Topic: DSig's Short List of what I'm Watching

[DSig]

Deep Impact: Widescreen Collection (1998/United States) Paramount Home Video (United States) Director: Mimi Leder Writing: Bruce Joel Rubin (Writer), Michael Tolkin (Writer) Length: 121 min. Video: Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles:

Stars:
Robert Duvall as Spurgeon Tanner
Téa Leoni as Jenny Lerner
Elijah Wood as Leo Biederman
Vanessa Redgrave as Robin Lerner
Morgan Freeman (1937) as President Beck
Maximilian Schell as Jason Lerner
James Cromwell (1940) as Alan Rittenhouse

Plot:
What would you do if you knew that in a handful of days an enormous comet would collide with Earth and all humanity could be annihilated?

The countdown to doomsday is underway in this "gut-wrenching, eye opening blast of a movie experience" (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview). Mimi Leder (The Peacemaker) directs, guiding an all-star cast featuring Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni, Elijah Wood, Vanessa Redgrave, Maximilian Schell and Morgan Freeman. With the film's dynamic fusion of large-scale excitement and touching, human-scale storylines, Deep Impact makes its impact felt in a big and unforgettable way.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Genre: Action, Science-Fiction, Disaster
Rating: PG-13
Have I seen it before: Yes
Do I Like it as much: Yes
Last Watched: 02/10/13

Review: 4/5

Of the two, Armageddon and Deep Impact, I like Deep Impact better of the two.  Armageddon is more of a high action Rock&Roll type film, while this one is more brooding with messed up personal relationships and calling into discussion the character (as if they had any) of the press.

Start your film with Morgan Freeman, Robert Duvall and Maximilian Schell and you know you should have a film that people come to see ... and for the most part that is what happened.

This is one of the few films that I actually like Tea Leoni in.  Normally i don't like the characters she plays or her portrayal of the character.  But here I think she is in perfect sync with the character.

Supporting actors do a good job.  And it all is tied together with a pretty good storyline.

[DSig]

The World's Fastest Indian (2005/United States) Magnolia Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Roger Donaldson Writing: Roger Donaldson (Writer) Length: 127 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: Spanish

Stars:
Anthony Hopkins as Burt

Plot:
Academy Award® Winner, Anthony Hopkins stars as Burt Munro, a man who never let the dreams of youth fade.

In the late 1960's, after a lifetime of perfecting his classic INDIAN MOTORCYCLE, Burt sets off from the bottom of the world, Invercargill, New Zealand, to clock his bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. With all odds against him, Burt puts his irrepressible "kiwi" spirit to the test, braving the New World on a shoestring budget. Burt's quest culminates in an unlikely conclusion and remains legendary within the motorcycle community to this day.

Extras:

My Thoughts:

Wikipedia Link for "The World's Fastest Indian"

Genre: Drama, Adventure
Rating: PG-13
Have I seen it before: Yes
Do I Like it as much: Yes
Last Watched: 02/10/2013

Review:  4/5

First, as you will note I only have Anthony Hopkins listed as the star.  There is a very good supporting cast including Joe Howard, Chris Williams, Paul Rodriguez and Diane Ladd to name a few.  But over all this is a film staring Anthony Hopkins.

This film is based on the events in the life of Burt Monro who at the age of 63 set the land speed record for motorcycle with displacement less than 1000cc.  Making his own tools and parts he created a world record besting bike.  No easy feat.

Of course, being a movie, i have to say that not everything in the film is accurate.  But the basics are here and Burt (originally Bert) was a self made man.  In his own way a great man.

This is a great feel good family oriented film.  One that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

[samuelrichardscott]

I definately think you should check out the original Uninvited. Also, if you're into Eastern horror, then obviously you should check out the Ringu films, Premonition, Dark Water, the Whispering Corridors trilogy, Inner Senses, Audition, the Three Extremes trilogies, Guinea Pig series and to a lesser extent One Missed Call and at a push Death Bell.

[DSig]

Thanks for that ... some i have or have seen but several i will check out.

