Not a whole lot to say about this round of movies. I was afraid of falling behind on my goal, but an all-day Star Wars marathon fixed that for me.
#17. The Killing
Source: Netflix Instant - Queue
Released: 1956
MPAA Rating: NR
Running Time: 85 min
My Rating: 4/5
Comments: A very tight noir crime drama directed and written by Stanley Kubrick. The film centers around the complex heist of a horse racing track. Although it's one of his earlier, less well-known works, his influence is definitely there. The shots are cleverly composed and the dialogue is full of that great 50s witticism that’s sometimes cheesy (definitely by today’s standards) but always clever. If you’re in the mood for some noir, check it out.
#18. Shutter Island
Source: Netflix Instant - Queue
Released: 2010
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 138 min
My Rating: 5/5
Comments: A really great psychological thriller revolving around a mystery on Shutter Island's high security mental facility. The plot is credible throughout, even though the reality and unreality of the situations are always in question. The mystery is sustained by fact that the supporting cast consists of very capable character actors, most of whom specialize in playing villains. Also note: Leo DiCaprio’s dreams sequences in this film are as good (if not better) than his in Inception.
Source: DVD - Owned
Released: 1977
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 121 min
My Rating: 4/5
Comments: You all know about Star Wars, so I won’t bother summing it up. It’s a real testament to film storytelling, and one of the most effective films in creating visual awareness and believability in a film. The only reason why I’m giving this a 4 instead of a 5 is because I’m watching the remastered DVD cut of the film, which incorporates so many useless cgi-laden scenes, purely for novelty effect. And for a movie so proud of its new cgi, the work done looks incredibly dated by todays standards; they should have stuck with the great model work and practical sets which made the original a classic.
Source: DVD - Owned
Released: 1980
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 124 min
My Rating: 5/5
Comments: Hands down the best of the Star Wars. The cast does a great job of conveying the gravitas of the, often bleak, situations given to them in the film. The introduction of new concepts, characters, and locations keeps the film fresh (and who can say no to having Billy Dee Williams in their movie?). The remastered elements are used sparingly (as opposed to those in A New Hope), and to good effect this time, making up for bad effects that were products of their time, and the films original budget. Fantastic film with real, heartfelt emotions.
Source: DVD - Owned
Released: 1983
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 134 min
My Rating: 4/5
Comments: The climactic ending to the Star Wars series. Even though this film has the most visual spectacle of the three original films, I feel that it fell short on many key aspects. I will preface my complaints by stating that, as always, the ensemble cast is brilliant together, the visual effects are effective and groundbreaking for their time, and that the film, as a whole, is an exciting one. However—and I may be alone in this—but having another Death Star as the ultimate baddie in the film seems a bit of a retread. They could have pulled off the same emotional arc with a completely new threat, rather than relying on a call-back to the first film. And the Ewoks…don’t get me started on those. They might have been acceptable in the first act of a movie, being more of a lighthearted addition, but throwing them in a tense battle, and killing them for dramatic effect…it could have been done better. Great film, but not perfect.
Source: Netflix Instant - Whim
Released: 1984
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 73 min
My Rating: 2/5
Comments: This film, which focuses on a computer whiz who gets trapped in a game of death with an evil wizard (who might be the devil), is a jumbled mess. The plot consists of a series of barely related set pieces (each of which had different writers and directors) which pits our hero against our stock villain (played by Bull from Night Court!). Computers vs. Magic could maybe be an interesting concept, but just using your computer as a deus ex machina laser gun in every situation doesn’t count. Also note: this is the source of Adam Savage’s famous, “I reject your reality, and substitute my own,” quote.
[Check out The Spoony One's very funny review of Dungeonmaster here.]
[And, as always, thanks to GentlemanBeggar for the concept.]
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