...so, there must be something to it. Sure, on a camp level -- it gets campier & more outdate every year. But Tony is charming, the rest of the cast do just fine, and the pacing and art direction shine; I prefer real-life sets to the "CGI-fication" of today, and that snowy hospital ward (complete with nurse-sicle) is pretty cool. The outer space stuff is A Set Too Far, but whatever: I have affection for this film, which probably merits a 6, but I'm feeling generous ... That said, "Demon Seed" -- with hich this film makes an excellent compare-&-contrast -- is a 10.
Reviews
8 Reviews
The Manitou
(1978)
It's No "Demon Seed," but I've watched it 4 times over 40 Years, so...
12 July 2022
The Father
(I) (2020)
I watched "The Father" 3x in a 48-hour period -- NOT in order to...
24 April 2021
..."figure it out"; that's only SEMI-possible -- if at all: even the ending, for instance, can be taken at least 2 different ways, in terms of what's real & what isn't, given the condition of the point-of-view character (played to perfection by Sir Hopkins). No, I watched the film 3x in 2 days because it's so compelling. And yes, each time I perhaps "got it" a bit more, but more to the point, I got more OUT OF IT. This isn't "Memento" (another fine film); it's not a puzzle-ox to "solve." I suggest simply experiencing it, again & again, as your experience OF it deepens and broadens and thickens. MASTERPIECE.
A Walk in the Woods
(1989 TV Movie)
"Outdated" -- ? Seriously?
9 February 2021
It's called *historical." We watch a piece like this not because it is up to date, but precisely because it ISN'T, so that we can learn about those bygone times -- and thus about our own and those to come. This near-masterpiece's only deficiency lies within its otherwise stellar script: a reference to Ronald Reagan's serious limitations and deficiencies would have yielded a more accurate and thus a more complete vision of the big picture in/with which these diplomats were struggling.
Fragmented
(2014)
"Memento" Meets "Mulholland Drive" -- on a Micro-Budget! ...
23 October 2016
... not that this visceral crime-/psychological-/mystery-thriller is in any way derivative of those two classic entries within the same mixture-o'-genres -- far from it: this taut indie feature is a true original. Rather, "Fragmented" achieves results as impressive as did the first two films ... and delivers, in the process, a comparable mind-f*** that makes the viewer reconsider, in a glaring new light, everything s/he has just experienced. The bonus of this enforced paradigm shift is that you may decide (as I did) that you *have* to watch this fine film all over again -- and soon! Top-notch acting (especially by Gwendolyn Garver and Horacio Lazo) combines with a clever script, lean-'n'-mean camera work, and deft direction to yield a big-bang-for-the-buck tour de force.
Suicide Squad
(2016)
Harley, Deadshot, & Viola Davis Keep It from Sucking
5 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Suicide Squad" is a good movie that could have been much better.
The script needed work. There were too many members of The Squad ... & they killed off *the wrong one* near the outset! But Harley Quinn and Deadshot both worked well. Viola Davis has total bad-ass gravitas. Not a bad Joker ... though Heath's shadow will always loom large over whoever essays that role (more on this later). I liked some elements of Enchantress.
The action sequences were, predictably, WAY too uber-rapid-cut-cut-cut; when there are fights (or dancing) in a movie, I wanna see the freakin' *choreography*, which requires shots of greater length -- even with a camera that's in motion. God, I'm SO SICK of the MTV-on-steroids, blink-and-you-miss-4-shots clichéd editing that once (like, 30-plus YEARS ago) was experimental & adrenaline boosting but now is a lazy-ass way to produce excitement where none otherwise would exist. (Don't get me started on how editing & cinematography destroyed Lara Croft. TOTAL missed opp.) If Alfonso Cuaron had directed this (which he should & could & well might have; hell, it's better source material than "Hellboy"), with a better script (one that delves into the psycho-socio-cultural/neo-feminist subtext -- and/or the socio-political subtext, as "The Dark Knight" did) -- now, THERE's a movie.
