Movie Night: Dr. No.

Review #150: Dr. No.

Cast

Sean Connery (James Bond), Ursula Andress (Honey Ryder), Joseph Wiseman (Dr. No), Jack Lord (Felix Leiter), Bernard Lee (M), Anthony Dawson (Professor R.J. Dent), John Kitzmiller (Quarrel), Zena Marshall (Miss Taro), Eunice Gayson (Sylvia Trench), Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny), and Peter Burton (Major Boothroyd) Directed by Terence Young.

Review

On October 5, 1962, a spy film was released by United Artists. This was the first James Bond film released, the 1st of 23 as of May 2012, though Skyfall will be released in October. Sean Connery is great in this flick (In fact, his great charm starts when you first see him, particularly when he says his name.), with his suave personality and smooth delivery (That would be followed by 5 other actors - George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig) that make the movie a delight. The effects may be a bit laughable, but I ignore that considering this was made with only $1 million. The film is a bit slow at times, particularly when getting to No's island. The villain is...not exactly a great villain. He is simply a man with metal claws, not even showing up until the last 25 minutes (After being mentioned all throughout), but for the first villain in the film series, he is at least somewhat evil. The other actors are decent. Andress is certainly memorable, even though her voice was dubbed. This was the only time Lord played Felix Leiter (a role that has changed more times than Bond has), and he seems to have a good rapport with Bond. Lee and Maxwell would stay onto the series longer than even Connery and become mainstays right up until the 1980's. This film has excitement in its good parts that help keep you interested. The films after this do a bit better, as Connery would do 5 more films after this. And so this ends the 150th Review. Halfway over 100 and halfway under 200, this is still a worthy achievement.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Super 8.

Review #149: Super 8.

Cast
Joel Courtney (Joseph Francis "Joe" Lamb), Elle Fanning (Alice "Allie" Dainard), Kyle Chandler (Deputy Jackson "Jack" Lamb), Riley Griffiths (Charles Kaznyk), Ryan Lee (Cary McCarthy), Ron Eldard (Louis Dainard), Caitriona Balfe (Elizabeth Lamb), Noah Emmerich (Colonel Nelec), and Bruce Greenwood (Cooper) Directed by J. J. Abrams (#009 - Star Trek)

Review
This film has one charm from American Graffiti (#141) which is that it reminds you back to the 1970's (1979 to be exact) I believe that Abrams wanted to honor Spielberg with this film, with the childlike charm with an alien and fun but with a mix of scares. The child actors are good at their roles, especially from Courtney and Fanning. The alien looks good, not really having much of a flaw as the plot is well made enough to keep you interested. It's a fun film that has wonder that can be enjoyed by everyone. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

Review #148: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

Cast
Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura), Courteney Cox (Melissa Robinson), Sean Young (Lt. Lois Einhorn / Ray Finkle), Tone Lōc (Emilio), John Capodice (Sgt. Aguado), Dan Marino, Noble Willingham (Riddle), and Troy Evans (Roger Podacter) Directed by Tom Shadyac.

Review
Jim Carrey has made some good films (The Mask, Bruce Almighty) and some bad (Yes Man, When Nature Calls) Wait, this line feels familiar...Anyway, this film is actually good (See, this line isn't that familiar to...Norbit after all) There are some good gags and lines all throughout the film. The plot may seem a bit off the wall, but it's decent enough to not be a major effect on the film. Carrey is a bit like Murphy. Both can do comedy and drama (Dreamgirls for Murphy and The Truman Show for Carrey) It's funny how both of these films are connected due to the fact that I haven't reviewed a flick with either one of these actors until now. One I regret and one I will at least remember. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Norbit.

Review #147: Norbit.

Cast
Eddie Murphy (Norbit Rice/Rasputia Latimore/Mr. Hangten Wong), Thandie Newton (Kate Thomas), Terry Crews a(Big Black Jack), Clifton Powell (Earl), Lester 'Rasta' Speight (Blue), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Deion Hughes), Eddie Griffin (Pope Sweet Jesus), and Katt Williams (Lord Have Mercy) Directed by Brian Robbins.

Review
Eddie Murphy has tried to be funny for a long time. Some (Trading Places, Coming to America, Shrek, Beverly Hills Cop) more then others (Meet Dave, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, Imagine That). This...Well, let's start small. The makeup is decent (Actually getting an Oscar nomination for it) The acting...*sigh* isn't really there. Murphy tries to do something in this flick, but it doesn't help. The main flaw with this is that it is not very inspired. It makes the same kind of joke that keeps running into the film, making you feel fun at first, but by the end, it just makes you feel chuckle very lightly. You don't feel anything for this film, you'll remember a joke or two, but only because this film causes "Movie Remember Syndrome" That is when you remember a film only because of how weird/bad/odd it is (There is an opposite to it. They call it "Good Flicks") I guess the reason some people like it is because of all the bizarre rapid fire jokes...Murphy needs to go back to the drawing board, find an actual writer, find an actual premise (for example of drama: Dreamgirls), and find a better movie. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...

Overall, I give it 4 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Goal! The Dream Begins.

Review #146: Goal! The Dream Begins.

Cast
Kuno Becker (Santiago Muñez), Alessandro Nivola (Gavin Harris), Stephen Dillane (Glen Foy), Marcel Iures (Erik Dornhelm), Anna Friel (Roz Harmison), Tony Plana (Santiago's father), Kieran O'Brien (Hughie McGowan), and Sean Pertwee (Barry Rankin) Directed by Danny Cannon.

Review
This is an unusual choice of a film to watch, but I ended up watching it, so there ya go. Anyway, the film doesn't really have much to differ from any sports film (this actually being the first one here reviewed). The acting is standard, not doing much, even for a Touchstone film. The soccer playing is allright, but this film isn't really motivating or useful. It's decent, but it isn't much after that. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4...

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Freedom Writers.

Review #145: Freedom Writers.

Cast
Hilary Swank (Erin Gruwell), Patrick Dempsey (Scott Casey), Scott Glenn (Steve Gruwell), Imelda Staunton (Margaret Campbell), John Benjamin Hickey (Brian Gelford), April Lee Hernández (Eva Benitez), Mario (Andre Bryant), Jason Finn (Marcus), and Vanetta Smith (Brandy Ross) Directed by Richard LaGravenese.

Review
At first, you wonder if this film is like other films of its kind, such as Dangerous Minds, Lean on Me and Stand and Deliver. But once you watch the film, you realize it is not. It's decently acted with the all of the relative unknowns you see, with Swank doing a good job (And if I wanted to take a shot at Dempsey, I would gladly decline due to it being too bored to do) The story is well-paced, with this film making sure it is keeping you interested with all the things that happened here and in real life. It's a good flick for something a little different. Countdown to 150 is now half over...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Review #144: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Cast
Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader), Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine / Darth Sidious), Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Christopher Lee (Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Frank Oz (Yoda), Jimmy Smits (Bail Organa), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Matthew Wood (General Grievous) and Silas Carson (Nute Gunray and Ki-Adi-Mundi) Directed by George Lucas (#113 - Star Wars, #141 - American Graffiti, #142 - Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and #143 - Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)

Review:
Greetings. I have fixed this review in terms of grammar and slight fixes to phrases in honor of the recent release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is set after this film. Enjoy this review if you can, written in Season 2 - not exactly my favorite season of Movie Night.

This is the last film of the franchise (1977, 1980, 1983, 1999, 2002, 2005) to be released by 20th Century Fox, but is it better than the two films released before it? The answer is yes. It is definitely better then The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, yet it is not as great as A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and (despite what some say) Return of the Jedi.

The acting (like the last two prequels before it) is good from some of the cast, such as Ewan McGregor, probably the best actor in this trilogy. Ian McDiarmid is consistently brilliant even with silly makeup (and some moments of full blown joke material). Natalie Portman prevails fairly enough, even if she does have to say some pretty lame lines at times that seem to border on romance novel junk. Hayden Christensen, while better than how he was in the last film is fairly servicable in the fight scenes and some of the scenes with Kenobi, still has moments to make fun of (such as nearly any scene with Portman), though it works better than the other two films. The writing is somewhat better (in the grand scheme of things), though Lucas still can't write a good love scene, nor close a movie properly without making it feel endless. Did I really need a scene of Yoda explaining that Qui-Gon Jinn found a way to retain consciousness after death? Some scenes work such as the beginning space fight, the dialogue between Anakin and Palpatine, and especially the last lightsaber fight. The scene with the younglings is certainly dark, but it still feels ridiculous, especially when Obi-Wan mentions it later (while covering his mouth with his hand). With all the action, the movie still feels short when it comes to really caring about these characters along with trying not to make fun of it. The film ends a Prequel Trilogy that will be remembered for how it could've been such more rather then what it was while the Original Trilogy will be remembered for its good, if not great quality. This is an okay movie that could've been better, but at least it is better the other two prequels, and I guess that means something. This Star Wars saga is now complete. For now.

