Reviews

**** out of ****

On your first viewing of Vertigo, by the time you've reached the final sequence, you may have already forgotten how you and the film's characters arrived at that point. Such are the complexities of this film's characters and plot. For this reason it's necessary to view this film multiple times; not only to understand it more, but to enjoy it more with each viewing. James Stewart is great, as usual, as a happy go lucky booze-hound/psychologically unsound retired detective and Kim Novak is also great in dual roles. What else can I tell you without giving away too much? Oh, yes, it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and it might be his best film. Also, Bernard Herrmann's creepy, romantic score compliments each sequence. The special effects were revolutionary and top notch for their time, as well.

**** out of ****

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho may be the greatest horror film, but Fritz Lang's M is the greatest film about a psychotic serial killer. Peter Lorre hauntingly plays the psychotic man who is driven by forces beyond his control to hunt down and murder young girls. In turn, he is hunted by unscrupulous criminals of the underworld and the police force. Much like Psycho's, M's characters are flawed and sometimes as pathetic as the killer. Perhaps this is why in both films we find ourselves pulling for the killer. Less so in this film though. Lorre's character is just too creepy to root for, but we sympathize with him all the same. This was Lang's first talking picture, but he doesn't rely heavily on sound as much as slowly paced, silent shots to build suspense and intensify the grim atmosphere of the German ghetto. The final sequence, which includes Lorre's powerful plea, is among the greatest of any film.

Zero stars out of ****

This, the sequel to Bride Of The Monster, is far worse than its predecessor. I can't be sure because I haven't seen all of Ed Wood's movies, but I have to imagine that this might be his worst. This movie is bad and I don't mean bad in a funny way, like Bride Of The Monster or Plan 9 From Outer Space, it's just plain bad. The best thing I can say about this one is that it might have better acting than Bride Of The Monster, I stress might, and the atmosphere is sometimes effectively claustrophobic, but that's it. This is definitely one of the worst films ever made.

* out of ****

This low-grade chiller delivers few thrills, but does manage to display some of the worst acting and dialogue you will ever see or hear. I have seen directing of a lower caliber, though. It's quite possible that Ed Wood is the worst writer of all time, but I doubt that he's the worst director. After all, besides Bela Lugosi, he never had a decent actor to work with, or a decent set. It's hard not to take this movie for anything but a joke, which is sad because it's obvious that a lot of feeling was put into it.

** out of ****

This movie could have been a lot shorter and effective. It really could have been a short film. At 87 minutes, how many minutes can you devote to shots of scenery and a cannibal weeping? He doesn't frighten you or gain your sympathy, he just gets on your nerves. Just about everything moves him to tears. He's a poor villain. If he can be considered a villain. I'm not sure. I've been informed that this film was edited against the wishes of the director, so I won't be that hard on it, but it is an unsettling mess. The main reason to watch it is for Donald Pleasence's performance as a somewhat nutty police inspector. There's also a pointless cameo by Christopher Lee.

*** out of ****

This is a comedy of endless gags and one-liners. You will either find them funny or you won't. I found most of them funny, so I liked it. The highlight is Bob Hope singing "Buttons and Bows".

*1/2 out of ****

There isn't anything worth mentioning about this low grade thriller, except that it isn't very good. The acting, writing, directing, and special effects are all average at best. If you need your fix of over the top Christopher Walken, you'll find it here, but there's better over the top Walken to be had.

*** out of ****

This creepy little movie is well written and directed. The performances aren't bad either. There isn't much in the way of thrills or scary moments, but if you enjoy low-budget, well-made horror movies, you should check it out.

*1/2 out of ****

An under-written, over-produced, muddled mess of a movie. This is first and foremost an action movie, much like most of Arnold Schwarzenegger's movies, with the story taking a backseat to the action, but in a movie that has its hands in christianity, satanism, the end of the world, and where the devil himself is one of the key characters, that probably shouldn't be the case. At first, the story seems as though it might be somewhat ambitious or interesting, but it's not. It's pointless, unbelievable, and I imagine very insulting to some religious circles. As far as the action is concerned though, it's pretty good and is probably the only reason to sit through this movie for two hours. There are some decent performances. Arnold gives it his all, but is severely out of place in this sort of movie and Gabriel Byrne brings some life to the movie, but, for the most part, none of the actors are convincing enough to make us buy what is happening. I'd recommend it to fans of Arnold and 1970's Charlton Heston films.

