Tankard22 Reviews

Out to Sea (1997)

A Very Very Funny Film!

[9/10 · 8 March 2007]

I was totally surprised just how good this movie actually is because when I first saw it I was only mildly amused! I must say however, that I am still very disappointed that Donald O'Connor wasn't given a bigger and better role! He was an enormous talent.

There is a great chemistry among all the main cast members and Matthau has never been funnier.

I am tremendously glad that this picture got made because we get to see Lemmon and Matthau team up for the very last time; in a vehicle that puts their talent to great use. Brent Spiner proves that "Data" from Star Trek the Next Geeration is not the only good character he can play.

The storyline is really quite simple but the comedy and the characters work really well and I laughed heartily throughout this movie and I highly recommend it.

The Nazis Strike (1943)

Americans should watch these films today!,

[8/10 · 8 March 2007]

This great film is composed mostly of documentary footage is currently contained on a DVD along with Prelude to War. The great American filmmaker and story teller Frank Capra made these films which simply and clearly call attention to the main points that caused World War II and Hitler's rise.

Every school child, nay, every American should watch these films today because they are so apropos. History has been repeating itself over and over again! The Lord Chamberlains are still alive and kicking; the tactics used by the Nazis of infiltrating countries through sympathizers and then the Communists and now by Muslim terrorist groups, are still working to these evil group's advantage.

By sitting back and letting Hitler as early as 1935 be aggressive - France, America and England caused over 50 million people's deaths. Americans, French and British today would happily let Hitler do exactly the same thing despite the fact that we should have learned from history what happens when you let dictators break treaties.

These great films may be too simplistic for World War II history buffs. They don't tell the horrors that the Soviet Union caused simply because at the time America was teamed up with them, fighting Hitler. This film does tell the plain facts and motives that led to the terrible war.

Attack Force (2006 Video)

He can barely talk for himself now!

[2/10 · 8 March 2007]

This movie was heavily marred by the presence of Steven Seagal. Or as I should say Steven So-dull! Like before Seagal is either too good or too stupid to re-dub his own lines, leaving someone to impersonate his voice for the shots where the sound needed to be looped. A few films before this was he has done this too, but I don't think to this extent! To be honest the film looks pretty good, the script could use some work but parts of this film looked like a real movie! Of course, all told, this film is pretty bad.

It would have been much better without Seagal who has become a cartoon of himself. Don't bother. Anything over a buck for this one is too much! I honestly think this is the last time for me and a Seagal film. What's taken me so long to realize this?!

Life of Brian (1979)

Upon Reflection

[4/10 · 8 March 2007]

This was my favorite Monty Python film some years ago. Graham Chapman is the best serious actor in the group and I really liked the sudeo history of ancient Palestine. Like I said, at the time, I found this to be pretty funny and thought that it really wasn't offensive to Christianity.

But since I've taken my religion seriously in the past several years I have begun to see that it is offensive and mocking of Christianity.

"But it's Brian!!!" I know it's Brian. I do, however the Python boys themselves have stated publicly that their intentions were to parody Jesus and Christianity. They cleverly use the device that we are following Brian and not Jesus and obviously show Jesus seriously delivering a sermon in a quick shot and yet the whole picture is taking shots at Christians and making light of the miracles of Christ.

Sure if you don't believe or have a limited faith you might eat these "harmless" parodies up. After all the Jews are spoofed with their stonings and their revolutionaries and the Romans are poked fun at, so what's so bad about showing Brian? Well, Brian may not be the Messiah, but his followers think he is and the whole moral of the story seems to be that these people are just blindly following. Following Brian as they followed or currently follow Jesus.

We see them attributing miracles to Brian as a man falls into a pit, still blind! They are making fun of Christians, they are making fun of me. They are making light of the miracles of Jesus by using Brian as His representation. "But they showed the real Jesus... This is Brian..." Right! Sure! The catchy tune and the singing on the cross may be funny to some, me at onetime included, but if you truly believe in the sacrifice of Jesus; this torture is not funny. This movie ceases to become funny when one is looking at it from a point of view of faith.

The Monty Python gang was a talented group of people who liked to go overboard with the naughty bits. But this time they did go too far. Idle admits that the film is heretical and though they cloak their real motives with the invention of Brian the core message is one of disrespect for Christianity and "Jesus freaks" like myself.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

One of the Best Ever

[10/10 · 8 March 2007]

This is right up at the top of my list for one of the best movies ever. Okay, so maybe I'm shallow compared to some of you but for me this movie has it all! It is one of those films that comes along rarely it is flawless! The casting for each and every character is perfect! Harrison Ford was born to play this character; seldom have I seem such an amazing performance by an actor Alec Guinness and Peter O'Toole included. His every expression and reaction is a joy to watch. He embodies Indiana Jones so well that this character will be what he is remembered for most - even over Han Solo.

Steven Spielberg was at his height when he directed this movie. If this movie wasn't so much fun it would have been showered with the awards that it deserved.

