Film: Ben-Hur (1959)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9

Review: This is a outstanding timeless epic that I think is actually better than "The Ten Commandments". This is the story of Prince Judah Ben-Hur who is sent to row in the galleys and his family to prison after he falls out with his childhood friend who leads the Roman Army in Jerusalem.

Quotes:
"You want my advice?"
"Yes, I do."
"Withdraw your legions. Give us our freedom."
"Unfortunately, the emperor is devoted to his empire. He's particularly fond of Judea."
"And Judea's not fond of the emperor."
"Oh, is there anything so sad as unrequited love?"

His quest to save his family and seek revenge occurs during the same time period as Jesus, but the film cleverly handles the interaction between them. The Chariot race is still as thrilling as any modern day action sequence, even better because it is accomplished without the power of CGI.

"You have the spirit to fight back... but the good sense to control it. Your eyes are full of hate, 41. That's good. Hate keeps a man alive. It gives him strength."

"Judah! Look, he is driving a Greek chariot. Be careful. Don't let him near you."

5 out of 5 Stars

Film: Surf's Up (2007)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Cody's around here somewhere, I can feel it in my nuggets!"

Review: I think this is the best non-documentary surf movie I have ever seen. Normally you get actors who can't surf or surfers who can't act messing it up. The animators were able to accurately recreate the sensation of surfing and added lots of humor to a simple but effective story. The CGI waves look amazing.

"Looks like he stepped on a fire urchin."
"Stepped on me, stepped on me? Are you kidding?!! This guy was dancing on me! I mean just look at this, broken, broken, gone, gone, broken, broken, broken..."

"A winner is someone who doesn't knock me off my surfboard, and break it when I'm trying to get some big waves. Especially Tank, he's definitely not a winner.
"He's a dirty trash can full of poop."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Three Fugitives (1989)

DVD: Enhanced 16:9


"Tell him."
"Tell him what?"
"That I'm the hostage, you shit!"
"Of course you're the hostage. What do you think?"
"No, don't tell me, asshole! Tell them!"
"Excuse me. I think I'm going to faint."

Review: This is a funny movie with many touching moments. Nick Nolte is great as the gruff ex-con who finds himself being taken hostage during a bank robbery by an inept Martin Short the very day he is released from prison. The problem is no one believes that he is the victim, not the perpetrator. The young daughter of Martin Short's character is very effective as the catalyst for the film's plot.

"Have a seat, Doctor. Now tell Detective Dugan everything that you've told me."
"The patient was shot in a hunting accident."
"What?"
"In the right hind leg. From the angle of entry, it would appear that his leg was raised, and he must have been peeing at the moment of impact."
"Thank you, Doctor."
"Wait, I have more. The patient wore no collar and became enraged when given a rubber bone. He nevertheless..."
"Thank you very, very, very much."
"Wait, I have something else. He tested negative for rabies."
"Thank you."

"So... Hehe! I think we can conclude that our Mr. Lucas spent the day getting shot, being treated like a dog, having to baby-sit, and wishing he could've spent one more day in prison... [Phone Rings] It's Lucas."
"Hey, Rover. Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha! How are you pal? Come on in."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: GoodFellas (1990)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9 - Movie split on double-sided disc


"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster."

Review: This is a great movie on the life of a mid-level New York mobster. Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro are outstanding as supporting characters. Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco are excellent as well but I never completely connect to them as the main characters which drops this just behind Casino for me.

"Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Oh, you had a fire? Fuck you, pay me. Place got hit by lightning, huh? Fuck you, pay me."

"I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to fuckin' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?"

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

DVD: Anamorphic

Review: This is very entertaining considering that this is the 4th film in a series. Bruce Willis is comfortable in this famous role and it shows. Justin Long is good as the hacker sidekick who helps John McClane fight back against the criminals taking over the nation's computer networks. The only moment that elicited groans from me is the scene where McClane is taking on a fighter jet with a semi truck.

