Category: Classics

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After working as an actor for many years, Clint Eastwood transitioned to directing with 1971’s Play Misty for Me. While he continued acting, Eastwood would go back and forth between going in front of and behind the camera. 1992 saw the release of Eastwood’s largest directorial effort, Unforgiven, which won the Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture. His career in the 1990s exploded as he directed five more films and a music video during the decade. Around the end of the decade, Eastwood got a script from writers Ken Kaufman and Howard Klausner about space exploration. Clint initially planned to star and produce, but when potential directors dropped out, he decided to take on that role. With a budget of $65 million, Eastwood set out to make an effects-heavy film, something he’d never done before. In August 2000, Space Cowboys soared its way onto theater screens in North America.

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Synopsis

NASA discovers that a Soviet communication satellite, IKON, is decaying from orbit and is about to crash onto Earth. Unfortunately, none of the engineers know how to work with the satellite’s outdated technology, so they seek outside help. Agent Sara Holland (Marcia Gay Harden) goes to recruit former engineer Frank Corvin (Clint Eastwood) to assist them. Corvin agrees if they also recruit his former teammates from “Team Daedalus,” which attempted to fly men to the moon. Among the team are William “Hawk” Hawkins (Tommy Lee Jones), Jerry O’Neill (Donald Sutherland), and “Tank” Sullivan (James Garner). Their former boss Bob Gerson (James Cromwell), who’s now a project manager, wants the team to shadow younger astronauts. However, once the press gets wind of what’s happening, the four will be working alongside the younger astronauts. Once the team launches into space, they soon learn they’ve got something more significant in-store.

Review

Space Cowboys is an entertaining drama with some science-fiction elements, featuring some of Hollywood’s finest actors. Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner make the film worth watching. They feel like old friends with a long history together, and it’s great seeing them work together. Each guy has their defining characteristics, such as Sutherland being a ladies’ man and Eastwood arguing with Cromwell. The rest of the cast is also great, particularly Marcia Gay Harden and James Cromwell. A romance develops between Jones and Harden, which comes out of nowhere, but they make it believable. Once they enter space, the film switches genres, but it’s built up to where it doesn’t feel out of place. The visual effects have held up surprisingly well for a movie made twenty years ago, and the CGI looks good. The finale is exciting and has some hard-hitting moments.

Admittedly, the plotline is somewhat cliche, being a story of old guys coming out of retirement for one last job. The movie follows the typical tropes, such as the clash between young and old and doubts about the mission’s success. Plus, when the other team members are being recruited, none seem to second guess whether they should join. It feels a little too convenient, which takes away any sense of urgency, and deflates the tension. Despite the use of tropes, there are some genuinely shocking moments, especially in the finale, that you won’t see coming. It helps that the cast has so much charisma that it makes up for the cliche story. There is some padding at slightly over two hours, but the movie flows at a decent pace. Overall, Space Cowboys isn’t anything new, but the likable cast and decent effects make it worth a watch.

Buy Space Cowboys from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qp0RbN.

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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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Special Review” subhead=”This review is a special request from Patreon supporter Patrick Glauber. If you’d like to support me on Patreon, click the button below.” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Visit Patreon” button_one_url=”https://www.patreon.com/filmnerd” background_overlay_color=”#f96854″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ background_color=”#f96854″ custom_button_one=”on” button_one_bg_color=”#052d49″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”25px||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]On a $13 million budget, The Godfather: Part II grossed $93 million worldwide and was 1974’s sixth highest-grossing film. Despite a mixed reception from critics, the film earned six Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. Francis Ford Coppola followed this up with 1979’s Apocalypse Now, which was another hit despite numerous production problems. Unfortunately, his 1982 film One from the Heart was a colossal flop, grossing over $600,000 on a $25 million budget. Due to the financial loss, Coppola accepted an offer from Paramount to make another sequel to The Godfather. Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, and Talia Shire agreed to return, but Robert Duvall refused due to pay disputes. With a budget of $54 million, principal photography began in November 1989 and ran throughout the following year. Sixteen years after the last installment, The Godfather: Part III premiered on Christmas Day of 1990.

