"Cine-picks of the Week"

"The Manchurian Candidate" (1962)

Now, onto a movie that is actually worth my time, the original "The Manchurian Candidate", directed by John Frankenheimer. 😎

Frank Sinatra plays the role of Mjr. Ben Marco, a soldier who served along side Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Lawrence Harvey). A mutual brainwashing experiment conducted by the Russian, Chinese, and even the USA, pits 6 American soldiers in Manchuria for an experiment in terror. Subsequently plagued with horrible nightmares that suggest an adverse opinion of what Marco has felt about Shaw, Marco's feelings give way to suspicion. While a fellow serviceman writes to Shaw, Marco takes his dreams to the Army, hoping to convince them that he, Shaw, and his surviving platoon were guinea pigs in an evil scam involving the U.S.'s own.

In the meantime, Shaw's domineering mother, played by Angela Lansbury, has aspirations of being the next First Lady by any means necessary. Try as Shaw might to dispense of his mother, she's the one "holding the cards", so to speak.

For 1962, the plot of this film is incredibly ahead of it's time. Very original, and again, plausible, like the remake. It was well acted, well concieved, and was as entertaining as it's 2004 counterpart. The only true gripe I have is that it was more of a political drama than a thriller. The sense of urgency in the 1962 version is absent, and plays more into the personal relationships of the main characters, love interests and all.

However, the last 15 minutes of the movie are by far the most entertaining, especially once Ol' Blue Eyes takes the reigns on Shaw, becoming the puppetmaster in a masterful performance.

For those that are interested, here are some of the key points that differ between the 1962 and 2004 versions. Minor spoilers follow.

Spoiler:

1) Raymond Shaw in not the actual candidate in the 1962 version. To fill Mrs. Shaw's bid to become the first lady, Raymond is brainwashed into assassinating his step-fathers competition.

2) Ben Marco is not effected by the brainwashing at any point of the 1962 version. He actually instructs Shaw to contact him before hs carries out the assassination temp.

3) Ms. Shaw is not already a Senator, as she is in the 2004 version. She's looking to become first lady.

All that said, I actually amend my rating of "The Manchurian Candidate" (2004) to an 8/10, and give "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) a 7/10. It's an excellent political thriller.

"Frankenstein" (1932)

Doctor Frankenstein makes a monster from dead people, gives it a defective brain, it gets angry and hurts people, people hunt it down with torches ala "Shrek", then it gets killed itself. There's the movie.

It's in black and white, there was absolutely no music, it was devoid of anything remotely entertaining, and if anything, the movie is "classic" just because of the namesake.

1/10, what a ****ing bore.

Originally posted by Cinemaddiction
[b] the movie is "classic" just because of the namesake.

Most old movies are classics because there old 😬

And its a black&white 1932 horror movie..what did you expect? 😛

"Garage Days"

"Garage Days" is an Aussie independant movie from the director of "I, Robot" and "The Crow", issued by FOX Searchlight ("28 Days Later"😉. While I liked "The Crow", this one left a lot to be desired.

"Garage Days" is about a terrible garage band. So bad in fact, they would be the first to admit it, yet take gigs at will, showcasing their "horribility" as Alison would say. The movie showcases the drama, both personal and professional, of 4 Aussie young adults looking to get their music heard by any means necessary. Pregnancies, obsession, overdoses, sex, drugs, and rock n' roll make up a movie that probably should have stayed in the garage itself.

The cinematography was reminescent of "Snatch", with alot of stop motion frames, quick cuts, etc. At the same time, it felt like a really long television show, with bumper music and shots of local shops for segways, etc. There were some great special effects during the "Joy of Drugs: Part 1 & 2" sequences, and the movies soundtrack was FANTASTIC, which is a rarity in movies these days. Very ecelectic mix of old and new, much like "Empire Records".

However, fancy camera work and killer tunes don't make up for the elementary acting, the weak, tired plot, and the mundane characters. If you're an indie sympathizer, like me, or enjoy "rock and roll" flicks, "Garage Days" may be a "nice little movie", yet easily outdone by "Rock Star"; a far superior film for those about to rock.

4/10, for good tracks and wicked effects.

"Collateral"

"Collateral" is the latest offering from director Michael Mann, who gave us "Heat", and most recently, "Ali". Much like Muhammed's opponents, this one was down for the count before the movie even started.

Max (Jamie Foxx) is more or less "commissioned" by passenger/ruthless hitman Vincent (Cruise) to basically chauffer him around, as he executes the evenings hits. After learning that Vince's last job of the night involves a new love interest in Annie, (Jada Pinkett-Smith), Max takes matters into his own hands.

