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Stitch65
Reviews
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000)
Awesome
ER meets The West Wing in this police drama. This show follows the nights of Las Vegas Police Department Crime Scene Investigations officers. They investigate the clues to find the criminals. It's fascinating to watch these compelling characters solve puzzles. The use of cool camera tricks like photogrammetry make for a very enjoyable hour.
If CBS people are reading this: Keep this great show on the air forever. For the benefit of the folks over at Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Alliance Atlantis VivaFilm: Congratulations and keep 'em coming!!!
Black Sunday (1977)
I loved it!
Great movie that begins with the flavors of a John LeCarré novel and ends with a James Bond-ish third act. It was entertaining, suspenseful, and thrilling. I liked out how they took the time to develop the bad guys (Bruce Dern was awesome) which makes us understand why they're doing what they do. I agree that at the beginning we don't know who to root for since there's no usual "character development/getting-to-know-the-good-guy moment" but the richness of the plot more than makes up for it. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, as much as the similar The Day of the Jackal.
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974)
Way better than I thought
I caught this film on cable the other night and decided to keep watching since it was set in locations where I grew up. I was not disappointed. The story (a poor Jewish kid who wants to make it big) is interesting and offers many comedic highlights. Richard Dreyfuss gives a passionate performance that simply makes the film. The third act however derails, not exactly knowing where its going with its main characters. But it's good.
Reindeer Games (2000)
Good thrill ride!
The movie was a lot of fun, it entertained me throughout. We'll all agree that it's no Die Hard or The Rock but it delivers what it promised. I liked how the theme of Christmas was woven into the story itself (names like Nick, Rudy, and other stuff that I can't give away here). Some sequences kept you on the edge of your seat and there were some very smooth one-liners. I really was not disappointed.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Pretty good, could have been great
I had been expecting The 13th Warrior for a few months, since I'd first seen the trailer. Then my eagerness lowered after I read some reviews (some were good, some were bad). So my expectations were rattled. I came out of the theater feeling pretty good. At least I wasn't disappointed. This wasn't another Godzilla. But it wasn't Braveheart either.
What I liked: Good action sequences. It seems that lately action films go soft when blood is needed. Now, I've never been a big fan of gore but when you're in the middle of a battle between Vikings and cannibalistic savages I think you can't go wrong with blood and realistic depiction of violence (the head-ripping shot was cool). The sets and photography are really impressive, made the whole movie seem cold and frightening (well, maybe I felt cold because of the freezing air-conditioning; why do they turn it up so high?).
What I disliked: I felt there could've been more. There are many side stories that seem to want to develop but are nipped in the bud. The first minute about why Ibn has to leave his country could've been stretched into at least 20 minutes. This way, we could have learned more about the main character and his demons. There could have been political intrigue, a forbidden love story, etc. The Viking prince and Ibn's love interest seem to take us somewhere beyond the carnage and then they don't. It's a shame.
The verdict: As far as the action movie genre goes, The 13th Warrior was good enough to fit in the category with its head up high. But with it's lack of psychological development and burgeoning side stories it doesn't go much further. This film could have definitely reached epic proportions (like Lawrence of Arabia and Braveheart) but for reasons previously mentioned it remains simply an action movie.
Play It Again, Sam (1972)
Funny Woody!
I've seen a number of Woody Allen films and this has to be the best. I tuned in as there was nothing else on TV and I have to say I was extremely surprised. Yes, the movie contains a high level of psychosis but at the same time not too much. And that's why I love this film.
Most of Allen's films are about the problems and questioning of relationship between couples. Being so much alike, I get bored by them. But PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM is about a loser looking for a relationship, and that's what appealed to me. It uses the fact that Allen is a neurotic as a gag device instead of a way to analyze the loneliness of the human soul.
A more conventional film, it mixes physical humor and sharp Woody-ish one-liners to carry us from beginning to end without ever stopping to laugh (or smile at least). As we go from one adventure to the next, we can't deny the ever present under current of CASABLANCA which the main character can't live without. The ending is at first a little unfulfilling but upon examination there was no other way this movie could end. A fresh change from Allen's usual films. Brilliant.
Gina (1975)
"Gina" is one of those films that get more entertaining with every scene.
There are actually two stories: 1) A stripper is dispatched to a rural bar in the middle of winter. 2) A film crew tries to expose the horrifying working conditions at a textile plant in that same rural town. The latter is a direct consequence of two-time Oscar nominee director Denys Arcand's own problems making such a documentary years before (which actually was released two years later).
At first, we are confronted with some sort of sociological observation as the Stripper - Gina - and the film crew feel isolation and then become friends. But a band of out of work snowmobilers always lurks nearby. The harassment will soon turn into a morbid gang rape. (I don't think I'm giving anyway here since it first was introduced to us in film school the professor -- who actually has a small part in the movie -- said it was the story of a stripper's rape)
At this point in the movie you know the pressure is high. Something big is going to happen. That's where the real fun begins. Gina gives a call to her booking agent/mobster who shows up with three associates. This has got to be one of the most memorable scenes I've ever seen on film. Imagine four football players getting out of their muscle cars. They are the quintessence of cool (according to 1970's standards) and they mean business.
What follows is nothing but action. Car chases, extremely violent fights, and more blood than the Red Cross dares to hold; a scene Tarantino would have been proud to have shot. The sweet smell of revenge! (Again, I don't think this is a spoiler. It's not that unpredictable.) In my opinion, this is one of the greatest Canadian film ever made and should most definitely be checked out. Although it dates back to 1974, "Gina" is still contemporary in every aspect.