating: 8 and up for scenes of unrealistic 50's murder and adult theme.
My * Rating: 8.6/10
Chicago (2002)
Worthy of Best Picture? Absolutely But far from the best picture ever.
Chicago was a wonderful film based on the Broadway show of the same name. The show has been in existence now for over 25 years, yet the story itself was originally a play in the 1920's. In fact there has been two movie versions previously. `Chicago' (1927) and `Roxie Hart' (1942).
The Razzle Dazzle plot is wonderful. In Jazz Age Chicago, two jailed murderesses - nightclub singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and the ambitious, wide-eyed Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger)- compete with each other for newspaper headlines and the attention of their debonair attorney, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere).
The songs are wonderful. Who doesn't know `All That Jazz'? All I have to say is that I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful choreography (`Cell Block Tango' comes to mind). The moves are both beautiful and sexual, and they are not anything near what teenagers go for today (thank God!). (It was set in the 1920's you know.)
Richard Gere singing!! That's a treat. He does rather well, especially in the `All I Care About Is Love' scene. The film is a must see. It is a sin if you don't see it.
At the Oscars. Best Picture nominees were: CHICAGO, GANGS OF NEW YORK, THE HOURS, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS, and THE PIANIST Well, (I know I'm going to get a lot of hate mail, but) cross off Lord of the Rings, and The Hours. And we are left with Gangs, Pianist and Chicago. Of the nominations, it was a no-brainer. Chicago would definitely take it home.
Now that I have that cleared out of the way, I want the compliment Queen Latifah on her wonderful performance as Mama, and also to John C. Reilly for his wonderful performance as Amos, and for doing a wonderful job with my favorite song- Mr. Cellophane (though I liked the incomparable Joel Gray on the new Broadway album) Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on this wonderful film!
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
The Best Musical Of All Time...
...and I am not merely saying this because I love it..., I am not saying this because AFI says it, but I have watched this film over and over again since I was six, and I have not been able to forget it. It was mentioned at my theater class a few years ago, and it is by far one of the most colorful musical of all time.
Who could incorporate more important songs into one musical like they did here? Unlike many musicals that are coming out not, this was originally a movie. The plot is so beautiful, and the songs just nail it on the head.
While the film is long... possibly too long for a young child, it is certainly a movie that should not be watched in two sittings. The splendor of the color and the dance sequences are killed when the film is stopped. Believe me. I know this from experience.
The plot is relatively simple. Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lana Lamont (Jean Hagan) are two legendary silent film stars. A young Debbie Reynolds is a great Kathy Selden, a girl who is trying to break into the film business. Lana Lamont (Jean Hagan), who is Don's stage girlfriend, disproves of Kathy's breaking in, because Kathy is winning Don's affection and love. All at the same time, a movie that Don and Lana have made, `The Dueling Caviler' is not safe. Warner Brothers has come out with their first talkie, `The Jazz Singer' and studios are now converting to sound. Not only that, but they must do so, also, in order for the long-awaited film, `The Dueling Caviler' to be a success.
So Don, Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) and Kathy decide that the film must be made into a musical, `The Dancing Cavalier'. One problem- Lana's wretched voice. Kathy will have to dub all of Lana's lines and songs without Lana knowing.
The film ends with a great finale and all throughout the film the sons are intertwined with great fun. Not only is this film the best film ever, it is one of the most fun!
MPAA Rating: G
My Rating: 4-up
My * Rating: 9.5
This film contains: Minor Violence.
The Core (2003)
Excellent Sci-Fi. 'Armageddon' going downward.
As the Earth's electromagnetic field begins to deteriorate in such a manner, the next best thing that humankind can do is to save itself from total destruction. When the core stopped spinning, the only way to save the Earth from being a microwave is to dive into hellish temperatures to start it again. 'Earth has a deadline' 'The only way out is in.' and this is true for the entirety of the film
We learn that the government has implanted DESTINY, a nuclear weapon, into the center of the Earth. It therefore caused the earth to stop spinning, which in turn, is disintegrating the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field is which gives the poles a magnetic force, and allows a compass to work the way it does. It, most importantly shields us from solar radiation.
In any case, these fields are disintegrating by the moment and mankind must find a way to replace them, and destroying a nuclear weapon with a nuclear weapon is their only hope. An eye for an eye; a nuke for a nuke. Since electricity was becoming more and more scarce, and radiation was becoming more powerful. Everyone in certain areas with a pacemaker was killed by radiation. The radiation caused the pacemaker to stop working and the fields was allowing it. The birds no longer had the ability to navigate properly. Thunderstorms with on hundred bolts per square foot. People are dying instantly from intense radiation. There is nowhere on Earth to hide from it.
