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jacksenvy
Reviews
Shark Attack 3: Megalodon (2002)
Big, dumb fun!!
Is this a good film? No. Is it a bad film? Yes. Is this a film that entertains and you would say to a friend "You've gotta see this movie!"? In my opinion, Yes. Let's look on the positive side of things. The lead actor John Barrowman looks like a Tom Cruise stand in, and carries this light weight movie well. The lead actress Jenny Mcshane is not unpleasant to look at - I found myself having a rude thought or two whenever she appeared on screen, the minx! - even though she seems to lack the ability to not smile. There are some ridiculously over the top shark attack scenes towards the end of the movie, that although lacking in any real sense of suspense, direction, or even semi decent effects, entertained the hell out of me! And it's hilarious watching some of the actors trip and stumble over their lines, as English is quite obviously a second language to some of them. There is of course that pick up line - "I'm feeling kinda wired..." - and any film that has someone say to a shark, "Up yours, ass-hole!" while flipping it the finger, right before he is about to be eaten, has got to be worth watching! And I loved the guy taking the life jacket off his own Mrs, jumping in to the water and straight... Well, you can guess what happens next. This a movie best watched with a group of pals, late at night, with plenty of lager, a huge kebab, and your mind switched to "dumb". Cause that is what this is...Big, dumb fun!!
Lock Up (1989)
under rated gem
This is a movie I have seen countless times, and is a favourite I revisit once in a while. OK, it's not The Shawshank Redemption. But it is a solid action/thriller with a good script, and some terrific performances from a ensemble cast. There is solid support from Frank McRae as "Eclipse", Tom Sizemore as "Dallas", and Sonny Landham as "Chink". With Darlene Flugel and Jon Amos throwing in good cameo performances too. The two leads, Stallone and Sutherland, play off well against each other, with Sly holding his own against an acting veteran. There are also some neat little twists along the way, be it surprising character choices or left turns in the plot. I really don't think this film ever got the credit it deserved. I think it was made at a time when all most people wanted Stallone to do was kick ass, not play someone who would generally rather avoid conflict if possible. But for me, these people have missed a treat. Stallone shows that he can play the "everyman" (albeit with slightly larger muscles than most!), without having to dumb down. He plays it simple and straight, and it works. In some of the scenes were all the guys are together, you sense a real rapport/camadarie between them. There is also a nice song/piano overture that plays at points in the movie and over the credits, that for me is one of the sweetest pieces of music i've heard in the movies. If you haven't seen this film, it is well worth renting and spending an evening with. And hey, even the missus would like this prison movie!
D-Tox (2002)
D-Tox: A movie of two halves
Anyone who knows much about this movie will know that it was a troubled production shoot from the start. The title was being changed all the time from I See You, to Eye See You, to D-Tox, etc. So much so that it has actually been released under a couple, if not all, of these names. What the specific problems were I do not know. I can't imagine budget was an issue as the second part of the movie takes place in one location. And it is not like it is set in the future like, for instance, Demolition Man. It'd be interesting if one day someone - be it Sly, Robert Patrick, or whoever - would spill the behind the scenes beans. There is certainly a story to be told, I'm sure of it.
Anyway, let's start with the positive and why you should see this movie. It has a great cast of actors. Stallone, Robert Patrick, Charles S Dutton, Dina Meyer, Tom Berenger, Kris Kristofferson, Jeffery Wright, amongst others. Inparticular, the opening 30 minutes is gritty, downbeat, suspenseful, and in parts shocking. Stallone really shows his acting chops, and is obviously bouyed by the talent around him. After 20 minutes he's burnt out, broken, and haunted by what has happened to him.
Only when Act 3 of the movie is reached does it loose its way. What should be reminiscent of The Thing or even Alien III (Only without any Aliens or aggressive molecular organisms), becomes a standard stalk 'em and slash 'em. Which would not be a bad thing if the second half of the movie wasn't a continuity nightmare. One minute characters are locked in their rooms/cells, the next they're free to roam. Characters get forgotten about without explanation. And after building up the villain, he ain't so tough after all. And his motives are hazy at best. And who couldn't guess that the villain would turn out to be the Brit? Very 80's.
