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Uncle Dave M
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Alpha (2018)
I see the problem with the reviews
I just stumbled upon this move on one of the premium channels. I came here to read about it. Reading the reviews I can see why the reviews are so polarized; basically the people who like this movies are dog lovers, animal lovers (in general), and/or were looking for a Family Movie... and found it.
The folks who are rating this movie 1 or 2 stars seem to be archeologists (amateur, academic, or professional) and are having a tizzy that "Ice Aged Man was really black" or "the relationship between man and wolf happened much earlier and in China"... Ya, OK, whatever...
This is not, and was never meant to be a Documentary!! This is the story of a young man getting separated from his tribe and making a very long, arduous journey trying to get home. Along the way he is attacked by a pack of wolves. He injures one of the wolves, whom is left by the pack. The young man nurses it back to life and they become companions, helping each other on the rest of the journey.
This is not, and does not claim to be THE man-wolf bonding story. Nor is it a teaching film to show how humankind lived x-number of years ago. This was not made by The Discovery Channel or The Smithsonian Channel.
What it IS, is a great, heart warming story. Almost a Vision Quest, of sorts. It is a story of survival and companionship. It has a great underlying message for all animal lovers, even all humans. The boy's parents said it the best, "Kaya leads with his heart, not his spear." But he has great inner strength.
Enjoy this family movie. If you're looking for a documentary, try another channel.
- Uncle Dave
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974)
Not a complete waste of time.
Could it have been so long ago? 1974 didn't seem THAT long ago! After seeing this again tonight, wonderful thoughts of the 70's came flooding back ... unfortunately this movie was not one of them. "Dirty Larry, Crazy Mary" has the depth of an ice-cube tray. Adam Roarke has the only character worth watching; a thief with empathy. We see a glance of this in one of the early scenes; where he removes the tape from a kidnapped girl's mouth so she can breath better.
The only other redeeming point to this waste of celluloid is the eye-candy in the person of Susan George. She displays the early signs of acting ability that set her on a road in the entertainment industry. Other early appearances include James Gavin as the helicopter pilot. He would appear countless times, well in to the 90's as the on-camera pilot of choice. Not only could he play the (usually) small parts but he actually IS a helicopter pilot!
The rest of the "movie" (and I use that term lightly) is pigeon-hole, stereotype. "Hank" the cop is typical back-woods hick who can DRIVE on dirt. "Capt. Franklin" in the foul mouthed cop-in-charge bucking his superior and barking orders. Worst of all "Larry" (Fonda) is the racecar driver that knows nothing else. This "movie" is a good example of how NOT to treat your woman and how NOT to plan a get-a-way. But I'm sure it will appeal to the Dodge fans out there!
If you want to watch a car chase, watch "Bullitt". If you want to watch a get-a-way, watch "Vanishing Point".
Most memorable scene; As the Charger gases-up have a look at the pump ... when was the last time you saw gas for 42.9 cents a gallon!?!
If you haven't watched this flick before, and there is absolutely nothing else on, get a bowl of popcorn and grab a glimpse of post 60's bell-bottoms and muscle cars. If you have seen this before, you know the "surprise ending" and, well ... you know then ...
Scanners (1981)
Still a classic
I just saw this again tonight (01/2002) on satellite. Oh, the memories of early collage, of 1981. You can tell this is early in Mr. Cronenberg's career. Some of the effects are not "polished", at least by today's standards. The acting is a little "clunky". The computers used in the movie were reel-to-reel tape drives (how quaint). But the story is top notch!
David Cronenberg doesn't flinch for a second. One of the most gruesome scenes of the whole movie is in the first 5 minutes. The trademark scene that made this movie famous in its day. (I won't spoil it if you have not seen it yet, but shame on you!)
This movie brought Michael Ironside to the eyes of many for the first time. Who later went on to such greats as The Falcon and the Snowman, Top Gun, "SeaQuest DSV" TV series, and more recently The Perfect Storm. And he was listed 5th on the credits.
Speaking of credits, did anyone notice Jennifer O'Neill plays "Kim Obrist" in one of the staring roles. Then WAY down the list there is an "Assistant to Mr. Heroux" (Producer) listed and her name is "Kim Obrist" ... Things that make you go "Hmmmm" ...
For other great Cronenberg creations see: Naked Lunch (very weird, must see several times to get the full effect), Dead Ringers (Jeremy Irons plays twins with Geneviève Bujold) and the epitome of weird; Videodrome (James Woods plays with Debbie Harry and loses his gun ...).
Rate this a 10 along with other "Classic Horror/Sci-Fi" such as Andromeda Strain, Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Army of Darkness and (of course) Forbidden Planet (Love that early Anne Francis! And Leslie Nielsen before he became a "hit".)
The Andromeda Strain (1971)
A "10"
My all time fav' ... what else can I say? Hay Man! Dig those "crazy" 1971 computers!!
Remember 1971? When we were still paranoid about what may be coming from "outer space". Not to mention some of the classic lines that came from this flick: "601", "Dr. Stone, there's a fire", "Have a look at his buttocks!", "Daddy, there's men outside ... and they got guns!"
One of the first, original Michael Crichton movies.
The Patriot (2000)
Great Movie in a "historic" setting
Rant, rant, rant ... Reading some of the other "reviewers" leads me to shake my head. I don't recall anywhere on the movie jacket it saying "this is a historically factual documentary". In fact, it is loosely based on "The Swamp Fox", Francis Marion, a true historical figure, but you would only know that by reading from the Professional Reviewers.
Granted, the feel is very similar to "Brave Heart"; Reluctant farmer-type goes to war and wins his country's freedom. However I just watched it again tonight (12/29/01) and I can not help but notice the great measures the crew went to in depicting historical accuracy in the costumes, the sets and the general "feel" of the movie. I came away with a real feel for the fear and stupidity of being on a 18th century battlefield which, 100 years later, had not changed much by the Civil War. I don't know anyone who would debate that war is a dirty business.
On that note; I'm sure atrocities occurred on both sides. Who is to say if the British burned a church full of Innocent Civilians. I read several "reviewers" ranting about this depiction, but not one mentioned character Benjamin Martin's "un-gentlemanly" targeting of British Officers or the killing of the poor Brit's trying to surrender ... as was mentioned in the movie. And for those bringing up the point about slaves; I think we are all well aware of those atrocities, did they NEED to be brought up again in this movie? Slavery was not the topic of "The Patriot". I venture to say it was covered very well in a movie that made slavery the topic: "Glory".
Viewing the bigger picture; The greatly out-numbered American Rebels used gorilla tactics, citizen solders and woodsman shooting skills to defeat a professional army supplied by a world super-power (at the time). The American Revolutionary War was a David & Goliath in modern times.
Considering the questionable education primary, junior high and high schools are communicating to our young people. I would gladly substitute this film for several weeks of an American History class. I can only imagine (and hope for) the questions and conversations teens and pre-teens might have after viewing this film. Which, hopefully would lead to further reading and research. Personally, growing up with a 1970's high school education and some 1980's collage, I was just barely aware of the French assisting us. I thank the film makers for this reminder.
Beyond the history aspect, there is emotion on many levels, great digital effects, action and romance ... you know; ENTERTAINMENT. Its not full of sex, so you can watch it with your kids (OK, some violence and gore). The pace keeps you interested. But most of all, in this turbulent world, it reminds us that this country did not just "pop" in to existence ... That it IS OK to fight for Freedom. Not to mention it received 5 Academy Award nominations ...
So what if every scene was not EXACTLY historically accurate and it did not cover all of the Politically Correct angles. It was FUN! and it got you thinking!