Murrayjohn2 Reviews

The Martian Chronicles (1980)

Somewhat flawed,but very good anyway

[8/10 · 19 June 2005]

When The Martian Chronicles originally aired on NBC in 1980 I was excited because I am a huge Bradbury fan and The Martian Chronicles was one of my favorite books.I loved it then and still enjoyed it now.I recently re watched it on DVD.The primary flaw is the cheesy special effects,even by the standards then.Rock Hudson gives a good performance and so do others,especially McGavin,Mcdowall,Connelly,Peters,Weaver and especially Bernie Casey.The set designs and Martian costumes and makeups are cool.My favorite scene is near the end when Hudson meets a Martian who tells him to live life as well as possible and not to destroy or humble anything.Those lines have stayed with me since my first viewing.It's a better watch than most give it credit for being.Ignore the crappy visual effects and enjoy a pretty good Sci-Fi miniseries.

The Deliberate Stranger (1986)

Scary as hell

[29 June 2003]

The Deliberate Stranger is scary as hell!I first saw this TV-movie when I was in college.I watched in in a floor lounge with some of the girls in my dorm.It scared all of us.There are a few factual and name changes(I caught them because I read both the Larsen book and Ann Rule's book The Stranger Beside Me)but they don't detract from the well-written and directed film.Veteran TV director Chomsky acquites himself nicely.The movie hangs on the performance of the actor playing Bundy,and Mark Harmon delivers,boy does he!His performance as Bundy is absolutely bone-chilling in his ability to portray the switch from charming hunk to homicidal rage.The scene in the sorority house is one of the scariest I've ever seen in a TV-movie! Good performances also come from Glynnis O'Connor as Cas ,his devoted but ultimately doubting girlfriend,Frederuc Forrest as Bundys's chief nemesis,Det. Bob Keppel,the always dependable M.Emmet Walshs as a veteran Washington cop,John Ashton as Keppel's partner,Ben Masters and Frederick Coffin as the two other detectives who pursue Bundy,and George Grizzard as Larsen,whoportrays effectively Larsen's journey frombeing Bund's friend to coming to the realization of just what he is.Unlike others,I also liked Gil Melle's score. 10 out of 10

1st to Die (2003 TV Movie)

A solid adaptation of James Patterson's best-seller.

[10/10 · 24 February 2003]

First To Die is a solid adaptation of James Patterson-s best-seller.Russell Mulcahy directs this three-hour TV-movie capably. The casting is excellent,starting with the members of the Women's Murder Club.Tracy Pollan is dynamite as she brings Lindsay Boxer to life.Pam Grier(A very underrated actress) is superb as Clare Washburn.Megan Gallagher is excellent as Jill Bernhardt,as is Carly Pope as Cindy Thomas.The other stars,Gil Bellows as Chris Raleigh and Mitch Pileggi as Warren Jacobi are good as well. Special notice goes to Robert Patrick as the main villain,Nicholas Jenks. With his gritty voice and ice blue eyes,Patrick makes a convincing sociopath.An excellent movie.

Outbreak (1995)

A taut,nerve-wracking thriller

[10/10 · 24 January 2003]

Outbreak is a taut,nerve-wracking thriller.Wolfgang Petersen has proven himself one of Hollywood's most capable action/thriller directors,and with Outbreak he delivers a real doozy!A movie about a killer virus that makes Ebola look like the chicken pox and a military bioweapon conspiracy to boot!I first saw this movie during a "Free HBO Weekend".It totally blew me away,so much so that I went out the next day to Blockbuster and got the VHS video.Dustin Hoffman.Rene Russo,Morgan Freeman,Cuba Gooding,Jr.,Patrick Dempsey,Kevin Spacey and Donald Sutherland all give terrific performances.I wish I'd seen this in the theatres. I can imagine the place going nuts when Dustin says to Sutherland"With all due respect,F**k You SIR!".Rent or buy this,you won't go wrong.10/10

V: The Final Battle (1984)

A worthy follow-up

[11 November 2002]

V:The Final Battle is a worthy follow-up.Singer and Grant lead the large cast once again with standout performancesand are joined by a well-cast Michael Ironside who plays Ham Tyler as the ultimate tough guy with a 'tude.I forgot to mention Jane Badler in my review of the first mini,something I deeply regret.In both minis as Diana,Badler is one of the all-time great sci-fi villainesses.She commands every scenes she's in and her presence is felt when she's not.Having Bad in her last name doesn't hurt either.In terms of pure meanness she blows away Dynasty's Alexis in the Super Bitch sweepstakes.It's a lot of fun,filled with suspense and shocks,and great at the climax where we get to enjoy watching Singer,Grant,Ironside,et al kick some Visitor ass. 9 out of 10!

