latsblaster Reviews

Christine (1983)

Christine: In some aspects King's novel is adapted well

[6/10 · 6 August 2008]

Well ... instead of doing what Peter Jackson later did with Tolkien's work, semi-master director Carpenter didn't try to make "Christine" just the same as King wrote it. So instead of doing everything wrong, he gets some scenes really right and his music is spellbinding.

The film goes truly defensive and low key by not putting Roland LeBay in it, instead George LeBay (Roberts Blossom) becomes a double part in some way; borrowing characters traits from booth brothers portrayed in the novel. For Roberts Blossom, this part just might be one of many in his career, but seldom have I seen acting better done. I think he could have been booth LeBay brothers, with different costume and make up.

Read the novel if you want to enjoy the film. To realize what it might miss. But don't blame Carpenter. He did an excellent job with a flawed script/adaptation.

Rating: 6 of 10.

Gunfight in the Red Sands (1963)

Duello nel Texas: Okay European Western

[6/10 · 22 February 2006]

This is a film for people with interest in the Western genre, mostly those who respect the European sub-genre, in the 1990's mostly connected to Italy, Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood but nowadays also related to director-names such as Sergio Corbucci and Sergio Sollima.

Filmed before Sergio Leone's success of the dollar-films, Duello nel Texas has several motives in common with Leone's films. The film is said to be set in the same surroundings, the film has the same composer (Morricone of course) and the film's story is set near the border between USA and Mexico. I watched it as a small kid, with enthusiasm over the action packed plot and some colorful characters. 20 years later, I got the opportunity to see it again. No widescreen, bad colors, bad sound and a very scratchy picture. At least it was the film that I had been waiting for.

Duello nel Texas doesn't start very promising but it grows. The Morricone-music is the best of it. The main antagonists holds the film together, and everything results in a conventional but great gunfight (that kind of direction looks so European/Italian-Western). You can find rather independent woman in the film, some anti-racism and a typical fist-fight (set in a bar). The plot is not as sophisticated as the ones in Leone's films, but it works good on it's own.

Duello nel Texas is a must see for the "die-hard European Western- fan".

Rating: 6 of 10.

Oh, Mr. Porter! (1937)

Oh Mr. Porter: Inconsistent but warm comedy with Will Hay

[6/10 · 14 December 2005]

Somebody mentioned that comedies ages more than other films, but I don't know. When it comes to "Oh Mr. Porter", the age rather gives the film some authority rather than make you feel that you don't want to waste your attention to it. It has some nice warmth around it.

Will Hay is a typical comedian. I think that the actors surrounding him complement him in the right way. I suppose the whole film itself has this warm touch. Hay's character William Porter seems to be a bit inconsistent. In the film's opening, he is as stupid as a man can be but later on in the film he shows that he manages to trick just about anyone, and most of all he stops letting people push him to shut up. Maybe that is one of the reasons why the film isn't as predictable as you may think.

Ghosts are mentioned in the film. But in the end, you can't be sure if there really was any ghosts around (that is a question that never founds an answer) ...

Rating: 6+ of 10.

The Dark Crystal (1982)

The Dark Crystal: Tremendous fantasy

[10/10 · 4 December 2005]

So what is this old stuff about? What's the hype? Jim Henson's project lasted for years. Together with the help of Frank Oz and Gary Kurtz, this magnificent film was created.

This is one of the very best fantasy films ever.

I cannot think of another film with more interesting effects than this one. This is not just working, it is a pleasure to see it work. You have all this living creatures, that wonderful nature, that realistic but yet fantastic mood.

The writing seem to be minimalistic, and is heavily compensated with all the beautiful elements in the picture. Fantastic landscapes, mystic creatures and a great mix of colors all over the screen, though the film remains minimalistic.

Terry Jones music contributes with a lot of emotions and mood, maybe one of my favorite-soundtracks.

Much more can be said about the film. Most of it should be good things. It is a pity that some seems to unlike with, whatever the reasons are. I highly recommend it for any lover of the cinema.

Rating: 10 of 10.

