Change Your Image
JimmyL5555
Reviews
Faultline (2004)
An Earthquake Film Worse Than 1974
1. Film begins with a young woman and her BF scuba diving until he gets burnt by a burst of intense heat. She swims up to the surface and instead of wading above water, she just stands there with her upper body above water.
2. After having debris fall on them in the basement, it is inconceivable that they do not grab the hard safety helmets in the office clearly hanging inches from the circuit breaker
where the men had worked on before leaving the office.
3.After an aborted attempt of rescue due to an aftershock, the 4 of them in the basement get separated. HOW?
4. During the separation, probing in the dark, none of them shout loudly to be heard by the others but instead "call out" in conversational tone.
Shao nu su she (2019)
**SPOILERS** Watch the movie before reading
I read the other review while I paused the movie at 45 minutes, and was about ready to follow the advice given, and then I thought, "Naaahh! I'm already drawn in. I'll see it through." I'm glad I did. Maybe the horror and suspense might be a little cliche, but based on the explanation given at the end, it works in its favor.
While some may feel the ending explanation is lame or a copout or a gyp, but if you think about it, it all makes a lot of sense for those who understand the human mind and emotions in its response to the unknown, and as long as you understand the relationship between the main character and her mother, then you understand that an overprotective mother can create a feeling from the daughter to imagine all kinds of terrors being alone and away from the woman who keeps her safe and protected. So, all-in-all, you could say this is a morality play and it explores one facet of the human condition. It is a satisfying thrill ride as long as you know the nature of the ride.
The Day the Earth Moved (1974)
A disaster movie focusing on a person
While the special effects and "the Big One" is saved until the end, what works so well is THE STORY. THE STORY is the star, not the actors nor Special Effects, but the STORY! it's a human drama about the character of two people (surpringly, they're the characters portrayed by two actors who previously appeared in episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1959-1964), Jackie Cooper & William Windom), one who cares about total strangers who kept him unjustly and exploited him, and the owner of a town who is obsessed and committed to restoring a town that is past restoring and the loyal last remnants of that town who stand by him. The William Windom character reminds me of Lee J. Cobb character in 12 ANGRY MEN (1957), and in TWILIGHT ZONE, Jack Klugman in "Death Ship" & Lee Marvin in "Steel" who are unyielding to acknowledge truth, doubt, and futility. In all of this, I only have one question: why didn't they offer one phone call after they brought Jackie Cooper to remain a prisoner of the town and why didn't Jackie Cooper ASK to be allowed one phone call? Didn't they think his family, coworkers and friends would be worried about his sudden disappearance?? Maybe that's what happens when a tiny community is isolated from civilization: they lose their humanity and all the rules that go with it. In short: THE DAY THE EARTH MOVED is basically a morality play.
Daimajin (1966)
The first is the best
This review is for all 3 movies. This review FOCUSES ONLY on plot holes and continuity issues that run throughout the 3 films, but none exist in the first film.
The first film is the best, and I give 10 stars. The 2nd film is a weak retread of the first story (5 stars) and the 3rd film (1 star) is a pointless sequel with none of the drama and cohesion that made the first film so excellent. The first story is well-told and easy to follow. As the men attempt to destroy the statue, they drive a nail in the "helmet." As the god removes the nail, a hole can be seen until the end of the film. In both sequels, there is no hole as the helmet is intact. In the first 2 films, the statue sits on a mountain in front of the opening of a cave; in the 3rd film it sits on top of a grassy hill with nothing behind it so you could walk around and see the back of the statue of you wanted.
In the first 2 films, nothing is said of the god using a hawk avatar, but in the 3rd film, this avatar is talked about and makes several appearances.
In the first film, the god's spirit is represented as a ball of light streaking through the sky. After it leaves the statue, the statue crumbles to the ground as rubble. At the end of the 2nd film, the god disappears into the sea as the spirit momentarily appears as a ghostly version of the statue itself and then dissolves into nothingness. At the end of the 3rd, film, there IS NO spirit "leaving" the statue as the statue itself dissolves in the snowy wind.
Also the third film opens with the god rampaging a village without any explanation why. At this point, it appears that the god is being manipulated by the writer(s) as a gimmick device rather that a pivotal element in the story, thereby cheapening it and it becomes too familiar and less scary.
