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Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Bond. Chav Bond.
Kingsman is an entertaining and fun movie. The pace of the film is upbeat and exciting, while the action scenes are an extravaganza of over-the-top, but very enjoyable, choreography.
Kingsman: The Secret Service follows a young man, nicknamed Eggsy, who begins the story as a delinquent. Invited into a society of spies, Eggsy undergoes intense training and begins to develop discipline and confidence. Under the tutelage of Hart, his spy mentor, Eggsy becomes a formidable agent and is eventually faced with a Bond-style supervillain.
The Eggsy character undergoes a transformative journey that most movie-goers have seen in endless iterations in many different stories. The story begins with a less-than-ideal hero and this hero eventually undergoes a journey that addresses inner turmoil and emerges as a better person. How the film tells this story, however, is what makes the film enjoyable.
While the action scenes are the best part of the movie, they can also be downright goofy at times, with people getting cut clean in half or flipping through the air like a rag doll after getting hit. There are also far too many McDonald product placements in the film. The movie also suffers from somewhat generic features, such as; generic premise, plot, and character motivations.
Despite these flaws, Kingsman is still an entertaining film. The casting and acting are great, the writing is good, and the pacing is fine. This movie is worth watching based on the spectacular action scenes alone.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Thought-Provoking and Fun
Planet of the Apes is a classic science fiction film. The plot involves a crew of astronauts who crash into a planet dominated by a civilized, talking population of ape-men. In this world, humans cannot speak and are treated like animals while the apes live like humans. The astronauts must survive in a world dominated by xenophobia and totalitarianism.
The concept of switching roles is explored when the humans are kept in cages and afforded no rights by animals. On one hand, it shows that the less-intelligent species will always be subjugated, therefore showing a duality with the human world and the ape world. On the other hand, the movie casts a positive light on the humans and their struggles, validating their cause of having rights, despite not being the dominating species. This conflict is shown to be inevitable and natural, but that fighting against it is also justified and expected.
Despite a few corny lines of dialogue and a few bits of bad acting, Planet of the Apes is still a great movie. The story will keep you engaged while the overall themes provide thought-provoking and intrigued enjoyment. The film is highly recommended for any fan of the science fiction genre.
The Godfather Part III (1990)
Godfather III: A New Pope
The Godfather III serves as the final chapter in the series, showing the viewers the beginning of the next generation of the Corleone family dynasty. The themes of the series are continued in this film, namely the duality of doing the wrong things for the right reasons. The values of loyalty and family are contrasted with crime and evil acts.
In the final film of the series, Michael Corleone has grown older and the actions of his past begin to haunt him with guilt. Along with losing his family in the previous films, Michael's unhappiness drives him to atone for his sins. Despite his charitable actions, his nephew, Vincent, begins to follow in his uncle's footsteps. This is a different form of the vigilante philosophy that usually drives the protagonists of the series, as the head of the family desires to "go clean", while others participate in the older, more violent, methods.
Like the previous installments in the series, the film does have a long running time. Unfortunately, unlike the other films in the series, Godfather III doesn't stand on its own. The third film serves as a bookend to the other films, or as Coppola said himself, an epilogue to the story. Part III may not hold up as well as the first two films, but that only speaks to how good The Godfather I and II are. The Godfather III is still a great movie and worth watching.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
A Second Serving of Greatness
The Godfather: Part II is just as good as the original. Alternating between the current story of Michael Corleone and his crime enterprise and the roots of the family business, a young Vito Corleone in Italy, the audience is treated to a second-helping of an already fantastic story. Viewers get to see more history behind the beloved characters, while at the same time, the story continues to develop. Michael continues to expand the Corleone family business while faced with betrayal, inner-family conflict, and legal trouble.