Quotes:
"Did you see that?"
"Yeah I saw it, I did it!"

"Awww, great! There goes the cell phone."
"They knocked the satellites out of the skies, now?"
"No, your battery ran out."

"Mai? Oh, yeah. Little Asian chick, likes to kick people? I don't think she's gonna be talkin' to anybody for a really long time. Last time I saw her she was at the bottom of a elevator shaft with an SUV rammed up her ass."

4 out of 5 Stars

TV: Sanford and Son - 3rd Season

DVD: 3 Discs


"You know something, Pop. Watching all that television is bad for your eyes. You know what you should do, you should take a nice, long leisurely walk out in the night air. It would be good for you."
"Yeah, out in that healthy smog and with those friendly muggers."

Review: Another great season of Sanford and Son. Superflyer is hilarious. Too bad Redd Foxx is missing from the last six episodes due to a contract dispute.

"Oh! This is the big one! This is the big one, my son is choking a white woman. Here that, Elizabeth. I coming to join ya, honey... with a fat friend."

"Rollo and I need you to do us a little favor."
"Look. Number one, I don't do no favors after six o'clock in the evening. Two, I ain't got no money. Three, I ain't harboring any fugitives from justice. And four... Bye."

"Ain't it funny how even the worst of heathens tries to get righteous when they feel the Lord is about to tap them on the shoulder."
"Listen, Ester. If I wasn't so sick, I give you one of these across your ugly lips."
"Who are you calling ugly, Sucker?
"I'm calling you ugly. I could stick your face in some dough and make some gorilla cookies."

"Don't leave me! Don't leave me, son! That's what they do with old Eskimos. They put them out on a big block of ice and let them float out to sea until they freeze to death."
"You're gonna wish you had a block of ice where you're going."

"Julio's been bringing in a lot of tires lately and I've been bringing in a lot of used automobile parts. And we're going to combine our resources and specialize in selling used auto parts. It'll be like a sideline business."
"This is your business, Sanford and Son. This is both our business"
"Pop, We'll still have this business."
"Listen, but I built this empire for YOU. I even named it after you. AND Son."

"A Crucifix, a St. Christopher's Medal, a Star of David, a Crescent of Islam and a Budda?"
"And a Mojo."
"What do you need all these things for?"
"It's flight insurance. See, down here on the ground, I'm a Baptist. But up there, I ain't taking no chances."

"What?! Ol' Gorilla Face is going to be at my wedding? Is she going to bring Woody the Wino?"
"I believe so."
"That does it. Now I am going to have to hide my ripple, my gin, my scotch, my bourbon, my rye. I got to hide my bug spray, my Drano... I hope she don't tell anybody else."

"You're a dirty old man, you know that?"
"And I'm going to be one until I'm a dead old man."

"Pop, you're not really going to have that party here, are you? I mean, I know you're not going to have it here."
"Oh no? You just watch me. This is just the beginning. See, I intend to party lightly, slightly, politely, and if possible, all-nightly."

"What do you got on?"
"It's a Super Fly Suit, what'd it look like?"
"Where did you get that thing from anyway?"
"This ain't no thing. And I got it down the street at a 'Going Back to Jail' sale. It only cost me six bucks and the guy who sold it to me got six months."

"Is it possible for somebody to have, say, three or four heart attacks a day."
"No, I sure doubt it. After the second, they would probably be dead. One big one and it's all over."
"Then it's not likely for somebody to average 26 big ones a week, huh?"
"No, that's unbelievable."
"I thought so too."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

TV: Sanford and Son - 2nd Season

DVD: 3 Discs


"Ethel, how'd you like one across your lip?"

Review: Redd Foxx is hilarious as Fred Sanford, the lazy owner of junkyard in LA. His comedic sense of timing and delivery is impeccable and timeless. Demond Wilson plays a great straight man as Fred's son, Lamont.

