Reviews

Frank Film is a wonderfully done film. The film is a scrap book on film, but much much more. Frank Mouris uses a collage effect that will leave you breathless. It is hard to amagine the time and effort it took to make this short film. The film basically is an autobiography of Frank's short life. What adds to the brilliance of the film is the two different soundtracks. The film will keep you jumping back and forth between the two. Frank Film is definitely one of the best examples of a short film and it deservingly gave Frank Mouris an Oscar for this grad school project. If you can get your hands on a copy, it is worth taking the short time to watch.

THX-1138 is a thing of art. The color transition and the camera angles are exhilarating. It is hard to believe that George Lucas could find the perfect touch so fast. It must be something that comes natural. I mean, this is great Sci-Fi. It is very interesting to see some of the similarities between this and the Star Wars Trilogy. A lot of the ideas, sounds, and voices came from THX-1138. Heck, Lucas even named his special effects system after the movie. This is a film that will probably be forgotten, but it really does show the greatness of George Lucas, as well as the very talented actor Robert Duvall.

One of D.W. Griffith's earliest works while still at Biograph. Really shows the inventiveness and desire to go further by Griffith, which would lead to works such as The Birth of a Nation and Intolerance. Shows some early techniques that Griffith was experimenting with such as cross-cutting, close-ups, and outdoor filming. The Girl and Her Trust is a great representation of early 20th century film by one of the best directors ever, D.W. Griffith.

Strangers on a Train really shows how Hitchcock can control a film. Based on the novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith, Hitchcock goes out on a limb and creates the concept of matched pairs. Viewing the film, you will notice two of nearly everything, including Hitchcock's cameo, showing him carrying a double bass. Strangers is one of the strongest homosexual overtoned movies Hitch made. Centering around two male characters played by Robert Walker and Farley Granger, the story develops as they plan an intelligent double murder. Hitch's innovative style really gave this film the twists it needed to develop into the successful movie it became.

This film was originally a 20 minute short by Reb Braddock. Braddock extended this after seeing the success of his short. Angela Jones plays the lead character superbly. For those of you not familiar with Jones, she is the Taxi Driver in Pulp Fiction. William Baldwin plays the killer. Angela Jones' character is mesmerized by murder scenes and gets a job with a company that cleans up after murders. She soon comes in contact with the murderer on the job site and the suspense begins to build. Great performance by Angela Jones and a brilliant story and dialogue provided by Braddock.

Danny Boyle's debut film is breathtaking. From the start, he lets you know he is in charge of the film. The mise-en-scene is wonderful, combining the use of moving cameras, color, deep focus shots, and lighting and shadows. With great performances by the three friends, it all evolves into a well thought out wonderful film. Notable performance by Ewan McGregor, which gave his career a boost. Pay particular attention to the opening and closing scenes; great bookending.

I don't know how anyone can watch this film without a positive reaction. It is great. Can you go wrong with Tony Scott directing a Quentin Tarantino story? Oh yeah, and then there's the cast. Possibly career performances by both Slater and Arquette. True Romance contains great dialogue from Tarantino, and Tony Scott gives the film the touch of action it needs to awaken. Some of the most violent scenes I have seen. They will blow you away. Of course, it all ends in a Mexican Standoff between the cops, the mob, and a film producer's body guards. A great story, an unbelievable cast, and out of this world action. True Romance will keep you on the edge of your seats.

Ninja Scroll is deserving of more credit. It is clearly one of the best Japanimation films ever. Many believe it to be better than Akira. Yoshiaki Kawajiri's story comes to life through carefully constructed characters such as the silent but deadly Jubei, and the female who with a poisonous touch, Kagero. These two team up in an attempt to save an overthrow of the government by fighting some of the deadliest villains of all time. Each having their own unique power, including the leader of the villians who cannot be killed. How will they accomplish the task of ridding them from this area in feudal Japan. You must watch to find out.

This fantasy story has some of the best cinematography ever seen. Redford, always a perfectionist, went over budget on this film and it was a big flop. However, it is still an enjoyable moving and the cinematography is breathtaking. The story of a little community in New Mexico being bullied over by a big businessman looking for profit in the southwestern desert. These natives stand up for themselves through the help of a small time farmer who ignores the water laws and irrigates his beanfield. The film is lifted with the performances of the two old men who have very unique personalities. Also, you will never fall so much in love with a pig, with the exception of Babe. The Milagro Beanfield War is a very entertaining and enjoyable film.

