Back to the Future III ~ 1990

Back to the Future 3 is a well-written, well-directed, well-balanced piece. With an incredible musical score, brilliant acting and excellent composition, the movie reminded me that Back to the Future was never about action. It was truly about the characters we came to know and love in the first movie.

It was a return to the basics, the friendship between Marty and Doc and how each was thrown through time to change not only the future of Hill Valley, but also their own lives and their future choices.Robert Zemeckis’ (the writer) decision to send the two friends back to 1885, in their final adventure, was brilliant. Imagery like the “famous Hill Valley courthouse under construction” and the “steam engine train wheeling up to the rear of the futuristic Delorean” was unforgettable. For example, the dancing at the Courthouse welcoming festivities contrasted with the action-laden scene (in BTTF2) between Griff and Marty at the same place just a century and a half later.

All in all, Back to the Future Part Three was a perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. To anyone who despises this film, I recommend another full watching. There are so many details which are kudos out to fans of the previous two movies. The movie successfully slowed the pace of the other two movies (in preparation for conclusion) without losing the loyalty of true fans. It captured the essence of what brought these fans to Back to the Future in the first place. A

Back to the Future II ~ 1989

When Back to The Future was initially conceived, director and writer Robert Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale had no idea how much notoriety it would eventually achieve, nor of the big box office records it would break. They were happy just to see their project come to fruition. When they wrote the original film, the ending they had written was supposed to be the end of it. Because of it’s success, however, and Hollywood being Hollywood, there had to be the inevitable sequels. The problem was that with the original ending, they had painted themselves into a corner as to where they could go with the sequel. What they finally came up with in Part II, is a film that is every bit as whimsical as the original, yet moves along at a pace that will leave you breathless.

Then to add fuel to the fire, we once again revisit Hill Valley in 1955, where things really go berserk what with two Marty’s and two Docs inhabiting the same year. Zemeckis does a great job of cutting new scenes into footage from the original film with different angles and different perspectives of previous seen activities.As for the cast, Fox and Lloyd keep their characters of Marty and Doc on the same entertaining level as before. Fox is also given the chore of playing his nerdy son of the future, Marty as a middle aged man and even his daughter of the future. He is pretty much successful except I do think playing his daughter was a bit much. Lea Thompson, again has the difficult chore of bringing Lorraine Mcfly to us in three different characterizations, and as before handles it admirably. Her 1955 Lorraine will always be her most memorable characterization in these films, but the others are equally well done.

This film seems to be a bit forced to get everything in and rushed to the point you feel like you are on a roller coaster ride, a good one nonetheless, but a little bumpy. B+

Back to the Future ~ 1985

Recently when reviewing trilogies I post all of them together in one post and give a review or my opinion of the film. But Trilogies like Aliens, Godfather, and Back to the Future need their very own review, film by film, don’t you agree?

Before his big hit Back to the Future, Robert Zemeckis had written and directed a few outstanding films, “I Wanna Hold your Hand” and “Romancing the Stone” But once Back to the Future hit the theaters, Robert Zemeckis would be known in Hollywood for a very long time.

The ideal for Back to the Future was one that had been played out before in earlier films in the 80’s, Peggy Sue Got Married, but this film differs in that it has become a classic of Sci-fi comedy.

“Back to the Future” is a very smart film that benefits from likable characters and an insightful screenplay. Michael J. Fox accidentally goes back to 1955 in a DeLorean that has been turned into a time machine by the wacky Christopher Lloyd. Now Fox must bring his parents together after he inadvertently changes the future. It is not quite as complicated as it sounds. The film is great fun that seems brand new even over 20 years later. Wow has it really been that long!? A+

The Bachelor ~ 1999

“The Bachelor” accommodates a story centering on undeveloped characters and the one dimensional situations they are placed into. The male romantic lead here is played Chris O’Donnell, and his name is Jimmie Shannon, who is supposedly in love with the usually dependable Renée Zellweger, where here is Anne. Jimmie and Anne are developed within a brief three minute opening scene where one meets the other at a coffee house when they exchange about ten words with each other. Their conversation is of pointless proportions, and has no clue of preparing any romantic chemistry or witty dialogue for us. Thus there is no believable quality between Anne and Jimmie, and this is just the opening sequence. How can a romance be effective if we don’t buy the couple as a couple from the first scene?

