vwolak Reviews

Left Behind: The Movie (2000)

a Disappointment, considering the book series

[26 May 2004]

Great concept, fantastic book series, the movie could have been a LOT better.

Now, I realize that when a movie attempts to capture the essence of a book, there have to be some sacrifices as far as details. I have read the book several times, and the movie somehow does not capture much of what the book conveys. Maybe it is time constraints that come with making a movie within, say, 90 minutes to 2 hours. But this movie seems rushed somehow. It did not let certain plotlines develop. In the book, Rayford only lusted after the stewardess, where in the movie, it seemed like it went a bit beyond that. Also, early in the movie, it seemed that Buck Williams already had a relationship with the Steele Family before the Rapture where it did not germinate until towards the end of the Left Behind book.

Maybe it was because of the low budget and time constraints. I remember when Kirk Cameron was fired up about doing the movie after reading the book. The funny thing is that this movie was produced without paying any attention to the details that made this book such a best seller. The basic idea behind the novel held true to the movie, but many key elements in the book were ignored.

My advice: Read the novel series, see the movie if you must for comparison's sake, not as a viable substitute to the novel.

I Know My First Name Is Steven (1989)

Poignant

[24 October 2003]

One of those movies that really sticks with you due to the seriousness of the content.

Every parent, or everyone that will be a parent should see this one. It emphasizes the need to tell your children to NOT TALK TO STRANGERS.

This movie was made with a certain amount of class, they did not go for shock value by being more graphic about the sexual abuse going on. It became more apparent during the movie as it played out, yet thankfully the movie makers were more subtle about it in the midst of the movie.

Lifetime Network features a lot of these true to life movies, and kudos to them. I know it is all entertainment, but it is also informative to keep us on the defense of all of the sickos out there.

Steven in real life perished a few years after his escape, and that is tragic. Just as tragic is that Parnell recently tried to buy a child, like a loaf of bread or gallon of milk, for his sick needs. As a free man. Sad.

In closing, any parent or parent to be must see this movie. I know it is somewhat unpleasant, but in this day and age, it is really important to see the elements of a cancer to the innocent American way of life.

Thank you.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)

I like this one

[21 September 2003]

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is a classic to me. It starts out slow where Eastwood's and Bridge's characters first meet and form a rapport.

George Kennedy and Geoffery Lewis join in on the caper, and all 4 actors complement one another nicely in a unique way. Eastwood was the stoic planner. Bridges was the young cocky son of a gun not lacking of a sarcastic crack to air his irreverance. Kennedy was the headstrong, irritable former crony of Eastwood whose short fuse with Lightfoot makes for some entertaining rants. And Geoffery Lewis was the bumbling, harmless lackey who provides some comedy relief.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is kind of a feel-good buddy film and action-adventure rolled into one. The addition of Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke of Dukes of Hazard) and some twangy Dukes of Hazard style music in the beginning of the film would definitely make for a good recommendation for Dukes' fans. BTW, nice Trans-Am in the beginning.

If you like Clint movies, keep an open mind, this is a good one.

If you like Jeff Bridges movies, this is one of his best.

Cheers!

Gung Ho (1986)

Good Movie

[26 July 2003]

I really liked this, when it first came out, and even to this day. Lots of '80's films depict the essence of the times they were made. They truly don't make them like they used to. It is very enjoyable and identifiable to all of us blue collar workers.

Now, the premise to the film is Hunt Stevenson (Michael Keaton), a former factory worker with a gift for BS goes to Japan to sway the Japanese to buy the defunct auto plant in their community in Pennsylvania. Hunt's verbal proposal is met with silence from the Japanese at Assan Motors, which discourages him. Apparently, the Japanese he met with were stoic and did not let on that they were impressed by his presentation. Assan motors decides to invest in this plant and it's workforce. Unfortunately, the Japanese did not have an understanding on how a union shop works in the USA, and upon their revigorating the plant, they realize that the American workplace is quite different than that of Japan.

Spoilers ahead...

This film is based on the difference between the American and Japanese cultures overall. The Japanese believe that the workers should eat, drink, and sleep for Assan Motors. Hunt acts as the liason between the American workforce and Japanese management. The management struggles with things that are acceptable in the American workplace (reading a newspaper in the restroom, a father taking time off to be with his child during surgery). Hunt is given the unenviable task to reach a compromise between the Japanese and his American co-workers.

