bellino-angelo2014 Reviews

Tommy (1975)

A tiring musical... now that's something different!

[3/10 · 2 June 2024]

I am not exactly a fan of musicals but I saw few of them for the cast members and since this was among my few movies left with Jack Nicholson back when I saw it last October that was reason enough to watch it tho he had just a supporting role. I say reason enough because despite the music was good it kinda tired.

Tommy Walker assisted when he was a child to the murder of his dad (who was a RAF pilot) killed by his god-father. This traumatic event makes him suffer from autism. For making Tommy return to normal his parents (Ann Margret and Oliver Reed) try to cure him with the help of some characters that reveal themselves to be all but useful. Despite his autism one day Tommy becomes a flipper champion managing to beat the Pinball Wizard and making his family rich. Soon the flipper star starts to preach and founds his cult, after some banter Tommy will finally climb the highest mountain where, once at the top, he reaches freedom and spiritual highness.

The plot isn't that bad but what ruined this movie for me was that the dialogue was mostly sang and the gags were mostly boring. Some moments even defied common sense, such as the one of Ann Margret bathing in beans coming out of the TV set or the part before Tommy climbs the mountain... I mean, you have to see them to believe them!

Overall, do yourself a favour and if you aren't into whimsical musicals (the genre this tries to be), please avoid it. It made me feel asleep as soon as it finished, and thankfully I didn't left it half-way tho I was kinda tempted.

The Passenger (1975)

Dreadful and migraine inducing... don't say I didn't warn you!

[1/10 · 26 May 2024]

Last October I decided to finally finish all the movies with Jack Nicholson that I still hadn't seen. After all, this is one of his most famous for two reasons probably: it's directed by an Italian director acclaimed by many and Nicholson did this in the same year of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. But this revealed to be one of the worst viewing experience I had in some time (and that includes when I saw THE BROKEN KEY who was even worse than this which is hard to do)!

David Locke (Nicholson) is a disilussioned journalist that goes to northern Chad for interviewing rebel fighters that are involved in the civil war. However, not only David doesn't find people to interview but his car gets stuck in a sand dune and a man he met in the hotel dies of a heart attack after few hours. David sees this as a chance to restart his life taking the dead man's identity and things. However trouble soon follows because the dead man was an arms dealer that was useful for the Chad civil war. Once in Barcelona David meets a woman known as Girl in the Park Guell and after tons of banter and dullness, David will be found in a hotel in Osuna and killed by the dead man's hitmen.

To say that this movie is dull would be an understatement because I had a horrible experience with the viewing... I had to watch it in three sittings! First, when I began it I felt asleep after the first 30 minutes; then I slept five hours and I saw an hour of it while struggling to keep my eyes open and was about to give it a 2; then, I slept other three hours and when I arrived to the last thirty minutes things didn't went much better!

It's duller than dust, and according to the reviews for other Michelangelo Antonioni movies he has an habit of telling stories much longer than the time required: in other words, something that can be told in 30 minutes in a movie of his is prolonged to an hour of absolute nothing. Here is no exception, and for giving a quick example I would mention be the scene before the end: here, David wants to rest in his room and Girl goes out wandering about in the square in front of the window and we only hear footsteps of the hitmen that went after David while our eyes are treated to see the square. It was making me feel nearly dizzy!

It was also artsy just for the sake of boring the viewer to death, with lots of scenes like the aforementioned one that drag and drag and they made me force my eyes to keep open and as if that wasn't enough they were very confusing. As for the acting, Nicholson did his best with the poor material given and I think he knew he was in a mess of an artsy movie even worse than A SAFE PLACE but couldn't get out of it (same goes for Maria Schneider, the only known cast member aside from Nicholson)

Third, it's also very worthless because David is sent to photograph a war and meet some fighters of the civil war but he doesn't meet the war nor the fighters, and it was kinda baffling considering what we are shown and thrown in our faces. It's also very disrepcetful for the viewer but I assume the director didn't cared.

Overall, one of the most painful movies I ever saw that I won't recommend to anyone. Dull, dreadful, worthless, sleep inducing and stale... the three sittings for which I had to watch it weren't worth it and thank God I didn't left it before the end! Obviously it has a high score and many praise it... I don't care tho I assume two options for this are possible: 1) they must be in love with the director to the point of accepting blindly that all his movies are great (2) they love artsy movies.

The Last Detail (1973)

Not your usual road trip, that's for sure

[8/10 · 26 May 2024]

I was curious about THE LAST DETAIL for years because it's among the first Jack Nicholson movies where he is the lead and it's directed by Hal Ashby (one of the most prominent movie directors of the 1970s). Last October I finally saw it and while in some points it was a bit slow it was still worth seeing.

Signalman Billy Buddusky (Nicholson) and gunner's mate Richard Mulhall (Otis Young) are assigned to escort seaman Larry Meadows (Randy Quaid) to prison in Maine since Larry has to spend eight years there for stealing 40 $ dollars from a charity donation. After some divergences Buddusky and Mulhall start to like Larry and they plan on making him have some fine adventures in the week before he is sent to jail. In Boston the three have various adventures including brawling with sailors and make Larry lose his virginity. After a fight attempt gone bad Larry is finally sent to prison, but trouble is not over for Buddusky and Mulhall thanks to an arrogant warrant officer.

