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Category: Classics

  • Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

    Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

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    Despite production problems, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back was still a massive success critically and commercially. On a $23 million budget, the film grossed over $180 million upon release, making it the highest-grossing film of 1980. Much like the previous film, Lucas chose to once again self-finance the film, but not direct the film. Irvin Kershner couldn’t return to direct as he went off the do Never Say Never Again with Sean Connery. Initially, Lucas wanted Steven Spielberg to direct, but he was banned due to disputes with the Director’s Guild of America. So, Lucas offered the job to David Lynch and David Cronenberg, both of whom declined, before settling on Richard Marquand. Lawrence Kasdan returned to write the screenplay with Lucas, and much of the original cast returned as well. So, in 1983, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi was released.

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    Synopsis

    Following the previous film, Luke (Mark Hamill) and crew attempt to rescue Han (Harrison Ford) from crimelord Jabba the Hutt. After the rescue, the others go rendezvous with the Rebel Alliance while Luke returns to Dagobah to complete his training. Meanwhile, the Galactic Empire has been working on constructing a new Death Star with The Emperor (Ian McDiarmid) overseeing it. On Dagobah, Luke consults with a dying Yoda (Frank Oz), who confirms that Darth Vader is his father. He’s also visited by Obi-Wan’s ghost (Alec Guinness), who informs him that Leia (Carrie Fisher) is his twin sister. Back with the Rebels, they plan a ground assault on a shield generator protecting the Death Star with Han leading. Lando (Billy Dee Williams) leads the fleet attacking the Death Star once the shield is shut down. It all culminates in a battle on land, in space, and within the Death Star.

     

    Review

    Of the original trilogy, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is a somewhat flawed but enjoyable conclusion. It’s still a fun and exciting space opera, but it isn’t nearly as dark or heavy as the last film. While there are plenty of dramatic and emotional scenes, there’s also weirdly forced comedic moments thrown in every so often. Thankfully, these moments are few and far between, and they don’t detract from the rest of the film. Acting-wise, everyone still puts in a good performance, with Ian McDiarmid stealing the show as the villainous and sinister Emperor. With his evil cackling laugh, raspy voice, and intense demeanor, he makes for a fantastic villain alongside Darth Vader. Speaking of villains, Jabba the Hutt is one of the most impressive visual effects ever made, especially for puppetry. Plus, the last third of the film is everything a big sci-fi spectacle should be.

    In terms of direction, Richard Marquand does a fine job, but it lacks the dynamic look of Irvin Kershner’s style. As I mentioned before, the film has odd comedic moments that don’t exactly gel with the rest of it. In particular, some of the scenes in Jabba’s palace and especially when the Ewoks are introduced are definite weak spots. In the case of the Ewoks, they’re not terrible and they do contribute to the last act, so that’s something. However, there’s something about them that feels corporate as if they were introduced solely to be cute and sell merchandise. As for the special edition changes, the ones here are especially bad, either being distracting or ruining otherwise good scenes. While I have my issues with the film regardless of the changes, this still works as a satisfying conclusion. Overall, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is enjoyable fun.

     

    Buy Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dCLec1.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

     

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    Where to watch Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

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  • Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

    Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/lI6Gwxu7dVQ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]No one could’ve expected Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope to be nearly as successful as it was. On a budget of $11 million, the film made over $500 million worldwide and was the highest-grossing film of 1977. Within a year of its release, there were numerous toys, rereleases, novelizations, comics, and even a now-infamous holiday special. Naturally, a sequel was to follow, but this time Lucas decided to self-finance the film to maintain full creative control. However, he became overwhelmed between managing Industrial Light & Magic and financing, so he brought on Irvin Kershner as director. Not only was Kershner Lucas’ professor at USC, but Lucas was impressed by Kershner’s 1978 film Eyes of Laura Mars. Most of the original cast returned, ILM worked on the effects, and Lawrence Kasdan was hired to write the screenplay. In 1980, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back was released.