The Godfather II continues the themes portrayed in the first film in the series. Loyalty, devotion to family, and defending the down-trodden remain essential to the story and characters, and as before, these features are displayed against a backdrop of vigilantism. There is a duality with helping those in need and putting your family first, while at the same time, using evil or illegal methods against others. The Godfather II walks the line between these opposing ideals perfectly.
Anyone who enjoyed the first film will most likely enjoy the second just as much. It is simply more of a good thing. The running time may be long for some viewers, but the movie is good enough that you'll barely notice.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Who's Afraid of a Psychotic Marriage?
George and Martha have a relationship unlike any other. They have the best and the worst marriage. Built on opposing ideals, this couple loves and hates one another, trusts and distrusts one another, and respects and disrespects one another. As the film progresses, George and Martha pull back the curatins of their relationship to reveal something extremely special and horrific all at the same time. The themes of love, happiness, and care combine with hate, misery, and cruelty.
George and Martha's marriage is fraught with strife. George is not the man that Martha hoped he would be and Martha is not the woman that George hoped she would be. As the pair hosts a small get-together with another younger, happier couple, George and Martha continuously spar with one another. As the drama unfolds, George makes sure that the evening is as miserable as he is.
There seems to be a give-and-take in the relationship, a game of sorts of receiving and administering abuse. He hurts her and she loves him for it, and she does the same to him and it seems to turn him on even more. The worse their relationship appears to others, the closer they become to one another.
The Godfather (1972)
A Story of Loyalty and Family
The Godfather explores criminality, the temptations of wealth, loyalty, and what one is willing to do to protect those they love. There is a theme in the story of life and death, a duality of one thing ending and another beginning. While Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, is a successful and capable character within a crime family, he only fills this role to protect those he loves. This film explores the ideas of the complicated villain. Justice, loyalty, and family are of ultimate importance, but there is a criminal twist to these ideals.
The Godfather asks us all: how far will you go to protect your family? And does the ends justify the means? The Corleone's enemies operate the same way as they do, eliminating any notion of good and evil. It's simply "them vs us". In such a vile environment, the only virtue one can have is loyalty.
In the opening of the film, Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, is throwing a wedding for his daughter. During this peaceful and happy family event, dozens of loyal followers come to Vito to pay their respects, and in some cases, request unhappy favors. The first guest shown with Vito elaborates an important point of the film: an Italian immigrant has been wronged and refused justice by a corrupt system. Therefore, the father goes down a dark path and comes to the Godfather for justice. This is an example of the ends justifying the means, the duality of using evil for good. In a way, the father received justice for his daughter, but he's also a murderer for taking the law into his own hands and punishing another beyond what the law would have called for. The opening scene also highlights the contrast of having a happy wedding while at the same time, making arrangements to have people murdered. This theme is reflected throughout the film, with a powerful ending.
Baywatch (2017)
Bad Comedy and Generic Plot
Baywatch is a 2017 comedy film starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. The story follows Lt. Mitch Buchannon, played by Johnson, and his team of lifeguards as they patrol and protect Emerald Bay. Conflict arises when Matt Brody, a former U.S. Olympic swimmer played by Efron, arrives to join the team as part of his community service. Brody's rebellious personality clashes with the close-knit team of Baywatch and Buchannon must find a way to rein in the young swimmer.
The scenery of Baywatch is beautiful. It will make you want to turn off this film and take a vacation, which is a good thing because this movie is awful.
Baywatch is full of faulty premises, bad acting, and has a lame and generic villain. Everything about this Disney Channel-esque movie is corny. You have the embarrassing "coolest guy in the world" trope and it's used multiple times. Every character is overly friendly, overly cocky, overly tough. This replaces any and all character development you would get from a movie. She's the cocky one, he's the cool one, she's the friendly one.
The worst part about this film is the comedy. Every single joke, with the exception of one or two, does not work. This isn't helped by the fact that the jokes come at you non-stop, and nothing is funny. It's horrible Disney Channel humor with obvious puns and situational comedy with premises so bad that they don't work. A bad joke hammered in to death is a terrible experience and that's all you're going to get out of this film: a terrible experience.
