A movie that defines the idea of the underdogs rising to meet the challenge of greatness, Slamma gives the audience something to cheer for. A tough-as-nails ex-con with a heart of gold, a team of street dunkers of making it to the championship, a desperate mother pinning her hopes on her son's redemption - the movie has it all. It is well-paced, and is not overladen with side-plots and frivolities. There are no doped-up, foul-mouthed players, no need for gratuitous "party hearty" shots of the players behaving like hedonists or abusing their opponents. Some sports movies may trade in that stock and be considered "great" for it; this film doesn't and it's better for it. Superbly cast, superbly acted, and superbly executed. A worthy addition to the library of any sports film fan.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Best Harry of them all
28 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It's obvious that a lot of care went into the casting of this film, and it's a big part of why it is so successful. Richard Harris, as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore; Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall; John Hurt as Mr. Ollivander; Ian Hart as Professor Quirrell. Exceptional performances from one and all, with two that stand out as especially memorable: Robbie Coltrane, who readily conveys the fact that Hagrid's heart is of a size that matches that of the man; and Alan Rickman, as Professor Severus Snape, deliciously droll while demonstrating menace through the fine art of articulation.
The additional supporting cast includes John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick), Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley), Zoe Wanamaker (Madame Hooch), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Harry Melling (Dudley) and David Bradley (Filch). From Rowling's imagination to the written page to real life (albeit via the movie screen), 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' is a triumph many times over; a unique film of truly universal appeal, the likes of which is as rare as, well-- a sorcerer's stone. A film in which adults and children alike will rejoice, because it speaks to the heart in a universal language of life, love, experience and imagination; a film that states unequivocally that magic exists-- as long as there's a single child with a single dream somewhere in the world, and real wizards like J.K. Rowling, Chris Columbus, Steve Kloves and every member of this wonderful cast and crew around to bring it to life as they have here. An instant classic in every sense of the word, this is truly a film for the ages. A remarkable achievement, this IS the magic of the movies. I rate this one 7/10.
The additional supporting cast includes John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick), Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley), Zoe Wanamaker (Madame Hooch), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Harry Melling (Dudley) and David Bradley (Filch). From Rowling's imagination to the written page to real life (albeit via the movie screen), 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' is a triumph many times over; a unique film of truly universal appeal, the likes of which is as rare as, well-- a sorcerer's stone. A film in which adults and children alike will rejoice, because it speaks to the heart in a universal language of life, love, experience and imagination; a film that states unequivocally that magic exists-- as long as there's a single child with a single dream somewhere in the world, and real wizards like J.K. Rowling, Chris Columbus, Steve Kloves and every member of this wonderful cast and crew around to bring it to life as they have here. An instant classic in every sense of the word, this is truly a film for the ages. A remarkable achievement, this IS the magic of the movies. I rate this one 7/10.
Rocky V
(1990)
Rocky isn't down yet
28 March 2017
Whilst I hold Rocky I and Rocky II as the best in the saga Rocky V for me easily sweeps third spot. People expected something different to what this movie actually produced and I get the feeling some people would have rather had a cheesy boxing film like Rocky III and Rocky IV and have Rocky take on an ultimately unbelievable opponent. Well sorry, not here. I like this heart filled and story oriented film, unlike Rocky III and Rocky IV this film isn't primarily about boxing, it's about Rocky trying to pass on his legacy to a young boxer who eventually stabs him in the back.
In training this young boxer Rocky neglects his family and starts to forget what means the most to him. Perhaps he feels that Tommy Gunn is the only way to bring the money and the flash lifestyle back to him and his family, but by the end of the film you will know that the only thing which ever mattered to Rocky was his family and his own self respect. This trumps Rocky III and Rocky IV in the fact that it had an emotional impact, which both of those films lacked. Mickey's and Apollo's deaths were played out within two or three scenes before Rocky is back with the cheesy music preparing to take on an unbelievable opponent in those films, you practically forget that those characters died. Where as in Rocky V after losing his money and then being convinced by Adrian not to fight (remember this line "I don't care about the money, it's you" or something similar?) that scene right there had an emotional impact. That impact played out for several scenes including the epic flashback scene in the old gym with Mick, which was probably the second most emotional scene in the entire saga after Rocky reading to Adrian whilst she is in a coma. With Rocky low on his chips, he trains an upcoming fighter who quickly replicates Rocky's style and hunger in the ring however eventually shows that he doesn't have Rocky's heart when he leaves Rocky for a selfish promoter weho promises Tommy fame. The film deals with what was a big issue in boxing and that is corruption.
With a damaged brain and haunted by visions of his previous fights Rocky is in no shape to fight but the ruthless Tommy Gunn persists and eventually knocks down Rocky's closest friend Paulie, to which Rocky can take no more, demanding Gunn meets him outside for the biggest and most emotional fight in the saga.
Easily laying Gunn down in the first round Rocky claims his anguish at what Gunn had done to him stating that he and Gunn were suppose to be like "Brothers", hurt; Rocky makes his way back but Gunn isn't finished he sneaks up behind Rocky and attacks him cheaply in the street. Rocky dazed and confused takes Gunn's best punches, each one triggering flash backs to the powerful Russian beating Rocky. Eventually Rocky is put to the floor and Gunn cockily strides off with his promoter.
