Genre: Action

Year: 1987

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Tom Berenger, Mimi Rogers, Lorraine Bracco, Jerry Orbach, John Rubinstein

Director: Ridley Scott

My Review: Someone to watch over me is a dramatic thriller directed by Ridley Scott. While the direction was very good, the writing was lackluster and the acting sub-par. The story: (spoiler) Wealthy upper-class trophy wife (Clair Gregory - played by Mimi Rogers?) witnesses a murder. Unfortunately for her, the murderer is a well connected criminal (Joey Venza - Played by Andreas Katsulas?). The police assign protection - a 'bodyguard'. The bodyguard (Mike Keegan - played by Tom Berenger) is married, but falls in love with the victim. There are threats on Clair's life. That brings plenty of action into the movie. There's plenty of social tension as the bodyguard's family life implodes. Unfortunately, the story lacks any twists or unexpected turns. Tom Berenger was the only actor worth noting, and his range isn't all that great. If it wasn't for the direction, this would have been an amazing dud. The editing and pacing created excellent flow and tension. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: In Queens, Mike Keegan is celebrating with his wife Ellie, his son Tommy and friends his recent promotion to detective in a precinct in Manhattan. Meanwhile, in a fancy club, the socialite Claire Gregory witnesses the murder of the owner of the place by the powerful mobster Joey Venza. Mike is assigned to protect her in the night shift in her apartment in Manhattan. When Venza threatens Claire, the contact of Mike with Claire gets closer and conflicts him, dividing between the love for his family and the heat passion for Claire and the fascination for her world.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Will Ferrell, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Rebecca Hall, Michael Peña, Rosalie Michaels

Director: Dan Rush

My Review: Written and directed by Dan Rush (his first hollywood release), this movie provides Will Ferrel with the opportunity to grow and show us his ability to act out of type. The writing was good, but a bit common. The story: Nick Halsey (played by Will Ferrel) is having a bad day. Fired from his job, he returns home to find his wife has left him, locked him out of the house, and thrown all his stuff out onto the front lawn. The bad news only starts there, things only get better after Nick manages with great effort to reassess his personal priorities and makes some changes. Everything must go is a subtle character based drama which manages to provide fully developed characters without resorting to typical cliches. There's plenty of heart and some humor in this movie, but it's no comedy. A serious drama with some good acting by all involved. If this is his first effort, Dan Rush is going to do well in this business. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: After Nick is fired from his sales job, mostly because of his penchant for alcohol, he comes home and finds that his wife has kicked him and all of his stuff out of the house and onto the front lawn. He is pretty intent on just sitting in his chair, drinking beer, on the lawn. His cop friend, Frank Garcia, thinks he should at least pretend to have a yard sale to make it legal. He slowly starts making friends with a neighborhood kid who needs something to do, and a pregnant wife who has just moved in across the street, and Nick finds himself moving on and selling all his stuff.

Genre: Biography, Drama

Year: 2001

Country: Germany

Rating:

Starring: Juliane Köhler, Merab Ninidze, Sidede Onyulo, Matthias Habich, Lea Kurka

Director: Caroline Link

My Review: Nowhere in Africa won 'Best Foreign Film' at the 2003 Academy Awards. It's an amazing film about racism, nazism, africa, cultural differences and tolerance. The story: Based on an autobiography, here is the true story of a German Jewish family that left Germany before the Nazis began their reign of terror. The Redlich family (Mother: Jettel - Played by Juliane Kohler), (Father: Walter - Played by Merab Ninidze), (Daughter: Regina - The younger played by Lea Kurka, the older played by Caroline Eckertz) become tenant farmers to British land owners in Kenya during the 1930s and 40s. The movie is full of powerful yet subtle examples of racism, nationalism, religious bigotry and all manner of social issues. The movie isn't a simple morality play of good vs evil. It's far more complex, subtle and powerful. An outstanding social drama that one must watch several times to fully understand all the layers of social interaction and cultural examination. The acting was excellent, the locations and cinematography splendid, but it's the amazing writing and superb direction that push this movie beyond entertainment. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: A Jewish family in Germany emigrate short before the Second World War. They move to Kenya to start running a farm, but not all members of the family come to an arrangement with their new life. Shortly after their departure, things are changing in Germany very quickly, and a turning back seems impossible. So everyone has to arrange himself with the new life in a new continent.

