cblountt Reviews

The Manhattan Project (1986)

Entertaining but with some faults

[7/10 · 20 April 2017]

Not quite understanding the bad reviews here. Going in it's easy to see immediately that this movie was going to be flippant and a bit of a fairy tale. How can anyone take it seriously? Instead, just sit back and enjoy the ride.

This movie is basically a series of unlikely events strung together. Can they happen, sure but probably in another dimension. But still, I found this film a guilty pleasure. It's best to just put your mind on hold for a bit and just have fun.

On a side note, I really miss the 80's version of John Lithgow. He is such a great actor and back then he was at his prime.

Living in the Age of Airplanes (2015)

A beautiful movie and a must see!

[9/10 · 15 February 2017]

First you must go into this documentary with the idea that you are not going to learn about airplanes. This is not a "how airplanes work" film. This film is more about how airplanes have affected humanity. It's a wonderful look at how humans have progressed from simply walking everywhere at 5MPH to flying at 500MPH.

It's obvious from the start that great care has been taken to make this film a feast for the eyes and ears. There is no story arc. It's a simple five chapter retrospective about the history of travel and aviation. You simply need to sit back and enjoy the absolutely stunning cinematography, Harrison Ford's wonderful narration, and James Horner's awesome score. That's it! Simple as that. Nothing complicated.

If you don't have access to an IMAX theater, the Blu-Ray looks fantastic! Very sharp and clear image. If you have a home theater with big screen and surround sound, you will love it! Worth every penny. The online streaming versions also look pretty good if you don't have a Blu-Ray player.

Regarding James Horner's score. I have been a fan of James Horner since the early 80's. This score is one of his last and one of my favorites. It's basically a great collection of his style through the years. It's so sad he's gone now but I'm thankful he left us with such a moving piece of work that brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

Living in the Age of Airplanes, in my humble opinion, is a must see for the simple fact that it's interesting and at the same time a work of art in filmmaking.

A Dog's Purpose (2017)

Good movie, just see it!

[9/10 · 30 January 2017]

I saw this movie yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. If you are a dog owner/lover, it's definitely worth a look. It has heart and the story arc is well done.

*SPOILER BELOW* Be prepared for a good cry and not necessarily at the end. Since this is a movie about dog re-incarnation, the dog is killed multiple times and each time is different. You will shed a tear depending on your experience with losing a pet. There are times it might rip at your guts so be sure to bring something to wipe your eyes.

Despite the controversy surrounding this film, I would suggest to forget all that. Just go see it. It's worth it. No point in depriving yourself of such a wonderful experience especially since the TMZ video is basically fake.

Natural Born Pranksters (2016)

It's just OK

[4/10 · 31 March 2016]

Put simply, the movie does what it's meant to do. It reaches out to fans and gives them something to cheer about. If you are a fan of Roman, Vitaly and Dennis, you will have a good time watching this movie. Parts of it are fun and a few of the reactions are obviously real. This movie is basically a Hollywood level extension of their prank channels. Think of it as a mix of the TV show Scare Tactics and Jackass. Nothing special, just the three pranksters taking things up a notch (within legal limits the studio would allow).

Where it falls short is that this has all been done before. Many of the pranks are inspired by Jackass so there is nothing special here. Unfortunately, this movie will not have broad appeal except for die hard fans. Anyone who watches this movie going in with no pre-conception of their prank channels, will get bored, nevertheless, the movie is still fun in it's own way. For the average person however, I would tell them to pass on it. There are better movies out there.

Look Who's Talking Now (1993)

This movie is underrated.

[8/10 · 12 December 2011]

Some of you people are so picky. This is certainly not the worst movie ever made. I agree it's not the best movie of the series but it's fun to watch especially around the holidays.

First, the cast is great. Lot's of funny stuff and the chemistry is perfect especially between John Travolta and Kirstie Alley.

The way Danny DeVito and Diane Keaton blend their voices with the on screen action of the dogs is nothing short of great. The facial expressions of the dogs, in some cases, fit the dialog perfectly.

I also think this movie is great for the holidays. It expresses the importance of family and togetherness.

I do find it interesting that there are two endings to this movie. The original theatrical version had a different music cue at the very end along with regular scrolling credits. The version that was released on laserdisc and VHS had a, in my opinion, better music cue at the end (Joy to the world) and then a music video with the credits. The DVD release has the original theatrical ending but thankfully the Netflix HD version has the "video" ending.

In my humble opinion, a wonderful family film especially for the holidays. Lots of fun if you are in the mood for light comedy. Just enjoy it and don't worry about comparing it to the other films.

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Not all that bad

[8/10 · 27 November 2010]

I use this movie every year to kick off the holiday movie watching season. It gives a preview of the Christmas season and what's its all about.

While the original Miracle on 34th street is a classic, its very, very dated. I actually prefer to watch this updated version. I wouldn't change a thing except Elizabeth Perkins. She didn't quite fit the part.

It's also a pleasure to listen to the symphonic score soundtrack. Bruce Broughton did a wonderful job catching the emotions and feelings of both the actors and season.

Some would argue that this movie should have never been made. I say shame on you. There is always room for the re-telling of classic stories. While this movie isn't perfect, it still catches the spirit of the original and simply finds a different path to the end. It will always be part of my Christmas season movie list.

Chew Chew Baby (1958)

Scared me as a kid but now, kind of funny.

[6/10 · 28 May 2009]

I saw this cartoon back in the 60's and it scared me. I had nightmares. I just finished watching it after 40 years. Despite the demented nature of the cartoon, I actually found myself laughing in parts. The cannibal eating the people on the bus to get a seat was strangely humorous. The cartoon can be found on YouTube so its time to face your fear. It's really not that bad.

While I wasn't born in the 50's, I did watch a lot of cartoons that were made during that era as a kid in the 60's. Some of them were sort of weird and violent and it surprises me that people found them funny. I guess they worked better when shown in theaters with large audiences.