Morning Star

This is one of SRK's more minor films but it does have some memorable things/moments. I liked the first song (when he plays the brother that dies), it's colorful, lots of dancers, Shahrukh looks good even with the ill fitting long wig they have on him. The ending to that song was quite a shocking surprise. The scene afterwards where the couple dies together then the film cuts back briefly to them happy & alive & in love in the song before was moving. I liked most of the songs in the film and thought they were well staged. Shahrukh was at his best when he got angry or in the romantic moments. I liked his acting in the scene where he has the girl meet him at a cheap hotel room and the other when he tells the boy he has no intention of marrying the girl.

If you skip the first half of the film, which is incredibly boring and stars an elderly very pudgy Indian star on the decline, you will probably find enjoyment in the second half. The film comes to life for the first time after the intermission when Shahrukh Khan appears on a motorcycle, thank heavens. He just makes the screen come alive as soon as he appears. Although some of his actions after he first falls in love seem extremely melodramatic (like carving the girls name into his arm with a knife....this is not Darr after all, as once he wins the girl he's a nice sweet very understanding guy really) much else is quite entertaining. Liked his first song and parts of his song with the girl. Choreography seems non existent in that song but Shahrukh always moves nicely. I liked his dialogue in the bedroom on their first night. I liked the part where the first husband comes to the party and the results. I also thought the ending was quite good with some flaws. All in all a nice debut film for Shahrukh (just zip right through that first half or use the scenes subcategory to do so).

If I hadn't been forced to watch this for work reasons I never would have made it past the first 10 minutes. And even then I admit I fast forwarded through parts. The '63 film version was vastly superior in all regards. Yes, I've read this one is more faithful to the original play, but what a wise thing it was for the writer to change the script in '63! It's overlong, it drags, the songs that are in this version and not in the film version are boring and unimaginative. The version of "Kids" in the '63 version was very funny and a true classic of sarcastic parent humor. In this version the Kim is way too old, the Conrad is *absolutely horrible* to behold (when someone ripped his shirt off him I shuttered in disgust...the director of this version has no idea what sexy is.). This Conrad can't dance, can't sing (he can't even stay in tune) and is simply repulsive. If Elvis Presley had really been like that his career would have been over before it began. As for the other actors, well I kept waiting for Alexander's toupee to fall off as he danced and Daly was totally over acting as Momma. See Stapleton's performance in the film version to see the same role properly executed by someone who understands comic timing. This TV version is nothing but a total waste of anyone's time.

I haven't seen this film in over 20 years and yet I still recall scenes from it quite vividly. The performances by both Stapleton (who I was researching now when I saw this film in a list of her credits) and Durning are both wonderful. The characters seemed very "real"...even more so when the film came out, as back then middle aged+ characters were *very rare* as romantic leads in a movie. And it's also quite touching. I recall crying quite a bit near the end on the 3 occasions I saw this movie on TV years ago. Bravo to Stapleton and Durning for this one!

I recall first seeing this film when it was released on the big screen and I was a young child...it was one of my favorite childhood films. And I still find it entertaining whenever I take out the old video of it and watch it again. The highlights for me are Maureen Stapelton's performance as the Jewish mother (in all but name). I *know* that woman and she's my former mother-in-law, only Stapleton's version is the funny one. Being a female I can say I see that Ann-Margaret looks great in this film and I understand why so many of the male people who have commented here have spoken at length about her performance. I do want to say something about Jesse Pearson who plays Conrad Birdie. I disagree strongly with what others here have said, I think he did a fabulous job as the Elvis impersonator he was slotted to play. He's got the Elvis looks, the swagger, the voice, he's tall and he has a great dimpled smile. He's quite sexy indeed. And so unlike that yobo they landed for the '95 TV version who's as sexy as Wonder bread and has the voice that I imagine Maureen Stapleton would have if she ever sang. UGH! In every way this 1963 movie version is vastly superior to the TV/play version of '95.

Pressure Point is a very interesting 60's movie. Stanley Kramer produced it, but thankfully he didn't direct it so it is a much more cinematic visually and less stiff and preachy than the films he did direct. There are many interesting visual effects in the film during the childhood fashbacks especially that really make this film stand out. And the performance by Bobby Darin (who was a well known political liberal) is amazing. He's the man you love to hate in this film. A hatefilled Nazi, but before they reveal this they show the audience what a nightmarish childhood he had that made him the way he is when he matures. And some of the things he says to the doctor (Poitier) are very hardhitting and seem to be very true really, such as when he talks about Poitier's love for America and how it didn't make sense considering how blacks were really treated in the USA in the 1940's when the film is set. Excellent performances throughout the film, a gritty but real message and intriguing surrealistic sequences made Pressure POint a film very worth seeing!

