Viewed in
2005
Premise
Guy meets girl, except guy is Woody Allen, and girl is Diane Keaton.
Who should watch
Woody Allen fans. Those who want to like dialogue-heavy, quirky romantic comedies.
Thoughts
Arguably Allen's best film and my favorite of his works. If you're going to only see one Woody Allen film in your life, this is the one to enjoy.
Like any Allen film, it was full of colorful, whip-smart dialogue. But what made this so special was the two lead characters that felt like genuine, quirky people whom I would have loved to be friends with.
The characters were wonderful, and the actors naturally brought them to life. It totally deserved all the Oscars, especially Diane Keaton.
Christopher Walken's minor role as a psycho brother. That's all I need to say.
As much as I relished the hilarious dialogue, strangely some of my favorite scenes were of unexpected slapstick, such has Allen sneezing into a plate of cocaine and Allen attempting to kill a spider.
What I would change
Nothing.
Random
See if you can spot Jeff Goldblum and Sigourney Weaver.
Showing posts with label 1977. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1977. Show all posts
High Anxiety
Viewed in
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Mel Brooks stars as the lead in a psychiatric ward, except he suffers from vertigo, in a parody of Alfred Hitchcock movies.
Liked
The funny performances, the parodies.
Disliked
The lack of comedy in quality and quantity.
Thoughts
One Mel Brooks' lesser movies.
There were some funny moments parodying Hitchcock's most famous works, I thought the Psycho scene in particular was hilarious. Also, the cast was quite good, including funny stuff from Brooks regulars, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, and Madeline Kahn.
The biggest problem was the big laughs were few and far between. There was not enough parody, nor edgy/cheap/creative laughs that I expect from Mel Brooks.
This might have worked as a half an hour parody, but as a full length movie, it was sadly disappointing.
What I would change
Never have made this movie.
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Mel Brooks stars as the lead in a psychiatric ward, except he suffers from vertigo, in a parody of Alfred Hitchcock movies.
Liked
The funny performances, the parodies.
Disliked
The lack of comedy in quality and quantity.
Thoughts
One Mel Brooks' lesser movies.
There were some funny moments parodying Hitchcock's most famous works, I thought the Psycho scene in particular was hilarious. Also, the cast was quite good, including funny stuff from Brooks regulars, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, and Madeline Kahn.
The biggest problem was the big laughs were few and far between. There was not enough parody, nor edgy/cheap/creative laughs that I expect from Mel Brooks.
This might have worked as a half an hour parody, but as a full length movie, it was sadly disappointing.
What I would change
Never have made this movie.
Saturday Night Fever
Viewed in
2007
Premise
John Travolta dances disco in this urban drama.
Who should watch
Americans from the 1970's?
Thoughts
Unfortunately, I did not get why this movie was considered so great. We have been told by the media that it was all about the dancing and disco. As usual, I was disappointed that the movie was not what it was advertised.
There were some great stuff. John Travolta had a breakout performance with his poofy hair, slick moves and tight pants. I enjoyed all the awesome disco dancing, music and score.
However, as a movie, it was a weird, gritty mix of 'West Side Story' and 'Boyz N the Hood'. It made full use of the R rating. Within it were a lot of dark themes about poverty, sex, drugs, violence, intolerance and frustrated youths. The juxtaposition of glarmorous dancing with gritty scenes of inner city life felt incongruous.
Maybe it was the point of the filmmakers, that life is beautiful and ugly. But it did not work for me. Perhaps the message was that dancing was a form of release for frustrated youths (just like 'Rize'). But all I saw was that it was used as a way to establish a superficial social pecking order and getting laid. Instead of feeling nostalgic, I felt sad for these characters.
What I would change
Not sure. I would have changed the hype.
2007
Premise
John Travolta dances disco in this urban drama.
Who should watch
Americans from the 1970's?
Thoughts
Unfortunately, I did not get why this movie was considered so great. We have been told by the media that it was all about the dancing and disco. As usual, I was disappointed that the movie was not what it was advertised.
There were some great stuff. John Travolta had a breakout performance with his poofy hair, slick moves and tight pants. I enjoyed all the awesome disco dancing, music and score.
However, as a movie, it was a weird, gritty mix of 'West Side Story' and 'Boyz N the Hood'. It made full use of the R rating. Within it were a lot of dark themes about poverty, sex, drugs, violence, intolerance and frustrated youths. The juxtaposition of glarmorous dancing with gritty scenes of inner city life felt incongruous.
Maybe it was the point of the filmmakers, that life is beautiful and ugly. But it did not work for me. Perhaps the message was that dancing was a form of release for frustrated youths (just like 'Rize'). But all I saw was that it was used as a way to establish a superficial social pecking order and getting laid. Instead of feeling nostalgic, I felt sad for these characters.