It’s a movie that almost seems to promise hilarity yet strangely the movie isn’t that funny. In fact it’s not that interesting either, though certainly not unwatchable. Yet for some reason, even though this movie contains two warm likable charismatic leads, the movie never picks up steam.

By the time you reach the end of the movie where literally HUNDREDS of brides are chasing Jimmie in full bride regalia, you want them to trample him just to hurry up and get this movie over with. D

Fav Actors of 1992

Actors are a dime a dozen in Hollywood, but a fine actor are a few. Here are a fine few actors that were my favorites in 1992 and the film in which they starred.

1. Denzel Washington – Malcom X : This was an Oscar winning performance. The Academy must have had their eyes shut when they watched this film. Or was it due to the content. Malcom X was not liked when he was alive, and even hated within his own, but regardless of your politics, this man was a leader. And regardless of your politics, Denzel Washington was by far the best actor in 1992. I’m not saying that Al Pacino is not a great actor, but 1992 was not the year to give him an Oscar for all the other times they overlooked him. It was Denzel’s year and Denzel’s performance.

2. Jack Nicholson – A Few Good Men: Jack plays everything well. And playing an Asshole is one of his best roles to play, and he was certainly one in this film. Jack made this film. As always he gave a superb performance, it’s a shame Tom and Demi didn’t follow his lead.

3. Gary Oldham – Dracula: A great Dracula. Gary Oldham was perfectly casted in this role. Franci Ford Coppola’s take on the legend of Dracula was not lost on Mr. Oldham, he brought it out completely. He was mysterious, romantic yet a vicious killer.

4.Tom Hanks – A League of Their Own: A lot has been said about Tom Hanks over the years. He was called the new Gary Cooper and the new Jimmy Stewart, but in this film he was a mixture of them both with a little Spencer Tracy thrown in for good measure. He was riotly funny, but almost sad in the role of the washed up alcoholic baseball star brought in to coach an all-girl baseball team. One of my favorite performances of Tom’s.

5. Robert Downey Jr. – Chaplin: Say what you will about Robert Downey Jr., but when this boy decides to act, he really can act. This is one of his earlier sucesses, and one of his greatest roles. He brough Charlie Chaplin back into the limelight and gave a whole new generation a glimpse of this man.

6. Joe Pesci – My Cousin Vinny: A true comedic talent. Pesci delivered a great performance as the big shot, big town, lawyer that was only those things in his own eyes. Thrown into a back woods town trying to defend one of his own. What he found was what was staring him right in the eye the whole time, Marisa Tomei. They were great together in this film.

7. Mel Gibson – Forever Young: In this film he was not killing bad men as he was in Lethal Weapon, and he was not trying to survive like in Waterworld, he was just trying to get back to where he belonged. “Frozen” for 50 years he is awakened in a whole new world were everyone had aged except him. A moving and heartfelt performance.

8. Brad Pitt – A River Runs Through It: One of his best roles earlier in his career, before super stardom and Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie. His emotion was believeable, and his pain was as well. One of my favorite roles for Brad, I so wish he would make films like this again.

9. Tom Skerritt – A River Runs Through It: Tom Skerrit is one of those actors that have been overlooked for so long, but continues to put out great performances time after time. As the upright father to the bad boy son, Brad Pitt he again brought an honesty and sincerity to this role. When will Hollywood realize this man is one of those rare breeds?

10. Daniel Day Lewis – The Last of the Mochicans: Always passionate, always emotional and almost always good. Daniel Day-Lewis gave an awesome performance in this film, one that over time has been pushed aside.

Fav Films 1992

1992 fared a little better in the box office with the return of the Western, with Clint Eastwoods, Unforgiven and an influx of English films, like Howard’s End. However my favorites for 1992 were a little more American, and sappy…

10. Last of the Mochicans: I loved the book when I read it in High School, and even though the movie was not true to the book, I enjoyed it. Daniel Day Lweis was superb, and the story was moving.

9. My Cousin Vinny: Definitely my favorite Joe Pesci movie. Funny, romantic and funny. Marisa Tomei came into her own, won that Academy Award for best supporting actress then almost disappeared, the Oscar Curse, but she was outstanding in this film.

