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Reviews
Get Smart (2008)
"Get Smart" is funny!
I have to disagree with everyone who says the film isn't funny. I'm a fan of the original series, and I can say that the film holds its own while never letting us forget the original. The audience at my screening were laughing so loudly most of the time that I missed a lot of dialog. Carrell is perfectly cast as Smart, and Arkin and Johnson give good performances as well. It did take a while to warm up to Anne Hathaway because she was just too abrasive towards Max for the first half of the film. Also wasted was Terrence Stamp. They really didn't give Seigfried enough to do. It was cool to see Bernie Koppel though in a cameo (but where were Barbara Feldon and Dick Gauthier?). I liked the two nerdy guys who were like Bond's Q (squared!), and overall I thought the film was extremely well done and didn't suck the life out of the room like "Bewitched" did. I think the movie "Get Smart" can co-exist very well with the classic TV series. If you want to see a bad "Get Smart" film, check out "The Nude Bomb," which reunited Adams and Feldon on the big screen. Even worse, check out the Fox re-boot TV series with Andy Dick as Max and 99's son (they had twins on the classic show which was never addressed on that show!). "Get Smart" is much, much better than "Bewitched," "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Speed Racer" combined!
Kuro tokage (1968)
Black Lizard rocks!
I was fortunate enough to see "Black Lizard" at our local art cinema upon its very special U.S. release way back when and have searched high and low for the film on VHS, laserdisc and DVD ever since. The film is amazing, and I'm surprised it hasn't received that much attention amongst film buffs. Those of us who have seen it know what a wonderful film this is and I suggest that anyone who wants to see it again, at least on home video, should go to the logical source for a film like this - The Criterion Collection. Send them messages through their site telling them how special and important this film is and maybe, just maybe, they'll do something about it! I've already sent my request, so give it a shot. The more people request it, the better chance we have of seeing it get a DVD release! Long live "Black Lizard"!
Poseidon (2006)
"Poseidon" sinks
The original is a favorite of mine and I was looking forward to the new version, but it's all style, spectacle and effects over any kind of character development. The capsizing scene is amazingly well done, although it happens too quickly. In the original, the ship began to list a bit before the wave hit and here it just rolls right over. It's a wonder the thing could even stay afloat at all! But it is still a very cool scene (we even get to see people on deck and in the pool as the wave hits). Unfortunately, without the character development, you really could care less who lives or dies. If you like mindless action flicks then go see "Poseidon." Otherwise, pick up the original on DVD (a new special edition just came out).