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Empire of the Sun, a review by Rich

Empire of the Sun



Steven Spielberg's 'Empire Of The Sun', based on the autobiographical novel by J.G. Ballard, stars Christian Bale as Jim Graham, a British schoolboy separated from his upper-class colonial parents when the Japanese sweep into Shanghai during World War II. Temporarily orphaned, Jim attaches himself to Basie (John Malkovich), a fast-talking American opportunist determined make a buck off the spoils of war. Later, when the two are interned in a prison camp, Jim's boyish fantasies are fueled by the grace and daring of the Japanese fighter pilots whom he comes to idolise despite their enemy status. Spielberg's visually spectacular wartime epic is a testimony to the human will to survive and a child's ability to find wonder even in the midst of horror. Thirteen-year-old Welsh actor Christian Bale is brillant as Jim in his feature film debut. Spielberg himself identified more with Jim, a boy who is obsessed with flying and who experiences the death of his innocence, than with E.T.'s Elliott. After a year of negotiations with the Chinese, Spielberg and his crew were allowed to film in Shanghai, which was virtually unchanged since World War II.

A must watch epic, with superb characterisation, an emotional storyline, and a young Christian Bale showing immense early talent.
Glimpse into the world of yesteryear, and uniquely view a war through a childs eyes.
With Stoppards magnificent screenplay Spielberg crafted a masterpiece, and at todays low dvd prices which you can pick this up for there is no excuse not to proudly own it.
 



(From Riches Random Reviews on May 28th, 2009)

All About Eve, a review by Jon

1950
All About Eve
4 out of 5



Actress Margot Channing (Bette Davis) has a dedicated fan in Eve (Anne Baxter) who she gives a job to out of pity. But it soon becomes clear that there is far more to Eve’s ambition. And just how far will she go, whoever gets hurt?

1950 and there is a wind of change. So far all the winners I’ve reviewed have been rather typical of the output from Hollywood in this period. But now studios are aware of the threat coming from TV and maybe they’re being braver, more self-critical. The result is All About Eve, willing to cast a very sharp look at showbusiness and nominated for a record breaking 14 Oscars, winning 6. So the biggest winner in this marathon so far is the only one to try and bite the hand that feeds it. It may be set in the theatre world, but its target is obvious.

Scripted by Joseph Mankiewicz, brother of Herman who wrote Citizen Kane, it follows that films flashback method of framing and although not as smooth, there’s a tangible air of regret and nostalgia from the start as we are introduced by voiceover (George Sanders’ Addison DeWitt) to the small cast of characters whose lives were turned upside down by the manipulative Eve, who will stop at nothing to achieve stardom. Amongst them is Bette Davis as Margot Channing, a 40-year old actress, holding onto fame. It is a monumental performance, captivating and forceful. There are no actresses today who could handle a similar part with as much relish and vigour. Her put-downs are legendary in a film that whizzes along with fantastic, poetic dialogue.

The rest of the cast are frequently, if not consistently, her equal, especially Celeste Holm as Karen. For me, the only weakness was actually the title character. It’s not the wonderful Anne Baxter’s fault, but I felt her opening and very important scene in Margot’s dressing room was unconvincing. It’s the same Eve we see at the end, but with just a funny hat and overcoat to show us how poor she is. Mind you it’s still a great scene and Thelma Ritter is wonderful in it. You may know her similar character in Rear Window. She doesn’t have anywhere near enough time for my liking, but she was still Oscar nominated. The male Best Supporting Actor winner was George Sanders, who is simply marvellous as the venomous critic.

It’s a very cynical story, but the line between on and off screen is very blurred. Bette Davis had been in the wilderness for a couple of years and comes back to a part of an actress fearing her career is over. And the phenomenally gorgeous Marilyn Monroe in her first, brief, role plays a starlet manipulating men to give her auditions. Pretty much what she actually did! Manipulating men is the order of the day in this very female orientated story. It wouldn’t have worked with predominantly male characters though, simply because Hollywood has an awful record for treating older actresses. Mind you, it's the perfect showcase of talent here. The performances as a whole are fantastic.

It’s audacious and entertaining, frequently funny, if a little obvious. I think it’s more of an important film for when and why it was released, as much as standing on its own merits, which are, nonetheless, remarkable.

"Curtain down, the end"


(From Jon's Best Picture Oscar Marathon on February 9th, 2009)

Tom's TV Finales marathon, a review by Tom

The Addams Family: Volume Three (1965/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia (United States) Length: 588 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 1 Subtitles:

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Plot:
Brace yourself for more macabre mayhem and monstrous madness - it's time, once again, to pay a call on the Addams Family, television's creepiest clan, as they wreak hilarious havoc on their unsuspecting victims. This time, love is in the air, and it seems that everyone - Pugsley, Ophelia, Uncle Fester, and even Lurch - is being bitten by the bug! Gomez, meanwhile, is burglarizing houses in his sleep, and it's curtains for the new neighbors when Morticia tries her hand at decorating. Now, complete your collection and prepare for a scare with the frightfully funny final volume of The Addams Family. It's drop-dead hilarious.


The Addams Family
Season 2.30 Ophelia's Career 08.04.1966
Writer: Charles Addams (Original Characters By), Harry Winkler (Writer), Hannibal Coons (Writer)
Director: Sidney Lanfield
Cast: Carolyn Jones (Morticia Addams), John Astin (Gomez Addams), Jackie Coogan (Uncle Fester), Ted Cassidy (Lurch), Blossom Rock (Grandmama), Lisa Loring (Wednesday), Ken Weatherwax (Pugsley), Ben Wright (Mr. Rudolpho), Ralph Rose (Signor Bellini), Felix Silla (Cousin Itt), Thing (Itself)

Just like any other episode. There is nothing which would tell that this is the final episode of the series. If you enjoy the other episodes, you will also enjoy this one.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Finales marathon on November 25th, 2012)