Some first run, big money Sci-Fi films
(These are rare events, and they are the ONLY films that can drag me out to a movie theatre)
Any films I purchase (worthy of being in my film library)
DVDs that I rent just out of boredom and curiosity
You'll find I am not impressed with most new releases.
You'll find my reviews are brief. I let the work speak for itself.
I only review films worthy of my time ...and yours.
If it's here...YOU SHOULD SEE IT....period.
Most of the films I review here will be older.....and certainly worth viewing again.
Click the "All Time Favorites" button in the Flash animation above
to see a small cross section of my favorite films.
See ya in the dark....
Most of you, no doubt, are aware of this, but, just for the record....
The surface of this medium is exposed.
They are not like VHS cassettes, where the tape is enclosed in a plastic covering.
Most of the older DVD's I rent are scratched to some degree,
and about 25+% of the rest are scratched.
Damaged DVDs will freeze an image, display artifact (geometric, squarish looking noise patterns),
or display split screen, mixed images....then they may skip to a later part of the movie!
So...the process of renting now has an extra step that is truly annoying.
See above photo...Hold the disk up at enough of an angle towards a light source to check for scratches.
If you buy a new packaged DVD, and are careful handling it,
your great grand children should be able to see it.
With respect to radioactive decay, and depending on whether or not it is exposed to heat, humidity, or sunlight....
...It should take a DVD a couple centuries to begin to decompose on the shelf in the case.
Otherwise, it may only last until the kids get their hands on it.
This may elicit some insight in the care of DVDs and which movies you actually buy....
You'll ask yourself....Is this film really impressive enough to hand down to future generations?!?
My DVD player is quite sensitive....and what appears to be a minor scratch,
is enough to ruin it.......automobile rubbing compound, or jewelry polish may help
in removing very shallow scratches.....but not deeper ones....
You can easily inflict worse damage in trying to buff out scratches....sooo...
The best action you can take is...Scratch Prevention!
When you are set for a great evening of watching an anticipated film, and it stops playing....
O, well.......these observations / tips will help in avoiding a ruined evening, or a trip back to the video store.
I have yet to see any signs in video stores that draw attention to damage. Click this text for all the questions you may ever have about DVDs!
"Intellect is invisible to the man who has none."
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)
In my activities of daily living, I will always find a reason to talk of film...
It's just something that happens when I engage humans in conversation.
I recommend asking people what their favorite films are...
It's a fast, effective way to get to know someone....a window into the personality.
Take a "first date" into the neighborhood video store to see what appeals to them...
- horror - not good...be careful
- comedy - good
- action - fair / good
- sci-fi - good
- adult - not good
- romance - good
- special interest - fair / good
- sports lover? fair / good....though they can be quite boring ...unless, of course...
it's surfing, sailing, mountain related, motor sports,
other solitary sports such as golf and tennis, etc.
The reaction from people?....always the same:
They roll their eyes...they smirk...they know I must suffer from delusions of grandeur.
This response is so very typical.
Do they have a 'dream'?
It is, of course, an absurdity to try to discuss film making in certain levels of society.
They don't give a poOp....it is a world apart from the one in which they live...
it just doesn't make any sense to them to think of such things....
Tell someone you have the greatest story ever told at home in a film treatment,
and THEN you'll find out how truly negative most humans are....
...and sadly, they raise their offspring with this negativity.
Many humans make fun of one who is able to consciously dream...
...unless, of course, one is already successful....then it's a different story.
...to have an affinity for imagining what can possibly be...
...on Earth, and elsewhere in the Cosmos....
To imagine worlds not just as they are...but as they could be.
I guess most inhabitants of Earth are unable to imagine: "what if...?"
Imagine........what if ...
...what I said in the first sentence 3 paragraphs above is, actually true?
I once heard Rob Reiner say something similar to
"To make movies, you must create your own moral universe"...and such is the case.
Those who set out to "make movies" will do just that...they'll crank out "movies"
such as what you currently see on the theatre marquees around the country / world.
Films should be contributions to society...NOT a waste of time.
If the story isn't important...if it doesn't enrich our world....why waste our time?
When I die...I want my films (whether produced or not)
to make a monumental statement about the world we are creating.
Great directors and their movies will be known through the ages...all over the world....
...because THEY do the dreaming for the commonplace man.
As Mena Suvari's character said to Kevin Spacey's character in Sam Mendes' "American Beauty" (1999):
"I don't think there's anything worse than being ordinary..."
...she said that twice in the film....first to Thora Birch's character.
My recommendation to you as a reader of this review page
is to see A MOVIE A WEEK at the minimum.....it's an exercise, if nothing else....just do it!
Movies are windows into our society...our very existence...our souls....
You'll find many movies are truly a waste of time...
....but you will catch some great ones worthy of discussion and your time.
Stories of intellect, passion, romance, fantasy, a playground for good and evil......
I own certain films because they are special effects showcases...
...others because of the message...the moral.
There is a fair amount of great science fiction.
Sci-Fi has much more potential to develop....possibly much more so than other film genres.
To me, it is worth it to see several terrible films, just to get to a great one.
I pride myself at being good at telling you what is a waste of time, and what has merit.
Just a quick thought on truth in the media (See Path to 9/11 review below):
Here's an exchange between Jeff Goldblum's character (Dr. Ian Malcolm)
and Arliss Howard's character (Peter Ludlow) in "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" (1997):
Malcolm: "...and I told the truth"
Ludlow: "Your version of it"
Malcolm: "There aren't any 'versions' of the truth..."
