1972 Review Blog
Cabaret
Grade: C 11/16/2008
I didn't enjoy the film CABARET nearly as much as I did when I saw it on Broadway with Neil Patrick Harrisas the Emcee. The Emcee, the most popular character to come out of the play, was very significant in the play. In the film, he came across as a sideshow...and I certainly don't agree with the role earning Joel Grey an Oscar. Come to think of it...I don't really agree with most of the Oscars won by the film. That being said...its not a terrible film. Liza and Michael York do a swell job in their roles, and the songs are still fun to watch. I just wish the Nazi situation came across as serious as in the stage musical.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: C 11/16/2008
I didn't enjoy the film CABARET nearly as much as I did when I saw it on Broadway with Neil Patrick Harrisas the Emcee. The Emcee, the most popular character to come out of the play, was very significant in the play. In the film, he came across as a sideshow...and I certainly don't agree with the role earning Joel Grey an Oscar. Come to think of it...I don't really agree with most of the Oscars won by the film. That being said...its not a terrible film. Liza and Michael York do a swell job in their roles, and the songs are still fun to watch. I just wish the Nazi situation came across as serious as in the stage musical.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Deliverance
Grade: B 02/12/2009
Very Simple, very disturbing, very exciting...and after seeing DELIVERANCE, I am never going out into the Wilderness or visiting the Deep South ever again. I also will forever detest the sound of a banjo. But in all seriousness, this was a grotesquely entertaining film.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: B 02/12/2009
Very Simple, very disturbing, very exciting...and after seeing DELIVERANCE, I am never going out into the Wilderness or visiting the Deep South ever again. I also will forever detest the sound of a banjo. But in all seriousness, this was a grotesquely entertaining film.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
The Godfather
Grade: A- 05/12/2009
Not quite the American cinematic masterpiece that I was expecting, but there is a lot in this classic to admire. The WRITING is some of the best I have ever heard...and probably what single-handedly holds the movie together. I also LOVED Brando's performance. Lastly, the dramatic evolution of Michael from removed GI to Mafia Don is executed flawlessly. Quite impressive.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: A- 05/12/2009
Not quite the American cinematic masterpiece that I was expecting, but there is a lot in this classic to admire. The WRITING is some of the best I have ever heard...and probably what single-handedly holds the movie together. I also LOVED Brando's performance. Lastly, the dramatic evolution of Michael from removed GI to Mafia Don is executed flawlessly. Quite impressive.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Solaris
Grade: C- 08/17/2009
I was first introduced to SOLARIS with the 2002 George Clooney version, and I hated it. Now I have seen the original Tarkovsky version, and I'm still not crazy about it. I realize that there are some deep, humanistic themes going on here about the nature of love and what you love...a person or your own idea of that person...but the whole endeavor still comes across as pretentious to me. At 165 minutes, this film is a bit stenuous to get through...but it is oddly beautiful in some respects, and you have to give it credit to the film for its audacious aspirations, even if the film's reach is much farther than its grasp. I am told Tarkovsy's films are legendary. I hope they improve on SOLARIS, which was a chore.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: C- 08/17/2009
I was first introduced to SOLARIS with the 2002 George Clooney version, and I hated it. Now I have seen the original Tarkovsky version, and I'm still not crazy about it. I realize that there are some deep, humanistic themes going on here about the nature of love and what you love...a person or your own idea of that person...but the whole endeavor still comes across as pretentious to me. At 165 minutes, this film is a bit stenuous to get through...but it is oddly beautiful in some respects, and you have to give it credit to the film for its audacious aspirations, even if the film's reach is much farther than its grasp. I am told Tarkovsy's films are legendary. I hope they improve on SOLARIS, which was a chore.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die