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Reviews
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Not bad for an old movie!
The Maltese Falcon was not bad for an old movie! The Bogart character was the template for many a Private eye character. The grittily, slick P I reminds me of Jim Rockford and Mike Hammer. Like many a Rockford Files episode all the characters can not be trusted. Some characters are slick, others though, a rich guy, and a woman playing the other character as a marks. There was a murder and a chase for the Maltese Falcon to get the story rolling. Of course the P I has many slick moves, perfect cons, and a plan to get the police off his back. What did not work: My wife found the oldie had too much fast talking, Myself the Maltese Falcon was done of the cheap and fast. No car chases etc, and more character driven story. I believe the script was written like a radio play which pushed into a movie script. Not as good as when I watched the Sunday classic movie at age 5, but still entertaining. 7 stars.
The Twilight Zone: The Leprechaun-Artist/Dead Run (1986)
Friday night stories.
For the Friday night stories I remember watching these two at my buddy's Tony's place. Well the first episode was funny as a three kids catch a Leprechaun with the three wishes was hilarious. The parents who do as they told with a catch and the stolen limo was funny lessons which make you love this Leprechaun. Lessons learnt in a 80's teen comedy way. Dead Run started out strong like a Stephen King novel. Truck drivers to hell. The first half was interesting, but the story did not know how to end for the episode. The Leprechaun-Artist/Dead Run Not a bad series but not memorable either. Seven stars out of ten.
The Twilight Zone: Gramma/Personal Demons/Cold Reading (1986)
Well first one was scary!
Gramma written by King has chill which hits many young people who's Gramma was creepy. Many of old people kids hate because they look old, strange and creepy. Parents talk in whispers and strange stories of nanna. Kid was alone with the old mean gal, and should have just ran out. Personal Demons I like the idea of a writer seeing invisible creates which run havoc in the writers life. Creepy yet funny, how can the special effects of those little guy just give the viewers creeps but yet laugh at the same time. Cold Reading an African charm makes a radio story have real life sound effect, which was quite over the top. With one part more stupid/ silly then the next. 7 stars.
The Twilight Zone: In Praise of Pip (1963)
Little over dramatic!
In Praise of Pip was a Little over dramatic! Well, let's be honest way over dramatic. Like many Twilight Zone episodes In Praise of Pip was set on cheap sets with a panicky guy! William Shatner, or Liam Nissen could just crush the desperate over emotional role. A bet a trade of a father for a son. A fathers love for a dying kid. The start of the Vietnam war movement. All play a force in this episode! Rod must of added the dynamics being a Marine in Asia during World War Two. War and the impact on the father son relationship was the story line. But just one too many over acting Twilight Zone episodes. I prefer the Living Doll episode. In Praise of Pip just wares you out! Five stars.
Storm of the Century (1999)
Not bad for a long series!
Storm of the Century before Hollywood destroyed films had producers which actually followed books. My dad said Storm of the Century followed the book closely. Well what works for Storm of the Century horror/drama was a slowly unfolding story which has characters in a supernatural situation with twists and turns keeping the viewer wanting to know what will happen next. Starts out strong with a stranger coming to a Maritime island, committing a murder and giving and ultimatum! Meetings, visions, narrations, and a tragic ending. The viewer knows the ending will be bad, but how, and the horns of the dilemma ending keeps the viewer watching. I guess the audiences' natural morbid curiosity keeps us glued to the screen. Probably, not worth watching a second time after know the ending so I give Storm of the Century 7 stars. Islander know how to keep s secret was a good line.
Secret Window (2004)
I forgot about this film.
Many years ago my wife and I went out on date night and saw Secret Window: Well, my wife was a big fan of Johnny Depp and Johnny did a weird enough role which worked well. On first viewing what I liked was the story with the plot twist. King's story evolved from a victim and who or what was happening. The writing and direction aroused my intertest. First half was who or what was tormenting this poor guy. This was creepy. Then the bottom third turn into creepy/sick story. Did not see it that coming. Memorable movie. Years latter, when I bought a King D V D set for X mass we got to watch Secret Window. Years latter I found Secret Window flatter. Another same strange Depp role. Secret Window was film a bit on the cheap. Not a bad movie, but not as good as I last watched. 6 star.
Wiseguy: Pilot (1987)
Forget about it (in a good way)
Forget about it (in a good way) Back in the 80's net work television did Pilot episode in a movie big way. Wiseguy Pilot had excellent casting Wahl etc. Vinny character with the handler who don't like each other was a good character story line. The lifegrad guy was strong. The cast of mobster was so well done. Steelgrave brothers, were believable. Mob rivals and side character gave a New Jersey feel. Good sets in Vancouver with believable side casting gave that old Jersey feel. The out of jail deep cover agent was a good story line. Mixed in with a double crossing mobster, with sit-downs assignations an arms dealing Miami Vice style ending was dada bing good. A good reflection of 80;s television which made Vinnie Terranova a household name. 9 stars.
