La Mission - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Interesting movie released in 2009 and runs 117 minutes,and is almost perfect.I had a little issue with the ending but all in all,very good film.I'll add a partial review from IMDB

Growing up in the Mission district of San Francisco, Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) has always had to be tough to survive. He's a powerful man respected throughout the Mission barrio for his masculinity and his strength, as well as for his hobby building beautiful lowrider cars. A reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic, Che has worked hard to redeem his life and do right by his pride and joy: his only son, Jes, whom he has raised on his own after the death of his wife. Che's path to redemption is tested, however, when he discovers Jes is gay. To survive his neighborhood, Che has always lived with his fists. To survive as a complete man, he'll have to embrace a side of himself he's never shown. Written by Global Cinema

Pretty accurate but the film also shows the Mission barrio in a duel light.one one hand it sucks to be poor,on the other,people with love can survive and prosper.I was moved by the film and think you will be too.Bratt is da man.The rest of the cast is ok.Trailer URL  follows the pix

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi444007449/

Patton 5 stars out of 5 stars

OK here's a real big hit for Memorial day from the "greatest generation."An uncle of mine served as a secretary on Patton's HQ staff and said the movie didn't even scratch the surface of the mans commanding personality. Well for the rest of us,George C Scott's portrayal of General George S Patton Jr.will have to do.
My uncle verified all the strange stories portrayed in the movie with small changes for the sake of movie making,so we won't mention what those were other than to state he was not forced to apologize unit wide as the movie claimed but more locally to those only who actually witnessed the soldier slapping portrayed.He also stated than Patton took a piss in the river Rein after stating to all in ear shot that he had waited all war to do that.
He was as big as a real movie character,pearl handle pistols and all.
To the movie.The opening speech is rousing and hooks you for the rest of the movie.There's old George giving his speech with the famous line about "no dumb bastard ever won a war by dying for his country,he won the war by making the OTHER dumb bastard die for his."Thats some statement and in truth,we can debate that in lieu of Vietnam and the Middle East.There is no doubt that for THAT time and war it was the truth.Later when crossing the winter snow covered forests trying to get to Bastogne to break the last great German offensive of the war, he asked a military chaplain for  a prayer that would cause a break in the weather so they might be able to continue their own counter attack,the chaplain states he's not sure the Lord would listen to a prayer that helps kill fellow men.Patton tells him that he has it on good authority that if you write a good prayer the Lord will listen.He gets the prayer and prays it,the weather lifts and the counter attack continues.Later Patton states,I want the Chaplain assigned here,he has the Lords ear.However before you guess that Patton was a right wing Christian ,he believed in reincarnation.He truly believed he had been a soldier many times before only preparing him for now,his greatest battle.This is also shown when he is being driven to a battlefield in North Africa. He tells the driver to stop the jeep,they are here and the driver tells him no it still up ahead.No Patton states,"I know it's here,I was there"Patton then goes on to describe the battle that happened there 2000 years ago.
You gotta love that kind of stuff.
It's hard to believe the movie was released back in 1970.It runs a good 172 minutes.
There is a good supporting cast of actors,but like Patton in war,this is Scott's movie.
Trailer URL follows pix.

 http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3499819289/

Firefox - 5 stars out of 5 stars

This is also a favorite Cold War era movie of mine.For some strange reason many don't like it??It's Clint Eastwood's first movie he directed as well as stars in but I see no issue with that.The story is a little out there but that's what Hollywood does,believe the unbelievable.Funny thing,it's becoming true years latter.It's centers around a stealth fighter with 4 times the speed of sound and mind fired weaponry.Whats has come true is the stealth ability and we are working on mind fired weaponry as well as Mach 3 speed.
Anyway,the story is this.The Soviets have developed "Firefox"the above mentioned abilities of this aircraft,make it a first strike weapon.Clint Eastwood plays Mitchell Gant,the best pilot the US has,only he's suffering from post traumatic stress and not on active duty anymore.The CIA  have to locate and convince him they need his help.What they want is to smuggle him into Russia to STEAL one of the two prototypes and fly it back to the US.After much coaching in the art of spy infiltration by  Freddie Jones as Kenneth Aubrey,Gant is ready to enter the USSR as a American business man known to be a drug smuggler.Into the hands of Warren Clarke as Pavel Upenskoy ,he's placed, to be brought to the airbase at Bilyarsk.After a fire in the hanger is set as a distraction by dissident Soviet Jewish scientists at the expense of their own lives,Gant is able to fly the plane out in the chaos of the fire.  THEN the fun really begins.All I'll say is that the CGI are really believable and outstanding as this film was released in 1982.My favorite is the landing and take off rendezvous with a US sub to refuel on the northern arctic ice pack.The film runs a little long at 132 minutes but that is because it really develops  the spy part and the action steal of plane equally.There is also that second plane.Dog fight anyone??
Trailer URL is below the pix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0BmrPrEm7g

