rogerhwerner Reviews

Red River (1948)

For a film with so much drama you'd think the ending would be anticlimactic...it isn't!

[9/10 · 21 August 2021]

I suppose in my 71 years I've seen every Duke Wayne film after Stagecoach. Red River established without any doubt that Wayne really could act. Along with Ford's cavalry trilogy, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Red River is one of the best westerns ever made. I believe The Searcher's to be Wayne's finest performance but Red River is a very close second ranking with The Quiet Man. Just about every great western character actor is in this film, and fortunately there isn't a cliche to be seen in any of them. John Ireland has a great roll and so does Noah Beery Jr. And Harry Carey Sr. It's really a wonderful film!

The Mandalorian (2019– )

Pedro Pascal

[7/10 · 27 July 2021]

I've only seen one episode and a few clips of others but damn, Pedro Pascal is really, really, REALLY good. The storyline is interesting as are the characters. This is a program well worth watching said by a fellow who hasn't watched regular network programming in some 33 years. I was not crazy about the Star Wars prequels triology and the newer movies are fairly terrible. But this program grabbed me as did the original three films. Well worth seeing!

Mighty Joe Young (1998)

Great Family Movie

[7/10 · 26 July 2021]

Great special effects, extremely likeable leads, easily identifiable and hissable villians, and tons and tons of heart make this a highly enjoyable film. Charlize Theron was age 21 when she made this and it kind of shows but what she lacks in experience she--well she's gorgeous--she has great chemistry with Bill Paxton. It's an easy to follow story line that at times is moving. I saw Mighty Joe Young as a boy decades ago and really loved Terry Moore. The inclusion of her and stop motion special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen, who created the original Joe, have small parts and that for me lent a nice touch. OK, it's a little manipulative but it won't feel that way to children.

Casablanca (1942)

Ten Stars Says it all

[10/10 · 24 July 2021]

This film started life as just another Warner pot boiler. No one involved thought of it as even potentially great. The script writing often progressed from day-to-day and the actors were bit players or not well known character actors. Many of the actors were recently arrived war refugees. Bogart was known for his gangster films where most of the time he dies ignominiously. Ingrid Bergman was largely unknown outside of Sweden and her beauty alone makes the picture worth a view. Today, most critics rank this film as the greatest ever made and I've no doubt they're correct. Much of its dialog has become iconic and has beome part of popular culture. The ending is breathtaking in it's simplicity and it is honestly without equal with one possible exception. I've seen this movie so many times that I've memorized the dialog and it always effects me in a way no other film does. Younger audiences complain about the black and white filmography, often overly dramatic 1940s acting style, and lack sex, violence, car crashes, and explosions. This film, thankfully, is guilty of all these points. Look past the typical triteness of modern cinema and see a film that's almost in a class by itself and has come to define a great movie.

To Have and Have Not (1944)

It isn't Casablanca or The Big Sleep but it's close!

[9/10 · 23 July 2021]

Hawks bet Hemingway that he could turn the author's worst novel into a great picture. Hemingway lost. Probably not a fair bet since the film script varies greatly from the novel...thankfully, since the novel isn't very good. It's a script with many memorable scenes, wonderful acting by the leads and other players, especially Walter Brennan and Hoagy Carmichael. The movie has so much to offer I can only say watch it and see what I mean. It isn't as perfect as the best of the Bogart pictures but very few films are. This picture is very, very good!

Dave (1993)

You'd Have to Look Hard to Find a Film with Better Feel Good Bona-fides

[7/10 · 18 July 2021]

Another largely forgotten film and that's too bad because it could put a smile on the most cynical of people. Kevin Kline is perfect in two roles and Sigourney Weaver has never looked more lovely in a roll that transcends pure comedy. This is a film with tons of heart, a touch of the dramatic, and a great deal of hilarity.

