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The Toxic Avenger (1984)
A Fun, Cheesy Flick
An absolutely pathetic young man is transformed into the Toxic Avenger, after falling into a vat of toxic waste. He becomes a highly Mutant Superhero, avenging the victims of bullies, wherever he can find them.
Some of the Avenger's antics are Psychopathic...the violence and brutality is stunning, while at the same time comical. For comparison, think: "Return Of The Living Dead". Some of the settings include toxic waste dumps - horrible pollution, under a New Jersey skyline - which I found hilarious, having lived in that area in the 1960s and early 70s (and, the pollution back then WAS incredible).
The Avenger has a romantic interest - a very shapely young blind woman, providing some comic relief. I don't care what anyone else says, about the high level of "Cheesiness" of this movie....I think it is an absolute Riot. Obviously, it's not a movie to be taken seriously.
The Journeyman (2001)
Bloody
A very bloody, violent and ruthless Western. Two brothers are orphaned and separated when young, and one takes the wrong path in life, becoming a morphine-addicted Desperado.
Various outlaws, drifters and people with financial interests seek to kill each other, across the Badlands (set in Texas), and they do a pretty good job of it. No one shrinks from pulling a trigger, that's for sure. The violence, especially against women and children, becomes appalling and Gratuitous, really. Not a movie to watch with the Little Lady nor the children.
One man was equipped with a "Broomhandle Mauser" pistol, which was not invented until 1896, and certainly not a common sight in the Old West. This appears, alongside many cap-and-ball variant weapons, which are all much older. So, the story could not have taken place until after the turn of the Century (1900). Just one little Oddity.
If you like to see a LOT of Pathos and Summary Executions, this movie is for you. I had to knock off a few points, though I like gritty, realistic Westerns, the Realism of this one fades, when I reflect that very FEW people would have survived an Old West like this one.
Joan of Arc (1999)
Well Done
A briskly-paced Bio of Joan of Arc, including numerous graphic battle scenes. Characters portrayed "With The Bark On" - soldiers of both English and French forces covered in mud, with horribly rotten teeth and decorated with scars - probably what people really looked like, in the early 1400s. Other scenes adding Realism include watching people eat food (something you don't normally see, in movies). Whatever they ate, it came from a boiling pot - broth, some chunks of veggies and whatever meat might be had...again, the unusual portrayal of common people eating was deliberate, and added "Texture" to the surroundings.
Joan herself in the movie is all that she was portrayed to be in real life: A historical Fluke - a 17-year old girl, led by her "Visions", who becomes the leader of an army, and the "Difficult", she accomplishes quickly....the "Nearly Impossible", takes her a bit longer.
I was a bit confused about the role of Dustin Hoffman. At first, I was sure he was an Angel, sent to counsel Joan as a sort of "Doubting Thomas" - leading her to a true self-examination of her motives - lending Objectivity to her track record, in an effort to get her to understand why Fortunes ran against her. But, he is listed as her "Conscience"...her own inner voice.
I gave this movie a "9" rating. It will only be enjoyed by those who have an interest in History, or the life of Joan, but in anticipation that most of the audience will fit this description, I would say that 9 out of 10 will like it. The Rating above, of 6+, is probably a reflection of many viewers who were hoping for something else.....people who watch "Transformers", or Romantic Comedies.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Intelligent, Heroic and Inspirational
I am taking the plunge, and giving this movie my first "10" rating.
In the mid-18th century, Russell Crowe, a Commander of a British Man Of War ship, faithfully discharges his duties to the Royal Navy and the King, pursuing a troublesome French warship which is larger, more heavily armed, and of a higher class than his own. He must use all his skills and leadership abilities to overcome his superior foe.
Excellent acting all around in this movie. Life aboard a British warship in the 1700s was quite rough, with most crews being treated by their officers as little more than prisoners. However, Russell Crowe has all the military education of old-school Royal Navy, without any meanness or narcissism. He is a firm leader of his men, who brooks no nonsense, but refuses to be unnecessarily cruel. He displays a high degree of personal integrity, and treats everyone, regardless of rank or station in life, with respect. As a result, his crew has complete faith in his leadership - their loyalty is unswerving, and this plays a very crucial part in what is to come.
