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Reviews
Chimera Strain (2018)
Great little science fiction movie
Chimera Strain is a nice little sci-fi taking place almost entirely in one location. Henry Ian Cusick is good- this is a great performance by him, totally unexpected. Kathleen Quinlann also shows she needs to be in more movies- her acting is a highlight. Mr. Haems has hit a homerun with his first film. I'll keep an eye out for him in the future.
The Gift (2000)
Gift this movie to yourself
I was surprised by this film. It literally came out of nowhere and blew me away. The first half of The Gift is better than the second. Raimi does not rush the setup. He allows it to unfold gradually, with moody shots of bayous occasionally interrupted by flashes of lightning and claps of thunder so sudden that only the dead won't jump in their seats. The characters are introduced with an equally unhurried precision. In an odd way, the moody atmosphere of The Gift reminded me of Clint Eastwood's Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil. The two movies don't have a lot in common, but there's a similarity in the way they feel - both directors steep their characters and situations in the setting so that the place becomes as forceful a presence as any human being. All the actors are in absolute sublime form especially the lovely Cate Blanchett.
The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)
Good escapist entertainment
This is a film adaptation of the famous early 70s Television series of the same name. The film format makes it focus on one plot although anyone not familiar with the content will also be at ease, although for one to get the jokes and referances I suppose some familiarity with the show is a must. Brady fans will find a lot of familiar things lurking throughout the film. The house has been recreated with excellent care to detail. The new actors resemble the old ones without being dead ringers. Literally hundreds of references to original episodes are included, from the "pork chops and applesauce" bit to Marsha's obsession with Davey Jones and Greg's attempts to become a rock singer. Those looking for a nostalgia injection will find it here, and anyone familiar with the show will be amused to see how much the new actors resemble the past ones. And on that note there are many actors from the series who have cameos here. All in all this is a good family movie.
Cellular (2004)
Don't forget to switch off your phone for this ride
This film took me by surprise. Its fast paced and full of frills which make going to the cinema one of the joys of modern life. Cellular is a nearly perfectly executed "high concept" thriller, that, like Speed and Phone Booth, uses a gimmicky setup but is paced so relentlessly that you don't have time to dwell upon the obvious implausibility of the situation. Cellular reliably entertains for its 90-minute running time. Using the clever premise, it packs a lot of thrills into a short space while keeping the level of tension consistently high. There's time for exposition, but never so much that it breaks the action for too long. The storyline is cleverly developed, but not overplotted.
The Making of 'Jurassic Park' (1995)
One of the better making of films
Jurassic Park was an event movie which managed to completely change the landscape of Hollywood filmmaking and this is a great behind the scenes look at the making of that landmark film. Everything from Crighton's inception of the idea to the pre-production dilemmas to the actual production is laid bare here and there are some stunning footage. Spielberg's enthusiasm and passion is there for all to see. The works of Stan Winston and his studio in creating animatronics of the giant reptiles is nothing short of magic. If you are a film student or just plain fascinated by the workings of this film then this is a great documentary to see.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Bloated and overlong this is a chore to sit through
Spider Man 3 is a prelude to the superhero excess we are witnessing today. They shouldn't have made this film. Featuring a host of bad guys, as if Raimi had no other option but to squeeze all of them in this film the film doesn't know which aspect of Spider man to emphasize and as a result the film is a Hodge podge of funny, serious, action and melodrama all juxtaposed together. Especially cringe is the bar dance by Peter Parker.
The Candidate (1972)
Robert Redford excels in this political comedy
Bill Mccay is prepositioned by a political analyst to stand against a Republican elective who is such a sure-shot guarantee that other established democrats are refusing to run against him. Mccay being young, handsome and idealistic is chosen to lessen the blow according to the analyst. Mccay enters the challenge hoping to impart his message to the masses- regardless of the outcome. Unfortunately, he is found to be too good and ends up winning the election. This is a great comedy drama in the political realm and Robert Redford is excellent as the handsome idealistic Mccay. The film has garnered much acclaim since release and if you enjoy a good political movie then the Candidate is a fine choice.
The Tree of Life (2011)
This film will be talked about in the future- you heard it here
The Tree of Life by philosopher auteur Terence Malik is a poetry in motion that encompasses the lifetime of our Universe and the complexities of living. Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain play a couple living in America of the 50s. They have three boys and as the film progresses we learn that the middle child passes away. Half the film is about this family and how the father teaches the boys the harsh cruelties of life and the other half is the grown child- played by Sean Penn wandering across a city full of skyscrapers- it could be any modern western city, and he is lost and confused. Also somehow juxtaposed alongside is a small segment that shows the birth of the Universe, life on Earth all the way from bacteria to dinosaurs and the modern apes. This is a masterpiece.
Hollow Man (2000)
An antihero Invisible Man
Hollow Man is directed by Paul Verovan- the carefree Dutchman who has made some gems like Starship Troopers, Basic Instinct and Total Recall. His films are heavy on gore and sex and this film has amples of both. Hollow Man is a take on the Invisible Man and contains a maverick performance by Kevin Bacon. Ably supported by the likes of Elisabeth Shue and Josh Brolin. This is a movie which, depending on your taste and moral compass, will appeal accordingly. I think this is a brave attempt by everyone from the leads to the director as many people will surely find the film morally lacking.
Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)
Great early 90s film to watch on a rainy afternoon
Showdown in Little Tokyo is an incredibly nostalgia ridden film for me. Made in the early 90s and shot in various parts of Asia this is a nice martial arts-based action film starring the tragic Brandon Lee and Dolph Lundren. They make a nice pair and the charms of early 90s cinema, also found in films like Mortal kombat and Double Impact to name a few, are in spades here. Tia Carrera is gorgeous, and the direction flows nicely. In some ways I miss such simple premised movies which have all but disappeared today. Showdown in Little Tokyo isn't a masterpiece by any means, but it is a nice film to watch if you miss nostalgic early 90s movies.
The Last Hope (2020)
Acting is choppy and the editing is inspiringly bad
Bad film, even by indie standard- The last hope is an exercise in how to not make an indie film. The camera is rarely still, the acting is choppy and the editing is inspiringly bad. Special effects are so- so considering the budget. (Must miss)