Following the vein of Alex and Hardyboy, Who Saw Her Die?, a classy Italian exploitation movie from the mid-1970s set in Venice and starring our very own George Lazenby. {[]
This was recommended by a member on this thread a couple of months ago. {[]
First though, the DVD had some wonderful trailers for other movies in the Shameless DVD stable, so OTT and sleazy you'd think they were Tarantino homages. -{
Who Saw Her Die? is very similar to Don't Look Back, it's about a child's death and subsequent bereavement in Venice, but less supernatural. It has a score by Ennio Morricone and the photography is wonderful. Lazenby is tall, gaunt, long-haired and hooknosed with a white polo neck; quite different to his Bond persona but an impressive actor and it's enjoyable to see some of his Bond mannerisms sneak in there; he has a natural authority not in OHMSS. That said, the Italian film has that odd thing again where the dialogue is dubbed over even though the main protagonist seems to be speaking English. Eh?
I'd give it five stars, but one is docked because the resolution seemed a bit of a cop out.
Cheers, Nap, here's the print I have, which is in widescreen. I like your cover art better. The death scene could be disturbing to some so I wouldn't recommended this for every one.
As for Hardy's recommendation of Mabuse, I heartily agree. Also own a three-pack of unofficial 60s Mabuse sequels on dvd. They are very "krimi" which I'm a huge fan of. And Frobe as a family-man good guy!
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,722Chief of Staff
Just to take this completely the other way...
I watched Balls Of Fury tonight...I really needed a laugh...and I watched this assanine, childish and silly film....it's bloomin' great
The remake of the 1951 classic, this time with Jennifer Connelly as Helen and Keanu Reeves as Klaatu. The film also has Kathy Bates as the Secretary of Defense, John Cleese in a good performance as a Nobel winning professor and Jaden Smith as an annoying step son.
Alex and Tony can be relieved that this movie is not as good as the original, but I still enjoyed it. The start is very good as it sets up the circumstances and develops some appropriate excitement, but it fails to carry that excitement through the movie. I thought Connelly and Reeves were good. Reeves performance in this movie has been panned, but I thought his stoic persona through the movie was appropriate. In several scenes he appears to be observing human behavior and taking it in, which you cann see just through his expressions. I thought Connelly was perfect as Helen, but I admit to being blinded by her beauty. The film does not have as much action as the trailers would lead you to believe and what action there is, is spoiled by cartoon military characters.
One of the big distractions to the main story is Jaden Smith as Connelly's step son. As soon as you see them together you wonder why is a black kid with a white mother. The reason does not add anything to the story (he is her step son, from a previous marriage that ended when the father was killed in Iraq), and Jaden's character adds nothing. Other than giving Will Smith's kid a job I don't understand the casting. In the original 1951 film, Helen's kid and Klaatu spend a day together and Klaatu learns more about humans. We don't get that here, we get Smith whining about his deceased dad and saying how if his dad was alive he would kill the alien.
The second act never builds any momentum from the opening segment, as it seems to bounce around from location to location for no apparent reason and the final act seems anti-climatic.
I enjoyed the film, as did my wife, but I think if they would have made a more linear story and cut back on the anguished kid, it would have been better.
Mongol. Who'd-a thunk the fiersome Genghis Khan was an old softie who always carried a torch for the gal he fell in love with when he was nine and who was dedicated to democracy and social justice? Anyway, not a great film--there are a lot of leaps in time and logic--but an entertaining one, with some Kill Bill-like battles and absolutely incredible photography. Steppes and yurts never looked so good!
And, Barry, your review of the new Day the Earth Stood Still is causing me to have flashbacks to Spielberg's version of War of the Worlds. Ohhhh, the annoying kid factor! I swear that movie convinced me that the sole purpose of the horrific alien invasion was to teach Tom Cruise to be a better father!
Nice review, Barry, thanks for sharing. I take it you didn't like the kid?
What were your thoughts on Gort? I hear he can -- wait for it, transform into a swarm of insect drones that destroy everything on sight. Uh, okay!
Gort starts out pretty menacing, but you are correct, after they capture him and take him to a lab for "research" he turns into a swarm of insects and destroys everything in his path. I didn't care for that either.
As with most movies, as I let this film roll round in my head, how I feel about it changes. The film did entertain me at some level, but it is full of plot holes and contrivances, which weaken the story.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
edited December 2008
"Flash Gordon"
Another 'first-timer' for Loeff Jr and Loeff III; I hadn't seen this one since its initial theatrical run in 1980.
Really a mixed bag for me. I'm a huge fan of the original Buster Crabbe serials, and the homage to those films is dutifully paid by Lorenzo Semple Jr's cheekily camp script, the production design and Dino de Laurentiis' famously obtuse and indifferent approach to the material---but, 28+ years after my first viewing, I remain somewhat detached.