[DSig]

The Company Men (2010/United States) The Weinstein Company Home Entertainment, Anchor Bay Entertainment (United States) Director: John Wells Writing: John Wells (Writer) Length: 104 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Ben Affleck as Bobby Walker
Tommy Lee Jones as Gene McClary
Chris Cooper as Phil Woodward
Kevin Costner as Jack Dolan
Craig T. Nelson as James Salinger

Plot:
From multi-Emmy® winning writer/director John Wells (ER, The West Wing), The Company Men is a remarkably relevant and uplifting motion picture experience inspired by today's headlines. Featuring a powerhouse cast including Academy Award® winners Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones and Kevin Costner, the film has been hailed as "grade A. Juicy, timely and terrifically engrossing" (Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly).

Bobby Walker (Affleck) is living the American Dream, until he is stunned to find himself the latest casualty of corporate downsizing. Suddenly, Bobby is forced to re-evaluate his self-worth as a husband, a father and a man. For as long as he can remember, he's given his life to his job. Now, with only the love of his wife and family, it's time to take his life back...

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes

My Thoughts:

Wikipedia Link for "The Company Men"

Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Have I seen it before: No
Do I Like it as much:
Last Watched: 11feb2013

Review: 3.5/5
 
Although some of the acting is 'rigid' (what can you expect when the star is Ben "I'm Made of Wood" Affleck) but even with that I really like this film.    Kevin Costner was a bit off in this one also.  I have lived through similar as the story line here and found it very captivating and well thought through.  

Craig T. Nelson was great as the unknowing/unfeeling ceo of the company.

So overall this is a pretty good film worth seeing.

[DSig]

High Art (1998/) (United States) Director: Lisa Cholodenko Writing: Lisa Cholodenko (Screenwriter) Length: 103 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Radha Mitchell as Syd
Gabriel Mann as James
Ally Sheedy as Lucy
Patricia Clarkson as Greta


Plot:
Ally Sheedy stars as Lucy Berliner, a once-famous photographer, whose career is revitalized when she meets Syd (Radha Mitchell), a beautiful young assistant editor for a prestigious photography magazine. Withdrawn from the art world, Lucy is reawakened by Syd who offers her the hope of escaping her drug-filled world. Before Syd realizes it, she is drawn into Lucy’s seductive and dangerous mix while forced to make choices she never imagined

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers

My Thoughts:

Wikipedia Link for "High Art"

Genre: Drama, Romance
Rating: R
Have I seen it before: No
Do I Like it as much:
Last Watched: 2/15/2013

Review: 4/5

This is a very fine film with a very good cast.  Maybe Ally Sheedy's best performance ever.  This is a big turn from her previous/normal roles.  She is deep, dark and basically a tortured  character here.  Radha Mitchell is also brilliant in this film.  I have liked her in several other films, especially her character 'Carolyn Fry' in the great sci-fi film Pitch Black just 2 years on.  But "High Art" is only her second film and her first in a co-staring role.  A great performance indeed.  Particia Clarkson also plays her role very well.  A perfect spoil for the other characters.

Over all I give this a hearty recommendation.  Very happy to have this one in the collection.

[DSig]

Something Wild (1986/United States) MGM Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Jonathan Demme Writing: E. Max Frye (Writer) Length: 113 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: French, Spanish

Stars:
Jeff Daniels (1955) as Charles Driggs
Melanie Griffith  as Audrey Hankel
Ray Liotta  as Ray Sinclair

Plot:
"Reckless romance, comedy and a wild-side ride [you] won't soon forget" ('Newsday')! Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffith and Ray Liotta star in this classic comedy thriller about losing yourself, finding your heart ... and kidnapping a date for your high-school reunion! Nominated for three Golden Globe awards, 'Something Wild' "captures the giddy exhilaration of jumping into a car, hitting the road [and] chucked it all" ('L.A. Herald Examiner')!