As Arnold Schwarzenegger's character said to his deity in John Milius' "Conan the Barbarian" (1982)
"...and if you do not listen, then the hell with you."
This is such a TINY cross section of films I want to review here...I'll update this list sooner or later...
Bernard Murray's "The Surfer King" (2006) -
I attended the World Premiere - April 5, 2006 at The Temple Buell Theater in Denver -
The release of the DVD is August 21, 2007 in the US and Canada.
Actually having worked as part of the crew on this film, I will be as objective as possible
.....Totally great fun splattered throughout with humor, talent, romance, and inland surf!
Robbie and his Mom move to Colorado from California for a new start in life.
Mom (Lindsay Wagner) gets Robbie (Randy Wayne) a job at Water World,
where a surfing competition in Thunder Bay wave park takes place
as part of the employee annual end of season competition.
Fun characters, great humor, fun music.....See it!
ok...OK...so it's not a hardcore surfin' mOOvie...it's still great fun!
I will use this review as a communication to:
Bernie Murray, Lindsay Wagner, Alan Thicke, Cerina Vincent, Ben Ziff, Randy Wayne,
Travis Perkins, Gabriel Iglesias, and Ryan Haug:
To Bernie: I live in anguish knowing it was my fault we ran out of wax....
I was amazed other movie crew found surf wax in Colorado!
To Lindsay: I was completely out of control taking photographs....my apologies!
To Alan: It was great fun to talk surfin' with ya!
To Ben, Randy, and Travis: Was that weird fun surfin' at Colorado's Water World?!
It is too cool to see you guys on network TV / Commercials, etc.
To Gabriel: You were off the scale fUn to be around, Gabe...
I was rootin' for ya on Last Comic Standing!!!!!
To Cerina: .....Cerina, if you ever read this...click this text to email me...
.....it's me Burton, the surfing coach! I was completely maladjusted
the entire time I was around you!!!! !
To Ryan: You ROCK, Ryan!
It was such a great thrill to have met you all!
Stacy Peralta and Sam George's "Riding Giants" - (2004)(purchased) -
This film begins with a concise / amusing history of surfing in Hawaii.
It then takes you through the wild history of the sport in California.
The story progresses to the pinnacle of extremes in the sport...riding waves too big to paddle into...
...Tow in surfing...the water rushes up the face of the wave too fast in a 40+ ft wave....
Jet skis are used to tow surfers into the wave long before it hits the reef and begins to break.
The narration is done by the veteran stars of surfing....
...Greg Noll (my first board was a Noll), and Sam George....
You'll meet Gerry Lopez and Laird Hamilton...just to name a few.
There is a parental guidence alert: Greg Noll has a potty mouth...it's very funny...
Greg Noll was among the small group that pioneered the North Shore of Oahu in the 50's.
This group was the first to ride Waimea Bay, and Pipeline.
DON'T MISS the segment on Teahupo’o (in Tahiti)...
...the wave is a freak of nature...and the world's deadliest!...
...even more so than Pipe!...is that possible?!
Believe it or not...You won't see Teahupo’o get really big in this particular film....
I can go on and on about Riding Giants....JUST SEE IT!...
Also...don't miss Bruce Brown's "The Endless Summer 2" (1994)
and Dana Brown's "Step Into Liquid" (2003).
These 3 films are 6 hours of guaranteed fUn for you!!!!!!
Jack Johnson and Chris Malloy's "Thicker Than Water" (2000)(purchased) -
As is everyone mentioned in the above films, Johnson and the Malloys are surfing world royalty.
This film is a beautiful, more artsy depiction of the sport we love so.
It is quite a departure from the surfing films mentioned above....
Filmed mostly in Indonesia, the music, camera work, and editing is artsy and creative....
a mood setting film to watch with your grrrlfriend or family...
it's not as long as most surfing movies, but every second is worth your time.
It's a beautiful piece of work, and not to be missed.
Ben Burrt's "Blue Planet" (1990) (purchased...given to daughter) -
Yes...I'm opinionated...that's why I have this movie review page.
In no uncertain terms, this film is the most important movie ever made.
It is soft spoken...it is powerful...and it has the most spectacular images you will ever see in a film.
It's a quick 40 minutes long....the narrator's voice (Toni Trow Meyers) is soothing.
Know that it's premise will be realized in the next several centuries.
It was one of the first films made for the IMAX screen...
All of our mistakes show from space....the dirt runoff from de-forestation...
...the effects of the incessant pumping of pollutants into the air and into the oceans
since the dawn of the industrial age...
When you see our planet from orbit, you'll know why it's called the 'blue' planet...
stunning... a world of water....
....so why do we dump waste products in the sea? What's our world going to be like in a few millennia?
When you dump waste (radioactive or otherwise) inland....
It makes it's way to the sea eventually.......
Our "elected officials" are removed from the logic inherent in laws of science
as they pertain to stewardship of a planet.
They are incapable of using insight that spans millennia. Do you think they care?
Davis Guggenheim's "An Inconvenient Truth" (2006) (rented...purchased) -
G.W. Bush's competition for the presidency (Al Gore) makes a great case for global warming.
Al Gore has set himself aside from the entire political community.
To this webauthor...there is NO ONE else in the running for either President of the USA,
or Chief Global Science Officer.....there is no one even a close second in Congress.
It is a sad and embarrassing lot.
This film is family viewing....and to say it is educational is an understatement.
He goes ahead in time in most of his examples and graphs about 60 years...
My only suggestion.....just for fun, his theorization for Earth climate
should venture out several millennia....
quite honestly....we may not be here in several millennia.
Of course, this film is mandatory viewing....
All K-12 schools and colleges should have it in their film library.