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    Synopsis

    After the destruction of the Death Star, the Galactic Empire has become more active in seeking out the Rebel Alliance. The Empire soon finds their location on the ice planet Hoth and launch a full-scale ground assault on their base. While their base ends up destroyed, the Rebels manage to escape, and our heroes decide to split up for now. Luke (Mark Hamill) travels to the swamp planet Dagobah after receiving a vision from Obi-Wan (Alec Guinness) to go there. Once there, he meets the wise Jedi master Yoda (Frank Oz), who agrees to help Luke continue his training. Meanwhile, Han (Harrison Ford), Leia (Carrie Fisher), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) are being pursued by the Empire. They take refuge in Cloud City thanks to Han’s old friend Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), but it’s a trap. Sensing their danger, Luke goes to rescue them and confront Vader.

     

    Review

    Oftentimes, a sequel falls into the trap of not being as good as the original or failing to meet expectations. However, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is not just a worthy sequel but an all-around better film. The film takes everything that made the previous film work and further develops it, while also adding to the material. Also, while the first film was more of a fun sci-fi adventure, this one is much darker and more character-driven. Of course, there’s plenty of the Star Wars action we’ve come to expect, especially in the first act. The Battle of Hoth is a spectacle to behold, the stop-motion of the Imperial Walkers being a major highlight. There’s also a lot more humor than the first film, especially when Yoda is first introduced. His being introduced as a random funny puppet makes him being a wise sage even more impactful.

    Acting-wise, everyone delivers ten-fold, having established their characters in the last film and getting to further develop their characters here. Not only does the original cast do a phenomenal job, but Billy Dee Williams is a great addition. His naturally suave charm radiates off the screen, which makes it even more upsetting when he betrays his supposed friends. Now, it’s hard to talk about this film without mentioning the major plot twist that’s revealed towards the end. Given that this film is almost 40 years old, it’s not much of a twist anymore, but it’s still effective. It’s the sort of plot twist that makes audiences immediately want to know what happens next. On a final note, this thankfully was tampered with the least when it came to the special editions. Overall, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is what a sequel should be: bigger, bolder, and better.

     

    Buy Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YA3DAd.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. 

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    Where to watch Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

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  • Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

    Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/s-SFBQIyHW4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]George Lucas was just a budding student at USC when he made his 1967 student film, Electronic Labyrinth: THX-1138 4EB. His short caught the attention of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who decided to have it expanded to feature-length. The result was 1971’s THX 1138, which initially received mixed reviews and flopped at the box office. Feeling that part of why the film failed was its bleak tone, Lucas decided to write something more lighthearted. As a result, he followed up with the 1973 coming-of-age film American Graffiti, which was a critical and commercial success. While working on American Graffiti, Lucas started developing a new sci-fi film in the vein of Flash Gordon. After being rejected by various studios, including Disney, 20th Century Fox president Alan Ladd Jr agreed to take the project. After years of rewriting, filming, refilming, and behind-the-scenes struggles, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope was released.

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    Synopsis

    A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a group of rebels is fighting against the Galactic Empire. Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) has stolen the plans to the Empire’s latest superweapon, the Death Star. She gives the plans to a droid called R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), who escapes the Empire with counterpart C-3PO (Anthony Daniels). The two land on the desert planet Tatooine, where they soon meet local farm boy Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Luke accidentally uncovers a message hidden in R2 from Leia, who requests the aid of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness). After the Empire kills Luke’s aunt and uncle, he agrees to join Kenobi in rescuing the princess. They team up with local smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his friend Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) to rescue her. With the villainous Darth Vader after them, will they be able to rescue the princess and save the galaxy?

