Reviews

...but once the ship left the port, things rapidly began to go south.

First, the "good stuff." The look of this film was INCREDIBLE, and the selection of the cast equally good. In fact, in the opening salvo I thought this movie could become a modern day classic, particularly with its abundance of incredible set decoration, acting, and camera angles. But the moment the boat hit the sea, the lighting became so dark... I mean LITERALLY dark, that most of the film was enclosed in such lack of sufficient light that it might has been entirely shot in a landlocked closet. In short, you couldn't see a damned thing!! Here's the problem. This technique, used by amateur filmmakers from the beginning of time to create a sense of dread and foreboding, was used with such stultifying regularity that you missed 99.999% of all the beautiful camera work that characterized the opening sequences. What made this obvious deficit even more puzzling is how utterly nonsensical the rest of this seagoing tale took in its quick trip to the bottom. For example, how could this tightly knit crew NOT have had the common sense to locate the blood sucking monster traveling with them with a simple search of the entire ship, from bow to stern?? With the boatload of tough sailors in attendance and a few simple weapons, they could have easily eliminated the threat within the hour. They never did. This is pure fantasy in its worst possible form.

You can definitely tell where the money went in this multi-million dollar loser, another piece of student film garbage by the same director who brought us the equally stupid "LA-LA Land," another exercise in empty, moronic storylines and unbelievable plot twists. Worst still was Brad Pitt's utterly lackluster performance, even abusing the obvious talents of Margo Robbie. For sheer excess and extensive, over the top set decoration and manic, insane action, this film rates an A, but for anything else even remotely resembling great movie making, this turkey barely rates an F. Just look at the miserable box office and it's clear that the audience voted with it's feet, feet headed directly toward the exits.

NO ONE does the "strong and silent type" like Benicio, and Josh Brolin was the cherry on the top, absolutely superb in the role. The only actor that I thought was miscast was Emily Blunt. Although she tried her best, she looks more like a Sunday school teacher than a professional killer in body armor and combat boots. I think she is more disposed to more "ladylike" roles as opposed to parts like this. I also thought that her dialogue was also woefully unbelievable. Coldblooded, paramilitary killers are supposed to simply keep their mouth shut and follow orders, not to question the motives of their superiors. From her very first moments on screen, she begins to question her orders, something no black op that I know of would ever do. The very nature of the job requires both unerring duty and silence, not unending doubts regarding the wisdom of their actions, which is why it is called, "chain of command." These were the characteristics of a tenderfoot, not an experienced foot soldier, and for me, the only weakness of the film.

After watching this film, which took nearly two years to make, I had no other option but to compare it with John Carpenter's "Elvis" 1979 biopic, starring Kurt Russell. Yes, Austin Butler was good in the role, but he was clearly acting. Kurt seemed to have much more "heart," and had only a few months to prepare after watching only two of Elvis' old films, since there was little else available. The major difference between this movie and the original is that this film had a HUGE budget (Carpenter's was just a TV movie), and utilized modern camera techniques unheard of 43-years ago. The director even DIRECTLY STOLE a key anime scene from Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" (of Elvis' mother miscarrying) that was such a glaring, obvious rIpoff that I very nearly turned off my TV. The only other difference is that it was written from the viewpoint of Colonel Tom Parker, an illegal Dutch alien and ex-carnival barker with a fake name. While managing to encompass a larger time frame than the Carpenter version, I vastly prefer Russell in the role, who brought more humanity to Elvis than this actor ever could, in spite of his obvious talent.

And I use that term advisedly. This film, what might even be called a "B-movie" today, is a modern day classic, in my opinion. On a minimal budget, George Pal managed to create a science fiction masterpiece for all time. I watched the 2002 remake, and no matter how much CGI they threw at it, it just couldn't compare with this one. No matter how many times I watch it (and that's DOZENS of viewings), it never gets old or boring, and like a fine wine only gets better with time, ironically, the precise subject of this fascinating tale. Highly entertaining, and imminently worth watching. RIP, Rod Taylor.

