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