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Synopsis

Set in 1979, a 60-year-old Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is dealing with the consequences of his rise to power. Michael meets with his now-grown children, Anthony (Franc D’Ambrosio) and Mary (Sofia Coppola), at an induction ceremony. They’ve been living with their mother and Michael’s ex-wife Kay (Diane Keaton), who’s since remarried and still resents Michael. At his sister Connie’s (Talia Shire) insistence, Michael agrees to take on his illegitimate nephew Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia). Michael makes deals with the Vatican to pay off their debts for shares in Internazionale Immobiliare to legitimize his business. While this is happening, Mary takes an interest in Vincent, and the two start a romantic relationship. Don Altobello (Eli Wallach) wants in on the Internazionale Immobiliare but double-crosses Michael when he’s refused a share. As Michael reflects on his life choices, he is pulled back into the mafia lifestyle he tried leaving behind.

Review

Despite its flaws, I felt that The Godfather: Part II was a worthy follow-up to the original classic. Unfortunately, The Godfather: Part III isn’t the stellar finale to the trilogy fans were probably hoping for. Before I go into the negatives, I want to highlight the positives as there are good qualities to the movie. For one, the performances are spectacular (for the most part), especially from Al Pacino and Diane Keaton. Also, Andy Garcia does an excellent job playing the arrogant yet loyal Vincent Mancini. Like the previous films, this one explores themes of family, loyalty, and betrayal, reflecting on the past. We see the once determined and ruthless Michael Corleone become a broken man who feels remorseful in his old age. After going through the entire trilogy, it’s interesting to see the character growth of this war hero turned mafioso.

Now, it’s time to address the elephant in the room that’s been discussed since 1990: Sofia Coppola’s performance. Sadly, she is the weakest actor in the movie, with her line delivery coming off stilted and unnatural. Someone like Winona Ryder would’ve done a much better job, but there are some scenes even she couldn’t save. Also, there are so many subplots going on that it’s hard to keep track of what’s happening. Sure, the second film suffered from constantly switching back between the past and present, but it was easier to follow. In this film, you’ve got a plot involving the Catholic Church, finances, family turmoil, rival gangs, and forbidden romance. Even though it’s the shortest one, the movie feels so scatterbrained that it’ll feel longer than it actually is. Overall, while it has many good aspects, The Godfather: Part III is a disappointing finale to an American classic.

Buy The Godfather: Part III from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f7W3nb.

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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On a $6 million budget, The Godfather exceeded all expectations, grossing over $130 million domestically and over $250 million worldwide. It was the highest-grossing film of 1972 and held the record for the all-time highest-grossing film until Jaws. The film also received universal praise from critics and won three Oscars: Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture. Given the success, Paramount was eager to get a sequel out the door and even gave Coppola complete creative control. For the sequel, Coppola wanted to tell two stories: the rise of Vito Corleone and the fall of Michael Corleone. Coppola managed to bring back several original cast members with a budget of $13 million (more than double the original’s). Filming ran from October 1973 to June 1974, though panic arose when early preview screenings called the film a disaster. Nevertheless, The Godfather: Part II had its NYC premiere in December 1974.

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Synopsis

After his father’s death, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is the new Don of the Corleone crime family. He has to take on running an organized crime league while also caring for his current family. Unfortunately, things go south after Michael and his wife Kay (Diane Keaton) survive an attempted assassination while in bed. In response, Michael goes to Nevada and meets with mobster Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg), who he suspects of the assassination. While this is going on, the film shows how Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) rose to power. In addition to his children being born, we see how Vito eliminated Don Fanucci (Gastone Moschin) in his conquest. Back in the present, Michael contends with duplicitous partners, a Senate committee cracking down on crime, and his wife miscarrying. As the power and responsibility of being a don get to Michael’s head, his family life begins to crumble.

Review

Given the critical and commercial success of the original, The Godfather: Part II had a lot to live up to. For the most part, this sequel manages to be as good as the first film, but it has its problems. On the one hand, I’m glad Coppola had more creative control to make the movie he wanted to make. On the other hand, he might’ve gone overboard with packing in as much material as possible in a 3-hour runtime. The plot jumps back and forth between Michael’s story and Vito’s origin throughout the movie without any rhyme or reason. This jumping back-and-forth makes it challenging to follow what’s going on and keep track of both stories. Still, it’s interesting seeing how Vito maintains his family while becoming powerful, contrasted with how Michael’s family is falling apart. It’s a shame there’s not much cohesion between both narratives.

Much like the original, this film showcases some of the best actors the 1970s had to offer. Not only is his character further expanded upon, but Al Pacino delivers an electrifying performance as a broken man. You feel how the pressure of being the Don affects him and his loved ones, especially in his outbursts. By contrast, Robert De Niro gives a calm and levelheaded performance as the young Vito Corleone. Even with limited experiences, you feel like this guy is in control of the situation and knows what he’s doing. The rest of the performances are exceptional, particularly Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Robert Duvall, John Cazale, and Lee Strasberg. The production design is phenomenal, Gordon Willis’ cinematography is solid, and Nino Rota’s score is just as epic. Overall, The Godfather: Part II has its problems, but it’s a worthy successor to the original classic.

Buy The Godfather: Part II from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FV6xWt.

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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In 1967, Paramount Pictures announced they would be backing the latest book by author Mario Puzo to adapt to film. Titled The Godfather, the book was published in 1969 and became an instant best-seller, selling over nine million copies. Following the publication, studio executive Robert Evans started looking for a director, preferring an Italian American to add authenticity. After getting turned down by Sergio Leone, Peter Bogdanovich, and Arthur Penn, Evans’ assistant suggested an up-and-coming Francis Ford Coppola. After finding Puzo’s book sleazy and sensational, Coppola initially turned it down but changed his mind due to financial problems. At the time, Paramount was not doing well as most of their past films bombed at the box office. The studio took issue with the casting decisions, inflating budget, and unconventional filming throughout the production. Despite these setbacks, Coppola’s The Godfather finally hit theaters in March 1972.

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Synopsis

Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) returns home from the war for the wedding of his sister Connie (Talia Shire). His father, Vito (Marlon Brando), is the don of a massive crime league who cares for his family. Unfortunately, Vito has his life threatened when drug baron Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) asks for his assistance and gets rejected. Vito’s put in the hospital while his son Sonny (James Caan) takes over and accepts the offer. Things progressively worsen as an all-out war between the five families breaks out, Vito worrying for his sons’ safety. He has Michael relocate to Sicily while Fredo (John Cazale) takes shelter in Las Vegas until everything blows over. While they’re away, Sonny gets gunned down by gangsters, but Vito doesn’t want anyone acting out in vengeance. Coupled with Vito’s failing health, Michael moves back home and takes the reins to try and preserve the family.

Review

Honestly, The Godfather is one of those movies where I’m not sure if there’s anything new I can add. All I can offer is my perspective on what’s considered one of the greatest films in American history. Incredibly, Francis Ford Coppola went from working with Roger Corman on low-budget quickies to directing an American classic. Working with cinematographer Gordon Willis, he adds a quiet, somber tone to the proceedings, even in the more violent scenes. This melancholy tone is further exemplified by composer Nino Rota’s brilliantly haunting score, which has become iconic. The cast includes so many great performances that it’s hard to narrow down to just a few standouts. Suffice it to say that there’s not a single weak, and everyone delivers a stellar performance. If I must single out a few standout actors, they’d have to be Marlon Brandon, Al Pacino, and James Caan.

