Movie Review - "The Ring" 10/18/02

This is a movie review for the movie "The Ring", released October 18, 2002. I watched this on a VHS tape [which eerily had the "video" at the very beginning of the movie].




Trailer:

Cast:

Naomi Watts ("The Impossible" (2012) Maria, "King Kong" (2005) Ann Darrow)  - Rachel
Martin Henderson ("Everest" (2015) Andy 'Harold' Harris, "Windtalkers" (2002) Nellie)   -   Noah
David Dorfman ("Drillbit Taylor" (2008) Emmit, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (2002) Jedidiah)  -     Aidan
Daveigh Chase ("Lilo & Stitch" (2002) Lilo (voice), "Donnie Darko" (2001) Samantha Darko)   -  Samara




Plot:
There is a killer VHS movie out there in the world. If you watch it, you will view a very strange and sometimes gross/horrific video. It is very short so it won't take much of your time. However, after you finish the video, the phone rings and a creepy girl's voice can be heard saying that you have 7 days to live.  Other weird things happen, like your faces in photos are swirled/blurred, and maybe you have nightmares about psych wards waking you up, or coughing out a wire line.

One lady's niece dies from watching it with her secret boyfriend and a few other of their friends. The aunt (a news reporter) takes it on herself to go figure out what is happening. While she is doing so, she ends up watching the video and hearing the voice. She asks a A/V techie friend [her ex who fathered her child] for help and he watches it also, but she refuses to have him hear the voice. Well, as the week progresses, somehow their child gets his hands on the tape and he starts telling her creepy stuff about a girl.

News reporter prying into a small island's business to save herself, her ex, and her child! Though in the end, *SPOILERS* the investigation and discovery doesn't help because Adam dies. Saw that one coming, honestly.








Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


3.5/5 -  In my opinion, the connection between mother and child was very vague (she didn't seem to really focus on him at all until he watched the video and then it was like "I am trying to save my son!"). The fact that the child was able to learn about the girl but his mother couldn't was kinda strange. Shouldn't the girl show all of the victims the same thing?

The video that is shown is kinda gross but not completely stomach-wrenching, in my opinion. However, it is not for everyone. :-I

Overall, it was a decent plot, could have used a lot more familial connection between mother/child and mother/ex, and the explanations could have been more understandable. I mean, yeah, you are dealing with paranormal but that doesn't make sense as it is. Consistency please!!

Horrorific? I did watch with a light on and did not have nightmares/memories due to this movie after so yeah it was spooky but not necessarily "keep you up all night" scary.





I think it was scarier than "Rosemary's Baby" or "The Exorcist" but definitely not as scary as "Alien" is, in my opinion. Recommended, but not highly.





EDIT (05/31/2016): After watching "Ringu", which is the movie that "The Ring" is a remake of, I have to say that "The Ring" was a poor remake. Sure, put it in English. Yeah, give it more drama (Hollywood style). However, the whole "father committing suicide via electronics in the tub" scene and "let's copy the movie but cut some important stuff" idea and "let's make the son super creepy for no reason" idea and a bit of other things were just too much. Yeah, let's just not pay attention to the actual plotline - let's just make it interesting! Doesn't need to make sense.

The culture of "The Ring" does not even match the story of "Ringu" - the independant young child. In Japan it would be normal, but in America, not so much. For the child in "Ringu" to help his mother get her dress, that is normal. In America, not so much. Maybe they were just trying to show off Naomi Watts' body. GROSS! And SUPER weird.

"The Ring" has a semi decent video in the movie to show that is creepy/gross, like I have said previously, and that is WAY different than the one in "Ringu". In "Ringu", it is more of a 'hey, well and bad dude and strange eye'. So if you want a strange/creepy video, stick to "The Ring".

I will stop comparing the two because I PREFER "Ringu" over "The Ring". As a stand-alone movie, I will keep this at 3.5 stars.

As a remake, this was TERRIBLE. I would throw a 2.5/5 at this one (considering the movie by itself and the bad remake). That's my opinion.

Movie Review - "The Little Shop of Horrors" 08/05/60

This is a movie review for "The Little Shop of Horrors" released August 05, 1960. I watched this on a black-and-white VHS video, re-released 1998.



I bought this VHS because I had previously seen the 1986 version with Rick Moranis as Seymour and Steve Martin as the dentist. I also wanted to see Jack Nicholson in this movie because it was one of his first movies that he was in, though a minor part - a dentist patient who went to the dentist only because he was a masochist.




Trailer:

Cast:
Jonathan Haze ("The Terror" (1963) Gustaf, "Swamp Women" (1956) Charlie the Pickpocket)  -        Seymour Krelboyne
Jackie Joseph ("Gremlins" (1984) Sheila Futterman, "Small Soldiers" (1998) Wife) -        Audrey Fulquard
Mel Welles ("She Beast" (1966) Ladislav Groper, "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy" (1955) Iben)   -       Gravis Mushnick
Jack Nicholson ("Anger Management" (2003) Dr. Buddy Rydell, "The Shining" (1980) Jack Torrance)  -        Wilbur Force






Plot:
In the run-down part of town, there is a simple florist shop run by Gravis Mushnick. He has two employees: a ditzy woman named Audrey Fulquard and a clumsy (near good for nothing) man named Seymour Krelboyne. Mushnick is merely trying to keep his place running, though he really isn't getting much profit. Seymour wants to impress Audrey and, when he finds/receives a strange plant seed, he names the plant after her - Audrey II. But he can't find a way to stay on the good side of his boss though he can't find a way to keep this plant growing. He actually is threatened to be fired from Mushnick's and while he is trying to grow this plant, gets a cut on his hand and the blood drips onto the plant. The blood satisfies the plant and grows, but blood isn't enough for the Venus Flytrap hybrid. How can Seymour get/keep the girl, please his boss, and feed a blood-hungry plant?









Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


4/5 - This is a very interesting movie. The near-climax is rather lame (lack of funds?) when they are running around the junk yard and through tires, toilets, and whatnot. Like, really? The ending is different than the 1986 movie in a very strange way. For the era, it is pretty horrific and WAY freakier than the 1986 version {plants taking over the world? :-/ }.

Jack Nicholson's small segment as the masochistic dentist patient is hilarious. I made my hubby watch the segment and he made me rewind so he could watch it. We were doubled over with laughter. For any Nicholson fan, you MUST watch this! Crazy awesome at the extreme, like all Nicholson parts. {In fact, after watching that segment of the movie, he joined me to watch the rest of the movie. I was surprised at this but gladly accepted company watching this movie.}

Overall, this is a pretty good movie. They don't really identify the plant's origin or what happens after the ending, but it isn't bad. I liked the addition of the Missing Persons investigator starting off the movie as it gave a good introduction to the slums of town. The action picked up fairly quickly and (aside the junk yard scene where they are running over tires) keeps the attention very well.

Highly recommended. For those that would want to view it in color, it has been restored and can be viewed in color. The black and white, though, is pretty cool too. ;-)

Movie Review - "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle" 01/10/92

This is a movie review for "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" released January 10, 1992. I watched this on VHS tape.



Trailer:

Cast:
Annabella Sciorra ("What Dreams May Come" (1998) Annie Collins-Nielsen, "Jungle Fever" (1991) Angie Tucci) -  Claire Bartel
Rebecca De Mornay ("The Shining" (TV Mini-Series, 1997) Winifred Torrance, "Risky Business" (1983) Lana) -     Mrs. Mott / Peyton Flanders
Matt McCoy ("L.A. Confidential" (1997) 'Badge of Honor' Star Brett Chase, "National Security" (2003) Robert Barton)   -  Michael Bartel
Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters" (1984) Winston Zeddmore, "The Crow" (1994)
Sergeant Albrecht) -   Solomon
Julianne Moore ("The Big Lebowski" (1998) Maude Lebowski, "Hannibal" (2001) Clarice Starling)  -      Marlene Craven
Madeline Zima ("Californication" (TV Series, 2007-2011) Mia Lewis, "A Cinderella Story" (2004) Brianna) -      Emma Bartel






Plot:
A married woman named Claire Bartel becomes pregnant with her second child. She goes to a new OB/GYN doctor who sexually molests her during examination [pelvic exam without gloves and not just examining]. She tells her husband, in tears, and he says that they need to report it. They do report it and other women step up saying that they have received the same treatment from the same doctor. The doctor ends up committing suicide. His wife, also pregnant, has some pregnancy complications during the week after his suicide and loses her child. She has to undergo emergency hysterectomy so she can never have child of her own again.
To get revenge on the woman that ruined her life and to have children of her "own", she assumes the identity of Peyton Flanders and becomes the Bartel's live in nanny / house assistant. But will Peyton take over the house and become Joey and Emma's mother? Will she take Claire's place and become Michael's wife? Can Claire defend her family against the woman?





Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


3.5/5 - This movie is definitely a thriller. It was an "okay" kind of a movie but I would suggest it. The overall theme of the movie is interesting, even to a childless woman like myself: a subtle home invasion and fighting for your family/house/life. It also showed a bit into the psyche about love, sex, family, marriage, and whatnot to show how an action (though right) can destroy someone internally. Mind you that you shouldn't go insane and try to steal another person's family after that person messed up yours! Warning: there are naked breasts (breastfeeding), violence, murder, ill-intent, and deception in this movie. It was a good movie and I will keep this VHS. Suggested, but not highly.

I think this would be a bit more sensitive for those that have children, as this is a huge topic about safety concerning the family. It also says that sometimes you can trust someone who has been there for a while versus someone who is new, but that depends on the situation. The people you decide to trust may or may not deserve your trust so be careful, especially when it comes to your family and your household.

Movie Review - "Signs" 08/02/02

This is a movie review for "Signs" released August 2, 2002. I watched this on VHS.



Trailer:

Cast:
Mel Gibson ("The Patriot" (2000) Benjamin Martin, "Braveheart" (1995) William Wallace) -    Rev. Graham Hess
Joaquin Phoenix ("The Village" (2004) Lucius Hunt, "Gladiator" (2000) Commodus) -    Merrill Hess
Rory Culkin ("Mean Creek" (2004) Sam Merrick, "You Can Count on Me" (2000) Rudy Prescott) -         Morgan Hess
Abigail Breslin ("Zombieland" (2009) Little Rock, "Ender's Game" (2013) Valentine Wiggin)   - Bo Hess






Plot:
A former Catholic clergy man named Graham, having lost his wife in a crash six months ago, his children Morgan and Bo, and his brother Merrill live on a farm outside a town in Philadelphia. Graham wakes up, finds his children out of bed, and finds them in the field staring at a crop sign crunched into the field. And their two german shepherds are barking like crazy. What could it be? Aliens?! How do they survive an alien invasion? Can they survive it?







Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


3/5 - Acting was pretty terrible in this movie all around! The son (played by Culkin) was creepy from the beginning. I was not sure if I was rooting for the downfall or the salvation of the boy.

The plot points were kinda expected (except the very ending). The only thing that I found interesting in this whole movie was *SPOILERS* the aliens being super weak to water. Like, let's dump some water on you and see you scream and melt from it. Like really?

The few things in the plot came together at the end: Morgan's asthma, Bo's obsession with water glasses, Merrill's baseball career, and Graham's faith. However, that doesn't make the movie good. I am okay with having seen it but I definitely don't like it enough to want to watch this again. In my opinion, this is a BAD movie for horror and a BAD movie for science fiction. >.>

Movie Review - "A Clockwork Orange" 02/02/72

This is a movie review for "A Clockwork Orange" released February 2, 1972. Watched this one on a VHS tape.




