siskokid888-923-973294 Reviews

Marlowe (2022)

Decent Noir Style Period Piece

[7/10 · 18 March 2024]

Not well reviewed, but not bad. The problem is that Mr. Neeson (and this is the case in many interpretations of the character) is playing Sam Spade, NOT Philip Marlowe. Spade is the hard boiled world weary character. Marlowe was more lighthearted and quick witted. Watch "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Big Sleep" back to back to see how Bogart handled the nuance between the two characters. Anyway, Neeson is good in the film and it's worth a look. The look of the film is also interesting and well done. Performances are solid across the board. Not a great movie by any stretch, but not as bad as the reviews make it seem.

All That Jazz (1979)

Incredibly Personal Work of Art

[9/10 · 27 March 2022]

Roy Scheider not winning the Oscar for this role is probably the greatest injustice in academy award history. An amazing tour de force by him and a soul bearing revelation by Fosse. Simply one of the most astounding films ever made.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Bigger is Not Necessarily Better

[4/10 · 23 September 2021]

A good example of why you should never listen to a fanbase. While the theatrical version was no great shakes, at least the story was coherent and it moved along. This was just an interminable slog, filled with useless scenes. Martian Manhunter? What was the point of that character's presence? The extra two hours added nothing and just became a test of endurance. For basement dwelling fanboys only.

2010 (1984)

Hard To Classify

[8/10 · 17 May 2021]

While no where as monumental as Kubrick's film, it's still a damn well made movie and there is something about it that effects you. Schieder is fantastic as always, and all the performances are outstanding, as are the SFX. A really hard film to classify - sequel? Reinterpretation? Stand alone story? Worth seeing in any case.

Fleshpot on 42nd Street (1972)

Interesting Oddity From the Grindhouse Era

[6/10 · 22 March 2021]

I sat down to watch this expecting the worst. However, I found it quite surprising. Looking at those living on the fringes of society, director and writer Andy Milligan (who had a rather tragic life) wrote decent dialogue, and utilized actors from New York's off Broadway scene, so the performances are actually not bad (including, of all people, Harry Reems). Shooting with a 16 mm camera and utilizing extreme close ups, it's obvious Milligan actually had some talent. One wonders what he might have done in the main stream.

El Dorado (1966)

Great Great Film

[10/10 · 7 March 2021]

I know Rio Bravo is considered a classic, and it is, but I think El Dorado is the better movie. The performances of Robert Mitchum, James Caan, and Arthur Hunnicut raise it a level above, combined with the Duke being the Duke. An almost perfect western.

Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019)

Fine Finale for the Series

[8/10 · 21 February 2021]

Ignore the reviews from butthurt Americans who hate seeing themselves portrayed on screen as they really are. This is an enjoyable film with good inter-discipline martial arts combat. Donnie Yen is great as always, and there actually is some real emotion involved. The kid playing Brice Lee looks like and moves like the master. An overall well done genre film.

The Purple Gang (1959)

Classic Example of a "B" movie

[6/10 · 18 February 2021]

Low budget "exposee" style film paints a somewhat accurate picture of Detroit's Purple Gang from the 20s. Worth seeing for Robert Blake's performance, which transcends the movie.

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Put It Simply

[10/10 · 13 February 2021]

An almost perfect movie. From story to writing to performances.

Batman Ninja (2018)

Lost in Translation

[7/10 · 14 January 2021]

An absolutely stunning visual experience. Unfortunately, as often happens, the English translation of Japanese dialogue comes off as clunky and at times preposterous. Rating is for the animation; it's worth seeing just for that.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Not Sure What They Were Going For

[3/10 · 28 December 2020]

It seems that not only was the movie set in 84, but for some reason they were trying to emulate the campiness of the 70s/80s Superman films. While those were fun, this was laborious. The story is a convoluted mess, WWs arch enemy doesn't appear until about 3/4 thru the film. Ms. Godot and Mr. Pine seem to be sleep walking and Mr. Pascal chews the scenery to distraction. Plot threads lead nowhere, plot holes strain credulity even for a superhero film. It almost seems like an internet fan film. A BAD internet fan film. What a disappointment

Joker (I) (2019)

I Don't Get It

[5/10 · 16 November 2020]

Yes, Phoenix is great, he always is. The Joker in addition to being a killer is also supposed to be a criminal mastermind. There were no signs of that in this character. If he's just a psycho killer Batman would make short work of him. Also, Todd Phillips has said that neither Phoenix or this iteration of the Joker would be appearing in any future Batman film. So what's the point then? You could have made the movie about some nameless individual and done your poor man's "Taxi Driver". It makes no sense. Five stars for Phoenix's performance.

