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Starship Troopers (1997)
A misunderstood thrill ride
Can you say "underrated"? Unfairly labeled as nothing more then Sci-Fi exploitation trash, this film is far more deep and thought-provoking than most critics and viewers give it credit for.
First off, let me just say that if you're a fan of the novel by Robert A. Heinlan (great book), but you've never seen the movie...do NOT expect a faithful adaptation. The movie is basically nothing at all like the book, with slews of new characters and new plot lines created for the movie that had nothing to do with the book. This however doesn't have to be a bad thing always, and this film is a prime case of that.
Where the novel was bleak and poignant, the film is both an in-your-face parody of war and Sci-Fi films, and a biting satire of the rise of fascism and militarism. From Michael Ironside teaching his students in the class room that violence is the "ultimate power" from which all other power is derived, to the blatantly Nazi-esque uniforms that the intelligence officers wear, it's hard to believe how very few people understood this was a satire at heart.
The acting can be very wooden at times, but in a way it's actually helpful to the film. Like Southland Tales, another gravely misunderstood film, the actors in the film are supposed to be wooden. They're the perfect war-movie clichés, from the quickly rising hero (Van Dien) to the motor-mouthed wiseass (Jake Busey) to that one overzealous guy who decides he can single-handedly defeat an entire race of bugs. Dina Meyer is actually pretty decent at times though, and Michael Ironside is ALWAYS fun to watch, regardless of what he's in. And did I mention the film includes Neil Patrick Harris? That wins points immediately. Plus this is probably the only film you'll ever watch with Jake Busey in it in which you don't want to claw your eyes out every second he's on the screen (I loved his character in the film as a kid, so much so that I wanted my friends from then on to refer to me as "Ace" in honor of his character. They laughed at me and I was never called Ace again) Another thing worth mentioning are the designs of the alien insects, which are all absolutely fantastic. They look 100% real, and like living, breathing organisms and not computer-generated pixels. The "brain bug" in particular is wonderfully designed.
In the end, there's something for everybody in this film. If you want to take it on face value alone as a cheesy sci-fi action romp, you'll no doubt have a great time watching it. If you're looking for something deeper though, this is also a film for you. Upon closer inspection, you'll realize that the human's are not the heroes in the story, but are in fact the invaders encroaching upon space that isn't theirs.
Definitely give this one a try if you never have. Maybe you won't pick up on all of the subtle fascistic hints here and there, but it will be virtually impossible for you to not alteast enjoy yourself watching this film. I've seen it probably 20 times since I was a kid and it never gets old.
Rope (1948)
Rope is both a technical and philosophical achievement and among Hitchcock's most underrated work
There's not much left for one to say about the achievements of Alfred Hitchcock. Easily the most prolific and respected director of all time, you'd need at least a third hand to count on each finger all of his classic films. Unfortunately though the popularity of films like Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window has overshadowed many of Hitchcock's lesser known films in the passing decades since his death. This is a damn shame, because it turns an amazing film such as this one into a forgotten gem.
Adapted from the popular stage play, Rope is both a technical and philosophical achievement that ranks up there with many of Hitchcock's other classic films. The film is more then just a murder/suspense film, it's a meditation on what exactly drives a man to kill, and the justification of it in the eyes of the murderers.
The two murderers/main characters are completely different people. Where Brandon (Dall) is egotistical and confident in his belief that he is a truly superior human being, Phillip (Granger) is nervous, unsure of himself and easily manipulated by Brandon. The acting from both Dall and Granger is top notch stuff, with Dall specifically shining as the cunning "mastermind" of the murder.
James Stewart is his usual amazing self (the man could literally do nothing wrong in my eyes) as a former professor of the two men, and a strange sort of inspiration for the murder itself. It's obvious that Brandon in particular idolizes Stewart's character, taking a conversation the three of them had years prior about Nietzsche's "Übermensch" (or Supermen) and the so called art of murder as a tool to express superiority as inspiration for the killing.
The entire film takes place in one room, and yet it never bores you. You're gripped into this story from the opening murder to the ending credits. Rather short even by the standards of the time, the film clocks in at 80 minutes and is required viewing for anyone who considers themselves a fan of Hitchcock. His direction is top-notch as always, specifically a sequence in which Hitchcock and the camera take us around the apartment as James Stewart describes how he would murder someone and how he would get away with it. The finale of the film in which Stewart calmly walks around the apartment, trying to coax a confession out of the two is a textbook example of how to build a suspense.
Many philosophical questions are raised in this film on the subject of murder and superiority. Another interesting point to the film is the relationship between the two killers, and how relevant it is even today. They reminded me very much of the case of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, the two boys responsible for the Columbine shootings. One was brash and angry, nearly nihilistic, while the other was timid, weak-willed, hurt and confused, easily manipulated.
Can murder be justifiable? Are some lifeforms truly superior to others? Is murder technically an art form? You'll be pondering these questions for days after viewing this great film.
Shocker (1989)
Unintentional Comedic Gold
I've never actually felt the need to write a review in all my years surfing IMDb, but I felt there really wasn't any review for this movie that gives it the justice it deserves.
If you're a fan of insanely illogical and hilarious B-movies, this my friend's is for you. Fans of 80s crap-laugh-fests like "Night of the Creeps", "Blood Diner" and "Troll 2" will truly love this movie.
Where to begin with all of the unintentional humor in this film? Let's start with the fact that none of the plot makes any coherent sense, whatsoever. Let's just run down some of the things that will leave you scratching your head in confusion and laughter.
1. Why is Peter Berg a Psychic? Did that serve any purpose in the actual plot itself? 2. How exactly does this serial killer manage to massacre over THIRTY families in what appears to be a very small town. Seriously, how the hell do you get away with murdering 30 families in the same town? And why would anyone ever stay in that town? 3. The police in this movie are probably the dumbest I've ever seen in a movie. Upon finding the killer in a house in the beginning of the film, all 8 or so cops storm up the stairs chasing the man as he escapes from the roof. Seriously, no one thought to maybe keep one guy outside the building, ya know, IN CASE HE TRIES TO ESCAPE? Also, why aren't the police following Peter Berg's character this entire movie? Literally everyone he comes into contact with gets murdered by the killer, and these cops don't have time to even check up on the kid once after his entire family and girlfriend have been slaughtered? Worst (or best) of all is the scene in with Peter Berg's character is chasing the killer's soul which is jumping from body to body through a park. Despite the fact that bullet after bullet after bullet is shot, and several dead bodies lay in the middle of a public park, the police are nowhere to be found. (This scene is especially hilarious when Berg begins violently shaking an 8 year old girl who's body the soul has jumped into) 4. How the hell does Mitch Pileggi's character attain his "shocking" powers? The only attempt at an explanation given is just a vague comment that he liked to practice black magic. We're given maybe 20 seconds explanation of this, and then it's never mentioned again.
You get where I'm going with this? Me and my buddy were in stitches this entire movie, whether it be the stereotypically laughable 80s "metal" soundtrack, or the small things like why and how the entire football team has matching black trench coats with their schools initials on them (what school issues black trench coats? The comedy here practically writes itself).
If you're a lover of bad movies, as in "so bad you cry with laughter", then check this out, IMMEDIATELY. Almost on par with Troll 2 as the worst and funniest movie ever.