I am really into this TV series right now; all four seasons are on Netflix right now, so I am not watching many movies right now.
Up next for me is Fortune Cookie.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
I have started this movie several times but could never get very far into it before I lost all interest in finishing it. This time I was determined to complete the film, and boy am I mixed up inside about this movie.
For me, I enjoyed watching the development of the man, as he became a real mountain man. However, I feel that the show jumped the shark when the rescue party showed up seeking his help. The movie fell off of a cliff and became a 1970s montage of confusion after that. I loved the first half of this show and hated the second half.
This will not make it onto my list, but I do appreciate how much of an effort Robert Redford made in this role. I heard one time that this was the physically hardest movie he was ever in, and it shows, Bravo for that!!! 1 ½ stars
For me, I enjoyed watching the development of the man, as he became a real mountain man. However, I feel that the show jumped the shark when the rescue party showed up seeking his help. The movie fell off of a cliff and became a 1970s montage of confusion after that. I loved the first half of this show and hated the second half.
This will not make it onto my list, but I do appreciate how much of an effort Robert Redford made in this role. I heard one time that this was the physically hardest movie he was ever in, and it shows, Bravo for that!!! 1 ½ stars
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Prize (1963)
I made it to film #55 on my quest to watch all of Paul Newman's movies. This one was exremley hard to find. Somebody finally loaded it on youtube, I had to pay $3 to watch it but who cares. I only have 6 more movies to go.
This is an Alfred Hitchcock type movie staring Paul Newman, and older Edward G. Robinson, and a very attractive Elke Sommer (this is the first film I have ever seen of hers).
The setting is Stockholm Sweden. The rich and famous have gathered for the annual presentation of the worldly nobel prizes in many categories- literature, medicine, etc. Newman plays a drunk nobel prize winner who starts to investigate a murder and some espinoge. It feels like a film noor movie, especially with Edward Robinson. I give it 2.5 stars.
This is an Alfred Hitchcock type movie staring Paul Newman, and older Edward G. Robinson, and a very attractive Elke Sommer (this is the first film I have ever seen of hers).
The setting is Stockholm Sweden. The rich and famous have gathered for the annual presentation of the worldly nobel prizes in many categories- literature, medicine, etc. Newman plays a drunk nobel prize winner who starts to investigate a murder and some espinoge. It feels like a film noor movie, especially with Edward Robinson. I give it 2.5 stars.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Taking Chance (2009)
This is a true story.
Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (played by Kevin Bacon) is a cubical desk jockey for the Marines in 2004. He served during the original Desert Storm, but is sitting this war out in the form of a more administrative role. Each night he views the death/casualty report online to see if he recognizes any of the names. One evening he runs across the name of PFC Chance Phelps, who is from Strobl’s hometown in Colorado.
Strobl volunteers to escort the body of Chance’s home to Wyoming (Where his parents now reside). This movie is beautifully made, and shows the entire process of getting a soldier home to their loved ones. There is nothing graphic or disturbing about this short movie (78 minutes), but be prepared to cry.
It is beautiful how much respect others will pay when they realize that the ultimate sacrifice has been made. This was a 5 star movie for me, and is worth the watch. It is an HBO film like Temple Grandin and John Adams so it is well made.
Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (played by Kevin Bacon) is a cubical desk jockey for the Marines in 2004. He served during the original Desert Storm, but is sitting this war out in the form of a more administrative role. Each night he views the death/casualty report online to see if he recognizes any of the names. One evening he runs across the name of PFC Chance Phelps, who is from Strobl’s hometown in Colorado.
Strobl volunteers to escort the body of Chance’s home to Wyoming (Where his parents now reside). This movie is beautifully made, and shows the entire process of getting a soldier home to their loved ones. There is nothing graphic or disturbing about this short movie (78 minutes), but be prepared to cry.
