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JoshuaLieder-1
Reviews
The Dead Pool (1988)
Not Eastwood's best, but watchable
I am rewatching all of of Client Eastwoods Dirty Harry movies (and a few others). Though this isn't the best of the lot, its still entertaining right from the beginning with a Harry in trouble scene and car stunt that engages the viewer immediately. Naturally Eastwood comes out shooting. The banter between the policeman at the offices is very 70's like and stilted, but Eastwood manages his scenes well. Not many liked the female reporter in the film but I thought he was one of the better leading ladies in an early Eastwood film. I especially liked the Asian actor (sorry I forgot his name) and felt he was well matched with Eastwood's character. An early martial arts scene stands up well and is very believable - even more powerful than Clint's shootout. I thought the tiny car scene was silly and detracted from an otherwise good movie. Watch for the old typewriter and computer and what passed as office furniture back then. Also, I think most will agree Eastwood rose above this slight silly storyline. He's at his best in a prison scene where he manipulates two convicts. For me its the highlight of the film.
The Flock (2007)
Give Gere the Oscar Now and Danes the Best Supporting
I saw this important intense film tonight. Its Richard Gere and Claire's Dane's most important and best work. Gere deserves an Oscar for his fine portrayal of a man being forced into early retirement as a sex offender registrar administrator. Claire Danes is riveting as the woman Gere handpicks to replace him - a woman he tries to teach all he can while investigating one final case in which Gere's character is convinced one of those he is charged to monitor may be holding a young girl hostage. The subject matter is shocking, sex offenders and those who monitor them, but this film will not soon be forgotten. I know I will be haunted by Gere's portrayal for a very long time. Not since Anthony Hopkins portrayal of a serial killer has a screen portrayal terrified and so engaged me. The film opens with a shocking statistic so don't miss the opening credits. Intense and memorable. Richard Gere's finest role proving the man can act. Danes can as well and both do extraordinarily well in this often challenging film.
This is a gutsy film and Gere gives a multi-layered deeply felt performance. Just give him the Oscar now...he deserves it!
Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007)
Captivating, Exciting, Come on New Season
I have to admit when I first began watching this movie I thought I had missed an old episode or something. The beginning of the film plays just like an episode with a recap of where we left off in the storyline. The lead character in the story has a great story arc and makes some tough choices. She's trained and promoted early on by a tough lady commander too.
I am a huge fan of this series because of its tight story lines, interesting characters, and thought toward continuing plot lines. This "filler" as some have called it is great. You get to see all the principals - which was unexpected - and meet some new faces from the past.
I don't think anyone would like this movie without being familiar with the series but it rates for me as an extended episode and one of the best (cept for those the feature the Female President, who for me is the major reason to keep tuning in as she is so great a character...and I want to see her hopefully overcome cancer.
There is a major plot development hinted at toward the very end of this film. It involves a major character and makes you wonder what will happen when the season begins.
Why the delay? Get going people we love and miss the human race and the protagonists featured in this series. Its dark, exciting, gritty, well made and great entertainment. Stay Frosty!
88 Minutes (2007)
Al Pacinos Best Film Ever!
I am a huge Al Pacino fan as the actor/man knows how to believably live within and through his characters...he inhabits them totally. This is his best work and I think its a crime the film hasn't been released widely.
It had actions, great casting around him, a great developed plot, and the women around him of all ages are exceptionally talented and beautiful. I have read some of the reviews here and cant imagine why anyone doesn't agree that this is Pacinos best work certainly worthy of an Oscar.
I was happy to have caught this movie and enjoyed the tight taut pacing and believable forensic FBI professor Pacino played. Well done Al. Those releasing your movies need to have their heads examined!
On Moonlight Bay (1951)
a tuneful lighthearted American romp
Its not often I give a film 10 of out of 10 but Doris Day movies consistently rate that high for me. If you are in a depressed or foul mood, her smiles, her singing, and the cast members around her always can lift you to another place. This is much like a Technicolor Judy Garland film in a lot of ways, with homespun family values and courting. At first, I had a problem with the leads, who seemed too old, playing teenagers. The actors grow on you, especially Doris. The actor playing her annoying kid brother is terrific. The parents are well portrayed and protective. The housekeeper is a wiley classic. Even the family dog gets in the act in several scenes. I recommend the film heartily especially if you want to smile and sing along. Doris Day is and has always been a national treasure. I am very glad I got a chance to spend the afternoon with her in this film.
Resurrection (1980)
A crime this isn't out on DVD
There are many scenes in this movie that moved me to tears. I do sort of wish the main character had sided with God as the reason for her talents. She never said it wasn't God though. I really enjoyed this film. Watch for the scenes in which Burstyn's character heals the twisted form of on woman in front of disbelievers and the viewers own eyes. The scene in the end of the film with a little boy having cancer unattended briefly in his car is also moving. This movie made me recall parts of Elmer Gantry for some reason while I was watching. I am glad that Burstyn chose not to make it in the vein of The Exorcist but more uplifting and spiritual. I cannot believe at this time its not out on DVD. What are the producers and DVD makers waiting for?
Norbit (2007)
One of the worst films ever foisted on the public!
