RSBlain Reviews

Phenomenon (1996)

Reality of a different dimension

[10/10 · 8 February 2007]

I have watched this movie several times. Each time I realize, even more, just how close each of us might come to a similar experience. I read the remark, "not reality", but I am telling you it is as real as it might get. The stroke like experience was a lightning strike into the psyche of the brain waking all of it's possibilities. We as onlookers see only a part of what the possibilities a similar experience, for ourselves, might be. Standing back, I saw another experience, those we think we know relying on their fears to disallow them to be supportive but instead primitive in their reactions. The story covers different layers of trust for all involved. I could feel the pain and the hurt and the fear.

The actors: all of the actors fit their roles well. Travolta was wonderful as were supporting actors Kyra Sedgwick and Robert Duvall. I wouldn't change any from the part they played. The setting was perfect, the story wonderful, the acting all well done. Phenomenon is a movie I will watch again, each time knowing I will feel the same respect and emotion for it as the story closes. It is well worth watching and I grade it highly as I feel it is well deserved.

Dinosaurs (1991–1994)

Outstanding, ranking with "best family entertainment aired"

[10/10 · 2 May 2006]

I was thrilled to see "the Dinosaurs" being re-published on DVD. As an adult of 62 years I know cartoon characters are a little far fetched for an interest. I am, as an adult of 62 years, not only fond of the Dinosaurs but "just plain crazy about them". The characters and moral teaching done within all of the episodes was outstanding and human and highly entertaining. Sitting here writing, I am not speaking of a single episode but of every episode that was aired. I can't think of a better teaching tool for values or better entertainment for children or adults. There is no blood and guts, no bad language, wonderful animation, no dysfunctional family but real togetherness all done in the most heartwarming ways. I am remembering so many of the stories as I write and can't fault a single one.

I purchased all of the tapes I could find and hope to add all of the upcoming releases on DVD, I wouldn't miss adding them to my collection. I just can't speak highly enough of every single episode I was ever privileged to see. My rating is a 10. RSBlain

Give 'em Hell, Harry! (1975)

Super story of Harry S Truman and Super expose' of a great actor.

[10 August 2004]

My comments concerning "Give Em Hell Harry" need only be short and sweet. This was, bar none, one of the finest movies I have ever seen giving a biography of a presidency and it is done as a one-man show. It is just, well, S-U-P-E-R. If you want to learn a little about a man or a presidency, if you want to see a great actor in action, this is a movie for you. Experience the trauma of an era. Experience the greatness of a man. Experience the fantastic portrayal by a great actor by not missing this movie. I can't imagine anyone being sorry they took time out to live within a period of time for a few short minutes by watching/being a part of this great offering in movie making and stage playing. Don't cheat yourself if you have the opportunity of viewing it. It is a 10 in my eyes without a doubt.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

If you want a movie to affect your life, this one may do it.

[9/10 · 12 April 2004]

The Passion Of Christ, I was prepared for what I saw, it was no more or no less brutal than I expected although some scenes caught my attention more than others. It has not miraculously changed my life but I have on dwelling on it, several times found myself in tears thinking not just of the brutality but of why and what the story is about. If you are a believer, to see the whipping, the beating, the abuse and know the concept is that the punishment was ours but he received it instead as our salvation, is emotional for me. Religious or not, I think it's a film all people should see. Who knows what it could do for a life. I really have no words to describe what I saw. It's a dark film, the story, the photography, all of it, dark, dark, dark. It is a movie to see more than once. Like most movies/stories, you will not catch it all in a single viewing. I will be buying it. I believe I will view it better on a smaller screen. If you can say it was excellent, then it was excellent. It was bloody, brutal, sad, telling, emotional, inspiring and more, all at the same time. It was a heartbreaker. I went to see it hoping I will, in the long run, be a better person. I think it is working on me, now.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Outstanding in every way; thriller, romance, action

[10/10 · 22 February 2004]

I purchased this movie for an addition to my holiday or seasonal movie collection. Periodically, as a Johnny Depp fan, I watch it, on and off season. Each time I watch, I see something new and entertaining. Though bloody in content, I have been fascinated by the story, the characters and the cinematography. I loved the performance of all actors, each character being unique and no matter the size of the part a great addition to the story. Costuming, terrific period pieces that lent great highlight to the story. The backdrop for the story and the music both amazing, lending all that was necessary to make the story suspenseful. Fight scenes were many, varied and exciting and special effects were exactly that, special effects. I recommend this movie highly, with one last comment, it is gory and there is one sexual scene that is very sexual. No nudity but sexual. An amazing piece of movie making, I give it a 10 as I have watched it enough to determine it deserves that rating.

