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wildbill017
Reviews
Avenging Angel (2007)
Kevin Sorbo's First Western
Having been a fan of "Hercules; the Legendary Journeys" and "Andromeda," I just had to see Kevin Sorbo in his first western.
The story follows a pattern set by popular westerns before, and I found a few parallels to Clint Eastwood westerns of the 1960's.
Just as "the man with no name," the character played by Sorbo is never mentioned by name anywhere in the movie. He is referred to as "the preacher" or "the bounty hunter." The sheriff (Nick Chinland) cannot remember when he had seen the bounty hunter before, until a climactic moment in the story. This reminds me of a favorite scene in "Hang 'em High."
The villain in the story is a character the audience is sure to find most hateful. Rich and greedy, even proud to admit it, he blows up the town's only church, kills innocent people, including women and children, all of them unarmed, after stealing from them the last of the money they had, even though he has more than enough for himself. Yes, "the Colonel" (Wings Hauser) is indeed an evil dude. He practically owns the whole town, and obviously owns the sheriff.
Kevin Sorbo gets the chance to prove he can play a western gunslinger just as well as a hero of Greek mythology or a starship captain. Then we get to see "Libby" from "Lost" again. Cythia Watros appears as Maggie, who comes to his aid, and adds the element of romance to the story.
Although stand-offish at first, the two work well together. It isn't until after she tells him about her past as a saloon girl who got pregnant without knowing who the father is, that the lead character confesses that he too has a dark secret. He used to be a preacher. It is never debated which is the lesser of the two evils.
Together we have all the elements of a western classic. Each character goes through a wide range of emotions, especially Sorbo, who is in constant conflict with his conscience. His Christian side wants to forgive, but his other side wants revenge. This is not just a shoot-em-up action adventure, but a sensitive tale of morality and personal values.
Ultimately, the hero saves the town and all the good people still alive, by ridding them of the evil of the colonel and his men. Then, just as the audience may expect, there is the promise of a new life for the preacher, Maggie, and Maggie's daughter, Amelia, an angel faced darling played by Joey King, in what I suppose is her introductory role.
*batteries not included (1987)
Appreciated from a Human Level
If I had to describe this movie in one word, it would be "sweet." You have to be human to appreciate such sentiment, but I imagine some non-human beings may enjoy it also. What I mean to say is that this story deals with human emotion. Although this is a fantasy, the emotions it deals with are very real.
We see an old couple on the verge of despair, as the evil developers threaten to rob them of their last piece of security, their home. Jessica Tandy, whom we have already grown to love in "Driving Miss Daisy" and "Cocoon" (and don't forget "The Birds" from 1963!) is Faye Riley, a pitiful old woman who is losing her mind. Her husband, Frank (played by Hume Cronyn) in his deepest and darkest hour, cries out for deliverance. Before he falls asleep, we see the answer to his prayer arrive.
I am sure that some Christians may not like that the prayers of a poor old man are answered by funny mechanical beings, but I'm also sure that most will agree that God works in mysterious ways. The timing of the arrival is surely deliberate. These people need a miracle, and that is what they get.
Hope for the few remaining tenants reside in the friendship they develop with tiny flying mechanical creatures, which demonstrate intelligence and good will. Besides proving that even machines can be cute, they also prove that faith is a powerful ally to have on your side, which is strong enough to stand up to the evils of the world.
Sentimental? You bet! This is NOT a fault! (Say it with me, people!) This is what makes the story special.
It is never explained to the audience what these beings are, or what planet, dimension, or reality they are from. But for the people who benefit from their friendship, that doesn't matter. What matters is that they get the help they need, just in time to save their only home from being destroyed.
And the way this plan works out makes good commentary on the goodness of all the people involved, as well as some delightful entertainment.
Equally important as Frank and Faye is Harry, a simple minded but good natured man who fixes things. Played by Frank McRaye, he earns the love and appreciation of his peers as he figures out how to serve the needs of their newfound friends.
If you have heart strings, this movie, and all the actors in it, will surely pluck at them. If you are a robot, then I hope this movie serves as an example of how good a mechanical life form can be.
