bellabanana93 Reviews

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

One Of The Best Movies Based On A Book

[9/10 · 29 October 2017]

To Kill A Mockingbird is a Classic Drama that is based on the book by Harper Lee. The theme of the movie is preconceived notions and there are two examples of this in the theme: 1) Boo Radley and 2) Tom Robinson. Both are viewed as dangerous as violent due to preconceived notions that the townspeople have about them.

The main character is Jean Louise Finch. Her father, Atticus Finch, was appointed by the judge to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus believes that Tom is innocent and is a victim of racism and false accusations. Both are incredibly interesting and the acting is done well. The casting is magnificent and is very close to what was described in the book.

I don't like this movie quite as much as the book, as I almost never do, but I still really enjoyed it. You can gain a lot more from the story by reading the book but if you are looking for a way to see the story in a short amount of time, this is a great film to watch.

Thunderbolt (1947)

Informative WW2 Documentary

[9/10 · 28 October 2017]

It's an honest an informative documentary. Rather than telling people want they want to hear, this documentary does an excellent job of showing people what it was like for the pilots as they try to cut off food, supplies, and reinforcements to the German forces. The documentary shows great images of what is happening along with a narration to give you more information about what they are doing and why they are doing it. The narrator explains some of the thoughts ans feelings that the pilots have and what expectations people have of them. Overall, it's a solid non-propaganda documentary of the war.

The Ten Commandments (1956)

A Mind-Blowing Performance On The History Of Moses

[9/10 · 28 October 2017]

I found The Ten Commandments to be the most enjoyable film I have seen that was 4 hours long. It was a beautiful historic masterpiece on The Story of Moses. I was captivated by the magic of the cast, particularly Moses. His character was interesting and the acting was superb. I think I enjoyed his performance just as much as his performance in The Planet of The Apes, if not more. Even if you are unfamiliar with the story of Genesis, you will likely enjoy this film since it is so easy to follow and understand.

Stripes (1981)

Bill Murray's Performance Is Great

[7/10 · 26 October 2017]

Stripes (1981) is a War Comedy starring Bill Mayer as John. John loses his job, apartment, car, and girlfriend all in one day. He is having a mid-life crisis and he doesn't know where his life is going until he gets a crazy idea. He decides to join the US Armed forces. He is lazy, irresponsible, and shortsighted... Will he be able to turn it all around or will he completely crumble under the pressure?

Bill Murray is so great to watch in this film. He is comical, full of life, and brings his character alive. This is a movie that will make you laugh out loud. Bill Murray have some funny one liners as well as an inspirational speech. There are a few parts of the movie that I thought could have been done a bit better since some parts are corny and could have been funnier but it is good to watch just for Bill Murray's hilarious performance.

Scarface (1983)

One Of Al Pacino's Best Performances: Tony Montana/Scarface Has A Unique and Classic Accent That Everyone Quotes

[9/10 · 25 October 2017]

Scarface (1983) is a Crime Drama starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana. This film is set in Miami in 1980 and is 2 hours and 50 minutes long. Tony Montana is determined to run his own drug business. He is impatient and wants money and power and he is ready to do whatever it takes. But, it is a dangerous business? Will he manage to take over or will blow it all? I thought that Al Pacino's performance was the highlight of the film. Al Pacino plays the character of Tony Montana marvellously which makes this one of the most quotable movies ever. If you are one of those people who has not seen Scarface but as heard people quoting it all the time, as soon as you watch Scarface you will understand why people fell in love with the character of Tony Montana with his iconic 'scarface' look.

Pacino starts off nervous and unknowing about the industry and ends up doing crazy things. It doesn't take long before he is putting his life on the line and carrying drugs around and selling them, risking the chance of jail time. This movie is great because of all of the intense action scenes which are incredibly gory and trilling paired with the fantastic and memorable acting! I would recommend this film to lovers of the Crime Drama genre as it is a classic that has the hearts of many of us! Since there are a lot of gory scenes, references to drugs, and swear words, I would recommend this movie only be watched by older audiences.

