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All Is Lost (2013)
Novice Sailors Take
The things Our Man does in the movie are inexplicable. Stupid to be blunt. But, if you can have an open mind, this is a great film. Redford holds you throughout, and the film is a treasure. I've conditioned myself over the years to avoid judging movies simply based on logic. Rather, I let them wash over me--no pun intended.
House of Sand and Fog (2003)
Wow, what was I thinking?
When I first saw this movie, I was truly blown away. I thought it was such a masterpiece. I must have been drunk or something. Upon repeated views, this movie has completely lost me. While the acting, score, and cinematography are fantastic, the motivations and actions of all the main characters are beyond stupid. In fact, all five of the main cast's actions just baffle me. Are these people on drugs? If so, can I have some? Seriously, I can't stand anybody in this movie-despite good to excellent acting. Connelly's character can go to hell. What a nitwit. Seriously, I've gone a few days without reading some mail, but the concept of ignoring letters from the county/city is just beyond the pail. Her bonehead move to ignore mail is even too stupid for an episode of "The Bold and the Beautiful." And, that's saying something.
Ben Kingsley character is simply annoying, too. I mean you can't figure out how to get a better job? And, you were employed by the Shaw of Iran? Also, I like how he never saw the end was nigh for the Shaw. Give me a break. Ms. Cleo could have saw the revolution coming in the middle of her sleep. Also, that's not to mention that Kindgley's character is just stupid, as well. Working menial jobs to finance your daughter's BS wedding, financing your wife's lust for material garbage, and working for pride? I don't get it. Ya' could always tighten your belt, or your wife could get a job.
And, don't even get me going on Ron Eldard's character. Where did they find this guy. He spends one night with the ditsy Connelly character and he's ready to run off with her and start harassing Kingsley's family. Get real! Also, Kingsley's kid has got to be one of the stupidest characters ever in any movie since maybe Ben Kingley's character in "A Sound of Thunder" (nice hair!).
Finally, Kindgley's wife in this movie is about as watchable as "The Casandra Crossing." What a pain in the butt she is-at least Kingley's character mercifully ends her mopey existence. Her comments about Arabs and Gypsies were totally out of line. Give me another break! In the end, I couldn't care less about these deadbeat people in the least.
I was supposed to feel sad, but I was glad to be rid of them. Good riddance. This movie has got to be one of the best examples of a movie that was so well made, but where you just could never relate to the actions of the cast. They were clueless, annoying, unsympathetic, and I'm not upset that the majority ended up dead. I think I'd enjoy watching Passolini's "Salo" more than this nonsense.
Blade Runner (1982)
Only the best!
I was just watching the Final Cut version of this movie, and I can say, without a doubt, that this is one of the best science fiction movies ever made. It's up there with 2001 in my opinion. The production values, alone, is one of the best assets of the movie. It's one of those movies that, once its grabbed you, it will never leave you. I got to see this movie in the mid 90s when I was about ten. I didn't quite get what was going on, but it was enough that I knew I was watching something great. Looking back now, I'm proud to say that I was smart enough to realize the greatness despite a fundamental lack of knowledge and understanding. This movie, for me, was just like 2001.
When I watched that movie, I knew something important was going on, but I wasn't able to fully grasp just how good it really was. Woody Allen, god rest his perv soul, made a great comment about 2001 that I relate totally with that movie and Blade Runner: the more times you watch it, the more you like it. I could go on and on. I need not write a thesis. With that said and like 2001, this movie would be lost without its soundtrack. Vangelis delivered on this like no other--except, maybe, Stanley Kubrick. Many people don't know this, but Kubrick, at the last minute, pulled his original soundtrack to 2001, and he replaced the orchestrated parts with the Strauss' family work. Both movies would be remiss with the loss of their highly important music
Go with Me (2015)
Not Bad
This was an interesting little movie. The actors were top notch. It's always nice to see Hopkins, and it was really swell to see Holbrook in what, most likely, is one of his last films. The movie, itself, had issues. It was very formulaic and predictable, but I was okay with that. There are so many movies that are formulaic and predicable, which many consider to be the best of all time. For instance, I don't think for one moment anyone has a doubt that Dorothy will make it back home by the end of Wizard of Oz.
I could go on. I've learned over the years to just sit back, relax, and let movies wash over you--especially movies like Blackway that have nothing short of outstanding production values. In particular, the cinematography was just phenomenal. This wasn't a movie made on a soundstage. Overall, I enjoyed this movie. Again, it wasn't fantastic, and it didn't blow my mind. It was, however, a slickly-made outing with fantastic actors and great scenery. Ray Liotta was creepy, as well.
