billnfam Reviews

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Full Metal Comments

[9/10 · 20 September 2006]

I just recently saw this awesome film....I wish I had seen it sooner! I hadn't ever seen full metal jacket until a few weeks ago but finally gave in and watched it. I had heard of it before. I am an incredible stupid *beep* for not watching it sooner. It is an incredibly powerful realistic look at enlisted military service. I think any young people should watch it before they consider enlisting. It gives a nice look at some of the military mindset. Better than Western Front, Platoon, and others. They realistically show that the military does train to kill. That is their job. Indecision and softness physically or mentally on the combat zone gets you killed. Teamwork is survival. Some people just don't make it.

It also stars some of my favorite actors. Matthew Modine plays the military journalist lead. I like him on and off screen and most of his work. Vincent D'Norfrio gives one of his best performances. Of course I like most of his work too. Lee Ermy gets it spot on as the drill instructor. He's the real deal folks. Talking about his beloved core. Thats why I rate this movie as so way much higher than Platoon, Apcolypse, and their ilk. It is and feels way realer than them.

One minor complaint I have with this movie is that they under represent the number of black marines serving in the unit/war as is usual Hollywood practice in movies and TV. That is why I gave it a nine instead of a ten.

Flashdance (1983)

Oh What a Chick Flick

[10/10 · 17 August 2006]

I love Flashdance, for all its faults and cheesy lines and melodrama and nudie bar scenes and dancing and sexploitation! It is still emulated and relevant showing up in cartoons such as Shrek.

I will always remember fondly the curious feelings it gave me when I watched it as an 8 year old kid. Seeing all the dancing and decisions in the young women's lives of Alex and her friend. The nude bar scenes were my first exposure to sex. I had never seen naked women in a movie before! It was awesome and confusing at the same time! And my mom never censored it! And of course you feel sorry for poor Jeani. There's a real life porn actress/prostitute who has a similar story. You can see the path Jeani is going before Alex helps her.

I will always remember the barking of the sleazy nude bar owner every time I pass a strip joint: "Live nude beautiful girls!!!" LIve nude...nude live....beautiful...girls...

10 out of 10 I give it 2 boobs up!

Cathouse (2002 TV Movie)

The HBhO documentary that started it all! ;}

[10/10 · 11 August 2006]

Wonderful little documentary on America's legal "oldest profession". The previous Brit reviewers either don't like Americans or don't like women. This is a look at a legitimate business establishment in Nevada called the BunnyRanch. This show covers the details of the establishment. It gives a look at the women, owner, customers, and decor. The dynamics between the customers and the women are also shown. An overall portrayal of the BunnyRanch. Some of the women are legends of sorts for both Nevada and from adult entertainment. These women and business are part of Nevada and the BunnyRanch there is part of Americana, love it or hate it!

Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies (1973)

Disturbing

[4/10 · 17 July 2006]

This movie looooks glossy and has nice title, oh yeah. Hey! It was even written by Steven Spielberg no less. But unfortunately it just doesn't deliver as either a family movie, nostalgic social commentary of 1930's or anything else for that matter. When I first saw it on cable as a teenager several years ago it kind of disturbed me. The themes that run through are kind of dark. Granted it does take place in the Great Depression, but there are better movies set in the Depression era (like Seabiscuit). This movie follows the aimless wanderings of a depression era pilot Ace Eli and his bratty kid Rodger. Along the way Eli instructs Rodger about flying, women, and life in general. I especially got a kick out of the cheesy dialogue about "what makes a real whore"...hehehe...as the comparisons between Shelby and Annette become strikingly clear as the movie progresses...Overall a time waster unless you like weird pointless movies set in the Great Depression 4 out 10