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Reviews
Whiteout (2009)
Vanilla Cone Drop but watch Tom Skerritt
You know the feeling when you or your kid drops their ice cream on the ground and it goes Ker-Plop? That describes my reaction to this film... Kate is on auto-pilot here and is not believable as a US Marshal assigned to these frigid climes...particularly when being pursued in wintry wasteland all covered with snow. Too much reliance on CSI-type scenes where we are face first thrust into medical examination procedures. Tom Skerritt was well cast as Doc and fits right into the lost outpost scenes - the same scenario he was in way back when with the first Alien film (1979) and even the M.A.S.H. movie (1970) that preceded the TV series. Speaking of M.A.S.H. I can't remember another example where the public address announcer is assigned with such a key role as is demonstrated in Whiteout. You can't help but notice this voice-over technique employed to build tension. Eventually it became humorous which was not the desired impact. But watch it for the effortless and believable Tom Skerritt.
Vacation (2015)
Inappropriate for anyone
Dialogue for Kevin Griswold seemed like listening to child abuse - Kevin is so out of control and snide - he disdains everything - any responsible parent would not tolerate this form of disrespect. When you hear stories about Hollywood's war on American values, this film would be an example. The writers of this fare are going for the middle school demo and what they are modeling to viewers is despicable. It will take years for Ed Helms to live this one down - remember Tom Green and his box office flops - it could happen to you, Ed.
Ranks down there with Ladies Man starring Tim Meadows. Oh yeah, it seems it happened to Tim too. Distasteful dialogue and depictions that viewers will not easily forget can do a number on a career. Not exactly entertainment. If you want raunchy then rate it X. See what that gets you.
Wanderlust (2012)
Sophomoric Softie
Back in the 70's this would have been classified as soft porn - flaccid, bouncing body parts make you want to look away, dialogue so laden with sexual content only those registering as mental pre-teen are going to snicker and enjoy this kind of fare. Keep moving folks, nothing to see here: isn't that what they say at the scene of an accident? Well, this movie certainly is one in so many ways.
It was fun to see Alan Alda and Linda Lavin in their supporting roles - if you are going back to the '70's who better than these two stalwarts of the period - problem is they have limited time on the screen and don't really have a chance to show their chops.
Paul Rudd is very talented but mostly in the length of a SNL television skit. Painful to watch the scene where he is psyching himself up in the bathroom to stray into infidelity - talking to himself to build his courage. Way too long and most of the scene should have been edited out.
Jennifer Aniston is very likable and is much better in Horrible Bosses and We're the Millers which isn't saying a lot but gives perspective that she is wasted here. I could have gone a long time without seeing her simulate using a leaf on herself while she squats in the commune front yard.
The supporting cast especially the women did a good job in each of their roles. Justin Theroux as Seth did not help his film career. An age peer of Alan Alda would have been much better than Theroux. Someone against type who could be over the top as the commune leader. I would loved to have seen Al Pacino in the role or even Tom Selleck (another TV throwback to go along with Alda and Lavin) as the out of touch emotional cannonball/still horny-for-strange women-leader of the pack. Now that could have made this watchable. Plus a better script. Plus better editing. Plus abandon the stream of consciousness trash mouth scenes. You get the idea.
I saw this on DVD and couldn't bear to watch the extras. My first thought was to throw this in the trash. This one is Not recommended.
Lookin' to Get Out (1982)
Ann-Margret at her hottest
I thought this film was excellent! I saw the extended version on DVD so uncertain what the clipped version looks like.
Jon Voight is superlative as the annoying wise guy gambler. Burt Young doesn't appear to be acting as the NYC street wise buddy - he is that good or at least well cast. Ann-Margret nails it as the old girl-friend who can't quite get Voight's character Alex out of her system. She is smoldering every time she is on screen and she really keeps the viewer enthralled with all the male actors vying for attention. Her extended kiss as Patti Warner with Alex will jolt male and female viewers alike with its tenderness and anticipation!
Should be required viewing for anyone with, or knows someone with a gambling addiction!
Really combines some of the best elements of Ocean's 11, The Sting and Don Quixote. Don't miss the last 15 minutes to see who is conning who.