As I said in the beginning it was slow and a bit overlong but it was worth seeing for the funny moments (when the trio goes in a bar and the waiter refuses to serve them, when the trio go to a buddhist refuge, when Buddusky and Mulhall make Larry go to a prostitute and she ends up having some feelings for him and the fight in the park 20 minutes for the end). The acting by the trio was good and same goes for the direction. And in the end it was some sort of relief seeing Buddusky and Mulhall leaving the arrogant officer.

Overall, mostly recommended to fans of the 1970s or of the leads.

A Safe Place (1971)

Confusing and able to grate on the viewer's nerves

[2/10 · 19 May 2024]

A SAFE PLACE has certainly a bad reputation. It has a score of 4,9 that places it among Jack Nicholson's lowest rated movies, nearly all negative reviews and according to IMDB when it was shown at a film festival the audience became hostile and fights almost broke out because some loved it and some hated it. But not deterred, last October I finally saw it for seeing for myself if it was that bad and sadly I had to agree with nearly everyone.

Noah (Tuesday Weld) is a young woman that lives in her New York apartment. She is a flower child that retreats herself in her childhood memories in the search of a safe place while at the same time she dates two men: Fred who is practical but dull and Mitch (Nicholson) who is more dynamic and fit for her tho none of them can fulfill her passion, but at this point who cares?

To say that A SAFE PLACE is bad is just the tip of the iceberg. First, it's very disconnected and annoying at his worst because of the various jump cuts from a moment to the other. To get a sample of this we are shown moments of Noah in a hippie comune with snippets of a man only known as The Magician (Orson Welles) doing some magic tricks and even visiting a zoo.

Second, the acting is probably the laziest and when I say it, I mean that Megan Fox and Kristen Stewart are light years better than the cast in this movie. Tuesday Weld gives probably a prime example of sleepwalking acting as she is perpetually bored which seems difficult to do considering she is playing an immature girl. Only Nicholson was ok but his immense talent was wasted, same goes for Welles since we don't know what his motivations are or what was his purpose for appearing in this. Supporting cast? Forgettable on a whole.

Third, the pacing was so slow that the more time passes the more you'll end up asking yourself when the movie finally finishes. And as the movie ends you'll end up asking yourselves: What did I just saw? Did I missed something in the viewing? But in the end, these questions go by unanswered.

Overall, probably one of the worst art movies ever because of how much it's grating. My 2 would be only for Nicholson's performance and for the animals that appeared in the zoo scenes but for the rest, it's best to avoid as it would confuse most of you if you seek in a movie excitement and characters that look like real people.

Carnal Knowledge (1971)

Another product strictly of its time but satisfying in the end

[8/10 · 19 May 2024]

I heard for years about CARNAL KNOWLEDGE because of the subject, that it stars Art Garfunkel (a singer of which my mom is a fan) and also because it was made in a period of time where the topic of sexual frustration was finally discussed in movies and novels, and this is probably one of the best movies about the subject.

The story begins in the 1940s when Sandy (Garfunkel) meets co-ed Susan (Candice Bergen), they start dating but she is reluctant to start a relationship and at the same time she is pursued by Sandy's womanizing roommate Jonathan Fuerst (Jack Nicholson) and she ends in bed with Jonathan, only to end up doing it with Sandy and she breaks with Jonathan.

The story then shifts after college: Sandy and Susan are married but Jonathan is still searching for the woman of his life. He stars a relationship with shallow Bobbie (Ann Margret) but after a while he becomes tired of her and makes her leave her job only to make her feel depressed while he rants about the fact that while he is at work she doesn't even do the cleaning needed. After a while Jonathan suggests to Sandy of trading partners, but they end all splitting and Bobbie nearly attempts suicide only to be saved just in time.

After some other time Jonathan has success in his job but is alone. He goes to a prostitute named Louise (Rita Moreno) and she recites a monologue about relationships between men and women praising his prowess, and this is the only way that now Jonathan can have an e******n (can't say the full word for IMDB standards but I bet you got it).

While the plot might look a bit depressing and the movie was a bit tough watching in some points it's still worth watching because of the performances by all (Garfunkel, Bergen, Nicholson, Margret and Moreno who has always been lovely) and also because the ending makes for some very satisfying viewing.

If you are curious to know more about the subject of sexual frustration or if you want to mentally travel back in time to the 1970s, then this movie is perfect for you.

The Rebel Rousers (1970)

Decent if you accept it for what it is

[7/10 · 19 May 2024]

THE REBEL ROUSERS kinda intrigued me because it's Jack Nicholson's lowest rated movie and since last October I decided to finish all his movies because he used to look a lot like me and in most of his first movies he was already a great actor tho in lesser movies than the ones he made after EASY RIDER (according to IMDB this was filmed in 1966 but wasn't released until 1970 after the success of that one), I knew I had to watch it and to my surprise, I ended up being the odd man out that liked it.

