Change Your Image
RogerEbertJr
Reviews
Mediterraneo (1991)
Soldier's Escape
I think IMDb explains the plot best: An Italian ship leaves a handful of soldiers in a little island; their mission is to spot enemy ships and to hold the island in case of attack. The village of the island seems abandoned and there isn't a single enemy in sight, so the soldiers begin to relax a little. Actually, the island isn't deserted and when the Greeks understand that those Italians are harmless, they came out of their hiding places in the mountains and continue their peaceful lives. Soon the soldiers discover that being left behind in a God-forgotten Greek island isn't such a bad thing, after all...
The film won the Oscar for Best Foreign film in 1991 and I'm pretty sure this wasn't the best foreign film of that year, but I can understand why it won. The film captures something I think many people can relate to or understand...escape. These soldiers find an escape from the war. Which is something anybody who has been in a war can relate to. And, the film also captures the freedom these men have. For the moment they're at the island they can also escape from their everyday responsibilities and do what they like best. That's something most people want. For instance, the lieutenant enjoys painting and at the island he gets the opportunity to paint the church. Instead of fighting a war or worrying about how to pay the bills he is doing what he enjoys best, painting. The film may not be the best foreign film of 1991, but it is a very warm-hearted film that you will enjoy.
3 (***) out of (****)
The Cotton Club (1984)
I wanted to like this movie, but couldn't.
When I saw "The Cotton Club" I really loved the musical numbers. As well as the cinematography and how the filmmakers captured the era. However, I could really care less about the characters. The film's characters are supposed to be based on the real gangsters and African-American musicians that made the Cotton Club famous. But, after over twenty drafts I get the idea that director Francis Ford Coppola didn't exactly know what he wanted to accomplish with this project. The other thing that bothers me about this movie is the editing. There is a scene in which most of the main characters are at The Cotton Club and we are presented with about three or four musical numbers intercut with the characters communicating. Like about a minute is devoted to each of the musical numbers. Why would you do that? These were excellent musical numbers that should have been given some proper screen time. I know that it isn't part of the plot or anything, but it's part of The Cotton Club. After all this movie is supposed to be a fictional account of the Club's history. It's important to capture the story of the gangsters and musicians, but also devote screen time to the great music and dancing that made the club so famous.
As for the performances I think they were all good. I really liked the work Richard Gere and the rest of actors did. I didn't really care about the characters but their performances made it watchable. Especially Diane Lane who is beautiful in this film. Gere and Lane reunited almost two decades later for the much better film, Unfaithful. These are two actors who have aged well and it's interesting to see that they even looked great at a young age.
RATING: 2 (**) out of (****)
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
The "real" Batman Begins
Batman: The Animated Series was a Saturday morning cartoon series that aired on FOX Kids. I consider that particular series the best adaptation of Batman. The series did an amazing job of providing origins for many of Batman's famous villains. However, it never provided one for the title character. So, this is the team's way of creating a back story for their main character.
When Bob Kane and Bill Finger created Batman back in 1939 they didn't feature an origin on the first issue. That was something they later dealt with and it wasn't even a full issue. It was just prologue for one of the stories. Bruce W. Timm and the rest of the gang remained true to that concept and don't exactly make this film into an origin tale. The origin is just back story for the actual plot. The plot is that a new vigilante has arrived into Gotham killing many mob bosses. Somehow Batman is confused for this new vigilante and he has to prove his innocence, while battling the Joker and catching up with an old girlfriend.
Like the animated series this film is an amazing accomplishment. It's probably even better than Batman Begins. Too bad people don't see it because it's a cartoon.
RATING: 4 (****) out of (****)
Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
The best adaptation of Batman.
I feel that Batman: The Animated Series is the best adaptation of the character also known as The Dark Knight. Producer Bruce W. Timm along with writers like Paul Dini brought what "I" consider to be the true Batman to television sets every Saturday morning on FOX Kids. Since 1992 this has been a cartoon series that I treasure very much. The episodes featured great writing, which is rare for children's television. The animation is amazing. I consider the "dark deco" animation as one of the greatest. Very few cartoons have this animation. Well, at least in the United States. I've seen some Animes (Japanese cartoons) with outstanding animation. As well as great writing. Batman: TAS is one of the rare cartoon series we can put in a battle against cartoons from other countries. That's how good it is!
Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Returns is a great sequel.
