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sljones44
MA Programme in Intercultural-Interdisciplinary Studies in Communication/St. Mary's College
Reviews
Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977)
Flawed film, but served as catharsis for former Vietnam Vets
I 'm going to counterbalance the previous two reviews. The only reason it's considered "absurdist left-wing" fodder, is that the two reviewers still didn't understand the hatred of that war of course being divided into this left wing-right wing B.S. wedge that the 2 term administration has firmly slammed into the American Consciousness. The original reviewer doesn't realize that several Vietnam Vets overran the Pentagon, went to Washington D.C. and literally threw their medals. This was a film, that was a catharsis for many overwhelming numbers of PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY FOUGHT THE WAR experienced.
The movie is a cat and mouse thriller with Burt Lancaster demanding attention from the White House by controlling a missle silo/bunker complex. As a former Air Force General with high security clearance, he knows how to complete the mission. The film is a study on why a decorated General threatens to start WW III.
On the opposite side of the fence lies the President, played by Charles Durning whose aim is to stop him. The supporting actors are outstanding on all accounts, Richard Widmark, Paul Winfield, Burt Young, Melvin Douglas, to name a few. The actors making up the presidents cabinet are outstanding. The cabinet/advisors must decide- is the General a mad man or can he pull off his threat of missle launch. What is his agenda? The ending is a shocking, uncompromising statement on what happens in a political chess match. The military adviser tells the president, the buck stops here.... you are responsible, even for past transgressions from a previous presidency. I like the fact that a military person says " our way of life can survive the truth."
Bôkoku no îjisu (2005)
A gripping thriller on par with Crimson Tide!!
When a biological weapon is smuggled aboard a high tech battleship named Aegis it appears as if a new military age is dawning in Japan - Militant Terrorist Pao Yeung Fan is determined to unleash a biological weapon on Japan. But a brave Chief Petty Officer(Hiroyuki Sanada) has other ideas. He and an undercover defense agent attempt to stop them. On the surface its an action film, but beneath it is a relevant discussion of Japan's right of self defense in a new terror-age. Complicating matters is the U.S. involvement in developing the agent(GUSOH) and it being stolen from Okinawa.
The only answer to contain it is to use a thermite strike. Needless to say the tension keeps building. With the human factors of honor, duty and self-sacrifice sprinkled throughout the proceedings. If you can stand the subtitles it's worth a look! An apt quote was "A peace is a pause between wars...Damn! Out of Cigarettes,again!" Another good quote; "if a nation cannot use force in her defense, it's unfit to be called a nation!" Perhaps the late militant Japanese writer, Yukio Mishima would agree. Hence 6.8 out of 10
Panther (1995)
a flawed, but intriguing premise
How interesting it is that some of the supporting comments regarding the politics of this movie come from Ireland and England. The comment regarding Patty Hearst, especially intriguing. The error by the poster gives you an idea of how flawed people's perceptions of the Panthers were and still are. Hearst was kidnapped by Sinque, who was purported to be an ex-Panther member.
The Panthers were an interesting phenomena borne from the rough streets of Oakland,California, my hometown. They brought ideals of self-awareness, pride and self-defense. Some say that the theory of J.Edgar Hoover dumping drugs into the black neighborhoods to bring about its downfall was preposterous. As a resident of Oakland, it was absolutely factual that drugs were put into the community to destabilize it. COINTELPRO had insurrectionists cast into the Black Panthers as well as Campus student movements.
The FBI sought the downfall of Martin Luther King, and celebrated on the day of his assassination. Not all parties were in cahoots, but he was thought of as a communist agitator. Funny how no major motion picture of him was done following JFK, isn't it? Some aspects were quite fictitious, the "Judge" character and the shootout in the warehouse as well. The Panthers were considered an enemy to the established order and it was seeded with "inside" people to ferment internal conflict. The film may not be completely historically accurate, but it does portray the need then and now for a Black Panther Movement. The concept of Government conspiracy isn't new; see Operation Mongoose, Operation Northwoods, Watergate, Iran-Contra, etc. this was a flawed, but intriguing film about an organization that sought to improve the conditions of the community. And how the establishment created methods to destabilize and destroy it.
Manson (1973)
What happened to the 60s?