Trailer:

Cast:
Malcolm McDowell ("Bolt" (2008) Dr. Calico (voice), "Halloween" (2007)
Dr. Samuel Loomis) -  Alex
Patrick Magee ("Chariots of Fire" (1981) Lord Cadogan, "Barry Lyndon" (1975) The Chevalier du Balibari) - Mr. Alexander
Michael Bates ("Frenzy" (1972) Sergeant Spearman, "Patton" (1970) Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery)   - Chief Guard
Warren Clarke ("Dalziel and Pascoe" (TV Series, 1996-2007) Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel, "Top Secret!" (1984) Colonel von Horst)  -     Dim






Plot:
A young teenage boy named Alex fancies himself as the leader of an ultra-violent group. They (maybe) go to school then head over to the milk bar where they get their drink on to prepare for the night of rapings, beatings, gang warfare, and other such acts. One night, however, his group turns on him and leaves him blinded on the step of a health spa wherein Alex had killed the spa's owner. He is sentenced to prison for forty years and, after two years, is inducted into a non-violence therapy session. Can the violence be convinced out of him? If so, what might be the consequences and can he face his past in the real world after the treatment?









Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


3/5 - This is NOT a movie for all people. If you can get to the point where he is captured, the violence is dramatically reduced. However, there are still clips of allusions to sex and violence throughout the whole movie. If you are a prude thinking that sex is gross and nakedness is gross, DON'T watch.

I find the idea interesting that you can potentially teach/train the violence out of people but there is always the catch of "do they have choice or free will?". In that respect, this movie is wonderful, though the therapy session that they do is rather extreme... *SPOILERS* They force Alex to watch violent videos (rape, murder, the Third Reich, the world wars, etc.) as medicine in his system causes him to become sick and experience pain. Yeah, Pavlov's conditioning method. Interesting though rather gross to view, in my opinion.

*SPOILERS* The conditioning worked and, due to it, Alex had an issue with the real world. He had to confront two of his former victims as well as two of his group mates, and he was unable to fight for himself due to the sickening painful feeling that the conditioning caused in himself. Does that mean that the therapy was good? No, but one could argue that it still did good to stop him from the ultra-violence.

I think that the ending could have used an epilogue or a "this is what happened afterwards". Did Alex return to the ultra-violent lifestyle or did he merely hide it like Ted Bundy? That's one thing that could have been added, in my opinion.


Good movie but "must see"? NO. Not even in my top 100 movies. I can say that I have watched it but I will not want to watch it again, even if it was a Kubrick film. >.>

Movie Review - "The Burbs" 02/17/89

This is a movie review for "The Burbs" released February 17, 1989. I watched this on VHS.




Trailer:

Cast:
Tom Hanks ("Forrest Gump" (1994) Forrest Gump, "You've Got Mail" (1998)
Joe Fox) - Ray Peterson
Bruce Dern ("Nebraska" (2013) Woody Grant, "The Hateful Eight" (2015)
General Sandy Smithers)  -      Lt. Mark Rumsfield
Carrie Fisher ("Star Wars" franchise movies as Princess Leia Organa, "The Blues Brothers" (1980) Mystery Woman) -     Carol Peterson
Rick Ducommun ("Groundhog Day" (1993) Gus, "Die Hard" (1988) Walt, City Worker)  -  Art Weingartner
Corey Feldman ("The Goonies" (1985) Mouth, "Gremlins" (1984) Pete Fountaine)  -     Ricky Butler
Wendy Schaal ("Innerspace" (1987) Wendy, "Small Soldiers" (1998) Marion Fimple)  -     Bonnie Rumsfield
Henry Gibson ("The Blues Brothers" (1980) Head Nazi, "Charlotte's Web" (1973) Wilbur (voice))  -  Dr. Werner Klopek






Plot:
Ray Peterson and his neighbors live on a fairly quiet cul de sac in a suburbian area, but they cannot be at ease. There is a new neighbor that none have the guts to welcome, even after a month. Finally, after one of the elderly neighbors turns up missing, they decide to meet the new family. Are the Klopeks merely antisocial or are they more benign?







Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.



4/5 - This is a very good movie, though it disturbed me to see the "normal" citizens assuming about the neighbors. Just because someone is antisocial doesn't mean that you have to go digging through their garbage, breaking into their house, and assuming they murdered your missing elderly neighbor. As an antisocial person, I would be EXTREMELY offended by the actions taken by the neighbors. Maybe that's why I tend to live more out in the rural area, away from suburbs? Yeah, that would be one reason. Suburban residents are strange.....

The ending of the movie was slightly expected but at the same time shocking. It was a good ending but it shouldn't have ended so abruptly. *SPOILERS* : I think that the Klopek family should have hid their "dirty laundry" a little better. It would have been better if they would have been just normal folk and that the neighborhood destroyed their house for no reason. But that would be too tame, wouldn't that?

Scary? No. Not meant for everyone, though, because of the satanic references and the violence between neighbors.

Movie Review - "The Witches of Eastwick" 06/12/87

This is a movie review for "The Witches of Eastwick", released June 12, 1987. Watched this on VHS tape.





Trailer:

Cast:
Jack Nicholson ("Anger Management" (2003) Dr. Buddy Rydell, "The Shining" (1980) Jack Torrance) -    Daryl Van Horne
Cher  (Singer and actress; "Burlesque" (2010) Tess, "Moonstruck" (1987) Loretta Castorini)   -      Alexandra Medford
Susan Sarandon ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975) Janet Weiss - A Heroine, "James and the Giant Peach" (1996) Spider (voice)) -     Jane Spofford
Michelle Pfeiffer ("Stardust" (2007) Lamia, "What Lies Beneath" (2000) Claire Spencer)  -         Sukie Ridgemont
Veronica Cartwright ("The Birds" (1963) Cathy Brenner, "Alien" (1979) Lambert) -         Felicia Alden




Plot:
Three unwed women, two of them with children, are best friends and live in the little town of Eastwick. They regularly get together every Thursday night, without children, to spend time and chat. One Thursday after Jane's divorce goes through, they sit down together and start talking about men. Men aren't the "end all", they decide, but they all want a good man in their lives. They focus on the man's features and describe exactly what they want in a man - intelligent and listens, wonderful eyes, average male genitalia, etc. The next day, a man with all of these features appears in town, purchasing a deserted mansion [known for witch burnings] and introduces himself to the three. However, though the women have found their man, the town of Eastwick start becoming suspicious and hostile towards them {thanks to the help of the newspaper owner Felicia Alden}. What are the three women, with witchcraft powers growing daily, going to do with their lives? Should they take the old boring lives in the small town, or stick to their new lives?





Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.



4/5 - Nicholson does an amazing job in this movie, as well as all of the three main ladies. Nicholson was the perfect candidate for the part, I believe: a little bit of crazy, demented and charming, just like Nicholson is known for.

The women are wonderful characters and grow personally, though they do not change much outwardly appearances. They all change from a shy and beaten woman to a self-assured woman, though the means were not necessarily the best.

If you like comedies and how Nicholson acts, this is a good movie! There were more things in the movie that could have been defined more or done differently, so that's why I knock the score down. Definitely not a movie for all (because of orgy and sexual references, magic/witchcraft references, and supernatural references), but an okay watch.

Movie Review - "Mission Impossible 3" 05/05/06

This is a movie review for "Mission: Impossible III", released May 5, 2006.




Trailer:

Cast:
Tom Cruise ("Mission Impossible" (1996) Ethan Hunt, "Top Gun" (1986) Maverick) - Ethan Hunt
Philip Seymour Hoffman ("The Master" (2012) Lancaster Dodd, "Twister" (1996) Dustin "Dusty" Davis) -  Owen Davian
Ving Rhames ("Mission Impossible" Luther Stickell, "Pulp Fiction" Marsellus Wallace) -  Luther Stickell
Billy Crudup ("Watchmen" (2009) Dr. Manhattan / Jon Osterman, Studio Ghibli's "Princess Mononoke" (1997) Ashitaka (English version, voice)) -   John Musgrave
Michelle Monaghan  ("Source Code" (2011) Christina Warren, "Gone Baby Gone" (2007) Angie Gennaro) - Julia
Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("August Rush" (2007) Louis Connelly, "Albert Nobbs" (2011) Viscount Yarrell)  - Declan Gormley




Plot:
Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) is trying to retire from the mission impossible force so he can settle down and get married to a nurse named Julia. Of course, when they are having a wedding shower (or just a get together), he gets a message that he should go to the convenience store. When he gets to the convenience store, he finds out that an agent that he trained years ago has been captured and he can get her out, if he just does this mission. What the agent was looking into was a guy named Owen Davian. This guy has some pretty bad things going on but the plot thickens, as always. Can Ethan and his team do some impossible stunts to get what they need to save Ethan and his lovely Julia?









Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


2.5/5 - So far of the three Mission: Impossible movies, this is the worst for plotline. Even the second movie had better plot, though I was interested in the idea of trying to be attached to an agent from the mission impossible force while dealing with the consequences of the life. The female agent that Ethan joined up with was definitely cute and I loved to see Luther (played by Ving Rhames) again. Aside Luther and Ethan teaming up again and them saving Ethan's gal Julia, it was not very good. Interesting but not really worth the time. The missions were very lame and unrealistic, in my view, but that's cinema for you.

In my opinion, the Mission: Impossible movies are just getting worse. I wonder if Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation are going to be nearly worthless also?

Movie Review - "Scarface" 12/09/83

This is a movie review for "Scarface", released December 9, 1983. Suggested to me by my mother in law, as it is one of her favorite movies.




Trailer:

Cast:
Al Pacino  ("Insomnia" (2002) Will Dormer, "The Godfather" (1972) Michael Corleone) -   Tony Montana
Steven Bauer ("Primal Fear" (1996) Joey Pinero,  "Raising Cain" (1992) Jack)  -              Manny Ribera
Michelle Pfeiffer ("Stardust" (2007) Lamia, "What Lies Beneath" (2000) Claire Spencer)  -     Elvira Hancock
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ("The Perfect Storm" (2000) Linda Greenlaw, "The Abyss" (1989) Lindsey Brigman)  -  Gina Montana
Robert Loggia ("Independence Day" (1996) General William Grey, "Big" (1988)
MacMillan) -    Frank Lopez





Plot:
Cuba releases civilians to the United States that had American family in the States. Amongst these civilians are a few of Cuba's prison population. One of the Cuban prisoners, Tony Montana, comes to the United States looking to become rich and have it all. He already has a scar on his face, hence the name "Scarface". They keep the Cubans in a detention camp until there is an uprising and Tony has to kill someone to get his freedom. Afterwards, he works at a small restaurant in Little Havana, Florida. His friend Manny gets them a job to get some money and it ends up as a drug deal / purchase / rip-off. Though Tony loses one of his friends in the ordeal, he manages to get the attention of someone higher up in the crime rings. Can he rise to power and the luxury of a rich life? What kind of risks will he have to take and how will he deal with enemies?








Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


3/5 - I didn't see why so many say that this movie is one of the "everyone must see" movies. It wasn't that great. Between violence (killing, torturing, stealing, etc.), drugs, and whatnot, this is a pretty gritty movie. The plotline was subpar and I thought it would get better but it didn't. The only real character development was that of Gina, Tony's little sister, and that was from a hard-working upstanding girl to a pampered brat going against what her mother told her to do. *SPOILER* : Her pampered life got her killed. Sarcastically: Yeah, money is really helpful to keep you alive when you're dealing with drugs.

*SPOILERS*
The famous machine gun scene was at the very end and it was practically a last-ditch effort to survive and protect his life/house. Of course, that was after the whole "let's drive the wife away, kill my brother-in-law whom I didn't know married my sister, and have my sister go insane to try to kill me after I killed her husband" thing.


