paul_alpine Reviews

Strongman (2009)

Complex, simple, sad, and real.

[8/10 · 25 February 2014]

This is the story of a man who is the center of his universe, as well as his girlfriend and families. He is raw, and real, and honest emotionally without a socially conscious filter. The director allows us to see this world for what it truly is, without setups, staging or borders. It is filmed is such a manner that it is almost believable that nobody in the film knows they are being filmed. Nobody plays to the camera, there is clearly no hair or makeup artist, it is human nature in it's truest form, and for that I found it moving and beautiful.

In this day and age of all that is false and beautiful, it is so refreshing to see something real and occasionally ugly. Stanley is an egomaniac, but he is also soft spoken, and has strangely endearing quality. His girlfriend is a truly giving soul, who's even keel demeanor in dealing with her emotional wreck of a man is often astounding. She has given her life in support of his, and it's heartfelt and simultaneously saddening at once as it's presented in this intimate setting.

Gumball 3000: 6 Days in May (2005 Video)

An up-close and personal ride through lawlessness and fun.

[8/10 · 19 January 2013]

This is a genuine, ego-maniacal, spoiled little rich kids dream. The cars are an accumulation of the best, most beautiful, fastest whips you will ever set your eyes on, the women follow suit, and the lifestyle is what drives people wild for more and more. Young entrepreneurs, spoiled little rich kids, eccentric billionaires, and celebrities alike clamor to The Gumball Rally like kids to busted fire hydrants on hot summer days in so many movies.

Rob and Big are calmer than usual, but still entertaining, if a little lost in the enormity of it all. For me, the eccentric German was hilarious, and I really enjoyed all of the pompous arrogance of the super-rich, and their laissez faire attitude towards police and consequence. If this movie does not make you want to better your standing in life so as to be able to afford such idiocies as accepted entrance into the illustrious Gumball Rally, than I don't know what will. Really, what better reason to 'make it', than to do your absolute best to throw as much of it away as you can, with reckless abandon, when you finally have it.

I for one salute you Maxamillion, well done, I hope one day I can spend what the average person spends on a nice house to come and drive an overpriced Ferrari in your amazing, and ridiculously preposterous spectacle! It certainly looks like a lot of fun to have a lot of money.

My only knock on an exhibition of this kind is it's potential to injure and kill people, and that should not be taken lightly. However, with only one fatal collision since the Gumball's inception in 1999, the vast majority of accepted entrants do not take things too far, and have the utmost respect for human life. The race also does not provide a prize, or incentive of any kind, for the driver that arrives at the final destination first, so as to not encourage excessive speeds in densely populated areas (where very little of the race is ever planned).

Find this flick and watch it if you are the sort of person that can have a bit of a laugh on the outlying edge of the law. In my top 100 documentaries, maybe even top 50. Money well spent.

Highlander: The Gathering (1992) Season 1, Episode 1

movie version does exist

[7/10 · 8 February 2009]

I have the 98 Minute long movie version of this episode on VHS. It was made into an actual movie and was intended to be Highlander 3.

I had no idea it actually existed, and it took a bit of digging around on google to even find mention of it. The version I found was manufactured by Hemdale Home Video INC. and is dated 1993.

It's good to see another Highlander movie out there, even if it's on an all but extinct format.

My guess is they produced this as an unedited, extended version for fans and collectors, as it would likely not have been released on television in this length.

Definitely worth a watch if you can ever get your hands on it.

Joe Rogan: Live (2006 Video)

side split-tingly funny

[10/10 · 17 December 2008]

This was hands down one of the funniest, most entertaining, and original stand up comedy movies I have ever seen. Joe Rogan truly surprised me with his wit, and interesting take on the world around him. Anyone who is overwhelmed by his vulgarity or lack of tact is obviously too old, or too politically correct to appreciate this onslaught of obscene hilarity. My favorite comedians are Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, Steven Wright, Chris Rock, Dave Chapelle, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby,Dane Cook, Jeff Foxworthy, Denis Leary, and now Joe Rogan. I think the world needs more of the politically incorrect, border challenging humor that this provides. Watch it,enjoy it, you'll be glad that you did.

Wholly Moses! (1980)

Whats The matter with this film???

[6/10 · 8 June 2006]

This gets such a bad rap, but it is actually an interesting and amusing flick. With a cast including Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, Madeline Kahn, and Dom Delouise, it has ample star power to get your viewing eyes and ears through with minimal disappointment. It may not be extremely well acted or directed, but the obvious improvisation acting is superb and carries the film. This movie does something rare to stay afloat, it never takes itself too seriously, even as comedies go. Perhaps not a great, but definitely a good flick, watch it once, you'll be glad you did. It's Dudley Moore and Richard Pryor for chrissake!! How could it be as bad as this site says it is??? It can't, and it is not, check it out.