The premise of this fine science fiction movie is plausible, and its cast of veteran actors makes it a real joy to watch. Don Ameche, who is making a comeback after all these years; the husband and wife team of Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy who have played together for ever; Wilford Brimley; Maureen Stapleton and the rest of this wonderful group make together a great combination. I first took notice of Brian Dennehy and his imposing presence in this movie, and he fits well in all his roles, good guy, or bad guy. I enjoyed watching its third re-run years after having seen it for the first time, and enjoyed it just as much. Maybe it's because I'm nearing 80 and I relate to those guys. It seems to be on its way to become a classic, despite its oft repeated ending.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Legends of the Fall
(1994)
A Modern Day Greek Tragedy
6 August 2000
We have all heard that bad things can happen to good people, but TO THIS EXTENT ? How can a family of such decent people be destined to suffer so much pain and heartbreak ? The father who is a retired Cavalry Colonel, had enough courage and sense of social justice to stand up against what was then the U.S. Government policy with regard to Native Americans. He is now quietly running a farm in the west with the help of his three hardworking sons -- who like their father -- are so socially conscious that they volunteer to go and fight WWI without having ever set foot in Europe. The story is not one of those when you say such things couldn't happen in real life, and everything takes place in lifelike plausible situations. This epic movie has a lot going for it, and it achieves what many movie makers strive to do but fail. Majestic scenery of the American west, with glorious sunsets in awesome colors, to unimaginable scenes of horrific gore and human slaughter in WWI. The dialogue is perfect and the acting superb. A flawless production which I definitely recommend to one and all. A must see.
The War at Home
(1996)
Great Movie
18 June 2000
Not being a movie aficionado, I am not familiar with the names of leading Directors, Scriptwriters, Producers and the like, but I can tell an outstanding movie when I see one.
The makers of this fine movie could well be now at the top of their fields, or may well get there pretty soon. I know that the actors are already there.
It takes talent closer to genius to show with such realism how a national tragedy like Vietnam has impacted the everyday life of a typically average American family, and make us see at close range why there are so many homeless Vietnam veterans.
Without getting into gratuitous scenes of gore and bloodshed, it makes us understand why so many youg men had flashbacks of what they had been thru.
The dialog is particularly gripping, and gives us an idea of what went on in so many families in the aftermath of Vietnam.
I wish there were more good movies like this one, not just about Vietnam, but about other social conditions as well.
The makers of this fine movie could well be now at the top of their fields, or may well get there pretty soon. I know that the actors are already there.
It takes talent closer to genius to show with such realism how a national tragedy like Vietnam has impacted the everyday life of a typically average American family, and make us see at close range why there are so many homeless Vietnam veterans.
Without getting into gratuitous scenes of gore and bloodshed, it makes us understand why so many youg men had flashbacks of what they had been thru.
The dialog is particularly gripping, and gives us an idea of what went on in so many families in the aftermath of Vietnam.
I wish there were more good movies like this one, not just about Vietnam, but about other social conditions as well.
Arabian Nights
(2000)
How NOT to make a movie
1 May 2000
What a waste of good stories, and a waste of everything else. I watched this movie off the air,so there isn't much to complain about, but I would have been just a much entertained, if I had sat in my room and twiddled my thumbs instead. On top of all that incompetence, on the night it premiered in Los Angeles, they kept running at the bottom of the screen a message about their programming, which became more and more obnoxious as they kept repeating it. Is this really what all that hoopla was about ?
Sling Blade
(1996)
First Class Movie
27 April 2000
When I started to watch this movie I felt like a prospector who has just found a good size nugget when panning for gold. It is one of those rare movies which we are fortunate enough to come across once in a while.
It has well earned the Oscar for best writing and the nomination for best acting, as well as all the other lesser known movie awards.
The "MM-HMM" is a stroke of genius and gives the movie a real sense of cinema verite. If the credits didn't say that Billy Bob Thornton wrote, directed and starred in it, I would have kept wondering which one of those three should be given credit for that great cinematographic effect.
Could this be one of those Truth is Stranger than Fiction stories ?
This capturing movie uses simple scenery and just a few actors to give us entertainment at its finest.
I highly recommend it to one and all.
It has well earned the Oscar for best writing and the nomination for best acting, as well as all the other lesser known movie awards.
The "MM-HMM" is a stroke of genius and gives the movie a real sense of cinema verite. If the credits didn't say that Billy Bob Thornton wrote, directed and starred in it, I would have kept wondering which one of those three should be given credit for that great cinematographic effect.
Could this be one of those Truth is Stranger than Fiction stories ?
This capturing movie uses simple scenery and just a few actors to give us entertainment at its finest.
I highly recommend it to one and all.
Mr. Holland's Opus
(1995)
Heroes Among Us
23 April 2000
I have had a look at the comments posted here, both for and against it.
Some of them are using such harsh and strongly worded language, that one may think they are talking about a life and death situation, or maybe the future of our planet, as we know it. Some others are so inane, that they are pathetic.
We are talking here about movies, folks! You know those things which make you dole out a few bucks to be entertained. Of course, those bucks add up together to really BIG money and BIG business. In fact, movie producers may well be the highest rollers and gamblers in the world. Authorizing millions and millions of dollars to put together a bunch of snippets, which nobody can predict will bomb, or be a hit at the box office.