Coogan's Bluff (1968)

Eastwood's First Non-western Film

[7/10 · 17 July 2021]

This is a largely forgotten film and that's unfortunate. I've always loved it because it gives me a look on my look at Manhattan as I knew it as a boy. The shots of upper Manhattan at Fort Tryon Park and The Cloisters are terrific. The film is something of a prelude to the Dirt Harry films a few years later. Note that Albert Popwell has a small roll in this film as 'Wonderful Digby' and he would feature in the first three Dirty Harry films. This is a fast moving and very entertaining film with three excellent costars in Dkn Stroud, Lee J. Cobb, Susan Clark, and Tisha Sterling.

Twister (I) (1996)

This Film is Quite A Wild Ride

[7/10 · 16 July 2021]

I never undeestood why this film has so many detractors. I mean it earned almost $500 million worldwide, so a lot of folks must have enjoyed it. OK, so isn't Casablanca but so what. It's decent popcorn entertainment. The F/X is pretty good and Helen Hunt never looked lovelier. It has excitment, some comedy, interesting characters, a de ent story. I think It's entertaining but one must not think of it as an accurate representation of storm chasing or realistic with respect to tornados. Iif one can get past these issues it's a fun movie. The one aspect of the film that I found annoying is the Melissa character. She seems to be playing a partin some other film. Still, even her ridiculous behavior is amusing and at one point a little touching.

Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)

Those Coming Late to the Party and are Watching on DvD Watch Both Films Back-to-Back

[7/10 · 6 July 2021]

I took the time to read the many reviews from when the film was first released. I was honestly not surprised by the negativity. When I watch a film I do my best to get into the director's and actor's heads to try and understand a film's back story. This is especially important with a director like Tarrantino who doesn't just mindlessly present scenes. Tarantino uses every scene to make a point and often these aren't obvious. I repeat: every scene has a purpose.

The single most important thing to understand is the Kill Bill is an homage to the Shaw Brothers Hong Kong-made 'Chop Sockie' films, the Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone, Ennio Morricone's grand soundtracks, 1970s Japanese samuri TV programming, and even Robert Rodriguez's 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico' trilogy. Personally, I love homage, and so for me I rewatched both films perhaps a half dozen times just to be sure I picked up on all of them.

The film is non-linear but it doesn't jump around creating confusion. The linearity of the film is occasional broken up with flashbacks, which are strategically employed to explain the heroine's actions. One thing important to keep in mind is that Tarantino doesn't expect anyone to take either film completely serious: neither did Leone or Rodriguez. In fact, the best comparison would be to opera, with it's demonstrative acting (and over acting) and especially its melodrama. Wheras Volume 1 was rather filled with edged weapon splatter and loads of fighting, Volume 2 is far more thought-provoking but in both the behavior of the actions of the characters shouldn't be seen as normal human behavior. As in the John Wick films these people live in an u real bubble that permits them to behave in ways that would be riciculously impossible for the audience. Tarantino demands that we suspend disblief for the duration and follow his characters. If we do that these two films become highly entertaining and engrossing, and at times even very touching and sentimental in the classic sense of the best 'B Movies'.

Some reviewers harp about the ending, calling it anticlimatic and disappointing. In rreality it's neither. I suppose the more simple-minded expected and wanted to see a climatic sword fight between chief antagonist Bill and the vengeful Beatrix but that would have been unfortunate had it occurred. Instead we see something else; a rather surprising end to Bill and Beatrix. The Bride gets her revenge but as with almost every instance of revenge she learns that it's double-edged. The Chinese saying goes: before setting out for revenge first dig two graves. Beatrix achieves her ultimate revenge but she pays a price. The viewer might consider what that price may be.

One could spend a lot of time analyzing character behavior but since much of it is psychopathic, it's likely to prove unsatisfying. In their own ways each of the characters is nasty but with a few notable exceptions they have their moments of humanity and when they occur they've almost jarring in their incongruity. Watch for them! And be sure to watch all the end credits since the film doesn't conclude until Robert Rodriguez's final tune ends and there are a few important details therein that help explain the characters. Tarantino expects the audience to tune out during the credits but those who do will end up missing explanatory details.