Paul Collier (Cameron Mitchell) is searching for his girlfriend that is pregnant but ran away from him when he proposed marriage. Soon trouble arrives as the Rebel Rousers comes to town and their leader J J Weston (Bruce Dern) went to school with Paul but instead of catching up with him he and his gang decide to go in a diner and after they start a brawl the Sheriff makes them go out of town. As the gang meets Paul and Karen, Paul is beaten to a pulp and the Rousers decide who will make out first with Karen (Diane Ladd), only to have J J organize a race where who wins will have a chance to make out with Karen but the plan will turn upside down when Paul meets a gang of Mexicans willing to fight against the Rousers, and Karen will be finally safe.

The acting was good by all (Dern, Mitchell, Ladd, Nicholson and Harry Dean Stanton), the soundtrack was nice, there were some funny moments in between and the ending was uplifting. Overall I have to agree with most of the negative reviews including the one from planktonrules about the confusing interwining scenes without continuity because honestly, if the scenes would have been put in a continuos manner it would have been better. As it is, nothing exceptional but still a decent biker movie.

Psych-Out (1968)

Certainly a product of its time

[8/10 · 19 May 2024]

I have been curious for quite some time about PSYCH-OUT because it's one of those movies about the hippie community and when I saw it last October it kinda grew on me - in a good sense.

When the film begins Jenny Davis (Susan Strasberg) arrives in San Francisco's Haight Asbury searching for her brother Steve (Bruce Dern) but she ends up meeting Stoney (Jack Nicholson) and his hippie band performing in a coffee shop. At Stoney's crowded house everyday life from an hippie's point of view is a mess because they make love every day but there is little hygiene. On top of this Jenny tries to clean the dishes but notices that the plumbing is broken. Steve returns to the art gallery but he's a mess because he's on drugs: later we see Steve starting a fire and ends being engulfed by the flames, and this causes Jenny to hallucinate and find herself in the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge amidst the ongoing traffic causing the death of Dave (Dean Stockwell) and before the movie ends she embraces Stoney and cries.

The acting was good by all and the hippie life scenes were sometimes funny, sometimes flat and sometimes in between. It's certainly one of those movies that could have been made only in that period of time and this is among the better ones. If you want to see some slice of this period of time, this is for you.

Hells Angels on Wheels (1967)

Probably one of the best bikers' movies from the 1960s

[9/10 · 19 May 2024]

While I am not a huge fan of bikers' movies I saw some of them for the cast members and since this is one of Jack Nicholson's first movies I knew I had to watch it and to my surprise I liked it very much.

When the film begins Poet (Nicholson) is fired from his job after having assaulted a costumer and is noticed by the Angels' gang, who take him under their wing and organize a robbery in a convenience store: in the meanwhile one of the Angels break one of the lights of Poet's motorcycle and when Poet notices this, he wants to beat the Angel that broke his light but suddenly the leader arrives and lets Poet join their rides. In fact, when four sailors beat Poet the Angels go to the sailors for beating them and sadly one of them will lose its life. Most of the movie then consists of the Angels causing the death of an older man, make two cops go off the road and causing mahyem in a bar where they are not welcome, all this until the showdown between Poet and the leader Buddy where Poet will win.

What makes this so special among the many bikers' movies are Nicholson's performance very reminiscent of the characters he would play next, the various scenes of gang activities and the great showdown scene towards the end. Not to be missed for Nicholson fans or bikers' movies fans alike.

Back Door to Hell (1964)

A different movie for Jack Nicholson that's for sure

[8/10 · 11 May 2024]

While I am a big fan of war movies I don't watch a steady diet of them but watch them mostly for the cast members. And since this is among the early Jack Nicholson movies I knew I had to watch it, and I even liked it more than what I expected.

Lieutenant Craig, Burnett (Nicholson) and Jersey land in the Philippines and when they find some guerrilla groups they ask them help to fight against the Japanese since the Japanese police keeps some children hostage but the Americans and guerrilla groups find the children and defeat the policemen after a battle. Soon after bandit leader Ramundo comes and for exchange of the Americans' radio he gives informations about the Japanese but since the Americans have to use the radio Ramundo shots at it and leaves. Up until the American troops arrive the three Americans do their best for sending a message but Craig and Jersey in the meanwhile they'll have to bury Burnett.

What I liked about this war movie is that it focuses on the fact that sometimes the soldiers can't always play by the rules and also that Nicholson here gives one of his most different performances... I mean, can you imagine him playing a soldier? Not in the least... but in this movie yes.

Mostly recommended to fans of war movies or if you want to see actors giving performances different than the ones for which they are known.