Countdown to #150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

Review #143: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

Cast
Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), Ian McDiarmid (Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious), Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Christopher Lee (Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Frank Oz (Yoda), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker), Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble), Andy Secombe (Watto), Silas Carson (Nute Gunray and Ki-Adi-Mundi), Alethea McGrath (Jocasta Nu), Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett), and Jimmy Smits (Bail Organa) Directed by George Lucas (#113 - Star Wars, #141 - American Graffiti, and #142 - Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace)

Review
As of May 2019, this review has been superceded by a Redux Review that goes into better detail - as seen here: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2019/05/redux-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones.html

Three years after Jar-Jar ruined the world, this film tries to heal some wounds as it promised origins to help this trilogy. But does it? Kind of. It is better then The Phantom Menace, but not by much. The acting is decent from some (McGregor, Lee, Oz), but the main point of focus is what is not from Christensen and Portman. Now, Portman is not entirely bad, but as one part of the love crud in the film along with Christensen, she takes the blame. Christensen, oh Christensen. He is dull as you feel you are watching a robot as he tries to speak the dialogue. The writing is mediocre, not as magical as the Original Trilogy, with many love cliched lines that make you wonder if Lucas completely forgot how love was dealt with in The Empire Strikes Back (#114). My only question is why Lucas wants to connect the two trilogies so much. Look, you inserted 6 characters of the Original Trilogy already (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin, Papaltine C-3PO and R2-D2 plus Chewbacca in Episode III), and these two trilogies aren't really similar in style, so don't try to connect them. Either way, this film is barely better then Menace, but it has a different problem that overlays into the one from the previous one: Sappy romance and Anakin's performance.

Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7...

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

Review #142: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

Cast
Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon Jinn), Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Natalie Portman (Queen Padmé Amidala), Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker), Ian McDiarmid (Senator Palpatine / Darth Sidious), Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker), Frank Oz (Yoda), Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble), Hugh Quarshie (Captain Panaka), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Terence Stamp (Supreme Chancellor Valorum), Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Ray Park (Darth Maul), Keira Knightley (Sabé), Silas Carson  (Nute Gunray, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Lott Dod), Brian Blessed (Boss Nass), Andy Secombe (Watto), and Lewis MacLeod (Sebulba) Directed by George Lucas (#113 - Star Wars and #141 - American Graffiti)

Review
As of May 2019, this review has been superceded by a Redux Review that goes into better detail - as seen here: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2019/05/redux-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.html

After the climatic end to the Original Trilogy in 1983, the film series went into decline, with nothing following. That is until 1997, with the Special Edition releases (Which wasn't the first time the films had been changed) Anyway, this film had a huge amount of hype. 16 Years of waiting for...This. Needless to say, it was not what fans expected. The acting is decent from some (Ewan McGregor, the best of the cast. Natalie Portman also does well and Ian McDiarmid is excellent), but from others it's either a bit dull, or just...more then just dull (Such as Jake Lloyd or Amhed Best). Jar-Jar and Anakin are the main problems in the film, as they both annoy you to no end. The look of the film and the action are alright (for 1999, anyway), but it's all hampered by the fact it's CGI, making it feel unnatural. The story is meh to say the least, but it is hard to care about Qui-Gon Jinn when you don't really connect with him at all. Even the original Obi-Wan Kenobi from Episode IV was easy to relate to because his mysterious nature was intriguing, as opposed to Qui-Gon Jinn's dull nature. Darth Maul isn't an awful villain, and I guess it is nice to see a silent villain given all the other choices (Nute Gunray, who is terribly uninteresting, and the battle droids, who are about as cool looking as actual sticks.), the double bladed lightsaber is awesome even now.

Lucas tries to connect this to the Original Trilogy, but it just falls short. Midichlorians is just a silly concept (short explanation: tiny organisms in people and if you have enough of them, you're a Jedi/Sith). You know what is the best way to describe the Force and the Jedi itself actually is? This: "The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together." That quote from Episode IV is all you need to know about the Jedi because it just sounds that good. But was this as bad as everyone says? Maybe, maybe not. Overhyped is a word to describe this movie, and when something is overhyped, you get disappointed no matter how the movie is. Most of the time. We've only just begun on our journey reviewing these films. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8...

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: American Graffiti.

Review #141: American Graffiti.

Cast
Richard Dreyfuss (Curt Henderson), Ron Howard (Steve Bolander), Paul Le Mat (John Milner), Charles Martin Smith (Terry "The Toad" Fields), Cindy Williams (Laurie Henderson), Candy Clark (Debbie Dunham), Mackenzie Phillips (Carol Morrison), Wolfman Jack (Himself), Bo Hopkins (Joe Young), Manuel Padilla, Jr (Carlos), Beau Gentry (Ants), and Harrison Ford (Bob Falfa) Directed by George Lucas (#113 - Star Wars)

Review
This film is cool, pure and simple. This film is nostalgic, but not in the way that only people from the 60's can enjoy it. Anyone can feel for these characters and all the fun they do in one night. The acting's good, especially from Dreyfuss. The characters are memorable, the cars are memorable. I must mention Harrison Ford and his performance as this would begin a partnership of roles for him with Lucas. This film may not be perfect in the sense that this could film could easily be forgotten without this cast, but this is still a classic film that takes you back to when you had a load of fun all in one night.

The Countdown to 150 continues...10, 9...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Ring (2002)

Review #140: The Ring.

Cast
Naomi Watts (Rachel Keller), Martin Henderson (Noah Clay), David Dorfman (Aidan Keller), Brian Cox (Richard Morgan), Jane Alexander (Dr. Grasnik), Lindsay Frost (Ruth Embry), Amber Tamblyn (Katherine Embry), Rachael Bella (Rebecca Kotler), and Daveigh Chase (Samara Morgan). Directed by Gore Verbinski.

Review
This is a remake of a 1998 Japanese film named Ring (which was based on the novel also named Ring) Anyway, this film has some scares that don't use sneaking up on people, found footage, or gore, but by disturbing images that keep you invested. The acting's decent, with Watts doing a good job. The little kid feels like a Sixth Sense type of kid, which isn't necessary. This film feels fine, until the end. I feel this is a confusing end that makes you wonder this: Why? Why do you need this type of ending? Why not just end on a good end rather then twist end us, setting up the basis for a sequel rather then just easily close out this film that is decent, with scares, and...a setup for a sequel. The Countdown to 150 begins...10...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

Review #139: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

Cast
Spencer Tracy (Matt Drayton), Sidney Poitier (Dr. John Prentice), Katharine Hepburn (Christina Drayton), Katharine Houghton (Joanna "Joey" Drayton), and Cecil Kellaway (Monsignor Ryan) Directed by Stanley Kramer.

Review
This film was the ninth and final pairing of Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn (1st time I've reviewed a film with these two though, Hepburn's 105th Birthday being today), and they both are wonderful in this drama. It's beautifully acted, especially from Poitier. This is a well set drama that after 45 years holds up allright. But not perfectly allright. I feel that this film wants to have Poitier be too perfect (Which is actually what the director wanted) He does so much good, why would the other parents not accept him? It's a bit outdated, but it is still an allright drama.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Bedazzled (2000)

Review #138: Bedazzled.

Cast
Brendan Fraser (Elliot Richards / Jefe / "Mary" / Abraham Lincoln), Elizabeth Hurley (The Devil), Frances O'Connor (Alison Gardner / Nicole Delarusso), Orlando Jones (Daniel / Dan / Danny / Esteban / Beach Jock / Lamar Garrett / Dr. Ngegitigegitibaba), Paul Adelstein (Bob / Roberto / Beach Jock / Bob Bob), Toby Huss (Jerry / Alejandro / Beach Jock / Jerry Turner / Lance), Miriam Shor (Carol / Penthouse Hostess), Gabriel Casseus (Elliot's Cellmate), and Brian Doyle-Murray (Priest) Directed by Harold Ramis.