For a drug / crime movie, this sucked [in my opinion]. Sure, I can say that I have watched it but this definitely was not what I expected for a "highly acclaimed" movie.

Movie Review - "Rosemary's Baby" 06/12/68

This is a movie review for "Rosemary's Baby", released June 12, 1968. Viewed on VHS tape.





Trailer:

Cast:
Mia Farrow   ("The Great Gatsby" (1974) Daisy Buchanan, "The Last Unicorn" (1982) Unicorn / Amalthea)  -  Rosemary Woodhouse
John Cassavetes ("Opening Night" (1977) Maurice Aarons, "The Dirty Dozen" (1967) Victor Franko)  -  Guy Woodhouse
Ruth Gordon ("Harold and Maude" (1971) Maude, "Any Which Way You Can" (1980) Ma)  -    Minnie Castevet
Sidney Blackmer ("High Society" (1956) Seth Lord, "How to Murder Your Wife" (1965) Judge Blackstone) -    Roman Castevet




Plot:
An actor and his wife find a lovely huge apartment. The apartment is close to the theaters where he can work and his wife absolutely loves the size of the apartment. They move in and meet their neighbors, Mr Roman and Mrs Minnie Castevet. All is good until Rosemary and Guy decide to have a child, and then things get weird. Are the Castevets out for Rosemary's baby?





Character Development:
I have to touch on this part of the movie because it struck me so much. Yes, there is the change to Rosemary because she is pregnant but it is more than any woman's expectancy. She doesn't get sleep, she barely eats, and she has to deal with pain all of the time. The doctor doesn't listen to her and tells her to keep taking her herbal drink, administered by Minnie (her neighbor). However, the character development is worse than merely pregnancy issues. She cuts her hair, loses weight drastically [gaunt looking], loses color to her face, and loses a lot of her smiley attitude. This is attributed to the pregnancy but you can see her character degrading. The final huzzah to her degradation is at the very end. Due to spoilers, I will not reveal but I must say that her reaction to what is in the crib is terrible and not what I expected. Of all the things that had happened, you're just going to go along with it? >.>

As for Guy, I thought his character development was bad too. He started as a loving husband and slowly turned into a uncaring (for his wife) prick. All he cared about, at the end, was the Castevet's end result. Why he didn't stick up for his wife, I don't know but I can't approve of him at all through the movie.







Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.

2.5/5 - Honestly, this movie was a let down for me. It was supposed to be one of the best "old school" horror movies and yet the ending left me feel deflated, like there was no horror/shock/repulsion whatsoever in me. It didn't do anything to shock me, though the dream sequence was very interesting to watch. As a horror film, this SUCKED. True, I could see it being a lot more terrifying/horrific to a Catholic or hard core religious person, especially back in the day [or in the 60's, at least]. As for myself, I give a thumbs up for the fact that I was able to watch it and say that I have watched it but the general feel for the movie is a thumbs down. I won't be watching this movie again. Might end up donating the movie, truthfully.

Also, *SPOILERS*: why couldn't we have seen the child at the end? That would have been much better for the movie, instead of just letting it lie hidden by veils. >.>

FictFri Inspired "Relief" - Kida DeVela, Annaci - Ch 2

A town in front of the ship and hazy blue water below it, a bottle of rum in one hand and a telescope in the other. That was all that the Captain of The Scourge wanted, especially since the town in front is his next target. He closes his telescope by pressing it on the ship's railing and, slipping the telescope into his pocket, he slips some of the rum into his mouth.
"Captain, the men are ready," a short dark skinned man says to him from behind.
The Captain turns around, his mangy orange hair waving in the air. His sharp green eyes turn to the man who addressed him and a grin creeps onto his face.
"Perfect. Let's make port as the Commander," the Captain says.


To not endanger the Captain's mission, the Captain's crew docks as if for supplies. The flag they fly is teal with a serpentine design on it, the flag of the local country. They dock their ship under the pretense of The Commander, a dignified pseudonym that the ship uses to fool their prey in this country.
The Captain, dressed in gentlemanly attire, debarks the ship with his first mate and the quartermaster. He puts his silver handled walking cane under his arm as he straightens his white gloves and speaks to his companions, "Remember to get the supplies. I will return when I am done with the mission."
Both the short dark skinned first mate and the tall tanned quartermaster agree to their Captain's orders.
The redhaired man looks at his first mate and says, "And make sure the men don't do anything stupid until after I am done with the mission. I won't permit another Golfrex situation."
"Yes, Captain."
The Captain tips his hat to the two men and strides away, his cane clicking on the pavement as the feather in his cap waves to the men behind him. He calmly nods to the folk that he passes. A few of the men that he passes recognizes him as the Captain of the Commander, though others know his real identity. The second batch either avert their eyes or grin. The redhead knows that those that are grinning would not sell him out due to respect of the trade whereas those that avert their eyes would not sell him out due to fear of his trade. The first batch, those that recognize him as the Captain of the Commander, he has to continue to fool. As long as he keeps appearances, he can use the pseudonym in the future. If they learn who he really is, the redhead may no longer be able to be the Captain of the Commander. He smiles and calmly walks towards the town hall, making small chat every so often with those that may say something to him.
When he enters the town hall, the Captain brushes off his sleeves. He walks down the small hallway and approaches a large bronze door, guarded by a fat guard bulging out of his uniform and a thin guard who is too tall for his uniform. To the right of the hallway is an empty desk with the nameplate of Ms. Rose Evermire. If his information was correct, the young secretary was never at her desk but at the mayor's desk. According to his sources, Ms. Rose does her job best half naked and getting off, a thing that the mayor of Remton never failed to notice though he had a little wife and three children at home.
"None may enter without the mayor's approval," the fatter of the two guards says as the two block the entrance.
The Captain smiles saying, "The mayor needs to see me."
"Do you have an appointment?" asks the tall guard.
"No, but did you notice that your legs are showing above your boots? If you didn't, you have more to worry than me visiting the mayor."
The tall guard tries to talk but stutters and averts his eyes.
"And as for you," the Captain says, turning to the other guard, "If it weren't for your prey to come to you, you wouldn't get any action, would you?"
"What do you mean by that?!"
The redhead smiles, "Take it as you will but this is one prey that will not only out run you but will turn predator on you. Do I make myself clear?"
The fat guard twists his lips as he tries to figure out what to say to the insulting man in front of him.
"Now, open the door or I will have to open it myself," the Captain says as he pulls a decorative sword from inside his cane.