BUT Rocky isn't down yet, his last inspiration comes in the form of a vision of Mickey who proclaims "He's no machine, I didn't hear no bell! GET UP YOU SON OF A B|TCH! COS MICKEY LOVES YA", no Rocky fan can deny that this line sends a tingling down their spine and a sparkle in their eye as Rocky rises and shouts to Gunn "Hey Tommy! I didn't hear no bell! One more round", Gunn obliges whilst his promoter who doesn't believe Gunn has what it takes to beat Rocky in a street fight shouts "You lose you're finished!". So this is it Rocky and Gunn exchange blows before Adrian and Robert arrive at street side to offer their support, when it looks like Rocky is losing their cries of support spur him on. Add to this the awesome music and you really have an epic battle.
In training this young boxer Rocky neglects his family and starts to forget what means the most to him. Perhaps he feels that Tommy Gunn is the only way to bring the money and the flash lifestyle back to him and his family, but by the end of the film you will know that the only thing which ever mattered to Rocky was his family and his own self respect. This trumps Rocky III and Rocky IV in the fact that it had an emotional impact, which both of those films lacked. Mickey's and Apollo's deaths were played out within two or three scenes before Rocky is back with the cheesy music preparing to take on an unbelievable opponent in those films, you practically forget that those characters died. Where as in Rocky V after losing his money and then being convinced by Adrian not to fight (remember this line "I don't care about the money, it's you" or something similar?) that scene right there had an emotional impact. That impact played out for several scenes including the epic flashback scene in the old gym with Mick, which was probably the second most emotional scene in the entire saga after Rocky reading to Adrian whilst she is in a coma. With Rocky low on his chips, he trains an upcoming fighter who quickly replicates Rocky's style and hunger in the ring however eventually shows that he doesn't have Rocky's heart when he leaves Rocky for a selfish promoter weho promises Tommy fame. The film deals with what was a big issue in boxing and that is corruption.
With a damaged brain and haunted by visions of his previous fights Rocky is in no shape to fight but the ruthless Tommy Gunn persists and eventually knocks down Rocky's closest friend Paulie, to which Rocky can take no more, demanding Gunn meets him outside for the biggest and most emotional fight in the saga.
Easily laying Gunn down in the first round Rocky claims his anguish at what Gunn had done to him stating that he and Gunn were suppose to be like "Brothers", hurt; Rocky makes his way back but Gunn isn't finished he sneaks up behind Rocky and attacks him cheaply in the street. Rocky dazed and confused takes Gunn's best punches, each one triggering flash backs to the powerful Russian beating Rocky. Eventually Rocky is put to the floor and Gunn cockily strides off with his promoter.
BUT Rocky isn't down yet, his last inspiration comes in the form of a vision of Mickey who proclaims "He's no machine, I didn't hear no bell! GET UP YOU SON OF A B|TCH! COS MICKEY LOVES YA", no Rocky fan can deny that this line sends a tingling down their spine and a sparkle in their eye as Rocky rises and shouts to Gunn "Hey Tommy! I didn't hear no bell! One more round", Gunn obliges whilst his promoter who doesn't believe Gunn has what it takes to beat Rocky in a street fight shouts "You lose you're finished!". So this is it Rocky and Gunn exchange blows before Adrian and Robert arrive at street side to offer their support, when it looks like Rocky is losing their cries of support spur him on. Add to this the awesome music and you really have an epic battle.
The Abyss
(1989)
Excleelnt!
23 March 2012
The Abyss was a movie of destiny. First off, this movie either began or was the result of a lifetime obsession James Cameron has the ocean (see later Titanic and his IMAX deep sea movies). The Abyss is also full of echos of claustrophobic thriller/adventure movie Alien, in which Cameron directed the sequel. So combining one of Cameron's old movies with his new obsession, we get The Abyss, a solid sci-fi thriller starring Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Ed Harris plays Bud, the head of an undersea oil rig where very little actually happens and the people on the rig are only there in case something goes wrong. Well, wouldn't you know it, but an American nuclear submarine patrolling the US coast near the oil rig suddenly sinks, killing the sailors on board. The Americans suspect it's the Soviets, but we know better. Something pink and glowing does something to the submarine causing it to sink. A team of Navy seals, ferried down to the rig by Bud's ex-wife Lindsey (Mastrantonio), boards the oil rig and uses it as a command base for their mission to recover the submarine. And that is when the fun begins. Of course a hurricane has to enter into the plot, in movies like this, there is always a hurricane, but beyond, The Abyss is a solid sci-fi thriller, where the oil rig becomes a character in the movie. Much like the Nostromo in Alien or The Discovery in 2001, the tight spaces adds flavor to the movie, bringing the setting in as another character of the movie. The special effects were groundbreaking at the time and hold up well today. The scene of a column of water snaking its way through the oil rig still creeps me out to this day.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
(2008)
interesting
23 March 2012
What surprised me the most was actually the length of the film. It was fairly short (90 minutes) and I felt that the producers made a huge mistake by attempting to cram all five books into one film instead of dividing them into separate features. I had recognized a few of the scenes from the books, but overall it seemed very rushed and excluded many of the series most exciting moments. Any fan of the books would probably be disappointed in the way the series was handled and executed.
As for the rest of film, I thought it was well done. The CGI continues to be to focal point in most of these types of family films and the producers spent a great time with its detail and design. The fairies looked neat, the goblins were frightening, and the big bad ogre looked well big and bad.
Overall, I would say this film would make for a great matinée on a Sunday with the kids. There are several moments that may scare children under the age of five, but otherwise it should appeal to children of all ages.
As for the rest of film, I thought it was well done. The CGI continues to be to focal point in most of these types of family films and the producers spent a great time with its detail and design. The fairies looked neat, the goblins were frightening, and the big bad ogre looked well big and bad.
Overall, I would say this film would make for a great matinée on a Sunday with the kids. There are several moments that may scare children under the age of five, but otherwise it should appeal to children of all ages.
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