Flight to Fury (1964)

Exciting and tense... but beware of the last 15 minutes

[5/10 · 11 May 2024]

FLIGHT TO FURY looks like a very cheap movie. After all it has a score of 5,3 and only eight reviews with mostly mediocre scores especially 5s. And on top of that the leads Dewey Martin and Fay Spain weren't exactly box-office draws. Then why I saw it? Well, last October I decided to finish all of Jack Nicholson's movies and since this is among his early movies, I bit the bullet.

When the movie begins Joe Gaines (Martin) is in Asia and on his way to a casino meets Jay Wickham (Nicholson) who identifies himself as a tourist: soon we see Wickham taking Lei Ling in her room and searching without results some diamonds that were supposed to be in her room. On a flight to the Philippines the passengers are Gaines, Wickham, Ling, Al Ross (who carries Ling's diamonds), Lorgren and his mistress Destiny Cooper (Spain). Unfortunately there is some turbulence and the plane is forced to a crash landing.

After some hours (it was probably filmed day for night) natives arrive and they are ready to kill the survivors and take their possessions, only to be fooled by the survivors. After some banter Wickham finds the jewels, kills Lorgren, shoots Destiny but just when he's about to flee is shot by Gaines: before dying Wickham throws the diamonds in a river and Gaines awaits his fate because probably the natives are not that far...

Through most of the first part it was very exciting and was about to giving it at least a 7. Nicholson looked like he had lot of fun and there were lots of tense moments especially when they end in the jungle. But in the last 15 minutes (as I said in the summary) the situation became confusing since all hell broke loose and I kinda hated that Wickham had to die without fruiting of the finally found jewels.

Overall a mediocre thriller only of interest for fans of movies of the 1960s or folks curious to know where Jack Nicholson started.

The Terror (1963)

Like planktonrules said... it fails to deliver

[4/10 · 8 May 2024]

The main reason why I saw THE TERROR is because it's one of Jack Nicholson's first movies and when I arrived to this I was already at a huge chunk seen of his filmography. While this is one of his early movies, it's also one of his most mediocre.

Andre Duvalier (Nicholson) is a young French cavalry officer that ended separated from his regiment and it's riding his horse on the seashore. Soon he meets a woman that gives him water, shows off a little bit and then disappears. Then is saved by an old woman that recommends him to go to the castle of Baron Victor Von Leppe (Boris Karloff). Once there Andre recognizes the beach girl in the painting of Baron Von Leppe, tho she died years earlier.

Andre then finds out the truth: it's the ghost of Victor's wife Ilsa that after a while convinces the Baron to kill himself so that they can be together again. When everyone tries to save the Baron from killing himself they all end up dead except Andre that will take Ilsa with him. And now we come to the horrible shocking twist: Ilsa melts! It was thanks to a curse, but frankly it grossed me out.

The concept looked interesting and given the acting talents of Nicholson and Karloff it looked promising. But it was the last 40 minutes or so that were the ruin because it became all messy, and the ending shot of the melting girl... eww!!!

So if you are into horrors of the 1960s or fans of the leads try it, but if you end up hating it or feeling grossed out don't say I didn't warned you first.

The Broken Land (1962)

Pretty much like other 1000 movies of the genre but still entertaining

[7/10 · 8 May 2024]

While I don't watch a steady diet of westerns I watch them from time to time for the cast members and since THE BROKEN LAND has also a score of 5,0 I expected it to be bad but instead it was worth the view.

When the story begins Dave Dunson rides in a small town ruled with an iron fist by a corrupt Sheriff (Kent Taylor) that uses law for controlling everyone, including locking up Will Brocious (Jack Nicholson) only because his father was a crook, insisting that a feeble-minded guy was trying to shoot him and locking up Dunson because he wanted to stop his reign of terror. How it will unfold it's best if you see it for yourselves.

While the plot looked like that of so many other westerns it was still very entertaining and the acting by all no names except Nicholson was decent. Still, if you are a huge fan of westerns or you don't have nothing else to do and you already saw a lot of stuff this is for you.

Studs Lonigan (1960)

More recommended for younger viewers

[9/10 · 6 May 2024]

Before seeing STUDS LONIGAN I looked the reviews for it and they are nearly all negative with the highest rated one that gives it a 6 (same thing it happened a month before with SHELTER ISLAND). But when I saw it last October I couldn't believe that I liked this movie more than any of the other seven reviewers. If you wanna know why, read the following text.

Studs Lonigan (Christopher Knight) is a young Irish-born youngster that tries to escape from the condition caused by the Great Depression along with his best friends Kenny Killarney (Frank Gorshin), Weary Reilly (Jack Nicholson) and Paulie Haggerty while also dating pretty Lucy Scanlon (the late Venetia Stevenson).

I guess that the reason why I liked it much more than the others it's probably because there are so many young men in the same condition of Studs, and I personally know some in real life. While personally I know that someday my life will change for good (I was still 24 when I saw this and now as I am writing this review well into my 25), at the moment I live in the same situation of Studs. Not that there is anything wrong with it.

The other reasons for which I'd recommend it are that it's one of Nicholson's early movies (and he made four in 1960 including his first leading role in THE WILD RIDE which was a dud) and the acting by all the others (Gorshin, Stevenson, Dick Foran, Jay C. Flippen and Jack Kruschen).

