Monday, May 28, 2012

Escape from the Planet of the Apes


Princey 9

MOVIE REVIEW OF Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) G
Cast
Director
Don Taylor
Runtime: 1hrs 38min ( 98min)
Cornelius ..... roddy mcDowall
Zira ..... kim hunter
dr. lewis dixon ..... bradford dillman
dr. stephanie branton ..... natalie trundy
dr. otto hesslein ..... eric braeden
armando ..... ricardo montalban
the president ..... william windom
milo ..... sal mineo
e-1 ..... albert salmi
e-2 ..... jason evers
commission chairman ..... john randolph
general winthrop ..... harry lauter
aide ..... m. emmet walsh
lawyer ..... roy e. glenn sr.
cardinal ..... peter forster
army officer ..... norman burton
naval officer ..... william woodson
orderly ..... tom lowell
marine captain ..... gene whittington
curator ..... donald elson
TV newscaster ..... bill bonds
referee ..... army archero
general faulkner ..... james bacon

PLOT SUMMARY

In this installment of Planet of the Apes, there are only 2 ape characters (technically 4 in all...watch the movie and you'll understand). Cornelius (once again played by Roddy McDowall) and Zira (as always, Kim Hunter). They have traveled back in time to the 20th century, as was the intent of both Taylor and Brent in Beneath the Planet of the Apes. They find it necessary to reveal just who they are and what they can do. There are two scientists (Bradford Dillman and Natalie Trundy) who try to help them and are sympathetic. However, in the spirit of the fact that you need conflict for a movie, there are those who don't want the end of the previous movie to become the reality. Those people propose that Cornelius and Zira be sterilized. On top of that, we discover that Zira is pregnant. Of course, the unborn child must be aborted.

This is the first of the POTA movies in which Charlton Heston does not make an appearance (except briefly in a flashback...about a half second).

TECH INSPECTION

So far, this is my favorite of the Planet of the Apes movies. Nonetheless, I still refrain from giving it a 10 meow rating. I do try to reserve those for my absolute favorite choices. None of the Planet of the Apes movies to this point have evolved to this level.

Watching this movie reminded me of a couple of different Star Trek episodes where Captain Kirk and his landing party beamed down to 20th century Earth. Of course, most fish-out-of-water movies are somewhat amusing, and this movie does not disappoint. Whereas all POTA movies are intended to be rather serious dramas, this one has more humor-spots than the others so far in the series.

I guess I just have to find a flaw in everything, so here it is...although ever so minor.

The ship that the apes arrive in is intact. So much so as to have been capable of the return trip to the 20th century. This ship is referred to as the one previously manned by Colonel Taylor. However, in the original movie, that particular ship was flooded, and the hatch was blown off...literally.

The ending to this one (don't worry, I'm not going to give anything away), as seems to be characteristic of these movies, lends itself undeniably to another follow-up sequel. A.k.a. a cliffhanger is involved. It would be criminal not to do so, and it would render this ending unworthy of the 9 meow rating I am awarding it.

So then...prepare yourself for Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, coming soon...

QUOTES
Finally, a short list of quotes I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:
  • I did not call her mad. I merely ask her if she was. ~ Milo
  • I like you. ~ Zira
  • Does the other one talk? ~ Commission Chairman Only when she lets me. ~ Cornelius
  • Your luggage, ma'am? ~ Redcap Of course it's mine! ~ Zira
  • May I measure your inside leg, sir? ~ Shop Taylor NO! ~ Cornelius
  • Would we have approved killing [Hitler] in babyhood when he was still innocent? Or killing his mother when he was still in her womb? Or slaughtering his remote ancestors? ~ The President
  • [Man] might kill his brother, but he could not kill his dog. ~ Cornelius
  • Well. It's sort of like grape juice plus. ~ Dr. Dixon
  • Aren't we rude enough to each other without having to be rude to animals? ~ Armando
  • Now I want them taken, yes...but taken alive. Is that clear? ~ The President
Here is my personal rating of this movie. This rating is out of ten meows.
cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2 9/10

