lspaiser Reviews

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

A spectacular release of a spectacular movie

[8/10 · 2 August 2011]

The movie is a classic and is the penultimate version especially with James Mason as Nemo and in spite of it's hokey parts. But what amazed me most it the video quality. The DVD version is thankfully not "modified to fit your (lo fi) screen." Nor is it 1.37 : 1 as IMDb states. Instead the aspect ratio is 2.55:1 which is probably equivalent to "Cinemascope." Viewed on your wide screen HDTV the width will have severe letter-boxing!

I chose to use some zoom to get almost 16x9 sizing. And although this is not a blue ray disk, using a blue ray player the picture quality compared favorably with HD movies. The vivid color and sharpness make watching it after seeing the VHS tape is like seeing a whole new movie.

The Conscientious Objector (2004)

Steven Spielberg should make a movie from this story

[10/10 · 8 August 2010]

The real life story of Desmond Doss is so compelling it should be seen by a larger audience. Unfortunately a documentary will never enjoy the popularity of a movie.

Only Spielberg could do it justice. Perhaps he will read this. I can only repeat what other reviewers have said.

I am not a Christian, I am not even religious, but I cannot fathom how so much luck could have been with any man. I actually consider it surreal. It makes me wonder !!!

Yes, I agree, everyone should see this movie, which is why I say Spielberg should make it into a drama and it should be given to schools - to churches and distributed freely.

It is too good a story to leave as a somewhat obscure documentary.

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Far less than I expected

[2/10 · 11 February 2010]

In spite of its "message" about the human spirit I did not feel this movie worked. I'm sorry to rebuff those who thought it was great including my favorite movie critic but I don't think the "message" in a movie make it rise above its trappings. If it doesn't look real to me it fails as a movie no matter how lofty it's message.

I didn't like it and here is why: This movie tries to be a lot of things it is not. At first it felt like Fellini – crazy Italians! But it is not.

Then it tries to be Phillie de Broca in "King of Hearts." But it is not.

And don't forget "Captain Corelli's Mandolin." which is about Italians during the war but takes place in Greece and is apparently a true story.

High ratings for all of the above – but alas not "Life is Beautiful." It's a sad story but the whole thing feels like a stage set which it is. Especially the prison camp which is too small and clean to be what it represents.

If you want to see a dark comedy about Nazis watch "King of Hearts" again. At least it is funny.

Or, if you want to get the message watch "Captain Corelli's Mandolin." After all, this is not a stage play; it is cinema, in a world where "Avatar" will win Academy Awards this year.

This movie also has all the hallmarks of a soap opera.

Who dies and who lives and why "and guess who shows up at the end" is one for the classic soaps.

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Totally put off by bad screenplay and Russel Crowe's failure to be a convincing cowboy

[2/10 · 19 February 2008]

Impressions of 3:10 To Yuma (2007)

I know I saw a Russel Crowe movie. I am not sure saw a Western.

At no time did Mr. Crowe make me believe he was a western cowboy.

His accent was not at all suitable for the role and so to me he was Russel Crowe - the perfect captain in "Captain And Commander."

Also the plot was confused by many "oopses." The whole movie is an OOPS.

The screenplay was replete with errors and preposterous scenes. Like gut shot men back on their horse the same day, and, well, not to give it away, but the really preposterous ending. The whole plot/sreenplay has little credibility if you think about how much shooting there is, who gets shot and who does not and when and why.

Only ++s are for cinematography and sound quality.

Maybe Mr. Crowe, one of my favorite current actors just wanted to be in an American "Western" like he saw Unforgiven and said "I gotta do one of those."

Or more likely the offer to play Ben Wade in this old classic remake was too lucrative to turn down.

I have no idea why Crowe made this movie.

The Yakuza (1974)

A truly great movie that is totally missing from the ranks of classics it deserves to be in

[10/10 · 25 July 2007]

I agree with "henri sauvage" in his well written comment. (Read it.) I own an older VHS copy and just saw it again on HDTV. No matter how many times I see it - it evokes the same moving emotions for me. This is a beautiful and powerful movie in spite of much violence.