OK, so: Mista J. (-sigh-) After Ledger died, I said, "Retire this character. Hang his jersey up on the wall, & call it a day, 'cause no one will ever touch this." I thought Leto did as good a job as anyone could of following in those footsteps -- without downright mimicry, which likewise wouldn't have worked. Talk about a thankless job! Like I said: "Not a bad Joker." But not a very-good one, either. We had ONE. ONCE. In ONE masterpiece of a movie. Time to go re-watch (again!) TDK.
My nephew Henry Darrow McComas has mentioned "Escape from New York" in connection with SS, which is spooky, 'cause last nite, in its best, tensest moments, SS was giving me total "Escape..." vibes, as bad guys whom we're rootin' for are stalkin' the mean nite-time streets of a demolished Big Apple, w/ WORSE baddies right around the corner. John Carpenter should have directed! Henry also mentioned the -- SPOILER ALERT! -- unlikelihood of an iPhone app doing-in super-meta-humans. Agreed. Kinda like the use of -- "STAR TREK: BEYOND" SPOILER ALERT! -- "Sabotage" over radio waves during the climax of the (otherwise largely fine) new Trek film.
In view of Margot Robbie's performance, I hold out high hopes for the upcoming Harley Quinn movie. (And I'll be there for the imminent Wonder Woman re-boot, that's for sure; been carrying a flame for HER since I was 14!) See "SS," & judge it for yourself.
The script needed work. There were too many members of The Squad ... & they killed off *the wrong one* near the outset! But Harley Quinn and Deadshot both worked well. Viola Davis has total bad-ass gravitas. Not a bad Joker ... though Heath's shadow will always loom large over whoever essays that role (more on this later). I liked some elements of Enchantress.
The action sequences were, predictably, WAY too uber-rapid-cut-cut-cut; when there are fights (or dancing) in a movie, I wanna see the freakin' *choreography*, which requires shots of greater length -- even with a camera that's in motion. God, I'm SO SICK of the MTV-on-steroids, blink-and-you-miss-4-shots clichéd editing that once (like, 30-plus YEARS ago) was experimental & adrenaline boosting but now is a lazy-ass way to produce excitement where none otherwise would exist. (Don't get me started on how editing & cinematography destroyed Lara Croft. TOTAL missed opp.) If Alfonso Cuaron had directed this (which he should & could & well might have; hell, it's better source material than "Hellboy"), with a better script (one that delves into the psycho-socio-cultural/neo-feminist subtext -- and/or the socio-political subtext, as "The Dark Knight" did) -- now, THERE's a movie.
OK, so: Mista J. (-sigh-) After Ledger died, I said, "Retire this character. Hang his jersey up on the wall, & call it a day, 'cause no one will ever touch this." I thought Leto did as good a job as anyone could of following in those footsteps -- without downright mimicry, which likewise wouldn't have worked. Talk about a thankless job! Like I said: "Not a bad Joker." But not a very-good one, either. We had ONE. ONCE. In ONE masterpiece of a movie. Time to go re-watch (again!) TDK.
My nephew Henry Darrow McComas has mentioned "Escape from New York" in connection with SS, which is spooky, 'cause last nite, in its best, tensest moments, SS was giving me total "Escape..." vibes, as bad guys whom we're rootin' for are stalkin' the mean nite-time streets of a demolished Big Apple, w/ WORSE baddies right around the corner. John Carpenter should have directed! Henry also mentioned the -- SPOILER ALERT! -- unlikelihood of an iPhone app doing-in super-meta-humans. Agreed. Kinda like the use of -- "STAR TREK: BEYOND" SPOILER ALERT! -- "Sabotage" over radio waves during the climax of the (otherwise largely fine) new Trek film.
In view of Margot Robbie's performance, I hold out high hopes for the upcoming Harley Quinn movie. (And I'll be there for the imminent Wonder Woman re-boot, that's for sure; been carrying a flame for HER since I was 14!) See "SS," & judge it for yourself.
