cult film freak: January 2015

Written by James M. Tate / 1/31/2015 / No comments / adventure , alec guinness , eighties , espionage , jason robards , richard jordan

RAISE THE TITANIC

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWpjyr6TZTU/VM2ZiQdXgfI/AAAAAAAAmeE/1XyTTcbbFUs/s1600/r0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWpjyr6TZTU/VM2ZiQdXgfI/AAAAAAAAmeE/1XyTTcbbFUs/s1600/r0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1980 cast: Jason Robards, Richard Jordan, David Selby, Alec Guinness, Anne Archer rating: ***1/2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wx2Z4TMOyAk/VM2ZnNxk8yI/AAAAAAAAmeM/SsKJY2kN3Q4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wx2Z4TMOyAk/VM2ZnNxk8yI/AAAAAAAAmeM/SsKJY2kN3Q4/s320/2.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insert Artwork</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VZySQ643pM/VM2Zr2ZTp7I/AAAAAAAAmeU/-_9Qcv6ObAg/s1600/MV5BMTY5MTQwNzMxNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzkwOTMyMQ%40%40._V1_SY317_CR6%2C0%2C214%2C317_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VZySQ643pM/VM2Zr2ZTp7I/AAAAAAAAmeU/-_9Qcv6ObAg/s200/MV5BMTY5MTQwNzMxNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzkwOTMyMQ%40%40._V1_SY317_CR6%2C0%2C214%2C317_AL_.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alternate Artwork</td></tr>
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That cringe-worthy moment in James Cameron’s TITANIC, when the fat shaggy tech shows old Rose the computerized reenactment of how the ship busted down the middle saying “Cool, huh?” was actually quite a revelation, given the makers of RAISE THE TITANIC, sixteen years earlier, had they known of or cared about this important fact, couldn't fictionally create enough waterproof epoxy to fix the vessel so she could rise to the surface, catapulting a glorious third act... And we begin with a sparse Cold War espionage template: Our McGuffin is a mysterious rare mineral that one of the passengers was secretly transporting when Titanic sunk to an infamous icy doom.  <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XOFdfA8JNc/VM098mWRPaI/AAAAAAAAmdM/qLbf2qPn-zM/s1600/9402_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XOFdfA8JNc/VM098mWRPaI/AAAAAAAAmdM/qLbf2qPn-zM/s1600/9402_1.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason Robards</td></tr>
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Jason Robards receives first billing yet the buried leads are Richard Jordan and David Selby: One doesn’t want the Russians to get to the mineral, which could create a powerful weapon, the other wants America to have all the bad-goods. Meanwhile Anne Archer, a journalist back home, is torn between both polar opposites...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AU8I9VXa8aA/VM1muJXT2LI/AAAAAAAAmds/8zjmYAIvsgM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AU8I9VXa8aA/VM1muJXT2LI/AAAAAAAAmds/8zjmYAIvsgM/s200/1.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shout Factory Artwork</td></tr>
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But a love interest is about as necessary as facts and reality with deep-diving sequences and the titular payoff, balanced by a peripheral Russian subplot and a few close calls for the underwater capsule squad. Seasoned veterans Alec Guinness, as a 1912 survivor holding an important key for the search, and a stalwart Robards, connecting the two younger men with thoughtful wisdom, are merely passengers to the remarkable special effects... Although the characters <i>are</i> interesting and don’t get entirely lost in the splash. <br />
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After a while, the diving scenes become somewhat tedious… there’s only so much to see under there… and yet, like already numerously mentioned, when the big ship emerges it’s quite a site. Unbelievable and impossible, sure, but let's toast old school models, matte paintings, a John Barry soundtrack reminiscent of his BLACK HOLE fanfare overture, and another excellent Shout Factory Blu Ray/DVD combo, delivering another “Oh yeah, <i>that</i> movie” into our living room.  <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xyb1YfRwi5E/VM07o4efc2I/AAAAAAAAmcg/NhZW08_KQ8E/s1600/r1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xyb1YfRwi5E/VM07o4efc2I/AAAAAAAAmcg/NhZW08_KQ8E/s1600/r1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matte Painting of the returning Titanic in RAISE THE TITANIC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EpVtKCxjWw/VM07o4rf9pI/AAAAAAAAmck/a3eguoEWW5w/s1600/r2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EpVtKCxjWw/VM07o4rf9pI/AAAAAAAAmck/a3eguoEWW5w/s1600/r2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Titanic returns to port under a bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDb4vyQRiLU/VM07o0vtGhI/AAAAAAAAmc4/uR0lYkK-6QM/s1600/r3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDb4vyQRiLU/VM07o0vtGhI/AAAAAAAAmc4/uR0lYkK-6QM/s1600/r3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, Bruce Dern is not flying this blimp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRll0rhlA_A/VM07pZEz0II/AAAAAAAAmco/qk3sRpxawA0/s1600/r4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRll0rhlA_A/VM07pZEz0II/AAAAAAAAmco/qk3sRpxawA0/s1600/r4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Titanic ghost ship contrasts with modern vehicles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pm0fByzvUL8/VM07wsyoKVI/AAAAAAAAmdA/hEFxKF33wEQ/s1600/r000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pm0fByzvUL8/VM07wsyoKVI/AAAAAAAAmdA/hEFxKF33wEQ/s1600/r000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can find the Shout Factory RAISE THE TITANIC anywhere online</td></tr>
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adventure, alec guinness, eighties, espionage, jason robards, richard jordan