"Now listen, if you try to run off with my truck and try to cash that check, I'll find you. Might take me a week, might take me a month, might take me years. But one day, maybe 50 years from now, you'll be walkin' down the street and when you least expect it, a 115-year old man gonna jump out of the alley with a two-by-four and cave your skull in. Now, come on and get to work."

"Hucklebuck is in used cars, Pop. He buys and sells."
"You sure he doesn't steal and repaint?"

"Listen, let me tell you. You know that old saying, A fool and his money are soon parted? Well, it won't be long now, fool."

"I think the stakes are a little too high for you, Papa Sanford."
"Oh, I got money now. Wait a minute. Look here. I got money. Safe... Door... Combination... Open... Shoebox... Top... Mason Jar... Sock... Woolite... Mint... Government. Is that enough?"

"Help! It's a burglar! Help! I got him! I got him! Give me the baseball bat!"
"Pop! Pop, you've got Rollo!"
"What's wrong with you, Pops?"
"Ain't nothing wrong with me. When I'm being robbed, I grab the nearest throat."

"Sit in this chair, Mr. Sanford."
"What we gonna do, eat now?"
"This just a little protection. The dentist will be with you in just a moment."
"Did you hear that? Just for protection. It's for blood.
"Stop. It is not."
"It is. See? They butcher your mouth, then you lean over here and bleed in this sink. And when it's finished draining out ya, there you are, dead."

"Get out of there. Get on out of there before I give you a wood shampoo."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be trespassing."
"Well, that's what you're doing is trespassing. Hit the road, Jack."

"It's the phone company. They say if we don't pay the bill, they're going to cut it off."
"Gimme that. Hello? Yeah, this is Fred Sanford. Yeah, the phone is listed in my name. Say listen, what makes you folks think you can call me and cut somebody's phone off just because they're a little bit behind in their bill? I need my phone for my place of business. That's right. I wish one of you would come over here and try to cut my phone off. I'll put my foot in your... Hello? Hello? It's dead."

"The way you talk to your father is deplorable. No, it is inexcusable. In my country, such behavior is unheard of. You would be beaten."
"I wish I had you in Nigeria. I'd knock you out."

"We'll take care of him. He'll be in good hands. Oh, why don't I show you to your room, Mr. Sanford. All right? I have this nice room right across the hall from me. Won't that be cozy?"
"Just don't start any funny stuff. See, you might be fully integrated, but I ain't crossed that bridge yet."

"Where you been so long?"
"Fighting crime in the streets, Mr. Sanford. We are gonna get to the point where people can walk anywhere in Los Angeles."
"Yeah, but they'll still be running in Watts."

5 out of 5 Stars

TV: Sanford and Son - 1st Season (1972)

DVD: 2 Discs


"I do run this joint, and I work just as hard as you do, maybe harder. I do. Sortin', arrangin', sellin'. Coordinate. That's what I do. I coordinate here. I coordinate everything in here."

Review: This 1st season hit it's stride right near the beginning. Very funny.

"Pop, you ain't even dressed! Ain't you gonna cook breakfast?"
"I ain't cooking nothing. I'm retired."
"Retired?"
"Yeah, I applied for Social Security. And you know how much I'll be getting? They pay high as $213.10. That's enough for me to retire. I ain't doin' nothing for you and nobody else. You're lookin' at a man of leisure."

"I don't understand it, Pop. She was so sweet."
"Yeah, sweet before the wedding. Then after the wedding, she'd be just like her mama. King Kong in bloomers.

"Hazel, how would like one across your lip? You know, I don't mind givin' a lady one across the lip."
"And that'll be the last time you give somethin' across the lips."
"No, it won't."
"Oh yes, it will."
"If I hit you in the mouth, I bet your lips get to the hospital before the ambulance."
"No, they won't"
"Listen, I fought heavyweights before, you know."

"A bible? Pop, you stole a Bible? We got a Bible upstairs. You don't need this."
"Well, we'll use this one downstairs. That way we'll have full coverage."
"Pop, it says right here in this book, Thou shall not steal."
"And it also says in this book, The meek shall inherit the earth. So you got to start somewhere."