The kids had a great deal of fun with it. Loeff Jr accurately predicted, ten minutes before it happened, that Ming would be impaled by the spire on the nose of the rocket ship ) Timothy Dalton's earnest delivery gives his performance a gravitas that greatly outweighs the production as a whole. Topol and the great Max Von Sydow are clearly having a good time. Melody Anderson's Dale Arden was certainly watchable.
Perhaps this film was done the only way it could have been done. I know it was a much bigger hit in the U.K. than in the U.S., where its appeal seems limited to a devoted cult of afficionados. Watching the extras, I confess that I was partially won over by a spirited defence/worshipful testimonial from Alex Ross, comic artist extraordinaire, whose love of the film echoes my own unwavering affection for certain other fictional heroes
My sons also enjoyed the first chapter of the first Buster Crabbe Flash Gordon serial, which was included on the disc; Santa might have to cough that up on Christmas Day B-)
EDIT: Found a box set of three Buster Crabbe FG serials (40 chapters in all) on Overstock.com for less than $18 B-) Oh yeah...
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Nice review, Barry, thanks for sharing. I take it you didn't like the kid?
What were your thoughts on Gort? I hear he can -- wait for it, transform into a swarm of insect drones that destroy everything on sight. Uh, okay!
Gort starts out pretty menacing, but you are correct, after they capture him and take him to a lab for "research" he turns into a swarm of insects and destroys everything in his path. I didn't care for that either.
As with most movies, as I let this film roll round in my head, how I feel about it changes. The film did entertain me at some level, but it is full of plot holes and contrivances, which weaken the story.
I just read that 20th Century Fox has beamed this movie into outer space, making it the first intergalactically released film. It should reach Alpha Centauri by 2012. You'd think they could have come up with a title that painted us in a better light. Let's hope the natives out there don't take it too seriously.
Glad to hear you were entertained Barry, but be honest with me: would this have even been on your radar if Jennifer Connolly hadn't been in it?
A swarm of insects destroying everything in its path.
I recently took Lady Rose jnr to a pantomine and it was starring Peter Duncan - tree man who messes up his initiation.
I had to fight with every bone in my body to not shout out 'Spare me the madness' )
Last film I saw was 'Elf'. I love this movie. I'm no Will Ferrell fan but he plays Buddy perfectly. This will become a Christmas classic IMO.
Also watched A Muppet Christmas Carol and I'm getting ready for Polar Express. Is it nearly Christmas or something ? )
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,722Chief of Staff
Resident Evil: Extinction - I love a good zombie film...alas, this isn't it !
There are some decent moments...but I've never played the games these films are based on, so I don't know if that goes against me ? At least it isn't a long movie
Nice review, Barry, thanks for sharing. I take it you didn't like the kid?
What were your thoughts on Gort? I hear he can -- wait for it, transform into a swarm of insect drones that destroy everything on sight. Uh, okay!
Gort starts out pretty menacing, but you are correct, after they capture him and take him to a lab for "research" he turns into a swarm of insects and destroys everything in his path. I didn't care for that either.
As with most movies, as I let this film roll round in my head, how I feel about it changes. The film did entertain me at some level, but it is full of plot holes and contrivances, which weaken the story.
I just read that 20th Century Fox has beamed this movie into outer space, making it the first intergalactically released film. It should reach Alpha Centauri by 2012. You'd think they could have come up with a title that painted us in a better light. Let's hope the natives out there don't take it too seriously.
Glad to hear you were entertained Barry, but be honest with me: would this have even been on your radar if Jennifer Connolly hadn't been in it?
A swarm of insects destroying everything in its path.
Truth is, I wanted to see Doubt, which I think looks very good, but it is limited release and no theatre near me was showing it. So I went with The Day the Earth Stood Still. I really did think the trailer looked good and well, ah what the hell, I saw it because Jennifer Connelly was in it.
Thunderbird 2East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,804MI6 Agent
I also saw The Day The Earth Srtood Still. I rate Mr Reeves, Ms Connelly and the great Kathy Bates. All are very good as their characters here.
For a remake, its done very well and the performances are sharp. - Pity CGI was used though, and the way Gort was used later on was a bit disapointing. Certanly, a Sci Fi film to leave the audience thinking. - We have not had one of those for quite a while. - Whats more, it was good! -{
This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
Well I finally saw Visconti's The Leopard. I watched the whole film, which is three hours long by the way, and the bloody leopard never shows up! Or am I missing something? ?:)
Yeah, very good JD! I rented it recently, you saw the subtitled version which is better imo. Italian films, what gives? You have English or American actors dubbed over... ?:)
Lovely scenery in that film. Works better having read the book.
The Verdict
Sidney Lumet courtroom drama with Paul Newman, both recently passed away. It's slow to get going, like its protagonist, a faded lawyer who's turned to drink and badly needs a case.