The Hunt for Red October - 5 Stars out of 5 stars

One of the 2 or 3 best cold war movies ever made.No faults what so ever from cast to music to story.Tom Clancy has written a few books and they were made into films.Never having read the books but seen the movies,its strange that Clancy has said this was not one he liked.However its the ONLY one I really liked.Its the story of a Soviet first strike weapon,in this case,a stealth sub,being stolen by its skipper to turn over to the US.
Even with his scottish accent Sean Connery as Marko Ramius,sounded more Russian than Jude Law did in Enemy at the Gates.Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan  shows why he was a leading man before he became a great comic in 30 rock.What not to like about Scott Glenn as Bart Mancuso,a US sub commander, Sam Neill as Vasili Borodin,XO to Ramius,James Earl Jones as Admiral Greer,Ryans boss,Tim Curry as Dr. Yevgeniy Petrov,Medical officer on the Russian Sub,Red October and Fred Dalton Thompson as Admiral Painter,aboard the Big E.Oh a pre Star Trek walk on as Caroline Ryan,wife of Jack by Gates McFadden.The rest of the cast is good as well.The story starts with Ryan as a CIA Intelligence officer getting photos from operatives of a new russian sub as its being built.A unknown device on the outside cause him to attend a special meeting where he learns the sub has been launched and the Russians claim its a renagade and they must sink it before  the captain will lunch on the US. Ryan after hearing all the intel on the subject believes its a defection and he can reason with the Captain and they can get their hands on the sub.Someone must go out to sea to contact the sub.Ryan soons learns when you open your mouth with a good idea,your charged to follow it up yourself.
I'll say no more other than its a very intense movie reflective of the time it represents.The movie was released in 1990 and runs 134 minutes.Trailer URL is below pix.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C2tE7vjdHk

Beau Geste - 4 stars out of 5 stars

There have been MANY film versions of this film,and why not?Its adventure,love,and loyalty and honor.Different versions concentrated on different aspects.I prefer this for the reasons I'll state as we go on.Lets say first that the film was released in that greatest of all release years 1939 and runs 112 minutes.I had to take 1 star off because its black and white and Gary Cooper,as good as he is,is not believable as a teen early in the film.
The storyline below states the basics of the film better than I can,

Storyline

Beau, John, and Digby Geste are three inseparable, adventurous brothers who haven been adopted into the wealthy household of Lady Brandon. When money in the uppercrust household grows tight, Lady Brandon is forced to sell her most treasured jewel the mighty "Blue Water" sapphire. The household gets it out for one final look, the lights go out and it vanishes stolen by one of the brothers, no doubt. That night, Beau, Digby, and John each "confess" and slip out, John leaving behind Isabel, whom he loves. They all join the Foreign Legion, and Beau and Digby are split from John and put under the command of the ruthless and sadistic Sergeant Markoff. Things begin to get hairy as the rest of the Legionaires plot a mutiny against Markoff, in the midst of an attack by Arab hordes. Written by Sam Hayes <gshayes@mail.gwi.net>  


Now that being credited I'll add a scene of the young boys burning a toy ship with a toy soldier inside is shades of a sadness to come.And when the Arabs attack dead soldiers are put on the barricades to"protect"the fort.When I was a young boy there was many a foreign legion film but in the late 50's they turned on the French Government in the Algerian crises and were never so glorified again.
I would list the cast but you probably never heard of many of them.The acting is good and the story is timeless.If you want to enjoy 1939 film making at its best,see this film.Trailer URL follows pix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tsnrb9mE0k

The Karate Kid - 4 1/2 Stars out of 5 stars

As a rule remakes fall short of the originals.It's just a fact that if it was good before,how can you improve on it?Well in TV series,I was proved wrong with Battlestar Gallactica,now, I found "The Karate Kid"Adding China locations and support actors and the GREAT Jackie Chan,I've found my first movie.Released in 2010 and running a little long at 140 minutes,I took off 1/2 star only because the acting OTHER than Jackie Chan as Mr. Han,the teacher of Jaden Smith as Dre Parker is only OK.Young Smith is fit and cute,but,acting takes more than he's shown so far. Still the story is updated to China itself as Dre Parker and his single mom ,Taraji P. Henson as Sherry Parker,moves to Beijing because of her job. There we fall into the familiar story of boy meets girl,Wenwen Han as Meiying  and  Zhenwei Wang as the punk bully Cheng .Wang by the way looks to have a big future in Martial arts films down the road.
Only the presence of a real Master like Chan holds the film together.His humor is on display as always but adding true martial arts to the  package is what makes it a worthy remake along with a great scene at a mountain top training facility that Han brings Parker to as part of his training.I don't wish to compare the two films since I own nether,but the stories are basically the same except for what I have already mentioned in China location vs California in the US.The difference in Chan vs Pat Morita as Mr. Kesuke Miyagi is unfair to compare.They play to a different place and skill but are effective in each movie.I would give a slight edge to Ralph Macchio as Daniel Larusso only because at that stage he shown to be a better actor.Other than that it is like comparing Babe Ruth to Albert Pujols for you baseball fans to see the absurdity  of the comparisons of different eras.The URL for the trailer follows the pix Oh and if I own nether film why do I recommend this one?Because its better than the original and that's reason enough.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1258882073/