San Pietro (1945)

Thorough And Informative Documentary About The Battle Of San Pietro That Is Short And Sweet

[8/10 · 25 October 2017]

San Pietro (1945) is a War Documentary directed and narrated by John Huston. This short film documents the Battle of San Pietro Infinite in December 1943. The narrator introduces you to the film by explaining the weather at the location of the battle at the time and the terrain of the location. It is a farming community called St. Peter's. The river was intense and the mountainous terrain made it hard to walk.

The footage is good and the documentary is informative. It explains how the soldiers prepare, what weapons they use, how they transported things they need, what their battle plans are, what obstacles they will face, how the soldiers communicated, exactly how each attack went, what important information German captives revealed, the weapons and tactics enemies used, the orders given, changes made as things went wrong, how the withdrawal was indicated, the demographics of the townspeople, and how the townspeople are coping with the aftermath of the battle. The footage is old, but it is sufficient at providing imagery and context to the film. Since it is short and full of information, it would be great for showing in history class.

Roman Holiday (1953)

One Of Audrey's First, And One Of Her Best

[10/10 · 25 October 2017]

Roman Holiday (1953) is a Romantic Comedy starring Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann and Gregory Peck as Joe Bradley. Princess Ann seems to have it all- She's beautiful, she's rich, she's classy, and everybody loves her, but inside she feels that something is missing. Princess Ann is sheltered and she wishes that there were more to her life. She runs away from her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. The best things about Roman Holiday are the acting of Audrey Hepburn, the overall mood of the film, and the chemistry between the leads.

Princess Ann is stunning and perfect. Audrey Hepburn is perfect in every film so it is no surprise that she is lovely here as well. As you are watching this film you will no doubt relate to how she is feeling inside. She has grown up now and she wants to experience the world- the simple things in life that most people experience. She doesn't want to have to be classy all of the time and keep up an act. Her part is very believable and will have you rooting for her to find love.

Roman Holiday is the ultimate chick flick because it is a classic romantic comedy. Like most romantic comedies, Roman Holiday combines an interesting couple with great chemistry and unique personality traits with hilarious situational comedy. The conflicts are generally light and entertaining when done well, making it perfect for a Girl's Night In. The way that the two main leads meet is very funny. She was drunk and laying outside.

When Princess Ann meets Joe Bradley, you can instantly tell that he is going to be a love interest of her's because of the chemistry between them. He examines her behaviour and makes observations. He takes her to her house in a taxi cab and continuously makes jokes. The whole scene is hilarious and lighthearted and sweet and it will have you hoping that they will get together. Princess Ann is too drunk to speak and Joe Bradley takes her to his house instead. Both Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck do a good job at acting in love in the movie and they are a great looking couple.

Overall, Roman Holiday is a great classic film that I would recommend to anyone who loves watching old movies. Audrey Hepburn is only 22. She looks much older as she has perfectly formed features, is tall and commands the room. She is always classy in everything she does. Even laying drunk in the street, she looks like a goddess. This movie is spectacular even though the plot is simple. It is hilarious. I love the part where Joe Bradley tries to convince his boss that he actually went to interview the princess when he had not. Overall, the acting of Audrey Hepburn, the overall mood of the movie, and the chemistry and believably of the main leads make this an excellent timeless classic movie to watch.

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Fantastic Sci Fi Movie Where Some Scenes Will Shock You, Others Will Make You Laugh

[10/10 · 25 October 2017]

Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1977) is an Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Sci- Fi feature film starring Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa. This is the 1st released film in a series of 8 Star Wars movies and the 5th film in chronological order of events. In the beginning of the film, Leia's spaceship is being chased by Darth Vader's gigantic spaceship. Eventually, they are caught and Leia is captured and sentenced to death while Vader and his crew use the death star to destroy Alderaan. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker make their way to Alderaan and get pulled into the death star. Star Wars: A New Hope is a stunning film from start to end because of it's acting, special effects, and costumes.

Luke Skywalker's Uncle is concerned about him being like his father. Mark Hamill does an excellent job in portraying Luke as the "hero" type. Unlike Han Solo, who wants to save Leia for money, Luke has a strong drive to want to protect others and do what he thinks is right. He is incredibly stubborn and will not take no for an answer regardless of the danger. The special effects are just as good as you could possibly hope for in a film made in 1977. While watching this in the modern day, you may even forget that this film was made in the 70s. The action scenes were excellent and there are many incredible and unpredictable moments throughout the film. There are many unique species throughout this film. They are also all very well done and realistic so that you will get lost in the film. There are Sandpeople, who live in the desert, and there are Wookies, and Jabba The Hutt. Darth Vader's costume is excellent. He looks tall, strong, mysterious, and mighty. He wears his shiny dark helmet and regular black costume.

