Genre: Adventure

Year: 1986

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, River Phoenix, Conrad Roberts, Andre Gregory

Director: Peter Weir

My Review: Harrison Ford plays eccentric inventor Allie Fox. A man with a strong ego, an outgoing personality and a penchant for invention. Based upon a true story (novel by Paul Theroux), Allie gets fed up with the trappings and insanity of humanity. He takes his wife (Helen Mirren) and kids (River Phoenix and others) with him to Central America where he buys the town of Geronimo. There he creates his own Utopia. The locations were excellent, the story and direction outstanding, and the acting quite good. The movie feels very much like a Werner Herzog movie (Fitzcaraldo). An obsessed man of science battles the jungles of Central America. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: An eccentric and dogmatic inventor sells his house and takes his family to Central America to build an ice factory in the middle of the jungle. Conflicts with his family, a local preacher and with nature are only small obstacles to his obsession. Based upon a Paul Theroux novel.

Genre: Action

Year: 1989

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davies

Director: Steven Spielberg

My Review: Directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. Adventure is his middle name. As Harrison Ford reprises his role (in the third movie of the series) the audience is once again treated to a fantastic adventure featuring Nazis, religious artifacts, death defying feats and a perilous premise. As Indy searches for his missing father, the search soon becomes a quest for the Holy Grail. The two Jones' aren't the only ones searching for the grail though - Oh no - Not the Nazis too! Our favorite enemies of all mankind. If they get their hands on this religious artifact, who knows what havoc they could unleash upon the free world?! Indy and his father must do all they can in order to thwart the diabolical plans of the 'master race'. The action is fast paced, comedic and dramatic. With whip in hand, the felt hatted hero will surely save the day. I loved it back in '89, and it's still one of my favorite movies, and it remains so today. Excellent acting, pacing, sound and special effects. 5 of 5.

Summary: The daring archaeologist and his father search for the Holy Grail and fight the Nazis.

Genre: Drama

Year: 1997

Country: France

Rating:

Starring: Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes

Director: Oliver Stone

My Review: Starring Sean Penn (as Down on his luck - Bobby Cooper), Billy Bob Thornton (as the Demonic grease monkey - Darrell), Jennifer Lopez (as the smoking hot damaged goods - Grace McKenna), Powers Booth (as the small town sheriff - Sheriff Potter), Nick Nolte (as the small town tyrant - Jake McKenna), Jon Voight (as the blind indian who sees it all), Joaquin Phoenix (as the explosive - Toby N. Tucker), Claire Danes (as the jail bait tease - Jenny) and more. The cast and performances were outstanding. The characters stereotypes, but perfectly directed. Written (book and screenplay) by John Ridley and Directed by Oliver Stone, this movie is a outstanding piece of entertainment. Bobby is on the run from his latest mistake. His car breaks down in the middle of the desert. With nowhere left to turn he pulls into the town of Superior, Arizona. That's where he's tested. God has decided to test his resolve, his faith, his trust in mankind, love and his hope for a brighter future. The story is a dark gem, cut to perfection in the hands of Ridley (writer) and Stone (director). The town is infected with a particular kind of people. The desperate residents of Superior are symbols of pain, passion, love, redemption, opportunity and hate. Many of the Oliver Stone trademarks are present in the film. The camera work and editing; time lapse, flashbacks, cutaway shots, double exposures, lens flaring, wide angle lens work, the super-saturated dramatic characters, The movie is rich with atmosphere and graphic depictions of violence and sexuality. The violence is depicted in a very realistic manner, and I found parts of it disturbing. The ending while dark is perfectly executed. 4 out of 5.

Summary: A drifter (Penn) becomes entangled with a femme fatale (Lopez) and her husband (Nolte) after his car breaks down in their small Southwest town.

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime

Year: 2011

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick

Director: Brett Ratner

My Review: This movie had one thing I liked, the cast. Starring Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Téa Leoni, Alan Alda (as the heavy?) and others. Unfortunately, the laughs were mediocre, and the acting stale. Seeing Eddie Murphy was refreshing on one hand, and disappointing on another. His character was the same one he always does. The story was a linear and predictable plot where a bad guy (Alan Alda?) steals the pension fund money of a group of hotel employees. The employees decide to get their own justice. They concoct a plan to steal back their share of his hidden 'emergency stash'. The plot and dialog were highly predictable. No surprises whatsoever. I didn't hate it, but then again… Why did I pay (AppleTV rental) to see this movie? Oh yeah, Kim picked it. In all honesty, it was in my Netflix queue; and the disc is on it's way to my house now. My mistake. 2 out of 5.