October Sky 5 stars out of 5 stars

My parents were the children of immigrants to the coal mining areas of western Pa.They didn't want to be stuck there so after they married they moved to NYC and had me.The rest is history as they say.I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the saga of the coal mines and the effects on this country of their story.It's richer than any other and continues to this day, abet not as influential as it once was.We all now know of the perils and bravery of the men who work there thanks to todays 24 hour news reporting of the Chilean mine disaster.But we forget or many cases of those younger than 40,don't know of its history within THIS country.West Va had in the year of 1920 one of the pivotal historic moments in our countries devoplement.The Matewan Massacre.But look that up and then research coal mining as it was then and today and the people and places and you will see a pattern of nobility and honorable work in the most dangerous and exploited conditions this country has to offer.Once you fully understand all that,then and only then,will the corny sentiments of this film begin to make sense and the story of achievement against that background becomes inspiring.
This movie is based on a book written by a NASA engineer and astronaut instructor who with 3 friends aspired to be more than coal miners and against the stacked deck of their environment,succeeded.Based on the book The Rocket Boys written by Homer Hickam and played in the movie by Jake Gyllenhaal,it may have been before its time.Released in 1999 and running  108 minutes its far more suited for today after Obama's speech for us to have a "sputnik"moment in education like Kennedy's back in the day.
The story starts with the sputnik launch by the soviets in 1957 and having been almost 10 then I can remember the moment today.However unlike Homer I wasn't inspired to take up Rocketry in High School as he was.Homer is encouraged by his teacher Miss Riley played understated but effectively by Laura Dern and with 3 friends embark on building their own rockets and and enter a science fair.
From there the film enters many of the"can't do that"cliches of a few trying to buck the odds and roadblocks that the many put before them. This is especially true in areas that need to maintain the "status quo"to keep exploitation of the underprivileged going on.
In a sad why that includes the inevitable clashes of sons and fathers, as sons try for more than their fathers and the fathers themselves throw roadblocks in the way out of misguided senses that the sons are chasing a dream or worse,jealously.
When you combine the coal mines with the age old generational gap and then throw in education to boot,you have the stuff of real life drama.    Chris Cooper as John Hickam,Homers father gives another of his hardly ever noticed, outstanding performances as the father torn between family and job and the son who wants to be more.
In conclusion,yes its corny and yes its dated but my GOD this movie is more relevant today then back then.Our country is in worse global shape then before and losing entire groups of our children to the continuation of outdated and badly conceived exploitation is inexcusable.I've had arguments with teacher members of my family about preparing children for exploitation jobs that keep the economy going but NOT those who HAVE been exploited getting a chance to follow their dreams and be more.Today we need MORE.
This movie tells that story in truly eloquent terms.I don't know how I missed this movie in 1999,but I am now buying the DVD.
In closing I will bring my own small view that this film shows.Bring Math and Science to the forefront of education again.And to my retirement state of Texas I say,Science is not creationalism  or your new fancier term of intelligent design.But that is not the issue of this picture.I only mention it as a another roadblock that must be passed.
Trailer URL is below picture.And the soundtrack has a lot of 50's R&R

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnX6yU8PJHE

Nursery University 5 stars out of 5 stars

Being from NY I found this documentary hysterically  funny.Since I have a niece with child I felt everyone should know what the future holds.Although released in 2008 and running 90 minutes,its as relevant today and maybe more so,as education is a BIG issue and well,we all sort of think if you throw money at something you can fix it.Interesting enough these REAL people are throwing money at the problem but what this documentary focus is on,IS the money throwing rather than the problem itself.In a nut shell isn't the real problem in America today?? So since my goal is to point you at a movie you might not be aware of,I have no guilt copying IMDB reviews as you wouldn't have found them without my nudge :)


Set in New York City, the epicenter of a phenomenon cropping up in communities across the United States, "Nursery University" reveals the oddly competitive process of nursery school admissions. The film tells the story of five families - each with different backgrounds and economic circumstances - attempting to place their toddlers in preschool classrooms that have limited spaces and, thus, high price tags. "Nursery University" follows the families' journeys, and the school directors who must determine which "applicants" to allow through their doors.


Creepy Dressed Up As Cute, 15 May 2009
Author: ptcan from United States
Fascinating look at a very alien world, parents in NYC frantic trying to get their kids in the "right" nursery school. The film is light in tone, and a few of the parents actually seem like sane individuals with good intentions. A few of the parents really need therapy which they can apparently afford if they are willing to fork over that kind of money.
Although a few of the educators in the process stress that the process is over wrought, they clearly buy into it. I wonder if the kids all of whom are uniformly cute and charming will turn into unbearable brats washed in a steady bath of entitlement after a few years of going through the application process for kindergarten, then grade school and so on.
Good primer for the upper class folks who have yet to subject their child to this sort of insanity and eagerly await the opportunity. Also a good primer for those of us who have less than gigantic incomes, less than perfect though perfectly decent nice and smart kids, we can say hey we aren't as messed up as we thought.