"Every time I bring some chick home, you find some way of lousin' it up."
"You know that's not true. When you bring a girl home I go upstairs or go in the kitchen and shut the door."
"Yeah, with your eyeball pressed up against the keyhole."
"Are you kidding? I wouldn't waste my time with an amateur like you. I can see more sex on the 6 o'clock news."
"Well, if I am an amateur, it's 'cause I never get no practice. You're always in the way, Pop."

"I don't understand you kids today. If I'd talk to my father like you talk to me, you know what he'd have done?"
"Yeah, he'd have given you one across the lip."
"That's right, and continue on down from there. When he whipped, he whipped from the lips to the hips."

"Look at this trash."
"Trash? This is good. This is aluminum."
"Alulimum? That's nothing but old pot metal. Ain't worth nothing. How long have you been with me now, Lamont?"
"What do you mean, how long have I been with you? Since I was born."
"Has it been that long?"

"Well, no, I didn't mean to call you no clucking duck. What I meant was, like a cackling hen. No, Donna, wait a minute, honey. Don't cry. Don't cry, please."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"If you don't mind my asking... what are you?"
"Well, I'm a... Well, I'm a faun. And what about you? You must be some kind of beardless dwarf?"
"I'm not a dwarf! I'm a girl. And actually, I'm tallest in my class."
"You mean to say that you're a daughter of Eve?"

Review: I am always happy but worried when they make a movie of one of my favorite books I read as a child. This is an excellent adaption with amazing production values and special effects. It is stays truthful to the book by only adding a few subplots but never changing or removing anything from the book. Watching it really takes me back and feel the same emotions I felt then.

"I can make anything you like."
"Can you make me taller?"
"Anything you'd like... to eat."
"Turkish Delight?"

"What were you all doing in the wardrobe?"
"You wouldn't believe us if we told you, sir."
"Try me."

5 out of 5

Film: Friday (1995)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"I know you don't smoke weed, I know this, but I'm gonna get you high today. 'Cause it's Friday. You ain't got no job... and you ain't got shit to do."

Review: This is the flip-side film to the Boyz' N the Hood. A comic portrayal of life in South Central LA. Ice Cube is good as the straight man to the hilarious Chris Tucker, who plays his drug dealer friend. John Witherspoon plays his father and steals every scene he is in.

"I ain't trying to be no dog catcher."
"Why not?"
"I don't even like dogs."
"That's the beauty of it. I grab a dog. I choke him and I kick the shit out of him. All day long, my foot up a dog's ass. Just bang, bang, bang up his ass. That's my pleasure."

"I got mind control over Deebo. He be like, 'Shut the Fuck Up'. I be quiet. But when he leave, I be talkin' again."

"Damn, you got knocked... the FUCK out!"

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Dragnet (1987)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Well, Emil... I guess it's just you... and me... your balls... and this drawer."

Review: This is a comedic remake of the famous television show with Dan Ackroyd as the uptight LA detective and Tom Hanks as his more laid back partner. It is fun, but nothing special.

"Reckless endangerment of human life, willful disregard of private property, failure to signal for a safe lane change."
"Yeah, he's really racking up the violations, isn't he?"
"Not him, you! This is your one-way ticket back to civilian life, Mister."

"Ah sure, but just like every other foaming, rabid psycho in this city with a foolproof plan, you've forgotten you're facing the single finest fighting force ever assembled."
"The Israelis?"
"Try the decent, hardworking men and women of Los Angeles."
"Forgotten about them? My dear Sergeant, I'm absolutely counting on them."

3 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Glory (1989)

DVD: Anamorphic


"I wonder when they gonna give us the blue suits."
"Where you from, boy?"
"South Carolina."
"South Carolina? Well then you ought to know better than that, boy."

