Reviews

In 1976, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST(1975) was nominated for 9 Academy Awards, winning 5 in all the major categories. But 5 years earlier, another film tackled mental illness (all be it in a different manner) in it's own unique way. This film was THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS(1971). Now many would argue that Cuckoo's Nest was a superior film, and they would probably be right. They Might Be Giants was shot on a miniscule budget, and was cut down for release by studio exec's. In a further insult, the same studio exec's refused to support the Director's bid for a wide release. It's a shame too, because it featured one of the most overlooked comic performances in film history. George C.Scott plays Justin Playfair, a retired judge who thinks he's Sherlock Holmes. And he does it perfectly. Right down to the subtle gestures and mannerisms. In one of films best scenes, Playfair arrives in a local Mental Institution for an evaluation. A struggle breaks out with the patient before him (a mute, who refuses to reveal even his name) and it's up to Holmes to save the day. And Save the day he does. The Dialogue in this scene is brilliant. Some of the best I've ever heard. And it's all Scott. Not only does he get the man to talk, he guesses his name! The supporting cast is excellent as well. Joanne Woodward is the perfect foil as Dr Watson, Jack Gilford as Wilbur Peabody, and the rest of the New York actors are real, and delightfully eccentric. The end of the film with the "March to find Moriarty" is a classic. Listen to the music in this scene, it's great! So if you liked Cuckoo's nest, check this one out...you won't regret it!!

Anyone who has seen George.C.Scott in his most widely recognized role as PATTON(1970) should take a look at his wonderful performance in THE FLIM FLAN MAN(1967). It's like looking at two absolutely different actors. I have always admired the actors and actress' who completely disappear into their parts (Alec Guiness, Kate Blanchet, Tom Hanks, to name a few) You forget for a few hours that you are watching an actor, and that makes the characters they play stand out all the more. In this film, Scott plays Mordecai Jones, a legendary con-man who takes up with a young soldier awol from the army. The two stike a chord immediately, and start working together to make a quick buck. Things start to get interesting when the young soldier proves to be a little bit too honset for the Flim Flan Man. The locales, supporting cast, and a top notch car chase make this film top notch entertainment, but it is Scott who steals the picture (as he has done so many times i.e DR STRANGELOVE, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS) as the wiley and charming Flim Flan Man. Grab a copy of THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, and make it a evening. You won't be disappointed you did.

After watching the first three episodes of this funny, (yes actually it is pretty funny!) new WB show, I understand while Corey Feldman is no longer working in Hollywood. The plot, is pretty simple, there are seven celebrities (and I use the term "celebrities" loosely) living in a nice house somewhere in Hollywood. That's it, there is no plot, there is no elimination, or charity, or anything else. You just watch and see what stupid thing the producer's have them do next. The highlight of the show thus far, is Feldman's constant, almost maternal need for attention. Everything seems to have to focus around him, his girlfriend, his ex-girlfriends, and his new album (God help us all). While most of the others (Rocker Vince Neil, ex-playmate Brandi Rodderick, Emmanual Lewis (Webster from tv), the classic M.C Hammer) seem to take the show for what it is, a paid vacation, and a chance to have some fun. However, Feldman, along with Gabrielle Carteris, and that annoying chick from Surrvivor think that it's actually going to help jumpstart or re-start their careers. It's funny at times, but sad as well, as most of these people have had their "fifteen minutes" and they ain't gettin' them back. If you want a little nostalgia from the 80's and early 90's, and a chance to see just how far some superstars have fallen, give "Surreal Life" a chance. But you'd better hurry, because it's on the WB, so it probably won't last long. Hey, here's an idea for a sequel. Vanilla Ice, Screech (from saved by the bell) Jimmy Walker, and Elizabeth Berkley...