Some viewers have dissected the minutae to such an extent, that it makes you think they just want to show off their knowledge of the movie making industry ,and its inner workings. Some others have elaborated extensively on the psychological aspects of the movie, making one wonder whether they are Freudians or Jungians.
For me, this is a simple story of an ordinary man, trying to do the right thing, and doing his best to play the life game by its rules, even if he has to let go in a matter of minutes, his deepest dreams and aspirations, just for the sake of being decent. And that's where the real tour de force is, making such a great movie out of a common situation.
There are many Mr Hollands amongst us, we just don't see them.
I found it to be highly entertaining, and was surprised when 3 hours went by so quickly.
I have no doubts that many others will feel the same way....
Some of them are using such harsh and strongly worded language, that one may think they are talking about a life and death situation, or maybe the future of our planet, as we know it. Some others are so inane, that they are pathetic.
We are talking here about movies, folks! You know those things which make you dole out a few bucks to be entertained. Of course, those bucks add up together to really BIG money and BIG business. In fact, movie producers may well be the highest rollers and gamblers in the world. Authorizing millions and millions of dollars to put together a bunch of snippets, which nobody can predict will bomb, or be a hit at the box office.
Some viewers have dissected the minutae to such an extent, that it makes you think they just want to show off their knowledge of the movie making industry ,and its inner workings. Some others have elaborated extensively on the psychological aspects of the movie, making one wonder whether they are Freudians or Jungians.
For me, this is a simple story of an ordinary man, trying to do the right thing, and doing his best to play the life game by its rules, even if he has to let go in a matter of minutes, his deepest dreams and aspirations, just for the sake of being decent. And that's where the real tour de force is, making such a great movie out of a common situation.
There are many Mr Hollands amongst us, we just don't see them.
I found it to be highly entertaining, and was surprised when 3 hours went by so quickly.
I have no doubts that many others will feel the same way....
The West Wing
(1999–2006)
Real Life Ambience
13 April 2000
This new TV series is Hollywood at its finest, AND it has no sex and violence.
Being present in the day-to-day running of the White House and see how things can go wrong in the highest places, is an interesting experience.
All the episodes are quite good, but the one taking place at Christmas time and showing the sad plight of homeless war veterans living in the streets right under the shadow of the White House, and across the Monument built to honor them is very poignant.
It brought tears to my eye, and probably to those of many others.
Being present in the day-to-day running of the White House and see how things can go wrong in the highest places, is an interesting experience.
All the episodes are quite good, but the one taking place at Christmas time and showing the sad plight of homeless war veterans living in the streets right under the shadow of the White House, and across the Monument built to honor them is very poignant.
It brought tears to my eye, and probably to those of many others.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
(1999 Video)
An Absolutely Wonderful Musical !
6 April 2000
What else is left to say in praise of Andrew Lloyd Webber?Three of his shows are played simultaneously on Broadway and in London, and his name is synonymous with current day musicals.
This time he has surpassed himself and this extravaganza with its gorgeous and flashy costumes in the dance scenes,which are really original and eye-popping, take you out of your every day routine and immerse you in complete bliss.
I am to going to watch the tape of this fantastic musical more than once and highly recommend it to one and all.
This time he has surpassed himself and this extravaganza with its gorgeous and flashy costumes in the dance scenes,which are really original and eye-popping, take you out of your every day routine and immerse you in complete bliss.
I am to going to watch the tape of this fantastic musical more than once and highly recommend it to one and all.
A Family Thing
(1996)
A great movie !
5 April 2000
It is not every day that one comes across such an enjoyable movie, but the premise on which it is based can well have been an every day occurrence.
It took the brilliant work of its makers, and not just a little bit of talent and creativity to make such a great movie out of an ordinary story.
The dialogue is so natural and real that it takes you there. One of the memorable highlights of this film is the conversation the two brothers have before going to bed in the same room for the first time ever, during which their bonding process begins.
So much has been said about the leading members of the cast that there is not much to add. For me, I noticed Robert Duvall the first time as the mob lawyer in the "Godfather, and it was years later when I saw again "To Kill a Mockingbird" that I recognized him in the small bit he had there. I heard the magnificent voice of James Earl Jones as that of Darth Vader in "Star Wars", and later on I saw his acting abilities. Who can forget Reginal Taylor as Lilly in the TV Series "I'll Fly Away", and Michael Beach is doing now an excellent job in the currently shown "Third Watch" as the paramedic "Doc" Parker.
It took the brilliant work of its makers, and not just a little bit of talent and creativity to make such a great movie out of an ordinary story.
The dialogue is so natural and real that it takes you there. One of the memorable highlights of this film is the conversation the two brothers have before going to bed in the same room for the first time ever, during which their bonding process begins.
So much has been said about the leading members of the cast that there is not much to add. For me, I noticed Robert Duvall the first time as the mob lawyer in the "Godfather, and it was years later when I saw again "To Kill a Mockingbird" that I recognized him in the small bit he had there. I heard the magnificent voice of James Earl Jones as that of Darth Vader in "Star Wars", and later on I saw his acting abilities. Who can forget Reginal Taylor as Lilly in the TV Series "I'll Fly Away", and Michael Beach is doing now an excellent job in the currently shown "Third Watch" as the paramedic "Doc" Parker.
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