Genre: Family

Year: 1982

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace-Stone, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote

Director: Steven Spielberg

My Review: A family friendly classic. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this movie stars a relatively unknown cast: Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote and others in this heart-warming tale of a loveable little alien who gets left behind during a scouting mission in the woods outside a sleepy California town. E.T. is befriended by a group of Earth Children. While E.T. attempts to 'Phone Home', a group of scientists is trying to track him down for scientific study. E.T. is going to need the help of his new found friends if he's going to avoid the specimen table. It's a touching drama that tugs at the heartstrings, and makes you wish you were a kid again. The acting is pretty good, the writing excellent, and the direction very good. Admittedly, the story is somewhat sappy and the dialog a bit corny. Still a classic tale, and a great movie. 4 out of 5. (Avoid the re-release as it has been heavily edited to 'correct' this outstanding film. I'm glad I still own the original theatrical release.)

Summary: A group of Earth children help a stranded alien botanist return home.

Genre: Drama

Year: 1987

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, Will Patton, Howard Duff

Director: Roger Donaldson

My Review: An outstanding cast (Kevin Costner - playing Lt. Cmdr Tom Farrell), Gene Hackman (playing Def. Sec. David Brice), Sean Young (playing Susan Atwell), Will Patton (playing Scott Pritchard), and many others. Excellent acting by Costner and Hackman. The writing and direction were superb. The pacing and editing outstanding. As the story went on, the pace picked up, growing frenetic and urgent as the build up to the climax approached. The technical aspects of the movie were truly outstanding, as were the locations and sets. This movie was very well produced. The story: Lt. Cmdr Tom Farrell has just arrived in D.C. to take a post at the Pentagon. Soon after he arrives he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy of dramatic personal and national security consequences. What secret was covered up when Susan Atwell died? What secret may be revealed with the ensuing investigation? The hooks and twists are woven so tightly that you can't escape. As the noose draws tighter around the stunning climax the revelations pile up and the danger escalates. An amazing thriller, worthy of numerous repeat viewings. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: A coverup and witchhunt occur after a politician accidentally kills his mistress.

Genre: Crime

Year: 1981

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Sean Connery, Peter Boyle, Frances Sternhagen, James Sikking, Kika Markham

Director: Peter Hyams

My Review: Released in 1981, starring Sean Connery, written and directed by Peter Hyams. It's a western, it's a police thriller, it's a murder mystery, it's a sci-fi movie. It's a really good movie. Looking past the cheesy special effects, and low budget set decoration, you'll find Connery shining through in an excellent role. Set in a far distant future, Marshall W.T. O'Niel (played by Sean Connery) is new to this mining colony. Based on one of Jupiter's moons, the setting is quite interesting, and the lighting and camera work help to establish the claustrophobic angle quite well. The story is basically High Noon in outer space. When workers die under mysterious circumstances, Marhall O'Niel does his best to uncover some answers, what he finds is a mystery as old as mankind - Greed. This one gets a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Marshal W.T. O'Niel is assigned to a mining colony on Io, one of Jupiter's moons. During his tenure miners are dying - usually violently. When the marshal investigates he discovers the one thing all the deaths have in common is a lethal amphetamine-type drug, which allows the miners to work continuously for days at a time until they become "burned out" and expire. O'Niel follows the trail of the dealers, which leads to the man overseeing the colony. Now O'Niel must watch his back at every turn, as those who seek to protect their income begin targeting him...

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama

Year: 2010

Country: UK, France

Rating:

Starring: Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint, Rupert Everett, Eileen Atkins

Director: Jonathan Lynn

My Review: A very British comedy - Subtle, dark and a bit quirky. The dialog was tongue in cheek, crafty, humorous, cheeky… Definitely not laugh out loud funny. The cast was excellent - Bill Nighy (as Victor Maynard - the veteran Assassin), Emily Blunt (as Rose the thief), Rupert Grint (as Tony) and others. The movie is very stylish. The costumes, locations and sets are all quite attractive, well produced. The story - A veteran assassin finds that he cannot complete his mission… Uggh, not this plot again. Despite the incredibly stale plot, I found the direction, acting and production superior. The pacing, editing and camera work were outstanding. Too bad the story was crap. I give it a 3 out of 5 for all the reasons beyond the mediocre, predictable and utterly unoriginal plot.

Summary: Victor Maynard is a middle-aged, solitary assassin, who lives to please his formidable mother, despite his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency. His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, Rose. He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring in the process a young apprentice, Tony. Believing Victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to thwart the murderous attentions of his unhappy client.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 1987

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tung Thanh Tran, Chintara Sukapatana, Bruno Kirby

Director: Barry Levinson

My Review: Directed by Barry Levinson, starring Robin Williams and Forest Whitaker. This movie was a great comedy with just a touch of anti-war sentiment. Robin Williams is at his best in this comedy. Featuring material from much of his stand-up act, this movie fairly catapulted him into the area of acting. Williams plays an Air Force radio D.J. working at an Army run AFS (Armed Forces Saigon) radio station. His unorthodox style proves to be a huge morale booster, but his lack of military bearing grinds the gears of the Army managers at the station. Williams lampoons all things official, and does a great job of injecting humor into the 'Vietnam Conflict'. The movie isn't all comedy though, and there is definitely a serious and dramatic turn when his best friend turns out to be V.C. Adrian Cronaur sticks it to the man for every grunt in the trenches, but even his wacky wit can't save him from the realities of war. Not only was the Williams and Whitaker casting a master stroke, the writing was downright brilliant. Making fun of a controversial war is no easy task, but the Markowitz (writer) Levinson effort was excellent in every regard. Williams comedy was excellent. Whitaker's acting top-notch. I think this is the first movie I've ever seen him in. I was highly impressed. FYI: Did you know that the original script was penned by Adrian Cronaur, the actual D.J. played by Williams? I give this movie a 5 out of 5.