Review
I think this is the first time I've reviewed a remake of a film directly after I just reviewed the original film. Anyway, they both share the same title, but are they the same in quality? In a word, no. This film's flaw is that it relies on its jokes often and feels smug with them, like it automatically thinks it is funny. With the original, it made you think (A rarity in comedies) This doesn't. It tries to be good, but it just doesn't work. The acting's fine, but if I had to choose who's better with acting, the original wins. Cook is the better Devil because he's just so dang fun as the Devil while doing all these things. Hurley while being fun and evil as well just doesn't feel the same. Fraser is decent, doing what he does. Overall, this is a film that doesn't really feel like a remake. It just feels typical all in all.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Bedazzled (1967)

Review #137: Bedazzled.

Cast
Peter Cook (George Spiggott / The Devil), Dudley Moore (Stanley Moon), Eleanor Bron (Margaret), Raquel Welch (Lust / Lilian Lust), Alba (Vanity), Robert Russell (Anger), Barry Humphries (Envy), Parnell McGarry (Gluttony), Danièle Noël (Avarice), Howard Goorney (Sloth), and Michael Bates (Inspector Clarke) Directed by Stanley Donen.

Review
This film is the first I've seen of Dudley Moore, and along with Peter Cook, they make a great pair in this film. It's a bit smart with everything, trying to be just more then what you believe. It's got some good gags and all, especially when Charles makes everything go all wrong (as he is the Devil) The film may not always have a good joke around every corner, but it at least is a good film all around.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Marty.

Review #136: Marty.

Cast
Ernest Borgnine (Marty Piletti), Betsy Blair (Clara), Esther Minciotti (Ms. Piletti), Augusta Ciolli (Aunt Catherine), Joe Mantell (Angie), Karen Steele (Virginia), and Jerry Paris (Tommy) Directed by Delbert Mann.

Review
57 years ago, a director made a film adaption of the teleplay made in 1953. Anyway, this film is excellent. Borgnine does a great job, making you feel for his character (A down-to-earth guy who would win an Oscar for this role) The rest including Blair, do fine jobs. It's a wonderful touching story about love and loneliness that has not aged a bit.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Iron Man.

Review #135: Iron Man.

Cast
Robert Downey, Jr (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Terrence Howard (James "Rhodey" Rhodes), Jeff Bridges (Obadiah Stane), Shaun Toub (Yinsen), Gwyneth Paltrow (Virgina "Pepper" Potts), Faran Tahir (Raza), Paul Bettany (J.A.R.V.I.S.), Leslie Bibb (Christine Everhart), and Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson) Directed by Jon Favreau.

Review
Normally, I do not use some words to describe films here, because they don't feel right to use in that context. But I think this is an exception. In a word, this film is...Awesome. The acting is good, with Downey and Bridges doing the best jobs of this film. The action is good, with a story that changes from one act to another, along the style. The directing is good, with an alright climax that sets everything in motion, such as setting for the sequel, and setting up the arc that would lead to the Avengers, with two of which that already have been reviewed in Thor (#041) and Captain America: The First Avenger (#060).

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Review #134: Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Cast
Mike Myers (Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, Goldmember, Fat Bastard), Beyoncé Knowles (Foxxy Cleopatra), Michael Caine (Nigel Powers), Seth Green (Scott Evil), and Verne Troyer (Mini-Me), Michael York (Basil Exposition), Robert Wagner (Number 2), Mindy Sterling (Frau Farbissina), and Fred Savage (Number 3/Mole) Directed by Jay Roach.

Review
It might interest you to know that the first Austin Powers film was released on May 2, 1997 (15 years Wednesday) Anyway, this film is not as good as the second or the first. The jokes are alright, except that some of them are recycled from the last one (Even pointed out by the Osbournes of all people) Even the new ones feel a bit off, as the film wants to do more of the sense of plot, but it just doesn't feel right (One thing to note that they literally reverse the polarity in one scene) The film has a plot twist in the end which is right out of left field, which makes you wonder how the film wasn't as good as the second. It has decent acting, but it just doesn't measure up as well. And that's the 20th Review of this month, the most since July 2011 (Which had 21)

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Review #133: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Cast
Mike Myers (Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard), Heather Graham (Felicity Shagwell), Michael York (Basil Exposition), Robert Wagner (Number 2), Rob Lowe (Young Number 2), Mindy Sterling (Frau Farbissina), Seth Green (Scott Evil), and Verne Troyer (Mini-Me) Directed by Jay Roach.

Review
This film is the sequel to Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (Not reviewed here, recommended though), and yet it doesn't feel like a sequel. But either way, this if a fun flick. It's full of references and some good laughs in a film that parodies James Bond (Obviously), and yet feels like its own film. It has decent acting with enought yukes to make an allright film.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Review #132: Alice in Wonderland.

Cast
Mia Wasikowska (Alice Kingsley), Johnny Depp (The Hatter), Helena Bonham Carter (Red Queen), Anne Hathaway (White Queen), Crispin Glover (Knave of Hearts), Michael Sheen (The White Rabbit), Matt Lucas (Tweedledee and Tweedledum), Stephen Fry (Chesire Cat), Alan Rickman (Absolem the Caterpillar), Barbara Windsor (Mallymkun the Dormouse), Timothy Spall (Bayard the Bloodhound), Michael Gough (Uilleam the Dodo), and Christopher Lee (Jabberwocky) Directed by Tim Burton.

Review
Tim Burton is known for his dark films (Batman - #040), Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice - #107, Ed Wood, etc), and this is no different. It feels like a tale of fun with many things along the way. Granted, they may be CGI, but they at least do look like they were meant to be in Wonderland. Wasikowska does a good job as Alice, making you feel for her and her struggles. Depp does a good job as well, making you interested in the film. The rest of the cast (Carter, Hathaway, Sheen, Rickman, Fry) do good jobs as well. But the two that while not having lines that stand out are Lee and Gough. Lee feels like the Jabberwocky, with that still deep voice. Gough does a decent job in his final film role, doing his best. This film tries to be great, and it works until you realize that it feels like it runs into the same thing over and over again as we get a fight that doesn't feel special given all we have seen. I have not seen the other film adaptions or even the book, but this is at least a good flick.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Review #131: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Cast
Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka), Jack Albertson (Grandpa Joe), Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket), Roy Kinnear (Henry Salt), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt), Leonard Stone (Sam Beauregarde), Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde), Dodo Denney (Mrs. Teevee), Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee), Ursula Reit (Mrs. Gloop), Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop), and Diana Sowle (Mrs. Bucket) Directed by Mel Stuart.

Review
41 years, and it is a grand classic, pure and simple. This was based on the 1964 novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. However, Dahl apparently did not like this film for its focus on Wonka and not Charlie (hence the title). However, this film is still good. Look, no matter what happens, we're going to care more for Wonka then Charlie (even in the 2005 version, especially given Depp's performance in it...). Speaking of that, Wilder does great in this film. First time you see him, and he impresses you. The rest do fine. The sense of wonder is here, with all the machines and candy (with weird looking chocolate non-withstanding). It does have its scariness to a 10 with the carousel scene. While the movie does not follow the book much, it entices you anyway with a sense of fun.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Planet 51.

Review #130: Planet 51.

Cast
Dwayne Johnson (Captain Charles "Chuck" T. Baker), Justin Long (Lem), Jessica Biel (Neera), Gary Oldman (General Grawl), Seann William Scott (Skiff), and John Cleese (Professor Kipple) Directed by Jorge Blanco.

Review
This film has an alright cast, with Johnson not having to do some gimmick to attract the viewers (Such as being a Tooth Fairy, a Quarterback with daughter issues) The plot is meh to say the least. The animation is decent, with reasonable voice acting. This film is not exactly a good film, being simple, but it does manage to make you chuckle or giggle at least a few times, being enough to entertain you for at least 91 minutes. Relatively harmless, but decent enough.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Island.

Review #129: The Island.

Cast
Ewan McGregor (Lincoln Six Echo/Tom Lincoln), Scarlett Johansson (Jordan Six Delta), Sean Bean (Dr. Merrick), Djimon Hounsou (Albert Laurent), Steve Buscemi (James McCord), and Michael Clarke Duncan (Starkweather Two Delta). Directed by Michael Bay (#057 - Transformers and #058: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)

Review
This film has Michael Bay directing, so...Minus three points already (I kid, ratings don't go like that). Anyway, the film is an mix of science-fiction films such as Logan's Run and Fahrenheit 451, with a reasonable plot. The acting is good, especially from McGregor, Johansson, Buscemi, and Duncan (being important in the beginning) The beginning is interesting, making you feel invested not for the action (which comes in the second part), but for the actual plot for once. However, the action starts to seep in, and it is mediocre, as we've seen this before and before (and later and later from Bay...), with the plot unraveling a bit, yet the film still works to be an alright film.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

Review #128: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

Cast
Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt), Jeremy Renner (William Brandt), Simon Pegg (Benjamín "Benji" Dunn), Paula Patton (Jane Carter), Michael Nyqvist (Kurt Hendricks), Vladimir Mashkov (Anatoly Sidorov), Samuli Edelmann (Marius Wistrom), Ivan Shvedoff (Leonid Lisenker), Anil Kapoor (Brij Nath), Léa Seydoux (Sabine Moreau), Josh Holloway (Trevor Hanaway), Pavel Kříž (Marek Stefanski), Miraj Grbić (Bogdan), and Ilia Volok (the Fog) Directed by Brad Bird (#083 - The Iron Giant)

Review
This film is the fourth in the franchise, returning with a bang and more. The film uses its chances well, making the film look impressive (Especially with the Burj Khalifa sequence) Pegg does a good job, along with Cruise and Patton, as the film makes sure to inject a bit of humor into the film, making this a useful installment into a franchise that's still chugging after 16 years (1996 by Brian DePalma, 2000 by John Woo, 2006 by J.J. Abrams) with good directing by Brad Bird (His first live action film), making this an excellent film overall.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Rollerball.

Review #127: Rollerball.

Cast
James Caan (Jonathan E.), John Houseman (Mr. Bartholomew), Maud Adams (Ella), John Beck (Moonpie), Moses Gunn (Cletus), Ralph Richardson (Librarian), Pamela Hensley (Mackie), and Barbara Trentham (Daphne) Directed by Norman Jewison.

Review
The film is a departure from other classic sci-fi films, as its theme is not of robots, aliens, or war, but violence. But that only makes the film better as we get some decent acting from Caan, and probably the standout of the film, the rollerball scenes. They still look great to this day, with this film being the first to credit stuntmen in the credits, showing the hard work it has done for a film that while not being great (It feels slow at times), it leaves an impression on you, unlike the remake, which just...No.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Review #126: Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Cast
Rickard Dreyfuss (Roy Neary), François Truffaut (Claude Lacombe), Melinda Dillon (Jillian Guiler), Teri Garr (Veronica "Ronnie" Neary), Cary Guffey (Barry Guiler), Bob Balaban (David Laughlin), and Josef Sommer (Larry Butler) Directed by Steven Spielberg.

Review
Roughly 35 years ago, a film was released by a director who had a few films behind him but more to come. This, along with many classics signifies the 70s sci-fi. The film has good acting, with Dreyfuss being the standout of everyone. The film intrigues you in its imagination that would follow in more Spielberg films, as it fills you with wonder and more The effects by Douglas Trumbull, who I've mentioned before in Silent Running (#091) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (#093) are amazing, with everything bright yet darkly stunning at the same time. A great movie that has a lot of great things going for it and does not disappoint.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Casablanca.

Review #125: Casablanca.

Cast
Humphrey Bogart (Rick Blaine), Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa Lund), Paul Henreid (Victor Laszlo), Claude Rains (Captain Louis Renault), Conrad Viedt (Major Heinrich Strasser), Sydney Greenstreet (Signor Ferrari), Peter Lorre (Signor Ugarte), and Dooley Wilson (Sam). Directed by Michael Curitz.

Review
This film is a classic, as it has reached its 70th Anniversary, as it still entertains then and now. This was my first time watching this film (I watched it a day ago yet wrote the review a day in advance), and I like this film. I like how it get better in the last hour, with everything getting interesting and all. The acting is brilliant, with Bogart and Hepburn being the standouts. This film shows the ever good example of romance in a tale, which is...Not to over sap it. The film has romance, but it does not over ride the film into sappiness material. The film has memorable lines, a good pace, and a way to captivate audiences after 70 years.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2.

Review #124: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Ciaran Hinds (Aberforth Dumbledore), Jason Issacs (Lucius Malfoy), Julie Walters (Molly Weasley), James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley) with Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), David Thewlis (Remus Lupin), Adrian Rawlins (James Potter), Geraldine Somerville (Lily Potter), and Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick/Griphook). Directed by David Yates.

Review
This film is the final one for the week and the series of Harry Potter, and it ends with a bang, as we get closure in terms of legend in sorts. The acting takes a slight sidestep to the action, as it should be for once given the circumstances. We get some revelations and all, even if (as usual) some of the book is omitted, such as Pettigrew, Potterwatch, and some others, but that does not matter too much as the film makes sure that all the stops have been put out in a great climatic end to the films. It all ends with a farewell scene, years later, and it is rather touching, making you remember back to the first book and the wonder that it had then and now. Looking back on all eight films, it has been fun. From 2001 to 2011, (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011) there was a sense of magic and fun in the films, with a plentiful cast of good actors and all. Now that it is over, what happens now? We shall look back on the films and everything as the others hopefully go to other roles. It reminds me of another film series, The Star Wars Saga. Those actors (and the films) filled the air with wonder and adventure, as some of those actors went to fame for other roles, while others did other roles, yet they will be remembered for their roles in that series. Harry Potter will also be remembered for being a great film series, and it will live on for time to come.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.

Review #123: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Warwick Davis (Griphook), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Brendan Gleeson (Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody), Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley), John Hurt (Garrick Ollivander), Rhys Ifans (Xenophilius Lovegood), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Bill Nighy (Rufus Scrimgeour), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), and Fiona Shaw (Petunia Dursley) Directed by David Yates.

Review
This film begins the final adventure of this saga, and it figures the most important of them all gets two parts to accompany it (even though there were rumors Goblet of Fire could have been separated into two) Anyway, this film has good acting from the main three once again, with the others following nicely. The film has one abundant thing for about 30-40 minutes, and that would be in the woods. The film doesn't suffer that much from the walking, talking, and fighting. One thing I must bring up is that they cut the departure scenes out of the film, I feel that it should've been included as it bringed closure for the Dursleys and Harry, but we don't get that. The quest is a giant one, with risk at every trail. The story delves deeper and deeper, connecting things, especially from Sorcerer's Stone (Hard to believe that it was released in 2001 wasn't it?) The action is alright, as we get closer to the battle of a lifetime, with two sides fighting...And only one can win. This ends Part VII. Stay tuned for Part VIII...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Review #122: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Jim Broadbent (Horace Slughorn), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), and Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick). Directed by David Yates.

Review
This film is the last of Harry Potter's school years, as all is not well in Hogwarts, and the film is darker and better for it. The acting is good again, with Gambon, Broadbent, Felton, and Rickman being the standouts in all of this, as the film intrigues you with not just magic and wonder, but a sense of mystery and tragic nature. I think it's better then Order of the Phoenix and Goblet of Fire, just tying itself with Sorcerer's Stone. The film doesn't have much light-heartedness, as it omits the lightness to make a better film, as we get closer to the past of the wizard known as Tom Riddle. A good film that set the tone for the final parts in this great series...This ends Part VI of Harry Potter Week. Stay tuned for Part VII...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Review #121: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), and Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick). Directed by David Yates.

Review
This film tries to do the longest book in the series justice, and it...shortens it to be the second shortest film in the series. But is it still a good film? Yes, yes it is. The acting again is superb, with Stauton, Lewis, and Carter being the main standouts (Other then the main three) The plot at least lasts 2 hours (given with the long 10 minute credits), but 20 minutes is used to have a trial scene which only makes us have one thing useful: The Order and the other characters, with the trial of course being good for Harry (I've seen more fairer Trials, but that Trial had someone called the "Boneyard", I believe) Anyway, the film omits some things and cuts into other scenes to have a faster climax. I wonder why they needed this to be the shortest, they could have made it just the same length as the others, but maybe it makes a better film by having not so much of the book. At least there is some characterization for some as this film might not be the best one, but it is not the worst by a long shot (There's no real worst), as we get close to the end. This ends Part V of Harry Potter Week. Stay tuned for Part VI...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Review #120: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Brendan Gleeson (Alastor Moody), Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter), and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom). Directed by Mike Newell.

Review
This film is good, as it differs from the others in its opening, finally not having the Dursleys, getting to other things, and being a bit darker then the last, going in a pattern that would set the pattern (feels familiar...) The acting is decently good as usual, with Gleeson being the standout (With David Tennant also doing well, and...Robert Pattinson does a decent performance) The plot's decent as it tries to jam things in to make it not overlong or too short, even if it cuts things a bit (Such as in the World Cup sequence in which it just cuts out of the game) The series is now half over, we get darker and darker...This ends Part IV of Harry Potter Week. Stay tuned for Part V...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Review #119: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), David Thewlis (Remus Lupin), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Emma Thompson (Sybill Trelawney), Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew), and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) Directed by Alfonso Cuaron.

Review
This film is a departure from the previous two films, getting darker in tone and in the color (Seriously, look at the color, it looks like they made it grey-ish), and it's an alright film, setting the tone for the rest of the film series, introducing things that won't be seen in the rest of the series while introducing things that do (Werewolves + Time Travel and Lupin and Black, respectively) The acting is good as usual, with Oldman and Thewlis being the standouts. The main three characters get better and better as the film proves we didn't need a villain in a movie to make a Harry Potter film (And to keep torturing Longbottom rather then make him a character...) This ends Part III of Harry Potter Week. Stay tuned for Part IV...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Review #118: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Toby Jones (Dobby), Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley), David Bradley (Argus Filch), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) Directed by Chris Columbus (#038 -  Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and #117 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

Review
The film has good acting and an alright story, filled into...2 hours and 40 minutes. The lesson is that a film does not need that much time to make a film unless you have an excuse (Ben-Hur), or else you get an overstuffed film. My point is that this film is a bit overlong (The longest in the series next to Goblet of Fire), with a weird and partially grating character that is Dobby. The film is decent as it follows the book as usual. The reason that this film is not better then the first is because it feels similar with partially different things with longing length that still has a bit of charm. It's a good film, just not as great, but it at least sets the tone for the next film...This ends Part II of Harry Potter Week. Stay Tuned for Part III...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Review #117: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Ian Hart (Professor Quirrel), Fiona Shaw (Petunia Dursley), Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore), John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley), John Hurt (Mr. Ollivander), Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley), and Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick) Directed by Chris Columbus (#038 -  Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief)

Review
The film is of course based off the highly popular book series by J.K. Rowling, this being the first. As such, the film is a bit light hearted in tone for bits of the film, with some allright action, as it then gets dark in the later parts, where it gets better, with good acting along the way (A rare sign of good child acting) The film has a sense of wonder, with a bit of magic in the first scene (Rule of films to have something big in the beginning scenes) to help get the film started. The film omits a bit of the book, but it does a good job overall. This film begins The Chosen O- I mean Harry Potter's years of his tales and such. This begins Harry Potter Week. Part I is done. Stay Tuned for Part II....

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: To Kill a Mockingbird.

Review #116: To Kill a Mockingbird.

Cast
Gregory Peck (Atticus Finch), Mary Badham (Jean "Scout" Finch), Phillip Alford (Jem Finch), John Megna (Charles Baker "Dill" Harris), Frank Overton (Sheriff Heck Tate), Rosemary Murphy (Miss Maudie Atkinson), Ruth White (Mrs Dubose), Brock Peters (Tom Robinson), Estelle Evans (Calpurnia), Paul Fix (Judge John Taylor), Collin Wilcox (Mayella Violet Ewell), James Anderson (Robert E. Lee "Bob" Ewell), Alice Ghostley (Aunt Stephanie Crawford), and Robert Duvall (Boo Radley). Directed by Robert Mulligan.

Review
It has been fifty years since this film was released (51 since the publication of the book by Harper Lee), and it still holds up after all this time. The best acting in this film comes from the grand Gregory Peck, who does so well in his performance that he blends in after a while. The story teaches a lesson in issues (that I will not cover as I think you know it already). It is a good film, with good acting, good courtroom drama (not much of it, but still good drama), and most of all, Robert Duvall's first acting role. He may have no lines, but he still stands out in this great film.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

 
Review #115: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Cast
Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia Organa), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Papaltine), James Earl Jones and Sebastian Shaw (Darth Vader's Voice and Anakin Skywalker), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles), Frank Oz (Yoda), Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi), with Anthony Daniels with Kenny Baker (C-3PO and R2-D2, respectively) Directed by Richard Marquand.

Review
Greetings, fellow visitor. If you are looking for a proper review of this film that goes more in depth than this inferior review by me, check out the Redux - Special Edition by me, released four years later: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2016/04/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi.html

While the film isn't as great as the first two films, it is not bad either. In a way, it's a good, but not great film. The film has the good effects and the climatic Duel (II) between father and son. The acting is as good as usual, with McDiarmid stealing the show, doing a good job and all. Then of course, we come to the Ewoks. Now they do hinder the film, but they do not absolutely ruin the film. They are "cute" and odd, but they do not make the film any more horrible. The film may not be dark, but how dark can you get after Empire Strikes Back? The film was dark and all, you can't get any more dark without being pitch dark...Anyway, the film is good, as it ends the Original Trilogy, one of the greatest trilogies of all time (Before I forget: I recommend Returning to Jedi, another documentary on this film, does a lot of good stuff)

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

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: Movie Night: Redux - Special Edition: The Empire Strikes Back.
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.

Movie Night: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Review #105: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Cast
Bette Davis (Jane Hudson), Joan Crawford (Blanche Hudson), Victor Buono (Edwin Flagg), Maidie Norman (Elvira Stitt), Anna Lee (Mrs. Bates), B. D. Merrill (Liza Bates), Marjorie Bennett (Dehlia Flagg), and Dave Willock (Ray Hudson) Directed by Robert Aldrich.

Review
The film is a thriller and an excellent drama with Bette Davis doing a great job as the twisted Baby Jane (even if she looks like Betty White...). Anyway, the film delivers slight chills (Not like a horror film...A good one anyway) It's stunning, it's madness, and it's wonderful for it. The mystery develops over the film, and at the end it delivers it with a twist that's not so Shamalyan at all in the sense that it makes a good end for a good film. Hard to believe this is the first film I've seen on Davis or Crawford's. And I didn't regret seeing it one bit.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: East of Eden (1955)

Review #104: East of Eden.

Cast
Julie Harris (Abra Bacon), James Dean (Caleb Trask), Raymond Massey (Adam Trask), Richard Davalos (Aron Trask), Burl Ives (Sam the Sheriff), Jo Van Fleet (Cathy Ames/Kate Trask), and Albert Dekker (Will Hamilton) Directed by Elia Kazan.

Review
The film is based on the classic novel of the same name by John Steinbeck, even if it's only the last 80 pages, but still a good film nonetheless. Dean steals the show with his acting, his first out of three sadly. In fact, this was the only film released when he was alive. The film is a good parallel to the Cain and Abel story strangely enough. It's got good acting, good atmosphere, and a good plot to keep it going in this tragic, but satisfying film.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Review #103: Romeo + Juliet.

Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo Montague), Claire Danes (Juliet Capulet), Brian Dennehy (Ted Montague), John Leguizamo (Tybalt Capulet), Pete Postlethwaite (Father Lawrence), Paul Sorvino (Fulgenio Capulet), Diane Venora (Gloria Capulet), Paul Rudd (Dave Paris), and Vondie Curtis-Hall (Captain Prince). Directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!)

Review
Well, well, well, look what we have here. This is a "modern retelling of the classic story by William Shakespeare. And it is not a great retelling really. The casting is allright, especially with Romeo and Lawrence. However, at points it gets silly and stupid, such as the beginning scene, in which shouting is the only thing heard (And guns, so there ya go) It's a weird little film that uses the same dialouge from the play, cuts things out (such as the servent scene and others), and yet doesn't feel like a retelling. It feels like someone wanted to make Romeo and Juliet, but they were too lazy to just use the city of Verona, so they just used Verona Beach and messed around with the naming. It doesn't satisfy the modern audiance much in terms of making it big extravagence, and it doesn't impress the buffs of the play, making this an odd experiment that's point was...I don't know. Maybe it was to jump start plans for Hamlet 2000...