Encounters with the French warship are unsuccessful at first; Crowe is forced to retreat, to avoid destruction, but does so with a cleverness that amuses his men, and their morale does not suffer from the defeat. In their extensive travels, the Brits enjoy some interesting diversions, including exploration of the Galapagos Islands. There are casualties, including the Captain (Crowe) himself, and an intriguing sequence where the ship's surgeon is accidentally shot through the abdomen, and must operate on himself, with an assistant holding a mirror. The youngest officer on board is gravely wounded in battle, his arm smashed by a musket ball, and must undergo an amputation, without anesthesia. Barely a teenager, he not only endures, but impresses all with his courage and strength, fully recovering (except for the loss of his arm) without complaint. This boy-officer even plays a key role in a pitched battle with the Frensh warship, boarding the enemy ship and fighting hand-to-hand with the enemy. The sailors he commands - all much older men than himself - are literally spellbound by his performance in battle. The crew, impressed by their Captain's leadership and humanity, draws strength from him, as he does from them.
It is a story of bravery, intelligence, coolness under adversity, and true leadership ability. The Captain is far above the norm in this regard, and his performance is inspirational - not only for his crew, but for the audience watching this movie. All of us wish that we had leaders like this man in our lives and workplaces.
Of course, I will not reveal the ending lol. You must watch this movie, but I highly recommend it. It's a "10". It's a "must see, don't miss".
True Grit (2010)
Good Remake
True Grit: An excellent American novel, by Charles Portis. I've seen every film version, and read the original book.
Story: Mattie, a young woman, travels far from home to claim her father's remains, and hire a bounty hunter to bring her father's killer to justice. Mattie, in this movie, is characterized perfectly: She is independent, humorless, businesslike, brave to a fault, and very direct in manner and speech (criticizes others without hesitation), but impeccably honest. And, she expects the same from others.
Rooster (Bridges), the man she winds up hiring to capture her father's killer, is shabby, careless and crude in habits and mannerisms. He often takes liberty with the truth, even under oath in court. But, his reputation as a killer of men impresses Mattie enough to override any personal distaste she has for him.
What follows, turns into a legitimate adventure. When Rooster catches up with the killer of Mattie's father (Josh Brolin, as Tom Chaney), he is in the company of a gang of Desperadoes, including Barry Pepper (also wanted by the law). Rooster and his Texas Ranger partner are unfazed by being outnumbered and outgunned. To grizzled veteran Rooster, it's just another day at the races.
Much excitement follows, in the grand surroundings of the American West. Close encounters in the woods ensue, with the upper hand changing sides several times. Mattie becomes a hostage. Now, Rooster's bounty hunt turns into a rescue mission as well. An excellent performance is also turned in by Barry Pepper. His countenance and mannerisms flesh him out as an intelligent, deadly adversary. Josh Brolin correctly depicts the character of Tom Chaney - a man who might have once been intelligent, but who has descended into alcoholism, murder and theft. He tries to speak eloquently, but his articulation is slow and almost painful to listen to....he is a ruined man.
Many people, myself included, will question: why was this movie even made? After all, John Wayne really covered it well in the 1969 version (one of the best performances of his career). I would say that this movie, in some of the details, is more faithful to the original book - especially in the depiction of Mattie's character and ultimate fate. There is just a tinge less "Hollywood" in this version, compared to the Duke's. It's a tad more gritty and realistic, which I always seek in a Western movie. It is an excellent re-make, up to date, which if nothing else, will appeal to younger viewers. Those younger viewers may be more able to relate to this version of True Grit, simply because it was not filmed decades before they were even born....and, they get to see actors in this movie that are still alive and making movies today. That alone justifies the making of this movie.
If this movie were not a remake - if this was an original screening of a written story; the first effort - I would have rated it a "10".
Tunnel Rats (2008)
Claustrophobic
A movie about American soldiers in the Vietnam conflict. Besieged by enemy soldiers conducting hit-and-run sorties against the Americans, the G.I.'s make the decision to go down into the tunnels, after their enemies.
What follows, is a gritty, grim and gruesome depiction of individual combat scenes in terribly small underground tunnels. American soldiers must ignore the personal danger, and enter into this cramped, nightmare world loaded with booby-traps, Punji stakes, water traps and the fanatical resistance of North Vietnamese and Vietcong soldiers and irregulars.
Generally armed only with .45 pistols and flashlights, the Americans must find and kill their enemies at arms' length range, then find a way to get around the dead bodies in the tunnels.
The directors of this movie deliberately emphasized the smallness of the tunnels - the claustrophobic surroundings are pushed into the viewers' faces relentlessly, and virtually take over the entire story. As each individual soldier belly-crawls through the tunnels, the personal nature of this battle, and the seeming hopelessness of any chance of surviving this experience - is designed to give the viewer bad dreams.