The Manson murders occur with the finality and shock of those horrendous 2 years - 68-69 where the assassinations of several political leaders left a"lawless", "desperate vacuum". What may have started out as a sick,twisted plot (because Manson's record deal with Terry Melcher went sour) became a nightmare-media-pumped circus that year. Its macabre scenario was coupled with the investigation of JFK - by Jim Garrison also. It signified the end of the 60's. The thought of chaotic ,violent, revolution replacing hopeful, non-violent social protest. This made the youth susceptible to any leader, and a lost,desperate and amoral person such as Manson began the litany; "im simply a reflection of what you want to see" "I'm just being used" - This is a pretty good documentary. I'ts disjointed narrative and unfocused colors make it seem as disruptive as the times. Today, days are empty, meaningless and lost. People are spiritually unfulfilled, but want simple entertainment and just want to work. The 60's represented change, but once the means of change were co-opted by the secret state - revolution came. People wanted to make a difference but the Manson followers were manipulated to live care free lives and destroy the lives of the privileged. This film is worth seeing!
Dopperugengâ (2003)
pretty good film if you're patient
There are some elements of Hitchcock in the film. The set up is annoyingly slow for some people, but it's quite rewarding. The message of the film, is to listen to your own self, not the doppelganger. the doppelganger is within us, not necessarily seen. The point of him seeing is doppelganger, is that his double has the temerity to do the things he (Hayasaki) couldn't do. As he becomes bolder and more amoral he wonders is he becoming the doppelganger? Is Hayashi becoming the worst part of himself? Or perhaps his double is the real suppressed Hayashi? He discovers his ruthless, ambitious, lustful self through his double. It would make an interesting remake with issues of duality and existentialism. If we could have a conversation with ourselves, what would we say? - what would our other self say to us? This would be a fascinating concept that was done in several films - most notably "Jo Jo Dancer, Your life is Calling" - "the ghost of Christmas future showing Jimmy Stewart's future without him and his effect on others. Also "Family Man" with Nicolas Cage explored this theme. DePalma's "Raising Cain" (to a lesser degree) I thought this premise was pretty good - some may think it was a bit underdeveloped, but I liked it.
The 7th Dawn (1964)
unheralded sleeper
I agree with most posts. I think this was an underrated film, surprisingly hard to find. It was quite critical of the British elements of counter terrorism. It seemed a little simplistic, but it told a story not usually found in most movies. I think that it was a good, balanced viewpoint of colonialism, terrorism as well as romance. This would be an intriguing remake, if today's times were a little different. Today's culture is far into the anti-terrorist mode to understand the psychology of insurgency. Vietnam was much more complex, with the S.Vietnamese bureaucracy betraying themselves and China masterminding the NVA for its own purposes. William Holden played the naive, if somewhat self-important voice of reason. He played the angle from his side, and was critical of the British viewpoint. The "loyalty" aspect was quite intriguing and prevalent throughout most of the film, and he distinguished that element again in the Wild Bunch. This was a pretty good movie.
G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987)
what a show
I'm glad to see so many fans of the series chimed in on this. I, too was a shameless addict for G.I. Joe and Transformers. The shows basically followed each other on the after school t.v. program. I remember some of the shows were quite serious. Buzz Dixon was a pretty good writer on the show. There was one about a take over of the G.I. Joes "traitor" within. then another had someone joining a street gang. another episode had commentary - where Cobra wanted the cartoon for everyone to look alike and think alike - then we can achieve world peace! - another Cobra commander episode was when he changed the ending of a program - "you just cant win if the opponent is bigger and stronger than you are" - some of the story lines were pretty good. Others were pretty goofy. I just loved that opening song - "Fighting for freedom wherever there is trouble over land and sea and air.....G.I. Joe is there. When they fly to the top of the statue of liberty and those fireworks are going off...I m sorry, but I was just psyched after seeing that - it was such a rush. - It would be considered fascist in some circles these days, but then again, its just a cartoon. no, a phenomenon! - there must be a movie in the works!!!!
Puratonikku sekusu (2001)
tragic story thats true
This is based on the story of Eiijima, Ai who was an up and coming porn star in Japan. It's a tragic story thats true! She grew up abused and lacking moral or emotional support from her parents following a rape. This happens to a lot of porno stars in Japan as well as the U.S. - they're the victims, and continue to be victims following illicit relationships and lost dreams; they hope to find satisfaction through money or gifts from "sponsors" or managers. This is a very depressing film. I believe the actress on whom it is based on has never married to this day. I don't judge porn stars, but there is usually a story behind their decision to enter the industry. Hers is a fascinating one.