Newman didn't convince me in the role, he looks too clean living. Sinatra had lobbied for the part, and that would make sense. It needs the kind of bloke who could find the truth - or God - in the bottom of a whisky glass. There's nowt paradoxical about Newman imo; he's either a straight good guy (The Towering Inferno, Cat on Hot Tin Roof - well, straightish ) or a bad guy (Hud). He does hangdog but his skin isn't yellow, sallow or translucent.
It gets going though and James Mason is perfect as the cynical defendant who represents the doctor who left a patient in a coma, brain dead some four years ago.
However, a plot developement
has Charlotte Rampling, Newman's new girlfriend, as a turncoat for the other side, not very plausible seeing as they hardly needed to turn to such dubious means, being monied super sharp lawyers compared to the ragged Newman. It's a corny plot device.
A good rousing climax as all courtroom dramas should have and you're rooting for Newman at the end. Originally he's just too unsympathetic.
I own about thirty-five Hitchcock films over various collections, and recently re-watched a few of them in something of a Hitchcock marathon;
Torn Curtain (1966)
Rather creepily, I was watching this one the night before Paul Newman's death was reported. Alongside Julie Andrews, he plans to publicly defect to East Germany as part of a cloak and dagger mission to find the solution for a formula resin and then figure out a plan to escape back to the West. It's one of Hitchcock's later pictures and is probably mid-range on the entertainment level.
Topaz (1969)
A French agent becomes embroiled in the Cold War and the Cuban missile crisis, before returning to France to tackle Russian spies. There were good moments, and I liked the supporting roles played by John Vernon and our Karin Dor, but a great deal of the time I also wanted to stare at the wall for greater entertainment.
The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Although it appears this is generally regarded as one of the better Hitchcock flicks, it's another during which I found myself bored, and desperately wished the plot would move on quicker, despite a brilliant performance from Edmund Gwenn.
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
This one involves a girl inviting her uncle to stay, only to begin to suspect that he might be a serial killer when he arrives. I enjoyed this one. It was certainly one of Hitch's best, with a nicely paced plot and a little humour sprinkled here and there. Great leading performance from Teresa Wright.
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1955)
You know, I haven't yet seen the original, but this is surely an adequate remake. I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of Doris Day, and find her a little irritating at the best of time, but at the same time she certainly does give a decent performance to match old Jimmy Stewart. It's a curious story that keeps you guessing before the well-directed, tense finale. Good stuff.
Rope (1948)
Hitchcock's first colour-picture, with Jimmy Stewart unwittingly becoming the hero. Two men have murdered a another man in their apartment and try to hide him in a chest while they hold a party. Again, while at moments the pace is a little too slow, and Farley Granger's performance is ridiculous and annoying, the film is excellently shot and there's one extremely tense moment when the house maid nearly discovers the body. The final few seconds of silence in the film are fascinating.
The Birds (1963)
One of his classics, which I never really liked before but have gained an appreciation for now. A good cast, good effects (for the day), and some genuinely creepy moments make this a somewhat odd but superb film. The unexplained ending is just the icing on the cake.
Vertigo (1958)
Well I needn't say a lot about Vertigo. While I'm not exactly a huge fan of the ending, it's one of Hitchcock's masterpieces.
Yeah, very good JD! I rented it recently, you saw the subtitled version which is better imo. Italian films, what gives? You have English or American actors dubbed over... ?:)
They do this a lot. They don't seem to mind casting foriegn actors and dubbing them, unlike the French who would expect you to turn up with perfect francais and to probably bring your own croissants.
Zack and Miri make a Porno
Moderately funny Kevin Smith film, with a trio of brilliant cameos. Firstly Brandon Routh and Justin Long turn up as a gay couple at a High School reunion. Nice to see Routh onscreen, proving he's a very good sport, as Long says some disgustingly funny things in front of him. But best of all is a brief turn from Tyler Labine, (Sock from Reaper), playing a drunken sports fan who stumbles onto the coffee-house set of Zach and Miri's porno and has absolutely no idea what is going on, despite there being two naked people on the counter. This guy is funnier in two minutes than Seth Rogen is in ninety .
Yeah, very good JD! I rented it recently, you saw the subtitled version which is better imo. Italian films, what gives? You have English or American actors dubbed over... ?:)
They do this a lot. They don't seem to mind casting foriegn actors and dubbing them, unlike the French who would expect you to turn up with perfect francais and to probably bring your own croissants.
But how does that work for native Italians? They watch the movie, and the 'foreign' actor is dubbed over in Italian? Or does Lazenby sort of speak pidgeon Italian? ?:)
But how does that work for native Italians? They watch the movie, and the 'foreign' actor is dubbed over in Italian? Or does Lazenby sort of speak pidgeon Italian? ?:)
That's how it works mostly. Using Dellamorte Dellamore as an example, Rupert Everett is dubbed into Italian for the domestic release, while all the Italians speak their language, and for the international release Everett uses his own voice, and everybody else is dubbed into English.
Vince Vaughn plays Fred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother who through a serious of events comes to see the importance of family and saves Christmas.
I wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the film. Vaughn is very good as Fred Claus, as is the rest of the strong cast, Paul Giamatti as Santa, Kathy Bates as Santa's and Fred's mother, Rachel Weisz as Vaughn's girlfriend and Kevin Spacey as an efficiency expert out to shut down Santa.
The film is quite funny and has some clever sight gags, which I always enjoy. Highly recommend for some good family entertainment during the holidays.
Having enjoyed Dirty Rotten Scoundrals the 1980s comedy with Michael Caine and Steve Martin, i was intrigued to learn it was a remake of a 1964 film, Bedtime Story. The story is mostly the same: an elegant English conman on the Riviera is annoyed to find his pitch invaded by an uncouth American huckster. They briefly become partners, then rivals.
In the original, the leads are taken by David Niven and Marlon Brando, of all people. But it's a comedy masterclass - in how not to do comedy. Just about every scene in the remake milks the full comic potential far better.
In DRS, there's a scene where Freddie the Yank conman is thrown into a French jail. Steve Martin has a loud check shirt, a big white Panama hat and big shades, he's the epitome of the loud American abroad and out of his depth as, leaning against the bars,he goes all self-pitying and pleading to the unimpressed French inspector. Watching the original we find that Martin filched the entire performance from Brando, with one crucial difference - Martin is funny. Brando - he just aint funny...
At one point, Freddie is asked if he has a reliable local character witness. Martin goes through a minute of exasperated tip-of-his-tongue recall until he gets it at last. Brando just gives him the name. Brando seems to be enjoying himself, but Martin has the comic's gleeful sadism/masochism towards his character's plight.
Later you may recall Caine is required to impersonate a German psychotherapist. He has a cold sadistic tone that goes well against Martin's incredulity. Niven, who plays the same role, is called upon to impersonate a Swiss doctor. And just plays him as Niven, with the same voice and everything. Critics say Caine is always the same, but Niven though urbane really is shown to be a one-note actor in this.
The comic scenes are generally leaden, though again Martin borrowed 'Rupret's hulking suspicious demeanor from Brando, except he's funny and Brando has no funny bones at all. Worst of all, the film ditches the surprise twist of DRS, ending with
Freddie deciding not to seduce the innocent soap queeen because he's fallen in love with her! (This occurs off screen to boot!) So she's not the Jackal, the swindler doing the rounds... what a cop out)
They could have cast it with Jerry Lewis as Freddie and maybe Dean Martin as the smooth one, or even as a Hope and Crosby vehicle. Apparently it was lined up as a Cary Grant Rock Hudson vehicle early on. But bland Niven and unfunny Brando sink it.
"This is where we leave you Mr Bond."
Roger Moore 1927-2017
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
"The Tale of Despereax"
Excellent family film, with enough star voice talent to fill a night sky: Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Christopher Lloyd. Tracey Ullman...a lot of others I can't remember at the moment ;% ...and Sigourney Weaver's excellent reading as the Narrator.
Loeff III had read the book, so he had an advantage over Jr and myself...but I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Highly recommended for all but very small children, who might be frightened by some scary images.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
From the first scene of Yes Man, it’s painfully obvious that the film is nothing more than a vessel for Jim Carrey’s off-the-wall comedy. The film is also nowhere near the same league of the superb 2008 comedies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Role Models.
But for any fan of Carrey, or anyone looking for some solid laughs in the midst of Hollywood’s most serious season for movies, Yes Man is definitely worth seeing.
Pretty much everything NP said a few pages ago. The food-related dialogue between the Stath and the MWA is truly bizarre and masks the real love story in the film, between the veteran French cop and Statham's mercenary.
Not a movie as such, but BBC's Christmas entertainment with Rupert Penry-Jones of Spooks fame.
Well, it touched the right bases and looked the part. Rupes is a traditionally handsome hero. But that's it. For all the tension generated, it might have been directed by the crowd who do Heartbeat. Perhaps they could have had jaunty 1914 hits of the day: "What a lovely bunch of cockernee jellied eels" as Hannay makes his escape.
Buchan's work doesn't take kindly to softening. Much of it recalled Hitchcock's version, only stripped of atmosphere or tension or integrity. Some very silly stuff going on, this was probably as bad as the Kenneth More version. Feminine presence obliged by an annoying suffragette who decides to tag along with Hannay. I gave up after 20 minutes. Oh, and Hannay knows
the gang in Scotland is a spy ring, unlike in Hitchcock's version, but still makes his way there to expose them and thereby save himself from the police. Yeah, right
.
And Rupes will have done his Bond ambition no good at all with this. He seemed to lack charisma or range.
Not a movie as such, but BBC's Christmas entertainment with Rupert Penry-Jones of Spooks fame.
Well, it touched the right bases and looked the part. Rupes is a traditionally handsome hero. But that's it. For all the tension generated, it might have been directed by the crowd who do Heartbeat
Bloody awful wasn't it? Worst moment for me was Penry-Jones bellowing "In the name of King George" at two soldiers who were in his way.