The Woman in Red (1984)

Sometimes one's worst nightmare is the dram that ckmes thrue

[7/10 · 1 July 2021]

After a certain number of years being married perhaps it's natural for the mind and eyes to wander. It's happened to me on more than one occasion and I'm sure I'm hardly unusual. It's certainly less than easy to extricate ones self gracefully when the woman makes the advances, espe ia,ly when an awful lot of men seem governed by their genitalia instead of their mind (and heart). I can more than sympathize with poor Teddy. He gets his fondest wish, only to discover that the wish has many unanticipated consequences. Achieving these consequences makes for very funny cinema! Kelly Le Brock is breathtaking and the music is lovely!

The Shadow (1994)

An Interesting and Anachronistic Film

[7/10 · 13 June 2021]

This film didn't fare well with critics and the movie-going public didn't know what to make of it in part because of a pretty lame marketing effort. The closest comparison that I can offer to it is Warren Beatty's film Dick Tracy. The Shadow is highly stylized with an almost flat, pesudo-black and white presentation. It isn't meant to present a real 1930s New York City but a comic book version. It succeeds witb its intent quite well with very cool visuals throughout its run time. One of the most strking visuals is the cigarette billboard puffing smoke. Decades ago on Times Square there was a Camel cigarette billboard that puffed smoke. The film is full of interesting anachronistic elements and that's one of the things that made it interesting. It isn't a typical superhero film. It never takes itself too seriously yet the stotyline is serious. Alec Baldwin plays his roll well and gets d3cent sullort from the players surrounding him. Penelope Ann Miller hasa nice chemistry with Baldwin and is lovely to look at. Ian Mckellen has an odd roll; about as odd as his roll in 1994's Cold Comfort Farm. In any event, he seems a tad miscast.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

A Franchise that's Rea hed the Point of Diminished Returns

[5/10 · 11 June 2021]

This film is arguably entertaining but in a mindless way. The first two films established an elalorate suite of rules within which the characters existed. The rules were generally applied consistently and while the Wick reality was quite unbelievable the consistency of its rules ena led one to suspend belief. The third film, in an effort to keep the franchise afloat and making lots of money has tossed the Wick world rules out of the window. It's now a movie of 'we'll just make thjngs up as we go.' In doing so we left with a film wiith a virtually plotless film that watches more like a video game. Many have found the film exciting but silly is a more apt description. I'm not even sure where to begin so I won't. Let me simply note that this film is for undiscriminating, undemanding audiences. The action choreography is excellent, as one might expect, it has three cool dogs, and Halle Berry is as lovely as always; hence the film's 5 stars. Forget story, plot, character development, or rationality.

El Mariachi (1992)

A bizarre but entertaining and amusing film.

[7/10 · 3 June 2021]

Although it has quite a bit of bloody action, the film should not be taken seriously as an action, thriller, crime, or any other kind of genre film. The cast is mostly amateur, apparantly friends and relatives of friends of the dire tor and producer, so the acting is marginal but the camera work is inventive and the story is, well it's rather implausible but still interesting and honestly quite amusing with a little romance (and some very lovely women in mostly bit parts). The villians are largely cartoon characters and about a clueless as the Willey Coyote. In fact, the hero isn't the brightest bulb on the circuit either but that's part of ths joke. Robert Rodriguez obviously demonstrated enough style and talent to net him budget and big name actors in the two sequels (Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Steve Buscemi). Some might criticize the film for its rank amateurism but that's really part of its charm and appeal. After watching a bunch of YouTube video clips, I bought the movie not really knowing what to expect and I wasn't disappointed. See it with tongue planted firmly in cheek and judge for yourself.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Not a bad 'Zilla film but not especially memorable either

[5/10 · 2 June 2021]

I've loved Godzilla films since my childhood and I'll watch any of them repeatedly, even this one. I won't belabor the negative. The films biggest problems are a weak story, and too many stereotypical, unlikable, and inherently stupid characters; especially irksome was the Emma Russe, Rick Stanton, and Allan Jonah characters but most of the characters were annoying at some point even those acted by players that I like. I don't find Vera Farminga appealing in any film so it's hardly a surprise she really was functionally brain dead and unlikable in this film. What happens to her is richly deserved and far too easy.

