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Reviews
Arrival (2016)
What?
Saw it yesterday and thought it was pretty good. Interesting plot/point, good visuals, decent acting.
However, the central idea is a bit muddy but not enough to ruin movie...until the end where it lost me. I couldn't follow the point about main character's child at end, but I only have ten years of college, so maybe I am not smart enough, even though I have taught history of science fiction writing.
However, the above did not bother me near as much as how the last four or so pieces of dialogue were over-powered by the music. Maybe those words would have made everything clear but no way to know, unless maybe I buy the book.
The Sun Ship Game (1971)
A lot more than the standard documentary
I've been familiar with this documentary since 1978 when I joined the Soaring Society of America as marketing and PR director and screened it to large audiences at the EAA's Oshkosh fly-in. Afterwards, I had to explain to more than one viewer that the characters in the film were not actors. That says a lot.
The characters tell the story, mostly through dialogue, not some behind the scenes deep-voiced know-it-all. Producer/director Bob Drew is known in the documentary business for his ground breaking American cinéma vérité (or direct cinema). As Drew Associate's website says, he follows a visual logic rather than the traditional documentary lecture logic. It looks more like a movie.
What the viewer gets is the feel of soaring from hearing the thoughts of two pilots trying to capture the U.S. Open Class soaring championship, one who flies by the seat of his pants/emotion and one who flies with an analytical approach. There is also beautiful scenery and great music, some by the BeeGees, which held up the film going onto DVD for many years.
I was fortunate to dine with one of the characters, George Moffat, at a Soaring Society convention. A really nice individual. I do identify with the other character, Gleb Derujinsky, because, after leaving the society, I went into advertising: writing and producing commercials like him.
The film is not easy to find but is available on DVD. It is not on HD Bluray and that is why I give it a 9 but it is so much better than the horrible tape I had for years.
Living on Tokyo Time (1987)
Sweet hard to find movie that should be on DVD
UPDATE (2 March 2016)Just received email from the film's director in response to my email of Feb. 29th where I had visited production company's web site asking about film and lamenting the fact it was not available on DVD. NEWS! The director told me that "out of the blue, MGM has released the movie on DVD" and it is now available on Amazon.com! After a decade or so of wanting a DVD of this film, my wish has been answered. Thanks MGM.
This is a sweet, simple, funny low budget movie that is nearly impossible to find and as far as I can tell only on VHS. I have my third VHS copy. Can't remember what happened to first one. Second one I bought cheap at a flea market and had no sound. I have seen a used copy or two for sale on eBay and Amazon.
I used this film in teaching Freshman Comp II at a community college in the early 90s for several reasons, but partly due to its low key humor that includes contrasting a real Japanese (a girl) with a Japanese- American wannabe rocker who eats cold cereal rather than sushi.
It's a quiet movie with no sex, cursing, drugs etc. Just some interesting characters and a cute leading actress. The lead female character narrates the film in a sweet voice.