This was an excellent film and one of the best films that I have ever seen because of the incredible acting, special effects, and costumes. I would recommend this film to all lovers of action, Fantasy, and Sci- Fi. The plot is excellent. Luke and Han Solo run into problem after problem while trying to rescue Leia. They encounter many Stormtroopers and many other problems along the way. At one point, they all fall into a garbage shoot while trying to escape and are attacked by a monster. Will Luke, Leia, Obi- Wan, Han Solo, R2-D2, and C-3PO escape from the Death Star alive? And if they do manage to escape and get back to the Rebel's home base, will they finally be able to destroy the death star once and for all?

Why We Fight (1942)

A Propaganda Film Which Succeeds In Convincing Viewers The Need For USA To Fight The Axis

[9/10 · 24 October 2017]

Prelude to War (1942) is a Historic War Documentary which is a famous propaganda pieced used to train the U.S. Army during World War 2. The main message of the film is why America is at war. The film begins with war footage while naming countries and asking which one is to blame for this war.

The film convinces viewers of the importance of war by naming America 'the land of the free' and other countries 'slave countries'. The narrator highlights growing fascism, socialism, and militarism in other countries and states that America is the free world where individual rights are cherished. The narrator uses music and quotes that Americans will recognize such as "Give me liberty or give me death"-all to convince viewers that this fight is one for liberty.

The narrator criticizes Japan by calling Japanese people a human heard because they refer to their leader as "God Emperor". They talk about fascism in both Italy, Germany, and Japan and discussed the symbols that were worn and what the narrator wants to think the citizens of these countries were hoping for and what they got in return. The narrator tells audiences that all media is controlled by the government and freedom of speech and association is going away.

The footage is clear and concise. The editing is great. The message is clear. The film succeeds in convincing Americans of their importance World War 2 and making America look great. All in all, a good watch for any history nut.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Excellent Sci-Fi With Amazing Acting And Landscapes!

[10/10 · 24 October 2017]

The Planet Of The Apes (1968) is an Adventure/Sci-Fi movie starring Charlton Heston as George Taylor. Although the main focus of the movie is science fiction, there are some funny moments and some sweet moments as well. The movie begins with Charlton Heston, an American astronaut, talking in the control room and then later, after the main title sequence, the astronauts awake from their beds. The ship begins flooding and they attempt to signal to Earth to inform them that they have landed. They cannot save the ship so they grab life jackets and abandon it. As they exit, you can gather that they have crashed onto a planet with water and dark red sand mountainous islands. They get their life raft and begin to paddle while their spaceship sinks so they realize they will be unable to get home.

At first, it is unknown what planet they are on and what kind of species the planet is inhabited by. As they get to land, they test the environment with some of the equipment they salvaged from the crash. They only have enough food and water for 3 days so they will need to explore the planet and find another way to eat. The acing is great and the landscape is stunning. The movie will leave you wondering and questioning what will happen next.

The special effects are excellent for its time. While exploring, lightning which looks realistic is simulated to add to their journey. A heavy boulder almost falls on them as it crashes into pieces and forces them to run around it. It all looks magnificent. You won't believe that the movie was made in 1968. The astronauts find life in the form of a plant and they seek out to find more of it. Eventually, they find a waterfall and bathe in it. Something steals their clothes and equipment. Upon investigation, they realize it is a being that looks similar to humans but appears to be mute and less intelligent than homo sapiens. Their humanness is shown as their first thought is to rule over these less intelligent beings.

When the apes appear the first time, very intense orchestra music plays. The human- like beings get scared and immediately begin running for their lives. It is apparent why they ran when the apes, mounted on horses, begin shooting at them. Considering the movie is so old, the apes look pretty decent.. at least as decent as they possibly could at that time. We find out later that the apes are able to speak. This Sci-Fi classic will take you on an adventure as it follow's these astronaut's journey on The Planet Of The Apes. The acting, landscapes, and special effects make this film one of the best films of all time.

