Genre: Drama, History

Year: 1958

Country: Japan

Rating:

Starring: Kazuo Hasegawa, Shintarô Katsu, Kôji Tsuruta, Raizô Ichikawa, Machiko Kyô

Director: Kunio Watanabe

My Review: It's a classic/timeless tale of Japan's feudal era. A story of honor and revenge. Four different credits on the Screen play, including Kunio Watanabe, who directed the movie (With 180 director credits in IMDB). The movie star Kazuo Hasegawa, Shintaro Katsu, Koji Tsuruta and others. This story has been made into a movie many times (8+ times listed in IMDB). It's based on the true story of a group of samurai who lost their master (Ronin) after he was forced to commit seppuku after he 'assaulted' a court official who had insulted him. This group of Ronin vowed to exact revenge upon the petty lord. The plan took more than a year's time to execute. They knew that once they exacted their revenge, they would likely be tracked down and forced to commit seppuku for their crime. It's a tense, dramatic tale of honor, betrayal and revenge. Samurais and Ronin, treachery and loyalty. A classic tale told in the tradition of honorable recollection. The direction was good, but the cultural distance and language barriers made it a bit difficult to follow at times. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Japan's timeless tale of honor and revenge, the Loyal 47 Ronin is the true story of group of samurai who became ronin (masterless samurai) after their Lord was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official, Kira Yoshinaka, who had insulted him. After patiently waiting and planning for over a year, they executed a daring assault on Lord Kira's estate, and exacted their revenge, in the full knowledge that they would themselves be forced to commit seppuku to atone for their crime.

Genre: Drama

Year: 2014

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton, Vincent D'Onofrio

Director: David Dobkin

My Review: Written by too many people (Director gets partial credit for story). Directed by David Dobkin (Shanghai Knights, Wedding Crashers, many music videos). Starring Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton, Vincent D'Onofrio, others. It's a courtroom drama, so it's got a lot to live up to. The genre is full of failed dramas, and the formula is already well defined. Can this movie rise to the occasion and provide us with anything we haven't seen before? Well, it does a good job trying, and wins an Oscar nod trying (Robert Duvall nominated for best actor). In this movie, Robert Duvall plays Joseph Palmer (The Judge), a retired small town judge of 42 years. Robert Downey Jr. plays the Judge's son (Hank Palmer), a successful defense attorney in the big city (Chicago). Hank Palmer receives a call and returns home. His mother has died. While he's home, the Judge is accused of murder, and Hank must defend him despite their family feud. Hank and The Judge have been estranged for many years. What mysteries and family secrets will be uncovered as Hank seeks to heal the wounds of this dysfunctional family? The drama is excellent, the acting outstanding. Thankfully, this movie doesn't try to be a courtroom drama (ala John Grisham or law and order) so much as a family drama. In that it manages to make for a slightly different experience. I give this movie a 4 out of 5. • The Judge - 2014 (Crime, Drama) Written by too many people (Director gets partial credit for story). Directed by David Dobkin (Shanghai Knights, Wedding Crashers, many music videos). Starring Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton, Vincent D'Onofrio, others. It's a courtroom drama, so it's got a lot to live up to. The genre is full of failed dramas, and the formula is already well defined. Can this movie rise to the occasion and provide us with anything we haven't seen before? Well, it does a good job trying, and wins an Oscar nod trying (Robert Duvall nominated for best actor). In this movie, Robert Duvall plays Joseph Palmer (The Judge), a retired small town judge of 42 years. Robert Downey Jr. plays the Judge's son (Hank Palmer), a successful defense attorney in the big city (Chicago). Hank Palmer receives a call and returns home. His mother has died. While he's home, the Judge is accused of murder, and Hank must defend him despite their family feud. Hank and The Judge have been estranged for many years. What mysteries and family secrets will be uncovered as Hank seeks to heal the wounds of this dysfunctional family? The drama is excellent, the acting outstanding. Thankfully, this movie doesn't try to be a courtroom drama (ala John Grisham or law and order) so much as a family drama. In that it manages to make for a slightly different experience. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Hank Palmer is a successful defense attorney in Chicago, who is getting a divorce. When His brother calls with the news that their mother has died, Hank returns to his childhood home to attend the funeral. Despite the brittle bond between Hank and the Judge, Hank must come to his father's aid and defend him in court. Here, Hank discovers the truth behind the case, which binds together the dysfunctional family and reveals the struggles and secrecy of the family.