Review: This is an excellent Civil War movie about the first black regiment in the Union Army, the 54th Massachusetts. Denzel Washington won his first Oscar and Morgan Freeman is amazing as well. Mathew Broderick plays the young officer who is picked to lead the regiment, but has to struggle against the army leadership in order to let his soldiers fight.

"See the way I figure, I figure this war would be over a whole lot sooner if you boys just turned right on around and headed back on down that way, and you let us head on up there where the real fighting is."
"We got men dyin' up that road."
"And there wouldn't be nothing but Rebs dyin' if they'd let the 54th in it."

"There's more to fighting than rest, sir. There's character, there's strength of heart. You should have seen us in action two days ago. We were a sight to see! We'll be ready, sir. When do you want us?"

5 out of 5 Stars

Film: Deuce Bigalow - Male Gigolo (1999)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"Look at this proud fish. It's like a coyote, king of the jungle. It's like Antoine. He don't need no pimp. Then look at this mid-level fish here. Works hotels, conventions, senior centers. I represent several man-whores at this level of the game. Now look at this little fella, at the bottom trying to get busy with the scuba man. You know, if you work hard and listen to me, this could be you."

Review: Rob Schneider's best movie is a entertaining story with many funny scenes that holds together a loose plot. He plays a fish tank cleaner who works as a male prostitute to help pay for the damages when he accidentally floods the apartment of a real male gigolo.

"I'm sorry. I have Tourette's Syndrome and it causes me to have these uncontrollable outbursts."
"It's not so bad."
"Yeah, it's okay. I mean, you get used to it. BALL SWEAT! ANUS! ANUS LICKER! Naah-naah-naah-naah-nyiii!"
"I barely notice it."

"I don't understand why women do it. I don't see how they can get any pleasure from it. It's not supposed to go up there. Frankly, I don't even understand how men do it, either."
"You wouldn't want to try it, just to try something new?"
"No, it's just...not natural."
"So you're definitely opposed to space travel?"
"Totally! I mean, more power to any woman who wants to be an astronaut, but I'm just not into it. Frankly, I'd rather take it up the butt."

3 1/2 out of 5 Stars

TV: Rome - 1st Season

DVD: 6 Discs - Widescreen 16x9


"Forculus, if you be the right god for this business here, I call on you to help me. If you will open this door, then I will kill for you a fine white lamb, or failing that, if I couldn't get one at a decent price, then six pigeons. This, Forculus, I vow to you."

Review: This is an amazing mini-series of Caesar's journey to become Emperor of Rome after his victory over the Gauls. Not only does it tell the story of the Civil War and the End of the Republic through the eyes of the nobles, but follows two soldiers from his Army as well. A very entertaining slice of history.

"Me, I have simpler tastes. I like to kill my enemy, take their gold and enjoy their women. That's it. Why tie yourself to one? Where's the flavor? Where's the joy?"
"Pullo, when was the last time you had a woman who wasn't crying or wanting payment?"

"My wife, she... You heard what she said, she hates me."
"What's your question?"
"How do I stop her from hating me, obviously?"
"It's not obvious. I thought you were making her hate you with a purpose."
"That was not my intent at all. Why would I do that?"
"Well, I don't know. You're the clever one, you. There might have been a thousand reasons."

"Caesar's scouts are only thirty miles from Rome. His speed is uncanny. Of course, he has only a very few men, which makes a fast pace easier. He is not leading an Army so much as an armed gang. It is all highly irregular, unethical even. Gods, it is not even the war season."
"Surely he does not think to attack Rome directly?"
"I think that is exactly what he will do."

"How happy, eh? To be a slave. To have no will. To make no decisions. Driftwood. How restful it must be."

"What's your price then?"
"1,000."
"Gerrae! I could have half the whores in Narbo for that, and their mothers."
"We're not in Narbo, whatever that might be."
"All right, my dove. We'll pay. But the girl better fuck him like Helen of Troy with her ass on fire, or I'll know the reason why."