Going into the movie expecting absolutely nothing, I was still interested in seeing how Cruise would execute his heel turn. Playing out much like a rogue version of Ethan Hunt, it wasn't much of a stretch from his "M:I" character. He wasn't as abrasive or sarcastic, and Cruise's attempts at reasoning, coupled with browbeating psychoanalysis with Fox, seemed ungenuine and pointless, respectively.

Jamie Foxx however was extremely refreshing. He played an excellent "Average Joe", who turned up the heat when need be in a very convincing, and sly manner.

Spoiler:
There was a scene in which he was sent into a Latino nightclub by Vincent, to pose as himself, and in Max's encounter, he went from nervous wreck to stone faced assassin in 3 seconds flat.

A unique storyline with poor execution, no twists, yet still commendable performances from the 2 lesser known stars of the film. Wish I could have liked this one, but like Cruise's victims, it was D.O.A.

4/10

"I, Robot"

"I, Robot" is a Sci Fi movie based on same titled works of Isaac Asimov. Set in the year 2035, robots are an intregal part of society. The current NS 4 models are seen politely excusing themselves after upon bumping into others, walking dogs, and even candidly delivering packages for Fed Ex. It all seems too perfect to one Det. Spooner (Will Smith)

His prejudice towards these machines, evidenced by a botched arrest attempt on an innocent robot, is heightened as is his curiosity, after the "suicide" of the prestigious Dr. Lanning at USR, the nations leading robotics corporation. This, on the eve of the launch of the new and improved NS 5 models. According to everyone but Spooner, robots aren't capable of such a crime. Or are they?

Will Smith. I have read on this board that he's "talentless"? I beg to differ. Smith was on fire. He's snippy and snide towards the founders of USR, suave and cunning with the ladies, and effectively angry and unrelenting towards those who doubt his suspicions. I felt that his delivery was very well rounded, and convincing.

The story in "I, Robot" has many a layer. There's irony that comes from prejudice, prejudice from distrust, unpredictibility,evolution, revolution, a battle for supremacy amongst same creatures, and what is eerily plausible, a real life rise of the machines. All this in addition to fantastic special effects wizardry, elaborate set designs, and some ultra cool costuming.

"I, Robot" was well written and directed, devoid of punny one liners and cliche big explosions, and is easily one of the smarter, more entertaining Science Fiction films of the past few Summers, that actually has some Box Office staying power. Which we all know is rare in the days of wizards, arachnid men, and fairy tales come to life.

"I, Robot" is one that I, Recommend.

8/10

I knew you would like this film

"You know some how I told you so..just doesnt cut it"

😎

Originally posted by Cinemaddiction
[b]"Frankenstein" (1932)

1/10, what a ****ing bore. [/B]

What a ****ing shocker. I despair of teaching you anything.

Here's a great review of I,Robot - http://www.maddox.xmission.com/c.cgi?u=i_robot

LOL...Amen, Backfire...Amen

Instead of I, Robot see Minority Report this movie was released a while ago but it runs circles around I, Robot. Its dark, brooding, and will make you squrim...oh yeah and it doesnt shove ads down your throat.

Originally posted by Mr Zero
What a ****ing shocker. I despair of teaching you anything.

Frankly, you don't have anything from which I could benefit, given our polar opposite tastes.

Originally posted by BackFire
Here's a great review of I,Robot - http://www.maddox.xmission.com/c.cgi?u=i_robot

Maddox conveniently forgot to mention the correlations between the movie in the book, letting his prejudice get in the way of a balanced judgment. He's acting like product placement is new. I though, of what I saw, it was funny, and a smart way to showcase the "period" relations in the movie.

Originally posted by Zerosparx
LOL...Amen, Backfire...Amen

Speaking of Minority Report. Were you asleep while John Anderton was riding in that Lexus prototype, and during the ad's for Reebok, Nokia, Bulgari, Aquafina, Guinness, American Express Blue, and the Gap? 🤨

Amen, indeed.

oooo ca took all of you 😛

Originally posted by Stormy Day
oooo ca took all of you 😛

Tell me child because I'm awash with curiosity - exactly how does CA's butt taste? Sweet or sour?

"War of the Worlds"

"War of the Worlds" is the 1953 adaptation of author H.G. Wells' masterpiece novelization. Wells' book, originally a subtexted work about European imperialism, was dumbed down to a basic communist agression piece. This, hinted at by the "red planet" references, and the disregard for religion/religious figures, such as a priest who meets his untimely demise via death ray.

Simply put, "meteors" are spotted crashing all over town, when a scientist and a young beauty come to discover it's an alien invasion.
It's the 1950's, what do you expect?

