Change Your Image
ronaldsteele-54467
Reviews
Don't Blink (2014)
Who's telling the story
I do gotta say this movie...I mean really... what the hell is going on. The dialogue is there and it's interesting no doubt. The suspense is there for all to enjoy and be bewildered. All the dramatic formula is present for even the harden fan. The mystery is all over this thing to keep hard core mystery fans happy. Unfortunately what is missing is the explanation of what is going on here.
I had my doubts on a couple theories. 1. They were all in a crash and one by one they all perished. 2. Alien abduction going on. 3. Their souls were being granted a place in heaven after being punished for sins in their life. And 4. A government experiment is going on and is using unsuspecting travelers as guinea pigs. Again unfortunately I can only have my doubts because none of it is ever explained.
10 people (friends and family) go on a road trip to a remote lodge only to find it abandoned. Things still in place from the people before they arrive vanished. Once they come to realize that nothing is normal there; no bug's, bird's or animals are nowhere to be seen or heard. This however leads to a question that the viewer never gets and that alone can be rubbish. Now of these ten people who travel to this out of the way lodge arrive their car's are running on fumes and the (plot hole) pump's are locked. If everyone vanished during operating hours why are the pump's locked. They discover that two from their party have already arrived and discovered that something weird is going on. Upon them wandering the property looking for life or in some odd case a body they find nothing but a noose, "Don't Blink Leave" scribbled across a mirror and a unseen "Don't Blink" scratched on a cabinet door. Sounds interesting...huh...was a great idea but it seems like the writers weren't sure how to end it so they didn't.
This is a good movie with good acting and likable characters that just doesn't go anywhere. If a movie was to follow this (sequel) it would have to explain a lot or at least give better hints as to what is causing people to disappear without warning. I was a bit upset with how it ended but after I thought about it made me think that it was a movie that was told from the public point of view. Every movie explains why things happen but in reality when something happens we all shout out questions but get no answer. We get a keep moving, this is a crime scene back off or this area is off limits and yet we get no answer. So the end I would assume is up to the viewer to guess what happened. I just hope a sequel does come out.
Why 8 out of 10 stars. The acting is pretty good, the suspense is there to enjoy and the mystery is ongoing. The chemistry between the cast is very good. The reactions when things do go down isn't overplayed. It's a enjoyable movie and really nothing more.
Would I recommend this movie, good question, not sure as despite all I stated the movie really goes nowhere. Do I own it, yes it was a gift from a friend.
A Christmas Romance (1994)
To say the least *predictable*
Here in her second TV movie since "A Mom For Christmas* show's Olivia Newton-John in a much better role. Gregory Harrison in a supporting role and two small girls as Olivia's daughters (one is in real life). After "A Mom For Christmas" I wasn't expecting much but another custom made movie for ONJ and nothing more, what I got was a much better movie than I expected.
Julia Stonecypher is a struggling mother of two little girls trying to get ahead after her husband passed away. She's in delinquent with a bank for the mortgage of her home and medical bills that mounted up over her late husband's illness. A bank owner goes to visit her on Christmas Eve and after a not so friendly chat leaves but crashes his car due to a blizzard. Julia runs and gets him in her home, tends to his injuries and from there the movie seems to start moving.
The chemistry between ONJ and Gregory Harrison is great and somehow believable. The plot is interesting and the acting is beyond decent, Olivia actually held her own against Gregory Harrison and that alone was a treat. They must have hit it off behind the scenes cause they made another movie of a more harsher topic (AIDS.) This movie ISN'T a musical but a dramatic fantasy or a holiday romantic comedy.
Is this movie predictable... it's a Christmas movie and which Christmas movie isn't. Stranger's when they meet, lover's at the end, been told numerous times but never grows old when told right.
A Mom for Christmas (1990)
A huge Olivia Newton-John fan
I love Olivia Newton-John and have been a fan since 1974 during her country/pop crossover stuff. Her turn in "Grease" made her a Megastar. When I read she was making a Christmas movie I couldn't wait to see it and after "Xanadu" and "Two Of A Kind" I had some high hopes. Guess my hopes were a tad too high as I really didn't get into this movie one bit. If one really watches it can see it was a custom made role for ONJ who was into family friendly projects due to her own daughter. But let's not push all the blame on Olivia but let's look at it as a whole.
