I watched the 1990 film Stanley and Iris last night for the first time. I had always wanted to see this movie, as I am a big Robert DeNiro fan. Knowing that the film was poorly received upon its release I still went into my viewing with an open mind. Unfortunately the reviews were spot on twenty-two years ago. This film is very bad. I mean VERY bad. A real waste of the talents of both Deniro and Jane Fonda. I may have been a little more generous with this review if it was a low budget piece with two lesser caliber actors at the helm, but this is not so. Not only is the story generally weak, but this film suffers from perhaps the worst editing that i have ever seen in a major studio film with high profile stars. The story moves on from scene to scene, seemingly not explaining events that have lead up to what we are watching. It was like I was watching a poorly trimmed down television airing of a studio film that was compressed for time, however that was not the case here. this was an unedited presentation on Cable. Unless you are absolutely smitten with Deniro or Fonda, avoid this film.
Reviews
8 Reviews
The Punisher
(2004)
I can't believe this piece of crap is rated so high!!!
21 September 2010
I saw this film in the theaters in 2004 when it was released with a few of my friends. We intended on seeing Kill Bill 2, but unfortunately the theater we went to wasn't showing it. We all decided to see this which was starting shortly after we arrived I wasn't expecting Citezen Kane, but I figured John Travolta, Thomas Jane, and R-rating. Should be pretty good. Wrong. You know when the version starring Dolph Lundgren and produced by the Cannon group 15 years earlier is much better something is seriously wrong. The Punisher is supposed to be dark and disturbing. This movie is just awful on all counts. This is on my short list as worst films ever produced by a major studio.
Cobra
(1986)
A one of a kind Sly gem
9 September 2010
When I was in the Marine Corps we used to watch this movie on a regular basis. It is absolutely amazing how ridiculous this film is. Yes that isn't a typo. I gave Cobra a nine out of ten. Why? Because Cobra is one of those few movies that you could watch again and again and never tire of it. It is without question the funniest non-comedy ever made. Sure you have your low budget Z-graders like Plan 9 and Manos, but they were shot on a shoestring budget with no talent hacks making them. This was a major studio picture with a huge budget. In 1986 when this film was released Sly was the most bankable movie star in the world just coming off of two mega hits Rocky 4 and Rambo 2. Did you know he dropped out of starring in Beverly Hills Cop to make this film. I hope Eddie Murphy still sends him a Christmas card every year. This movie is great for all the wrong reasons. Bad lines, outrageous action sequences, cheesy music, but I love it. Just for kicks next time you watch it count the number of bikers Cobra kills in the chase while he is standing in the bed of the pick-up truck. I can't remember the exact number off of the top of my head, but I can tell you that it is definitely over 40!!! Here's to you Sly, the most inconsistent actor/writer/director in the history of cinema!! But we love ya!
MacGruber
(2010)
MaCruber????... a surprise masterpiece
9 September 2010
I saw this movie last night and it was absolutely hilarious. I wasn't a fan of the sketch on SNL and was scared off by the poor reviews and its box office failure, but let me tell you this movie is really, really funny. I suppose its not for all tastes and it was a lot raunchier than I anticipated. If you are from my generation and grew up on an action diet of Sly Stallone, Arnold, Van Damme and Seagal, you will definitely appreciate the humor in this flick. It does a terrific job spoofing that genre. There is a very funny Road House reference as well, but I wont spoil it for you. Well worth watching. Don't be turned away by the poor reviews. I have a feeling when this one goes to DVD it'll have a cult following. The best comedy since Step Brothers. A shame it performed poor at the box office, because it could have made a terrific franchise.
Octopussy
(1983)
The best opening in the series!! Moore's best.
23 February 2007
Sure Octopussy has its slow moments, but when it's good it's easily the third best film in the series.Goldfinger and Casino Royale I would say are both better films. Moore is perfect for this style of Bond. The year that this movie came out, 1983, Sean Connery returned to the part in Warner Bros. Never Say Never Again. Octopussy blows it out of the water. I honestly don't think that this one would have been any better if Connery was Bond instead of Moore.