Overall, Baywatch is one of the worst films I have seen in a while. The entire movie makes me feel uncomfortable and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The entire movie, including the ending, is completely predictable and boring. If you're interested in seeing a comedy film that is never funny but never stops trying, then check out Baywatch.
The Graduate (1967)
Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson
The Graduate is a 1967 film starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. The story follows Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate, who is not quite sure what he wants to do with his life. Faced with family and neighbors with high expectations, Benjamin finds himself apathetic and depressed. When Mrs. Robinson, an older woman and friend of the family, approaches Benjamin with a proposition, the young man finds temporary solace in her arms.
The Graduate is a fantastic movie with interesting characters and great cinematography. Hilarious and emotionally stirring, the film carries you along with a terrific soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel. Dustin Hoffman plays his role wonderfully and the casting for the characters is perfect.
Although The Graduate is a superb film, the third act falls short. This movie and many of it's kind make you wonder where the line is between hopelessly romantic and criminally inappropriate. While the ending is thoughtful, the climax is stale and generic.
Overall, The Graduate is an absolute must-watch. With elements of comedy, romance, drama, and characters with quite a bit of depth, nearly any audience can enjoy this film.
Journey's End (1930)
Hometown Heroes and Trench Cuisine
Journey's End is a 1930 war film. The story focuses on a company of British troops during the Great War. The leader of the company, Captain Denis Stanhope, has been hardened by the horrors of war into a tough commander with a drinking problem. Conflict arises when a hometown friend of Stanhope, Raleigh, joins the company. Raleigh happens to also be the brother of Stanhope's fiancé back home, and worries that she will find out what he has become on the front line.
This film has quite a few funny moments in the dialogue and does a good job of giving a different perspective on World War I than what is shown in most U.S. films. Journey's End features very few actual battle scenes and instead focuses more on the relationships between the characters. This helps to focus and accentuate the otherwise petty conflict.
Unfortunately, there are a few bits of bad acting. This includes dead deliveries and over-the-top performances on several occasions. The film also drags on for quite a bit. By the time you get to the underwhelming conclusion of the story, you're more than ready for the movie to end.
Overall, Journey's End is a decent film. The writing is good and the comedy still holds up today. The British personalities in the movie are also fun for American audiences. Seeing those soldiers in trenches fret over soup and porridge is hilarious and I'm not completely sure it is meant to be funny, which only enhances the experience.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Space Pirates, Classic Music, and Egotistical Villains
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a 2017 Marvel superhero movie and sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy. The story follows the misfit team of superheroes that were introduced in the first film. Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Groot, and Rocket are all back to face some new and old challenges. After Rocket offends the Sovereign, a haughty and totalitarian race of gold- skinned aliens, the group must flee for their lives. The Guardians of the Galaxy are rescued by a strange and powerful individual who has many secrets in store for the team of heroes.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is an incredibly fun film. With another fantastic soundtrack and amazing visual graphics, this action- packed film is another great addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie is hilarious at times and heart- wrenchingly sad at others.
While most of the jokes are great, there are a few that fall flat. Unfortunately, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has a problem with hammering in a joke whether it works or not. Sometimes less is more and when a bad joke is drawn out for more than a minute it can become an annoyance. This over-the-top sense of humor applies to background characters as well. A simple joke about a murderous pirate thinking that something is cute turns into one scene after another of doll-holding and thumb- sucking murderers. Lastly, the film has a little too much of the heavy, emotional moments. Not every single character has to make a psychological and emotional breakthrough by the time the credits begin.
Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a good movie. There is plenty of action, drama, and comedy to satisfy any film preference. Incredibly moving at times, hilarious at other times, and intense action throughout the movie make this a fun and light-hearted film that is definitely worth watching.