It's a damn shame this movie wasn't completed with the same care with which it was started. It's like people - whether it be the actors, screenwriters, producers, the director - just gave up, and rushed to the finish line. I really feel there is a cracking movie in there somewhere. If someone could go back, recover some (obviously) deleted material, re-insert it, and re-edit the movie, especially the second half, they could turn a missed opportunity in to a neat, suspenseful thriller. I give it 7 out of 10 for Stallones performance (his hang dog face being used to dramatic, down trodden effect), the cast they managed to pull together, the great first half of the movie, and the potential that obviously lies within its continuity stricken 90 minutes.
Superman III (1983)
Superman III: Ugh!!
I thought Superman III was one of the worst sequels of all time. From the start it veers in to Slapstick comedy. And what the hell is Richard Pryor doing in a Superman movie?!?!?! I thought the "villians" were useless, the blonde just sheer annoying, and the direction of the movie, its production values, the script, everything was below mediocre. It looks like the Salkinds aimed for the sidewalk, but couldn't get past the gutter. Lois Lane is all but cut from the film. Lois Lane! Just about the most important supporting character in the entire series/comic books. And all because she had the guts to tell the Salkinds the way it was. There were so many missed opportunities with this film. The return to Smallville and Clarks relationship with Lana could have been something special. And the "evil Superman" thread could have been an absolute barn stormer. But in the hands of those idiot producers and Richard Lester it amounts to nothing. Nothing. The ball was dropped so often on this picture you'd think it was smeared in baby oil. I really felt for Reeve as once again he rose above all mediocrity to put in a performance so honest, so regal, so Superman, that it is he and he alone who earns this picture any marks whatsoever. It is no wonder that when Singer made Superman Returns, he chose to pretend parts III and IV never happened. The producers and their best mate Lester - I am presuming that is how he got the job again! - almost destroyed a 20th century icon, and then for years after claim it "wasn't their fault"!!! Yeah, right. In Donners/Singers hands this film could have been special. A continuance of a great saga of one of the movie worlds greatest hero's. Instead, we get Pryor, a nameless blonde, and an over tanned millionaire. Poor, poor film.
Rocky (1976)
Rocky: The Greatest
I think Frank Capra said it all when after having seen the film, he said "Now there is a film I wish I had made" Rocky manages to be wholly realistic, and utterly uplifting. Performances from the leads right down to the minor supporting players are beautifully realised. It is very easy to see why Stallone was touted as the next Brando after this movie. His acting ability, delivery, and physicality are all reminiscent of the great man himself. Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, and of course Burgess Meredith are all wonderful. They take an already great screenplay and make it better by adding nuance, layers, and idiosyncrasies to their characters without trying to hog the picture. Whenever any of these actors appear on screen, it is like they are the star, and the movie could be about them. But let us not forget Stallone. He is the lynch pin around which the movie revolves. An acting style so natural you'd swear that it was a documentary. A movie that makes what should be unlikeable characters lovable, because you understand them. It is no wonder Stallone continued to revisit these characters a further five times. A truly great movie, that stands shoulder to shoulder with any other movie ever made.
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
The definitive sequel to Superman: The Movie
Having got the Superman box set for Christmas, I could not wait to watch the Donner cut of Superman 2. And I was not disappointed. Okay, the ending is not the all action ending that befits a movie of this kind. But, it is more dramatic and makes more sense. Gone are Supermans sudden - and stupid - ability to disappear and re-appear at will, or pull those daft "S" cloaks from his chest, or emit energy blasts from his hands. These things were never a part of the Superman myth, and never made any sense. Gone are most of the hillbilly hick scenes that looked more like off cuts from a Cannonball Run movie. And in come some excellent dramatic scenes between Brando and Reeve, and the explanation of how Superman got his powers back. The changes made are more than cosmetic. The entire mood and pace of the movie is changed and reshaped for the better. No more slap stick humour, and more meaningful dialogue. Be it between Lois and Clark, Kal-El and Jor-El, or Superman and Lois. Having Brando back is a massive boost to the movie, as his relationship with his son is explored further. And the three super villains are more sinister, and somewhat less camp. Without a doubt, this is the superior version of Superman 2