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CharlieMauk
Reviews
Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner Theatrical Release vs Blade Runner Director's Cut
This masterful film is, of course, a morality play: Does a human have all the innate rights of a human whether (it) is born or genetically engineered? The film does not answer this directly, but it urges the viewer to draw his/her own conclusions of right and wrong. Blade Runner is almost a perfect film: perfect casting, terrific score by Vangelis, beautiful,futuristic sets that do not appear contrived, incredible cinematography, convincing acting. However, there is one thing that bothers me about the "Director's Cut" in any film. How can the director release the film for the general public, let it float around as a created entity for a few years, and then change it? A film, like a book, is a unique creation. The plot, the fate of the characters, the elements of the film, are unique to that film, so once the film is released, "the die is cast", so to speak. In my mind, something doesn't "ring true" about changing a film that has been in circulation for a period of time. It seems profane, somehow, to re-release it in a changed form once the viewing public has accepted it for what it is. How many books have you read where the author comes back a few years later and changes the elements of the book? If personally feel that once a film is released, that's it. The film is what it is and should not be changed. I have looked for the original version of Blade Runner, with Dekker's narration, which is smug, blunt, sarcastic, sometimes funny: it fleshes out his character. The original version more clearly illustrates exactly what kind of guy Dekker is, partly due to his narration. Unfortunately, the original version of the film is no longer available. It's obvious that the "Director's Cut" is a ploy to re-market the film. However, don't misunderstand me. Blade Runner is a brilliant film, the definitive science fiction film, and both versions are excellent. I just feel the original narrated version is the best one, the ORIGINAL one.
The Fleet That Came to Stay (1945)
The best "live action" naval combat film I have ever seen!
Tremendous film. Even though it lasts twenty minutes or so, you'll never forget it once you've seen it. Some of the most spectacular live-action battle sequences ever. The finest collection of kamikaze attack footage out there. The film is well narrated and masterfully edited, with a powerful, dynamic sound track. "The Fleet That Came To Stay" was originally released as a war bond drive film in black and white. I was fortunate enough to inherit a good quality 16mm original print, so am very familiar with it. There are several unforgettable sequences, particularly one scene where a bomb tears loose from a plane making a "deck trap" on an aircraft carrier, bounces along the runway past several groups of military personnel without exploding and finally falls over the edge of the boat. Unbelievable! The film also mentions staggering "shot down" statistics as part of the narrative. The final scene before "The End" and "Please buy war bonds..." will burn itself into your memory! My print is the only one I've ever seen; that is, I've never come across a VHS video or DVD copy anywhere. Too bad. It is possible a negative or print may have been preserved in the National Archives. Check it out if you're interested in obtaining a copy of this historic film.
Target for To-night (1941)
A great document of World War II.
I have seen "Target for Tonight" many times, as I am one of the lucky few to have an excellent 16mm original print of the film. I inherited it from a former director of Civilian Defense. It came mounted on the original WWII-issue wire reel. My print even has spare "replacement" footage of the head title, spliced in after the end of the film. One thing that always comes to mind when I view "Target for Tonight" is: These guys had guts! Whereas American raids were high altitude daylight missions, RAF missions were low altitude night attacks, which made bombing particularly difficult and the planes vulnerable to ground fire. Indeed, special lead bombers were sent ahead with incendiary bombs to set the area around the target on fire so the lead bombers could actually see their target at night. The subject of "Target for Tonight", the Wellington bomber "F for Freddie", shows considerable wear and tear. I suspect Warner Bros. may have produced this film: although their logo shield does not appear in the credits, the viewer may recognize the familiar musical intro theme common to most Warner films. The musical score is performed by the Royal Air Force Central Band and all actors in the film are real RAF personnel. If you have a chance to see this film, do so by all means. It is a great document of World War II. "Target for Tonight" won a special Academy Award: Best short documentary film of 1941.