I have been watching so many movies lately, as I just came back from a great vacation with about 2 douzen movies to occupy me.
Here's a brief and partial rundown:
The Caine Mutiny:
It is a 1954 movie, based on the book by Herman Wouk, a friend of my family's. It is about a mutiny on an American ship during world war two, seemingly brought about by the ship's XO, who took control of the ship when the captain (played brilliantly by Humphry Bogart) froze during a crisis, and then the court marshal afterwards. Only after the ships officers are found not guilty does it come out that it was all brought about by a Lieutenant Keefer, for his own puposes.
This is one of the best acted films I've seen in a while.
It is the best acting by Humphry Bogart I've ever seen (I hated Casablanca
), and a great supporting cast, most notably Fred McMurray as Keefer, the great Jose Ferrer as Greenwald, the attorney who defends the mutinous officers and E.G. Marshal as the prosecuting attorney.
I'm surprised Bogart took the role, as the character of Captain Queeg is a nervous, paranoid, and largely incompetent man trying to hide these facts.
The movie is one of the best adaptations I've ever seen, and is simply a great movie.
8/10
Young Frankenstein:
I finaly saw this Mel Brooks 'classic'.
It was terrible. The only thing in the movie which garnered a single laugh was Gene Hackman's cameo, and even that was funny just because of the idea of a huge actor as a blind man, not because of the dialogue.
I was counting the minutes till it was over, hoping that the time on the cover included credits.
I've found that the two only Brooks' film I actualy liked were his later ones, and 'Spaceballs' and 'Robin Hood Men in Tights' are two of the funniest movies I've ever seen- but I was hugely dissapointed by 'Blazing Saddles', and thought 'The Producers' could have been so much better.
EDIT: I just remembered History of the World part one, and have to change my statement. The THREE Brooks' films I actualy liked....
How people liked this movie- I'll never know
3/10
Miller's Crossing:
In trying to complete my Coen brothers' anthology, I came across this movie which I have searched for for a year, which is like a magnet to me because of-
A. I love the Coen Brothers
B. I love Albert Finney
C. I love intelligent gangster movies
It both reached and exceded my expectations.
I found myself thinking- this is like 'Gone with the Wind' in one way- It has a deplorable main character, who you have no idea how your gonna be able to watch him/her for an entire movie, but it's worth it, just for the rare appearences by Rhett/Leo.
The gangster scenes were really done well-
When Finney punches Byrne down the stairs, and is followed by his army of gunners, you really get the feeling of his supreme authority.
Like wise, when he is attacked at his home, and he kills all of the attackers by himself, it shows you that he is a really hands on gangster (reminicent of the Irish gangster Deanie O'banion). I love the shot of Finney lying in his bed, reading a paper and listening to a record of 'Danny Boy', humming along.
The scenes with the Police and Mayor switching sides are great, and especialy how Byrne fits in each time, but on opposite sides.
A masterpiece.
That leaves only 'Barton Fink' to complete my Coen experiense.
Possibly my favorite Coen to date.
9/10
Far and Away:
A movie which story I hated just by seeing the tagline, but I still looked all over New York to get it, as it features one of John Williams greatest scores, and IMO the best Celtic music ever in a soundtrack.
I really don't have much to say about the movie. It was not a good movie, aside from a couple of impresive visuals and a very
good preformance by the always charming
Colm Meany .
Overall rating:
6/10
Accent rating:
2/10
Music Rating:
10/10
Superman:
Surprisingly enough, I found that Inever saw the entire movie before!
This, just like Far and Away, I got mainly for the great music by John Williams.
As such, I, again, didn't really pay too much attention to the movie.
As a 'Dallas' fan, I loved Larry Hagman's cameo as the Major:
[Miss Teschmacher is posing as the victim of a car wreck.]
Sergeant: She's having trouble breathing sir. What do you suggest?
Major: Um, I suggest a vigorous chest massage, and if that doesn't work, uh, mouth-to-mouth.
Sergeant: [enthusiastically] Yes, sir!
[Bends to the task. The Major pulls him to his feet.]
Major: Sergeant, I wouldn't have one of my men do something I wouldn't be prepared to do myself.
Gene Hackman was in his usual great acting mode. He is really the perfect person to play Luther, or at least the movie's Luther (He wouldn't fit as the comic book's Luther).
The music is wonderfull, with the world famous Superman theme, one which I think I'm safe in saying that it's one of the most recognisable movie themes of all times.
Overall rating:
7/10
Music rating:
9/10
I also saw 'Minority Report' again here. It just keeps getting better with repeated viewings- this time I paid special attention to Colin Farrel, who was marvelous in the movie. Best acted part in the movie, as a matter fact. He has some great expretions- I specialy love the one where he smiles to Cruise right before resuming his chase, and the great face he makes when he realizes that Cruise is in the car on the other side of the glass.
Movie Rating:
9/10
