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Reviews
Trader Hornee (1970)
Originally a goofy but definitely X-rated comedy
I saw this one many years ago at a drive-in; part of a double or triple feature. I probably shouldn't go into details where the original sexual content is concerned, but it would still be X by today's standards! Part of the comedy/sex angle involved the villainous redhead's scoping out potential sex partners while her male cohort was plotting crimes. I don't think any Academy Awards were being considered for this cast or film, but Trader Hornee had some watchable goofiness and explicit sex scenes.
I purchased a DVD of this not too long ago, and regrettably had to send it back for a refund. All of the sex had been edited out, and I think other content was removed as well. Having seen the REAL one, I couldn't accept the "updated" version. Trader Hornee, edited and sex-deleted, is like The Exorcist without the turning head and the green puke!!!
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Very powerful depiction of real wartime action; gore minimized however.
Saving Private Ryan received accolades from the U.S. Armed Forces for its realistic depiction of D-Day. Common sense dictates that they could have gone for lots more bloody-stump scenarios without violating the prerequisite of "realistic". The fact that they made a profound statement and didn't go that route speaks well of this movie project.
Anyone who desires to serve their country by going into combat should watch this one. The ideal of "Glory of Battle" would quickly be dispelled. Real warfare is gross, sickening, chaotic, disgusting, tragic. It must be a last resort, and one's motivation should be a very deep sense of commitment to the cause of democracy. Not freedom to do whatever one "feels like", but a concept of humanity that says everyone has intrinsic value. This is what our theocentric founders had in mind when they drafted the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
Tom Hanks...and a fine cast!
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Runs the entertainment spectrum; doofy to great!
Hey, I really liked Terminator 3, but no historic milestones here. Kristanna Loken, now my favorite evil cyborg, is also easy on the eyes. Like Arnold, her acting leaves something to be desired but their characters are emotionless machines, after all...well almost. T-X departs from the standard set by Terminator 1 & 2 in that she IS equipped with RAGE. Previous Terminators were supposed to be unfeeling killing machines determined to carry out their directives, although Arnold's character does develop a degree of compassion starting in 2.
Great special effects, gratuitous cyber-violence, and even a surprise ending combine to make this one fun to watch. The prolonged fight scene in the restroom has comedy; the T-X instantly rolling back onto the moving truck is wicked cool, and Arnold hanging from the crane is both!
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Surrealistic mental exercise--not for the casual viewer
David Aames (Tom Cruise) is a wealthy publisher who suddenly has the props kicked out...of a world he thrived in. Eventually all seems well again, until a nightmare worse than before takes over.
Cruise and company are at work in a complicated, time-shifting, special effects, symbolic filmmaker's world. This movie probably won't work as a late show feature just before dozing off. It has to be watched attentively, and more than once. It contains clues about Aames and his situation but can be viewed without looking for those--the viewer has to pay attention nonetheless!
I quickly developed an affinity for Vanilla Sky which was in production during my surgeries for a congenital brain aneurysm. Aames is acrophobic and scarred, although much more severely than me. In his Lucid Dream, he interacts with a girl he barely knew in real life. His is named Sophia, mine is Janet. He is unknowingly in a dream state for 150 years, for me it was only a couple of weeks. I could go on and on, but this is a commentary on Vanilla Sky, not MY Lucid Dream!
Hendrix (2000)
Ambitious effort, but falls short of greatness
Wood Harris portrays Jimi with respect and determination, but doesn't quite PORTRAY him. Then again, how many actors could? I don't think Mr. Harris had ever experienced LSD when he attempted to deliver Jimi's oratory at Monterey; his effort was...well, kinda silly. Some of the other dialogue is also clumsy but this was a demanding role. I'm aware of some Hendrix career history and inclined to believe that the movie is basically accurate throughout (as with Gotti HBO movie).
Although the music isn't too bad, I have to wonder why they didn't use actual Hendrix tracks? And why does the guy who plays the role of Little Richard look nothing like him? Was Michael Jeffrey really such an a-----e in real life? The real Chas Chandler seems like an unsympathetic and driven producer on the Electric Ladyland DVD...yet he and Jimi were said to be a great music partnership. Billy Zane does a fine job as Michael Jeffrey I guess, considering that I really don't know what he was actually like! Oh well.
Gotti (1996)
Entertaining and informative if you like Crime docu-dramas
GOTTI is a reasonably fast-paced account of John Gotti's rise to power in the Gambino crime family. I have an interest in Mafioso and I recognize the factual basis of some scenes, allowing for dramatic license. From there I'm willing to assume that the entire movie is based on actual events. Armand Assante is convincing in the role of John, and the supporting cast is noteworthy as well. They are probably a bit more genteel than were the actual mobsters, except perhaps when in the public eye.
The movie's rhythm seems to bog down in a couple of places. It detracts from the general tempo--but patience rewards with good action once again. The violence is not overplayed, in fact it is subdued. Anyone who is aware of the history of real Mafia perpetrators, such as Roy DeMeo, can vouch. Is Mafia life idealized here, thus making it attractive? I guess the viewer has to decide. I have watched it at least ten times and my favorite parts are the Intro and the Castellano hit, but there's more to like in between!
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Fascinating but dark view of time travel/alternate realities
The Butterfly Effect should grab and hold the interest of anyone who likes sci-fi, especially time travel and related themes. The viewer is introduced to the main characters through a series of seemingly disjointed action segments, mostly featuring seven year old Evan and his companions Kayleigh, Tommy, and eventually Lennie. The dark side theme is most evident in Tommy, a demonically vicious kid who rules the other three as the film segues into their 13-years-old phase. Some of the acting is a little weak, but the overall quality of the production makes for a fascinating and tortuous ride. This flick contains some themes that aren't really appropriate for viewers in the seven-to-thirteen year old range...which imputes a conflict. Evan and his friends are presented in that very age group! I give it an 8; definitely worth watching more than once.