Michael Keaton does a terrific job in portraying Hunt, who wants to stick up for the workers, and consequently, the town, yet he wants to save his own position. He has a weasel side to him, yet he wants to do what is right for the community.

Besides, this gem has a flavor to the '80's that all people who grew up during that time adore. The Fabulous Thunderbirds' hit "Tough Enough" just fits in this movie. The guy who plays Kazi did a great job too. "No more MTV, No more Twisted Sister, no more Green Giant Niblets!!!" We find out later on he is more Americanized than he lets on.

One more gem that Michael Keaton says in this movie: "The American Spirit is alive and well, but they got it, and we got to get it back." A sobering statement that makes us all think twice about our position in the manufacturing industry back then.

By the way, George Wendt was perfect for this movie. He had kind of a minor role, but he wasn't too departed from Norm Peterson, our favorite barfly from "Cheers."

You gotta see this movie, it is inspirational. It makes you want to put in 60 hour days in the factory to show that the American Spirit is still alive.

Behind the Planet of the Apes (1998 TV Movie)

A very informative Documentary to POTA Fans

[20 May 2003]

This is a Documentary hosted by Roddy McDowall (Cornelius/Caesar/Galen) giving a history and behind the scenes glimpse of the making of the Planet of the Apes franchise, complete from the first 1968 film up to the cartoon series. There are some interesting little tidbits that may not be common knowledge to some POTA fans. I could list them, but that would spoil some of the surprises this documentary has to offer. It does not include anything about the new POTA movie with Mark Wahlberg, but that may have been made after this documentary. We learn about the adversities the original POTA makers encountered in the beginning. As well as the details of the original production such as budgets, original plot details that were later scrapped, and original casting.

I would not recommend watching this until you have seen all 5 POTA movies, as they give out the endings of each one. Enjoy!

Alice Cooper: Welcome to My Nightmare (1975)

Gotta Love This

[20 May 2003]

I seen this one a couple of years ago, and it is always fun to watch. Alice Cooper made this as a last ditch attempt to rise his career from the ashes after the classic Alice Cooper Band dissolved. Producer Bob Ezrin was a major ingredient in this production as well, showing how he uses some elements that were not common in the rock and roll vein. He uses these elements later on for future high profile projects such as Pink Floyd's The Wall and Kiss Destroyer. Cooper and Ezrin came up with Welcome To My Nightmare, the album and broadway play. The main theme is Alice portraying a demented individual named Steven, who displays an array of emotions such as amusement, confusion, anger, and mostly fear. Steven encounters trolls, giant spiders, a giant cyclops, and dances like Fred Astaire. This play incorporates the "Nightmare" music as well as some Alice Cooper Classics. I don't know if calling it a "play" is too accurate (I used it for lack of a better term), it is more like several music videos back to back, as there is hardly any dialogue between numbers. "concert" may not be an accurate word either, due to the concept involved. This production was unique for it's day. It has a demented aura from start to almost finish (the last 2 songs were too upbeat to follow through the theme).

Alice does a great job portraying Steven. Alice Cooper was an "alter ego" of sorts to Vincent Furnier (Alice's real name), and Steven appears to be an additional alter ego of his as well in a professional sense. I know this all sounds like mumbo-jumbo, but to an Alice Cooper fan it all makes sense.

Interesting to note:

Alice Cooper met his future wife during the making of "Nightmare."

A lot about "Nightmare" as well as Alice's full career was outlined in a VH1 Behind the Music episode. Definitely worth watching if you liked "Nightmare."

Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)

The Final Chapter of a Classic Series

[18 May 2003]

The Ape uprising has taken place so many years ago, and now in 2003 (by my figuring) Earth has went back to a primitive state in the new era of Apes and Humans living together, yet not equal.

Roddy McDowall reprises his role as Caesar in this one. He is more benevolent than in "Conquest..." in that he is mellowed out and Humans are not as evil as he visioned them in the last film. McDonald is his Human companion and voice of reason when the anti-Human sentiment comes to his mind. As in the end of "Conquest...", McDonald is the Human advocate for mercy for the Human race.

After the Ape uprising an offscrean nuclear war took place, demolishing the big cities of Humanity. Apes are now the superior race, yet rely on them to teach the Apes grammar and such. The Humans are subservient to the Apes, yet under Caesar's rule, they are given latitude when they inadvertently revert to the days of old (when the word "no" is uttered by a Human to an Ape, a grave misdeed in these times). A general by the name of Aldo seems to harbor visions of seizing control of the Ape civilization and directing it in a way much different than Caesar.

