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Steve-219
Reviews
12 Monkeys (1995)
Interesting If Dark Time Travel Drama
Bruce Willis gives a good performance as a confused, almost incoherent, "volunteer" from a sub-terranean future prison in a world devastated by a deliberately released plague virus who is sent back in time to track down those who inflicted the disaster on mankind. Dark vision of the future prison world and below-ground existence. Good performance also by Brad Pitt as the deranged son of the present-day scientist who harbours the nasty little germs in his laboratory...
Young Frankenstein (1974)
The Eyes Have it!
A wonderful parody of the 1930s classic horror films. Lovingly recreated laboratory sets (using some of the props from the original Frankenstein movies) and marvellous use of black and white film.
Great ensemble performances by all the lead actors - especially Peter Boyle as the Monster; and wonderful use of close ups and wide eyed facial expressions so reminiscent of the silent movies and early talkies. The haunting music theme repeated throughout the movie fits the atmosphere very well.
The collaborative rapport between Director Mel Brooks and screenplay writer/lead actor Gene Wilder is very evident.
One of the few movies that I could see every month for ever.
Howling III (1987)
Low budget horror
Saw this film on TV the other night for the first and last time. Low budget special effects and production. Saved only by some nice Sydney Harbour and Blue Mountains scenery, and the beautiful Imogen Annesley.
10 (1979)
Comic tale of mid-life crisis and seeking the unattainable.
A passing glimpse of a beautiful woman (Bo Derek) on her way to the wedding alter sets in train a series of comic adventures as the protagonist (Dudley More) attempts to seek the unattainable. His quest becomes ultimately hollow when the beautiful woman takes him to bed for no more than a brief recreational romp.
In essence, a comic tale of mid-life crisis set in the wealthy world of Hollywood theatrical types memorable for the use of Ravel's 'Bolero'.
Julie Andrews gives a fine supporting performance as the hapless 'girl friend' of Dudley More. One of Blake Edwards' funniest films, I gave '10' a seven out of ten rating.
A Room with a View (1985)
A comedy of manners, evoking a lost age...
A wonderful movie, evoking a time when the manners and morals of Victorian society were slowly but surely making way for the more liberal and modern ways of the 20th century. Memorable settings in a languid pre First World War Italian summer, coupled with costumes and set design really capture the period feel of this movie very well.
An excellent performance by Maggie Smith as the prim and proper Charlotte Bartlett determined that her young companion Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) will gain the educational benefits of the 'Grand Tour' and conduct herself in a proper manner, and a very contained performance by Daniel Day-Lewis as the reserved suitor Cecil Vyse. The blossoming of Lucy Honeychurch and her awakening passion is a highlight of the film.
Another excellent Merchant/Ivory period movie, I gave it 10 out of 10.
Mad Max 2 (1981)
Ultimate in Wasteland-Future Movies
"Mad Max 2 - The Road Warrior" set the standard for the many post-apocalyptic films that followed. Most notable amongst these was "Waterworld" which is virtually a remake on water of The Road Warrior.
Mel Gibson portrays a world weary ex-cop wandering the wastelands aimlessly, surviving from day-to-day on whatever he can scrounge from the remnants of civilisation. He eventually agrees to help a band of survivors fend off the attacks of a blood thirsty gang led by the 'Lord Humungus' - self styled ruler of the wastelands.
Some of the most spectacular car chase and stunt scenes ever filmed lead to the climactic all out assault on the last petrol tanker of fuel in existence...
Filmed in the Australian desert country near Broken Hill, the red earth and blue sky paint a memorable backdrop to the movie. Excellent action direction by George Miller, and the vehicle which brought Mel Gibson to international attention, and eventually catapulted him to the superstar status he enjoys today.
I gave The Road Warrior 7 out of 10.
Life of Brian (1979)
Monty Python at their very best
The comic talents of the entire Monty Python team shine in the very clever script which is the foundation upon which the many many sight gags, one liners and witty interplays take place. Developed, one imagines, over countless pizzas and cases of beer by a committee of talented comic writers.
The Life of Brian treads a very fine line between religious satire and comedy but is careful to show very early in the film that Brian is not Christ...or the Messiah (but perhaps a very naughty boy as him Mum calls him in one scene).
Filmed in North Africa with the Monty Python guys playing a range of multiple offbeat character roles, the film follows the fortunes of Brian as he attempts to join an anti-Roman group, escape captivity, evade a fanatical mob that believes him to be the Messiah, and eventually crucifixion.
A movie that needs to be seen again and again to catch all the comic touches on offer, I gave Life of Brian 9 out of 10.
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Wonderful Time Capsule From The 1950s
The Seven Year Itch is a wonderful time capsule of 1950s manners and morals. Marilyn Monroe as 'The Girl' gives a wonderful comic performance which shows her 'dumb blonde' persona to perfection. Tom Ewell as 'Richard Sherman' gives an equally terrific performance as the husband torn between duty and desire. Set almost entirely in a New York apartment building, the Seven Year Itch manages to convey far more about life and attitudes in the '50s than many other films of the era. I gave it 9 out of 10.