While terribly bloody, this movie is in no way gory. The combination of passion, tenderness & love with the violence which is a completely necessary part of the movie (Yakuza = Japanese Mafia) makes this one of the most moving and powerful movies I know of.

The performances of Robert Mitchum and Ken Takakura (not to mention the beautiful Keiko Kishi) are outstanding especially Mitchum and Takakura.

The cinematography is beautiful and the directing wonderful. Also of note is the very effective use of both Japanese and English in a completely plausible way.

10 all the way.

BTW: If you want to see it it is now available from Netflix

The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944)

I agree with "chisum" from Hartlepool England - An enjoyable show

[7/10 · 15 December 2006]

The movie is quite dated and a bit silly - on the other hand it is based on a true story as shown in the movie, and is well done - if not somewhat camp, certainly by current movie standards.

My biggest problem with it was the treatment of the lack of realistic emotion in a movie that contains so much tragedy.

The end is not particularly surprising. This is a Hollywood movie from the forties.

Again it falls into the category of "camp."

I agree with "chisim,"

The performances were very good particularly Gary Cooper.

Stand-In (1937)

My namesake is the star.

[7/10 · 5 March 2006]

For once Leslie Howard is the star of the movie.

Unlike the producers of the DVD want you to think, Bogart is actually a supporting actor. But look at the cover - photo and cast lineup. You would think it is a Bogart movie. Frankly, that is why I bought it.

Actually this movie is a Leslie Howard movie with Blondel as co-star. Bogart plays a secondary role and is a supporting actor.

I was thinking of the only other Bogart / Howard movie I know of, Petrified Forest. So finally I find a bona-fide Leslie Howard movie.

Of course I was biased but I loved it. My mother probably did too. She named me Leslie Howard (Spaiser).

P.S. This picture was released 3 years before I was born.

Vertical Reality (I) (1994)

A Skier's Dream

[10/10 · 18 November 2005]

This movie on is a very specific topic - downhill skiing. The movie is about skiers and is for skiers. If you haven't skied you still might enjoy this film, but if you are a skier you should love it.

Just how some of the shots were obtained is a mystery to me. Also the extent skiers go to is something I find it hard to believe. Some of the scenes are hard to believe. All this is captured beautifully and put together in an entertaining and even humorous way.

Warren Miller is a genius in presenting this material. From Vermont to Mt. Fuji you will laugh, be amazed, and finally agree with him - that life is what you make of it.

I particularly liked the end about some kids in India - about which I cannot tell - since it would be a spoiler! A marvelous commentary both on the joy of the sport and the idea that fun is what you can make in life - if you just try.

The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980)

Hilarious and whacky comedy – it says a lot.

[8/10 · 4 November 2005]

A hilarious and whacky comedy – it says a lot. This movie is a cult classic and belongs with "Harold and Maude" and "King of Hearts" in this category.

In its own crazy way it tells us all kinds of things about people, simple and complicated, the way life might be, and, indeed, the way it is. Clearly Jamie Uys is a genius, to put such disparate material together in such a complex crazy plot, and have it all make sense.

People looking for technical accuracy will not like this movie. It is not at all realistic in that sense. And while the movie is largely a series of clichés - it works.

For example – in the scene where (the clumsy) Steyn takes off to the schoolhouse to try to apologize to Ms. Thompson and (bring back her shoes) - His companion gives him this advice:

"... You gotta smile, man, and tell her she looks good"

Steyn: How come suddenly you're an expert on women?

Companion: I got 7 wives - how many you got?

Steyn: So what have you done with your 7 wives?

Companion: I know how to marry them; nobody knows how to live with them

Steyn: So why did you marry them?

Companion: Shee Shee! Someday I have to tell you the facts of life"

AND . . . the biggest cliché in the movie: "I don't want to talk about it."

****

"The Gods Must be Crazy" is a sweet, charming and hilarious movie – it took me 20 years to get to see it, and am I glad I did. This is one I will add to my collection of the movies already mentioned.

