* Brother Sun, Sister Moon: (1972 - Biography, drama / Italy, U.K. - Fratello sole, sorella luna) Directed by Francoi Zeffirelli, starring a group of relatively unknown actors (except for Sir Alec Guinness as Pope Innocent III). This recommendation was a dramatic bio-pic based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. It's not the first such movie I've seen, and hopefully I'll find a better one. The title (and cover) implies that it is a movie about St. Francis and St. Clare (both from Assissi, Italy), but the biographical aspects of St. Clare are completed ignored. In this medieval period piece, we're continually subjected to a rather overwrought musical score as if the movie were a musical. As a matter of fact, it might have been better if they had made this into a musical. The story - Francesco (St. Francis) is the young son of a wealthy merchant in early 13th century Italy. In the beginning of the film, he marches off to war, and we're quickly shown his return in an injured state. The movie spends a very long time with Francesco laying in bed experiencing a series of dreams and delusions. When he finally comes to, he's mentally deranged/damaged from the experience. Wondering the countryside in a stupor, he comes upon a ruined church and has a revelation/encounter with the Holy Spirit. From his state of insanity he emerges in a state of enlightenment. As he rejects material goods to be closer to God, his friends and family think he's deranged. He begins preaching Gods glory to the poor, and begins to attract a body of followers. It isn't long before he's seen as a threat by the local authorities. Seeking approval and the blessings of the church, he and his followers walk all the way to Rome in the hopes of meeting the pope. It's a great tale. A powerful and spiritually uplifting one. Unfortunately, this movie in no way evokes the spirit of the story. It's flat, full of ill advised musical treatment, pastoral scenes reminiscent of 'the sound of music', historically inaccurate and lacking in proper editing and direction. The dubbing in the English version (NetFlix didn't offer any options in this regard) was poorly produced. The acting by Graham Faulkner was fair for the part, but the character direction was idyllic, unrealistic and portrayed Francesco as some sort of simpleton. 2 of 5.
* Hell in the Pacific: (1968 - Drama, war) Directed by John Boorman (Deliverance, Zardoz (If you haven't seen this, rent it now! - Mind blowing sci-fi fantasy starring Sean Connery), Excalibur, The Emerald Forest). Starring Lee Marvin and Toshirô Mifune (two of my favorite actors). During WWII, two soldiers are marooned on a deserted island in the Pacific. This movie is a dramatic, thematic, socially evolutionary piece. The two warriors start out by trying to kill each other. As the movie progresses, they strive to communicate, come to realize the futility of their situation and eventually cooperate. This anti-war movie is a well executed drama with excellent pacing and cinematography. While the dialog contains Japanese and English, I found the exclusion of subtitles (for Japanese dialog) to actually enhance the experience of the movie. I couldn't understand the Japanese officer, and neither could Lee Marvin's character. Only through some effort were we/they able to understand each other. The only drawback was the abrupt and ridiculous ending (in the version offered through NetFlix's watch instantly feature). 4 out of 5.
* Sophie Scholl - The Final Days: (2005 - Biography, crime, drama, history, war / Germany - Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage) This movie is movie about the final days. The final days of Sophie Scholl and Germany's Nazi regime. Starring Julia Jentsch as Sophie Scholl and many other fine actors in a dramatic bio-pic. This one was very well executed (see above for one that wasn't). Sophie Scholl and her brother are arrested under suspicion of distributing 'treasonous materials', the two are quickly caught up in an intensive interrogation, investigation and trial by Nazi bureaucrats Were these two guilty of seditious treason? Absolutely. Were their actions necessary? Absolutely. Based on the true events surrounding the 'White Rose' resistance movement. This movie shines a light on the ethics of social responsibility and morality. They questioned the policies of 'Total War', the insanity of a war against all 'Enemies' of the reich. In today's society we scorn and ostracize whistle-blowers, protesters and social activists. In Nazi germany they sentenced them to death! Here is a story of moral conviction and political will. At times the movie seemed a bit over-wrought, but the direction, acting, props and locations were all perfect. The ending was perfectly 'executed'. Powerful and important messages are conveyed in this movie. Hopefully, we are wise enough to perceive those messages. 4 out of 5.
* The Blue Max: (1966 - Adventure, drama, war, action / U.K.) Directed by John Guillermin (King Kong (1976), The Bridge at Remagen, Towering Inferno (1974)), starring George Peppard, James Mason, Ursula Andress and others. Here is an outstanding film about WWI aviation. A film about honor, integrity and perseverance. Here we watch a German soldier with a commoners background. As he rises through the ranks, he struggles to overcome the biases/prejudices imposed by the aristocratic caste of Germany's military upper echelon. As he strives to achieve the highest honors (the Blue Max), he learns many hard lessons regarding the realities of war. With his skill in the air, he earns the attentions and accolades of women and men alike. The story soars, the characters and acting superb. The film work/cinematography is outstanding, and the ending is brutally bitter - politically real. 5 out of 5.