V (1983)

The best sci-fi miniseries ever

[11 November 2002]

V is the best sci-fi minseries ever!I was 19 and in college when it first rand,and I loved it then.I recently picked this and The Final Battle up on VHS video and still love this.The Nazi allegory is chilling.Directot/writer/executive producer Johnson is good at sci-fi{The Incredible Hulk,Alien Nation) and it shows here.The acting was uniformly good but several stand out.Marc Singer was excellent as Mike Donovan,whose discovery of the Visitors true nature is still chilling 19 years later.Faye Grant is also excellent as resistance leader Julie Parrish.And,as elderly Auschwitz survivor Abraham Bernstein,Leonardo Cimino steals every scene he is in.9 out of 10!

Carrie (1976)

A true classic of the horror genre.

[10/10 · 3 November 2002]

Carrie is a true classic of the horror genre.Let me qualify this review by stating that I am a dedicated Stephen King fan and have been so for more than 20 years.The film adaptations of his books have not always turned out well.Some,in fact,totally suck.This Brian DePalma film,the first King adaptation,is one of the best and still holds its impact 26 years after release.DePalma's direction is flawless,he has never been this good again.The cast was full of stars-to-be and older character actors:John Travolta(nice debut),Nancy Allen(the future Mrs DePalma),Amy Irving,William(Greatest American Hero)Katt,Betty Buckley,Stefan Gierasch,Sydney Lassick(Cuckoo's Nest),and Priscilla Pointer.By far ,however,the standouts were Sissy Spacek as Carrie and Piper Laurie as Margaret White.Too much cannot be said about these two actresses,who richly deserved their Oscar nominations and probably should have won.10 out of 10!

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

A meticulous,excellent depiction of December 7,1941

[26 October 2002]

Tora! Tora! Tora! is a meticulous,excellent depiction of December 7,1941.It is refreshing in that it depicts the story from both the American and Japanese sides.Solid performances especially from Martin Balsam,Jason Robards,E.G. Marshall and Soh Yamanura as Admiral Yamamoto. It is well directed by both Fleischer and the two Japanese directors.The special FX are excellent,especially for 1970,and Jerry Goldsmith's score is excellent also.I did like Pearl Harbor(2001),but this is better.10 out of 10.

Schindler's List (1993)

One of the best movies I've ever seen!

[10/10 · 23 October 2002]

Schindler's List is one of the best movies I've ever seen!I'd been given the video by a friend,but never watched in until I was home sick from work one day.Watching this movie was an extroadinary experience.Stephen Spielberg achieved his greatest triumph with this masterpiece.Liam Neeson is excellent as Schindler.Ben Kingsley,Ralph Fiennes and Embeth Davidtz also turn in phenomenal performances.The black and white cinematography is superb,and John Williams contributes a masterful score.10 out of 10!

Collateral Damage (2002)

Arnold's still got it!

[8/10 · 20 October 2002]

Arnold's still got it!I've been a big fan of his since the days of Terminator and Commando.Arnold is in his 50's now,looks a little like it,but is in great shape(especially after under going heart surgery!)and proves he can still deliver a kick-ass action film.Experienced action director Andrew Davis acquits himself well.8 out of 10!

The Fugitive (1993)

A crackerjack thriller!

[10/10 · 20 October 2002]

The Fugitive is a crackerjack thriller.It keeps you on the edge of your seat for the whole 131 minutes.Tommy Lee Jones is superb in the role that won him an Oscar,and Harrison Ford is just as good.James Newton Howard also delivers and excellent score.The screenplay is great and Andrew Davis' direction is excellent.10 out of 10

J.F.K.: Reckless Youth (1993)

Patrick Dempsey is superb as young JFK.

[10/10 · 14 October 2002]

Patrick Dempsey is superb as young JFK.This movie traces the first 30 years of the life of the man who would become our 35th President.There are illuminating depictions of many little known events in his life,particularly his near expulsion from Choate and his romance with Dutch journalist Inga Arvad,well played by Yoland Thol.The movie boasts a strong supportkng cast,especially Robin Tunney as "Kick" Kennedy,Terry Kinney as Joseph P.Kennedy Sr and Diana Scarwid as Rose Kennedy. 10 out of 10.

And the Sea Will Tell (1991 TV Movie)

A haunting murder mystery drawn from a fantastic book!

[29 September 2002]

And The Sea Will Tell is a haunting murder mystery drawn from a fantastic book.This book is a favorite of mine,and the adaptation is superb.What happened in 1974 on Palmyra Island?The truth may never be known,but this movie will rivet you as you try to figure it out.The cast is superb.John Kapelos is good as Len Weinglass,James Brolin and Deidre Hall are excellent as Mac and Muff Graham,and Hart Bochner made my skin crawl with his chilling potrayal of Buck Walker.The two standouts ,though,are Richard Crenna,one of my favorite actors,who turns in a powerful performance as the tough,dedicated and ultimately compassionate Bugliosi;and Rachel Ward,who flawlessy portrays the contradictory nature of the enigmatic Jennifer Jenkins. 10 out of 10.