The Paper Chase (1973)

Great Law Drama For College Students

[8/10 · 24 October 2017]

The Paper Chase (1973) is a Comedy/Drama film starring Timothy Bottoms as James T. Hart. Hart is a first-year law student at Havard who seemingly does very well in class and even might be noticed by the professor as he always gets called on. His friends warn him about getting distracted by women and he doesn't listen and continues his relationship with a stunning woman. He struggles to balance spending time with her and studying for class. But, that's not all of his problems... He later finds out that the woman he is dating is the daughter of his professor. His professor almost catches him at home with his daughter and Hart thinks he escaped without being caught until the next day when his professor does not call on him and instead calls on the students sitting directly around him on each side as if to taunt him. Does this professor know about this relationship and will it impact is grades?

The lead couple is stunning performers and the movie is worth the watch if only to enjoy their performances. They have great chemistry together and are believable as a couple. Timothy Bottoms gave an excellent performance as a man who looks like a hippy on the outside and acts like a law student on the inside. He is captivating as he portrays his character's deep affection to his love interest, Susan. They get very heated and expressive together. Their conflict is mostly based on the differences in their personalities. Susan wants to live a reckless and spontaneous life and James wants to be organized and productive. Overall the film is entertaining and I would recommend that anyone who is in college or about to start college, particularly in law, should watch this film because they will probably be able to relate to the characters. The plot, acting, and characters make this film a timeless classic.

The Negro Soldier (1944)

An Interesting Propaganda Film

[6/10 · 24 October 2017]

This documentary was interesting enough considering that it is propaganda. If you're looking for a documentary heavy on facts about the contributions of African Americans, then it's probably not the best film since it takes many creative liberties to appeal to their audience and attempt to convince to join the American Army.

One way the film attempts to convince black people to join the army is by reading them excerpts from Mein Kempf that talk about black people and call them apes that are incapable of benefiting society. It makes sense to read them such an insane and offensive claim and compare it to their treatment in America because, despite the racism that they would have experienced, Mein Kempf is incredibly disturbing and bound to make anyone who reads it feels immense anger.

If you are interested in history, particularly American history, and would like to see an old propaganda film meant to aspire patriotism and encourage African American males to enlist in the army, then you should check it out because it is decent and has some interesting parts. I could see how this film might do a good job at inspiring some young black Americans to want to join the fighting forces and help in the effort to take down the Nazis for once and for all.

My biggest criticism is that I found the focus to change a lot. I felt that it bounced back and forth between ideas and not in an organized fashion. There were many scenes that just had nothing to do with war at all. I thought that since the documentary was short, they could have provided a lot more organization and focus on the film. Overall, it was not the best documentary, but it was very interesting to take a look at the past and see what types of propaganda were being consumed by the general populace and compare to the propaganda of the modern world.

Nazi Concentration Camps (1945)

Shocking Footage Of WW2 Nazi Concentration Camps

[10/10 · 24 October 2017]

I found this documentary was excellent because it succeeded in its goals and provides great footage to learn from or show for educational purposes. I didn't learn all that much that I didn't already know but it gave a different view of events that you don't often see. After the Holocaust, American soldiers go to a concentration camp to gather evidence. The footage is shocking. The camp has not been touched since the Nazis have been defeated and there are some people who are still alive and tons of dead bodies. The people who survived looked so sick. They were starved and ill and grateful to receive help.

The victims show beatings and cigarette burns that were given to them by the Nazis. This documentary definitely serves its purpose which is to provide evidence of the atrocities and brutalities committed by the Nazi regime and its officers. The documentary takes you through multiple concentration camps around Europe and therefore this footage is sufficient as evidence and to provide insight into the Holocaust.

Move Over, Darling (1963)

Brilliant Honeymoon Comedy

[9/10 · 24 October 2017]

Move On Darling (1963) is a Comedy/Romance starring Doris Day as Ellen Wagstaff Arden and James Garner as Nicolas Arden. Nicholas Arden heads to the courthouse with his fiancé to be married, but before he does so he must get the judge to sign a petition pronouncing his old wife, Ellen Wagstaff Arden as dead. She was lost at sea but was eventually rescued and made her way home just in time for the honeymoon. She follows them to the hotel to ensure that they never consummate it.

