I am only 20 minutes into this film on Netflix and I don't think that I can watch any more of it. The flash-back characters are the same age as in the "now" time. Their helicopter would have been ambushed from both hills on either side of the wreck not only from one side as in the film. And we wore green & black camouflage insignia in Vietnam, not the flashy coloured "patches" like in the film. If the film starts out this stupid I don't want to see another 2 hours of this crap.
Reviews
10 Reviews
The Stranger
(I) (2020)
A Piece of Crap
24 April 2020
What started out as an excellent film begins to wake your suspicions by episode Six. In episode Seven you start to get annoyed and suspect that you've been duped with a mediocre piece of crap. And in the Eighth (and final) episode you want to put your foot through the TV screen. The photography and acting are magnificent but the director and the one responsible for the dialogue ought both to be hung. And then there is the matter of the plot itself once past episode Five! Who are these film-making idiots? Rubbish.
Safe
(2018)
A Farce
4 March 2019
What a piece of junk. Is it a comedy? Is it a farce? Segments of this film are so ridicuolous that I do not think I can watch the whole thing. I'm on the third episode now but it may be my last. A waste of time and an insult to anyone who's walked to the corner green grocer's more than once. The film makes no sense at all.
Turbulence 2: Fear of Flying
(1999)
Don't buy a LARGE popcorn - you may want to leave the cinema before the end.
5 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Why would the over-head hand baggage compartment be, "A little crowded up there"? The plane isn't even 1/2 filled. Is this film suppose to be a comedy? Czechs, by the way, can usually speak English. I see he suddenly understands English very well. This film has more disasters than my kitchen when my wife isn't home and I have to do the cooking myself. Yep, it's a comedy. So it never occurred to them to toss ALL the baggage off, huh? A bad comedy. You mean all of that groping and fondling in the toilette and she didn't notice he was packing a pop gun and a lethal spear up his sleeve??? She must be frigid! And say ... isn't his ammo clip already empty from that burst in the baggage room? This is an airborne cross-version of "Casandra Crossing" and "Flight of the Phoenix".
The Old Maid
(1972)
A chronological jig-saw puzzle
12 February 2007
This is a story about "fitting in" where you (and everyone else for that matter) are the odd man.
"La Vieille Fille" is a chronological jig-saw puzzle. You get all the pieces in their proper order but as they are all laying "face down" you never know what the next piece will be until it's turned over and inserted into its' place. That's the way the story plays out.
Each scene is more like a series of still-photographs rather than a motion picture. Dialog is sparse. Actually, "dialog" is a bad choice of expression, as most scenes consist of a monologue. It must have been a very difficult film to direct. But as daunting a task in creating this film, as it must have been - it has succeeded! The short scenes and long, silent spaces give the male thinker time to identify himself. The mood is tangible.
Philippe Noiret has been around for a long time and he's always a welcomed contributor to any film. He does very well in "La Vieille Fille". If you choose to see this film your eye will be upon him the whole length of it and once you get settled into the story you'll begin to think it is you (yourself) prodding along, scene after scene - not Noiret right to the final, parting shot.
WARNING: "Matrix" and "Die Hard" fans - look elsewhere. You'll find no exploding automobiles and ticking bombs here and you'll end up slitting your wrists or stringing yourself up before the film is half-way through.
"La Vieille Fille" is a chronological jig-saw puzzle. You get all the pieces in their proper order but as they are all laying "face down" you never know what the next piece will be until it's turned over and inserted into its' place. That's the way the story plays out.
Each scene is more like a series of still-photographs rather than a motion picture. Dialog is sparse. Actually, "dialog" is a bad choice of expression, as most scenes consist of a monologue. It must have been a very difficult film to direct. But as daunting a task in creating this film, as it must have been - it has succeeded! The short scenes and long, silent spaces give the male thinker time to identify himself. The mood is tangible.
Philippe Noiret has been around for a long time and he's always a welcomed contributor to any film. He does very well in "La Vieille Fille". If you choose to see this film your eye will be upon him the whole length of it and once you get settled into the story you'll begin to think it is you (yourself) prodding along, scene after scene - not Noiret right to the final, parting shot.
WARNING: "Matrix" and "Die Hard" fans - look elsewhere. You'll find no exploding automobiles and ticking bombs here and you'll end up slitting your wrists or stringing yourself up before the film is half-way through.
L'addition
(1984)
Utter rubbish
5 February 2007
"L'Addition" is a worthless film about a man wrongfully accused. What tripe!
Each and every situation in this film is irresponsibly contrived, and not a single scene or any of the details are even slightly believable.
In itself, I can understand someone writing a story on a subject in which one has very little knowledge but how this story got all the way to "the finished cinematic stage" (without getting axed by sensible proof-reading) is beyond me.
The embarrassing dialog in this film might be suitable for an American film but I just can't believe that this film is French! Not that France hasn't made its' own share of idiotic films as well, but it's normally done so in its' own, unique French way - not in the American "believe anything we tell you" cliché-ish character fashion.
