Reviews

After reading the other User Comments I began to wonder if all these people saw the same movie I did. I am not sure what people are looking for or expecting in a movie but "Master and Commander", offers great acting, a good solid script, well drawn and interesting characters, good action, outstanding photography and a true depiction of life on a 1800 English ship of war. That being said, I find this movie one of the best I have ever seen and I do not make that judgment lightly. The ending could have been stronger and I can only assume that the director was leaving a starting place for sequel. Master and Commander earned and deserves the rare 10 I have chosen for it.

I consider Patton the very best war movie ever made. It is highly unusual for a movie to tell a better story then the book, but this is the case with Patton. Casting was superb. I could imagine know one capturing the General Patton's character better then George C. Scott. Certainly this was Scott's defining moment of an outstanding film career. The battlefield scene of the General kissing the young tank Captain is one of the most memorable scenes in cinema history. I remember seeing this movie in 1970 and being shock at the profanity it contained. Movies have come a long way since then. Recommended for all, as a accurate portrayal of some of the events of the Second World War. This is one of only 3 movies I have ever felt deserved a big 10 rating. Enjoy.

This movie starts very slowly and is somewhat uneven. About half way through, the script tightens and the story flows more evenly. A superb cast, lead by the always strong performance from Jeff Bridges makes this a Very Good movie. I recommend this for all ages. I rated Seabisquit at 7+.

Certainly one of the better movies in 2002. I thought this was Leonardo DiCaprio's best performance to date. Of course what can you not like about Tom Hanks, one of the finest actors in history. Have you ever noticed how Tom Hanks continues to select the right vehicles to perform in. Excellent story line with outstanding production values. I can't imagine anyone not liking this movie. I rated this an 8.

This is an interesting and true story and like so many of the epics in the early 60's, has a great cast. Probably Steve McQueen's best film work. Most viewer's will find it worth the 2 hours and 50 plus minutes you spend with the flick. Recommended for all, I rated this an 8.

The story is loosely based on Robert L. Scott's autobiography. The picture made towards the end of World War II is a fairly typical war time film. The story does give some accurate details on the Flying Tigers and there total dominance over the numerically superior Japanese forces. Colonel Scott was a legitimate ace during the war and his story is worth watching. I rated this a 7.

This movie had some real cute and clever lines, but alas these two great actors were really beginning to show their age. The film is none the less worth your time and overall and enjoyable escape. It might have been more believable if the marrying couple had been grandchildren instead of son and daughter. I rated this a 7 and it is recommended for all ages.

Originally made by Turner Pictures for TV this movie is exceptionally well done. An accurate reproduction of the Gettysburg fighting, coupled with fine performances from this group of professional actors. The graphic scene's of the battle only enhance a superior TV production.

A very interesting story but very uneven and hard to follow. Robert Hanssen was a very complex man and possibly the writer should not have tried to capture him in all his complexities. None the less, worth your time in learning the story about America's most damaging spy.

My apologies to H. G. Welles for incorrectly identifying Jules Verne as the writer of this Classic piece of literature. A slip of the keyboard should not detract from this famous novel. H. G. Welles wrote "The Time Machine" in 1895.

This is a charming romantic film. Really quite innocent and entertaining. I was bothered by Meg Ryan's hair, which appeared to have been cut and combed by a three year old, otherwise an entertaining film with good professional acting. Ryan is a delightful young woman who played well with Jackman.

If your looking for a comedy you will be disappointed, however if you want a well acted, poignant drama with some funny lines, than this is worth your time. Peter Falk and D. B. Sweeney, are brilliant together. A sleeper that the critics missed. A word of warning, it is very sad and human.

This movie is very underrated and offers much more to the viewer then what appears. While Stallone was not a great actor at this point in his career, he fit the Rambo character perfectly, and few men in Hollywood could have defined the character better. The movie offers an insight into the Vietnam veteran that most other films dare not project. The action sequences are outstanding and the story interesting and fast paced. Recommended for all Action Fans. I rated this a 7.

All to often films are referred to as Classic's when they are actually just good movies. George Pal's 1960 "The Time Machine" starring Rod Taylor, fits the definition of a True Classic. The movie still plays well over 40 years after it was first made. Good acting, and interesting script and of course a story from the pen of Jules Vern make for real enjoyment and good viewing. Highly recommend for the entire family. I rated this an 8.

A waste of film on a good cast, which deserved better. The movie had several flaws which should not have gotten by in a solid production. Kenneth Branagh is a fine actor but was definitely miscast in this picture. The script was at best poor, and the reactions by the characters to crisis situations not particularly realistic. All in all a bad effort. Worth a one time look. I rated this a 6.

Have a fun time as Peter Ustinov and Dean Jones frolic in "Blackbeard's Ghost." An innocent family movie where Ustinov gives a demonstration on fun acting. Typical Disney fare of the 1950's & 1960's. Have a few laughs without having to think to deep. I rated this a 7 on the scale.

A delightful spoof of Adolph Hitler. Filmed early during World War II, the movie was probably several generations before its time. Great cast including Jack Benny, Carole Lomard, Robert Stack, Lionel Atwill and Tom Dugan among others. Jack Benny's facial expressions alone are worth watching this great film.

It is to bad that a powerfull performance by Gene Hackman was wasted in a poor paced, slow moving drama. The remaining cast gave a good account of themselves but the script just lack any sense of direction or suspense. Being a die hard Grisham fan I was terribly disappointed in the end product.

An exciting story despite a often used terrorist/nuke theme. One of George Clooney's better performances. George and Nicole Kidman played very well together. Tense closing moments. Recommend for those loving action. I rated this a 7.

A better than average war film with fine acting by a professional cast. There are few better then Humphrey Bogart and he always gives an outstanding performance. The fact that the action takes place in the desert makes this black & white film totally acceptable. I rated this an 8.

Jack Lemmon stands at the top of his profession when it comes to comedy. No other actor has his sense of timing or expressive manners to offer competition to the master. "Good Neighbor Sam" is Lemmon at his best. Playing the average guy next door who gets into all kinds of problems through mostly no fault of his own. Everyone will enjoy this movie and the other Lemmon films similar to it. I rated this a 7.

Battleground was an excellent war movie. Although filmed in black and white, color would have done little to enhance the movie. The cast was outstanding and the characters interesting and well drawn. Lead by Van Johnson, John Hodiak and George Murphy, it was a 28 years old James Whitmore, in his first year of movie making that stole every scene he was in. Recommended for all ages. I rated this an 8.

Actors don't get any better than Robert DeNiro and Marlon Brando and along comes Edward Norton to give the performance of his career and leave the audience breathless. Few movies can match this cast in acting. The story is a much used theme but the movie creates twists and turns at the end, to leave the audience shaking their heads. Great finish to a very good movie. I rate this a 7.

One of John Candy's best movies. An excellent cast makes this a real feel good film telling the story of the first Jamaican bobsled team and their efforts to overcome the prejudices of a previous all white sport. You'll enjoy every minute of this flick and have a better understanding of what it takes to join the Olympic movement. For the entire family.

What makes this movie so much better than most westerns is the cast. Every speaking part is handled by a true professional and although the story line has been much used over the years, everyone should view this movie to enjoy one great performance after another. Steve McQueen, Brian Keith, Karl Malden, Arthur Kennedy, Susan Pleshette, John Doucette, you just don't get a finer cast than that. This is a must see for all serious film buffs. I rated this an 8.