Major Dundee (1965) [3.5]
Positives: It said Charlton Heston
liked director Sam Peckinpah's work in Ride The High Country, he wanted
to work for him in this. Spite a mission that forced Union Soldiers to
team up with captured Confederate Soldiers in 1864-1865 Texas and
Mexico, they spent more time fighting each other than the enemies
around them which was the less confusing of enemies. One VERY FUNNY
scene was when the Union and Confederate armies first set out on the
Apache mission, the Confeds began singing Dixie. The Union turned in
surprise they would dare since they were actually POW's. So the Union
began singing well known U.S. glory music. So it became a contradicting
duel of patriotic music.
Negatives: It was confusing who their
enemies were besides the Apache group they were after and when that
fight finally took place LATE in the film and that was quickly abrupt.
Um, the Apache leader they were after seemed to speak straight English.
End of film just as it was in Peckinpah's second film Ride the High
Country had a not really finishing ending. You say to your self thats
it?
MAMA (2013) [1]
Positives: Actors, Scenes, CGI was fair...Character of Annabela
at least tried to be mother character to the girls even if she almost
refused it.
Negatives: I have said to MANY times, "CHILDREN DO NOT BELONG IN
HORROR FILMS!" Story was confusing at times including origin of
"Mama/or what ever it/she was". Ending was not acceptible, especially
as a parent to view. I don't suggest this film be viewed by parents.
Margin Call (2011) [3.5]
Positives: Actors, Script, Plot, Scenes, The name of Investment
Firm was changed but wikipedia said its based on the fall of Lehman
Brothers. I loved the movie Wall Street,
so I wanted to compare (but
since I am poor at math I thought Id be bored). It was actually an
interesting script with great actors.
Negative: But kinda shlot/boring if not tacky ending.
Mask Maker [3] (2010) (Notes:
According to IMDB original title was Maskerade)
Positives: Although this
has very obvious rips on 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacure and filmed in
the original house, it was not bad for a rip or remake.
Fair kills shots and storied history to characters. Many rip scenes as
well as scripted lines from Friday the 13th, Halloween, etc (the
classics).
Negatives: Ending fair
but would've worked better as an alternate scene then actual. I just
barely accept reason why the "normal/human" characters obtained
the TCM house. The cops showing up 2nd to last scene, was clueless
although there is a vague explanation.
Men in Black [4]
Positives:
Actors, Characters, Script. Who always shows up in a major disaster,
possible UFO or commercial vehicle crash to clean up everything. No one
could have done this better than Will and Tommy.
Negatives: Many
aliens needed work, possibly George Lucas could have improved on.The
bug, a giant cockroach fit into the the skin of even a 6ft human
male? Don't get me wrong, the giant cockroach was a great idea and the
skin break on sold, but it's head was bent down like his head was
between his legs.
Men in Black II [4]
Positives: Actors, Characters, Script, Scenes. The statue of liberty idea was great in the end.
Negatives:
The postal scene needed work, as I said in MIB 1, aliens needed some
work. The primary alien uses a female model as host, yes and no. The
equipment used to restore Agent J (TLJ) was so crappy looking. Was she
his daughter?
Men in Black III (2012) [3.5]
Positives:
Will Smith sold another good movie. Tommy Lee Jones does'nt have alot
of long scenes. Script, characters and scenes. Climax of film does
bring first Men in Black full circle.
Negatives: As much as Josh
Brolin was put over as a young Agent K, I really didnt think his acting
or story sold. The opening of film is more stunning then sad as well as
climax is a bit sad. The story for
Agent K to go back in time
doesnt really fit but that would be a major spoiler and major
discussion if your follow Star Trek time travel philosophy.
Mommie Dearest [3.5] (1981)
Positives:
From daughter's Christina's point of view it was said she is among the
first (probably besides Jay North 'Dennis the Menice') to openly reveal
child abuse among child stars/children of stars. Most of Hollywood's
legend elite deny Christina's story because they never saw that side of
her mother, however most of movie shows Joan Crawford's
trial/tribulations as an actress with and without the kids.