Richard Bohringer has never impressed me. His sinister "whispering voice" (which is popular in Italo/American Mafia movies) is old stuff, and he does just as little to heighten my appreciation of this film as he has done in any of the other films in which I've seen him.
On the other hand, I consider Richard Berry to be a very good actor and it is hard to fathom why he ever accepted a role in this crap. He's capable of making much better films than this. As a matter of fact Richard Berry's acting in "L'Addition" is the only thing I can say good about the film. But don't be mistaken into believing that his performance makes this film worth watching. It is not. "L'Addition" can only be tolerated by placing corks into your ears and a blindfold over your eyes but then you'd have no reason to shove the thing into your DVD/VCR player in the first place.
This film is a completely unmotivated piece of trash.
Each and every situation in this film is irresponsibly contrived, and not a single scene or any of the details are even slightly believable.
In itself, I can understand someone writing a story on a subject in which one has very little knowledge but how this story got all the way to "the finished cinematic stage" (without getting axed by sensible proof-reading) is beyond me.
The embarrassing dialog in this film might be suitable for an American film but I just can't believe that this film is French! Not that France hasn't made its' own share of idiotic films as well, but it's normally done so in its' own, unique French way - not in the American "believe anything we tell you" cliché-ish character fashion.
Richard Bohringer has never impressed me. His sinister "whispering voice" (which is popular in Italo/American Mafia movies) is old stuff, and he does just as little to heighten my appreciation of this film as he has done in any of the other films in which I've seen him.
On the other hand, I consider Richard Berry to be a very good actor and it is hard to fathom why he ever accepted a role in this crap. He's capable of making much better films than this. As a matter of fact Richard Berry's acting in "L'Addition" is the only thing I can say good about the film. But don't be mistaken into believing that his performance makes this film worth watching. It is not. "L'Addition" can only be tolerated by placing corks into your ears and a blindfold over your eyes but then you'd have no reason to shove the thing into your DVD/VCR player in the first place.
This film is a completely unmotivated piece of trash.
Possibly the most charming story ever filmed
2 February 2007
A thoroughly heart-warming film.
"La Vieille Dame et l'Africain" is a film about two cultures coming into contact with one another. It is also a story about childish simplicity rubbing against the sort of sympathetic tolerance that comes with age.
Filmed in Paris, this is fundamentally a periodic dialog between the two main subjects, where Danielle Darrieux is truly eloquent and Maka Kotto is absolutely delightful.
Having lived in Africa, I've had the pleasure of observing the simple, innocent naughtiness of young, African men. This film is genuine.
"La Vieille Dame et l'Africain" must certainly be the most charming film that I have ever seen. It is possibly the most charming film ever made.
WARNING: Racists have no business here.
"La Vieille Dame et l'Africain" is a film about two cultures coming into contact with one another. It is also a story about childish simplicity rubbing against the sort of sympathetic tolerance that comes with age.
Filmed in Paris, this is fundamentally a periodic dialog between the two main subjects, where Danielle Darrieux is truly eloquent and Maka Kotto is absolutely delightful.
Having lived in Africa, I've had the pleasure of observing the simple, innocent naughtiness of young, African men. This film is genuine.
"La Vieille Dame et l'Africain" must certainly be the most charming film that I have ever seen. It is possibly the most charming film ever made.
WARNING: Racists have no business here.
Thick Skinned
(1989)
Slow and Intensive
27 January 2007
"Peux de Vaches" is difficult. The film (and the acting) is superbly done, but the story is intense. I like it for its' dark, thick, "Cul du Sac" psychology but it is certainly not for everyone for that very reason. Set in isolated, rural France makes this film all the more desperate.
The film is about strenuous relationships, loyalty - and despair. It is about accepting hardships without really understanding them. It is also about pity and how it is to be distinguished from love and admiration. I've seen many French films with the same intensity and I'm guessing that it will be mostly the French who will enjoy this film.
The acting is superb in this film if you're in the right state of mind and don't loose your concentration. Jean-François Stevenin ALWAYS impresses me. He doesn't disappoint me here either. For general audiences, however, I'd recommend his performance in "Deux Lions au Soleil" which is much more easily palatable than "Peux de Vaches".
Despite the fact that I like "Peux de Vaches", I have difficulties recommending it to anyone other than French audiences and perhaps someone with a morose demeanor.
The film is about strenuous relationships, loyalty - and despair. It is about accepting hardships without really understanding them. It is also about pity and how it is to be distinguished from love and admiration. I've seen many French films with the same intensity and I'm guessing that it will be mostly the French who will enjoy this film.
The acting is superb in this film if you're in the right state of mind and don't loose your concentration. Jean-François Stevenin ALWAYS impresses me. He doesn't disappoint me here either. For general audiences, however, I'd recommend his performance in "Deux Lions au Soleil" which is much more easily palatable than "Peux de Vaches".
