Frank-87 Reviews

Spectre (I) (2015)

Trail of the Pink Panther

[1/10 · 25 August 2021]

This does not qualifiy as a movie. Do you remember "Trail of the Pink Panther"? It was made AFTER the late Peter Sellers had passed away. In fact it was not made at all. They took a bunch of outtakes from previous movies and glued them randomly together. And that seems to be the amount of creative ambition that was used here as well. The product? Terrible. Unwatchable.

The African Queen (1951)

Queen vs. Kaiser

[6/10 · 25 March 2007]

The „enemy warship" Louisa, whose actual name is Liemba (meaning „Lake Tanganyika") was built in 1913 at the Meyer-Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. For over 90 years the Liemba has been the only major means of transportation on Lake Tanganyika. It has been operating almost nonstop since 1927 as a passenger and cargo ferry after turbulent times during WW I.

In the movie in common Hollywood fashion of demonizing the „enemy" (or simply „other people") the Liemba (or Louisa) gets destroyed by the tale's American heroes in an act of guerrilla warfare. This fictional story may work as an adventurous fairytale, but the attitude problem is quite evident. The „enemy" does get reduced to evil and/or inept cartoon characters in millions of US movies, e.g. German troops (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Where eagles dare), Mexicans (The magnificent Seven, The Professionals), French (Two mules for sister Sara), British (The Patriot) etc., and the facts do get bent way beyond implausibility. In „The Mercenaries" the Iron Cross of the German mercenary (based on actual German mercenary in the Congo, Siegfried Müller) even does get changed to a swastika. I wonder why John Houston didn't paint a swastika on the bow of the Louisa as well.

Also remarkable is the fact, that the „democracy" US of A seems to adore Kings and Queens; the heroic boat of this movie is a Queen, Elvis Presley is called King, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. do reside and reign in an aura of selfrightousness like actual aristocrats in a hereditary monarchy.

The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970)

Interesting, entertaining and inspiring interpretation

[9/10 · 20 November 2006]

The chauffeur of the car that runs over Hogue a moment later is filling water (watle) into the radiator. This happens incidentally and can easily be missed by the viewer as it seems to be missed by Hogue himself. I think Peckinpah hasn't made the chauffeur fill watle into the radiator without a purpose within the context of the film. In fact I think there is a major plot-point there: The future belongs to cars and the times of horses as a means of transportation are over, Hogue is rooted in the old times and the car symbolically runs over him; if that is what the movie "means", then Hogue fails to notice that cars do need watle (Hogue's misspelling of "water"), too.

In the long run Hogue could have turned his station with the well into a gas-station, providing gas, watle (for both people and radiators) and food. There was absolutely no need for Hogue to let himself be "run over" by the changing times. In fact I'm still trying to figure out a possible interpretation why Hogue gave himself up so fatalistically in the end. When he was left out in the desert in the beginning of the movie he was talking to god, fighting the elements and hanging on to his life with a very strong will. After the car ran over him he just died with a smile on his face. Is that a change of character?

The Searchers (1956)

Chief Scar is the good guy (too)

[9/10 · 24 February 2003]

Many comments on this page state that this flick is a bit dull and dated at times. Well I think that may be true to some extent, but still it has this monument feel about it, that does make it a classic somehow. Certainly there is not the joyfulness of "El Dorado" to be experienced here...

Several comments regret the arrogant view on the Indians, which are presented as utter stupid brutal savages (or "bad guys"). Well, I myself dislike the black-and-white view of things that many Hollywood movies suffer from, preferring flicks like "Flaming Star", "Little Big Man" or "Soldier Blue". But still I disagree with those comments about this here flick: Chief Scar and Ethan are facing each other as EQUALS and they BOTH are aware of that. All the fighting and killing is originally initiated by the white man. That becomes clear (not only) when they both meet in the Indian village. They level with each other, and it is Scar who explains the reason for the raid on the farm: his sons were killed by white men. Yes, Ethan says that Debbie doesn't deserve to live any more after having been the squaw of an Indian (or something along that line), but this is NOT the attitude of the film-makers; the character Ethan is WRONG there at first and then he LEARNS and in the end he carries Debbie home on his arms.

So I think, too, that the movie is a bit dated somehow. But the plot and the attitude are NOT simplistic. On the contrary, there are characters here which all are "good" and "bad" at the same time. The movie is worth to be watched closely and repeatedly.