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Review #102: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Cast
James Stewart (Jefferson Smith), Jean Arthur (Ms. Simmons), Claude Rains (Joseph Paine), Edward Arnold (Jim Taylor), Thomas Mitchell (Diz Moore), and Guy Kibbee (Hubert Hopper). Directed by Frank Capra (#319 - It's A Wonderful Life and #456 - It Happened One Night)

Review
This film is a classic that is well acted and well done. James Stewart is the best in this film, he plays such an innocent naive man who evolves into a man who defends himself even in times of doubt and exhaustion. Arthur does great too, playing a woman who has been corrupted by greed, but she comes to come back full circle. But the one who makes his moments is Rains as the antagonist of this film. He's evolved once from a man who cared and compromised into a machine of himself. The film teaches lessons and makes it's case in a informative format. It truly is a great film after 73 years.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Glory.

Review #101: Glory.

Cast
Matthew Broderick (Colonel Robert Gould Shaw), Denzel Washington (Private Silas Trip), Morgan Freeman (Sergeant Major John Rawlins), Cary Elwes (Major Cabot Forbes), Cliff De Young (Colonel James Montgomery), Andre Braugher (Private Thomas Searles), Jihmi Kennedy (Private Jupiter Sharts), Alan North (Governor John Albion Andrew), and John Finn (Sergeant Major Mulcahy) Directed by Edward Zwick.

Review
This film is based on the 54th Infantry, led by Robert Gould Shaw, as it was the first all African American regiment in the Civil War. The film is told by Shaw's perspective, and it is a good film. The acting is good, especially from Washington (earning a Best Supporting Oscar for it) and Freeman (one of his many roles that he does great in). The film is grand with its locations, its battles, and especially its musical score, which is booming and perfect for a movie like this. The film has one flaw that some do point out. The flaw is that they focus on Shaw more, rather then the Regiment itself for about half the film. The purpose should be focusing on the Regiment, not just the man leading it, but I suppose the point was to have a unifying arc, and Shaw fits the bill. If you want a film dedicated to the Regiment, or interested in seeing a movie to honor the men and women who died in war for Memorial Day, or you just want to see a fragment of the Civil War, then this film is for you.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Blade Runner.

Review #100: Blade Runner.

Cast
Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard), Rutger Hauer (Roy Batty), Sean Young (Rachael), Edward James Olmos (Gaff), M. Emmet Walsh (Harry Bryant), Daryl Hannah (Pris Stratton), William Sanderson (J. F. Sebastian), Brion James (Leon Kowalski), Joe Turkel (Dr. Eldon Tyrell), Joanna Cassidy (Zhora Salome), James Hong (Hannibal Chew), and Morgan Paull (Dave Holden) Directed by Ridley Scott.

Review: 
Welcome fellow viewers redirected to this review due to clicking the link from the review of the sequel, Blade Runner 2049. There have been some edits made to make it feel a bit more natural, as opposed to how it was back in 2012. The original review will be included on the bottom of this edit (in italics) for anyone curious to see the differences.

This is a film that is different from other 1980s entertainment flicks (such as The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Aliens), in that it is a neo-noir that is certainly mysterious and alluring at the same time due to its visuals while also being an incredibly entertaining science-fiction film. The version that I watched is The Final Cut (with a 117 minute run-time), which Scott had complete artistic and editorial control, as opposed to the original release cut, which had voice-overs by Ford. In any case, he seems to just blend into this environment as well as one would expect from him that lends itself to making for a useful experience. The rest of the cast is also commendable, such as Hauer, particularly near the climax. The visuals are good, with fine cinematography by Jordan Cronenweth that certainly spans itself all over the film. It may not seem as fast as other films of its time, but it definitely resonates with you on numerous levels, whether emotional or intellectual. This is a classic that certainly stands out from other science-fiction or neo-noir movies, having a distinct style and influence that still stands today. The story is adapted from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Phillip K. Dick, who has had numerous stories of his adapted into movies (such as Next, Paycheck, The Adjustment Bureau, Total Recall, and Minority Report). This film has been changed from the original 1982 version (that was forced on Scott by the studio), and that's a good thing as this version is more of Scott's vision that shows how good a director he is.

This is a film that is different from other 80s flicks (Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Aliens) as it relies on it's visual side and undertones to speak a story and not just action or...voiceovers (The version I was watching is The Final Cut) Anyway, the acting is good, especially from Harrison Ford. He really blends in, as he tries to do something different from previous films. I won't remember him as much as I do Han Solo or Indiana Jones, but I at least will remember him as an alright character. The visuals are good, with good cinematography all over the film. This is a classic that why it may not be exact and like every other film, it is still a good film. This film has lasted just about 30 years, and like Tron it has gotten better with age. The story is adapted from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Phillip K. Dick, who has made many books that have been adapted into films (Next, Paycheck, The Adjustment Bureau, Total Recall, and Minority Report) This film has been changed from the original version, and that's a good thing as this version is more of Scott's vision that shows how good a director he is. And so this ends the 100th Review. I thank all who have read these reviews, and I hope for 100 more.

And so this ends the 100th Review. I thank all who have read these reviews, and I hope for 100 more.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Mutiny on the Bounty (1935).

Review #099: Mutiny on the Bounty.

Cast
Charles Laughton (Captain Bligh), Clark Gable (Fletcher Christian), Franchot Tone (Byam), Herbert Mundin (Smith), Eddie Quillan (Ellison), Dudley Digges (Bacchus), Donald Crisp (Burkitt), Henry Stephenson (Sir Joseph Banks), Francis Lister (Captain Nelson), and Spring Byington (Mrs. Byam) Directed by Frank Lloyd.

Review
Greetings fellow readers who clicked the link from the review of The Man Who Laughs, which referenced this review due to the (MS Paint) created square that displays this as the 99th review having a color scheme that was replicated for the aforementioned review in honor of it being the 999th. In any case, enjoy this review from 2012.

First off, let me say that this is a good film. It is lavish in the sense that there's many actors and such, with some being the focus, such as Gable and Laughton's characters. The acting is good, not too shabby. The historical accuracy may not be totally accurate, but then again it is based on a novel that already messed up the history of the real life events. Compare that to the 60s version of the same name with Marlon Brando, or the Mel Gibson's The Bounty, or even Errol Flynn's In Wake of the Bounty... The film is well-done, with Gable (reviewed previously by me in #094 - The Misfits) and Laughton being the main big winners here. It like I said is a good film, even with the remakes and the age of the film, being over 75 years old. Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 3, 2, 1.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Tron.

NOW SUPERCEDED: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2022/07/redux-tron.html 

Review #098: Tron.

Cast
Jeff Bridges (Sam Flynn/CLU), Bruce Boxleitner (Alan Bradley/Tron), David Warner (Ed Dillinger, Sark, Master Control Program), Cindy Morgan (Dr. Lora Baines/Yori), Barnard Hughes (Dr. Walter Gibbs/Dumont), and Dan Shor (Ram). Directed by Steven Lisberger.

Review
So as I was asking for review ideas, and this won over Blade Runner 3-2. Now does this mean anything? Probably. Or not. Anyway, this film is dazzling to the eyes, like 2001 was in 1968. The film has allright acting with a good storyline that has undertones to it. Of course this was when Disney actually did things like this (#92 - The Black Hole) Of course, I must mention the effects. Wow, they're great. They are featured most of the film, and they keep you entertained. It's a classic that was once overlooked, but it is now getting the respect it deserved. Here's to 30 years of it, and to hopefully 30 more. Of course there was a sequel, but let's not talk about it. End of Line. Countdown is now: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Small Soldiers.

Review #097: Small Soldiers.

