Viewed in
2000
Premise
Two high school graduates have some more growing up to do in their last night with their buddies in the 1960's America.
Who should watch
People who grew up in the 60's?
Thoughts
I liked the cast and the music. The characters were created with care by the great George Lucas. Also, the Harrison Ford cameo was quite interesting.
However, even for the high school coming-of-age aspect of the story, I had a lot of trouble relating to the characters or the times. Which is unfortunate, because it looked like a good movie, but I did not feel it.
What I would change
Nothing.
Showing posts with label 1973. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1973. Show all posts
Enter the Dragon
Viewed in
2000
Formats
25th Anniversary Edition DVD
Premise
Something about Bruce Lee entering a hidden fight tournament.
Thoughts
Too be honest, I do not remember much about it, other than Bruce Lee was quite badass with his kung fu.
What I would change
No idea.
2000
Formats
25th Anniversary Edition DVD
Premise
Something about Bruce Lee entering a hidden fight tournament.
Thoughts
Too be honest, I do not remember much about it, other than Bruce Lee was quite badass with his kung fu.
What I would change
No idea.
Exorcist, The
Viewed in
2010
Premise
A young girl is possessed by the devil. Based on a book I will not read.
Liked
Visual and sound effects.
Hated
The boring first act.
Thoughts
Despite some spooky moments, it was boring at times.
Considering it was made in the early 1970's, there were some very good special effects, with believable make up, effective puppetry, and icky fake bodily fluids. Also, the sound effects were vital in creating the memorable Regan moments. While there were some gross moments, most of the suspense was psychological, keeping me uncomfortable during the second half.
Another good thing about the movie was the strong acting. They felt like regular humans with flaws trying to figure out what is going on. This movie had some interesting scientific and religious themes. Theme song was pretty tight.
What I hated most was the first third. I understand the purpose was to get the audience to identify with the characters, but I was ready to stop watching at the thirty minute mark out of boredom. Despite how hard they tried, I could care less about any of the characters and their back stories. Normally, I am cool with old fashioned film making that emphasizes character, but it has to serve the story.
I don't think it worked like they wanted to, but I appreciated the effort.
Not sure which DVD version I watched, but it had an intro by director William Friedkin telling me I was watching the "re-mastered version", so I assume it was the original cut. EDIT: since I did not see a "spider walk" scene, it appears I saw a version closer to the theatrical.
What I would change
Taken out the Father Merrin scenes in the beginning to speed up the story.
2010
Premise
A young girl is possessed by the devil. Based on a book I will not read.
Liked
Visual and sound effects.
Hated
The boring first act.
Thoughts
Despite some spooky moments, it was boring at times.
Considering it was made in the early 1970's, there were some very good special effects, with believable make up, effective puppetry, and icky fake bodily fluids. Also, the sound effects were vital in creating the memorable Regan moments. While there were some gross moments, most of the suspense was psychological, keeping me uncomfortable during the second half.
Another good thing about the movie was the strong acting. They felt like regular humans with flaws trying to figure out what is going on. This movie had some interesting scientific and religious themes. Theme song was pretty tight.
What I hated most was the first third. I understand the purpose was to get the audience to identify with the characters, but I was ready to stop watching at the thirty minute mark out of boredom. Despite how hard they tried, I could care less about any of the characters and their back stories. Normally, I am cool with old fashioned film making that emphasizes character, but it has to serve the story.
I don't think it worked like they wanted to, but I appreciated the effort.
Not sure which DVD version I watched, but it had an intro by director William Friedkin telling me I was watching the "re-mastered version", so I assume it was the original cut. EDIT: since I did not see a "spider walk" scene, it appears I saw a version closer to the theatrical.
What I would change
Taken out the Father Merrin scenes in the beginning to speed up the story.
Live and Let Die
Viewed in
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Roger Moore stars as James Bond who travels to Harlem and Louisiana to take down a drug-dealer and his tarot card reading sidekick.
Loved
Paul McCartney's theme song.
Liked
The oddball chase scenes.
Disliked
The slightly uncomfortable American stereotypes.
Thoughts
A weird Bond flick.
Best part was my favorite Bond theme song ever. There was some fun comedic scenes, such as M and Moneypenny interrupting Bond's tryst with his new task, and the hilarious, unique chase scenes via double-decker buses and motorboats on the bayou. Jane Seymour was practically unrecognizable in her bizarre outfits and makeup as the tarot card reader/Bond girl.