Well-Made, Highly Disturbing Film, 19 May 2009
Author: DrGerbil from United States
This movie takes what appears to be an honest look at the enrollment process for upscale preschools in Manhattan. The parents display a crazed desperation similar to what is seen in child beauty pageants.
The entire process, unfortunately, brings out the worst in both the parents and the school administrators. The administrators enjoy the benefit of a "seller's market." This appears to have gone to their heads, as often happens when people have too much power. It's not pretty to watch--rather sad, actually, as these people revel in their ability to make petty life-or-death decisions.
On a larger scale, this film seems to be about greed, self-delusion, entitlement, and having to have the "best" at all costs. An unflinching commentary on how competitiveness brings out our lowest, animal instincts.

Education has changed, 4 December 2009
Author: lambiepie-2 from Los Angeles, CA
This is an eye opening documentary about children under five competing to get into a few of New York City's best Nursery Schools. Competiting. 3 and 4 year olds. Yikes! You'd wonder why would a parent put themselves and a child through such a process all for the benefit of a good education? Because they feel this is all for the benefit of a good education. You decide.
This documentary gives you a peek into five families and the competitive process to get into the best nursery schools in Manhattan. Some parents feel entitled while other parents work at the process. It's a grueling process that reminds you of adult interviewing for a job or a teen trying to get into a top 25 college. And it's only Nursery School. That's what will disturb you the most and get you to think about how education began with you.
Why is this so important? Is it because these parents want their toddlers to be thinking about Harvard, Princeston and Yale at 3 years old?!? Is it for status bragging rights to the parent to show they gave birth to a gifted child? Or is it for the best education and environment for the child in a crowded city? Nursey University makes you wonder about all of these.
The filmmakers give you an overall view of the process, the parents (and you will dislike a few of them!), the children and the schools and administrators (and you will dislike a few of them too!). After this documentary, I hope parents with babies & toddlers decide its just better to have them finger paint and run around in circles at the playground meeting new children from diverse backgrounds than starting their anxiety ulcers with this kind of pressures.

Certainly one of the most entertaining films I've seen in a long time..., 1 May 2008
Author: Zak Green from United States
This film is incredibly entertaining. I was it at a screening last night and was blown away, as was the entire audience. The film profiles 5 different New York City families each from varied socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, and each attempting to navigate through the ultra-competitive world of getting their 3 year old into an elite Manhattan nursery school. The steps each well-meaning (but desperate) parent goes through lends itself to many many laughs but has many heartfelt and poignant moments as well. The film really takes the viewer through an intense emotional ride that is very rewarding and interesting. The subject matter is quite original, I know of no other movie that has tackled this topic in the past. It works very well as a date movie but just as well as a movie for families and friends to enjoy whether or not they have children. It has true universal appeal. I highly recommend it.


Trailer URL below pix

 http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2574779161/

The Terminator 5 stars out of 5 stars

ts hard to review a movie when the star is in disgrace,but sometimes thats when we must.The Terminator is a all time fav of mine and  a well know film to boot,BUT,for those out there who think they won't see it because of Arnold "TheSpirminator"Schwarzenegger being its star,thats a mistake.This movie is James Cameron's masterpiece,not Avatar or Titanic.The idea is a sic fi fans wet dream and yet the movie IS a love story.Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator creates a monster worthy of any before or since.It's a single minded machine that will never stop,never rest until it rips your heart out.Zombies out there take note.Seriously he is just a obstacle for two lovers to overcome.A love that spans time itself.Now thats ROMANTIC. 
Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor is the real star here.She's a simple enough, rather boring young lady and sort of insecure.Sound familiar??However that will ALL change.She will find love,lose it to death and bear the child of her lover as the only thing left to remind her that the unbelievable past few days were real.The love and the horror.Humm sounds like life to me. 
The sic fi in and of itself makes for a compelling story,but Sarah's ordeal of life and love takes it to that rare next level of classic.
I won't tell you the whole story for it has to be experienced for full effect but THE most famous scene that became part of our lexicon and gave us the line"I'll be back"is as follows.Sarah is in protective custody in a police station full of cops who believe Michael Biehn ,as Kyle Reese,a soldier sent from the future to STOP the Terminator from Killing Sarah.The Terminator approaches the desk and asks if Sarah is there.The desk sergeant replies she's being interrogated and can't have any visitors.The Terminator looks around and then says"I'll be back"Seconds lated a car come crashing into the station and the Terminator armed to the teeth,starts shooting everyone in sight to get to Sarah.
WOW,where'd that come from.Well briefly we will learn there will be supercomputers made by a company called "Skynet"that decide protecting humanity is not as preferable as destroying it.They merge with there soviet computers and launch"Judgement day"nuking humanity.But not everyone is killed.A few survived and led by John Conner they fight Skynet and one would think are beginning to get the upper hand because Skynet decides to send one of their warrior hunter killer Terminators back thru time to KILL Johns mom before she give birth to him.Deep stuff.
Well as Star Trek coined the phase"Tempera Paradox"boy do we have one here.
John sends one of his own trusted soldiers back to stop the Terminator and save his mom so he can be born.Here's the thing,the soldier he sends back is Kyle and HE falls in love with Sarah and well in a night of tender"we're gonna die tomorrow"passion, impregnates her.Have fun analyzing that !!!Thats the jest of the story but the action and story is memorable.In scenes like the Terminator coming thru time and landing out of thin air naked and killing 2 out of 3 punks who attack him and take the 3rd's clothes.Check out the 3rd punk,a future star in his own right.Think BIG Love .
Some might say well why not stop Skynet besides saving just Sarah ??Well thats why there are 3 more movies and a 2 season TV series based on just that.The movie was released in 1984 and runs 107 minutes.I think its the first well made time travel and watch out for the machines we make, movie made.Add the "timeless"love story and a classic was born.
Trailer URL is below the pix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Jo8QoOTQ4

