Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
Son of God is a cheap money maker for the studio, re-cutting the popular “Bible” miniseries for a feature-length movie. What’s here is generally acceptable acting but more in line for television and some respectable production design although the visual effects aren’t anything great. It’s an inoffensive movie and isn’t terrible but also nothing I can recommend.
Considering Independence Day-Saster is a made-for-TV SyFy film, I have to admit, it’s not that bad with Ryan Merriman making for an amiable leading man though having Tom Everett Scott playing the President is a bit of a stretch, though it is in keeping with Independence Day with Bill Pullman playing the young and inexperienced Commander in Chief.
Endless Love actually isn’t a terrible film (not exactly the highest praise, I know) where the two leads at least have some good chemistry and Bruce Greenwood is a lot of fun even if his character becomes a caricature by the end. It’s the typical love story seen numerous time but it’s not all bad and at least watchable if not also safe and forgettable.
Sleepaway Camp might not be my favorite slasher, and generally I’m not a big fan of the genre anyway, but it’s got its moments even outside of the classic and shocking climax.
Continue reading “Sleepaway Camp: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Review”
Final Exam is seemingly the prototype of 1980s slasher, attempting to cash in on the successes from Halloween and Friday the 13th, and in this instance, it doesn’t work… at all. I don’t have a problem with bloodless horror movies or ones with a low body count so long as the other scenes provide some sort of character development or building up of suspense, which doesn’t happen here.
In the Blood has plenty of issues but with Gina Carano’s fighting skills and being at least an adequate enough actress on par with 80s/90s versions of Jean-Claude Van Dam and Steven Seagal, has the potential to be a staple in the thin mindless action flicks if she picks the right scripts.
Dan Curtis’ Dracula features an incredible performance by Jack Palance in the title role as well as Nigel Davenport playing Dr. Van Helsing, especially his final showdown against Dracula.
“Crocodile” Dundee I and II might not be the top-of-the-line in comedy, especially coming out of the 1980s, but I found both of them, even the weaker sequel, to be fun time wasters headlined by the charming antics of Paul Hogan and his on-screen chemistry with Linda Kozlowski.
“Rogue”: The Complete First Season, a series airing exclusively on DirectTV, is a well made crime-drama with great performances by Thandie Newton and Marton Csokas and a compelling story that keeps you engaged throughout the 10-episode long season.
Continue reading “Review: “Rogue”: The Complete First Season DVD”
“Jonny Quest”: The Complete Eighties Adventures is a fun enough series even if I, who grew up during that time, barely even recall ever watching it. The animation looks good and the transfers for the audio and video are both OK. Although it is feature-less, it is nice to see it get a release if only through the Warner Archives line.
Continue reading “Review: Jonny Quest: The Complete Eighties Adventures”
Her is not only a moving and emotionally charged film about relationships and technology, but it also features an incredible performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson (her voice anyway) with honorable mention to Amy Adams.
Sophia Grace & Rosie’s Royal Adventure isn’t a movie made for me or even remotely targeting the 21-35 age bracket and instead is aimed squarely at young girls who oft have dreams of becoming a princess, so on that front, this movie might be satisfying but anyone older or who don’t have children, this is not something you will revisit anytime soon.
Continue reading “Sophia Grace & Rosie’s Royal Adventure Blu-ray Review”
Thunderbirds Are Go and Thunderbird 6 are both fun flicks though probably younger kids and those who grew up during that timeframe might get more enjoyment out of it.
Continue reading “Thunderbirds Are Go/Thunderbird 6 Blu-ray Review”
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is hardly the perfect movie, it’s not even a good thriller, but it’s a satisfying enough flick so long as you aren’t a fan of the character or novels. The plot is a bit thin but the action scenes, as dumb since as they may be, were well filmed at least.
Fate is the Hunter is actually a pretty decent film focusing on faith and, obviously, fate, making it something more than merely an overwrought 1960s disaster drama. The performances from Glenn Ford, Nancy Kwan and Rod Taylor are all superb and the effects, save for some wonky editing, were impressive for their time.