Wonder Woman (2017)
Greek Mythology, Super Heroines, and the Great War
Wonder Woman is a 2017 DC superhero film. The story follows Diana, a young princess of the Amazonian women of Themyscira. Diana grows into a strong and formidable warrior and is eventually introduced to the outside world when a pilot from the Great War crashes near Themyscira. The Amazonian princess saves the man's life and is soon swept up in the conflicts of the outside world.
Wonder Woman is a fun and action-packed film. The battle scenes are fantastic and there are a few genuinely funny moments. Incredibly moving at times, Wonder Woman is a great superheroine film.
If there are any critiques of the film that could be made, it is probably the few jokes that don't work. They are cringe-inducing, but thankfully, those moments are few and far between. Another point to be made is that most superhero movies, especially origin stories, must always deal with the reactions of normal people to the super- human abilities of the hero. This film glosses over this detail and no one is particularly amazed at Diana's powers. However, these are minor critiques.
Overall, Wonder Woman is a great film. Nearly all audiences will find something to enjoy in this movie. Fans of the comic books are especially in for a treat. While no extreme changes are made from the newer source material, fans will be very happy to see their favorite heroine done well in a good movie.
Her Man (1930)
Havana Nightclubs and Drunken Sailors
Her Man is a 1930 love story involving a young woman named Frankie and a sailor named Dan. Frankie lives and works in a Havana bar, doing her best to separate the patrons from their money. When Dan arrives on shore leave he meets Frankie and conflict arises as the young woman tries to reconcile her lifestyle with her dreams.
This is a light film with a few moving moments. The casting is done well and a few of the jokes still work today.
Unfortunately, there are several flaws in the film. The acting at times is bad, the display of drunken behavior is cartoonish, and there is an occasional glance at the camera. The dialogue and writing are silly at times and most of the humor is not funny. The fighting choreography is simply goofy. The ending is full of odd and sloppy choices, but by then, you'll be so bored that you won't care.
Overall, Her Man is a poor film. Empty and expected, I would recommend skipping this one.
Hell's Heroes (1929)
Bank Robbers and Sacrifices
Hell's Heroes is a 1930 western drama film. The story follows a group of bandits who find themselves in dire straits after a botched robbery. In an unforgiving desert, the men face a series of events that changes their lives.
Entertaining and moving, Hell's Heroes is a heartfelt movie. The story is fantastic and unexpected events keep the picture fun. This film is a true emotional roller coaster.
There are a few faults with the film, such as bad acting at times and some faulty premises. The way two beautiful women are fighting over a poor and gross ruffian is hard to believe. Parson Jone's 100-yard shot with a revolver is also a stretch, not to mention some parts toward the end that I don't want to give away. The movie also gets a bit boring and slow during the last act.
Overall, I recommend Hell's Heroes. Entertaining and unexpected, this film has a short running time and is well worth a viewing. Definitely a must for any fans of older western movies.
The Dawn Patrol (1930)
War, Sacrifice, and Planes
The Dawn Patrol is a 1930 war film focusing on the aviation aspects of the Great War. The story follows Dick Courtney, an ace pilot fighting for the Royal Flying Corps. As the plot progresses, Courtney's unit is faced with endless suicide missions and heavy casualty rates.
The movie is a true-to-form war story. Without focusing too much on the overall arc of the war and the larger picture, the story focuses instead on a select few soldiers and their own personal struggles. The conflict is well-written and the casting is decent. There are also many great action shots, such as aerial views of bombs being dropped and the resulting explosions.
Unfortunately, the movie is faced with many moments of bad acting. Examples of over-acting, over-the-top performances, bad deliveries, and overly phony death scenes abound in this film. The attempts at comedy are corny and should have been left out. Melodrama constantly bursts into the picture, with otherwise serious characters flying into "say it ain't so!" moments and "don't tell me he's g-g-g-gone!" scenes. At one point, a soldier nonchalantly dives into an opera in an otherwise songless picture.
