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Reviews
The Iron Mistress (1952)
Bowie County Resident about this movie
I live in Bowie County, one of 37 counties in Texas that were made while Texas was a Republic, and this County was named for James Bowie, a hero of the Alamo and a Hero of the the Republic. The rest of the story is not so heroic. James Bowie was a forger, thief, horrible human being and land thief. In this area of Texas, he is loved for being at the end of the Alamo and being an irascible scoundrel who forged land grants, forged Spanish grants and just did some terrible, fitful things. He killed a lot of people in duels but having his name being kindly lent? Nope. Now in Texas, where I live, the Bowie knife is a real and really big thing. I own one and strap it to my leg when I go out to the wilderness. And it is a big wilderness. The area where Jim Bowie plied his trade (thievery) is full of big pines and lots, and I mean lots of water. We go out to the big lakes, but not one has been made by man. Only Caddo Lake, South East of where I live, is man made. That's where Jim Bowie made his claim. I don't want to go any further into this but Jim, or James Bowie as he has been called in this area, is claimed as a hero. But this movie is terrible at accuracy, wonderful for remembrance.
The Thick Dark Fog (2011)
Accurate and well done documentary of Native American Experience
I happened upon this one hour documentary on my local PBS CH-12 in Denver and was completely absorbed. Half of my family were either in Indian boarding schools or lived on reservations, mostly in Oklahoma. I've heard many of my Uncles telling of their treatment at these places but they always told their stories haltingly. Now I see why. I don't want to go into much detail, especially as my amateur writing would not do justice to the film-makers. I can mention that it tells the story of one man's redemption from his painful experiences away from his family at an Indian boarding school. At such a place, the children are subjected to strict disciplinary actions including mental and physical abuse. One comment from one interview said it all: We were told not to be an Indian. Be White. My relatives did mention this when we spoke of these things. I recommend this film highly for its content and storytelling.
El Velador (2011)
The most understated documentary about the most horrible world
Seldom have I seen such a touching, perfect view of a world full of atrocities seen through the eyes of a simple grave caretaker. I won't give anything away in saying that the violence in Mexico is so horrible, becoming so common place, that the dead are mourned in such a way as to denigrate the living, for the dead are cared for like princes. Watching this saddened me to no end. The film making is exquisite and the world she brings us is horrific, but I hope everyone can see this masterwork. It is a good work about bad things. This is good work in a difficult time and I revere the sincere way the Director presented such a work in a subdued and sublime manner. I wish the director the best and hope she can work on something happier next time.
The Losers (2010)
This is classic camp comic book at its finest!
I just saw "The Losers" on HBO and I LOVED it! Everything, and I mean everything, was so out of proportion but I laughed all the way through it and it was a "Good" laugh. The folks that made this film wanted to entertain and they sure did. Jason Patric was a great "evil villain" with his quirkiness; the leads were not totally stereotypical and I just thought this will be a great cult film for years to come. (Possible SPOILER ALERT) My favorite improbable, of the 50 or so crazy situations, was the showdown at the Port of LA. Not only is PLA the 11th most active port in the world, it is largest in the US. So with 150 people having running gun battles, a plane landing there, massive fire power all over the place, I truly enjoyed that there is NO ONE ELSE WORKING!! Beautiful! I don't mean that in a sarcastic way. It was pure comic book fiction. I hope this movie gets a good following because I really, really loved it.
2012 (2009)
Just awful. Awful. Manos the Hands Of Fate awful
If you spend this much money on a film that has no relevance to itself. Horrible, horrible people that could make something better. Awful, awful, awful movie!!! Shame on anyone that even THOUGHT about working on this movie! It has no real plot, it does not have that redeeming quality, and it hurt my sense of love that no one cares about each other. I really wanted the Stepfather to help the kids but he really didn't. So I wanted them to be sacrificed in the first 10 minutes. This movie has no true basis in any reality. Having the plane take off with a pilot that is not qualified? The Russian oligarch with the plane that never needs fuel. The kids that should have died early (Jurassic Park syndrome) The Russian that gets them on the Ark Just the worst movie. Shame!
Mystery Team (2009)
A how to on making an SNL movie (without SNL)
Hilarious. Cute. Adorable. Hard hitting action. Swear words! This movie has everything.
Seriously, Comedy Examiner said this was the funniest move of 2010 (June writing) and I seriously agree.
I saw this sketch comedy team on YT and they were very, very funny. Yet they rose to new heights by combining my favorite genre as an 8 year old with world weary modernism. I just wish that my favorite SNL characters would have made a film in this vein. It's funny; very funny. It's fresh and it hasa lot of heart...then spleen, then kidneys.
Best of luck to these guys and looking forward to the sequel.
The Hebrew Hammer (2003)
Oh the humanity, the humility, the gullibilty!!
I saw the *star* of this movie on The Daily Show, and thought I might tune in (the movie premiered on Comedy Central, Then went into theaters). Oh Vey!
This makes "Shakes the Clown" look like "Citizen Kane"! Avoid, avoid, avoid at all costs. Not one laugh, not even a grin. This movie will make your face come out in pimples and your eyes burst like the last remants of "Raiders". I can't even think of a worse movie, be it "Manos" or "Ishtar". As the Pythons beckoned, run away, run away! Why did anyone green light this unless they used their own money? The horror is that there is not ONE good line, not ONE good joke, and only ONE bad thing...the making of this movie.
I feel that, if made properly, this would have been hilarious. As it is, I need a new pancreas for retching so loud. Damn anyone involved in this travesty.