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gonzosintheair
Reviews
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
The movie "Troll" had a character Harry Potter
I believe credit should be given where it is deserved. If a person is inspired by someone else's imagination then he/she should own up to it. What are the odds that two separate people will follow the same genre and name the main character with the same first and last name. I don't know what those odds are but I'll bet they're pretty astronomical. The name Harry Potter was the original name of the hero boy in the movie "Troll" (1986). The story also involves a fantasy world with a witch, sorceress, wizard, troll forest nymph and magic. Harry even asked if he could be the sorceress's apprentice. Let's be fair, "Troll" was probably the inspiration for the Harry Potter books and movies. Because I respect my sister's judgment and she and her daughters speaks so highly of the Harry Potter stories, I'll give it a 9.
Lost: The End: Part 1 (2010)
disillusioned
I'm disappointed at Hollywood. No longer may I count on the expectation of original stories. "Lost" is nothing more than Gilligan's Island combined with "Jacob's Ladder" (1990) and "Is Mars Heaven?" (The Ray Bradbury Theater, Season 4, Episode 1).
Watch "Jacob's Ladder". You have a story that you don't know which way is up until the end, or at least near the end. Finally, you figure out that the 'Nam scenes are the reality and everything else is imagined during those last moments of life. Then the main character is guided to the light by his dead son. (You know what was the clincher for me in "Lost"? A polar bear on a tropical island. That's when I said "Oh man, this is just like "Jacob's Ladder").
Watch "Is Mars Heaven". You have a story of a Mars expedition and the characters find themselves suddenly in familiar, earthly territory. Then they start seeing all the family and friends they love. Suddenly, the main character figures out that everyone he is seeing is someone who died long ago. The ending fades in to a scene of the graves of the main character and his crew (buried by Martians.?!).
So there you have it. If only more people show Hollywood that we remember literature, shows and movies and to not try to fool us by re-filming old stories. Will there be another original story Hollywood will try to fake us with? Count on it.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
House 2
I didn't watch it and I didn't car to watch it. A movie came out in the mid 1980s called "House 2:The Second Story"(1987). It had a crystal scull, was very funny and had its own adventure. According to the commentary, it was a favorite among children because of the western environment and references. When I heard of the fourth Indiana Jones movie had a crystal scull I thought to myself "wouldn't it be nice if they made it a continuation of the adventure in "House 2...". Besides, the Indiana Jones genre isn't all that original.
A movie called "Cloak and Dagger", made in 1946, was the original story. Basically it was a university professor recruited as a spy against the Nazis. His mission was to steal the scientist the Germans "borrowed" in order to make an atomic bomb. So it's a race for the power of the nuclear bomb. Yes, a beautiful girl helps him. So instead of a race for the nuclear bomb, Indiana Jones is a race for religious, powerful, artifacts that will give the Germans power over the allies.
Sorry, you can't deny the facts.
Night of the Comet (1984)
The true message of this movie, not just a B movie.
First to those who love it as I do, the movie is on DVD. I bought it not too long ago. Keep asking you'll find it. If they discontinued it, they'll put it out again if there are enough people asking about it.
I like using movies as a metaphor to make a point. This movie is an excellent one to show that you never know who in this world will be the one to save mankind from extinction. Therefore, it also helps express that all human life is precious. It's also a movie about making logical deductions. What I'm about to write is not to be interpreted as a "goof". I believe the script writers provided the deductions according to each character's life style, education and training. In fact, I think it may make an interesting reference for a paper/thesis.
The Think Tank people say they made the mistake of leaving the ventilators operating, so they were exposed to the comet. Regina deduces that steel is what protected Her, Sam and Hector. However, as an objective observer, I see that neither the truck, the storage shed nor the projection booth provide a complete seal to keep out the effects of the comet.
Now, the Project Chief, Dr. Carter, says that the disintegration factor varies and that some project personnel will have greater needs than others. This tells me that regardless of the equal exposure, the effect varies form person to person. The Dr. knows this, or at least he suspects it.
My logical deduction is that DNA is the primary factor which determines if the comet will kill an individual. It is also a factor which determines how fast a person with insufficient DNA will expire to nothing but calcium dust. I believe the survivors had the necessary DNA which prevented the comet from affecting them. Even though the Think Tank people thought themselves superior, their DNA was inferior and they were doomed.