The scene with real life father Jon Voight and daughter Angelina Jolie is not to be missed as it came off surreal to me. Watch and see what I mean.
That's My Boy (2012)
Hoping for another Zohan but disappointed beyond belief
I was embarrassed for James Caan, Tony Orlando and even Vanilla Ice. I heard two guys laugh in the last five minutes of the movie. The rest of the time it was dead silent: people were dumbfounded at the poor script and attempts at humor that fell flat. The writers for this atrocity must have been bouncing back off a meth high because it was just not funny to normal people or Sandler fans. Sandberg was not believable. This movie had a current day Rat Pack feel to it: I'm gonna make a movie with my buddies and I don't care if the public likes it. I was ashamed to be in the theater it was so bad...With all of the Saturday Night Live connection in minor roles, Adam would have been better served to get Tina Fey away from her 30 Rock duties and help with script re-writes and continuity.
Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950)
Denise Darcel and Vanessa Brown good reasons to watch
This film offers some special treats: poison darts, a mysterious tribe of camouflaged warriors known as the Whati, Denise Darcel as Lola the Nurse, a man-eating lion pit, Vanessa Brown and a slave girl dog pile on one of the fat guards. The darts are particularly pungent and drop victims in their tracks. The Whati are foreboding and could have been used more throughout the film. The lion pit shows a continuity problem where one of Tarzan's adversaries is thrown in to be devoured only to reappear thirty seconds later to get thrown in a second time with same result. Vanessa Brown is fun to watch and feels "girl next door". She leaves the tree house in pursuit of rogue warriors with her bow and arrow - would have been great for her to show archery skills and get one of the bad guys - if this film were made today would surely have given Jane an opportunity to shine this way with an arrow to one or two of the kidnappers thorax or esophagus. Denise Darcel exudes sexuality and you can see her longing to have her way with Tarzan. She surely must have been the inspiration for Charro's hoochie coochie bumps and grinds made famous 15 years later on 60's TV variety shows. The dog pile scene occurs when Tarzan breaks into the palace and the slave girls on cue immobilize one of the lucky(er...)unlucky accomplices and block the door momentarily long enough for Tarzan to get away. Lex Barker looks particularly fit doing most of his fight and climbing scenes(Jock Mahoney doing tough stunts?). Anthony Caruso is the heavy and does his usual great work. Robert Alda, Alan's dad, is also on hand to lend credibility to the story. Chimp antics in this film are not as good as those in Magic Fountain but are still timeless fun for the kid in all of us.
C'era una volta il West (1968)
Flashbacks done right - Once Upon a Time in the West
I agree with the other reviewers about the superlatives of this film but I haven't noticed a discussion on the use of the flashback so capably offered here. I am referring to Bronson's Harmonica recalling the incident that brought about his revenge for Fonda's Frank character: I am sure I will be corrected if this is in error but there are four total flashbacks where we get more information each time through a blurry recollection until in the final instance Fonda has the crystal clear flashback and we see Frank much younger committing his unspeakable crime. This fourth and final flashback clarifies to the villain and the film audience the motivation for the payback just as he finally "bites the dust". If you like Bronson here seek out the hard to find Rider on the Rain - not a Western but I think filmed in the same time period by a different director: At this time we can see Bronson is becoming this multi-national everyman hero that exploded his popularity. Truly watchable film entertainment that holds up beautifully upon repeat viewings.
On Dangerous Ground (1951)
If they remake this one - here's who I'd like to see cast
Would love to see Matt Dillon win the Oscar with remake of this RKO film noir classic -- On Dangerous Ground with the following cast match-ups:
1. Robert Ryan/Jim Wilson character/Matt Dillon 2. Ida Lupino/Mary character/Marisa Tomei 3. Ward Bond/Brent character/Woody Harrelson 4. ??/Crazy Brother Danny character/like Jude Law except younger 5. Ed Begley/Police Chief/ Dennis Farina 6. Cop Partners/Keanu Reeves and Eric Estrada
Wonderful lessons to be learned could be depicted - Is blind person more handicapped than a person filled with uncontrolled rage? Being needed has redemptive qualities even for the toughest among us. Loneliness is tragic journey we can survive if we keep searching for the right person and not give up.