Condominium (1980)
Irwin Allen Would Have Been Proud
The only faults I found with this "mini-series" was (1) the opening titles music which is too positive and peppy which is the opposite of the tone of the story which is a serious disaster-laced drama, and (2) the climax segment beginning and sprinkled throughout the movie which is supposed to be presented in "flashback," as if the flashback is everything one person recalls, which would be impossible since the story involves so many people. I believe the flashback structure was intended to stretch the 3 hrs to 4 hours to include commercial breaks and as a device when returning from commercial breaks to remind the viewer of the movie he or she is watching and who sat through the commercials. This movie SHOULD be released on DVD or BluRay without the "flashback" structure and play the story straight from beginning to end like so many movies do, and that should save on wasted repetitive extraneous unnecessary footage, viewing time and data space on the DVD/BluRay. (That will be a goal of mine.)
Since this story involves everyone in the building, it makes perfect sense to build character development so you get to know everyone and you get to care what happens to them. This community has good people, bad people and everyone in between, which exist in ANY community, and if critics call that "soap opera style," they have that prerogative. To me, "soap opera" is a storyline where sex is the focus. In CONDOMINIUM, intimacy comes as a bonus while the focus is on how each character behaves and treats each other, which is as exciting as the storm itself.
The suspense is built slowly and gradually as the storm and the building's condition unravels to the point where it grabs you and won't let you go. A winner and a half. Not to be missed!
Campfire Tales (1991)
A few hit and misses
The first story written before I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER was made, gave the hook for a hand the hook for the story. Too predictable, and the guy is such a jerk, being abusive toward his supposed girlfriend and his attitude in general, we almost cheer when he meets his fate.
My favorite is the second story about the unknown marijuana. The fate of everyone involved is well-done production-wise and deserved as it accentuates my personal feelings about doing drugs. There are a few funny, ironic sight gags throughout the story. The guy's basement room is adorned with a NO SMOKING sign and a STOP sign as if the signs are warning these two against what they're doing. The ironic twist at the end involving the older brother and the poor cat, solidifies this piece as a high-budget horror movie that makes you forget you're actually watching a low-budget film. It seems unrealistic the older brother is not horrified by what he finds nor reacting to the odor that was mentioned a few times before. Also, it seems this movie was shot with a 16mm camera because several shots of the TV shows scanning lines with the TV image because 16mm cameras run a different frames-per-second ratio to TV illumination.
At first, I did not like the Christmas story as the guy's frozen demeanor is not questioned by his mother which is bothersome and unrealistic and his motive toward matricide is unclear outside that with him grown as an adult, there's no more any reason to give him "everything" he wants, and he's acting out like a spoiled child. It does take an interesting turn as the story goes on, and I later found I do like it.
The final story about a pirate's encounter with ghosts/zombies is a good story as it has a touch of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD in it.
All in all, an unforgettable journey into the human nightmare.
Nature Unleashed: Earthquake (2005)
Above average disaster movie
I read everyone else's reviews & comments and I disagree with them all. First, this is not a ho-hum, boring movie. An earthquake cripples a Russian power plant threatening a meltdown, and it's a race against time to avert the disaster. Add into the mix a Russian supervisor who refuses to accept the idea of anything wrong, and will stop at nothing to keep the truth from getting out, even if it means locking the engineer near the core, and trying to run away when confronted with the truth. That is very believable. This movie is well-paced, and doesn't take long to get started. And once it gets going, you're on a roller-coaster ride of suspense. The scene in the elevator shaft reminds me of the suspense in TOWERING INFERNO and POSEIDON ADVENTURE. The kids are very believable American youngsters trying to deal with their parents' separation, and fate forces them to work together. Maybe it's all cliché, maybe not. But I like this movie. Maybe the special effects were taken from DANTE'S PEAK, I don't know. Frankly, I don't care, since they're very brief and quick. Only when scenes are obviously stolen from other movies do I care, like when they stole footage from AIRPORT 1975 to create SONIC IMPACT. But try it yourself. You may be surprised.
Brewster's Millions (1985)
Not to be missed!