Overall, you could skip this film. This movie might be pleasing to those who enjoy war movies or perhaps specifically those who like World War I movies. Otherwise, you're not missing much if you decide to miss this one.
Danger Lights (1930)
Trains, Romance, Vagrants
Danger Lights is a 1930 drama film centered around a love triangle and a train yard. The plot follows Dan Thorn, a rough and tough foreman at the train yard, who has a soft spot for those that are down on their luck. When Thorn meets Larry Doyle, a drifter catching a ride on the train, Dan sees some good in Doyle and puts him to work. Larry then meets and falls in love with Jean Arthur, who is Dan Thorn's fiancé.
Danger Lights is a decent film and used the access to locomotives to great effect. There is real footage of a tug-of-war between two powerful trains. The story is entertaining enough to keep you drawn in throughout the film.
A few disappointments in the film are some bad acting, with plenty of obnoxious, over-the-top, and occasionally, monotone delivery. There is also some poor dialogue in the movie, such as one exchange between Larry Doyle and another character; "It can't be done!" says the man. "Yes it can," Larry replies. "You're right!" the man responds. The climax removes elaborating on any technical aspects of the train, which diminishes the excitement of the ending. Lastly, there are bad comedy elements in the film, such as using the homeless for slapstick comedic relief.
In summary, Danger Lights is a mediocre film. Unless you're a fan of locomotives, I would recommend skipping this one. There is nothing unpredictable or particularly exciting about this movie.
The Big Trail (1930)
Blazing Trails, Hardy Settlers, Nasty Villains
The Big Trail is a 1930 western film starring John Wayne. The story follows Breck Coleman, a tracker and guide played by Wayne, who leads a large group of settlers traveling westward. Coleman and the settlers face many obstacles along the way, including harsh desert environments, hostile natives, and unsavory criminals. As the plot progresses, Breck meets and falls in love with a young woman in the caravan.
One of the most interesting things about this film is the early and very young portrayal of John Wayne. Wayne plays his typical cowboy-hero role, but he is practically a kid in this film. The casting is done well as the villain is truly a gross and unlikable character, and everyone else fits their roles nicely.
The Big Trail, unfortunately, gets stalled by some corny and obnoxious attempts at humor. There is an annoying comedic-relief character with an accent that will make you cringe. Not to mention he manages to squeeze a dozen or so mother-in-law jokes into the film without a single one being funny, because its always the same joke: your mother-in-law is as whatever as a whatever. To add to the poor humor, there are scenes of poor, over-the-top acting performances from a few of the characters. The movie is simply generic, with nothing unexpected in the story and nothing exciting about the characters.
Overall, I would skip The Big Trail. Unless, of course, you're a big enough fan of John Wayne. Otherwise, you'll walk away bored.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Vietnam, War, Insanity
Apocalypse Now is a 1979 war drama starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Laurance Fishburne, Dennis Hopper, and Harrison Ford. The story follows Captain Benjamin L. Willard, played by Sheen, who is a soldier suffering from PTSD while stationed in Vietnam. Captain Willard is tasked with assassinating Colonel Walter Kurtz, played by Brando, who has committed war crimes. Willard's journey drags him through the horrors of the Vietnam War, facing AWOL units, Viet Cong, and death.
Apocalypse Now is a powerful film with a great soundtrack and an all-star cast. The acting and the writing are great. The movie can be politically poignant at times, and is incredibly moving throughout.
The only criticisms that I could make of Apocalypse Now is the occasional, overly dramatic, almost cartoonish, death scenes and intoxication scenes. The world constructed in this film is also a bit over-the-top. It seems that every character in the story is insane.
Overall, Apocalypse Now is a great film. This war drama has action, thrills, and adventure that can satisfy all adult audiences.
