Reviews

What a great show. I have never been much of a fan of the many short cuts and overlays which appear in this film. (Not to mention all the hand held stuff) For some reason it just didn't matter this time. Denzil Washington has to be one of the finest actors in America today. Radha Mitchell played such a fine part, it took me half the film to recognize her as an Aussie. Like fine wine, Christopher Walken gives another fine performance. The script seemed simple, but you can't ignore Tony Scott - The energy in his directing is more than apparent. This is what the movie Fallen (Another Denzil Washington thriller) could have been with a good director and a better script. Don't miss one of the best 'non animated' films of 1994. The best Denzil Washington film since Crimson Tide. I especially like the tribute to Mexico at the end - I suppose Mexico City would be special if only the cops tried just a little to hide the fact that every single one of them is corrupt. I've been to over fifty countries around the world - The places I will never return to are Mexico and Zimbabwe. I'll take a corrupt U.S. White House over Mexican cops anyday.

Another aussie gem of a movie. I saw the previews for this, and dismissed it right away. After renting the DVD I was once again sorry for missing this wonderful comedy with a cinema audience. Like so many good Australian films they are swamped by the US movies which dominate our screens, and never reach many movie goers who would find this superior to an average Hollywood flic. It's a shame we don't have an aussie week here with no overseas releases.

A classic aussie drama. Not doubt about it. This is the cake after the icing was delivered many years ago in a Bryan Brown flick called 'Stir.' I have read the comments of our viewing from outside Australia, and all I can say is this. You have to be an aussie to appreciate this movie. This accent, the slang, it's all gonna be lost on the overseas viewer. While this movie was no blockbuster even in Australia, let me say this. It launched the career of it's star, and the actual Chopper Reed the movie is based on recently displayed his paintings at a show in Melbourne Australia. The whole collection was sold out on the first day. If you're an aussie reading this and thought the movie was a bomb, then you are wrong. Watch it again. I don't know what it is, but this movie has something...elusive..but it has it.

A superb ski adventure from the master Dick Barrymore. In a world before snowboards, it's interesting to watch the view of the future in 1979 as a mono ski. It's a double width ski with side by side bindings. Much like sticking two ski's together. Some fantastic power photography from the Rockies, and the Alps. See resorts like Sun Valley and Vail before the crowds of today arrived. During August, we travel south to New Zealand for some amazing scenery. (Featuring Greg Stump of all people) If you see this gem in your video store, spent an evening watching a magic ski movie. Simply timeless!

I just can't figure it out. This piece of trash made over $6o mil, while a masterpiece like Bill Murray in 'The Man who knew too little' made nothing. This movie was a disgraceful waste of two very talented actors. It was obviously not a waste of the directing or producing talents. The fools who wrote and filmed this deserve to make nothing the next time. I watched this movie in a full house, and the laughs were very few and far between, yet the comments of 'what a stinker/lemon/dud etc were all too prevailent at the conclusion. Avoid at ALL costs.

I have to point out here that all those 10 out of 10 comments/this is the best film ever, must be from kids. Anyone over 18 who enjoyed this must have an IQ if 10. Don't waist your time - If you have to take the kids to something, try Scooby-Doo. If your kids want to see this, dump them in the cinema and get the heck out fast.

A most remarkable film. Made for TV and even though it is no longer available to buy, you can find it at your video store to rent. Here we have one of Peppards' finest performances. He may not have been the best actor of his day, but this role is perfect for Peppard. I have watched this film every few months since finding it a few years ago. Each viewing is as enjoyable as the first. Michael York puts in an average performance as Rommel, and Debra Raffin does okay. Peppard however carries the day. He plays an American Colonel working for the British OSE. (Operations Special Executive) I imagine this was the forerunner or wartime version of MI6 where James Bond works. Most of the film is set on the Channel Islands, occupied by the Germans for most of WW2. Our hero must extract or kill an American washed up there, who knows all the details of the D-Day landings, before the Germans interigate him. The movie doesn't even seem like three hours at all. The time goes fast and I can hardly wait to watch it again. Do yourself a favour and watch this most entertaining war drama.

I haven't watched this movie for a few years, but it's still just as good as ever. It may not be the best comedy ever, but it did launch the careers of Chevy Chase and Bill Murray in the movies. It did very well at the box office, costing almost nothing, and making over $60mil worldwide in 1980. There hasn't been another golf comedy this good since, and I don't think there ever will be. From the classic Rodney Dangerfield skits, to Bill Murray obviously having a free run from Harrold Ramis to improvise, it is the ultimate send-up of golf at its best. No shots of Kevin Costner getting backspin off a 3-wood which destroys the movie (If a 3-wood backspins into a lake, what does a wedge do from a lay-up shot do you dumb film-makers?) or Happy Gilmore going nuts, this movie simply works in every scene. When video players were just in the stores in 1981, and a few friends dropped around, this was the only choice. What memories!

While it might be classified as light drama by today's standards, this is no ordinary movie. A most intriguing story of four rookie cops who defy authority and help out the family of a deceased cop just short of his pension, (Larry Hagman) and even the Sergeant who stands in their way. (Robert Cult) It might appear low budget and a little dated, but the values have not aged. It is probably something which is rare for a group of policeman, but you never know. There are still a few good cops out there, and this is their story. Don't expect a swish soundtrack (It's even worse than 'The Six Million Dollar Man') or dazzling special effects, and you will walk away from a viewing of The Last of the good guys feeling a little better about yourself and your so called enemies. You can find a friend in the most unexpected places...even an old 1970's 'B' grade movie!

Those of you expecting an overlong epic with lots of talk and little action are in for a big surprise. The critics hated it, lots of comments here have bagged it out severly, but I'm not sure why. I guess if you hate Ben Aflick then sure - You're not gonna like the movie at all. This movie IS Ben Affleck. There sure was a lot more here than seeing Pearl go down. We have a cross to the Battle of Britain, then the Doolittle raid on Tokyo. Honestly, it didn't seem like three hours at all. The hardest thing when you leave the cinema is trying to figure out why Japan did this in the first place. They had their oil cut off, and pretty well everything else from the U.S. but this did nothing to restore those trade links. The idea of a defensive ring doesn't hold much water. Even if they had taken out the carrier force, the U.S. would have gotten by with a couple from Atlantic Fleet until 1943 when new carriers were completed. The U.S. only committed 20% of their effect to the Pacific from the start - meaning they knew on 12/7/41 that Japan were going down. Oh, and I'd love to see the Box Office stats for this movie in Japan. Do you think anyone will bother seeing their grandparents commit the biggest screw up in history?

There is something captivating about Hannibal. It must be the same ingredient that Titanic and Sixth Sense had. After seeing the movie, you just have to watch it again. Was it to laugh at the fool who cut his own face off, or perhaps just to see this time around what kind of person Hannibal really is - An extremely intelligent man who has found himself in a world where killing is frowned upon. Whatever it is, I will have to watch it again to find out!

I think Mosquito Coast is one of those films that just seems to remain with you forever. Seemed like a real dud when released. In time some movies just grow on you. Perhaps it's because Harrison Ford said this was his favourite movie. That sort of makes you think a little more about this remarkable film. It wasn't so much a story of a failed life wasted in a third world country as it was an A Grade adventure to rival the Indy Jones series. When you see it on your video store shelf, wasting away, do yourself a favour and rent it. All great movie stars have a few films which were unsuitable for mainstream release, but perhaps it was only the timing as is the case with The Mosquito Coast.