Summary: Josh Kovacs is the manager of a residential apartment in New York. He is close to all the tenants, especially Arthur Shaw, a financier. One day Shaw is arrested by the FBI for fraud. Josh thinks it's a misunderstanding that can be resolved. But later he learns that the employees' pension which he asked Shaw to handle is gone. When one of the employees tries to kill himself, Josh's views of Shaw change. He goes to see him and loses his temper. He loses his job. The FBI agent in charge of Shaw tells him that Shaw might walk and recovering the pension fund is unlikely. She tells him that it's been rumored that Shaw has 20 million laying around if he needs. Josh thinks he knows where it is. So with two other employees who also lost their jobs and an evicted tenant, they set out to get into Shaw's penthouse to get the money. But they realise they need the assistance of someone who knows what they are doing...

Genre: Thriller

Year: 1987

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Michael Caine, James Fox, Nigel Havers, John Gielgud, Felicity Dean

Director: Simon Langton

My Review: A cold war drama starring Michael Caine (as Frank Jones a decorated, retired, British military veteran ), Nigel Havers (as Robert Jones), John Gielgud (as Sire Adrian Chapple) and many others. Directed by Simon Langton, this movie is based on a novel (of the same name) by John Hale, the story tells a tale of espionage inside British spy central. When his son's death is ruled suicide, Frank is a bit skeptical. Months earlier he'd had a conversation with his son. He was planning to leave the service (he was a Russian linguist working for the British spy agency), he told his father about the agencies fears over a Russian spy in their midst, and he was planning to marry a women he'd fallen in love with. Suicide simply wasn't in the cards… As Frank undertakes his quest to find the truth, he becomes increasingly convinced that murder has been perpetrated. Covert operations are threatening him and British intelligence. Can Frank uncover the mole before he's the next unfortunate suicide? Very believable cold war thriller with an authentic feeling atmosphere. Michael Caine's acting was excellent, but the direction and editing weren't so good. Deception, paranoia and deadly consequences, The Whistle Blower gets a 4 out of 5.

Summary: A war veteran tries to investigate the murder of his son who was working as a Russian translator for the British intelligence service during the Cold War. He meets a web of deception and paranoia that seems impenetrable...

Genre: Crime

Year: 1987

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Tamara Tunie, Franklin Cover, Chuck Pfeiffer, John C. McGinley

Director: Oliver Stone

My Review: Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko was truly memorable. The character epitomized the era in which this movie is set. It's the early 80s and Bud Fox (played by Charlie Sheen) is a young stock broker, obsessed with the dream of wealth and power in an era of greed and ruthless, high-stakes, business deals. When Bud manages to fall under the spell of Gordon Gekko he learns all about the 'good life'. Fast women, fast money, loose morals and a compass gone astray from his blue collar upbringing (by his father Carl Fox, played by Martin Sheen). The casting was excellent (except for Daryl Hannah, who's acting was horrid) and the characters well motivated. The direction by Oliver Stone was perfect. The pacing was quite good and the world of wall street created a palpable reality of martini dinners and back room deals that held me rapt in the glow of this morality play filled with lessons of excess and dramatic consequences. This movie captured much of the 80s ethic, it's hopes, dreams and consequences. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: A young and impatient stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top.

Genre: Fantasy

Year: 1983

Country: Canada

Rating:

Starring: James Woods, Sonja Smits, Deborah Harry, Peter Dvorsky, Leslie Carlson

Director: David Cronenberg

My Review: David Cronenberg (writer and director) is a genius. He's definitely very high on my list of Directors. He's created a mind-bending assortment of truly expressive films (Shivers, Scanners, The Dead Zone, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch, eXistenZ, Eastern Promises). Artwork in celluloid. His efforts are fresh, impressionable and memorable. Here's another gem in his crown. A sci-fi prophecy that foretells the power and influence of television programming. It's penetrating influence, it's corrupting power, it's amazing reach. In this movie, James Woods is a TV executive looking for fresh new programming to feed to his sleazy late-night audience. Searching for the risqué, the cutting edge, the controversial, he stumbles upon a pirate signal. Something no one is supposed to see - Or is he? He soon becomes involved in a deep conspiracy where he's a key player. Despite his desperate efforts to control his destiny, he finds that he's been programmed as easily as his late night line up. The power of the signal is compelling, unstoppable and deadly. The movie is filled with bizarre, violent and erotic imagery, designed to stimulate, titillate and shock the viewer. If you enjoy Cronenberg movies, this is a must see. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: Max Renn runs a TV channel, and when looking for new material to show--he discovers "Videodrome." His girlfriend, Nicki Brand, goes to audition for the show, and Max gets drawn into the underlying plot that uses the show as its front for a global conspiracy.

