Genre: Drama

Year: 1962

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury, Henry Silva

Director: John Frankenheimer

My Review: A classic cold-ware spy-thriller unlike any other. This movie is one of my absolute favorites. THe fact that this movie was only nominated for two Academy Awards is a tragedy. Screenplay by George Axelrod (and John Frankenheimer (uncredited)). Based on a novel by Richard Condon. This movie was directed by John Frankenheimer (one of my favorite directors: Birdman of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Seven Days in May, The Train, Seconds, The French Connection II, Black Sunday, Prophecy, The Holcroft Covenant, 52 Pick Up, The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), Reindeer Games, Ronin). The cast was outstanding: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury and others. The acting truly remarkable. The story - Major Ben Marco (played by Frank Sinatra) is having trouble sleeping. For some reasons, he's having nightmares about Raymond Shaw, 'The Kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life'. What disturbing secret haunts the members of Major Marco's squad? What happened that night when they went on patrol deep behind enemy lines on a cold night in North Korea? The movie is filled with Cold-War paranoia, conspiracy and political intrigue. An outstanding political thriller filled with allegory and suspense. Despite the fact that I've seen this movie a dozen times, I still find it thrilling, relevant, and shocking in many ways. Angela Lansbury was only three years older than Lawrence Harvey when she played his mother, yet she performed so flawlessly that no one would even think there was something amiss in her role. A masterful piece of art preserved in the National Film registry. The political satire and cutting commentary remains as fresh today as it did in 1962. The editing and cinematography are truly spectacular, the pacing and editing perfect, the direction a marvel. The movie remains one of my favorites to this day, and every time I watch it, I presume I've discovered another twist to this amazing spy thriller from the early 60s. 5 out of 5.

Summary: A group of American soldiers are captured and brainwashed into becoming sleeper agents.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Year: 2010

Country: New Zealand, UK

Rating:

Starring: Ray Winstone, Temuera Morrison, Gareth Reeves, Mark Mitchinson, Daniel Musgrove

Director: Ian Sharp

My Review: A western set in New Zealand, featuring a 'South African Boer', a disenfranchised Maori tribesman, and an honorable British commander. While the trappings are unique, the story is a time tested western featuring cowboys and indians. Ray Winstone plays Arjan; a guerrilla Boer retired from the fighting in South Africa. Temuera Morrison plays Kereama; a Maori warrior reduced to a shameful existence outside his tribal traditions. Gareth Reeves plays Maj. Pritchard Carlysle; a British officer forced to endure the dishonorable acts of a few soldiers. The only antagonist in the movie has a very minor role, and the protagonists are more threatened by their own moral inflexibility than any external forces. The cinematography and location shots (in New Zealand) are excellent, and the period work was well done. The acting was fair, and the direction pretty good. The only problems with this movie? The story wasn't new. It was dressed up with new characters and a fresh setting, but the movie was a simple western chase plot. It's been used and reused a thousand times before. The character motivations were a bit weak as well. The best part of this movie is the settings and the fresh take on a classic western chase. I give it a 3 of 5.

Summary: An Afrikaner veteran of the Boer War has just immigrated to New Zealand and is hired to track a man accused of killing a soldier. While hunting through the countryside he captures his fugitive, only to learn that he's innocent of the crime. When faced with the life changing decision to turn him in or set him free only one man will walk away alive.

Genre: Adventure

Year: 1949

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Burt Lancaster, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Peter Lorre, Corinne Calvet

Director: William Dieterle

My Review: 1949, black and white movie, starring Burt Lancaster, Paul Henreid, Claud Rains, Peter Lorre, Corinne Calvet, Sam Jaffe and more. The cast was outstanding, and the setting reminiscent of Casablanca. The story - Mike Davis (played by Burt Lancaster) is a game hunter in South Africa. He's on a hunt with a client who won't take no for an answer. In the middle of the night, this idiot takes off into the property owned by a gold mining consortium. Mike feels responsible for the client, tracks him into the harsh desert terrain and finds him clutching at a cache of gold. The white hunter dies moments later, and Mike makes haste to get out of this no-man's land before the security forces find him. It's too late… After he's captured, his life is altered irreparably. Tortured and expelled, he's found a way back. Back to that life he used to know. Why has he returned? To find the gold? Of course, why else would he bother to return to this inhospitable backwater town? As I mentioned earlier. The cast was excellent, but the story and direction were less than stellar. The classic suspense noir is well paced, and there are some good locations; but the story is tepid at best, the romance luke warm, and the ending anti-climatic. The best part of this movie is the cast and locations. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Two years ago, hunting guide Mike Davis was with a client who trespassed on diamond company land and found a rich lode; Paul Vogel, sadistic commandant of company police, beat Mike nearly to death but failed to learn the location. Now Mike is back in Diamantstad, South African desert, and manager Martingale has a better idea: he hires delectable adventuress Suzanne to ferret out Mike's secret. But she soon finds she's playing with fire.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Romance

