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Underworld (2003)
Great! [SPOILERS]
I think this movie was just GREAT! The story was solid and interesting though not excessively complicated or intrguing. The jist of the story is that a 1,000 year plus war has been waged between vampires and werewolves. You really don't find out why for sometime so you'll need to be patient. It's the best vampire movie I've seen in a LOOOOOOOONG time!
That's not to say it was perfect. On the contrary, it certainly could have used some polishing. One thing that annoyed me about this movie was that everyone, and that means 99% of the cast, wore black or red even the vampires home was all black, red and white. The flashback scenes were annoing but tolerable for most. I don't like some of the techniques used today so most won't have a problem with it. Beckinsale was great in the role but I think the character needed more developing. Her rough, "I've been so hurt" edge made her look emotionless, cold and for the most part disinteresting. You walk away feeling you never really knew the character at all. When Selene and Michael fall in love the first thing you wonder is how?! He certainly could not know much about her especially at that point. In fact you are not sure how Kahn, who seems to be her closest friend (which is not saying much), became her confidant at all. The romance of Selene and Michael is not buyable and almost suffocates the love story of Lucian and Sonja's love tragedy. The latter probably being one of the film's redeeming points albeit a brief one.
Some people complained about the fact that they had no idea where the tale takes place and that werewolves can climb walls/ceilings, vampires can see their reflections, etc., This didn't bother me but I don't see a need to assume folklore must be adhered to in a movie. They were not killed by traditional means either. It's thereby safe to assume that these vampires, whether other worldly or not, are simply not of the same variety that we know. I don't think it is that big of an issue or a deal. The one thing along this line though which did trouble me was that with the strengths and powers of the vampires compared with that of the werewolves it is simply amazing that the previous survived as long as they had as it seemed the werewolves had the out ranked in abilities.
Still, though it may not sound it, I genuinely loved it and highly recommend it to any horror fan. I'm praying for a part two!
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)
Topic's finest
This film is likely the best, next to Audrey Rose, of the films touching on this topic which I've ever seen. The film is slow at points but gripping throughout most of it. Unfortunately the slow points can be long enough for many to lose interest.
The film is basically about a young, handsome college professor who finds himself having flashbacks into a recent, previous life-time. Parts of it are haunting. Sarrazin and Kidder are fabulous in this.
Hercules (1997)
The best of Disney's worst
First, if you're a mythology fan forget everything you know and just enjoy the story. Secondly, if you're an animation buff...give up now. SIGH The story is nice. The acting, adequate. The music, fun. But the film stands as an example of Disney's decline in animation quality. It is one of the first crossings of animation and computer animations from Disney the latter standing so far out in superiority from the already bad artwork that it makes the rest of the imagery look out of place. Disney films since have only refined on this ludicrous art of crossing breath-taking imagery with almost lampoonish artwork.
It is clear that the artist's intent was to produce a film which attempted to reproduce and modernize the ancient Greecian style seen on "vahzes" (GRIN), frescoes, etc., This would have worked had they not chose to cross this with a pseudo-realistic computer generated hydra which almost looks like something from a sci-fi flick. Briefly we witness, "Hercules Meets The Hydra From Mars."
Furthermore, if you're of a Paganistic path you might be offended by the interpretations of the Olympians which look completely ridiculous and exaggerated.
Tarzan (1999)
Wishing for more
May contain spoilers.
Disney's Tarzan has a good, strong story with interesting characters and great talent providing the voices. It is full of rich scenery loaded with detail. It is a charming, family film which one would expect from Disney. However, it's one downfall is is the character artwork.
I felt more detail would have improved the film 100 fold. Too often, characters (especially the human ones) tend to look out of place in the pseudo-realistic scenery forcing them too look almost lampoonish, many of which practically are. The scenery comes off as superior animation while many of the characters tend to look like excerpts from a Saturday morning cartoon misplaced amongst the rich animation of some animals and almost all scenery. Animation fans will find many fanciful scenes that will please them, but will also find many that will disappoint them.
In example, Kerchak is a superior piece of animation but tends to look out of place with the rest of the gorillas as none really compare to the effort which was so obviously applied to him. Tarzan himself is simplistic from start to finish and amazingly resembles the actual artist's face who drew him. Nor can the artist seem to decide just how defined Tarzan's muscles should be from time to time.
Otherwise, the film is great. However, some parents might find some of the violence to graphic for little ones, in particular a hanging. The story might prove to advance for smaller children as well.
An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)
Werewolves Ravages Paris And Americans
Werewolves are not my monster of Choice, but I loved An American Werewolf In London so I was anxious to see this sequel(?). Though I don't know that I would call it a sequel per se.