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Okay romantic comedy with Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst. It's based on a book by Toby Young recounting his failure at Vanity Fair. Apparently the book is much nastier and Young is brutally honest about his own behaviour. That might have made a more interesting film than the standard rom-com they've made here.
A bit like the King Kong remake, this got great reviews from the critics but didn't do great box office.
Brandon Routh didn't bring much to the table when he wasn't impersonating Reeve. Not bad, but kudos to Babs Broccoli for getting in Daniel Craig rather than some Connery lookalike.
Superman should be all about hope and triumph but this was a bit like Connery's Robin and Marion in which a hero belatedly returns after a period of absence to find things have changed. It's all a bit melancholic not to meniton odd when you see Supes and Lois are younger than ever - a bit like OHMSS where Bond is ready to settle down despite never being younger in his Lazenby incarnation.
Plus you get adult concerns, like just as well Supes is larger than Lois or when they're getting it on and gazing into her eyes at the moment of climax he's suddenly smell burning feathers and realise Lois' head is a charred, smouldering stump thanks to his deadly laser eyes!
A favorite since I was a boy, this lavish biblical epic finally makes it's way to dvd.
Set during the decadent reign of Nero and the birth of Christianity, a Roman commmander, (the very handsome and very American Robert Taylor), returns after years of warfare. (like Russel Crowe), He falls for a devout Christian maiden with flowing crimson tresses, (the stunning Deborah Kerr before she cut her hair in King Solomon's Mines)
The witty and sardonic Leo Genn as the cynical uncle to Taylor, and sexy Brit Patricia Laffan as Nero's scheming hootchie-mama wife Poppea, (evil never looked so good!), make for an excellent cast amidst the gorgeous sets, crowds of thousands, and dreamy matte paintings which match like craftmanship of the bygone period in which they were born from. (in other words, perfectly)
Things get a little complicated for everyone when the emperor Nero, (a hilariously over the top performance by the most excellent Peter Ustinov), does what Nero does best. Burns Rome and plays his lyre. (not in that order) He also calls for his weeping vase and composes ballads on the spot.
The highlight of the film being Kerr in a transparent gown, tied at the stake, with her life-long seven-foot bodyguard Ursus protecting her against a wild bull bent on goring her to death. As the crowd goes wild. It's no wonder I'll loved this film for so long.
Today's blockbuster can't touch it. (oh, my weeping vase!)
Comments
http://www.shameless-films.com/2008/08/06/who-saw-her-die/
This was recommended by a member on this thread a couple of months ago. {[]
First though, the DVD had some wonderful trailers for other movies in the Shameless DVD stable, so OTT and sleazy you'd think they were Tarantino homages. -{
Who Saw Her Die? is very similar to Don't Look Back, it's about a child's death and subsequent bereavement in Venice, but less supernatural. It has a score by Ennio Morricone and the photography is wonderful. Lazenby is tall, gaunt, long-haired and hooknosed with a white polo neck; quite different to his Bond persona but an impressive actor and it's enjoyable to see some of his Bond mannerisms sneak in there; he has a natural authority not in OHMSS. That said, the Italian film has that odd thing again where the dialogue is dubbed over even though the main protagonist seems to be speaking English. Eh?
I'd give it five stars, but one is docked because the resolution seemed a bit of a cop out.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
http://www.amazon.com/Who-Saw-Her-Dominique-Boschero/dp/B000YKI4TU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1229191404&sr=1-1
As for Hardy's recommendation of Mabuse, I heartily agree. Also own a three-pack of unofficial 60s Mabuse sequels on dvd. They are very "krimi" which I'm a huge fan of. And Frobe as a family-man good guy!
I watched Balls Of Fury tonight...I really needed a laugh...and I watched this assanine, childish and silly film....it's bloomin' great
Ridiculously childish and silly...but great fun !
The remake of the 1951 classic, this time with Jennifer Connelly as Helen and Keanu Reeves as Klaatu. The film also has Kathy Bates as the Secretary of Defense, John Cleese in a good performance as a Nobel winning professor and Jaden Smith as an annoying step son.
Alex and Tony can be relieved that this movie is not as good as the original, but I still enjoyed it. The start is very good as it sets up the circumstances and develops some appropriate excitement, but it fails to carry that excitement through the movie. I thought Connelly and Reeves were good. Reeves performance in this movie has been panned, but I thought his stoic persona through the movie was appropriate. In several scenes he appears to be observing human behavior and taking it in, which you cann see just through his expressions. I thought Connelly was perfect as Helen, but I admit to being blinded by her beauty. The film does not have as much action as the trailers would lead you to believe and what action there is, is spoiled by cartoon military characters.
