Change Your Image
JefferyDCombs
Reviews
Runaways (2017)
Looks like a student film
I could not past the poor production quality. The production design was fine, but the camera depart felt like it was made of 20 years olds with smart phones. It is shot like someone is recording a birthday party. I do not know if they used cheap gear or if they wanted to make it look like found footage. I could not keep watching it. If they were going to keep me engaged, then they needed to wow in the first 2 minutes. After Iron Fist and the Inhumans, Marvel Studio's new TV programming is not looking good.
Canada Russia '72 (2006)
I Was There in Fredericton
I am not sure the documentary feel worked because they kept cutting to actual footage. The stock did not match. I know they shot it super 16mm instead of 35mm to get closer to what a documentation would have looked like. However, I know they have a VERY tight budget, so were able to accomplish a lot with a little. I do not know if people who did not care about the hockey summit to begin with would get into it. It was a lot of fun to watch them make it. The guy who played Clarke (John Bregar) was pretty nice to the extras. The hardest part was getting the crew off the ice between takes. You throw these guys in a hockey rink and they are kids all over again. I rated it kinda high cause I took a couple of days off work to be an extra in Moscow. It was great that they used some New Brunswick people too. I know Jonathan Collicott was an Assistant Director, Glendon McKinney was working in the Art Department, and Glen Ross was taking pictures. There was also several NB Film Co-op members seen on screen as extras (Nik Mills, Chisholm Pothier, Jeff Combs, Sebastian MacLean just to name a few).
Life Flight: The Movie (1987)
80's Christian Film
Boy you can guess right away when this was done. The hair is dead give away. I was impressed with some of the locations and rescue vehicles used in this low budget film. There is a running joke with Christian films with use of helecopters (Judas Project, Deceived, Omega Code). Seriously though, there must have been some serious community involvement to pull this one off. When you add in the hospital, ambulances, and other emergency systems, it must of been quite a rush. I was afraid that they were going to let the radio be the one who actually proclaims that gospel for a moment there, but I was glad that they showed the power of lifestyle evangelism.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Emotionally Draining
What a wild ride! Not only was it non stop action. It was also intense emotionally. If you already care about the characters, you will see them go through hades and back. It will take me a while to sort it out what I have seen. They did cut out some major parts from the book, but most of my favourite parts are there in cinematic glory. Hats off to Peter Jackson! Great ending (s)
Feel Neil (2003)
Gotta love Feel Neil
Much like its director, David Sarich, this is a quirky and fun film. David followed several Neil Diamond impersonators, tribute bands and fans. I never knew that he was the 3rd most impersonated celebrity after Elvis and Madonna. It is funny, weird and sometimes frightening. The Diamondhead subculture is unique, but the bottom line is that the people are having a great time. David must have enjoyed putting this film together. It was screened at the Tidal Wave Film Festival in Fredericton, November 2003.
Jericho Mansions (2003)
A twisty-turney story using a rollercoaster camera.
A nice mystery that has lots of twists and turns. The young girl who played Holly was adorable. It had a strong cast and a rich look. I loved the use of the steady cam CSI like graphics. I personally would not have used all of the profanity, but that is me. It was filmed in Saint John, New Brunswick. I was lucky enough to see it at the Tidal Wave Film Festival in November of 2003. It sold out so they had to add another screening.
When Voices Rise... (2002)
I never knew of the trouble in paradise
I saw this film at the Tidal Wave Film Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Wow, I have always heard of the stories of racial segregation in the US and South Africa. Talk about people who were willing to turn the other cheek to affect change. You hear a lot about violent protest and the actions that can come from the anger that comes from injustice. It is refreshing to see how a place had been changed - not by laws or riots, but by changing people's hearts. It is the harder road to take, but I feel that it is the most effective road to real peace.
Expecting (2002)
Funny improvised film - But not for the family
I caught this film at the Tidal Wave Film Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Deborah Day explained to the attenders how the actors were given thorough background on their characters, but not a standard script. They filmed in sequence and they found out what was going on only as the film went on. There were a few plot turns and they are very believable. Imagine a interactive murder mystery, but the who done it is finding out who got Stephanie pregnant. Debra McGrath and hubby Colin Mochrie steal the show with their superb performances. It was a good cast and the chemistry worked. However, viewers should be cautioned that there is a lot of objectionable material that will limit its audience. Personally, I do not feel that it added anything to the story. With such a talented improvisational cast, it would great to see what they could pull off without resorting to profanity and nudity.
The Adventures of the Masked Phantom (1939)
So bad it is funny
I first watched this movie at a camp in Oklahoma. It is so bad that it was funny, kind of like Santa Claus conquers the Martians, in the old west. It has every western cliche that you can imagine, plus Dumpy's dancing! Alamo is the stranger who is also the Masked Phantom. He has a thrwing knife with a skull on the hilt. The real hero is "boots" the wonder dog. The dog can break people out of jail and start cars. Alamo is just riding his (coat)tails.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
I had to see it again that night.
I saw the movie at a decent theatre in Bangor Maine (about 200 or so miles away). I had very high expectations, as I have followed the progress of the film on the Internet. It exceeded my expectations. It was a wonderful piece of filming. Everyone has raved about the looks, the pace and the chemistry of the cast, and rightly so. The fellowship really comes across as loving and caring about each other. Merry and Pippen steal many scenes. However, something that really stood out was the sound quality. I saw it first in a surround sound theater and then in an older stereo theater in Calais, Maine. It was a different movie. See it with the best sound system you can! The way the breathing, the arrows flying, just everything about the sound was so much more alive the first time in a good theater. Shore did a good job on the Soundtrack by the way. I was worried about the changes from the book. I have to say that PJ did a fantastic job. Everything that was cut out would have lost many audience members. I still wish that Elijah would have cried out "Go back to the land of Mordor and follow me no more!" at the ford. Oh well. I have to wait another year for the Two Towers.
Spaceballs (1987)
Last good Mel Brooks film
I think that this is the last really good Mel Brooks film. You can see signs that he is starting to fade in this picture. Personally, I feel that he peaked with History of World. It was still very funny, but Yogurt kind of got old with me. John Candy was great as Barf. I also liked the John Hurt Cameo. i could have done without Joan Rivers (I find it odd that she now makes a living criticizing other people's sense of style). It is a fun movie with some real memorable sight gags and some great parodies of other classic films.