funsterdad Reviews

A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

A "Wraste" of Time

[5/10 · 8 August 2018]

When this movie first came out, I was noting some pretty negative reviews/ratings for this sadly executed production. I was thinking "haters ..."

Well, Storm Reid is excellent in the child lead. Everything else about this movie seems forced and/or stilted and/or fluffy shock. This is a film I wanted to defend and wanted to like. My "5" rating is a little on the generous side. Folks, you can "iron out" a lot of wrinkles. Not in this case. This wrinkle is a rather permanent waste of time; hence, my word "Wraste."

Space: Above and Beyond (1995–1996)

Very good space drama ...

[9/10 · 8 August 2018]

... that deserved much better. I was shocked when "Space: Above and Beyond" was announced as not getting renewed for another season. I really enjoyed its pacing, action, effects, and setting. Perhaps it was a little too good for its price(?) A real shame that a network won't be a little more patient.

The Final Year (2017)

Documentary at its best

[10/10 · 31 July 2018]

As write this, I'm having a difficult time thinking how a look at our current POTUS' final year might turn out. President Barak Obama offered our country HOPE. This film focuses less on Obama, but instead portrays an inside look at how Obama's team functioned as a diplomatic unit. A fascinating and sobering look!

Metropolis (1927)

A cinematic masterpiece

[10/10 · 7 November 2017]

On so many levels, this film is truly brilliant! An early achievement in SF, an epic of epic length prior to the days before sound, "Metropolis" must have been found by its German viewers as provocative, to say the least. Now it can be viewed for that in historical terms, given a subplot with its communist overtones and its religious symbolism. The special effects used in this magnificent piece of cinema were way ahead of their time, as was the prophetic message. "Metropolis" is an absolute must-see for the student of film and for anyone else interested in film history and culture!

Beauty and the Beast (I) (2017)

Beautiful live action version

[9/10 · 3 October 2017]

I found this version of Beauty and the Beast to be quite refreshing. Tailor-made for the whole family to see, Emma Watson in the female lead (Belle) is a pure delight to behold. Vibrant colors provided for a stunning visual. The film approaches all emotional levels. The singing and dance sequences were most enjoyable. I've seen this movie picked apart by folks who I just think didn't want to like the movie and therefore exercised their critical writing ability to tear it down. I say, "Thanks Disney Studios!"

I Called Him Morgan (2016)

A great documentary of a jazz great

[9/10 · 26 July 2017]

I love the music and musical performance of Lee Morgan. At the ripe not quite so mature age of 22, I couldn't take pop music's takeover by disco, and after some searching, I discovered a love of jazz music.

One jazz label, in particular, that I latched onto was Blue Note, and that's where I encountered one Lee Morgan. From the first moment I heard him on vinyl I fell in love with his sound; Morgan could play effortlessly in a mellow sort of way, and yet I feel a sense of urgency in what I hear. (I read a review once in which it was suggested that when Lee Morgan played a solo, he played it as if it might be his last, and he wanted to leave us with a statement.)

Delving into Lee Morgan's history, I knew that his life had come to a tragic end when he was just 33 years old. I felt, however, I was lacking in details as to what led to his death.

In 2016, Swedish film writer/director Kasper Collin released "I Called Him Morgan," a beautiful and poignant portrayal of Lee Morgan's professional life that started as a sideman at age 18 to the great Dizzy Gillespie.

Morgan had a tremendous struggle with heroin that could have ruined not just his musical career but his personal future. An older woman who would eventually become Morgan's common-law wife, Helen Moore, entered Morgan's life and became all that he would need to get him back on his feet.This film pays great tribute to Moore's love for Morgan and her place in the more personal side of the New York jazz scene during the peak of Morgan's career. A falling out over Morgan's switching his attention to another woman would lead to his tragic end, however, and seriously effect the jazz community and Helen Moore's life.

The jazz enthusiast in me would perhaps beg for more musical performance, but I believe Collin gave us just enough that a young person with musical interests might explore Morgan's music and/or the genre known as jazz. What brings this documentary to life are the excerpts from a recorded interview with Morgan's wife Helen, filmed interviews with former band mates, and vivid black and white stills taken during both performances and leisure time. The band mates, in particular Wayne Shorter, express great affection for Lee Morgan. It's easy to sense the hurt that was felt when they lost Morgan at such an early age.

Jazz fans especially and film fans especially should be pleased with this documentary release. If you are found to be neither, I believe you will find "I Called Him Morgan" a fascinating film.