It is beautiful how much respect others will pay when they realize that the ultimate sacrifice has been made. This was a 5 star movie for me, and is worth the watch. It is an HBO film like Temple Grandin and John Adams so it is well made.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The African Queen (1951)
I intentionally held off watching this film for at least a year. I wanted to watch some of Bogart's, Hepburn's and John Huston's other movies, in hopes to enjoy this film even more after learning about those individuals. This is a spectacular movie for many reasons. 5 stars and absolutely it is going on my top 100 list (I can't remember if it is on yours). I learned a lot from watching the special feature on the DVD "embracing chaos, the making of the african queen". Here are five reasons why I, along with AFI and others, have this movie in my top 100.
1. What Huston pulled off was miraculous. An independent movie company without deep pockets- leaving Hollywood to film a movie onsite in the African Congo. That sort of thing did not happen in 1951. The Communist movement was going on starting in 1947, and many of the actors including Bogart were being listed on the "commy list" and for awhile it was hard for actors to land parts in movies. Huston was able to talk some very prominent writers, producers, etc. to leave California and go shoot on location in Africa- not to mention convince Hepburn and Bogart that they should do the movie.
2. Bogart received an academy award for his role. It was easily in the top 10 roles I have ever seen someone play. Tremendous work.
3. The cinematography and film editing was incredible, especially for 1951. Everything in the movie was believable.
4. The love attraction between the two of the was perfect. It starts out with tension and leads to a real friendship.
5. Hepburn was nominated but did not receive an Oscar, I think she should have, she was fabulous.
1. What Huston pulled off was miraculous. An independent movie company without deep pockets- leaving Hollywood to film a movie onsite in the African Congo. That sort of thing did not happen in 1951. The Communist movement was going on starting in 1947, and many of the actors including Bogart were being listed on the "commy list" and for awhile it was hard for actors to land parts in movies. Huston was able to talk some very prominent writers, producers, etc. to leave California and go shoot on location in Africa- not to mention convince Hepburn and Bogart that they should do the movie.
2. Bogart received an academy award for his role. It was easily in the top 10 roles I have ever seen someone play. Tremendous work.
3. The cinematography and film editing was incredible, especially for 1951. Everything in the movie was believable.
4. The love attraction between the two of the was perfect. It starts out with tension and leads to a real friendship.
5. Hepburn was nominated but did not receive an Oscar, I think she should have, she was fabulous.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Captain America: The First Avenger
I just want to preface that I have enjoyed all of the Marvel comic book movies, so it was a must for me to see this film (especially with the coming of The Avengers in 2012).
Young Steve Rogers tries several times to enlist in the military during WWII, but due to his size and persistant illnesses he is deemed 4F each time. Finally he is given a chance, and shows that he has the heart of a soldier, just not he body. A American-German scientist was asked by the Army to create super soldiers who could regenerate their injured cells, and who had super strength. Well, obviously Steve is selected to take part in the experement, and to make a long story short becomes the only super soldier for the US.
He goes to war, saves some people, fights a villan, and saves the world...Duh!!!
Like all other Marvel movies I enjoy how they take the time to develope the characters so you understand where they are coming from emotionally. The development worked for me, but they really had a hard time finding an end to this story which caused it to only be a generous 2 star movie for me.
The last perk to the movie was staying through the credits to see a trailer for the upcomming film, The Avengers.
Here is the link to the imdb page for this movie.
Young Steve Rogers tries several times to enlist in the military during WWII, but due to his size and persistant illnesses he is deemed 4F each time. Finally he is given a chance, and shows that he has the heart of a soldier, just not he body. A American-German scientist was asked by the Army to create super soldiers who could regenerate their injured cells, and who had super strength. Well, obviously Steve is selected to take part in the experement, and to make a long story short becomes the only super soldier for the US.
He goes to war, saves some people, fights a villan, and saves the world...Duh!!!
Like all other Marvel movies I enjoy how they take the time to develope the characters so you understand where they are coming from emotionally. The development worked for me, but they really had a hard time finding an end to this story which caused it to only be a generous 2 star movie for me.
The last perk to the movie was staying through the credits to see a trailer for the upcomming film, The Avengers.
Here is the link to the imdb page for this movie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)