Reviews

Space is the place is a hard to find movie to be sure I searched for years to find it and finally saw it tonight at a local college in a show that included a concert of avant-gard jazz. Those familiar with Sun Ra's oeuvre will not be shocked by its content. The plot centers around Sun Ra arriving on earth with his Arkestra to spread his philosophy of the music of the universe and to take back as many black folks as he can to repopulate his home planet and fill it with "human vibrations". The plot is not as disjointed or hard to swallow as one might think, there are good characterizations, especially by the overseer/devil character. There are some comic moments as well, like whenever the overseer kicks out the news caster every time he gets the two chicks in the room alone and he thinks he is going to finally score. The music is of courser superb as well. I will agree with a previous poster that this period of sun Ra's music was far from his best, but still makes for a great soundtrack. The Sun Ra devotee will love it and it serves as a good introduction to The world of Sun Ra for those unfamiliar with his work as well. watch it with an open mind.

FW Mernau's "sunrise" Is the kind of movie that stays with you long after it is over. Janet Gaynor and George Obrien give superb performances, the German expressionistic sets, great cinematography by Karl Struss and Charles Rosher. Notice How Mernau used locals and villagers as extras, which saved him money, but also gave his films a real authenticity. This is an emotionally charged film, very passionate. This is the kind of film that reaffirms the power of movies. When one watches it, it is moving. and even though the film is almost 80 years old, and the actual actors are long dead, and the story has been already told and retold, and the ending is predetermined; we are moved and we feel for the characters. such an effective film that immerses us totally and brings us inside.

I have said it many times before, but not usually am I so serious. This is the worst movie I have ever seen. ever. Why oh, why did I stick around so long as to actually change the tape halfway through this 3 plus hour flop fest. Why didn't i just bite my tongue off after hour 2 to avoid the pain. Anthony Hopkins is perpetually one of Hollywood's most overrated actors in films. road to wellville was good, but it doesn't make up for this!

I want my 3 hours back. I have not seen the original film that this one is a remake of, But after this version, i cant suffer myself to seek it out.

The film itself is rich in it's look and content. True stories is Set in A fictional small town in Texas, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the state in it's own small way. Byrne points out how many small American towns shape themselves politically and culturally from the inside. The scenes of the vast Texas landscape reflect the isolation of little Virgil. Byrne drives past a row of brand new houses with four car garages and asks "who do you think lives here?", much like he does in some of his TH songs such as "Big Country" and "Dont Worry About the Government". When we do meet who lives there we are greeted by a quite eclectic bunch; the world's laziest woman, Louis the desperate bachelor, Ramon, the voodoo priest. Often when we visit small unassuming towns, we are surprised by what we find. Byrne's character obviously had some assumptions about Virgil, Texas. He walks around town in a stetson hat and cowboy shirts and wonders why everyone else doesn't dress the same way. The songs are terrific in the film. I was well familiar with the TH album of the same name before I saw the film, but many of the renditions are on par with the unofficial soundtrack, particularly "papa legba" and Goodman's "people like us". The movie is an homage to Byrne's fascination to small town America and folk art. Byrne's commentary over a series of photo montages are great too, like when he gives the history of Texas in about 3 minutes noting that "the Spaniards offered the indians a chance to become slaves. The indians thought about this, decided it was not a good idea, and killed the Spaniards" Those that really dislike this movie are, on some level, just not getting it.

Witness me as I take this solemn vow: I hereby swear not to take my children to a theater and expose them to brainless pointless heartless bastardized rehashments of things I once held dear and loved, and have passes on to them in its original form to love as I have thus lining the pockets of talentless filmmakers and the Hollywood crap factories they work for thus promoting the demand for more of said substandard and unnecessary remakes.

Well Well Well. Not much to be said that hasn't been said already. First of all, Tim Burton Hasn't made a good movie since Ed Wood in 1994, and I don't foresee him ever returning to his original form. The preview for "Corpse Bride" that accompanies Wonka just proves that. It promises to be just a rehashing of The nightmare before Christmas. The first 20 minutes or so of this movie did have promise, especially David Kelly's performance as grandpa Joe. I know everyone will be comparing this movie more to the 1971 original adaptation rather than the book, but I cant help it. The Original was timeless, this version is extremely dated (note the hip-hopped up versions of the oompa loompa songs) the Wolper film might have strayed from the novel by adding in new songs and removing Charlie's father (Dahl himself suggested this), but it didn't invent and entire subplot such as Wonka's estranged father. The film is like someones dissertation of the story, attempting to dissect the character and explain his origins, something Dahl would have never done. The film was poorly directed, relying heavily on CGI effects. As pretty as they were they did nothing to enhance the story. When I first saw Augustus, I couldn't decide weather HE was a CGI effect or an actual actor. In fact, all the kids in this movie have a sort of eerie "plastinated" effect, they don't look human, Like they stepped out of the Mutter museum. My biggest problem came from Johnny Depps performance. He may be slightly more true to the character in the novel, But Gene Wilder definitely played the part better. Wilder's Wonka was subtle, sardonic, romantic, evoking Shakespeare, Keats, and Oscar Wilde. Depp appears to be on dope. If Burton wanted a wonka that sounded and acted like Dave Foley from the Kids in the Hall, he should have cast he became totally obnoxious after only a few minutes on screen, and from then on it was almost painful to watch. Sad. what do you expect? This is by far the worst summer for "movies" in my memory. Is is any mystery why attendance is dropping off in theaters? when 7 out of 10 movies are remakes and 10 out of 10 are terrible, why not save 50 bucks and head to the video store. May I suggest David Wolper's 1971 classic "willy wonka and the chocolate factory" starring the incomperable Gene Wilder in the title role? your welcome.

