Category Archives: FilmReview

1981, Horror

Dead and Buried (1981)

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From NetFlix:

For years, the coastal town of Potters Bluff has harbored a dark
secret. It seems that a number of strangers who have crossed
through Potters Bluff have been brutally murdered, only to turn
up in town as locals after being killed. Sure that there must
be some explanation, the sheriff and the town mortician try to
uncover the mystery and find something more shocking than they
could have imagined. Stars James Farentino and Melody Anderson.

The NY Times suggested this old horror film as a worthwhile piece of film
history. Technically it is pre-digital age, but the visuals can be scary. It is a
B-film. The production values (dark picture, murky sound) are not much.
It is somewhat of a precursor to “Saw” in that there is some real gore.
Surprise ending (or should I have suspected ?) This film is neither for
adults nor for children. I enjoyed it, but then

I LOVE TRASH.

2007, Feel Good Not For Children, Underdogs win

The Great Debaters (2007)

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From NetFlix:

When African-American poet Mel Tolson (Denzel Washington, who
also directs) creates a debate team at historically black Wiley
College, he pushes the team to a level of excellence that allows
them to challenge powerhouse Harvard in 1935. But despite public
success, personal clashes foment as the father (Forest Whitaker)
of one of Tolson’s students resents his son’s loyalty to his coach.
Denzel Whitaker co-stars in this drama based on a true story.

You have seen this movie before: underdogs win against great odds.
But that movie is almost always inspiring and this film is no exception.
Wiley college in 1935 debated and won against USC, not Harvard.
In 2007 Denzel Washington announced a million dollar grant to
Wiley college to re-establish their debating team.

This film is not for children because it does portray a lynching. Also
Denzel Washington explains the origin of the word “lynch” and the
details are chilling.

The co-existence of comfortable, educated blacks with the redneck
Jim Crow south in 1935 can be shocking.

Strong performances by all actors make this a must-see.

Highly recommended,

1000NYTimes, 1001BeforeDie, 1981, Classic, Could Be Sad, FilmReview, War

Gallipoli (1981)

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From NetFlix:

Australian Director Peter Weir takes on one of his country’s
most tragic moments in history: the World War I confrontation
with the German allied Turks. As the film leads up to the
battle in act three, we get to know the young men destined to
be casualties of war. A young Mel Gibson (on the heels of his
successful turn in Mad Max) plays one of the innocent doomed.
This poignant war drama swept the Australian Film Institute
Awards with eight wins.

I have classified this film as a “Classic”. It is old but not dated. Mel Gibson
is so young I almost did not recognize him. Wikipedia offers a long
detailed account of the battle at Gallipoli. This battle is very important
to both New Zealanders and Australians. What appeals to me is the
naturalness of the actions. There are no special effects. The entire
emphasis of the film is the close friendships that develop between the
men over the course of the film. But you have to watch this movie
with the understanding that almost every one of those men are
about to die (needlessly as it turns out). There is no bloodshed
whatsoever, and no violence whatsoever.

2008, FilmReview, Violent

RocknRolla (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Starring Thandie Newton and Gerard Butler, director Guy
Ritchie’s crime thriller follows a variety of crooks from
London’s underworld who set out to nab millions of dollars
left for the taking when a Russian mobster’s real estate
scam falls apart. The first part of a planned trilogy,
RocknRolla co-stars Jeremy Piven, Ludacris, Tom Wilkinson,
Gemma Arterton, Jamie Campbell Bower, Mark Strong and Idris
Elba.

“RocknRolla” is the same genre as “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels”. That is
to say, it is violent by design where the violence is somewhat tongue-in-cheek. The
dialog is witty, ironic, and sometimes very funny. It is odd that violence can be
made to look like slapstick. Not everyone enjoys this type of film which is definitely
not for children. Another characteristic of this genre is that the plots can get rather
complicated.

Is “RocknRolla” just a copy of its fellow films ? Maybe the charm has worn off, but
you may have better things to watch.

2003, FilmReview, Imperfect, Suspense, Violent

Cold Creek Manor (2003)

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From IMDB

From NetFlix:

    Location, location, location. A loving couple (Dennis
    Quaid and Sharon Stone), along with their son and daughter,
    relocate from the city to the country, where they put the
    down payment on their dream home — a sprawling farmhouse.
    But home sweet home quickly becomes a nightmare when the
    house’s previous owner (Stephen Dorff) returns from
    prison … and wants his house back  badly. Directed by
    Mike Figgis.

The trailer to this film misled me to expect a horror film.
It is not horror, but rather a suspense film. The acting is
good throughout. The beginning is well done. Unfortunately
the ending in my opinion is weak. I give this film a B. It
is fun to watch despite its imperfections. There is a lot of
sometimes scary violence, and one not-too-explicit sex scene.
Probably not for children. Do you like snakes ?

Could have been better.

2003, Could Be Hard To Watch, FilmReview, Violent

Veronica Guerin (2003)

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From NetFlix:

    Veronica Guerin (Cate Blanchett), a real-life reporter for
    Dublin’s Sunday Independent, delved into the netherworld
    of drug lords in pursuit of a great story — but her zeal
    put her life in grave danger. Gerard McSorley and Brenda
    Fricker co-star in this Joel Schumacher-directed drama based
    on events in the acclaimed Irish journalist’s life.

Lately I have lucked out and inadvertently chosen really good
films. Most films don’t deserve a rave. So if I seem to be
raving (mad) lately, it is for a reason.