First off it's a fantasy and even a fantasy can overdo it and that was the case here. A widowed father accepts a strange lady into his home and has no issues with it. A little girl feeling alone during the holidays because her mother passed away and she misses her. A mannequin dresser feels sorry for her and grant's her a wish to have a mother for the Christmas holiday. A overworked dad has no time for his daughter because work comes first yet somehow show's no signs of sorrow for his late wife. A thin often told plot but no real story to support it.
I expected a lot more from this movie and I will be honest that Doug Sheehan and Doris Roberts are favorites of mine not to mention Olivia Newton-John. Yes it's a TV movie and yes it's a fantasy and one where they could have pushed the envelope and still kept it family friendly. The whole plotline to me is thin and was for what I saw a vehicle to feature Olivia Newton-John and nothing more. I do have the DVD but rarely what it. I don't mind fantasies but when they don't really tell a good story they tend to become boring.
I'm not sure if anyone could have saved this from becoming just another Christmas movie. Even the house fire scene wasn't that powerful. Want to watch a mannequin come to life movie I'd recommend "Mannequin". Many have given this movie high ratings mainly for (I believe) Olivia Newton-John starring in it but she isn't a actress who could have pulled this role off and come out a winner. Again I'm a huge fan of her's but this movie to me was a time waster and nothing more.
Fire with Fire (2012)
Typical actioneer
Gotta give credit where credit is due, the cast was pretty good considering the material they had to work with. It's been done before and yet somehow comes off or at least tries to come off as an eye for an eye type of movie. It's not too standard considering the big name cast but does hold it's own. I didn't really expect much from this movie and got a decent good paced movie I again didn't expect. I only watched it for Josh Duhamel and Rosario Dawson other names that was a bonus was Kevin Dunn. Not big on Bruce Willis though he does have big movie's out he tends to buff his way in. Same character in every movie.
If you like movie's that doesn't slack off or start to wander with needless storylines then this movie will do you good. It's definitely a movie cause non of that would go down in real life.
Three thugs (nicely Dressed enter what looks to be a convenient store shoot the owner and his son with a third person (our fireman) who witness it all. He'd also been shot.
Same scene as they brutally killed two people there was no video of it. Real life they would be arrested within hour's due to the video.
Our fireman is left alone in a storage area to retrieve personal property. I don't think so. The Fed's would have retrieved it for him.
During a shootout a cop fire's a gun across a good distance field. Ain't no gun expert but I believe that particular gun was not long range.
I say that this movie is only for entertainment purposes only. The acting is decent and the pace is very good,I gave it a 7 out of 10 for the performances alone. Good movie for a boring day/night.
The Standoff at Sparrow Creek (2018)
A hidden gem in the box
I have to admit that this extreme dialogue heavy movie totally held my attention throughout. It moves at a decent pace and doesn't let up. This is however a movie which could have easily fallen into soap opera territory without trying, the director Henry Dunham focused on the story and his actors. The cast was was phenomenal and the direction was tight, the story itself was a interesting topic that was well written and tense. Brian Geraghty (We Are Marshall) and James Badge Dale (13 Hours) lead a top notch cast that brings each character to life. The director Henry Dunham right out of the gate hit the target.
The movie made on a $450.000 budget really makes this movie shine because it doesn't rely on any CGI or any other effects most big budget movies do rely on. The main characters are only 7 all male actors that seem to have yet hit their potential in Hollywood but prove to be incredible talent. As for the Director Henry Dunham on his first attempt was incredible, he seemed to bring out the best his cast had and created a tensed movie. The topic is also a bit fresh and not some often rewritten story. A shoot out at a police funeral leaves several officers dead and only one suspect is to blame. Each is interrogated and each has a reason and a alibi.
To be honest I only watched this movie for one actor and that was Brian Geraghty and ended up lost in the movie. Nothing could have pulled me from it, from the opening scene right to the end I was glued. I highly recommend this movie for those who love dialogue heavy movies that don't require any effects or CGI to boost the story just plain good acting and story telling. I'm sure this will end up in my collection as it is a good story with great performances from all.