This film explores Paris' underworld werewolves with a rather soppy romantic story as the foundation. If you saw the first you pretty well know what to expect but as most sequels it is a little weaker.
American youth visits Paris, France, meets the tortured ghoul of his dreams and of course is bitten in more ways than one. This a good film with a decent story and a happy, albeit rapid ending. But I wouldn't call it the classic, cult material that An American Werewolf In London was.
It was a little too punkish, and werewolf reich for my tastes thus I rated it kind of low. It has the camp elements cherished in the first as well as the horror aspects. So most werewolf fans will find it appealing to some degree.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Super
In my opinion this is the BEST werewolf film of modern releases and is well deserving of being a modern horror and cult classic. The effects were cutting edge at the time and I believe that only served to enhance the appeal.
David Naughten was exquisite in the lead and another thing I liked about it is that it wasn't filled with big names. Which tends to make horror films more real in my opinion. I mean it is easier to relate to unknowns in a fantastic setting such as this than say folkes like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. You're not preoccupied with comparing their acting or how ridiculous they look in the part. Less distractions more entrancement.
This film is about two American friends who are attacked by a werewolf in the British countryside. One of which is infected with lycanthropy and continues on to London where he must confront his first victim's gory ghost, deal with his transformations and all the antics it causes with virtually no idea as to what is happening while in hot pursuit of his new love interest. The romantic aspects tend to be a bit forced in my opinion but all in all I wouldn't say enough so to damage the films quality.
A must for horror collectors to add to their video library. A must see for horror fans.
Hello, Dolly! (1969)
See this before the parade passes by!
I love both Barbara Streisand and musicals so it only stands to reason that I enjoy this one. Of course, I love the story period. If you are like me after seeing this, look for "The Matchmaker" also starring the late Anthony Perkins, the fabulous Shirley MacLaine and the late, great Shirley Booth ("Come Back Little Sheba" fame).
Directed by Gene Kelly, this musical adaptation of the play is absolutely stupendous and charming. Any musical fan will not regret seeing it. It has a star studded cast including: Barbara Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford, E. J. Peaker, Tommy Tune and featuring cameos with Judy Knais, David Hurst, J. Pat O'Malley, Scatman Crothers and Louis Armstrong.
Rich with music coupled with Streisand's magnificent voice and style, lavish sets, costumes and wonderful acting make this comedic, musical farce classic timeless.
The story focuses on the romantic adventures or misadventures of a pleithora of fascinating characters who embark on adventure despite the odds and opposition. The writing and acting makes the early Yonkers, New York and New York City sparkle, believable and appealing.
Do not consider seeing this, prepare instead to experience it and to add it to your video, audio or DVD library without delay!
Sweet Dreams (1985)
Not So Sweet Dreams
Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a major Country music fan, and not this stuff they're pawning off as Country music today, but REAL, genuine and traditional Country music. They'll also tell you that Patsy Cline is one of my absolute favorites. That's why I hate writing this review. Not that this is going to be a BAD review, but not one of my best.
First, I wasn't "Crazy" about the choice of casting Jessica Lange as Patsy Cline. Not that she was horrible, but if you've seen Coal Miner's Daughter with Beverley D'Angelo in the role of Patsy you will immediately wonder why on Earth they didn't consider her the natural choice for this film. D'Angelo did her own vocals and sounded very much like Cline. I cannot imagine what the folkes in Hollywood were thinking. I think D'Angelo made a more convincing Patsy Cline too, in my opinion. Not to say anything bad of Ms. Lange, but I earnestly feel Beverley D'angelo was better for the part and would have been much more believable to boot.
Now, I know this film is less factual than Coal Miner's Daughter, so I won't be too harsh. But, I was VERY disappointed that they didn't really mention the deep friendship between Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline at all. It was actually shocking to not see it portrayed at all. For me, this damaged the movies credibility severely.
Ed Harris is fabulous as Charlie Dick, Patsy's husband but I think someone a little less handsome and famous would have been more appropriate. Not to say the original man is unattractive or attractive but rather the two men do not resemble well enough to make a realistic portrayal. I may be nit-picking a bit there, but I am a stickler for little details.
Over all, it's a good story, but that is all it is, a good story -- not entirely truthful. So if you're looking for facts, look elsewhere. If you're looking for an enjoying movie with a lot of great Country music, then you should see it.
All in all, it is worth adding to your video collection so long as you consider the above not too infringing on the quality.
Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)
Country Musics Finest Film
First, I am a major country music fan. Secondly, I love Loretta Lynn. but honestly, when I first set out to watch this I didn't expect much. Boy was I surprised!