Gore was obviously comfortable pronouncing the scientific terms.
I just can't help wondering how our current president would sound pronouncing those words...
The issues covered by Gore, and mentioned at GTAC,
will be factors in our slow and steady demise...
unless... some very important solutions are entered into law....
...Science RULES...established LAWS of SCIENCE (e.g. what happens when you let go of an apple?)
are NOT up for discussion......the "laws" created by "lawmakers"........are.
If you want to have some fun...try to talk science to an attorney.
Steven Spielberg's "War of the World's" (2005) (Viewed in theatre, then purchased) -
As much fun as I've ever had in a movie theatre.
A few loopholes in the underlying science:
The machines emerged from the ground....they would be much too easy to detect.
Possibly the invaders should have arrived from the depths of space, rather than beneath us.
The film was great fun. Spielberg's film making is the best.
The Tom Cruise / Dakota Fanning interaction is a joy to watch.
Trivia Note: Many people I talk to here in Colorado say
they haven't seen recent movies starring Tom Cruise
because they just don't like him.....from my viewpoint...Tom is brilliant in front of the camera...
when he's NOT in front of the cam...who cares?...
I think he's talented and a lot of fun ....camera or no camera!
ABC's "The Path to 9-11" (2006) -
Very nicely done...one of the most impressive pieces of work I've ever seen on network television.
Camera work reminded me of Steven Soderbergh's "Traffic".
The Path to 9/11 is a chilling tale with passionate actors...Keitel...all were great.
Sure to come out on DVD...don't miss it....how easily events fade from memory.
How would Gen. George S. Patton Jr. have reacted?
How can a country with such awesome resources be unable to find someone?
Believe me....all is not as it seems.
A sad truth...Unless you see an event with your own eyes,
or document it with your camera...you KNOW nothing of truth / details.
Jean-Jaques Annaud's "The Bear" (1988) (purchased) -
Truly magnificent film making...not to be missed.
An 1885 period film illuminating the delight and wonder of kingdom animalia,
and the terrible ways of humans. The film shows that there is some good in every man.
A film for young and old alike....Breathtaking, heartbreaking, and heartwarming.
Watch for the cub's "bear dreams"...they are great...
there's even a "bear trip" after eating the wrong mushrooms!
Parental Guidance Alert: brief bear sex....Bart the Bear scores!
Quite simply... the best film involving animals ever made.
.....do yourself a favor....SEE THIS!
Luc Jacquet's "March of the Penguins" (2005) (purchased) -
It's penguin love.....a remarkable true life adventure filmed in the most severe environment on Earth.
Morgan Freeman's narrative is perfect...see this with someone you want to snuggle with....
......it's a forbidding place. The seasons pass....the lack of sun intensity,
and angle of the sun creates a lighting effect that makes you feel cold.... like you're there.
Parental Guidance Alert: brief penguin sex......the courtship is truly sensual....
During the storms, you'll wonder if all these guys are nuts for picking this place as a home!
Nicole Holofcener's "Friends With Money" (2006) (rented) -
Jennifer Aniston, irregardless of all the horsepoOp you hear
about her private life, is truly a great actress.
Working as a maid, her experiences with her affluent friends, and her trials and tribulations
searching for a man is the subject matter here. I don't actually like the term "chick flicks",
but of course, this would qualify as a great one.
Great "only in Hollywood" uplifting / surprise ending...see it.
Jim Jarmusch's "Broken Flowers" (2005) (rented) -
If you like Bill Murray and his sullen but hilarious style, you'll enjoy this one.
Don Johnston, after receiving an anonymous letter stating he had a son 20 yrs ago,
departs on a journey. Encouraged by his sleuthing Jamaican next door neighbor,
Don visits his old girl friends (one of which you'll recognize as Sharon Stone)
in a solemn search for his offspring.
Looking for clues to his son's existence, he encounters a variety of personalities in these old flames.
I always enjoy Murray....but this type of humor (such as in Life Aquatic), is not for everyone.
I personally think it's fun. The ending is empty...it's left up to you.
Every clapboard clap in principal photography
is in the special features section on the DVD....very creative.
Two movies in this review...well...it's more of a recommendation than a review...
Jerry Bruckheimer's Armageddon (1998)
and Mimi Leder's Deep Impact (1998) (both purchased) -
Please note: I did not care for the opening narrative in Armageddon.
I also did not think some of it was scientifically correct.....
These 2 "extinction movies", as I call them, merit mentioning here
due to the geological / astronomical element....in MY cinema realm...science rules.
I recommend Armageddon for the spectacle, action, and fun...
and Deep Impact for the human element of an impending impact.
Most impact craters on Earth are highly eroded...but they show from orbit.
You don't think impacts from space actually take place?
Have a look at the surface of the moon....those aren't acne blemishes on the surface.
Also....in case you were wondering why there aren't any dinosaurs,
mastodons, or saber toothed cats roaming around in the woods...or...
...why there were ice ages......
Visit NASA's NEO WebSite. Here's some recent press from the UK on NEO's.
Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean, and the Jim Henson Company's "MirrorMask" (2005) (purchased) -
The IMDB.com tagline is: "An extraordinary dream quest to rescue a world out of balance."
If abstract thought is difficult, you may have trouble with this one.
This is cutting edge art for the cinema realm.
Young Helena's dream on the evening of her mother's hospitalization is the story.
It's a delightful fantasy tale that is off the scale artsy and fun.
.....An amazing blend of CG and live action...
You have to listen closely...it's intelligent, it's bizarre, it's a little spooky....it's brilliant.
Some of it doesn't make any sense...