Some of the flaws included lack of scenes with Q, chases (while funny) took too long, the annoying J.W. Pepper character, confusing plot, and antagonist was not much of a match.
What bugged me the most, was that it felt more like a chimera of blaxploitation, Dukes of Hazzard, and King Kong, instead of an expected Bond movie. Because it tried to incorporate those sources, there was a slew of questionably stereotyped minor characters, black and white. Although kudos to the composer for his versatility in scoring all three genres.
It was partially weird, uncomfortable, and (worst of all) boring. A sad waste of a great theme song and some funny moments.
What I would change
Not sure.
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Roger Moore stars as James Bond who travels to Harlem and Louisiana to take down a drug-dealer and his tarot card reading sidekick.
Loved
Paul McCartney's theme song.
Liked
The oddball chase scenes.
Disliked
The slightly uncomfortable American stereotypes.
Thoughts
A weird Bond flick.
Best part was my favorite Bond theme song ever. There was some fun comedic scenes, such as M and Moneypenny interrupting Bond's tryst with his new task, and the hilarious, unique chase scenes via double-decker buses and motorboats on the bayou. Jane Seymour was practically unrecognizable in her bizarre outfits and makeup as the tarot card reader/Bond girl.
Some of the flaws included lack of scenes with Q, chases (while funny) took too long, the annoying J.W. Pepper character, confusing plot, and antagonist was not much of a match.
What bugged me the most, was that it felt more like a chimera of blaxploitation, Dukes of Hazzard, and King Kong, instead of an expected Bond movie. Because it tried to incorporate those sources, there was a slew of questionably stereotyped minor characters, black and white. Although kudos to the composer for his versatility in scoring all three genres.
It was partially weird, uncomfortable, and (worst of all) boring. A sad waste of a great theme song and some funny moments.
What I would change
Not sure.
Mean Streets
Viewed in
2012
Formats
HDTV
Premise
In one of Martin Scorsese's first films, Harvey Keitel stars as an Italian-American gangster in New York who's volatile cousin, played by Robert De Niro, escalates their lives.
Liked
The historical impact of watching Keitel, De Niro, and Scorsese.
Disliked
Lack of story, weird editing.
Thoughts
Not bad for Scorsese's first foray into the crime drama genre.
You could see the seeds of greatness being planted in this film. Keitel and De Niro stood out among the cast. I couldn't help but envision the future Jimmy Conway and Travis Bickle in De Niro's unstable portrayal.
Likewise, the early stages of Scorsese's visual mastery was recognizable. There were some interesting, elaborate long takes, strong command of "old school" rock and R & B music to enhance a scene, and loving care of cityscapes. One shot that really stood out was Keitel in a bodycam (actor wears a chest rig with camera mounted and pointed at actor's face) as he drunkenly walks through a party in a bar and passes out. I checked if this was the first time this kind of shot was used, but turns out it was used as early as Psycho (which I don't recall).
I liked the authentic feel in the dialog. It definitely made me feel like I was eavesdropping on this specific set of crooks. Another thing I liked was the introspectives into Keitel's mind, as his voiceover hits on themes of Catholism and the world his lived in.
However, I found the film as a whole to be overrated. The story left much to be desired, as it just meandered around with the characters for a good 90 minutes, with the obvious foreshadowing that De Niro will blow everything up. While I enjoyed De Niro and Keitel, I had trouble telling the other gangsters apart.
Another thing that stood out was weird edit jump cuts. Jump cuts can be stylish story-telling, but I don't think that was the case here. For example, there's a scene where Keitel chases De Niro down the street in a wide shot, suddenly it jumps to De Niro up against a wall, in a completely different angle. It felt like they missed a shot to connect the two shots together in a less disorienting fashion.
Mean Streets was interesting to watch, to see the greatness to come, especially from Scorsese and De Niro. But as a stand alone crime drama, the lack of story-telling couldn't make up for the strong performances and promising visuals.
2012
Formats
HDTV
Premise
In one of Martin Scorsese's first films, Harvey Keitel stars as an Italian-American gangster in New York who's volatile cousin, played by Robert De Niro, escalates their lives.
Liked
The historical impact of watching Keitel, De Niro, and Scorsese.
Disliked
Lack of story, weird editing.
Thoughts
Not bad for Scorsese's first foray into the crime drama genre.
You could see the seeds of greatness being planted in this film. Keitel and De Niro stood out among the cast. I couldn't help but envision the future Jimmy Conway and Travis Bickle in De Niro's unstable portrayal.
Likewise, the early stages of Scorsese's visual mastery was recognizable. There were some interesting, elaborate long takes, strong command of "old school" rock and R & B music to enhance a scene, and loving care of cityscapes. One shot that really stood out was Keitel in a bodycam (actor wears a chest rig with camera mounted and pointed at actor's face) as he drunkenly walks through a party in a bar and passes out. I checked if this was the first time this kind of shot was used, but turns out it was used as early as Psycho (which I don't recall).
I liked the authentic feel in the dialog. It definitely made me feel like I was eavesdropping on this specific set of crooks. Another thing I liked was the introspectives into Keitel's mind, as his voiceover hits on themes of Catholism and the world his lived in.
However, I found the film as a whole to be overrated. The story left much to be desired, as it just meandered around with the characters for a good 90 minutes, with the obvious foreshadowing that De Niro will blow everything up. While I enjoyed De Niro and Keitel, I had trouble telling the other gangsters apart.
Another thing that stood out was weird edit jump cuts. Jump cuts can be stylish story-telling, but I don't think that was the case here. For example, there's a scene where Keitel chases De Niro down the street in a wide shot, suddenly it jumps to De Niro up against a wall, in a completely different angle. It felt like they missed a shot to connect the two shots together in a less disorienting fashion.
Mean Streets was interesting to watch, to see the greatness to come, especially from Scorsese and De Niro. But as a stand alone crime drama, the lack of story-telling couldn't make up for the strong performances and promising visuals.
Robin Hood
Viewed in
1995
Formats
VHS
Premise
Disney's animated take on the legend as animals humanoids.
Thoughts
Don't remember much, but I recall it was very light-hearted and had cheery characters and music.
What I would change
Not sure.
1995
Formats
VHS
Premise
Disney's animated take on the legend as animals humanoids.
Thoughts
Don't remember much, but I recall it was very light-hearted and had cheery characters and music.
What I would change
Not sure.
Sleeper
Viewed in
2003
Premise
A person falls asleep and wakes up in the future.
Who should watch
Woody Allen fans.
Thoughts
The plot made no sense and the whole thing felt un-Woody Allen-like. Still, I laughed quite a bit. I was surprised at how much slapstick there was. My favorite was the Orgasmatron machine, in which you enter a phone booth and gives you an orgasm without the heavy workout.
What I would change
Nothing.
2003
Premise
A person falls asleep and wakes up in the future.
Who should watch
Woody Allen fans.
Thoughts
The plot made no sense and the whole thing felt un-Woody Allen-like. Still, I laughed quite a bit. I was surprised at how much slapstick there was. My favorite was the Orgasmatron machine, in which you enter a phone booth and gives you an orgasm without the heavy workout.
What I would change
Nothing.
Sting, The
Viewed in
2008
Premise
After his fellow con man is murdered by a mobster, Robert Redford seeks the help of master con man, Paul Newman, to rob the mobster of his riches.
Who should watch
Those in the mood for a light-hearted crime caper flick. Fans of Redford and Newman.
Thoughts
This film reminded me of the 'Ocean's 11' movies and remakes. You have mega-stars in Redford and Newman, coupled in a glorifying story of stealing, tricking, and double-crossing.
During the entire film, there was not much doubt about a happy ending. Nevertheless, I give kudos to the story telling, as I was eventually duped, twice.
While I did not understand why it won best picture, I definitely enjoyed this fun film.
What I would change
Nothing. Other than the n-words, but those were different times back then.
Random
Apparently the tree does not fall far from the acorn, as James Earl Jones' father sounded just like him.
2008
Premise
After his fellow con man is murdered by a mobster, Robert Redford seeks the help of master con man, Paul Newman, to rob the mobster of his riches.
Who should watch
Those in the mood for a light-hearted crime caper flick. Fans of Redford and Newman.
Thoughts
This film reminded me of the 'Ocean's 11' movies and remakes. You have mega-stars in Redford and Newman, coupled in a glorifying story of stealing, tricking, and double-crossing.
During the entire film, there was not much doubt about a happy ending. Nevertheless, I give kudos to the story telling, as I was eventually duped, twice.
While I did not understand why it won best picture, I definitely enjoyed this fun film.
What I would change
Nothing. Other than the n-words, but those were different times back then.
Random
Apparently the tree does not fall far from the acorn, as James Earl Jones' father sounded just like him.
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