Though this movie looked back to the films of the past it will be one of the films that embodies the 1980s.

For years I just had a VHS fullscreen copy and when I got a widescreen laserdisc copy it was like watching a whole different film! It's so much fun and so well made that if you have never watched this movie - do. the excitement and adventure doesn't let up until the end. It never bogs down and it is really hard not to enjoy this movie... even if you don't think it is your cup of tea.

I could go on and on about this movie! Harrison Ford has never equaled his acting as Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark is the best of the trilogy. Enjoy.

The Departed (2006)

Departed

[4/10 · 8 March 2007]

Not much to commend on this movie! The original Hong Kong film was much much better. This movie was rambling, predictable, and at times reminded me of a college student film with its forced irony.

Okay, so Dicaprio did do an excellent job, and Sheen and Damon were okay but the acting of Nicholson was atrocious and Marky Mark has been much better in other things. His acting limitations were obvious in this film. What was the corpulent Baldwin even doing in this film, outside of the director giving a handout to a fellow down-on-his-luck lib, who shouldn't even have been living in the United States for the past six years? This film shouldn't have gotten all the good press that it has and it absolutely shouldn't have been nominated or won anything. And no, I am not bitter for wasting any money seeing this film because I was given a free copy of it and I actually looked forward to seeing it. Now that I have seen it, I wish it hadn't departed from the original movie as much as it did.

The whole thing of trying to incorporate the Boston bi-sexual crime-lord Whitey Bulger into the storyline with the Nicholson character was stupid and hit a bad note too since this mass murdering former male street hustler is still on the loose!

Title to Murder (2001)

An Excellent Independent Film

[7/10 · 8 March 2007]

This is a great independent film! I really enjoyed the quirky and funny storyline and characters.

Apart from the known actors like McCormick (Marsha Brady on The Brady Bunch) and Atkins and the known actor/director Steven Furst the relatively unknown cast of actors do an excellent job as well! The production quality is well done, the music is good and well timed to the picture. Even the side characters are delightful to watch and I think you do get a feel of Massachusetts from the characters, scenery and the great authentic Boston accents!!! A very well done; funny film; with a mystery!

Songs Unwritten: A Tap Dancer Remembered (1989 Video)

Great Documentary on a Legendary Tap Dancer!!!

[8/10 · 7 March 2007]

This is a great documentary on one of America's legendary tap dancers. This documentary captures a few of Collin's unique routines otherwise lost to generations of dance lovers.

It tells of his lean years when he worked as a car detailer having given up dancing when tap dancing went out of style. We hear from his friends and colleagues and get to peak at Collins behind the scenes warming up.

It is a true tribute to this wonderful man and fabulous tap dancer Leon Collins, who through is skill and generosity taught hundreds of students in the third act of his life.

A great dancer, a sweet, gentle and kind man, he is simply a legend!

Utopia (1950)

Terrible Film!

[2/10 · 7 March 2007]

I never want to see this movie again!

Not only is it dreadfully bad, but I can't stand seeing my hero Stan Laurel looking so old and sick.

Mostly I can't stand watching this terrible movie!

Frankly, there is no reason to watch this awful film. The plot is just plain stupid. The actors that surround Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are really really bad and Laurel and Hardy have been funnier in any of their earlier films!

I warn you don't watch it, the images will haunt you for a long while to come!

George W. Bush: Faith in the White House (2004 Video)

Bush Haters Beware!

[10/10 · 7 March 2007]

This is an amazing documentary told through the eyes of people who have known President George W. Bush. The documentary makes it clear that when the President brought up Jesus Christ it wasn't to get votes by some hungry politician it was because his Christian faith really means a lot to him.

We hear about things the public would never know if it wasn't for this enlightening documentary and the interviews of people who know him. God seems to truly have turned a reckless youth into a humble and devotional man. Like President Reagan and his fight against communism, President Bush also seems to feel that God is using him to better the world.

President Bush comes off as humble, prayerful, and touched by God in this documentary, in fact, someone who breaks into tears and prays and is truly concerned with his fellow sounds more like a future saint than a president of the United States.

The true character and image of George W. Bush, much maligned by atheists, communists, terrorists and democrats, comes out in this well made documentary on the faith of this President and proves that the aforementioned are working for the other side. I highly recommend this DVD!

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

A Masterpiece!

[10/10 · 7 March 2007]

This movie is simply a masterpiece. Everything about it is done to perfection. How the story unfolds and the beautiful cinematography; the wonderful acting displayed on the screen; it is sheer perfection.

Mel Gibson is to be honored for pulling off such an amazingly powerful and touching film as this; basically all on his own! The hateful attacks that Gibson had to endure, even to this day, because he dared to make this shining light among a sea of garbage that is Hollywood, is a tragedy.

The fact also, that this film has not been recognized as the superb piece of art that it is by the various award groups is a travesty.

Everything about this movie is powerful and moving and if it doesn't have an impact or an effect on you... your soul is dead.

A magnificent achievement by Mel Gibson a true visionary and hero of our time. Bravo.