Gladiator (2000)

A very good movie - in spite of its grand spectacle style

[8/10 · 25 August 2005]

Gladiator is 2 1/2 hours long and I watched it in two parts. I agree completely with "gregatory" (another reviewer - see that review) in most respects.

Russel Crowe is clearly one of the greatest actors alive today. His role here is nothing short of that. Also the description of the almost impossibly gory battle scene in the beginning (as well as the gladiator scenes later), could be trivial blood and gore performances. But they are not. It is clear how brutal these things were, but the craft the the producers use to portray them makes them sensible and tolerable. What we see is the horror of war - even before anybody had a gun or cannon or bomb.

Frankly, I was put off by the performance of Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus. He played a despicable and weak, palsied man so well it seemed his acting was equally bad. It annoyed me and I almost panned the movie for that. But I believe that was a personal bias. Apparently the role was just that - awful, the man was awful, that is.

The second part (for me) fit together with the plot and was quite credible. Still the movie lacked something to make it absolutely great. It was also somewhat predictable - not an ingenious plot.

So I rate it as very very good (8 points) but not great. As I mentioned though, Russel Crowe is great. I think, like Clint Eastwood, he is typecasting himself. His role and performance does remind me of Capt. Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander.

He is definitely the Commander.

Downfall (2004)

Cinematic ally "Downfall" is a non-event

[5/10 · 6 April 2005]

I found "Downfall" boring and too long. Compared to Hotel Rwanda which was thrilling and chilling, "Downfall" was neither - it was a trivial movie. Don't waste your time and money unless you really want to get the exact "who did what and how" at the end of the Reich.

But if you like historical tales, and you like to see "polite" blood and a bit of guts - this movie is for you.

The movie, like its infamous villain states about himself – has no feeling. Indeed it portrays nothing in particular about this horrific person. Other, than probably like in his personal life, he must have been quite boring.

I guess it could rate somewhat higher if it was a documentary, but it can't even qualify as that.

Cinematic ally "Downfall" is a non-event

The Barbarian Invasions (2003)

A wonderful and sweet movie, something we all need a dose of

[8/10 · 5 April 2005]

This movie is a really beautiful movie. It is based on a simple plot, but explores a profound topic; nothing less than the meaning of life, and how it can/could play out at life's end. It is tragic but warm, a sad yet happy scenario of how people can change – and what it might take to make them change.

In Barbarian Invasions, we learn just how important that is at the end of life. This movie looks into the lives of its characters, and reveals what real friendship is and what real love is. This turn-around can happen, we discover if we have one thing – love (a little understanding doesn't hurt either). Remy and the people he summons teach us just what this means.

A wonderful and sweet movie, something we all need a dose of.

L. Spaiser Concord CA

Space Cowboys (2000)

Eastwood does it in outer space!

[7/10 · 13 March 2005]

Space Cowboys

This is a sci-fi movie - but it is also thorough Clint Eastwood. A combination that for me can only win. Made well after "Unforgiven," it is a mix of the old and the new Eastwood (as demonstrated in "Unforgiven").

The movie has both charm, some good laughs, lots of cool savvy and a surprise, if not a formula finale. But Eastwood, as is his unerring mature signature, pulls it off in a way that makes it solid drama and credible. The interesting plot, in combination with Industrial Light and Magic effects make this a riveting drama - sucking you in. You are on board and it all happens with you right there.

Another winner from Clint. I can only say if you like thrillers - sci-fi or otherwise, see this movie.

For a thoroughly fine professional critique of this movie go to the review by Bob Graham, Chronicle Senior Writer - Friday, August 4, 2000 in the San Francisco Chronicle. No need to try to repeat what this pro says.*

* You can also link there from Roger Ebert's review.

A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

Stairway to Heaven (as it was known in the USA) is a remarkable invention of movie making, probably never duplicated.