RAISE THE TITANIC

year: 1980 cast: Jason Robards, Richard Jordan, David Selby, Alec Guinness, Anne Archer rating: ***1/2 Insert Artwork Alternate Ar...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/30/2015 / No comments / 2015 , james marsden , karl urban , mystery , thriller

JAMES MARSDEN & KARL URBAN IN THE LOFT

2015, james marsden, karl urban, mystery, thriller

JAMES MARSDEN & KARL URBAN IN THE LOFT

2015 rating: *** With three different time sequences occurring within minutes of each other, this steely Hitchcockian mystery/thriller b...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/28/2015 / No comments / 2014 , jazz score , jk simmons , miles teller , music

MILES TELLER & J.K. SIMMONS IN WHIPLASH

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMDdKTU0ciE/VMiUTqDLuwI/AAAAAAAAmaI/TBuywWNBdck/s1600/Picture%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMDdKTU0ciE/VMiUTqDLuwI/AAAAAAAAmaI/TBuywWNBdck/s320/Picture%2B1.png" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 rating: ***1/2</td></tr>
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When J.K. Simmons as Fletcher, a hard-nosed teacher at a prestigious music conservatory, mentions how jazz is practically dead thanks to "Starbucks Jazz," it’s the one time he really connects with the audience, because it’s true: That genre has been practically done away with, at this point sounding more like a spy flick or game show than the kind of pioneering improvisational genius that took blood, sweat and tears to create, and perfect. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihZcX2bvNOY/VMiVC3Ov6jI/AAAAAAAAmaQ/9Sxw_HhFBdU/s1600/Whiplash.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihZcX2bvNOY/VMiVC3Ov6jI/AAAAAAAAmaQ/9Sxw_HhFBdU/s320/Whiplash.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J.K. Simmons</td></tr>
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Well it's blood, sweat and one tough tear that Andrew, played by Mills Teller, sheds to make the cut in Fletcher’s band room, an intentionally claustrophobic setting where most of the movie's set. From Simmons we experience screeching commands and furious tantrums reminiscent of cinematic drill sergeants, ranging from Louis Gossett Jr. to Lee Ermy, and his subjects are along for the pulsating, gut-wrenching ride. <br />
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While Fletcher’s rants are as politically-incorrect as you can get away with today, and Andrew’s edgy determination brings out a terrific performance (and spot-on drum mimicking) from Teller, WHIPLASH isn't without clichés, like a tacked on love interest and various sideliners, from family members to fellow musicians, catered to make our lead character seem more viable, or something. Meanwhile, no matter how many times the band plays, and the teacher scolds them for getting it wrong, it all sounds... similar.  <br />
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But what really puts WHIPLASH over the top is a standoff finale that, in a musical sense, equals if not triumphs any pulsating action movie climax – summing up both student and teacher while the theme becomes clearer than ever. <b>COLLECTIVE RANK: Jedi, <u>Rebel</u>, Droid, Sith. </b>

2014, jazz score, jk simmons, miles teller, music

MILES TELLER & J.K. SIMMONS IN WHIPLASH

2014 rating: ***1/2 When J.K. Simmons as Fletcher, a hard-nosed teacher at a prestigious music conservatory, mentions how jazz is prac...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/27/2015 / No comments / 2015 , jennifer lopez , suspense

JENNIFER LOPEZ IN THE BOY NEXT DOOR

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODqf4EMib4k/VMfgZhDBIqI/AAAAAAAAmZo/peqw-RF2xzo/s1600/the-boy-next-door-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODqf4EMib4k/VMfgZhDBIqI/AAAAAAAAmZo/peqw-RF2xzo/s320/the-boy-next-door-poster.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2015 rating: *1/2</td></tr>
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Opens with two characters chatting like it's halfway through, and you better pay attention… Jennifer Lopez is married or, separated from a polite, cheating husband and her son is going on a weekend trip with dad… And what's really important is J-Lo’s Claire Peterson will be alone for a few days…<br />
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Well that’s all it takes for a perfect looking twenty-year-old named Noah to become more smitten with his neighbor than Glenn Close was with Michael Douglas, or anyone else in the Tryst-to-Stalker Genre…<br />
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Playing out like a <i>Straight to Video</i> throwaway, THE BOY NEXT DOOR has every cliché in the book – or in this case, leaflet. Yet it’s a terrific film to laugh at, exhibiting howling camp value as Noah’s transformation from friendly alpha male bonding with Claire’s passive son, flirtatious model undressing near an open window, steamy bedroom partner into a vicious psychopath happens before Lopez has time to blink, or the audience can finish half their popcorn. <br />
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And while his attraction is believable since she looks good enough to lust after, the blinding fascination... from email hacking to picture pasting to brake tampering to kidnapping... is completely farfetched, deleting any suspenseful development that could have made BOY a better, more realistic film – but where’s the fun in that? And yes, it is <i>tha</i>t bad... Thank Goodness! <b>OVERALL RANK: Jedi, Rebel, <u>Droid</u>, Sith. </b>

2015, jennifer lopez, suspense

JENNIFER LOPEZ IN THE BOY NEXT DOOR

year: 2015 rating: *1/2 Opens with two characters chatting like it's halfway through, and you better pay attention… Jennifer Lopez i...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/26/2015 / No comments / 2015 , chris hemsworth , comedy , josh gad , kevin hart , thriller