Genre: Western, Drama

Year: 2014

Country: USA, France

Rating:

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter

Director: Tommy Lee Jones

My Review: Screenplay (written in part by Tommy Lee Jones/based on a novel (same name) by Glendon Swarthout) and direction by Tommy Lee Jones. Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter and others. Tommy Lee Jones writes, directs, stars in and produces a western. In this movie, George Briggs (played by Tommy Lee Jones) a man of questionable repute, teams up with Mary Bee Cuddy (played by Hillary Swank), a strong, righteous, and honorable woman. The two must transport (in a hard-sided wagon) three mad women across the untamed territory west of Iowa. The cinematography of the film is breathtaking and the authenticity remarkable. The two do their best to transport these crazed women to a city (Hebron, Iowa) where they can be cared for. The journey is long and treacherous. The perils are man, nature and the savages. Tommy Lee Jones plays his usual fast talking, know-it-all, arrogant archetype - which puts me off. Hillary Swank is outstanding in her role, and the rest of the cast do a good job of maintaining the storyline. It's a dramatic journey across an unforgiving landscape. The characters are very different, and they must work together if their damaged goods are to be delivered unto the Lord's home in Hebron, Iowa. The best parts of the film are the ones where Tommy Lee Jones isn't speaking. I'm really getting tired of him playing the exact same character in every movie. I give this movie a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Three women who have been driven mad by pioneer life are to be transported across the country by covered wagon by the pious, independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy, who in turn employs low-life drifter George Briggs to assist her.

Genre: Adventure

Year: 1957

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, Sessue Hayakawa, James Donald

Director: David Lean

My Review: How could I not have written a review of this movie (yet)? Definitely one of my favorites. Screenplay (by Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson / They were on a Hollywood blacklist (for being Communists) and couldn't be credited with the writing until many years later (after they had died)) is based on a novel (same name/French language) by Pierre Boulle (Originally received screenplay credit instead of Foreman and Wilson). Directed by David Lean (Great Expectations (1946), Oliver Twist (1948), Hobson's Choice, Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965)). Starring William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins and many others. Here is one of the finest WWII movies ever made. A must see for military members. The movie is set in Southeast Asia (Burma aka Myanmar). The area is occupied by Japanese forces, and they intend to build a rail-road supply route so they can attack Thailand, India and other countries. In 1943, British POWs arrive at a Japanese POW camp in Burma. The camp's commander informs the prisoners that they will all (regardless of rank) be engaged in manual labor to build a railway bridge over the river Kwai. From that point forward the British POWs and Japanese military members are at odds. The British insist on treatment according to the Geneva conventions and the Japanese insist that they are in charge. It's rough going for the POWs, but eventually the POWs and the Japanese cooperate (to a point), and the bridge is built - But it's a British bridge. Designed by British officers; the construction is organized and led by British officers, built by the enlisted men (occasional help from officers), the bridge is a point of honor among the men - Until it's time to destroy it! Surely you knew? The bridge must be destroyed. The British military isn't going to allow the enemy to make use of the bridge… It's a fantastic WWII drama, filled with tense scenes of British honor and military discipline. Filmed on location in Sri-Lanka, the ever-present jungle adds a level of authenticity which cannot be duplicated on a stage. The direction, acting and editing were superlative. The musical score and composition was perfectly suited to the movie, matching every mood and elevating the film as a whole (To this day, I sometimes find myself whistling the Colonel Bogey March - Typically while I'm at work). There is no mistaking why this movie won seven Academy Awards. The Oscars were well earned. This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: British soldiers are forced to build a railway bridge for their WWII Japanese captors, unaware of an allied mission to blow it up.

Genre: Drama, History, War

Year: 1993

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang, Jeff Daniels, Richard Jordan

Director: Ronald F. Maxwell

My Review: Screenplay and direction by Ron Maxwell (based on a novel (The Killer Angels) by Michael Shaara. Starring Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang, and many others. This epic (director's cut = 271 minutes) film includes some battle scenes that were actually filmed inside the Gettysburg Battlefield national military park. The film was originally designed as a made-for-tv miniseries, but ABC producers didn't pick it up. Instead Ted Turner (Turner Pictures/Entertainment) funded its production. The movie is a bit of an odd vehicle. Not quite standard motion picture, still feeling like a made-for-tv mini-series, yet playing out in one sitting. This movie is a fantastic telling of one small-piece (epic in scale) of the American Civil War. The movie mixes narration, maps, excellent timing and editing to tell the tale in various sequences of battle sets. The casting was very good (consistent with production). Tom Berenger did a very good job, as did Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang and Jeff Daniels. I felt that the acting was done in period and felt consistent with the overall tone of the movie, which speaks to excellent direction. The characters are unforgettable, the settings and costumes (aside from makeup and hairpieces) superb. Unfortunately, at times, some of the egotism and over-acting was a bit much to bear. Martin Sheen can't really act (keep him on a stage please, he doesn't come across well on the screen). The massive battle scenes and musical score mark this epic as a must-see for history buffs. Despite it's weakness in production, I give it a 5 out of 5 for its historical importance, scale, scope and ambition.