What I would change
Not sure. I would have changed the hype.
Spy Who Loved Me
Viewed in
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Roger Moore stars as James Bond, who teams up with a beautiful Russian spy to stop a madman stealing submarines.
Loved
The chemistry between Moore and Barbara Bach.
Liked
Jaws.
Disliked
The slow parts.
Thoughts
A very fun and funny Bond flick, thanks to a great sidekick premise.
As expected, it had Moore delivering cheesy lines, lovely ladies, some cool stunts, Q gadgets and gags, exotic locations, and lavish lairs. The Jaws character was bizarre and memorable.
What made this film stand out was the back-and-forth sexual tension between the two rival superspies. Barbara Bach was sexy and very likable as Agent XXX. The film makers used this premise to create some hilarious twists to the formula. Instead of getting the last word, Bond constantly was upstaged by her. Instead of large quantity of women, it was very high quality of Bach, with her numerous scantly-clad outfits and sexual presence. Instead of Bond showing off the latest gadgets, XXX would beat him to the punch on using them. I never thought Bond should ever have a sidekick, but a smart, sexy female spy is now the exception to the rule.
Even though it was clearly an expensive movie, with submarine-swallowing tankers and half of the film taking place above and below the ocean, it was obvious at times that special effects were not up to date. It was amusing to see the unpolished blue screen, editing continuity, and models to accomplish the special effects. Another outdated aspect was the full-out 1970's disco-influenced score.
The biggest flaw was it was slow at times. It took a while at the beginning to get the ball rolling on the mystery and the two spies together. Also, during a crucial fight scene, the film makers foolishly separated the Bond and XXX, killing the sexual/comedy momentum of the film temporarily.
This was definitely one of my favorite Bond flicks, thanks to the unique pairing of Bond with his female equal. The chemistry was unforgettable that it made the slow parts forgivable.
What I would change
Trimmed the beginning, and found a way to keep the two characters two for as long as possible.
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Roger Moore stars as James Bond, who teams up with a beautiful Russian spy to stop a madman stealing submarines.
Loved
The chemistry between Moore and Barbara Bach.
Liked
Jaws.
Disliked
The slow parts.
Thoughts
A very fun and funny Bond flick, thanks to a great sidekick premise.
As expected, it had Moore delivering cheesy lines, lovely ladies, some cool stunts, Q gadgets and gags, exotic locations, and lavish lairs. The Jaws character was bizarre and memorable.
What made this film stand out was the back-and-forth sexual tension between the two rival superspies. Barbara Bach was sexy and very likable as Agent XXX. The film makers used this premise to create some hilarious twists to the formula. Instead of getting the last word, Bond constantly was upstaged by her. Instead of large quantity of women, it was very high quality of Bach, with her numerous scantly-clad outfits and sexual presence. Instead of Bond showing off the latest gadgets, XXX would beat him to the punch on using them. I never thought Bond should ever have a sidekick, but a smart, sexy female spy is now the exception to the rule.
Even though it was clearly an expensive movie, with submarine-swallowing tankers and half of the film taking place above and below the ocean, it was obvious at times that special effects were not up to date. It was amusing to see the unpolished blue screen, editing continuity, and models to accomplish the special effects. Another outdated aspect was the full-out 1970's disco-influenced score.
The biggest flaw was it was slow at times. It took a while at the beginning to get the ball rolling on the mystery and the two spies together. Also, during a crucial fight scene, the film makers foolishly separated the Bond and XXX, killing the sexual/comedy momentum of the film temporarily.
This was definitely one of my favorite Bond flicks, thanks to the unique pairing of Bond with his female equal. The chemistry was unforgettable that it made the slow parts forgivable.
What I would change
Trimmed the beginning, and found a way to keep the two characters two for as long as possible.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Viewed in
1995, 1997, 1998, 2000
Formats
VHS, Movie theater, DVD (all special edition)
Premise
The first third of George Lucas' masterpiece trilogy.
Loved
Everything.
Thoughts
It's been a while, but I recall loving the cool characters, the imaginative alien settings, John Williams' epic score, and exhilarating action. I would have no problem re-watching this great space adventure anytime.
If you have never seen this, then I pity you.
What I would change
Nothing.
1995, 1997, 1998, 2000
Formats
VHS, Movie theater, DVD (all special edition)
Premise
The first third of George Lucas' masterpiece trilogy.
Loved
Everything.
Thoughts
It's been a while, but I recall loving the cool characters, the imaginative alien settings, John Williams' epic score, and exhilarating action. I would have no problem re-watching this great space adventure anytime.
If you have never seen this, then I pity you.
What I would change
Nothing.
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