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scott s-2
Reviews
Army of One (2016)
Hilarious
So the reviews are...terrible. "Cage is over the top" they say. "Nic has hit rock bottom". "Terrible!"
They...cannot be more wrong. Over the top? Probably. Over-acted? I think that's fair.
But what the don't get, is it SUPPOSED to be over the top. And it is. But so what? This film is hilarious.
And you must admit, you'll never see another film like this again. For better or worse.
I will say that I enjoyed it a lot. It is over-the-top funny. And Nicholas Cage has never been funnier. I mean that sincerely.
It is a mixture of drama (a bit), absurd, strange, light-hearted, and all-around pleasure to watch.
I think reading it is not great, makes this a pleasant surprise.
Game, Set, and Match (1988)
Superb, riveting
This absolutely fantastic limited run series is spellbinding, wonderfully acted, beautifully filmed.
My parents taped it for me, and I'm glad they did! I've only been able to see the film a few times, and the tape has been lost.
My understanding Len Deighton envisioned the lead as tall and blonde, not short and brunette, as Ian Holmes was, and he blocked its release.
What a shame! I can remember bits and pieces of the fim so vividly! I have to confess I would never had heard of Len Deighton except for this brilliant series!
If Mr. Deighton can take pity on the world, he will (finally) have this re-released.
Arlen Faber (2009)
It's Really a Terrible Film
Why was this film made? The protagonist Arlen is a fraud who wrote a book full of lies claiming to be able to talk to God (which everyone does, I suppose, we just don't get direct answers). Arlen throws his back out and meets a local chiropractor,and for some reason she hangs around for the rest of the film, I suppose because she had to to get her paycheck.
The only reason I gave it even two stars is the cute kid in the film, and the one beautiful quote about halfway through the film, about how God sees the world through our eyes. That quote is probably written by someone other than the screenwriter, because it's moving and sweet. Something the rest of the film definitely is not. Steer clear.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
One of the worst movies ever made
Boring. Uninteresting. Lame. Annoyingly dumb. Raunchy. And not in a good way.
Hint: no one would be interested in Seth Rogan. If he didn't have a lot of the green stuff.
A waste of time. Lizzy Banks is pretty, though we see nothing of her. Still, very pretty. And a good actress. She's the only one.
I am supposed to have 600 characters? Well, my too few characters is a lot more characters than this really, really terrible film.
The ending during the credits was the; nly funny thing in this absolutely terrible film. I'm sure you can find that on the internet somewhere.
I saw this film for free. And I still paid too much.
Cold Comfort Farm (1995)
Sly British humor. And Kate Beckinsale
One of Ms. Beckinsale's earliest, and she's the best part of this amusing film. It's subtle humor, and is well worth watching.
It really captures the flavor of a 'modern' woman in the early decades of the 20th century.
Tales from the Loop (2020)
Involving. And mysterious
Tales from the Loop is a riddle. What is going on? What mysterious things are happening underground? And why.
It's beautifully shot on the new Panavision Millennium Dxl2, which employs a RED Monstro 8k sensor, with some serious tweaking. The colors are probably as close to film you're going to get. (No, you can't buy it (you couldn't afford it anyway) you can only rent it. (You can't afford that, either.)) It rivals the new large format Arri Alexa (which you can buy; $125,000).
Acting is adequate. The pace is the opposite of breakneck, which I like. The set design is superb, art is welcoming. We meet our main characters in episode one. There's a twist, of course.
In short, this is a puzzle film. We don't know what's going on, even when the film's set. (Computers look early 90s, the guard has a rotary dial phone, etc.) Intriguing. Enough so I'll watch subsequent episodes.
Quest for the Sea (2004)
Two Families Travel to 1937 Newfoundland
Following "Pioneer Quest" and "Quest for the Bay", producer Jamie Brown sets two modern Canadian families in Hay Cove in a recreation of a typical small 'outport' community circa 1937.
The format is similar to those efforts, as modern era families try to cope with a world with no television, video games, or other modern diversions. Starting in debt to the merchant supply company, the families need to catch and preserve six tons of cod just to pay the bill.
This effort is entertaining and informative. The young boys take to the adventure more readily than the 14 year-old girl who would rather be talking on the phone to her friends and going to the mall.
Unfortunately, this series does not seem to be available on DVD or tape. I've written the company asking why, but received no response.
A pity.
Il mondo di Yor (1983)
Stinks, Big Time
The painful memory of watching this movie when it was released 20 years ago lingers, like herpes.
The only good thing about this movie are the unintentional howlers, such as the bad guys who live in the desert, and wear full-length fur coats (hmmmm, maybe not the best thing to wear when it is 120 degrees out). Reb Brown proved he cannot act in this film. It is ludicrous, horrible, terrible and more than a complete waste of time. It deserves a rating in the bottom 100 on IMDB.
Another howler. The scientists Yor encounters tell him that they have been watching his parents. Yor wisely concludes "Ahh, my father and mother". Yep, that's who parents are!