Story? Not much of one. Character development? None. Plot twists/unexpected developments? Nope. Instead of actually being a movie, this devolves into a carnival of slaughter. Unless you just like grimness and hopeless situations, you're not going to get much out of this movie. While the face-to-face encounters in the tunnels seem to be fairly accurate depictions, the rest of the battle scenes and any special effects are quite cheesy. Repeated viewings, either for entertainment's sake, or to look for things not seen in the first viewing? - you'd have to have something wrong with you.
Dead Man (1995)
Artistic
William Blake, a young man from Ohio has lost his parents to illness, and heads West to begin anew. A long, surreal train ride across America is mildly disturbing to him, and the train's fireman lets Blake know that his destination - the town of "Machine" - is NO place to be. "The end of the line!"...
Seeking to accept a job offer in a metalworks, his rejection is met with gales of mirth from office employees. Up to that moment, his entire experience in "Machine" is a grim Foreshadowing, of a culture that is merciless, perverted and dangerously violent. Befriending a former prostitute, who takes him into her room for the night, Blake is surprised by a would-be Suitor of the prostitute, who shoots her, as she tries to shield Blake with her body. The ball passes through her, and lodges near his heart. Blake fumbles with the woman's pistol, and manages to kill his attacker, which spells his doom.
The Suitor was the son of the factory manager that rejected Blake, who then hires Bounty hunters to bring Blake in, dead or alive. Blake is now a hunted man, critically wounded, and sought by both the Law and hired killers. Blake narrowly escapes, with the unexpected aid of an Indian Shaman without a tribe, who calls himself "Nobody".
What follows, is a surreal journey through the American West - Blake, assisted and sometimes harassed by Nobody, continues his journey to (he knows not where), with Nobody as guide and protector. Strange and malevolent encounters with men in the wilderness - all of them Desperadoes at some level - result in an increasing Body Count for Blake. Nobody is firmly convinced that Blake is the same William Blake as the English poet and author - Nobody tells Blake: "Now you are a killer of White Men. Your words will be written in blood".
The strangeness of the encounters - the appearance of Benevolent Spirits to Blake in the camp's firelight - and an incredibly melancholy but sweet soundtrack (solo electric guitar, heavily Distorted with Reverb and Tremolo) by Neil Young - all contribute to an atmosphere of Foreboding. Is Blake already dead, and is this all a dream? This question begs the viewer to decide.
I will not reveal any more of the story. I really hope that all the readers of these Reviews decide to see this movie for themselves. It is certainly Unique, and contains excellent acting by Gary Farmer, Lance Henrickson, and (darkly humorous) Billy Bob Thornton, to name just a few. Yes, it is a movie that reveals more, with successive viewings, than at first. Heavy use of Foreshadowing, and some Iconic displays (which may not be in harmony with the plot, but seem somehow appropriate anyway), also add to the feeling of Blake's journey.
Of note, is the representation of the slaughter of Native Americans and their culture. The Death of their civilization is presented graphically, without words. Words are not necessary. Johnny Depp is, of course, brilliant in his role as William Blake - an innocent man, totally transformed and Metamorphosed into something else entirely.....but, IMHO, Gary Farmer is the most interesting Character in the movie. He is intelligent, articulate and actually well-educated in the White Man's ways, while still retaining some of the superstitious aspects of his Native culture. His character is the only really Humorous character in the story. He is kind-hearted and jovial by nature, but will kill without hesitation, if the need arises. I would grade this movie a "9" out of "10".
I, Robot (2004)
Good Old Fashioned Sci-Fi Story
Early in life, I raided my oldest brother's bookcase, and read this Isaac Asimov Sci-Fi Classic in the late 1950s. I thought it was an EXCELLENT story then, and for many years I wondered why someone did not make a movie of it. But, FINALLY. I rate this movie VERY HIGHLY. All movies take liberties with the original story, but Will Smith's "I, Robot" is a long-overdue, well-made movie, of an old-school Classic novel. Love the Humanization of the star Robot. Will Smith does his usual, capable job of acting. The action scenes are certainly adequate to please any Testosterone-Soaked audience, too. I admit to a bit of Nostalgia, in my grading of this movie.
McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
Offbeat And Great
An offbeat Western and ahead of its time. Unlike so many Westerns, this one is realistic - gloomy, wet, cold and depicts a very hardscrabble existence. The desperation and pathos surrounding many of the characters is probably very accurate, historically. Uneducated people toil for meager wages in a Boom town that offers little promise to them, except their next meal and maybe a warm place to sleep tonight. Alcoholism, prostitution, opium addiction - the themes are very Adult, to be sure.
Not exactly a "Hardy-Har-Har" movie, nor one to view with the family, but a fascinating story nonetheless. Everyone I know who has watched it, spoke not a word, and never looked away. Watching this movie is almost a hypnotic experience.