Speed Racer (2008)

Faithful to the Original Cartoon

[8/10 · 19 August 2020]

As a kid I was a huge fan of the American version of the cartoon, and I found the movie to be enjoyably nostalgic and visually dazzling. I chalk it's lack of success up to the unfamiliarity of current young people with the original show.

The Hill (1965)

Brutal Realism

[9/10 · 19 May 2020]

Lumet's study of the sadism that occurs when one group of men is given absolute power over other men. Connery, Bannon, and Hendry deliver the goods. No frills and stunningly realistic. A vastly under appreciated film.

The Flame and the Arrow (1950)

Burt and Nick

[8/10 · 17 May 2020]

Lancaster is all teeth and baby oiled muscle as he and Nick Cravat swashbuckle the Germans in medieval Lombardy. Great fun and a helluva good time

Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Game, but falls short

[5/10 · 10 May 2020]

Somewhat entertaining, but mostly a disjointed mess. Anime can rarely be transferred to "real" action successfully. 5 stars for the innovative SFX, but that's about it.

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

A Bodybuilder, A Surfer and a Dancer walk into a bar.....

[7/10 · 8 May 2020]

Adult orientated escapism based on pulp novels written by Robert E Howard. High production values place it a cut above the genre. Plenty of action, blood, gore and boobs. Arnold is at his most massive. JEJ handles what little acting needs to be done. "Let him contemplate this upon the tree of woe". Put your brain on idle and enjoy.

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Missed Opportunity

[4/10 · 17 April 2020]

Cheaply made entry in the Bond franchise wastes the great Christopher Lee. Filled with the goofiness that plagued the Moore entries in the series. A great potential storyline- Bond vs the world's greatest assassin- is not taken advantage of. Should be remade with the next Bond actor.

The Outlaw (1943)

Gay Live Triangle +Russel's Breasts +Cartoon Soundtrack =

[2/10 · 8 April 2020]

An unintentionally hilarious film. Hughes obviously didn't have clue 1 about film making. His blocking of shots and "arty" camera angles are laughably amateurish. Huston and Mitchell realized the ridiculousness early and sleep walk through the movie, while Russel and Buetel don't reach to level of a high school play. Good to watch once for a chuckle, but just an overall bad film

Reds (1981)

Beatty's Masterpiece

[10/10 · 29 March 2020]

Enthralling epic about the lives of the great John Reed and Louise Bryant. Probably Beatty's best performance. Nicholson is amazing as always. A fantastic amalgam of historical record and emotional love story. Heart wrenching examination of shattered idealism. A must see.

Across 110th Street (1972)

Very Underrated

[8/10 · 22 March 2020]

Well done action film that's part "blaxploitation" part police procedural. Excellent performances from Yaphet Kotto, Paul Benjamin and Tony Franciosa. Quinn's racist police captain is a little over the top. Permeated by the simmering racism in our society. Gritty and realistic.

An American in Paris (1951)

Simply....

[10/10 · 21 February 2020]

....one of the most amazing motion pictures ever made. An astounding work of art.

Dumbo (2019)

Disney Misfire

[4/10 · 22 January 2020]

First of all, ignore any reviews complaining about "political correctness". We know what that's all about. The problem is the reimagining of the story, which just removed much of the magic. There's no reason the anthropomorphic talking animals of the original could not have been reproduced. The human melodrama they've shoehorned in just doesn't seem to fit. Too bad.

Fantasia 2000 (1999)

Extremely Underrated

[9/10 · 18 January 2020]

Fantastic blend of music and innovative animation. The Gershwin/Hirshfeld sequence is a masterpiece. Nor for everyone, but an experience nonetheless

Marriage Story (2019)

Intelligent Film for Intelligent People

[9/10 · 6 January 2020]

Emotionally wrenching story formed from a simple premise Anyone who has gone through upheaval like this will recognize the feelings. Performances are so good watching it almost seems voyeuristic - like you're watching an actual occurrence. Driver is beyond amazing and cements his place as the top actor working today.