What Women Want (2000)

Emergence of Comic Genius

[9/10 · 21 July 2017]

It's 2017, and let's face it, by now the world is filled with Mel Gibson haters, following the perception of anti-Semiticsm that went all too viral and several real world incidents of bad behavior. "What Women Want" takes us back to a point in Mel Gibson's career in which he had established himself as a top rated leading man for 20 years. Except for some roles in which Gibson had portrayed a more manic type personality - the "Lethal Weapon" series, in particular - movie goers would have considered him an actor for dramatic roles. In "What Women Want," however, Mel Gibson emerged in the year 2000 - the some year in which he starred in a very dramatic role in "The Patriot" - as a rather brilliant comedic actor. Gibson's casting as an ad executive who epitomizes male chauvinism before an accident involving electrocution enables him to "get inside" women's heads, which leads to a newfound empathy for the sake of all women, scores as "genius" for both Gibson and director Nancy Meyers. A rather incredible supporting cast has been assembled, starting with Helen Hunt, fresh off an Oscar winning best actress performance in "As Good as It Gets." Because some viewers will focus on how great the first half of this movie is, the second half will tend to get dismissed as being perhaps a little too sentimental and ultimately and eventually predictable. OK, perhaps that gives the first half of the movie a "10" score; the second half, at worst, deserves a score of "8," and that averages out to a "9" in my book. Performances are dead-on great, and the soundtrack, which also helps promote Mel Gibson's dancing talent in one scene that pays tribute somewhat to the era of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, is superb. "What Women Want" could be the movie that "women want," but this guy says everybody "needs" this most enjoyable movie and WILL WANT to view it a second time (at least).

The Verdict (1982)

A solid flick with an outstanding Newman

[9/10 · 1 July 2017]

In "The Verdict," you have Sydney Lumet directing a tight, evenly paced courtroom drama. Paul Newman delivers an Oscar worthy performance, as he lets us inside the character of a drunk, washed-up lawyer. This performance was somewhat pivotal in his career: Newman had been cast in more dashing lead roles, but now (1982) was the time for him to take on a role more revealing of his age (56, at the time). Jack Warden delivers a powerful performance as Newman's "side man," a guy trying to encourage Newman to recall his earlier successful days before becoming the classic ambulance chaser. Newman's performance is very emotional, as he seems to be seeking redemption. James Mason is perfectly cast as his foil on the other side, representing two negligent doctors and a diocese-backed hospital of renown. Charlotte Rampling's contribution to the film left this film viewer somewhat dissatisfied, and the film's ending seemed a little abrupt. Otherwise, The Verdict is well worth the time.

Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942)

Escapist fun time

[9/10 · 1 July 2017]

Nothing about "Tarzan's New York Adventure" would suggest "Oscar- worthy," though I do enjoy its opening theme song that could be used by folks doing the Wobble Baby Wobble Baby on the dance floor. Here's the scoop: the beautiful Maureen O'Sullivan was a fashionista and had grown very tired of the role of Jane, one who never changed her jungle outfit. MGM had agreed to have Jane die in the previous film but also had filmed an alternate ending for the "just in case ..." In order to get O'Sullivan to do one more, a script was written in which she would have to lead Tarzan - along with their chimp, Cheetah - out of their jungle environs in pursuit of the hunting team that had kidnapped their "adopted" (found in a plane wreckage in an earlier film) son, "Boy." These kidnappers would be found in The Big Apple where Boy's skills with animals were being put to great use. Very little about this movie is believable, and that helps make it great fun. Both Cheetah - "he's like family" says Jane to almost anyone frustrated and/or amused by his antics - and Tarzan exhibit great comic relief. Maureen O'Sullivan would call it quits to the character of Jane with this movie; she had been both brilliant and beguiling. The very best of Tarzan films were the ones in which she was paired with Johnny Weissmuller. The former Olympian Weissmuller remains unmatched in being cast as the King of the Jungle. Talk about typecasting: Weissmuller would never be cast in any movie in which he wasn't playing the part of Tarzan. Who cares?!?! Thanks MGM and thanks Johnny Weissmuller and thanks Maureen O'Sullivan for giving us one more jungle flick featuring your loveliness as Jane!

Schindler's List (1993)

A Most IMPORTANT Film

[10/10 · 25 April 2017]

A fellow reviewer started his review of "Schindler's List" almost on the defensive, with an assumption that others might be critical of his determination of this film as one of the greatest, that he would place it "up there" (my words) with "The Godfather" and "Citizen Kane."

I'm going to contend that "Schindler's" is not only among the greatest, it goes down in historical terms as perhaps one of the most important films ever made. This truth-based story is most compelling, holding this viewer's interest intact throughout for 195 minutes. Liam Neeson does a most incredible job as the hero/anti- hero, Oskar Schindler. A super cast also includes Ralph Fiennes, a perfectly played antagonist, and Ben Kingsley, in the first role following his Oscar-winning performance as Gandhi. It took this viewer quite some time before realizing that the character of Itzhak Stern was indeed played by the masterful Kingsley.

The cinematography is key to the story telling, filmed in a crisp black and white to recapture the era and help accentuate the mood. Credit is due Steven Spielberg, as he eventually adds in a few small elements of color which give us hope.

The atrocities committed by Nazi Germany against the Jewish race is a history that cannot ever be overlooked and/or forgotten. To that end, "Schindler's List" is a very important film that can help generations to come to develop greater empathy for their fellow man. I can't begin to emphasize how important this film should be to any serious film viewer.