Reviews

From the many ridiculous negative reviews it is easy to see this film pushes quite a few buttons. Frankenheimer was a master film maker and this one is no exception. Chock full of messages, metaphors and allegory on man's ignorance and arrogance, this film is very much worthwhile seeing. It remains one of my favorites after multiple viewing but it is not light fare or "entertaining" in the Hollywood sense. Brando and Kilmer are masterful. Cinematography and make up are superb. It will make many feel uncomfortable but give it a chance. This is not a snack, it's a serious meal and you have to be in the mood for that. Enjoy.

Death to Smootchy is an absolute GEM. Danny DeVito has once again rendered a sly comic masterpiece that only improves with multiple viewings. The dry witty deadpan marvelously contrasts to the manic Williams in this sardonic send up that nimbly rips Hollywood and it's raging egos. I'll bet more than one showbiz fatcat was irked to apoplexy with this marvelous tongue in cheek swipe at of what passes for "entertainment" with Hollywoods' movers and shakers, and all done with great wit and panache. Did I mention this is one very funny movie? Do not hesitate to view this wonderful film that took courage to make and takes some intelligence to appreciate. This is not your basic Scary Movie three yukfest aimed at the lowest common denominator, there is real talent here, from script, lighting and timing, to the fabulous performances. Kudos to Danny DeVito for a deeply satisfying, way cool comedy. 4 stars out of 4

The negative reviews from commercial writers are both curious and suspect. Many of these "guns for hire" are puppets that can unfairly affect the success of a film. No where is this more obvious than with the barrage of negative criticism of the last two installments of this great trilogy. The Matrix is ONE film in three parts, all shot at one time, not three separate films. The time-lapse since the first release has much to do with this change in reception. Remember this project was started before the coup of 2000, before 9/11, and before the stunningly fascist right turn of the central government with it's inherent influence on general society. I doubt that this none too subtle film about suppression and revolution (among other things) would be made in today's political climate. It will take a long time to realize how important this work is as there is enough philosophy and political allegory in it to keep thinking people busy for years. Here in lies part of the problem.

Many reviews simply address The Matrix as a Sci-Fi adventure flick (on which level it definitely rocks), but they dismiss the deeper allegorical meanings as so much mumbo jumbo. That is no coincidence. The Matrix is a radical piece of work that snuck in under the radar (the first one) and seeing what an impact it made, the vested interests, (the same ones busy dumbing us down) are trying to obstruct the huge influence of this work. Major art that can stimulate thinking, investigation and questioning of the status quo is rarely welcomed by the powers that be. The unfortunate negative commentary I have read here reflects more the confusion and frustration of the viewer's mind than any sensible consideration of this true masterpiece. Not only is this one of those rare films that gets better with multiple viewings, it's practically required. Don't let the natural letdown of all good things coming to an end sway your opinion of this awesome work. Five stars and a great thank you to the Wachowski brothers for a cinematic milestone that can be appreciated on so many levels.

The negative reviews from commercial writers are both curious and suspect. Many of these "guns for hire" are puppets that can unfairly affect the success of a film. No where is this more obvious than with the barrage of negative criticism of the last two installments of this great film. The Matrix is ONE film in three parts, all shot at one time, not three separate films. The time-lapse since the first release has much to do with this change in reception. Remember this project was started before the coup of 2000, before 9/11, and before the stunningly fascist rightwing turn of the central government. I doubt that this none too subtle film about suppression and revolution (among other things) would not be made in today's political climate. It will take a long time to realize how important this work is as there is enough philosophy and political allegory in it to keep thinking people busy for years. Here in lies part of the problem. Many reviews simply address The Matrix as a Sci-Fi adventure flick (on which level it also rocks), but dismiss the deeper allegorical meanings as so much mumbo jumbo. That is no coincidence. The Matrix is a radical piece of work that snuck in under the radar (the first one) and seeing what an impact it made, the vested interests, (the same ones busy dumbing us down) are trying to obstruct the huge influence of this work. Major art that can stimulate thinking, investigation and questioning of the status quo is rarely welcomed by the powers that be. The unfortunate negative commentary I have read here reflects more the confusion and frustration of the viewer's mind than any sensible consideration of this true masterpiece. Not only is this one of those rare films that gets better with multiple viewings, it's practically required. Five stars and a great thank you to the Wachowski brothers for a cinematic milestone that can be appreciated on so many levels.