Despite the fact that I like "Peux de Vaches", I have difficulties recommending it to anyone other than French audiences and perhaps someone with a morose demeanor.
Gros coeurs
(1987)
Light-hearted jousting
25 January 2007
This is a comedy about the "boy" existing within all grown men, and how it affects those people around them. Here you have heroes, villains, nasties and even one who can swing both ways "just doing his job". This film is full of realistic - occasionally bitter humour, from start to finish.
Our hero (Bernard le Coq)is an auto racing, good-humoured, happy-go-lucky fellow doing his best to overcome the obstacles of pursuing life's pleasures as well as problems taken on by his own, childish naiveté. He's not bothered by the details of social life but rather leaves them to those nearest and dearest to him to sort out. And they do, for he has that sort of charm that earnest men and romantic women can never resist. His charm is instinctive; a fact for which he seems to be completely unaware.
There are many gratifying smiles to be had here. His best mate, his girlfriend, his daughter, his wife, his business "associates" they're all affected by him in one way or another.
I can't help but suspect that this film was inspired by a couple of old films with W.C. Fields. You know: Disliked and misunderstood by many but loved by the ones who really matter.
I love this film. It's in the top 20 of most often watched films in my 200+ collection of VHS French films. And I like Bernard le Coq too. This is only one of two films I've seen with him where he plays a major role: the other being "Le Concierge". Otherwise, you can catch an inconsequential fleeting glimpse of him behind Alain Delon in "Trois Hommes à Abattre", as well as many other films.
* NOTE: Those of you non-Europeans might not know that Belgium is bilingual Walloon (French) and Flemish (Dutch). Although this fact is not detrimental to the film, it will keep you from scratching your head during a short scene at the police station. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised to discover that this tiny scene were inserted into the dialog with the express purpose of reminding the movie-going that both Bernard le Coq and this film are BELGIAN - - - NOT French!
Our hero (Bernard le Coq)is an auto racing, good-humoured, happy-go-lucky fellow doing his best to overcome the obstacles of pursuing life's pleasures as well as problems taken on by his own, childish naiveté. He's not bothered by the details of social life but rather leaves them to those nearest and dearest to him to sort out. And they do, for he has that sort of charm that earnest men and romantic women can never resist. His charm is instinctive; a fact for which he seems to be completely unaware.
There are many gratifying smiles to be had here. His best mate, his girlfriend, his daughter, his wife, his business "associates" they're all affected by him in one way or another.
I can't help but suspect that this film was inspired by a couple of old films with W.C. Fields. You know: Disliked and misunderstood by many but loved by the ones who really matter.
I love this film. It's in the top 20 of most often watched films in my 200+ collection of VHS French films. And I like Bernard le Coq too. This is only one of two films I've seen with him where he plays a major role: the other being "Le Concierge". Otherwise, you can catch an inconsequential fleeting glimpse of him behind Alain Delon in "Trois Hommes à Abattre", as well as many other films.
* NOTE: Those of you non-Europeans might not know that Belgium is bilingual Walloon (French) and Flemish (Dutch). Although this fact is not detrimental to the film, it will keep you from scratching your head during a short scene at the police station. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised to discover that this tiny scene were inserted into the dialog with the express purpose of reminding the movie-going that both Bernard le Coq and this film are BELGIAN - - - NOT French!
Pasha
(1968)
Stricktly for 60's French filmophiles
17 January 2007
"La Pacha", as a whole is OK. It's not quite up to the Melville standard of tough-guy intrigue, but it'll do.
Dampening the initial, promising tempo, unfortunately, is Jean Gabin who seems to be one of those popular actors who's fallen into an artistic pit and is destined to remain there. If you've seen one of his films, you've seen them all. The exception might be one of his rare comedies, such as "Le Tatoué" (together with Louis de Funès) where he displays an once of versatility. In "La Pacha" however, he's more like a worn-out prop than a necessary figure, and thank God for that for if he'd succeeded in dominating the film too much it would not have been worth seeing at all.
I must also say that Serge Gainsbourg's soundtrack single is annoying: disrupting the story like thrusting a jagged toothpick into your eardrum with un-choreographic jolts, all through the film. It is certainly malplacé and it was quite unnecessary, as the slide-sound mixer was surely available in 1968.
Dampening the initial, promising tempo, unfortunately, is Jean Gabin who seems to be one of those popular actors who's fallen into an artistic pit and is destined to remain there. If you've seen one of his films, you've seen them all. The exception might be one of his rare comedies, such as "Le Tatoué" (together with Louis de Funès) where he displays an once of versatility. In "La Pacha" however, he's more like a worn-out prop than a necessary figure, and thank God for that for if he'd succeeded in dominating the film too much it would not have been worth seeing at all.
I must also say that Serge Gainsbourg's soundtrack single is annoying: disrupting the story like thrusting a jagged toothpick into your eardrum with un-choreographic jolts, all through the film. It is certainly malplacé and it was quite unnecessary, as the slide-sound mixer was surely available in 1968.
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