Exodus - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

In the News this week again,the age old issue of Partition Plan for Palestine dating from 1947 but much earlier indeed.No need to rehash this origins or rights or wrongs of the issue but this movies focus unintentionally shows why the "other side"uses the methods it uses today.If you agree with what this movies shows,you must than NOT dismiss out of hand the other sides aspirations today.
Released  in 1960 and running a little long 208  minutes I had to deduct 1 1/2 star for being dated fair acting and some lose plot details.
The films focus is on real events with fictional characters to dramatize the events beginning in 1947 that would shape the middle east to this day.A young widower who lost her correspondent husband to coverage of border clashes in the continuing conflict of ideas of the future of the area,visits a British General in Cyprus,who knew him well.Eva Marie Saint  as Kitty Fremont   the widow,is not great but ok in a major role.Ralph Richardson as Gen. Sutherland is better in this shorter but important role.The General suggests she help at a interment camp where Jews are being held because they are not being allowed into Palestine till the UN votes on partition.There she meets a young girl,
Jill Haworth playing Karen and a boy she's falls for Sal Mineo as Dov Landau and a elderly Dr  played by Felix Aylmer as Dr. Lieberman.Through these characters Kitty becomes sympathetic to what Jews have just gone though in WW 11.
Add Paul Newman to the mix as fiery  Ari Ben Canaan  and love interest and we're on our way.
The story then shifts to the story of a boat bound for  Palestine filled with Jews and detained by the British.It's a political stand as Ari informs Kitty,that maybe the world will hear if the Jews kill themselves rather than return to anywhere but the Holy land.All they have left is there own bodies.There is a short but powerful scene when a hunger strike is called and Ari wants the children released from the ship BUT their mothers won't allow them to go.
Later when the ship is freed and arrives in Haifa the movie takes on some soap opera tones using Ari's family as metaphors to examine the movements internal divisions. Great acting by Lee J. Cobb as Barak Ben Canaan,as Ari's Father.
NOTE to teabaggers,Barak is a RUSSIAN name with Muslim connotations.
As Baraks brother and Ari's uncle we have David Opatoshu as Akiva Ben Canaan a terrorist who has a wonderful scene where he is interviewing Dov to learn if he is telling the truth and worthy to be let into their cell.
Its hard to shrink  the magnitude of the events into such a personnel story telling and thats why the film misses on some points.Still it is moving and shows how 64 years later the rolls may be reversing.OH and that music…………..
Trailer URL follows pix as usual.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi386729753/

Ben - Hur 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

The world was supposed to end today but since your reading this,I guess it didn't.That got me to thinking about the epic films of my youth and as corny as some of them seem today,this one stands the test of time.I only take 1/2 star off because I wish I could believe it now like I did then.
I had read the book for school and this film is pretty close except for the salt mines which the book made pretty grim and is missing here.This film covers the galley slaves era as such grim times and that's portrayed in the book as well.
The film was released in 1959 and won 11 oscars and runs a very long 212 minutes but that what epics do.
Wether you've seen the movie or not,the Chariot races are legend and the inspiration for many a special effect,can you say George Lucas and the Star wars one race??
The story is also a idea of what Christ could or should have been but in the end,no,even Ben Hur is won over by the simple message and tragic march to the Crucifixion that was Jesus Christ.
Ben Hur is played by Charlton Heston and his childhood friend and than mortal enemy Messala,by Stephen Boyd in I feel his greatest screen role.
Long story short,Ben Hur is the son of well to do Jewish merchants and Messala is a Roman Centurion.Like many a close childhood friendship,theirs is no more as young men.Tension are rising in Roman occupied Jerusalem for many reasons including the occupation and the radical ideas of the new carpenter from Nazareth.
Long story short,Ben Hur is framed for a act of terror and imprisoned and his family stripped of their money and land and mother sent to a leper colony.In the book Ben goes to a salt mine for years,but the movie goes to the galley slave quickly and Ben is on the Roman  Quintus Arrius,wonderfully played by Jack Hawkins,leaders ship.A great navel battle is fought in which their ship is sunk and Ben-Hur saves Arrius life.The battle is won however and Arrius enters Rome in victory and adopts Ben Hur as his son since he has no family of his own.Ben Hur however longs to return to his Jerusalem and while crossing the desert he meets arabs going to the Chariot races and learns that the man who could have stopped his framing,but didn't,Messala,is a champion of these races.
Well,I think you know what happens next.
You would also think the coming of Christ could be something like this.You have faith,you are stripped of it,and you recapture it.Substitute money and fame for faith. But no.After winning the race and vanquishing Messala,Ben Hur sees Christ and while Ben Hur could at this very moment lead a revolt against the Romans,he is that much loved himself,he instead is touched by Christ,literally after giving him water,and learns what Christ is all about and why he must continue his march.
It's still a powerful movie even in these less religious times.But is message is far more than dogma,its just be decent and good will triumph over evil.But as I said when I took 1/2 star off,to quote someone in a different time and place,"its been my experience that good had better be very,very strong."The Trailer URL follows the pix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlzfqVtmxVA

The Other Guys 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2010 at 107 minutes this might be the newest film I've reviewed to date.
Let me state my position on comedies up front.They might be the hardest films to make for many reasons including is the "joke"funny the second time around?What is funny changes with your age,sex and there is generation humor as well.In short,the odds of you and me laughing at more than 50 % of the same things is not so high.I took 2 1/2 stars off because I will NOT buy this film as I don't think I'll laugh as much the second time around and well the humor ties into the plot in such a way that I don't buy into the premise at all!!.
Then why GIVE it 2 1/2 stars at all?? Well that means I think your chances of enjoying it one time is 50-50 and so I'll recommend it on those terms.Interesting enough I was very surprised by the two lead actors.Will Ferrell who I've cared for all that much,as Detective Allen Gamble,rises to understated goofiness on a early Tom Hanks level.I hope THAT continues.Sadly Mark Wahlberg    ,who I love as a actor,plays Detective Terry Hoitz and has NO comedic talent at all,I hope he stays with drama.
The rest of the cast is good for the material they have and includes the best "cameos"I've seen in awhile.Samuel L. Jackson as Detective P.K. Highsmith and Dwayne Johnson as Detective Christopher Danson .
The story is weak about 2 super cops dying  and 2 loser cops trying to take their place as they work a ponzie type crime.
The film is about NY so it has more regional appeal especially in the fact Wahlberg's character shoots Derek Jeter in the leg and that becomes a joke throughout the movie.Lines like "you should have shot AROD instead"work in NY better than say Austin Texas.I do like the ability of Ferrell's character to attract beautiful woman within understated Hanks like charm,and how it galls Wahlberg's more macho character.
Hint,Ferrell's character in a "recovering pimp" from college.Yes it's funny in places.
Trailer URL is below pix.

 Trailer http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1253639705/

That review of THE PROFESSIONAL was the 50th on my blog !!!!

So if you like movies,comment on them on my blog and add suggestions for future films.

I'll see what I can do.

The Professional 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Often I find a movie that's story is not outstanding but the acting alone is,this is such a film.Released in 1994 and running a far 110 minutes,it's been done before.OK maybe not exactly like this but the basic story of bad guy meets stepped on girl and they seek salvation together.Right?? You have seen that before.Well in this flick that theme is really stretched and ONLY outstanding acting can save it,let alone even believe it ,a little.Not only is it stretched  but it borders on pedohilia  if not for great acting.
Briefly the story is about a middle age eccentric "cleaner"named Leon played wonderfully by Jean Reno who lives alone and befriends a 12 year girl named Mathilda played as well as can be played I think by very young Natalie Portman.Mathilda is abused by her family and Leon takes pity on her and even saves her by allowing her to enter his apartment after her family is wiped out and the killers are still there,as if she lived with him.The killers are bad DEA thugs led by Stansfield, a great  physcotic  performance by Gary Oldman.
Both Leon and Mathilda bond in strange ways.She teaches him to read,he teaches her to fire a rifle from a rooftop to hit someone jogging in the park,with paint,not a bullet,but she wants to use BULLETS next time.They play a dress up guess who I am game where she is Madonna and Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin and finally Gene Kelly,the only one Leon can guess.Leon tries John Wayne,she guess's Clint Eastwood.Get the idea?
She's still a kid though and when they are staying at a hotel where the desk clerk thought they were father and daughter ,she gets them kicked out by later stating he was her lover.
This was a risky plot to attempt and they do fall in love but no sex.Leon is to strong for that or is he just to dumb??The story shows him as a true professional killer but lacking in both social skills and being so introverted you doubt he's know what to do with her.Mathilda however has fallen hook line and sinker.I don't want to really go into the action/killings other than to say they are violent,but not gratuitous in the context of the story.The ending shoot out rivals "The Terminator"police station shootout.
So if you want to see a pedestrian script saved by truly great acting  as well a early Portman,see the film.I had to take off 1 1/2 stars for the script only.Trailer URL follows pix as usual.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2744254745/