The Last Unicorn (1982)

The Last Unicorn: Excellent fantasy

[10/10 · 20 June 2005]

This is a film that many fantasy-enthusiasts seem to have missed, though it's based on Peter S Beagle's honored novel.

Every voice-actor makes a terrific job (it's a "hard-core" cast!), where you find so many great names, including Paul Frees and Don Messick (qualified, experienced voice-actors). It really seems like Jeff Bridges and Mia Farrow are able to sing! When it comes to the fantastic Christopher Lee, comment seem to be superfluous.

Animation? Excellent in Japanese style. Jimmy Webb's music is excellent, with booth songs with lyrics and traditional score.

The only weak moments in the film is when the magician Schmendrick gets trapped by the tree and when the butterfly makes to much singing in one of the film's first scenes. But this is heavily compensated. If you are looking for humor, you won't be satisfied with the film. It is quite serious!

Rating: 10 of 10.

The Getaway (1972)

The Getaway: The last days of the pure Action-film

[8/10 · 15 August 2004]

Before Action became routine and Bruce Willis there was the 1970´s Action-film, which often had a lot of mood. "The Getaway" is one of those films, showing what range the Action-film could have - there is more than violence and wannabe-cool dialog here. This was before the Action-films became exaggerated, instead of having just explosions and being over-explicit there is booth plot and suspense in "The Getaway". It let Peckinpah use his well known style, in the way of Boorman´s "Point Blank". The result is pure. Ali McGraw is said to be limited and stiff, but Peckinpah made her solid here. I guess that Steve McQueen never was better than here, even if some wouldn't agree. Some of Peckinpah´s regular starred (such as Ben Johnson, Slim Pickens, Bo Hopkins and Dub Taylor) which makes it even better today - the impact of Peckinpah is powerful.

Rating: 8 of 10.

The Boys from Brazil (1978)

The Boys from Brazil: Typical 1970´s Thriller

[7/10 · 6 August 2004]

Exaggerated but entertaining film that proofs that film-entertainment has no limits. Realistic or not, the film has suspense and is well directed by Franklin J Schaffner, but is also a rather typical 1970´s Thriller. Even if this story is over the top, the film works. I think there is said that the characters in the film are one-dimensional, but it isn't that bad and I have seen much worse.

Sometimes I believe "Thriller" is the same as bad film, but I have some respect for 1970´s Thrillers.

Note: In 1976, Laurence Olivier was casted as a former Nazi in "Marathon Man", in this film casted as a Nazi-hunter.

Rating: 7 of 10.

The Eagle Has Landed (1976)

The Eagle Has Landed: Sturges last film

[6/10 · 6 August 2004]

John Sturges last film. He always had an excellent cast in his films and this is no exception. Once more he directed a film with some potential but without chance to really reach the top. Might there be some miscasting here, as he almost always had in his films?

I always enjoy Donald Pleasence and Michael Caine was an actor that became big during this time. Caine is maybe more famous today than he was in the 1970´s, even if he was a star than (what does that word mean anyway?).

No dialog in German as I could hear. Would the film be better if Pleasence and Duvall spoke German?

Spoilers ahead:

Isn't it hard to make a film where the main characters must die just because of what happened in reality?

Rating: 6+ of 10.

Ride the High Country (1962)

Ride the High Country: Not typical Peckinpah or 1960's Western

[7/10 · 6 August 2004]

This is an attempt from early Peckinpah to make an existentialist Western, the result could be said being uneven. It is nice to see the duo Scott - McCrea (Western oldies) together with some of the actors that Peckinpah use to cast later in his career. Overall this is an uninteresting plot even if it has some good points. The showdown and the end gives the film some more dignity, and the film seems to get better if you watch it several times.

I have always enjoyed Peckinpah and noticed his style. He was the last real Western-director, and Hollywood somehow lost the genre when he died.

Those who likes later Peckinpah hasn't that much to find here, even if it is a well-made movie. There isn't much of his famous style in "Ride the High Country". It is more of a skeptical 1950's Western than a 1960's (no inspiration is drawn from Howard Hawks "Rio Bravo").

Rating: 7 of 10.

Convoy (1978)

Convoy: Potential unused

[5/10 · 24 March 2004]

Uneven but at times entertaining Peckinpah film. It doesn't feel as nasty today as it maybe did in the late 1970´s.