Wiseguy (1987)
First season was solid.
Ken Wahl as Vinnie. Good casting for a story of Vinney doing a stretch to get street cred as a undercover agent who works way in the New Jersey mob. Mob rivals, a boss like Scarface mix with sub stories with a priest brother, and sick mother. The handler who has comic back an forth with Vinnie adds much comic relief for an intense series. Problem with Wiseguy was when the series lost steam, and ideas when the character had to do the storyline to some international killers James Bond style. Just did not fit into the feel of the first two season. Well still worth watching for the first two seasons. 7 stars.
Dreamcatcher (2003)
Dreamcatcher is Kind of like IT and stand by me
Dreamcatcher is Kind of like IT and stand by me. The adults talking about pasted events in town and living in the present. What works is the narratives of the characters which slowly unfold the main story. Like it and Stand By me there is a slow build up. What works is the story goes into a bulled friend, and snake type creatures. Dreamcatcher is just so weird. What does the strange friend have to do with Dreamcatcher's creatures? What is the bubbling impending story line with the snake create going to be about? Dreamcatcher unlike Sand by Me and IT has a better ending. So strange the movie works. I never saw the plot twist coming. King is great at writing about flawed character. The story took a big risk and payed off. 7 stars.
Eaten Alive (1976)
Psycho meets T C M
Eaten Alive was a mix of Psycho meets T C M. Eaten Alive is what we call a 70's exploitation flick. There's boobs, nudity, mixed with over the top gator eating kill. What works here: Not a lot, but the shock factor of the gator eating killer is the hook that draws the viewers in. What did not work: The dream style film was hard to watch on the eyes. Most of the characters were un likeable and flat which makes the viewer lose interest. The gator rambling hotel owner was a poor man character copy of Norman Bates psycho story line, which mixes a few Texas Chainsaw Massacre chase scenes! Well even for a low budget move this one was bad. 1 stars.
Smile 2 (2024)
Decent
Smile 2 was a decent movie. A throw back style from the 80''s. A mix of cold lighting and sterile set and clothes like the movie The Hunger. Monster special effect like the movie The Thing. With a storytelling like the throw back movie Videodrome with the infection with a count down story line. There is an artist style of film of a focal point the audience see with a three line strata of foreground midground and back group many scenes which give a creepy 80s feel of one cold picture frames at a time. Each scene sets a creepy feel as the infection worsens. We see a videodorme or the Ring style infection movie with the protagonist knowing a gradual supernatural death is coming. What was real and not storytelling with a movie mix of a social message about fame and the unreal of phony people pushing the protagonist like a meal ticket creates a balance story. Add in a few C G I monster effects which add scares push the film towards a grand climax. A good ending to start off a smile part three. Better then most modern films A good mix of old and new. 7 stars.
Misery (1990)
One creepy film!
Misery was one creepy film! Well, my dad read the book and wanted to see the movie. Dad decided not to come along with my wife and I missing out! Well, my wife and I were first dating so it was a good call by dad. A scarry movie was always a great date night. Boy, this one was a thriller! My sister says King wrote a story of his worst fear that could happen to him! A creepy idea of a writer gets into a car accident and gets rescued and held hostage by a deranged fan. Great story with great casting! Cain surprising plays an author with personal writing rituals and mannerism for a believable role. (not the usual Cain tough guy typecast roles) Bate looks, behaves, and has the mood swing which creates a creepy scary presences for a roller-coaster scares. Add in, The Shining style Rocky Mountains small town back ground with the small town sheriff creates a snowy feeling of isolation add to a creepy alone helplessness background. The isolation back ground builds up the memorable parts of the leg breaking scene, the type writer scene and Cain's trickery makes Misery memorable movie about survival. My wife and I left the theater with an impression of wow what a movie. 9 stars.
Stand by Me (1986)
More I watch it the more I hate it!
Stand by Me the more I watch it the more I hate it! When I first watch stand by me as a kid what I liked about the movie was an interesting story of the characters. The town toughs Shuterland was great. The story telling of a group of kids out in the woods looking for a dead body! Well as a child I acted like a child biblical proverb hit me hard here! After being re run after re run to death, on cable, Stand by Me just gets more brutal each time! No real scares here. Just a bunch of kids screaming, yelling , rafts, leaches etc more a summer camp movie then horror. Reminds me of a bunch of over active kid's camping/sleep over in the neighbors backyard and you wished the kids would calm down so you could sleep! Annoying and unpleasant after a while, and the camp fire stories like the teacher story please. Entertaining at 12 but loses story magic at 40. Sutherland still cool threw out. The body ending was anti climatic. Who cares. 3 stars.