The whole mess is all rather unfortunate considering the cool 2014 film. Trying to develop an entire franchise wasn't the film's biggest problem, but it nevertheless proved an insurmountable one. The introduction of the other monsters was not very interesting, using 'mercs' as the movie's bad guys derivative, and the 'hollow Earth' fiction only slighly less riduculous then the insistance at the film's beginning that the US military and or Monarch could kill the creatures or even bother them positively dumb (watching soldiers shooting one of the 300+ ft monsters with assault rifles was arguably the silliest scene in a pretty silly film, and rather like watching Japanese Self Defense Forces shooting the original Godzilla with machine guns 60 years ago). The film is a big letdown from 2014 but honestly anyone who enjoyed Showa Era Godzilla films and the cool giant turtle films from the same period will enjoy this film's silliness. Just don't expect a serious storyline or adult character development. It's all CGI overload and if that's your interest this film will be to your liking. CGI is fine when used properly (LOTR for example); it's only tolerable here but I happen to love Godzilla in all of his reincarnations even in an imperfect film.

Donovan's Reef (1963)

A fun film

[7/10 · 28 April 2021]

As long as one checks contemporary PC at the door, this movie is a lot of fun. It does however la k any of the things that make modern films so repetetive and often offensive (no violence, swearing, or sex). I first saw the film half a century ago and it's been a favorite ever since. I really like Wayne, Marvin, Warden, and Romero. Ford, Wayne, Marvin, and the the young lady playing Jqck Warden's oldest Daughter made The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance at roughly the same time time and they work well together. I hink it's a lovely film with great visuals and music.

Gunga Din (1939)

Check your PC hat at the door before watching this film

[27 April 2021]

Let me say unabashedly that this is one of the greatest adventure films. It's hardly historically accurate but that's rather besides the point (the Thugee Cult was hunted to near extinction by the British c. 1830, so that much is accurate...the film takes place in the 1880s based on the use of Martini-Henry rifles). The film is enormously entertaining blessed with marvelous performances and an interesting storyline. A side note: Doug Fairbanks was an honest to goodness hero. He left Hollywood and joined the USNavy becoming a navy PT boat skipper and commando and in 1944 served the Allies in the landings in southern France. 1939 was a watershed year for Hollywood greatness: Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach, Gone With the Wind are three films from the year. Gunga Din sits among the greatest of films from 1939! See it!

Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

An unusual Film but Perfect for Hopeless Romantics and Lovers of Fairy Tale Happy Endungs

[7/10 · 16 April 2021]

Without apology or regret, I've loved this film since its release. A seemingly silly film that offers some lessons on the deeper meanings of life. Wildly imaginative it offers a not so subtle affirmation of living life to It's fullest rather than living it vicariously indirectly or through others. Meg Ryan's Patricia is luminous and, as with their other two films, she and Tom Hanks share a marvelous chemistry. The music is very sentimental but the endung song perfectly describes one's feelings when one truly met their soulmate, an event that occurs far less often than most realize, but wheb it happens it's quite magical and can seem almost miraculous, rather like this film's ending. The film certainly doesn't merit its low reputation.

The Last Place on Earth (1985)

A Very Well Presented Program

[8/10 · 21 March 2021]

I have spent 45 years or more reading Arctic and Antarctic histories and I'm famiiar with most of the important written works on these subjects. I believe it's generally unfair to compare the Amundsen and Scott expeditions of 1911-12. Amundsen set one objective: to be the first to reach the south geographuc pole. This too was A Scott's objective but he other goals too. Scott didn't go south with the expectation of being in a race to the South Pole but arriving in Melbourne he found himself in just such a race. It was a race that he unfortunately could never win. This film explains why.