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Time of Your Life


Princey 2

MOVIE REVIEW OF The Time of Your Life (1948)
Cast
Director h. c. potter Runtime: 1hr 49min (109min)
joseph t. ..... james cagney
nick ..... william bendix
tom ..... wayne morris
kitty duval ..... jeanne cagney
krupp ..... broderick crawford
mcCarthy ..... ward bond
kit carson ..... james barton
harry ..... paul draper
mary l. ..... gale page
dudley raoul bostwick ..... james lydon
willie ..... richard erdman
arab philosopher ..... pedro de cordoba
wesley ..... reginald beane
tippler ..... john 'skins' miller
freddy blick ..... tom powers
society lady ..... natalie schafer
society gentleman ..... howard freeman
lorene smith ..... renie riano
elsie mandelspiegel ..... nanette parks
nick's mother ..... grazia narciso
'killer' ..... claire carleton
side kick ..... gladys blake
newsboy ..... lanny rees
nick's daughter ..... marlene aames

PLOT SUMMARY

Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan, this movie can be easily imagined being performed on the stage.

Joe (James Cagney) is the quintessential people watcher. He does things without specific purpose just because he can, and he enjoys what he does. That's what life is to him...doing what gives you kicks, no matter how useless those things may seem to others.

Every type of person stops in at Nick's Saloon, and this is without a doubt the reason why Joe is there constantly to do his people watching. Among some of the highlighted characters Joe sees on this particular day include a terrific tap dancer (Paul Draper-- a real life dancer and choreographer) looking for a spot in the entertainment section of the Pacific Street Saloon. Unfortunately for everyone, along with the dancing comes a unique form of comedy which reminds you more of a poetry reading at a beatnik coffee house.

Another constant is a desperate young man (James Lydon) who is helplessly in love and is waiting for his girl while contemplating his own life's meaning.

We meet a starving black fellow looking for a job. And, oh yeah...did I mention that he's pretty good on the old ivories?!

And I won't forget the young college boy who gets his spotlight in the story by winning six nickels at the pinball machine.

TECH INSPECTION

This movie is produced by James's brother William Cagney and features his sister Jeanne as Kitty Duval, a wannabe actress.

Seinfeld has been described as the show about nothing. Well that, in my opinion, is a misnomer, as there is an actual plot to each episode. More accurately, there are several sub-plots without a main storyline. Not so with The Time of Your Life. This really is a movie about nothing in particular. However it is one of the best uses of characterization I have ever seen. In fact, the movie itself is not much more than 2 hours of characterization. And I mean that in the most respectful and fascinating way.

James Cagney pulls off this role like it is second nature to him. This part fits him like a shoe, as easily as his signature gangster parts, yet completely different.

QUOTES
Finally, a short list of quotes I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:
  • What's the dream now...? ~ Joe
  • Be of help? What kind of help could she be of? ~ Dudley Raoul Bostwick
  • I don't even like to walk...I guess it's because I never got anywhere walking. ~ Joe
  • Well I can be funny, but they won't laugh. ~ Harry
  • I believe dreams sooner than statistics. ~ Joe
  • I don't suppose you ever fell in love with a midget weighing 39 pounds. ~ Murphy
  • It takes an awful lot of rehearsal for a man to be himself. ~ Joe
Here is my personal rating of this movie. This rating is out of ten meows.
cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2 10 /10 and I'd give it more if I could.

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

On Her Majesty's Secret Service


Simba 8

MOVIE REVIEW OF On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) PG
Cast
Director peter r. hunt Runtime: 2HRS 22MIN (142MIN)
james bond ..... george lazenby
tracy di vicenzo ..... diana rigg
ernst stavro blofeld ..... telly salavas
marc ange draco ..... gabriele ferzetti
irma bunt ..... ilse steppat
ruby bartlett ..... angela scoular
miss moneypenny ..... lois maxwell
nancy ..... cathrina von schell
sir hilary bray ..... george baker
m ..... bernard lee
shaun campbell ..... bernard horsfall
q ..... desmond llewelyn
grunther ..... yuri borienko
olympe ..... virginia north
toussaint ..... geoffery cheshire
che che ..... irvin allen
raphael ..... terry mountain
gumbold ..... james bree
hammond ..... john gay
the scandinavian girl ..... julie ege
the chinese girl ..... mona chong
the jamaican girl ..... sylvana henriques
the american girl ..... dani sheridan
the english girl ..... joanna lumley
the indian girl ..... zara
the australian girl ..... anoushka hempel
the german girl ..... ingrit back
the israeli girl ..... helena ronee
the irish girl ..... jenny hanley