"We will accept battle?"
"Certainly. Why not?"
"We are outnumbered 3 to 1 on foot and 5 to 1 on horse. What uninjured men we have are scared and hungry and desperate."
"That is the advantage we must press home."
"I was not aware irony had military usage."
"We must win or die. Pompey's men have other options."

"Enough. I am your son, but not your child. You will not strike me anymore."
"Will I not? You fucked your sister, you little pervert! Don't tell me what I will and will not do!"

"As some of you know, Caesar and I have had our disagreements. However that may be, he has shown himself to be as wise and merciful in victory as he was invincible in battle. Let this be an end to division and civil strife. I willingly pledge my loyalty to him, and I urge you all to do the same."

"The people, simple souls that they are, have made great heroes out of you and Pullo. If I were to punish you, the people would be made extremely angry. But I do not wish to make the people angry, ergo, I cannot punish you. If I cannot punish you, I must reward you, else I seem weak. By popular acclaim, I shall name Lucius Vorenus a Senator of Rome."

"Gentlemen, this is not some cheap murder! It is an honorable thing that we do, and it must be done honorably. In daylight. On the Senate floor. With our own hand... With my hand."

5 out of 5 Stars

Film: Gun Shy (2000)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"I'm very good at reading what's in a person's eyes."
"That's nice."
"I'm reading yours right now."
"Yeah? What do they say?"
"They say you're sleepy. But I can't figure out... Is it 'too much drugs' sleepy, or 'too much work' sleepy or 'I'm so fucking bored' sleepy."

Review: This is an excellent black comedy about a veteran undercover DEA agent having a nervous breakdown after he is almost exposed and killed. Liam Neeson play the agent who wants to quit but has to stay undercover to help broker one last deal between a Colombian Cartel and the New York Mafia while trying to contain his fear. Oliver Platt is hilarious as the thick headed mobster.

"The cute Colombian and his boyfriend with the black eye. They represent a big drug cartel. They're looking to invest billions in Wall Street, and your boyfriend is setting it up for them."
"Wow, how exciting!"
"Yeah, well, Fulvio will foul the whole thing up, trust me."
"Why do you say that?"
"He's out of his league. He doesn't have the brains or the self-control to pull anything like this off. He's pretending."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: The Secret of My Success (1987)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Ma, will you quit worrying. There is no danger. New York is just like Kansas... intensified."

Review: This is the perfect Michael J. Fox vehicle as well as a classic movie that only could have been made in the 80s. A story of a young man coming to New York to make his fortune and has to use his wits to make it to the top and win the girl, the beautiful Helen Slater. It has a fun rock soundtrack with several well-done musical montages throughout.

"One question: What the hell are you doing?"
"Having a nervous breakdown."

"Brantley, why you lookin' so sad?"
"I don't know. I just thought it would work out better, you know?"
"The job or the girl?"
"The job. To hell with the girl."
"Yeah, you sound real convincing. Well, look at it this way, pal. For a few weeks, you sat up here in the lofty atmosphere of the big cheeses. You had a nice view of Manhattan and a clean lunch room to eat in. Hell, you did more in two months than most people do in a lifetime."
"Yeah, I'm gonna miss it."
"The job or the girl?"

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Showgirls (1995)

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Film: Mallrats (1995)

DVD: Anamorphic


"I love the smell of commerce in the morning."

Review: I was one of the few people who saw this in the theater when it bombed back in 1995. I always thought Brodie is Jason Lee's best role. He wasn't a good actor yet, but he had the natural instincts and knew how to deliver Kevin Smith's dialogue in a very funny way. Jeremy London was miscast as his friend though, all the dialogue seemed fake coming out of his mouth. Jay is always funny.

"I never farted in front of Renee. Last week, I let one slip and today she dumps me."
"Renee's not the shallow type. You're not insinuating..."
"She was going down on me at the time."