THE WEDDING RINGER & BLACKHAT

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWhdI9mZnHQ/VMXmW-jPn0I/AAAAAAAAmX8/v3Nz15Wk-ak/s1600/the-wedding-ringer-phim-2015_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWhdI9mZnHQ/VMXmW-jPn0I/AAAAAAAAmX8/v3Nz15Wk-ak/s1600/the-wedding-ringer-phim-2015_0.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2015 rating: **</td></tr>
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<b>THE WEDDING RINGER:</b> Replacing one letter from the Adam Sandler comedy, RINGER is more of a BRIDESMAIDS meets WEDDING CRASHERS combined with (and especially) I LOVE YOU MAN, where a guy with no male friends puts out an ad for his Best Man...<br />
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Which is the same exact plot except the RINGER, Jimmy, played by Kevin Hart, has his own underground Best Man For Hire business with no strings attached: his job is to give a picture perfect toast after gathering a row of groomsmen, in this case all seven.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrR5aFxwdYY/VMXmjOwAumI/AAAAAAAAmYE/74qS8sln5yY/s1600/blackhatNEW.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrR5aFxwdYY/VMXmjOwAumI/AAAAAAAAmYE/74qS8sln5yY/s320/blackhatNEW.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 rating: *</td></tr>
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Other than to make his fiancé and her jerky parents happy, there’s no motivation or urgency for Josh Gad’s Doug Harris to go through this elaborate and far too complicated ruse – the entire premise is built on practically nothing at all. This makes for plenty of HANGOVER style shenanigans highlighted by a "bromance" between the two mismatched leads: their relatively thoughtful conversations are the best thing going, allowing Gad to actually act and Kevin Hart to finally stop talking in his rapid fire banter, seeming like a frantic imitation of a dozen funnier comics that gets tiresome, quick.<b> OVERALL RANK: Jedi, Rebel, <u>Droid</u>, Sith.</b>  <br />
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<b>BLACKHAT:</b> The fast-paced special effects in the introduction takes us zipping around inside a computer: without being used as a canvas for opening credits, we're catapulted into a world of high end technology. <br />
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Chris Hemsworth is a rogue hacker given a prison furlough to find another hacker who caused the destruction of a Chinese nuclear plant. In going beneath his larger than life Marvel persona, he plays a mumbling grouch with more brooding restraint that actual power while the film itself, balancing dull espionage with shaky action sequences, is a lot more interesting inside the computer than outside. <b>OVERALL RANK: Jedi, Rebel, Droid, <u>Sith</u>. </b>

2015, chris hemsworth, comedy, josh gad, kevin hart, thriller

THE WEDDING RINGER & BLACKHAT

year: 2015 rating: ** THE WEDDING RINGER: Replacing one letter from the Adam Sandler comedy, RINGER is more of a BRIDESMAIDS meets WE...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/25/2015 / No comments / bagful , eddie murphy , eighties , emilio estevez , franchise , judge reinhold , nineties , richard dreyfuss , sequel , seventies

