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Reviews
Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time (1991)
check the closing credits
During the closing credits (at least in the version that hit theatres), the Beastmaster can be seen running into the sunset. This sunset is actually a painted backdrop, and after a while, you can clearly discern that the guy is actually running in place for almost two minutes as the credits roll! A perfect end to a perfect movie!
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
People who complain miss the point.
Many people have taken exception to the fact that this film is lighter and more kid-oriented than the first three. Jar Jar Binks IS an irritation, yes... But, don't forget: Four through Six were primarilly a coming-of-age story regarding what were basically teenage feelings about growing up. Is it a coincidence that when Luke finally comes into his own as a Jedi that the cute and childlike Ewoks enter the picture. Shades of parenting, perhaps?
Episode One seems to have set the bar for the first series. That is, it is seemingly directed at younger children. And perhaps there might be an overall arc to the "lead" character when considered in the whole of the series. That is, even though the lead changes, essentially the story being told is one of growing up, from early childhood (ep. 1), through teen angst and adventure (ep. 4), romance, dark discoveries, and discipline (ep. 5), through eventual maturity, responsibility, and acceptance (ep. 6). If this is the case, and it might not be, think of the wonderful nuggets of truth that await us all in 7 through 9!
And even if I'm wrong, we all know that Jar Jar Binks is going to eventually die anyway. That's something to look forward to.
The Brood (1979)
Overlooked film, actually about child custody
Most people do not realize that this film is actually a very tongue-in-cheek and bitter exploration of Cronenberg's feelings for his ex-wife, the battle for custody of his child, and his own personal views of his then in-laws. Viewed in this light, it is a rather remarkable film, and certainly not the bomb that Maltin so callously labels it.