One of the big distractions to the main story is Jaden Smith as Connelly's step son. As soon as you see them together you wonder why is a black kid with a white mother. The reason does not add anything to the story (he is her step son, from a previous marriage that ended when the father was killed in Iraq), and Jaden's character adds nothing. Other than giving Will Smith's kid a job I don't understand the casting. In the original 1951 film, Helen's kid and Klaatu spend a day together and Klaatu learns more about humans. We don't get that here, we get Smith whining about his deceased dad and saying how if his dad was alive he would kill the alien.
The second act never builds any momentum from the opening segment, as it seems to bounce around from location to location for no apparent reason and the final act seems anti-climatic.
I enjoyed the film, as did my wife, but I think if they would have made a more linear story and cut back on the anguished kid, it would have been better.
And, Barry, your review of the new Day the Earth Stood Still is causing me to have flashbacks to Spielberg's version of War of the Worlds. Ohhhh, the annoying kid factor! I swear that movie convinced me that the sole purpose of the horrific alien invasion was to teach Tom Cruise to be a better father!
What were your thoughts on Gort? I hear he can -- wait for it, transform into a swarm of insect drones that destroy everything on sight. Uh, okay!
Gort starts out pretty menacing, but you are correct, after they capture him and take him to a lab for "research" he turns into a swarm of insects and destroys everything in his path. I didn't care for that either.
As with most movies, as I let this film roll round in my head, how I feel about it changes. The film did entertain me at some level, but it is full of plot holes and contrivances, which weaken the story.
Another 'first-timer' for Loeff Jr and Loeff III; I hadn't seen this one since its initial theatrical run in 1980.
Really a mixed bag for me. I'm a huge fan of the original Buster Crabbe serials, and the homage to those films is dutifully paid by Lorenzo Semple Jr's cheekily camp script, the production design and Dino de Laurentiis' famously obtuse and indifferent approach to the material---but, 28+ years after my first viewing, I remain somewhat detached.
The kids had a great deal of fun with it. Loeff Jr accurately predicted, ten minutes before it happened, that Ming would be impaled by the spire on the nose of the rocket ship
Perhaps this film was done the only way it could have been done. I know it was a much bigger hit in the U.K. than in the U.S., where its appeal seems limited to a devoted cult of afficionados. Watching the extras, I confess that I was partially won over by a spirited defence/worshipful testimonial from Alex Ross, comic artist extraordinaire, whose love of the film echoes my own unwavering affection for certain other fictional heroes
My sons also enjoyed the first chapter of the first Buster Crabbe Flash Gordon serial, which was included on the disc; Santa might have to cough that up on Christmas Day B-)
EDIT: Found a box set of three Buster Crabbe FG serials (40 chapters in all) on Overstock.com for less than $18 B-) Oh yeah...
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I just read that 20th Century Fox has beamed this movie into outer space, making it the first intergalactically released film. It should reach Alpha Centauri by 2012. You'd think they could have come up with a title that painted us in a better light. Let's hope the natives out there don't take it too seriously.
Glad to hear you were entertained Barry, but be honest with me: would this have even been on your radar if Jennifer Connolly hadn't been in it?
A swarm of insects destroying everything in its path.
I recently took Lady Rose jnr to a pantomine and it was starring Peter Duncan - tree man who messes up his initiation.
I had to fight with every bone in my body to not shout out 'Spare me the madness'
Last film I saw was 'Elf'. I love this movie. I'm no Will Ferrell fan but he plays Buddy perfectly. This will become a Christmas classic IMO.
Also watched A Muppet Christmas Carol and I'm getting ready for Polar Express. Is it nearly Christmas or something ?
There are some decent moments...but I've never played the games these films are based on, so I don't know if that goes against me ? At least it isn't a long movie
Truth is, I wanted to see Doubt, which I think looks very good, but it is limited release and no theatre near me was showing it. So I went with The Day the Earth Stood Still. I really did think the trailer looked good and well, ah what the hell, I saw it because Jennifer Connelly was in it.
For a remake, its done very well and the performances are sharp. - Pity CGI was used though, and the way Gort was used later on was a bit disapointing. Certanly, a Sci Fi film to leave the audience thinking. - We have not had one of those for quite a while. - Whats more, it was good! -{
Lovely scenery in that film. Works better having read the book.
The Verdict
Sidney Lumet courtroom drama with Paul Newman, both recently passed away. It's slow to get going, like its protagonist, a faded lawyer who's turned to drink and badly needs a case.
Newman didn't convince me in the role, he looks too clean living. Sinatra had lobbied for the part, and that would make sense. It needs the kind of bloke who could find the truth - or God - in the bottom of a whisky glass. There's nowt paradoxical about Newman imo; he's either a straight good guy (The Towering Inferno, Cat on Hot Tin Roof - well, straightish
It gets going though and James Mason is perfect as the cynical defendant who represents the doctor who left a patient in a coma, brain dead some four years ago.