Batman Returns is not the sequel people expected. That could be because director Tim Burton was never too crazy about doing a sequel. In a way it is obvious that he wanted to do something completely different. The film was shot in LA (original in England), Anton Furst's Oscar-Winning sets were replaced by Bo Welch, and the costume has gone through a drastic change. As I write the changes I am also writing the flaws. I prefer Furst's sets, shooting in England, and the original costume. Everything else, however, I think is awesome! Tim Burton is a great artist and I feel like Batman Returns is a great work of art. I am not going to spoil it for you by giving away all the symbolisms. The joy of watching Batman Returns is figuring out everything Burton hid under the surface.
RATING: 4 (****) out of (****)
For the curious: The plot of the film is that Max Schreck (Christopher Walken) is a corrupt business man who uses the Penguin to recall the mayor. However, the Penguin has his own agendas. As for Catwoman, that is a tragedy you have to witness for yourself.
Batman (1989)
This is still the best Batman film.
As a Batman fan I can understand where most of the fans are coming from with their passion for Batman Begins. Don't get me wrong, I loved Batman Begins, but it doesn't top Tim Burton's film from 1989. Burton makes an interesting decision by combining the original Bob Kane/Bill Finger comics from 1939 and the early '40s, Frank Miller's work on Batman from the '80s, and his own take on the character.
The film's plot is about Batman battling his first major villain, the Joker. In the beginning of the film we can see that Gotham City is in dept, the police force is corrupted, and the mafia controls everything. A friendly/naive family cannot roam the streets without being mugged or approached by hookers. It isn't a pretty place. The Joker is actually Jack Napier. Napier was mob boss Carl Grissom's (Jack Palance) right hand man before falling into a vat of chemicals and turning into the psychotic Joker.
While the film does have its flaws you really can't hold it against it because Batman Begins has flaws of its own. Yes, the relationship between Batman and Commissioner Gordon isn't explored in this film. But, if you recall in Batman Begins the character of Scarecrow doesn't really do anything special. He is almost a waste! So, both films aren't perfect.
Additionally, the film benefits a lot from its moments. I really love the scene in which Batman crashes through the window and rescues Vicky Vale. And, how about when he takes her to the bat cave? There are other great moments in this film that I really love, but I don't have time to get into. It is what you would call a very memorable film. There's a lot of images and moments that stay with you. I don't know if I can say the same about Begins.
RATING: 4 (****) out of (****)
The sets in this film created by the late Anton Furst are amazing. The musical score by Danny Elfman is amazing as well. Michael Keaton is excellent as Bruce Wayne/Batman. While, he may not be physically what Batman is supposed to be, I do feel that his performance was flawless. Jack Nicholson is great in everything he does. Kim Basinger was hot and Michael Gough's Alfred was great.
Batman: The Movie (1966)
"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!"
After the television series became an enormous success during its first season, Twenith Century Fox quickly commissioned a motion picture. While, Fox was interested in making as much money as possible, the producers were interested in doing something that would satisfy the fans of the television series.
This film is as campy and fun as the television series. Some of the series most popular villains (Joker, Catwoman, Riddler and Penguin) appear to kidnap speakers of the United Nations. The plot sounds interesting. The result is campy fun of course with Adam West destroying a rubber shark and taking FOREVER to get rid of a bomb. Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!
The film also saw the introduction of a new actress playing Catwoman. She was hot, but didn't have the under the surface sexual energy and innuendos of Julie Newmar. A minor flaw in the film of course. Well, I don't know if the film only has a minor flaw. After all it is filled with campy nonsense. Then again its fun. Sometimes it seems as if the producers are spoofing the comics. Which, by the way, were very campy at the time. It was the result of a government crack down of the industry. It happens to every art form and entertainment medium.
RATING: 3 (***) out of (****)
Batman (1966)
Campy Fun
I don't think a lot of people know that this is perhaps one of the most faithful adaptations of Batman. Back in the '50s and '60s the Batman comics used to be just like this show. It was the result of the government cracking down on the industry. It happens to every art form and entertainment medium.
The television series was very campy, but at the same time it felt as if the producers were doing a spoof. I know Batman was campy during those days, but don't you think the bat dance and villains like King Tut were a little too silly?
Adam West played Batman and the supporting cast was very good. It featured Burt Ward, Ceasar Romero, and Julie Newmar to name a few.
Batman Begins (2005)
Batman's return to the big screen is a hit!
