Change Your Image
PWS
Reviews
West Side Story (1961)
Best musical ever.
I dislike musicals overall but this one is the exception. Everything flows so well together and the music alone it first rate straight through. The choreography was also superb. I saw this movie the first time on the big 70mm screen and it was like you were there. The editing, which always makes or breaks a picture, was right on. My children have watched it on VHS of course and I was amazed that they liked it so well. I had some reservations about how they would react to it here in 2006. Musicals were not the in thing today. Not enough special effects with mass explosions etc. Both enjoyed it and have seen it at least twice. They just don't make movies like this anymore. It is one of the film industries crown jewels.
Hawaii (2004)
Too fast. Not enough solid story. Does not flow smoothly.
Well, I wasn't expecting Hawaii Five-0 but I did expect a decent cop show there with themes of the 21st century. This looks like Miami Vice action with better scenery. I didn't like Miami Vice and it is too early with one episode seen to make my final time slot decision. It is not the characters that are lacking. It is the storyline or lack there of. It was the pilot so you would expect the best. Another cop with a prize possession of a somewhat vintage car. Starsky & Hutch? CHiPs? How hard was this setup? Good cast so far and beautiful location for the show. This might work with some medium tweaking but it is an NBC cop show (doomed) and with a must have good viewer numbers rating needed within the first two to four shows, can they put it all together?
And hey, if you're going to have a commercial every 3 ½ minutes for 5 minutes is it really worth your time? The 50% commercial time for prime time TV shows has many tuning out all together. Good luck producers. Pull up!
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
A film with many great lines and just plain fun!
If you had the pleasure of seeing this film in 1977, chances are you appreciate it three times greater than today's young moviegoers. The plot is simple and not understood by many today as Coor's beer is available everywhere. But when it was not legal east of the Mississippi, everyone wanted it to the east. The characters were perfect. The one-liners came so fast and consistent. You couldn't wait for another especially from Gleason. The car, rare for the era, brought much attention and Trans Am sales boomed after the opening debut and after the 1st TV debut. By 1980, the TA was as common to see as a Ford Escort. It was a beautiful car from 1974-1977 and HP up the wazoo compared to today's. The CB era was in full swing and only added to the mix of cars, stars and stunts. The famous bridge jump in Riverdale, Georgia was, and has stood as the longest movie car bridge jump. Needless to say, one of the 3 other TA's used in the movie was used after that. Some of those Georgia State Patrol cruisers were not props. The studio used real GSP cruisers to wreck, buying new of course to replace. Well worth a watch or two and definitely many laughs. DO NOT bother to even glance at either of the 2 sequels, as it will only take away from the value of this original.
Enemy of the State (1998)
Saturated in WAY over done high tech. Too un-believable.
Cut the high tech tracking scenes by 2/3 and it would have increased the movie's rating by 3 points. No one believes that this much could go on in a rogue operation let alone a real one. Over-kill on the tracking. Plot/premise was good but Will Smith was not a good casting choice for that role if you are looking for film Oscars. The techie "geeks" to stereotyped and what's with the 3D store cameras? I don't think so. Satellite tasking and pinpointing in the time frame we watched, sorry but not yet people. All for this one politician's butt! Clinton couldn't even get that kind of coordination of efforts if he did it.
Too long by 20 minutes. Nice equipment used, most of which does however exist and in use today with even better quality devices. Over kill was the demise of this film Jerry. Hackman, great as usual but why Gene? Why this film. You did carry it but not soon enough. And yes, we do have satellites that give much closer and detailed pictures even through clouds. You'll never see any of just how much this movie is true to life, even all the tech stuff and how it is used. "Our" "government" is out there to protect their selves 1st, us 3rd or 4th. Just don't cram it all into a single 2 hour movie. Still, all with most negatives aside, 6-7 out of 10. Watch it once... at someone else's house for free or 99 cents rental tops! Bring it back on time! What a fool you would be to pay late charges for this.
Keep trying Jerry. You can make some good ones.
Last of the Dogmen (1995)
What happened to squelch this movie from the public?
I just watched this movie on TMC. I had not heard of it nor do I remember its promos/trailers. Must have been some other movie that got more hype and promo bucks. A wonderful movie and cast. The scenery is overwhelming and storyline is very credible and refreshing from space/future special effects. A must see movie for real movie buffs.