All the great movie stars have one thing in common, one picture, that despite the greatness of all the rest, leaves their legacy. James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, Errol Flynn in Robin Hood, MArlon Brando in On the Waterfront, Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest, I can go on... Bullit (1968) is Steve McQueen's legacy. It is the movie so many people remember him for. It was as close as he ever came to playing himself. I believe it is truly one of the greatest on screen performances ever filmed. Any actor with dreams of becoming a movie star should watch McQueen in this picture over and over again. McQueen plays Bullit, a San Francisco detective who is put in charge of a mob snitch who has agreed to testify against is former bosses, which naturally makes him a target. Things go askew when two men burst into the hotel room where he is staying, and blow him away. They also kill one of McQueen's men. Pressure from his captain, and a local political candidate looking to make a name for himself, Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn, who always played a great bad guy) The rest of the film is all McQueen. He single handedly tracks down the killers, and of course, there is the magnificant car chase (still the best ever filmed by the way) that ends in a chase through the San Francisco airport. One scene always stands out for me. It's the scene early on, when we see Bullitt eating dinner by himself in his small apartment. He is a man who is truly alone. McQueen was always best when he played the loner. The man who could do anything. He plays it to perfection here. He probably only has fifty or so lines in the entire film, but it's more than he needs. I am still surprised to this day that he did not recieve an oscar nomination for what I believe is his best work... If you want to see a star at the top of his game, and a great movie, give Bullitt a try, you will not be disappointed...

Michael Moore is a lot of things. Angry, bold, biased, just to name a few. He is also more. He is a rare original who has an opinion, and expresses it. His opinion might not be right. You do not have to agree with his opinion. But you should at least listen. In a world that seems to be conforming at an alarming rate, his voice has a place. I just saw Roger and Me for the first time, and I admire what the film set out to do. It is a film from the heart of a man who watched as his childhood city was torn away piece by piece. It is a film that leaves no question as to who, in it's opinion, the bad guys (GM Chairman Roger B.Smith, and the rest of General Motors) are. Now, I'm sure that Smith is not the devil incarnate he's made out to be. That's not the point. The point is, that a man like Moore, who at the time, was a regular joe, wanted to know why? They were making huge profits, the economy was good, so why the cuts? why the lay-offs? He asked the man at the top. He never got an answer, and despite what some of the more negative reviews I've read here say, he deserved one. So did all the people who were laid off. I admire men like Moore, men who take a stand, and ask the questions. So what if he lives in a $2,000,000 home in New York? Does that make him a hypocrite? Maybe. But at least he's still asking the questions. More of us should follow his example. The world might be a better place for it.

I just happened upon CAVEMAN (1981) while filpping through some of the pay per-view channels this afternoon. I must say I was pleasantly surprised...I haven't seen much of Ringo Starr as an actor over the years, but after seeing this film, it's a shame he didn't to a lot more...he is near perfect in the lead role of Atouk, the scatterbrained leader of a group of misfit cavemen. There is next to no dialogue, just a lot of exagerrated facial expressions, and grunts! It's really great! Barbara Bach is absolutely gorgeous on screen, and has to rank up there with Tanya Roberts in Sheena (1984)as on of my all time favorite silver screen pre-historic babes...Dennis Quaid, and Shelly Long make early big-screen appearances here, and Quaid shows flashes of what is to come....also, the big lug of a guy who plays Atouk's rival, I'm not sure who the actor is, puts in a good performance as well... The story is a simple one, about a group of misfit cavemen trying to cope with the world around them, and the special effects, by Dave Allen and friends are truly wacky, and make the film (my favorite's are the giant fried egg scene, and the doped-up dinosaur) If you happen on this film, or see the VHS tape for $9.99 or so, pick it up. If you're a fan of over the top, wacked out comedies, you'll get a few kicks out of this one....