     

    Review

    Since its original 1977 release, there’s not much I can say about this film that hasn’t already been said. While originally released as simply Star Wars, it was retitled to Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope years later. No matter what you call it, the film is still a great start to what would become a major franchise. Given his relative inexperience at the time, Lucas’ direction is pretty decent, utilizing plenty of wide shots and sweeping angles. Acting-wise, everyone fills their roles perfectly well, though some of their performances can be a little rocky at times. At first, Mark Hamill can come off as slightly whiny, but he gives the role plenty of humanity and sincerity. It’s fair to say that Harrison Ford steals the show as the sarcastic smuggler who takes everything in stride. Carrie Fisher is also fun as a princess who can fight for herself.

    Even if he wasn’t fully on-board with the material, Alec Guinness gives a stellar performance as the sage-like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Plus, you’ve got Peter Cushing as a wonderfully sinister villain alongside David Prowse in the Darth Vader suit. Speaking of, James Earl Jones is perfect casting for the voice, his booming voice helps make the character more intimidating. For the relatively low budget, the visual effects are superb, even if some of them are masked by tacked-on CGI. John Williams’ score is legendary for a reason, as it adds more weight and makes the film feel bigger. I’d say the only major issue is the pacing can be slow at times, but it never gets boring. Whether you call it Star Wars or Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, this is still a powerful film. Overall, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope more than deserves its cultural significance.

     

    Buy Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CkKKcJ.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

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  • Blade Runner (1982)

    Blade Runner (1982)

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    In 1968, acclaimed science-fiction novelist Philip K. Dick wrote and published Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Soon after, as is often the case in Hollywood, studios were looking to adapt the novel into a feature. At one point, Martin Scorsese was interested, but that fell through, and eventually a screenplay by Hampton Fancher was optioned. The script was offered to Ridley Scott, following the success of Alien, but he initially turned it down. He had been working on a film adaptation of Dune, but when that fell through, Scott reconsidered and accepted. David Peoples was hired to do rewrites, and Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Daryl Hannah were eventually cast. Various designers and artists were hired to help bring the futuristic look of the film to life. Despite some production problems and behind the scenes conflicts, 1982 saw the release of Scott’s sci-fi epic, Blade Runner.

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    Synopsis

    Set in a futuristic 2019, humanoid androids known as Replicants are outlawed after a group of them commit mass murder. A new type of officer known as a Blade Runner is assembled to “retire” these Replicants, essentially hunt them down. Once such Blade Runner is Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who’s taken out of retirement to track down some rogue Replicants. A man named Leon (Brion James) killed an agent during a test to see if he’s a Replicant or not. Deckard has to hunt down Leon and three others: Zhora (Joanna Cassidy), Pris (Daryl Hannah), and Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer). Meanwhile, Batty and the others are trying to find a way to expand their lifespan, which is initially four years. At the same time, Deckard becomes entangled in a romance with Rachael (Sean Young), a Replicant who believes she’s human. Deckard hunts down the rogue Replicants, all the while rediscovering his humanity.

     

    Review

    Blade Runner is one of those movies that’s been discussed so much, it’s hard to say anything new. That being said, this is easily one of the most well-made, influential, and excellent science-fiction films ever made. First off, as with many of his other films, Ridley Scott’s direction is phenomenal, effectively bringing the world to life. Casting wise, Harrison Ford is great as Deckard, mixing dry wit with a very sardonic attitude typical of film noir. Speaking of, Sean Young perfectly captures the look of a femme fatale and delivers a solid performance despite little experience. Rutger Hauer plays a compelling villain, who’s not only intense and terrifying, but even sympathetic, who simply wants to live. While his performance is great throughout, the moment that stands out as iconic is his speech reflecting on his memories. It’s probably one of the most quotable scenes of any movie ever.