... the entire female character was completely stolen from the 1990 film "La Femme Nikita," starring Anne Parillaud. The similarity between them was so exact, in fact, that it was too much of a distraction for me to give this great film the rating it deserved. Blake was unexpectedly good, but suffered under the obvious plagiarism of "Nikita." Too bad, because she was excellent.

This was more like a "B-movie" but with an excellent cast, especially the young lady they cast in the lead, an unknown Israeli actress named 'Elena Eden.' Beating out 30 other Hollywood actresses, I think she embodied the titular Biblical character perfectly. Although the movie took major artistic liberties with Ruth's background as a fictitious pagan princess, alas, the timeless moral values seen in this film far outweigh the historical inaccuracies.

But at least with an Ed Wood film you'd EXPECT to see pure dreck. Although the director of this pointless pile of cinematic drivel tried using every worn-out art film cliche ever invented, this excruciating depressing venture into pure filmatic sadism failed at every turn, with even the sight of Scarlett Johansson in full frontal nudity failing to rescue this monumental piece of cinematic excrement from the rubbish heap. The only thing more dreadful than the obvious plot was the canned, spooky "atmospheric" music that made you even more depressed, if that's even possible. If you like this kind of film genre, simply watch the 2011 classic, "The Man Who Fell To Earth, with a superb David Bowie. Right now I'm thinking of suing the producers for wasting two hours of my life.

Who ever wrote this turkey should be taken outside and shot. The dialogue for this overblown monstrosity was so stilted and BAD that I've seen student films look more like Citizen Kane in comparison. The only movie worse than this might be Plan 9 From Outer Space. It was actually PAINFUL to watch.

... I still cried like a baby at the end. Anyone who has ever watched this series in the sixties knows how good it was. No one who has seen it ever forgets these marvelous episodes. Watching them all over again on You Tube brings back wonderful memories. Sadly, nothing like this on TV anymore :(

It's wasn't Lawrence who "did a terrible thing," it was the PRODUCERS. Never have I seen such a good actor, Benicio Del Toro, miscast so horribly. It was as bizarre seeing a New York Latino cavorting about the woods of Olde England as casting Pee Wee Herman as "The Terminator." Whenever I see all the money going toward the set decoration and special effects, it makes me physically ill, very much how they turned "Dark Shadows" into one, colossal soap opera. But even worse than the totally unbelievable story line of this dead dog was the stupifyingly dumb dialogue that they saddled Anthony Hopkins with, a tale as riddled with problems as well, a wolf with fleas. As much cash they threw at this loser, the more I missed the original Universal classic. There should be a law against anyone trying to re-do these irreplaceable works of art.

Not only was this taut thriller a tribute to the remarkable genius of Sidney Lumet, but an enduring warning to the world. When you place all of your faith on technology, it will often bite you on the ass, with disastrous results. This movie should be required viewing by everyone on earth, a dramatic morality play on "what could happen if..."

...but in the end, a disappointment. The actors were fine, and you could see where the money went (sumptuous costumes and sets), but alas, without a great story to back it up, its an overly-long, vacuous failure. As the great Bill Shakespeare once said, "The play's the thing." Take heed whenever you spend a cool 100 million on a film.

This very first outing by Ridley Scott, is a film for the ages. I have watched it over 24 times, and each and every beat, every shot, and every moment is that of utter cinematic PERFECTION. From the casting of a hitherto unknown Sigourney Weaver, to the other equally fantastic cast members (the best of both American and British), this is truly a movie without equal in the genre. It is timeless and never gets old, no doubt due to the art background of Scott, who began his career as a set designer. His rapt attention to even the most minute detail, combined with a superlative script and incredible music by the great Jerry Goldsmith, make this film one that will last long after so many others are gone and forgotten.

