Mark Bruno Reviews

Who's Watching the Kids (2012)

Great Movie!

[10/10 · 20 May 2013]

Ww watched this movie last night, very funny comedy! I recommend this movie to family oriented viewers. The actor Lil King does a great job with his character! This is a thoroughly enjoyable film that delivers positive messages to society. We rented this movie on DVD from Redbox, and I don't know any other source to get this movie. The opening and closing credits are written in a simple artwork. After the movie was finished, we fast forwarded to the RAP song just before the credits. I recommend if anyone that has a family should watch this movie. Be sure and watch the RAP music "Paparazzi Fresh" just before the ending credits!

Against All Hope (1982)

Good Message, but Not So Good Film

[1/10 · 6 April 2009]

I picked this DVD up at the Dollar Store. The DVD was on the 2 for $1 rack, but since it had Michael Madsen in it, I thought that since I had never seen the movie, I bought it anyway.

I must say that I didn't like the movie. The movie played more like a documentary or an advertisement for religion than anything else. I found that the director's use of flashbacks did not add to the story line for me. I would have preferred to view the story line in chronological order.

I won't throw it away like one of the other commentators, but It may be quite awhile before I would consider watching this movie again.

Who knows, since it was Michael Madsen's film debut, maybe it might have some archival value at some future date.

A Painted House (2003 TV Movie)

Excellent coming of age drama in the Arkansas cotton fields in 1952

[10/10 · 28 April 2003]

The story follows 10-year old Luke Chandler(Logan Lerman) in his experiences during the early 50's in Arkansas. Luke experiences murder, love, childbirth, flooding cotton fields, a Mexican labor camp, and the breaking up of two families. Although shown on TV on April 27, 2003, if it is re-broadcast on television or released on DVD, this would definitely be worth your while to watch. The most touching scenes are the ones showing bonding between Luke and his grandfather "Pappy"(Scott Glenn). Robert Sean Leonard plays Luke's father.

Hart's War (2002)

Very disappointed by the film's ending.

[4/10 · 5 February 2003]

After watching this movie, I was very perplexed. By the next day, I

figured out what bothered me about the movie. In 1965 there was a TV

series called "Hogan's Heroes", Starring Bob Crane as a Colonel in a

Nazi POW camp, operated by the infamous Col. Klink, played by Werner

Klemperer. Hart's War reminded me of that TV series, complete with the

home made radio from parts, and the American GI's bartering with the

Germans for various articles of comfort, such as boots, etc. All the

while, the American Colonel Hogan was sabotaging the efforts of the

German war effort.

The main difference between the TV series and Hart's War, was that the

TV series went on for 168 episodes, and Hart's War ended in just over 2

hours. Hence, the need for the plot twist at the end of the movie.

There have been a lot of war movies released in the past several years.

Maybe this movie would have been better if it was directed by Steven

Spielberg, and starred Jack Nicholson instead as Col.

Cookie (1989)

A very entertaining Mafia parody!

[9/10 · 16 January 2003]

This was about a godfather type mafioso (Peter Falk) that was just released after spending 19 years in prison. He makes up with his daughter (Emily Lloyd) and together they pull a real caper on the other head of the crime family, in addition to doing a con job on the local DA to help him snuff out the other family head. A very funny movie. It was good to see Peter Falk in a part where he was the criminal instead of the detective. Bob Gunton, who played the warden in the Shawshank Redemption is the DA. Also watch for Jerry Lewis.

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

YOU MUST SEE THIS FILM!

[10/10 · 25 February 2002]

Björk is cast perfectly as Selma Jezkova. She portrays the gradual loss of sight in a manner that is totally believable. I think that the way the music is incorporated into the dream sequences works very well, and is an important addition to the story line. **POSSIBLE SPOILER BELOW**

In the last part of the movie, it reminds me of a terminally ill patient with a DNR (do not resuscitate) request form on record. In Selma's situation, just prior to her final situation, along comes someone to prolong her suffering. I think that you will enjoy this movie. I rate it 10 out of 10.

The Real Thing (1996)

Rented tape at Blockbuster on 3/3/99

[1/10 · 4 March 1999]

Unfortunately, I thought that this film was a real TURKEY. I rented it because the credits listed Gary Busey and Rod Steiger. Gary Busey had a bit part and Rod Steiger exited suddenly. The ending was predictable. The special effects were lacking. I feel that I wasted my money on the rental fee.

Maybe this movie would appeal to someone, but alas, not me. My wife slept through the whole movie.