al_phillips2000 Reviews

Message from Outer Space (1981 TV Movie)

awful Power Rangers wannabe

[1/10 · 7 December 2002]

One look at the box cover will convince you of the cheapness of this TV flic. The self-proclaimed "Lazer blast of Martial Arts and Sci-Fi, Bruce Lee meets Luke Skywalker"

Don't ever see this dreadful film. Go rent "Plan 9 from Outer Space" or "Robot Monster" instead. Those are more entertaining since they are funny and "Robot Monster" is in 3-D to boot!!!

The Matrix (1999)

Revolutionary

[9/10 · 4 January 2002]

Simply one of the best action films of all time. Only Keanu Reeves mars this production. Good acting (besides Reeves), good dialog, good story, good effects, good combat scenes. You must see the DVD or Collector's Edition, which explains the bullet-time photography concept. Bullet-time is now a household phrase and an idea which is mocked in many teen spoof flicks.

Scream (1996)

great fun

[9/10 · 4 January 2002]

I was pleased with this film, both because I had fun watching it and I thought it was a quality film in its own right. Now that there have been several rip-offs, we can see that it spawned a new age in the genre and should be considered a classic/cult/must-see film. The second one stunk, but I felt the 3rd boosted it back up. 7 or 8 on 10

Slap Shot (1977)

funny as hell

[8/10 · 3 January 2002]

This film has hockey, Paul Newman, and comedy so I gave it thumbs up. It's hard to believe a woman wrote it, considering the foul language, the violence, and the lesbo talk. This is a real hoot, but sends a bad message for goons and thug hockey.

The Thin Red Line (1998)

Watch the 1964 version instead

[2/10 · 2 January 2002]

It's hard to believe this rubbish was nominated for Best Film alongside "Saving Private Ryan". It must have been good politicking because there is nothing to this film. Maybe the book was good, but I won't read it because the film was so disappointing. For a 3-hour war film, there certainly was not any battle scenes that typically make up successful war flicks. There was just artsy-fartsy dream sequences that go on and on and bore you to tears. Nick Nolte stands out however, so see it if you like him. All the other Hollywood names add nothing, and the main character is so bland I didn't care a whit about him. Check out the classic War films such as: "Cromwell", "Zulu", "Waterloo", "Braveheart", "Tora Tora Tora", "Charge of the Light Brigade", etc...

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Third hit in a row

[8/10 · 24 December 2001]

What are the chances of three film/sequels being all high-caliber ? This one has great action, great story, funny heroes, weird thinking games, and gold bullion. Jeremy Irons really chews up the screen.

The cool thing is that the gold building really exists in New York. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York holds 40 % of the world's gold bullion in vaults below street level. They hold 13,000 tons of gold. This film can really happen, just as 'Goldfinger' could happen.

Stargate (1994)

great fun

[7/10 · 24 December 2001]

I love ancient Egyptian stuff in films, so I loved this picture. Mili Avital is quite sexy as Sha'uri, and keep an eye out for Horus (Djimon Hounsou), who is none other than Cinque from 'Amistad'. Too many people hated this film and I don't know why. It has a good pace, suspense, action, good acting, a scary villain, and cool f-x.

Die Hard 2 (1990)

just as good as the first

[8/10 · 24 December 2001]

Second in the series, this stands out as good as the first film, minus Alan Rickman. Original with great action, and Willis cracking funny jokes against a serious Dennis Franz, you must see the first and third film 'With a Vengeance'. Sheila McCarthy is fine as well.

Eight Men Out (1988)

great and with baseball !

[8/10 · 24 December 2001]

Almost as good as 'Field of Dreams' and with an all-star cast. Keep an eye out for director Sayles as Ring Lardner, and author Studs Terkel as Hugh Fullerton. It's amazing how much the screen Kenesaw Landis looks like the real historical thing.