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
Social Upheaval, Romance, and Russian History
Doctor Zhivago is a 1965 drama film with elements of the romance and historical drama genres. The story follows Dr. Yuri Zhivago, whose parents die when he is a young boy. Zhivago is raised by the Gromeko family and studies to become a doctor. The doctor spends the rest of his life torn between romance, war, poetry, and a desire to have a peaceful life.
Doctor Zhivago is a powerful film that is entertaining throughout its entirety. The acting and writing are amazing and the dialogue between the characters is extremely thoughtful and insightful. It is also nice to see a film that includes such historical events as the Great War and the Russian Revolution from the perspective of Russian characters. The effects of war, anarchy, civil unrest, and collectivism are illustrated very well. With such beautiful scenery and a fantastic plot, you never want to the film to end.
If there are any complaints that could be made of Doctor Zhivago, it is the length of the film. Even though the film is enjoyable, it is almost three and a half hours long. It feels as if you have accomplished something when you finish the film because of the massive amount of time it consumes. I think the movie could have been shortened without hurting the overall story. Also, the ending is extremely underwhelming in my opinion, but I will not give away any details.
Overall, Doctor Zhivago is a great film. Audiences of all tastes will enjoy the beauty, passion, and insight this movie offers. If you have yet to watch this classic film, I recommend it. You will not be disappointed.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Space Colonists, Androids, and Aliens
Alien: Covenant is a 2017 science-fiction horror film. The story follows a crew of space colonists on their expedition to form a civilization on a new planet. During their trip, a solar phenomenon damages the ship and awakens the crew from their cryogenic hibernation. Once awake, the captain of the ship is notified of a nearby communications signal, and the crew travels to find the source. Horrors ensue as the source is revealed to be a damaged ship on a hostile planet, and the crew finds themselves in peril.
Alien: Covenent continues the Alien franchise with a dark chapter in the series, revealing a new history behind the xenomorph menace. As expected from an Aliens movie, there is plenty of thrills and gore. Michael Fassbender gives a great performance as the androids, David and Walter.
Unfortunately, this film has many flaws. The writing is bad with horrible dialogue, no subtlety, and the humor is corny when attempted. The acting, in general, is terrible. This is B-level, melodramatic acting and when Fassbender is not in the scene, you could be fooled into believing that you are watching a low-budget, made-for- television movie. The acting is hindered further by the poor casting choices. Katherine Waterston is a poor lead, Danny McBride plays an uncomfortable and serious role, and James Franco appears in the movie for only a moment. Fassbender, being the only decent actor, is so good we get him twice, playing two different characters. In fact, Michael Fassbender should have been cast as all of the characters. Every character is in a relationship with one another, as if that replaces any need to develop their personalities. Lastly, and this is a complaint that can be made of many horror films, is that the danger presented to the characters is often a result of their own lack of common sense. Suspension of belief is required to comprehend the behavior of some of these characters. If you find something strange on the ground, don't lie down next to it and put your face in it.
Overall, Alien: Covenant is a bore. It lacks the intensity, action, horror, and story that were once hallmarks of this franchise. I would only recommend this film to those that are extreme fans of the series. Otherwise, don't waste your time.
The Big House (1930)
Prison, Loyalty, and Desperation
The Big House is a 1930 crime-drama film, set in a prison. The story follows several inmates who are all willing to do anything to get out of jail. Whether it is cutting deals, informing on one another, or planning a breakout, each character is pushed to the limits of what a person is willing to do for freedom. As the story progresses, each character must ultimately face the consequences of whatever choice they make, which seems to be the moral of the film.
The Big House is surprisingly sympathetic toward the flaws in the penal system and makes no attempt to hide the horrors of prison. The jail in the film is almost medieval at times with a dungeon for solitary confinement, roach-infested, rotten food, and three men to a closet-sized cell. The story is well-written and the acting is great, for the most part.
The bad parts of the film mostly consists of the silliness, such as obviously fake punches, the phony tough-guy routine, and the cringe-worthy "Who...Me?" line that is repeated throughout. The comedy aspects of the film also fall flat, such as the cross-eyed stutter routine and the exaggerated wide-eyed stupidity role. These elements drag the film down.
