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R-Flagg
Reviews
The Seven Minutes (1971)
Good flick ... but not if you are a Russ Meyer fan (unless you are a complete Russ Meyer addict)
I just watched this film on Bravo. While I admit to being a bit of a Russ Meyer fan in the same way many people slow down to look at train wrecks, I actually found this movie surprisingly entertaining. Russ Meyer is the master of campy dialogue, bizarre twists and nonsensical plots, and of course larger (pun intended) than life characters. This movie has them all, but at a much more subdued level than most of his other films. In many ways, this film works ... much better at least than other Russ Meyer films.
If you are looking for a quality film delving into the drama of the courtroom, forget it here. With even a modicum of legal savvy it is easy to see all the holes in the courtroom antics of both sides. The twist at the end might be typical Russ Meyer, but it was also pretty predictable. Normally, I dislike predictability in a movie, but Russ Meyer flicks are usually such mixed up, twisted messes, that seeing a plot actually come to fruition with a credible twist that fits into the rest of the story was a bit of a treat.
I echo the sentiments of other users when they say that this is not a Russ Meyer fan's movie. Unfortunately, the only people who likely will ever see this film are the serious Russ Meyer fans who want to see everything the man has made. (Said fans can look for the cameo of Russ as well, in true Hitchcockian style *smile*.) I felt this was a good film, easy to watch, fun and sexy at times, with a few valuable (yet no doubt satirical) comments about the hypocrisy of the day. Being that Russ had his own personal problems with censorship, the movie is an obvious "poke-in-the-nose" at all the holier-than-thou types out to save society while wallowing in their own debauchery.
My Rating: 7 / 10 (Unless you are looking for a Russ Meyer genre film, then only 2 / 10)
I, Robot (2004)
Ugg ... Going along great ... then just ends in a big mess
*Start Rant*
How can someone take the works of a great Master like Isaac Asimov and so totally miss the point? This movie might be a great action film if you do not care at all about Asimov's principles and basic Robot Laws, which unfortunately are quite deliberately paraded in front of the audience in the initial moments of the film. There are the totally formulaic chase scenes and inane stupidity of the main computer's limitations, which of course are required in a pabulum-feeding film that assumes the average viewer has an IQ lower than his shoe size. As far as Blockbusters go, I am sure it will do well, giving people a couple hours of mindless distraction that is all a Blockbuster is intended to do. But calling it "I, Robot"? Instilling such an unavoidable attachment to Asimov? These things were done for only one reason ... to get people who like Asimov's work to come see this film. And what a pity it is for us who do so, thinking that perhaps Hollywood might take a bit of the man's genius and put it on film.
I suppose I should come to expect this from mainstream film, but I am ever the optimist, hoping that somewhere, someone will see the value of the written word and do something good with it on film. Too bad it was not the case this time.
*End Rant*
Rating: 7 if you have no idea who Asimov was or read any of his books, 1 otherwise
Tears of the Sun (2003)
A fine film for Willis ...
This review may be seen to contain spoilers, so be warned.
The first 90 minutes of this film are great ... not 10 out of 10 great, but a solid 8. Willis is really firm in this role ... the non-speaking moments are strong, and all of his supporting "S.E.A.L." team (actors) deserve credit too.
The basic story is rather predictable, and any suspense that might have been built up for the final scene was destroyed before I even entered the theatre by the idiots in Hollywood that insist on putting scenes from the last 5 minutes of the film into the trailers. I guess I have come to expect this, so I will only suggest that if you like Action / Drama / Adventure films, try NOT to see the ads before seeing the film. (Okay, I will get off my soapbox now.)
Willis is strong throughout, even though he has very little dialogue in much of the movie. The situation (explained in the first few minutes of the film) eventually pushes his character beyond a limit even he does not completely understand, and something instinctual takes over. The brilliance of this film is in NOT explaining it any more than that (and I will try to follow suit).
Another aspect I liked was the lack of animosity between Willis and his commander who is understandably upset when he hears of the change in plans. Rather than the typical "obey your orders" rant we might expect in that situation, the commander is hot but understanding and even compassionate. It was a refreshing bit of humanity.
The place where humanity is lacking is in the whole nature of the background conflict. Willis and his SEAL team are not there to fight the war and in fact are not even to engage the enemy unless fired upon, but when faced with the cruellest and harshest elements of the horrors of war (genocide, torture) something changes, and they respond.
The question for Willis and his men is obvious ... follow orders or do "the right thing", but the answer is not so clear. There are hints of other motives as well. Perhaps Willis is smitten by his "package", the good Doctor Hendricks (Bellucci), an American widow who is every bit as independent and motivated as he is, (but for some reason cannot keep her blouse buttoned). Or perhaps there are some other "sins" for which Willis is attempting to atone. As the movie progresses, others of the SEAL team find their own motives, conflicts and resolutions challenged as well.
The unfortunate part of the film comes in the final half hour. It feels like someone flipped a switch and instead of getting an "against all odds" dramatic conflict where skill, wit, technology and even some good-old American "True Grit" bring them through, we have a bloodbath battle and a pyrotechnic "here comes the Calvary" scene that really drops the hole movie down a notch.
What should have been a solid 8 and even a 9 with a good ending, ends up at a 7, and that only because of my respect for Willis' acting and the editing of the first part of the film.
Best line: "For our sins." Rating: 7 / 10