[10/10 · 12 March 2005]

"Stairway to Heaven" is a outstanding invention of movie making, probably never duplicated. I rank it with "The Wizard of Oz" and "African Queen," although it is a totally different type of movie than "African Queen." "Stairway to Heaven" is a psycho-drama that uses performance concepts and technical effects that, to my knowledge, are totally unique.

For example, there is the combination of B&W and color footage - as in "Oz," but the significance of the contrast goes way beyond the simple - but beautiful - effect achieved in "Oz." In "Stairway" the purpose and effect of the contrast can only be described as powerful.

Another brilliant aspect of "Stairway" is the concept of "time" and how it is used here. How could anybody have conceived of a better way to make time stand still – literally? And then there is the Stairway itself!

If you have any imagination at all, you will agree with me. "Stairway to Heaven" is a true gem.

Unforgiven (1992)

The best "western" ever made epitomizes the genre.

[10/10 · 4 March 2005]

After several if not many viewings, this movie never bores me or fails to elicit the same unnerving response. I always have the same overwhelming reaction to it at the same time and in the same way. Unforgiven just doesn't get old in any way.

The movie builds slowly and with meticulous craft to its powerful and classic western finale. The casting is suburb, employing the best actors for each role. Clint Eastwood is perfect in his starring role. The supporting cast is exceptional. Morgan Freeman is Eastwood's most credible "partner." Gene Hackman plays the unsavory sheriff.

The cinematography is great. Darkness and shadows are superimposed on the beauty of the western landscape. The landscape is insignificant - however, the shadows are not.

Unforgiven will stand as a masterpiece as long as dramatic movies are made.

Before Sunrise (1995)

As with the characters there is profoundness, as well as simplicity.

[9/10 · 25 December 2004]

You really can't rate Before Sunrise properly without including Before Sunset.

Before Sunrise is actually the first part of a two part set, the second part being Before Sunset. I thought that movie might be a sequel, as sequels go. It is not. It is the other essential part of the whole. I will critique them as an essential pair.

The movies are difficult to rate. This is because if they mean something to you they should mean a lot. If they do not mean anything in particular, then you probably didn't like them at all - and probably didn't bother with the sequel. Without going into any details (I don't need to - you can get the official storyline from the general critic's reviews), here is how I rate them.

Before seeing Before Sunset, I gave Before Sunrise a 3 out of 4. But the two together rate a 4, or more precisely an 8.5 out of 10. I have to leave room for such masterpieces as Hotel Rwanda and films in that class - totally different. It is also interesting that these movies are played out in real time. But I won't elaborate in order not to spoil the plot of the movies as a pair. We are lucky that as of now, we can see them together, or even better, one night apart, as I did.

As with the characters there is profoundness, as well as simplicity to these movies and a nagging question which is resolved at the end (of Sunset).

What do you think? Concord, California 12/25/04

Before Sunset (2004)

As with the characters there is profoundness, as well as simplicity.

[9/10 · 25 December 2004]

You really can't rate Before Sunset properly without including Before Sunrise.

Before Sunrise is actually the first part of a two part set, the second part being Before Sunset. I thought that movie might be a sequel, as sequels go. It is not. It is the other essential part of the whole. I will critique them as an essential pair.

The movies are difficult to rate. This is because if they mean something to you they should mean a lot. If they do not mean anything in particular, then you probably didn't like them at all - and probably didn't bother with the sequel. Without going into any details (I don't need to - you can get the official storyline from the general critic's reviews), here is how I rate them.

Before seeing Before Sunset, I gave Before Sunrise a 3 out of 4. But the two together rate a 4, or more precisely an 8.5 out of 10. I have to leave room for such masterpieces as Hotel Rwanda and films in that class - totally different. It is also interesting that these movies are played out in real time. But I won't elaborate in order not to spoil the plot of the movies as a pair. We are lucky that as of now, we can see them together, or even better, one night apart, as I did.

As with the characters there is profoundness, as well as simplicity to these movies and a nagging question which is resolved at the end (of Sunset).