PLOT SUMMARY

The movie begins with a couple meetings (not exactly formal or cordial) between Bond (George Lazenby) and a girl (Diana Rigg)...imagine that. After Bond's usual one night stand with said beautiful woman, he is dragged off at gunpoint ot meet Marc Draco (Gabriele Farzetti), owner of several legitimate businesses, head of the second biggest crime ring in the world (the biggest being SPECTRE), and father of the aforementioned girl, Tracy.

Draco offer his connections to reveal the whereabouts of SPECTRE's leader, Ernst Blofeld (Telly Savalas) and one million pounds in gold in exchange for Bond taking Tracy's hand in Holy Matrimony.

In the next moment, M informs Bond that he is relieving Bond of the Blofeld case. This induces Bond to have Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) present M with his resignation. M grants his request...for 2 weeks leave...and the real story begins...

Bond is allowed to pursue the task of tracking down Blofeld, which leads him to the secretive Bleuchamp Institute for Allergy Research in Switzerland where he meets up with lots of women...not all beautiful...some downright evil.

The rest of the movie is full of action and story spoilers and Bond-type love affairs.

TECH INSPECTION

One of the better theme songs, even without lyrics.

Interesting to note: During research for his cover for later in the story, Bond is exposed to his family coat of arms. The banner at the bottom translates into The World is Not Enough, the title of Bond movie #19, starring Pierce Brosnan.

Not really a whole lot up for comment on this film except that it seems to me to have one of the easier plots to follow even though there is a lot going on.When the action starts, the plot slows down so your entire brain doesn't have to work overtime, all the time, all at the same time.

One personal observation and a last attempt to get you to watch this movie: I think the chandeliers at the Institute look like the potatoes in a box of Betty Crocker instant scalloped potatoes!

And as Lt. Columbo would say, just one more thing...watch this movie up until the very last moment...it's all relevant up until the final closing credits.

QUOTES
Finally, a short list of quotes I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:
  • This never happened to the other fellow ~ James Bond
  • Life's too short for tomorrow... ~ Marc Draco
  • There's no hurry, you see. We've got all the time in the world. ~ James Bond
Here is my personal rating of this movie. This rating is out of ten meows.
cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2 7 /10

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Monday, May 14, 2012

Beneath the Planet of the Apes


Princey 7

MOVIE REVIEW OF Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) G
Cast
Director ted post Runtime: 1hrs 35min ( 95min)
brent ..... james franciscus
zira ..... kim hunter
dr. zaius ..... maurice evans
nova ..... linda harrison
mendez ..... paul richards
fat man ..... victor buono
ursus ..... james gregory
caspay ..... jeff corey
albina ..... natalie trundy
minister ..... thomas gomez
cornelius ..... david watson
ongaro ..... don pedro colley
skipper ..... tod andrews
verger ..... gregory sierra
gorilla sergeant ..... eldon burke
lucius ..... lou wagner
taylor ..... charlton heston

PLOT SUMMARY

It is the year 3955, and Taylor (Charlton Heston) from the original film has been captured and held by the growing civilization of highly evolved apes on what we now know to be the planet Earth. A two man rescue ship has been sent in his path to find and return him. One of the two men dies shortly after landing on the planet, and the survivor, Brent (James Franciscos), is left to complete the mission alone.

Complications ensue when Brent finds the apes in total war mode and a secret deadly weapon pops up in the hands of the humans, who consider even Brent and Taylor to be enemies of them.

