Saturday, April 22, 2017
First Lines: John Lloyd Stephens - Incidents of Travel in Yucatan
The reader of my "Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan," may remember that the researches of Mr. Catherwood and myself in the last-mentioned country were abruptly terminated by the illness of the former.
Bear Island (1979)
On the remote Norwegian Bear Island, used as a submarine base by the Germans during WW2, an U.N. scientist sends a distress signal using an emergency NATO frequency and is received by scientific vessel Morning Rose.
Good example how a production with top credentials results into a mediocre product.
Halliwell (no star): "Highly implausible adventure yarn, indifferently presented."
Maltin*1/2: "One of Alistair MacLean's best novels became one of his worst movies...Strong cast, capable director and scenic locations come to naught."
Friday, April 21, 2017
An Unfinished Life (2005)
A down on her luck widow, desperate to provide care for her daughter,
moves in with her father in-law from whom she is estranged, because he gives her the fault for his son's death.
A deliberately simple tale is well produced and the cast in great form, but the movie is slow-paced and not too exciting.
On renewed viewing: I still agree with my first assessment, but it is a likable movie.
Maltin***: "Warmhearted, embracing story about family ties and the need
for forgiveness. It's a treat to watch Redford and Freeman as two old
codgers with an unshakable bond of friendship."
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
First Lines: Richard Hakluyt - Principall Navigations
In the yere of Christ, 517, king Arthur in the second yeere of his reigne, hauing subdued all parts of Ireland, sailed with his fleet into Island, and brought it and the people thereof vunder his suniection.
Pieta (2012)
A loan shark is forced to reconsider his violent lifestyle after the arrival of a mysterious woman claiming to be his long-lost mother.
Intense and complex tale of love, guilt and redemption, competently directed with good lead performances.
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
A frustrated circus magician from Kansas is transported to a magical land called Oz, where he will have to fulfill a prophecy to become the king, and release the land from the Wicked Witches using his great (but fake) powers.
Likable and entertaining fantasy offers some nice moments, but doesn't have the magic one would expect considering all the credentials, and it's a bit too long.
Maltin**1/2: "Elaborate, eye-filling production...can't be compared to the 1939 THE WIZARD OF OZ, aside from some winks in its direction. Fairly entertaining on its own terms but overlong and, frankly unmemorable. Braff provides consistent laughs as a talking monkey."
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Profondo rosso (1975)
After witnessing the murder of a famous psychic, a musician teams up
with a feisty reporter to find the killer while evading attempts on
their lives by the unseen assailant bent on keeping a dark secret
buried.
Creepy
horror thriller in classic Argento style: dark atmosphere, bizarre
murders and an irritating soundtrack; the original uncut Italian version
is - in parts - bit too talkative.
Halliwell**:
"Slick, stylish, decadent, suspenseful thriller, with a disquieting
atmosphere that continually puts its audience, like its victims,
off-balance. Hemmings's character owes much to his role in Antonioni's Blow Up."