Flaming Star (1960)

a little jewel of a movie

[9/10 · 21 February 2003]

This little movie is really different. The theme goes down to the soul, it certainly does reflect on the american soul. The white (or WASP to be more precise) are not presented the way they like it, calling themselves "good guys". It has always been said that no-one wanted to watch Elvis in a non-musical movie, and "G.I. Blues" and the like were much more successful because of that. That maybe true to some extent, but then other movies of a similar attitude towards the oh-so-glorious conquering of the wild west like "Heaven's gate" failed to make the big buck as well. So I think it's more the down to earth attitude, that sort of holds a mirror to the audience's face, than Elvis not singing much, why the flick was without much luck at the box-office. I don't think it's a coincidence, that the birthday gift in the beginning of the movie is a mirror. And - yes - Elvis really does pull it off in this one. What if he (in real life) had become more mature, made his own career decisions, accepted offers for movies like "Thunder road", "A star is born", "Midnight cowboy" ... what if ??

Nacht fiel über Gotenhafen (1960)

Collide with destiny

[8/10 · 31 January 2001]

The sinking of the "Wilhelm Gustloff" is the biggest ship catastrophe ever. There were more than 10,000 people aboard - including over 5,000 children; more than 9,000 (!!) died, drowning and freezing to death. It is very odd that this drama is far less known or "popular" as e.g. the "Titanic" desaster, which was a ship of the rich and the super rich.

There are several popular books about the "Gustloff", but up to this day moviewise this is the only "monument" in rememberance of those 9,000 people who were buried alive in the Ostsee.

Old Shatterhand (1964)

This is no genuine Karl May

[2/10 · 19 April 2000]

Unfortunately this movie is very bad. It is written poorly by people who have never read Karl May. It is filmed pretty badly, too. After the success of "Winnetou I" the other big german producer, Brauner, wanted to make some money out of this "milkcow", too. But like all the other movies he then made after books of Karl May (and I have seen them all), the movies were hastily produced and turned out to be worse than those of his competitor. Even the costumes seem to be made for a dude ranch. There's only one or two scenes that are fun to watch, the rest is just boooring. Take my advice and spare yourself the time. Watch "Der Schatz im Silbersee" instead.

El Dorado (1966)

ride, boldly ride, the shade replied

[10/10 · 29 February 2000]

This is THE western movie yo me. The Poe poem recited in the movie by Mississippi has been going around in my head ever since I first seen it. It's a touching story about man, woman, friendship, love, treachery, fights and the attitude towards life. It does work out that way, as Wayne's character learns during the process; all you gotta do is "ride, boldly ride". 10 out of 10. Yes, Sir!

Live a Little, Love a Little (1968)

very enjoyable

[7/10 · 2 July 1999]

I am a big Elvis fan, and I have seen this one many times. Hard to tell whether I should recommend this movie to fans or to everyone who likes light hearted old fashioned comedies. This movie is certainly light years away from the crap that Elvis had been made to act in before. Check it out. The music is great, too. Only 4 songs, including Wonderful world.

The Sinister Monk (1965)

best of the Wallace classics

[8/10 · 2 July 1999]

This 34 year old german movie probably is not a timeless piece of art, yet it still is very entertaining. Check out the music, too!!!

Among the Wallace movie series during the 60s this is one of the best entries.

Rio Lobo (1970)

a western favorite

[8/10 · 16 June 1999]

This was the last Hawks movie. It is western adventure at its best. There's action, fun, gunpowder, a good score, women, horses and a tough plot about loyalty and betrayal. One of my all time western favorites.

Feuer, Eis & Dynamit (1990)

great fun...if you know what's expecting you

[8/10 · 27 May 1999]

I remember I had a great time in the cinema watching this "Fire and Ice" sequel. I certainly knew what I was about to see; Willy Bogner did the ski stunts in several Bond movies (remember For your eyes only). And that is exactly what we get here for two hours NONSTOP. There is everything: parachutes, skiing, cars, bunjee, rafts, skating, .... If this sounds good to you then go see this stunt show at a theater near you.

Ace High (1968)

very delightful western comedy

[9/10 · 25 May 1999]

fun, fun, fun; well made in every detail; fantastic score, beautiful photography, story with twists, lots of action, fun actors - having fun doing the movie and being fun to watch, this western comedy is a delight. By the way; I'm NOT exaggerating. One of the Hill/Spencer highlights.

Bunte Hunde (1995)

classic gangster movie

[10/10 · 15 May 1999]

This movie is amazingly well done in every respect. A piece of art. This is a gangster movie a la Jean Pierre Melville ("Le Samurai", "Un flic"). No big explosions here but an intelligent script, tight editing and all the rest. Go see it.

