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jparke10
Reviews
Untamed (1929)
Bingo for Crawford in "Untamed!"
"Bingo" is exactly the word! This film hits all the right spots and its not all about Joan Crawford, who simply sparkles. I fell totally in love with her character!
It is not by accident that IMDb lists 107 films by Director Jack Conway between 1912 and 1948. This was his 72nd film according to that chronology and his expertise shows. I found it thoroughly engrossing and continuously entertaining. I laughed aloud often -- some really great gags and a fine early sit-com.
I don't know much about the writer Charles E. Scoggins, but co-writer Sivia Thalberg is credited with 15 films and is the sister of Irving Thalberg. That ought to tell you this film deserves close attention. Don't allow yourself to think of it as "cornball" and just engross yourself in it. You won't be disappointed.
Flirting (1991)
A Must-see Hidden Jewel!
This is Nicole Kidman's first major film role, and she is remarkable. The way she develops her character really has you going. I won't say more except that you'll love her. Taylor and Newton do a fantastic job in their coming-of-age roles. Newton is absolutely beautiful -- I fell in love.
The screenplay has excellent depth and is uproariously funny in parts, enraging, tender and even tear-jerking. It even has an underlying theme with incisive international political insights into events in Africa during the Sixties. Agree with the politics or not, it has a lot to say -- really a thinking man's film.
Some guys may dismiss it as a chick flick, but if so, it's one of the best I've seen. What may surprise many is that it even has one of the best boxing scenes I have witnessed on celluloid. Yes, the story is Kafkaesque in a way, but it is also terribly sweet. Taylor's lead role (Danny) is one of the most original I've seen on film -- the school nerd who is really a poet with more character than the rest of the school combined (including the staff). The entire film is his recollection of events, much of it narrated by him as though he'd written the screenplay.
When I saw it a couple of years ago, I wondered where it had been all my life. This is a must- see hidden jewel like Denzel Washington's "Mississippi Masala." It may not be as hot as MM, but it comes damned close in parts.
The Beast (1996)
Beats "Jaws" hands down!
This Peter Benchley film has his previous "Jaws" beat hands down. First, it is much more realistic than "Jaws," absolutely convincing you of the existence of such giant squids. The acting is first- rate. I live in Florida and have known fishermen for almost 50 years. These guys don't even act like actors; they act like fishermen. The musical score is awesome! Intertwined with the suspense is one surprise after another until the very end. The action sequences, both underwater and on the surface, are exciting and realistic. The cinematography, especially in the underwater sequences, is beautiful. In addition, there are several very tender and honest love stories -- the young stars especially hot! Some might criticize its length, but I promise you, this is a film that will hold you all the way through. My only negative criticism is that I have been unable to find it on DVD so I can pause it for bathroom and kitchen breaks. If anyone knows where I can buy it, let me know and I'll send my dough! You will watch this many times over the years and impress your guests (the ones with taste).
I agree with Joel-80 that it is due for a big-screen remake with top stars and even better special effects. In other words, let Hollywood throw the money at it that the TV folks couldn't. I just hope they don't screw it up with phony mechanical fish like they did in "Jaws." If a good remake happens, even the severest critics will be blown away.