Friday, October 23, 2015
First Lines: Erskine Childers - The Riddle of the Sands
I have read of men who, when forced by their calling to live for long periods in utter solicitude - save for a few black faces - have made it a rule to dress regularly for dinner in order to maintain their self-respect and prevent a relapse into barbarism.
Back to the Future (1985)
A young man is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence.
Highly entertaining sci-fi comedy that intelligently takes a playful view on time travel; an instant classic that hasn't dated at all.
Halliwell***: "Lightheart Twilight Zone fantasy which certainly pleased the international multitudes."
Maltin***: "Wonderful, wacked-out time travel comedy takes its time to get going, but once it does, it's a lot of fun building to a frantic climax...Lloyd is a standout as crazed scientist who sets story in motion."
Thursday, October 22, 2015
First Lines: John Buchan - Greenmantle
I had just finished breakfast and was filling my pipe when I got Bullivant's telegram.
Primal Fear (1996)
An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and hotshot lawyer tries to prove his innocence.
Effective
crime-courtroom drama with a multi-playered plot with a malicious twist
ending; Edward Norton outplays the rest of the (otherwise adeqaute)
cast.
Halliwell
(no star): "An implausible thriller with a twist at its end, but one
that diminishes all that has gone before, so that an audience is more
likely to feel cheated than surprised."
Maltin***:
"Gere gives a solid performance in one of his very best
roles...Newcomer Norton is also very impressive. Film loses some of its
impact by going on too long and by following unrelated story tangents.
Still, an intelligent, absorbing drama."
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)
The ancient war between humans and a race of giants is reignited when Jack, a young farmhand fighting for a kingdom and the love of a princess, opens a gateway between the two worlds.
Not-so-bad take on the classic children's tale, great settings and thrilling action, but the giants might be a bit too gruesome for kids.
Maltin**1/2: "Elaborate telling of the famous fairy tale...Knockout visual effects and a good cast make this fairly enjoyable, though it goes on longer than it should. Parents should also know that this seemingly family-friendly film has a lot of mayhem in it."
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
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