Kris Kristofferson is cool in his role but it doesn't hold the film together enough.

"Convoy" is made in typical Peckinpah style but it doesn't seem to match that good in this case. The slow-motion fist fight on the bar is not astonishing.

Even if it is based on a song, the story seem to work, but there should have been some changes and maybe the scriptwriter should have add something more.

Rating: 5 of 10.

The Professionals (1966)

The Professionals: An excellent Western with superb casting

[10/10 · 24 March 2004]

This well executed and entertaining Western, filled with skillful actors and several stars, seems to have been forgotten. "The Professionals" is a kind of Zapata-Western with convincing and spectacular action-scenes. All actors, booth the famous and the more unfamiliar acts very well. The dialog is the typical cynical Western-style but without being dull or pretentious. Those who likes Burt Lancaster (this made me open my eyes for him) may like this enjoyable movie since he is excellent as the charming Bill Dulworth. It is possible that "The Professionals" would have been more famous among movie critics and Western-fans of today if a more established director than Richard Brooks directed it (such as Ford or Hawks). Brooks execution is however so skillful that I couldn't think of a better choice. A plus for the mood in the film is the fact that the Mexicans talks Mexican instead of English.

The Professionals are four cowboys played by Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Woody Strode and Robert Ryan. Each has their speciality and characteristic.

Henry Rico Fardan (Lee Marvin) - The leader. Joined the Mexican revolution with Bill Dulworth. A rough former soldier and a powerful fighter, a typical cynical and disillusioned Marvin-character which reminds of his later characters Walker (Point Blank) and John Reisman (The Dirty Dozen).

Bill Dulworth (Burt Lancaster) - An explosives expert and a fearless adventurer, known as "The equalizer". He is booth bold and quick in his head (reminds of his earlier character Joe in "Vera Cruz"). The film's most comic and colorful character. Some may fear that Lancaster was to stiff for a character such as Dulworth, but he is perfectly casted.

Jake Sharp (Woody Strode) - A tracker, but also an expert on rope, bow and riffle. Nobody could have played this part better than Old Woody, Oh Woody.

Hans Ehrengard (Robert Ryan) - A former soldier in the cavalry and also a rancher and packmaster, educated with horses and with sympathy for those. Ryan always acted well when he was proper directed, such as here.

The monumental casting also provides the films with Ralph Bellamy, Claudia Cardinale and Jack Palance. Hugh names. Jack Palance won't disappoint anyone. A must see for Western-lovers.

Rating: 10 av 10.

Silverado (1985)

Silverado: A Question of taste?

[7/10 · 9 August 2003]

This is a entertaining but hardly original and maybe unrealistic modern Western, with a plot filled of traditional Western-elements. It is similar to the most of the famous Westerns of Ford, Hawks and Leone. "Silverado" shows that Scott Glenn could perhaps be a powerful Western-star, but his whole potential is hardly used to it´s best here, and I guess that the direction from Lawrence Kasdan is overall uneven. Kevin Costner makes the very best performance I´ve ever seen from him, Glover and Cline are solid but Goldblum is miscasted. The best part of "Silverado" is the first hour, the second hour is more uneven. At times a very fine movie, but mostly suitable for more unexperienced Western-fans.

Rating: 7+ of 10.

The Tracker (1988 TV Movie)

The Tracker: Kevin Jarre's story has few weak points

[6/10 · 4 August 2003]

"The Tracker" is just an old TV-movie from the 1980's you might think, but thanks to Kevin Jarre's well-written story the film works very well, better than most modern action-oriented Westerns. But the film has also Kris Kristofferson in the main role, and he is suitable as Noble Adams. I think Kristofferson clearly shows that he handles his role very well, and one of the main reasons why the film works the way it does.

Thanks to very few flaws in the script, this Western works very well. Even if "The Tracker" could be better and would fit nice as a movie for the cinema, it is highly recommended for any fan of the Western-genre.

Rating: 6+ of 10.

