Reviews

This film is Filled with the Holy Spirit, not an easy thing to do. Unbelieving, pagan Romans become Christians, the Roman main character prays with sincerity for his suffering friend, in the end the stars go to their death for what they believe - that a poor carpenter saved their souls.

The crucifixion scene is effective even though shot on a sound stage. I wept. I loved Victor Mature for calling out the Roman pigs and putting a curse on their empire. Thieves! Murderers! You call yourselves masters of the world! A curse on you!

And a gay emperor - you can't top that!

Renounce this dead Jew who dared to call himself a King!

I cannot, sire, he is the Son of God!

The musical score is powerful and sublime; one of the best ever! So I recommend it and ignore the dated parts and poor staging of a bygone Hollywoood era.

Oh, man, I actually lived through this era - personally and wholeheartedly - like many others of my generation. Every bit of this film rings true - to me at least! It captures a many brief moments in time that I will never forget.

For instance, the clothes, background music (Led Zeppelin!), the mood of '73-74 post-hippie years, hard rock (naturally), sex, drugs, southern Cal living, teenage angst, and so much more. Turns out I was even in attendance at some of the concerts (e.g. Yes at SD Sports Arena!) that Crowne reviewed live at the time! Also, I'm a huge Led Zep fan and this film covers most of their best tunes. I was in Rock Heaven!

And the castings is unparalleled! Also, there are many inside observations, such as, "Does anybody remember laughter?" spoken by Penny Lane but she's actually quoting a Robert Plant line by Led Zeppelin.

I never thought that a film could be about something I lived myself, but here it is!

Ryan O'Neal holds this film together, and the understated direction (a lot of closeups!). I have come to believe that films which become huge hits are due to underlying reasons often not apparent on the screen.

For instance, I've read that many women wonder if their man will love them even if they become incapacitated or begin to die, such as in this film. The answer here is a resounding Yes! So, many tears are shed as we walk with O'Neil through this tragedy. It's timeless actually.

Ali McGraw was a model turned actress and it shows in her acting, but she's photogenic and slender, so it's okay!

Oh, and the musical score ain't bad either!

The protagonist (Mookie) throws a trash can though his boss's window and then Mookie wants to get paid?? I've never seen a more cynical, anti-hero climatic scene in my life. Lee's character is not likable or sympathetic. The film is racist and one-sided. Well-done if you like negativity and deceit.

I liked some of the innovative film techniques, but this piece is pretty much humorless and takes itself way too seriously.

Some cameos are good and Radio Raheem adds something to the mix with his presence.

I'm sorry; but, I just can't get behind a film with some much hate in it. And it offers no solutions naturally.

.... "The trial was deliberately staged in order to attract publicity to the small town of Dayton, Tennessee, where it was held. Scopes was unsure whether he had ever actually taught evolution, but he incriminated himself deliberately so the case could have a defendant." (Wikipedia)

...This sounds familiar to Rosa Parks protest, which was also preplanned to make a case...

Also interesting that the film here plays it for real, and doesn't present the factual background.

Ah-so.

I like the atmospheric feel, and musical score! I like the performance by DiNiro and direction by Scorsese. But the writing is atrocious! They tacked on a ridiculous happy ending where this nut job goes back to being a regular taxi driver and leaves Cybil in the dust! What! He's a multiple-murderer with No Motivation other than his disgust for NY and the lowlifes that reside there. Allusions are made to his (Vietnam?) past, but we have no idea of this dudes background; yes, he's a loner, he's honorable in trying to "save" Jodie, but he's also a violent sociopath!! In USA, you have to have a happy ending and this film disowns itself by making lunatic Travis out to be an urban hero! No way! I'm not buying it.

When I 23 in 1977 and saw it for the first time, I loved it; from the opening Crashing Hyper-Music to that little ugly alien smiling at simpleton Dreyfess, I ate it up and drank the Kool-aide.

But time passed and I grew up; for example, where are the alien motivations?? They abduct people and mysteriously return them and that's okay with a smile?? It's all fluff and no guts. It's easy to write B-movie schlock and avoid all the difficult issues; such as, Why are They here? Stephen is no writer, that's a given, but this turkey has not stood the test of time. And they re-released it in 1980 so you could go "inside" the mother ship...and it was a bunch of colored lights!! Again, zero intellect and I'm out.

Not an understatement. This film portrays Little League and southern Cal summer life to a T. It's dirty, real, and hilarious. Matthau is brilliant and Tatum his equal. Every part is perfection and the direction flawless. Probably wouldn't be made today; not PC! I enjoyed every moment, and cried at the scene where poor Tatum hides her feelings and walks away wiping away her tears. And the musical score! Who wound have thought Bizet's Carmen would work here! But it does!

It stinks; one of the worst films of the year. BUT when Sandler gets piqued and starts stammering and charges the line and goes full-blown Lawrence Taylor, it really transcends all the terribleness...because that's funny and comedy gold! That single scene (repeated over and over), elevates this tepid, amateurish comedy to Mount Olympus. You go, Adam! You go.

It's not bad. Entertaining with great photography and performances. Battle scenes are not Kurosawa, but, hey, what is? I liked many elements including great detail about Japan turning Western and the old vs new conflicts therein. Enjoy!

This film is about many things: the hypnotic beauty of Africa, a strong modern woman asserting herself in a man's suffocating world, an interwoven love triangle of convenience, European imperialism (which was not all bad by the way), culture clash (19th century Danes and English and primitive hunter gatherers), man (or woman) vs nature (best scene is Streep's character using a whip to fend off lions and she succeeds!), technology in animal kingdom (Mozart on phonograph!), and much more.

It's also a timeless Hollywood tale of romance, betrayal, stubbornness, lust (!), and so much more. The cinematography stars, as does Streep's performance (nuanced, mezmorizing, transcendent), She is at her most beautiful here. Redford her male equal.

It's a glamorized view of Kenya; soft beauty, mysterious, and dangerous.

The local African tribe is worth spending time with this film alone. There are so many touching, sublime moments; the boy's leg healing, local kids placing their hands into Streep's pocket for candy, the tribal king ordering no school for children above a certain height, and many more. Klaus Maria Brandauer is excellent as is the entire supporting cast.

For me, this film is not to be missed.

Of course, there are things that trouble me; Redford's character behaves immaturely and moves in with a married woman. What, no morals? Situational ethics?

No matter.

There are many messages throughout: interracial liaisons, prejudice, the foolishness of war, freedom of the mind and spirit, the evils of materialism, unspoiled nature spoiled, and others.

And let's not forget the musical score, predating Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves fantastic score!

All in all, a great adventure film with a female protagonist battling for respect and equality in a very unequal world.9 The best films transport us to another time and place. This is one of the best.