However, a plot developement
A good rousing climax as all courtroom dramas should have and you're rooting for Newman at the end. Originally he's just too unsympathetic.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Torn Curtain (1966)
Rather creepily, I was watching this one the night before Paul Newman's death was reported. Alongside Julie Andrews, he plans to publicly defect to East Germany as part of a cloak and dagger mission to find the solution for a formula resin and then figure out a plan to escape back to the West. It's one of Hitchcock's later pictures and is probably mid-range on the entertainment level.
Topaz (1969)
A French agent becomes embroiled in the Cold War and the Cuban missile crisis, before returning to France to tackle Russian spies. There were good moments, and I liked the supporting roles played by John Vernon and our Karin Dor, but a great deal of the time I also wanted to stare at the wall for greater entertainment.
The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Although it appears this is generally regarded as one of the better Hitchcock flicks, it's another during which I found myself bored, and desperately wished the plot would move on quicker, despite a brilliant performance from Edmund Gwenn.
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
This one involves a girl inviting her uncle to stay, only to begin to suspect that he might be a serial killer when he arrives. I enjoyed this one. It was certainly one of Hitch's best, with a nicely paced plot and a little humour sprinkled here and there. Great leading performance from Teresa Wright.
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1955)
You know, I haven't yet seen the original, but this is surely an adequate remake. I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of Doris Day, and find her a little irritating at the best of time, but at the same time she certainly does give a decent performance to match old Jimmy Stewart. It's a curious story that keeps you guessing before the well-directed, tense finale. Good stuff.
Rope (1948)
Hitchcock's first colour-picture, with Jimmy Stewart unwittingly becoming the hero. Two men have murdered a another man in their apartment and try to hide him in a chest while they hold a party. Again, while at moments the pace is a little too slow, and Farley Granger's performance is ridiculous and annoying, the film is excellently shot and there's one extremely tense moment when the house maid nearly discovers the body. The final few seconds of silence in the film are fascinating.
The Birds (1963)
One of his classics, which I never really liked before but have gained an appreciation for now. A good cast, good effects (for the day), and some genuinely creepy moments make this a somewhat odd but superb film. The unexplained ending is just the icing on the cake.
Vertigo (1958)
Well I needn't say a lot about Vertigo. While I'm not exactly a huge fan of the ending, it's one of Hitchcock's masterpieces.
Well, I hope I haven't sent anyone to sleep.
They do this a lot. They don't seem to mind casting foriegn actors and dubbing them, unlike the French who would expect you to turn up with perfect francais and to probably bring your own croissants.
Zack and Miri make a Porno
Moderately funny Kevin Smith film, with a trio of brilliant cameos. Firstly Brandon Routh and Justin Long turn up as a gay couple at a High School reunion. Nice to see Routh onscreen, proving he's a very good sport, as Long says some disgustingly funny things in front of him. But best of all is a brief turn from Tyler Labine, (Sock from Reaper), playing a drunken sports fan who stumbles onto the coffee-house set of Zach and Miri's porno and has absolutely no idea what is going on, despite there being two naked people on the counter. This guy is funnier in two minutes than Seth Rogen is in ninety .
But how does that work for native Italians? They watch the movie, and the 'foreign' actor is dubbed over in Italian? Or does Lazenby sort of speak pidgeon Italian? ?:)
Roger Moore 1927-2017
That's how it works mostly. Using Dellamorte Dellamore as an example, Rupert Everett is dubbed into Italian for the domestic release, while all the Italians speak their language, and for the international release Everett uses his own voice, and everybody else is dubbed into English.
Vince Vaughn plays Fred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother who through a serious of events comes to see the importance of family and saves Christmas.
I wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the film. Vaughn is very good as Fred Claus, as is the rest of the strong cast, Paul Giamatti as Santa, Kathy Bates as Santa's and Fred's mother, Rachel Weisz as Vaughn's girlfriend and Kevin Spacey as an efficiency expert out to shut down Santa.
The film is quite funny and has some clever sight gags, which I always enjoy. Highly recommend for some good family entertainment during the holidays.
In the original, the leads are taken by David Niven and Marlon Brando, of all people. But it's a comedy masterclass - in how not to do comedy. Just about every scene in the remake milks the full comic potential far better.
In DRS, there's a scene where Freddie the Yank conman is thrown into a French jail. Steve Martin has a loud check shirt, a big white Panama hat and big shades, he's the epitome of the loud American abroad and out of his depth as, leaning against the bars,he goes all self-pitying and pleading to the unimpressed French inspector. Watching the original we find that Martin filched the entire performance from Brando, with one crucial difference - Martin is funny. Brando - he just aint funny...
At one point, Freddie is asked if he has a reliable local character witness. Martin goes through a minute of exasperated tip-of-his-tongue recall until he gets it at last. Brando just gives him the name. Brando seems to be enjoying himself, but Martin has the comic's gleeful sadism/masochism towards his character's plight.
Later you may recall Caine is required to impersonate a German psychotherapist. He has a cold sadistic tone that goes well against Martin's incredulity. Niven, who plays the same role, is called upon to impersonate a Swiss doctor. And just plays him as Niven, with the same voice and everything. Critics say Caine is always the same, but Niven though urbane really is shown to be a one-note actor in this.