I can't believe the folks writing the GOOD reviews were watching the same movie. This was a big waste of time and talent. (except for Ray Romano, probably the most UN-funny comedian alive today. he has no talent. "hi ma, sorry about dad, eeyyyaaauuuhhhh") A pitiful story line, idiotic gags ( hey, someones at the door, I think ill leave the porno playing in the VCR while I hide in the closet!) This is one of those marvels of movies, a comedy during which i didn't-laugh-once. not one time. I got a slight giggle out of the priest, but maybe I was laughing at myself for sitting through the movie long enough to get to that point. File this one under "A" for "avoid it like plague". sorry folks **you couldn't make me laugh if I was already laughing my ass off, and you were making me do it!--peter griffin***

I was hesitant to see this movie since I first saw a preview for it, but finally sat down to watch it when my wife brought it home from the video store. I am not at all a Paul Thomas Anderson fan, I find his movies empty, pretentious crap. Not to mention the way he borrows from so many other less revered but more talented directors. I was pleasantly surprised by Adam Sandler's performance as Barry. The poor guy is tormented by his seven overbearing sisters, His uncontrollable temper, his overwhelming shyness, and a deranged phone sex operator out to ruin him. But there is just too much going on in this movie intended as metaphor. The harmonium in his office, the blue suit, even the situation with the phone sex scheme. So much sublimation just makes an empty film. The soundtrack is just about ear-bleedingly obnoxious. and that song from Popeye was just as friggin annoying in the original bad movie, why loop it over and over for 15 straight minuets in another one!? I would like to see Sandler maybe take some more serious roles, since his billy Madison schtick went blandsville after a few movies, but please no more PTA

I have been an avid reader of William s Burroughs since the age of 15, and I give props to Cronenberg for attempting to film the unfilmable, which is Naked Lunch. Of course, there is plenty in the book, which is brilliant that isn't in the film, and plenty in the film that never occurs in the book. A novel like Naked Lunch has plenty in which to delve into and Cronenberg really failed to take advantage of most of it deciding instead to make a half adaptation, half bio-pic about the author and the process from which the novel emerged. One has to bring something to the table, notably a prior knowledge of Burroughs life and the events surrounding The writing of naked lunch. lets face it, naked lunch is just too much for the screen, and a true adaptation is probably impossible. Enjoy the film for the dark twisted story and characterization, not to mention Mugwumps! the recitation of Burroughs classic story of "the man who taught his asshole to talk" is worth the price of admission alone. Peter Weller's effortless portrayal of Burroughs as Bill Lee (one of his actual pseudonyms) is by far the best of any other attempts I've seen. Much better than Dennis Hopper's stiff attempt in "The Source" and way, way better than Kiefer Sutherlands forgettable role in "beat". the moral is, like the movie, love the book. the ending is fitting. since Lee enters "Anexsia" only after accidentally murdering his wife, since Burroughs didn't seriously begin writing until this event in his life, the accidental killing of Joan Volmer in the same fashion. I do believe that the novel "junky" may make for a far better bio pic and contains a Hollywood worthy story, unfortunately its formula has been borrowed far too much since its writing.

MXC is by far the best reason to watch spike TV, and basic cable in general. spike TV's lineup usually consists of hours of CSI, wrestling, star trek, and more wrestling. but shows like this and Hey! spring of trivia! make late night TV more worthwhile, (not to mention the last call mainstay; Max-x) The dialog is hilarious. my favorite stunt is the log rolling one, because EVERYONE takes a fall on it. I have a feeling the Japanese version is nowhere near as clever, and being trimmed down to 30 minutes probably does it justice. what a lot of folks don't know is that the main character Takeshi (Vic Romano) starred in a lot of violent Japanese fighting movies like "battle royal". the Japanese like to see grown men in tricycle races, but they don't get to enjoy the winner shouting triumphantly "I won! I won! Kiss my ass!" Be sure to look for the contestant named "babaganoosh" every episode. Don't get ELiminated!

I recently saw this film for the first time with a musical accompaniment from the alloy orchestra. they are a 3 piece group that travels worldwide providing original scores for silent movies, a real great experience, check them out if you have the chance. The film looks great, typical of Hitchcock's early works, strong scenes with great intensity, especially from the lead actress. Hitchock seems to establish one of his trademarks in this film, his ability to manipulate the audience into sympathizing and rooting for a character who is some sense a villain or who has done villainous things. in a pivotal scene the two characters frank, the police officer boyfriend, and Tracey, the vagabond hood seeking to blackmail the female lead; have a confrontation and the two character's personae seem to almost flip and we the audience begins to sympathize with a character we thought we were supposed to despise a moment ago. check it out for the innovative film style and good acting, the action at the end is fast and the movie seems to wrap itself up rather quickly, perhaps the version with dialogue adds a bit more climax, I'm curious if the chauvinistic banter at the end is kept intact