Cujo (1983)
Better than It, but not as good as The Shining!
Cujo was another King adaptation of a King Novel. I remember seeing the trailer, with my mom and sister, before seeing Mr Mom. The trailer bothered/scared me when I was 14! Must of been the dog! Many years latter as a date night, with my future wife, I decided to rent Cujo. My old fear turned into thinking Better than It, but not as good as The Shining! Like Misery Cujon follow a believable story of a mother, and her child trapped in a car with rabies crazed dog. The side stories develop into the horror storyline of mom and child being slow cooked in a hot car. Un like It Cujo tied up into a good ending. There was no great Jack Nicholson Shining moments. Cujo the Dog was a good scare, but I found Cujo more of a slow burn horror movie. 7 stars.
It (1990)
Well not bad for a long book!
It T V series. I remember watching the I T series back in the day with my brand new girlfriend who eventually became my wife. Well what did I learn. Monica and I found the first few episodes creepy. The clown in the sewer!?! What did I just seen! Pennywise like all weirdos has an annoying style of terror which was unique. What I found out was my future wife has more movie patience than myself, epically with movies/ T V series. The second half of IT when everyone comes back to town slows down. The characters story lines are interesting but become too bogged down. Too much clown talking from the sink etc aka the town was becoming more annoying than scarry. Found out my wife's sister gets scared easy and left the room; well from her leaving the room I can say there was a few good jump scares in the second half. Regrettably I found the ending what? My guess was that King had no idea oh how to end the long story.
The Night Flier (1997)
The Night Flier just keep me watching!
The Night Flier just keep me watching! The night flyer was one of kings better stories. A short type story with an interesting hook. There is a killer has a m o of airline disasters with a vampire theme. The interesting part of The Night Flier was the character development of the reporter; another hard edge flawed Kings character which the viewer has a love hate relationship with. The line "Never believe what you publish, and never publish what you believe" hits hard while watching a gritty Miguel Ferrer . The interaction of the reporter and Vampire make for a rough interplay which pushes for the night Flyers climax. Boom the climax was memorable. A truly under rated king movie.
Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Seen better seen worse!
Seen better seen worse! Maximum Overdrive was a cool but different concept. Machines try to take over the world, like the Terminator, except the villain's are not from the future, but outer space. What works: The started out environments introduction of machines in everyday life gave a good feel. The cool drifter, Kings uses such a theme often, creates a stir/interest. The Pepsi machine attack, and the clown headed truck are cool. What does bit work: Maximum Overdrive becomes more of a movie of mechanical accidents, which was less scare more flair. The gas station part of re filling the vehicles was lame. Really no one would do that! The rest was just action vs Machine which was more like a video game than movie. Being in grade 11 and rented this oldie back in the day I was mmm just watch this once. On re watch I feel the same. 5 stars.
Mischief (1985)
More teen Mischief!
Mischief another raunch teen 80's movie! Porky's, American Pie clone of the geeky teens which want to get laid with the un attainable dream girl. The teen boys angst story line. Formulated script with the kicked out of another town cool kid meets up with the awkward teenager. High school rivalries, pranks, awkward moments, parents etc mixed in with low brow humor was lame, but the buddy part and learning the dream gal not what you believe she was pushes the story further. Watched it during covid, or late night, but Mischief was a copy of a copy of all those 80's teen raunch movies. Six stars out of ten.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
One of Cruise better movies.
I remember coming back from holidays in the U S and a co worker says you gotta see to Jerry Maguire!?! What a romance movie? Sports and romance mix? What? Well my wife just could not wait to go see this Hallmark Network style movie! Great casting and great characters pushes Jerry Maguire's story into a classic. Tom Cruise character (Maguire) Lawyer agent playboy life style, lots of money. Renée Zellweger the over emotional, widowed single mom with dreams and emotions. Kelly Preston as the vamp ex of Maguire, and Cuba Gooding Jr as the the hard to manage full of attitude athlete all mix into a perfect story! Maguire is a money make sports agent, lot's money, lot's women, a legend of agents, but all of the sports agents life is based on being a winner. Maguire does not care for the clients all is fraudulent emotionally for a empty life which hits Maguire hard as Preston's character love/relationship dies with the one word loser. The character Maquire hates himself and the redemption of the protagonist soul in a quest of finding what's real in life. Zellweger character is so un everything the old girlfriend is. The new love is with someone who actually cares for Jerry. Gooding/Maguire relationship involves into a friendship which builds each other up. Gooding's attitude about keeping it real it's not an attitude it's real conversation/relationships. The relationships saves Maguire's soul! The lost love, and dip in the new business storyline was intriguing. The you had me moment in front of the women's group of the real man that the group wants to see is just classic ending. 8 stars.