The Final Countdown
(1980)
"The Twilight Zone" did it first.
12 March 2014
And better.
That said, anything with Martin Sheen is worth watching. He's even brilliant in his small yet key role in THE DEAD ZONE. And of course he's brilliant as Pres. Jed Bartlett throughout the entire run of THE WEST WING.
As for THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, it's basically two TZ episodes -- "The Odyssey of Flight 33" and "Back There" -- mashed together ... with a WW II spin.
Skip TFC and check out TZ. TFC is okay, but Rod Serling was a one-in-a-million genius.
That said, anything with Martin Sheen is worth watching. He's even brilliant in his small yet key role in THE DEAD ZONE. And of course he's brilliant as Pres. Jed Bartlett throughout the entire run of THE WEST WING.
As for THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, it's basically two TZ episodes -- "The Odyssey of Flight 33" and "Back There" -- mashed together ... with a WW II spin.
Skip TFC and check out TZ. TFC is okay, but Rod Serling was a one-in-a-million genius.
Another Earth
(2011)
This is as good as cinema gets -- on our or ANY Earth.
18 August 2011
Not for the closed-minded -- nor for those seeking hardcore science fiction. But if you like to see SF used to focus on the nature of OUR world and OUR species, you're in luck.
The film engages head and heart in equal measure, using a parable/fable/allegory approach that makes it timeless; people will be watching, loving, admiring, and teaching this movie for generations.
Best final shot since the 1968 PLANET OF THE APES.
Brit Marling should play "Dayna Clay" in the now-in-development film version of my 2002 novel UNPLUGGED ( www.paulmccomas.com/unplugged). I'd love for her to work on the script for it, too!
She's a genius. The sky is the limit for this multi-talented newcomer.
The film engages head and heart in equal measure, using a parable/fable/allegory approach that makes it timeless; people will be watching, loving, admiring, and teaching this movie for generations.
Best final shot since the 1968 PLANET OF THE APES.
Brit Marling should play "Dayna Clay" in the now-in-development film version of my 2002 novel UNPLUGGED ( www.paulmccomas.com/unplugged). I'd love for her to work on the script for it, too!
She's a genius. The sky is the limit for this multi-talented newcomer.
Lou Grant
(1977–1982)
Simply the best
7 August 2010
Judged by 1977-82 standards, this show was peerless.
Today, it's a bit "dated" in certain ways. But these elements actually make it a valuable portrait of its era.
Talented cast, right down the line. Terrific writing. Skillful, sensitive directing. Highly relevant. Courageous. And one of TV's all-time-best role models in the lead.
Every Emmy -- & there were MANY -- was fully deserved. Also the Peabody, the Humanitas, & all the other awards it won.
Each season was as strong as or stronger than its predecessor; this is one show that was NOT running out of steam.
In fact, during the Reagan Years, we needed it more than ever! (Would have loved to see its take on Iran-Contra.)
Shame on CBS for bowing to pressure because of Asner's politics and the show's oft-controversial scripts.
LOU still shines.
Waiting impatiently for (legal) DVD release!
Today, it's a bit "dated" in certain ways. But these elements actually make it a valuable portrait of its era.
Talented cast, right down the line. Terrific writing. Skillful, sensitive directing. Highly relevant. Courageous. And one of TV's all-time-best role models in the lead.
Every Emmy -- & there were MANY -- was fully deserved. Also the Peabody, the Humanitas, & all the other awards it won.
Each season was as strong as or stronger than its predecessor; this is one show that was NOT running out of steam.
In fact, during the Reagan Years, we needed it more than ever! (Would have loved to see its take on Iran-Contra.)
Shame on CBS for bowing to pressure because of Asner's politics and the show's oft-controversial scripts.
LOU still shines.
Waiting impatiently for (legal) DVD release!
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