What do you think? Concord, California 12/25/04

Mighty Aphrodite (1995)

Another "Sleeper"

[27 November 2004]

Well - I actually thought "Sleeper" was ridiculous*. And it took three tries to get past the 1rst 15 minutes of this one. But the wait was worth it. This movie is a sleeper, in the figurative sense. In the end I rate this as a fine movie. It's just, well, confused. And the plot is about just this, two people who are confused about their marriage – and love, and – well, what's new?

Allen's approach is adorable as well as whacky but in the end says what you would really hope it would say. Life is beautiful, take what you have and enjoy it.

* I'll have to give it another try.

The Godfather Part III (1990)

As a whole - The Godfather trilogy is a lot like an Italian opera - one that should tear at your heart.

[10/10 · 15 October 2004]

First of all these movies span a period of almost 20 years between the first and the last. Too bad they were not all produced as a series (in close order). Unfortunately I saw Godfather (1) a week ago but did view all three DVDs of II and III together today. It is a saga - like Gabriel Garcia Marquez' "100 Years of Solitude" - a story spanning several lifetimes.

Probably the most powerful images are those of the leading characters (which is almost an oxymoron)who play roles that are easily characterized as stunning. But especially Pachino, who is truly frightening but pathetic at the same time.

The movies themselves are gripping. I thought part III was the jewel, to which the entire three movies (less the first - more the 2nd) - was building up to.

The finale was classic and I'm sure any serious opera lovers will agree, very much a classic "Italian Opera." It is no coincidence that that finale takes place, in fact, at the opera - of course an Italian opera.

Glad I managed to see them all within a short time span.

Again - Bravo - (especially to Pachino).

LHS

Being There (1979)

This movie is a diamond in the history of movie making.

[10/10 · 4 February 2003]

A lot of excellent comments extolling this movie have already been written and I will not repeat them. What is remarkable is how different some of these are in what each person sees in the movie as wonderful. So my addition is simply that:

"I BELIEVE THIS MOVIE IS A DIAMOND IN THE HISTORY OF MOVIE MAKING. IT HAS SO MANY FACETS THAT THERE ARE AN ALMOST INFINITE NUMBER OF ANGLES YOU CAN LOOK AT IT FROM AND SO MANY OF THEM ARE PERFECTLY VALID"

"AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT FILM"

POSTSCRIPT:

One thing there appears to be a lot of confusion about is the meaning, symbolism, and interpretation of the final scene. A lot of people who otherwise liked the movie had a problem with it. I did not.

Here is why:

"This scene is just as improbable as the rest of the movie, but it is, in fact, plausible. You must understand that one could easily appear to walk on water simply by finding a frozen pond after a good rain and venturing out on the solid ice surface but with your feet apparently on water."

I THINK THIS SCENE SUMS UP THE WHOLE MOVIE PERFECTLY - as apparently Hal Ashby accidently realized it would at the last minute. (Please refer to "How the last shot got made" by Noah Veil ([e-mail]).)

I BELIEVE THE SCENE SAYS: IF YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH WHAT CHAUNCY DID YOU CAN PROBABLY EXPECT TO GET AWAY WITH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING - JUST BY

• UH - CHANCE.

AND THE MOST WELL KNOWN THING WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO DO IS TO WALK ON WATER.

BUT IN FACT - REALLY YOU CAN - under the right, however improbable or even ridiculous circumstances. (And you don't even have to be Jesus to do it.)

High Anxiety (1977)

Funky spoof is really fun - esp. if you've been there!

[7/10 · 20 March 2002]

For people who don't like Mel Brooks a lot, this might be an exception. It is one of mine (along with Silent Movie).

Brooks takes a poke at psychiatry that must make you laugh, especially if you have been through some of the action yourself. ... has some of the usual Brooks "slapschtik" but with an air of seriousness and bit of the later Peter Sellers cleverness. Definetely a cult movie. Did you like "Harold and Maude" and "Being There?" Then You will probably like this.

And then of course there is "The Bird(s)" scene. (See it if only for that!)

Who else could do this - and so well. I guess it's MEL.

LHS

Concord, CA

The Endurance (2000)

A remarkable documenary leaves one feeling they have been there.