See this movie. You'll be glad you did.
Vlad (2003)
Now THIS is a Vampire Movie
I was much impressed with "Vlad," and quickly voted it the best vampire movie I've seen this decade. Now before I go on, let me apologize in advance to all the fans of Wes Craven for what I am about to say. I did not like "Dracula 2000," or it's sequels. "Vlad" is a movie that gives me what I want when I watch a vampire movie. It has all the elements I like (crave) about the spooky Gothic style of the classic vampire. This includes sex, which in a vampire movie is not gratuitous, but part of the allure and mystique of the vampire. But where "Vlad" really delivers is in how well it maintains the constant atmosphere of mystery and apprehension. The music was perfect. Big points for spooky atmosphere. Also big points for including the historical Vlad Dracula, and, best of all, the location (what is it realtors say about location?) which is in his home country of Romania, and includes dramatic views of Bran Castle. For a B movie, this does exceptionally well. I was impressed with the special effects of the face transformations, which was subtle yet effective. It is indeed impressive how much work was put into a film with such a budget, and how fortunate they managed to film it on the historical grounds of Romania, and even include the people who live there. Anyone who can find fault with the acting knows nothing about acting. Did it have enough plot? Hell yes! And who can say the photography was not excellent? With apologies to Wes Craven fans, I say "Vlad" succeeds where "Dracula 2000" fails. As a fan of Bram Stoker, I am aware that this author's novel has NEVER been accurately told in film,(This includes the so called "Bram Stoker's Dracula") and that I must respect the right of an artist to make his own interpretation. But to make Dracula to be Judas Iscariot, I say, is taking too much liberty with artistic license. Not to mention that it lacks the Old World Gothic and darkly romantic mystique. For those who appreciate what a good vampire movie is, I say "Vlad" delivers.
7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)
Unique for it's Time - and Today
I am glad to see that I am not the oldest person who visits IMDb. In 1964 I was 9 years old, and I, too, saw this movie as a child in a theater the first time. Back then, I didn't see a message in it, but enjoyed it absolutely.
As a teenager in philosophical discussion with my friends, someone mentioned this movie with the comment that "7 Faces of Dr. Lao" contained a profound message, but not everyone got it. This got me thinking that perhaps I needed to see it again.
I was in my 30s before VCRs became common household items, and video stores appeared in all the shopping centers. I began renting copies and sharing it with friends, asking the important question: "Does this movie contain a message, or is it just entertainment?"
I have always enjoyed the responses from those I have persuaded to watch it, most of them my age or older who did not see it back in the 60s, all of them saying "Yes, this movie has a message."
Several of those have commented that this movie was way ahead of it's time, before people thought much about profound meanings in stories that were popular at the time. I would often respond that it was indeed unique for it's time, but even today I am unable to find another movie to compare it with.
How this message has been interpreted has already been well covered here, so I will now focus on the other things that makes this movie so special.
It came as a great surprise to me that Tony Randall did not consider this his best work as I did. Yes, he was great as Felix in "The Odd Couple," but in "7 Faces" he played multiple roles. Whenever I watch it I enjoy the way he changes voice and dialect from one line to the next. True, not all characters he played had speaking parts, and in the case of the snake, it was a voice-only part. Still, I would think the late great Tony Randall would be pleased with having this opportunity to demonstrate his versatility as an actor.
The special effects were well up to date for 1964, though not so impressive today, but I still enjoy seeing the fish turn into a sea serpent, almost as much as I did seeing it the first time.
All of my friends enjoyed seeing Frank Cady, who we remember as Sam Drucker from "Green Acres."
Who can ever forget Barbara Eden?
There are those who have commented that today it is not considered politically correct to have a white man playing a Chinese man, but let's remember that Peter Sellers and David Carradine have also done this.
One friend I have shared this movie with said, "How can anyone not see the message in it? It smacks you in the face!"
I give this movie a 10 in consideration of it being made in 1964, and that no producer to my knowledge has made anything like it since.
To anyone who has ever thought deeply about why we are here, and has a sense of humor, I recommend "The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao."