Movie Night: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Review #114: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Cast
Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia Organa), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Frank Oz (Yoda), James Earl Jones (Darth Vader), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi), with Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker (C-3PO and R2-D2). Directed by Irvin Kershner.

Review
Greetings, fellow person who wants to check out Star Wars reviews by me. I would strongly advice to check out the Redux Review of this film, which contains more words by me, along with being a better review in general: http://officalmovienight.blogspot.com/2016/03/star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back.html 
Thank you.

This sequel is reportedly the best of the Original Trilogy, but I will see if it is or not. The acting is good as usual, especially from Hamill, Ford, Fisher, and Oz. Hamill had to deal with being in a swamp for months with only animals and a 3-foot puppet for company, so it really shows credibility in Hamill's performance. The action is good, especially the Hoth battle and The Duel. The influences Lucas uses are evident here, especially with Cloud City. The film starts a few years after IV, and things are tough and all. The film makes sure it's not a happy tale, and it's the only one in the series to not have a positive ending. (meaning it doesn't look good for the main characters) Anyway, the film is dark, with looming issues and all, with the biggest revelation of all time (even if it might be a little hindered with the Special Edition). A good film that is the middle part of a trilogy that's getting to it's end. (Before I forget, I'd recommend Star Wars Begins and Building Empire as they are great documentaries on the films)

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

Review #113: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

Cast

Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Alec Guinness (Obi Wan Kenobi), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia Organa), Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin), James Earl Jones (As the Voice of Darth Vader, David Prowse-Physical Features), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker (As C-3PO and R2-D2 respectively) Directed and Written by George Lucas.

Review
Greetings. If you are looking for a better review of this film, check out my Redux - Special Edition of this film, released four years later: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2016/03/redux-special-edition-star-wars-1977.html

This is probably the most influential films of all time, as it inspired many people and filled their eyes with wonder, from 1977 to the present. Even watching it over and over it still impresses you, and that is one of the qualities in this great film. First off, the action is excellent. It has a good amount, with a battle in the beginning, the middles, and the end, not really boring you at all. The acting is excellent, especially from Alec Guinness, adding to his other good roles, (That might be obscured by some due to this great movie and such) yet it's little flaw is the fact that Mark Hamill (Despite his best) acts like...A whiny teenager who really grates on you a bit, yet it does not hurt the film much. The effects are still excellent to this day. (Even with the additions in the Special Edition) It has a good story to it, and it can be watched first even if it is the 4th overall due to it being the start of a new story to connect to the old one. A great movie that started it all, that inspired many parodies, tributes, ideas, and more. It's only just the beginning...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Gattaca.

Review #112: Gattaca.

Cast
Ethan Hawke (Vincent Anton Freeman/Jerome Eugene Morrow), Uma Thurman (Irene Cassini), Jude Law (Jerome Eugene Morrow), Loren Dean (Anton Freeman), Gore Vidal (Director Josef), Xander Berkeley (Dr. Lamar), Ernest Borgnine (Caesar) Directed by Andrew Niccol.

Review
The film is a delight to watch, as it's a smart film that makes you interested in the film rather than just be a science-fiction film. It raises questions and makes you wonder what would happen if we picked people because of genes rather then personality (Even if a sickened man goes to the one place different from Earth-Space) The acting is good, and the locations they use, especially the double helix staircase, is excellent. All in all, it's a good film to watch any day.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Jason and the Argonauts (1963).

Review #111: Jason and the Argonauts.

Cast
Todd Armstrong (Jason), Nancy Kovack (Medea), Gary Raymond (Acastus), Laurence Naismith (Argos), Niall MacGinnis (Zeus), Michael Gwynn (Hermes), Douglas Wilmer (Pelias), Jack Gwillim (King Aeetes), Honor Blackman (Hera), John Cairney (Hylas), and Patrick Troughton (Phineas). Directed by Don Chaffey with stop motion by Ray Harryhausen.

Review
This is a classic, pure and simple to the point. The film has star power, effects, story, and just plain usefulness. The acting is allright, with a decent story, considering the fact the mythology is slightly changed from the myth and all (Because none of them is expected to be perfect) But I think the most breakout thing is Ray Harryhausen's special effects, especially the skeletons. It is truly beautiful looking, still looking real compared to today's, but then again it's not exactly a fair comparison. But either way, it helps the film in little ways, not too much, making this film a must see.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: On the Waterfront.

Review #110: On the Waterfront.

