Viewed in
1999
Formats
DVD
Premise
Jack Nicholson stars as a gumshoe investigating an adultery case stumbles on to a scheme of murder that has something to do with water.
Thoughts
Don't remember much, but I recall a lot of cool scenery of Los Angeles, Nicholson getting his nose sliced by bad guys, and Faye Dunaway's famous revelatory twist at the end.
What I would change
No idea.
Showing posts with label 1974. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1974. Show all posts
F is for Fake
Viewed in
2007
Premise
A documentary on the art of fakery using a footage from a documentary about Elmyr de Hory.
Who should watch
Very open-minded moviegoers. Film buffs.
Thoughts
This was arguably the weirdest film I had ever seen. It felt very much like and unlike a documentary should be. But it was magical.
Basically, Elmyr de Hory was the world's most famous paint forgery artist. His biography was written by Clifford Irving, who created his own scandal when he wrote Howard Hughes' biography (a complete fabrication). François Reichenbach did a documentary on Elmyr at this time. Finally, Orson Welles used this footage and created his own documentary narrative about the art of faking.
As for the film itself, it was quite riveting. The subjects, Elmyr and Irving, were very interesting. Was it a crime? Was it cheating? Was it genius? Was it art? With the help of Orson Welles' undeniable presence, I was swept up into a great story with explorations into the meaning of art, full of lies and truths about lies.
This was a weird film, but I love weird film. Watch at your own risk.
What I would change
Nothing.
2007
Premise
A documentary on the art of fakery using a footage from a documentary about Elmyr de Hory.
Who should watch
Very open-minded moviegoers. Film buffs.
Thoughts
This was arguably the weirdest film I had ever seen. It felt very much like and unlike a documentary should be. But it was magical.
Basically, Elmyr de Hory was the world's most famous paint forgery artist. His biography was written by Clifford Irving, who created his own scandal when he wrote Howard Hughes' biography (a complete fabrication). François Reichenbach did a documentary on Elmyr at this time. Finally, Orson Welles used this footage and created his own documentary narrative about the art of faking.
As for the film itself, it was quite riveting. The subjects, Elmyr and Irving, were very interesting. Was it a crime? Was it cheating? Was it genius? Was it art? With the help of Orson Welles' undeniable presence, I was swept up into a great story with explorations into the meaning of art, full of lies and truths about lies.
This was a weird film, but I love weird film. Watch at your own risk.
What I would change
Nothing.
Godfather Part II, The
Viewed in
2002
Premise
A parallel story about Michael moving his family to survive and a flashback of how Vito came to America and came to power.
Who should watch
All adult film goers.
Thoughts
One of the handful of sequels that were as good or even better than the original. The qualities that made the first film godly were also on display in this film. The difference was that it added an extra degree of difficulty in story-telling.
In fact, this was the main reason why I felt this was superior. Not only was the star power and acting off the charts, but the filmmakers were masterful in weaving the storylines such that it became an epic story.
What I would change
Nothing.
2002
Premise
A parallel story about Michael moving his family to survive and a flashback of how Vito came to America and came to power.
Who should watch
All adult film goers.
Thoughts
One of the handful of sequels that were as good or even better than the original. The qualities that made the first film godly were also on display in this film. The difference was that it added an extra degree of difficulty in story-telling.
In fact, this was the main reason why I felt this was superior. Not only was the star power and acting off the charts, but the filmmakers were masterful in weaving the storylines such that it became an epic story.
What I would change
Nothing.
Man With the Golden Gun
Viewed in
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Roger Moore stars as 007, hunted by Christopher Lee as a skilled assassin.
Loved
Christopher Lee.
Liked
The winking-at-the-audience style.
Disliked
Stupid sidekicks.
Thoughts
An underrated Bond flick.
This was my first Roger Moore movie, and he was pretty good. His style and looks reminded me of Pierce Brosnan's performances. Being younger, he was able to do more physical stunts than aged Connery could. I really enjoyed his ability to pull off deadpan deliveries of the cheesy lines.
The biggest draw was the great Christopher Lee, and he did not disappoint. He was fantastic, badass and full of gravitas.
Thanks to better budgets and technology, the sets and stunts have gotten much cooler. I was impressed by the slanted MI6 headquarters in a sunken ship. One of my favorites was the twist on the car chase moment via ramp. Also, Lee's modified car was fricking awesome.
Least favorite part of the film was the stupid sidekicks, like the bimbo Goodnight, and the return of J.W. Pepper a dumb American tourist. Seriously, was there such a crowd response that they could not get enough of the annoying redneck? Though it was kind of amusing to see what kind of bad stereotypes British movie makers think about for those from the States. While most of the winking humor worked, the overused, forced slapstick comedy was cringe-inducing.
Obviously, it was no Sean Connery film, but I liked that they played to Moore's strength. I was surprisingly pleased with this attempt, thanks to the humor and Lee's presence.
What I would change
Made Goodnight less, dumb, and got rid of the American sidekick.
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Roger Moore stars as 007, hunted by Christopher Lee as a skilled assassin.
Loved
Christopher Lee.
Liked
The winking-at-the-audience style.
Disliked
Stupid sidekicks.
Thoughts
An underrated Bond flick.
This was my first Roger Moore movie, and he was pretty good. His style and looks reminded me of Pierce Brosnan's performances. Being younger, he was able to do more physical stunts than aged Connery could. I really enjoyed his ability to pull off deadpan deliveries of the cheesy lines.
The biggest draw was the great Christopher Lee, and he did not disappoint. He was fantastic, badass and full of gravitas.
Thanks to better budgets and technology, the sets and stunts have gotten much cooler. I was impressed by the slanted MI6 headquarters in a sunken ship. One of my favorites was the twist on the car chase moment via ramp. Also, Lee's modified car was fricking awesome.
Least favorite part of the film was the stupid sidekicks, like the bimbo Goodnight, and the return of J.W. Pepper a dumb American tourist. Seriously, was there such a crowd response that they could not get enough of the annoying redneck? Though it was kind of amusing to see what kind of bad stereotypes British movie makers think about for those from the States. While most of the winking humor worked, the overused, forced slapstick comedy was cringe-inducing.
Obviously, it was no Sean Connery film, but I liked that they played to Moore's strength. I was surprisingly pleased with this attempt, thanks to the humor and Lee's presence.
What I would change
Made Goodnight less, dumb, and got rid of the American sidekick.
Young Frankenstein
Viewed in
1997, 1999
Formats
VHS, DVD
Premise
Mel Brooks parodies Frankenstein horror movies, starring Gene Wilder as the mad doctor.
Thoughts
It's been a while, but I recall this being one of my favorite Mel Brooks movies. What made it great was the memorable comedic performances by Wilder, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman and Kenneth Mars. Also, do not forget Gene Hackman's cameo. The godly cast truly sold every spoofing, wacky, cheap, ingenious joke that Brooks threw at the camera. I do not recall ever a dull moment.
What I would change
Nothing.
1997, 1999
Formats
VHS, DVD
Premise
Mel Brooks parodies Frankenstein horror movies, starring Gene Wilder as the mad doctor.
Thoughts
It's been a while, but I recall this being one of my favorite Mel Brooks movies. What made it great was the memorable comedic performances by Wilder, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman and Kenneth Mars. Also, do not forget Gene Hackman's cameo. The godly cast truly sold every spoofing, wacky, cheap, ingenious joke that Brooks threw at the camera. I do not recall ever a dull moment.
What I would change
Nothing.
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