Incorrigible (1975)

unbelievably funny

[10/10 · 14 May 1999]

although I had to watch the german language version of this movie (because my french is bad) and a movie always loses this way, I was laughing nonstop for the first hour, during the last half hour the movie slows down to a normal super-hilarious comedy level. Belmondo IS energetic humor, and the fast paced script and direction make this movie an intelligent comedy. Don't miss this one.

Up to His Ears (1965)

fun to watch...Raiders of the lost Chinese

[7/10 · 14 May 1999]

this is a remake of "L'homme de Rio" of the same director and also starring Belmondo. The producers told De Broca to make a "super"-L'homme de Rio this time. But the comedy is taken a bit too far this time, which means the border to pure slapstick is crossed several times throughout the movie, which is unfortunate. Also the actor of the suicidal millionaire and the actor playing his butler should have switched roles; I think even the director stated that once in an interview.

There are several references to its preceding movie, most obvious; in one scene the girl calls Belmondo "Arthur" instead of "Adrien"; "Arthur" was the name of Belmondos character in the first movie. In the first movie Belmondo asks his girl; "what's next, are we going to China?".

User reviews of "L'homme de Rio" correctly mention the fact that Spielberg very obviously was inspired by that '63 French movie when making Indiana Jones. Well, watch this movie and you will experience even more deja-vus.

This is a well done and very entertaining adventure-comedy movie. Go see it.

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

the evil dozen

[1/10 · 12 May 1999]

I've seen this movie several times. It really is a "man"-movie, tough and all. However its attitude is very disturbing. The allied soldiers are a bunch of crooks (were they??) who are sent to Europe to kill german officers and their wifes (!) at a recreation center. Well, someone who calls himself a soldier fights on the battlefield for one thing. I'm not saying the allies were not crooks, but the glorification of that is very perverse. After having read the book of german officer Otto Skorzeny (he freed Mussolini from a mountain retreat in an operation that would make Lee Marvin look like a first grader) "My command operations" I threw the dirty-dozen-tape into the garbage can. NOT because we are the "bad-guys" in this movie, but because the attitude of the movie is so very wrong. Real life Skorzeny gave out the order to his crew: "no shot is fired unless you hear ME shoot" and he did not use his gun during, e.g., the entire daredevil Mussolini-operation. That was how the "real-life-good-guys" handled these things. So maybe you can understand that the dirty-dozen-massacre-movie is in a way both very pathetic and evil.

Thunderball (1965)

double-o-gadget

[11 May 1999]

Thunderball is highly entertaining. However it is a low point of the series. The character Bond has become the star of the movie, Connery is not as important as an actor as he is as the gadget-man. No wonder he wanted to quit after this one. I miss the "human aspect" in this movie and action, too. If you're not an "expert", don't let you be fooled by this 007-movie; it actually got an award as the worst movie of the year.

Winnetou: The Red Gentleman (1964)

epic western-adventure-movie

[7/10 · 11 May 1999]

This is an epic western-adventure-movie. It is highly entertaining and has in fact the potential of being a lot better than it is. Dances with Wolves reminds me a lot of this movie. And with a better script and stronger directing Winnetou II could have been a timeless piece of art like the Costner movie. The yugoslavian landscape seems a bit out of place sometimes, but the movie has a lot of the "Karl May - feeling".

How the West Was Won (1962)

creating history

[5/10 · 11 May 1999]

This movie was made solely to introduce the new cinerama system. But the lines that divide the screen into three parts, due to the use of three different cameras, three different copies of film, three different projectors, proofed the system useless. The directors put trees, rocks or poles into the scene to make the lines less noticable. But that also betrayed the idea of cinerama. The story of the film could have been edited together from other western movies. Nothing new there.

Here's something to think about; this movie "creates history" for the US. It glorifies the westward movement of the frontier. Isn't that exactly the quest for "Lebensraum", which is what the cliche-bad-guys of many "we-are-the-good-guys-war-movies", the "nazies", are blamed for ?????? Hello !!!