    Darryl Hannah is good as Pris, and Joanna Cassidy is strong in her small but memorable role as Zhora. Also, though his role is small, Edward James Olmos is fantastic as fellow detective Gaff, who also has iconic lines. There’s also plenty of great characters actors who pop up, including M. Emmett Walsh, William Sanderson, and Brion James. Production-wise, Blade Runner is a sight to behold, with its incredible visuals that give beauty to such an ugly world. The score from composer Vangelis really adds to the mood, and the cinematography from the late Jordan Cronenweth is exquisite. If there are any complaints, the pacing can be slow at times, and the visuals tend to overshadow the story. Some may be turned off by how vague the movie is, but having everything explained would ruin the experience. Overall, Blade Runner is a science-fiction epic that deserves the long overdue acclaim.

    Side Note: when you watch Blade Runner, be sure it’s the Final Cut, which is the director’s preferred version.

     

    Buy Blade Runner on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2y6jJZx.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Blade Runner (1982)

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    This review is dedicated to the memory of legendary actor Rutger Hauer, who passed away on July 19, 2019, at the age of 75.

    [/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Toy Story 2 (1999)

    Toy Story 2 (1999)

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    Despite some production issues, the original Toy Story went on to become a massive critical and financial success. The film received three Oscar nominations for writing and music, and John Lasseter eventually received a Special Achievement Award. Naturally, Disney demanded a sequel, and originally wanted a direct-to-video sequel as they had recently done with their other properties. Around the same time, Pixar worked on A Bug’s Life, released in 1998 to similar critical and financial success. When Disney saw the initial animation, they were so impressed that they decided to have the sequel be released theatrical. Unfortunately, Pixar was not happy with how it was looking, so they decided to retool everything and enhance the quality. Since the release date couldn’t be moved, they had to complete the entire feature in nine months, which is unreal. Despite these issues, 1999 saw the release of the much anticipated Toy Story 2.

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    After a mishap gets his arm torn, Woody (Tom Hanks) is placed on the shelf, reigniting his fear of abandonment. When he sees a broken toy penguin named Wheezy (Joe Ranft) about to be sold, Woody goes to save him. Unfortunately, Woody gets snatched up by Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight), rabid toy collector and owner of Al’s Toy Barn. Buzz (Tim Allen), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Slinky (Jim Varney), and Rex (Wallace Shawn) venture forth. Meanwhile, Al plans to sell Woody to a toy museum in Tokyo, alongside other toys from his line-up. These include the trusty steed Bullseye, cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the ol’ timey prospector Stinky Pete (Kelsey Grammer). Though reluctant at first, Woody decides to join them because he doesn’t want to see them locked away in storage. It’s when his fellow toys come to his aid that the truth is revealed.

    Like I said in my review of Toy Story, I still enjoyed that film overall despite some very minor gripes. With Toy Story 2, not only are some of the original’s flaws corrected, but more is added to enhance it. While some of the animation is dated, it still holds up incredibly well, and further shows Pixar’s advances in technology. Much of the original cast returns and do similarly well, and the new cast also adds more to the story. One particularly heartbreaking moment is when we learn Jessie’s backstory, told in song, about her feeling abandoned by her owner. Joan Cusack perfectly balances being fun and jovial, while also showing vulnerability and emotion that makes her character feel alive. Kelsey Grammer does a similarly phenomenal job, adn Wayne Knight continues succeeding at playing a character you love to hate. At least he doesn’t die here like in Jurassic Park.

    Similar to the first film, the humor is once again on point, offering plenty of jokes for kids and adults. One highlight includes Buzz running into another Buzz that acts like he did at the beginning of the original. There’s also a fun parody of Star Wars that’s done between the other Buzz and Emperor Zurg (Andrew Stanton). Though it’s not necessarily a complaint, it was unfortunate that there weren’t many scenes between Woody and Buzz. However, the scenes between Woody, Jessie, and Stinky Pete more than make up for it, especially the more emotional moments. The music is also worth talking about, which is still good, especially the incredibly heartbreaking song “When She Loved Me”. I believe that this was the film where people started seeing how Pixar movies could tug at their heartstrings. Overall, Toy Story 2 improves what made the original fantastic and offers so much more.