“Veronica Guerin” is a powerful, tense, inspiring film. Cate
Blanchett is a warm, justifiably frightened, brave reporter.
This is a true story complete with vicious, unscrupulous drug
lords. It’s not a western but the bad guys are easy to spot.

The violence excludes children from watching. The tension
might not be easy for some viewers. I will refrain from
giving away the true ending which as usual in the real
world is a mixture of horror and triumph.

Keep a watchful eye. Colin Farrell gets a 15 second walk-on
discussion with Cate about soccer. By 2003 his career was
well established. I wonder why he would do the walk-on or if
they even paid him for it. The walk-in added nothing  to the film.

I won’t keep saying this but in this case:
DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

2005, Danish, FilmReview, Foreign Language, Unusual

Chinaman (2005)

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From NetFlix:

    In this poignant Danish tale, hapless plumber Keld (Bjarne
    Henriksen) finds his world crumbling when his wife of 25
    ears (Charlotte Fich) walks out on him. The dejected Keld
    soon falls into a routine of eating at the neighborhood
    Chinese grill, where he befriends the owner — who offers
    Keld a sizable sum to wed the restaurateur’s sister
    (Vivian Wu) in a marriage of convenience. Will love bloom
    despite the language barrier and clash of cultures?

NetFlix lists the title as Kinamand which is  Danish for Chinaman.

 Chinaman is S L O W,  whisper quiet, and feels like an independent film.  Not only
is the plumber Keld hapless, he is practically inert. I did not  find this film boring,
but  then I like independent films and can afford the time to be patient.  If you have
limited time I would rather you see Hidalgo or “Son of Rambow”.  But the film
has  a charm of its own. I was surprised by the ending.  It was also unusual
to  hear a Dane practising his Chinese.

OK if you have the time,

2004, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good For All, FilmReview, Sports, Western

Hidalgo (2004)

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From NetFlix:

    Viggo Mortensen stars as Frank T. Hopkins, reputed to be
    one of the best riders of the Wild West. His chance to
    prove his talent comes when an affluent sheik invites
    him to join one of the most outrageous and grueling
    races of all: a 3000-mile trek across the Arabian
    Desert. Previously open only to those who ride Arabian
    horses, the event allows Hopkins to join with his
    Mustang, Hidalgo. Can they win?

Goosebumps and more goosebumps! “Hidalgo” is not just a
western. It’s a feel-good, an adventure, and almost a
sports movie (horse-racing). The story is true. In fact
there is a Frank T. Hopkins WEB site.

Viggo Mortensen has proven himself an adaptable actor
(Good,  Appaloosa, Eastern Promises, A History of Violence,
Lord of the Rings, 28 Days). He speaks 4 languages
fluently and 2 others acceptably.

As I have said, a good western has to have good guys
and bad guys. “Hidalgo” has some great villains including
a beautiful British woman who continually speaks through
her nose and plots evil deeds.

Underlying the entire film is a clash of cultures: U.S. Army
versus the Sioux indians, British versus American, Cowboy
versus Bedouin.

Be prepare for a few sobs as well.

2008, FilmReview, Western

Appaloosa (2008)

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From NetFlix:

    When a malicious, land-hungry rancher (Jeremy Irons) has
    the marshal and deputy of Appaloosa killed, two gunmen
    (Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris, who also directs) arrive
    and try to bring law and order back to the frontier town.
    But when a beautiful widow of uncertain convictions
    (Renée Zellweger) enters the picture, the stakes are
    raised and soon the lead flies. Lance Henriksen co-stars
    in this Western based on the novel by Robert B. Parker.

Second to “Law and Order” I guess I like westerns (with TRASH as a close third).

Today’s westerns don’t follow the models of the 1940s and 50s. In our list of westerns
only “Open Range” comes close to the model and even that admits of something
unheard of in older westerns, i.e. “sensitivity” (GASP! – what are these young’ns
thinking of).  “3:10” to Yuma had a great surprise ending. “Assassination of Jesse
James” was really a character study. And here “Appaloosa” features two law-men-
for-hire joined at the hip who might be divided by the new widow in town. Kathy and
I both initially jumped to the wrong conclusion.  Jeremy Irons does his usual
perfect imitation of slime.  There are good plot twists. Towards the end the film
seems to bog down in uncertainty, but it is that uncertainty that drives the film
to a very resonable conclusion.

Incidentally, Ed Harris wrote the screenplay.  I’m impressed.

Again, if you like westerns, you will love this film.

2007, Feel Good For All, FilmReview

Son Of Rambow (2007)

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From NetFlix:

    Forbidden to watch TV or go to the movies by his ultrareligious
    parents, young Will (Bill Milner) gets a hold of a camera, and his
    mind blossoms in this nostalgic comedy from the team behind The
    Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy. Set in 1980s Britain, the film
    tells the tale of the friendship that blossoms between Will and
    class bully Lee (Will Poulter) when the latter recruits Will to
    help him make a home movie inspired by Rambo: First Blood

Thanks to Kate and Nigel for suggesting “Son of Rambow” which is the 320th film in our
collection.

 Finally a feel-good for everyone (such films are rare these days).  For some reason the film
got a PG-13  rating (parental guidance for kids under 13) due to violence. But the movie
is just about super-crazy kids making a movie. This is a sit, relax, and laugh movie.  For me
just the scene with the flying dog made the whole movie worthwhile.  There are other really
funny sight gags. By the way, wife Kathy also loved the film – which really says something.
For me the very last part of  the movie was just a tad maudlin. Still, the happy ending just
felt right.