The comic scenes are generally leaden, though again Martin borrowed 'Rupret's hulking suspicious demeanor from Brando, except he's funny and Brando has no funny bones at all. Worst of all, the film ditches the surprise twist of DRS, ending with
They could have cast it with Jerry Lewis as Freddie and maybe Dean Martin as the smooth one, or even as a Hope and Crosby vehicle. Apparently it was lined up as a Cary Grant Rock Hudson vehicle early on. But bland Niven and unfunny Brando sink it.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Excellent family film, with enough star voice talent to fill a night sky: Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Christopher Lloyd. Tracey Ullman...a lot of others I can't remember at the moment ;% ...and Sigourney Weaver's excellent reading as the Narrator.
Loeff III had read the book, so he had an advantage over Jr and myself...but I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Highly recommended for all but very small children, who might be frightened by some scary images.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
From the first scene of Yes Man, it’s painfully obvious that the film is nothing more than a vessel for Jim Carrey’s off-the-wall comedy. The film is also nowhere near the same league of the superb 2008 comedies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Role Models.
But for any fan of Carrey, or anyone looking for some solid laughs in the midst of Hollywood’s most serious season for movies, Yes Man is definitely worth seeing.
Pretty much everything NP said a few pages ago. The food-related dialogue between the Stath and the MWA is truly bizarre and masks the real love story in the film, between the veteran French cop and Statham's mercenary.
The 39 Steps
Not a movie as such, but BBC's Christmas entertainment with Rupert Penry-Jones of Spooks fame.
Well, it touched the right bases and looked the part. Rupes is a traditionally handsome hero. But that's it. For all the tension generated, it might have been directed by the crowd who do Heartbeat. Perhaps they could have had jaunty 1914 hits of the day: "What a lovely bunch of cockernee jellied eels" as Hannay makes his escape.
Buchan's work doesn't take kindly to softening. Much of it recalled Hitchcock's version, only stripped of atmosphere or tension or integrity. Some very silly stuff going on, this was probably as bad as the Kenneth More version. Feminine presence obliged by an annoying suffragette who decides to tag along with Hannay. I gave up after 20 minutes. Oh, and Hannay knows
And Rupes will have done his Bond ambition no good at all with this. He seemed to lack charisma or range.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Bloody awful wasn't it? Worst moment for me was Penry-Jones bellowing "In the name of King George" at two soldiers who were in his way.
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Okay romantic comedy with Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst. It's based on a book by Toby Young recounting his failure at Vanity Fair. Apparently the book is much nastier and Young is brutally honest about his own behaviour. That might have made a more interesting film than the standard rom-com they've made here.
A bit like the King Kong remake, this got great reviews from the critics but didn't do great box office.
Brandon Routh didn't bring much to the table when he wasn't impersonating Reeve. Not bad, but kudos to Babs Broccoli for getting in Daniel Craig rather than some Connery lookalike.
Superman should be all about hope and triumph but this was a bit like Connery's Robin and Marion in which a hero belatedly returns after a period of absence to find things have changed. It's all a bit melancholic not to meniton odd when you see Supes and Lois are younger than ever - a bit like OHMSS where Bond is ready to settle down despite never being younger in his Lazenby incarnation.
Plus you get adult concerns, like just as well Supes is larger than Lois or when they're getting it on and gazing into her eyes at the moment of climax he's suddenly smell burning feathers and realise Lois' head is a charred, smouldering stump thanks to his deadly laser eyes!
Roger Moore 1927-2017
A favorite since I was a boy, this lavish biblical epic finally makes it's way to dvd.
Set during the decadent reign of Nero and the birth of Christianity, a Roman commmander, (the very handsome and very American Robert Taylor), returns after years of warfare. (like Russel Crowe), He falls for a devout Christian maiden with flowing crimson tresses, (the stunning Deborah Kerr before she cut her hair in King Solomon's Mines)
The witty and sardonic Leo Genn as the cynical uncle to Taylor, and sexy Brit Patricia Laffan as Nero's scheming hootchie-mama wife Poppea, (evil never looked so good!), make for an excellent cast amidst the gorgeous sets, crowds of thousands, and dreamy matte paintings which match like craftmanship of the bygone period in which they were born from. (in other words, perfectly)
Things get a little complicated for everyone when the emperor Nero, (a hilariously over the top performance by the most excellent Peter Ustinov), does what Nero does best. Burns Rome and plays his lyre. (not in that order) He also calls for his weeping vase and composes ballads on the spot.
The highlight of the film being Kerr in a transparent gown, tied at the stake, with her life-long seven-foot bodyguard Ursus protecting her against a wild bull bent on goring her to death. As the crowd goes wild. It's no wonder I'll loved this film for so long.
Today's blockbuster can't touch it. (oh, my weeping vase!)