TECH INSPECTION

The plot of this installment of the Planet of the Apes franchise begins on the road to success for this critic. Throughout the movie, the story builds, as it should, in plot and character, although most characters have already been established from the original movie. The suspense builds and continues right up until the climax of the movie. And then...it just dies. Right there in front of you. The resolution lasts no more than a half-minute. Then the final credits run with no audio accompaniment. You have to have the credits or else you might not realize that the movie is actually over. One of the worst endings I have seen for any movie, good or bad.

A small, but key, point at the end of the movie lies in a group of clear to lightly colored crystals used to manipulate the chief weapon of the humans. These crystals are suspiciously similar to those possessed and used by Clark Kent in the movie Superman.

Just like so many other sequels to so many other highly successful movies, I find Beneath the Planet of the Apes to be a huge disappointment. Two reasons take credit as the major contributing factors in this opinion. First is the extremely weak ending to what had potential as a very good story. The second is the absence of Roddy McDowall as Cornelius. Fortunately, he returns in the other three iterations. Yay!

QUOTES
Finally, a short list of quotes I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:
  • And you shall have it, Doctor Zaius, or I shall hit her again. ~ Cornelius
  • You bloody bastard! ~ Taylor
Here is my personal rating of this movie. This rating is out of ten meows.
cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2 7/10

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Monday, May 7, 2012

Six Pack


Butterscotch 8

MOVIE REVIEW OF Six Pack (1982) PG
Cast
Director daniel petrie Runtime: 1hrs 48min ( 108min)
brewster baker ..... kenny rogers
breezy / heather ..... diane lane
lilah ..... erin gray
sheriff ..... barry corbin
terk ..... terry kiser
diddler ..... bob hannah
louis ..... tom abernathy
little harry ..... robbie fleming
doc ..... anthony michael hall
swifty ..... robbie still
steven ..... benji wilhoite
himself ..... buddy baker
hank ..... gary mcGurrin
stan ..... charles kahlenberg
harley ..... roy tatum
pensey ..... terry l. beaver
clarence ..... ernest dixon
hippie #1 ..... jay mcMillan
hippie #2 ..... tim bays
jake ..... barney johnston
waitress ..... ruthann leatherwood
announcer ..... john buren
TV commentator ..... chris economaki
TV commentator #2 ..... chuck woolery
man walking in front of brewster and lilah ..... burt reynolds

PLOT SUMMARY

Brewster Baker (Kenny Rogers) is a professional race car driver who, after an accident at Talladega and a 2 year hiatus from the racing circuit, is trying to get back on track, literally and figuratively. On his way, he meets up, through no choice of his own, with six orphaned siblings who make it a habit of stripping cars for the corrupt local sheriff (Barry Corbin). As much as he tries, Baker can't shake the kids. So what other option does he have with a six pack of car experts? Why bring them along for his pit crew, of course!

Things really get complicated when Baker is offered a spot as a national driver at the Atlanta 500 Grand National Race, while at the same time, the sheriff is tracking the kids for running out on him. And if that's not enough, some of Baker's old racemates such as The Terk Logan (Terry Kiser) are out for revenge in the form of sabotage.

TECH INSPECTION

First off, kudos the the fantastic racing scenes. PA announcing makes the movie all that more authentic.

Kenny Rogers brings his country-boy wit and charm to the big screen in a role that I enjoyed even more than The Gambler--although they are two completely different types of movies and plots.

I won't spoil it by telling you how it ends, although about half way through, you could probably guess what happens. the storyline is anything but unpredictable, but that is not a bad thing this time. All I will say is that no matter how many times I watch it, one scene toward the end never fails to bring real tears to my eyes.

You will enjoy the pre-career appearances by Diane Lane and Anthony Michael Hall, as well as the mentioning of Dale Earnhardt and Ricky Rudd in the 1st and 2nd positions at Atlanta.

One little note, I was awakened to the fact, while watching this movie, that an uncanny amount of stupid, klutzy sidekicks in the movies are named Otis. Just an observation. And of course, this review would not be complete without the mention of the unforgettable soundtrack. It's killer!

