Maybe it's just because I saw it in the theater when I was ten when it first came out, but it was one of those movies that affected me in a big way. Those of you actually BORN in 1980 can look at it as some relic, but I say it will stand the test of time like Fast Times at Ridgmont High and Over the Edge. This is a movie from a time when kids attempted to brush their hair, wore terry-cloth OP's and listened to Led Zeppelin. Video games pretty much meant Asteroids and Pong. Oh, the dark ages!!! What would all these new fresh-faced movie-goers do without their Nintendo Play-station Cubes and Matrix kung-fu digital effects? Back then we had Star Wars, and believe me, it was practically enough. I say practically because we begged for and demanded sequels and thats how all this crap got started in the first place. But back to my main point--- this movie rules and were all better off for it. It launched alot of careers (though unfortunately not Mr. Makepeace's) and was crucial to the generation it was tailored for as far as teaching us about life after elementary school. By the way, the fight scene may not be Crouching Tiger, but it's how it really works when you ACTUALLY have to fight. Oh, and bullies DID hang out in bathrooms all day, and a can of soda cost 25 cents. And for the record you will see the last recorded moment when someone flipped someone off by extending ONLY the middle finger. All that and Ruth Gordon, no less. Yeah!!!
Reviews
4 Reviews
Let It Be
(1970)
yeah, it's rough...but it's real
29 December 2001
I agree that it's quite a sad and dark movie, but I wouldn't say scary. It's just the Beatles winding down as a force and don't forget, they still recorded the majestic Abbey Road AFTER this footage was filmed. Also keep in mind that most of the movie is about them rehearsing for a possible live show, so it's loose and rough musically. But at the end they pull it together and really sound incredible. There ain't a band alive today to come near the Beatles live in their heyday, even if it is their last gig ever. The movie's worth seeing for "Don't Let Me Down" alone. Most people can't handle that this is what most good bands do in rehearsal--argue and mess around. It's not all magic, some of it is actually intense work and frazzled egos. It is a shame this isn't available out on vhs and dvd so that it might be rightfully judged and put into it's proper place historically. Fascinating and absorbing, especially if you love the Beatles. Four stars (****).
Magical Mystery Tour
(1967 TV Movie)
great music, good drunk fun
29 December 2001
Such sourpusses out there! Anyone telling you that Beatles fans should pass this movie up is, well...NOT A BEATLES FAN. They are what John Lennon would refer to as a "day tripper". A part-timer. Not in it for the long-haul. Anyone truly fascinated with the Beatles' music and legacy, especially after thirty years hindsight, ought to be downright thrilled that these four amateur filmmakers could pull off such an original, amusing and tuneful homemovie (not to mention long-form video WAY before it's time) on their spare time between recording Sgt. Pepper and the White Album, no less. They got drunk, got on a bus and filmed away. They were free spirits with tons of love, and it shows. They obviously knew exactly what they were doing, and rough edges and all, it's quite charming after all these years. My father took me to see a double feature of Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour when I was eight, and I just can't believe how it holds up. Love them warts and all. Just as they made "Hey Jude" and "She Loves You", so did they make "Revoluton #9" and "Within You, Without You". Just as they made tight, economical movies, so did they make experimental ones like this. Four Stars(****), if not just because there's nothing like it, and never will be again.
The Royal Tenenbaums
(2001)
style over substance
28 December 2001
It scares me that so many people think this is not only a funny movie, but a satisfying drama. I enjoyed Rushmore somewhat, but I far from creamed over it. Since I heard nothing but raves about this movie, I was excited to see it. It also contains some of our finest actors and comedians. But my view is that a great soundtrack, great actors, beautiful cinematography and whatnot does not a great film make. It is a far cry from this movie to, say, Harold and Maude. If anyone wants to see a great ensemble movie that fleshes our characters fully and is funny and has great drama, filmwork, etc. try Hannah and her Sisters or MASH or Fast Times at Ridgemont High, to use a scant couple examples. I'm not saying we don't have a talented filmmaker here, it's just that it's obvious he comes up with the music first, story second. If I wanted a video I'd watch MTV. Dramas can be humorous and comedies can be deep and dark, it's been done a thousand times or more in the past. But I am thoroughly convinced that a generation (or older) of moviegoers brought up on fast edits, commercial breaks and films with soundtracks that play like someone's "real cool" mix tape doesn't understand or crave the real thing. It entertained me slightly, so does a game show.
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