4-Eyes Reviews

The River King (2005)

Enjoyable, with some twists

[7/10 · 11 April 2008]

I really liked this and have no idea why it was never in theaters.

Yes, you have to think a bit and pull together the story lines for added meaning. A few have remarked that the Jennifer Ehle character was unnecessary, but I don't agree, and I even liked the abruptness of the attraction between her character and Burns'.

Their relationship and the thwarted relationship between the girl student and the hazing victim are meant to be contrasted. There is that old saying applied often to love, "Carpe diem -- seize the day." In other words, when love comes calling, don't rationalize it away.

The young couple did (at least, she did), and the older couple almost does too.

The ambiguous ending of the movie leave the viewer with plenty to think about. I wonder, for instance, why the victim hyperventilated for so long before jumping in the river. I took it to mean he did not intend to drown, but perhaps to do something Houdini-like instead.

I also loved the look of it, like a beat-up town in Maine whose entire tax base is a snooty school that has no use for the town except to cover up for it when things go wrong.

Yeah, I just liked it.

Mary's Incredible Dream (1976 TV Movie)

Yikes

[1/10 · 2 May 2006]

An ego-driven, unstylish mess.

And that's said by a fan of everything else MTM ever did. However, I would look at it again as part of a "worst camp" festival.

A really good music special that has a unifying theme needs subtlety. Barbra Streisand was great at this. Jamie Foxx is great at this. MTM was not.

Picking two jarring opposites and throwing them together over and over again for an hour was not a winning formula for this kind of program, IMO.

And this completes my comments. And my 10th line of text.

Two for the Road (1967)

There is great wisdom here

[9 August 2004]

As well as humor, pathos, the whole gamut. I have never forgotten

the scene where Mark smuggles food into the hotel because they

can't afford the dinner, only to discover the next morning that the

dinner was included in the price. I have never forgotten that as a

metaphor for life -- oftentimes more is included in the price than

we allow ourselves to hope. Criticisms of Ms. Hepburn's age and

Mr. Raphael's wit are, IMO, unfounded. I like the script -- but then I

also like Mamet -- and Hepburn is such a great actress that she

makes the character believable because you see her with your

heart. (Incidentally, it's my contention that Eyes Wide Shut, also

written by Raphael, is, like this film, a dry and sophisticated

comedy, but that's just me.)

Go West (1940)

Even though "lesser", I like it "more-er"

[9 August 2004]

I have a real soft spot for "Go West". It's a little less frantic, has a

mellow vibe and it's obvious they enjoyed making it. I liked the

songs and many of the sequences, particularly the "outfitter" and

also the train sequence which is such a metaphor for modern life

(they are in such a hurry to "get there" that they totally destroy and

burn the entire contents and structure of the train so when they

arrive at their destination there is nothing left but skeletal

wreckage). This alone is worth any other disappointments the film

may hold for you. I would say, don't skip over this one. And, to get

to the required 10 lines, I will say it again: don't skip over this one.

LOL

The Visit (1956)

Make this film available!

[13 February 2002]

If anyone with the power to release this on DVD/tape is reading this, PLEASE make this film available! I saw it near the time of its release and still have very vivid memories of it. At a recent performance of the Durenmatt play I found there were many others who felt the same.

This is a forgotten gem that deserves to be seen

Once Before I Die (1966)

One thing I did like

[13 February 2002]

There was an interesting tension between Andress as the life force and the fate each of the men met after they became involved with her. Moths to the flame. I wish the film had made more of this theme (and been better in general).

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

The trouble with mechas

[5 July 2001]

Aliens or mechas?

For those who espouse the idea that the new characters at the

end of the movie are "evolved mechas" (an intriguing idea until you

consider it closely), let me just ask, how could a mecha possibly

evolve?

They cannot reproduce. There is no genetic selection. Nor can

they create beings more sentient than they themselves are.

So whatever they may be, I cannot accept the idea of the "evolved

mecha". Even though it does seem more palatable than throwing

in some aliens as the ultimate deus ex machina.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

I wanted to like this

[5 July 2001]

I wanted to like it so much more than I did. Unfortunately, I was

right when my hackles went up at the amount of TV advertising that

preceded this -- often a sign that someone let the dog out (who,

who who who???).

