Sunday, July 13, 2008

Movies...a bunch of them

Movies we have seen lately:

Mutiny On The Bounty (1962)
Really cool, old-school flick starring a young Marlon Brando. The movie is a must if you're into maritime adventure type sagas, and features some really good acting, both from Brando and also from Trevor Howard, who does an excellent portrayal of Captain Bligh. You can really tell that this movie is way old-school by the fact that it features an over-the top classical score and intermission music. Check this one out if you haven't seen it - not quite Casablanca or Gone With The Wind, but it's up there.

Maniac Cop (1988)
Bruce Campbell has one of the leading roles in this classic thriller/horror/action/whatever movie. I'm a big fan of this series and the Friday the 13th saga - awesome stuff. The plot in Maniac Cop is pretty straightforward - in New York, someone in a cop uniform starts killing people, which causes mass hysteria once suspicions of a serial killer cop is announced to the public. And of course; the killer is a cop, but not the one they suspected. At the very least this movie falls very much in the category "what you see is what you get". There's a cop, and he's a maniac. In other words, the movie is quite unlike some other movies, which for example promises hordes of primates in the title, but only features Bruce Willis in some futuristic get-up. Maniac Cop is where it's at if ya like 80's horror movies.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Matt Damon in an excellent crime/drama/thriller. For whatever reason, we never watched this when it first came out, despite it getting rave reviews and mucho press. I'm really growing to like Matt Damon the actor, as he totally brings the goods, despite having starred in Stuck On You. We totally enjoyed this movie and it's awesome late 50's scenery and jazz. Recommended.

Sleepers (1996)
Another 90's movie I totally missed. Or avoided. The latter is a definite possibility due to Brad Pitt having a significant role in this movie. However, my misgivings turned out to be without merit - it was an excellent flick. A small group of Hells Kitchen, Bronx, NY boys get shipped off to a detention center after a prank has more grievous consequences than anticipated. In this detention center, they are introduced to the guards, who turn out to have an unhealthy interest in young boys. Kevin Bacon is ultracreepy as the top guard on the totem pole. After the boys get released from detention, they take up different career paths - including hitmen and public prosecutor - but their past comes rushing back when two of the crew run into and kill the head guard in a pub many years later. Lots of good performances in this all-star project, featuring among others Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt and Dustin Hoffman.

Phenomenon (1996)
Travolta movie from the era when he was still red-hot following his triumphant return to major productions and a reputable Hollywood name. We didn't quite know what to expect when we started watching this movie, other than the information that Travolta's character experiences something unusual, and following this event, his IQ skyrockets, and he even develops telekinetic abilities. I figured that any movie in which a high IQ is portrayed as having a superpower has got to be cool in my book. Still; we didn't expect that it would go from entertaining to ultrasad about half-way in. Totally did not see that one coming. Really liked it though, and it's got Forest Whitaker and Robert Duval in major roles, which is always a plus. Not gonna watch it again for a while, though.

Last Action Hero (1993)
Having just watched the ultradowner movie which is Phenomenon, we needed to watch something mindless with lots of action and stuff that blows up. Last Action Hero fits that category perfectly. I don't really understand why this Arnold flick tanked so massively at the box offices; it does not follow a formula whic deviates that much from his other movies. He's big, he kicks ass, dude wields some powerful guns and drives some souped-up cars, has some cool catchphrases and the plot is unrealistic. Oh well - I'm a big fan of Arnold's movies, and this one even features Angry Again by Dave himself on the soundtrack. What's not to like?

7 comments:

Anders said...

Mutiny On The Bounty (1962)
I've wathced this on NrK from way back. Good movie. Regarding a young Marlon Brando, it reminds me I bought another Brando classic, On The Waterfront, last week, which I still haven't watched.

Maniac Cop (1988)
Remember this from K-town. Me no likey.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Funny enough, I've been meaning to watch this one for years as well. Still on my list.

Phenomenon (1996)
I've been put off by mr. Travolta and the cover/ plot on this one. But if Ye sez it's good, maybe I'll give it a try. You know, since our taste in movies are about as much correlated as our taste in music...

Last Action Hero (1993)
I'm not as hoooge fan of Schwatzy as you are, but I had to admit, that Arnold's best movies has been comedies. But this didn't do it for me.

What's not to like?

Angry Again by Megadeth on the soundtrack? Or Arine as a big, kick ass, gun-wielding dude with some tired ol' catchphrases, driving some souped-up cars in a unrealistic plot?

Wilhelm said...

But if Ye sez it's good, maybe I'll give it a try. You know, since our taste in movies are about as much correlated as our taste in music...

Really? Oh yeah; there was that business with the danish wannabe-horror fiasco you claimed was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

What's not to like?

Angry Again by Megadeth on the soundtrack? Or Arine as a big, kick ass, gun-wielding dude with some tired ol' catchphrases, driving some souped-up cars in a unrealistic plot?


LOL. Douché, as they say in france

Anders said...

Really? Oh yeah; there was that business with the danish wannabe-horror fiasco you claimed was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Nattevakten? Still think it's pretty good, but the Hollywood version blows. Somehow, I do feel the Danish in general makes better movies then Norway.

LOL. Douché, as they say in france

That Mustain bastard has cost me 6 points in the guitar quiz. Have not gotten a single Megadeth song right. So, bastard it is...
;-)

Wilhelm said...

. Somehow, I do feel the Danish in general makes better movies then Norway.

Way to set the bar high, eh?

That Mustain bastard has cost me 6 points in the guitar quiz. Have not gotten a single Megadeth song right. So, bastard it is...

Blasphemy! Thou shalt not use Dave's name in vain! ;-)

So how's it looking for the songs in Round 7?

Anders said...

So how's it looking for the songs in Round 7?

Ouch. Not too good. And round 8 ain't looking much better. Guess I'll be the only one surrendering to the french. First one in a couple of centuries. Where's Bryan when you need him?

Unknown said...

Maniac Cop (1988)
Funny

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
A remake from a french movie (no W there was not Miou Miou on that one). The original is way better

Phenomenon (1996)
I've slept very well during that one

Last Action Hero (1993)
A cool Arnold, that being said, it's a crappy movie with a cool soundtrack. Big gun from ACDC if I well remember

Wilhelm said...

A remake from a french movie (no W there was not Miou Miou on that one). The original is way better

What; Miou-Miou was sick or something?