Die Hard (1988)

top action film of 1988

[9/10 · 24 December 2001]

This film is so good , a new genre was created: the hero playing cat-and-mouse with many villains in close quarters. The hero uses muscle, brain, and guns to bring down the criminals. It spawned sequels, rip-offs such as: 'Air Force One', 'Interceptor', 'Hard Boiled', 'Predator'.

Alan Rickman stands out, you must see his other films.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

astonishingly bad

[3/10 · 20 December 2001]

This film is a waste. A waste of resources to make it, and of our time to sit through this drivel. Bad and muddled story, lame acting, dumb characters, insulting speaking accents, the worst character in film history, the worst use of special effects, etc...

What is the deal with Jar Jar ? Is he cute ? Is he annoying ? Is he racist ? Does he have a purpose ? All of the above ?

What is the purpose of the long pod race ? To get money to fix the spaceship and free Darth Vader from slavery ? Answer : To waste our time and fool people into the merchandise.

If the characters need money to save the universe, why can't they use Jedi powers to fool some rich loser into handing over whatever the Jedi's need ? And they can use that money to buy Vader's freedom along with his mother.

Titanic (1997)

classic Hollywood epic

[10/10 · 20 December 2001]

My favorite film of 1997 and perhaps among my all-time greats. It's a tad too long, but has two good elements: Love story and History. It is the finest Titanic recreation film ever, as it should be with a $280 million budget. I really enjoyed the budding love between DiCaprio and Winslet, the whole disaster thing, and the sadness of it all. I found this film has the most depressing scenes ever: A grand ship sinking forever, many people freezing in the water, Jack giving young Rose a sad pep talk, Rose letting go of Jack, seeing all the floating corpses, Old Rose in bed surrounded by her beloved pictures, and the final meeting with her lover Jack and all the Titanic passengers in the final dream-like sequence.

Winner of 11 Academy Awards and a definite tear-jerker that should appeal to female viewers.

Liar Liar (1997)

hilarious

[9/10 · 20 December 2001]

The funniest comedy in years, thanks to Jim Carrey and a great script. I have never laughed so much at a modern comedy. I am surprised it has not gotten a better vote. I guess my humour is different than the other voters. This is a must-see for Carrey fans, since it ranks among his best performances. This is all light natured good fun, not mind bending or heavy.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

a must-see

[8/10 · 20 December 2001]

Most viewers will never forget the name 'Keyser Soze' . It is a legendary name now, as is this film. Great cast and acting, great story, great dialog, and the most clever film of that year. Together with 'Seven', this film launched Kevin Spacey into the top rung of Hollywood actors today. And don't overlook Benicio Del Toro as Fenster !

Se7en (1995)

twisted genius

[10/10 · 20 December 2001]

Considering how little gore is present, this has to be considered one of the best horror films ever. Kevin Spacey radiates pure evil and indeed he, Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt all give top-notch performances. The hair raising suspenseful finale in the middle of nowhere with the trio and the horror-filled box makes me cringe with every viewing. This film has it all: great acting, great dialog, great cinematography, and much emotion.

Cemetery Man (1994)

bring on the zombies !

[7/10 · 20 December 2001]

This bizarre film starts out as Romero-esque zombie comedy flick, then transforms into a hallucinatory-insanity film, then ends like an existential artistic film. I liked the zombie stuff, and cringed at the insanity stuff, and I detested the last 10 minutes.

Hard Boiled (1992)

brilliant

[9/10 · 20 December 2001]

John Woo directs the greatest action film of all time, with Chow Yun-Fat shooting dead hundreds of evil minions. This has all the Woo classics: long gun fights, slow motion action scenes, two different hero types banding together to shoot everything that moves, invulnerable heroes/main villain. You must also see 'The Killer' which is similar in its quality.

Warlock (1989)

better then the sequels

[7/10 · 20 December 2001]

Other than Lori Singer, I like everything about this film. Richard E. Grant is at his best, and Sands is pure Evil. The magic stuff is great and I love films that have magic, and/or sword stuff. This isn't medieval, but it all fits well in a modern setting.