Negatives:
The point of the movie is the abuse that Christina and brother
Christopher suffered, so it is a very tramatic if not psychotic series
of moments with a physically, mental and verballly abusive parent. Both
popular and difficult movie to watch.
Muppets, The (2011) [3.5]
Positives:
Yes they are back and scripting leads you to story its definitely a
sequal not a remake. The opening is great with the
Muppets concerting to major hits like Boehemian Rhapsody and an AC/DC song. Jack Black makes alot of what seems like
cameo shots, as well as Whoopi Goldberg and few other actors. Original Muppets scripting is incredibly funny. Especially scene
with
Jack Black tied to a chair yelling to a live tv audience he's being
held hostage by weirdos. The old men "Statler and Waldorf"
Muppets say "now you know how we felt for the past 20 years" OMG THAT WAS FUNNY! The adult antagonist character, he
was either based on or would give "Dallas"'s JR Ewing competition.
Negatives:
There is a new muppet named Walter and although it seems to be the 1st
half of plot, he ironically does'nt fit (which is
intentionally
the plot). Also two adult characters love story is heavily plotted,
again Im not a love story fan- leave the love story in a
Muppet movie to Miss Piggy and Kermit. The ending seems sad and how it's scripted honestly does'nt make sense.
My Soul To Take (2010) [3]
- Positives: It seemed like pretty good for a while especially being a
Wes Craven movie. Even the description contained a Michael Myers meet
Freddy Krueger made sense. . Eventually you think you know who the
killer is, an explanation why it is happening is a pretty good
story. But 96% is worth watching, thankfully as I said its Wes
Craven movie.
- Negatives: Only the killer appeared in a stupid costume. Although the
opening
seemed it was a demon possession situation. Fair kill shots but like
typical horrors it drags to each kill shot. But who it turns out to be
actually make no sense but needed "who the killer was" make sense.
NOAH (2014) [2]
Positives:
Hmmm...Really gotta think....Ok the name Noah and a few of his sons
names, a large boat was built and animals were stored....Oh and a
massive flood. A few origin elements that are questionable.
Negatives: I hope facebook will give me enough room for this...
(Major Spoiler Alerts!)
-
Rock creatures who were angels that crashed into the earth during GOD's
week creating earth, built the ARK and prevented Cain's
descendants from taking it.
-
Noah was going to kill 2 twin daughters of his son Shem because its
against GOD's wishes? Isnt this the story (remake) of Abraham?
- According to the Bible, GOD talks to Noah, not in visions/images of how the earth would be flooded and how to build the ark.
- No mentions of 40 days/40 nights, using driftwood
- The amount of animals stored on the ARK SUPERSEDES 2 per.
- Overboard of CGI (flooding and animal affects)
Ok,
have a question...If Adam and Eve were the first, and they had 3
sons...Cain kills Abel, Cain goes off and creations a nation of evil
descendants and Seth eventually begets descendants to Noah...Noah and
his family build the ark, saved from GOD flooding the earth to
eliminate Cain's descendants...Then we are all descendants of NOAH?
Ouija (2014) [3]
Positives:
The one thing about this that seems to be accurate is (since my
inlaws's had a bad experience with one that led to the tragic loss of
my wife's cousin)...Its supposed to be just a board game but its highly
believed/accepted to be a portal for 'spirits' that contact starts
positive with someone or thing but then it's goes down hill. Meaning
you may try to contact a friend/relative but it usually turns out to be
a demon who either is lying its into the answers or taking your
contact's place. So from a movie point of view usage of the board is
accurate and a few events are possible.
Negatives: Some of these
movies that deal with spirits get physical, yes attacks happen in my
variations. But physical contact with a spirit as if they were human
flesh/solid have been claimed at times but thats probably more
hollywood than real.
Oz: The Great and Powerful (2013) [3]
Postives: CGI did help with many effects, tornado, witch powers, light
shows. Spite being a con man "Oscar" sold into something he had to
become. Very impressive showdown as be becomes the official Wizard of
Oz versus the witches. Fairly good script and make up effects showing
how and why they become the witches. For a prequal It was one of the
few but great ones.