Although this last of the Daniel Craig series had high expectations, alas, it sadly failed on so many levels. Where did they ever dig up his love interest in this film?? She was perfectly AWFUL. The ultimate Bond movie was his first, "Casino Royal," and they should have permanently retired the entire franchise with it. Craig, along with the fantastic Eva Green, were the ultimate Bond couple, never to be bettered. In my opinion, James Bond has crashed his last expensive sports car. Fifty-years of 007 has run its course.

After suffering through this endlessly interminable BORE, I finally limped to the computer to write this warning: If you wish to see an excellent group of actors reduced to nonsensical, unbelievable, static, unrealistic, robots, forced to work in the most senseless, pointless, painfully awful pile of dog excrement ever put to celluloid, this film is expressly for you. "Dull" doesn't even do this turkey justice. It may very well be the worse film in Hollywood history. Even the writing and execution of "Plan 9 From Outer Space" is consistently superior to this dreadful mess. I can't even believe that I actually subjected myself to this mental torture, waiting for "the big payoff" that never happened.

Although Stanwyck wasn't the prettiest female star in Hollywood, she possessed a degree of personal magnitism that is rare, "back in the day" or even today. For as much as I love to show off my monumental intelligence regarding film and acting, alas, when it comes to Barbara, I'm at a loss for words... better to just watch one of her films. Three that particularly stand out for me are this one, "Stella Dallas," and "Double Indemnity." All classics.

Shame on you, Harrison Ford. Whatever fit of temporary insanity came over you to star in this Hollywood WWII bomb is simply beyond comprehension. The total failure of anything even remotely resembling decent film dialogue, or even the most basic chemisty required between two human beings to make a believable film were so obvious, that within the first 15-minutes, my senses could take no more. I turned off this awful film, and returned to watching more interesting reruns of "The Flintstones."

Okay, the film wasn't "flawless," but with the otherworldly talent of Hoffman, this film deserved far better. In my opinion, Phillip should have won the Oscar for this once in a lifetime performance. Incredible. RIP.

Okay, neither Joel McCrea or Veronica Lake (real name, "Connnie Ockleman") were the best actors of their generation, but this delightful comedy/drama romp wasn't meant to be McBeth, and to our immense and enduring delight. Born in the dark days of the Great Depression, it took a 180-degree leap from films like "Grapes of Wrath," and managed to blend both broad comedy and powerful social commentary into one, highly entertaining film. Under the genius of Preston Sturges, he managed to create a film of lasting joy, uniting the best elements of McCrea and Lake into one, delicious whole. But what is so lasting, and ironic about this movie, is just how prophetic the tale is in describing the horriflc economic/social events of today, events like film, have only just begun to develop.

This film is an OBVIOUS rip-off of "The Driver" (kind of similar names, no?) done over 30-years ago. The original was a clearly superior film, directed byt the great direct Walter Hill, with a superb performance by Ryan O'Neal. Watch the original, and you be the judge.

In fact, I've never been a big Jennifer Lawrence fan, but after watching her in this film, I fully realized her screen power and visceral appeal. She is imminently watchable, with lots of emotional diversity and on screen magnetism. On this film, it lacked emotional depth and was poorly written in some areas, with lots of gratuitous violence. But again, Lawrence's solid star power really carried her through. She was in virtually every scene, and I never saw her drop the ball, even once. She will remain a big star, and one with true acting ability.

This movie is not only the finest anti-war movie ever made, but it's my favorite movie of all time... period. How they were able to amass a Dream Cast like this was a miracle, among all the miracles involved in this emotionally magnificent film. With the able assistance of Stanley Kramer at the helm, the solid performances of Greg Peck and Tony Perkins, and with Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire in arguably the greatest roles of their long and distinguished careers... well, i just doesn't get any better. This is a movie that the entire world should see, watch, and remember.

Within the first five minutes, I knew what was going to happen. That's the GOOD news. Within the first 20-minutes, the writing was so bad that my ears and eyeballs were beginning to scream from the mental agony of it all. I turned this colossal waste of time off before I began to puke in my shoes. I don't even care what happened next... that's what a stinker this turkey truly was. BE WARNED.