Simonsj Reviews

Man on the Roof (1976)

One of the greatest

[10/10 · 28 August 2004]

This is one of the greatest Swedish police movies ever made. Sure, it is a child of is time, the mid 70's, but is has something other movies lack: tension and a documentary feel.

Yes, it has a slow beginning. It doesn't have the mantra of modern movie makers: pace.

Modern movies, regardless of genre, are to often cut to hard. One scene too much is often removed. Not in this movie, though. It is something so rare as an action movie with a slow pace and actual police work.

One of Sweden's most famous comedy actors of all times plays Martin Beck: the late Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt. He's doing the greatest portrait of this disillusioned policeman ever. Gösta Ekman, Peter Haber and Walter Matthau were not even close.

Mannen på taket is a great movie, has great actors, and is a great time document. A must see in my opinion. If you can see past modern movie cliché heroes and big explosions that is. There is a reason that no one has done a remake of this movie. All other books with Martin Beck has been filmed countless of times, but not this one... (It's named Den vedervärdige mannen från Säffle in Swedish or The Abominable Man in English).

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

One of the greatest movies ever!

[10/10 · 8 December 2002]

This is an example that Hollywood CAN do a great movie that doesn't solely build on special effects.

This is also a proof that not all movies need to have more "pace" or "action". The ingredients in this movie is the interaction between two great actors, Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, a very good support cast, a superb story by Stephen King and a professional crew. This "soup" is very tasteful and gets 10/10 by me.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Higher quality, but lacks something

[8/10 · 30 December 2001]

Great action, great actors (as Sean Connery and Harrison Ford)

and a great story make this a very good movie. The interaction

between Connery and Ford is very good.

However, it does lacks something. Something I can't put my finger

on... The feeling that was present in the first movie I believe. So the

vote is high, but not as high as the Raiders

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

What an adventure!

[10/10 · 30 December 2001]

I rate this movie with the highest available vote. Is it worth it? Not really, seen as a movie. But for me, the Raiders are

something special. When I saw this movie for the first time as a

child, I loved the action.

Later, I've realized that the movie lacks in other qualities. It's

moves to fast and has a touch of low budget and a tight filming

schedule. On the other hand, I've come to appreciate Indiana

Jones weaknesses (he's all but perfect) nicely portrayed by

Harrison Ford who is supported by a great cast.

However, I might have discovered the movies weaknesses, but

that doesn't matter. When I watch this movie, I can't "help" feeling

an childish anticipation and joy, and I love it. This movie will

always have a special place in my movie-heart...

Die Hard (1988)

A great action movie

[8/10 · 8 April 2001]

When I saw this movie in 1988, I thought it was the best action

movie I had ever seen (Raiders of the lost Ark not included). Then

it was the good and intense action scenes that were important.

When I see the same film today, the action scenes still are good

and intense, but I can appreciate the plot and acting more. Bruce

Willis is actually good in this movie! He actually lets his character

John McClane to be cool, scared and even a bit vulnerable. In the

sequels he is just a cool mean killing machine.

But do not be fooled. Die Hard is not an `Ingmar Bergman'-drama,

nor it tries to be. Never the less, Bruce Willis gives his character

more than a single dimension (I can not say the same thing about

the sequels or other action movies he has done).

So, Willis acting (not to forget good actors as Alan Rickman), John

McTiernans directing, great footage/camerawork and a good script

(based on a novel) lifts this action movie above many others made

before, during and after this one.

Happy Gilmore (1996)

Great comedy

[8/10 · 27 February 2001]

One of the funniest movies I ever seen. Sometimes it's good to see a movie that's just make you laugh. Unfortunately doesn't the movies with Adam Sandler that follows have the same "we have a lot of fun filming this movie"-feeling. However, Happy Gilmore is a great comedy that I recommend.

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

This is NOT Mission: Impossible

[3/10 · 16 July 2000]

This was a really, really bad movie. If it supposed to be Mission: Impossible. But as a plain action movie, it's quite good. The Mission: Impossible-series and movies are not particulary realistic, but it MIGHT happen in real life some way. But this movie..., for example the way Tom Cruise handled the motorcykel is not serious or realistic. In this movie, Tom Cruise is a superman. He is doing everything by himself and his co-workers are just sitting by.

In Mission: Impossible, there SHOULD be a TEAM solving the impossible mission.. If you are a Mission: Impossible-fan, use your money to rent the first movie and watch that again. It's much, much better. If you just want to see some nice, well done, braindead action (as we would sometimes) this is a good movie (and should have the name "SuperTom fixes everything").

The Matrix (1999)

One heck of a f/x-movie

[9/10 · 27 March 2000]

God story line (yes it has some logical holes, but tell me any movie who doesn't), incredible stunts and unbelievable special effects.

Can it be any better? Of course it can, but this movie would be difficult to beat in its genre.

One drawback, though, you can tell that The Matrix has too much influences of Anime films.