This flick has it all- great acting, a darling cast, hilarious scenes throughout that will have you rolling on the floor laughing and a superb plot. Doris Day is stunning and classy. I would recommend this film to all lovers of romantic comedies.

The Meaning of Life (1983)

Really Great

[8/10 · 23 October 2017]

I thought that this film was hilarious and it had me chuckling out loud. I really liked the skit that they make their boss walk the plank and then turn their office building into a vehicle and travel into a city and then swing into the window and get into a sword fight. It is an epic battle and the narration is amusing as well. The cinematography was great as well. There were no shaking shots and everything that was meant to be seen in the shot was clear. The songs were hilarious. The Meaning Of Life was my favourite one. The lyrics and video to go along with it are both hilarious. I would recommend this film for older audiences as it contains adult themes.

The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944)

Everything You Could Want In A Documentary

[10/10 · 23 October 2017]

The Memphis Belle (1944) is a War/History documentary about "The Memphis Belle" which is the 25th & last bombing mission of a B17 in Germany. It is directed by William Wyler and I think that he did a wonderful job. The documentary is clear, easy to understand, entertaining, interesting, and informative which is just about everything you could want in a documentary. I feel that this film would be suitable to show in schools in history class since it is easy to understand so students would probably learn from it.

The documentary explains who is working on each campaign and gives lots of additional information about the campaigns in the introduction. The narrator is sure to include their plans and how they ensure to defeat the Nazis. The documentary shows you the people who are working in the American Army at the time of the mission and who they are and what they did before joining the military.

Although the documentary is old, the imagery and shots are stunning. You can see clear birds-eye views of the bombing missions and are able to see the range of how much destruction they cause. You can see a first-hand perspective of fighter planes flying and getting ready to shoot while the narrator explains exactly what is going on. You can also hear the dialogue between the pilots and crew.

Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)

Sweet Romance, Lovable Leads

[8/10 · 23 October 2017]

Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing (1955) is a Drama/Biography/Romance/War feature about an American correspondent named Mark Elliot, played by William Holden, and a half-Chinese half-English doctor named Dr. Han Suyin, played by Jennifer Jones, who fall in love in Hong Kong during China's communist revolution.

It is a sweet romance and the main actors have excellent chemistry together, making their relationship believable. Since their relationship was the focus of the movie, this leads to a feeling of authenticity of the film. I really enjoyed the ending of the movie as it made me feel incredibly emotional. The music at the end really added to the feel and atmosphere of the ending and tied the entire movie together. I would recommend this film for anyone who loves Romantic war movies or old movies in general.

The Longest Day (1962)

One Of The Best Black And White Films I've Seen

[10/10 · 22 October 2017]

The Longest Day (1962) is an Action/Drama/History/War feature about D-Day. The film shows the events of D-Day from the perspective of both the Germans and the Allied forces. The film was great. I enjoyed the acting and the casting of the film. One of the greatest assets of The Longest Day is the movie score. The songs are excellent and add to the plot of the film. Battle scenes are introduced with a beating of the drums.

The battle scenes are incredible and detailed. You are able to see dialogue between soldiers that would usually be left out in Hollywood renditions of important battles. You see what happens leading up to the battle, the plans that are made, the things that go wrong, and how the soldiers overcome obstacles and work to win the war. The scenery and acting are so vivid and authentic that you'll swear that you can smell the soldiers as they run through puddles of mud. The shots and bombs are so loud and destructive that you'll jump from your seat.

I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys war movies or historical dramas. Although this film did not have much in the way of special effects due to the fact that it was released in the early 60s, the director still manages to create an intense and action- packed movie that will give viewers the perspectives of opposing soldiers at war.

The Long, Hot Summer (1958)

Good Romantic Drama

[7/10 · 22 October 2017]

The Long Hot Summer (1958) is a Classic Drama starring Paul Newman as Ben Quick. Ben Quick is accused of being a barn burner and a con man. He hitches a ride with two fancy ladies into a small town in Mississipi and finds out that the two fancy ladies are the daughters of the richest man in town, Mr. Varner. The film is quite long, but it is interesting. Paul Newman is excellent in this film, as usual, and his character is likable.

