This low-budget movie packs a maximum impact. The cast of no-names eliminates the predisposition to the glorification of war associated with many big name "war" actors. I have rarely seen a film about small-unit dynamics as well done. Every part is well-acted. Of interest are the relationships between the draftees, the enlisted lifer, and the opportunistic Lieutenant. The tension, confusion, and boredom of combat operations is captured in excruciating yet tender detail. The film conveys a good sense of the terrible waste of the Vietnam war. This movie is down, dirty, and real. If you are a war film buff, this one is a must see!
Reviews
15 Reviews
The Mark of the Hawk
(1957)
What Was Sidney Poitier Thinking?
23 May 2005
This movie is ultimately about a black African selling out to white colonialists. Not exactly the kind of part that you might expect Sidney Poitier to take on. Considering the year made (1957?) it may just have been that Sidney needed the work. In any case, he does a fine acting job as Obam, a newly elected representative. The same cannot be said for Eartha Kitt - who plays Obam's wife. In a sequence that seems rather out of place she sings her first hit song. A much better acting job is done by Clifton Macklin as Obam's revolutionary brother, Kanda. The tension between the two carries the movie through to it's rather sappy religious-tinged ending. If you are a Poitier fan, it's a must see.
Escape from Angola
(1976)
Escape From Reality
23 May 2005
Set in Angola, this story is about a white game farmer - Stan Brock as James Mallory - and his family. The plot involving his endeavors to rescue wildlife in a tenuous political situation is rather thin. Further strain arises from the weak relationships of the various characters. In particular, I can't figure out why Mallory's wife ever would have found him attractive - they seem to share nothing in common. Several of the sequences involving wildlife captures may offend those sensitive to the treatment of animals. Another problem area is the overuse of "comedic" animal scenes. Finally, portraying African people fighting for their own land as "terrorists" while glorifying white settlers is frankly racist. The African scenery shots are gorgeous and are the main redeeming element of this otherwise forgettable film.
The Proud and Damned
(1972)
Only for Western Film Die-hards
23 May 2005
Chuck Connors is featured in this western about a group of American civil war veterans traveling in South America. After being run out of one country they wind up as the "guests" of a Columbian General intent on conquest. In a situation where they don't have a lot of choice, they agree to go to the town of San Carlos to spy out the city and report back to the General. While in San Carlos they wind up being the "guests" of the mayor played by Cesar Romero. Two subplots unfold involving women and the group, leading to predictable conflict and violence, with a surprising twist for the group's leader, played by Connors. Ultimately battle breaks out with elements of treachery and surprise. Marred by some dumb dialog, this film is recommended only for die-hard western lovers.
Real Women Have Curves
(2002)
A Reality-Based Movie!
23 May 2005
What a breath of fresh air! Real women in real situations. By "real women" I am referring to mothers, daughters, grandmothers, in all shapes and sizes. No Hollywood anorexic beauty queens here. By "real situations" I mean life for hard working Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles. No Hollywood fantasy plots or CGI enhancement needed. Plenty of conflict and interesting situations involving a teenager wanting to go to college and her family. Particularly memorable is a scene in the sweat shop run by her sister. Also touching is the relationship between the teen and her grandfather. Her relationship with her mother is deeply explored and a source of tremendous and well-acted angst. Definitely a must see!
Absolute Power
(1997)
A Watchable Thriller
23 May 2005
Sometimes the results of being both director and actor have diminished Clint Eastwood's work, such as his poor showing in "Blood Work". However, this thriller moves along at a good pace with good performances all around. As Luther, an accomplished thief, Clint fits the bill and establishes credible relationships with his daughter and his pursuers. The supporting actors turn in good performances. Of particular note is Ed Harris, who does a fine job as a homicide detective. A weak plot point is the apparent difficulty the police seem to have in figuring out obvious crime scene staging. Another weakness is the ending. As usual, Hollywood writing takes the easy way out. But these are relative quibbles in an otherwise watchable thriller.
Blood Work
(2002)
A Poor Showing By Clint Eastwood
23 May 2005
This is one of Clint Eastwood's poorer efforts. It might have been better if he hadn't both directed and acted. The plot has lots of potential, but it gets lost in unrealistic scenes. Based very loosely on FBI profiling, it scarcely introduces the concept. Several of the crime scenes are obviously staged, even to a non-police eye. The movie also contains some very lame and borderline racist jokes involving a Latino detective. Clint's "love interest" also comes across not as a believable plot element but more as an example of Hollywood pandering to the prerogatives of rich, powerful, and old white male director/actors. Speaking of pandering, watch for a couple bit parts played by Eastwood progeny. If you are a die-hard Clint Eastwood fan then you can probably be excused for wanting to see this movie. Otherwise, give it a miss.
Reviewers are taking payoffs
23 May 2005
"You are so ... (long pause) ... beautiful" - only George Lucas could write such lame dialog, delivered by such lame actors, and still make millions at the box office. Was this movie worth interrupting an afternoon nap? No. The only good thing to say about it is that it sucks less than episodes I and II. Save your money, even if you love special effects on the big screen. The action comes so fast and furious at times you can't catch what's going on anyway. Sets? Imagine a princess's palatial penthouse suite with no art, no books, no plants, no pets, nothing organic. Everything is sterile - like most of the visuals. From a plot perspective, we all know where this movie is going, so couldn't Lucas come up with even a few plot twists to get us there? Guess not. Thank the FORCE this series is over.
