movie reviews, Volume 3 number 3, March 2001, © by Thela Clayton Video Dreamland Et tu, Brute! The ides of March found me slashed by these relentless tiny hands on the alarm clock. I lost my notes listing the movies I had watched. You are probably thinking, ‘Oh, Thela, can’t you remember what you saw?’—No! I saw too many mediocre films that covered the broad range of worth from 50¢ to –2¢. Blame it on Venus. Her brightness this month wiped out my memory bank. So here’s a couple of my favorite classics that I watched again (three of them the day before the deadline for this article). The Man Who Would Be King, PG One of the very best of 1975, based on Rudyard Kipling’s book. Sean Connery and Michael Caine star as the two main characters. They share three things: 1) service to the queen as mercenary soldiers in India, 2) brotherhood in freemasonry, and 3) the dream of traveling to a small remote country to claim it and its treasures for themselves. This is a wild and fun adventure story. Due to the Cockney accent and your laughter drowning out the dialogue at times, you’ll be glad to have that quick rewind button so you don’t miss any part of the story. A Man For All Seasons, G This film not only won the Oscar for best picture of 1966, but swept the floor of all the other various film awards. This is the story of Thomas More, Chancellor of England, who stands firm in his religious conviction against the actions of King Henry VIII when the king seeks divorce from his wife to marry Anne Boleyn. Thomas More will be a man you either think crazy for his religious beliefs or admirable for his faith: he will stand like a mighty oak tree, refusing to die until they cut him down. He’s one of my heroes and I admire his warrior’s spirit, full of courage and strength. The cast includes Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw, Orson Wells, and John Hurt. Truly an excellent movie for the whole family. Relative Values, PG-13 A film adapted from Noel Coward’s play about a 1950s Hollywood actress who manipulates the Earl of Marshwood, England, to fall in love with her. Distraught about the impending marriage, the bride’s mother, Julie Andrews, has her hands full when her maid lays another wee surprise on her. A simple story with a simple story line. Not one to rush out and see immediately, but when the mood strikes you, you will enjoy seeing Julie Andrews on the screen again. Why did I knock off 25¢? William Baldwin. Hey, I love Alex, but Hollywood should ship his two brothers back to the family farm. They can’t act and they’re not much to look at, either. The Tic Code, R Get in the mood for some jazz. Christopher George Marquette plays the talented young man, Miles, whose only release from Tourette’s Syndrome is when he plays jazz piano. Allowed afternoon piano access at the local jazz club, he meets Gregory Hines, the sax player. Shunned by his father, he attempts to initiate a romance between his mother and his mentor. Respect is the word that comes to my mind when I think of this film and all involved in the production of it. This story of a young man’s struggle with this disease is well told and well acted, without the sappy clichés that try to solicit our pity. Hey, Hollywood, take notice. This young man has great acting potential. Where the Money Is, PG-13 This movie is cute. Paul Newman is cute. It’s just fun entertainment. Paul is a bank robber who got caught in a bank vault during a city blackout. In prison he suffers a stroke and a lovely nurse from the local nursing home nurtures him back to health. (Not without ulterior motives, of course.) This may not be the funniest movie around but it beat the heck out of the TV programs on that night. If Newman is just too old for you young folks out there, check out Cool Hand Luke. See this man in his prime. Though his body may be a little wrinkled now, his eyes are forever true blue. | ||
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