Overall, one of those movies maligned by many that found some dissenting voice that praises it. Who knows, maybe one day another one will have my same view on it.

The Wild Ride (1960)

A dull race movie

[4/10 · 6 May 2024]

While in 1960 Jack Nicholson was still relatively unknown here he gives his first leading man performance tho the movie was a quickly forgotten misfire. And that was reason enough for me for watching it last October.

Johnny Varron (Nicholson) is a larger than life punk that spends his nights organizing wild parties and his days racing on a dirt track and ending in trouble to the point of killing a policeman, kidnap the girlfriend of one of his friends and seeing another of his friends ending in tragedy.

The reason why this is a dud it's because in the first half was decent with Nicholson giving a decent leading man performance but in the last 20 minutes it became dull because of all the trouble his character caused. Besides, the race scenes weren't that exciting to watch as those seen in better race movies such as DAYS OF THUNDER.

Overall, a very limp film of interest probably only for three types of viewers: 1) Nicholson completists (2) fans of old movies (3) fans of bad movies because they can get a kick out of it.

Too Soon to Love (1960)

Actually a bit reminiscent of the French new wave

[7/10 · 6 May 2024]

TOO SOON TO LOVE isn't exactly something that should end up in the Masterpiece theater category. After all it has a score of 5,0 and only two reviews with one scored a 4 and another without rating so it would look like a terrible movie. Last October I finally saw it and I kinda liked it more than what I was lead to believe.

The plot focuses on high school students Jim Mills and Kathy Taylor that fall in love and get frisky (all implied of course since it's 1960) and as you'd expect the girl becomes pregnant but then the couple don't know what to do next, and Jim ends up involved in a drug dealing scheme. At the same time Buddy (Jack Nicholson) is a young guy that tries to steal Kathy from Jim without success.

My summary refers to the fact that the French new wave were always shot in black and white and had a soothing atmosphere, and this had both. The acting was decent by all no-names except Nicholson that went on to greater things and considering most of the trials and tribulations the lead has after his drug dealing scheme goes awry, the ending can't be nothing but uplifting for the viewer.

If you are into movies of the 1960s don't miss if you have a chance, and if you are more into the old French movies than me you'll likely compare this to those.

The Cry Baby Killer (1958)

While slow in the first half, stick with it

[7/10 · 1 May 2024]

I wanted to see THE CRY BABY KILLER since very long (probably 2020) because it's Jack Nicholson's debut and in that period of time he used to look a lot like me. Last October I finally saw it and while I didn't loved it I found it just ok.

Jimmy Wallace (Nicholson) comes in contact with Manny Cole (Brett Halsey) and his gang when he is in a diner and tries to defend his girlfriend. After Manny and his thugs beat him and take his girl, Jimmy goes in the usual hideout of Manny's gang and after stealing a gun Jimmy shoots to Manny's cohorts. Since he's afraid of having shot them he flees in a grocery store that was about to close and takes hostage the clerk, his wife and kid. Police arrives and a large crowd waits outside the store with the police trying to make Jimmy go out, and they'll eventually succedd but it's best if you see the movie for yourselves.

The plot is typical for an exploitation movie of that time but what makes this one unique is not only Nicholson's debut but his performance in that it looks like he was phagocytizing some of his next characters (especially ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST and SHINING) and as usual he didn't disappoint. And just for this I'd recommend this.

Shelter Island (2003)

Hard to understand but not that terrible

[6/10 · 25 April 2024]

To this day SHELTER ISLAND has a score of 3,8 but only 844 ratings so it will never make the infamous Bottom 100. So why did I watch it since it will never make the list? Well, after seeing UNDER THE HULA MOON and ONE TOUGH COP (the other two movies Stephen Baldwin and Chris Penn did together, and this is the last one before Penn's sudden death in 2006) and liking them I thought that their third outing couldn't be that bad. In fact when I saw it last September I kinda liked it tho I had to do some brainwork as well.

Louise Delamere (Ally Sheedy) is a professional golfer and motivational speaker that seems to have a perfect life: fame, money and a girlfriend named Alexandria (Patsy Kensit). One night tho there is a storm near their home and a stranger named Lenny (Baldwin) knocks at the door for refuging after his boat destroyed during the storm and he managed to go on land. Louise and Alexandria treat Lenny very well, and he gradually seduces and falls in love for the both of them. Especially, he becomes obsessed with Louise to the point of asking her some golf lessons and then knocks her unconscious and puts her in a body bag for dumping her near a lake and for spending more time with Alexandria.

When Louise manages to free from the bag she returns home only to find Lenny and Alexandria smitten with each other: Louise shoots Lenny minutes before dim-witted Sheriff DeLuca (Penn) arrives and notices the chaos. Alexandria shoots the Sheriff and after she makes a confession to Louise she shoots her as well. And now, the viewer collects the pieces: Alexandria became Louise's partner for having the money, and she took advantage of the arrival of Lenny for being seduced by him and complete the scheme and leave for a better life outside the US (we don't see it but it's implied).