Summary: In 1863, the Northern and Southern forces fight at Gettysburg in the decisive battle of the American Civil War.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Year: 2014

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Papajohn, Marco Rodríguez, Bill Paxton, James Huang

Director: Dan Gilroy

My Review: Written and directed by Dan Gilroy (Roman J. Israel Esq., The Velvet Buzzsaw, Screenplay for The Bourne Legacy). Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, others. In this movie, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Louis Bloom a down on his luck ambitious character hungry for work in Los Angeles. After personally witnessing the gruesome spectacle of a violent freeway accident, Louis sees crime journalism as an exciting and lucrative way to jump start his ambitions and begin a lucrative career where the more sensational the footage the more money it's worth. With a police scanner in hand and accomplice to help him capture the gruesome details, Louis soon sets off chasing five alarm fires, gangland shootouts and violent car wrecks. As the local stations lap it up he starts to up the ante by manipulating the story for a better shot. An excellent performance by Jake Gyllenhaal, and a brilliant screenplay by Dan Gilroy. The story pokes dark humor in the eye as we confront our own obsession with the sensational nature of tabloid headlines on the 9 o'clock news. Artfully blends fiction and reality in a way that should unsettle the most satirical audience. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: NIGHTCRAWLER is a thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling - where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Rene Russo as Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane

Director: Garry Marshall

My Review: Unfortunately, I've seen this before - I'm not sure when/why, but this time around I'm watching it because of 'love' - Yes, it's a total 'Chick Flick' Rom-Com, and today is Valentine's Day, so I decided that I would watch a movie with my girl. So Kim and I snuggled up on the couch to watch a sappy romantic comedy. Written by far too many people (four credits). Directed by Garry Marshall (Overboard (1987), Beaches (1988), Pretty Woman). Starring Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway, Jesica Alba, Ashton Cooper, and others. It's a couples movie - Multiple couples. It's filmed in one of those formats that I detest. Multiple stories equals one. And this is a lot of stories… With an immense cast of beautiful people, this movie takes more than a dozen people and does it's best to tell their tales of love and romance in the big city of Los Angeles. One of the best vignettes was the "I Hate Valentine's Day" dinner. The music was peppy, the pacing very quick and the whole thing sappy romantic pablum with no real story. I give it a 2 out of 5. Maybe I'll watch it again next year!

Summary: More than a dozen Angelenos navigate Valentine's Day from early morning until midnight. Three couples awake together, but each relationship will sputter; are any worth saving? A grade-school boy wants flowers for his first true love; two high school seniors plan first-time sex at noon; a TV sports reporter gets the assignment to find romance in LA; a star quarterback contemplates his future; two strangers meet on a plane; grandparents, together for years, face a crisis; and, an "I Hate Valentine's Day" dinner beckons the lonely and the lied to. Can Cupid finish his work by midnight?

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Year: 2011

Country: Italy, France, Ireland

Rating:

Starring: Sean Penn, Olwen Fouéré, Eve Hewson, Johnny Ward, Sam Keeley

Director: Paolo Sorrentino

My Review: A brave new drama, which was clearly designed to lose money. Screenplay (in part) and direction by Paolo Sorrentino (One Man Up / L'uomo in piu, Il Diva, The Great Beauty / La grande bellezza). Starring Sean Penn, Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsch and others. Here's an odd story - Which I've seen twice for some incalculable reason? The story of Cheyenne (played by Sean Penn), a retired rock star, a cross-dresser, ambiguously trans? Or not - Maybe just a retired rock star. It's a darkly comedic drama about family, forgiveness, discovery and self. As his father lies dying on his death bed, Cheyenne learns that his father was persecuted in life by an ex-Nazi war criminal who is hiding out in the U.S. Cheyenne rushes home (to New York) to have some sort of reconciliation with his father before he… Damn, too late. Now Cheyenne sets out on a journey to confront his father's nemesis - A Nazi hiding out in America. His bumbling quest reveals more about himself than it does about the war criminal he's pursuing. I really enjoyed the music (a lot of Talking heads songs) and the acting by Sean Penn. The character Cheyenne is finally able to break out of the 'Character' Cheyenne in order to become a person instead of a brand. Unfortunately, this journey of self-awakening takes a bit too long to discover it's ending. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Cheyenne, a wealthy former rock star (Penn), now bored and jaded in his retirement embarks on a quest to find his father's persecutor, an ex-Nazi war criminal now hiding out in the U.S. Learning his father is close to death, he travels to New York in the hope of being reconciled with him during his final hours, only to arrive too late. Having been estranged for over 30 years, it is only now in death that he learns the true extent of his father's humiliation in Auschwitz at the hands of former SS Officer Aloise Lange - an event he is determined to avenge. So begins a life-altering journey across the heartland of America to track down and confront his father's nemesis. As his quest unfolds, Cheyenne is reawakened by the people he encounters and his journey is transformed into one of reconciliation and self discovery. As his date with destiny arrives and he tracks down Lange, Cheyenne must finally decide if it is redemption he seeks ....or revenge. Starring two time Academy Award winner ...