While on the surface, it seems like a bloody mafia movie, it’s a melancholy tale about family, betrayal, and loyalty. Marlon Brando gives Vito Corleone a calm, understated performance where you get all the information from his facial expressions. Al Pacino is similarly reserved, but he has moments where he explodes as he gets more entangled in the family. James Caan comes off as the cocky older brother trying to keep the family together but making bad decisions. Other highlights include Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Abe Vigoda, and even character actors like Joe Spinell. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible makeup effects by Dick Smith, who can make Marlon Brandon unrecognizable. The slow pace and three-hour runtime might put off modern audiences, but it’s considered legendary for a reason. Overall, The Godfather is a cinematic masterpiece everyone should see at least once.

Buy The Godfather from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3waDE3W.

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 The Godfather (1972)

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In the early 1980s, Stanley Kubrick expressed interest in doing a film about the horrors of the Vietnam War. After discovering the 1979 novel The Short-Timers, Kubrick referred to Gustav Hasford, the original author, to adapt the book. Kubrick had also been working with novelist Michael Herr, who previously wrote the Vietnam memoir Dispatches, on the screenplay. Initially, they brought on former Marine R. Lee Ermey as a technical advisor, but he convinced Kubrick to cast him. The rest of the cast consisted of relative unknowns like Matthew Modine, Vincent D’Onofrio, Adam Baldwin, and Arliss Howard. Filming occurred between 1985 and 1986, primarily in England, though it was difficult for many cast and crew members. After a rough shooting, the film premiered in the US in June 1987 and the UK in September. Concerned that audiences would misunderstand the title, Kubrick chose to call the movie Full Metal Jacket.

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Synopsis

At Parris Island, Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey) trains recruits to become Marines. While he’s tough but fair to most of them, he’s particularly annoyed with Private Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence (Vincent D’Onofrio). Throughout the training, Lawrence is mocked and ridiculed by both Hartman and his fellow recruits for being overweight and incompetent. The only one who shows some compassion is J. T. “Joker” Davis (Matthew Modine), but even he can’t help him. After training, J. T. is made a sergeant and sent off to Vietnam as a reporter for Stars and Stripes. Paired with combat photographer Private First Class Rafterman (Kevyn Major Howard), J. T. witnesses first-hand the horrors of war. He sees fellow soldiers getting blown up, shot by snipers, and losing their humanity as the conflict continues. In his own words, J. T. sees what he calls “the duality of man” at play.

Review

Of the many Vietnam war movies released around this time, Full Metal Jacket is undoubtedly one of the most well-made. There are tons of long takes, tracking shots, and harsh lighting to accentuate the mood in typical Kubrick fashion. Admittedly, the movie’s best parts are the scenes at boot camp, mainly because of the performances. R. Lee Ermey steals the show as the hard-as-nails drill sergeant spouting some of the most profane dialogue imaginable. Also, Vincent D’Onofrio is another stand-out as the sympathetic yet insane Private Pyle with some memorable lines of his own. Matthew Modine makes for a good center as he deals with the unhinged insanity of Ermey and D’Onofrio. Unfortunately, the boot camp sequences end roughly 45 minutes in, and the rest of the movie slows down dramatically. Still, the scenes in Vietnam have their merits, even if they’re not as memorable.

As mentioned earlier, the film is incredibly well-made, and it shows during the Vietnam scenes. You get a sense of how ravaged these cities have become by the war with all the blown-up buildings. It’s crazy to think the film was shot in England, considering how well they could recreate a bombed-out Vietnam. The film tackles many themes, such as the duality of man and how war can make people into killing machines. Sadly, the sequences in Vietnam feel somewhat scattered and more like a series of events that just happen. It doesn’t quite have the emotional impact of similar Vietnam war movies like Platoon or Apocalypse Now. Despite its flaws, this is still an incredible well-made war film with great performances that explores humanity as a whole. Overall, Full Metal Jacket isn’t perfect, but it still earns its place as a cinematic classic.

Buy Full Metal Jacket from Amazon: https://amzn.to/34cknVR.

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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