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Reviews
Ladder 49 (2004)
Seems clear enough
When I rented Ladder 49 I saw on the jacket that it was about firefighters and that it covers a rookie's turn to become a veteran. I expect on this title a spoiler-free review by me would be nothing more than on the jacket.
The woman at Blockbuster had this title among her recommendations but when I asked questions she only recalled that she like it. On this Spartan recommendation I took it home for a day.
It happens that I had just watched Green Lantern Emerald Knights for the first time. Similarly, the Green Lantern title deals with the subject of the rookie Kilowog becoming the veteran whose approval is necessary when activating the new recruits in that corps. I suppose the cartoon tale had something to do with my view on the firefighter story.
As a new Green Lantern, the young Kilowog called into question his drill sergeant's commitment to the well-being of his students, who when dispatched for service in the Corps may be injured or killed and not cost that trainer anything. The drill sergeant takes off his ring, separating himself from those dependable powers and dukes it out with the recruit. The drill sergeant stands at the end and says it's a privilege for people in his Corps to grow old; and when one puts on the magic rings, their lives are no longer their own.
In Ladder 49, Morrison (Phoenix) has a best friend who dies early on in the movie. We see the moment happen and it is clear what's coming. It's like a soldier who steps on a mine and realizes his death is imminent, except instead of standing on a mine, he's standing on a roof weakened by fire.
We next see the youth's funeral and a later moment in the firehouse. The firefighters have a pensive moment that turns restless and causes them to fight each other. The captain breaks them up saying they should be fighting fires instead of each other.
Whether these men deal with fires resulting from error or arson, they do always have an enemy, which inevitably at some point costs the lives of some. The phrase I heard from the green lantern still rings true, that growing old is a privilege.
A moment unique to firefighters comes later. Morrison learns of a family member trapped inside a corner upstairs apartment. Inside the home we see him amid the blaze and a bookcase resting on his foot. We hear the call for help further in and it seems as if Morrison will not be able to move from his spot. He also calls for help; a fellow firefighter arrives and moves for the voice beyond. This event yields an injured and unconscious victim who with some CPR may be recalled to life.
Our show pauses a moment and next appears an award ceremony whose subject is this time. The captain who would normally have offered awards gives up the stage to the girl whose life was brought back. I knew the title Ladder 49 several years ago and had little idea on the subject or depth that may be involved. I realize this is one of many movies that cover the subject of valor. Let's just say my hearty recommendation falls on this movie.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
I expected certain things - and it was so much more
This movie arrived in the mail; my wife had chosen it from Blockbuster. I had not been aware there was a new one, so when I saw it I thought it might be a blu-ray of the Tobey Maguire movie, which we own.
I realized right away it was a fresh production; but I kept seeing the new and remembering the Tobey Maguire versions. So, here he falls for Gwen Stacy instead of Mary-Jane Watson; Gwen's father, Captain Stacy of NYPD instead of Mr. Osborn of Oscorp.
In a character-by-character match the new is simply the old retouched; but this is certainly its own movie. I guess the biggest thing to me is surprise that, if Marvel is doing another thing with Spider-Man, they did not use Tobey Maguire. Then again, he may be too old to be believed.
I wanted to express something on humor. I believe Stan Lee's cameo was planned in a way to make clear we do see him, with a very soothing music in his completely enclosed head-set, which makes the character completely oblivious to the violent and noisy play behind him, like when the man in True Lies finishes cleaning a room, exits and closes the door, and then Schwarzenegger's aircraft errantly breaks into the spotless room and makes a mess of things. It's a terrific moment, which I am certain was a cause of great laughter in more than just my viewing.
Battleship (2012)
Eyes Open or Opinion Beforehand
I saw this movie in cinema. Later, I asked about the DVD in a rental store. The clerk said this was a Michael Bay movie. I did not make the connection, and even now I see Peter Berg is the director's name; but the clerk went on to say Michael Bay directed Transformers 1,2 and 3. High-tech aliens, lots of explosions, an underdog human race that the viewer will root for. Does Battleship fit that bill? Yes. It may be recent years have changed us in that we can see the special effects in this film are first-rate, and we no longer find a great light-show sufficient, but must subsist on the fetish requirement of that unidentified something we were looking for when choosing a movie. Let us seek that which this movie offers. Spoilers follow. Since Captain and Executive Officer are killed by the enemy,the rebel brother takes command and proves resourceful against a prominent foe by redirecting fire and repositioning ship for a strategic hard hit. When it is discovered the enemy has very effective stealth technology, an innovative method of learning their position is illustrated. A self-admitting coward, an amputee, and his therapist become instrumental in foiling enemy communication attempts. A perfect ending to illustrate our condition. Liam Neeson plays the father of the rebel's love interest. After saving the world he seeks permission from the girl's father to marry her, and he says no. "Saving the world is one thing; marrying my daughter is quite another." As with the Admiral whose criteria might be unreasonable, it appears that lately every movie is required to qualify before it can be called acceptable. Let the movie stand on its own, and you may be surprised; but it's not to impress me or because some reviewer thought one way about it. You make your own mind.
Bloodz vs. Wolvez (2006)
Solid concept, Poor delivery
This is a tale of the battlefield where vampires meet werewolves, and although the acting is admittedly poor, it also clarifies a conscientious and unrelenting wish by the leader of one side that warring factions should find peace. On this the entire movie hangs, presented in whatever manner that was available. Lots of language. I get the impression that among players in this one, those who do not depend always on cursing are pretentious, so it's either cursing or apologizing. In case you have a wish to see this one, remember to keep an eye on overall concept. In a world that includes vampires and werewolves, is it possible to stop the killing?