Sissy Spacek is absolutely amazing in her portrayal of Loretta Lynn. Her superior talents at impersonating Lynn is well known now. Spacek did all of the songs in the film and on the films sound-track. Beverley D'Angelo also does a super job at the role of Patsy Cline including the singing (again in the film and the sound-track). Be sure to look at my review on "Sweet Dreams" for more on Patsy Cline. I could not recommend this film more to fans if I tried. This is definitely one to add to your collection.
The film begins with a teenage Loretta Webb in the hills of Butcher Holler Kentucky with her large, poor family (including baby sister, Crystal Gayle - Brenda Webb) and follows her through her journey to fame and fortune. My one complaint is the ending, it's a bit abrupt but considering that Loretta is still going strong at that time I see no other way it could have ended.
Rumor has it that a sequel will soon be in the works. Again, buy this one. It's been re-released for it's anniversary so it should be easily found!
Legend of the Mummy (1998)
Cool Hand Mummy?
Okay, first, I'll make it clear that I am not a Mummy fan. This is not my monster of choice to begin with, but barring that fact I know a bad flick when I see one. I won't insult your intelligence by referring to this as a "film." This was a movie that had the audacity to tie Bram Stoker's name to it in hopes of saving it I assume. If you saw Bram Stoker's Dracula and liked it, don't let this one fool you, it doesn't compare.
Now, if you're that is not to say I hated this, but rather I expected lots more here. First of all, it seemed to remind me way too much of a very lame Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie meets the mummy sort of story and is written, directed and performed pretty much in that tone. If you're a Hammer film fan you may LIKE it, but you won't LOVE it.
The effects are just that, effects. Way too theatrical for this simplistically performed story. The characters are not only unbelievably portrayed and cast but not even exceptionally interesting. Louis Gossett Jr. is of course excellent as always, but even his excellent talents could not save this poor movie. Some of the other cast members were what actually saved this film for me at all.
The plot and story is so predictable. The ending is so over-used it shames the finer points of the whole movie -- What few there were. The seven fingered mummy bit is not only obviously awkward but pathetically prosthetized. The mummy herself is indeed disappointing enough without the bad hand effects. Some of the scenes seem to exist solely as fillers and I wonder if they were ever in Mr. Stoker's original story at all.
Over starved fans of horror, and Hammer films especially, will likely find this some what entertaining at least. Not much quality horror has been produced over the last 20 years or so therefore many will at the least find it watchable or of interest. Being a horror fan, that's pretty much how I found it to be though I would not actively seek out the video to add to my collection especially if paying money is involved. But if you can catch it on cable and have a spare VHS tape it might be fun to add to your collection in jest. Though if you're really looking for a good horror film, with a great story and excellent FX look for and buy The Mummy starring Brendan Frasier, you won't be disappointed.
The Mummy (1999)
The pros and cons of it
Not since Boris Karloff has the mummy enjoyed such life. The film is well written, directed and excellently cast. Though I do have a few minor complaints they really did not inhibit, limit or damage the enjoyment of the film nor it's storyline for me.
One of the few short-comings in my opinion is Brendan Frasier's character. He seemed to be lacking a bit but I do not feel that this was due to Mr. Frasier's acting but instead due to the writing. I think the character could have been a little more well rounded. I would have liked to have seen bit more to his character and perhaps more into some of the other character's as well. A little more depth would have made the film a lot more intriguing. My only other complaint is regarding the mummy's "bride." When her character is introduced we see a powerful, strong and potent woman capable of anything for her passion. However, she seems lacking after her several thousand year slumber in comparison to her lover. She seems almost desperate, whereas I expected her to be of a more determined demeanor.
Otherwise the film is a superior story about the ancient horror monster, the mummy. I was very pleased to see a film that had such magnificent effects that actually had a well rounded story. Too often the effects, when of such quality, are the body of the film and the story is sacrificed. Not so in this film. The story is solid enough that the effects do not out weigh the story but serve to enhance it. Though the obvious omnipotence of the mummy seems to destroy the credibility of the ending.
All in all, the film is a great sure to be one of the finest, modern horror classics since Bram Stoker's Dracula. If you are like me, not a mummy fan, I highly recommend that you give this film a try. It is likely to change your perspective as it did mine.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Fun-filled fantasy
WARNING: May contain spoilers.