Overall, The Big House is worth watching. Honest, enjoyable, and intense, most viewers will have a lot of fun with this film. Despite a few flaws and bad comedy, the amazing prison scenery will keep you drawn to the screen.
The Bat Whispers (1930)
Mystery, Suspense, and The Bat
The Bat Whispers is a 1930 suspense-thriller with elements of mystery and drama. The story follows a middle-aged woman of wealth, named Cornelia Van Gorder, who has rented an elaborate mansion from a wealthy banker's son. When the large house is used to hide the proceeds from a bank robbery, several different parties compete to remove the inhabitants and find the money. Excitement, suspense, and thrills ensue as Cornelia, along with her friends and family, attempt to put an end to the fiasco.
The film, The Bat Whispers, manages to stay enjoyable throughout its entirety, with barely a dull moment. The Bat character is reminiscent of an early Batman and it is easy to draw parallels between the two characters. The ending is also extremely fun, after the resolution and when the audience is addressed. I won't give anything away, but this film is worth watching for this part alone.
One of the worst parts of the film, unfortunately, is the corny attempts at humor. Hiding halfway under a bed, cross-eyed fainting, and overdone acting add a cringe element to the film, which is disappointing. The story is done very well and the added comedy elements deduct from the overall viewing experience. There are also a few ambitious attempts at using special effects, such as tiny models to show a sprawling cityscape or a car traveling down a road. Although it is a good effort by the artists involved, these scenes do not work either. They are simply too artificial and, worse, are completely irrelevant. Lastly, one could argue that much of the conflict in this film, along with many thriller and mystery movies, is based on a faulty personality by the characters, such as an extreme naivety in their surroundings and the ability to trust even the most suspicious- looking individuals without hesitation.
Overall, The Bat Whispers is a fun film. Exciting, suspenseful, full of thrills and twists, and a good mystery story, all audiences can enjoy this movie. A few downfalls and bad choices keep this film from being truly great, but it is worth a watch. And don't forget to watch the very end, it's great.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
An Intellectual Story of Thieves and Violence
The Usual Suspects is a 1995 crime drama with elements of the noir and thriller genres. The story follows the misadventure of five felons who are brought together after they are all arrested and brought in for questioning. Bringing these five criminals together gives the police more than they bargain for as the rogues plan to work together on a future theft. Eventually, the team crosses a powerful criminal underlord and is forced to pull a suicidal job.
This film is fascinating, fun, and full of intensity. The well- written story, the thrills, and the amazing cast makes The Usual Suspects a fantastic movie. This film will draw you in from the beginning and it only gets better as the plot progresses.
The only complaint that I would have with The Usual Suspects is the accent of the character Fred Fenster, played by Benicio del Toro. It is simply bad, whatever he was attempting to do. His acting, however, is fantastic. In fact, the entire cast is great, including Stephen Baldwin and Kevin Spacey. The casting of this film is perfect.
I recommend this movie for anyone, regardless of taste. It is simply that good. A mystery/crime drama/thriller that will leave you amazed.
Following (1998)
Thrills, Writing, and Burglary
Following is a 1998 black-and-white drama film with noir and thriller elements. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Following is a story about an unnamed, unemployed, struggling writer. This writer begins a hobby of following people around, watching their habits, and seeing what they do and where they go. One day, this somewhat innocent hobby brings the main character across the path of Cobb, a well-dressed and smooth-talking thief. The writer and Cobb begin an unhealthy relationship that involves examining people on a much deeper level: breaking into their homes and rifling through their belongings.
Following is an extremely fascinating thriller that will hook you in from the beginning. Full of smart dialogue and fascinating characters, an emotional roller-coaster, a great story, and a surprise ending, this is truly a great film.
