vmwrites Reviews

30 Days of Night (2007)

Long and cliché'

[4/10 · 23 October 2007]

I'm not sure what I expected, but this definitely wasn't it. Filled with both visual and verbal clichés, this film dropped the ball in many areas.

I do understand that most people go to see horror movies for the action (it had action) and the blood (there was plenty of that), but there should also be a story. 30 Days of Night made no attempt to engage the audience by providing sufficient backstory on the tight group of townspeople who were the center of the storyline.

The movie leaps from Day 1 to Day 7 to Day 18 to Day 27, with seemingly no change in anything, yet the film seems to drag. It would have been better, cut down to about an hour and a half.

On the plus side, the vampires were more rugged, physically powerful and far more agile than those in most other movies of its genre - these guys certainly were nothing like the suave Count Dracula portrayed by Bela Lugosi. Their leader spoke a foreign language (subtitled in English) that sounded more like Klingon than any earthly language.

Perhaps my view of the movie was based on more than five decades of watching various horror films of all types. The younger moviegoer whose viewing is unaffected by years of other films may find it fun.

The ending was touching in its way, and as has been noted before, there were some spectacular outdoor shots.

Jarhead (2005)

Directorial Similarities with Full Metal Jacket

[7/10 · 15 February 2007]

I watched this movie with interest, because there were so many directorial similarities with Full Metal Jacket. The stories and content of the two movies were different, of course, but in many ways "Jarhead" appeared to be a sort of directorial tribute to Stanley Kubrick's directorial tour de force, in Full Metal Jacket.

The linguistic style of the main characters' narratives in both movies was similar. There were also similarities in the use of camera angles of the Marines in formation as they moved through combat areas; silhouette shots of Marines, with fire behind them; etc.

This post should NOT be taken as a criticism, because many creative and innovative directors - such as Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang - have been honored by other directors who may, from time to time, adapt certain stylistic techniques.

Among the better directorial techniques was the use of subdued sepia tones to depict the monotony of day to day life in the desert.

Overall, I thought the movie was a good one, although I would have liked to see a little backstory on some of the Marines in the group.

The Green Slime (1968)

Managing Expectations

[3/10 · 20 January 2007]

This is not a great movie. It was never nominated for an Oscar. But that wasn't the intent. It is amusement, clear and simple.

The interactions among the three main characters is typical of many dramas and sci-fi movies. The alien invaders are phony looking, to say the least. But this movie is part of a genre that endeared itself to Americans for nearly a decade. Lump it in with Earth vs. the Flying Saucers and Them. None of the movies of that genre were ever headed for Oscar fame. They were there for pure amusement. And this is what Robert Horton, Richard Jaekel, and Luciana Paluzzi provided.

It's a fun movie, but professional critics would argue otherwise.

Love Hate Love (1971 TV Movie)

Ditto

[6/10 · 25 July 2006]

Thos ABC movies were a regular feature in our house. They varied from comedy to drama, to action and featured lots of up and coming actors, as well as real veterans of TV and movies.

In addition, the movies were written for TV and never seemed chopped up by commercials. The breaks were factored in, so that no one missed anything.

This particular movie was one of our favorites, in the era before Fatal Attraction. The idea of stalking was very scary, and in this movie the inability to get rid of Peter Haskell's character and his seeming obsession with her was terrifying, given the era.

The Sheltering Sky (1990)

Endless, not timeless

[2/10 · 30 May 2006]

Unlike great movies which are timeless, this movie was endless, like a portion of food you don't like but are reluctant to throw away. The film would have been better with a Richard Kiley narration, under a National Geographic logo. There were wonderful shots of the dessert, gorgeous panoramas, and interesting character studies of the people. And I found the last half hour nearly intolerable. I like movies with a different take on things. I liked La Strada. But I did not like this film. The only saving grace is that I didn't pay to see it, and I didn't waste good popcorn money.

The film started out with good intentions. It developed well, with Malkovich's character contracting typhoid. The sequence in which Kit is at Port's side, nursing him for what must have been days, was - in my opinion - the only redeeming scene in the movie. After he dies, and Kit hits the road, it seems to go downhill rapidly. The movie loses its continuity and its coherence. Perhaps the book was better, but after seeing the film, I have little interest in finding out.

Æon Flux (2005)

Way better than you might expect

[8/10 · 2 December 2005]

We just got home from seeing Aeon Flux, and for my money, it turned out to be far better than I had expected. Ready for an action movie with lots of leaping, jumping and hero stuff, it was all of that - but more. It actually had a story line! And it was that story line that kept things moving nicely along.

I think that it's relatively short length (97 minutes) also helped it from being bogged down with minutiae and having a plot that had to be mercilessly stretched beyond its limits. The scenes were crisply photographed, the special effects were enough to give the film its character WITHOUT making it a special-effects movie, per se.

Although a little thin in some parts, the dialogue was fair. The only thing I thought might have made it better was the development of some of the peripheral characters.

Charlize Theron is very versatile, and now I fully intend to see the anime of Aeon Flux.