The opening teaser sequence where 007 flies the mini jet is easily the coolest action sequence in the series and still looks extremely cool 24 years later. Louis Jourdan is one of the best villains in the series and Kristina Wayborn is my second favorite bond girl behind Luciana Paluzzi in Thunderball.
Moore almost didn't do this one and James Brolin was almost cast. His screen test is included in a documentary on one of the dvds. He looks like he could have been a very good 007.
The opening teaser sequence where 007 flies the mini jet is easily the coolest action sequence in the series and still looks extremely cool 24 years later. Louis Jourdan is one of the best villains in the series and Kristina Wayborn is my second favorite bond girl behind Luciana Paluzzi in Thunderball.
Moore almost didn't do this one and James Brolin was almost cast. His screen test is included in a documentary on one of the dvds. He looks like he could have been a very good 007.
The Spy Who Loved Me
(1977)
One of Roger's best
23 February 2007
A lot of people didn't care for Roger Moore's portrayal as 007. I really did. I thought he was hilarious. His fight sequences were no where near as believable as Connerys were but I felt he portrayed Bond with a bit more elegance and class. Aside from the deplorable "The Man With the Golden Gun", and the overly comical "Moonraker", I found his other five films to be highly entertaining. Even Connery had his poor outings with "Diamonds are Forever" and "Never Say Never Again." The Spy Who Loved me is an excellent James Bond film. To me it feels like the first in the series to resemble a modern day action movie. It doesn't have the yucky grainy 16mm look like the previous Bond films from the 70s. The special effects are superb, the villains underwater fortress looks very realistic and 007's Lotus in my opinion is a much cooler car than the Aston Martin from Goldfinger.I also liked the Jaws character. I thought they could have done without his return in Moonraker, but they could have done without a lot of things in that one.
For a fun 007 experience check this one out. Its easily one of the top five and the second best by Moore. I think Octopussy is slightly better but many will strongly disagree with that statement.
For a fun 007 experience check this one out. Its easily one of the top five and the second best by Moore. I think Octopussy is slightly better but many will strongly disagree with that statement.
Diamonds Are Forever
(1971)
What an awful way for Connery to go out.
23 February 2007
Aside From The Man With The Golden Gun, and Die Another Day, I feel this to be amongst the worst in the 007 series. How could such a serious and emotional Bond entry like OHMS be followed by such a campy silly, over the top mess like this. Especially after paying Sean Connery the highest salary for a film an actor had ever received up until that time.
You would think the confrontation between Bond an Blofeld would be more brutal to the tone of Bond vs Grant in From Russia with Love especially since Blofeld murdered his bride on there wedding day in the previous film. Charles Gray was completely miscast as Blofeld. I never understood why they didn't use the same actors for reoccurring series roles like Felix Lieter or Blofeld.
In closing, If your looking for a good Sean Connery Bond watch Goldfinger or Thunderball. Stay clear of this one.
You would think the confrontation between Bond an Blofeld would be more brutal to the tone of Bond vs Grant in From Russia with Love especially since Blofeld murdered his bride on there wedding day in the previous film. Charles Gray was completely miscast as Blofeld. I never understood why they didn't use the same actors for reoccurring series roles like Felix Lieter or Blofeld.
In closing, If your looking for a good Sean Connery Bond watch Goldfinger or Thunderball. Stay clear of this one.
The Glove
(1979)
good for some belly laughs
25 January 2007
This movie is a classic example of 1970's unintentional hilarity. John Saxon plays bounty hunter Sam Kellogg. He is financially down on his luck and is trying to get custody of his young daughter from his estranged wife. Rosie Grier plays a recently released prison inmate who is beating up guards with a lead filled riot glove, hence the title: The Glove. Saxon's character provides an extremely cheesy narration throughout the entire film. It is good for a few chuckles. The scene in the slaughter house where Saxon and a baddie engage in a battle with two racks of raw lamb makes the film worth seeing alone. There is actually a scene where you can tell it was an obvious blooper but they just keep the camera rolling and used it in the final print. See if you can find it.
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