FIRST CAUGHT-ON-CABLE TRIO OF NUMBER TWOS: COPS & APES

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGU1j2KybaQ/VLa5B4rTopI/AAAAAAAAmMI/T569Rywyy8s/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGU1j2KybaQ/VLa5B4rTopI/AAAAAAAAmMI/T569Rywyy8s/s1600/1.png" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1987 rating: ***</td></tr>
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<b>BEVERLY HILLS COP 2:</b> First sequel to Martin Brest's popular BEVERLY HILLS COP has Axel Foley returning to the plush So Cal playground from his gritty Detroit mainline. <b>DRIVE: </b>Again it’s personal, although not as severe… Ronny Cox’s Beverly Hills police chief is shot and almost killed by a gang of ruthless thugs who, working from a private gun club, cause high stake havoc. <b>HIGHS:</b> Wherein the first movie relied on Murphy’s resilient wit to get him in and out of situations by pretending to be someone else (like Chevy Chase in the following year’s FLETCH, also scored by Harold Faltermeyer), this time Axel is, for the most part, an intense rogue. Teamed with director Tony Scott, BEVERLY HILLS COP GUN is really an action flick with explosions and gunfights over laughs. And the villains are worthy to be 
sought and killed, including an Amazon woman and two surly creeps.<b> LOWS:</b> Several parts attempt humor but they’re simply… not that funny. Axel’s ruses are too complicated and farfetched. Judge Reinhold’s transition from the naïve Billy Rosewood into a gun freak infatuated with Rambo... Stallone was original cast in the first movie... is  downright awkward. Older grouchy partner John Ashton doesn’t have much to do this time but react to an extremely dated joke about dressing like Gerald Ford. And Paul Reiser's sarcastic Detroit detective has way too much screen time. <b>CLOSURE: </b>This second of three Axel Foley flicks works pretty well thanks to Tony Scott’s edgy high octane makeover. Perhaps this is what the Stallone BEVERLY HILLS COP would have been more like. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo7XkIw3W8Q/VLWUMdjYrCI/AAAAAAAAmLE/ymGcK1_HCUw/s1600/3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo7XkIw3W8Q/VLWUMdjYrCI/AAAAAAAAmLE/ymGcK1_HCUw/s1600/3.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1993 rating: **</td></tr>
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<b>ANOTHER STAKOUT:</b> Follow-up to John Badham’s STAKEOUT where Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez played Seattle cops who specialize in… take a wild guess. Rosie O’Donnell is added to the cast, giving the boys a partner who views their quirks that the audience enjoyed the first time around, and now we get everything spoon fed through her eyes. <b>DRIVE: </b>Richard and Rosie pose as a married couple with a mustache-less Emilio as their son, holed up in a mountain home next door to marrieds Dennis Farina and Marcia Strassman, who might know something about an escaped witness. <b>HIGHS: </b>This witness, played by RAGING BULL starlet Cathy Moriarty, is part of a suspenseful prologue seeming part of something more… serious, like the first film. We're introduced to worthy villain Miguel Ferrer... both intense characters are shown sporadically, resulting in a standard chase at the end where Dreyfuss becomes action hero and Badham, returned as director, is more in his element. <b>LOWS:</b> Too many to count, but the trio actually has decent chemistry despite the forced humor, which is not altogether Rosie’s fault… Richard Dreyfuss seems like he’s playing silly for a kindergarten class at times, and Estevez often acts like he’s just learned how. Meanwhile, Rosie tries too hard to compete with the boys – this can be said for both the actress and character. And Madeline Stowe literally phones in her useless appearances. <b>CLOSURE:</b> Plays out like the TV Movie for a STAKEOUT series, which would have surely been cancelled after this "pilot episode."   <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-go3z6fzihew/VLWUXYMC2xI/AAAAAAAAmLM/k9Ea0eVA19s/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-go3z6fzihew/VLWUXYMC2xI/AAAAAAAAmLM/k9Ea0eVA19s/s1600/2.jpg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1970 rating: *1/2</td></tr>
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<b>BENEATH PLANET OF THE APES: </b>The second of five of the original PLANET OF THE APES flicks. <b>DRIVE:</b> The restless gorillas are poised for war against a lurking danger in the Forbidden Zone, where a returning Chuck Heston rides with his sexy Jane in the form of Linda Harrison’s human hottie, Nova. <b>HIGHS:</b> Anytime we center on the restless army led by the nefarious General Urko played by Jeff Corey, and an intense James Franciscus is the new astronaut replacing Heston as new kid in town, and his mission is to find the missing American hero… But he hardly bonds with the friendly peace-seeking chimps (no Roddy McDowell, only Kim Hunter), and the ape’s story is merely peripheral to… <b>LOWS:</b> Possibly the worst antagonists in science-fiction history within an underground compound where a group of mutants worship an atomic bomb, a political agenda worn so brightly on the sleeve it becomes the entire costume, and this is no party. <b>CLOSURE:</b> Thankfully in the third and best outing, ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES, the finale of this horrendous sequel is, ala time travel, completely abandoned.

bagful, eddie murphy, eighties, emilio estevez, franchise, judge reinhold, nineties, richard dreyfuss, sequel, seventies

FIRST CAUGHT-ON-CABLE TRIO OF NUMBER TWOS: COPS & APES

1987 rating: *** BEVERLY HILLS COP 2: First sequel to Martin Brest's popular BEVERLY HILLS COP has Axel Foley returning to the plus...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/23/2015 / No comments / 2015 , adventure , comedy , ewan mcgregor , johnny depp , spy

JOHNNY DEPP STARRING IN MORTDECAI

2015, adventure, comedy, ewan mcgregor, johnny depp, spy

JOHNNY DEPP STARRING IN MORTDECAI

2015 rating: * At this point, after a string of quirky roles, Johnny Depp doesn’t have to try very hard, but sometimes he should try jus...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/18/2015 / No comments / camille coduri , comedy , john goodman , john hurt , nineties , peter o'toole

JOHN GOODMAN, CAMILLE CODURI & PETER O'TOOLE IN 'KING RALPH'