...but there's wisdom here and there if you watch / listen closely!
Watch for Helena's transformation to the tune of "Close to You"......
Mandatory viewing for art students...the Henson Company scores again
for raising the bar in the cinema arts! It really is a feast for the eyes.
This is a branch at the very top of the muppet evolutionary tree.
Mike Figgis' "Timecode" - (2000) (rented) -
A typical scandalous / Hollywood type entanglement tale done by a true innovator
in film making, Mike Figgis. It's how it's presented that warrents a review on this page.
The screen is divided into 4 sections......4 cameras begin recording...no edits....no written script.
It's quite exhausting to follow...you'll find a good musical score...
matched to a constantly changing play of images in each window.
I found it very interesting...I personally didn't care that much for the story....
but I bet you'll be intriqued and amazed by the presentation!
Salma Hayek is always gorgeous!
A film school must see.
Steven Spielberg's "Artificial Intelligence" - (2001) (purchased) -
The greatest depiction of a child's love for his mother ever in film.
A stunning piece of work...always an event to watch.
The ending, to this day, makes me tearful, and gives me that special tingly feeling
as only a great ending can...
A journey and story as only Mr. Spielberg can create.
Spanning 2000 years, the sets and characters are amazing.
Some of it you will like...some you may not...this, as is true of many films, is not for everyone.
Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law were absolutely perfect in their roles as robots.
It is a sad tale, so be ready for it....it is not to be missed.
Philip Kaufman's "The Right Stuff" - (1983) (purchased) -
This is at the top of my "pre-space" genre of films....truly an epic all time favorite
based on Tom Wolfe's book...it's the story of the original 7 Mercury astronauts: Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., John H. Glenn, Jr., Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom,
Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Alan B. Shepard, Jr., and Donald K. "Deke" Slayton.
Truly a great story and NOT to be missed.
In the film, look for the real Chuck Yeager (first pilot to break the sound barrier)
in the pilot's hangout at Edwards Air Force Base.
As a child in Tidewater Virginia, I remember hearing
my first sonic boom when a plane broke the sound barrier.
Each of the astronaut actors in this film really do look like their counterpart in the original seven!
After all these years, the ending still elicits that special tingly sensation.
Trivia Note: The city of Virginia Beach, Va. tore down the Alan B. Shepard Convention center,
a beautiful geodesic dome structure, and put up a parking lot.
It was built in his honor, but demolished in 1994.
What bunch of idiots in the city legislature would authorize something like that?
I saw Jimi Hendrix play twice at the "Dome".
Shepard lived in Va.Beach while on assignment with Fighter Squadron 42 at Norfolk, Virginia.
Joe Johnston's "October Sky" - (1999) (purchased) -
A true story: When the Soviets launched Sputnik on Oct. 4th, 1957,
the impact on 4 high school students in a small coal mining community
in West Virginia is depicted in this great film.
It's such an inspirational story....great acting by Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern.
It rates along with "The Right Stuff" as a favorite in my genre of "pre-space" films.
See the bonus features on the DVD to see / listen
to the real Homer Hickam talk of his experiences.
He went on to become an engineer at NASA.
The movie has great oldies music of the times.....don't miss it!...
Trivia Note: As a 9 year old sitting in the car with my Mom,
I remember hearing the radio broadcast of the Sputnik event.
Steven Spielberg trusted Joe Johnston with Jurassic Park 3
...so you KNOW Johnston is a great director!
I see that Joe is also doing "Jurassic Park IV",
scheduled for release in 2008...in pre-production now.
Robert Zemeckis' "Contact" - (1997) (purchased) -
Written by Dr. Carl Sagan.....one of the most moving films I've ever seen.
A civilization in the vicinity of the star Vega sends us instructions on how to build a machine
to transport a single human occupant to the Vega system.
Listen to Jodie Foster's character in her interactions
with Matthew McConaughey's character.
A duel between science and religion ensues
as the screening panel tries to find the best representative of humanity.
....is 95% of Earth, in fact, delusional?
The film is a marvelous piece of work...it is so much fun!
I, like many sci-fi lovers, wanted to see the ETs during the climax...
The representation of the ETs came in the form of Ellie's father...to make it easier for her.
....that was the only disappointing element in the film...
It is stunning, exciting, and beautifully acted.
I watch this film more frequently than any I own. Read the SETI take on this film.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet's "Amelie" - (2001) (purchased) -
Most people respond negatively when I tell them a film is subtitled...but then again....I'm in Colorado.
Jeunet supersaturated the colors in selected scenes in this masterpiece...
you'll see a deep saturated green all through the film,
along with the rest of the colors that appealed to the film maker....soooo...it's very colorful!
It is one of the most delightful tales I've ever seen on film!
Young Amelie is so cute and amusing.....grown Amelie is gorgeous...
...of course...it's Audrey Tautou!....
You'll see her with Tom Hanks in Ron Howard's "The DaVinci Code" (2006).
Amelie is filled with French humor and wit....the subtitles go fast at times....
so you may have to pause the DVD to read them...it is verrrry funny....
This story is weird and wonderful.
Amelie finds a tin box hidden in her bathroom wall
filled with a past resident's childhood treasures, and she searches for the owner....
She tries her hand at matchmaking, revenge / trickery...
...she falls in love with an odd, fun character who works both at a porn shop,
and a spooky amusement park ride.
See this with one you love... or at least like...
Bienvenue au Paris....Do not miss it!
Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" - (2004) (purchased) -
Important viewing...it will make you angry...it will make you laugh
...you may think much of it is horsepoOp....
You may think it is all true, and stand in disbelief that g.W.busH is actually in office...