Year: 2008

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Steve Zissis, Ross Partridge, Greta Gerwig, Elise Muller, Jett Garner

Director: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

My Review: An impressive effort for a low budget indie film co-written and co-directed by Jay and Mark Duplass (and John E. Bryant). Starring a junior cast of Ross Partridge, Steve Zissis, Greta Gerwig, Elise Muller and Jett Garner. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but this indie film was recommended by Netflix, so I gave it a try. Surprisingly it wasn't a drama or comedy (despite cover appearances). Two couples head off to a remote cabin for the weekend. Some hope to work on a script, some hope to relax, some hope to get it on. It starts of as an indie drama with a slight touch of humor. It turns to horror when the 'fictional' script they're working on becomes reality. The twist is poorly executed (low production value), but properly edited and timed. The relationships between the characters contributes to the otherwise simple plot. The transition to horror occurs quickly and seamlessly. The acting actually gets better as the story moves towards a satisfying conclusion that takes the story one step beyond a cookie cutter slasher flick. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Four struggling actors retreat to a cabin in Big Bear, California in order to write a screenplay that will make them all stars. Problem is: What happens when their story idea -- a horror flick about a group of friends tormented by a villain with a bag over his head -- starts to come true?

Genre: Fantasy

Year: 1998

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels

Director: Gary Ross

My Review: Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon play David and Jennifer; brother and sister from a typical 90s family. While feuding over a remote control the pair are magically transported into a 1950s sitcom. Stuck in the TV-Land town of 'Pleasantville' the pair soon find themselves involved in and the catalysts for a wave social change that totally changes the look of Pleasantville in many ways. The acting was fine - I still don't care for Tobey Maguire. His range of acting skill is limited to the performance seen in this movie. The writing in this movie was outstanding; as was the cinematography and color. Throughout the movie color is used to great effect. The 1950s world is depicted in black and white at first; as the characters become more liberated, the movie starts to turn to color to depict a liberation from the sitcom world that they're trapped in. While one character is content to leave the 50s as they are, and adapt his world to theirs, the other is rebellious and discontent. She insists on changing this world, adapting it to adopt her sensibilities. The two characters change and affect change in a circular motion. While one character starts out living a 1950s attitude, he slowly begins to embrace a more liberal view outlook on life. The other character starts out quite modern, but slowly comes to realize that some things are better when taken in moderation. The influences that the town has on the characters are mirrored by inverse changes that the characters have on the town. A very interesting and philosophical treatment in a movie that some might see as quite normal on its exterior. A story with multiple layers. The film is filled with numerous social issues. Racism, censorship, marital fidelity, sexuality, social norms, justice and more. An excellent film. The only problems were the slightly overt social agenda and Tobey Maguire's acting. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Two teenagers find themselves in a 1950's sitcom where their influence begins to profoundly change that complacent world.

Genre: Romance

Year: 1998

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams, Seymour Cassel, Brian Cox

Director: Wes Anderson

My Review: Jason Schwartzman plays Max Fischer a 15 year old kid who knows it all… Bill Murray plays Herman Blume, wealthy industrialist ready to change his life. Olivia Williams plays Rosemary Cross, the first grade teacher pursued by Max and Herman. The story is delightfully complicated social morass involving all three characters and their tender feelings. The story is a simple three way love affair, but the characters are highly evolved, critically detailed and extremely complex. The direction, dialog, and editing are masterful. Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson have crafted an intricate and thoughtful script. Direction by Wes Anderson was essential to the success of this psycho-drama where three generations converge. The cast makes the movie perfect. The acting is flawless and perfectly adapted to the characters. Seen primarily from Max's point of view, we are carried along on his adrenalin fueled journey of uncertainty, trepidation and bold embrace. The lies the friendships, the first blush of love, the quest for acceptance, knowledge and a place in the social order of his peers. Mas is desperately seeking to experience as much as he can. He's trying to catch up with something he doesn't quite understand - The ideal life is always out of reach, deceivingly easy to quantify, extremely difficult to posses. He constantly tests, pushes and probes. One of my favorite Wes Anderson films. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: The king of Rushmore prep school is put on academic probation.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2012