So we must build a ship with 100 tons of warheads. How about we call it Virgil? Sound good? It better. Anyhow, we find the most diverse 'terranauts' (These don't exist. yet.) we can find: a Physics professor (Aaron Eckhart), an arrogant scientist (Stanley Tucci), a real NASA astronaut (Hilary Swank), a rocket scientist (Delroy Lindo), as well as other, less important characters. They all have on purpose. DESTINY must be blown up into little pieces.
As the seemingly natural phenomenon's become deemed unnatural, the crew has only three months to build and deliver to the crust what they deem necessary. They will have to go inside the crust to destroy DESTINY. How to do it? Well, there is a new unobtanium, created by Braz (Delroy Lindo), which can withstand any temperature or heat. So they build Virgil, a massive ship that can sustain any amounts of pressure or heat. They will go underneath the crust of the Earth, and into the core, where they must destroy the nuke.
But things, as always do go wrong. The density of the core was miscalculated, therefore needing more nukes to destroy Density, and they do not have enough. If they are not able to destroy DESTINY, DESTINY will destroy the world, and there will be no one to stop him.
The special effects are awesome as they most often are in pictures such as these. Although, can you say 'Armageddon retread'? I liked this film a bit better then Armageddon, however, the plot is, at times a bit shaky, where Armageddon is strictly science. Besides, Armageddon drags at times. This seems to move quicker than your average sci-fi film.
This film was excellently paced, and they use widescreen techniques to the grandest scale possible. The film uses science as a key element, and, unlike other film, does not often have 'personal' scenes. (I.E. a man saying bye to his wife, on satellite.
Eckhart and Tucci are a great team and should most definitely be in another picture together. Tucci claims Zimsky as his own, and portrays him in a great way. I would like to see them reprise their characters in this film, also. They were the strongest character and it shows. Although many in the cast are unknowns at the moment, it is Eckhart and Tucci who will make it big within the next few years. (Eckhart already has some major projects scheduled for next year.)
The only point that kills this film from getting a 8 is what happens to Keyes, and the NASA astronaut in the end. Everything looked so good for them.
7/10 Stars
Rating: PG-13 My Rating: 11 and up
This film contains: Intense Sci-Fi life/death situations (All three cases the painfully die, such as heavy metal slamming oh heads, Etc.) Medium gore. (From Life/Death Situations.) Minimum sexuality.
Pinocchio (1976)
Nostalgic, and Fun!
MPAA Rating: NR
My Rating: 3 and up
My * Rating: 8.5
What a wonderful movie for anyone to watch! I have loved this little film since I was four and I would hate to loose it. I just finished watching it and I can't believe how much I still enjoyed it. Buy it for your kids! They will love it so much that they might even break the tape by watching it so much.
My mom came across this film while it was being shown on the Disney channel often, and so my mom taped it for me. I retaped it several times after the first taping because the picture kept on getting fuzzy or the sound cracking, or the like.
Sandy Duncan is marvelous in the role of Pinocchio, but the real star of the show is Danny Kaye as Gepetto, the aging woodcarver. The songs they sing are marvelous. One couldn't ask for a more joyous 73 minutes!
Rear Window (1954)
Hitchcock's Best??
MPAA Rating: PG
My Rating: 10 and up
My * Rating 8.5
OK, I agree. This is not Hitchcock's best work in my oppinion, but why are people booing it as his worst? The film, directed on a very low budget, was very well acted, directed and produced. For God's sake, the whole movie takes place in Stuart's room!
This film god in Hitchcock's own way, is suspenseful at every corner. I was often shocked many times, and sometimes I had to leave the room to hold on to a wall while watching it...
Superbly done, as with all Hitchcock films, and no one has any right to disarm its power.
Citizen Kane (1941)
"The Greatest Film Of All Time" is a vivid picture for years to come.
MPAA Rating: PG
My Rating: 10 and up
My * Rating 10.0
Lucky for me, I did not know what Rosebud was before veiwing the film, and this information ruins a wonderful two hours if told to someone who hasn't veiwed the film in its entirety. Though many complain that the movie wasn't made very well, they are comparing it to today's special effects galore, and don't give it a full chance. Remember, It was made in 1941!!
The film was bround breaking in many ways, (including finding an uncencored word for a woman's privates (See Battle Over Citizen Kane) and other now famous camera tequneques. Now-a-days these effects are common, but wipe out all memory of new movies and think of other movies pre-1941. Compared to these, this movie is phenomenal. Thank about it.
If your watching the DVD, give the "Battle Over Citezen Kane" a chance. While your at it, see RKO 281, another wonderful film about the same topics.
Psycho (1960)
The Best Horror Film? No. The best suspense film? Absolutely!
Yes, this is the greatest suspense film of all time. Yes, back in 1960 it was probably scary, but if the film is watched in modern times, the film is not too scary as it is suspenseful.
The story is exactly like Robert Bloch's novel, which was excellent, and I have now read it several times. It always makes me jump, no matter how many times I see it, and I've seen it many times now.
Includes the famous "shower scene" which has never been duplicated since its filming in 1960