I'm a huge fan of Richard Pryor and for non-concert movies, it works if the material is right for him. For this movie, IT DOES!! Pryor makes a bizarre plot work -- REALLY work -- especially making you BELIEVE he is a man who has a passion for baseball and trying to be a success. And John Candy does a great job portraying Brewster's best friend who has to be kept in the dark as to the real reason behind the outrageousness of his best friend's spending. There are social comments being made throughout the movie, and it shows normal and understandable outgrowths and conditions, consequences and results with each decision Brewster makes on where each dollar goes despite the feverish attempts to secure no assets anywhere. It's a fun movie, a feel-good movie, and a very FUNNY movie. Definitely not to be missed! This version of the story is well-written, well-produced, and well-made. And this movie should be among the very top of this list of Pryor's movies that displays his pure genius, and his ability to successfully range through the emotions, that you feel you're right there with him, and you feel what he feels, and you're rooting for him.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001)
A Wonderful Addition to the Rudolph Story
I picked up this DVD at a garage sale thinking it was the 1964 classic until I read the back when I came home to discover it's a sequel. I looked up the reviews here to see what everyone said about it. I read a lot of negative comments, the most common is the awful songs. I decided to watch it for myself. Regarding the songs, everyone is correct: they are horrendous (which is why it loses a point in my rating), but the cartoon, story and all, surprised the heck out of me! All the lovable characters (including Charlie-in-the-box) from the 1964 classic is brought back with a new set of vocal talents that sound so much like the original cast, it's breath-taking and a little eerie. Yes, it's computer-animated instead of the stop-action of the '64 original, but so much attention, care, and love was given to the details, it doesn't become an issue and it gives this installment its own special charm.
Even a new twist on the social issue of Rudolph wishing to be like all the other reindeers was thought-provoking, clever, and wonderfully done. The animators even gave new dimension to Rudolph's nonconformity that does not, in my opinion, ruin the charm of the original. If anything, I look at it as Rudolph's nose changing its nature as he grows older, just as children's traits grow and change and evolve as they go through life.
The writers and animators thought of everything, including Rudolph's continuing relationship with Clarisse, and even giving Hermie the elf a love interest after graduating from Dental School. There are lots of in-jokes galore, including Hermie's vehicle having a modern-day alarm remote that chirps when activated, and there's even a "borrowing" from "Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom."
The main crux of the story is a dark character called the Toy Taker who has taken toys everywhere including all of the toys in Santa's workshop, and it's up to Rudolph and his friends to solve the mystery, catch the Toy Taker and return the toys in time for Santa's run on Christmas Eve.
With all that being said, I heartily recommend you buy or rent this wonderful movie and be in for the treat of your life ESPECIALLY if you're a fan of the 1964 original!!
Rat Race (2001)
Fair "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" update
There have been lots of movies updated, redone, spoofed, you name it. The classic 1963 "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" was due to be updated, and in my opinion, this is a fair update. One of the things that made MMMM World work was its huge assemblage of popular talent and comics, even small cameos. Here, you have a small group and very few added characters to the chase. In the original, lots of gags that hit every time; here, you have hits and misses, almost as many misses as you have hits. The Nazi Barbie Museum and the "heart" being the two biggest misses. Another big miss was when the two brothers ended up in the big wheel rally, and realized a big wheel truck was about to pound on them, they scattered out the car door, which took more time to do than simply put the car in gear and drive away from where they parked. The "mumble-mouthed brother" could have been in reference to Buddy Hacket's vocal style in the original movie, but if so, I think it's insulting.
But with all its faults, RAT RACE is still a funny movie -- a one-timer for me -- with my favorite scene being the helicopter girl flies over her boyfriend's house. I haven't laughed so hard since "Airplane!" My favorite line was when after John Cleese told them "Go!" and everyone's still seated, he says, "All of you have been racing for 45 seconds, and this guy is in the lead because he's the closest to the door." That got a huge chuckle from me. Definitely worth a look.