Manhunter (1986)
Amazing and Hypnotic
I love this movie. I was hesitant about seeing it, as I had seen the 2000s version. Frankly, they don't compare one bit. While Ratner's movie wasn't bad at all, it completely pails in comparison. There's an attention to detail with Mann that goes way beyond Ratner's ability. Could Ratner ever direct the Insider with the precision and audacity that Mann brings? I doubt it. Not to mention that the cinematography by Spinotti is stellar. The whole movie, Manhunter, crackles--where as, Red Dragon smolders. Even the synthpop music in Manhunter, somehow, works masterfully. The whole adventure had me captivated for the entire time. And, I'm not even getting into the acting.
Frankly, Brian Cox is superior, in my mind, to Hopkins who I love. But, Hopkins is Campy. There's something off with his portrayal of Lector/Lecktor. It's a tad bit contrived, while Cox seems like he's in his own element. Don't get me wrong, I think both portrayals are very good, and, frankly, I could get hypnotized listening to both. With that said, there's something truly disturbing with Cox in this movie that goes beyond Hopkins. Anyway, watch this movie. I think you'll like it. I only watched because I love The Insider so much, and I'm glad that I popped this on one day last year. Spellbinding might be a good way of saying what I think about this movie; it, utterly, reminds me of Argento and Suspiria--not to mention Inferno.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Awesome!
I don't write reviews of movies often. This movie deserves an exception. For one, it's an actor's showcase. Two, for a movie, it has some of the best music ever. Third, the production, itself, is awesome. I could live in that universe...and I have. I miss that part of my life. Put all together, this is something special. I could be feeling awful, but this movie will put me back in a special place in time. And, I love Anderson's unique take on reality. Reality is what you make it. It's not absolute; rather, it's relative. He gets that, and the people who love this movie get that, too. All of Wes's movies require a certain level of conscientious objection, but, in the end, that's an integral part of adjusting to being a real person and living a life that one can live with.
War on Everyone (2016)
Surprised!
This was way more than I expected, and it was the cap to a really good day. I was flying back to the US from Switzerland, and I had snagged a first class seat with United being a standby guy. After a great four-course meal and some lovely drinks, I decided it was time to watch a movie. I look through everything, and I don't see much. But, then, I find this movie. I like Pena, and I figured right away that it was Stellan's kid starring along with him. Skarsgard isn't a popular name. So, I put it on. Within about a minute, I knew I was going to like it.
It was certainly all over the place (in a good way), and I would never have guessed they would go to Iceland, but, hey, go figure. The entire throwback nature of the film and soundtrack was just what I was looking for. Glen Campbell's music along with some other interesting choices was right up my allay. Sadly, Glen died about a week after I got back in town. It was fun to see Iceland. As someone who just went there, too, it was fun to see that they were really there. The movie did suffer a tiny bit at the end I thought, but, overall, it was a freaking fun movie that I recommend to anyone with a twisted, off-the-wall sense of humor.
The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981)
Not the best but enjoyable
I liked this movie. It was fun to see Duvall, Williams, and Gleason on the screen together. I've been fascinated with Dan Cooper ever since my father bought me a "Greatest Mysteries" book when I was about 8. That book got me going on Oak Island, too. Anyway, this is obviously not a factual account of anything. For one, none of the money cooper stole has ever made it back into circulation. The serial numbers were all noted, and the money was never used. So, if you go into the movie with the understanding that it's fiction and not based on actual events, I think you'll enjoy yourself. I really liked seeing Gleason, too. He's not in many movies, and it was fun to see him in something besides "The Breakfast Club" and "Trading Places."
The Insider (1999)
Amazing movie from a space in time I will never forget
This is a great film by a great director (Manhunter!). I got to see it in Australia with a group of HS students from People to People International. It was supposed to be on PPV in my room, but, for some reason, the PPV movies were free that night. We, also, got to watch The Hurricane-another excellent film.
Even as HS students, everyone really liked it. It required a good attention span, but it was worth it. The acting was superb, the writing magnetic, and the soundtrack was hypnotic. Overall, the movie has stuck with me ever since. Wigand isn't quite the saint the movie portrays him, and movie isn't completely factual, but, nevertheless, it remains one of my favorite films. I'd pay a lot to go back in time and watch this with my compadres in Oz from P2P. Priceless memory.