The movie isn't so much enjoyable for it's acting, as it is for its sheer examples of innovation in Sci Fi cinema. Equally as admirable, are the prop designs. The space pods are sleek, the aliens, original, albeit hokey, with the incredible (for their time) special effects, bringing up the rear. The inspirations for Roland Emmerich's "Independence Day" are HIGHLY noticable all throughout this feature.

The movie is rather easy to follow, and more of a visual masterpiece than anything else. That said, this is a must see for Sci Fi fans looking to get back to their roots.

7/10

Look for my review of H.G. Wells "The Time Machine", "Carlito's Way", and "Deep Rising" in the coming days.

Originally posted by Mr Zero
Tell me child because I'm awash with curiosity - exactly how does CA's butt taste? Sweet or sour?

Id imagine it'd taste sour 😮

But if you knew anything about me and CA's relationship or about anything else in the forums youd know that im not known to kiss anyones butt.

Back to movies.

"Deep Rising"

In 1998's "Deep Rising", Treat Williams jettisons a gang of miscreant would be hijackers and their precious cargo to the pleasure vessel "Argonautica", of one Simon Canton, who has some ulterior motives himself. Little do they know, the ship is harboring a deadly gaggle of beasts, comparible to the lovechild of an octopus and the Sarlaac monster from "Return of the Jedi".

The positives are few and far between. Treat Williams' dialogue was yanked from a cache of punny one liners, 1/4 of which were somewhat amusing. The remaining dialogue, much like the supporting casts performances, were standard 90's action flick fare. However, to its credit, there were solid jump scares, surprisingly FANTASTIC gore,

Spoiler:
especially the gored up skeletal remains, Djimon "getting the axe", as well as a 1/2 digested baddie, were great.

I'm still somewhat undetermined what kind of movie Stephen Sommers was shooting for. It's horror influences were well done, but the comedic interjections were just hokey, Williams' character was almost too crass and smart alec-y to watch as a "hero", and the action was too cliche to try and enjoy. Explosions and getting chased by monsters are all too standard, and disappointing, coming from a movie with alot of potential.

And the ending..ooohhhh..THE ENDING!?

Spoiler:
So, did they wash upon the shore of Jurassic Park, or what?

5/10, and I'm throwing it a bone for impressive gore, casting Cliff Curtis, and an overall good effort.

Damn it C-man, I love your little puns at the end of your reviews.

"Carlito's Way"

In Brian De Palma's 1993 crime/drama, "Carlito's Way", Al Pacino plays Carlito Brigante, a Puerto Rican ex-con who just recieved a "Get of of Jail Free" card, by way of a technicality, thanks to his lawyer, David Kleinfeld, played by always entertaining Sean Penn. Sworn to a life of criminal sobriety, Carlito returns to the streets. Unbeknownst to him, things have changed during his 5 year lockdown, and his former cronies want him to get "reacquainted" with the neighborhood.

Charlie, after stumbling upon his old flame in Penelope Ann Miller, has even more reasons to stay clean. But, as outside pressure mounts from all around, in the form of distrust, "favors", and new blood, Brigante finds himself virtually back in the thick of things weither he likes it or not. Does he stay true to his "Serpico" like honor system creedo, or snap like a twig.

Pacino is alllll aces here. From the beginning narration, with crafty dark hues, through Pacino's struggle to play it straight, down to vindicating and relinquishing himself of his past. Easily one of his best dramatic performances, squeezed out masterfully by De Palma once again.

An aside, John Leguizamo's Benny Blanco character is worth noting. More or less Pacino's "stand in" during his time in the pen, Blanco was a very unpredictible character, destined to have a bigger role as the movie went on. Sean Penn as Pacino's seedy lawyer was simply brilliant. To put it lightly, looks can be decieving, and his character was true to the addage. The remainder of the supporting cast lent themselves seemlessly to the hustler's paradise that was the Puerto Ricann slums.

While the movie had a nice balance of drama and action, clocking in at just under 150 minutes, there were some dramatic dialogue heavy lulls, mostly spent in reestablishing Carlito and Gail, given their somewhat sordid past. Otherwise, it's pure gold watching Pacino's sting of unpredictible approachs to the adversities he is subjected to. This movie was one cliffhanger after another. In the end, you couldn't help but root for Carlito, given all the indignities he had suffered.

The last 15 minutes of this movie are guaranteed to make up for anything that may have rubbed you the wrong way earlier. Be it the heavy dialogue, the guys you wish Pacino would have whacked but didn't, whatever the case. Masterful, exciting gunplay coupled with honest to god edge of your seat footchase scenes make for one hell of an exciting, yet heartbreaking ending.

You wanna see Pacino's best work, vato? Do it the right way. "Carlito's Way".

7.5/10

could we get back to the point