Caesar verbalizes his wish to have heard some words of wisdom from his long deceased parents, Cornelius and Zira. McDonald says it is so since the parents were under surveillance upon their coming to 1970's Earth, and that filmed records exist as to the revelations about the future of the Earth. Caesar immediately organizes a party of himself, Virgil, and McDonald to visit the Forbidden City (which is radioactive due to the fallout of the nuclear war) to learn about his parents. They go to the archives and find the records they were seeking. Yet meanwhile, there was a group of survivors that lived in the forbidden city that found out that Caesar was there. These humans were terribly disfigured due to the vast nuclear fallout. They recognize Caesar right away and want to gain vengeance for their fate. Caesar and his entourage flee from the Forbidden City once the Human Mutants go after them.

Anything past this will spoil the ending. This was decidedly the last of the POTA's films, and they left an open ending as to whether Humans and Simians can live together in peace.

The Replacements (2000)

Winners want the ball when the game is on the line...

[7 May 2003]

Good movie. It is an obvious knock-off of Scott Bakula's "Necessary Roughness" but it has some original elements to distinguish itself. If you are a football fan that is waiting between the Pro Bowl and the Draft, this is good entertainment to fill the time.

The premise to the movie: The NFL is on strike, and replacement players are brought in to finish the season. The names of the real life football franchises were changed to, what I suspect, avoid litigation from the NFL. The Washington Sentinels hire one of their former head coaches (Gene Hackman) to field a team of replacement players and make them winners. Interestingly enough, John Madden and Pat Summerall play the commentators, and they do a pretty good job. The writers had a flair for coming up with their lines to be consistent with how these two usually banter with each other during a game.

Hackman puts together a roster of either NFL has-beens or never was's. His crown jewel is a QB by the name of Shane Falco, played by Keanu Reeves.

Some of these lines are directly ripped off from "Unnecessary Roughness", yet they find their places just the same.

I liked how Falco gained his following during the span over a few games. And gained the respect of his teammates. Definitely a feel-good movie. The romantic plotline is good too, although it is quite obvious from the get go.

The addition of getting replacement cheerleaders using strippers is entertaining too, some hilarious moments here.

Enjoy!

The Phantom (1996)

Batman meets Raiders of the Lost Ark

[7 May 2003]

This is a very enjoyable movie, enough action to keep interest, yet clean enough and without gory violence for the kids.

I used to enjoy following the comic serial in the local paper when I was younger. It was discontinued in my local paper a long time ago, but it was refreshing to see this theatrical adaptation made to possibly renew interest in this ancient hero, especially to the younger crowd.

This is Billy Zane's shining moment in theater because #1, he did not have quite a big role in Titanic, and #2, he was such a dink in that movie anyway.

Treat Williams gives the best effort in this movie IMHO, it is a bit overacted, but he maintains the balance between humor and being dastardly evil.

The basic premise of the movie, to Phantom newcomers, is that The Phantom is a superhero that fights for what is right in the African Jungle. The Phantom is called the Ghost who Walks, because he has survived for 400 years. Little does anyone know that the Phantom lives on because each Phantom grooms his son to take the mantle of the Phantom should the present Phantom faces an untimely death. Unique to most superheroes, he uses guns, yet he makes every effort to not kill anyone he apprehends. He resides in the Skull Cave (Wonder if the makers of the Masters of the Universe owes Lee Falk some chunka chunka for this idea). The Phantom has the loyalty of many of the natives that reside in the jungle and receives much assistance from them.

In this adaptation, a thug from NYC by the name of Xander Drax has his henchmen attempt to procure 3 mystical skulls which gives dark powers to he who possesses them. The Phantom acts to thwart his efforts, as he knows the power these skulls contain.

This film contains action on land, sea, and air. Catherine Zeta Jones plays one of Drax's stooges. Her character has more depth than most of the characters in this movie.

As much as I enjoyed the movie, there are some things that make you go "Hmmmm..."

A horse and a wolf can both keep pace with a biplane speeding across the jungle. The Phantom must have fed them thier Wheaties...

