movie reviews. (hell, America, marriage, Jewish, Roman)

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Gerani1248

i thought the book was better, *Like water for chocolate*, because of the recipes it had every month.

Many people who I have spoken to about this movie have related the same preferrences for the novel.

[mrscardero]

Originally Posted by carrdero

The Forbidden Zone

DVD/ B&W/ 73 Mins./ R/ 1980

Directed by: Richard Elfman

Susan Tyrell

Herve Villechaize

Danny Elfman



Welcome to the Sixth Dimension --a topsy-turvy universe of frog butlers, topless princesses, machine gun-toting teachers, chicken boys, human chandeliers and the devil himself (Danny Elfman). They're all ruled by the sex-obsessed midget King Fausto (Herve Villechaize) and his insane Queen (Susan Tyrrell). And everything is jet-propelled by Elfman's catchy, inimitable tunes.



I use to own the VHS of this movie but due to repeated viewings the tape had broke. Bootleg copies abounded on eBay and the originals were just so expensive for this rare film so you can imagine my excitement to finally know that this film has been finally released on DVD with all the bells and whistles. It expresses the early beginnings of the band BOINGO who originally were called the Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo and eventually changed to Oingo Boingo. This film has been considered the “Citizen Kane of Underground Movies” and is one of my favorite cult movies.



Other movies that this film may or may not have inspired that you may enjoy: None. There are no other films that come close to the explicit madness, the juvenile humor and all around fun that this film promotes.

carrdero showed me this movie. It's The Wizard of Oz of our generation.
Here is a picture of Danny Elfman in the movie.
I have to admit, it was a great movie with great music.

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by Circle_One

One movie I recently watched an highly enjoyed was Ju-On. The original Japanese version of The Grudge. Extremely creepy. I haven't seen the new English version though, so I cannot compare.

I've seen both...I watched the English version to see if I could make any more sense of how it ended.

Nope.

[cardero]

SEVEN SAMURAI

DVD Criteria Collection/ B&W/ 3 hrs 23 Mins./NR/ 1954



SYNOPSIS: Bandits are terrorizing and pillaging a poor farmer’s colony and the residents of this village are left starving and defenseless against the attacks. A few farmers go into town and seek the service of samurai warriors to defend their farms from future attacks. They offer to pay them room and board and to feed them their finest rice. Seven warriors take up the challenge and return with the farmers to teach them in the ways of fighting and defense.



OPINIONS: This is a classic movie I would say based on 18th century China. The movie was subtitled but translated very well. The scenes are directed very well and there is humor placed in all the right places so as not to weigh the subject material down to much. Upon watching the film you cannot help but think that this story was way before it’s time. There is particular attention drawn to detail and the nobility and way of the ancient samurai codes and techniques are respected and well represented.



SIDE NOTES: If this story sounds familiar it should. It was the basis for another Hollywood classic entitled the Magnificent Seven which turned the situation into a western. After seeing both of them I would highly recommend Seven Samurai but keep the Magnificent Seven movie for the next night and enjoy the comparisons and the homage to the original.

[cardero]

VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED
B&W 77 Mins. 1961

SYNOPSIS: Something has happened in the town of Midwich. The whole town has fallen asleep only to reawaken several hours later with no recollection of what happened. Months later all the women who can get pregnant do, for no apparent reason and give birth to children who all look the same but do not look like the parents. This is the premise for probably one of the eeriest movies ever produced. Based on the novel The Midwich Cuckoos this well defined film speaks about intelligence, evolution, prejudice and human tolerance. A difficult movie to classify, it watches like a 90 minute episode of the Twilight Zone but has a much more logical conclusion. Highly recommended.


SIDE NOTES: There is a dampened remake floating around starring Christopher Reeve and Kirsty Ally and directed by John Carpenter which would be better left unnoticed. If you enjoyed this film and feel a need for more insight I recommend reading the book or watching the sequel Children of the Damned.

[EnhancedSpirit]

Summary: In the year 2000 auto racing has become very dangerous: it's not only how fast you drive, but how many pedestrians you hit. David Carradine takes on Sylvester Stallone in this adrenaline thriller that will surely make you look both ways before you cross the road.
In 2000 America has been rebuilt by one man, the President has become an emperor. With this power he created the Race. Every year violent role-playing psychopaths are placed behind the wheels of high performance killing machines and sent across the country. Their goal? Finish alive with the most points from running down as many pedestrians as possible and it's all perfectly legal. See a line of doctors and nurses on the sidewalk? Thump, thump, thump: 110 points.

[Ardhanariswar]

very dangerous, by the looks of the women in white.

O.O

[ayani]

Grave of the Fireflies- heartbreaking film. beautifully animated, complex yet very simple. tells the story of a brother and sister trying to survive on their own in bombed-out Kobe at the end of WWII.

[Stormygale]

LOL...this one I like. Sorry to be soooo plain and up to date, however, when I was in high school, I read LOTR. Fell in love with it. Upon seeing the recent releases of the show, I was captivated and fell in love with it again. LOTR has my vote of excellence.