Negatives: CGI helps and hinders movies for the work it takes to make a
film. As hard as it is to probably program CGI it's also cheating for
making a film the old way. Oscar being a con man and pushed into the
expected role of Oz is a pessamist (very negative of himself) and
continues thru out movies which is annoying for scrpt. The reasoning
for the green apple didnt fit from my point of view, I thought that was
in "Sleeping Beauty". Apparently MGM gave Disney a difficult time in
liknesess during filming, not allowed to use "Ruby Slippers", slight
differences in witch make up and "Yellow Brick Road" was straight not
curving.
Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) [2]
- Positives: Great use and visuals via stationary cameras. Sorry for
the pun, the paranormal activity was I guess descent (especially the
kitchen door scene, awesome).
- Negatives: NEVER USE OR PLACE CHILDREN ESPECIALLY A BABY IN A HORROR
MOVIE. I FIND THAT UNACCEPTABLE! Too much family scripting and not
enough paranormal. In the trailer you saw scenes of the baby crawling
outside the house and a demon figure seen at the bathroom door (but the
netflix dvd does not carry those).
Paranormal Activity 3 [3] (2011)
Positives:
As fair as the previous 2. I also liked vhs cameras rather than today's
digital. The second movie had a pretty good kitchen scene, but part 3
has
an even more awesome one. I would love to know how they produced
it. Will have to wait for a hopeful dvd commentary to find out.
Negatives: I've
said this a few times, don't involve children in horror movies. There
was major hype about the final 15 minutes, honestly it was'nt
close to the PA 1's ending.
Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) [3]
Positives: Actually a are
far better filmed of all the PA's. A handheld camera is used rather
than boring stationary cameras. Teen girl has interesting computer
communications. A paranormal moments are interesting, especially
shocking light crash.
Negatives: Although it
seems one child is the baby from ending of Part 3 and his activity if
interesting, the kids getting out of bed constantly gets annoyingly
redundant. The killings seem all the same, thats stupid. Ending scene
the people appear to look vampirish..???
Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2011) [3.5]
Comments: First, I honestly did not think I would bother to watch any
of them. Reason being, how does Disney portray Pirates other than what
they really are by definition. As I began watching the first it was
Johnny Depp (who Im honestly not a fan of) who did a fantastic and
sarcastic drunk Foster Brooks is a Pirate. Each movie's story did a
great job of portraying the ancient Pirate sea stories and how
legendary they had always been told thru out the centuries.
Paul (2011) [3.5]
Positives: Good script, scenes, comic use of foul language. Lots
of references and scenery to famous alien/space movies. Jason Bateman
and Sigourney Weaver were only good casting.
Negatives: Casting, spots for foul language is fair but how it was
written needed some work.
Premium Rush (2012) [3.5]
Positives: Although film
takes in NYC, I reminded me when I was a bike courier in Center City
Philadelphia called Kangaroo Courier (only for a few months in very
early 1990's, I just checked the internet and they are still in
existence)....The film's courier office looked the same as what I
remember Kangaroo's did (from memory) but I dont remember so many bikes
hanging from walls. You supplied your own bikes, fix your own bikes,
kept in touch I think by bulky flip phones. Very fast paced movie. I
think some bike couriers did ride that fast but very dangerous and
illegal. It was a rule if not safe warning not to ride fast. Cops in
movie yelled at him to "stop and walk that bike", I remember being
yelled at by cops once or twice the same arriving at delivery bldg.
Great story of humanity, friendship, very funny police escapes...Interesting bike and vehicle stunts.
Negatives: I would not have ridden a bike that FAST in major center
city, very dangerous and unlawful. Money was not that great since I
think I only last a few months (unless you were fast rider and carried
multiple packages). In film, bikers used wired cell phone head appartus
to communicate, I only had a flip cell phone. I doubt ANY biker could
practically survive bike crashes flipping over cars and not suffer
broken something and lacarated, get back up and continue riding.
Project: Almanac (2015) [3.5 Worth Watching Again]
Positives:
One of the better, found film genre I guess. Teens find plans for a
time travel device and party. The many things they do are interesting
and moments are freaky as well. Groundhog Day meets a revamped Back to
the Future I call it.