I imagine the only viewers who would not enjoy this movie are those that don't have the attention span for a well-thought and plot- driven story. Otherwise, this film can be enjoyed by everyone and, in my opinion, ranks among the best noir films. Perhaps one of the best films overall.
Animal Crackers (1930)
Comedy, Music, and Art
Animal Crackers is a 1930 comedy film starring the Marx Brothers. The story begins with a lavish house party thrown by Mrs. Rittenhouse, a wealthy socialite. Included among those invited is Captain Spaulding, played by Groucho Marx, who is an explorer that has just returned from an African expedition and is the guest of honor. Also in attendance is a hired band, consisting of characters played by Harpo and Zeppo Marx. Chaos ensues as an expensive painting disappears and Captain Spaulding assists the police in solving the crime.
This Marx Brothers film is hilarious at times, especially the first few scenes containing the Captain Spaulding character. Some of the comedic elements, such as the singing of the party guests when greeting Spaulding, are timeless. Each Marx brother is given an opportunity to show off their own style and talents. Masterful sleight-of-hand, musical ability, and mimery are all exhibited in this film.
Unfortunately, not all of the jokes in Animal Crackers work. Some of the humor falls flat with a few bad puns, cringe-inducing slapstick, and a couple of back-and-forth quips that don't end soon enough. Spots of bad acting don't help the film, either. The movie is shot like a stage play, and the actors are acting as if they are in a play, usually facing forward. Most of the songs work well but a few don't, namely the butler's song. It would have been nice to see the music incorporated more into the comedy, as it was in the first act of the film. The introduction of Harpo's character is too chaotic and Looney Tunes-esque, not matching the tone of the rest of the film. Lastly, the movie suffers from a boring final act. The first act is great and the rest of the film declines afterward.
Overall, Animal Crackers if a fun film. A couple of the songs, especially those involving the Captain Spaulding character, are great and memorable. The Marx Brothers really show off their talents throughout the story. This film is a good watch for any Marx Brothers fan, and there is still plenty of comedy that has aged well for everyone else.
Alraune (1929)
Early Sci-Fi with Artificial Rats and Artificial People
Alraune is a 1930 German film with elements of science fiction and drama. The story follows a scientist, Privy Councillor ten Brinken, who discovers how to create artificial life, which is basically artificial insemination. After successfully creating dozens of "artificial rats", ten Brinken's ambition drives him to attempt to create an "artificial human". The Privy Councillor then raises his creation under the guise of an adopted niece.
Alraune has a fascinating plot and is a great example of an early science fiction film. The first act will draw you in as your imagination runs wild wondering could possibly happen next. The words used to send ten Brinken to conduct such an experiment, "Do you want someone else to beat you to it?" is an excellent motivation for the character. This removes some of the malice from his deeds and adds a tragic element to the whole affair. Wanting to be the best is a motivation anyone can relate to, especially when it is related to work or academia. But how far will you go to achieve such heights?
Despite how interesting the first act is, the film slows to a boring halt afterward. By the end of the movie, it is unclear exactly what the conflict of the story was. You would think that the bulk of the premise would be the main character's conflict with her identity, or something related. Or perhaps diving further into the Privy Councillor's other "expensive experiments". Instead, something intriguing happens in the beginning of the story, and that's really all there is to it. The film starts very strong but begins to atrophy after the first few scenes. There are a few spots of bad acting, but not enough to ruin a scene. For example, you may see the "stink- eye" or "hands-on- hips" type of overacting from a few of the supporting characters. Lastly, I found it difficult to keep track of which character was which. There is little character development before the film leaps forward seventeen years, leaving the viewer somewhat confused in the new setting.
Despite some of these flaws, Alraune is an intriguing film. The first act is fantastic, not to mention how interesting some of the scientific ideas are. There are many fun directions the film can go after the third act, leaving you with plenty of thriller/science fiction ideas of your own. Anyone interested in these genres will find plenty to like in this film.