Firetrap (2001)
"Die Hard" meets "Towering Inferno"
A high-tech thief's latest mission may be his last when he crosses paths with a corrupt executive in a burning building. Dean Cain stars as Max Hooper who makes Mission Impossible-type capers look easy. This movie has as much fun as "Lethal Weapon" and as much drama as "Die Hard." Add that to the suspense in "Towering Inferno" and you have the recipe for a top-notch disaster film. A corrupt executive schedules in impromptu meeting in his office with his colleagues; unbeknownst to him, Max Hooper is in the building trying to steal a valuable computer chip, his wife & her lawyer show up to give him divorce papers, and someone in his company is attempting to ruin him, and in the process, starts a fire.
But who is behind what? And why? There are surprises at every turn, and keeps you riveted until the end. Excellent writing, excellent acting, excellent directing, excellent special effects ... all in all, an excellent movie. Give this one a viewing. You will not be sorry.
One Night with the King (2006)
We finally have a holiday movie of Purim
I'm Jewish, and I'm somewhat familiar with the story of Esther, Mordechai & Haman as the story is retold every year at Purim. And just like in Moses in "The Ten Commandments," I always thought it would make a good movie. I'm very impressed with this movie. After hearing the story every year, it was a treat to actually see the story brought to life. Fine acting all around. Christians have holiday movies, and we only have "The Ten Commandments" for Passover. Now we can include "One Night with the King" as a holiday movie for Purim. It is a powerful story of courage and love. A movie not to be missed! And one final note -- I don't know if it's a SPOILER or not, but rather be safe than sorry: it is quite eerie that the symbol that Haman embraces in his quest to destroy the Jews somewhat resembles a swastika.
Red Eye (2005)
A fair thriller ruined by one absurd detail
My wife & I rented this movie (I love airplane thrillers so I thought it would be good). It wasn't as good as I thought it would be, and then, something happens which turns this fair thriller into a joke.
SPOILER!! SPOLER!! BEWARE SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET!!
When Lisa stabs Jackson in the throat, no blood is spilled. I had a tracheotomy, and I can tell you from personal experience, blood has to spill. And if that wasn't bad enough, Jackson is able to sprint through the airport without any trouble breathing. I was in Intensive Care for a few days after my tracheotomy and it took a while before I was able to breathe normally as my body had to get used to there being a hole in my neck.
So, that particular detail ruins what would have been a fair thriller to watch when there's nothing else to watch. My advice: watch something else.
Lost in Space Forever (1998)
A must for any Lost in Space fan!!
I am a die-hard LIS fan, and I absolutely LOVED this special plus the DVD extras. John Larrocat hosts this special with Bob May/Dick Tufeld as the Robot that led to the shows origins, through all 3 seasons and up to the theatrical motion picture. And at the very end of this one-hour special we are given a super treat of Jonathan Harris & Bill Mumy reprising their roles as Dr. Smith and Will Robinson in their 3rd season costumes in a short scene that made me think that if they and the rest of the remaining cast did the same for the theatrical feature (with as much care as the crew did in recreating the original upper deck of the Jupiter II)-- like Star Trek did -- the movie would have been a huge success, and like Star trek, would have spawned sequels.
All they'd have to do is explain, like Star Trek did, how they all got older and that (because of Guy Williams' death) John Robinson died 5 years sooner than he was supposed to because of the deal he made with The Time Merchant from the 3rd season. Then, Lost in Space: The Movie would be a continuation of the story, like "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" was, with a new adventure they'd encounter, then Lost in Space II, Lost in Space III, and so on. That final scene in this special showed me the potential is endless! If you own the DVD you'd want to replay that last scene over and over again because it is so cool!!
The DVD has special features like behind the scenes of that final scene in the special and you can see how Jonathan Harris and Bill Mumy enjoyed doing it, test shots of the special effects primarily of the giant cyclops, the little robots, and -- my favorite: the Jupiter II and space pod flying, landing & taking off!
Another unique treat in the DVD extras is an audition/conversation with Guy Williams being introduced to the show by Irwin Allen (offsceen), and you can see how and why he was so easily chosen to play John Robinson.
A Storm in Summer (2000)
Rod Serling does it again!!