"Phase One. First, you take a run at La Fours with a sock full of quarters. I'd do it, but I pulled my back out humping your mom last night. Nooge. Okay, you clock him on his headpiece and knock his ass out cold. That's when Phase Two kicks in. I attack the structure, Wolvie-Berzerk style, and knock out the fuckin' pin and bickety-bam -- the motherfucker's rubble. Hence, no game show."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Gladiator (2000)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"I've seen much of the rest of the world. It is brutal and cruel and dark. Rome is the light."

Review: This is a visually beautiful movie with thrilling fight scenes. It is a very good movie, but I still don't think it is Best Picture quality, story-wise. I always thought the third act had some serious hiccups, it seems to jerk from point to point instead of flowing smoothly. The death of Oliver Reed before filming was completed and the fact that they were working on the script all the way to the end probably factored into this problem.

"I am Proximo! I shall be closer to you for the next few days, which will be the last of your miserable lives, than that bitch of a mother who first brought you screaming into this world! I did not pay good money for your company. I paid it so that I might profit from your death. And just as your mother was there at your beginning, I shall be there at your end."

"You have a great name. He must kill your name before he kills you."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Casino Royale (2006)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Ten million was wired to your account in Montenegro, with the contingency for five more if I deem it a prudent investment. I suppose you've given some thought to the notion that if you lose, our government will have directly financed terrorism."

Review: This was almost a 5 Star film. It was a spot on thrilling ride until the middle of the third act where it slowed down to a crawl and then finished with the sinking building in Venice. That scene always takes me out of the movie when I watch it. It seems too unreal for a Bond film that is trying to be gritty and more realistic. Some have complained about the lengthy card game in the second act but I really enjoyed it.

"You know, I never understood all these elaborate tortures. It's the simplest thing... to cause more pain than a man can possibly endure. And of course, it's not only the immediate agony, but the knowledge that if you do not yield soon enough... there will be little left to identify you as a man. The only question remains: will you yield, in time?"

"The job's done and the bitch is dead."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: The Hot Spot (1990)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"So whatcha gonna do in our town?"
"What ever there is to do."
"Well, there's only two things to do around here. You got a TV?"
"Nope."
"Well now you're down to one. Lotsa luck!"

Review: I really enjoyed this film directed by Dennis Hopper. I think this is Don Johnson's best movie role as the stranger passing through a small Texas town in the summer, who decides to stay after spotting a beautiful girl walking her dog. Things get complicated when the wife of his new boss takes an interest in him and he is tempted by the bad security of the town bank.

"Mr. Harshaw's gone for the weekend, hunting. Said he needed the rest."
"Yeah, and I got a notion from what. I met her yesterday."
"Yeah, Mr. Harshaw met her in a real small town. Hunting trip, in fact, I think it was. He always said that she just sort of happened."
"Mm-hmm. Well, the smart thing would've been to get the hell out of there and let her happen to someone else."

"Gloria Harper. You've been on her back now for over a year."
"O Lord O Mine. Well, that little gal has you all stoked up, doesn't she? Let's see, you drove yourself all the way out here just to tell me to get off, huh. Is that right?"
"I'm gonna do better than that. I'm gonna help you off."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"You know, the extraordinary thing is that we've accomplished something by accident that we wouldn't have dared to do by intent. Putting him out there just to see what would happen. When Dr. Mulligan kidnapped him, that was the best thing he could have done."
"You were right about it's learning potential."
"No, I was wrong. I think he's learned a lot more than I ever thought possible."

Review: This was a favorite movie of mine as a kid. It starts out a little slow but really holds up well in the final two acts. A boy named Daryl is found in the woods with amnesia and is sent to live with a childless couple. He is a genius child who's mysterious background is revealed after his supposed parents come to claim him.

"I can sort of read what a computer is doing."
"You can control it?"
"I guess. I'm getting better."
"But people... you can tell what they're thinking?"
"Oh, no, I'm not telepathic or anything like that."
"Then how do you know what they're feeling?"
"Well, you sort of guess at that because you know what you're feeling yourself."

