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Reviews
Patton (1970)
great war film; only a good biography
Although the war scenes were fantastic, the movie as a whole went on a little too long. Patton has an interesting back story that was only hinted at in a vague, uninformed way. I would have found the story more compelling had we understood more about where he came from. I read a biography of his, or perhaps an autobiography (sorry, don't remember which) and found the portions about his wife and kids to be very interesting. That information would help to better flesh out that he was a continuous person. I almost got the sense from the movie that they suggest he is a wondrous monster on the battlefield and some sort of restricted housewife at home. He wasn't merely captivated by war and killing, but more so by strategy and intelligent thought. He played games which required a great deal of thought with his children. He read books to them and forced them to be original. If any of this back story of Patton the man were included, the film would have been stronger. As it is, it is only a film about Patton the general. This film however, is still strong on its own. I'm only suggesting some room for improvement. I would have ran the film the same length but exchanged some of the battle for back story and depth of character. 8/10 or somewhere in that vicinity.
The Birth of a Nation (1915)
So ridiculous, I had to laugh!
Of course, I heard about this film from my film courses, and they commented about how this film established the feature film, yet was so racist, but until I saw it, I really had no idea how ridiculous this film was. The entire first half had only slight racism and I began to consider that my professors were over-reacting by calling the film racist--that was until the second part began, not without a warning that the film was not intended to be racist, but rather to convey history during the Reconstruction period. From that point, there was scene after scene with ideas so absurd, I could find no other reaction but laughter. From the scene of the horribly stereotyped Black Congressman, who were certainly never elected to any positions of power, to the notion that Blacks were able to vote and kept whites from voting (when in fact the history of Jim Crow, grandfather clauses, literacy tests and other discrimination made sure that blacks never got to vote in any great numbers) I could only stare in disbelief that D.W. Griffith could have ever made this movie with any degree of seriousness. I know people used to be so ignorant and stupid--obviously miscogenation was more than frowned upon--that much I believe, but believing that whites really feared the creation of a "black empire with an unwilling white Queen at the side of the evil Mulatto"--to believe this as any sort of valid fear is just laughable. How could this even be filmed? Sure it is racist, but to take this racism seriously would almost be like taking an insult from a mentally retarded person seriously. I don't mean to downplay the consequences of perpetuated stereotypes, but if this film in any way reflected feelings of people at this time, then I'm glad that I have been fortunate enough to live in this era if it is indeed that much less ignorant and ridiculous. (In addition to my other complaints, I found the scene where the "little general" got the inspiration for the KKK to be hilarious--the sheets scaring the stereotyped pickanninies away was the beginning of such a horendous tradition; that and the idea of union and confederate enemies teaming together to defend their "Aryan birthright"?!!) I know that history is more tragic than it should be, but this film was so outlandish that it felt like it was a parody made by black filmmakers to demonstrate an exaggeration of misguided racial tensions and discrimination, prejudice, etc. (I apologize for rambling, but I merely meant to clarify in hopes that my perspective won't be misinterpreted into disregard for hatred of discrimination.)
Aerosmith: Permanent Vacation 3x5 (1988)
Not bad, but try one of the other Aerosmith videos first
No disrespect to Aerosmith meant at all--they are the greatest rock n' roll band, after all--this video is just a tad on the skinny side. It has like three videos rag doll, angel, and dude)(looks like a lady) and a few brief interviews in between. Definitely better Aerosmith videos out there: Big Ones you can look at is the best, then something like Video Scrapbook, Texxas Jam '78 (good set list), then Things that Go pump in the night, then Making of Pump, then Permanent Vacation 3x5. That's my ranking for the Aerosmith videos, anyway. Of course, I love them all, but I'm just looking at for potential fans who naturally want to start with the best videos. Rock on!
Aerosmith: Live Texxas Jam '78 (1989)
Pretty good video, though definitely from the drug era
This video from an infamous Texas concert provides pretty good entertainment with the songs: Rats in the Cellar, Seasons of Wither, I Wanna Know Why, Walkin' the Dog, Walk this Way, Lick and a Promise, Get the Lead Out, Draw the Line,Sweet Emotion, Same Old Song and dance, Milk Cow Blues (Featuring Ted Nugent), and Toys in the Attic. This is a very heavy and awesome set list. This is a concert video; there are a very few interviews, but basically buy it for the show. Well worth your money, a great collector's item. Other Aerosmith videos out there: Big Ones you can look at is the best, then something like Video Scrapbook, Texxas Jam '78 (good set list), then Things that Go pump in the night, then Making of Pump, then Permanent Vacation 3x5. That's my ranking for the Aerosmith videos, anyway. Of course, I love them all, but I'm just looking at for potential fans who naturally want to start with the best videos. Rock on!
Aerosmith: The Making of Pump (1990)
Not horrible, but don't expect much music
This is definitely primarily a documentary. There really isn't more than a few songs clips on here. Basically, the deal is this: Aerosmith has appeared on Columbia and Geffen records; Geffen put out "Things that go pump in the night" a better video not to be confused with this one. This was Columbia's attempt to compete in the video market during a big album for Aerosmith. Also, because Columbia doesn't own the rights to the songs on Pump, all the song clips are studio-out takes or production stuff because of a loophole where performed material doesn't really violate copyrights on competing labels. Anywho, this should basically be reserved to die-hard Aerosmith fans like myself. There is interesting conversation, but not too much happening. No offense to Aerosmith, but don't get this one until you own most of the other Aerosmith videos. Definitely better Aerosmith videos out there: Big Ones you can look at is the best, then something like Video Scrapbook, Texxas Jam '78 (good set list), then Things that Go pump in the night, then Making of Pump, then Permanent Vacation 3x5. That's my ranking for the Aerosmith videos, anyway. Of course, I love them all, but I'm just looking at for potential fans who naturally want to start with the best videos. Rock on!
Aerosmith: Big Ones You Can Look At (1994)
Basically the most enjoyable Aerosmith video released to date.
This one consists of several behind the scenes and interviews mixed in with the videos or at least a clip of the videos from all the songs on Big Ones--all that is except for the hard to find Blind Man and Walk on Water videos. Deuces are Wild didn't have a video, either, so I believe 12 videos show up on here in one form or another. Check it out. Songs on the tape, then, are Love In an Elevator, Rag Doll, Dude (Looks Like a Lady), What It Takes (Recording of), Janie's Got a Gun, Cryin', Amazing, Crazy, The Other Side, Livin' on the Edge, Angel, Eat the Rich (Non video, but behind the scenes on there). Other Aerosmith videos out there: Big Ones you can look at is the best, then something like Video Scrapbook, Texxas Jam '78 (good set list), then Things that Go pump in the night, then Making of Pump, then Permanent Vacation 3x5. That's my ranking for the Aerosmith videos, anyway. Of course, I love them all, but I'm just looking at for potential fans who naturally want to start with the best videos. Rock on!