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  • Toy Story (1995)

    Toy Story (1995)

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    Though a household name in animation today, Pixar had a very interesting history tied with Lucasfilm and Apple. Originally founded as the Graphics Group, George Lucas sold off the studio to Steve Jobs after Howard the Duck flopped. Around the same time, John Lasseter was working for Disney and became interested in computer animation after seeing Tron. After unsuccessfully campaigning for The Brave Little Toaster to be digitally animated, Lasseter was fired and helped found Pixar. Lasseter made the short film Tin Toy, which won the 1988 Oscar for Best Animated Short, which caught Disney’s attention. After a lengthy series of negotiations, Pixar agreed to work with Disney on a new fully computer animated feature. Along the way, there were rewrites, conflicts with the executives, and the entire production getting shut down at one point. In the end, the result of their hard work and perseverance became 1995’s Toy Story.

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    Synopsis

    Andy Davis (John Morris) is just a typical young kid with a vivid imagination and deep affection for his toys. Unbeknownst to him, his toys come alive when no one is around and even have their own makeshift community. Woody (Tom Hanks) is Andy’s favorite and leader of the other toys, but things change on Andy’s birthday. While the other toys are afraid of being replaced, Woody is confident than none of them, especially him, will be. That changes when they’re introduced to Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), a toy that has sounds, lights up, and even wings. Woody’s greatest fear starts happening when Buzz becomes Andy’s new favorite, and he starts getting more attention from the toys. He tries to get rid of Buzz by knocking him out the window, but ends up also getting separated. It’s a race to return home before Andy moves away and forgets about them.

     

    Review

    Toy Story really helped define my childhood and was a major part of my life when I was growing up. I fell in love with the movie, and I enjoyed Pixar’s other movies, including the Toy Story sequels. As an adult, I still really enjoy the film, but there are a few issues I’ve noticed looking back. Before I get into that, let me discuss the positives, starting with the talented voice cast and their iconic characters. Hanks and Allen, both big stars at the time, do an incredible job that helps make their characters feel real. Other highlights include Don Rickles, John Ratzenberger, Jim Varney, Annie Potts, and Wallace Shawn, all giving their characters real personality. The story is also good, essentially being a road movie that moves at a brisk pace that never drags. The humor is on point, perfect for both kids and adults.

    Honestly, it’s a perfect movie all around, though my only real issue is with the animation, which is slightly mixed. Don’t get me wrong, for 1995, this is some impressive 3D animation that still holds up even 20+ years later. However, there are a few spots where the animation hasn’t aged well, particularly with the human characters and Sid’s dog. Also, some of the movements are a little jerky and don’t feel very natural, but much of that is excusable. Given the restraints they were under and the fact that this had never been done before, it still looks incredible. Also, while it’s easy to ridicule Randy Newman, the songs are incredible memorable, especially “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.” With great performances, memorable songs, and a fun story, Toy Story more than deserves its status as a classic. After this, Pixar went, pun intended, to infinity and beyond!

     

    Buy Toy Story on Amazon: https://amzn.to/477YJye.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Toy Story (1995)

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  • Alien (1979)

    Alien (1979)

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    After working with John Carpenter on 1974’s Dark Star, writer Dan O’Bannon wanted to do a horror version of that. Having gotten the attention of writer/producer Ronald Shusett, the two initially pitched their idea to B-movie king Roger Corman. Initially satisfied with their deal, their screenplay got picked up by 20th Century Fox, who were impressed with their work. Naturally, they would have more resources than Corman, so they took their concept to Fox and the film got rolling. Although the studio was initially skeptical about the project, the success of 1977’s Star Wars changed their minds. Producer Walter Hill was originally supposed to direct, but Ridley Scott was hired because of his work on The Duelists. With artists like HR Giger and Ron Cobb designing the creature and ships respectively, they had something special on hand. Finally, 1979 saw the release of a new sci-fi/horror classic, Alien.