A few months back, I (like many others before me I'm sure) discovered the "legend" of Errol Flynn. Now, I call it a legend, because if you were to print this man's life story today, I'm sure no one would believe it. But make no mistake; in Hollywood, Errol Flynn was, and still is, a legend. I have heard it said many times that Errol Flynn's real life escapades far outweighed any that could be conjured up for him on the big screen. This is true. After reading the book "My Wicked Wicked Ways" (on which this movie is based) and a few other repitable biographies, I won't be the one to argue with that. As for the movie adaption of My Wicked Wicked Ways, all I can say was, it's OK. It's prettied up, but at least it gives you sort of an idea of what Hollywood was like back in the "Golden Years" of the 30's and 40's.

The movie starts from Flynn's arrival in hollywood in the early thirties. He is simply one of the thousands of contract players that Warner Brothers has on the payroll, and waits, like most of the rest, for bit parts, and walk on roles. Duncan Regehr captures Flynn's personality pretty well. He was a man who lived for the moment, and a man who simply ignored any consequences to his own actions. He was fearless, but vulnerable. And of course, the ladies loved him! Everything else aside, I think what attracted everyone to him was not so much his looks, but his charm. Many of the people who worked with him commented that "No matter what he did, you could never stay mad at him for long." He'd tell a quick story, or smile that devilish smile, and everyone would forget that he was three hours late for shooting that day. He was also smart. Self taught, mostly. We get the feeling that he could have been anything he wanted to. The highlights along the way are some of the Flynn/Curtiz tiffs on set. Michael Curtiz directed Flynn in a bunch of films, and was NOT a fan of Errol Flynn. He usually had to beg and plead Flynn to get through a scene! Also, Barbara Hershey as Lili Damita, Flynn's on again, off again, on again, off again wife. The scenes between the two of them were hilarious. Also, the scenes between Flynn, and his friend, the doomed John Barrymore. Again, this was fluffed up a little bit, but if you are a fan of Errol Flynn's you should take a look at it anyways...also, read the book MY WICKED WICKED WAYS, I guarantee you won't be able to put it down... Some of my personal Errol Flynn film favorites are CAPTAIN BLOOD (1935) CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1936) THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) THE SEA HAWK (1940) THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON (1942) GENTLEMAN JIM (1942) OBJECTIVE BURMA (1945) THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN (1949) all these are highly entertaining, and will show you why Flynn was on top of Hollywood's star list for over ten years....LONG LIVE ERROL FLYNN!

I have just watched the first episode of the Steven Spielberg/Tom Hanks colaboration, BAND OF BROTHERS, and I must say it's very impressive. There are 10 hour-long parts which will be broadcast over the next few months. Made for an astronomical budget of $120,000,000, it seems they spared no expense, and can see every cent of the budget put to good use. There is great care in every detail, and the producers obviously wanted the series to look as authentic as possible. I think they have achieved that. The acting is top notch, and the decision to cast mostly unknown actors (there is a few big names, David Schwimmer as a sadistic Lieutenant is a highlight, and Donnie Wahlberg) but in large, the cast is unknown. Damian Lewis, who plays Winters, is particularly impressive. The series basically follows the saga of Easy Company, the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the US army. The first epsiode takes us through the training regimen, then over to the fighting in Europe, then I suppose things will only get tougher from there.... I am interested in watching almost any well done film, tv program, or documentary about the second world war, and Band of Brothers manages to combine all three. If you are a fan of Saving Private Ryan, or Thin Red Line, you will most definately want to check this series out. Even if you aren't, a fan of War Films, and you just want to kick back, and be entertained by a great story, and good writing, this might be for you as well...

By no means a masterpiece, and far from Errol Flynn's best, Istanbul still has much going for it. The locations and beautiful technicolour cinematography, bring us back to a time long since past. Errol Flynn does show moments of his past glory, and is OK as Jim Brennan, a pilot who's past comes back to haunt him. The picture is actually a remake of 1947's "Singapore", and the story seems awfully contrived and cliche' by today's standards. Also many of the supporting cast seem to be simply "going through the motions" in this picture. Many people have also compared it to one of the all time greats, CASABLANCA. While watching the film, I could see many of the similarities, but hey, Casablanca has inspired countless imitators, so take that for what it's worth. In closing, if you are a fan of Flynn, or old fashioned love stories, you might want to give this film a look. Otherwise, I'd recommend Casablanca, or The Maltese Falcon, as a good introduction to some of Hollywood's classics....

