joelafives Reviews

Napoleon (2023)

Sad and slow for an epic

[1/10 · 26 November 2023]

It was with great anticipation that I went to see Napoleon. After about twenty minutes I just hung my head in frustration at this interpretation of one of the most charismatic and bright (think military genius) individuals in history. Phoenix turned him into a babbling sex addict. Whether this was on him or at the direction of Ridley Scott is the great question of the day. I understand that Scott doesn't appear to care if his movies are historically accurate but at least the the temperament of the leading character correct. I won't list the historical inaccuracies as the are too numerous to count but suffice to say that if you want to see a movie about Napoleon watch the 1970 Waterloo or even the 1954 film Désirée with Marlon Brando.

School for Scoundrels (2006)

Remake of a fine movie

[5/10 · 14 January 2022]

This remake of the 1960 version with Terry Thomas and Ian Carmichael lacks the originality and real comedy that version provides. I highly recommend sticking to the 1960 movie.

Without Remorse (II) (2021)

Almost NOTHING comes from the book

[3/10 · 3 July 2021]

So - If it's Tom Clancy's Without Remorse, why isn't any detail in the movie, the same as the book? Other than some of the names (Kelly, Ritter, Pam) there is nothing here that Clancy wrote. His novel is pro military, pro CIA, pro US government and pro Police. Yet in this movie, the CIA, the US government and the police(at least prison guards) are depicted as suspect. If they had wanted to update the war in Vietnam to say the Iraq War or the Afghan War, I could understand that, but why change all of the other aspects of the novel. Just sad.

The Great Adventure (1963–1964)

A fine TV show that needs to be put on DVD

[10/10 · 24 March 2018]

This show only lasted one year, perhaps because it portrayed American historical events in a good light at a time when people were beginning to question it. I found the episodes about Rodger Young (with James MacArthur in the Title role) and the Huntley really good and while I was young still remember a few scenes that impacted me. I would certainly like to see CBS take a chance and put this show on DVD

Spinout (1966)

Average Elvis Fodder

[4/10 · 11 October 2006]

It's Elvis doing what Elvis always does, with a few,very few twists in turn. The best part of this movie however are the cars. A 427 Cobra is featured (although the car that gets wrecked early is a double). The car known as a fox five is a Mclaren Elva and a nice example. You won't see many of these around. In the racing scene you will also see a variety of sports racers including a Bill Thomas Cheeta which was a direct competitor for the Cobra. Really nice to see these cars on the screen. As for the rest, Well its just typical Elvis stuff, if you've seen Girl Happy or Roustabout or any of the rest then just fast forward to the car scenes.

92 in the Shade (1975)

I routinely use this movie as a example of a one on a scale of ten

[1/10 · 11 July 2006]

When I'm with a crowd and the subject gets around to movies, usually someone will ask, "What was the worst movie you've ever seen"? Well for me, this is it. I saw this in the theater when it was released in 1975 and have regretted it ever since. Wooden performances by a cast of actors that should have known better than to star in this poorly written and directed production. A complete waste of time and money. You would be better off watching a bass fishing show or bowling show on television than spending your time on this dog. If you're looking for a Warren Oates film pass this one and watch The Wild Bunch. That it was reedited and re-released in 1981 was amazing considering that no amount of editing other than a match would fix this mess

Big Man on Campus (1989)

A great film for the entire family

[10/10 · 13 June 2006]

I saw this movie with my kids in 1990 while we were vacationing. I think it was on HBO. ll of us really enjoyed the film. I was able to acquire a VHS copy a couple of years later and in fact, I haven't run across a person that I have shown it to that didn't like it. It really works well on the small screen. The stars do a very credible job. Of course Alan Katz is really fantastic as Bob Malooga Looga Looga Looga Looga. but I would really like to see Lions Gate release it on DVD. Lions Gate owns all of Vestrons film library apparently. I've sent an email I urge others who liked the film to do so as well. Their email address is [e-mail]

The Great Adventure (1963–1964)

One of the best shows of the 60's

[10/10 · 18 May 2004]

It's difficult to believe this was only on for a single season. I remember them as well written drama's that humanized history and count them as a critical factor in nurturing my interest in History so much as to pursue a degree in it. Episodes like "Roger Young", "The Hunley", "The Story of Nathan Hale" and "A Boy at War" were amazing. The talent was there, the story was there, only the audience was missing. I guess folks were too busy watching the Flintstones. I would really love to see these issued on DVD or Video. Appearances by Joseph Cotton, James MacArthur, Peter Graves, Ricardo Montalban, Noah Berry, Claude Akins, Jackie Cooper, Lloyd Nolan, Earl Holliman and George Kennedy to name just a few.