**1/2 out of ****

This is a fine vehicle for John Travolta and he makes the most of it, but there is not much else happening here. The movie has a good premise and the filmmakers let us know it by stretching its limits in every single way. It has a nice small town charm to it and the characters are extremely likeable, but the story too often steers in the wrong direction and becomes too large scale. The performances are the main reason to watch this one.

** out of ****

This movie has its good moments and its bad moments, unfortunately there are more bad moments than there are good. The fist half is pretty funny. It is not especially well written, but it is enjoyable and the actors are fun to watch. Especially Dustin Hoffman. In the second half though, the actors become overly annoying and the filmmakers get weird on us. Social commentary is thrown into the mix, but whatever statement or comment they are trying to make is unknown to me, and perhaps to them, too. Overall, it's a movie weighed down by weak writing, mixed messages, and inconsistent characters.

* out of ****

The fourth installment in the Rocky series is, in almost every respect, the pits. It is in overblown concoction of bad acting, bad writing, and bad directing. It's really a musical, with an occasional, poorly written scene that merely recycles plot points from the earlier movies, because there's a new song playing every five minutes, whether it's playing over Rocky driving his high priced car or being performed by James Brown. Imagine James Brown performing in the original Rocky. Through all this though, Carl Weathers manages to give a high energy performance, once more, as Apollo Creed. Besides Carl Weathers, there are no other notable performances. Poor Burt Young, who once brought humor to the franchise, has been reduced to political mumbo jumbo. The final fight between Rocky and the super Soviet Ivan Drago is the only part of the movie well executed, but at the same time is wholly unbelievable. When I say final fight, that does not include the few minutes following the fight, for that my friends will make you cringe. During the " No Easy Way Out" montage, clips from the previous Rocky movies are shown. This is the saddest part of the movie because it makes the viewer realize how much they used to care for these characters, before the Rocky franchise became a formulaic, money making machine.

**1/2 out of ****

The third installment in the Rocky series is an entertaining one, but it's apparent that almost all of the heart of the first two movies is gone. This is a bigger, slicker, and more formulaic Rocky movie. It begins with, to the song "Eye Of The Tiger", a montage showing us Rocky successfully defending his title and at the same time, letting fame go to his head. He is, soon enough, brought down from his cloud by number one contender Clubber Lang, well played by Mr.T in his first movie role. Soon tragedy befalls Rocky, inside the ring and outside, and the only man who can help him is his old nemesis Apollo Creed. Once again, almost everyone from the previous one is back, with a humorous cameo from Hulk Hogan, but this time around they don't seem as into it and sort of run through the motions. And once again, Sylvester Stallone writes and directs, with weaker results in both areas. Also, some of the directing suggests that Sly was watching too many psychological thrillers at the time this movie was made.

*** out of ****

The second installment in the Rocky series picks up right where the first one left off. Apollo Creed, feeling the heat from the public, after barely edging out Rocky Balboa in their title bout, wants a rematch. Despite having said he didn't want one at the end of the first film. Rocky refuses, opting to retire, marry his girlfriend Adrian, and find a respectable job. But, this proves to be a harder task than he had originally expected, due to his limited education. Soon Rocky finds himself out of work and, worst of all, his wife Adrian, pregnant with their first child, once again working a dead end job at the pet store. Rocky decides that the only solution to his problems is to fight. Soon enough, against his wife's wishes and the reluctant help of his trainer Mickey, Rocky is once again training for a heavyweight bout with Apollo Creed. yes, it sounds a bit like an after school special and sometimes plays like one, but despite some cheesy and hokey aspects, it is highly entertaining. Plus there is a killer training montage and a heavyweight finale. Almost everyone from the first one is back, with the addition of Father Carmine. As well as writing the screenplay, Sylvester Stallone also directs and does a pretty good job at it.