Skateboard (1978)
Oh The 70's
First off I'll admit that I sat through this just to see Kathleen Lloyd in a movie other than "The Car" released the previous year. I also say that anyone who grew up during the 70's would remember the skateboard/roller skating fads. This movie however does in my opinion very little for the skateboard sport. I have watched a few skateboard movie's and the others I say definitely had better plotlines.
You quickly get tired and Manny (Allen Garfield) blabbing throughout the entire movie. None of the other cast really had a chance or get a chance to say anything cause Manny (Garfield) is running his mouth. I don't know what others see in this movie except a few decent skateboard scenes, if that's the reason they applaud this movie then they do have crappy taste in movies. Lied Garrett who was gaining popularity at the time would shoot it international stardom for his music. His career would crash and burn after "The Outsiders" from 1983 as for the rest i never heard of them. Tony Alva does have a small role as has Gordon Jump.
Now about the movie itself, to me it just doesn't do justice for the skateboard sport at all. It feels more like a documentary than a movie and again Allen Garfield running his mouth constantly gets annoying. Except for the few scenes where they actually have skateboarding looks amateurish at most. It's the laughable plot that I feel kill's this movie. A guy (promotor) is in deep with a bookie and uses the skateboarders to make fast cash.
Gleaming The Cube is a lot better and enjoyable even Thrashing is better than this. Save yourself the time and pain and skip this one as I repeat the storyline stinks and A. Garfield blabs throughout the movie. You literally get tired of hearing him run his mouth, so much so that the other actors mainly had nothing to do but skateboard.
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
Speechlessly good
I admit that it was "Match Game" that I first saw Fanny Flagg and I wouldn't have guessed that a story as complex and intriguing could come from her. First time I saw it was on a bet that if I didn't like it they would buy dinner if I did I had to pay. I ended up paying for dinner that night. The entire cast was phenomenal and the casting was over the top. Kathy Bates just keeps getting better like fine wine and gave a stellar performance not to mention Jessica Tandy. Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary Louise Parker were incredible oh heck the entire cast was stunningly perfect.
I love a story in a story because you get more than one side of the character and a wider range of the plot. A friendship that lasts far beyond a lifetime. As I mentioned I didn't want to see this movie as it just didn't appeal to me but what did I know. You get everything here (the tomboy, the girly girl, the unhappy wife, the thoughtless husband, the caring old lady and everything in-between). Again this coming from Fanny Flagg was incredible, and that in itself is a story all it's own. I never would have guessed that Fanny Flagg could create such a masterful piece like this. The casting was definitely on par and seemed like the entire cast fed off each other which is rare in a movie.
Everytime I watch it my eyes are glued to the TV and nothing derails my attention, it's totally up there with "Ordinary People" with storytelling at it's best. The director was a perfect choice and the settings were perfect even with touches of comical lines here and there. I really can't speak highly enough of this movie and would recommend it to anyone.
Man of the House (2005)
Missed the mark
Tommy Lee Jones in a somewhat comic role is a or was a gamble. Tommy Lee Jones is by far a dramatic actor who shines in drama, here he looked totally out of place where R Lee Ermey has done comedy and proved his worth. The role of Sharp should have been given to a actor who had comedy in his past. One can see that Tommy Lee was struggling in his role and just didn't or couldn't get his timing right.
On the other hand this movie should not have had that much comedy in it but leaned more towards action or more of a dramatic piece. To relay this type of movie the script should have been a lot tighter than it was as there are too many movies where each one has to readjust for someone else. Here it just gets crazy and the funny parts aren't really funny. When they get a running gag (pizza guy) they only use it once. All those cheerleaders and only one scene showing their underwear hanging.
The main plot isn't really good, bad cop kills and goes after the cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are basically locked down in the house for protection. Plot hole here is if the police had no clue who the shooter was why keep it hush, hush less it was protocol. There are a few scenes where the cheerleaders would not be out in a crowd if they are under witness protection, it been too risky with that type of audience. Plus the bad cop sabotages the van in a open lot and nobody sees it is a bit hard to swallow. Again this movie just didn't work as a comedy it was supposed to be.
All it comes to is a fun movie and nothing more. If anything it wasted good talent and didn't perform considering that starpower in it.