Ulzana's Raid (1972)

Ulzana's Raid: Original Western

[7/10 · 3 August 2003]

Interesting Western, made when Bob Aldrich already was an established Hollywood-director. He had directed several Westerns, and well-known for his films, such as "Attack" and "Flight of the Phoenix". You can notice his experience when you watch this film. To make this picture Aldrich needed his big director-name, otherwise I think he couldn't dare to make "Ulzana's Raid" (althrough made during the New Hollywood-era).

This wasn't just another Western, it was a serious try to make a violent film with battle between the white and the native Americans, maybe with ambition to stay neutral or being distanced. The film didn't succeeded with that ambition but yet it wasn't a failure and it got a rather unique mood. Burt Lancaster was a good choice in the lead, but the character McIntosh isn't the type you learn to love from the first frame he enters the screen (and no classic Lancaster-type), and yet he is not an anti-hero. You never get to know him. This is a very experienced, but rather quiet character (anti-Lancaster). You don't get to know his right hand Ke-Ni-Tay neither, and none of their enemies or allied. I think this is perfect for the film.

Maybe the story could have been developed more. It is hardly one of the very strongest Western-movies I have seen, since it isn't a film that makes you feel a lot of different emotions such as Ford's, Hawks' or Leone's movies did, but still a very interesting film because it is original in many ways and that is reason enough to not miss it. A bold film, made in an interesting time.

Rating: 7 of 10.

Soldier Blue (1970)

Soldier Blue: Powerful concept but bad execution

[6/10 · 25 July 2003]

The acting, direction and the score (not including the title song) is not more than mediocre in "Soldier Blue" and the dialog could easily have been better. But it is still a film worth seeing, about a young soldier's growing knowledge and understanding about truth, justice and vengeance. I think that the general concept with the film works. It does have a brutal end and that is what this film needs. This is truly another version of how the west was "won". I recommend it if you are interested in old fashioned Hollywood "anti-films".

Donald Pleasence makes a rather misplaced appearance, it is not one of his best roles. A cool thing is the ultra-athletic Jorge Rivero as one of the indians. Best thing with the film is the famous main title song "Soldier Blue".

Rating: 6 of 10.

Paint Your Wagon (1969)

Paint Your Wagon: It is true!!!

[6/10 · 11 July 2003]

This crazy musical is a bit long but rather funny, Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood in the same film is something ... but you thought this was suppose to be a bloody rough Western, didn't you? You are wrong man, and they won't stop singing! They have their guns, why won't they kill each other?

I'm gonna paint your wagon, I'm gonna paint it real good ... !

Rating: 6 of 10.

Hell in the Pacific (1968)

Hell in the Pacific: Interesting experience

[10/10 · 10 July 2003]

"Hell in the Pacific" is a magnificent movie, with only two actors - but two of my biggest favorites. I watched it without subtitles and I couldn't understand Mifune and I often didn't here what Marvin said either. The best way to appreciate it is to not know English or Japanese, because you will understand it anyway. A film almost without dialog, a very interesting experience. Surely one of director John Boorman's most memorable movies, with flawless direction. The end is a "surprise" which fits in well. A must see!

Rating: 10 of 10.

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

The Dirty Dozen: Stars in war

[7/10 · 10 July 2003]

How stupid is "The Dirty Dozen"? How much does it tries to be nasty and cool? Does it fail? It might some kind of a pro-war movie, but claiming it to be is to make it easy. This is a movie which is hard to criticize in a simple way because it's motives are not as clear as some might think. Personally I didn't like the comic elements in it. They hadn't the timing they should have. Even if it is Bob Aldrich most famous film, it is not his best. It is a bit long, but mostly it is entertaining.

This film provides a heavy cast. I was surprised that Charles Bronson had such a big role, but it isn't one of his best. Even if Lee Marvin makes one of his most famous roles, it is far from his best (Point Blank, Hell in the Pacific, The Professionals, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance etc). I might think that John Cassavates potential wasn't used to maximum here. "The Dirty Dozen" has one of the most impressive star casts ever (such as Ryan, Borgnine, Kennedy, Sutherland and Savalas ), and at least uses it pretty good.

Rating: 7 of 10.

