Genre: Horror

Year: 1987

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

My Review: An excellent twist on the Vampire genre. Here is a great cast; Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein (all from the movie Aliens), Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, and others, in a movie co-written and directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Directed Point Break, Strange Days, The Hurt Locker). The story starts when Caleb (A naive midwestern farm boy) falls for the beautiful but fateful Mae (A seductive vampire). After Mae 'Nips' Caleb, he joins her vampire 'family' and the fun begins. Caleb is sucked into a world of dark mayhem and murder where he is forced to kill the innocent or die a hellish death. The movie places these vampires in a modern day setting, preying upon the witless, curious, luckless misfits of our society. The direction wasn't very good, but the supporting cast (Henriksen, Paxton, Goldstein) was excellent. The music helped and the editing was quite good. Well paced and well produced, this movie rates a 4 out of 5 in my book.

Summary: A mid-western farm boy reluctantly becomes a member of the undead when a girl he meets turns out to be part of a band of southern vampires who roam the highways in stolen cars. Part of his initiation includes a bloody assault on a hick bar.

Genre: Crime

Year: 1987

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Debra Winger, Theresa Russell, Sami Frey, Dennis Hopper, Nicol Williamson

Director: Bob Rafelson

My Review: An outstanding thriller featuring two strong female leads. Debra Winger plays Alexandra Barnes, an obsessed federal investigator and Theresa Russell, playing Catherine, the 'Black Widow'. Catherine is a cold hearted woman who marries rich men, then murders her mates for their money. She's a cold, calculating murderer with a penchant for the finer things in life. Debra is a dedicated investigator working for the Justice Department. When she discovers a possible case, she just won't give up. Her dedication to duty turns deadly when she gets involved with the next victim. An excellent drama, mystery and thriller where the tables turn more than once. The story certainly keeps you on your toes, even if you know who's who, you really don't know who's playing who in this fantastic movie. Expertly directed, but a little too clinical. Great editing and pacing. I give it a 4 of 5.

Summary: A federal investigator tracks down a gold digging woman who moves from husband to husband, kills them and collects the inheritance.

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year: 2011

Country: USA, Canada

Rating:

Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Ulrich Thomsen, Eric Christian Olsen, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

My Review: Another 'remake'; in this case it's a prequel, with the same name as the original. Unfortunately, this movie, like so many recent efforts at 'horror' fails to use the greatest element of any true horror movie - Tension. The element of suspense, the tension between the human characters was the best part about the 'John Carpenter' version. While there's plenty of cgi and visual effects in this movie, it's the drama, the suspense, the character development that I found severely lacking. This prequel sets the movie in Antarctica, where a group of Norwegian scientists have discovered an alien ship frozen deep under the surface of an ice flow. Soon afterwards they discover the remains of the alien ship's pilot… The story is great, but it's totally derived from the John Carpenter version, and there's very little surprise in this prequel. The lead character is a female American xenobiologist recruited to help with the examination of the alien specimen. I liked the fact that they used a female lead; it helps differentiate this prequel from the original. Unfortunately, her acting wasn't as strong as the character role she was set to portray. I liked the fact that this was a prequel, as opposed to a true remake. Trying to compete with the John Carpenter classic would have been a disaster. The camera work was o.k. The cgi and visual effects were outstanding, but the action outweighed the drama and made this movie into something more akin to 'Transformers' than the classic John Carpenter tale of terrifying suspense and alien terror in the frozen landscape of Antarctica. I liked the movie, liked the special effects (many of the creature scenes were done without cgi, and those were the best ones) but it certainly doesn't compete with the John Carpenter version. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson. While Dr. Halvorson keeps to his research, Kate partners with Sam Carter, a helicopter pilot, to pursue the alien life form.