The 1962 version of "Cape Fear" has Robert Mitchum's greatest performance in it so it ranks high with me mostly for that reason. Mitch was never better than in his villainous role here, which is even better than his caricature role in "Night of the Hunter". The best moment in this film is when Mitchum confronts Bergen on the houseboat. There he stands bare chested and dripping with swamp water as he approaches the terrified Bergen in the darkness of the boat's cabin. When he tells her why she will let him have his way with her and she first says no, he gets furious and suddenly crushes a raw egg in his hand which runs down her bare shoulder. Very creepy, scary and menacing moment and Mitchum makes it *very* believable.

Film noir striped down to its bare elements. Sparse dialogue, unemotional and unnamed characters and lots of action. This film is the only thing I have ever liked Ryan O'Neal in (and he's very cast against type). This is one film you *must* see in a theatre if you possibly can (I have seen it in revival houses as well as when it first came out). The car chases are *so excitingly filmed* if you see it in a theater (or perhaps in a dark room on a very large TV set). Loved how they mounted the cameras on the car bumpers and then raced through rain slickened LA streets at high speeds....when the car hits small dips in the road its a very exciting, realistic effect when seen in the theater. I haven't seen this film in many years, but I still recall those car chases very well...I don't think any director has ever done better with that theme.

I just sat through this very poorly made film on video and it was so unbelievably awful I had to comment.

I have never written anything but praise for any film on IMDB, but this one was such a stinker I couldn't but speak up in amazement. Amazement because I rented this film on the basis on a good view from Roger Ebert (who normally I agree with) and the fact it was on some best 10 lists for films made in 1999. Why I will NEVER understand. And I liked "Boogie Nights" the directors other film too. I haven't seen a worse film than this one in many, many years.

I thought the directing and scriptwriting was dreadful. And part of the bad directing was in the direction of the actors, many of whom turned in their worst performances I have ever seen them do. The characters were uninteresting, vague, hysterical, over-the-top and just unbelievable as real people. It was all just so stagy and false and superficial. And that part with the frogs!!!!!! Oh my. Gross and so absurd as to be way beyond laughable. I wasn't even sure if this film was a bad drama or a comedy that complete missed the mark. What a total waste of almost 3 hours of anyone's life to sit through it.

In the early 70s I was a big fan of Bowie, Reed and Roxy Music. So when I heard about this film I was interested in seeing it. A few days ago I rented Velvet Goldmine and watched it. I thought it was quite good and entertaining and was very impressed by the performances of McGregor and Bale. Although the use of new songs in glam style annoyed me a bit, I loved that they did use many originals from the 70s by people like Brian Eno, Roxy Music, Mick Ronson and Lou Reed.

I found myself thinking of the film over and over later that day and eventually looking it up here and then on other places online. I woke up the next morning thinking about it, which is extremely unusual for me. Images from the film kept coming back to me all day and then I thought I'd look at those scenes again for a few minutes the next day..something I've never done before. So I put the tape in meaning to fast forward it, but I got caught up in those fabulous opening credits. Fast paced editing and action, colorful clothes on kids having fun and Eno's song really catch you up into the film (after that short but odd 'Wilde is from outer space' stuff). From there I found myself standing beside the TV watching the whole film again. And the second time I saw it I REALLY loved it! It was even better viewing it again. Although I found Rhys-Meyers quite cold and uninvolving, many of the other actors turned in great work. McGregor just threw himself into this part and electrified the screen. And Bale was believable as a 17 year old innocent boy and a jaded 27 year old man...which is a very difficult act to pull off credibly.

My favorite parts of the film were 1) the sequence from when Curt and Brian drink a toast in a fantasy press conference to when Brian's ex-wife Mandy tells the Arthur who she found in bed together. and 2) when Arthur meets Curt in a flashback at the 70s concert till the end of the film. I found that second part very emotionally moving to see when I watched the film a second time. And it was so sad to see the bright and hopeful world of the 70s become the bleak and drab world of the 80s when they showed the 'present time' vs the flashbacks throughout the movie.

I can't wait to see Velvet Goldmine again! Rarely do I ever buy videotapes, but this one I gotta own so I can watch it repeatedly.

HANGOVER SQUARE was Laird Cregar's last film (he died at 28) and he turns in a fine performance. You can see how haggard he looks from his 100+ pound weight lose which happened before and during the filming of this movie. His appearance and exhaustion fit well with the role of George Bone though. The scene where he carries the body to the Guy Fawkes bonfire and places it with all the mannequins is very memorable as is the ending. The film score by Bernard Hermann is excellent and the concerto Bone "writes" is believable and tense. Cregar even plays the piano very well. It is too bad he died so young after only 5 years making movies as Hollywood lost a fine talent that was just starting out. John Brahms does a good job directing the atmospheric HANGOVER SQUARE too.

