The Shadow (1994).

Review #2575: The Shadow (1994).

Cast: 

Alec Baldwin (Lamont Cranston / The Shadow), John Lone (Shiwan Kahn), Penelope Ann Miller (Margo Lane), Ian McKellen (Dr. Reinhardt Lane), Peter Boyle (Moses "Moe" Shrevnitz), Jonathan Winters (Commissioner Wainwright Barth), Tim Curry (Farley Claymore), Joseph Maher (Isaac Newboldt), John Kapelos (Duke Rollins), Max Wright (Berger), Sab Shimono (Dr. Roy Tam), with Brady Tsurutani (the Tulku), Andre Gregory (Burbank), James Hong (Li Peng), Arsenio "Sonny" Trinidad (Wu), and Ethan Phillips (Nelson) Directed by Russell Mulcahy.

Review: 

There were quite a few folks who really, really, really wanted to make their own type of franchise based on some old books lying around in the latter stages of the 20th century. For every Superman (1978) or Batman (1989) or even Dick Tracy (1990), you would get movies such as Flash Gordon (1980) or Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) or The Phantom (1996) that just didn't pan out... or this. The Shadow actually arose first as a marketing tool, specifically as a storyteller with a distinct voice to narrate the Detective Story Hour for radio. The voice seemed more interesting than the show, so Walter B. Gibson was commissioned to begin writing stories of the character (with a pen name of Maxwell Grant, as one does) that ran on and off for 20 years. You've got a man clad in black (hat, cloak) as a vigilante (while spending his days as a rich playboy, most of the time) that fought crime starting in 1931. The radio drama apparently was the one that made him invisible when in operation. There were two low-budget films done in the late 1930s (The Shadow Strikes [1937], International Crime [1938]) with Rod La Rocque as the title character while Victor Jory starred in a 15-chapter serial for Columbia Pictures in 1940 and Kane Richjmond starred in a trio of B-movie quickies in 1946. The character did in fact prove an inspiration for both Batman and V for Vendetta* (Batman co-creator Bill Finger stated that his first story for the character was a takeoff of a Shadow story). Martin Bregman bought the rights to the character in the 1980s and had Robert Zemeckis in mind to direct, but this did not come to pass (incidentally, Sam Raimi had pitched an idea but was ignored, but he ended up doing Darkman [1990] anyway). Eventually, it worked out for Universal Pictures to have Australian-born Russell Mulcahy (responsible for the first two Highlander films) as director and David Koepp (who had co-adapted Jurassic Park [1993] as writer. Filmed with a mix of traditional practical and optical effects alongside CGI for a budget of $40 million that was released on July 1, 1994 (right between the releases of The Lion King and Forrest Gump), the movie made just $48 million with audiences.

If you like movies set in the 1930s that just rolls along with any offbeat situation possible for what you might call an aloof type of superhero movie, you might have fun with this film. How many movies do you know where one of the key aspects to the plan of the movie is to hypnotize an entire city to not see a whole building? It's a movie all about atonement and adventure in the most offbeat of ways that I can't help but appreciate for its execution and its style that plays fast and loose for 108 minutes. Koepp had actually listened to the radio shows when he was a kid and he utilized the pulp novels as inspiration for his script and it shows in the charm that comes through and through in pulpy oddness, at least for those who get into it (thin? well, your milage may vary). Baldwin proves to be fairly game as the lead that dazzles in serving as a pulp avenger that occasionally terrorizes folks with a booming voice (as one does when having the mental fortitude to only be detected by one's shadow) or has a ball trying to adjust to the charms of Miller; it's all suave and all spry with these folks, it's hard to not have fun. Lone (playing a Genghis Khan descendant, as one does) makes for a delightfully hammy villain, coasting along with clinical precision for a role that could've easily been cardboard. Plans of world domination and folks fighting crime in the middle of the night work when there is some style to it, and I liked what I saw in splattering of Art Deco that keeps its outlandish stuff right for when it needs its most (a naturally elaborate network of tubes to communicate stuff, bombs that roll around like a ball, a climax involving mirrors, for example). There is a bit of relief with McKellen, Boyle, Winters, and Curry* to provide further bits of charm and curiosity to make this oddball world of shadowy networking and henchmen stuff work without too many hitches. With the way the climax goes, I do wonder how the hell they were going to do more of these, but I love ridiculous endings to see where they can write their way out of it (which, well, you know how that worked out). As a whole, The Shadow is an underrated little gem that has enough charm and look to generally rise with its pulp trappings and offbeat plot to make for a curious recommendation for those who can see past shadows and fog.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Song of the day!

*As devised by noted artist and also noted grumpy person Alan Moore. 

*As with Dolly Parton, we'll remember Tim Curry in this life and the next.

*Incidentally, it was nice to have a small role of Ethan Phillips, who played Neelix on Star Trek: Voyager. Why? Because I hate Neelix and Phillips' character in this film gets what Neelix deserved: bipped by the bad guy.

Well, it was a good run for Acknowledged in August Again.

There were many candidates that couldn't quite make the cut due to time or other reasons. These included: 1941, The Plague Dogs, Innocent Blood, Quintet, Sucker Punch, True Colors, Human Highway, Dream Lover, Over the Top, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, Bad Timing, Timebomb, Leviathan, Brain Donors, Rent-a-Cop, The Missing, 3000 Miles to Graceland, Cutters' Way, Swing Swift, Captain Ron, Circle of Iron, Keys to Tulsa, The New Age, Speaking of Sex, Powwow Highway, Monkeybone, The Frisco Kid, Twister (1989), Shoot 'em Up, The Phantom, Very Bad Things, Terminator: Dark Fate, The Taking of Beverly Hills, Moment by Moment, Big Wednesday, Let's Get Harry, The 13th Warrior, [Redux of Escape from L.A./Small Soldiers], Striptease

Barring an unforeseen emergency, August 2027 will see Around the World Again in August

The Departed.

Review #1544: The Departed.

Cast:
Leonardo DiCaprio (William "Billy" Costigan), Matt Damon (Colin Sullivan), Mark Wahlberg (Sean Dignam), Jack Nicholson (Francis "Frank" Costello), Martin Sheen (Capt. Oliver Queenan), Ray Winstone (Arnold French), Vera Farmiga (Dr. Madolyn Madden), Alec Baldwin (Capt. George Ellerby), Anthony Anderson (Trooper Brown), Kevin Corrigan (Sean Costigan), James Badge Dale (Trooper Barrigan), and David O'Hara (Patrick "Fitzy" Fitzgibbons) Directed by Martin Scorsese (#990 - Taxi Driver, #992 - The King of Comedy, #1276 - Mean Streets, #1463 - Raging Bull, and #1496 - Goodfellas)

Review:
"It's the only movie of mine with a plot."

There really is no such thing as too much of one director, so it only makes sense to cover another film of Martin Scorsese in yet another prime classic to represent another decade of work, with this being his 20th feature. The film is based on the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs (2002), which dealt with infiltration into a Triad as the first of three films (with the other two being done in 2002 and 2003 respectively), and it has subsequently been remade in other countries like South Korea and Taiwan, with novelist/screenwriter William Monahan tapped to write and eventually Martin Scorsese to direct (citing his love of White Heat (1949) that the script reminded him of), which was his second remake of a previous work (the other being 1991's Cape Fear).

What we have here is a cat-and-mouse game of tremendous excellence, one that carries itself with great pacing (as done by the usual Scorsese collaborator in editor Thelma Schoonmaker) that makes a 151 minute tale with dual storylines come together with great stature and blazing skill that captures its aspects of crime splendidly while also having a great look upon identity and what it means in various degrees for others. DiCaprio rolls greatly in a panic-attack kind of performance, one that wraps himself in a world all too ready to consume one in power and lose their sense of self in their identity in society, balancing that line of being a tool for both sides with the precision and excellence we expect from someone as confident in pulling off that edge as he is. Damon has a similar challenge in a role that reflects greatly in the other side of calm adversarial power, one who just as much at the mercy of his masters as DiCaprio that desires to escape this part and attain more and more within vain effort. Wahlberg (chosen after others like Denis Leary and Ray Liotta could not take the role) does fine in basing a man of bruising authority with snappy righteous timing that counters along with the main duo or Sheen & Baldwin with the right sense of rough honesty. Nicholson took on the role (after first choice Al Pacino declined) after some prodding because he was looking to play a villainous role again (equating this role to the ultimate incarnation of evil), which was inspired by real-life gangster Whitey Bulger. He does quite well in portraying someone wrapped with so much power and command that shows all the hunger and paranoia that comes from trying to keep it in check, and he clearly seems to be having a good time weaving this role together with the time he has as a twisted sort of father figure to the two main leads. Sheen does alright here with resonating authority that only needs a few connective moments with DiCaprio to make it all come together, although I do admire one small sequence with Nicholson and him in their engagement of taunting the other. Winstone follows along terrifically, doing menace with interest that never wavers whether in the foreground or background. Farmiga goes along with careful touch, operating her moments shared with DiCaprio and Damon with countering grace and capability. Baldwin is generally interesting in those little moments shared with the actual investigation.

On the whole, I enjoyed the film because of what it shows about the push for trying to be something one is not that never seems used to spread out into overuse of violence or become just a show for hammy acting to take place. It is an enjoyable movie for all the nitty-gritty ways it goes through  its narrative with well enough talent on and behind the camera to elevate what could have been a standard crime film into something that grabs you every step of the way and never lets go in all the right ways. Tense, riveting, and always on the move towards something useful with a wide range of good actors, The Departed is a triumph for Scorsese, his cast, and his crew that all reaped the benefits of being the best of its year in 2006 with deserved stature.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

Review #1217: Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

Cast: 
Ming-Na Wen (Doctor Aki Ross), Alec Baldwin (Captain Gray Edwards), Ving Rhames (Ryan), Steve Buscemi (Neil), Peri Gilpin (Jane), Donald Sutherland (Dr. Sid), James Woods (General Hein), Keith David (Council Member #1), Jean Simmons (Council Member #2), and Matt McKenzie (Major Elliot) Directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi and Motonori Sakakibara.

Review: 
Perhaps this movie is like the tale of Icarus. However, instead of daring to fly near the sun on illustrious wings of feathers, this is a film that dares to soar as the first photo-realistic computer-animated feature film, made over the course of four years with a budget of $137 million (with at least half the budget being spent on marketing from Columbia Pictures and construction in Hawaii of a studio for Square Pictures, whose demise rose from the eventual failure of the film at the box office). Final Fantasy (created by Hironobu Sakaguchi) is a series of fantasy role playing video games, with each installment being stand-alone tales that have recurring elements in terms of game mechanics, with fifteen main titles being released since 1987. Undeniably, it is easy to give praise to the ambition that the makers of this film had towards delivering something that would inspire curiosity and interest, although it seems more for the animation than the actual story in any case. It just can't help itself being a visual spectacle even after two decades of age (although it may take a bit of time to get used to its type of flair), at least. The spirit aspect feels a bit too hokey to really make for a compelling story, with the twist involving their true nature (with a name like Phantoms, take one guess) not making as much an impact. It feels too clumsy with trying to handle its characters, particularly with its main character, who never comes into focus as someone to really follow along with.

That's not to say I didn't like the performances of the cast, who each do their parts just fine. Wen does okay with what she is given, even if her chemistry with Baldwin (probably the most practical performer here) reads more like an audio-book than something befitting a movie, especially a science-fiction one. Rhames, Buscemi and Gilpin all do okay, providing little moments of amusement until they aren't needed by the plot. Sutherland fills the wise old shoes of his character without much trouble (ponder on the whole Gaia theory stuff as you wish, however), and Woods is finely tuned to play with a good deal of ham to his performance, which work out okay, even if his motivations feel a bit too underplayed to really resonate. The writing can't quite make them feel like people to gel with, as if I am watching one long cut-scene with no way to break free. The story was done by Sakaguchi, while having a screenplay from Al Reinert (writer of films such as For All Mankind and Apollo 13) and Jeff Vintar (co-writer of I, Robot). The parts involving the Gaia only serve to make the film seem more deeply rooted than it really is, with a climax that feels too patched up to have an impact. It isn't so much a junk food type of sci-fi movie as it is just an off-brand piece of candy that looks nice but is a bit stale in all the wrong places to really sit right. With a run-time of 106 minutes, it will prove fine for the eyes to sit with while resonating less with its aims that at drag a cobbled assortment of sci-fi gobbledygook across the line without being a complete success. I didn't feel that it was a waste of my time, but I did feel disappointed that it wasn't worth it just enough. I do find science fiction movies to be a fun thing to sit through, but I couldn't find this one to be just as fitting of praise as others that dared to show a different kind of reality or look.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