I'm merely presenting the film and recommending you see it....
again...this is yet another "exercise" in cinema viewing....see this film!
The camera doesn't lie....know this:
It may be one of the most important films ever made....you decide...
I loved it...it won "Best Picture / 2004" at the Cannes Film Festival...
what does that say about the global film industry's opinion of g.W.bUsh?
.........by the way....watch for Michael's upcoming "Sicko" - (2006)...
....he takes on a topic I can personally relate to....health care.
Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott's "The Corporation" - (2003) (rented, purchased) -
A group of Canadian scholars take a look at the history of the corporation in America.
Do not miss it....one of the most important films ever made....
media manipulation...the effects of marketing by the big corps, greed...
again.....this one is not to be missed!...it will elicit many emotions....
It's quite complex....and very entertaining......look for comments by Michael Moore,
and many high profile corporate individuals.
It's a bit scary here and there...and rightly so....
Great editing...great job.... on a most important documentary.
Rob Marshall's "Memoirs of a Geisha" - (2005) (purchased) -
Based on the book by Arthur Golden.
"A story like mine should never be told..." ...as the narration begins....
wonderful color....sets....wardrobe...the kimonos, the geisha.... are things to behold...
though not perfectly historically correct...they are interpretations of 1930's Geisha regalia...
...as is true of the hair styles.
Young Chiyo (later named Sayuri) and her sister are sold
to an okiya (Geisha house) out of financial necessity.
It's a demure love story.
Sayuri is portrayed by the impeccable Ziyi Zhang.....
and Gong Li is the rebellious / jealous geisha in the okiya.
Gong Li is the most decadent and forbiddingly beautiful female I believe I've ever seen....
I actually don't think she's acting...I think a part of her is really like that!...
....though I know in real life she's jealous of no one.
If you want to see what a heartbreaker she is,
see her with Jeremy Irons in Wayne Wang's "Chinese Box" (1997).
Michelle Yeoh is Sayuri's teacher....sigh...gorgeous....
This is a tale of the hardships that must be endured
in the life of a Geisha (the Japanese word for artist).
See this film with one you love...you must be in the correct mood for this one.
John Williams' score is haunting....you KNOW it's beautiful...
You can't go wrong with Itzhak Perlman and Yo Yo Ma in the orchestra!
The film made me want to live in the mysterious "floating world" of the Geisha.
Kevin Costner's "Dances With Wolves" - (1990) (purchased) -
This is a Costner depiction of the displacement of the Native Americans
in the American frontier at the time of the Civil War.
Were the American military forces really the pigs shown in this film?....no comment...
This is an endearing portrait of the Sioux in the old west...
In addition to the American army threat, the Pawnee conflict with the Sioux
over hunting grounds is cause for tribal warfare.
Costner's character takes a post at a remote location on the prairie in Sioux territory.
The most entertaining portions are certainly the Sioux interactions
with each other and with Costner's character.
Mary McDonnell is beautiful as an orphaned American child
raised by the tribe's holy man.
"Dances" develops into a truly romantic tale....
One of my favorite characters was "Two Socks", the wolf.
You'll see a number of Indians that look "Caucasian"....
Native American extras are scarce......Our military killed most of their ancestors.
Brett Ratner's "The Family Man" - (2000) (purchased) -
Perfectly acted by Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, and Don Cheadle....
My favorite depiction of family life in America!
It's a fantasy tale....a "glimpse" into a life that could have been for a successful Wall Street broker.
Much of it takes place during Christmas...it's a view of life in two different worlds.
Please do yourself a favor....DO NOT miss this delightful film.....
You are left to create your own moral....
"I choose us......" will have meaning for you after seeing this wonderful story!
This is high priority viewing, folks!
Simon Wells' "The Time Machine" - (2002) (purchased) -
The director is the great grandson of H.G. Wells....a nicely acted re-make of the 1960 original.
This one definitely passes as viewable and fun.
Some of you may say it's not as good / detailed as the original...but not bad.
In some ways...this one is better than the original....see whatya think!
...it's worth a look...pretty sets and very nice time travel effects.
Great job by Guy Pearce as Alexander Hartdegen.
Robert Altman and Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" - (2006) (rented) -
Garrison Keillor: "We come from people who brought us up to believe that life is a struggle,
and if you should feel really happy, be patient: this will pass."
Altman's last film before his death in Novembr of 2006....
Do yourself a favor and see this director's last work.
You'll remember Altman's work as director of "M.A.S.H." (1970).
In Home Companion, Altman keeps true to his style of having 3 cameras rolling
to catch ALL candid remarks from his actors.
His focus are these candid remarks...he is a master at weaving a wonderful tale out of this.
There will always be several people talking at the same time,
and you will hear everything everyone says!
I have been a Home Companion fan for many years,
so if you do not like PHC humor, you shouldn't bother.
I personally think it is a rollicking good time!
It is a remarkable tribute to the humor, the music, and the personalities of the radio show.
DO NOT miss it!........
Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Kline, Garrison Keillor (as himself),
Virginia Madsen.....Lindsay Lohan....all so very talented and most excellent!
Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly are such great fun.
The special features are mandatory viewing:
Listen to Altman and the actors talk of their experiences with each other.
The musicians are amazing...the film, AND the special features, are a delight.....
Trivia Note: Read Garrison Keillor's cat quote on the m51.com "Pets" page.
Michael Mann's "The Insider" - (1999) (rented) -
The true story of when big tobacco was exposed
as an addictive substance that is detrimental to health.
......NOT to be missed!
This is such an important story.....a most excellent film.