Saw II (2005)

A taught thriller

[8/10 · 28 October 2005]

Saw II follows on the heels of Saw, as another taught, tense thriller. The mark of a great thriller/shocker/horror movie is the number of twists and turns, and this is what identifies Saw II as one of the better members of its genre.

This is NOT a movie where people walk backwards into dark rooms. This is NOT a movie where people pull sheets off bodies. That's all too predictable for Saw II. In fact, there's virtually nowhere in this film, where you can say that you've got it figured out.

Few movies keep me on the edge of my seat. This was one of them. There was no one dozing off during this flick. And the number of folks who walked out to take/make cell phone calls was the lowest I've ever seen.

Like Saw, this sequel is more than a little bloody in some places, but that's to be understood. It was never promoted as a walk in the park. If you're in the mood for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is worth a try.

And this movie left more than a few folks in the audience waiting for another sequel.

Sin City (2005)

Well done, all the way around!

[10/10 · 1 April 2005]

This movie was a real surprise, for me. Frankly, I expected another comic-book knockoff - a sort of ho-hum live anime sort of thing.

But this was exceptional, from the story line, to the casting, to the green-screen sequences. Using narration voice-overs, the movie retained much of the character of the film-noir classics of the 1940's, but with more action and more of an adult feel, and definitely right for this time period.

It was refreshing to see a movie that caused me to keep thinking about it, even after the popcorn was gone and the theater was only a dot in the rear view mirror.

One outcome of having seen this film is that I now intend to buy the graphic novel from which this was adapted and perhaps go through the series.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this a "WOW!"

Take the High Ground! (1953)

Most likely served as basis for The D.I. (1957)

[6 September 2004]

The 1957 Jack Webb classic, "The D.I." bears a close relationship to "Take the High Ground," from its general theme to the presence of an inept recruit, to the main character's romance with a young woman who lives close to the base.

In the Jack Webb (Marine) version, Gunnery Sergeant Jim Moore (Webb) takes on a platoon with the usual selection of raw recruits, but one who is particularly troublesome. In the Richard Widmark (Army) version, the same thing happens, with a troublesome and troubled recruit. In both versions, the recruit makes an attempt to go over the wall, and in both versions, the tough but compassionate training sergeant stops the escape and molds the recruit into shape.

In both versions, the love interest is a woman who has been emotionally scarred by a former romance with a serviceman who had been killed in combat.

In both versions, there is a fellow training sergeant that frustrates and annoys the main character into a showdown fistfight.

At the end of both movies, the cast is reprised, with their names. The only difference is that in the MGM version (Take the High Ground), the entire platoon are actors. In the Mark VII version (The D.I.), the platoon was played by real Marines. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' For those unfamiliar with military lingo, "boot camp" is generally used to refer to Navy recruit training (or Marine training), whereas the Army uses the term "Basic Training." In a similar vein, the Navy refers to combat simulation encampments as "maneuvers," whereas the Army uses the term "bivouac."

Both movies are excellent films.

X the Unknown (1956)

A Hammer Films Classic

[7/10 · 25 June 2004]

Often overlooked even by those who enjoy the sci-fi films of the fifties, "X The Unknown" is one of those sleepers that real afficionados will watch over and over. Starring Dean Jagger, the cast also features a very young Anthony Newly as a British Army corporal.

There's not much that professional critics would find either amusing or compelling about this film, but when considered in its place as a landmark movie both for the sci-fi genre and for Hammer films, it shines somewhat brighter.

As has aready been mentioned, this film occupies a prominent role among those that feature a "blob" monster. The special effects, incidentally, are not bad for the year (1956), and the concept of a radioactive blob is perhaps even more interesting than one that merely gobbles up people.

I understand that this was one of the early films produced by Hammer, as a step toward making more sci-fi entries. I'm glad they took the chance. This film and those that followed it enriched the genre for all fans of 1950's and 1960's sci-fi films.

Dersu Uzala (1975)

Kurosawa looks deep into the soul of man

[9/10 · 16 June 2004]

Like Nora Inu (Stray Dog), High and Low, and Ikiru, Akira Kurosawa looks deep into the soul of man in Dersu Uzala.

This movie, however, has another plus: The scenery, filmed in Siberia. Outstanding film!

Despite the cast of actors unknown to westerners, this film is very much a Kurosawa vehicle, with its deep looks into the hearts of both Uzala and the Captain in their original meeting, and years later.

This ranks as one of my favorite Kurosawa films. It's at least as good as Do Des Ka Den and some of the others that portray the inner workings of men in conflict with their world.

They Came from Beyond Space (1967)

Remake, or not?

[4/10 · 8 May 2004]

In looking at this movie, it seemed to me that this was pretty close in concept to It Came from Outer Space, the sci-fi classic starring Richard Carlson and Barbara Rush. It was later remade as Night Slaves, a TV movie in 1990.

However, it was good seeing Robert Hutton, a perennial favorite in sci-fi films.

