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Reviews
Blaze You Out (2013)
Try not to exaggerate.
The reason I watched this movie is that it has an original story. I give it points for that and a few more for some good performances, especially including Elizabeth Peña, Raoul Trujillo, Veronica Diaz, and Melissa Cordero. It just wasn't well written. The story has people showing up with no clear idea who they are or what their connection to the plot is. During important scenes I wondered things like, Who is that? What place is that and why did they go there? I supposed the snake bit Whitey because of a brujeria because Whitey was not bothering it and wasn't too close to it, but that is entirely my assumption. If the brujo didn't cause it, then that was lame and unrealistic. I wondered how Alicia got the keys to Whitey's car. Decent writing could at least have plugged a few holes. Good writing could have made this movie really special. Overall I would say nice try. Keep working on your craft because you got my attention.
The Three Musketeers (1973)
This movie is on my short list
I love movies, and since there are so many kinds it's hard to say that any one is my all-time favorite. But in the space of swashbuckler, or adventure, or adaptations from books, or what have you, I don't know of anything better than this version The Three Musketeers. This version of Musketeers also gets kudos from me for its faithfulness to the book. It is so rare for great books to be made into great movies, or even good ones, but they did it! Last of all, they made the story funnier than the book was without taking anything away from the story. Bravo to Mr. Lester and all concerned. To wit: One of my favorite lines of comedy was: "He's torn the carpet!" Remember the scene?
The Good Shepherd (2006)
I just want to add one thing
I agree with what has been said in praise of this movie. It's very good. I will not repeat others' comments, although I support them. I'll only add one bit. The film mentions the cause of the Bay of Pigs fiasco as being the fact that the Cubans knew when and where the attackers would land. While true, the movie does not mention the main reason the operation was a bloody disaster: the fact that President Kennedy canceled the mission's air support at the 11th hour. Was this left out for any reason? It distorts the uninformed viewer's understanding of that ugly episode of history. I wonder if this is due to ignorance or bias.
Alexander (2004)
very not worth your time
I wouldn't even recommend seeing this movie at a dollar cinema because it isn't worth three hours of your time. Stone doesn't develop the story well enough. He overemphasizes Alexander's bisexuality - rather than just mentioning it (it was common among Greek men of the time) he portrays it as central to the man's life, showing it to us over and over. But more than that, the story is not well developed. By the way, how can so many important things be omitted when the movie is three hours long? Alexander's consolidation of power in Greece before setting out for Asia is completely absent. The early stages of his travels to Asia, including the battle at Grannicus, is left out. The last hour just plodded along pointlessly. Please learn from my mistake and save yourself. This movie is definitely a must-miss. Watch something about Alexander on the History Channel or read a book about him instead.
The Last Valley (1971)
A forgotten classic
This is a terrifically well-done film. Hard to believe it doesn't get more recognition. I don't remember talking about it with anyone who has ever heard of it but I'm glad it's in print on DVD because it was out of print on VHS for a long time. I don't buy every halfway decent movie but this one I did. Now I can show it to friends and see if anyone else agrees with me that it's very worth seeing. Michael Caine gives a very good performance as an the captain, an authoritative and detached veteran of bloody war, burned out and ready to embrace a better way of life when he finds the idyllic little valley. I should say mostly ready, because the plot revolves around his dilemma of violent and ugly past vs. potentially pacific future. Omar Sheriff is very good as the scholar who carries a passion for a better world, being the source of encouragement to the captain's yearning for what the valley represents. It's a tale of a man who cannot quite let go of his past, which has been done many times and is very well done here. Highly recommended if the genre appeals to you.