I just saw The Adventures of Robin Hood again for the first time in a few years, and would you believe that it got even better! Almost 63 years have passed since it was released, and it's still as enchanting as ever...You all know the story by now (and if you don't, you are in for a pleasant surprise) Robin Hood and his band of merry men rob from the rich, and give to the poor, foiling the evil Prince John, and his right hand man Sir Guy. Robin, of course, will find time to win the hand of Maid Marian along the way as well. I'll say the same thing I said in my Captain Blood review, they just don't make em' like this any more. The wonderful costumes, the magnificent sets, to make a film like this, today, would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and of course, would be aided by computer effects... That's the magic for me, you see, knowing that everything you see, the extras, the costumes, the sets, were all real! This was, and is, an example of movie-making at it's finest. The cast, well what can I say that hasn't been said? I know Errol Flynn hated the fact that he was and always would be known as Robin Hood, and many of the critics would say he was cast on his looks, and not his acting, but he WAS Robin Hood to me. I can't say it any more plainly then that. Olivia De Havilland was more beautiful then ever, and her scenes with Flynn are some of the best the film has to offer. Flynn buddy, Alan Hale was terrific as Little John, and Friar Tuck, played

by Eugene Pallette, steals many of the scenes he is in. The villians, Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy, and Claude Rains as Prince John equally hold their own, and the duel at the end of the film between Sir Guy and Robin, has been the inspiration for countless imitations... Well, if you are looking for THE film in which all adventure films should be measured, you will have found it in Robin Hood...one of the all time greats. If you want to kick back, turn out the lights, and snuggle up to someone close, The Adventures of Robin Hood is the film for you...I only have one question? When is someone going to BRING THIS FILM TO DVD!!!????

"They don't make em' like this anymore!!!!" What more can I tell you? I know it's cliche', but they really don't. Not only does Captain Blood have some of the best looking sets, and sea battles ever put on film, it has two young leads (Flynn and De Havilland) who were "just perfect" for the roles. This film is also full of something that most of the big budget epic adventure films aren't, and something I feel is lacking in most of the films today. Charm. It sounds simple, but watch it, and you will see. We actually like the characters, and care about what is going on, and what happens to them. Errol Flynn turns in a star making performance as "Dr Peter Blood", and he has never been better. It is widely known that Flynn didn't care about most of the films he made (he says as much in his auto-biography My Wicked Wicked Ways, if you want an interesting read, I suggest you pick this up!) but this was only his fifth film, and his first starring role, so I think he put more effort into this then most. The supporting cast, Alan Hale, Basil Rathbone, Lionel Atwill, and many others, compliment him perfectly. The Young Olivia De Havilland, has never looked more beautiful, and you can see the chemistry between her and Flynn almost immediately. They would go on to star in seven more films together!! Now, as great as I think Captain Blood is, and it is one of my top fifty films of all time, it was still just a warm up for The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) which was, and still is THE GREATEST ADVENTURE FILM OF ALL TIME!! SOMEONE PLEASE BRING THESE CLASSICS TO DVD!!!!

Definitely one the best films of the year! Denzel Washington sizzles on screen as usual. Norman Jewison has taken this story and brought it to the big screen wonderfully. Washington plays Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. A champion boxer who was framed for murder in the 50's, by a racist, corrupt police force. A young black boy (played with passion by newcomer Vicellous Reon Shannon) reads his book, and decides that Carter shouldn't be in prison, because he is innocent. The boys mentors, a group of Canadians, joins him and makes Carter's freedom their life's work, leading up to his eventual freedom in 1988. A truly inspiring film that tackles head on Carters original hatred of the whites that did this to him, to his eventual trust, and friendship the group of white people who, along with the boy, eventually help him to become free.

A film everyone should see!