Two loud thuds outside of the mayor's office door catches the man's attention and, before he has time to withdraw from Ms. Rose, the door bursts open. The lusty lady groans for more from her boss but the man, looking at the red blobs of flesh freshly killed outside of his office, cannot give her what she wants right now. The man withdraws, to the secretary's dismay, zips himself away, and addresses the man who walks in without announcement.
"How dare you enter without permission!" he says, his voice wavering. His secretary slips off of the desk and dresses.
The redhead that has entered the room smiles, pulling a handkerchief out of his breast pocket. The handkerchief is white stained with red patches and has a red letter CR embroidered into it. The man uses it to clean off his sword, which had been dripping on the carpet with the guard's blood.
"I am here on business and will only take up a few moments of your time," he says after he cleans his sword off, "When you have been given warning previously to attend to the regulations of the Seddle Contract and you have ignored them, the Seddle Group has decided to have you receive a lecture. That is what I am here for."
The mayor pales at the mention of the Seddle Contract. A major force for this half of the continent, the Seddle Contract stated that all members, and their spouses, should pay certain fees to keep themselves from being taken out of power and to keep pirates at bay from the governing officials. Many officials would pay their dues when they were new to office but would get lazy as time progressed. Many of those would wind up sticking their secretary or their guard's wives and forget to send their dues to the Seddle Group. The group would give the members two tries to make amends but in the end, it was always decided that the offending party must be reprimanded.
The secretary, fully dressed and pouting about being unable to reach climax, tries to walk past the Captain. He smiles and winks at the mayor, lifting his sword up. With a swift flick of his arm, he slashes the woman's jugular and she collapses to the carpet. She covers her throat to try stopping the bleeding and glances up at him, shock in her eyes.
"Shame about the carpet, young miss, but you are not all together sinless. No one is," he says to her before walking towards the mayor, "Now for you, sir. Do you know who I am?"
The mayor shifts his gaze between the dying secretary and the red haired man. Even with the dignified hat on, the man's hair gives him a firey glow as it radiates around his head.
"No, and please leave. I'll pay."
"Because I'm here, you are too late for that. You didn't pay so you have to meet a pirate's blade, sir. Be pleased that your wife will no longer have to pay her dues after today because she will no longer be a government official's spouse," he replies grinning.
The mayor realizes what the red head man is saying and starts hobbling backwards towards the window. They are only on the first floor so he could get away if he didn't have a bad knee.
"I have come to bring you relief from this position and this world, sir ex mayor," the Captain says, closing in on him and raising his sword, "Don't you wish you paid the dues?"

Movie Review - "Ted Bundy" 11/22/02 UK

This is a movie review for "Ted Bundy" released November 22, 2002 in the UK. My Mister suggested this one. We watched it on DVD.




Trailer:

Plot:
Based on a true story about one of the first serial killers in the United States of America, this is the tale about Ted Bundy. Over his career, he killed at least 30 women, kidnapping, raping, murdering, and performed necrophilia with some of his dead victims.




Warning: This movie is gross and definitely not for everyone, especially children. Those with weak stomaches, do NOT watch!






Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.

3/5 - This movie keeps the attention and is interesting, but there are bits that I would NEVER want to watch again [like his vile acts towards his victims, and the guards prepping him for execution via the electric chair]. "The Green Mile" executions were mild compared to this one! It makes my stomach flip just thinking about the prep scene from this movie, weeks after watching it. I personally would not wish to watch this movie ever again, but you are warned if you wish to watch this!

Movie Review - "Idiocracy" 01/25/07 GER

This is a movie review for "Idiocracy" released January 25, 2007 in Germany. Viewed via streaming online. Can't recall why we watched this, honestly.


Trailer:

Cast:
Luke Wilson ("Legally Blonde" (2001) Emmett, "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" (2006) Matt Saunders ) -  Joe Bauers
Maya Rudolph  (Saturday Night Live (2000-2015), "Grown Ups" (2010) Deanne McKenzie) -     Rita
Dax Shepard ("Zathura: A Space Adventure" (2005) Astronaut, "Parenthood" (TV Series, 2010-2015) Crosby Braverman) - Frito
Terry Crews ("Norbit" (2007) Big Jack Latimore, "The Expendables" (2010) Hale Caesar) -  President Camacho



Plot:
Average woman (prostitute Rita) and average man (military grunt Joe Bauers) of average intelligence in the year 2005 are chosen for a military experiment: stasis chambers. However, the project is a "need to know" only clearance and the stasis chambers are forgotten. The building that they are in is destroyed and, eventually, they both are dislodged from the piles of garbage building up and wake in 2505. Humans have gotten dumber and these two (of average intelligence in 2005) are now the smartest people on Earth. Dust storms, mounting garbage, famine, and other symptoms of stupidity run rampant through the world. Can Joe, the smartest man on Earth, save humanity?




The one thing that caught my attention, and I find this to be true, is the opening of the movie (in my opinion).

Those who have lower intelligence tend to have more children whereas those with higher intelligence tend to have very few. Makes me wonder if the world will dumb down over the years even more and make us into a more stupid society?
On a side note, if you don't want kids, wear a condom and take your pills. Don't just spread your legs open and f**k. And men, you are responsible for this too! Men, wear your condoms also!






Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.

1/5 - I will not give this movie the honor of getting fully reviewed because it is so idiotic after they wake up from the stasis pods. Up to that point, it is good, but after? Forget it! If I had watched this in a movie theater or rented it, I would have wanted my money back.  The only thing I liked was the comparison between high IQ couples and low IQ couples at the beginning, but that theme/tone did not go through the whole movie, which was disappointing. They did touch on that theme again saying *SPOILER* that Joe had two intelligent kids whereas Frito had 30 really dumb kids, but that was all.

Movie Review - "Air Force One" 07/25/97

This is a movie review for "Air Force One" released July 25, 1997. Watched this on a VHS.



Trailer:

Cast:
Harrison Ford ("Star Wars" film franchise 1977/1980/1983/2015 as Han Solo, "Indiana Jones" film franchise 1981/1984/1989/2008 as Indiana Jones) -  President James Marshall
Gary Oldman ("Harry Potter" film franchise 2004/2005/2011 as Sirius Black, "Batman" film franchise 2005/2008/2012 as Commissioner James Gordon) - Ivan Korshunov
Glenn Close ("Fatal Attraction" (1987) Alex Forrest, "101 Dalmatians" (1996) Cruella de Vil) - Vice President Kathryn Bennett
Wendy Crewson ("The Santa Clause" (1994) Laura Calvin Miller, "Bicentennial Man" (1999) 'Ma'am' Martin) - Grace Marshall
Liesel Matthews ("A Little Princess" (1995) Sara Crewe, "Blast" (2000) Ears) - Alice Marshall
Paul Guilfoyle  ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (TV Series, 2000-2014) Captain Jim Brass, "Amistad" (1997) Attorney) -   Chief of Staff Lloyd Shepherd
Xander Berkeley ("Gattaca" (1997) Dr. Lamar, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991) Todd Voight) -  Agent Gibbs
William H. Macy ("Fargo" (1996) Jerry Lundegaard, "Pleasantville" (1998) George Parker) - Major Caldwell
Dean Stockwell ("The Langoliers" (TV Mini-Series, 1995) Bob Jenkins, "Blue Velvet" (1986) Ben) -     Defense Secretary Walter Dean






Plot:
The President of the United States of America, in Moscow Russia, states that they will not negotiate with terrorists. He, his family, his staff, and some media crew board Air Force One. However, terrorists boarded under the pretense of being media crew. With help of a dirty Secret Service man, the terrorists take over Air Force One to get to the President. Can the President save his family, and as many as he can on board, without negotiating with terrorists?






Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.

3.5/5 - This movie was very interesting to watch. One maneuver by the plane seemed unreasonable, that maybe the tail would have dug into the ground instead of simply lifting unscathed off of the tarmac. The other thing that I disliked was the way that *SPOILERS* the plane broke up at the end of the movie. I know that you wouldn't be able to actually destroy Air Force One but seriously that sequence looks way computerized. >.>
A good movie. If you like Harrison Ford, watch this. It has action, like he is known for, and promotes good family morals.

Movie Review - "Laurence Anyways" 06/28/12

Here is a movie review for "Laurence Anyways", released June 28, 2012.
Watched on Netflix.  Filmed in Canada, this is a French-spoken film. I watched it in French with English subtitles on Netflix.



Trailer:

Cast:
Melvil Poupaud ["A Summer's Tale" Gaspard] Laurence Alia
Suzanne Clément ["Mommy" Kyla] Fred Belair
Nathalie Baye ["Catch Me If You Can" Paula Abagnale] Julienne Alia



Plotline:
A male teacher (Laurence Alia) wants to become a female. He asks for his female fiance Frédérique (Fred) to stick by him and help him become what he wants to become, because he just doesn't feel right being a male anymore. This is his story of his transformation and the issues of becoming/being a transgender woman.







Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


3.5/5 - This is an interesting movie about the transgender process. I found it sad that his fiance Fred didn't want to stick around with him but I don't blame her (because she liked his male side over his female side). One thing I didn't understand was the fact that they made out after he was almost fully transgender female. They almost seemed to get back together but she had made her life with someone else and Fred and Laurence's relationship together was strained. I would have to say that if a person you want to be with doesn't like you for you, don't be with them. Laurence, at the end of the movie, was content with being herself though Fred still wasn't sure about her. It was liberating to see Laurence to become what she wanted to be in the end.

If you want to stay in your hetero world and not learn about what some LGBT people have to deal with, don't watch this movie. Otherwise, it is an interesting thing to view. Not my favorite, but not a waste of time.

Movie Review - "Schindler's List" 02/04/94

A movie that I have never seen and found a VHS copy of, this review is of the movie "Schindler's List" released February 4, 1994.



Trailer:

Cast:
Liam Neeson ("Taken" (2008) Bryan Mills, "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999) Qui-Gon Jinn) -      Oskar Schindler
Ben Kingsley ("Ender's Game" (2013) Mazer Rackham, "Shutter Island" (2010) Dr. Cawley) -    Itzhak Stern
Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient" (1996) Count Laszlo de Almásy, Harry Potter film series ("Goblet of Fire" 2005, "Order of the Phoenix" 2007, "Deathly Hollows" pt 1 2010 and pt 2 2011) Lord Voldemort) -    Amon Goeth
Caroline Goodall ("Hook" (1991) Moira Banning, "The Princess Diaries" (2001) Helen Thermopolis) -   Emilie Schindler



Plot:
A business man, Oskar Schindler, decides to open a factory at the beginning of World War II to employ Jewish workers. He hires the workers and teaches them skills to be useful for his business. In the meantime, the war is getting worse for Jews - kicking them out of their homes, robbing them of their possessions, labeling them with the armbands to make them declare themselves as Jewish, and sending them to concentration camps. Schindler starts feeling more responsible for his workers as the war gets worse. Eventually, he creates a list to buy the workers from the Nazis to save them from concentration camps.






Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


6/5 - Based on a true story, this is an AMAZING movie. In black and white, with a few bits of color to reach the viewer's heart about what is going on, this movie is a wonderful depiction of the terrible world of World War II.

I give this a 6/5, off the chart of the rating criteria, because this is a movie that EVERYONE should watch at least once in their life. Remember the past so we do not commit the same crimes. Remember the victims of the Holocast. It did happen, though some say it did not. The genocide of the Jews was a horrendous thing that should NEVER be forgot.

Movie Review - "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" 07/20/07

My mister suggested this one, because of this scene here: Don't Drop the Soap.

This is the movie review for "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" which came out July 20, 2007. Watched this online streaming.




Trailer:

Cast:
Adam Sandler  ("The Cobbler" (2014) Max Simkin, "The Wedding Singer" (1996) Robbie Hart) -        Chuck Levine
Kevin James ("Hitch" (2005) Albert, "The King of Queens" (TV Series, 1998-2007) Doug Heffernan) -     Larry Valentine
Jessica Biel ("Hitchcock" (2012) Vera Miles, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (2003) Erin) - Alex McDonough
Dan Aykroyd ("Ghostbusters" (1984) Dr. Raymond Stantz, "The Blues Brothers" (1980) Elwood Blues) -      Captain Tucker
Ving Rhames ("Mission Impossible" (1996) Luther Stickell, "Pulp Fiction" (1994) Marsellus Wallace) -        Fred G. Duncan
Steve Buscemi ("Fargo" (1996) Carl Showalter, "Armageddon" (1998) Rockhound)   -         Clint Fitzer





Plot:
Larry and Chuck are pals on the fire fighting squad in New York. Larry lost his wife previously (died) and is having to deal with the fact that he is the only one that can take care of his kids. He needs to find a way to support his kids, even if he dies. Considering risk is a major factor for fire fighters, he has to figure it out fast.
Chuck is one of his best friends on the squad. [And a flaming STRAIGHT man loving his promiscuity.] The two of them always look out for each other, no matter the task. Chuck has saved Larry's life thousands of times. Who better to watch over the kids if something happens to Larry? Except...
Except the only way to do that (legally and quickly) is for Larry to get married. Hey Chuck!

They have to deal with the fact that they are fake married, dealing with the lawyer Alex McDonough [played by Jessica Biel], Clint Fitzer from Financial Services trying to prove their marriage is fake, and all the guys in the squad becoming scared of them.






I'm not going to go into more details about this movie aside the fact that I find it interesting how Chuck and Larry stood up for the homosexuals of New York {whether they were homo or were hetero} and how Chuck had a hard time being straight around their lawyer Alex [even after she stripped in front of him and had him feel her chest to prove that she had no silicon in her breasts].






Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.



3.5/5 - Not the best movie out there but very interesting to see the side of the gay life that they have to deal with in society. The shower scene with the fire fighters was probably one of the best scenes ever in this movie and at least in the end, the NY fire fighters were supported by the gay community. If you want to check this out, I won't stop you. It isn't a complete waste of time, in my opinion, and there are enjoyable parts so go for it! It isn't for everyone, though. NOT recommended for young children, in my opinion.

As for Adam Sandler, he did a good job in this movie but it was not one of his best movies. Please, Mr. Sandler, go back to movies like "The Wedding Singer" (1998) and "Click" (2006)!

Movie Review - "Airport 1975" 10/18/74

This is a movie review for "Airport 1975" released 10/18/1974. I watched this on a VHS tape that we bought from Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in ND.



Trailer:

Sorry, the trailer kinda sucks.... The movie is better though!



Cast:
Charlton Heston ("Cats & Dogs" the Mastiff (voice), "Ben-Hur" (1959) Judah Ben-Hur ) - Alan Murdock
Karen Black ("House of 1000 Corpses" (2003) Mother Firefly, "Family Plot" (1976) Fran) - Nancy Pryor
George Kennedy ("Cool Hand Luke" Dragline, "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" Ed Hocken, "Airport" (1970) Patroni) - Joe Patroni
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. ("Hot Shots!" (1991) Wilson, "The F.B.I." (TV Series, 1965-1974) Inspector Lewis Erskine) -  Captain Stacy
Susan Clark  ("Porky's" (1981) Cherry Forever, "Coogan's Bluff" (1968) Julie Roth) - Helen Patroni
Helen Reddy ("The Perfect Host" (2010) Cathy Knight, writer of the song "I Am Woman" : 1975 women's year theme) - Sister Ruth





Plot:
A Boeing is on its flight from one airport to another. Everything is fine until they crash with a small one-manned plane (the guy had a stroke or heart attack?). The midflight crash causes a massive hole in the cabin, kills two of the cockpit controllers and severely wounds the Captain. Flying into the Utah area of the United States of America, they have a few slim options for survival. The head stewardess has to fly the plane for a bit so they don't crash into the mountains but that won't work for landing the plane. So, how to get a pilot into the plane midflight?


Additional:
Researching the cast of the movie, I find it interesting that Helen Reddy, singer songwriter of "I Am Woman", was given a singing acting role in this movie. Her song "I Am Woman" was a hit in 1975, whereas this movie was produced in 1974. Did this movie help her become a hit? Potentially, but unsure. According to IMDB, her song was used in movies before 1975 so the influence of her singing in "Airport 1975" may not have changed her career. It was a brilliant thing to put her in movies to sing, though! Talk about a career highlight!




Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.

4/5 - I personally thought this was a good movie but not as good as "Airport" (1970). The midflight crash and trying to survive from it was interesting, for sure, but there wasn't very much plot aside that. Sure, there was a thing between Murdoch and Nancy but it wasn't strongly discussed (in my opinion).  This is a good movie from the 1970's and I suggest it, though not my most favorite. If you like planes and crashes, it might be right up your alley. ;-)