Genre: Action

Year: 1977

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Edward Fox

Director: Richard Attenborough

My Review: An epic WWII drama, featuring some rather intense combat scenes and a huge all-star cast (Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Edward Fox, Elliot Gould, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Hardy Kruger, Laurence Olivier, Ryan O'Neal, Robert Redford, Maximilian Schell, Liv Ullmann and many others. Directed by Richard Attenborough this epic focuses on 'Operation Market Garden' a failed attempt by the Allies to seize control of key bridges in Holland, break through the German lines, and end the war in one decisive campaign. It's heroic and historically accurate (as much so as a theatrical production can be), but it certainly isn't a pro-war movie. There is very little glorification of violence or praise for the victors in this sobering and bloody tale. The movie does an excellent job of revealing the planning, strategy and tactics involved in an operation of this size. At the same time, the characters are driven, focused, yet human. The pacing is slow and drawn out (2 hours 56 minutes), but the editing and direction keep your interest piqued. The camera work (all shot on location) was amazing. The lighting, sound and color exceptional. Extremely well produced. Thankfully it places the focus where it belongs, on the British efforts in this endeavor (followed by the Americans and a Polish contingent). Market Garden was a British operation, and it was British troops that suffered the worst part of this defeat. Yes - Defeat. Here's a slice of real-politic. Not every Allied battle was successful. They didn't simply stroll into Berlin. There were many hard fought battles, but contrary to popular opinion or the history books in a typical American high school - We didn't win every battle. Shooting this picture on location was a stroke of genius. The level of realism and detail is stunning. An excellent score carries the movie through all three hours. In the end, I have no choice in rating this movie anything less than 5 out of 5.

Summary: An historic telling of the failed attempt to capture several bridges to Germany in World War II in a campaign called Operation Market-Garden.

Genre: Fantasy

Year: 1977

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbett, John Le Mesurier, Warren Mitchell, Max Wall

Director: Terry Gilliam

My Review: Terry Gilliam's directorial debut. Starring Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbett, John Le Mesurier, Warren Mitchell, Max Wall and a few others. This low budget production ($500,000.00 budget) was a charming bit of 'Pythonesque' humor. After repeated viewings, this movie gets better and better. An unappreciated, and somewhat rare Monty Python film. The writing is excellent, but the production value very low. Stocked with the traditional Monty Python visuals, the story is a great black comedy in the style of this famous troupe. Dennis is a Cooper's son, away from home on his first adventure. While Dennis encounters all manner of characters on his quest, he keeps his true love, 'Griselda Fishfinger' close to his heart, and hopes to one day win her approval and her hand in marriage. While he has no aspirations for fame or glory, he's thrust into the spotlight when he is unwittingly cast as hero and forced to hunt down a legendary dragon - The Jabberwocky! (based upon the Lewis Carroll poem). A medieval tale of chivalry and frivolity. I give it a 4 out of 5. If you're not a fan of Monty Python, you may not rate this movie quite so highly.

Summary: After the death of his father the young cooper 'Dennis Cooper' goes to town where he has to pass several adventures. The town and the whole kingdom is threatened by a terrible monster called 'Jabberwocky'. Will Dennis make his fortune? Is anyone brave enough to defeat the monster? A medieval tale with Pythonesque humour.

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Fantasy

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett

Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

My Review: Awesome. I loved it. The humor was subtle, adult enough to make me smile. The characters adorable. The pacing perfect, the editing outstanding. The direction and voice talent undeniable. The story - Gru the super villain vs Vector the new kid on the block do battle for the title of most 'Despicable'. Gru has a plan destined to earn him the title of criminal mastermind of the 21st century. Unfortunately, Vector isn't about to let the veteran stand in his way. The two do battle in a 'Spy vs Spy' match of who can pull off the heist of the century. When Gru decides to use cute adorable orphans to further his plans, he soon find that they become his biggest mistake and greatest triumph, as heart wins out in this truly amazing animated feature from Universal studios. Steve Carell is spectacular as Gru, and the supporting cast equally impressive. Without any kids of my own, I can only imagine how big this hit will be with families. I found it captivating, charming, heart warming and humorous. I give it top billing. 5 out of 5.