Review #1119: Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

Cast:
Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt), Henry Cavill (August Walker), Ving Rhames (Luther Stickell), Simon Pegg (Benjamin "Benji" Dunn), Rebecca Ferguson (Ilsa Faust), Sean Harris (Solomon Lane), Angela Bassett (Erica Sloane), Michelle Monaghan (Julia Meade), Alec Baldwin (Alan Hunley), Vanessa Kirby (White Widow), Frederick Schmidt (Zola), and Wes Bentley (Patrick) Directed by Christopher McQuarrie (#1117 - Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation)

Review: 
For a film series that has lasted 22 years and six films, one would wonder if the Mission: Impossible series would ever seem to be slowing down in its execution and quality, and then I realize that Cruise, like the films themselves, seems to be more durable than ever. After all, how can one not be impressed by someone who insists on doing their stunts for a film that showcases a HALO jump and numerous chase sequences to the point where one said sequence led to him breaking his ankle? Stunts aside, this is a film that certainly sticks out from the other installments in the series in more ways than one. For instance, McQuarrie returns to direct and write once again for the series, and he certainly makes a great follow-up to Rogue Nation, amping the stakes and action while not sacrificing the spirit of what makes these engaging films to watch, particularly since each one has improved on the last one since the third one twelve years prior. This one manages to have a story that piles itself with motivations and turns that certainly try to keep up with the action sequences thrown in from time to time, which is helpful for a movie that lasts 147 minutes but never manages to come off as plodding or too long. Some of its beats and motivations with its adversaries may feel a bit obvious before the movie wants to show its hand, but there isn't anything too complicated or insulting to the film's detriment.

The cast all do a fine job with what they are meant to do. Cruise has a talent for enduring as long as he has as an action hero by being adept at his feet along being adept at being incredibly easy to follow, never letting the audience down once. Cavill does a fine job, playing his role with a raw sensibility that has a blunt consistency that plays well against Cruise. It is nice to see Rhames and Pegg again, proving fine character moments once again while serving well with whatever the plot wants to throw with them and not just being put aside. Ferguson proves capable to the task given for her, having a charm and energy to her that zips with everything neatly enough. Harris (the first recurring villain in the series) manages to still have a menace to his performance that works enough for the time given without feeling stale. Monaghan does fine with her time on screen, being interesting to see again. Bassett and Baldwin make for capable authority figures in their own ways. Kirby is fairly refreshing with her brief moments with Cruise, having a casual but crucial nature that is sold well. The film has a good deal of intensity with its suspense while trying to not cheat its audience with computer trickery while not going overboard too much. The action can be brutal at times, but there is never a point where the lines become blurred or too unsettling to enjoy, confident in what it shows without risk. The best action sequence is the climax, involving helicopters that certainly has a good deal of air to it, being the peak of excitement. Ultimately, I found this to be an enjoyable piece of entertainment with enough action and charm that one can expect from the series that sets the bar as high as it has ever been for the franchise but also likely for action films as a whole. It is a thrill ride from start to finish that accomplishes everything it sets out to do for its audience and more that I think makes it the best Mission: Impossible film yet.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.

Review #1117: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.

Cast: 
Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt), Simon Pegg (Benjamin "Benji" Dunn), Jeremy Renner (William Brandt), Rebecca Ferguson (Ilsa Faust), Alec Baldwin (Alan Hunley), Sean Harris (Solomon Lane), Ving Rhames (Luther Stickell), Simon McBurney (Atlee), Tom Hollander (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom), Zhang Jingchu (Lauren), and Jens Hultén (Janik "The Bone Doctor" Vinter) Directed by Christopher McQuarrie.