The Life Before Her Eyes 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Very different film.I had to take of 1/2 star only because the story telling was a little uneven.Still hard to fault a film that ends with"I never saw THAT coming"
The reason I choose to even check this film out was because it starred Uma Thurman,but like much of this film that was a deception.There are actually 2 actress playing the lead roll of Diana.Uma as a adult and Evan Rachel Wood as a younger teen version.This Ms Wood was a pleasant surprise as was much else in the film.What almost turned me off was the Columbine type beginning,but it is the talisman of the film so you have to accept it as distasteful as that might seem.You see the film opens with two teen girls trapped in a bathroom at the high school as a shooter is killing people in the halls and rooms.The two girls are Diana and Emma played by also talented Gabrielle Brennan.As the shooter is approaching we see flash backs and forwards of Diana life up to 15 years in the future.Like many soldiers of many different times and wars,Diana seems to suffer from surveyors guilt and as we later see through the flashbacks,perhaps guilt that her BEST friend Emma was the good girl who deserved so much more out of life  and Diana was little more than the neighborhood slut.That in itself makes for compelling drama but as in many a war movie, we have seen all that before.However listen to the dialogue especially about the strongest mussel is the heart and there is a clue to a much different film.The only other clue I'll give is this was worthy of  a M. Night Shyamalan film BUT its not.Credit goes to Director:Vadim Perelman Writers:
Laura Kasischke (novel), Emil Stern (screenplay).Released in 2007 its a short 90 minutes.
Trailer URL is below pix as always.Also I'll add after seeing the ending,it's not really a teen movie but a camouflaged war film in my humble opinion as far as why men die for their fellow man.Wait this is about two teen girls,how can that be??
SEE THE FILM !!!

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3669098777/

Gunga Din - 4 stars out of 5 stars

This film was very popular but we live in a political correct era and as such this film may not be what you deem "correct"thus and the fact it's black and white and fairly dated I forced myself to take off 1 star.Made in 1939( arguably the best year for volume release of GREAT films in Hollywoods history) and runs 117 minutes.What may or may not be politically correct has its roots in this case,within the colonial empire mentality of Great Britain.Rather than go into a long winded explanation of colonial superiority passed off as parental guidance lets just look at the film.Based on a poem by Rudyard Kipling who glorified the empire in his works,this story is very simple and filed with heroism as well as a example of the power of personality cult leadership rapped in religion as we still face today.We follow three good old boy brawling soldiers from different backgrounds as they struggle with life around them and their job in the service of the Queen as well as loyalty to each other.Into the mix we add a water boy,Gunga Din,who is teased by others but respected or better yet,treated loving as a pet by our 3 soldiers.Din repays that treatment as any loyal dog would by laying down his life for his master and as such is rewarded with a human burial.Thats the politically incorrect story.
The film story skirts around that with the development  of Din wanting to be a English soldier but not allowed to until his brave death awards him that which was denied in life.
The story is how two of the soldiers try to keep the third in the service before he can leave to get married.However a large fanatical religious based rebellion is underway let by a charismatic leader  to wipe out the English soldiers and control India within their own grasp.Sound familiar??This film has historical roots in the fight against the"thuggies"of the "Cult of Cali"which was a historical enemy that the Empire did face in India.
The three soldiers face all  any soldiers always face and alert the main forces to the threat BUT the Cult had planned on that and sets a trap for the approaching army to wipe it out to the last man.Only the brave bugle blowing by Gunga Din, who has to expose his safe hiding position to do so,saves the day and allows the army to defeat the thugs.
The cast is brilliant with the three soldiers played by Cary Grant,Victor McLaglen and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as well as Sam Jaffe as Din and the Thuggie Guru by Eduardo Ciannelli.The supporting cast is good as well.Trailer URL below pix as always.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1516766489/

The Soldier - 4 stars out of 5 stars

After watching "Salt"i got nostalgic for one of my favorite real cold war movies back in the day.Released in 1982 and running  96 minutes this film co starred one of my favorite actresses Alberta Watson as Susan Goodman and starred Ken Wahl  as"The Soldier"with a few surprise support roles of now big stars including a Country Western singer.You want to know,see the film.(Joaquim de Almeida,Klaus Kinski,George Strait )
A truly contrived plot is hatched by the Russians to force Israel off the West Bank or risk having the Saudi Oil fields NUKED by a bomb planted by terrorists,really the Russians in a attempt to destroy the West's economy under the guise of a Arab-Israeli conflict.
Of course there are many tricks and traps along the way including a elaborate plot by which KGB agents landing in Canada and cross the border to steal nuclear material as if they were terrorists to lend credence to their plot.I have crossed that border many times back in the days before 9/11 and this movie being released in 1982 was a cold slip in the face of just how easy it was to smuggle things across the worlds longest"unguarded border" as it was known back then.A US border guard  stops the KGB agents car which is full of weapons in the trunk and ask what their business was and they reply vacation and believe me,thats the way it truly was back then.The film also opens with a rather shocking shooting scene that at first seems like a terror attack but is really a counter terror attack.This film was sounding a large warning that no one heard till after 9/11.
There is also a ski chase scene that is amongst the best ever filmed anywhere.A great car chase and a good old boy bar fight.Alberta gets to"shoot"a guy in the face but is really a ruse of great makeup to get a terrorist to talk.Talk about enhanced interrogation techniques !!
The real scary part is I half believe the premise of the movie.My son once asked my"Does art imitate life,or life imitate art?"Good question.Would the US attack Israel to protect Saudi oil?Would the US NUKE Russian to protect Israel ?These are questions asked in the film.I took 1 star off because well it sometimes feels low budget,manly in the adverse acting.Still a must if you like cold war intrque with a touch of prophecy.URL for trailer is below the pix as usual