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Alan Alda, Malin Akerman

Director: David Wain

My Review: A comedy about the hard times we're living through. George and Linda (played by Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston) are a high powered couple living in the big Apple. Ensconced in their upward mobile lifestyle, they're caught completely off-guard when George looses his job and the rug of prosperity is pulled out from under their feet. With nowhere left to go they move in with Georges obnoxious brother. That lasts a whole 30 minutes and we find George and Linda back on the road, unsure what will happen next. They take refuge in the only place they feel safe. Elysium - A completely alien place; a free-loving, hippy-style commune, a utopian society? in upstate New York. The cast is outstanding. The acting great and the laughs well appreciated. The direction and editing well done. The only problem? The story is a bit derivative, and there's absolutely no surprises in the actions of the characters or the movies outcome. I enjoyed it. 3 out of 5.

Summary: After George is downsized from his financial firm and Linda's depressing documentary is cancelled, they can no longer afford their overpriced 'micro-loft' in New York. They find themselves with just one option - to pack up their lives and head south to move in with George's brother and his wife. George and Linda stumble upon Elysium, an idyllic community where the only rule is to be yourself.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 1995

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Adam Sandler, Darren McGavin, Bridgette Wilson, Bradley Whitford, Josh Mostel

Director: Tamra Davis

My Review: Adam Sandler plays Billy Madison, the spoiled son of a multi-millionaire. Billy's father is ready to retire from the family business (hotels), and he'd like to turn it over to his son, but the boy (now in his late 20s) is a complete dumb-ass. A goofball that always got by on his father's money and his stupid antics. A social retard that thinks all of life's a party for his personal entertainment. In order to take over the business and inherit Dad's money, Billy will have to prove that he can handle the responsibility of running the hotel business. How's he gonna do that? Well, it certainly won't be easy; he's got 24 weeks to prove that he can do it… Billy's going back to school; all 12 grades, with two weeks per grade. He has to pass all 12 grades of school in 24 weeks, or else the family business gets turned over to Bradley Whitford (played by Eric Gordon); one of Dad's executive officers. Passing 12 grades in 24 weeks is tough enough, but Billy's got some competition. The weaselly Whitford does his best to derail Billy's efforts, and Billy's grade school romance, with smoking hot Veronica Vaughn (played by Bridgette Wilson-Sampras), threatens to take his mind off the task at hand. If you like the 'Stupid Funny' comedies like 'Dumb & Dumber' you'll enjoy this one. If you can't stand the juvenile antics of grown-ups pretending to be 'Stupid', you'll hate this movie. I guess I fall somewhere in between. I liked parts of the movie, and hated other parts. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: In order to inherit his fed up father's hotel empire, an immature and lazy man must repeat grades 1-12 all over again.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2011

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Christopher Gorham, Arielle Kebbel, Nelson Franklin, Evan Jones, Kip Pardue

Director: Christopher Farah

My Review: A coming of age movie set in Ann Arbor Michigan. Starring Cristopher Gorham as Paul Tarson (the trivia whiz/career college man), Arielle Kebbel (as the pixie like muse Naomi Nahar), Nelson Franklin as James Koogley (the buttoned down test preparer) and Evan Jones as Izzy 'Ice' Dasselway (the wild man accountant?). The movie was written and directed by Christopher Farah (Funny Or Die contributor/producer/author - This is his first feature length film). I enjoyed the cast and characters, except for the character played by Cristopher Gorham (the main character). As I said earlier, its a coming of age movie. Unfortunately, it's a cookie cutter plot that follows the basic formula - Boy is down and stuck in a rut - Boy meets beautiful free spirited girl - Boy gets girl - Boy loses girl - Boy gets a clue and learns what life's all about. The story encompasses three themes; personal growth, young romance, pub trivia. Paul is great at the trivia of life. The small things. He sucks at the big picture and the tough questions, like what to do with his life. When life gets complicated, he decides to turn to trivia, where the most complicated questions are all answered in one round at his local pub. He never thought that this could lead him to a bigger answer. Once the characters are all introduced, the plot becomes quite transparent. A light-hearted and humorous way to spend a Sunday afternoon. If this effort is any indication, Christopher Farah has got a good career ahead of him. The characters were extremely well done, and I loved the settling/location, but he needs a bit more work on the depth of his stories. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: A brilliant trivia whiz, Paul Tarson (Christopher Gorham) is great at answering life's little questions, but horrible at answering the big ones. Now he and his friends will finally get a shot at beer, women and nerdy redemption when they enter the biggest challenge of their lives, a citywide pub trivia tournament. But when Paul falls for one of his students he'll find out that the little things are bigger than he bargained for and will have to make the biggest adult decision of his life!