The Killer (1989)

a must see

[9/10 · 20 December 2001]

John Woo directs another action masterpiece, only a notch below 'Hard Boiled'. This is what action films should be, with a little ultra violence thrown in. This has all the Woo classics , long gun fights, Chow Yun-Fat, two guys with guns aimed at each other, slow motion action scenes, witty dialog, invulnerable heroes/villains,hundreds of dead minions, killers with conscience, sad ending, etc...

After this, you must see 'Hard Boiled', and all of Woo's Hollywood films. 'Hard Target', 'Broken Arrow', 'Face-Off' are great also.

They Live (1988)

surprisingly good

[7/10 · 20 December 2001]

John Carpenter seems bent on lowering his standards with each passing film, but this one's quite good. It starts slow, but when the fun starts, it never lets up. And remember this classic line : "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubble gum". Meg Foster shines with her acting and weird eyes, but Roddy Piper can't act. This ranks among the best political, social commentaries ever with action and comedy to boot.

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Must-see, great, classic, yadda yadda

[10/10 · 20 December 2001]

I can't improve on the heaps of praise for this film, one of my favorites ever, so I have to ask questions.

1)During the meeting of some of the top-brass aboard the Death Star, a skeptical minion questions Vader's Jedi powers and the lack of re-acquiring the stolen data tapes. Vader's response was to choke his critic and utter a strange rebuttal. "The Death Star is insignificant next to the power of the Force". Excuse me, but can't the Death Star blow up planets ? And what does Lord Vader use the Force for ? To choke insubordinate officers who question him ! During the whole Star Wars filmography, the Force is used to: cloud men's minds, to choke and physically hurt others, to levitate people and objects, sense other Force-users, etc... Vader can't blow up planets or even come close to it.

2)When the Death Star arrives in the Yavin system, they wait until the moon with the rebel base appears in the targeting cross-hairs. This of course, helps the rebel pilots organize , attack and defeat the Death Star. So I ask : Why didn't the Death Star blow up the big planet in front of the moon upon which the rebel base sits ? Then they would not have had to wait until the orbit was aligned properly. Perhaps I can answer my own question.

Maybe the Death Star needs to recharge the old batteries after a big hit. Of course, they have no problems hitting multiple targets in 'Return of the Jedi'.

Jaws (1975)

One of the best

[9/10 · 20 December 2001]

Among the best action/suspense/horror films ever, with fine performances by Scheider, Dreyfuss, and Shaw. You must see the 25th anniversary edition with added footage. The only fault I have with this film is the dumb ending with the shark jumping onto Quint's boat. It's dumb, cheesy, and it kills my favorite character in the film. This is light years ahead of all the sequels.

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)

great fun

[8/10 · 20 December 2001]

Harryhausen at his best, this ranks among the best fantasy films ever, with 'Seventh Voyage of Sinbad' and 'Jack the Giant Killer'. Most of the emphasis is on the stop motion animation which seems a bit dated today. I love fantasy, so this was a big hit for me. We need more films like this and less like 'Jeepers Creepers', one of my most hated films of 2001.

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

great fun

[8/10 · 20 December 2001]

Harryhausen at his best, this being slightly better than 'Golden Voyage of Sinbad'. Cool monsters, magic, evil sorcerer, and Kerwin Mathews round out this hit. A must see for fantasy fans along with 'Jack the Giant Killer' and 'Thief of Bagdad'.

M.D. Geist (1986 Video)

brutal kill-fest

[6/10 · 17 December 2001]

This is an Arnold Schwarzenneger film for anime and it is way more violent and gory. But fans of Arnold should like this too. Yes, there is little character development or plot, so you must like the animation and/or the violence. There does seem to be a lot of these types in the world of Japanese anime.