Platoon is an Oliver Stone masterpiece. Great performances by Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger playing two sergeants with different ideas in how to survive in the 'Nam. They represent father figures to Charlie Sheen's character, a "new cherry" who just arrives in Vietnam. They both struggle to take control of him. Gripping battle scenes greatly contribute to this film, making it one of the best war films to date. Platoon is a must for any video library. It is enjoyable viewing after viewing. Truly a masterpiece by Stone.

Matthew Modine plays a high school wrestler on a "Vision Quest" to drop 2 weight classes to wrestle a state champ. Linda Fiorentino plays a starving artist on her way to San Francisco. Having car problems, she is forced to stay with Matthew Modine and his father. He falls in love with her and nearly misses his chance to wrestle the state champ. Also, Madonna stars as a club singer. Vision Quest is pretty much an exploitation film. The accuracy of the struggling to make weight and the wrestling sequences are very close to perfection. However, the film did not reach its potential.

Pollack really amazes us with Tootsie, the story of a struggling actor who reverts to playing a woman to make a living. Dustin Hoffman is magnificent; one of his best performances. Tootsie may be considered the best comedy ever made. No one would suspect how difficult it would be to change your sex; you can't love the right person, and the wrong person falls in love with you. It is a hilarious film that will keep you laughing for decades; a must see for movie fans of all kinds.

Lucio Fulci redefines the word Zombie in this film about the living dead and the 7 gates of hell. Eye-popping gore and suspense establish this film as one of the best of its genre. It could be very confusing to some, the end has some similarity to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Also, this had some of the best acting in a horror movie that I have seen in a long time. Being banned in two countries, this was not a popular film. It has recently been released in the United States, however, and many consider it to be a masterpiece of Italian horror. Next time you are in the mood for a horror flick, check The Beyond out. It will play with your mind in a way that is somewhat enjoyable.

Lucio Fulci redefines the word Zombie in this film about the living dead and the 7 gates of hell. Eye-popping gore and suspense establish this film as one of the best of its genre. Could be very confusing to some, the end is similar to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Also, this had some of the best acting in a horror movie that I have seen in a long time. Being banned in two countries, this was not a popular film. It has recently been released in the United States, however, and many consider it to be a masterpiece of Italian horror. Next time you are in the mood for a horror flick, check The Beyond out. It will play with your mind in a way that is somewhat enjoyable.

Das Boot is clearly one of the great masterpieces of foreign film. Wolfgang Peterson explores new area with his ravishing story of a German U-Boat crew during the late stages of the second world war. Great suspense sequences allows you to experience the fear and nervousness of these submariners as they are chased through the Atlantic by British destroyers. The film gives you a whole new definition of claustraphobia with specially designed sets and hand-held cameras. The suspense takes place through the constant depth-charge sequences and the during the risky attempt to infiltrate the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean. A must for any film library, especially for all those lovers of war films out there.

Sam Peckinpah goes to extreme measures at the time with the violence. The first time blood played such a major role in film. Spectacular special effect shots of gunshot victims. A great story and good performances by both William Holden and Ernest Borgnine as two members of a gang of outlaws who trust no one. A brilliant ending. A film that really brought cinema a further step up the ladder in terms of violence and special effects. Peckinpah deserves much credit. Truly a great film.

Notorious is one of Hitch's most underrated films. Ingrid Bergman's performance as Alicia is outstanding. She plays the daughter of a Nazi war criminal who agrees to infiltrate the Nazi regime in Rio de Janeiro. She quickly falls in love, however, with her CIA contact, Devlin, played brilliantly be Carey Grant. Hitch baffles the audience as usual, as the spy story becomes one of love and passion. She is so successful at her spying that she is asked to marry Sebastian, played by Claude Rains. The suspense builds as Sebastian discovers that Alicia is in with the CIA and tries to poison her. Devlin in the mean time is going to Spain because he can't stand seeing Alicia married to Sebastian. As in all Hitchcock movies, many themes and ideas are present, such as the role Sebastian's mother plays in influencing his plans. This is a must see Hitchcock classic.