Eddie Murphy should be thrown in jail, along with those responsible for this flatulent road kill of a movie. Its so bad I turned it off halfway through. How I wished I had sent the money to a Darfur center instead (or Murphy had)! Its not funny, applauds awful stereotypes as comical, and, in my opinion, should be listed in the horror section (not comedy).
How can one laugh when a child is thrown a duck head to play with at the beginning of the film or when a newborn is thrown out the window of a speeding car? This last part set the tone for this hateful unfunny vicious movie to me.
What is hysterically funny to me is that Eddie Murphy foisted this vomit inducing charade off on the American public as entertainment. I hope no one ever offers him a dime to make another movie...the movie is that bad. Truly this may be one of the worst films ever made.
Possessed (2000)
The best exorcism film to date
I have been watching horror films lately, which is a bit of a switch for me. I remember seeing the Exorcist films and even watched the second one again recently, wanting more of the inner life and workings of the priest, Father Merrin. This film far exceeds any I have seen dealing with this subject matter before (Emily Rose being a close second).
You have the usual Hollywood stuff thrown in, but what really gave this film such a high mark for me was the great masculine, spiritually focused portrayal by the main priest as played by Timothy Dalton. His characters friendship with the other priest and his inner life is exactly what I longed for in similar films dealing with exorcism but NEVER found. This is not a perfect film and Dalton does say one famous Betty Davis line that takes you right out of the film (I laughed) but its entertaining and I think riveting. More time could have been spent with the overwrought parents, especially the dad who seemed more possessed than the kid at times, and they didn't spend months working on the child as I think it took in real life, but all in all a good faith effort. Yes, a testimony in part of the fact that Jesus has Won and Wins and that saving souls is still important even in modern times. Rent the DVD and watch the extra (a real life interview with one of the priests involved in the exorcism).
Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker (2006)
Hold on to your parachute - James Bond Lite (Alex Rider) is here!
This review may contain what some call spoilers - but I tried NOT to.
What a great little film this was. I was disappointed Ewan Mcgregor wasn't in the film more. The main character who played Alex was great. The movie has a fun opening but if you are like me you wonder if maybe Alex was kept behind or something...he seems so much more sophisticated, older and well...better looking than the kids in the class. Perhaps thats what we are supposed to see.
I would recommend this film to anyone over 10 and even adults looking for James Bond lite with some silliness that rivals Jaws in the other films.
Spoiler Alert! The female villain is so over the top and Mickey Rouke in purple eyeshadow is just plain silly. (This actor typically looks like he has been on a 10 day bender and fell asleep in the sewer in most of his films anyway so perhaps the eyeshadow helps). I don't mean to be unkind. He can play a great mean villain but in this film he is just silly.
So whats left the recommend. Well former Batgirl Actress, Alicia Silverstone for one. Wouldn't every young man like to have her for a legal guardian to ahem...."look after you"? Also, the young actor who plays Alex is great. Nice accent kid. That helped carry off your role well.
Lets hope they will make the plots a little less kiddish (leave the bad makeup and hair alone for example) and the other stories in the series are better plotted. This series of books from what I saw of this film must be engaging and deserve a chance.
28 Weeks Later (2007)
28 Days from now - a fine rental - otherwise forget it!
I grew to like 28 Days Later originally and even watched it again recently. I was eager to see if the sequel would do anything different or better.
Spoiler Alert: It does by adding children, a silly "pop-up" father, and panic stricken American Military. The movie begins well enough with a gathering of what initially appears to be a family holed up in an old farmhouse and the first 20 min or so are pretty scary. The rest is a bloody mess devoid of plot and sure to arrive on DVD next week (its that poor).
So many scenes beg to be expanded - including the relationship the two children have, which almost made me care about them. Heck the first scene set up a whole movie that was never explored as far as I am concerned. Even a flashback to how they all got to the farmhouse would have been much more entertaining.
Spoiler Alert:
The reintroduction of the Father in the story (to say more would be unfair to those who haven't seen this bloody mess of a film yet) makes the story just plain silly.
The much ballyhooed surprise ending made me laugh out loud...it was that stupid.
I give one star for the first 20 minutes and two stars for the children. What a shame the film didn't have more going for it.
Elizabeth I (2005)
Makes you forget all other versions of the story
This version of the story of Elizabeth 1st is terrific. Helen Mirren is so magnetic and the casting of all her fellow actors so superb I hated for this costume drama period film to end. There have been other filmed versions of this story but none so good as this one. I liked it so much I am purchasing it. The costumes are excellent, the dark interiors and well placed hallways realistic, the drama high and weighty, and the realism unparalleled.
They knight actors in England and give high honors to others. Its time for Ms. Mirren to be recognized too. Thank you for your excellent entertainment, hard work, and superior talent to all involved.
The Prestige (2006)
Make my money reappear please!
When compared to the vastly better THE ILLUSIONIST, this film pales. I found myself actually being bored and kept waiting for something, anything to capture my imagination....to wow me. As an audience, the narrator within the film urges us to pay attention, and I did, for the duration - wondering why I didn't go to see another movie. The only real acting in the film was done by the character of Bale's wife in the film. Her scenes were touching...the rest...well lets just the ticket seller was the only one in the theater working slight of hand. Count me completely unimpressed.
Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman were just OK, Michael Caine passable, and Scarlett forgettable. The only thing I can say about this movie is that its about obsession and the damage it can cause. Sorry, nothing magical about that!