bradley-matchett Reviews

Ordinary Magic (1993)

A beautiful feel good film

[1 July 2004]

This morning I was flipping through the channels on television and came across this film which had started only about 15 minutes before.

I was immediately interested in watching the film and put aside my plans to go out until the film had finished. I was completely riveted to the screen by handsome young Ryan Reynolds and his extraordinary performance as Jeffrey. Mr. Reynolds Indian accent seemed very realistic to me, and I was very impressed with his dedication to the role, even going so far as to learn some of the Yoga the role required him to do.

In some sense the storyline was familiar (David versus Goliath), but it is a wonderful film with good performances by all including Glenn Headley as Jeffrey's aunt and an over the top performance by singer Paul Anka as the manipulative land developer who will not take no for an answer when Jeffrey's aunt refuses to sell her house.

Eventually Jeffrey teaches the townspeople and his aunt some lessons in acceptance and in standing up and fighting for what you believe in. This film will give you hope about the good in people and will leave you feeling very nice at the end.

Making Love (1982)

A totally under-rated ground-breaking film

[10/10 · 11 April 2004]

I remember hearing about this film long before it came out. Living in a small eastern Ontario town in Canada in 1982 (a town with an army base no less) I thought that as much as I wanted to, my chances of seeing this film were pretty slim unless I could somehow make it to a big city. Finally, I lucked out and the film did come to our town as part of a double-bill along with Neil Simon's "I Ought To Be In Pictures". I remember watching as this movie (the second feature) started, and silence descended upon the entire theatre. You could have heard a pin drop. As the movie progressed and we got to the scene where Zack and Bart lovingly kiss for the first time there was pandemonium in the theatre. It seemed like half the audience got up. People were yelling abusive epithets at the screen and storming out of the theatre in droves. As a young man on the brink of committing suicide because of feelings I didn't understand and had no relation to -- this movie saved my life. For the first time in my life, after watching this film, I could identify with someone else, and I knew there were other people like me in this world. I thought then, and I think now, twenty-two years later, that all the people involved with this film took tremendous chances and showed great courage in seeing to it this movie was made.

Say what you will about the soap opera type plot, and making the movie more palatable for mainstream tastes, the fact remains that this was in its time a ground-breaking film. I know many other people who have been profoundly touched by this film. Several years ago I ran a group for gay men in various stages of coming out. One night I showed them my own personal copy of this film. Nearly all who were viewing it for the first time were still totally mesmerized and awed by the courage shown by all involved with this film, particularly Harry Hamlin and Michael Ontkean. Both of these actors were already popular established actors at the time this film was made, and both of them took tremendous risks with their careers by taking these parts. For a movie to actually show two men in a loving relationship, and to actually show two men kiss each other on the lips was amazingly brave. As was pointed out elsewhere on this board Tom Hanks and Antonio Banderas would not even kiss in the 'critically acclaimed' "Philadelphia", and that was many years later. Kate Jackson was fresh off "Charlie's Angels" when she took the part of Claire. Kate did a wonderful job in this film, and held her own against two powerful actors. Her powerful speech to her husband after he comes out to her gave many women the words to say to their husbands.

All of these years later I don't think there is a finer 'coming out' film than "Making Love"!

Sooner or Later (1979 TV Movie)

Someone please bring this gem to DVD!!

[10/10 · 11 April 2004]

I remember watching this television movie when it first came out back in '79 starring sexy Rexy (Rex Smith)and Denise Miller (later of "Archie Bunker's Place"). Not only was it a beautiful love story, but it had one kick-ass soundtrack (which confoundedly is still not available on CD -- someone please release it!) The theme song went on to become a really big hit -- I believe a #1 song -- if I'm not mistaken. There was also the beautiful song titled "Simply Jessie", among others. It was a terrific movie, but to my knowledge has never been released on video or DVD, as have a lot of other more inferior television movies. Someone please dig this one out of the vaults and release it with remastered sound! Please!

Moment by Moment (1978)

A Highly Under-rated film

[11 April 2004]

I remember going to the theatre to see this film when it first came out and, although it was not the best film for Travolta or Tomlin, I actually enjoyed this film alot. In the twenty-six years since this film was released I have looked for it on video (or now DVD) to no avail. Unfortunately up here in Canada we don't have the stations you have in the states and I have never seen this air on television here. I really hope they put it out on DVD. I think this film is a lot better than alot of the garbage that comes out these days. I would love to see this film again, if only to see John Travolta when he was so young and gorgeous. Bring this film to DVD please!!! Maybe this film isn't looked upon fondly by some who have seen it, but I still remember it all these years later. I would really love to see it out on DVD so I can finally see it again. It would be really cool to have both Travolta and Tomlin come back and do commentaries on it now all of these years later.

The Pirate Movie (1982)

A terribly under-rated film

[21 November 2003]

I have always found this to be a terribly under-rated film. Okay, so it isn't exactly true to Gilbert & Sullivan. So what? I love Gilbert and Sullivan, but this is obviously supposed to be a take-off and spoof, much like Scary Movie is a take-off and spoof. Nonetheless, I find this to be a wonderfully entertaining movie. It is extremely funny, it is filmed beautifully on location in Australia, and it has great music. Christopher Atkins and Kristy McNichol are wonderful in this film. I sure wish the studio would get around to re-releasing this film on DVD, and re-releasing the soundtrack on CD. It has been overlooked for far too long. I know many other people, who like me, simply love this film.