Great camera work....masterfully acted by Russell Crowe (as Dr. Jeffrey Wigand)
and Al Pacino (as "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman).
High tension...threat....drama...corruption....welcome to the world of big corporations.
Nominated for 7 Oscars....also: the music is extremely cool! Lisa Gerrard's group at that time was named "Dead Can Dance".
I have the soundtrack and listen to it often....haunting, GREAT music!
Trivia Note: This film is especially entertaining to me,
because I found the smell of tobacco repulsive at age 5.
Henry Levin and Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" - (1959) (Viewed in theatre, then purchased) -
A wonderful period science fiction tale beginning at Edinburgh University in 1880.
James Mason, Pat Boone (in his hayday), Arlene Dahl (she's so beautiful!) star in this great oldie.
An expedition into the interior of Earth is depicted.
The journey begins through an opening in an Icelandic volcano.
The descent is filled with a spectacular series of subterranean sets.
Parts of the film were shot in Carlsbad Caverns.
Though the term is overused...the effects were "state of the art" for the time.
You'll be amazed at the dinosaurs...they are iguanas, with make up!
Perfect job...they truly look like Dimetrodons! Don't miss it!!!
If the camera work and effects were more polished, they would rival today's computer generated dinos!
You will be surprised by this movie....it always brings a smile to my face.
You'll hear Pat Boone sing Robert Burns' "My love is like a Red, Red, Rose" to Diane Baker...it is so very romantic.
Boone was the teen heart throb of the day....remember hearing "Loveletters in the Sand" on the radio?...
Trivia note: When I saw this one in the movie theatre at age 11, I cracked a tooth on a piece of popcorn.
Then...30 years later when VHS was the standard, I rented it and cracked another tooth eating popcorn at home!
David Frankel's "The Devil Wears Prada" - (2006) (rented...purchased) -
ok....OK....so I loved this movie.....based on Lauren Weisberger's novel.
The formidable Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) is unforgiving as editor
of a very high profile New York based fashion mag.
Anne Hathaway's character (Andy Sachs) takes a job as Miranda's "fashion handicapped" assistant.
Streep's character and the office staff are ruthless in their comments and sarcasm.
Watch for cameos of Valentino and his entourage.....this is great fun...
....a story with an inherent humor not everyone will appreciate.
Stanley Tucci is wonderful (true of any role he plays) as the artistic director for the publication.
I truly think Anne Hathaway is one of the world's most beautiful grrrls.
Watch her sudden, neccessary transition into her position as Miranda's assistant.
You have to live it, to do it...and the stresses of this type of job take a toll on Andy's relationship.
It's female clothing at the highest level, and I love this stuff.....don't miss it!
You KNOW the clothes are off the scale gorgeous.....and Anne Hathaway is breathtaking in them.
If matters of vanity bother you....go elsewhere for your entertainment,
for this story takes place in one of the world's epicenters of business and vanity....
....and there's a segment in Paris, of course, for the Valentino event.
I thought the ending was a bit unrealistic...
In real life, would someone really abandon a job like that, as Andy did?
I also think her boyfriend would have been totally supportive,
rather than how he behaved in this story.
I think the story needed the complication of the boyfriend's discontent.
The movie is respectful to this awesome industry...
The clothes filter down through the big department stores and eventually into the "outlet malls"...
...so it actually touches more people than you think.
Don't miss the special features on the DVD.....
ps...Click this text to see the current Prada presentation...
Don't miss the slideshow of Nathalie Djurberg's art and the Trembled Blossoms animation.
It's quite bizarre with many messages!
The female stuff is gorgeous...the "male" line, as always, is truly weird...
I do like the men's "crocodile driver" shoes....$1450.00...hmmmm...I'll have to wait on that one...
Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, and Michael Arndt's "Little Miss Sunshine" - (2006) (rented) -
How do I begin with this one....first....parental guidance alert for adult language and drug references....
This is probably my favorite depiction of a child beauty pageant...a weird series of events and emotions throughout!
Abigail Breslin is perfect and truly charming as Olive. She qualifies for the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant.
Soooo.... the family takes off in a VW bus to Redondo Beach, California
for the beauty pageant...Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette (as husband and wife),
Alan Arkin, Paul Dano and Steve Carell play the other family members....
Carell is always a riot...he plays the suicidal, gay brother of Toni Collett's character...
so.....this will give you a idea of what kind of story this is.....
Abigail Breslin's character is perfect, so to speak, in her performance in the pageant.
You'll actually feel the embarrassment for her...at first, that is......
Then a great surprise finale, and an important moral about competition and family values....
Personally, I find makeup, clothing, and beauty pageants for girls this age out of line.
It's weird! SEE IT!...again, as I sometimes say....this sort of humor is not for everyone.
I enjoyed the alternate endings in the special features!
Trivia note: Long ago, I had a VW bus and the horn actually did malfunction
and constantly beep, exactly as in this movie!
Brooks Arthur, Allen Covert, Seth Kearsley and Adam Sandler's "Eight Crazy Nights" - (2002) (given to me as a gift) -
yUp....it's a crude, sometimes inappropriate, animated Chanukah tale ...
...done as only Adam Sandler and company can.
I wouldn't label this as family entertainment, but the characters are so weird and wonderful....
and some of this is a bit.....well...gross / anti-social....but not without purpose.
Adam's character (Davey) looks like Sandler... a deliquent who learns a lesson in humility and kindness......
I especially loved Eleanore and Whitey......
Every word out of Eleanore's mouth was totally funny......I guess that's just my taste in humor...
She's truly the funniest cartoon character I've ever seen!