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UuWv_4RrRU

TV Series - The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This is actually a TV miniseries but is available as a 190 minute released in 1981 and therefore I am reviewing it as such.There is a actually movie remake released in 2005 that is not half bad for a remake as most remakes really suck.This however is the original mini series that was made by BBC in the UK.The folks who gave you Monty Python so you get a little idea of where their coming from.Not your Star Trek or Star wars by any means.
The story is quite involved and steeped in sarcasm.The science is minimal at best but makes the real story more palatable.That story is who are we and isn't it amazing we have come so far while achieving so little.So say I anyway.
It starts with the destruction on Earth and ends with the repopulation of a NEW earth with the same old sorts and will they be condemned to repeat the same old story so to speak.Sounds like the Matrix and other NEW sci-fi doesn't it?1981 people !!!
Short story is that Earth is destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass by a Vogon Demolition Fleet while Arthur Dent,played by Simon Jones is trying to stop his home being demolished to make way for a highway bypass.You should get the metaphor that the miniseries becomes from that point on.Its to long to explain all the cynical jokes and wonderful cast along the way.There is the depressing robot Marvin,voice supplied by  Stephen Moore,as well as the editor of the book Hitch Hikers Guide,who saves Arthur,Ford Prefect  played by David Dixon as  well as the voice of the book who is really the narrator of the series,Peter Jones and finally my favorite Colin Jeavons as Max Quordlepleen host of the Milliways, the Restaurant at the end of the Universe.There are too many others to list but pretty much all are good.My favorite joke is about a whale and a pot of flowers that come into being while falling to a planet.You have to see it to get it.DON'T PANIC is the catchphrase and the amazing question that caused the creation of the planet Earth to begin with is,Life, the Universe and Everything,oh and the answer of course after millions of years of calculations is ( earth is nothing more than a super computer to expand on the following answer but is destroyed before it can ) 42.YES 42
I never heard yje radio show or read the book this mini series is based on,UK after all,but it stands alone just fine.If you didn't get Python's humor,you  might not like this,otherwise indulge.I only took 1/2 star off because the space ship scenes were DR WHO like cheesy,other wise the effects are fine.Trailer follows pix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8z4JAenBPo

Rollerball - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars.

Released in 1975 and running a little long 125 minutes,its not to be confused with a later version released in 2002.The only thing they share is the game but not the real larger story.
Ah the story.Remember this film was made in 1975 so there is a clear message.However its up to us all to decide what it was.To me it was that the Vietnam War was caused by corporate greed and we were willing partners and must never allow it again.
Now the movie.Again remember the time of the films release.Roller derby,not wrestling was realty sports king.Roller skating was a date night destination.Basketball was beginning to expand as was all team sports.Finally everyone loved the motorcycle and the open road it represented. So put it all together  and you get a made for the movie sport called Rollerball and some might argue that today we are heading for some such sport combining Baseball and Football and Hockey to a blood sport hybrid  as depicted in rollerball.Now the story is not so much about the hybrid sport of rollerball as it is about control of the people and rollerball is the ultimate "opium of the people"to that end.
I had to take off 1 1/2 stars because from the tech end of the film,it looks like it was made in 1975,not the future it portends.Still it begs a remake along its lines not the trash of 2002 that only focused on the game as you would on the trove of racing movies made since 2000.
James Caan plays Jonathan E.,the superstar of the sport but he has lost his wife to a executive and learns that what the corporations want,they get.The world is now run by corporations rather than nation states and as such divide the world along their own special interests.True global corporations in every sense of the word.The rest of the cast is adequate especially John Houseman as Bartholomew whose corporation owns the team Jonathan plays for. The rest of the film is a battle between Bartholomew and Jonathan with Jonathan winning the finale.Or does he??The ending,to me,is in doubt,but thats why we all live day to day………….
Trailer URL is below pix as usual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-NtHe1UIg0

Salt - 3 1/2 stars out of 4 stars

Finally saw this flick and I recommend it for at least one  viewing but I don't own it.It was released in 2010 and runs 100 minutes of pretty much none stop action.My issues with it is that the cold war is over and as much as we long to fight the Russians again its Islam we have to worry about and the story itself is based on the old CIA fear of"Ivan"that is a deep "mole"or if you will,secret agent plant that will come alive when called upon.This idea has been dealt with before in "Telefon "and "no way out"to name but a few.It's action and threat of a covert nuclear attack has also been done as well and I KNOW you know many of those like "Twilight's Last Gleaming"and "The Soldier" again to name but a few.That's why I had to take off 1 1/2 stars.There is really nothing new in this movie except Angelina Jolie as Evelyn Salt .She's as cool smart and sexy as any man.I give her the honor of comparing her to James Bond.The only difference is she is no slut.In fact the death of her love makes her a avenging angel that "Arnold" would be proud of. I know some hold her personnel life against her BUT as I love Brad,I love her acting.Always worth a view when they are in a film.The movie ends with the hint of a sequel.Bin Laden is dead however and only he would have been a real challenge for Salt. So I won't try to explain the plot as all cold war era plots are full of red hearings and twists and double twists and this film is a homage to that genre and doesn't disappoint but in fairness I had figured it out halfway in and just went along for the thrill ride.Trailer URL is after pix as usual.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1445959961/