Just went to see "Once...Mexico" Wow, it is rare that I'm moved by a film to ask for my money back, this is one of them. Actually it is less a film than a kind of a video docudrama about a film, the kind you get as an extra when you buy a DVD. Pesky details like lighting, editing, continuity, script, plot, story line can be overlooked if not down right ignored. This has the feel and look of an on the spot creation. Kind of a shoot as you go, "hey this would be cool", "now let's do this!" etc. etc.exercise in video riffing. The ultra cheesy fake explosions, silencers on revolvers, complete lack of marksmanship by the badguys at point blank range etc. pale in comparison to the "story" or what passes for it. The first 10 minutes were fun and full of promise but it soon deteriorated into an incomprehensible jumble of "characters" and "plot" "twists". The editing and continuity were, "bewildering", to be kind. It is great to shoot on location in a cool place, but this is little more than a low budget video jam with some very cool stars (that I'll bet are dismally disappointed with this product.) To give this overly contrasty, jumbled piece of eye fluff 4 stars is utter fraud and does a great disservice to real 4 star films. I can't imagine anyone signing off on this thing, a real disappointment.

I love Ridley Scott's work, he is truly one of the best and most artistic directors working today. This is an excellent, very well made authentic looking war film that will pull you right into the intensity of a firefight. Unfortunately this film is pure propaganda and got lots of "co-operation" from the US government. It is an outrageous misrepresentation of the facts surrounding this event, the motivations of the Mogs, and the real background of our presence in that part of the world. It is once again showing the USA as altruistic defenders of "freedom" and coming to the aid of these poor starving oppressed people. This is pretty nasty propaganda designed to keep us Americans ignorant of our governments' military "adventures". If too many people start asking questions about the real reasons why we were in Somalia (or Afghanistan, or Iraq, or the upcoming Iran and Saudi Arabia) it could prove uncomfortable for the powers that be. Ridley knows better than this and I'm disappointed that he would go along with this misleading flag waver to bolster enlistments and garner support for this militaristic government.

As a Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot I was impressed with the technical accuracy of this film, it's as good as I have seen in a major commercial film. The underlying message however is a lie.

I had waited for a year for my pre-ordered DVD to arrive. Having seen a large piece of this movie 15 years ago I eagerly sat down to watch the new ultimate version in it's original glory via a beautiful new digital transfer. I'm sorry to say I was quite disappointed. It is so very slow and self indulgent in most places that it was hard to sit through. Many beautiful shots, sets, and lots of great acting and cinematography but it is truly from another time, when 15 second close ups were acceptable where 3 seconds would suffice. No comparison to Coppola's work.

Hands down the best WWII film made yet. Polanski is brilliant in capturing the shock, horror, and despair of that time while showing the variety of human responses from fear, rage, pain, resignation and ultimately to the triumph of the human spirit, our greatness. Not the simple good guys bad guys moralizing propaganda piece as so many films dealing with this become. That he could be so objective in making this film considering his background is a testament to this great film makers maturity as a human being. This was a work of love. The sensitivity, subtlety and depth of this film is truly awesome. Polanski is truly one of the greats on the planet. I found this film to be head and shoulders above attempts like Schindler's List or Private Ryan. A not to be missed masterpiece.

Terry Gilliam is not your average director. I think he is a major genius and talent that works through the film medium. This film touches deeply on deep subjects, like humanity, alienation, who are we? am I a partaker or just an observer on this planet for a brief time? It is one of those "thinkers", rarely has a film moved me like this one. It is superbly crafted, acted, directed, edited, hell I can't say enough about this film. Go and see it. It will always be on my very short list of all time favorite great films.

As a decorated Vietnam veteran I found this to be the most offensive film about that war yet. It is rightwing hollywood propaganda with little basis in fact and utterly unbelievable character behavior. Obviously made by someone that has never been in the military much less spent a year in Nam. The only film to ever capture the character of the Vietnam conflict is Apocalypse Now, the rest is pretty much Hollywood war movie product.

The previous review is ridiculous. This was a fascinating adventure yarn that had me riveted when I saw it at age 12. It is about a plane crash in the desert where the survivors discover a buried WWII tank after a storm exposes the turret. The idea of fixing up a tank that has been in the desert for 10 years with the remnants of a plane crash, (oil gas, parts,) is totally possible. Our government stores planes, tanks, trucks etc. in the desert because they do not rust or deteriorate. I have not been able to see it since as it is not available anywhere, as far as I know. For a '50s adventure movie it is great.