Sandler did the voices for: Eleanore, Whitey, the herd of deer (do deer travel in herds?), and Davey.
The deer are truly weird and make very funny sounds....
Other voices you'll hear are those of Rob Schneider, Norm Crosby, Jon Lovitz, Tyra Banks....
This story is so weird... and has such a great moral....don't miss it!
Of course....Adam's Chanukah Song 3 tops it all off in the special features.
It is a ritual with me to start the holiday each year with The Chanukah Song....
with the Dreidells as the background chorus (extremely cute!)...what a delight... Right Click this text and choose "Save Target As..." to download The Chanukah Song Part 3 (audio only)!
It's a seriously funny / entertaining music video!
Joel Schumacher's "Falling Down" - (1993) (purchased) -
Great moral...Great movie! William Foster (Michael Douglas) is a disgruntled ex-defense company worker.
The story begins in a traffic jam in southern California....
The "pressure cooker" in Foster's mind explodes,
and Douglas' character abandons his car in the traffic jam....
His journey on foot, throughout gangland and affluent southern California, begins....
This is all filmed in the vicinity of Venice Beach....What a fun ride...a roller coaster of emotions!
This is one villain you may identify with....the villain is the hero....depending on your point of view.
All the injustice....all the evil in society ....is William Foster's vigilante pursuit...
One issue with society after another is encountered.....a chain of events you must see to believe!
Again...as I say with many films...Do yourself a favor and see this...
Douglas' acting, as always, is wonderful...and great fun to watch, especially in this role.
Robert Duvall plays the detective in pursuit....Duvall is excellent in ANYTHING he plays!
Barbara Hershey portrays Foster's ex-wife who lives in constant fear of her "unstable" ex-husband.
Adult language alert....at first viewing, you'll want to keep the kids away....however...it is important enough
for them to see when you think they are old enough!!!!
Ridley Scott's "White Squall" - (1996) (purchased) -
The true story of Captain Christopher Sheldon and his wife on the last voyage on the sailing vessel Albatross.
It's a period film beginning in 1960....
a year long nautical / academic / adventure experience for wayward high school students.
One of the greatest coming of age stories ever told...spectacular...moving...powerful....and NOT to be missed!
The teenage crew with their varied personalities learn of honor,
responsibility, and compassion on the high seas.
Open ocean footage shot off the coast of South Africa is awesome and dizzying.
A "white squall" is encountered at the climax of this wonderful story.
It's a storm condition so fierce, it is spoken of as legend.
The Albatross capsizes, and six crew members are lost...including the wife of the skipper.
The court proceedings at the end of the film involve accusations
of negligence and incompetence on the behalf of the skipper.
The sailing experience was a life changing experience for the surviving crew members,
...you'll have to see it for yourself to see how the court proceedings end.
See it with or without your teenage offspring...no matter WHAT mood they're in....this one is riveting!
It may be better if teens view it privately because of certain scenes.....just get 'em to SEE IT!
Trivia note: In the screenplay, Alan Shepard's Mercury capsule passes overhead in the night sky...
but actually, it was a daytime suborbital flight that lasted 15 minutes.
Gabriele Muccino's "The Pursuit of Happyness" - (2006) (rented) -
The true story of Chris Gardner (portrayed by Will Smith) and his family (portrayed by the real life Smith family).
Gardner's struggle to take care of his family in San Francisco is truly inspiring...
...a profound tearJerker.....so be ready for this.
With this film, Will Smith has established himself as masterful an actor as anyone in the business.
The hardships compound, and you'll think nothing any worse can happen to this family.
Will Smith's character shows the constant attention to his son as only a loving father can...
.....hold on...it's gonna pull at your heartstrings!
This movie is a great example of the force of the human will...so perfectly acted by all.
Chris Gardner applies for an internship at Dean Witter Stock Brokerage
soon after crossing paths with a stock broker parking a Ferrari.
Gardner is eventually abandoned by his wife.
I'll say no more about the story...SEE IT!
Will, Jada, and son Jaden (Will and Jaden were presenters at the last Oscar ceremony)
get my most sincere compliments for their work in this film.
Having a tough time with your finances?...see this for inspiration.
It's a true life adventure with a message for all of us.
Don't miss the DVD special features: Listen to the real Chris Gardner talk of his life,
and his experience with Will Smith.
Gurinder Chadha's "Bride & Prejudice" - (2004) (rented, then purchased) -
I'd venture to say, this is the most successful, grandest Bollywood film ever made.
Aishwarya Rai (as Lalita Bakshi) is spellbinding....Martin Henderson (as William Darcy) is "searingly handsome"
as described by the director, Gurinda Chadha....he'd have to be....to play opposite Aish!
You'll see her photo above in the title graphic on this page...just under Mr. Spielberg.
Aish gets my vote as the world's most beautiful woman.
All I can do is blabber about her....so I'll get on with the story description....
If you haven't seen a Bollywood work yet...I'd recommend this one for starters...
a great love story spanning India, London, and Los Angeles.
Every five minutes or so...they'll break out into a musical number....Welcome to Bollywood!
The music is wonderful.....very romantic and sexy...as Indian music can be.
This film is such a pleasurable experience.....Henderson's character is a wealthy American
checking out India as a location for one of his company's hotels....
...of course.....he is smitten by Aish...as any human (or extraterrestrial) male would be.
Family politics, misunderstandings, and a villian add just the right elements
to make the romantic climax even more delightful to watch!
The film is filled with Indian culture, many grand dance numbers...
there is no such thing as a Bollywood actor/actress who can't sing and dance!
The clothes are gorgeous...blazing colors throughout the entire production.
