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Reviews
Nacho Libre (2006)
Wanted to like it
I generally enjoy Jack Black, and although I don't think of him in terms of being some comedic genius, his films are usually entertaining. Then there's "Nacho Libre", which I'm sorry, just doesn't work for me. It's a theme I've seen too many times, (guy overcoming ridiculous odds to help the less fortunate) and bottom line I just didn't think it was very funny. Kids are cute, the actress playing the sister is beautiful (almost too beautiful) but when the action is not in the ring, nothing very funny happens. The music is interesting and I enjoyed it, and I'm not saying that nothing funny happens, but it just doesn't work for an hour and a half. Wait for cable or rent it, but it's not worth the price of admission.
To Hell and Back (1955)
Dated, but still very good
Few know that this film was the studio's biggest "blockbuster" until "Jaws" was released 20 years later. The film does chronicle some of the exploits of Audie Murphy, who having grown up dirt poor in Texas, went on to become the most highly decorated soldier of WWII. The film is somewhat dated and was definitely cleaned up to appeal to a larger audience, but nonetheless, it gives a pretty accurate version of this man's damn near suicidal bravery. Because Murphy was rejected by the Marine Corps, and was a fairly small man in stature, an under current of the underdog story develops as the young Murphy attempts to do just about anything in order to improve himself. This was not Murphy's first film, so perhaps this explains his above average performance and seeming comfort on camera. He is supported by a crew of veteran performers, (Marshall Thompson, Jack Kelly) who do there best to let Murphy be the center of attention. It's a terrific story, enhanced only a little by the fact it's true, and if you're able to imagine a remake of this film, I don't see how it couldn't be successful.
The Lion in Winter (2003)
Too tough an act to follow
I really am a big fan of both Glenn Close and especially Patrick Stewart, but Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole are just too tough an act to follow. While both performances are fine, you just don't get the sensation of tired antagonism from these two as you did O'Toole and Hepburn. For myself, the supporting cast could not hold a candle to the original as well. Again, when you've got Anthony Hopkins and Christopher Dalton in the original, this version just doesn't hold up. In the '68 version, you are on an emotional roller coaster of emotion with each characters victories and defeats (which seems to happen every other paragraph). This isn't a bad film, and if the original never existed I'd be satisfied watching it, but the original does exist and in doing so renders this film somewhat watered down in comparison.