Cast
Marlon Brando (Terry Malloy), Karl Malden (Father Barry), Lee J. Cobb (Michael J. Skelly aka "Johnny Friendly"), Rod Steiger (Charley "the Gent" Malloy), Eva Marie Saint (Edie Doyle), Pat Henning (Timothy J. "Kayo" Dugan), John F. Hamilton ('Pop' Doyle), Ben Wagner (Joey Doyle), and James Westerfield (Big Mac) Directed by Elia Kazan (#104 - East of Eden and #109 - A Streetcar Named Desire)

Review
This film is truly a classic, with great acting from Brando, Saint, and Malden, along with Cobb (who I've already talked about a little in 12 Angry Men). The film is dramatic in tone, never letting go and making you think along with being interested. It shows the lesson to not give in due to suspicions of being left out or possibly death. The film's most famous scene has a reason to be famous, and I feel the last scene is a bit memorable in it's drama and other such things. It's funny how I was slated to review this early, back in February (February 11th to be exact), but I didn't get to personal reasons. But now, I have watched the film in its entirity. And I don't regret it.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: A Streetcar Named Desire.

Review #109: A Streetcar Named Desire.

Cast
Vivien Leigh (Blanche DuBois), Marlon Brando (Stanley Kowalski), Kim Hunter (Stella Kowalski), Karl Malden (Harold Mitchell), Rudy Bond (Steve Hubbel), Nick Dennis (Pablo Gonzales), and Peg Hillias (Eunice Hubbel) Directed by Elia Kazan (#104 - East of Eden)

Review
This film was adpated from the classic play by Tennessee Williams, with Brando, Hunter, and Malden as the roles, with Jessica Tandy as DuBois. In the film, he was replaced by another player of the play (in London). Anyway, the film has good acting, dramatic style, and just plain old fashion writing that you don't see a lot anymore. Leigh steals the show, as she should be, commanding this role easily (winning an Oscar for it along with Hunter and Malden, strangely Brando lost in his catagory). The film is not flawed, not too different from the play, given the circumstances and all. In short, a good film.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: This Is Spinal Tap.

Review #108: This Is Spinal Tap.

Cast
Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins), Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel), Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls), Rob Reiner (Marty Di Bergi), Tony Hendra (Ian Faith), R.J. Parnell (Mick Shrimpton, drummer), David Kaff (Viv Savage), June Chadwick (Jeanine Pettibone), Bruno Kirby (Tommy Pischedda, limo driver), Ed Begley, Jr. (John "Stumpy" Pepys), Danny Kortchmar (Ronnie Pudding), Fran Drescher (Bobbi Flekman), Patrick Macnee (Sir Denis Eton-Hogg) Directed by Rob Reiner.

Review
This is the essential rockumentary, that is the lesson you've learned after watching this movie (Also to power your things up to 11). The film has decent acting (you really can't have bad acting in a rockumentary), but it's most important thing that it has is its music. Two words: So Cool...It's a film that satarizes other rock bands and while not being very smart and all, it makes up for it by being enjoyable and just plain awesome. Actually, it's not just "plain", it's rocking awesome. It's cool, funny, rocking, 11venating, and most of all cool.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 11 stars.

Movie Night: Beetlejuice.

Review #107: Beetlejuice.

Cast
Michael Keaton (Betelgeuse), Alec Baldwin (Adam Maitland), Geena Davis (Barbara Maitland), Winona Ryder (Lydia Deetz), Catherine O'Hara (Delia Deetz), Jeffrey Jones (Charles Deetz), Annie McEnroe (Jane Butterfield), Glenn Shadix (Otho), Sylvia Sidney (Juno), Robert Goulet (Maxie Dean), Maree Cheatham (Sarah Dean), Dick Cavett (Bernard), and Susan Kellermann (Grace) Directed by Tim Burton (#040 - Batman )

Review
The film razzles and dazzles with an interesting story that evolves into a fest of effects and comedy, yet still making the film enjoyable. It's fun to watch anytime, especially in the nighttime. Keaton and Ryder stand out with their acting, with Keaton playing Beetlejuice so crazy and so good. Ryder plays the strange and Gothic Lydia (better then other goth girls in other films) who is impressive in this role (doing more roles in later life). The film is likeable and it makes you watch, not being a bore once. This will always be a classic for years and years to come...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Some Like It Hot.

Review #106: Some Like It Hot.

Cast
Tony Curtis (Joe/Josephene), Jack Lemmon (Jerry/Daphene), Marilyn Monroe (Sugar), George Raft (Spats), Joe E. Brown (Osgood). Directed by Billy Wilder.

Review
This film still holds up after over 50 years (that of course doesn't matter), and the premise still holds up (this premise being used for other films with some good results (One being already reviewed here), and others...Not so good). The film has alright acting (especially in a comedy) and some good jokes that make this film a classic. It doesn't bore you, it actually make you interested in it, serious or not. Nevertheless, this is a good film that deserves every honor it receives even to this day.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.