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kmO9NPIPGcQ/VJHsbBlkHPI/AAAAAAAAlm4/zDEQCcbxXHs/s1600/cr11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kmO9NPIPGcQ/VJHsbBlkHPI/AAAAAAAAlm4/zDEQCcbxXHs/w189-h320/cr11.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>1991 rating: ***</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once again Camille Corduri spices up what could have been a mediocre comedy film, again set in England, only this one starts out surprisingly dark… When the entire Royal Family (no kids shown) are electrocuted during a outdoor photo session sudden a sudden rainstorm, the only heir – through a random royal tryst with a waitress – is an American wannabe musician named Ralph…<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQY8scmV5Uo/VJHshuuO2-I/AAAAAAAAlnA/0r8YO2qE1tU/s1600/cr9.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQY8scmV5Uo/VJHshuuO2-I/AAAAAAAAlnA/0r8YO2qE1tU/w142-h200/cr9.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Camille Coduri</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well he<i> is</i> a musician, and severely wants to be a good one, playing a dive lounge in Vegas: Bill Murray combined with Mark Russell and John's own future BLUES BROTHER 1999 character...<br />
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Soon after the first number, he’s sought out by royal middleman Richard Griffiths, who brings the reluctant loser overseas to Peter O’Toole as Sir Cedric Charles Willingham, eventually becoming a John Gielgud to Ralph’s Arthur (including a fancy bathtub)… But fish outta water Ralph, moved to England to become, you got it, King, just can’t get into the prestigious role…<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRwA2TsDxWE/VJHs3B-KkCI/AAAAAAAAlnQ/-wZVwHbpmY8/s1600/crf.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRwA2TsDxWE/VJHs3B-KkCI/AAAAAAAAlnQ/-wZVwHbpmY8/s1600/crf.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>A busty Camille</u></td></tr>
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That’s Ralph, not Goodman, who dives into the part with zeal and often trying too hard: the actor seems a bit overwhelmed in a leading cinematic role after mostly providing support for others. John's a funny guy but doesn’t have that many good lines to shine with. This allows Peter O’Toole’s droll manner to inject sporadic humor, both defending and representing Britain’s class against the shabby American firebrand, each representing their culture…<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oVNR2oMfFM/VJHzP2Qy9aI/AAAAAAAAloI/qxROp0vYRiM/s1600/cr1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oVNR2oMfFM/VJHzP2Qy9aI/AAAAAAAAloI/qxROp0vYRiM/s1600/cr1.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Reluctant showgirl</u></td></tr>
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But our buxom centerpiece, Camille Corduri, helps once again: As a stripper who Ralph falls hopelessly in lust – and then love – with, she becomes the apple of his eye, turning him into a better, deeper man in the process... yeah, yeah, and all that Romantic Comedy jazz, but scenes with Goodman and Corduri surpass cliché and provide the rotund actor a chance to really act (BARTON FINK fans know he’s got more than potential), and, meanwhile, what's most important to us is our titular starlet Camille's Miranda, who battles guilt over being hired by antagonist John Hurt to get digs on the new King, allowing her to stretch beyond love interest and, now providing the audience two underdogs worth rooting for, the film rises slightly above the “common man out of his element” mainline, sprinkling some genuine humanity into the mix. Although the last act, when Ralph has to step up and get truly serious, derails the otherwise lightweight ride.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdoc_YFIcwg/VJH9uQej__I/AAAAAAAAlos/A79WTL2Bal4/s1600/11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdoc_YFIcwg/VJH9uQej__I/AAAAAAAAlos/A79WTL2Bal4/s16000/11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>John Goodman's Ralph knighted by the new King ala Peter O'Toole</u></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHb5GS9d8I8/VJH9ub7-QVI/AAAAAAAAloo/JXN1J3MBXN4/s1600/13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHb5GS9d8I8/VJH9ub7-QVI/AAAAAAAAloo/JXN1J3MBXN4/s16000/13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>A proud former stripper/backmailed traitor looks on with Camille Coduri in KING RALPH</u></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI46kKOIRO8/VJHz43F91GI/AAAAAAAAloQ/hM5Z8xrxJ-0/s1600/cr8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI46kKOIRO8/VJHz43F91GI/AAAAAAAAloQ/hM5Z8xrxJ-0/s16000/cr8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>A Nice Pair NUNS ON THE RUN and KING RALPH both featuring Camille Coduri</u></td></tr>
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camille coduri, comedy, john goodman, john hurt, nineties, peter o'toole

JOHN GOODMAN, CAMILLE CODURI & PETER O'TOOLE IN 'KING RALPH'

1991 rating: *** Once again Camille Corduri spices up what could have been a mediocre comedy film, again set in England, only this one s...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/17/2015 / 1 Comment / 2014 , biopic , tim roth

LEFTOVER 2014 REVIEWS: SELMA & THE IMITATION GAME

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUDzvD-X4aQ/VLlrGXsZ5JI/AAAAAAAAmNY/skzs0icxKGU/s1600/5651d721-3c60-44f7-8d2c-6ec952d7c9b0.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUDzvD-X4aQ/VLlrGXsZ5JI/AAAAAAAAmNY/skzs0icxKGU/s200/5651d721-3c60-44f7-8d2c-6ec952d7c9b0.PNG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 rating: ***</td></tr>
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<b>SELMA:</b> Historical biopic taking us through the fight for equal voting rights – not an easy task in 1965, Alabama. Visually narrated by typed <i>logged</i> accounts from an antagonistic standpoint, we get Southern police readouts of almost every meeting that Martin Luther King Jr. had before the planned march from Selma to Montgomery, describing good people as bad i.e. peaceful protestors as violent agitators...<br />
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Yet not all off-the-record conversations are verified and need some factual confirmation. But much like LINCOLN, the movie plays out intentionally sparse and strategic, centering on the race-related political goal with very little distractions or sideline melodrama. Unlike several other projects this year (THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING especially), SELMA doesn't reek of contrived Oscar bait. And with bigwigs like Brad Pitt and featured cameo Oprah Winfrey producing, it has a surprisingly indie baseline. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKKE36LvGSg/VLYlgoSgKyI/AAAAAAAAmL4/aUIxFjBvLEI/s1600/selma-still.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKKE36LvGSg/VLYlgoSgKyI/AAAAAAAAmL4/aUIxFjBvLEI/s320/selma-still.jpg" width="162" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Oyelowo as King</td></tr>
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In the lead role, David Oyelowo provides a realistic human portrayal of the iconic leader. Whether speaking to his wife alone, his men joined together, or to a large crowd, Oyelowo’s voice is mesmerizing but never overly dramatic or seeming like an imitation. And on the other side of the spectrum are two men, opposite to each other and to King. Yet despite the combined potential, Tom Wilkinson's stubborn President Lyndon B. Johnson and Tim Roth's spiteful Governor George Wallace never stretch beyond grouchy wallpaper.  <br />
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There are a few overlong scenes involving characters not very fleshed out. You’ll feel for any human being who gets beaten and/or killed, but tragic violence is even more moving and persuasive when we know the victims beyond their struggle at hand. And that’s the catch: While there needed more attention and interesting dialogue from the people around Martin Luther King Jr. to fulfill the overall cinematic experience, with such a genuine lead performance it didn’t seem necessary to stray from the MLK's presence very long. Also like LINCOLN, this is a one-man show… when it counts the most.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3US_zKk-9vo/VLlo8a6hwNI/AAAAAAAAmNE/ivWSoiJpizE/s1600/Poster-art-for-The-Imitation-Game_event_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3US_zKk-9vo/VLlo8a6hwNI/AAAAAAAAmNE/ivWSoiJpizE/s320/Poster-art-for-The-Imitation-Game_event_main.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2014 rating: **</td></tr>
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<b>THE IMITATION GAME: </b>As the movie begins, a narration warns us to pay attention… A story centering on the guy who, during World War 2, figured out how to fight fire with fire – in this case, break a computer code using another computer (years before computers were everywhere and inside everything) – might seem very complicated… Details matter so you better well listen…<br />
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Although THE IMITATION GAME spends very little time with technology, instead centering on mathematician Alan Turing's quirks... He's a young man so brilliantly neurotic and flaky, everyone around has to figure him out as <i>he</i> figures how to break a Nazi code to intercept attacks before they happen, and ultimately win the war. <br />
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Sporadic backstory glimpses into Alan’s past are intriguing at first, and then amount to what the entire movie really centers on instead of the WWII cerebral thriller that was promoted: Turing was a homosexual during a time when it was illegal, and his personal struggle trumps the important strategy we were poised to experience: The computer Alan creates and tortures himself over is, halfway through, suddenly built and ready to go. Meanwhile, his teammates, including a dashing womanizer and a beautiful crossword puzzler (Keira Knightly), seem more interested in what Turing has to hide than defeating the Nazis. And while all performances are capable enough, GAME would make for a much better documentary: centering more on historical facts than factual distractions.