Review: 
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation manages to capture the essence of its main hero with a line that also best fits the franchise in that it is the living manifestation of destiny. It is the destiny of these films to persist in being made after two decades with a consistency and execution that makes for a excellent piece of entertainment. Once again, a new director is at the helm for the fifth film with McQuarrie, whose previous credits include the Academy Award winning screenplay for The Usual Suspects (1995) along with un-credited re-write work on the previous film. It's not hard to say that this is a brilliantly made popcorn flick, filled with setups and sequences that certainly linger on the eyes for the film's benefit. Nothing does this better than the opening involving the plane, with Cruise hanging off a plane in a field, which is certainly an energetic thing to view just as much (if not a bit better) than the Burj Khalifa tower sequence from the previous one. Cruise seems as resilient as ever to be engaging to watch on screen, whether dealing with the plot or trying to keep up with the action (and acting accordingly), being as calmly collected as ever. It is nice to see Pegg once again, having a spunky energy that certainly clicks well when the movie requires it, and the climax uses him to helpful effect. Renner handles himself pretty well for the times needed. However, it is Ferguson who helps steal the show, proving capable in the action scenes while being interesting to follow throughout, particularly when interacting with Cruise. Baldwin does fine with his time on screen, as is the case with Rhames. Harris does a pretty good job as the villain, having a fair amount of menace to him that works handily enough. The film builds itself on its action sequences while sprinkling in its plot without being ineffective in delivering something solid worth watching. It isn't the strongest spy flick by any means, but it won't overstay its welcome at 131 minutes. The climax is fairly satisfying, not degrading itself into too many annoying action cliche, ending itself handily enough. I enjoyed the movie for delivering what it promised - an exciting action piece with a few clever parts and some handy standouts, most of all being Cruise, who certainly has stayed consistent with this franchise in its run over these films. This will work well for anybody who has enjoyed these films or enjoys seeing some fine action and stunts sequences.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Rise of the Guardians.

Review #378: Rise of the Guardians.

Cast
Chris Pine (Jack Frost), Alec Baldwin (Santa Claus), Hugh Jackman (Easter Bunny), Isla Fisher (Tooth Fairy), Jude Law (Pitch Black/The Boogeyman), and Dakota Goyo (Jamie Bennett). Directed by Peter Ramsey.

Review
Before I begin, I'll mention that this was based off the book series by William Joyce, and this seems to be a trend for Dreamworks, making movies based off books (Shrek, Over the Hedge, though that was a comic strip and How to Train Your Dragon), and this seems to be working well, and I'm not going to lie, I like this film. Honestly, I didn't really expect too much from the film, I thought it would be a flick just for kids that didn't have too much. It managed to override the expectations. The casting works well, especially with Chris Pine and oddly enough, Alec Baldwin. The jokes work fine, but they don't form the base of the film, that's where the fantasy comes in, and the story works well enough to keep you interested in what's going on. The animation works well because it also keep the suspense going, conveying the story at a decent pace. For a 97 minute film, it keeps a fine pace, and it sets up the possibility for more, because...I like where this is going. That's what films sometimes do, making the viewer hungering for more because they know the story has only just begun, not just wanting a rehash. But then maybe that's just me. But still, this is a good film that entertains well and finishes well.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.

Review #242: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.

Cast
Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward Tentacles), Mr. Lawrence (Sheldon J. Plankton), Alec Baldwin (Dennis), Scarlett Johansson (Princess Mindy), and Jeffrey Tambor (King Neptune) Directed by Stephen Hillenburg.

Review
Oh dear, here we are. Based off the popular series created in 1999 by Stephen Hillenberg, this film apparently was intended to be the series finale. Intended being the main word. This film might seem like one of those annoying things that could destroy minds and make you question why this was made, but is it really? Yes and no. The animation is alright, with some good acting here and there. And...the plot does feel like a finale, which feels like closure....until you realize the show would later be renewed and continue on for more....adventures if you want to call it that. And that brings up a little flaw for me, if Plankton steals the formula (which he does), and yet loses it anyway, why didn't he just memorize it down and make his own Krabby Patties again after eventually escaping from his incarceration? While the film is at least a little funny in its approach, it'll be one of those love or hate films. I find it...Less then evil. Countdown to 250: 10, 9, 8...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Cat in the Hat.