Genre: Horror

Year: 1998

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz, James Gandolfini

Director: Gregory Hoblit

My Review: Excellent movie. Screenplay by Nicholas Kazan and directed by Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear). The casting was great: Denzel Washington plays Det. John Hobbes. John Goodman plays Jonesy, Hobbes' partner, Donald Sutherland plays their boss. This group of Philadeplhia homicide detectives do battle with a supernatural killer who can't be killed. The movie starts when a killer (Edgar Reese, played by Elias Koteas). We're immediately informed that this man is no ordinary killer. He can move by spirit from body to body. As the 'copycat' murders start to pile up, suspicion begins to shift to those intimately familiar with the case. While the cops are spinning their wheels, an increasingly supernatural mystery is revealed. It's a very compelling story, filled with plenty of good dialog and fair acting (balanced to the cast). The best acting (in my opinion) actually comes from John Goodman who provides a surprisingly even and understated performance. Narration throughout the movie provides vital hints and necessary exposition to some. The movie is a bit complicated but not very difficult to follow. More horror than violence. More mystery than drama. Excellent use of music in the plot. The premise is quite good, but the twists are just a bit too easy to spot. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style.

Genre: Crime

Year: 1986

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, William Allen Young

Director: Emilio Estevez

My Review: Not too bad. Starring Emilio Estevez (as John Wisdom) and Demi Moore (as Karen Simons). This movie was actually written (screenplay) and co-directed by Emilio Estevez. Emilio and Demi were quite young (both 25) when this movie was made. Their chemistry was quite good and they complemented each other perfectly (good casting). The story: John Wisdom is a convicted felon (stole a car when he as 18) who can't catch a break. Unable to find legitimate work, he takes to crime as a way to punish the system that forced him to crime in order to succeed. He and girlfriend Karen go on a cross-country crime spree. Burning bank records as they go, they soon become American heroes. It's light hearted, a bit comical, and a little bit dark. The villains are heroes and the story is very easy to follow. The soundtrack by Danny Elfman/Oingo Boingo is a bonus. The ending was excellent. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Unable to find work after a past felony, graduate John Wisdom and his girlfriend (Moore) embark on a cross-country bank-robbing spree in order to aid American farmers (Just call him Robin Hood).

Genre: Action

Year: 1998

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Gérard Depardieu, Gabriel Byrne

Director: Randall Wallace

My Review: I wasn't very happy with this movie. The Man in the Iron Mask is one of many movies (at least 14 movies) based upon the novels of Alexandre Dumas. The books/The final section of the novel 'The Vicomte de Bragelonne' was based upon 18th century tales about the 'Man in the Iron Mask'. The story - King Louis the XIV is a cruel man. His subjects are suffering and starving under his rule, his wars are draining away the country's resources, and the Musketeers fed up with the unjust state of affairs. The country is on the brink of revolution when the Musketeers decide to act. In order to avert bloodshed and more suffering, they conspire to overthrow their king. Their bold audacious plan would replace the corrupt king with a political prisoner, a man imprisoned for the crime of being born. The secret of the Man in the Iron Mask is a terrible and powerful tragedy. A drama of royal proportions. The story is excellent. Unfortunately, this 131 minute movie doesn't allow for an adequate retelling of the tale. That wasn't the worst part of the movie. While the production was a fair effort, the casting was less than satisfactory. Leonardo DiCaprio as King Louis the XIV/Phillipe was not the best of choices. His acting was terrible (in my opinion). Gerard Depardieu as Porthos was another mistake. Even John Malkovich as Athos felt wrong. The attempts to work humor into the movie were laughable and ill advised in such a dramatic tale. Given the uneven performances, one can understand that the humor might have been meant as a distraction from this critical error. The direction was poor and the character development suffered greatly under the abbreviated telling of this royal tale of tragedy and triumph. Hopefully this won't be the only version I've ever seen. I give it a 3 of 5 based on the story.

Summary: The cruel King Louis XIV of France has a secret twin brother who he keeps imprisoned. Can the twin be substituted for the real king?