I don't like denigrating a supremely brave man, even if Scott was arrogrant, over-confident, not an effective leader, and poorly organized owing to the former attributes. Scott's Royal Navy career was prematurely curtailed when Sir Jackie Fisher, First Sea Lord, held him responsible for a ship's collision. Fisher told Scott that he would receive no further promotions and that was that. Early in his naval career, Scottw was befriended by Sir Clement Markham, head of the Royal Geographic Society, and Markham encouraged Scott to apply to lead what would become known as the 'Discovery Expedition'. Markham didn't like Sir Ernest Shackleton, especially after the latter nearly died on Scott's trip south in 1901-02, and therefore never seriously backed Sir Ernest's Antarctic efforts. Scott, with Markham's full support, undertook the 'Terra Nova Expedition: Markham, in effect, determined who received RGS backing and who gained government support. Without Markham's backing Scott likely never would have had a second expedition. Scott's competence, or lack there of, was never really at issue: Markham was Scott's great enabler.

Scott by temperment and training was not an explorer. He began exploring after his chosen career in the RN was prematurely ended. Amundsen was a professional explorer, inspired by Nansen's trek across Greenland in the 1880s and the subsequent 'Fram Drift' in the Arctic in the early 1890s. Amundsen became an excellent Nordic skier in hus teens and he began his exploring career with the Belgian Antarctic Expedition in the late 1890s, where he spent a year ice bound off the Antarctic Peninsular (he met Dr. Fredrick Cook at this time). A few years later, Amundsen led an expedition to locate the North Geomagnetic Pole. He successful mastered the science needed to do this, spending .3 years in the Canadian Arctic. At this time, Amundsen learned Arctic survival from the Inuit and in 3 years his men never suffered the physical deprevations so common to other Arctic explorers. He helped solve the riddle of the Sir John Franklin expedition on the 1840s, traversed the Northwest Passage, and then forced to winter at Herschel near the MacKenzie River Delta. He undertook a 1200 mile round trip on skis over the Brooks Range to telegram his backers of his discoveries. My point: Amendsen was not an amateur explorer, it was his profession.

Huntford's facts speak for themselves and no recent resesrch can reasinably deny them. Scott was a brave man but then so was Amundsen. Amundsen was a natural self-promoter with a huge ego but these aren't relevant to the man's competence. Scott simply wasn't in Amundsen's league as an explorer. Scott wasn't in the same league as Sir Ernest Shackleton or Sir Douglas Mawson. Scott was out of his depth, too proud to see it, and he led his men into catastrophe. This very nearly happened to Sir Ernest 3 years later. Shackleton was however, a great and inspirational leader so when disaster hit, he led his men to safety against all odds. Anyone interested in an account of just part of Shackleton's Transantarctic Expedition 1914-17 might read F.A.. Worselley's 'Shackleton's Boat Journey'. Another incredible story of Antarctic survival is 'Mawson's Will' concerning Sir Douglas's recovery from near disaster in Adelie Land in the late teens.

Scott and his mean didn't have to die horribly. It occurred because Scott made poor decisions as a leader, refused the sound of advice of experts when given, and he entrusted his future and that of his men to luck and the well known British Imperial spirit. Sadly, he ran out of luck, and in Antarctica no amount of indominability can overcome nature. I really don't believe that Scott fully appreciated the risks he took. Oh, he knew there were ricks but he honestly believed his wil (and some luck!), could overcome any obstacle he faced. He gambled and he lost. Amundsen fully understood polar life and he did everything possible to minimize risk. He didn't rely on luck or pluck but sound planning and preparation. He chose his men well, he bet his financial future on this expedition, survived, and won his bet. Amundsen's men gained weight on their trip to the pole and back. This movie explains what occurred and offers a glimpse why. Amundsen went on to sail though the Northeast Passage (second man to do it), and in the late 1920s, helping to search for the Italia Expedition of Nobile', Amundsen dies in the Arctic.

1917 (2019)

An Emotional and Unforgettable Film

[9/10 · 9 March 2021]

I've read at least 100 books on World War 1, watched several versions of All Quiet on the Western Front and most US pre WWII films on the Great War. I thought I had a fair knowledge of trench warfare and No Man's Land but nothing I've ever read or seen captures the sheer inhumanity of this conflict or the humanity of men who fought it like this film. The story is wonderful, the music powerful, the acting and directing first rate, and the cinematography cutting edge and breathtaking. It's as fine a war film as I've ever seen and I've been watching them for more than half a century. See it!