8. Lorenzo’s Oil: Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte. Susan a sensational actress, Nolte, a not so sensational actor, but this film was sensational. It hit all the right notes, and hearts. Probably Nolte’s best film role of his career.

7. Radio Flyer: Little Elijah Wood, one of the first of my favorites that he starred in, during 1992. This movie was touching and wonderfully fimed and acted. Makes you really miss your childhood, and your radio flyer.

6. Cutting Edge: I never heard of D.B. Sweeny until I saw this film in 1998, yes I saw it on video first. I have watched it over and over since then. Not a great Oscar movie, but then when do they have to be, to be one of my favorites. I just really like this film and the antagonisim between the skaters, plus I like Ice Skating.

5. Forever Young: The second Elijah Wood favorite of 1992, but the star here is Mel Gibson. A man frozen in time that re-appears 50 years later to find what he missed. I actually cried the first time I saw this film. I know, sappy, but hey it touched me.

4. A River Runs Through It: Brad Pitt was at his best in this film. Tom Skerrit was even better. The story of two brothers that were so differant, yet so much alike. Almost like Brad’s other film, I enjoyed, Legends of the Fall.

3. Malcom X: I’ve said it before, and I will continue to say it, Denzel Washington is one of the greatest talents of our generation, and this film shows just how talented. He became Malcom X, it was really difficult to distinguish the differance. This should have won him an Oscar. One of the best bio pics ever to be filmed.

2. A League of Their Own: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell and a slew of other actresses, this movei was funny, touching and moving. Madonna was at her best, and this is truly her best role on film, Rosie was incredible, and Geena and Tom? They were Geena and Tom, perfect. They were a class of their own in this film.

1. Bram Stroker’s Dracula: I recently watched this again, for the 25th time or so, and again I was enthralled in this story and this film. Well except for Keanu Reeves (the worst acting I’ve ever seen, and worst dye job too.) but other than that this movie had it all. Even Winona Ryder was really good. But Gary Oldham and Sir Anthony Hopkins stole the show. One of my favorite vampire movies, but then I love all the vampire movies.

Babel ~ 2006

According to Genesis 11:1-9, mankind, after the deluge, traveled from the mountain where the ark had rested, and settled in ‘a plain in the land of Shinar’ (or Senaar). Here, they attempted to build a city and a tower whose top might reach unto Heaven, the Tower of Babel.

The attempt to build the Tower of Babel had angered God who, in his anger, made each person involved speak a different language which ultimately halted the project and scattered and disconnected the people across the planet.

Babel, the film directed masterfully by Alejandro González Iñárritu is collection of intertwined stories that are affeted by two young boys accidentally shooting a rifle in the Moroccan desert. Separated by clashing cultures and sprawling distances, each of these four disparate groups of people are nevertheless hurtling towards a shared destiny of isolation and grief. In the course of just a few days, they will each face the dizzying sensation of becoming profoundly lost–lost in the desert, lost to the world, lost to themselves–as they are pushed to the farthest edges of confusion.

Brad Pitt in one of his finest roles on film yet, is brought into the confusion when his wife is accidently shot. His is just one of the fine performances in this movie along with Cate Blanchett who plays his wife; Gael García Bernal and Acadmey Award nominees; Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi. The cinematography is beautiful in a harsh kind of way, and the story is riveting. A

Aviator ~ 2004

Leonardo finally proved himself to me with this outstanding film and portryal of Howard Hughes. I mean I’ve always liked him, but ever since Gilbert Grape, I didn’t think he was working up to his potential. After seeing Aviator, I and the rest of the world know what this actor can do.

He carried this film. He and Cate Blanchett. Howard Hughes was a mystery to so many and DeCaprio showed us a little of that mystery and what was behind the man. Hepburn is a legend and Blanchett showed us what she was all about in perfect form.

Martin Scorsese brought an air of old Hollywood back to Hollywood with this film and as most of his films this was also one of his best. His direction helped capture the essence of Hollywood in Hughes’ hey day and also the pain in which Hughes lived in it. Excellent movie, excellent direction and excellent acting. A