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    Synopsis

    A commercial spaceship called the Nostromo is returning to Earth, delivering several tons of mineral ore and seven crew members. However, the crew is woken up when the ship’s computer detects a distress signal on a nearby planet. Captain Dallas (Tom Skerrit) takes crew members Kane (John Hurt) and Lambert (Veronica Cartwright) go to investigate. They find a derelict spacecraft and find several egg-like objects, with one hatching a parasite that attaches to Kane’s face. Despite objections from Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the crew is let in by Ash (Ian Holm) to try and save Kane. While the parasite can’t be removed, it eventually falls off and dies, and Kane wakes up feeling fine. Unfortunately, that doesn’t last long as Kane ends up having a small alien creature burst out of his chest. With the creature in hiding, the remaining crew has to track it down before it kills them off.

     

    Review

    Given how significant and talked about this movie is, there isn’t much I can say that hasn’t already been said. All I can offer is my own thoughts, that being that this is a phenomenal sci-fi/horror film. For one, the performances are all-around great, with each of them given moments to shine and all being memorable. Given that this was her first film, Sigourney Weaver really shows her early potential and gives a great performance. The rest of the cast are all significant in their own ways, even if some have reduced screen time. Speaking of early debuts, given that this was only his second film, Ridley Scott’s direction is on-point. He mixes slow-moving wide shots with quick-cut close-ups that help give the film a feeling of tension and suspense. You can really see early examples of his future trademarks he’d use in later films.

    The film’s title creature, known as the Alien/Xenomorph, is horrific beauty brought to life by artist HR Giger. His designs for the alien and the derelict spacecraft are iconic for a reason, mixing technology with organic materials. Ron Cobb’s work in designing the Nostromo helps to give the film a feeling of realism with his meticulous details. Unlike Star Trek or Star Wars which treat space travel as fun and exciting, this treats it as blue-collar work. It’s a refreshing take on the genre, helped by the retro-futuristic look that helps set the film apart. Some audiences might be put off by the fact that the first 40 minutes are deliberately slow, which is understandable. However, the deliberately slow pace gives a false sense of security that makes the scares all the more effective. Overall, Alien is a sci-fi/horror classic that’s worthy of its status and legacy.

     

    Buy Alien from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sKS5Ig

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  • Unbreakable (2000)

    Unbreakable (2000)

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    Today, comic book movies, specifically superhero movies, are more popular now than ever and a major trend in Hollywood. These movies tend to come and go, usually in peaks and values, where just one flop can alter the course. 1978’s Superman was a huge hit, but then 1987’s Superman IV put a halt to that franchise. After 1989’s Batman, a new wave of comic book movies flooded the market before losing steam in the late 90s. Enter M. Night Shyamalan, who suddenly exploded with the release of The Sixth Sense in 1999. After that film’s massive success, he envisioned a film that paralleled a comic book’s traditional three-part structure. Overtime, he decided to focus more on the hero’s origin, essentially having the first act be the whole movie. So, in 2000, Shyamalan released what is arguably the best film of his career, Unbreakable.

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    Synopsis

    The film opens in 1961, where Elijah Prince is born with Type I osteogenesis imperfecta, his bones now easily broken. Cut to present time where we meet David Dunn (Bruce Willis), the lone survivor of a massive train accident. Not only is he the only survivor, but he miraculously doesn’t have a scratch on him. After attending the funeral for the other passengers, he’s introduced to the now adult Elijah Prince (Samuel L. Jackson). Elijah is convinced that Dunn is some sort of comic book superhero come to life, but Dunn doesn’t believe him. Dunn even tries to counter this when he learns that he nearly drowned as a child, but to no avail. Eventually, Dunn learns that not only is he super strong, but he can detect evil people have committed through touch. Dunn soon comes into his own as a hero, but what does that mean for Elijah?

