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lymang
Reviews
Fire and Ice (1983)
Visually stunning
I don't remember when I first saw this, so my review is based on a very recent rewatch. Visually this movie is pretty awesome. Bakshi and Frazetta's work makes this very cool to watch. The rotoscoping and animation rocks.
10/10 visually
I think it has some problematic aspects in the portrayal of the subhumans who somehow are all dark skinned and brutish, violent and stupid. Somehow the other heroic characters are all light-skinned. That said, many 80's fantasy movies had problematic aspects. 1/10 for this aspect of the movie.
The plot won't win any awards, the witch subplot seems abandoned/shortened to an almost nonsensical encounter.
7/10 for me on the plot.
This is definitely worth watching if you're a Frazetta fan (or a Bakshi fan).
Sea Devil (2014)
Terror Teaser
This short has only one flaw in my mind: it's too short. Five more minutes even would have made it perfect. Despite that I gave it ten stars because they may not have had money to do five more minutes or to have more dialog or acting.
It's sparse on acting and dialog but what they do say is perfect. The suspenseful lack of dialog and foreboding lighting are very effective even in the short time we have.
The fishing captain provides the one "surprise" in the short and I thought it was appropriate!
As of now (Nov 2022) this is streaming on the Criterion Channel as part of a program of horror shorts. I recommend catching it!
Henry V (1989)
Once more into the breach
My mother introduced me to this movie the year it came out. It's remained a common favorite over the years. I think everything about this movie is perfect. The actors, sets, everything.
Siu Lam juk kau (2001)
Soccer with a Kung Fu Kick
I finally watched a Hong Kong DVD release of this movie, and I have decided it was definitely worth the wait. Despite sub-par translations (complete with spelling errors!) in the English subtitles this is a charmingly funny kung fu movie. There were several things in the film that I do not think will translate well in American culture, I am certain Miramax has toned down or removed these parts. References to American performance enhancing drugs, and a stereotype of a transvestite or transsexual hairdresser are almost certain to have been cut. I can't confirm that since Miramax has seen fit to delay showing this movie for upwards of two years since I first saw an American trailer for the movie. Shame on you, Miramax!! The action is smooth and effects are decent for what I suspect is a small budget. The leads are appealing and carry off the roles well. I hope this movie gets a wider release from Miramax (even with whatever cuts they will have made) as I think it could do well.
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Great movie, very underappreciated
Grosse Point Blank is one of my favorite movies. This movie showcases John Cusack's ever-popular "everyman" character with a twist. The supporting cast is excellent as well, with what I felt was a very believable chemistry between Minnie Driver and Cusack, and excellent supporting performances by all involved, including a credible but slightly goofy Dan Akroyd as Grocer, a "competitor" to Cusack's Martin Blank. I think this movie also speaks at a deeper level than just the surface of the comedy it is, it has a philosophical message to get across, and I think it may be missed by many who dismiss it as another throw-away Cusack comedy. It is very unfortunate that the movie has not been given a better treatment on DVD - the existing R1 DVD is barebones, non-anamorphic, and just barely serviceable as a DVD. In addition, it is clear from watching the film closely that there must be scenes that were cut and DVD would be a great place to showcase this footage (which I hope has not been lost) and maybe have some commentary (writer? Cusack/Driver?) I highly recommend this movie.
Song of the South (1946)
Very problematic movie
Recently, my wife and I decided we were curious about this movie. We both have memories of seeing it as very young children. I do not think I would have seen this during the 1986 release as I would have been 16 and I think I went through a phase where I didn't want to admit I loved Disney movies, but I think I must have seen it in the late 70's or early 80's. It had been so long since I saw it, I decided we'd try to get it and try and figure out what was so controversial. Well, most readers of any of the other user comments will have determined that the movie is very hard to find. Bootleg NTSC copies of the PAL VHS tape are available from a number of sources at outrageous (for a bootleg) prices, but the only legit licensed NTSC higher quality sources for this movie are the Hong Kong and Japanese import laserdiscs, both of which fetch absurdly high prices on eBay auctions. I managed to find a source for the Japanese LD and got a copy, and we watched it last night for the first time in (I'd guess) close to 20 years. I can see why it is considered offensive, but that doesn't change the fact that the movie has a sweetly charming quality to it, and the wonderful songs which many of us know and love. I wish that there was a way (in today's environment) to salvage this film from the offensive bits but preserve the good bits. I just don't see it. Slavery is too sensitive a topic (rightly so) for people to be able to put this film into perspective without getting upset, and Disney, as they are now, would not possibly risk it.
I think it's more likely we'll see more rampant bootlegs as time goes on, and I think it's highly unlikely we'll ever see another release of this film from Disney.
Invader ZIM (2001)
Incredibly funny, dark, and disturbing cartoon
I am new to this show, I somehow missed it when it first premiered. Nevertheless, I'm very glad I have now almost caught up on watching it, as this is a fabulous cartoon. Dark and disturbing, the episodes sometimes end on very downbeat notes. The writing is incredibly funny. I can't watch an episode without laughing out loud. The voice actors do a splendid job, though Horvitz must have to really work his voice out with Zim doing all the maniacal laughter and yelling strange and disturbing epithets (Obey the Fist!!). I highly recommend this cartoon to anyone who is an animation fan, I think it's some of the best American stuff out there right now. Some of my fave eps include "Dark Harvest" (VERY dark), "Plague of Babies" (very funny), and "Walk of Doom," in which Gir gets to utter some of the most moronic lines ever.
Magnolia (1999)
Finally watched this amazing film
I picked up the DVD of this movie used a day or two ago, and finally watched it last night. This movie is so full of amazing performances, it is a CRIME it didn't win Oscars for the actors and actresses involved. And I loved the frogs. They had the perfect touch of coincidence, absurdism, and fit the themes and ideas of the movie in a way that just -worked-!
In spite of it being 3 hours, I felt that this was just an amazing movie, worth sticking it out. The "payoff" at the end was real - not cheapened by some cheesy or simplistic moralistic lesson, but real. I highly recommend it.