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Reviews
Deliverance (1972)
Burt Reynolds
I have never met a man who does not love this movie. I suppose Freud would have a lot of fun analyzing why that is. In any event, it's been awhile since I have seen this movie, but I will never forget how Burt Reynolds looked in those canoe scenes.
The Cell (2000)
The German Shepherd
The best acting in this movie comes from the German Shepherd. Outside of the dearth of any decent acting, (with the exception of the canine), the entire movie gave me the feeling of "been there, seen that." This movie was basically a retread of the following three movies: Silence of the Lambs, Flatliners and Nightmare on Elm Street. Instead of wasting your money on a rental fee for the Cell, I would suggest that you watch one of those other movies and catch Jennifer Lopez on the annual MTV video awards.
The Browning Version (1994)
This movie ranks #5 on my list of all-time personal favorites
This movie touches one's soul. Albert Finney gives a heartfelt performance as an old, crusty, teacher, who reflects on his career and life in the days leading to his retirement. He comes to the realization that his entire life's work has been, for the most part, in vain. It is reminiscent of Tolstoy's Death of Ivan Illyich. While in Tolstoy's Illyich, the character reflects on his life while on his death bed, Finney's soul searching is triggered by his imminent retirement. He realizes that his marriage has failed and that none of his students, with the exception of one, appear to have any appreciation and respect for him. Finney gives a remarkable performance in the lead role. Have Kleenex handy when you watch this one.
Gettysburg (1993)
One of my favorite movies
Gettysburg is one of my top ten favorite movies. To the Englishman living in Australia who suggested that only Americans would like this movie and expressed his disdain for American nationalism, I suggest you watch the following movies: Braveheart, The Patriot, and In the Name of the Father. I bet you will really enjoy those movies as well. While you are at it, you may want to watch Patton, the movie regarding the American General who rescued Europe from Nazi rule.
As for Gettysburg, this movie really brought the battle alive for me. I especially enjoyed the performances of Stephen Lang as Pickett, Richard Jordan as Armistead, and Kevin Conway as Kilrain. Stephen Lang's response to Sheen (General Lee) toward the end of Pickett's unsuccessful charge, was wonderfully delivered, such that it brings tears to my eyes whenever I watch that scene. But then again, I am just a silly patriotic American.
Gettysburg (1993)
One of my favorite movies
Gettysburg is one of my top ten favorite movies. To the Englishman living in Australia who suggested that only Americans would like this movie and expressed his disdain for American nationalism, I suggest you watch the following movies: Braveheart, The Patriot, and In the Name of the Father. I bet you will really enjoy those movies as well. While you are at it, you may want to watch Patton, the movie regarding the American General who rescued Europe from Nazi rule.
As for Gettysburg, this movie really brought the battle alive for me. I especially enjoyed the performances of Stephen Lang as Pickett, Richard Jordan as Armistead, and Kevin Conway as Kilrain. Stephen Lang's response to Sheen (General Lee) toward the end of Pickett's unsuccessful charge, was wonderfully delivered, such that it brings tears to my eyes whenever I watch that scene. But then again, I am just a silly patriotic American.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
How easy it is to become a criminal
My impression of this movie is not one of feminist propaganda. Rather, this movie demonstrates the ease by which an individual, male or female, may become a criminal. The greatness of this movie lies in its strong writing, plot, and superb acting. While this movie could be classified by some as a typical "fugitives-running-from-the-law" formula, it has enough depth of characters and great dialogue to set it apart from other movies of its genre.
Furthermore, Scott does not sugar-coat Louise's criminal act. If Louise had shot a man while he was raping Thelma, that would be the typical melodramatic drivel, suitable for the Lifetime Network. Such a script would likely climax with a courtroom scene in which Louise would be exonerated, with the assistance of a silver-haired compassionate defense attorney. Instead, Scott gives us a Louise who shoots a man: a man who has retreated from his attempt to commit a rape upon her friend. The man has backed away after seeing the gun-wielding Louise. However, when he utters offensive language, she shoots. Of course, she realizes she has no legal defense to her murder of the man, and thus, she must flee.
The greatest part of this movie is the transformation of the character, Thelma. At first, Thelma, the weaker character, feels compelled to flee with Louise, though Thelma herself has committed no criminal act. Of course, she goes along with Louise, perhaps because of her own guilt and feeling of responsibility for having placed Louise in this predicament. After all, Thelma perhaps feels that she created the circumstances under which Louise felt compelled to shoot the man, due to Thelma's placing her safety in jeopardy through her drunken waltz to the alley with the bar pick-up. Perhaps, Thelma feels compelled to go with Louise, because, after all, Louise saved her from the hands of the would-be rapist, or perhaps, Thelma feels compelled to go with her simply because she has nowhere else to go. One gets the impression that Thelma lacks legal knowledge sufficient to realize that she is not complicit in the murder of the man. In any event, Thelma follows along with Louise, and through their fugitive journey, she becomes a stronger, more independent person. Davis does a wonderful job of portraying the transformation of this shrinking violet, into a bold, gun-toting criminal.
This movie also demonstrates that an initial criminal act, will most likely result in subsequent criminal acts for the individual. For Louise, the criminal acts that follow in the wake of the murder, are ones of necessity--the criminal acts are a result of Louise's feeling that her life is spinning out of control. The criminal acts are miniscule in comparison to the homicide she has committed. As she has committed the most serious of crimes, what are a few robberies in comparison? However, for Thelma, the subsequent criminal acts are ones of personal empowerment---the criminal acts are a result of Louise's feeling that she is finally taking control of her own life. Thus, Scott masterfully gives us the comparative workings of the criminal mind in two individuals--one who is relinquishing control of her own life through her criminal acts, and another who is finally gaining control of her own life through her criminal acts.
Finally, for those men who posted on this board who seem to find this movie unsettling, I suspect that you identify with one of the male characters in the movie, rather than Thelma or Louise. Your negative comments about this movie are telling. Perhaps, you should watch it again and discover which male character with whom you identify. You may learn a lot about yourself.
I am a woman and my favorite movies are The Good the Bad and the Ugly and Patton. I identify with Blondie and Patton, despite our gender differences. The GTBTU and Patton contain no major women characters. A woman is beaten by Lee Van Cleef in one scene in the GTBTU, but no other women come to mind in that movie. As for Patton, there is a single scene with the General being surrounded by a bunch of old English biddies.
In closing, I would suggest for any men or women who enjoy a good tale and fine acting, Thelma and Louise is a must-see.
Boys Town (1938)
A Classic
I have enjoyed this movie since I was a child. I saw it for the first time when I was about ten-years-old and have watched it many times since. While parts of it may seem "hokey" by today's standards, the performances of Tracey and Rooney are memorable. The tensions between the "tough-love" priest and the wise-mouthed swaggering delinquent make for timeless drama. I have to admit though, that every time I watch this movie, there is a part of me that wants Whitey Marsh to stay bad, remain a delinquent and fail to succumb to the straight-laced rules of Boys Town. (Perhaps, that is the rebellious residue of a Catholic education.) In any event, I agree with the sentiments reflected by a prior poster, that when Pee Wee gets hit by the car, and Whitey starts sobbing, well, it is hard not to sob along with him.