     

    Review

    While most people say The Sixth Sense is Shyamalan’s best film, I’d argue that Unbreakable surpasses it tenfold. Not that The Sixth Sense is terrible, but Unbreakable is such a finely crafted film that it holds up better. The performances from Willis and Jackson are easily some of the best of their careers, Jackson’s in particular. Robin Wright also does a good job as Dunn’s estranged wife Audrey, who clearly still loves him despite their past. The direction from Shyamalan is phenomenal and James Newton Howard’s score really sells the tension and drama throughout. However, the reason why Unbreakable works so well is how it expertly deconstructs tropes common to most superhero stories. It takes the concept of a modern superhero story and places it in a real world setting. It’s essentially a story where, to quote Quentin Tarantino, “Superman is on Earth, but doesn’t know he’s Superman.”

    Normally, I’d give away the twist (common amongst Shyamalan films) since it’s nearly 20 years old, but I won’t. Not only will the ending shock you, but it will make you think back on everything you just saw. Some critics at the time were disappointed by the ending, which is somewhat understandable, but it still works really well. It’s one of those endings that is shocking, but you can pick up on it if you’re paying attention. If there were any criticisms I have towards the film, it’s very minor and really doesn’t detract from the film. The only real issues are that the pace can drag at times and the characters tend to whisper sometimes. But again, these minor grievances can’t take away from what an incredible and well-made film Shyamalan has made here. In summation, Unbreakable is a superhero movie that works as a deconstruction of the genre.

     

    Buy Unbreakable from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Xwj4cl.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Unbreakable (2000)

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  • Schindler’s List (1993)

    Schindler’s List (1993)

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    On September 1st, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded and took control of Poland, leading to the annexation of thousands of Jews. They were forced into ghettos with poor living conditions and were eventually either sent to labor camps or were exterminated. One of the biggest Polish cities to be affected was Kraków, which became one of 5 of these major ghettos. In the midst of all this, a womanizing industrialist named Oskar Schindler was looking to profit off the labor force. He started a factory where he employed thousands of Jews to build enamelware and munitions for little to no compensation. However, as Oskar saw what the Nazis were doing to these people, he used his business to save the Jews. He managed to save the lives of over 1,000 Jews and his story was immortalized in the novel Schindler’s Ark. Said book was eventually adapted into Stephen Spielberg’s Schindler’s List.

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    Synopsis

    After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, thousands of Jews in Krakow are rounded up and placed in ghettos. Soon, aspiring businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) arrives wanting to make a profit off of the war. Through bribing several SS officers, Schindler manages to acquire a factory to produce enamelware and hires Jews for cheap labor. Schindler hires a local Jewish official named Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) to help with the financial and administrative aspects. Before long, SS lieutenant Amon Göth (Ralph Fiennes) arrives to oversee construction of Płaszów concentration camp and liquidate the ghettos. As Schindler sees the Jewish community being exterminated, he maintains his relationship with the Nazis to keep his factory running. Soon, many of the Jewish workers start seeing Schindler as a savior for keeping them out of the concentration camps. As tensions mount, Schindler soon shifts focus from making profit to saving lives.

     

    Review

    By this point in his career, Spielberg was already an accomplished director with several great films under his belt. However, he was always snubbed by the Oscars, in spite of several of his movies being nominated for various awards. That all changed with Schindler’s List, which was his first win for Best Director and Best Picture. This movie is by far Spielberg’s greatest work, both in terms of filmmaking and its intent and message. In talking about the filmmaking, the first thing to compliment is the black-and-white photography, which really adds to the experience. The black-and-white makes the more grisly scenes even more disturbing while also giving the film a 40s noir look. Spielberg really lets loose and does not shy away from showing the audience just how awful and nightmarish this was. You definitely feel for the victimized Jews and desperately hope things turn good soon.