Finally, a personal request. Please watch this movie. For Me!

QUOTES
Finally, a short list of quotes I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:
  • You gonna die, mister? ~ Little Harry Oh God, I hope so. ~ Brewster
  • Damn. Mister, you look like shit. But put 'er there anyhow. ~ Swifty
  • Oh shit! ~ Swifty That ain't no lie. ~ Louis
  • Listen, if I can't fix it, it ain't broke. Take it easy, mister. ~ Doc
  • You got the tires? ~ Doc Does a wild bear shit? ~ Louis
  • You no-good, rotten, washed up, black-hearted, back stabbin', alky bum...We coulda' been great together. ~ Swifty
  • Last week's old times? ~ Brewster
  • Sit on him, Louis! ~ Steven
  • Sheriff John Stone. I'm here to pick up my chargees...an' run 'em back to Texas. ~ Brewster
  • He had to shake the dew off his lily. ~ Swifty
  • The Lord knows that. Just tell him to get here quick! ~ Heather
  • No shit, Dick Tracy! ~ Little Harry
Here is my personal rating of this movie. This rating is out of ten meows.
cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2 10/10

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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Planet of the Apes


Princey 11

MOVIE REVIEW OF Planet of the Apes (1968) G
Cast
Director franklin j. schaffner Runtime: 1hrs 52min ( 112min)
george taylor ..... charlton heston
cornelius ..... roddy mcDowall
zira ..... kim hunter
dr. zaius ..... maurice evans
president of the assembly ..... james whitmore
honorious ..... james daly
nova ..... linda harrison
landon ..... robert gunner
lucius ..... lou wagner
maximus ..... woodrow parfrey
dodge ..... jeff burton
julius ..... buck kartalian
hunt leader ..... norman burton
dr. galen ..... wright king
minister ..... paul lambert

PLOT SUMMARY

After 18 months in space, George Taylor crash lands his spacecraft on an unknown planet. According to theory, and confirmed by instruments, the outside world has aged nearly 2000 years. All signs indicate that they are now living in the year 3978. Unfortunately, the female crew member has died in her sleep chamber (which is important later in the movie). This leaves Taylor and his other two crew members to navigate this strange planet with only 3 days of rations left in their survival packs.

A short time into the movie, Taylor and his crewmen are attacked. This is when they realize that on this planet, apes are the dominant species, and humans are the inferior race. From there, the story becomes Taylor's attempts to survive capture and to escape the holds of the talking ape civilization. Fortunately, there are a few apes who actually care for all species.

For those who have not seen the movie, or heard its reputation, I will not offer spoilers. But wait it out until the end...the twist is eye-opening.

TECH INSPECTION

It's always hard not to compare one movie against another instead of on it's own merits and pitfalls. And I found it no different with Planet of the Apes. I was constantly telling myself how the 2001 remake is so inferior to the original. So to keep from harping on these differences, I have focused on one aspect which stuck out for no particular reason to me. Unlike many time-altering movies, the small details of this one are not overlooked. For instance, after several months in a sleep chamber, the male crew members have grown beards, and after a dip in a lake, their pants are really wet...and stay that way. Pretty good for a 1968 flick, wouldn't you say?

One other note: This movie has a rating of G. Of course, by 1968 standards, this was probably common. However, today I would guess the sticky academy would plop a rating of PG, or even PG-13 on it for the brief shots of Charlton Heston's naked rear end!

QUOTES
Finally, a short list of quotes I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:
  • He's prepared to die. Ha! Chalk up another victory for the human spirit. ~ Taylor
  • I can't help but thinking somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be. ~ Taylor
  • Man has no understanding. He can be taught a few simple tricks. Nothing more. ~ Dr. Zaius
  • Take your stinkin' paws off me you damn dirty ape! ~ Taylor
  • Some apes, it seems, are more equal than others. ~ Taylor
  • All men look alike to most apes. ~ Zira
  • Somehow it makes you look less intelligent. ~ Cornelius
Here is my personal rating of this movie. This rating is out of ten meows.
cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2cat head 2 8/10

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