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Reviews
The Terminal (2004)
An unfunny premise, lots of errors
When I had heard that a movie was coming out about a immigrant trapped in an airport terminal due to bureaucracy, I was intrigued. My reaction was, "how could this be made interesting or funny"? An airport is such a sterile environment, what could the writers create over 90 minutes that would be funny? I was right. The movie was a bore. Millions of dollars were spent to recreate a sterile environment.
The writers use the premise that immigration waits, paperwork, and airport security are funny. Let me tell you, my friends it is not funny & you have to wonder that maybe the "evil" Federal bureaucracy sweats out every day trying to make sure that threats to society do not make it into the United States of America. This is not comedy material, in my humble opinion.
Now about the errors. Catherine Zeta-Jones, as the Flight Attendant,love interest is far too glamorous to have to fawn over the Tom Hanks character. In real life, a woman of that physical attractiveness & intelligence could pick & choose who she wanted. She would never be desperate.
How about Tom Hank's accent & how fast he learned English. Was he taking a speed reading/speaking course that not only taught him to speak English but to learn the alphabet specifically since he was used to the Cyrillic alphabet in Eastern Europe. Can you imagine what a laugher this would be to Eastern Europeans? It is a transparent situation.
Finally, you have to wonder why would Spielberg & Hanks lend their names to this movie. Have you have ever bought an appliance, computer, or car that was a brand name but learned that the quality or product had changed. People love Spielberg and Hanks, this is a product that they should not have had a connection to & would have been a movie for TV not on the big screen.
Wonderfalls (2004)
Superb Comedy /Bad Timing
I had to buy the DVD, after all I only saw one episode & was intrigued with the series having grown up in Niagara Falls & also worked as a dock boy(summers) with the Maid of the Mist boats. There are some pertinent facts about the real life operation that provide interesting information regarding the storyline. The retail shops and boat operation shut down in early fall so there are no full time jobs in the stores unless you are the owner. This would have put a dent in the storyline. However, the retail shop positions were considered prestigious summer jobs & people such as Jaye Tyler(Caroline Dhavernas)often came from successful families. The mother played by Diana Scarwid had her character nailed. She played the class conscious mother as if she really was from the Greater Buffalo area. On a critical note, I think that Todd Holland & Brian Fuller could have been better in their research of Niagara. The book by Canadian author Pierre Berton about Niagara really delves into the quirkiness of the area & Niagara Falls. Once that happens then all comparisons to the series ripping off "Joan of Arcadia" or "Tru Calling" ends. In the DVD, the "Totem Mole" episode about the Indians and their tax free smoke shops was brilliant. Another great episode was "Barrel Bear" about a woman dare devil at the Falls & "Crime Dog" about illegal immigrants and border crossings. All 3 pertinent episodes about the quirkiness of the Falls. There was a big stinker episode & that was "Safety Canary". The DVD was great value. I listened to the commentaries on some of the episodes, which indeed gave insight to the series. It is real clear that the filming budget was real tight & that the series sometimes came to head with the heads of FOX regarding foul language & sexual content. Since the series was cancelled just prior to the election where both candidates were into moral values, this also may have been a factor besides the early low ratings. I hope Wonderfalls comes back, perhaps as a solely produced Canadian entity depending on airing success on Canadian television. It could be a great moneymaker, if given time to grow.
Roommates (1995)
A "buddy" movie with a different kind of "buddy".
If you think about a "buddy" movie, it can take many forms. Women may see Bette Midler in "Beaches" comforting her friends or Susan Sarandon in "Thelma and Louise" shooting up the Southwest. On the other hand men have the "Lethal Weapon", "Beverly Hills Cop" series where dim witted detectives team up with fast thinking/street smart partners. The formulas are typical and boring. This movie sets the stage for a different type of "buddy" movie. The premise is set right away with Michael Holzcek being orphaned(mother died previously with an illness) when his father dies in Vietnam and no one will raise him except his grandfather Rocky played by Peter Falk who becomes his lifelong buddy/mentor. Rocky is a Polish American in Pittsburg and at the time well past 65 but still working hard as a baker while his contemporaries are retired or dead. He is told that he is too old to raise a kid but "whoa" this senior is on a mission and not done yet! Rocky has his own stubborn ways and the "my way or the highway" philosophy of life. The story unfolds with Rocky teaching Michael the values of family and life. Unfortunately, Michael picks up alot of Rocky's "say it like it is" habits. Along the way, Michael sets out to get his college degree and head off to medical school eventually interning in Columbus, Ohio. Of course, Rocky has to join him in a home shared with Chinese medical students. This part of the movie lends itself to many funny episodes with Rocky trying to "fit in" with the students. Michael's life seems to be in a rut-just work and of course no sleep because Rocky is a horrific snorer. Life stinks until he meets his future wife to be Beth. However, no one is good enough for Michael according to Rocky but eventually Rocky learns to "live and let live" and accept Beth. The marriage develops a number of new situations and it is Beth that teaches Michael the true key to becoming a good doctor,humanity and compassion. I really enjoyed the movie but it was Peter Falk that made the movie. He has an extensive movie history and although known for the extremely successful "Columbo" TV series,he has received many awards and got his first real recognition for the true life based movie "Murder Inc".
"Roomates" has a good story line but there are several "goofs" that prevent it from getting a top rating. Here are my observations.
Although it is an ethnic movie and he was Polish American, there was no hints of Polish culture like food, dance etc. It was like the story was a composite of traits of many ethnic groups and the writers just chose "Polish American" as a label. D.B. Sweeney was not a good choice as Michael, his boyish looks are hard to make him look older as the years advance in the movie. He is also ethnic looking alright-like right out of an Irish movie with his reddish hair. However, a real big "booboo" was when Rocky was doing the laundry at Michael's house,(at this point Michael was married with children and had completed his doctor residency of 8 years)and had to have been 35. Rocky at that point would have been 98 or 100. He was moving around quicker than most 25 year old guys in a boxing match. Also he was a baker all of his life-a grueling, on your feet, all day occupation yet no physical ailments or complaints in the storyline. Falk also had a plastic cap over his head to make him look bald and old but it looked so bad that it reminded you of a game show host from the 70's with a lousy hairpiece("rug"). I recommend this movie and had some of the details been attended to, it would have been outstanding. Perhaps this is the reason that this entertaining film was probably not released in theaters.
Barbarosa (1982)
A Western with an original storyline
We've have seen all of the formula Westerns; evil cattle baron, reformed gunslinger, alcoholic sheriff,damsel in distress, kind but shrewd gambler. It goes on and on. How about real history-like the way Texas was in the 19th century. It was a center of lawlessness and the golden rule, "them that has the gold makes the rules" more interesting than any screen writer could imagine. How about this? Gary Busey playing a second generation German American farm boy being pursued by Old World family members to avenge a death. Ironically, he teams up with Willie Nelson to escape his executioners only to find that Willy is being pursued by Mexicans who call him "Barbarosa".
Busey is excellent as the farm boy and Nelson just plays himself in this unique Western that appears to utilize great scenery to include authentic 19th century farmhouses and a great plot. Gilbert Roland, in a classic supporting role, plays the elder of the Mexicans who utilizes his respect in the Mexican community to whip up hatred towards "Barbarosa".
This acknowledges that Texas, like the rest of the U.S., was formed and shaped by many ethnic groups. A great movie and entertainment.