HUMORESQUE boasts an excellent performance by John Garfield, wonderful music, lush photography, witty dialogue and crisp direction. A fine film noir on an off beat (for noir) subject matter. Oscar Levant is also a delight both for his piano playing and dry humor.

I just watched the video of BLACK MAGIC again tonight and was once again impressed with it. Orson Welles turns in one of his finest performances. I was also impressed by the quality of the production considering it wasn't a Hollywood studio production (although it was released by United Artists). Elaborate costumes and sets and tons of extras. Interesting plot and photography. It has a nice film noir look to it. But the best part of BLACK MAGIC is Welles.

THE ROARING TWENTIES is one of the classic gangster films. Although it's a bit slow for the first 15 minutes or so, it picks up a lot once Cagney delivers booze to a speak easy. The beginning sets up the characters personalities so it's important for that, but Walsh stags it a bit too leisurely IMO. Still it is a great crime genre film and holds up better than earlier films such as SCARFACE and LITTLE CAESAR. James Cagney is excellent and Gladys George does a fine job as Panama the woman who loves him no matter what. Bogart turns in another of his fine bad guy performances too and the cinematography is beautiful to look at.

"Pleasantville" is one of my favorite films of the 90s. Very original. So much has been written here about it already by others. I am amazed to see some people didn't "get it", but then some people think Claude Monet paintings are worthless too so it takes all kinds. At times this film is just out and out funny (my favorite comic moments are when Macy comes home and says "where's my dinner?" and then the following bowling lane scene.) The whole point of the film is that when these characters/people get in touch with their inner feelings then they are in color and a true person, not a caricature of a human who just goes mindlessly through a boring routine life. When they get in touch with their *dreams and feelings* then they are truly alive for the first time. People who don't get this message from the film no doubt are leading boring routine lives and are not in touch with their true self...and they probably won't ever be. I've met many a person in my life like that and it's quite sad that they will exist for ___ amount of years but never be *alive*. Gary Ross did an excellent job of conveying his serious message amid the comedy in this film. And the special effect photography is marvelous! Other films that have similar ideas and messages I'd say were: "Groundhog Day", "Field of Dreams", "Enchanted April" and "Purple Rose of Cairo"....I loved all of those too!

"Groundhog Day" is a marvel. It's just about perfect as a film. It's hilarious and it has an important message as well. We have shown it to groups of Tibetan Buddhists who have seen that the message fits perfectly into Buddhist beliefs. Now you can't say *that* about many comedies! I myself have watched "Groundhog Day" a dozen times and found it enjoyable, interesting and exciting every time. I look forward to seeing it another dozen times or more and would recommend it to everyone. Even if they don't get the message they will find the comedy sidesplittingly funny. I never used to like Bill Murray but he is fabulous in this role!

The 1962 version of "Cape Fear" has Robert Mitchum's greatest performance in it so it ranks high with me mostly for that reason. Mitch was never better than in his villainous role here, which is even better than his caricature role in "Night of the Hunter". The best moment in this film is when Mitchum confronts Bergen on the houseboat. There he stands bare chested and dripping with swamp water as he approaches the terrified Bergen in the darkness of the boat's cabin. When he tells her why she will let him have his way with her and she first says no, he gets furious and suddenly crushes a raw egg in his hand which runs down her bare shoulder. Very creepy, scary and menacing moment and Mitchum makes it *very* believable.

Just saw this film again on video. The film is dated now but Charles Laughton's performance still seems fresh. He's quite funny in the scene where he complains about "the lack of manners these days" as he gnaws on a whole chicken with his bare hands and tosses the bones behind him on the floor. And he's quite touching at times when be breaks down in front of everyone and cries. Laughton certainly deserved this Oscar for this role.

"The Tenant" is Roman Polanski's greatest film IMO. And I love "Chinatown", but this one is so much more original and unconventional and downright creepy. It's also a great black comedy. Some people I have shown this film to have been *very disturbed* by it afterwards so be forewarned it does affect some people that way. Polanski does a great job acting the lead role in "The Tenant" as well as directing it.

What a great little film this is, an quite unique. Hardy Kruger is wonderful in this role (even better than he was in Flight of the Phoenix)and the story is unusual and fast paced. The best part is this is a *true* story too so it's very intriguing to know this von Werra guy was really in the German army...he was hardly a conformist like we always think "Nazi" soldiers would be.