The pluses: the robot characters, the eye candy, the big themes.

The minuses: the human characters, the verbosity, the lack of

exploration of the themes.

There are some genius moments that are definitely worth sitting

through its ponderous bulk for. And then some other scenes that

are some of the worst cheap shots I have ever seen a director

take. To say nothing of the movie "ending" at least four times (but

wait, there's still MORE!).

I won't say don't see it but I will say lower your expectations and

you'll have a better time than I did.

Seconds (1966)

New print in circulation

[16 May 2001]

I had the extreme privilege of seeing a brand-new print of

"Seconds" in a theatrical showing at my local film archives last

night. This new print from Paramount may be making the rounds

of film festivals -- watch for it.

Some of the info that was given before the showing included, that

while Rock Hudson was not Frankenheimer's first choice, he

aggressively pursued the role until he got it. He convinced

Frankenheimer that he was the only actor who could play the role.

This is especially poignant when you consider the facts of

Hudson's own life -- being a deeply closeted gay man known for

his comic-romantic leading roles. I thought he delivered the line

about a "two-faced phony" with a little extra bitterness.

Interestingly, when Frankenheimer completed the film, both he

and Paramount knew it was something really special. Frankenheimer decided the studio should enter it in the Cannes

Film Festival. Incredibly, however, the Cannes reviewers totally

panned it, focusing in particular on Hudson!!!

Because it was panned by the festival it never got any box-office

legs. From that point on, Frankenheimer distrusted film festivals

and, sadly, both he and Paramount decided they had made a

mistake about the film and it wasn't all that, after all.

Motto: Never, EVER listen to critics! Hudson was probably the

strongest force among all the excellences of this fine film. In the

scene where he visits his "widow", I was amazed that she couldn't

just look in his eyes and see John Randolph in there.

If this comes to an archives, festival, or art house near you, don't

miss it!

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

A comedy!

[29 May 2000]

Screenwriter Raphael is noted for war-of-sexes comedies, as I

believe this is, with payoff in the brilliant last line. The

music... the lovesick patient's fiance... what WASN'T HAPPENING

for the sex-obsessed couple... I was surprised to be chuckling,

but shouldn't have been. Bravo

Fast, Cheap & Out of Control (1997)

Loved everything but the score

[12 June 1999]

While watching "A Brief History of Time" last night I got wondering why Morris can't seem to score his films better. "Brief History" has a John Cage score that was surprisingly melodic, but, like "Fast, Cheap and Our of Control", the same phrases were pounded at you over and over until you wish he'd left music out of the film. I missed "Gates of Heaven", maybe it's better.

But I do love the way Morris picks his subjects, and particularly the way he edits! It was great to sit through the first third of "Fast, Cheap..." thinking, "What could possibly connect these four people?" and then slowly realizing the very deep connections that existed, ones I never would have thought of on my own. Beautiful shooting and breathtaking editing!

The Siege at Ruby Ridge (1996 TV Movie)

Classic tragedy

[25 April 1999]

This excellent TV movie reminded me of one of the classic Greek tragedies. Sadly, this one was true!

The movie showed in detail how poor communication led to fundamental misunderstandings on both sides that ended in a needless loss of life. Very thought provoking, with an important lesson to teach: talk first and you may not need to shoot later.

The Hot Rock (1972)

Redford must not like to make money

[12 March 1999]

I believe he owns the rights to this, felt it was one of his lesser efforts (why I'm not sure) and therefore won't release it to video. A bummer, because I have always loved this movie!

Even though some of the characters are not much like Donald Westlake's originals in the Dortmunder books, the movie still works just great. C'mon Robert, quit being so uptight!!

"Afghanistan.... banana stand....."

Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)

Yes, this is a beaut!

[15 November 1998]

Agree with other commentors -- this is a great, but somewhat forgotten, film. Looks like it will be available from the new IMDB on-line video store... that's great news! And if you like this one, I'd also suggest "Man on a Swing" starring Joel Grey -- another neglected great film.

The Condemned of Altona (1962)

Memorable scenes

[15 November 1998]

While this film was not entirely successful, there are scenes that will stay in your mind forever! If you liked Von Trier's "Zentropa", you will like this film on a similar theme.