Genre: Action

Year: 2000

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Meg Ryan, Russell Crowe, David Morse, Pamela Reed, David Caruso

Director: Taylor Hackford

My Review: A well structured action/drama movie starring Meg Ryan, Russel Crowe, David Morse, David Carus, Pamela Reed, and others. The acting was fair, and the cast well balanced to their talents. Let's focus on the other aspects of this movie since the acting wasn't all that strong. The story is a politically motivated kidnapping in South/Central America. An engineer working for big oil is kidnapped by rebels and ransom is demanded. Russel Crowe plays the high stakes insurance K&R (Kidnap and Ransom) representative. Working to pay the ransom, all manner of plot twists threaten to derail the plot, but the writing manages to keep them tied to the central story. The camera work, locations and cinematography was fantastic. The action is well done with plenty of suspense and tension. I give this movie a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Alice hires a professional negotiator to obtain the release of her engineer husband, who has been kidnapped by anti-government guerrillas in South America.

Genre: Film-Noir

Year: 1941

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre, Barton MacLane

Director: John Huston

My Review: The Maltese Falcon was nominated for three academy awards in 1942. It's a classic film-noir detective story starring Humphrey Bogart as private eye Sam Spade, Mary Astor as Miss Wonderly, and an outstanding supporting cast. The story: Ms. Wonderly comes to Sam Spade seeking protection from a man named Thursby, but that's just the tip of the iceberg in this twisted story of deception and double-crosses. While I love this movie, the story requires far more attention than one should have to spend on a movie. The characters are well developed and the acting is quite good. Sam Spade is a fast talking detective with a no-nonsense attitude when it comes to the ladies. His office becomes crime central in this twisted tale of the missing idol. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Sam Spade, a private detective, gets involved in a murderous hunt for a valuable statuette.

Genre: Action

Year: 1987

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Nouri, Claudia Christian, Clarence Felder, Clu Gulager

Director: Jack Sholder

My Review: This thrilling crime drama features a fantastic sci-fi slant. (Spoiler) When an alien ends up on Earth, it goes on a rampage. Bank robbery, murder, fast cars, loud music and loose women are all it wants. While this wacko, looking like any ordinary joe (or jane), engages in his lustful rampage of wanton acquisition and discard (reeking of consumerism and a corrupted version of the disposable 'me first' ethic), another alien (played by Kyle MacLachlan) hooks up with a top-notch LA police detective (Michael Nouri) in order to stop this murderous mutant. As our two protagonists go on the hunt for this amoral killer, the alien is on a bloodthirsty rampage. We soon discover the true nature of the alien. A slug like beastie that inhabits human bodies like some bloated parasite. Once it wriggles into it's victim's body - by way of the mouth, it takes them over completely. Wearing the new victim like a trench coat, the rampage continues. While we get some insight into the quirky but law-abiding alien (MacLachlan (Paul Usul Muad'Dib Atreides from the original Dune), the ultra-violent amoral alien remains quite the mystery. As MacLachlan and Nouri get closer to their quarry, it begins to look for a more powerful victim to 'wear'. Ultimately, it sets it's sights on a powerful political figure, and the stakes are raised dramatically. This sci-fi action flick moves forward in fifth gear. The fast cars, hot chicks, and loud music complement the pacing perfectly, and the story keeps you watching all the way through to the flaming hot ending. 5 out of 5.

Summary: An alien is on the run in America. To get his kicks, it kills anything that gets in its way, and uses the body as a new hiding place. This alien has a goal in life; power. Hotly pursued by another alien (who's borrowed the body of a dead FBI agent), lots of innocent people die in the chase.

Genre: Adventure, Drama, War

Year: 2009

Country: USA, Germany

Rating:

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender

Director: Quentin Tarantino

My Review: A Quentin Tarantino movie. Not to be confused with 'Inglorious Bastards' (note spelling), here's an original script (written by Tarantino) and another hit from Tarantino. The plot - It's WWII, and the allies are behind enemy lines in occupied France. Brad Pitt leads a group of American Jews in missions to de-moralize the Nazis. His gang of 'Basterds' pull no punches in their persecution of the enemy, and their reputation precedes them. They soon become involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler and the entire high-command in a single audacious mission that's sure to fail! Mix in some rather nasty Nazis, some tongue-in-cheek humor, and a few knock out gorgeous gals, and you've got a sure-fire recipe for a block buster. Aside from the signature Tarantino violence (I had to turn my head away at one point - Somewhat reminiscent of 'Irreversible'), I was quite entertained by this movie. Unfortunately, the second time watching this movie I was further appalled by the violence. So bad it made me downgrade the movie from 5 to 4 in my rating. The pacing was quick, the direction superb, the acting outstanding, and the dialogue fantastic. The camera work, sets and props were technically perfect and period precise. What really impressed me most was the writing. In particular the ending. I really didn't see that coming. This one is definitely worthy of a re-watch or two. Well, maybe three. I rate it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: In Nazi occupied France, young Jewish refugee Shosanna Dreyfus witnesses the slaughter of her family by Colonel Hans Landa. Narrowly escaping with her life, she plots her revenge several years later when German war hero Fredrick Zoller takes a rapid interest in her and arranges an illustrious movie premiere at the theater she now runs. With the promise of every major Nazi officer in attendance, the event catches the attention of the "Basterds", a group of Jewish-American guerilla soldiers led by the ruthless Lt. Aldo Raine. As the relentless executioners advance and the conspiring young girl's plans are set in motion, their paths will cross for a fateful evening that will shake the very annals of history.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 1985