"Basically, we need an adult version of this prototype, programmed to learn and then taught everything the Army can teach. A fearless, technically skilled, devastating soldier."
"D.A.R.Y.L. goes to the scrap yard. Understood?"

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Blind Date (1987)

DVD: Anamorphic


"But don't get her drunk. If you get her drunk... she loses control!"
"Ted, are we talking about a loss of inhibitions here, or does she pee on the floor?"

Review: This is the movie Bruce Willis made before he hit it big with Die Hard. It's a fun tale of a man taking a blind date to his important office dinner, but he ignores his brother's advice to not give her any alcohol. His night becomes a crazy disaster as he tries to keep her under control and avoid her jealous ex-boyfriend.

"Do I have to say the words?"
"I'm fired?"
"Fired? I only wish we were in the Army. So I could have you shot..."
"Yes, sir."
"Twice!"

3 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Pumping Iron (1977)

DVD: OAR - Full Screen


"That was easy."
"Easy? You do one."

Review: This is an excellent documentary of the 1975 Mr. Olympia Bodybuilding contest between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno in South Africa. The first half of the film follows the confident Arnold training in Venice Beach and young challenger, Lou, training in New York. Arnold is hilarious and really showcases the talent that allowed him to become a movie star, businessman and Governor. It was great watching Arnold play mind games with his fellow competitors.

"You drink skim milk, don't you?
"No, I don't drink no milk."
"You don't drink any milk at all?"
"No milk, no. Milk is for babies. When you grow up, you have to drink beer."

"You look at your arms like you're admiring, right? You're admiring what you're gonna show them. And then you go... Boom! Like you're saying, Take a look at this hunk of man."

"If he comes in his best shape and he's equally as good as I am, or if, let's say, he's a few percent better than I am. I spend with him one night. I go down stairs and book us together in a room, you know, to help him for tomorrow's contest. And that night he will never forget. I will mix him up. He will come so ready to South Africa, so strong. But by the time the night is over, the next morning he will be ready to lose. I mean, I will just talk him into that, it's no problem to do. So it doesn't matter if he comes in shape, or out of shape. If he comes out of shape, at least it's less hassle for me, you know. And if he's in shape... Fine, I hope he is."

5 out of 5 Stars

Film: Mission Impossible 3 (2006)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"I've been trying to bring Davian down since the day that I got here. And do you know what I've got for it?"
"It's never been confirmed that the Toxin Five theft was Davian..."
"Mr. Musgrave, please don't interrupt me when I'm asking rhetorical questions."

Review: It is rare that the third film in a series is the best, but that's the case here. While the first film had some great sequences, I thought it was just average overall. The second film was ridiculously over the top and one of Tom Cruise's worst films. The third film is a great mix of acting, special effects, stunts and simple but effective story-telling.

"That look in your eyes is a pain in my ass, you know that, right?"

"I have the Rabbit's Foot, but I can't make it to the roof!"
"What the hell d'you mean you can't make it to the roof? Where are you?"
"Look up! Look up! Look up!"

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: The General's Daughter (1999)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"Why was she murdered?"
"Well, possible motives for murder are profit, revenge, jealousy, to conceal a crime, to avoid humiliation and disgrace, or plain old homicidal mania. Right there in the manual."

Review: This is a beautifully shot thriller of a military investigator trying to solve the murder of the General's daughter on a Southern Military Base. John Travolta is entertaining with his charming, but tough character.

"Oh, my. This was one squared-away soldier. Equally prepared for a military ball or the next war in the jungle."

"Do you think I'm involved in this?"
"One way or another, yes, I do."
"Then wouldn't it behoove me to retain the services of an attorney? I know a good one."
"Two problems there. First, the obvious. There are no good ones. Second, you're not a civilian, Colonel. You're in the Army. You have no rights to an attorney. You have no right to remain silent. And if you don't cooperate, I may have to put you in jail, and that would make me feel bad."

4 out of 5 Stars