The moral of this story, if you think yourself superior, you may end up with egg on your face. History is riddled with real examples of those who thought themselves superior and were beaten. Hitler and Napoleon are the two most famous but do not neglect to see others not just in history, but also in the present. Does anyone you know or admire think himself or herself superior?
I've read some of the negative reviews of this movie and I feel they didn't pay attention or just lacked in interest. For example, one individual says that the comet burned people where they stood. Incorrect! Why? Because some people died slowly. Plus no one says anything about burning but they do talk about the "disintegration factor". So it must be an internal affect on the body, like DNA. Another said the scientists should have captured the bad guys in the store. Wrong! Why? Because they were already suffering from the effects of the comets. So, their blood was contaminated. These, and many others should remember this movie and all other movies they dislike, are just, to say the least, ENTERTAINMENT!
FYI: Other B movies have a lesson of some sort. Tremors is a movie about making plans. Long term, short term and immediate action. There's always some sort of "We need to come up with a plan!". Also there's "Return of the Living Dead". It's a metaphor about the danger of improper storage/disposal of hazardous waste and the importance of following a "waste stream". If you don't, then you can end up with some sort of undesirable or dangerous mutation. Just because it's identified as a B movie doesn't mean it's worthless.
Dan Aykroyd Unplugged on UFOs (2005)
Interesting Video
I've watched this video many times, as I do with most videos I own. That's why I own them, to study them. I say the primary valid statement made is if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck and looks like a duck, it must be a duck. Dan basically said so himself, if it sounds like something known, and if it moves like something known, and if it looks like something known, it is NOT unidentified. If any one of those three is highly questionable, the probability of it being a UFO is high. If two are questionable, the probability of it being a UFO is much higher. I all three are questionable then it's much, much, higher. Shall I dare say almost guaranteed. There are some footage that can be considered a hoax. For example, the UFO estimated to be a mile long because it floats behind the tether. I see many exact images in a reflection on a glass. Can you find it?? It's in there. I also made an exact image of that UFO by shining a laser light/beam through a magnifying glass/paper weight. I was just playing around with the items and happened to notice resembled that particular UFO. The footage in the DVD can possibly be faked by using multiple layers of glass. So, since I identified the image as something known, the probability of it being a legitimate UFO is less. Since a laser light makes no noise then lack of sound is not a factor. So the probability is much less. Get the idea? Don't get me wrong. I believe in UFOs (as well as life in other planets) but I have yet to see one. There are so many fakes out there we need to rule out all possibilities of known items. Remember the Pheonix lights? I've been trying to find the complete footage. I remember watching it on TV. As the last light "went out", I noticed that as soon as we did not have the glare of the last light, we could see the mountain's silhouette. It's similar to night driving in hilly or mountainous terrain. You can see the silhouette of the hill in front of you if there is a car behind it. Once the car goes over the hill, you see the lights but not the hill. I noticed the reverse occurred with the Pheonix lights. We saw the lights, but did not notice the mountain silhouette until the last light WENT BEHIND the mountain. I have yet to find complete footage. I want to draw the mountain ridge lines on an overlay and compare the ridge lines to the exact location each light "disappeared". My life's experiences and observations taught me we all need to be wary of any and all sorts of misdirection. Not just UFOs but in politics, in friendship, in romance, even in family relationships. Love everyone but selectively trust.
The X Files: Je Souhaite (2000)
One of my top ten favorites.
I love this episode because it supports my opinion that expecting peace out of the blue is just plain ignorant. Right now we have approximately 6.8 BIL people in the world. In order to achieve peace, all 6.8 BIL will have to agree with every Religious belief, every value system, every code of ethics, etc, etc, etc. Get the point? How, pray tell, can that happen. To those who believe it can and will happen, do you have some sort of top secret info to which you alone are privy??? Consider what happens, almost every time, when a new government takes over. Those who oppose are hunted down and silenced (killed). Like I said, LOVE this episode. I have a comment about Mulder's three wishes. I thought he would wish for his sister. He could have said to hell with being altruistic and wished for the complete truth about his sister. He could have worded them so that he could get his sister back, exposed the "Evil Group", destroyed the "Evil EBEs" and saved any more people from being abducted and tested. Hey, it's just a thought.
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
Shredders and then some.