Cast
Gregory Smith (Alan Abernathy), Frank Langella (Archer), Kirsten Dunst (Christy Fimple), Tommy Lee Jones (Chip Hazard), Phil Hartman (Phil Fimple), George Kennedy (Brick Bazooka), Jim Brown (Butch Meathook), Ernest Borgnine (Kip Killigan), Clint Walker (Nick Nitro), Bruce Dern (Link Static), Kevin Dunn (Stuart Abernathy), Ann Magnuson (Irene Abernathy), Jay Mohr (Larry Benson), David Cross (Irwin Wayfair), and Denis Leary (Gil Mars) Directed by Joe Dante.

Review
This is a bit similar to Gremlins (#096), with our lead hero releasing the villans to the world, destroying things, and ultimately losing to another toy/gremlin. But the film does try to distance itself a little, with action and slight laughs all over the film. It may be a little dark, but compare it to Gremlins, which had microwaved heads and more. This is just a cherry to that cake, really. It has excellent effects with good voice acting and standard acting that entertains you for two hours (Make that 1:50). It's not a great film, but it at least is enjoyable. Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Gremlins.

Review #096: Gremlins.

Cast
Zach Galligan (Billy Peltzer), Phoebe Cates (Kate Beringer), Hoyt Axton (Rand Peltzer), Frances Lee McCain (Lynn Peltzer), Corey Feldman (Pete Fountaine), Frank Welker (Stripe and Mogwai), Howie Mandel (Gizmo), Keye Luke (Grandfather), John Louie (Grandson), Dick Miller (Murray Futterman), Jackie Joseph (Sheila Futterman) Directed by Joe Dante (#007 - Looney Tunes: Back in Action)

Review
The film is thrilling after it begins innocently enough with little mogwai and such. The acting is standard, but we know we really are here for. The gremlins. The gremlins are excellent in effects and personality. It's a dark film, especially when the lead actress delivers why she doesn't celebrate Christmas. It's interesting when you see the Gremlins and the characters duke it out rather then see the beginning, but never the less it's still an interesting film to watch. We are close to 100 Reviews. Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Wall Street.

Review #095: Wall Street.

Cast
Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl Fox), John C. McGinley (Marvin), Terence Stamp (Sir Larry Wildman), James Karen (Harry Lynch), Hal Holbrook (Lou Mannheim), Sean Young (Kate Gekko), and James Spader (Roger Barnes) Directed by Oliver Stone.

Review
This film is a classic, pure and simple. Sheen and Douglas play each other off so well, with Douglas being the main man here, doing an excellent job, especially with his "Greed is good" Stone mixes so many things from different periods of time to get them all matched into respective characters. The one single flaw is Daryl Hannah. I don't know why, but her acting here is...Dull. I know she plays basically a lackey to Gekko, but couldn't they at least make her do a better job at it? The film is excellent in value that makes you interested and a little bit smarter at the end. We are close to 100 Reviews. Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Misfits.

Review #094: The Misfits.

Cast
Clark Gable (Gay Langland), Marilyn Monroe (Roslyn Tabor), Montgomery Clift (Perce Howland), Thelma Ritter (Isabelle Steers), and Eli Wallach (Guido) Directed by John Huston.

Review
This is an eery film, when you think about it. This was Monroe and Gable's last roles, and Clift was getting to his last few as well. It's well acted with an allright script from Arthur Miller (The Crucible, Death of a Salesman) as it does its script justice. It's ending is a little sad considering this again was the two's last roles. The film is sad, dramatic, and all around an allright film for what it's worth. We are close to 100 Reviews. Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Review #093: 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Cast
Keir Dullea (Dr. David Bowman), Gary Lockwood (Dr. Frank Poole), William Sylvester (Dr. Heywood R. Floyd), Douglas Rain (HAL 9000), Daniel Richter (Chief man-ape), Leonard Rossiter (Dr. Andrei Smyslov), Margaret Tyzack (Elena), and Robert Beatty (Dr. Ralph Halvorsen) Directed by Stanley Kubrick.

Review
Redux Review: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2018/05/redux-2001-a-space-odyssey.html

This is a spectacular film, pure and simple. It's on a grand scale all by itself that precedes all the other science fiction classics in style and form. It though is not a perfect film. It's a film that boggles the mind at points, with little dialogue (In fact the first and last 15 minutes have 0 lines of dialogue). However, this a good thing. It's a visual experience that doesn't need dialogue to explain it. That is a lesson called "Show, don't tell". I think the best part of the film is the Star sequence. It's an amazing use of the technology they had at the time, mystifying and dazzling all. Ironically it won Kubrick his only Oscar (there you can see how the Academy isn't exactly perfect). The technology in the film isn't like what would really happen in 2001, but some stuff is accurate surprisingly. But that's not the point. The point of the film is to entertain and dazzle the viewer. This one of Kubrick's many great films that truly is worth it. We are close to 100 Reviews. Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Black Hole.

Review #092: The Black Hole.

Cast
Maximilian Schell (Dr. Hans Reinhardt), Anthony Perkins (Dr. Alex Durant), Robert Forster (Captain Dan Holland), Joseph Bottoms (Lieutenant Charlie Pizer), Yvette Mimieux (Dr. Kate McCrae), Ernest Borgnine (Harry Booth), Tom McLoughlin (Captain S.T.A.R.), Roddy McDowall (V.I.N.CENT), and Slim Pickens (B.O.B.) Directed by Gary Nelson.

Review
The film is unlike other Disney films in the fact it's more suited for more then just kids. And for that reason, it succeeds. The film has special effects unlike other films, such as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The acting's standard good, and the robots are great. they're unlike other droids of their time, such as R2-D2 or Dewey. I like those droids and the others as it's imaginative and useful. The film has action, even if it is in the last 25 minutes. But it's still a good film for what it's worth. And with this review, Robot Week ends. It was great to do reviews involving robots, especially one every day. Now then, what number are we on? Number 92? We're getting closer and closer now. 10, 9, 8...This ends Part VII of Robot Week. Thank you for your appreciation.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Silent Running.

Review #091: Silent Running.

Cast
Bruce Dern (Freeman Lowell), Cliff Potts (John Keenan), Ron Rifkin (Marty Barker), Jesse Vint (Andy Wolf), with Mark Persons (Drone 1 - Dewey), Cheryl Sparks & Steven Brown (Drone 2 - Huey), and Larry Whisenhunt (Drone 3 - Louie) Directed by Douglas Trumbull.

Review
This is a simple film. And a good film indeed. It has a simple plot with simple things, but it makes up for it with its good acting and effects. I like the droids in this film, it's a creative process they used, with amputees in the roles of the droids, and this was before other films that used the process with differences. It has a simple message, to not mess around with the earth, and it has one of the saddest endings in movie history. It's a good film that delivers in being entertaining...In the mind at least. It's not a perfect film, but it is a classic that will keep living on after nearly 40 years. Now then, there's one last film left for this week. Let's see if it's got enough to end it right...10, 9...This ends Part VI of Robot Week.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Terminator Salvation.

Review #090: Terminator Salvation.

Cast
Christian Bale (John Connor), Sam Worthington (Marcus Wright), Anton Yelchin (Kyle Reese), Moon Bloodgood (Blair Williams), Bryce Dallas Howard (Kate Connor), Common (Barnes), Helena Bonham Carter (Dr. Serena Kogan/Skynet), and Michael Ironside (General Ashdown). Directed by McG.

Review
So. We have seen how the films have evolved in a sense. From a good sci-fi film, to a great sequel, to Arnold saying "Talk to the hand", to...this. The only reason that the casting credits is different from others is because this cast has done other, better films then this. This is the fourth film in this series, and it is the worst. The film feels like a prequel, as we already know who lives since the film is set years before Resse is sent back to 1984. We already know what happens, so what's the point of the film? I...don't know. It's supposed to jump start the series again, to get the action rolling. Well, you get the action, but not much else. The name of the film "Salvation" is the exact opposite of what happens. The shades in the film are brown, black, and...not much else. One of the terminator reminds me of Transformers, which doesn't make me feel better... The acting is just standard, but with no memorable actors to help, such as Arn- (He's in for one scene, with CGI. It looks really impressive for the most part) The film is standard stale, with a non-memorable plot that differs from the first 3 and has little else, actors that do standard jobs, and dull colors to make you just forget it. It makes you wonder why would anyone want a Terminator 5, considering that you really can't do much with the series anymore. Now then. Let's get to a better reality. Where are those two I asked for? Countdown stars now. 10...This ends Part V of Robot Week.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

REDUX: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2023/07/redux-terminator-3-judgement-day.html

Review #089: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator / T-800), Nick Stahl (John Connor), Kristanna Loken (T-X), Claire Danes (Kate Brewster), David Andrews (Robert Brewster, USAF), and Mark Famiglietti (Scott Mason). Directed by Jonathan Mostow.

