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kouch21
Reviews
Echo in the Canyon (2018)
The Kind of World Where We Belong
I saw the film this past Saturday night and thought it was outstanding. It put many songs from the 60s into their proper context in terms of development, highlighting the cross-collaborative efforts between bands that were in the canyon scene during that time, as well as further afield, primarily in the UK, to which I wasn't fully aware of the extent.
The film also shows the impact and influence that this particular music scene has had on contemporary musical artists, illustrated by renditions of many of the songs from that window in time by a particular stable of modern-day musicians at a show at Downtown LA's Orpheum Theatre in October of 2015. While I enjoyed seeing the highlights of that show in the film, it felt like they focused on that concert a little too much during the film's 90-minute runtime. There's also the not so subtle implication that these artists are the direct descendants of that culture and should be revered accordingly. While I like many of the artists depicted on-screen, the impact of the music made in, or inspired by, the late-1960s Laurel Canyon scene goes far beyond the indie/alt rock/pop genres. It would have been nice to have seen that acknowledged. That's my only real complaint with the film, and a relatively minor one at that.
All-in-all, I'm pleased that the filmmakers made the efforts that they did, interviewing many of the artists from that era that are still alive today, and visiting several of the recording studios that will likely be consumed in full by L.A.'s cutthroat real estate market in favor of redevelopment. When those days inevitably arrive, I'm hoping that some rich music lover(s) will have the foresight to purchase and digitally preserve them, even if they have to be relocated, or ultimately replicated, to another location...perhaps in the form of a "Music Studio Museum" in the Capitol Records Building, or in/with some other venue/institution of a similar stature, such as the Grammy Museum.
I enjoyed the film immensely and highly recommend it.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Yesterday's Enterprise (1990)
Darn Good Television
A tour de force of the best that a television series can offer: a well written script, solid ensemble acting (including the episode's guest actors), excellent direction, and an Emmy-nominated score to boot. Specific to Star Trek, there were solid special effects including a lengthy space battle (with the Klingons), the introduction of the Ambassador-class starship (Enterprise-C), and a full-fledged time displacement. Guinan's character was also fleshed out, while at the same time endowed with even more mystery, being the only one to sense the effects of the time displacement. The episode also set up a significant long-term plot line in the series, one that wouldn't be resolved until halfway through the fifth season. There were many memorable lines throughout, most striking being the transition from "Captain's Log, Stardate" to "Military Log, Combat Date". The only thing I would have changed would have been to have Worf leading the Klingon squadron in the alternate timeline... It would have been fun to hear him say: "Federation ship: Surrender, and prepare to be boarded." Regardless, one of the best in the series, and in my opinion, one of the best single episodes of any television series.
Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution (2005)
Decent for a TV Movie
I am not usually one for TV movies, but since Janel Moloney was playing the lead I decided to watch. This movie was based on the book written by Amber Frey, so it feels a bit slanted toward her perspective. (But I suppose she is the title character!) That being said, the movie seemed a good summary of the events surrounding the disappearance/murder of Laci Peterson that I had not followed despite the incessant news coverage of 2003-2004. The acting throughout was sufficient for what ultimately boils down to a murder investigation. Ms. Moloney plays a convincing Amber Frey (their physical resemblance was striking). (Casting should have gone after Ben Affleck for Scott Peterson - see SNL's Weekend Update from November 13, 2004.) Nothing too creative in terms of editing, as I found the second half to drag in terms of the story's flow. And did Zondervan books sponsor this production? The inclusion of "The Purpose Driven Life" seemed forced, and only appears to try to paint Amber Frey in an even more righteous light. I am not certain what purpose Scott Peterson's life will serve on Death Row. And the portrayal of Laci's mother, while touching, seemed to indicate that she'd lost all her children when in fact there is an older brother (Brent) and a half-sister (Amy). All-in-all, a decent portrayal of recent 'news' events.
Minority Report (2002)
Can you see?
Minority Report is a welcome departure from the fluff that defines most summer movies. I should expect no less from Spielberg, who directs this adaptation of the Philip K. Dick short story. The film is set 52 years in the future, when murders (in Washington D.C. anyway) are a thing of the past. Cruise plays a cop in the Orwellian pre-crime unit who, through the use of three 'oracles', prevent potential murders from taking place. However, when the system is turned on him, he runs in pursuit of the truth. His odyssey changes his perception of pre-crime and all that comes with it, giving him new vision along the way.
Tom Cruise gives another solid performance (as he did in Vanilla Sky and Eyes Wide Shut) and Colin Farrell was adequate in the detective role. The film certainly has a unique visual style, sleekly futuristic but not overly rich in color (as was Soderbergh's D.C. in Traffic). John Williams' score for the film was his usual, though at points I wanted to yell out that this wasn't Jurassic Park or an Indiana Jones' movie. A couple spots in this film were (in my opinion) rather predictable, and it wasn't due to the heavy marketing campaign for the film. Also, I couldn't help but feel that the ending was a little too upbeat with very few loose ends. Why let the audience have imagination when you can narrate it away?
Despite these shortcomings, I have to say that I believe this film to be the most complete film of the summer (so far) and is worth the trip to the cinema to see.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
From Novella to the Screen
I've read the novella from "Different Seasons," and feel that Frank Darabont's screenplay was an excellent refinement of King's story. It pretty much sticks with the original plot while eliminating some portions which didn't add much to the story as a whole. The only part I wish they would have included (that they didn't) was Red's tales of other breaks at Shawshank Prison, if only for the novelty of them. Regarding the movie alone, I thought the grand aerial views of the prison combined with Thomas Newman's score (especially the 'Stoic Theme') were quite wonderful, almost breathtaking in their scope and power. I would have to say this is by far Tim Robbins' best role to date while it at least is among Morgan Freeman's top three cinematic performances. I have seen this movie several times, and although I'd say the first viewing is the best, I never tire of experiencing the story of Andy and Red, their story of hope.
Hobgoblins (1988)
Gremlin Abortion
I've had the privilege of seeing this terrible movie twice on MST3K. It wasn't as bad as "The Blood Waters of Dr. Z," but it ranks a close second on my list of worst movies. Whoever made this movie obviously didn't feel as though we'd seen enough in "Gremlins" three years earlier. "Gremlins" was an OK movie that was at least mildly amusing in its own right, but this movie appears to be some sort of misguided attempt at continuing along the theme with far less real characters. At least in "Gremlins," you could feel sympathy for the characters and what they were going through, and even wanted them to win out in the end. However, in "Hobgoblins," you really want the little monsters to be the victors so that it can be over and everyone put out of their misery. What was the deal with the stick fight in the yard? Or the entire bar scene? Why weren't any of the doors locked that weren't supposed to be entered? I guess some questions just don't have answers, and some movies don't have a point to them either. Don't ever watch this movie unless you have the opportunity to see it on MST3K.