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Year: 2014

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Kenny Chin, Jamahl Garrison-Lowe, Zach Galifianakis

Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu

My Review: This movie's title has changed since it was first released. Or, has it? I certainly don't remember the 'second title' and no one seems to either. Written (in part) and directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu (Amores Perros (which I stopped watching after 5 minutes because it was too violent (for me)), 21 Grams, Babel, Biutiful (which I haven't seen, and probably won't - it looked extremely violent). Starring Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Jeremy Shamos, and many others. A dark comedic drama, where Michael Keaton plays Actor Riggan Thomson; a once famous actor who played 'Birdman' a super-hero character for more than twenty years and three major motion pictures. The character was more famous than the actor, and the actor shunned the character - rejecting his chance at a fourth movie, slipping into anonymity while struggling to maintain his career as an actor. The movie is filmed in what appears to be a single take (it's not actually a single take like Russian Ark), like a stream of consciousness, but that stream of consciousness is obviously on the brink - the brink of madness. As Riggan struggles internally with Birdman, he wonders whether being birdman forever might be the best way to end his story. There are outstanding performances here, fantastic direction, camera work and visual style (effects) that help imagine the inner struggle and constant battle between the real and the surreal portrayed in the characters that were and are on the screen. The ending was uplifting and fitting. The only drawback to this film is the intellectual edge of the film. It's extremely inside and sometimes I felt like I was being left out of the joke. A very challenging film. I give this movie (which won four Oscars and was nominated for five others) a 4 out of 5, but I really want to watch it again - Adding it to my list.

Summary: Actor Riggan Thomson is most famous for his movie role from over twenty years ago of the comic book superhero Birdman in the blockbuster movie of the same name and its two equally popular sequels. His association with the role took over his life, where Birdman is more renowned than "Riggan Thomson" the actor. Now past middle age, Riggan is trying to establish himself as a true artist by writing, directing, starring in and co-producing with his best friend Jake what is his Broadway debut, an adaptation of Raymond Carver's story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. He is staking his name, what little artistic reputation that comes with that name and his life savings on the project, and as such will do anything needed to make the play a success. As he and Jake go through the process of the previews toward opening night, Riggan runs into several issues: needing to find a replacement for the integral supporting male role the night before the first preview; hiring the talented ...

Genre: Thriller

Year: 1962

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger, Art Ellison, Stan Levitt

Director: Herk Harvey

My Review: Black & White film that came paired with another horror movie (Horror Hotel). Screenplay, direction and production by Herk Harvey (Known for his production/direction of industrial and educational films (shorts), this was the only feature film he ever produced/directed). Starring Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger, Herk Harvey (as the main 'ghoul') and others. This low budget black & white film is something of a cult classic art film, less so a horror film. It's eerie, dreadful, dreamy quality is hard to resist. While the acting is overly dramatic, the sound work and camera work are quite good. In this movie, Candace Hilligoss plays the role of Mary Henry. Mary and her friends all crash off a bridge during a drag race. A tragic accident for sure. All her friends die, but Mary survives, emerging from the river hours after the accident. Mary's friends and employer attempt to console her, but Mary shuns contact with other people and tries to put the accident behind her. Mary is lucky to have survived… Or did she? The acting seems odd, otherworldly, and I often wonder (while watching this movie) whether it was just bad acting, or whether the strange acting is part of the story. An odd clue to the new reality that Mary finds herself in. The movie plays like an episode of the Twilight Zone, Night Gallery or the Outer Limits. A hidden gem. I give this movie 3 out of 5.

Summary: After a traumatic accident, a woman becomes drawn to a mysterious abandoned carnival. Carnival of Souls has earned cult classic status for its eerie and unsettling portrayal of a young woman (Candace Hilligoss playing Mary Henry) who is involved in an automobile accident, with her two friends. Their car plunges off a bridge into the river. Presumably everyone in the car is killed. A while later, Mary (Candace) emerges from the water completely uninjured. She heads towards town and stops into a church where she is hired as the new organist. She rents a room nearby and is propositioned by her neighbor. She visits a ghostly carnival, populated with the town’s dead citizens. What’s going on? What is happening to Mary and what is going to happen to her? A one-of-a-kind Zombie Thriller!