Notorious (1946)

Fantastic Film

[9/10 · 3 March 2021]

Fantastic acting with a wonderfully suspenseful story and really distinctive cinematography. Certainly one of Hitchcock's greatest films.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Exciting if Implausible

[7/10 · 15 February 2021]

I don't believe that it's implausible to presume that the film's heroine is idealistic, even naive, in some respects, but she's certainly not stupid. The moment Claire lands on Isla Nublar and encounters mercenaries that should have tipped her off that ghere was a real problem. Nevertheless, she blithely goes along and so does the hero. And are we to believe that the mercenaries show up on a dino hunt armed with standard issue military issue rifles (5.56 mm and or 7.62x51 mm) and sleeper dart rifles? Granted, they didn't intend killing the animals but those guns aren't powerful enough for modern big game animals let alone animals with hides thicker then rhinos, hippos, or elephants. Mercenaries would know this. I don't understand why the film makers ignore such minor details. The fact that they get so many of them worng is annoying,

Jurassic World (2015)

Exciting if implausible and ful, of plot holes.

[6/10 · 12 February 2021]

There aren't many movies that I can honestly say I vividly remember how I felt when first seeing it. Jurassic Park was one of those movies. When the first dinosaur was shown my eyes opened as wide as Dr. Grant's and my mouth opened wide in si ple wonerment. Unfortunately, there's none of that wonder in this film. Henry Wu genetically re-engineered for Jurassic World? He was killed by veloceraptors in the first film and he should have stayed dead. And considering how many people were munched in the first film is it possible that human greed can honestly produce such monumentally foolish and ignorant people? Well, according to Hollywood: Yes. Claire and just about everyone associated with the park is obsessed with greed and blinded by tech. It's all rather disgusting and if I may say just plain dumb. The older kid is a twerp , we have a park manager in waaay over her head, an incompetent and poorly armed security staff, personnel completely untrained for emergency, a hapless owner, a head mad scientist, and an implausible mercenary angle that falls off a cliff. The movie is sorta exciting but it's so silly that it's hard to feel sorry for anything but the poor animals. I was honestly rooting for stupid humans to be trampled or eaten, and plenty of them get munched. There are 4 sympathetic humans, the rest of them should have become dino food beginning with the park manager. Irate the musical score much higher than the script.

Jurassic Park (1993)

An awe inspiring film

[9/10 · 12 February 2021]

Though it was more than 25 years ago, I vividly recall the first time the dinosaurs made their appearance. I'd never seen anything that so astounded me. I wanted to be a paleontologist but ended up an archaeologist. I hqve never dug up a dinosaur but did excavate a prehistoric elephant and a whale. Watching this film was perhaps the next best thing to digging up a dinosaur. I'd read Joe Horner's and Bob Bakker's revolutionary theories (Horner was technical consultant on the film). When Grant sees first dinosaur I honestly believe I that felt what Sam Neil portroyed on film. I had tears in my eyes. Few things are more personally gratifying that going out on theoretical limb to be subsequently being proven correct (Horner theorized that Hadrosaurs moved in herds, while Bakker theorized dinosaurs were warm blooded and birds are descendants of one dinosaur branch. Both were not taken seriously but both have proven to be correct.

Cold Comfort Farm (1995 TV Movie)

A Wonderful Film

[8/10 · 4 February 2021]

This film is blessed with an amusing and touching script, memorable and well developed characters, a lovely English settings, and a marvelous to-die-for cast. Anyone enjoying English period films is certain to love this film. I only rate it 8 stars because it can't be reasonably compared with Henry V but it certainly does compare with Jane Austen's Emma with which is shares somethings in common.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

a very intriguing, exciting, even brutak film with a surprise ending

[7/10 · 30 January 2021]

The storyline of this film is as complex as any Le Carre novel so don't let anyone convince that the plot is a simple spy film. It's far more subtle and complex than a typical modern Bond film, harking back to Ian Fleming's novels. Charlize Theron and James McAvoy are believable spys and they receive plenty of support. This film is likely to require at least two viewing to catch all the details but especially the plot twists, with most of the spys not what they appear to be.