The Guardian (2006)
Almost perfect
I gotta admit I wasn't too surprised that this was a good movie given that Kevin Costner was in it. A strong cast on top of it and a good back story to a few of it main characters. Ashton Kutcher however really amazed me with his over the top performance. With Neal McDonough, Clancy Brown, John Heard, Brian Geraghty, Sela Ward, of course Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher... how can this movie fail. The story was very tight, direction was perfect and the chemistry between all was good but I thought that what was missing was a technical thing. Casting Ashton Kutcher was the thing I thought was a risk. I'm not a big fan of his but I gave him credit where credit was due. I think a stronger actor could have made the part of Fischer more believable. Now Kutcher like Tom Cruise needs a Hollywood heavyweight to shine, I've seen his movie's and he cannot carry one. However he held his own against some of the biggest name's in Hollywood so I gave him credit for his performance.
Now the movie comes off like a "Top Gun" of the sea/ocean with touches of "An Officer And A Gentleman" thrown in. Ashton Kutcher plays Jake Fischer, a recent high school graduate who joins the Coast Guard as a attempt to escape a recent tragic past. Kevin Costner plays Ben Randall a highly decorated rescue swimmer of the USCG (United States Coast Guard) who is assigned to train new recruit's after a tragic accident. Fischer is more into being the best no matter the price. His only goal is to hide his past and prove himself but a high school accident holds him back.
Now the movie itself seems to move at a decent pace and I see it more as a retelling of. "An Officer And A Gentleman" but can it hold up. To me yes it does, it doesn't get too in your face or stray too far off course. Costner's performance totally holds the movie together and doesn't steal the scenes from the others nor from becoming just another Costner vehicle. I think Ashton Kutcher's character could have been given to a better actor but he does stand on his own. With a strong supporting cast this movie delivers. Only problem is it doesn't know when to end. It basically has two endings and that alone keeps it from earning a perfect 10.
The Cutting Edge (1992)
Passing the test of time
I am not a sports buff and never was so when it comes to movies I rely heavily on the base of it. To make a good sport movie balance is key. A strong storyline, a look at the sport here and there and the cast. Here we have a ex hockey player in which a eye injury ended his career. We see him then working at some milk and living with his brother still searching for a second chance. Next we have a spoiled rich girl who wants the Olympic Gold in figure skating in the pairs category. She goes through potential partners till there are none left. Her father, a wealthy guy who will do anything for his daughter to get the gold. It becomes a bit confusing of who is really after the gold the daughter or her father which is never really answered.
No
D. B. Sweeney plays Doug Dorsey who gets his second chance to hit the ice though not playing hockey. Moira Kelly plays Kate Moseley who gets her partner and from there the movie seems to step up and move at a decent pace. It becomes a battle of the sexes as they train hard and slowly get to know each other. In all "The Cutting Edge" is a movie the whole family can enjoy. I like it cause not only does it have a strong storyline but it's balanced perfectly. Sweeney and Kelly shine in their perspective roles and seem to be having fun with their characters. It's one of my all time favorite movies.
To Die For (1995)
What a mess
It's a shame that a notable crime got this type of treatment, plus the wasted talent on top of it. After watching "Murder In New Hampshire: The Pamela Smart Story" I expected a lot more than this. In fact I never made it to the end. Though Nichole Kidman was good not to mention Wayne Knight who stole every scene he was in couldn't save this. The kids were slow learners but the way they are portrayed here one would think differently. I do understand that the movie wasn't based on the actual case but inspired by it yet it followed the TV movie perfectly.
I think this was the first movie where the entire cast had really nothing to do. The casting was way off, zero chemistry or character development. Nicole Kidman is more of a dramatic actress and doesn't shine in comedies. The best actor here was Wayne Knight as for what I stated earlier stole the movie. Joaquin Phoenix looked like he was high on drugs in every scene and the girl had complex and self esteem issues but hear they had her as if she was totally unmotivated.
Now I don't leave movies unfinished but I couldn't torture myself any longer with this one. I think the director was unsure which way to go or wasn't too experienced. I say that cause each time the camera faced a character that talked about what was going on then they shown it made it pretty hard to follow. They didn't give good cause to have her husband murdered, the issues with the marriage was brought on by her working long hour's not him changing his character for a job. I'll continue with if they wanted to cash in on a headline case they should have followed the numbers and not make it some dark comedy. I have followed that case and read the book plus watched the Helen Hunt TV movie so when I realized this was based upon that I finally opted to watch it.
