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stevebyars
Reviews
The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
A really good movie!
I really enjoyed this movie. Nothing particularly fabulous about it. Just good, enjoyable entertainment with a bit of a moral tale mixed in. I can highly recommend this Western.
John Wayne is, as usual, John Wayne. No great surprise in the character he plays.
Dean Martin surprised me. He played his part perfectly straight. No hamming around or false attempts at humor. This is the best acting he has done, in my opinion.
Earl Holliman provides a solid, believable character that shows surprising strength of character.
I really liked the part Michael Anderson, Jr. played. A hot-headed junior brother who tries to be his own man --- but is outclassed.
The supporting cast does a great job. As with any good Western, the good guys are good, and the bad guys are simply awful.
Good entertainment, good story, good acting, what more can you ask?
The Abyss (1989)
Awesome, powerfully filmed, good acting, thrilling contact with a different species
A believable science-fiction story, well told. A great movie for those of us with a fear of water, enclosed places, cliffs, and highly trained killers with brains about two steps out of contact with reality. I.e., this movie has the potential to scare you silly!
Yet it really does no such thing. Instead, you are entertained. Given realistic views of the possibilities in underwater living (sans appropriate color scheme). Show a possible scenario for contact with non-human intelligence. It would be easy to call this a morality play, and you wouldn't be wrong. But, it is much more than just that.
I am not sure just how this movie was filmed, but you definably get the feeling that you are deep in the ocean living in a very unique environment. All is not good though. Seems like any deep-sea environment designed for an isolated crew would make much better use of color and the layout of living spaces. The "furniture" provided the dwellers is poor inducement to ever return. Military racks, bunk-beds, hard chairs. The general industrial design and coloration (hundreds of pipes and fittings are unlabeled and not even color-coded, walls, floors and ceilings all the same dingy brown-gray, Highly unlikely if the operations people have any hope for the efficiency and mental health of those living in such a situation to say nothing of safety and operability. NO cogent designer would design critical wiring that looses its identity in emergency lighting. A cold (and cooling) environment with freezing water, yet I never saw anyone actually shiver. Wet clothing & hair that magically dries in the damp and dank atmosphere in time for the next scene.
With all the little burbles, this is still a great movie. You will be on the edge of your seat, in no danger of dozing off as this tale reveals itself.
Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
A deeply touching movie.
Not sure I know what a spoiler is, but you could read the script of this movie and still enjoy watching its great collection of actors.
Beyond the story actually being told, this movie provides the viewer with some insight to the military mind and persona. Including real Marines on the cast wasn't truly necessary, but provided an additional level of realism. The marital and drinking problems common among servicemen (especially "lifers") are richly shown in this highly realistic drama. The movie locations will be recognized by many Servicemen, ex-Servicemen and their dependents. Likewise, the action will be all too familiar.
Clint Eastwood portrays a hardened, grizzled old-time Marine who transfers into a training battalion, only to be confronted by an old-time rival and a commander who will top your list of people to despise, especially if you were ever in the service.
Besides being sad, funny, and entertaining this movie is quite true-to-life. Watch it once to enjoy a really good movie. Watch it a second time for the education it can provide.
Oh, in validation: I wasn't a Marine. But I was an FMF attached Corpsman.