Review #210: The Cat in the Hat.

Cast
Mike Myers (The Cat in the Hat), Spencer Breslin (Conrad Walden), Dakota Fanning (Sally Walden), Kelly Preston (Joan Walden), Alec Baldwin (Larry Quinn), Amy Hill (Mrs. Kwan), Sean Hayes (Mr. Hank Humberfloob / The Fish), Danielle Chuchran and Taylor Rice (Thing One), and Brittany Oaks and Talia-Lynn Prairie (Thing Two) Directed by Bo Welch.

Review
I almost considered doing this whole review in rhyme, to make it a bit like the book. It would be more likable then then the whole film. The film's opening credits start out nice, but looks can, and in this case, are deceiving. The film starts out meh, with our characters being introduced (Some decent, some...weird) Then...We get our Cat. I...don't know how to describe it. The costume looks decent, but Myers simply doesn't capture the spirit of the original (I almost forgot to mention the 1957 classic by Dr. Seuss [Theodore Geisel]) We get into the second problem afterwards: The humor. Look, there can be humor, it lightens the tones, but in this film, it simply feels out of place. It feels like something you would find in a PG-13 comedy (I'd mention the content, but...No.) The film is simply a mess, with more uses of the color green in the film then fun (Green cars, green trees, green walls, green curtains, green hills, green clothes, green signs) Let me try to do a rhyme:

This film is a dull bore,
Watching it feels like a chore.
Spend your time reading the book,
As this film made my head shook.
Even the Grinch has a better film,
With this not footing the bill.
There are plans for a CGI remake,
It will not be as fake.
This film is dullingly lame,
As you shake your head in shame.

Well, I tried.

Overall, I give it 2 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Madagascar 2.

Review #154: Madagascar 2.

Cast
Ben Stiller (Alex the Lion), Chris Rock (Marty the Zebra), David Schwimmer (Melman the Giraffe), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria the Hippopotamus), Sacha Baron Cohen (King Julien the Lemur), Cedric the Entertainer (Maurice the Aye-Aye), Andy Richter (Mort the Lemur), Bernie Mac (Zuba the Lion), and Alec Baldwin (Makunga the Lion) Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath.

Review
I should mention the original title is "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" I was tempted to type it to confuse people or make them wonder who would have this kind of grammar. Anyway, this film is essentially a mash of the first and The Lion King, but despite that, this film still works. The voices are alright, as this film has charm to make you entertained for its relatively standard 89 minutes. Dreamworks Animation and Pixar are both decent studios. Pixar better than others. This is decent at best, not the worst or the best of DreamWorks I've seen.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 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: The Hunt for Red October.

Review #080: The Hunt for Red October.

Cast
Sean Connery (Captain 1st Rank Marko Aleksandrovich Ramius), Alec Baldwin (Dr. Jack Ryan), Scott Glenn (Commander Bart Mancuso), Sam Neill (Captain 2nd Rank Vasily Borodin), James Earl Jones (Vice Admiral James Greer, CIA Deputy Director - Intelligence (DDI), Jeffrey Jones (Skip Tyler), Joss Ackland (Ambassador Andrei Lysenko), Richard Jordan (Dr. Jeffrey Pelt, National Security Advisor), Tim Curry (Dr. Yevgeniy Petrov), Peter Firth (Senior Lieutenant Ivan Putin), Ronald Guttman (Senior Lieutenant Melekhin), Stellan Skarsgård (Captain 2nd Rank Viktor Tupolev), Fred Dalton Thompson (Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Joshua Painter), and Courtney B. Vance (Sonar Technician Submarines Second Class Ronald Jones) Directed by John McTiernan.

Review
This film is great. Simply put, it has everything someone needs to be entertained, but learn something at least. Sean Connery is the main lead, overshadowing Baldwin, and he does a great job. Connery makes the film more big by his prominent preformance, taking some if not at least 70% of the film. The plot is good, not messed up or too hard. The film is the parallel to Top Gun, bringing light to submarines, yet this one is a better film, that would inspire sequels, but played by a different actor...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.