2014, biopic, tim roth

LEFTOVER 2014 REVIEWS: SELMA & THE IMITATION GAME

2014 rating: *** SELMA: Historical biopic taking us through the fight for equal voting rights – not an easy task in 1965, Alabama. Visu...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/16/2015 / No comments / 2015 , bradley cooper , clint eastwood , war

BRADLEY COOPER IN AMERICAN SNIPER

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jEoCnILmpA4/VLjSKFnri4I/AAAAAAAAmMw/9kQY9Lx0I4w/s1600/a0b62d22-56e3-4248-89ee-45b95f71b47e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jEoCnILmpA4/VLjSKFnri4I/AAAAAAAAmMw/9kQY9Lx0I4w/s320/a0b62d22-56e3-4248-89ee-45b95f71b47e.JPG" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 rating: **1/2</td></tr>
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Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle, the AMERICAN SNIPER who was a deadeye on the battlefield and a legend even before his tragic and bizarre murder. In Iraq, he had well over a hundred reported kills; his skills as a sniper are the best aspects as far as direction goes... <br />
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Clint Eastwood brings us up close and personal into the hidden nooks where Kyle scopes each target. Unfortunately, these scenes merely bookend an assortment of hectic raids within dilapidated desert towns while, back home between tours, we get peripheral glances into a budding family life.   <br />
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AMERICAN SNIPER doesn’t center on Kyle’s intense patriotism except a few blurted words sometimes countered by disgruntled soldiers or his wife. This hinders a potentially intriguing performance by Cooper, who seems too comfortable: There are times where we <i>almost</i> catch the glimpse of a tortured soul while more light is shed on his noticeable guilt, either shooting or aiming at human targets, especially children, and the sniper-at-work suspense is edgy and palpable. But Clint Eastwood doesn’t completely allow us inside the man like he did those hidden coves where the harsh yet necessary work is done: keeping Bradley Cooper from opening up and letting loose like we know he can.

2015, bradley cooper, clint eastwood, war

BRADLEY COOPER IN AMERICAN SNIPER

2014 rating: **1/2 Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle, the AMERICAN SNIPER who was a deadeye on the battlefield and a legend even before hi...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/12/2015 / No comments / 2014 , disney , emily blunt , johnny depp , meryl streep , musical

GROUNCHY GROWNUP REVIEW OF INTO THE WOODS

2014, disney, emily blunt, johnny depp, meryl streep, musical

GROUNCHY GROWNUP REVIEW OF INTO THE WOODS

2014 rating: ** In any musical, the songs should be unique, setting apart each sequence while moving the story along instead of, in th...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/11/2015 / No comments / eighties , taylor negron , tribute

BYE BYE MR AMERICAN PIZZA GUY: TAYLOR NEGRON DELIVERED

eighties, taylor negron, tribute

BYE BYE MR AMERICAN PIZZA GUY: TAYLOR NEGRON DELIVERED

Taylor Negron with Ray Walston in FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH Some celebrity deaths creep up, hit you in a sad way, out of the blue, br...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/10/2015 / No comments / 2015 , action , famke janssen , franchise , liam neeson , maggie grace , sequel

LIAM NEESON IN TAKEN 3 AKA TAK3N

2015, action, famke janssen, franchise, liam neeson, maggie grace, sequel

LIAM NEESON IN TAKEN 3 AKA TAK3N

2015 rating: **1/2 Liam Neeson’s Bryan Mills has gone through the ringer twice already, and more than earned the respect of his daughter...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/09/2015 / No comments / 2014 , gumshoe , joaquin phoenix , josh brolin , neo noir , paul thomas anderson , reese witherspoon

PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON DIRECTS INHERENT VICE

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3cpfX2D9U0/VK-Fldt9jMI/AAAAAAAAmIA/-bWhcD9g-BI/s1600/Picture%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3cpfX2D9U0/VK-Fldt9jMI/AAAAAAAAmIA/-bWhcD9g-BI/s200/Picture%2B1.png" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 rating: *</td></tr>
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Judging by appearances alone, INHERENT VICE has already been compared to THE BIG LEBOWSKI since our scruffy hippie hero is… well… a scruffy hippie hero, like Jeff Bridges as The Dude. But the real similarity is both channel Film Noir where reluctant underdogs become entangled in an eclectic web of deceit, beautiful women, red herrings and more last names than a phone book…<br />
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And while LEBOWSKI centered on the product of the 1960’s lost in the 1990's, INHERENT VICE takes us to that actual magical place: a colorful era where idealistic L.A. druggies proudly contrast from the straight-laced necktie jerks, who, in this particular case, are all more crooked than Richard Nixon himself (numerously mentioned along with The Manson Family, Paranoia, Blacklisting and a napsack of other counter-culture clichés).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmlNkLOX03M/VK-F736aJgI/AAAAAAAAmII/K7IrITYC69U/s1600/-1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmlNkLOX03M/VK-F736aJgI/AAAAAAAAmII/K7IrITYC69U/s200/-1.jpg" width="118" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joaquin Phoenix</td></tr>
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The problem with VICE isn’t the abundance of characters spouting endless monologs within dull interior locations, but our main man, Joaquin Phoenix, whose Larry "Doc" Sportello doesn’t seem established enough to be taken seriously as an investigator of any sort, or a doctor or… Whatever the hell he's supposed to be just isn't clear.  <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cyNZCd9alu4/VK-LxrX_qkI/AAAAAAAAmIY/jWkvbmhrnI8/s1600/Picture%2B1.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cyNZCd9alu4/VK-LxrX_qkI/AAAAAAAAmIY/jWkvbmhrnI8/s200/Picture%2B1.png" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Josh Brolin</td></tr>
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Phoenix sleepwalks through the role without humor, pathos or legitimate world-weary dynamic while his given-task weaves in so many twists and turns, there’s no palpable destination. Being misled through a foggy treadmill maze is the staple of any gumshoe flick, but a light at the end of the tunnel, or a few sparks along the way, keeps the viewer intrigued, enlightened, and awake. Meanwhile, epic art house director Paul Thomas Anderson seems even more absent than his otherwise talented MASTER star. <br />
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The best character is Josh Brolin’s square-jawed flattop bully cop Bigfoot, who represents everything hippies thoroughly detest: Ironically enough, he has one thing the entire movie lacks, which can be summed up in three words: An… Actual… Pulse.

2014, gumshoe, joaquin phoenix, josh brolin, neo noir, paul thomas anderson, reese witherspoon

PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON DIRECTS INHERENT VICE

2015 rating: * Judging by appearances alone, INHERENT VICE has already been compared to THE BIG LEBOWSKI since our scruffy hippie hero...

Written by James M. Tate / 1/04/2015 / No comments / crime , cristine ferrare , elissa leeds , judy landers , michael mann , robert urich , seventies , TV , will sampson