The acting by all (Sheedy, Kensit, Baldwin and Penn in one of his final roles) was decent, nothing to rave about. However, I can see why most of the users hate it because they expected to see a very tense thriller but they didn't. Instead it's one of those thrillers for which you have to stay careful to all the passages because if you don't pay that much attention you won't get a thing. Personally it took me some time and had to re-watch the ending for finally collecting the pieces.

Overall, a thriller which I mostly recommend to the cerebral kind of viewers because all the others might end up confused if they don't have the patience of following all the pieces carefully. And for the guys there are some sexy moments when the two female leads are naked doing exercises and then go in the sauna that are very tittilating, so it's another reason for which I'd recommend it.

One Tough Cop (1998)

Just one of the countless good thrillers from the 1990s

[8/10 · 25 April 2024]

ONE TOUGH COP has a score of 5,0 and mostly negative reviews so these wouldn't make for a greatly remembered thriller. Yet when I saw it last July I found it very good and couldn't believe the hate that surrounded this for years (it already happened to other movies trust me).

Bo Dietl (Stephen Baldwin) is a detective that grew up in a New York zone invaded by mobs that enters in the police force while still keeping his friendship with future boss Richie La Cassa. With his partner Duke Finnerly (Chris Penn) who has quite a temper, an alcohol issue and gambling debts they investigate about a nun assaulted in a church when a crucifix was stolen. After Bo and Duke (looks like an HAZZARD joke isn't it?) get suspended Bo finds comfort with long time woman friend Joey (Gina Gershon). After Bo is re-integrated into service after stopping the future boss he moves to Joey and they are finally free to live their love.

The acting by Penn and Baldwin was a bit better for their standards. Not that it was bad in UNDER THE HULA MOON but since they often got bad reviews for most of their careers I have to say the truth and I especially loved when Penn's character got involved in brawls and even breaks the nose of his creditor... man this scene has to be seen for believing it. There were lots of thrilling moments and the ending was very satisfying and uplifting.

Overall, if you are a fan of thrillers or of the two leads don't miss it since it's also available on YouTube and if you are in the right mood you'd end up liking it.

Under the Hula Moon (1995)

Bizarre and better than what it looks like

[7/10 · 25 April 2024]

I was curious about UNDER THE HULA MOON for years because with a score of 4,2, few reviews with mostly scathing ones and Stephen Baldwin and Chris Penn as the leads it certainly doesn't look like Oscar-worthy material. To my surprise when I saw it last July I liked it more than what I expected.

Buzzard Wall (Baldwin) is a dreamer that lives with his wife Betty in a trailer in Cactus gulch in Arizona and they haven't much money because he spends his time working on Cammo, a sun-cream that manages to camoflage the skin for avoiding being roasted but nobody wants to give his invention the green-light because it looks so childish. In the meanwhile Buzzard's brother Turk Dickson (Penn) has just escaped from prison, killed a man that gave him a ride through the desert and now goes to Buzzard's home beating him because Turk thinks isn't that fun having a brother too smart but practically good for nothing, and also abducts his wife for taking her to Mexico.

However a female reporter arrives in time for freeing Buzzard and they both set on a ride to Mexico for freeing his wife from psychotic Turk and make him arrested. When Buzzard and Betty return they both work at a fast food as waiters but suddenly, Colonel J P McIntire (R. Lee Ermey) comes and says to Buzzard that the Army is interested in Cammo and finally Buzzard and Betty move to Hawaii for a new great life there.

The acting by Penn and Baldwin was ok, nothing special. But what makes this movie different is the many odd touches that the director Jeff Celentano (who recently directed the baseball vehicle THE HILL) put on purpose, especially the costumes, sets, soundtrack and the fact that Buzzard has some sort of obsession for the original HAWAII FIVE-O. Overall, not certainly a movie for everyone but still lots of fun for a select few for the aforementioned reasons.

Forsaken (I) (2015)

Among the best modern-day westerns with lots of moral lessons

[8/10 · 25 April 2024]

Western is a movie genre that isn't as big as it once was, except probably for Tarantino's DJANGO UNCHAINED and THE HATEFUL EIGHT. And yet, there are still some filmmakers mostly indipendent that do them with often good results, and FORSAKEN is one of them.

When the story begins John Henry Clayton (Kiefer Sutherland) returns home to his father Reverend Samuel Clayton (Donald Sutherland) after 10 years of estrangement because Samuel is ashamed of his son's exploits following his time in the Civil War, and Samuel warns John Henry that his mother died during those years. Father and son go to town: they meet gang leader James McCurdy (Brian Cox) and John Henry will meet former lover Mary Alice Watson (Demi Moore) that is now married and has a son. Again at home father and son argue about the lack of faith considering his son's past in the Civil War

McCurdy's gang joins forces with Dave Turner known as the Gentleman (Michael Wincott) for making folks leave their farms. In the meanwhile John Henry will finally attend his dad's church service but leaves after Mary Alice's husband Tom Watson asks him to deny he loves Mary Alice. After the mass is over John Henry goes to his dad and reveals that during the civil war he shot a boy and it's still haunted by the memory and Samuel comforts him. Soon after a gunfight ensues, and it will end with John Henry shooting McCurdy to his death and after that John Henry and Turner part ways peacefully. Soon John Henry warns his father that he has to leave for avoiding that bounty hunters and challengers come in town but he will visit him sometimes.