Mild-manner Charlie Driggs (Daniels) thinks he's a closet rebel - until he meets a real one. Sexy, free-spirited and totally reckless, Lulu (Griffith) hijacks Charlie for an outrageous spree filled with offbeat sex, petty larceny and hilarious mayhem. But when Lulu's psychotic ex-con husband Ray (Liotta) puts the brakes on their joyride, Charlie suddenly realizes that his walk on the wild side may not only cost him his job and his girlfriend - it just might cost him his life - in this "wonderfully zesty romantic thriller full of unexpected plot curves" ('New York Daily News')!

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers

My Thoughts:

Wikipedia Link for" Something Wild"

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Suspense/Thriller
Rating: R
Have I seen it before: No
Do I Like it as much:
Last Watched: 01-10-2013

Review: 2/5

Out of 113 minutes there are maybe 5 that I enjoyed.  I feel that I might have become dumber just watching this film.

Melenie Griffith seemed to have gone backwards.  She was much better just 2 years earlier in Body Double. Like most of that performance but here her performance seems forced and unsure.  Jeffery Daniels is ... well ... Jeffery Daniels.  This is his 5th film and first staring role, but even with that he is more sure and confident in his role.  For Ray Liotta this is only his second film and first really co-star role.  His is very very good in this and seems to have come into acting with his 'crazy out-of-control' character fully formed. 

But except for the performance of Ray Liotta this film really held nothing for me.  I don't believe that I will ever watch this film again.

[DSig]

The Man with One Red Shoe (1985/United States) Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Stan Dragoti Writing: Francis Veber (Original Material By), Yves Robert (Original Material By), Robert Klane (Screenwriter) Length: 92 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1, Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Tom Hanks as Richard
Dabney Coleman as Cooper
Lori Singer as Maddy
Charles Durning as Ross
Carrie Fisher as Paula
Ed Herrmann as Brown
Jim Belushi as Morris
Tom Noonan as Reese

Plot:
In this hilarious undercover comedy, violinist Richard Drew (HANKS) is mistaken for a spy after wearing one red shoe, triggering a game of rivalry between feuding C.I.A. bosses (CHARLES DURNING, DABNEY COLMAN). Though Richard is mugged, shot at and chased, he remains unaware that he is an object of suspicion, and even falls in love with the agent (LORI SINGER) who's trailing him. Meanwhile, his friend's (JIM BELUSHI) love-starved wife (CARRIE FISHER) has designs on him as well.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Wikipedia Link for The Man with One Red Shoe

Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Have I seen it before: Yes
Do I Like it as much: Yes
Last Watched: 2/10/2013

Review: 3.5/5
This is during Tom Hanks 'wacky' period.  Just his 3rd staring role, he has matured greatly from his earlier films and TV.  Backed with fun performances by Jim Belushi (very early role), Carrie Fisher, the great Dabney Coleman and equally great Charles Durning.  Lori Singer is very good as the 'femme fatale' .. beautiful and funny.

It is a fun story line with performances.  No rocket science .. just good clean fun.

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

You may want to check out the original then: Le grand blond avec une chaussure noire

[DSig]

Little Secrets (2001/) (United States) Director: Blair Treu Writing: Length: 96 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1, Pan & Scan 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Other

Stars:
Evan Rachel Wood as Emily Lindstrom
Michael Angarano as Philip
David Gallagher as David
Vivica A. Fox as Pauline

Plot:
Emily Lindstrom (Evan Rachel Woods), a gifted 14-year-old violinist, skips summer camp in order to prepare for an audition with the prestigious San Francisco Youth Orchestra. Emily has also set up a side business as a "secret keeper," charging a 50 cent fee to share and keep the neighborhood children's secrets. She soon discovers, however, that there is a price to keeping secrets that can't be measured in coins.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Closed Captioned
• Soundtrack on CD

My Thoughts:

Wikipedia Link for Little Secrets

Genre: Drama, Family
Rating: PG
Have I seen it before:
Do I Like it as much:
Last Watched: 2/12/2013

Review: 3/5
I really enjoyed this film.  Evan Rachel Wood gives a very good early performance.  Just 2 years later she will give a great performance in Thirteen.  A very good performance as a aspiring concert violinist who makes money on the side by keeping secrets of all the kids in the neighborhood.  This is a coming of age movie not only personally with new boy in the neighborhood but also self understanding.