Rod Serling is best remembered for his venture into the imagination and fourth dimension of The Twilight Zone, but so many of his other writings become forgotten, such as "Requium for a Heavyweight." This story, "A Storm in Summer," written in 1970, five years before his death, Rod Serling has been able to successfully recapture the fine writing he did with "Requium." And this story is timeless as it speaks today as it did 37 years ago. Rod Serling is among my favorite writers, and I enjoy his social commentaries and dramatic twists in his stories and "Storm" is no different. The cast is excellent with Peter Falk in the lead, and the chemistry between him and his young co-star is magic! However, there are a few points in the movie that are too slow, and I didn't much care for the Grandmother (and those are the reasons for the 9 rating), but other than that, this is a wonderful movie, the kind you can see with the whole family. And a movie not to be missed!!
Poison Ivy (1992)
We must be talking of different movies
I read all the positive praise of this movie, so I was ready for some gripping drama, and so I rent it. After 15 minutes I was so disgusted with it, I stopped it, and returned it. Here's why:
In all the "Hand that Rocks the Cradle" copycat movies I've seen, they ALL show us right away as how the characters meet. With "Poison Ivy," the movie begins with Ivy and Coop ALREADY BEING FRIENDS, or at the very least being acquainted. To me, what makes these movies terrifying, would be that you just don't know the stranger you happen to meet, bump into, or circumstances where the paths cross. Where did Ivy come from? Instead of scenarios in which we as viewers can witness, all we have are what Ivy tells us. And for the only source of who a character is and where she comes from is from what she says, we cannot trust it. From a legal standpoint, it would be considered "heresay."
And not only can we not trust what Ivy tells us, we quickly learn we cannot believe what Cooper tells us either as she lies to Ivy -- and us -- by her claim of her biological father being black, and she adopted, when that wasn't true, and the lie she told Ivy -- and us -- that she cut herself trying to commit suicide, and then told us a few moments later, that THAT wasn't true, either.
And Cooper's narrative time-jumps, almost as if she's in a hurry to tell her story, and within a few minutes of the movie we go from them speaking of wishing to be friends to Ivy moving in with the family. I'm sorry, but that transition is too sudden, too abrupt, too jolting, that we as viewers feel it's thrown in our face quickly to sort it out later.
And Cooper's parents are the weakest parents I've ever seen. They have no backbone, no real authoritative presence, almost as if they're there for convenience's sake, they have no life outside just existing there, and within those first moments of this movie, it seems Cooper's father has no job-life.
And so, for me, we have in the first 15 minutes no characters we really don't know nor trust, nor even care about. IMHO, don't waste your time with this movie. There are plenty of other good ones of this type of story.
Pacific Heights (1990)
This movie is worse than "Air Marshall"
I've seen bad movies, and I thought I saw the worst in "Air Marshall," and couldn't imagine a movie worse. Boy was I wrong. "Pacific Heights" is totally absurd and frustrating. I stopped this movie after the police paid a visit. I tell you, if this is California law, I never want to move to California. I've watched enough People's Court to know nothing in this movie makes sense. Yes, it was against the law for him to shut off power and heat; that much is true. The officer said, "Whether he has a lease or not, he's still a tenant." Absurd. If there is no lease, he is trespassing. He has a right to change the locks? Who owns the building? The tenant? He doesn't own the place. He's renting the apartment. The landlord has a right to enter the apartment in case of an emergency or to do repairs or any number of reasons since he owns the building. Changing the locks is illegal. Drake has a right to start eviction proceedings. No rent has been paid. Keaton admits there was a problem with the money. Go to Small Claims Court. You don't have to mess with attorneys. There's landlord/tenant court, go through evictions. And the potential tenants' comments about refusing to authorize a credit check is enough to make my skin crawl. "It's not necessary, " he says, "My credit is good." I'd say, "Well, then there's nothing for you to worry about." I've seen enough episodes of "Cops" that you don't know who you'll meet, and I don't think anyone truly believes that no one ever lies. This movie really insults my intelligence. This is the biggest piece of crap I've ever seen. Avoid this movie at all costs.