The main reason for seeing this is not because it's a western but the acting. Yes, Donald Sutherland and Kiefer Sutherland already acted together in MAX DUGAN RETURNS and A TIME TO KILL but in those they didn't shared scenes. Here it's the only time they acted as father and son and they were great. Cox and Wincott played some of their best villanious roles and Moore is super stunning as always... what more can you ask?

Mostly recommended for western fans but you'd end up liking it for the acting by the Sutherlands and also the moral lessons that manage to convince the viewer without being too preachy, and that is the most important thing.

A Time to Kill (1996)

Yet another of the many great John Grisham adaptations

[9/10 · 25 April 2024]

John Grisham has always been a reliable source for movies, TV movies and TV miniseries, isn't he? From THE FIRM to THE PELICAN BRIEF to THE CLIENT (both the 1994 movie and the TV show that ran from 1995 to 1996) to this, and then we had THE CHAMBER, THE RAINMAKER, THE GINGERBREAD MAN, A PAINTED HOUSE and RUNAWAY JURY you can imagine how much filmmakers are in love with his novels. And this is just great like all the other adaptations.

When it begins 10 year old Tonya Hailey is returning home after buying some groceries but on her way is abducted, r***d and beaten to a pulp by Billy Ray Cobb and James Willard, who then dump her in a river. Tonya survives and Sheriff Ozzie Walls (Charles Dutton) arrests the two guys. Tonya's father Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) is disgusted by the fact and goes to the county courthouse with a gun shooting various people in a rampage and hurting Dwayne Looney's (Chris Cooper) leg, and soon Carl Lee Hailey is arrested and taken to prison. Jake Tyler Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) accepts to defend Carl Lee. At the same time district attorney Rufus Buckley (Kevin Spacey) takes the case for enhancing his political career, and Brigance will be helped by his political team: law student Ellen Roark (Sandra Bullock), friend Harry Rex Vonner (Oliver Platt) and mentor Lucien Wilbanks (Donald Sutherland) who once was a civil rights lawyer.

In the meanwhile Freddie Lee Cobb (Kiefer Sutherland) wants to avenge the death of his brother joyning the Ku Klux Klan for making Carl Lee Hailey's killing necessary. In fact the Ku Klux Klan goes in town but their attack ends in a brawl with the police and the residents. After a long speech and deliberation Carl Lee Hailey is found not guilty of all charges and there is jubilation in the courtroom: some time later Carl Lee is invited to Jake Tyler's house and Carl's daughter play with Jake's daughter, challenging the statement that their kids would have never played together.

While it lasts nearly two hours and 46 minutes (and at some points I wanted that there was a little trimming) it's still worth a watch because of the many talented performers (Jackson, McConaughey, Bullock, Spacey, Sutherland father, Sutherland son, Platt, Dutton, Cooper, Anthony Heald and the late M. Emmet Walsh) and the great performances they each give. Credit has to be given to Joel Schumacher even tho the year later he did the dreadful BATMAN & ROBIN.

Overall, another great Grisham adaptation and one of the best courtroom dramas ever mostly for the cast and their performances. Not to be missed if you hear it's aired on TV.

Max Dugan Returns (1983)

Uneven comedy with mostly great acting

[8/10 · 25 April 2024]

The main reason why I saw MAX DUGAN RETURNS is because it's the first movie where Donald Sutherland and Kiefer Sutherland appeared together tho Kiefer appeared for only five scenes give or take considering this is also his debut while Donald played a larger part. Yet it was very entertaining and funny nonetheless.

Michael McPhee (Matthew Broderick, here in his debut as well) awakens his mom Nora (Marsha Mason) that has fallen asleep while correcting exams for his medium school class. They rush in their car for going to school, but is stolen so she notifies police and lieutenant Brian Costello (Sutherland father) offers to drive her for work. In the late Nora's estranged father Max Dugan (Jason Robards) returns and says to have an heart condition and gives them the bulk of his estate. Some day later when Nora returns home and finds new appliances in the kitchen and a new stereo system in Michael's room, Dugan insists that they are game show prizes.

Dugan some time later reveals to Michael his real identity: he's an ex-convict named Gus Wittgenstein that was cellmate with Max Dugan in the big house and when Dugan was dying Gus accepted to take his identity. For avoiding prison time again because of his poor health Max leaves for Brazil for spending his last days on a beach and giving the rest of his money to Nora and Michael. Just the day after Michael wins his school's baseball game and when Nora and Michael reach for the car they see that Dugan uses it for leaving after waving them goodbye.

