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Reviews
Capricorn One (1977)
Capricorn One might make you squirm in your skin.
Capricorn One is an underrated movie, because it does what it was designed to do. The Mars mission is a scam. Men that have prepared their entire lives to be heros are forced into a conspiracy of deceit. When they decide they can not be a part of the conspiracy they are marked for death. They face an all out assault by the most powerful nation on earth. It may be that the concept that the government could carry out a major deception against it's people is an alarming notion. It may be too alarming. It demonstrates that even a lie of this magnitude is possible and in doing so can make us question much of our agreed upon reality may not be as real as we believe. I believe skepticism is a good thing. "Question Authority" may be the most valuable motto of my generation. This movie asks us to question even those things we "Know" to be true. The "facts" that just couldn't be fabrications. It is psychologically disconcerting to the point of being disorientingly horrific. It maybe that this movie was not more popular, because it is just too unsettling. If so, this is a great movie.
Celebrity (1998)
This would have been great in 1968
This would have been considered a sleeper in 1968, but trite and cliche in 1998. Branagh appears to be trying to "do" Woody, who apparently allowed this travesty. This Manhattan murder was no mystery. Although the character's conflict were Catholic guilt/sex and neurosis, Branagh desperately imitates a classic neurotic Jewish writer, even doing Woody's stammers and stutters. What were they thinking? It was death without love. I found only one or two slight grins in the interiors of this psycho-comedy, the largest was when I went to the restroom knowing I wouldn't miss anything. The second when I fantasized Branagh saying "TB are not TB (cough, cough)that is the congestion" from "Everything You Wanted to Know..."
I hate to be deconstructing Woody, I weep for his past genius. He is either bananas or he decided to take the money and run. Now he is remaking Manhattan/Annie Hall hoping they won't be seen hiding under a new title. If you ever watched an old friend tell the same tired story over and over hoping someone will cheer it again, you'll cry for Celebrity. Don't play it again, Woody. You're no longer the champ and you will never be again. It is better to stand on your laurels, than soil your Depends. With all of the real celebrities you'd think this movie would have been touted from all of the NY/LA roof tops, but I imagined the Celebs, paid not to be associated with this sick flick. Maybe young film makers will look at this and say, "When my day in the sun is over, just shoot me, don't let me make a movie like Celebrity."
Simply Irresistible (1999)
simply resistable
This movie was able to take all of the finer elements of love story, combine them with a weak plot, forgetable characters and mediocre acting and cook up a movie that would be better missed. If you enjoy a little magic and a little comedy and a little romance, see Ghost or Always or Starman or Michael or Harold and Maude. Miss this one.
You've Got Mail (1998)
Wait for HBO
Save your money. It's a fair flick, but nothing to right home about. The Shop Around the Corner(1940), from which the story is taken has much more depth and color. Read about it on imbd. and rent it, it's fine. Mail is not terrible, but it's not up to Nora Ephron's talent. It's time she stop re-making the unlikely love stories. They are getting boringly predictable.
Airport (1970)
Tis' the stuff that spoofs are made of.
Cliche....cliche....cliche. This movie is bad and boring and began a long line of bad and boring movies. The best thing about "Airport" is that it begat "Airplane". It might be worth viewing again just to see the corn that created a classic.
Summer of '42 (1971)
A special film
I first saw '42 when I was 21 and nearer to the age of innocence. Now at 50, the film seems more poignant and more perfect, yet the emotions are different. This maybe the test of a classic, that it grows with you because the truths are indeed truths. Truths seem to change as we grow. Although I wouldn't go back, there is a part of me that longs for the experience of the first love.
Echoes of a Summer (1976)
An excellent movie on the strength of the human heart
All of the acting is as good as it gets. Jodie Foster as the main character gives a flawless performance, in this extremely well written story about the life of a precocious child that is dying. Director Don Taylor, creates a visually beautiful, yet simple canvas on which the actors ply their craft. This is a movie with much raw emotion, but as light as is possible on the cliche tear jerker stuff. It offers a range of emotions and insights into the human condition. Makes you proud to be human, even with all of our flaws. Don't miss it, but be prepared to be emotionally wrung out.
Instinct (1999)
INSTINCT is a good film.
The movie might have been better. It had more than it's share of cliche. The interaction between Hopkins and Gooding are so good that combined with the message...the film moved from entertaining to excellent. The message although straight forward is one that modern man needs to hear over and over. The acting couldn't have been better...the direction could have been.
On the Beach (2000)
On the Beach should have you writing your congress-person
China and the US get into a little nuclear war and destroy all life on earth except Armand Assante and his sub marine crew and the folks in Australia. Until it is found that a cloud nuclear is drifting south from China. This movie, like it's predecessor, On the Beach-1959, should scare the hell out of all of us and get our government actively engaged in seeking universal disarmament. Brian Brown and Rachel Ward's characters were unnecessary to the plot. Assante, Jacqueline McKenzie and Grant Bowler give OK performances, but the star of this film is the message of the horror of nuclear war. Although it's longer than necessary, the social commentary makes it a must see.
Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945)
Travel back to simpler times of love and family and community.
As the father of a seven year old girl, I found the movie real and moving. The pride, hopes and fears of a father that wants all of the best for his child. Robinson and Moorehead give spotless performances. O'Brien seems a little saccharine as Selma, but still plucks the heart strings of this father of a wonderful, precocious girl child. Her worries, trials and joys are real.
The work as a whole has a few too many sub plots and more focus on the central characters might have made a slightly better film, but it is a very satisfying movie, with real people and real emotions. It shows that despite major social changes, the issue's of the heart have changed little. Although world of the Jacobson's is less complex than mine, our vines still have tender grapes.
The Nutty Professor (1996)
fatism
If Roseanne or Drew Carey or John Goodman or Louie Anderson or Oprah made a movie that portrayed African American's as Uncle Tom's, Aunt Jemima's, pimps or any other stereotype, there would be an uproar. Yet the last acceptable prejudice, "fatism" seems a fair target for a man who should know better. Obesity is a disease. A disease with no cure and no successful treatment. When the word diet pops in your mind, remember that only 5% of people that go on diets are able to keep the weight off. This number includes the "normal" people who need to lose only a few pounds. Most people gain back more weight than they have lost. Americans, the most diet conscious people on earth, have more fat people than "normal" people. Fat is the norm, yet it is fine to portray fat people as ugly, socially inept, clumsy objects of ridicule. During the last 50 years, we have identified many prejudices and have tried to right the wrongs of our society. Don't let the last and possibly the greatest (no pun intended) prejudice continue. Boycott this movie and all movies that ridicule others because of their physical appearance.
White Nights (1985)
If you like dancing...here are 2 of the best
The story is only fair, the acting not quite as good as the story, but the dancing....can't be beat. Try to decide who is the best dancer... Hines with Ballet or Baryshnikov with tap... or both doing a combination of both styles. These guys can dance
The Pee-Wee Herman Show (1981)
Funny funny funny
i'd vote 10 if I could... This is some strange and hilarious stuff Ruebens is a comic genius you'll laugh and laugh
The Duellists (1977)
great sword fighting - interesting acting - loooong film
It goes on and on...with characters that you can't care about. before long you hope someone will shoot the tv and put everyone out of their misery....if you love sword fighting, watch the movie with remote in hand and fast-foreward primed and ready. Keitel is wonderful as usual
The Magic Christian (1969)
Weird as an art form and social commentary
This movie was fabulously weird before weird was cool. People bob for money in a pool full of excrement. Yul Brynner sings a love song as a beautiful blonde transvestite. After this the weirdness begins. Absolutely unpredictable and bazaar. When I first saw it in 1969, I was in shock for at least an hour. Although sensitivities have changed...this movie is still packed with surprises and well placed jabs at society. Try it you'll like it or hate it, but you won't be indifferent.
The Miracle Worker (1962)
I give this one an 11
If you don't believe cinema is art. this nearly perfect film will change your mind. It will take you through a full range of emotion. If you are ever feeling bad because your BMW needs a tune-up this will put your problems in perspective, while making you proud to be part of the human race. People can not only be miracle workers, but miracles. Knowing this movie is based on two real people, friends for a lifetime, who eventually have a major impact on their world makes this movie even more meaningful.
Raising Arizona (1987)
Funny, Funny, Funny - Holly is wonderful
It's worth the price to see Holly's wonderful performance as Ed. You've got to see her BAWL. No crying here. She opens her usual flat affect and lets go as if there were no tomorrow. This movie is further proof of Holly Hunters incredible range and her status as the premier actor of her generation and surely one of the best in the history of film.
this movie is not just HH... It is comedy of the absurd at it's highest level. Don't miss it.
La passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928)
fabulous = a must see
Maria Falconetti, almost always in extreme close-up and with no make-up gives a marvelous performance. She offers a subtlety of expression that is moving in it's realism. Many say this is THE greatest performance in movie history. I don't think I could argue. Based on actual trial records. Director, Carl Theodor Dreyer demanded realism in costume, thus the absence of make-up. Shot mostly in close-up the emotions are intense. An excellent silent film. The best I have ever seen.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
intense
Anthony Hopkin's Dr. Hannibal Lecter, is about as freaky as you could imagine. Wonderful acting. Great suspenseful story Can't wait for the "Hannibal" movie
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Man O man
One of the first movies to identify the insanity of the arms race. Peter Sellers is wonderful in his may roles. And old Slim Pickin's will always be remember riding the big one. As usually Kubrick breaks all the rules and leaps ahead of the crowd setting opening new frontiers for film makers
Harold and Maude (1971)
fabulous = a must see
One of the very few movies I would see more than once. I've seen it well over 10 times because it makes me laugh and fills my heart every time. If you like Cat Stevens it's worth it for the musik. If you ever need a fresh look at life and /or love, This is it. I save this movet for very special friends, like a very special cognac. You deserve to see this at least in your life