[8/10 · 23 January 2002]

This film is unbelievable because it puts together the remains of actual original footage and photos with carefully and sensitively delivered narratives and modern color shots to create an almost impossible whole. The success of this movie is that these pieces all come together to give you an almost total experience.

At first the pace and material seem somewhat slow perhaps even a bit boring. But this is even better because without changing format, the content builds until you are shaking your head and grimacing in disbelief.

I did not know the story of Shakleton - so I was even more awe struck. How could any people have endured this? When you leave the theater you have indeed been on the expedition yourself and you are glad to be alive.

L. Spaiser

Shine (1996)

Not just a picture, Shine is an experience.

[9/10 · 19 August 2001]

Just a wonderful movie. Geoffrey Rush is wonderful. Certainly a "Best Actor of the year." You must see this movie if you love life.

Fargo (1996)

This is a stupid movie about a stupid caper in which there are no redeeming qualities .

[3/10 · 9 March 2001]

Fargo is a movie with little merit as drama and little other reason to watch it save one - raw random violence. If that turns you on, and it must have turned on a lot of people to get the rating it did from so many people, then its for you. Otherwise don't waste your time.

While Fargo is the true story of what happens when some sick minds get together and do the wrong thing, there is nothing particularly new about this theme in true life or fiction. And while Alfred Hichcock might have made a masterpiece of this story, Mr. Cohen, in his flat pan "cinema vérité " style makes it one hell of a bore.

Jerry Lungard (William Macy) plays an emotionless jerk that is in trouble and dreams up a dumb plot to try to get himself out of it. He convinces me that the real life Jerry Lungard was as boring an idiot as the movie character. He plays the part so well he is absolutely dull. (But then - it is vérité !).

Pregnant police chief investigator Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) plays a like character but with more style. Flat pan and in a plain Minnesota folk type Luddite brogue (`ja - dats the way is' - except sometimes I think I hear a Brooklyn / Illinois accent sneak tru), she stumbles around and finally comes upon the murderer(s). I use the tenuous plural since one of them (I can tell you this 'cause its right on the video jacket) - is mainly (very red) mulch because he's mostly been fed through a wood chopper!

This is a stupid movie about a stupid caper in which there are no redeeming qualities (in the movie, that is).

Siskel - Ebert - what in the world did were those guys thinking giving it two thumbs up?

So go for it if you love watching cold people commit a lot of cold blooded murder. (Was this movie made for TV?)

Ugh.

As Garrison Keillor might say, "and that's the news from the lake this week." Now if Garrison had written this movie it might be interesting (Cinema vérité noir á la Keillor).

Platoon (1986)

This film is an average grade B war movie with a good moralistic message but without much depth.

[6/10 · 3 February 2001]

Platoon did not impress me as a particularly good movie but neither was it a bad movie. On this basis I would rate it 5 out of 10.

While it probably depicted the gross nastiness of that awful war pretty accurately in a technical sense, Platoon never transcends itself into a sense of reality. I was always aware I was watching a movie; it never got beyond the screen to become an experience I got drawn in to.

The same goes for the production itself. While it had special effects galore, to me the action was just a lot of those expensive but not convincing effects. Again, the would-be horrific scenes never transcended the screen and gripped me. I was always quite aware that I was watching a movie production.

On the plus side the character development of several of key players was very interesting and probably the one high point of this movie. The interplay, the breaking under ultimate stress, etc, were all situations well portrayed. (For this reason I raised my vote from 5 to 6 out of 10.)

As for the acting, I did not think there was anything outstanding about anyone's performance; everyone was OK.

As for the theme, to me the whole movie was like a sick orgy. And while this may have been what it is supposed to have portrayed, once again, it never convinced me it was not just a bunch of actors, putting on a very well staged sick orgy in front of a camera. This all impressed me but it did not move me.

This film is an average grade B war movie with a good moralistic message but without much depth. It should appeal to people who like to watch bloody looking action-packed movies - and perhaps analyze the character portrayals, without risking getting too upset.