The 12 Gauge shotgun rounds that Bruce Willis is referring to are "Disintegrators" or "Door Busters". Refer to sites named "Specialized Shotshell Ammunition". Shredders are used for home defense, NOT to blast locks. Aside from that, I really enjoy the movie. I like the message it sends parents about watching what you say in front of your kids. It also supports forgiveness as long as there is genuine regret. Lets not forget the importance of integrity and behavior of politicians. And then there's a reference to racism, education, social classes, sex abuse, etc. When you look at it, you can really find all sorts of social references that plague our world. and finally, the fact this world can use more REAL BOYSCOUTS.
Missing (1982)
Make sure you look at all the facts!
Who done it??? Well, you need to look at all the facts. They, the characters, give them to you. They even reiterate them! Well, I'll go ahead and give you some of the primary clues.
Here are some clues that say the rebels could have killed Charley.
1. He got a ride by a man that's #2 on the rebel's hit list.
2. Some of the leftists thought he was with the CIA because he was always taking notes and one of them "warned him" about taking notes on leftist conversations.
Now I'll provide some primary clues that say it may have been by the government in power.
1. He was asking way too many "sensitive" questions to Babcock, Tower and Patrick.
2. He's seen with leftist and pro-leftists persons.
All 4 clues were very stupid things for Charley to do during a military coupe. I'll cover some more on a later date. By now you should start seeing that there are just as many clues for EITHER side to want Charley dead.
The following are things people may have a tendency to regard as significant, but in reality are subjective.
1. The character Paris gives testimony that is third party, hearsay. Plus, he's identified as a "desperate man", speaking out as much as he can so as to gain enough exposure so the active government won't "knock him off". By the time Ed and Beth got to talking to him, Paris could have already read about their problem for weeks.
2. Testimony of the old man and woman from across the street contradict each other. Many prefer to accept the lady's more than the man's because hers supports right wing involvement. The man's version says that the kidnappers were not of government origin. Let me share with you a personal experience when I was in Colombia which provides a third possibility which combines the old man's and woman's versions. I was almost kidnapped. The "alleged" kidnappers were Colombian military in military uniform. I was told it's common for the underpaid, lower ranking to kidnap an American and turn him over to the local Cartel for a bounty. Man-o-man, talk about a close call! I made sure I didn't venture alone and had a Colombian with me at all times that I could trust. So it is feasible that Charley was kidnapped by genuine government soldiers but then turned in to the rebels for a bounty.
It doesn't surprise me a lot of people decide Charlie was killed by the "Right Wing" government. After looking at all the inconsistencies of the JFK assassination investigation, one can't help but wonder about all questionable events. Governments and societies are conceived, so it seems, with desire of perfection. But there's one factor that is undeniably present in any society. I call it the "Human Factor". No matter how perfectly conceived, a government is susceptible human imperfection. Not just corruption of elected officials but corruption of their voters too. A DVD called "CIA: The Shocking Stories Behind The Headlines" talks about the coupe. Watch it thoroughly. Don't blame everything on the US! I'll eventually provide my summary of all the facts you should consider in order to make a justified conclusion rather than making a conclusion based on your personal beliefs.
By the way, I noticed a reviewer said the movie makes no mention of the country of Chile. I regret to point out you are incorrect, it does mention in the movie the country of Chile. You'll notice when Ed meets with Beth, there is a sign that says "LAN CHILE". LAN is the principal Chilean air line. Putting "CHILE" right after it says "Hey, we're in Chile". Also, Santiago is mentioned twice. Santiago is the capital city. Also, "Vina del Mar" is mentioned various times. It is also in Chile. All of you should be wondering by now if you have neglected to notice facts that will help you to make a justified conclusion.
The Spider Woman (1943)
Basil Rathbone is my favorite Holmes
I've not much more to add however I did notice something interesting. You know how some movies use roman numerals to show the date a movie came out? Well, it may interest some of you to know the year for this movie was written as MCMXVIII, in other words 1918. Was this a blooper or an attempt to test the viewer's attention to detail? Even though they do contain some rather obvious mistakes, they still provide us with examples of elementary deduction. Perhaps those obvious mistakes mentioned by other reviews were not mistakes. What if they were tests to challenge our attention to detail and ability of elementary deduction. I've always been, and always shall be, a fan of the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies. They were a fond part of my childhood and are now my favorite section of my humble collection of DVDs. Watching these movies has given me an "eyesight" of our world.