Outrage (1998)
An Excellent Social Commentary
In addition to everyone else's comments and reviews, I'd like to mention that this movie portrays two excellent social commentaries: one, the sad injustices of the justice system and two, the true, full scope of the very nature and character of violence on a universal level. Violence, in all its forms, have stages, and OUTRAGE presents most of them from the mildest to the most severe. And like drugs, after the kicks of a mild level of violence loses its appeal and purpose, a stronger dose is needed to get the initial feeling again. And then even a stronger dose than that, and so on, until lines are overstepped, things gets serious and lives are ruined. The parallels between drugs and violence are so uncannily exact, OUTRAGE is almost a sociology study. Especially that juvenile crime is not exclusively a problem among the poor. That the rich, who are bored, with everything handed to them, and with social prestige in the community feels is above the law. So, if you want to see fine writing, fine acting, believable characters you care about and can recognize in people you've met, a good suspenseful thriller -- and the most extraordinary social commentaries that will pull some heartstrings, DON'T MISS "OUTRAGE!"
Con Express (2002)
very weak action picture.....don't bother
The entire movie is set in Flashback mode as an agent tells his superiors what happened in a Russian biochemical weapon terrorist transaction aboard a train that resulted in a huge folder of paperwork. The movie takes a while to get going, but once it does, you ride on the wave, and it doesn't get any faster than 2nd gear. Footage from the 1985 Eric Roberts' movie "Runaway Train" is used, and you kind of wish your were watching THAT movie instead. There is very little, if any, suspense, and it's a total waste of two hours. If you want to see this kind of story done well with edge-of-your-seat suspense, I'd recommend "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory" and "Atomic Train".
Firestorm: Last Stand at Yellowstone (2006)
Irwin Allen would have been proud!
In traditional Irwin Allen style, we have a movie that he would have endorsed. During a very hot, dry season, Yellowstone Park falls victim to one of the worst fires ever to inflict it. The action and suspense never lets up for a second, even from the first few moments. Included in this disaster epic are a team of firefighters, a fire scientist with unpopular theories, and a politician (remniscient of the mayor in "Jaws") who cares more for the $ than public safety who wants to keep the park open. This is not a copy of every disaster movie that came before it. It stands proud among the others of its genre. Excellent writing, directing, acting and special effects. This one is not to be missed!!! I hope it is made available in DVD.
Inquizition (1998)
I think I know who the Inquizitor is
The Inquizitor stayed in the shadows so you never saw his face, and I have a nagging suspicion, that "Weakest Link" is a direct steal of this show -- including the snappy remarks from the host. The more I watched this show, the more I kept thinking that voice is too familiar, that I've heard it before. Then, it hits me: the character of Pete Walker, the crime syndicate boss on "Young & Restless" in 1982-1983. The actor: William H. Bassett. He is also Prince Charming in a "Bewitched" episode, and he is also the Leasing Agent in "Towering Inferno," as he said, "No, no, no, the offices go as high as 80. From the 81st floor here, all the way up to 120, it's exclusively residential. Now, the apartment I want to show you is 81 -- " his voice fades away as we go into the storage room. The next time you watch that scene, think of the Inquizitor, and say to yourself, "Do the voices match?"
Cave In! (1983)
Irwin Allen does it again!!
After the enormous success of his 2 blockbuster disaster films "Poseidon Adventure" and "Towering Inferno," Irwin Allen had switched studios from 20th Century Fox to Warner Bros., and the TV-movies and theatrical movies he produced with his new home did not match the scope of those two, and you could say they are filled with his repetitive clichés, but are still good, solid, suspenseful disaster movies, and CAVE IN! is no exception.
Filmed in 1979 but not broadcast until 1983, this lesser-known Irwin Allen disaster movie delivers the goods. However, the flashbacks kind of drag it through the mud a little and you lose the momentum, and that's why it gets an "8" rating. But if you could tolerate the flashbacks, you got a good, suspenseful disaster movie.
A handful of tourists visiting a cave experiences a cave-in and are trapped, and have to trudge through obstacles to make it to safety. And if that wasn't bad enough, they have to deal with an escaped criminal traveling with them. It's a shame that Warner Bros. doesn't release this movie commercially.
I bought a VHS copy of this movie off eBay from someone who taped it off the Family Channel sometime during the 1980s, and I hope he'll have more copies available. So, if you're a fan of disaster movies, and Irwin Allen in particular, DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!