Run Lola Run (1998)

A look at a fascinatingly fast paced 20 minutes of time

[8/10 · 10 June 2003]

The "Run Lola Run" story line takes place in a time span of 20 minutes in the life of a boy/girl couple. Using animation as well as reality the very real characters fit. The story clicks along being retold in 3 different ways giving 3 different outcomes based on "what if the characters did this instead of that". A foreign film, set in Germany, language, German with subtitles, the main characters acted out their parts in the highly emotional fashion expected for the story line, frenzied and frightened and needing a quick fix to a dangerous problem they face. The fix to the problem is not going to come easy. The story, he is involved in smuggling and is to deliver the illegally gained money by a fixed time. Because of background occurrences, his ill gotten gains are haphazardly forgotten for seconds on the tram then stolen from him. The probable outcome, he will be killed because of his blunder. What to do? Emotions run high, the pace is desperate and though spoken words are in German I could have followed the story without subtitles. You can tell what is happening thru the excellent dramatization. The music in the background fits, there is voice with lyrics re-telling the story line, very subtle. Each 3 sets have tiny little background stories happening creating more problems to be negotiated as in a maze. The ending, a bit unrealistic but not totally impossible, just not quite probable.

I rate this one an 8. I got into it as it was so unique. Would I tell you to see it? Emphatically yes, because of it's uniqueness. Would I buy it? I already have and have re-watched the movie with as much fascination as the first time.

Platoon (1986)

A frightening look into the occupation of war, any war.

[10/10 · 9 June 2003]

A movie well deserving of it's Oscar. Recruits, trained yes, but young, inexperienced, naive and innocent. This is a look into the depths of hell, post office box anyplace will do. Put greed, contempt, lack of respect, raw nerves, and power together and what you get is the experience you would like to forget, the experience you wish you never had, the experience that will stay with you in many of the dreams you will dream for the rest of your life.

New recruits are on a mission in the jungles of Vietnam, surrounded by the enemy who will take no prisoners. You see fear, courage, excruciating pain, death, hatred, despair, growing animosities and drugs as the peace giving catalyst to this recipe for horror. Watch as the innocent turn into hardened individuals, uncaring killers because of the tensions of each day and the viewing of sites unimaginable only a short time ago in the history of each. Hard to watch, hard to understand unless you were there. A gripping but sad movie experience. This movie brings you into the depths of hell with those on the scene. God help us all. A 10.

We Were Soldiers (2002)

A well done war movie, very emotional, heart breaking, a 10

[10/10 · 6 June 2003]

This is a true story of the 7th Calvary, sent into the Vietnam conflict. Well trained but outnumbered, the group is sent into a battle lost before it was fought. Of approximately 400 American soldiers, 25% were lost to Vietnamese fire. Trained and dropped by helicopter into the center stage of enemy territory, outnumbered by thousands they fought with courage and heroism led by men who were genuine leaders. The odds against them, some will die and some will live but none will ever forget the experience of 3 fighting days. Three stories in one, the American soldiers in battle, the second, families left at home and the stresses of personal loss and 3rd an insight into the Vietnamese strategies. I found it to be an excellent movie, I own it among other war movies and feel my money and my time have been well spent with this well acted story. I only buy movies that measure up to a 10 for my collection and this is one of them.

The names of those lost is this battle are engraved on the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C.

Outbreak (1995)

Chaos at the highest emotional level, disturbing and frightening.

[10/10 · 4 June 2003]

The world grows smaller when a virus is carried to the United States by the illegal importation of an animal carrying an unknown virus strain. The added element, government dabbling in biological weapons and cover-ups. Follow the developing stages of study, identification, containment, treatment all in the most difficult situations. Scary, frightening, enormously heart pounding. A study in the awful realities, stupidity and genius of today's modern world yet gives a positive ending with knowledge of the good in some people and the fight they will enter to see right prevail. I rate this a 10.

The War of the Roses (1989)

Unparalleled tragic/comedy of failed marriage. My rate 10

[10/10 · 4 June 2003]

Played convincingly by one of my favorite acting couples, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, this movie takes you thru the heat of each moment of love and forgotten lack of commitment to understanding the feelings of each other and then developing hatred. A bird's eye view into some of what can lead to divorce taken to the extreme. Danny DeVito does an excellent portrayal of the feeling divorce lawyer/colleague. A wonderfully exciting movie worth viewing more than once so you miss nothing. Anyone rating this less than a 10 has only half viewed it. I own 2 copies and pray they last my lifetime for further viewings.

Waking Ned Devine (1998)

Hysterical, I aim to own this one

[10/10 · 31 May 2003]

I love comic movies and this is one of the best. Funny through and through. Good script, the best of characters, I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this one. If you enjoy laughing, this one is a must. A definite 10 in my book.

Purple Rain (1984)

A story of genius and troubled lives

[10/10 · 31 May 2003]

I loved this movie, it has it all. Wonderful music, easy to follow boy meets girl story line, beautiful people, lives filled with turmoil, violent relationships as a guideline to life that need to be overcome. I find it to be very emotional, filled with ups and downs. I rate it a 10 and own it because I enjoy viewing it periodically.

The Last Detail (1973)

Subject matter is unique

[3/10 · 31 May 2003]

The movie though of a unique nature and one that exposes some heart for the prisoner and his plight still left me without any feelings that I would purchase this movie. I have to come up with emotion of my own when I watch a movie and though the guys were trying to do some good deeds at real risk to themselves, the whole thing left me pretty cold.