TWO FLEW OVER THE FIRST TWO EPISODES OF VEGAS/VEGA$

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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n3g7SWAbpqc/VI_Uxqnj5DI/AAAAAAAAljE/RLQoph6AJPM/s1600/v4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n3g7SWAbpqc/VI_Uxqnj5DI/AAAAAAAAljE/RLQoph6AJPM/s320/v4.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Will Sampson & Robert Urich on Vegas from 1978</u></td></tr>
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The pilot episode of VEGAS starring Robert Urich as smooth lady-killer Private Eye, Dan Tanna, started out a bit different than how it would gain traction later on…<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSVJ_1_uwOs/Xv5yO192_II/AAAAAAABVsA/5iQTdykbkO4GttiEfT_nN6QyZbfu-ixFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/v5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSVJ_1_uwOs/Xv5yO192_II/AAAAAAABVsA/5iQTdykbkO4GttiEfT_nN6QyZbfu-ixFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/v5.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Will Sampson as Twoleaf</u></td></tr>
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Similar to another show a few years later, Dan is a Vietnam vet, and his war buddies, like MAGNUM P.I.'s big T.C. and shorter go-to guy Rick, are the tall Native American Will Sampson as Harlon Twoleaf and THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY actor Chick Vennera plays Costigan, a loyal hair-feathered friend. Thus Dan (with a gorgeous sister played by Catherine Hickland) had his team that would change in later installments: After the second episode, the ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST Sampson would only appear sporadically and Chick vanished completely after the pilot, both, for the most part, replaced by Bart Braverman’s Bobby ‘Binzer’ Borzo, who initially worked for the bad guys, unsuccessfully tailing Dan and, like Elliot Gould teaches David Arkin in Robert Altman’s THE LONG GOODBYE, Borzo learns he’s not cut out to be a gangster: token goofy sidekick was a much better fit. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Um8Bak7nE-8/Xv6UYMNfxOI/AAAAAAABVsw/Qgkm257tbws_V1vbWTWM9mJ1DDntsL7twCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/106121255_1007838619645314_5714472177416101413_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="934" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Um8Bak7nE-8/Xv6UYMNfxOI/AAAAAAABVsw/Qgkm257tbws_V1vbWTWM9mJ1DDntsL7twCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/106121255_1007838619645314_5714472177416101413_n.jpeg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Robert Urich and Will Sampson on VEGAS</u></td></tr>
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The HIGH ROLLIN’ pilot evolves around a young hooker who makes like a bubbly cheerleader to turn on old men (including Michael Lerner). Dan is hired by her parents for the search – turns out, she ran out of the frying pan and into the fire of the Vegas nightlife. Meanwhile, in the b-story, playing a flashy Casino owner, Roth, who hires Dan to figure out how Red Buttons keeps winning the slots, is the iconic Tony Curtis... he only lasted through one season as well as Dan's sexy "secretary" Judy Landers.  <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NtH2z4Yodc/VI_Vc66B7KI/AAAAAAAAljQ/DOQHyFXJbJc/s1600/vc7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NtH2z4Yodc/VI_Vc66B7KI/AAAAAAAAljQ/DOQHyFXJbJc/s200/vc7.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Cristine Ferrare</u></td></tr>
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What works in the pilot and follow-up episode  titled CENTERFOLD (which is actually Episode One, the pilot Zero), in which Cristina Ferrare plays a model being blackmailed by crooks to pose in the flesh, is how well Robert Urich and Will Sampson complimented each other, literally going from location to location within the Las Vegas daylight, busting skulls until they get answers.<br />
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The final image of the second episode has the two strolling off together towards Dan Tanna’s slick hot rod. One can only imagine the possibilities if the series centering on the Urich/Sampson duo. And while VEGAS was a cool three-season series that, like most TV crime ventures, had hit and miss episodes, it would have been fantastic if the canvas remained true to the original template... Although Bart Braverman would probably disagree!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KfE0ORPZLfo/Xv5xKqKOCVI/AAAAAAABVr0/R64W7njPboE-iG25StkWEMsc4YQKPLfmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/106983682_1007770312985478_2328912381546125843_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="953" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KfE0ORPZLfo/Xv5xKqKOCVI/AAAAAAABVr0/R64W7njPboE-iG25StkWEMsc4YQKPLfmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/106983682_1007770312985478_2328912381546125843_n.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u> Catherine Hickland is Dan Tana's sister on the pilot of VEGAS</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1RXlhaXap5I/VI_WgFufrzI/AAAAAAAAljg/vQeWgQEm9aU/s1600/v11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1RXlhaXap5I/VI_WgFufrzI/AAAAAAAAljg/vQeWgQEm9aU/s640/v11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will Sampson and Robert Urich head walk out of the VEGAS set</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiFcm-U9I4I/VI_WjRw9CuI/AAAAAAAAljo/0mreufe6084/s1600/v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiFcm-U9I4I/VI_WjRw9CuI/AAAAAAAAljo/0mreufe6084/s1600/v1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Will Sampson, Chick Vennera and Robert Urich ready for duty</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lANteIldi6w/VI_WnmnhXRI/AAAAAAAAljw/kdPitfeg-KI/s1600/v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lANteIldi6w/VI_WnmnhXRI/AAAAAAAAljw/kdPitfeg-KI/s1600/v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>A spunky Elissa Leeds plays a hooker who dresses like a cheerleader</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjsUpMxfvVM/VI_WrAEM7OI/AAAAAAAAlj4/CX0uEJtJzF0/s1600/v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjsUpMxfvVM/VI_WrAEM7OI/AAAAAAAAlj4/CX0uEJtJzF0/s1600/v3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>"I heard you own a diner... Should I make a Reservation?"</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3srwMqlbqMU/VI_WuTrmxZI/AAAAAAAAlkA/MZLYsdkQlgM/s1600/v6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3srwMqlbqMU/VI_WuTrmxZI/AAAAAAAAlkA/MZLYsdkQlgM/s1600/v6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Judy Landers plays a very hot human answering machine</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VW_wWCCOWLE/VI_W2F4TVsI/AAAAAAAAlkI/q2Q6yimh5c8/s1600/v8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VW_wWCCOWLE/VI_W2F4TVsI/AAAAAAAAlkI/q2Q6yimh5c8/s1600/v8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Will Sampson standing tall in the second episode of VEGA$</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1I4k-pxw78A/VI_YgbemQcI/AAAAAAAAlkk/KmK5rBmvCUA/s1600/v9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1I4k-pxw78A/VI_YgbemQcI/AAAAAAAAlkk/KmK5rBmvCUA/s1600/v9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Robert Urich and Will Sampson on VEGAS</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDOPIGShsgs/Xv6OAEwFKkI/AAAAAAABVsQ/ZI3RLyom3MAx5HmXfGcmhBeq4SMxkjt-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/106477069_1007828956312947_6200471213254642089_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="957" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDOPIGShsgs/Xv6OAEwFKkI/AAAAAAABVsQ/ZI3RLyom3MAx5HmXfGcmhBeq4SMxkjt-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/106477069_1007828956312947_6200471213254642089_n.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Cristine Ferrare on the episode Centerfold of VEGAS</u></td></tr>
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crime, cristine ferrare, elissa leeds, judy landers, michael mann, robert urich, seventies, TV, will sampson

TWO FLEW OVER THE FIRST TWO EPISODES OF VEGAS/VEGA$

Will Sampson & Robert Urich on Vegas from 1978 The pilot episode of VEGAS starring Robert Urich as smooth lady-killer Private Eye,...

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