Review
This is a film I had forgotten to review a while long ago (man that sounds redundant), and so I will do it justice. As such, let us see if this film is any better then the two before it. And in a few words it is not so. It's a decent film, as it has action to entertain you. The plot is not as interesting as the first two, but the film at least doesn't make that happen on purpose. It tries hard to revive the series, and it succeeds. The film isn't as good as the first two, but it is at least decent. This film basically sells all that the first two did in story all to just to revive this franchise, So...We have 3 films in which the Terminator is our real hero, and now we have a fourth on our hands. Who's the hero? Batman? Oh wait, that Batman...What's the name? Salvation. Huh. Fitting title, isn't it? This ends Part IV of Robot Week.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Short Circuit.

Review #088: Short Circuit.

Cast
Ally Sheedy (Stephanie Speck), Steve Guttenberg (Newton Crosby, Ph.D), Fisher Stevens (Ben Jabituya), Austin Pendleton (Dr. Howard Marner), G. W. Bailey (Captain Skroeder), Tim Blaney (Number 5), Brian McNamara (Frank), and Marvin J. McIntyre (Duke) Directed by John Badham.

Review
It figures to have an 80s flick be in Robot Week. No, not that one. But you get this flick. And so we have a story that's easy thin for the most part, but of course who could predict this story? No one? Any one? Oh wait, no one's here...Anyway, this film at least has some enjoyment, with it's gags and slight robotic-ness, which at least will make you remember. Heck, I was going to review without watching, as I already could remember the gags and such, but I decided to watch. The acting's standard, and the robot looks decent for the most part. This ends Part III of Robot Week.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Robots.

Review #087: Robots.

Cast
Ewan McGregor (Rodney Copperbottom), Halle Berry (Cappy), Greg Kinnear (Phineas T. Ratchet), Mel Brooks (Bigweld), Robin Williams (Fender Pinwheeler), Amanda Bynes (Piper Pinwheeler), Drew Carey (Crank Casey), Jennifer Coolidge (Aunt Fanny), Harland Williams (Lug), Jim Broadbent (Madame Gasket), Dianne Wiest (Lydia Copperbottom), Stanley Tucci (Herb Copperbottom), Natasha Lyonne (Loretta Geargrinder), and Paul Giamatti (Tim the Gate Guard) Directed by Chris Wedge.

Review
The film starts out well, with an innocent plot, simple and standard, yet alright. The last part it gets better, albeit slightly predictable. Yet it's still a decent film. Why? The animation is well done, making it look like a robotic city, impressing you enough to just make you forget about the story a little, and with all the voices they used, it makes you like the film, even if it is short and slightly predictable. This ends Part II of Robot Week.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: I, Robot.

Review #086: I, Robot.

Cast
Will Smith (Det. Del Spooner), Bridget Moynahan (Dr. Susan Calvin), Alan Tudyk (Sonny), Bruce Greenwood (Lawrence Robertson), James Cromwell (Dr. Alfred Lanning), Chi McBride (Lt. John Bergin), Shia LaBeouf (Farber), Fiona Hogan (VIKI), Terry Chen (Chin), and Adrian Ricard (Granny). Directed by Alex Proyas.

Review
The film is an actioned packed "adaptation" of a book, and it's still decent. There I said it. I like this film. Not like in the sense of a great film, just decently good. It's an action flick that at least makes you think, if only for about a few seconds. The acting is good, especially from Smith, showing one again he can carry a film. It's good fun and it does a decent job at being a film with decent effects that make it seem futuristic (Set in 2035), and a balenced film all around. It may not be a great film, but it at least is entertaining enough (With Will Smith as your lead, you can not fail) This begins Robot Week, and ends Part I. A film reviewed every day involving robots in each of the films.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Duck Soup.

Review #085: Duck Soup.

Cast
Groucho Marx (Rufus T. Firefly), Harpo Marx (Pinky), Chico Marx (Chicolini), Zeppo Marx (Lt. Bob Roland), Margaret Dumont (Mrs. Gloria Teasdale), Louis Calhern (Ambassador Trentino of Sylvania), Raquel Torres (Vera Marcal), Edgar Kennedy (Lemonade vendor), Edmund Breese (Former President Zander), and Edwin Maxwell (Former Secretary of War) Directed by Leo McCarey.

Review
This is a classic comedy film, pure and simple. It was underrated in the 30's, but it has developed a rating of highness as time goes by. Things get better as they grow old, and new people like myself will like the first time they see it. It's funny to the last. My favorite scene is the mirror scene as it just makes me giggle as the scene progresses. I recommend it for comedy buffs as it is a comedy all around. Happy New Years.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Tootsie.

Review #084: Tootsie.

Cast
Dustin Hoffman (Michael Dorsey / Dorothy Michaels / Emily Kimberly / Edward Kimberly), Jessica Lange (Julie Nichols / Nurse Charles), Teri Garr (Sandra "Sandy" Lester), Dabney Coleman (Ron Carlisle, The Soap Opera Director), Bill Murray (Jeff Slater, Michael's Room-Mate), Charles Durning (Leslie "Les" Nichols, Julie's Father), Sydney Pollack (George Fields, Michael's Talent Agent), George Gaynes (John Van-Horn / Dr. Medford Brewster), Geena Davis (April Page), Doris Belack (Rita Marshall), Lynne Thigpen (Jo), and Estelle Getty (The Middle Aged Woman) Directed by Sidney Pollack.

Review
This is one of those classic comedies that always leaves a imprint on you, if not a memory of it. This was my first time watching it, and I feel the film works well. The acting is good, so good for Jessica Lange that she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, actually the whole thing got Oscar Nominations all aroung the board, winning just one. The film is balenced as it is a good film to watch all around.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Iron Giant.

Review #083: The Iron Giant.

Cast
Eli Marienthal (Hogarth Hughes), Vin Diesel (The Iron Giant), Jennifer Aniston (Annie Hughes), Harry Connick, Jr (Dean), Christopher McDonald (Kent Mansely), and John Mahoney (General Rogard) Directed by Brad Bird.

Review
This film is based on The Iron Man, by Ted Hughes. Now then, this film is a Dis-No wait, it's a Warner Bros Animated film. This film is beautifully animated, with a good story and good lessons to go along with it. This is the start for Brad Bird, who would go on to win 2 Best Animated Feature Oscars for Pixar (The 2 films I just listed) The robot is really cool looking, it is the main attraction that gets the screen-time, but the beauty of the film is that it makes you wait for it, savoring the fun for all. It's a throwback to the 50's, with Duck and Covers, the style, and other little stuff in there. A recommended film. This starts Season 2 (Which lasted from December 20, 2011 - December 19, 2012)

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Christmas with the Kranks.

Review #082: Christmas with the Kranks.

Cast
Tim Allen (Luther Krank), Jamie Lee Curtis (Nora Krank), Dan Aykroyd (Vic Frohmeyer), Julie Gonzalo (Blair Krank), M. Emmet Walsh (Walt Scheel), Elizabeth Franz (Bev Scheel), Erik Per Sullivan (Spike Frohmeyer), and Cheech Marin (Officer Salino) Directed by Joe Roth.

Review
It feels...not fitting for this film review to be the season finale of Season 1 of reviewing films here on Movie Night. Oddly enough, this film was based off a John Grisham novel, Skipping Christmas. Anyway, this film tries to sell us on the Kranks, and I personally feel the film makes the neighbors a little too crazy, as they just don't leave the Kranks alone. It's more fun to see the neighbors losing then to see the actual ending (The last few minutes tries to make Luther look like a jerk, who (of course) warms up but it feels like a cliche, which is full in this film) The film has decent acting, as Curtis and Allen work well together. But the film feels so...Off. It tries so hard to work everything up to be funny and heartwarming, yet the film just doesn't fall into place. You never feel like you should care at all about why they are skipping Christmas, because you just can't care about any of this. No one comes off as sympathetic, because no one seems natural in their motivations.

Overall, I give it 4 out of 10 stars.