The plot was a bit implausible I admit it (how can you explain new kitchen furniture and a new stereo only after a night that someone who claims to be your estranged father arrived, or also how can you explain a new motorbike and a great dane after revealing of being an ex-convict that took the identity of a cellmate?) but nonetheless the acting was great by all (Mason, Broderick, Robards, Sutherland father since his son appeared for only five scenes without saying much) and there were some funny moments. And btw the animated sequence before the end credits with the car that turns into a plane with wings was very adorable drawings-wise.

Overall, one of those comedies from the 1980s that have to be watched simply for enjoying them, not one of those movies for which you have to analyze most things.

Transgression (2011)

Adequate home invasion movie

[7/10 · 20 April 2024]

The main reason for which I saw TRANSGRESSION is because it's one of the many movies with Michael Ironside that I still hadn't seen until last summer but what struck me the most was... how could Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta be in such an obscure Canadian production? Perhaps the director saw some of her movies and called her personally or she wanted to do something obscure as nearly everyone does at some point in their careers (tho the first option might be the most adequate answer).

Matthew (Michael Ironside) and Elena (Cucinotta) are a married couple tho Elena's son Yvailo can't stand her mom's stepfather for his brutish manners and that Matthew kinda brainwashed her mom's brain so one evening he sneaks out. But one night Matthew and Elena will spend one of the worst night of their lives when some burglars come to their home and have to deal with the couple. This caused some unintentionally funny moments as well and as it unfolds in the end it's fine for all.

Judging from the score of 3,7 and the only three reviews (two that give it 4s and one that gives it a 6) it might be a terrible movie but call me dumb, I kinda liked it tho I could see why nearly all the other few who dared to rate/review it hated it. First, Elena's son was like an annoying distraction that was probably put on purpose by the writer because he didn't looked at all like a normal human being. He was too whiny and cocky, but thankfully the movie then decided to focus on the couple and thieves. Second, the thieves look like the dumbest criminals ever seen on film because they deal with the couple like if they asked Matthew and Elena to come to their home and then the couple had to treat them well. It made me ask why the couple didn't bought some security cameras or house allarms for avoiding the burglars at home.

Overall, a decent home invasion movie made in the same year of TRESPASS with Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman but with lesser grade stars. Not that bad despite the aforementioned problems and for Italians out there, it's especially recommended because of Cucinotta's performance.

Element (I) (2016)

Mostly confusing but the concept was great

[3/10 · 20 April 2024]

I knew about ELEMENT only because it's one of the many movies Michael Ironside has made to date and with its score of 3,3 but only 190 ratings it will never make the Bottom 100 but since I hope one day to finish all of Ironside's movies I saw it anyway and when I saw it I had to agree with the two reviewers that gave it 2s (the other review has a 10 so it shouldn't be trusted).

North Maxfield is a financial advisor that is recently widowed and would love to have one last meeting with his dead wife for reshaping his past so he goes to Doctor Sarah Carson who is specialized in hypnosis and would make Maxfield go in contact with the soul of his dead wife. At the same time his boss Joe (Ironside) suspects something about North and he'll try his best to avoid that North is killed (eventually sacrificing himself towards the end).

The main problem with the movie is the pace. At the beginning it was slow and as it progressed it went kinda better but it was still boring and confusing. There were some moments tho especially the ones provided by Ironside and the ones where North is in connection with the spirit of his dead wife. But for the rest, it was so dull and confusing that it looked like the director knew it was a bad movie and let it go with its badness.

Overall, one of those movies that will make you soon go to bed when it's over for how much is boring. Trust me, it happened to me when I saw it last August so this says a lot!

Southern Cross (1999)

Much better than I expected, and this is not the first time it happens

[8/10 · 20 April 2024]

SOUTHERN CROSS isn't exactly a movie that could have had Academy Award nominations. After all when I saw it last August it had a score of 3,9 (now 4,0) and the highest rated review for it has 5 but when I saw it last August I felt in the minority on this one and isn't certainly the first time it happened... I liked it very much and I wonder if the other users saw a different movie.

Philip Solano (Esai Morales) is a mining businessman and the illegitimate son of rich Felipe Solano (Malcolm McDowell) that has to inherit a fortune but one day Felipe is kidnapped by Garrison Carver (Michael Ironside)'s men that plan on dump nuclear waste illegally in the abandoned coal mines in Southern Chile. Up until Philip frees his dad he'll end up with Mariana Flores in a ghost town where Garrison's men reach them resulting in various chase scenes up until the big showdown with Garrison in the church.

I liked this movie more than the other eight reviewers not just because I like action movies but also because I loved the shooting in the cilean city of Santiago with the background of nice South American music reminiscent of the Inti-Illimani songs. Also the chase scenes and the confrontation part were great in their own right.

Overall, another of those movies for which you shouldn't read the reviews before watching it because it's best to see a movie for yourselves and then say an honest opinion about it. Great for action fans or if you are in the right mood for this sort of movie.