Lonely teen, Max (Omri Katz: Eerie, Indiana) moves to Salem, Massachusetts with his family and finds fitting in difficult until he meets the towne beauty, Alison (Vinessa Shaw: Ladybugs) and is smitten. When he is forced to take his little sister Dani (Thora Birch: Parenthood) out trick-or-treating the trio wind up at the historical home of three witches Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson (Bette Midler: Beaches; Sarah Jessica Parker: Honeymoon In Vegas; Kathy Najimy: Sister Act) who were hung 300 years before. When Max lights the "Black Flame Candle" he inadvertently resurrects the witches who must use their dark magic to syphon the lives from the children of Salem before sunrise in order to remain alive indefinitely. The children must out-wit the witches until sunrise and save all of the children in the process. Thakery Binx (Sean Murray: This Boy's Life; and Jason Marsden: White Squall), a boy cursed 300 years ago to live eternally as a cat, aids the kids in their battle against the witches.
I absolutely adored this movie. It was very much a fun-filled adventure. Great for older kids, but not advisable for little ones due to the horror themes. All in all it is more comedy than anything. Midler, Parker and Najimy are an absolute magical trio to begin with and Midler's rendition of, "I Put A Spell On You" is sure to apease the musical tastes of her fans. Parker also sings in this one! It also has hilarious uncredited appearances by Gary and Penny Marshall.
The film is a fabulous modern day Grimm's fairytale and if you see it with that attitude then you'll enjoy it a lot more then if watch it while expecting too much from it.
I believe it flopped for two reasons. Primarily, because it was uncharacteristic of Disney to make such a film. Secondly because it was too kiddified for the adults and too adult for the kiddies. Much of the humor may be lost on many children.
Romeo and Juliet (1968)
THE BEST Romeo And Juliet EVER!
Romeo And Juliet - No Ordinary Love Story...
Franco Zeffirelli's Oscar winning 1968 masterpiece was filmed in Italy (Verona, I believe though I'm not 100% sure of that). The film is rich in costume and scenery and the performers are simply extraordinary. Olivia Hussey (Death On The Nile; It; Psycho IV: The Beginning; etc.,) shines as sweet Juliet, Leonard Whiting's (Frankenstein: The True Story; The Legend Of Young Dick Turpin; Rachel's Man; etc.,) portrayal of young Romeo is unparalleled and of course Michael York (Logan's Run; The Island Of Dr. Moreau; Austin Powers; etc.,) is outstanding as fiesty Tybalt. But the true shining star in this film is the delightful, Ms. Pat Heywood (Who Slew Auntie Roo?; Root Into Europe; The Secret Garden; etc.,) who steals the screen with each moment she graces it.
She plays Juliet's Nurse and does so with such power, whimsy and conviction that you simply must love her. Pat Heywood gave the commonly droll Nurse character life and vibrance I have yet to see in a performance of this play live or filmed. The scene where she goes to the church to meet Romeo is absolutely side-splitting!
My sole complaint with this film was that there was a bit of trimming done to the original script. Some of the dialogue was cut down, but only true, hard-core Shakespeare fans would likely notice. You've tried the rest? Then watch the BEST!
Concerning the ages of the stars: I include this mainly as a side note, for it's been my experience that there is always some confusion, question and disagreement concerning the age of the young stars. Here is their birth information in hopes of settling any debates. Hussey was born April 17th 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Leonard Whiting was born June 30th 1950 in London, England, UK and Michael York was nearly ten years their senior (May 27th, 1942 - in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, England, UK).
Not that it's ever been a debate -- as far as I know it hasn't -- but I do not know Ms. Heywood's birthday...Just for the record :)
Total Eclipse (1995)
Best gay drama yet
This is the absolute best dramatization of a Gay couple's relationship to date, in my opinion. Great pains are not so obviously taken to avoid the intimacy of the characters as is so commonly done when this subject is filmed.
The power of the stars, characters, scenes, story all unite into a entrancing cinematic experience. I like very much that this is a film about two male poets who happen to be Gay rather than a film about two Gay men who happen to be poets. In short, their sexuality is depicted as only a fraction of the movie, not the movie entirely. You are not distract from the film by their sexuality anymore than you would be watching "A Love Story."
The film is exceptionally graphic in nudity and language and as a result may not be suitable for all ages.
America Undercover: Abortion: Desperate Choices (1992)
We need to remember
This documentary was very well put together; probably one of the best which I have seen, particularly on the subject. However, I still felt that a little more depth could have been taken at times, with some of the ladies featured. Though considering the delicate nature of the subject I can readily assume as well as understand where it may have been the subjects themselves who were holding back rather than the host.
The documentary highlights several women from various times of the history of abortion, discusses their experiences, decisions and the over-all effect all of these things has had on their lives. I think it serves as a decent reminder of the struggles which women have had to endure throughout the history of abortion and that we need to remember and learn from that history as well.