Posts from the category "Reviews"
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
I was once again struck by the visuals in this movie. I had only ever seen it on a crappy DVD copy (or VHS before that) and remembered it as really dark and gritty and ugly. This time through is was dark and gritty and beautiful.
Read the rest...The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982)
I came across this movie at a used bookstore while on the lookout for some movies that would fit in my collection. I picked this up and immediately held onto it because it was a western thing with that starred Edward James Olmos front and center. I expected action and a solid story. What I got was a tremendously moving and sad tale of what amounts to just plain old racism making one man’s life hell.
Read the rest...The Wizard of Oz (1939)
I got to see this on the big screen, and it was spectacular.
I’m a product of seeing this on television once a year through my childhood, and as a result, this has always been one of my all-time favorites. But it’s an entirely different experience to see this on the big screen, watching what I presume is the 4K print (it sure looked like it) or better.
While the movie is so beautiful, I was captured by the inability to rewind and take a second look at something. The result is a bit more magical, if that word applies. I couldn’t prove to myself that I saw what I thought I saw in a couple places, and the not knowing for sure leads me to think they meant it to be there.
Read the rest...EO (2022)
I had some idea how this would go, but not nearly to the extent that it is so sad. The opening scene immediately put me on edge. EO was dead, or really hurt, being loved by a companion, tears in her eyes, only to have EO pop up alive to applause from the audience they were performing in front of. I had a sick feeling from the dead donkey that never went away.
Read the rest...Clash of the Titans (1981)
Man, this thing kind of holds up. I went in thinking it’d be totally crap and dated, but it’s not all that bad. In fact, it’s pretty cool.
This was another childhood favorite. I realize more than ever how much I gravitated toward these super dude-driven ego movies, but a few of them are more than total camp. This one is kinda there. Here’s why
Read the rest...Arthur Christmas (2011)
Awesome surprise. I hadn’t heard of this movie until about five minutes before hitting Play, and had no idea even then what it was going to be. It was great! The cast is filled with great voices and the movie has really great jokes.
Read the rest...Tags: sarah smith | jim broadbent | james mcavoy | hugh laurie | holiday movie | arthur christmas | bill nighy
Blade Runner (1982)
Since listening to a review of this on We Hate Movies a couple of weeks ago, I have been itching to watch this. My problem was that I only had a DVD copy, which I thought was really difficult to follow. The picture quality made the movie really, really dreary, which made me drowsy every time I watched. So, after a week or so of thinking about this, I ordered a copy of The Final Cut in 4K. It’s a movie I should own, so I figured now is as good a time as any to grab it.
Read the rest...On the Waterfront (1954)
I’m a bit torn by this and not sure if I even know enough to form an opinion on Elia Kazan.
I watched this without having any idea of the context. I prefer that if I can do it. Then I like to read up and at least form a basic picture of the world in which the movie was made. The message here was a very strong one—anti-corruption, power to the workers over those who have power. Plus, the opportunity to do something both righteous and empowering because of its righteousness.
Read the rest...Miller's Crossing (1990)
I was taken in by this movie. I think about 30 minutes in I stopped writing notes down because I didn’t want to stop the movie. A gangster noir with all the right characters, played exquisitely, with a pretty great wrap.
Read the rest...Tokyo Story (1953)
It’s a movie where not a lot happens, but you really understand some family dynamics that represent all of us. I came away from the movie feeling sad.
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