Change Your Image
rlhaag
Reviews
Fear and Desire (1952)
Not a bad first effort
One certainly can tell it was a first effort definitely film school material. The camera work was amateurish at best the acting was 50's corny what I cannot figure out was wat military was cast of characters from Canadian? The generals and soldiers looked Russian the battlefield looks like the sierras was in supposed to be Germany? The guy who played the soldiers who went insane was the best actor in the movie. Someone you knew the girl was going to get killed. The airstrip scene the lieutenant and the soldier with him would have been killed they spent to much time in front of the house. All in all not a bad first effort by Kubrick.
Endeavour: Exeunt (2023)
Are you kidding me?
I have been an endeavor fan since the beginning. The ending was cartoonish at best. So the writers must have been Sopranos fans. The gun shot the black screen oh please!! First how are you have the Morse series if he is dead! Next the very ending singing choir the two jaguar's meeting each other I liked it. Morse and Joan kissing what a graduate moment I was expecting Joan to yell Morse!!!!! And they run off to a bus. However, the absolute best part was the farewell scene with Thursday and when Mrs Thursday gave him a sandwich. The emotional moment when he gave him the money. The emotions I thought he was in tears. When strange told Morse he cannot count on you for anything. I would have decked him. The scene at bleinvale was awesome. In closing I am really going to miss it.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Incredible Ride
I have no idea why there are naysayers to this movie. I felt it was great. The movie when back to what made the series successful in the first place history. It made me want to go back and open a history book on the battle of Syracuse. The beginning was kind of over the top with the action but when they introduced the Dial of Destiny and the history behind it fit perfectly. Lucasfilm did not disappoint with the cgi. I felt that the scene with Indy in Sicily he was supposed to die but someone maybe Harrison Ford did not want that. The scene with merrium was better than entire Crystal Skull All and all a great way to end the series.
Father Stu (2022)
Oscar Worth Performance
Absolutely the best mark walberg gives heart and would in this movie. The actress who plays mom I saw her on Yellowstone she gives a great performance and Mel Gibson still has it. This movie gives the Catholic Church a shot in the Arm.
Nobody (2021)
I love movies like this
Spoilers This movie started slow but after the fight on the bus it really took off. The stereo in the basement the killer music collection the lecture to the Russian mobsters and my favorite stealing his idiot neighbors Challenger.
Sure it's no John Wick but it's very close.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
The director must be a student of the Coen Brothers
This movie was great. The camera work was pure coen brothers the story line the characters. It was awesome.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Absolutely awesome
If one is looking for a run of the mill superhero movie this was not it. Instead of an action movie this was more of a drama a very serious one. Sure there is action but the scenes are more tasteful beautifully done. It gives one life lessons I am sure I am going to be one of the few that rates this high but to me it was that good. My only real complaint was reading the credits at the end they referenced guy and passenger in a Camaro they were actually in a Trans Am.
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
Absolutely Phenomenal
From the previous reviewers this movie has a definite love hate relationship. I thought the movie was great! I loved the attention to detail the radio station in the background. Anyone over 50 that grew up in Los Angeles should love the trip back. Yes there was storyline did the other reviews that hated this movie want blood and gore like reservoir dogs? You got that in the fight scene between Charlie's followers and Brad Pitt. I appreciate the handling of Sharon Tate and the twist on the ending.
The Guest (2014)
It's not Mathew from Downtown Abbey
(this review contains spoilers) An interesting low budget thriller. I was not sure if it was lifetime movie or not. Kind of reminds me of an ABC movie of the week. Dan Stevens does a great job acting like a complicated person the looks he gives and give anyone the chills. One thing I liked about it was not predictable. In the scene where the military contractors show up one would think like most hero movies he saves the family he is living with who considers him a true friend not here. He takes them out.
All in all a good effort
The Irishman (2019)
Martin Scorsese Meets Orson Wells
After watching the Irishman I kept thing of the movie the Magnificent Ambersons very detailed long drawn out scenes and storylines I was pleasure to watch.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)
Awesome!