David Gallagher (from 7th Heaven) as the bad boy next door and Michael Angarano who wants to be the bad boy interest.

This film can be a little slow, but maybe that is more because of the number of action films I watch ... it plays well and is great family entertainment.

[DSig]

You may want to check out the original then: Le grand blond avec une chaussure noire

I'll keep a look out for it ... currently it is at $22 US which is more than i will pay for any film ... let alone one that I have to read 

But thanks for the heads up

[DSig]

Dressed to Kill: Special Edition (1980/United States) MGM Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Brian De Palma Writing: Brian De Palma (Writer) Length: 105 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: French, Spanish

Stars:
Michael Caine as Dr. Robert Elliott
Angie Dickinson as Kate Miller
Nancy Allen as Liz Blake
Keith Gordon as Peter Miller
Dennis Franz as Detective Marino
David Margulies as Dr. Levy

Plot:
Writer/director Brian De Palma "maintains a fever pitch from start to finish" (Leonard Maltin) with his "steamily libidinous and extremely bloody thriller" (Newsweek)! Starring Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson and Nancy Allen (in a Golden Globe-nominated performance), this taut psycho-sexual chiller is razor-sharp tale of passion, madness and murder that's as "scary as the devil [with] suspense to spare" (Playboy)!

Fashionable Manhattan therapist Dr. Robert Elliott (Caine) faces the most terrifying moment of his life, when a psychotic killer begins attacking the women in his life (Dickinson & Allen) - with a straight razor stolen from his office. Desperate to find the murderer before anyone else is hurt; Elliott is soon drawn into a dark and disturbing world of chilling desires. And as the doctor edges closer to the terrible truth, he finds himself lost in a provocative and deadly maze of obsession, deviance, and deceit - where the most harmless erotic fantasies... can become the most deadly sexual nightmares!

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Production Notes
• Closed Captioned
• Unrated Version Option, 4-Page Booklet

My Thoughts:

Wikipedia Link for Dressed to Kill

Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Rating: Unrated
Have I seen it before: Yes when first released
Do I Like it as much: No
Last Watched: 2/15/2013

Review: 0/5
Showing a 'half star' is too many as far as I am concerned.  I don't know what is different, but I *thought* i remembered liking this film when it first came out.  I am not sure what is so different now ... but I had to turn this off after 45 minutes.  I just couldn't stand it.

It is an excellent cast .. with Michael Caine and Angie Dickinson and with a young Keith Gordon (great in Christine.  And Brian DePalma heading up the direction (though I do find him hit or miss) this should still be a good film for me.

So with a cast like this and a great director ... what could be wrong.  I really don't know.  I only know that, as i said, I had to turn it off after 45 minutes.  I did not like the story, the acting, directing, filming .. hey it reminded me why i hated the 80's so much.  It simply seemed like a complete waste of time.  When you have absolutely nothing invested after 45 minutes there is nothing else you can do ... but turn it off.

I have put it on the bottom of my stack, some 25 discs waiting, and will try it again just in case it was all me.  I will go into it with an open mind and hopefully I will be able to change this write-up.  I really do hate to diss anyone for their creation.

Like Thumper's dad says ... "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all"

[samuelrichardscott]

Oh hell no! There is something we disagree on

De Palma is one of my favourite directors and although Dressed to Kill is far from his best I thought it was still a solid thriller. Give it another go at some point as although it has been a long time since I saw it I do remember it had a bit of a slow start. Searching my viewing records it was 2002 when I last saw it and I gave it a 3/5.

[DSig]

Yeah ... i *remember* it as a good film, and it got pretty good reviews (though not always a teller).

I will try it again but if the first 50 are like the first 45 ... i might have to shred it 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

i might have to shred it 

Well, we'll always have (no, not Paris) ... EBay.