Summary: In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru, planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. (Yes, the moon!) Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.

Genre: Horror

Year: 1987

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman, Oliver Smith

Director: Clive Barker

My Review: Clive Barker's directorial debut. A fantastic horror flick, written and directed by Clive Barker. Starring Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman, Oliver Smith and others. In this movie, a couple moves into a family homestead where the cheating wife encounters the undead remains of a former lover. Murderous human sacrifices restore his flesh, but nothing can abate the evil that follows him. A graphic movie, that crawls across the surface of your soul like some sickening disease, peeling away your humanity, bit by bit… Excellent pacing, suspense and special effects. The acting by Ashley Laurence was excellent, but the supporting cast was only fair. The acting wasn't the star of this movie. The writing, direction and editing were all excellent. The surreal, sado-masochistic imagery of the Cenobites made this original horror flick a classic that spawned several sequels and a mythos of 'Cthulu-like' proportions. I give this movie a 5 out of 5.

Summary: An unfaithful wife encounters the zombie of her dead lover, who's being chased by demons after he tampered with one of their gateways to Hell.

Genre: Action

Year: 1984

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Jonathan Ke Quan, Amrish Puri, Roshan Seth

Director: Steven Spielberg

My Review: The second film in the George Lucas (Writting) / Steven Spielberg (Directing) Indiana Jones Trilogy. Harrison Ford reprises his role as Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, he takes two annoying co-stars along for the ride. Kate Capshaw as the annoying songbird, and Jonathan Ke Quan as the sidekick Short Round. In this sequel, Indiana rescues an Indian village and their children from slavery under the thumb of a cult of Kali worshipping thugs. Some of the best acting came from Amrish Puri playing Mola Ram the evil high priest. The music and costumes are great, and it makes for a fantastic action flick. Unfortunately, the limited story and over-acting drag the rating down to a 3 out of 5.

Summary: In India, Indiana Jones agrees to look for a village's lost magic stone and in doing so, stumbles on to a secret massive Thuggee cult.

Genre: Western

Year: 1956

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood

Director: John Ford

My Review: John Wayne stars in this outstanding John Ford (Directed by) movie. With excellent camera work, cinematography and locations, this movie presents the wild west in a sweeping epic spanning numerous years as two men (John Wayne as Ethan Edwards and Jeffrey Hunter as Martin Pawley) as they track down the notorious Comanche chief 'Scar'. Scar and his warriors murdered Ethan's entire family - except the young Debbie, who they took as a spoil of war. Ethan Edwards is a man possessed, filled with hatred and bitter memories, he's committed his soul to this obsessive quest. Will he recapture his missing niece (Natalie Wood playing Debbie), or kill her as his hatred for the Comanche blinds him to his family ties. Despite the excellent cinematography, superb direction and strong plot, the racist aspects of this movie left a bad taste in my social conscience. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.

Genre: Comedy, Family

Year: 1998

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Joseph Cross, Timothy Reifsnyder, Dana Delany, Denis Leary, Robert Loggia

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

My Review: Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this movie is his first Hollywood production. It's a movie about the mysteries of life as seen through the eyes of a 10 year old boy (Joshua - played by Joseph Cross). When Joshua's grandfather (Robert Loggia) dies he goes on a quest to find God. With some help from Sister Terry (played by Rosie O'Donnell) and his mates at the Waldron Academy (a Catholic all boys school), Joshua grapples with some difficult lessons in his life. A fine coming of age story with plenty of heart. Unfortunately, the pacing, editing and mediocre performances made this movie a slow and boring affair. I can't manage more than a 2 out of 5 for this first effort.

Summary: A fifth grader goes on a search for God after his grandfather dies. Along the way he gets into tons of trouble at Waldron Academy an all boys school. Also he is aided on his search by a sports loving nun.