Kelly's Heroes (1970)

Kelly's Heroes: One of the greatest adventure-comedies

[8/10 · 7 July 2003]

"Apocalypse Now" was not just an adaptation of Conrad's novel "Heart of Darkness", it was also influenced by "Kelly's Heroes". The films has, for instance, simlilar openings.

Kelly's Heroes is a complex but warm anti-war film with some real heavy comic performances. Clint Eastwood was almost as good as Lt. Kelly as he was as the man with no name (but few seem to agree with me). This is a funny and charming film, much thanks to Brain Hutton's strong direction and Donald Sutherland's acting as Oddball. Mike Curb Congregation's excellent "Burning Bridges" is played three times - in the start, in the middle and in the end ... This is not an overlong film either, even if it clocks around 140 minutes. The only weakness I find is the end battle - it is a bit to brutal for a film like this (but the closing scene is great). Join this journey from start to end! There is a lot of gold to find!

Rating: 8 of 10.

Escape from Fort Bravo (1953)

Escape from Fort Bravo: Potential but lacks

[5/10 · 6 July 2003]

"Escape from Fort Bravo" lacks a story that truly holds the film together. An escape is hardly what the film is all about in the end. There is some interesting elements here and it is an interesting if yet different part of the 50's Western genre. The action-scenes is the reason why you want to see this, the romantic parts ain't much to see and there ain't much character development or a lot of big surprises. William Holden was miscasted as a competent hardboiled officer, he could have been playing a southern rebel instead which would be a role similar to his later part in "Bridge on the River Kwai", which brought more success.

Rating: 5+ of 10.

Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)

Lone Wolf McQuade: Hardly a Western

[1/10 · 5 July 2003]

I watched "Lone Wolf McQuade" because I thought it was suppose to be a Western, but it is just a lousy action-flick with boring plot and worse direction than it could have. David Carradine plays a silly villain and Chuck Norris´ acting just gets worse the longer the story goes.

Rating: 1 of 10.

Point Blank (1967)

Point Blank: Loaded, rough and impressive

[10/10 · 5 July 2003]

Lee Marvin in one of his best performances as Walker; a lone man in a loaded feature with explosive and expressive scenes all over. A tough action-film which is not so easy to follow, but it is an impressive work with remarkable and memorable images, filled with abstract flashbacks, intense and stylish direction. Surely one of director John Boorman´s best features and one of the roughest films ever. Hardly too long!

Rating: 10 of 10.

Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)

Bad Day at Black Rock: Sturges suspense

[7/10 · 5 July 2003]

"Bad Day at Black Rock" is one of John Sturges´ best movies, with Spencer Tracy in the leading role. It has a great supporting cast (as some other Sturges-films) with Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan and Walter Brennan! This is a thriller. It has Hitchcock-elements but the direction is not as advanced like Hitchcock´s. Should be seen in widescreen (it is a Sturges-movie). One of few movies that could have been made without color but still be as good. Not Film Noir, even if the plot make one think it is. Not too long!

Rating: 7 of 10.

Fort Apache (1948)

Fort Apache: Descent Western

[7/10 · 5 July 2003]

The first film in John Ford's cavalry-trilogy would fit a bit better in color, but the cinematography is still okay. The opening 30 minutes is not as interesting as the ending, the first part of "Fort Apache" focus mostly on Owen Thursday, a boring, tragic and disturbing Fonda-character, but after a while the film becomes more of a Western with John Ford-trademark with higher entertainment-values. John Wayne plays one of his most worthy heroes.

Rating: 7 of 10.

Joe Kidd (1972)

Joe Kidd: Mostly absence or emptiness

[4/10 · 1 July 2003]

This is not one of John Sturges' or Clint Eastwood's best films; "Joe Kidd" is not more than a Western with a lousy script and poor story by Elmore Leonard. I saw it because I wanted to see all the Eastwood Westerns, and John Sturges did a lot of fun Western stuff in the 50's. What easily could be a good and descent Western, since Clint Eastwood's character Joe is a typical cool cowboy not too different from his other characters (which is by no means a problem), is in the end just a poor and uneven film without much suspense or atmosphere. Robert Duvall is often a good actor, but he does not fit in his role here.

Rating: 4 of 10.