Bachelor Movie Reviews

So what does a guy watch when his wife and kid are out of town? Hmmmm … well, if it’s me … 

Battle of the Bulge (1965) : A film of a bygone era of movie-making — the massive, epic war film, complete with big stars, big sound track, big battles, and a cast of zillions. Even has an Overture, Entr’Acte, and Exit Music. A ripping good tale, if pretty shoddy history. Worth watching if you’ve only ever seen the 167 minute run time dramatically cut-down for a two hour (with commercials) TV slot.

Dragonlance – Dragons of the Autumn Twilight

(2008) : Wretched animation (and a wretched mix of CG and 2D animation at that), muddled plot, clumsy storytelling … ick. Not necessarily the fault of the original, just of this production, which resembles the Rankin-Bass Return of the King in its incoherence (but is much less well put toether. Okay, as a kid I would have killed for this. But there’s so much better available now, it’s a wonder this got made. Does make me want to re-read the book, though.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001) : I wanted to like this more than I did. Slick, stylish, and a classically crafted caper flick, it felt ultimately empty, and left me wondering whether I was really interested in picking up the next installment from the bargain bin.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) : I had genuinely forgotten how faboo of a movie this is. Any time I don’t rank this on lists of my Top Ten Films, kick me upside the head. Simply incredible.

The Lion in Winter (1968) : A complex historical melodrama that is soooooo late 60s intellectual-revisionist soap opera with witty wordplay from its stage origin that it’s almost difficult to enjoy, rather than “just” be fascinated by.

The Andromeda Strain (1971) : It had been several years since I watched the “original” adaptation of Crichton’s novel. And, yes, though the technology has changed a bit in the last 35 years, it’s still a taut scientific thriller. Worth watching.

Die Hard (1988) : The original and still — even with Bruce Willis sporting a full(ish) head of hair, a kick-ass action flick — great good guys, great bad guys, a great Michael Kamen (and James Horner and Ludwig van Beethoven) score, guns, explosions, and a good time to be had for all.

Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms (2006) : Not bad. Not great, but not bad. The animation is serviceable to the decent story, and there’s some fun Japanese mythos bits. Certainly made me want to rewatch the movie (or re-read some of the trades).

Hellboy (2004) : So I did (the former). Still a good, fun flick, a bit too violent and dark to share with Katherine (yet), but a remarkably faithful adaptation of Mignola’s work. Good stuff.

Superman Returns (2006) : No, I’d not seen it yet. And I’m glad ow I have. It does a remarkable job of tying to the original couple of Donner Superman flicks of … ye gods, how long ago? Great cast, well-done special effects, good use of the classic Williams music, and a fine story with a 00s polish and edge. Good flick.