The Bakshi family is delightful....Lalita has 3 other beautiful sisters.....all available for marriage.
One of my favorite songs is "No Life...Without Wife"...where Lalita's sisters taunt here about a prospective husband
(Nitin Ganatra as Mr. Kohli - very funny)...Every piece of music in the film is great!!!
What a great musical...wanna get cheered up?....this is priority viewing!!!!!...and one of the very few musicals I own.
The screen chemistry between Lalita and Darcy really made me feel the drama and intensity
of the developing relationship...............ok...OK...I'll stop...I loved this movie!
John Stockwell's "Blue Crush" - (2002) (rented, then purchased) -
A Hollywood grrrrl surfing movie.....It's the adventures of a group of surfer girl friends
living and working on the North Shore.....This one passes as not too goofy and fun to watch.
Our star...Kate Bosworth's character, Anne Marie, is in training for the Pipeline Masters surfing contest
which, by the way, is NOT on the A.S.P. women's tour.
The ASP women's tour does compete at Sunset Beach, though. Click this text to read the profiles of the women who compete at this level.
In addition to Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez as Eden, Sanoe Lake as Lena, and Mika Boorem as Penny
(Anne Marie's teen sister) make up this entertaining bunch.
Anne Marie falls for a football star on vacation in Hawaii...it's a nice teen/20something love story.
Anyone who rides waves will probably give it an "OK and Fun" rating.
In closeups during the surfing, the face of Kate Bosworth was superimposed
on ASP pro Rochelle Ballard's body...so it looks like Bosworth is surfing.
It's the same technique used with talking animals you see in films.
From time to time, you'll feel the power of the North Shore...it is not possible to photograph this place
without getting awesome footage of the waves and surfers.
This is light fare, mildly adult in nature here and there.....
Look for a cameo of former world champion Tom Carroll just after he really got injured (facial cut) at Pipeline!
The actors got spooked about paddling out after seeing Carroll's injury...see DVD features.
This film gets an overall "Fun / See It" rating....cool music, also.
My old friend at Sunset Beach said Kam highway traffic was hung up for a month during principle photography.
Hey Grrrls...check out the extra features on the DVD....a look at Billabong's clothing line.
Jamie Uys' "The Gods Must Be Crazy" - (1980) (rented, purchased) -
Truly one of the most delightful film experiences!
A Coca-Cola bottle is thrown from an airplane...and N!xau, a Kalahari bushman (a REAL one!), finds it.
The events that unfold after that make for EPIC comedy fUn!
The story is narrated by a distinguished sounding Paddy O'Byrne.
Uys (the director) will speed up the film from time to time for comic impact.
You'll notice that when ever someone lights a campfire,
A rhino comes running out of the jungle and stomps it out.........
This is one of many elements in this work that make it an all time favorite for me.
So many little items that make this such a wonderful film experience....
There is a strange blend of buffoonlike villains, lots of gunfire, romance, and Kalahari adventure.
Anything involving animals is totally fUnny...it's throughout the film.
Most of the shots fired hit anything from banana trees to miscellaneous objects other than humans....
What actually gets hit by gunfire in this movie is very funny.
A romance between 2 of the characters is great fun...
...with one of the funniest characters you will ever see in a movie!
Marius Weyers plays enamored Andrew Steyn, and Sandra Prinsloo portrays school teacher Kate Thompson.
Weyers character is truly one of the funniest things I've ever seen on film.
Keep your eye on the children...they are a riot...very cute....
Note: Topless Female Alert...remember the photos in National Geographic when you were in the 4th grade?
Every comic effort in this film is brilliant...do NOT miss it!...the heroes...the villains.....ALL of it is a riot!
Don't miss the sequel...The Gods Must Be Crazy 2 (1989).
N!zau's kids are a bit older in this one....and sooo totally cute and funny.
Both films are family safe, by the way.
Please see the bonus feature about Xixo (N!xau)...it covers his life since the movie.
It is well filmed and quite sad.
Woody Allen's "Mighty Aphrodite" - (1995) (rented, then purchased) -
Though all his work is filled with genius, this is my favorite Woody film.
A singing and dancing Greek Chorus in full regalia opens the film
and advises Lenny (Allen) throughout...very artsy and fun!
Lenny and Amanda (Helena Bonham Carter) decide to have a child,
but she doesn't want to bother with childbirth.
They adopt when the opportunity is presented to them...the child is beautiful and brilliant.
Lenny is so taken by his childs intellect, he must find the biological mother to satisfy his curiosity.
Enter...Linda Ash (Mira Sorvino)....this is absolutely one of the most delightful encounters I've ever seen on film.
Mira is so beautiful, honest, and has a totally X-rated vocabulary.....she's a prostitute... her apartment is
off the scale funny with all sorts of adult art objects on the shelves and walls.....even in the aquarium.
...you have to see this to appreciate it. This is fun film making, folks....but keep the kids away!
The way Sorvino talks...walks...laughs....cries...her clothes...what a great character.
She has sort of a monotone voice....every sound out of her mouth rings with sincerity.
Mira is a true living doll of Hollywood....so very endearing. Endure the early character development in the film...
...because when Linda Ash (Sorvino) enters the story....you won't believe how funny a situation can be!
Mira gets my vote for one of Earth's most gorgeous women...I truly love this actress.
She is living art in motion......won the OSCAR for best supporting actress in this film.
Dont' miss this...but again...it IS adult in nature...so use discretion.
Trivia Note: I did like "What's Up Tiger Lily (1966)"...but I heard it was edited and ruined.
Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" (2006) (rented...I will buy someday)
Review coming soon....
