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Reviews
Invisible Agent (1942)
What A Cool Movie!
Wow, this movie is a perfect blend of intrigue, comedy and action, and it's done with quite a bit of flair too. Definitely corny at times, but that's part of the fun. As is the case with all Universal Horror pics from 1930-45, this chiller is incredibly moody and atmospheric. 8/10. Watch it with the lights off.
The Doors (1991)
What A Trip!
Oliver Stone is a true contemporary artist, using every available gadget to bring the blurring, mind numbing, visionary ideas from his head to the screen, He does so yet again with "The Doors". What a trip! This is a truly beautiful film, high lighted by Val Kilmer's incredible, absolutely incredible dead on turn as Jim Morisson. A role for which he should have one an Oscar. Even though I usually don't enjoy watching Kilmer, he's not an actor I really like, he blew me away as did the rest of the movie. The images I saw are burned into my mind indelibly, like some kind of fantastic dream. And as an answer to one of the reviews posted, the movie is called the Doors as a reference to the "doors" of consciousness, sanity and thought which Morisson traveled through many a time. This is a really great film. 9/10
State of Grace (1990)
WOW!!!!
"State Of Grace" by Spielberg protege and U2 video director Phil Joanou, is an outstanding film. I first rented it because Gary Oldman is one of my very favourite actors, if not my favourite, he has the inate ability to become every character he plays, he's a chameleon. His performance(surprise!) is outstanding. A truly heartfelt characterization that keeps you rooting for him throughout the movie. Then you've got a whole bunch of other great actors, Sean Penn,who turns in another brilliant performance as a guilt riddled, angry under cover cop, Ed Harris, Jon Turturro, John C. Reilly and Robin Wright. This movie kept me glued to the screen, from it's enigmatic first scene to the breathtaking, violent shootout finale, a well shot and well cut piece of film making. Basically I can't really see any faults in this film, it's an atmospheric, gritty, action packed, gutsy 2 1/2 hours. 8.5/10. See it.
The Untouchables (1987)
One of The Best Films of The Decade
The Untouchables is a thrilling, gripping, gut wrenching masterpiece of modern film. It packs a wallop as it goes from blood drenched set piece into blood drenched set piece. My personally favorite scene is the epic battle against the mob in which an entire legion of RCMP officers come riding in to quash the forces of crime, I'm a little biased being Canadian myself. The film is well structured, thanks to master of prose David Mamet, as well as visually dazzling, thanks to horribly under rated contemporary film maker Brian De Palma. Not to mention the tour de force of incredible acting from Kevin Costener, Charles Martin Smith, "The" Robert De Niro and of course screen legend Sean Connery, who won an Oscar for his performance of two fisted veteran beat cop Malone. I have the privilege of owning this film in widescreen, and I highly suggest that whoever gets a chance to see it outside of the hellish realm of "Pan&Scan", should do so.Well, actually, no matter what, this is a truly great film and should probably be viewed whenever and however you can.
Fifty/Fifty (1992)
Leave Your Brain At The Door
This is pure mindless, popcorn entertainment. From the countless shoot outs to the funny buddy-cop type banter between the two stars, this is the kind of movie to watch when you just want to sit back and lose some brain cells. Pretty Average.
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)
I Love This Movie
This quirky and offbeat action film was a huge part of my childhood, my dad who first got me interested in movies showed this to me, and I've never looked back. It is a funny, exciting great piece of action film making. It's one of the cultish 80's genre movies like "The Hidden" and "The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension". If you haven't seen any of these check them out.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
One Of The Greatest Films Ever Made
It's one of the greatest films ever made, but don't try to tell that to some snobbish "Film afficonado". This film is pure enjoyment. There are so many elements thrown in to make it an incredible experience. I will sum it up in one word. COOL!!!! I'm forever waiting to see if they make a sequel like they say at the end.If there is a God, Buckaroo will be back fighting the "World Crime League". It is your civic duty to watch this movie.
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
Gripping
This is yet another exciting Hitchcock/Gaumont British entry. The acting is great(thanks in no small part to Redgrave's great comic timing), the plot is entirely gripping and the film showcases some really neat old fashioned Lydecker-esque special effects. The climax as usual is a really cool set piece complete with a stalled train and a good old fashioned shoot out. Watch it with the lights out.
Secret Agent (1936)
Awesome
This is a lesser known Hitchcock entry from his Gaumont British days, before David O. Selznick lured him to America. This film is incredible, from the exciting plot to the rich characterizations. From the gripping and atmospheric visuals to the superb acting by Lorre and Gielgud. The ending is absolutely jaw dropping, thanks to innovative and resourceful Gaumont special effects wizards. Check out this neat thirties time capsule, watch it with the lights off.
1941 (1979)
A Master's Thesis On Comedy
This picture is Steven Spielberg's most overtly comic work, and it is hilarious. In fact it's one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time. It is at the same time, a live action cartoon, a brilliantly choreographed musical, an action packed war movie complete with an airplane chase through downtown Los Angeles, a biting attack on Los Angeles culture and an over the top Zucker brothers style gag movie. It also showcases the comedic talents of SCTV and SNL stars John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Joe Flaherty and the late, great John Belushi. Spielberg throws in everything including the kitchen sink and the result is an entirely entertaining 2 hrs. The script by escapist masters Zemeckis & Gale is masterpiece of popcorn prose. This film is way under-rated and too often knocked. But then again it's always the gifted people who get picked on. If you feel like sitting back and enjoying a really cool movie, rent 1941.