Joking Apart (1991)
Hilarious
This short series, about a stand-up comic and his on-off relationship with a sharp-tongued Becky, is just hilarious. It was re-broadcast in the States on PBS. There were several episodes that got me laughing so hard I didn't think I could stop. Classic timing, classic comedy. I wish it were available on tape or DVD. I taped a couple of episodes, but would like to have the entire series. Highly recommended.
Teacher's Pet (2000)
The only great Saturday morning cartoon
I haven't been a kid for too many years to count. Generally speaking, Saturday morning is my least favorite time to watch the tube. I like to laze around on weekends; and I have no interest in modern cartoons. Usually, there's a choice between boring cartoons and infomercials.
Now sneak 'Teacher's Pet' into the mix. I'm entranced by a likeable dog who turns into the 4th grade class genius the moment he's on his way to school. The excellent Nathan Lane does the voice for Spot/Scott, the budding dog/boy genius, and he is superb.
The mark of any great kid's entertainment is how well it holds up over time, and how well it plays to different levels. That's why The Rocky and Bullwinkle show was so beloved by younger views and the adults who care for them.
This is a great cartoon, great entertainment, and great fun. I predict a long, successful run on Saturday morning. I'll make sure I watch!
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
A quirky film, well acted, but what is the point?
I certainly think this is an entertaining film, and worth seeing. The acting is very solid and attractive, especially Gene Hackman and Gwyenth Paltrow. The movie is pretty funny, and definitely very quirky.
But, what is the point? Yes, it's about coming home and re-connecting, and it is very funny at points, and it is infused with an off-beat attitude towards a very dysfunctional family.
Hackman and Paltrow steal the show here. They are both excellently cast; especially Hackman. I couldn't imagine a better actor for this role. He's great, as usual. And Paltrow; that eyeliner is pretty wild.
Ben Stiller left me really cold, though. He's the weakest cast member, I think.
Go see this if you, as I, like quirky films. But, don't go if you expect to learn something about human nature. What, ultimately, is the point of the film, other than a well-off-center look at this family?
Contact (1997)
This is how a science fiction movie should be done
Although the movie is distilled down from the book, the appeal of the visuals and the acting involved redeem this movie.
The plot has been summarized, I'm sure, elsewhere; suffice it to say that it is wonderful to have an intelligent, competent, believable science fiction film. Repeated views bring out the richness in detail of set and setting. To question the relationship between science and religion is very much an added bonus.
Highly recommended.
The Matrix (1999)
Vastly overrated!
I was floored to see this idiotic movie on the list of IMDB's top 250 movies.
There are so many plot holes and laughable failures in this movie as to make it on my list of the WORST 250 movies.
Let's see, some alien force is advanced enough to take over the world and to create an alternate universe, but can't figure out how to make an energy source to power it all? They have to use human energy? How about cow patties or something like nuclear power? Totally stupid.
And the time-worn concept of the stranger somehow possessing the knowledge to save the world. How brilliantly non-original!
And if you are hurt or killed in this virtual other world, then you somehow die or are hurt in the real world?
This rating just shows how bankrupt Hollywood is; there just isn't much coming out of the mainstream studio system that is challenging and interesting and truly great films.
ABC Afterschool Specials: The Woman Who Willed a Miracle (1983)
A truly inspiring story without sappiness
I challenge anyone to watch this film and not be profoundly moved by the power of love and the will to never give up. Based upon a true story, the acting is beautiful and moving beyond belief. A true heart-warming classic.
Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
The Best Film Ever Made
Ground-breaking in every way, this non-narrative exploration of the natural and unnatural world is beautiful, insightful and powerfully moving film is my nominee for the best film every made.
A wonderful score by Philip Glass dovetails perfectly with the stunning photography presented here. This film will stay with you forever.
This film is a great test for a prospective mate. If they don't like this film, drop them immediately! They have no taste nor intelligence, and never will.
An unbelievably perfect film in every sense of the word.
Powder Keg (2001)
What a trailer! Movie short and sweet
Powder Keg has been promoted heavily on cable. The trailer for the very short film is excellent. The irony of the format of the very short film is that the trailer runs for about 1/10 the time of the whole film!
More is left out of the film than is in it. We are shown the short tale of a photojournalist who escapes from a horrific massacre; we aren't shown how he does it. We don't know what war this is, it is a stand-in for all of those nameless skirmishes in Latin America.
Clive Owen of the PBS Mystery series Second Sight stars as the 'Driver'. We don't know anything about him as well.
It's really difficult to make an effective short film, but director Alejandro Inarritu does a very good job. Yes, we've seen the plot before (though not so truncated), but the cinematography is grainy, jerky, and alive. You get a sense of the menace and desperation of the people of this unnamed place in fast glances out the window of the, yes, BMW.
Recommended.
Night Train to Mundo Fine (1966)
Bottom five of all time
I made the mistake of watching this film a while ago, and it is absolutely one of the five worst movies of all time. Yep, it's so bad it's laughable at times, but not enough laughs to waste an hour + watching it. My favorite bad part - the 'invasion' of Cuba using the footage of the same seven guys going up the beach, over and over again, I guess to give the impression of a 'large' army. Notice, too, how the scenes change from day to night to day again within a minute of continuous action.
Bad Bad Bad