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Andree Maranda, Mitch Cohen, Jennifer Prichard, Cindy Manion, Robert Prichard

Director: Michael Herz, Lloyd Kaufman

My Review: Produced by Troma films, this movie was the one hit that kept the company solvent during the 80s. A campy cult classic that still manages to get a few laughs, despite its age and low production value. Filled with b-grade actors and porn stars, this tongue-in-cheek spoof turns toxic chic. Story: Melvin the janitor is a total dweeb in a health club full of meatheads. When one prank too many ends up with Melvin dipped in toxic goo, New Jersey's first superhero is born. Filled with satire, outrageous over-the-top acting, nudity, and low budget special effects (The make-up and stunts were well done); this movie manages to make you laugh with it's preposterous characters, excellent pacing, and zany story. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: This is the story of Melvin, the Tromaville Health Club mop boy, who inadvertently and naively trusts the hedonistic, contemptuous and vain health club members, to the point of accidentally ending up in a vat of toxic waste. The devastating results then have a transmogrification effect, his alter ego is released, and the Toxic Avenger is born, to deadly and comical results. The local mop boy is now the local Superhero, the saviour of corruption, thuggish bullies and indifference. Troma classic with good make-up effects and stunts, a pleasant surprise indeed.

Genre: Drama, Romance

Year: 1959

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Hope Lange, Stephen Boyd, Suzy Parker, Martha Hyer, Diane Baker

Director: Jean Negulesco

My Review: Based on a best selling novel by Rona Jaffe. This movie is clearly inspiration (in part) for the television series 'Mad Men'. Here is a soap opera, a melodramatic characterization of New York's publishing business in the late 50s. The characters are polarized. The women (with one exception) are cast as pure, innocent, ambitious, optimistic and naive. The men are cast as cads, abusers, users and self-indulgent playboys. The cast was full of good looking actors but few good actors (Joan Crawford and Brian Ahearn. The women all beautiful, the men all handsome. The camera work was just as beautiful as the cast. Outstanding cinematography captures New York in the late 50s. The editing was gracious enough to allow some long shots and great location pieces. The color was excellent as was the sound production and a rather dated score. While the story focuses on the lives of these secretaries and publishing professionals, I focused on the excellent production. The story was a simple recollection of three girls who thought to make it big in the big city. Tragedy besets all the characters, and the man-hatting focus really bummed me out. Despite the slanted character work, I did enjoy the other aspects of the movie. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: With her unofficial fiancé Eddie Harris studying in England for a year, Radcliffe educated Caroline Bender decides to get her first ever job as a secretary at Manhattan located Fabian Publishing, which offers its employees "the best of everything". There, she finds her story is somewhat similar to all the other secretaries, who are biding their time in the secretarial pool either before getting married - to a current or future beau - or moving on to their dream job. In the latter category is aspiring actress Gregg Adams, who with fellow secretary, the naive and inexperienced April Morrison, become Caroline's new roommates. Caroline also finds that as a secretary to the editors, she has to learn the special needs and foibles of each. They include the "witch" Amanda Farrow whose demanding exterior masks a truly lonely woman, the aging Lothario Fred Shalimar, and the understanding Mike Rice...

Genre: Comedy

Year: 1985

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, David Gale, Robert Sampson

Director: Stuart Gordon

My Review: Based upon an H.P. Lovecraft story, here is an excellent horror story - Re-Animation of the dead! One Herbert West (played by Jeffrey Combs) returns to the states after his studies in Switzerland come to a tragic end. He enlists Dan Cain (played by Bruce Abbott), a medical student in his insane scheme to resurrect the dead. The acting and direction (by Stuart Gordon - also directed From Beyond, The Pit and The Pendulum, Dagon) really bring this movie to 'life'. The visuals, dialogue, special effects and make-up were outstanding. The music (by Richard Band) was truly creepy, and the pacing excellent. The humor in this movie is far outweighed by the sheer terror and horror of the last 20 minutes. I give this over the top horror movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: A dedicated student at a medical college and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue when an odd new student arrives on campus.