Nature Unleashed: Volcano (2005)
Too Bizarre for comment
I expected this to be a disaster movie in the Irwin Allen tradition. Instead, I find a movie too bizarre for words. I missed the first 10 minutes, and I "came in" as a man and his wife were helping victims (which I'm guessing) of a volcanic eruption in Italy. She is killed as he loses his grip on her hand hovering over a lava stream. He continues to see her in his dreams and is haunted by his memory of her. He then proceeds to the Italian province where she'd grown up (before moving to the states) in search of her records, which I'm guessing is for closure. Instead he encounters a mute young girl who has been declared as "disturbed," who seems terrified of him -- and yet, seems drawn to him and pursues him -- and leaves him dead animals as "gifts." Everyone he meets warn him to stay away from her and the area where she is staying and offering no explanation. He follows her to a cave where, after experiencing a swarm of bats that drop dead out of the air as they reach him, he sees she has candles lit and she draws circles everywhere. And after chasing her to someplace else, he sees that she has drawn a detailed picture of his late wife. After demanding from her how she knows her, she flees. He is then told by others that after a traumatic event in her young life, she became mute, communicates only with the dead and feels a possible connection to the Devil. At this point, I turned off this movie and watched no more of it, even though I was at the half-way mark. What all this has to do with a volcano is beyond me. At least the movie "Nature Unleashed: Earthquake" had that Irwin Allen feel to it as it focused on the disaster; here I wasted about an hour out of my life, scratching my head after the first 45 minutes. My advice: avoid this movie and read a book.
Locusts (2005)
The Best Insect/Swarm Disaster Movie in Years
I have seen many insect/swarm disaster movies, and this one is good. This is a real true disaster movie that I think stands above other insect/swarm disaster movies. The disaster is widespread across the country and really gives a realistic feel as it involves various cities and states, news reports, highway traffic, a school bus and air travel. And Lucy Lawless is very good as the leading character, and she joins other strong female roles in disaster movies: Kim Delaney (10.5, 2003), Joanna Kearns (The Great Los Angeles Earthquake, 1990), Susan Batten (Hijacked: Filght 285, 1996), and Maria Conchita Alonso (Sudden Terror: The Hijacking of School Bus #17, 1996). Someone said the special effects are bad. I disagree. However, some intense close-ups of the insects are unnecessary and drag the film down a bit as "The Birds", "Jaws," and any other frightening thriller involving nature is the more frightening when you can't really see the terror. Now, let's hope they'll release it on DVD.
The Sky Is Gray (1980)
Not a bad piece of history
This is a slow-paced film, I'll grant you that, and the film really picks up when woman and child are in town. The film takes place, I'm guessing in the first half of the 20th century in the south. This black family (although I'm not sure of the relationships) live in this plantation trying to make ends meet as they work in the fields. (Cleavon Little makes a cameo as a fun guy in their lives.) James, one of the children, has a toothache, and he and his "mama" travel into town to the dentist. Mama keeps him in line when he gets curious about his surroundings (peeking in a store window, etc.). While he waits at the dentist office (where we hear a patient crying in pain as I guess they haven't perfected Novocaine, yet), one asks why we are made to suffer, and a rather handsome student (who is played by "Sliders" star Cleavant Derrick's brother) reveals he's an atheist, which begins the most thought-provoking argument on belief I've ever heard: "I don't believe in God because the wind is pink and grass is black. Words mean nothing. Action is the thing." As he further explains that if you, as a child, were told by your parents the wind was pink, and grass, say, is orange, that's what you'd believe. The nurse then announces the dentist is on break and to come back. So, James and his mama try to get lunch, but they have very little money, so they go to a diner where she gets him some lunch. A man starts up a song on the juke box and begins dancing with Mama. It is unclear what happens next, whether he made a move on her or she pretends he made a move on her as she shoves him away and the two of them briskly leave the diner. As they're walking, they're spotted by a proud store proprietor who asks that the boy does a chore for her as her husband is ill and pays them with a hot meal. She calls ahead to the dentist to let him know James is on his way. After buying meat at the store, they walk back to the dentist. It's not Oscar-winning drama, but it does hold your interest. And in my mind, the highlight of the film is the discussion in the dentist office, which can make up for the rest of the film.