On the negative side, the editing seemed rather haphazard, with cuts and clips not blending together to add coherence and continuity. Also, the film lacked any of the background characters who were so good in what have turned out to be sci-fi classics. Made in England, They Came from Beyond Space has the location, but not the interest of the Quatermass movies.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)

An underrated sci-fi classic

[9/10 · 30 March 2004]

This 1961 classic is truly underrated. Performances by Janet Munro and the great Leo McKern (Rumpole of the Bailey) are quite good, and Edward Judd, whose career is introduced in this movie come together to create a create a sense of building tension as the audience finds out the reason for the strange changes in weather.

Judd plays his character a little roughly, but that is to be understood, given his problems with his divorce and visitation with his young son.

Leo McKern's dialogue and facial expressions are superb and create the perfect persona of the seasoned veteran science writer who interprets and unravels the mystery for us.

Janet Munro, who died prematurely in her thirties gave a very acceptable performance for a young starlet, who keeps reporter Pete Stenning (Judd) at bay, then feeds him the critical information that blows open the story. I have two copies - One I taped from TV in the 80's, and another that I bought new. My sci-fi collection wouldn't be complete without it.

White Christmas (1954)

Trivia

[9/10 · 30 March 2004]

Early in the film,Crosby and Kaye meet Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen at a supper club, for the first time. The girls ask the boys to review their act, as sort of a favor to their brother, who served with the boys in the Army. While they're talking, the girls show them a photo of their brother.

Look hard. If the fellow looks familiar, it's because it's none other than Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer of The Little Rascals.

Switzer appeared a number of small roles, but this, by far, is the smallest. Another is the part of a mischievous high school student who opens the dance floor over the pool, as Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed are dancing the Charleston in "It's a Wonderful Life."

You've Got Mail (1998)

One of the better remakes

[8/10 · 23 March 2004]

I thoroughly enjoyed this remake of the 1940's film "The Shop Around the Corner," starring James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Frank Morgan, Felix Bressart, Sarah Haden, Inez Courtney and William Tracey. The updating of this classic romantic comedy didn't suffer. In fact, it was enhanced in many ways, as it made its way into modern times.

Meg Ryan is her usual sweet, charming self in Margaret Sullavan's role of the young shop girl. Tom Hanks was a perfect modern day model for Jimmy Stewart's role as her love interest.

One of the marvelous features about this version is that it was filmed in New York, rather than in the "Old Budapest" section of the MGM back lots . ..

One surprise character with no counterpart in the original story is Dabney Coleman - an eccentric corporate executive who plays Hanks' father. An enjoyable film.

The Crowded Sky (1960)

Paving the way for "Airport"

[7/10 · 23 March 2004]

One of the first modern day airline disaster movies, this 1961 film contains all the elements of suspense, humor and drama that one would expect of its genre. With the only drawback of a weak supporting cast, the story line is a solid one.

In this film, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. plays a navy pilot on a collision course with a commercial jet piloted by Dana Andrews. Years later, in one of the later Airport series, the roles are reversed and Andrews plays the pilot of a small plane on a collision course with a commercial aircraft piloted by Efrem Zimbalist.

Troy Donahue does a creditable job as a young sailor hitching a ride with Zimbalist to get home. An interesting device in this film is the close-up thought technique, particularly when used with the character played by Keenan Wynn.

If you consider this film only among the other members of its generation, it comes out well.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

One of the finest family movies ever made

[10/10 · 22 March 2004]

This great family film based on the story by Roald Dahl (who also authored James and the Giant Peach) is a favorite of mine, whether I have chosen to watch it with my children or just by myself. Gene Wilder almost plays second fiddle to the glowing enthusiasm of Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) and the character acting of Jack Albertson (who also played a very small, uncredited role in Miracle on 34th Street).

The only mystery for me is where the story took place. From the movie, it would appear that Charlie's town is somewhere in Europe, judging from the automobiles, driving on the right (ie, not England), and the typical layout of his town, with the cathedral at the center.

This movie is an absolute requirement for any serious video collector.

The Giant Claw (1957)

This movie is just for fun - never was an Oscar contender

[7/10 · 22 March 2004]

This film, admittedly, was an embarrassment to those who starred in it, but to those of us who enjoy the wonderful sci-fi films of the 50's, The Giant Claw was a fun film.

Never a contender for an Oscar, this film does, indeed, use a phony-looking puppet bird, and you can see the monofilament lines operating it. But the interplay between the main characters, and the appearance of Morris Ankrum and Robert Shayne are priceless.

It wasn't the best, but it sure was one of the most fun films of the 60's sci-fi genre. Of the three genre films in which Ms. Corday appeared, this was the most fun, but nowhere as good as Black Scorpion or Tarantula (with John Agar).

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)

Sci-Fi Without the Silly Monsters

[9/10 · 1 March 2004]

This was a pretty good sci-fi movie, without monsters or specials effects. Furthermore, it posed the question that many of us have in our minds: "What if . . . the earth's days were numbered? What would we do? How would people act?"

And for an introductory performance, Edward Judd was exceptional.

Leo McKern and Janet Munro were more than up to the task, of course, but the scenes that I thought were most telling were the riots over water; the countdown scene in the club; and the closing sequence, in which the two different newspaper headlines let us know that it could go either way - man survives or man perishes.

Well done!