* Vanishing Point: (1971 - Action, drama / U.S., U.K.) Starring a lackluster cast - Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger, Victoria Medlin, and others. Here is a classic 70's muscle car movie. The story is incredibly simple, yet subtle. It's a well made car chase/road trip movie. James Kowalski (played by Barry Newman) is a driver for a car delivery service. He's hired to drive a supercharged 1970 Dodge Challenger from Colorado to San Francisco. Thumbing his nose at traditional expectations, he takes a bet that he can deliver the car to California in 15 hours. This bet starts the movie on a non-stop adrenaline fueled car chase. As he travels across the south-west, his journey is broadcast by Super-Soul, a blind-seer/radio DJ. His journey is an action packed commentary on the early 70's state of social unrest. Great cult classic, car chase, social commentary. 4 out of 5.
* Defiance: (2008 - Drama, thriller, war ) Screenplay and direction by Edward Zwick (Glory, The Last Samurai), starring Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and others. A tale of WWII. The story is that of refugees and partisans fighting the Nazi's on the eastern front. Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber play two of four Jewish brothers who take refuge from Nazis in the forests of Belarus during WWII. Originally they form a small cell of refugees, but circumstances swell their numbers as the Nazis and collaborating officials increase their campaign of terror on the inhabitants of this occupied territory. As the groups numbers swell, one of the brothers forms a cell of partisans who oppose and sabotage Nazi efforts in the region. This militant action threatens the group, and endangers the relationship of the brothers. Based on the real-life story of the Bielski brothers, the story was great. The acting was fair, but the production was lacking. The pacing was a bit off, and the story suffered from the duality of plot. One half of the movie was a gripping action flick which covered the partisan/guerilla actions of these refugees. The other half of the movie was a drama regarding the human suffering of the refugees. Complicating this aspect of the movie was an unnecessary romance angle which blunted the tragedy of the tale. 3 out of 5.
* Blue Velvet: (1986 - Crime, drama, mystery, thriller) Screenplay and direction by one of my favorite directors/writers, David Lynch (Dune, The Elephant Man, Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive). Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper and others. The movie starts when Jeffrey Beaumont (played by Kyle MacLachlan) finds a severed human ear in a field near his home. When the police move too slowly for the impatient Beaumont, he and co-conspirator - Sandy Williams, begin their own investigation. What follows is an intense murder mystery set in a small Pacific-Northwest town. This clear pre-cursor to the Twin Peaks tv series, is a stylish, film-noir mystery, filled with twisted characters and mind-bending revelations. The lighting, music and camera work are all superb. Dennis Hopper's portrayal of the twisted Frank Booth was outstanding. As usual, this movie by David Lynch is both disturbing and beautiful - while some cannot fathom it's depth, others find it remarkable. Put me in that category. 4 out of 5.
* Lawn Dogs: (1997 - Drama / U.K.) Directed by John Duigan, starring Mischa Barton, Sam Rockwell, Christopher McDonald, Kathleen Quinlan and others. Trent (played by Sam Rockwell) is a lawn-jockey, mowing the lawns in the gated community of Camelot Gardens. As a serf amongst the landed gentry, Trent is expected to look but not touch. The upper-crust community is highly xenophobic (to those outside their caste), hypocritical and unfaithful to its own. When ten year old Devon Stockard (played by 21 year old Mischa Barton!) wanders outside the walls of camelot, she comes to befriend Trent and starts a relationship destined to wreak havoc on the courtiers of this exclusive community. Its an excellent drama about social acceptance, coming of age, love, and friendship. I was also thrilled by the subtle sub plot involving Baba Yaga. Outstanding acting by Sam Rockwell and Mischa Barton (not so for most of the supporting cast). Excellent direction and camera work. A great independent drama amongst a sea of sleepy so-so flicks. 4 of 5.
* Riki-Oh - The Story of Ricky: (1991 - Action, crime, thriller / Lik Wong - Japan, China) Based on a Japanese manga rag, here is a cheesy, gory, b-fest of kung-fu, prison action. Far in the future (Next week?), the prisons are operated by greedy corporations. Our anti-hero is Riki-Oh, a downtrodden citizen (of China?) trapped in this highly corrupt prison society. Super-powered Riki-Oh took the law into his own hands, when he murdered the gang leader/drug dealer responsible for his girlfriends death. Now he's paying the price. Thrown into prison, he initially tries to avoid confrontation with the prison's residents, but that's not gonna happen. When the 'gang-of-four' tortures, frames, and murders an 'innocent' old-man, Riki decides that it's time to upset the status quo. What follows is an over-the-top gore fest, filled with prison cliches and preposterous sight-gags. The characters are preposterously clown-like super-villains, and the fight scenes so over the top that they make you laugh. Horrible acting, direction, production. Atrocious subtitles, poorly choreographed fight scenes, and a really bad dub job mark this movie as lacking in all the technical aspects. The only thing it's got going for it are the ridiculously over-the-top old school effects, ridiculous characters, and preposterous sense of self-importance. The fake-blood climax was utterly ridiculous. So bad it's funny. Had me laughing throughout. 3 out of 5.