The Silence
(1998)
A Jewel
24 April 2005
Subtitled in English, this story of a 10-year old blind boy's experiences is visually and aurally intertwined. Filled with striking scenes and hypnotic music, the production is unique and riveting. The camera wanders through the bazaars and shops of Tajikistan providing a glimpse into a culture not well known to Westerners. The interplay between the boy and the beautiful young woman who acts as his eyes is touching, filled with humor, and played with a simple elegance. The distractions encountered by the boy on his way from home to work are a delight. Supporting roles are well played. The harmonies of the music, the city, and everyday life produce a funny and profound film well worth watching.
The Shop on Main Street
(1965)
How Easy It Is
22 April 2005
A fine movie showing just how easy it is for people to become oppressors. Tono is just an average Joe, keeping his nose clean, until he is co-opted into participating in the Nazi regime by his well-placed brother-in-law. Along the way Tono's wife shows the warping power of greed. The seeds of a fatal moral dilemma are set as Tono becomes the Aryan "controller" of a Jewish business run by a befuddled widow. Ultimately the horror becomes clear as the Jews are rounded up and the widow - played brilliantly - briefly comes to her senses and realizes she is the victim of a "pogrom." All the relationships and characters in the movie are finely drawn and well acted, and the production values were excellent.
The version I reviewed was subtitled in English, and unfortunately some of the subtitles were difficult to read.
The version I reviewed was subtitled in English, and unfortunately some of the subtitles were difficult to read.
The Winter War
(1989)
One Of The Most Realistic War Movies Ever Made
21 April 2005
The subject is the little-known war between Finland and Russia in WWII. It is hard to imagine such a small country standing up against mighty Russia, but it happened. You get a vivid sense of the despair and carnage of fighting against overwhelming odds. The random nature of combat also strikes hard. The visuals are graphic and stunning without being over dramatized. The craziness of war is brought home by a Finnish soldier who laughingly lights up a cigarette after having his uniform set aflame by a Russian tank. Quiet moments off the battlefield intersperse the intense battle scenes. If you are a war movie fan then this is a must-see movie!
Reviewed was the English sub-titled version. For anyone primarily fluent in English it is quite interesting to hear dialogue in Finnish, a language far removed from English.
Reviewed was the English sub-titled version. For anyone primarily fluent in English it is quite interesting to hear dialogue in Finnish, a language far removed from English.
Man Facing Southeast
(1986)
Leaves Questions Unanswered
21 April 2005
One of my criteria for favorably rating a movie is that it does not attempt to answer every question it poses. This movie leaves the basic question of the mental patient's (Rantes) origin unexplained. The plot is a fine vehicle for examining society's definition of sanity. The performance of Hugo Soto as Rantes is exceptional. The other members of the cast play their roles with sensitivity. The film was shot on location at a mental institution and the inclusion of patients in the supporting cast lends an unmistakable authenticity to the production. Unfortunately the English language dub version is disjointed and this detracts somewhat from this otherwise remarkable movie.
Touch of Evil
(1958)
Despite some chilling moments ...
21 April 2005
Heston is miscast in the role of Vargas, lacks intensity, and looks awful! Janet Leigh looks great but has some awfully dumb lines. Dennis Weaver overplays his supporting part as a motel manager. Plot has some weaknesses, such as Sergeant Pete Menzies' relationship with his captain. The "mexican" side of the border doesn't have much of a "mexican" character and looks like a back-lot set. On the plus side, Orson exudes sleaze with his slit-eyed overstuffed look and does a great job acting and directing. Marlene Dietrich has an excellent bit part. Worth a view, but in my opinion not one of the two 250 movies of all time. Comments apply to the restored version.
Downfall
(2004)
Unshakeable Loyalty
4 April 2005
A striking aspect of this highly accurate portrayal of Hitler's last days was the unshakable loyalty displayed by many Germans even at the darkest hour when the end was clear. We must remember that Hitler was enormously popular up until the invasion of Poland. His personal popularity remained high throughout the war years despite his increasingly despotic rule. It is a warning to us today just how easy it is for a cultured population to strongly support amoral leaders who pander to fear and a twisted sense of morality. Although it was not visible in the film, the motto cast on every German army belt buckle was "Gott Mit Uns" - God is with us! Today our subhumans are not "Bolshevik Jews" but "terrorists".
Strange Days
(1995)
One Of The Worst Movies Ever Made
3 April 2005
This film started out with a degree of merit. Soon it nosed over into an accelerating dive, flying apart before it hit ground. Hard to believe a woman(!) directed this voyeuristic descent into depravity. The dialog was at times just a notch above pulled fingernails on the pain scale. What the heck was James Cameron thinking when he wrote this tripe? Visuals were overburdened with a cartoon-like political incorrectness and awkward editing. The chemistry between Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett had all the excitement of a slime mold. Hackneyed plot devices abound with obvious resolutions. About the only redeeming scenes in this otherwise wasted 145 minutes are the fine booty shots of Juliette Lewis. Oh, and the cast and crew of this movie better hope they never get pulled over by any member of the LAPD who has seen this movie!
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