Hope someone who knows Matt will make this suggestion to him because I believe this would be the vehicle to get him Best Actor award.
The Seven-Ups (1973)
1 of the top 10 car chase movies of the last century
How did they get that cinematic shot of the car colliding with the back end of the semi? And then Roy sits up -- great! Looks like the DVD is scheduled for May of 2006 - about time!! Watch this on a large screen or film revival in a theater if possible in order to fully appreciate the full aspect ratio. My other favorites in this category are: Original Italian Job with Michael Caine; Bullit with Steve McQueen; To Live and Die in LA with the CSI guy when he was young; French Connection with Gene Hackman; Ronin with Robert Deniro; Vanishing Point with Barry Newman; Enemy of the State with Hackman again -- What are your favorites?
Mulholland Falls (1996)
Fans of Jennifer Connelly don't overlook this one
The first 10 minutes of this movie are a must see!!!! Jennifer Connelly is positively stupefying!! She out-stupefies Stupefying Jones in the Little Abner musical (played by Julie Newmar) Jennifer makes you feel like you are there with her. I think her character is much like the Lost Girl Child character that was popularized in The Big Sleep so she plays it true to form. Sadly I think JC had some work done similar to Teri Hatcher shortly after this film or Rocketeer so she is more voluptuous then in her recent stuff - If you like Jennifer here - find Phenomena and enjoy it too - this is the longer version of Creepers - Now on to the other characters - I liked what Nick Nolte did playing the gruff cop - overall a good film for those of us who enjoy the 1930's to 1940's film noir stuff. Thank God this was in color and not black and white.
Return to Macon County (1975)
See oldies as babies - Don Johnson and Nick Nolte
Great nostalgic road trip for those who remember the 1950's - Johnson is the mechanic and Nolte is the driver on their way to compete in Grand Nationals Drags in California - movie hits on all cylinders with buddy film + cool car film + new guy in town film + evil townie hoods + misguided cop + lesson learned factors all working to achieve the Fabulous Fifties mood. Two or three good female acting roles will keep the ladies interested too - as if seeing Johnson and Nolte in all their pre-hunk hottiness won't attract them anyway. The Don Johnson drag racing scene rivals the James Dean scene in Rebel without a Cause. Soundtrack is superb. This film will appeal to anyone interested in hot rods from the 1950's--1960's up to the 1970's.
The Unforgiven (1960)
So many stars and they all shine
Every actor does a great job and all are believable - even Audrey Hepburn as an adopted Native American -- Lillian Gish is superlative and John Saxon and Audie Murphy buy-in so well they seem to become the characters they portray! Very underrated by critics, this Western has something for everyone.
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
How did they get those gun shots to sound so good?
Every time I see this I enjoy it more - McQueen, Coburn, Wallach and Brynner are out-of-this-world fantastic and into their roles. Bronson has the classic role that vaulted him to fame. Robert Vaughn is the only one still living and let's hope he gets the justly deserved recognition for the cowardly depiction he portrayed in this EPIC. Brad Dexter is perfectly cast as one who has ridden with Brynner's Chris character before and knows there has got to be a really big reason to defend this forgettable little village. Even Horst Bucholz does an admirable job as the young hot-shot who just wants to belong. Many of the other reviews are critical of Horst's Chico character but in many respects he is the Everyman - he starts out as a greenhorn, eventually sneaks into Calverras camp and returns, develops a love interest with local beauty and eventually grows into the He-man he wanted to be at the beginning of the movie. Chico even has the self-actualized experience of choosing to become a hired gun with Chris and Vin or do the most honorable thing and stay behind with the woman he loves. Great message for the viewer from the viewpoint of the oppressed townspeople - how long do we take this #?%& before we stand up to these punks and fight for what is important to us? Several beautifully edited gun battles including fast draw contests, super-cool pistol fanning, fly-catching agility, leaping over barricades while demoing fanning technique, knife-throwing action scenes, and a shotgun-toting driver on a hearse destined for boot hill make this a classic that you can appreciate over and over.