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Reviews
The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go (1970)
Eleven out of Ten
Fools! Can't you see this is better than Austin Powers? This is James Bond Lite, for those who can't keep up with the intricacies of a regular James Bond storyline. It's got everything including lesbians, large Chinese men wielding large Chinese cleavers, a guy who just won't die and sexy action (various tastes appeased). And don't get me started on the soundtrack. I felt like I could Do It, whatever that It was.
I am pray that this gem will be rediscovered and spawn a "Making Of" collectible DVD compilation (in widescreen). The acting is superb, but the screenplay needed a final revision. Perhaps M. Night Shaymalan can re-release it with Mr. Bridges playing the role of Mr. Go.
11/10
Zardoz (1974)
Great philosophical story due for a re-make
I read with disappointment others' comments about this film. Although this is not the best film of all time, I think that the story merits considerable credit. I particularly like the questions and the analogy drawn to our world. We also worship a 'Zardoz': are we, too, as pawns in some sick game played by bored immortals? ("Is God in show-business?") Are our 'leaders' genetically mutated to act as our banes so we don't find out the truth? That would explain the dismal state of politics.
Yes, the FX are cheesy (if you are a shallow drone who likes eye-candy with no story, go watch Star Wars Episode 1 and 2). Yes, the 70s sets are artsy-fartsy. Yes, the script needs some doctoring. And yes, the a-cup boobs all over the place are irrelevant and ridiculous. However, I think that if this film is done over again with great actors, a modified script and CGI, it would be an instant classic.
About Schmidt (2002)
Like watching a train wreck in slow-motion
At first, I thought this was a pretty boring movie. That was until I started seeing a deeper vision, something like Van Sant's "Elephant". Schmidt had no life: he worked 9-5 until retirement in a stuffy mono-chrome windowless office (spoiler: interestingly, when he returns to the office to visit the 'new guy', the office is colorfully well-lit and has large windows). He is 66, old and ugly. His wife is old and ugly. He has given his life to a corporation, and got only money in return; he realizes that he got a raw deal. As Schmidt sinks in deeper into his in-laws' family, we see through his eyes the horror of their shallow existence: the schmuck son-in-law and hopelessly plebian parents and relatives with their out-stretched hands for Schmidt's money. To add insult to injury, his own daughter renounces her adherence to him and has become one of Them. As the film unfolds, we see that Schmidt is powerless against the forces of fate, and can only sit and watch the vulgarity. The film is an excellent commentary on modern world, how ordinary and immutable our lives have become, with juxtaposed subtlety and vulgarity at the same time.
Network (1976)
A film for the thinking
Network: what a delicious scathing commentary on television! This rang true in 1976, rings true today, and will ring true until we are all obliterated by some nasty bomb or virus. The writing was absolutely brilliant, although quite dense in some areas, so well worth a second and third viewing. Ned 'Squeal-like-a-pig' Beatty's (Jensen) speech to Beale kept me at the edge of my seat, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at the brutal honesty of his character's vision of today's world.
This film made me realize that greed and the evolution of a society are two diametrically-opposite forces tugging at us from every corner. Which one wins? You be the judge.