    What also makes this film work as well as it does is the cast, especially from Neeson, Kingsley, and Fiennes. Liam Neeson is phenomenal in the lead and is charismatic enough to where you buy how people can trust him. Sir Ben Kingsley also turns in a great performance, perfectly balancing off of Neeson’s more stern businessman-like performance. Ralph Fiennes is absolutely terrifying, not only because he does awful things, but because he looks soulless doing these things. He perfectly captures an evil character with no soul, emotion, or remorse for his actions, which makes him truly evil. Another note-worthy performance is Embeth Davidtz as Helen Hirsch, Goth’s Jewish maid who becomes his object of desire. Honestly, there really isn’t much else I can say that hasn’t already been said by everyone and their mother. All I can say is that Schindler’s List is absolutely required viewing and a masterpiece.

     

    Buy Schindler’s List from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4i8mtru.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Schindler’s List (1993)

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  • Commando (1985)

    Commando (1985)

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    In the 1980s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the biggest and most iconic action stars of the decade. His first claim to fame was as a bodybuilder in the 60s and 70s, becoming Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia. He first got into acting in the 1969 comedy Hercules in New York, where he was credited as “Arnold Strong.” Unfortunately, the film didn’t do much for his career, and he mostly took smaller roles in the 1970s. However, Arnold soon became a superstar with the release of the 1982 sword and sorcery epic, Conan the Barbarian. While the sequel Conan the Destroyer didn’t go over well, he rebounded with the more well-received The Terminator. Arnold was soon rising to superstardom, even being considered Sylvester Stallone’s rival throughout the rest of the 80s. Then in 1985, Arnold practically became an action movie icon with the release of the action extravaganza, Commando.

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    The film opens on a montage where several guys are being killed off one-by-one by a group of mercenaries. We soon meet former Special Forces Colonel John Matrix (Schwarzenegger) living in the mountains with his daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano). He’s visited by his former superior, Major General Kirby (James Olson), who comes with some bad news. Turns out the men killed earlier were part of John’s former unit, and Kirby has soldiers placed around Matrix’s home. Unfortunately, things go south fast when the mercenaries storm the house, kidnap Jenny, and knock out John. John wakes up to the mercenaries’ leader Arius (Dan Hedaya) who wants him to kill the president of Val Verde. Realizing that they’ll kills Jenny no matter what, Matrix decides to go after Arius and his men. Along with flight attendant Cindy (Rae Dawn Chong), John fights his way through the mercenaries to rescue his daughter.

    This movie is a blast to watch, so long as you don’t think too hard about the plot. It’s a full-on cavalcade of gunfights, explosions, slimy characters, iconic one-liners, and 80s machismo that just emanates from the screen. Arnold is practically an action movie god here, spouting off one-liners like nobody’s business and just mowing down bad guys. What separates Arnold from other action stars like Stallone and Norris is that he clearly is in on the joke. He knows the movie he’s in is ridiculous, and he’s just having a blast and making the most of it. The rest of the cast does an admirable job, Alyssa Milano and Rae Dawn Chong doing well despite their roles. In any another movie, they would come across as stereotypical and annoying, but here, they hold their own very well. Plus, be sure to look for a small appearance from Bill Paxton.

    But what’s a great action movie without an awesome villain for the hero to go up against? Here, we have a great selection of some of the best working character actors for the villains. There’s Bill Duke, who Schwarzenegger would rejoin in Predator two years later as a member of his team of commandos. Then there’s David Patrick Kelly, who’s just as slimy and sleazy as usual, and gets a great death scene. Dan Hedaya does a decent job as the leader, but it’s really Vernon Wells as Bennet who steals the show. He absolutely dominates the film and his fight scene with Schwarzenegger towards the end is easily the highlight. As I mentioned before, the movie is pretty mindless, but it’s enjoyable mindless as opposed to being just stupidly mindless. In summation, Commando is the kind of action film that’ll put you in a good mood.

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