craig44-1 Reviews

Raging Bull (1980)

Over-rated movie

[2/10 · 18 April 2008]

I suppose I am in the minority, but I do not believe "Raging Bull" is a great movie, or even a particularly good movie.the photography is fine and the acting is very good, but I could find no reason why anyone would make a film about Jake La Mottas' life.There is no question, that Mr. La Motta was a fine boxer, but other than that there is nothing especially noteworthy about him. In fact, Mr. La Motta seems to have been a violent, abusive man.During the film, Mr. La Motta, beats on opponents in the boxing ring, beats on his wife, beats on strangers, beats on his own brother, and beats on cement walls.Jake La Motta isn't the only violent member of the family. Jakes brother Joey(Joe Pesci) commits an extremely brutal assault against a stranger just for talking with his brothers wife. Its fine to make biographical films about less than noble people, but there should be an underlying lesson.All I learned from "Raging Bull" is that Mr. La Motta was a violent, abusive jerk.

Scarface (1983)

a fine parody of the 80s

[16 June 2007]

In Tony Montanas' drug-financed mansion is a chair closely resembling a throne with Tony Montanas' own corporate logo monogrammed on the back.On the surface "Scarface" is just a standard gangster movie, but i believe screenwriter Oliver Stones intention was to satirize the corruption of the American dream by the "Greed is good" mentality of the 1980s. Like many Americans of the time, the drug gangs of Scarface believe that attaining wealth and the symbols of wealth is the essence of the American dream.In the end, Tony sits on his garish "throne" snorting cocaine while his superficial empire crumbles around him.If "Saturday Night Fever" symbolizes the silliness of the 1970s, "Scarface" symbolizes the excesses of the 1980s.

Breaking Away (1979)

one of the best "coming of age" movies

[10/10 · 29 May 2007]

"Breaking Away" is one of the best "coming of age" movies. After high school four friends led by a young Dennis Quaid, try to find their place in the post-high school world.Not quite adults and yet not children either,the four young men begin to drift apart. The one thing that keeps them together is their competition with the towns college kids, and Daves'(Dennis Christopher) obsession with bicycling.Eventually a bicycle race gives the group a chance to prove their worth.The sub-plot involving Daves father is unusual.Raymond Stoller(Paul Dooley) is having doubts about his own life as his son struggles to find his way."Breaking Away" is an excellent movie about growing up, without the mindless sex and profanity that saturates most movies directed at young people.

Bully (2001)

a depressing view of the younger generation

[7/10 · 8 April 2007]

Numb-brain teenagers who spend their days watching "music" videos and getting high, decide to kill an obnoxious member of their group(Nick Stahl). What is extraordinary about "Bully" is the incredible immaturity and lack of any sort of brain activity on the part of the teenagers portrayed.The decision to kill another human being is no more important to them than what to have for lunch.One of the most chilling scenes in the movie occurs after the brutal killing.While having sex, two of the teens begin laughing about the death of their former friend.I suppose every generation has its share of aimless people, but the group of teenagers in "Bully" are as in-substantial as the video images they spend so much time watching.

The Warriors (1979)

excellent film noir

[9/10 · 14 February 2007]

"The Warriors" is a surreal, neon view of a gritty, decayed,New York City, as it was in the 1970s.That "apple in decay" is long gone but watching "The Warriors" brings it all back.What i love about this film is that it is able to convey that feeling of being young and seeing nearly everyone as a potential enemy.There are no safe havens in The Warriors New York, City,even females are packing weapons.One of my favorite scenes of the movie occurs when the surviving warriors return to their home turf of Coney island after a long night of fighting. Swan (Michael Beck)surveys the crumbling buildings and says "We've been fighting all night for this"?

Final Destination 3 (2006)

another disposable teen movie

[1/10 · 11 February 2007]

If you find agonizing death entertaining,The Final Destination series is for you.In Final Destination 3,a group of teens is saved from a horrific roller-coaster accident by the premonition of Wendy Christensen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Afterwards the survivors are stalked by the Grim Reaper and killed in Rube Goldberg-like accidents.the deaths in this movie are particularly gruesome. In one case 2 girls are graphically burned alive in a tanning salon.This type of film might work as a black comedy, but the story is deadly serious,and there is no humor to speak of.Mary Elizabeth Winstead is fairly good as the guilt stricken prophet,but the rest of the cast makes no impression.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

slow-moving, too long

[5/10 · 27 January 2007]

The first time i saw Artificial Intelligence:AI,i thought it was a fairly decent science-fantasy film. On second viewing, i could see more of its flaws.The story is set sometime in the near future after global warming has taken its toll.Sophisticated robots have become part of everyday life.Hayley Joel Osment plays "David" an experimental robot designed to take the place of the cryogenic frozen,somewhat dead child of Monica Swinton,(Frances O'Connor),and Henry Swinton,(Sam Robards).The robot boy is rejected once the frozen kid miraculously revives.David spends the rest of the movie trying to become human so his "mommy" will want him. Davids Oedipus complex is more bizarre than heartwarming. Some of the special effects are good but the movie is slow-moving and too long.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

almost as good as the original

[9/10 · 9 January 2007]

The first "Terminator" is still the best, but T-3 is a very good sequel.Terminator-2 lost much of the frantic pace of the first movie. the Terminator villain played by Robert Patrick was just not menacing enough for my taste.Linda Hamilton ruined her character by shedding the terror and eventual quiet courage she displayed in the first movie.In T-3, Linda Hamilton is absent and John Connor is now an adult living "off the grid" in order to hide from any new Terminators sent from the future.Nick Stahl does a good job replacing Edward Furlong in the role of John Connor.Stahl plays John Connor as a reluctant hero, who tries to avoid his inevitable fate, until the very end of the movie.Arnold Swarzeneggar will never be a great actor, but he IS "The Terminator".Arnolds robotic, monotone delivery is often hilarious in T-3. In one scene, Arnold is driving a demolished hearse, when he calmly states: "We need a new vehicle". Kristanna Loken is excellent as the female cyborg.I hope to see her in the next movie.