The Twilight Zone: Four O'Clock (1962)
The parrot episode!
Four O'clock aka the parrot episode! Ahead of it's time for cancel culture. People get fired, troubled, and harassed for dunks texts, actions, dated things said and past mistakes, by the questionable interpretation of the rambling un balances agitators. Imagine what the Oliver Crangle character could do with social media? Cringe worthy! Four O'clock was ahead it's time which was a weak point. Like todays cancel cutler, Theodore Bikel character was just be another incoherent ramblings of an out of touch unbalance guy who spits venom. Hard to watch in the one room, one on one stage format of many of the TWZ episodes. What works was the likeable parrot with Rod Serling. The ending was lame, but my wife would wonder who would feed Pete the parrot or would Pete chewed on Oliver at the ending? Well, four starts, but I like the parrot.
Secret Admirer (1985)
Perfect 80's teen comedy!
If you are going to watch an 80's teen comedy Secret Admirer was the perfect 80's teen comedy! What Secret Admirer was not: The over the top sex jokes like Porky's. And or the over the Top characters of Losing it with Tom Cruse. Many of those 80's teen comedies did not age well. Secret Admirer differs, and is the exception to the over the top/ grade b comedy rule because: the story was like a social experiment. Lori Loughlin (Toni) writes a from the heart love letter for Michael (Thomas C Howell) Everyone who accidentally get the letter thinks the pure love from the heart letter was for them and reacts different. Kelly Preston has a humorous/relationship lesson take of the letter as Michael fake letter give a lesson about infatuation. Fred Ward, the harden Cop and other parents have a mid life crises take which was comic gold. Secret Admirer's comic gold was the sub stories mixing into bubbling comic tension which tie in nicely for another sappy 80's romantic, just epic, ending. 9 stars for a perfect cast.
Vega$: Touch of Death (1979)
A different take on the series.
Touch of Death was a different take on the series. What works: There was a break from the usual mobsters, pimps, and con schemes. Dan Tanna was working on a missing persons case with a twist. The difference was everyone says there was no husband and Dan looks deeper. The harden Dan Tana character of kindness, and justice was driven into a nefarious government plot. What like of the tough and smart/innovative Tana was the landman scene. Pissing off the P I was a mistake. Got to admit Tanna creative detective work gets down and dirty. What did not work: Formulated plot gaps of were does Tanna know know what to do; seems Tanna must be lucky guesser. 7 stars.
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Better than average!
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers well, ummm, is better than average. Considering a part 5 movie not as bad as most part 5's but could of been much worse. Here's what worked: Lot's of good jump scares. Michael appearing out of closets, bushes etc. Relatable characters, the good looking gal in destress , little girl, jerk etc. The parties, and hot couple with the mix of a killers was entertaining. What did not work: Lot's of running around. Formulated jump scares. The usual plot twist ending. Well, Donald Pleasence over acting steals scenes and saves the movie. Is it worth watching during Halloween of course. A horror classic no. 6 stars.
Speak No Evil (2024)
Best movie of the year so far!
Best movie of the year so far! In the age of woke movies, Speak No Evil, has a anti woke message intertwined with a scary film. A good mix between Wolfs creek and Vacancy. Speak No Evil has a charming, but strange couple with both Wolfs creek and Vacancy story of a trap of sadism for the protagonists. The holiday friendships a trap for the vulnerable couples who go for a weekend visit. Well casted crew for the intense ride. If Liam Neeson was younger Liam would have been casted for the Neeson formula of tension and impossible situations. A underlying message in the era of racism, sexism, ageism etc and being worried of offending others the couple just keeps ignoring warning signs of this guy is weird, this situation is off etc. (The bad guy even mentions the targeting of woke families) When the coupe goes to the middle of no where, the strange babysitter, odd comments, etc the viewer screams run/don't go back, just get out of there etc. Finally the victim familys wife tells dad to man up and the audience says finally do just get out of there! The two stories feed on each other for a good conclusions. 8 stars.
Traffic (2000)
Not a bad movie!
Traffic(2000) was not a bad movie! Well acted and directed here is what worked: Strong casting of Douglas, del Toro, Quaid etc helps push a long movie forward. Budget helps with a long complicated movie' With great sets and locations. What did not work: Traffic had too many working parts with all sub stories. Too many main character to keep track of. Following the characters and stories made Traffic exhausting too watch. What made Traffic even more difficult to watch was the raw, and heavy stories of addiction, corruption, and malice from the American drug epidemic. I did not mind watching Traffic, but only one time. 6 stars.