I loved every minute of Chapter 3 SPOILER ALERT One thing that is very good is there were fight scenes especially Holly Berry where Keanu Reeves is not in the scene with her. Very realistic. One thing about ending when John Wick is laying in the ally I expected to hear the theme to the Bourne series when he took off.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Better than Logan
To clarify when I saw Logan thought it was the best movie that closed out a superhero series till I saw Avengers end game. I was an incredible experience in modern film making. SPOILER ALERT. In the scenes when Tony Stark and Captain America go back to 1970 stan lee's cameo he was driving a 72 cutlass should have been 1970.
Gator (1976)
The reason why sequels never should have been made
This movie is a sad excuse for a movie. Burt Reynolds should have gotten anyone besides home to direct. How about Sam Peckinpah or anyone else. The only bright spot in this train wreck is Jerry Reed
Dunkirk (2017)
So what if Stanley Kubrick directed a movie about Dunkirk oh wait Christopher Nolan Did!
This is my take on Dunkirk. The movie starts our very Stanley Kubrick Slow thoought provoking dragging scenes..... It seems to me it caught short of the true story of Dunkirk when 100's of boats went to resuce over 300 thousand allied soliders. I only counted 20..... I felt many opportuites were missed in this movie. My Favorite part was Tom Hardy as the Spitfire pilot. That part showed the true bravery of the British during the operation. All in all a tradegy indeed.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
Should sell a lot of Toys and Merchandise
Well as a Star Wars Fan from the 70's I thought number 1 was bad with JAR JAR binks but this new one topped that in badness. It seems to me that characters were designed for Toys R Us instead of contributing to a good Movie. The recurring theme of Star Wars has always been the Bar with creatures from all over the universe this new one feature a casino that acted as a social statement (Child Slavery, Animal Cruelty, and Arms Sales) did not add anything to overall movie basically, who cared? Another thing Princess Leigha flying through space with no suit? Really? All I know is that I left saying to theater management is it needs to be the last movie ever. Its time bury it. But with Disney and now Fox all things are possible.
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The Best Movie of the Summer thus Far
My wife and I went to this movie on a whim and we are glad we did. It was the scariest movie I have seen since that classic movie the haunting. As fan of British movies, I also liked the scenes in the classic neighborhood in London. The acting is first rate I have been a fan of Vera been watching Bates Motel. The Part of her husband was played by the same actor in Fargo the TV Series on FX this past season. The girl Janet I could have sworn was British was actually American. The Mother is a veteran actress as well playing the mother in Selfriges in the first season on PBS. He did and awesome Job as well. Anyway one will not be disappointed.
Spectre (2015)
Lukewarm (Spoilers)
I have seen almost every bond movie from Sean Connery to those Godawful Timothy Dalton, Roger Moore to Pierce Bronson. While Daniel Craig, is my choice for the best with apologies to Sean Connery Fans he needs a bond movie that he can really stretch in. Sadly this was not it. There was some highlights. The Austin DB7 the Cameo by Judy Dench and of course M and Q. But there was something missing in this movie. To be fair I thought Skyfall was the best Bond ever and should be the benchmark for all future bonds. Maybe that is my problem. Sad to say I think the Bond Series has run its course and should be put to rest once and for all.
Harry Brown (2009)
I loved this movie
Greetings: As I watched Harry Brown, it was hard to believe that this was same Michael Caine who did movies like Secondhand Lions, Alfie and the Italian Job. But that what makes it so good. I noticed that the movies earnings were far below budget which does not surprise me. Audiences today do not want to watch such gritty and realistic films. Some of the reviewers compared this movie to Death Wish starring Charles Bronson. I think this is unfair. Harry Brown is far better. One more thing about Harry Brown. It reminded me of gritty realism of the prime suspect series starring Helen Miren. In closing thank you Michael Caine for having the courage to make such gritty film.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Excellent!
Usually, when I read a highly complimentary review of the movie I think it is a paid lackey for the studio generating ticket sales. However, I do not work for the studio's. This movie is the best movie I have scene in a long time.
One thing that struck me was Brad Pitt's performance. He has matured. His acting was more skillful and insightful that any thing he has done recently. One could tell he was enjoying himself.
Cate Blanchett was excellent to. To me Ms Blanchett has the same skill set as Katherine Hepburn. She can play several characters very well at the same time.