Stay Away, Joe (1968)

this comedy is a hoot

[8/10 · 4 January 1999]

"Stay away, Joe" is one hilarious comedy movie. It's got a fine supporting cast, an Elvis who was extremely comfortable with his role and there are at least half a million laughs. One has to admit, that once or twice one gets the impression, the script wasn't quite finished when they started shooting (like in the overlong party sequence near the beginning) and the director wasn't as talented as Burt Kennedy, but we still get some 100 min. of fast paced entertainment. As a fan of western movies I have seen all the Peckinpahs, Hawks' and Fords and I find it interesting that "Stay away, Joe" tells a similar story like "Junior Bonner" which was made several years later; rodeo champion returns home, wants to support his folks, encounters all sorts of problems. Even in some details "Junior Bonner" seems to be inspired by this movie; e.g. in both movies there is a big fight scene during which the hero takes his girl by the hand and, crawling on all fours, tries to find a quiet spot outside. Anyone who liked "Support your local gunfighter" will most likely enjoy "Stay away, Joe", too. I give it 8 out of 10.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Knight Rider on the big screen

[2/10 · 3 January 1999]

"Tomorrow never dies" is re-recycled material from start to finish.

This entry in the series consists of ideas from earlier Bond movies (plot from "The spy who loved me", the sinking of the "Devonshire" reminds me of the sinking of the "St. Georges" in "For your eyes only", etc.),

of some of the oldest cinematic experiences ever (a truckload of fireworks that goes off accidentally could be from a "The three stooges" movie from the 30's or 40's, and most OFFENDING is the remote control car chase taken from TV's Knight Rider(!!!), the 80's TV show with one David Hasselhoff. In many reviews this car chase is mentioned as "well done" and "typical Bond".

Excuse me !!?? First the bad guys try to smash the BMW's window with sledge hammers which is taken DIRECTLY from Knight Rider, then Bond steers the car remote controled which is just as childish. I don't watch Hasselhoff on TV and I don't want to see this kind of kid's TV show in the cinema either. Only thing that's missing is that Bond talks to the car!

The acting is comparatively poor; compare the scene where Brosnan finds Hatcher's body in the hotel room to the similar scene in "Licence to kill" where Dalton finds Mrs. Leiter's body and you'll know what I mean.

Many reviewers mention the fact that the female lead role has EVENTUALLY been upgraded. They must have missed the last 22 years of Bond films; in "The spy who loved me" from 1977 Triple-X gets as much room in the movie as our hero, in the teaser of that movie the girl is introduced as a match to Bond and ALL the leading ladies have been that since (with the exception of "A view to a kill" and "The living daylights").

I'm a big fan of Brosnan's but I'm also still waiting for an acceptable Bond film featuring him as Bond. "Tomorrow never dies" gets 2 out of 10, one for Brosnan and one for David Arnold.

The Invincibles (1994)

edge-of-your-seat action thriller

[9/10 · 3 January 1999]

"Die Sieger" is one great action and suspense thriller. There's an interesting plot, good acting, real life characters and a lot of action. I went to see it the week it came out and I was VERY impressed. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys "Die Hard"-type, intelligent and well done movie-entertainment. Dominik Graf, I want more of this.

Charro! (1969)

my favorite Presley pic

[8/10 · 3 January 1999]

I don't know what makes me enjoy this movie more, being an Elvis fan or being a fan of western movies (my favorite is El Dorado).

This movie shows some pretty good acting, an impressive soundtrack, beautiful cinematography, some wild action and an Elvis, that is pretty rough and tough. Warren hadn't made a movie for ten years before "Charro" and I think he shouldn't have been producer, writer AND director. He did his weakest job as the writer, his directing is a lot better, but I wonder what Peckinpah might have done out of this story. In fact the two-former-friends-now-enemies plot is typical for Peckinpah. The story reflects a lot of Elvis' own career, most obvious: the bad guy in "Charro" USES the Elvis character to make money, which is exactly what Elvis' real life manager did, too, in fact that guy (who called himself Colonel, although he wasn't) was highly unscrupulous and Elvis too weak (sorry fellow fans but let's face the truth!) to have his own way. This often underrated movie is highly recommendable to anyone who likes western movies. Let me add that this movie is NOT a musical; in one scene Elvis is opening a door to look into a saloon where a band is playing, in one of his awful musical comedies, the man would jump onto the stage and perform some tune, but here he turns around and closes the door.

Burning Hearts (1945)

Beautiful, a must see!

[9/10 · 3 January 1999]

"Kolberg" is impressive for several reasons; it is not only a piece of art, but also highly entertaining. It features some very good acting (Heinrich George is considered by many as one of the greatest actors ever), impressive cinematography which makes the movie also look very modern, in fact the makers of "Kolberg" seem to have been ahead of their time. John Wayne's "The Alamo" from 1960 could have been inspired by this movie. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes classics and anyone who likes the big screen at all. A must-see.