The Phantom's alter ego, aka Kit Walker, takes a cab in New York City. He initally offers Bengala currency to the cabbie, then he offers a mitfull of jewels. Now, when you give a NY cabbie a handfull of what appears to be costume jewelry to the untrained eye, chances are you get screamed at severely at best (taking into consideration this took place in the 1930's, nowadays, the same action could get you brutalized in someway.)

Another is the Phantom chases Xander Drax and jumps into the water and clings onto the plane they take to the Devil's Vortex. Now, if any human being grabs onto a plane soaking wet, hangs on when the airplane is so many thousands of feet above ground where the air is colder and thinner, you would be freezing and getting light headed from the depleted oxygen as you hang on outside during a trip across the Atlantic.

My favorite part of the movie, aside from the great scenery, is how Xander Drax explains his name to Kabai Sengh in spelling bee fashion (Xander Drax! X A N D E R D R A X! Xander Drax!).

Well, this movie has a great ending, which I will not give out. Any fan of movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark or Jewel of the Nile would really like this one.

Enjoy!

Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978 TV Movie)

Nice Cheesy Film...

[7 May 2003]

If you are looking for monstrous special effects (even by 1970's standards), this is not the film for you...

If you are a KISS fan, it is definitely worth a watching. Especially if you are a classic KISS fan.

Brief synopsis: KISS is about to play for an amusement park. The brains behind this park (Abner Deveraux played by Anthony Zerbe) grows resentful that a rock-n-roll band is overshadowing the technical expertise that he created at this park. He vows all-out war against the band using his creations to attack the band members. And their secret talisman which gives them powers.

BTW, Gene Simmons does most of his own stunts, probably preparing himself for a future theatrical career (which he did, in the 1980's). Peter Criss's lines are dubbed in by a voice guy from Hanna Barbera. Strange how Peter Criss sounds the same as Dirk Daring from G-Force.

Anthony Zerbe does a great job in acting as the villain in this one. His best IMHO is in North and South as General Grant.

Ok, this is not an epic adventure that got critical acclaim, yet after a few beers, it is good entertainment.

Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)

The second of a great series

[3 May 2003]

Beneath the Planet of the Apes is the second installment of a truly great series that is a pioneer to many other sci-fi series that follows.

"Beneath..." starts with the second human astronaut, Brent, on a rescue mission to find Taylor and crew. I know, there were 2 astronauts originally, but one of them dies off in the first 10 minutes of the film, which instantly makes him forgetable. But Brent finds Nova right away but cannot communicate with her. We see some flashbacks giving clues to Taylor's fate that occurred somewhere between the first and second movie. They are mysterious enough to generate intrigue to the first time viewer. Brent is led by Nova to the Ape village where they hear the Gorilla's plan to invade the Forbidden Zone. He is also brought to Cornelius and Zira, where they give words of wisdom as to how a futuristic human can pass for a primitive human for the time (in other words, they told him to ditch the NASA garb for the quasi-caveman outfit, which will keep him out of trouble, provided he does not speak).

Brent eventually finds an underground area which is evidently a present day New York subway. He gets the picture right away -- he is in a future of Earth as it becomes.

Brent encounters some intelligent humans that have developed the means to communicate by telepathy rather than by spoken words. They are quite vicious, yet their means of pacifism is quite warped... they will not harm any one physically, yet they will mentally manipulate someone to do the dirty work.

Ok, I will not give any more from here, just to say that the Gorilla/Human conflict reaches a head and the ending seems to ties things up.

I highly recommend this film, although you would be best off watching all 5 Apes movies in sequence when you have 8 hours to enjoy a truly fabulous quintilogy (is that the word? I know that the word trilogy is used a lot, maybe 5 films is a quintilogy...) Truly a great series. Enjoy.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)

Great Continuation of a Great Series...

[29 April 2003]

Wow... after seeing "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" nobody expected a sequel since the ending of that movie seemed pretty cut and dried...

Now we discovered that Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo rebuilt the human spacecrafts that crashed in the previous series and escaped to 1970's Earth. Kind of far fetched, remember Taylor making a paper airplane and the apes were amazed at that, let alone a ship big enough to carry 3 beings... Well, we enjoy it for it's shortcomings, maybe we are dissecting it too much... enough, time to enjoy this one....

The chimp trio lands on Earth, and the Earthlings are startled to see chimps in Astronautical suits. In time, it is revealed that they have the power of speech and are from another world (or another time). Earth's present reaction to the intelligence of these apes is curiosity and fascination, where they become instant celebrities that indulge in human comforts such as suits, hotel rooms... and alcohol, which leads Zira to let down her guard to interrogators as to how the original Planet of the Apes really was.

