Reviews

I hold the makers of this film personally responsible for the permanent psychological scars this film left on me. First off, let me just say, Lief Garret, should not act in films...EVER! Pornos, travel or cell phone commercials, voice overs on radio, nothing that requires the slightest inkling of talent. Secondly, hiring a man who defies the term "obese", and showing said man, shoving his bare fat ass out of a car window, is a crime against humanity and God. Not just a passing glance either, but a long hard studious, eye-gouging, long shot. Then seeing the sheriff, an aging hairy beast of a man, in nothing but his boxers, nailing the head cheerleader of the camp, for a "touch-down". I ask you...what have I done to these film makers. I've always tried to be good, and live my life accordingly. This movie cannot be described in words. Suffice is nothing compared to the masterpiece that is, "Sorority House Massacre II".

Harvey contains James Stewart's warmest, and finest performance of his career. Harvey is one of my favorite films of all time, in fact it ties with two others in the number one spot on my top ten list. Based on the play by Mary Chase, this film is warm, funny, and to some just plain weird. To me it is ingenious. Aside from giving Josephine Hull a Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, this film showcases the unique talent of Jimmy Stewart co-staring an invisible 6'2 rabbit. Stewart was so convincing that people came up and actually asked to talk to Harvey.The plot consists of Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart), a benevolent drunk, and his imaginary rabbit. Yes, Elwood may be inebriated most of the time, but I'll be darned if he isn't just the nicest guy, and the rabbit isn't so bad either. Since Elwood is obviously not harvesting a full crop, his sister lives in great fear of being disgraced. The Dowd's are a rich family, and Veta (Hull) does not wish to scar the family name. After a particular amusing interruption at a party she tried to have in his absence she decides it is finally time to commit him. That's all I can say without giving away too much. The film remains my favorite simply because of Stewart's performance. As Veta said once in the film, "Every now and again I see, Harvey." The whole cast is brilliant. Elwood's pleasant smile, and quiet way are a refreshing sight to see in today's cynical world. Besides he the one of the first people to actually have a card, "The name is Dowd, Elwood P. If you should ever need to call me, call this number down her, that top one is the old number."

Affliction, is a truly remarkable film. From an acting standpoint it is beautiful. Finally we see James Coburn, act. We've seen him dozens of times before, but never before has he been so engaging. Coburn has a powerful screen persona, and is at his best here, as an alcoholic and abusive father. Notle plays against type cast, and plays a small town cop. Only instead of his usual tough guy image, he brings to the screen a sense of fear. He plays a wimp, well maybe not a wimp, but a man who has been beaten by his father and life. When Coburn and Nolte are on the screen together, it is incredible to watch. To see two screen legends at the top of their game. Spacek, and Dafoe are in usual form, as always outstanding. But this movie truly belongs to Coburn and Nolte. Granted this movie is not for everyone, only for true movie lovers. People who love watching actors at their best. This a slow movie, not slow in a bad way, a slow as in poetic, and sad. Do not see this movie if you're looking for fluff. This movie is very heavy and deep, but all in all one of the best films of it's decade.

Oh God!, is a smart and funny film. It is truthful, without being condescending. It talks about religion without being religious. It also showcases George Burns' finest screen appearance aside from The Sunshine Boys.

As, God, Burns is astonishing. Whenever John Denver asks questions that every being would ask if confronted by God, Burns replies with a certain, common sense, matter of fact response. There is no grandiose answer. One of my favorite lines is when John Denver's character asks "Why me?", God says, "Why not you? You know those supermarket things, every one millionth customer. Or whoever crosses the bridge at a certain time. Well you're the one millionth customer."

Speaking of Denver, he also is great, playing Jerry, not as a crazed man, but as an average grocery market assistant manager who is suddenly faced with the fact that God has chosen him to carry a message. He plays his character with a certain warmth, and naturalness.

Carl Reiner directed this film, and with a great eye. Notice how Jerry's everyday life is just that, everyday. The way he is with his wife, and kids, and people around him. I've seen it a dozen times, because that's how people actually act. Reiner brought a sense of realness to this movie, which in effect brought with it believability.

First off let me just state that I am a video store clerk. So I have seen my share of movies, good, bad, and horrendous. This movie falls under the last category. I first picked up this movie purely because of the cover. It was sitting in the Sci-Fi section, and I wanted to see if it belonged in the mature, well it doesn't belong in either. It's not a sci-fi flick, and it's too scatterbrained even for soft-core. How bad is it? It is so bad that my friend and I, couldn't decide how to even begin to catogorize this film Thus forth I have created a new category, "What the hell?" {A side note, the composer for this movie is Danny Elfman. Another reason for this movie to be in this category.} Now on with the plot, a group of women swap sex stories in a sauna. That's pretty much it, with who , I can't tell you without giving away the twist, which sufice is to say the only twist in this movie is with a slice of lemon. This movie is great if you like random nudity, and alien abductions, oh crap gave away the twist. Oh well at least you have the lemon.