Summary: An unorthodox and irreverent DJ begins to shake up things when he is assigned to the US Armed Services Radio station in Vietnam.

Genre: Action

Year: 1979

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest, Sam Bottoms

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

My Review: Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece. Here is the uncompromising vision of war at it's worst. The chaos, the violence, the terribly bright tragic depiction of a war gone over the edge. The story: At the height of the Vietnam war Capt. Willard (played by Martin Sheen) is a 'special' forces officer recruited on a mission that officially 'does not exist - nor will it ever exist'; to enter Cambodia, seek out Col. Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando) and 'terminate' the Col. 'with extreme prejudice'. The Col. has gone off the reservation. He's crossed into Cambodia where he's set himself up as a god among the locals. His army is conducting hit and run missions against the NVA and Viet Cong. The powers that be believe that he's gone completely insane. They've designated him as a liability and want him eliminated. The acting, editing, locations, pacing, direction. Everything was done just right. Combine the perfect production with an outstanding script and dreamy dialog - 'Smells like victory'. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: Based on Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness, this is a controversial addition to the multitude of Vietnam war movies in existence. We follow Captain Willard on his mission into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade Green Beret who has set himself up as a God among a local tribe. Notes taken by Coppola's wife have recently been used to create "Hearts Of Darkness" - a fascinating and revealing account of the making of this movie.

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell

Director: James Wan

My Review: An excellent independent horror flick. Excellent direction and effects. The editing, pacing and camera work were all well done. This movie manages to make excellent use of makeup and costumes while reserving the digital effects for a few shots. The cast did a good job of acting, and the writing didn't stoop to excessive violence or gore in order to keep you scared. The story: Something is haunting a middle class family who just moved into their new suburban dream home. Combined with a sick child, the hauntings are quite distressing and this family is truly on the edge. They call in a team of 'ghostbusters' and the stakes go up. The story wasn't 100% original, but this movie is definitely worth watching. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: A gripping story of a family in search of help for their son, Dalton, who fell into a mysterious coma on one ordinary morning. Little do they know that there is much more to this endless sleep than meets the eye as they explore the paranormal, and rediscover the past; the key to getting their son back once and for all.

Genre: Action

Year: 1986

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, Forest Whitaker, Francesco Quinn

Director: Oliver Stone

My Review: An excellent cast - Tom Berenger (playing Sgt. Barnes), Willem Dafoe (as Sgt. Elias), Charlie Sheen (as Pvt. Chris Taylor), Forest Whitaker (Big Harold), Francesco Quinn (Rhah), Keith David (King), Johnny Depp, Kevin Dillon, and many others. Written and directed by Oliver Stone, this movie is a choreographed piece of violent Vietnam War chaos. It's an auto-biographical chronicle of one man's Vietnam experience. Pvt. Taylor is relatively new recruit, a naive volunteer who thought he could 'make a difference' in Vietnam. Assigned to Bravo company, Taylor becomes witness to the atrocities, terror and madness that is the Vietnam 'Conflict'. Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe are outstanding in their roles as the good and bad soldiers. The movie coalesces around these two soldiers as everyone struggles to survive the crescendo of war as it rains down all around them. An excellent duality of man movie. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: A young recruit in Vietnam faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

Genre: Sci-Fi

Year: 1984

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis

Director: Ivan Reitman

My Review: A classic comedy from the 80's. I own this one. The more I watch it, the more I realize the comic genius of Bill Murray. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Sigourney Weaver (after Alien), Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis. Sure the 'special effects' were crap. The costumes, make-up and hair were attrocious (it was the 80's). Yeah it was corny. But oh my god, the lines! Very funny writing by Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis. Akroyd's enthusiasm played against Murray's sedate comic come-ons quite well. The story was preposterous, but it was original. That, and the comic mastery of Bill Murray made this movie a gem to watch. Murray can get a smile by simply starring at a fellow actor. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: Three unemployed parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

Genre: Drama

Year: 1980

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino, Ron O'Neal

Director: Don Taylor

My Review: A classic military drama. An excellent time travel story. A modern (for the early 80s) American nuclear powered aircraft carrier is time-warped back to 1941, just in time to prevent the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Plenty of moral dilemmas, lots of drama, the acting was pretty good, and the story excellent. Unfortunately, the special effects weren't all that good, and the editing wasn't so good. The movie stars Kirk Douglas, Katharine Ross, and Martin Sheen. The best part of the movie is the setting and shots of military hardware. Parts of the movie are shot in or around the various Naval Air Stations, and onboard the USS Nimitz. The ending may put off some of todays audiences, but I thought it was well handled. I give this movie a 3 out of 5. Remake candidate?

Summary: A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.