Now several have gave this movie some really good ratings but myself can't see what they saw in it. Was any of it Oscar Material "no" did any star stick out "yes" but not any of the main characters (Wayne Knight who had a supporting role) even Tim Hopper who played the studio cameraman stood out. I can honestly say not to waste your time with this and watch the TV movie instead.
Ordinary People (1980)
Everything that glitters is not gold
Robert Redford is a or at the time a Hollywood Megastar who seemed to be at his peak yet pulled a trick out of his sleeve and proved everyone wrong. The casting was spot on if not risky. Donald Sutherland like Redford was a Hollywood Megastar himself and proved again how fine a actor he was. Mary Tyler Moore a TV Megastar in the comedy genre proved she could translate perfectly in drama. Judd Hirsch another TV superstar again in comedy shines bright and right out of the gate was Timothy Hutton who took a good role and ran with it. Elizabeth McGovern another first time actress was actually still in acting school and was granted leave to make the movie. The rest of the cast was stunningly fantastic.
A story of a upper class family in suburban Chicago has everything they need to live their happy life in their happy town in their happy house. In reality (in the movie) they are falling apart and crumbling. Mary Tyler Moore gives a performance of a lifetime as a cold bitter mother to her youngest son who survived a boating accident that claimed the life of his older brother. Timothy Hutton as the younger brother is trapped with survivors guilt and blames himself for the tragic event. Between Tyler Moore and Hutton the audience feels the coolness as they wither through each emotion flawlessly.
Donald Sutherland gives an equally stunning performance as the father trying to keep his family together and try and figure out how to return to happier times. Communication between he and his wife is poor and that alone pulls them apart. The one who has to piece this all together is the family doctor played brilliantly by Judd Hirsch, he sense's the problems fast and uses his own techniques to patch up the son.
In all this is the best movie I have ever seen that never grows old and after 41 years is still as powerful as ever. Sadly the two main cast Tyler Moore and Hutton never got another role as strong as this and their careers never grew bigger. I cry each time I watch this movie cause it's so accurately made and is storytelling at it's best.
During the Oscar's that year Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch received nominations for their work. Donald Sutherland was snubbed that year as the movie won best picture, director (Redford), supporting actor (Hutton), writing and editing. Only two of the five actresses were top favorites that year, Sissy Spaces (Coal Miner's Daughter - Loretta Lynn - winner) and Mary Tyler Moore (Beth Jarrett) the other three knew they were going home empty handed.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone specially to teen's who can see that with the right help and guidance they can overcome what tragic lives deals them. This is one movie I'm proud to own and watch it at least 3-4 times yearly.
Coward of the County (1981)
Kenny the actor (sigh's loudly)
It was a good idea at one point to turn a hit song into a movie and some actually hit the nail on the head. Some failed miserable and others well let's just leave it there. Who told Kenny Rogers he could act must have had low taste in talent. Not saying it was a waste of film either. At times this movie struggles to translate the message it's trying to tell. It's main topic is rape which like the hit song of the same name is shown and how Tommy has to step up to the plate to defend his not only honor but his sweetheart.
Now Kenny Rogers playing a not so Honest preacher is something to see. I also give or gave Kenny Rogers credit cause he made movies that weren't musicals and acting had to shine through. He somehow held his own with a good cast which included his then wife Marianne Gordon.
Is it good, let's just say entertaining but it is a TV movie and TV budget's are nowhere near big screen budget's. It does have it's high points and low points and does tell the story well or follows the hit song pretty good. I felt that omitting any part of Tommy and his father was a poor choice as it was a big part of the song. It does mention it in dialogue but should have shown it for a stronger development for Tommy's character. If you are a Kenny Rogers fan this movie will serve it's purpose if not then this movie will struggle to hold your attention. Like any movie the climax will excite you as it wrap's up the movie. Other words this plotline has been told before with better writing and acting but it comes off more as a custom made vehicle for Kenny Rogers who at the time was at his peak. The Gatlin Brothers name like the song is a homage and inside joke to his fellow recording act and real life friends The Gatlin Brothers.