I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys Old Dramas as this film contains all of the elements that are common in dramas from the 50s. It was a bit longer than I personally feel that it should have been, but there were some funny moments and sweet romantic moments that made this feature worthwhile.

Let There Be Light (1980)

One Of The Best Documentaries

[10/10 · 22 October 2017]

Let There Be Light (1946) follows war veterans as they receive psychological treatment for the mental trauma that they developed during their service. This is a very interesting and unique war documentary that is well before it's time.

As veterans in this film are experiencing mental trauma, this documentary is very heavy and emotional. The entire film is sad as it examines the psychological effects of war and how these men are dealing with it. There are also some happy moments when the veterans are doing well and find that the medicine helps them.

There are many nervous ticks that you can notice that the veterans have developed. One man mumbles, one man breaks into tears, another man keeps looking up to the left while speaking very quietly and softly. The veterans are able to vividly remember their service. They can recall what they saw, heard, and the emotions that they felt at the time. The hazy parts of their memory are generally more recent.

I would recommend this documentary to anyone who is interested in war and its effects on the human psyche because this film does an excellent job at conveying the feelings and worries of the veterans. One man says that he feels as though he is a different person after the war. He is jumpier and he doesn't have fun like he used to in the past when he went out places. The veterans explain remedies that they have tried to get over this trauma and whether or not it works. Most veterans claim they never got nervous before the war, and now they are a bundle of nerves.

The lighting, cinematography, and narration of the film are all excellent. It is hard to find any criticisms about this documentary as I was intrigued from beginning to end. It's also only about an hour long. Watch as the narrator takes you through the process of dealing with veterans who have developed PTSD. We see them from entry- how they are analyzed and how they are to be treated. Overall, this is a solid documentary with a great message.

Lal Patthar (1971)

Mostly Boring and Hard To Follow

[4/10 · 22 October 2017]

Lal Patthar (1971) is a Bollywood Drama starring Raj Kumar as Kumar Bahadur Gyan Shankar Rai and Hema Malini as Saudamani/Madhuri. The plot is a bit confusing and the premise long, but essentially this movie is about adultery. Raja Kumar Bahadur falls in love with a woman named Saudamani. He brings her home and renames her Madhuri but he does not marry her. Afterwards, he ends up marrying a woman named Sumita in order to pay off her debts and free her in a bargain.

The film starts off pretty funny and has some good scenes, but overall it's not great and does not have anything that makes it stand out from other films. I've watched other Bollywood films that I found easier to follow and enjoyed more than this film and was surprised at the ratings this movie received. The one thing that I really did enjoy about this film was the acting of the star, Hema Malini.

You might enjoy this film if you like classic Bollywood dramas, but if you are not a fan of this genre, you may not enjoy this film. Since it's in Hindi, if you are not fluent in the language, you will have to watch it with subtitles and therefore the film requires more of your attention span. It's also quite long, spanning over 2 hours which is long by Hollywoods standards, but short by Bollywood's standards. I'm not sure why all Bollywood films are musicals, but if you have watched Bollywood movies before, it won't be a surprise to you that this film is also a musical. The songs are okay, but nothing special. Overall, I found it kind of boring with few redeeming qualities.

Know Your Enemy - Japan (1945)

Interesting Example Of An American War Propaganda Film

[7/10 · 22 October 2017]

When taking in the context that this is a propaganda film made about Japan during World War 2 with the goal of making viewers side with the USA and support their military actions against Japan, this documentary is quite interesting. In the beginning, the narrator mocks the Japanese army by calling them short and tiny men. The film states many completely made up and bonkers "facts" about Japan. The narrator goes into talking about Shintoism and he ends up telling his audience that they want to wipe out everyone who is not Japanese. It's easy to see why there were second thoughts about releasing this film. If you want to see an example of a very harsh propaganda film, then I recommend that you check this out. If you want to learn a bunch of true facts about Japan, then this documentary is not the right one for you. It is quite hard to imagine anyone taking the narrator seriously, even in the 1940s.

Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior (1980)

Spectacular Classic Japanese Historic War Drama

[9/10 · 21 October 2017]

Kagemusha (1980) is a History War Drama film starring Tatsuya Nakadai as Kagemusha and Shingen Takeda and Tsutomu Yamazaki as Nobukado Takeda. It's about a common thief who is about to undergo execution for his crimes. Just before his sentence, he is removed from the execution room, dressed in the King's robe, and brought to the King due to his striking resemblance to the King himself. Only a few close and trusted advisers to the King are aware of Kagemusha's death and the fact that Shingen is impersonating him including Kagemusha's son who struggles with this because he wants to be the King. This film has an amazing an interesting plot, the acting is superb, and the sets are beautiful.

This plot is interesting because the main actor plays two different parts so we get to see the actor playing two different personalities. It is also interesting to see how the main character struggles with the newfound duties of King. While the King is injured and at risk of death, Shingen hopes that he stays alive so he will not have to pretend to be King on a full-time basis. The King insists that due to the dire situation in his kingdom, no one must know he is dead for at least three years. He is very upset by the King's death at first and does not want to impersonate him but he is left without a choice as his life depends on it. Will Shingen be able to convince the people that he is Kagemusha and hold up the kingdom in a time of war?

The acting is wonderful and will make you fall in love with the lead actor and want to look up the rest of his work. You will be happy to know that Tatsuya Nakadai is still going strong and making new films. His portrayal of both characters- 2 different men with different wants, needs, goals, and backgrounds- excellently. The supporting characters in the film all do a great job as well. The incredible acting makes the film easy to follow and understand regardless of whether or not you know Japanese or have ever been to Japan.

I have never been to Japan myself and I can't say how authentic all of the sets were but I did find them extremely beautiful and they had me wishing that I could visit Japan. When Shingen is sitting with the 2 women sitting beside him and Nobukudo is trying to convince him that he is actually Shingen and not Nobuku, they are in a light grey room with different indents and brown wooden borders on the wall with white flowers all over. On the other side, there is a lamp and a window and a design of beautiful flowers. They are sitting on the floor without chairs and their orange bowls are atop small light brown tables with a tiny black stand on a beige rug. It is a very beautiful scene and will make you want to be there laughing with them.

I would recommend this film to those who enjoy both war dramas and historical dramas. If you only speak English, you will have to watch this film with subtitles of course, and therefore it requires more of your full attention to understand. If you are willing to put in the time (over 2 hours) that it takes to watch this feature, then you will likely enjoy this film. There is a lot of dialogue that takes places and it fills more of the music than action does, though there are some good action scenes in the film.

Shingen must convince Kagemusha's family members that he is him and this proves difficult as Shingen has limited knowledge on Kagemusha's life and family history. He only knows as much as a commoner like him would and anything else he learns while impersonating Kagemusha. While Shingen is speaking with Kagemusha's grandson, his grandson asks him, "Why are you called The Mountain?" and Shingen does not know the answer to this so the other family member who was with them had to quickly answer the question. Overall, I really enjoyed this film because the sets were beautiful and the plot was entertaining and was performed well by the actors.

It Came from Outer Space (1953)

Cool Sci-Fi Film

[8/10 · 20 October 2017]

It Came From Outer Space (1953) is a Horror/Sci-Fi film starring Richard Carlson as John Putnam and Barbara Bush as Ellen Fields. It's about a spaceship crash discovered by John and Ellen. The cinematography is excellent. The music is dark and mysterious. It really enhances the theme especially when Ellen and John get out of the car to look around and then afterword's when they drive off. I recommend people who enjoy horror and sci-fi films or movies about aliens to watch this creepy and spooky feature.

The Hustler (1961)

A great pool movie

[8/10 · 20 October 2017]

The Hustler (1961) is a black and white Drama/Sports film about a rookie pool player who competes in a single-high stake match against a professional player with a long time winning streak. This movie is enjoyable regardless of whether or not you are a pool player. The acting is great and the mysterious music puts you on edge and makes you excited.

I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys classic dramas. The cinematography, dialogue, and plot are all excellent and executed properly. In the scene where they first play pool together, the music starts off slowly at a low tempo and increases in tempo and volume as the game gets closer and closer to finishing.

This film has it all- romance, a unique plot, gorgeous costumes, great music and amazing acting. Eddie Felson has the talent. He is an excellent pool player which is proved by how many games he wins. But, talent isn't all that it takes to make it big at pool. Does Eddie Felson have what it takes to be successful?