Rob Roy (1995)

an underrated epic of passion and action!

[10/10 · 20 September 2002]

Rob Roy is and underrated epic of passion and action!SOME MILD SPOILERS WITHIN. Liam Neeson gives a towering performance as Rob Roy MacGregor,one of the best in his career.Jessica Lange is letter-perfect as his wife Mary.They have the most passion and chemistry I've seen in a screen couple.John Hurt gives his best snotty aristocrat performance.Tim Roth portrays one of the great screen villains.His rape of Mary is repugnant and harrowing.He really is a magnificent bastard in this movie.The final duel between Rob and Cunningham is one of the best swordfights ever.Well scripted ans scored,and Michael Caton-Jones direction is flawless. 10 out of 10.

Braveheart (1995)

A stupendous epic!

[10/10 · 20 September 2002]

Braveheart is a stupendous epic!From Mel Gibson's triple threat standout performance as actor ,producer AND director,to the splendid acting of the rest of the cast,to the screenplay and the score,all excellent.Add some of the best,most harrowing battle scenes ever and you have a perfect 10 out of 10!Frrreeeedommmm!!!

It (1990)

One hell of a scary ride!

[16 September 2002]

"IT" is one hell of a scary ride!Excellent direction and scoring help. I was concerned originally about the casting because some of them were primarily comedians,but they were all perfect and the kids were great too.9 out of 10.

X-Men (2000)

An utterly X-Cellent movie!

[4 September 2002]

X-Men is an utterly X-Cellent movie!I've been an X-Men fan for more than 25 years and when I heard they were making this movie,I had my doubts.Say goodbye to doubts and hello to one helluva movie.I always thought Patrock Stewart was the ONLY actor to play Professor X and he does an excellent job bringing him to life.The casting was literally flawless.Special notice goes to Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.I was concerned about this unknown from Australia playing one of my all time favorite characters but he totally blew me away! He IS Wolverine!Anna Paquin is superb as Rogue,showing lots of the talent that bagged her an Oscar.Famke Janssen and Halle Berry as Jean Grey and Storm?Whoa baby,I love sexy babes who can act good.James Marsden is good as Cyclops,too.Kick-ass potrayals on the villain side too:Rebecca Romijn-Stamos,who makes blue look both cool and incredibly hot as Mystique;Ray Park as the ever mobile Toad;Tyler Mane as the hulking Sabertooth;and especially Ian Mckellen ,who is a perfect Magneto.Bryan Singer directs with flash and panache,the fx are great,and Michael Kamen's score is awesome. 10 out od 10!! I want to see Spider-Man when it hits video and can't wait for X2 to hit theaters next May!! As Stan says,Excelsior!!

A Cry in the Night (1992 TV Movie)

A solid adapation of Mary Higgins Clark's bestseller

[1 September 2002]

A Cry In The Night is a solid adaptation of Mary Higgins Clark's bestseller. Robin Spry does a good job with the screenplay and direction.Carol Higgins Clark(M.H.'s daughter!) is very good as Jenny and so is Annie Girardot as Reine.The best though,is Perry King with his thoroughly chilling performance as the increasingly deranged Erich in this suspense tour-de-force. 8 out of 10.

Michael Collins (1996)

A towering cinematic achievement

[10/10 · 26 August 2002]

Michael Collins is a towering cinematic achievement.Being of pure Irish descent,I have always had a strong interest in books anf films about Ireland,especially history.When my parents took my wife and I to see this,I was totally blown away.It's depiction of the cruelty of the British and Collins'fight against them is truly harrowing.Liam Neeson is the only actor who could have realistically taken on the role of Michael Collins and he delivers one of the finest performances I have ever seen.Alan Rickman also delivers a masterful performance as Eamon De Valera.Some people had a problem with this film's portrayal of De Valera,including my mother,who is a native of County Clare,Ireland and views De Valera as a hero.Rickman brings in some good nuances that help leaven the otherwise nagative portrayal of "Dev".Aidan Quinn is also excellent as Harry Boland,and it is in the depiction of the changing relationship between Mick and Harry that the film is sometimes at its most powerful and heartbreaking.I didn't have as much of a problem with Julia Roberts's portrayal of Kitty Kiernan(who was really Mick's fiancee,she existed)as others do.I thought she did well.I also liked Stephen Rea as Ned Broy and Ian Hart as Joe O'Reilly.Neil Jordan writes and directs excellently,though he does sometimes play a bit fast and loose with the facts.This movie inspired me to read Tim Pat Coogans excellent biography of Michael Collins which I also recommend.This is one of my favorite films ever. An enthusiastic 10 out of 10.