Negatives: Spite the fact these teens seemed
to be geniuses and one is accepted by MIT, where did they get the extra
parts, from stores? Seen a few movies involving time travel with the
same ending, regret and return things the way they were [?]...If there
is an alternate ending it should be the teens finding the main time
travel device because it was left there by them to correct history and
the future.
Prometheus (2012) [3]
Positives:
Has some attempts to repeat or be familiar with 1979 Alien, after all
this it's prequal. Some scenes do explain what we would see in 1979
Alien. Beginning
of film has an interesting story of archaeological findngs of ancient Earth and alien origins.
Negatives: Most actors are unfamiliar. (Major
Spoilers: the infamous "the company" statement is not repeated but
possibly the old man in apparent old recording at beginning and
appearence
ending
is possibly the owner of the company...Th 6ft alien that is the primary
villian of every movie is not seen but a different type egg released
face grabber does appear. There is also a
different impregnation type of scenes.) The apparent CGI or computer scenes for the ship is too CGI especially when it didnt exist in 1979.
Puss in Boots (2011) [3]
Positives: Voice actors (though unless you know "all" the actors you won't recognize who they are portraying). Although
the story starts slow you pick up the names of fairy tale characters then realize what/where this is going. Scripting does seem
to
skip but a good amount of funny lines. Its an attempt to give fairy
tale characters a real existence. Only reason I even watched
this is due to our enjoyment of cats.
Negatives: So called animation, that looked more like 3-D but not the type need red/blue paper glasses. Movie starts slow so
unsure of plot till fairy tale characters names are revealed. The star character Puss and "egg" character are brothers???
(well raised together that is). Some fairy tale character's plots are changed for story's run. I was generous giving this a 3.
Ragin Bull (1980) [3.5]
- Positives: Goodfellas meets Rocky. Since I have respect both
Goodfellas (Joe Pesci, Robert Deniro and others), and the movie Rocky.
The special edition dvd says commentary with two people along with Jake
LaMotta himself (yet to hear it). I was surprised he was still alive.
- Negatives: With the brutality the movie portrays and language I can
see why I never noticed it on regular tv. Talk about paranoid and self
ritcheous.
Return of the Jedi 1983 [3.5]
Positives: Actors, script, special effects
Negatives: I found the Ewoks (Unlike Yoda the Ewoks were midget actors
in suits, great respect for them. Their scripted characters, although
as mass army, taking down as army of 6 foot laser gun armed
troops?) most annoying and un-needed as was the forest moon
scenes, but that was part of story to eliminate the Death Star defense
shield.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
(2011) [2: Needed Improvement]
(Notes: I have to assume this is a reboot for a start to
sequels)
Positives: Plot, Script, Characters. Many references, names and famous
script lines from 1968 Planet of the Apes.
Negatives: Story carried too much attention on scientific experiments
that led to their intelligence. Also too much screen time with single
ape instead of more
with gathering of apes. (Spoiler)
Apes did attain intelligent tactics and spite but not rabid anger
(though it would appear so).
Rite, The [3] (2011)
Positives: Based on a
book due to the Vatican began hiring Priests for a abundant of
exorcisms. I would just about consider calling this
"The Exorcist V", though carefully enough the events of the the
first are vaguely mentioned or even teased. "What did you expect head
turning
pea soup?". A young pregnant girl apparently possessed spits profanity
which seems to be rewritten script of the first movie but again this
really has
nothing to do with the 3-4 Exorcism movies.
Negatives: Like I said
this has nothing to do with the original movies and is not even titled
them, but scripting and scenes did seem to copy or
follow similarities. The ending as most exorcism movies has the priest
take the demons possession, (SPOILER), that does'nt happen. It's ending
is "that's it" at best. They should have had an alternate ending for
the dvd though.
Rocky [3.5] 1976
Positives: Actors, Characters, Script, Scenes
Negatives:
As much respect most people who have watched this film and critics, his
scripting for being unconfident with his ability to climb world
of boxing ladder. And his own speech as Rocky, not scripting, was very
dry. Also, you look up boxers, whether ranked or local in a book?