Through candid revelations, the US Government finds out how the Apes may be a threat to the future of mankind. At this time Zira finds out she is pregnant. And this frightens the President, as well as that scientist that we all know as Victor Newman from Young and the Restless.

Ok, if you never seen this before, let it be known there are spoilers following. Instant celebrities become refugees as they struggle to escape their human hosts, the humans knowing that the presence of the apes' bloodline may pose a threat to human dominance.

I will not give any more spoilers from here. Just know that this chapter of this fabulous series is integral to the sequels that follow. It perpetuates the circular scheme of the series that time travel allows.

Planet of the Apes (2001)

Enjoyable by itself... not to be considered Classic POTA

[24 April 2003]

SPOILERS***

Ok, if you are a classic POTA fan, this does not mesh with the previous movies. I see it as a new interpretation of an already established success.

This new version falls short of the original, which lended itself to explanation through some sequels. Although the ending does leave enough mystery to maybe give birth to a sequel, it is not as straight forward as the original. Where in the original when we see it we get the idea right away, the ending of POTA 2001, most of us are saying "What was that?"

I still liked seeing it though. General Thade is as sinister as sinister could be. "Ape can not kill ape" was definitely not in effect in this movie, where he cold-bloodedly deep-sixes two of his lieutenants in the swamp where they reveal the site of Whalberg's spacecraft crashing.

And Charlton Heston's cameo appearance is intriguing as well. A bigwig of the NRA (in real life) in a movie decrying the evils of the humans and their development of firearms. I realize this is just a role that Heston is playing, but the irony is glaring to all of us that know Heston's position in the NRA. Make no mistake, I took this with a grain of salt.

The film overall is worth seeing, but taking it within the concept of the original POTA is not the way to see it. Hopefully this will regenerate an interest to the younger generation to see the original POTA series. What the original lacked in technological resources definitely made up with a compelling story.

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)

The Best of the Series

[24 April 2003]

I liked this one, because it gave the "meat and potatoes" of why the Apes came to power.

I know, we lived through 1991, and it looked quite different than the '70's portrayal of that year. That is where suspension of disbelief comes into play.

Here we see Milo (later to become Caesar) become an angry young ape after his adoptive father viciously is interrogated and subsequently loses his life to protect him, as well as seeing how viciously his kind is treated by humankind.

I hated to see Ricardo Montalban's character die early in this film. It seems in all of his roles he portrays a certain suaveness, even as Khan (Star Trek), where his character is too good to kill off.

I have found this to be the most gripping of the POTA series. Especially the portrayal of humankind being so cold to the apes. I watched this movie just a couple weeks ago, and I was aghast that humankind would be so cold during that time. This movie does a good job in creating the mindset that says "the humans deserved it."

McDonald's character definitely complemented this film appropriately. Like they say, those who don't know their own history is doomed to repeat it. The apes' plight mirrors that of the Afro-Americans during the reconstruction time, and having this link makes the ending more sensible.

Definitely a chilling move, more so than the rest. It hits home.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Fabulous Movie

[24 April 2003]

A very thought provoking tale, giving birth to an enormously successful series of sequels, all cohesive in revealing the tale of the Planet of the Apes. Although there are some voids in between movies, they can be overlooked due to the powerful, unique story being told.

Just seen this a couple weeks ago in it's entirety ( all 5 ape movies). Shame to say, I grew up during the '70's, yet I am one of the less than 5 percent of that age group that has not seen it in our childhood. Heck, if I knew what I was missing...

Charlton Heston did a fantastic job in this move, as only he could. I could not imagine any of his contemporaries giving a comparable performance.

I couldn't think of how they could have pulled this off more perfectly, althought the sequels have their flaws. But heck, we ignore the incongruencies and enjoy them just the same.

The gripe I do have is the DVD cover. They have the Statue of Liberty on it as it appears in the movie. This kind of spoils it for a first time viewer, they can figure out the ending halfway through the movie.

The mystery that surrounds this movie is what makes it intriguing. What lies in the forbidden zone? What is Zaius hiding? It seems he knows more than is apparent when he wipes away Heston's scrawlings in the sand.

The grand daddy of sci fi of the '70's.