**** out of ****

The first and, by far, the best of the Rocky series. For those of you more familiar with the sequels, you may have forgotten that this series began with a modest little story. It is the story of Rocky Balboa, a prizefighter of limited skill, but with the heart of a lion, who gets a shot at the heavyweight title. Sylvester Stallone, in his most famous role, plays Balboa to perfection and makes him one of the most loveable characters in movie history. The other actors are just as good and their characters just as memorable. Talia shire plays Rocky's shy, but always loyal girlfriend Adrian. Burt Young adds most of the laughs as Adrian's slimey brother Paulie. Carl Weathers is the fast talking heavyweight champ Apollo Creed. And Burgess Meredith is unforgettable as Rocky's crusty trainer Mickey. Sylvester Stallone also wrote the screenplay which is often funny and touching and John G. Avildsen creates the perfect atmosphere as director.

**1/2 out of ****

As far as feel good movies go, this one isn't bad. It has its share of good moments, but besides that there's not much there. The actors give it their all and are very likeable, but a better screenplay could have been used.

*** out of ****

Independent, low-budget movie about rising tensions among a group of celebrities at an anniversary party. And things only get worse when ecstasy is thrown into the mix. None of these characters are likeable, some are worse than others, but they're almost all interesting and almost all played to perfection by the big name cast. Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh do a great job acting, writing, and directing.

**1/2 out of ****

Starts off strong, but then just drags on and too often resorts to excessive violence. Brandon Lee gives a good performance and is very likeable in the title role. Ernie Hudson is also good as a former detective who has been demoted and now walks the beat of the crime infested inner city. It doesn't help that as the movie goes on, the bad guys become more cliched and far too wise as to what exactly is happening. None the less, it's still an entertaining movie.

*** out of ****

Nasty, black comedy that is very often funny, but it does have a tendency to become tasteless and very mean, so it's definitely not for all tastes. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner are very good in the lead roles. As is Danny DeVito, in front of the camera and behind it.

**** out of ****

Psycho is arguably one of the greatest movies of all time, but it without a doubt, rules its genre with an iron fist. The direction and cinematography are of the highest order. They create a dark, gritty, and claustrophobic atmosphere. This adds to the suspense, which is constantly building in every scene and never allows the viewer to look away for a moment. Also, the creepy sets make a perfect backdrop for the horror that is occurring on screen. Still, a movie cannot be complete without good performances and this movie has many of them, but it also has one great performance. Anthony Perkins is perfectly cast as Norman Bates. He is highly disturbing and obviously out of his mind, but we can't help being drawn in by his boyish charm and rooting for him through much of the movie. Which, is a perfect example of classic Hitchcock. He can manipulate you and can make you feel or believe anything he wants you to.

**1/2 out of ****

Even cheesier than the first one, but almost as entertaining. Some of the charm of the original is gone, but Macchio and Morita once again have great chemistry together and turn in fine performances. Also, Okumoto makes a fine villain.

*** out of ****

An extremely cheesy teenage movie, but overwhelmingly entertaining. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita have great chemistry together and give fine performances. You will be swept away by its charm and fine karate action.

1/2* out of ****

A movie so bad, it's enjoyable. For a while anyway, then it just becomes bad. It's not so much that the plot is bad, it's that there doesn't seem to be a plot and what little one there is doesn't make any sense. There are constant holes and inaccuracies in the story. The acting is way over the top. Either the actors are striving for oscar glory, such as Barry Pepper, or they're having way too much fun with it, such as John Travolta. Either way, they all give weak performances. But, the weakest aspect could quite possibly be the special effects ( the most disappointing anyway). Had this movie been made in the early seventies, I'm not sure if some of the effects would've made the grade. In most scenes, the movie looks like a poorly made computer game, and in a sci fi - action movie with no redeemable dialogue or performances, that is a problem that cannot be overlooked.

Zero stars out of ****

This is an absolutely awful movie that has no redeeming qualities. There is no plot and no direction. The actors are annoying and the the writing is bottom of the barrel. That is if there was a screenplay. I would not be surprised if the director told the actors to wing it. At just under 90 minutes, this movie is far too long. Poor Joe Strummer.

***1/2 out of ****

Exceptional, daring movie about a homosexual prisoner and a politically driven prisoner, who come to terms with their differences and start a friendship. William Hurt is brilliant as the homosexual prisoner, who's only escape from his sad reality is to talk about an old movie he once saw. Raul Julia is every bit as good as the tough as nails, political revolutionary. The direction is good, too.