In conclusion, the technical aspects of the film were astonishing. Also, the movie was very emotional. As demonstrated by the women crying around me.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Good but Could Have been Better and more original
First let me say I loved the first movie. It was very original however this is where I will start my review. Instead of making an ground breaker George Lucas seemed in my opinion relied on the other movies. I noticed the familiar theme to national treasure in this movie. I think George Lucas has been very intimated by the National Treasure movies. Also, the alien stuff was pure x-files. Remember the ending to the movie X Files? Well the space ship coming out of the Amazon was so close to that it did stretch the imagination. Chris Carter should be flattered that George Lucas complimented him by imitating the scene where both ships take off. My wife and talked about this point on the way home. Harrison Ford has changed so much that it would not be a stretch that someone else could have played indy. Karen Allen just did not seem to have the feisty spirit as she did in the first movie. One things I did enjoy was we found the location of Ark. Also, funny was indy getting caught in the Atomic Testing grounds and hiding in the fridge. All in all and enjoyable movie but not a great one.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Coen Brothers continue to exceed!
I finally had the chance to watch this movie by buying the DVD. It was a great addition to my collection of Fargo, O' Brother where Thou. This movie is shockingly good. One of things I would like to point out is the actors uncanny ability to replicate real behavior of Texans and Mexican's I have lived in New Mexico and have friends who are native Texans. Obivously, Tommy Lee Jones being born in Texas was a natural but Woody Harrelson's performance was so good that I wished he would have more screen time. Josh Brolin the concept of him on the screen portraying a roughneck welder was a natural. However, I must not forget Javier Barden. So rare you find a character that so determined to stay with his basic but complicated principals of life it was a real. Details are everything to me in seeing a movie. This movie does not disappoint. It was an easy stretch to believe this movie was set in 1980. Where on earth did they find those Black and White TV's? Even the gun's were from the early 1980's No glocks here. I wonder what this movie would look like in Black and White. Would it have shown the bleakness in the countryside, where the first murder scene was shown. Comparetivley speaking, the setting of the movie in rural Texas gave me the same kind of desolate feeling that when I watched the Last Picture Show. In closing, the acting I feel was this movies strongest suit. Of course the directors has a lot to do with it.
Las Vegas (2003)
NBC doesn't know good shows anymore!!!
I would like to vent my displeasure at NBC Canceling Las Vegas. The show had been Top Notch for the past 5years. Tom Sellecks addition was great. He really brought a nice fresh addition to the show. What does NBC have now? Lame reality and night time game shows. I mean come on Keep the Old and Tired Law and Order? Not even putting Jack McCoy as DA can keep the show interesting. Gee let's keep quality program like Deal or No Deal or ED? ER should be put out to pasture to. NBC is worse now than it was in Pre Seinfeld Cheers days. With cable and internet, NBC cannot afford to fall flat on its face.PLEASE BRING BACK VEGAS! i remember when Homicide Life on the Street ended the way it did. At least they had a two hour series final. Hey CBS are you listening? Please pick up Vegas it is a great show.
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
One of Coolist Movies I have every seen
First, I am and always will be a fan of Steve McQueen. Fortunatly I had the opportunity to revisit The Thomas Crown Affair on Saturday on TCM. Itis hard to believe that it is the same actor in the The Runaway. TCA is one of the great movies of cool. With the Jazz soundtrack, one can enjoy this movie. Another enjoyable feature is the way the heists are planned. Why a Ford Station Wagon with wood paneling? In the second heist they use the same car but a different color. Another thing, did anyone notice that in the first Hiest the money bags were in plain sight when he pulled away from the bank. I was concerned that the Policeman on the horse could see the money. I loved the two door Rolls Royce. One can see why there was a strong dune buggy phase in the late 60's Very intelligent indeed. As I reflect, the modern version with Pierce Bronson is much inferior to the original. Again the essence of cool.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Boring,Boring, Boring
Dear Readers, I maybe the only one in America who has see this movie and almost fell asleep during it. It was to long. The characters did not develop very well. The deep love between Ms Swan and Bill Turner seemed forced. One could feel that there was immense pressure to make it better than the first from Disney hierarchy. I feel they fell flat. It was not as funny as the first. The interaction between Davy Jones and Capitan Jack was not as funny as with Barbosa. I hope with the third one that Jeffery Rush has more lines. There were some good moments and Johnny Depp was his usual professional. However, I was glad to pay the price of admission for Superman than Pirates.