Warner Bros. released four previous live-action Batman films. Those films are not related to Batman Begins. What the title of this film indicates is that this is the beginning of a new series. After the fiasco that was 1997's Batman & Robin we could have declared that series dead. Here, director Christopher Nolan and screenwriter David Goyer attempt to bring a more faithful adaptation of the comic book. There have been so many incarnations of Batman in the comic books that I really don't know what that's supposed to mean.
What makes Batman Begins such a great film is that it allows the audience a better chance of getting to know the character of Batman/Bruce Wayne. The film explores Wayne's back story to every single detail. After you're done watching this film you could probably call yourself an expert in Batman's genesis.
However, the film has its flaws. The Scarecrow for instance is an example. I understand the character's purpose in this film, but like Dr. Doom in the Fantastic Four movie of this year, he doesn't really do anything special.
RATING: 4 (****) out of (****)
Features amazing performances by Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Liam Neeson. Bale is physically the best Batman to appear on the big screen to date. Performance-wise I do not know if he is technically yet the best. Let's see how he does in the sequel.
The Island (2005)
What do you get when you combine Logan's Run with THX1138?
Michael Bay's first effort without mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer is the science fiction-action film, The Island. It is the story of Lincoln (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan (the beautiful Scarlett Johansson), who discover that they are clones created to provide body parts for their rich "owners".
Half the film is a science fiction film with a Logan's Run/THX1138 feel to it. The other half is a typical Michael Bay summer popcorn flick. I think the entire film is entertaining, but I don't know if this film is for everybody. If you're interested in watching a film about clones escaping their establishment then this film is for you. If you're not interested then I would recommend you to watch something else.
RATING: 3(***) out of (****)
Fantastic Four (2005)
Johnny Storm: The Movie
The Fantastic Four (created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby) is the comic book credited with starting the domino effect, which resulted in what Marvel comics is today. Unfortunately, you can't say the same about the film. For those unfamiliar with The Fantastic Four, the back story behind it is that two siblings (Johnny and Sue Storm), a scientist (Reed Richards), and an assistant (Ben) go to outer space and gain superpowers. There superpowers are the result of being struck by a cosmic storm. Reed a/k/a Mr. Fantastic can stretch any body part -insert joke here-, Sue a/k/a The Invisible Woman can become invisible as her superhero name suggests. By the way, there's some great scenes involving the sexy Jessica Alba having to strip down because her cloths don't become invisible. Anyway...Johnny a/k/a The Human Torch can set himself on fire. Ben a/k/a The Thing is the most tragic character. He became famous in the comic book world for being one of the first characters to hate being a superhero.
The film itself has many flaws. It was too short and Dr. Doom doesn't really do anything special. However, the film manages to survive because of Johnny Storm. Chris Evans is great as Johnny and I loved the character. I also felt the character was very funny. If you're a fan of The Human Torch then I feel like you will be very satisfied. Another aspect of the film that works is that the filmmakers captured The Fantastic Four as a family. That is one of the main reasons why The Fantastic Four have been around for so many years. Stan Lee always tried to make the reader relate to something about his characters. With The Fantastic Four we can relate to the fact that they are a family who love each other, but at times could get at each other's throat.
RATING: 3(***) out of (****)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a fun film for the whole family!
If you have read the book and/or seen the Gene Wilder film then the premise of this film is familiar to you. It is the story of an eccentric candy maker who gives a tour of his factory to five lucky children. Four of the children are brats and then there's Charlie. Charlie Bucket is portrayed in this film by Finding Neverland's Freddie Highmore, who delivers a solid performance. If this young performer continues at this rate he could end up a respected actor like his fellow Finding Neverland co-star, Johnny Depp. Depp, of course, plays Willy Wonka in this film. It is his fourth collaboration with director Tim Burton. Similar to the previous collaborations, Depp and Burton try their best to do something different. And, like their previous collaborations the final product is a success.
The film I felt was very well done. It was fun and I think the whole family will enjoy. The songs by Danny Elfman were very funny and I think could earn Mr. Elfman another Oscar-Nomination. And, like every Tim Burton film it features amazing production designs and solid cinematography.
The big question, however, is if it's better than the 1971 adaptation of the Dahl's classic children's book. While this film remained closer to the book and improved in certain areas, I felt the original is superior. Most of it has to do because of Gene Wilder's interpretation of Willy Wonka. Depp does a very well job, but he can't compete with Wilder's Wonka. That was the magic of the original film.
RATING: 4 (****) out of (****)