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Reviews
Oh, God! You Devil (1984)
For Softies Everywhere
I freely admit I'm a sap. Give me a good story line and decent acting and I'll be in tears at the end. (When Peter Falk says "As you wish" at the end of "Princess Bride", I'm a mess. When Danny DeVito's daughter finds the telescope in "Renaissance Man", same. And so on.) And like I am every time I see this one. When God joins in at the end in the singing, wow!
One thing bothers me. In the bet between God and the devil, they agree that if the devil wins, Bobby Wayne will die. But God wins the hand - and still Wayne dies. Even a sap likes a movie to be consistent.
The story line of the movie reminds me of "Damn Yankees". Guy makes deal with Devil to realize his dream, finds he prefers his real life to the reality of dream. Of course, divine intervention isn't required to save Joe Hardy/Joe Boyd; just the devil's bad temper. But wife and family win out. Hooray for us saps! Middle of the movie drags a bit but there are enough high points to bring it through. Cast is excellent. George Burns carries of both persona beautifully. Ron Silver is at his slimy best. Can't think of another actor who matches him at this. I think of "Time Cop" or "Blue Steel". He's horrible and great all at once!
The movie is good, satisfying fun.
Elektra (2005)
Self-important
Reminds me of a comment I heard about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Someone asked if Ginger was as good a dancer as Fred. Answer: Just the same, except she did everything in high heels and backwards.
Really, a super assassin in high heels, bare midriff? Sure, comic book based and I never read the comic book. I like fantasy and sci fi. But I need more - not sure what - reality?
Special effects good. Acting good. Story seemed a little self important to me; too much style, not enough substance.
Flashback/dream inserts very artsy. Near end fight scene - battle of the sheets - just did not do it for me; seemed a little silly.
Liked the bad guys' special effects. Made me think of X men. Tattoo guy was neat. Death chick very convincing.
I have found myself more positive than the weighted average of other IMDb members on most movies. Not this one. I'm a little more negative.
Movie was OK for a couple hours escape but did not have the weight it seemed to aspire to.
The Constant Gardener (2005)
Well done movie; politically charged
One of the tragedies of our times is the polarization that has swept our and other societies. This film, while well done, is a perfect example. Polarization leads otherwise intelligent people to buy into patently absurd propositions. Scapegoats are a common phenomena in history. Over the years, Jews have been the object of such attacks. The blood libel; control over media or business or otherwise. Polarization led to the Swift Boat attacks on John Kerry. It also has led to attacks on George W. Bush such as lack of honesty or intelligence which in non-polarized times would never see the light of day in reasoned debate.
In "The Constant Gardener" the scapegoat is a drug company. The proposition put forth is that to make a profit, a drug company would resort to dealing in drugs which it knew would cause harm, as well as murder, mayhem; complete immorality. The polarization of our times leads intelligent people to accept such assertions as fact. In less charged times, this movie would be dismissed as absurd fiction. But not now. And that, it seems to me, is a sad commentary on our times.
I admire the acting, cinematography and all aspects of the making of the movie. Its script and theme, however, are a product of a sickness in our society. One which we should be aware of and seek to avoid. It destroys civility in the discussion of issues and prevents compromise and progress. For that reason I am not a fan of this movie.
Lost Horizon (1973)
Clear example where devotion of fans to original clouds vote on new version
The movie is excellent. Acting, cinematography, direction and music are spellbinding. It seems to me that the reason so many give the movie a low score is because of the devotion they have to the original, 1937 version starring Ronald Coleman. That movie - for good reason! - engendered an unbelievable level of commitment. From talking with people who saw the original when it first came out, I believe the impact was something akin to the first "Starwars" movie in modern times. I have seen it. It was and is wonderful. But that does not mean that this version is not also worthy. From the first scene the 1973 version grabs you. The noise and tumult are fantastic, especially in they way they prepare you for the peace of Shangri La. And Burt Bacharach's music is beautiful. So - by all means enjoy the 1937 version. But do not let it detract from your enjoyment of this 1973 version any more than you would let the 1935 King Kong destroy Peter Jackson's of this year.
Star Wars (1977)
One of the very best sci fib movies ever!
This movie broke new ground. It turned the industry - and audiences - topsy turvy. The acting was excellent. The story, a familiar line, was beautifully set out. But it was the special effects that put the movie over the top. They were a leap beyond all of its predecessors. The movie appealed to all ages and genders. You have to have been there to understand the effect when you saw it for the first time. Masses of people stood in line to see it over and over again with stars in the eyes. I was one of them. "Starwars" took what we always hoped was possible in a sci fib movie and made it a reality. It is no accident that it gave rise to five sequels (or prequels). Lucas deserves all the Kudos and dollars he got for this magnificent creation. It set a standard by which all future science fiction movies would be judged. All that for me makes it a 10.