Omen IV: The Awakening (1991 TV Movie)

In spite of everything,not that bad.

[25 August 2002]

In spite of everything,Omen IV is not that bad.Considering its made-for-TV,10 years after the release of Final Conflict,AND that they changed directors in mid-stream(or was it mid-scream?) the movie turned out better than I had hoped.I had read some ghastly revues,but Omen IV is a competent,watchable and involving thriller.There were some fine performances too,especially Michael Lerner,Faye Grant,Michael Woods,and in particular Asia Viera as the diabolical Delia.Girls are the weaker sex?You'd never know it from Delia.7 out of 10.

The Final Conflict (1981)

A lesser sequel but still worthy.

[25 August 2002]

The Final Conflict is a lesser sequel but still worthy.Compentent direction from Graham Baker,a decent script,and Jerry Goldsmith's excellent score help(by the way Goldsmith's scores for all 3 Omens are now available in deluxe edition CD's)A young Sam Neill is very good as Damien,Also good are Rosanno Brazzi as Father DeCarlo and Lisa Harrow as Kate Reynolds.7 out of 10.

Damien: Omen II (1978)

This sequel stands up.

[25 August 2002]

This sequel stands up.Don Taylor directs competently from a decent script.The movie is well photographed,Jerry Goldsmith contributes another great score.Jonathan Scott-Taylor is excellent at Damien,conveying especially well Damien's difficulty in dealing with his identity.William Holden and Lee Grant are rock solid as the leads. Two actors who would go on to successful career turned in good early performances as Damien's protectors:Robert Foxworth as the evil businessman Paul Buher and Lance Henriksen as the sinister Sergeant Neff.There are also good performances by two old pros:Lew Ayres as the honorable company president Bill Atherton and Sylvia Sidney as Aunt Marion ,who senses something wrong in Damien but can get no one to listen to her because of her apocalyptically bitchy personality.MINOR SPOILERS:I liked several scenes in particular:Lew Ayres' drowning scene,the elevator scene with Meschach Taylor,and especially the climax.where Richard Thorn says"The boy has got to die! Give me the daggers!",and suddenly Ann shouts"Here are your daggers,Richard!" and plunges them into his chest,screaming for Damien,who then causes the boiler to explode,incinerating them.Well done. 8 out of 10.

The Omen (1976)

The devil kid scares the hell out of you!!

[25 August 2002]

The devil kid scares the hell out of you!!The Omen,26 years after it's release,remains one of the classic horror films of all time,and the progenitor of a very successful series of films.It's directed by one of the best in the business,Richard Donner.David Seltzer's script is excellent.The score by Jerry Goldsmith is one of the best horror film scores ever and truly deserved the Oscar it got.Atypical casting for the leads helped.Gregory Peck,one of the all time great actors,delives a powerful and convincing performance as Ambassador Robert Thorn.His journey,from horror and disbelief to globe-trotting sleuthing out the mystery of Damien,to acceptance and action agaianst Damien is harrowing to behold.The beautiful Lee Remick gives a terriffic performance as Kathy Thorn,a troubled woman made even more so by the inexplicable events surrounding Damien. David Warner and Billie Whitelaw are also excellent as the eccentric paparazzi Jennings and the nanny from the bowels of hell,Mrs Baylock.Excellent even now.10 out of 10.

Grizzly (1976)

They rated this PG?

[25 August 2002]

They rated this PG?With gore,decapitations,limbs flying off,scantily clad women and enough cuss words to fill a Forest Service Jeep,the censors must have downed a few too many martinis at lunch the day this puppy came up!That aside,its better than one would expect from Girdler.Some good shocks. Decent acting from Christopher George,Andrew Prine and Richard Jaeckel(although some of the other actors sucked big time)help deliver a movie,that although far from a classic,is still watchable.I recently came across the video again at a pawn shop after not seeing it in a while and it was a fair investment of 3 dollars. 6 out of 10.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

A dream come true!

[5 August 2002]

Lord Of The Rings:The Fellowship Of The Ring is a dream come true.Peter Jackson has achieved something truly extroardinary:making Tolkien's marvelous characters come to life on the big screen.The love of the filmmakers for their project is apparent in every frame.The casting was phenomenal. All were excellent,with special mention going to Elijah Wood,Ian McKellen(a perfect Gandalf!),Viggo Mortensen,Sean Astin,Orlando Bloom,John Rhys Davies and Ian Holm.Ian Mckellen and Peter Jackson should have won Oscars.I'm glad Howard Shore did for his magnificent music.If there's any justice,Jackson will take a Best Director statuette for one of the remaining two films.He deserves it for having the guts to bring the beloved trilogy to the live action big screen. I can't wait till December for The Two Towers.Oh well,I'll get the Fellowship video to keep me occupied till then! 10 out of 10!