Honestly unsure if boxing promoters have the right to decide who the
champion faces or does the league the title is governed by. Lost
mistake by Creed is saying that January 1 is the nation's birthday.
Rocky II [4] 1979
Positives: Actors, Characters, Script, Scenes
Negatives:
Its doubtful that the champion would answer critics by challenging the
opponent. Once a fight is over, yes the fight either way is criticized
whom ever wins, not sure who would order or want a rematch. One stand
out problem with the Rocky film series is the bloody punishment they
"supposedly" endure. Many years if not decades ago they did, but for
health, making a living and barbaric results fight would be stopped
almost after the immediate sight of blood.
Rocky III [3.5] 1982
Positives:
Actors, Characters, Script, Scenes, Music. (Mr. T sold as one of the
most vicious if not by mistake favorite antagonist characters in film
history. A much more vicious version of Muhammad Ali)
Negatives:
Again, just like the boxing promoter in first film, Creed in II,
Mickey-his trainer decides who he fights. That does'nt legally work
probably but it makes good script again. Burt Young his ENTIRE career
plays a bum in some fashion/way or another. He really goes all out to
prove that in opening.
Rocky IV [3.5] 1985
Positives:
Actors, Characters, Script, Scenes, Music. (Stallone really sold a
great script at ending "in this fight, you saw two guys killing each
other. Well I think thats better than twenty million)
Negatives:
Besides Dolph Lundren will always be remembered for "the Russian in
Rocky", his character was over sold as powerful if not unbeatable. He
annihilates Apollo Creed but Rocky is able to go toe, whether or not
Apollo did'nt take him seriously.
Rocky V [3.5] 1990
Positives:
Actors, Script, Scenes. (Far more involved family dispute dialogue
between Stallone, real life son Sage and even Talia Shire).
Negatives:
Original scripting called for Rocky to die but movie rights with studio
overrode Stalllone. Rather than a boxing finale, they end up in a
Philadelphia Street Fight, it worked but it was'nt ring work that we
are used to. Richard Gant sold a off shoot of real promoter Don King,
in the end he repeated to Rocky "if you touch me I'll sue". Rocky does
hit him and replies "sue me for what". Rocky assumes the promoter
would'nt win a law suit based on the neighborhood would not
testify.
Rocky Balboa [3] 2006
Positives: Characters, Script, Scenes
Negatives:
Sorry, the way Stallone aged Rocky, he could still take on a young
opponent? The film series should have ended with "V" and still mourning
the loss of Adrian does and does not help. This one just makes the
actors and history of Rocky out of date.
Rosemary's Baby (1968) [2]
Positives:
Definitely what you label a gothic horror. Very strange
people/neighbors/characters (but dont we all encounter them everyday).
Negatives:
(SPOILERS) The husband gave in to them, the doctors (who was in on it
and who were not, couldnt figure that out). Only the final minute is
the scene most everyone saw in trailer and clips of this movie,
EXCEPT...I cant believe the mother, what she did...Or didnt do that is.
Ride the High Country [3] (1962)
Note:
This is the third Sam Peckinpah film Ive watched. Its a project to
watch all his films, especially since Im not fan of westerns. But as
Kris Kristofferson would say "Sam was a romantic" He knew what he was
doing making a film.
Positives: I think Clint Eastwood took this
script and possibly reworked it into his 1991 award winning Unforgiven
(Eastwood started in westerns tv and films). Thanks to director Sam
Peckinpah seems like this film does seem to show like riding thru the
country, good the bad and the ugly (yes thats a pun). Times are to
watch when woman have no say in that time and place. But heroic when
people come to your rescue however you gotta agree with the girl's
father, no man is good enough for my daughter.
Negatives: It was
difficult to watch how a woman is treated, even in marriage. Its kinda
funny and strange to see such a young man not being able to fight back
for himself. I think the story was supposed to be them carrying a
allotment of gold or something and maybe 5% of the movie involved that.
Movie I think ended too early. Should have seen the young man and woman
get together but there is vagueness of this.