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pkmoore
Reviews
The Shooting Party (1984)
I remembered this movie for years
I saw this movie in the mid-eighties on HBO one afternoon and never forgot it. I have not seen it again, but ever since then have repeatedly asked who might remember it. Very few do, which is a shame. My personal, perhaps self-centered measure of a movie is how well I might remember it. This movie is among the most memorable. I can still see the opening scene in my mind's eye, and vividly remember many other parts of it.
There is a later scene that I recall in particular where Mason prays with one of his lower servants after the man is shot accidentally, and I recall how it moved me to hear Mason's distinctive voice working through the words of the prayer.
I ordered the DVD today, and am very much looking forward to seeing the movie again. This was Mason's last film, and prophetically the theme of the movie is to chronical the end to the Victorian/aristocratic era on the English countryside. Accordingly, the movie is a very fitting tribute to the man, and certainly an enjoyable example of this style of film. If you loved Gosford Park, this is the earlier master.
Sahara (2005)
What a blast!
What a blast! Okay, so it's not deep, socially meaningful, whiney, agenda-ridden claptrap (i.e. Susan Saranden didn't get the call). Too bad because it was all-fun, all-spectacular, non-vulgar action and excitement! Gosh, is that wrong? Is there something I'm missing here? There's no excuses to be made for this movie. The cinematography was great, the story was cool, the characters were fleshed out and the acting was just what it should be. It all clicked. It's just too bad this didn't get more attention when it was out, because it is a greatly entertaining movie. Not enough sobbing over social injustice or artificially implanted political correctness, I suppose.
For all the naysayers out there: lighten up! This is a great movie! Even your grandma will like it, and your kids. I wish they'd make more!