yostwl Reviews

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Great Opening--Overall Pedestrian Effort

[7/10 · 13 April 2001]

The opening of this movie is one of the best battle scenes I've witnessed in 50 years of movie viewing. So many appropriate superlatives about this scene have already been written by other reviewers that I can't add anything more.

Unfortunately, once this scene is over the movie becomes a rather pedestrian WWII movie--just too predictable and, at times, stretching one's willingness to "suspend disbelief" to the ultimate and beyond. It's worth watching, but the bulk of the movie is just a rehash of cliches from just about every WWII film made in the 1940's and '50's.

Opening scene rates a 10; the rest of the movie a 4; average 7.

The Thin Red Line (1998)

Think

[10/10 · 3 August 1999]

This movie requires thought--obviously those who rated it low are much more comfortable with Stallone. The cinematography alone is worth an 8.0 rating--this movie will be recognized as a classic along with Apocalypse Now, Ran, and Lawrence of Arabia long after Private Ryan has been relegated to the one scene wonder bin (and it was a great scene).

The Thin Red Line (1998)

Second Best Movie Ever Using War to Examine the Human Condition

[10/10 · 14 May 1999]

Much superior to the rather ordinary Private Ryan that garnered far more in ticket sales. Ryan a run-of-the-mill war story with very good acting and excellent production standards. Thin Red Line very close to Apocalypse Now as a many-layered exploration of human motivation and needs. As with Apocalypse, the war is only a useful backdrop for this exploration. The Thin Red Line forces thought and self-examination, in addition to ripping at one's emotions. Ryan hits only at the emotional level--doing this very well, indeed--but not requiring any deep thought, just a vague "gee, war is terrible" response. Ryan is a really good movie. Thin Red Line is great movie making with real meaning.

Blood Simple (1984)

The Best of the Coen Bros.

[9/10 · 14 May 1999]

This is their best movie. The other's are excellent movies as well, but this one kept me on the edge of my seat every second. I would like to have had a video of the audience as they strained this way and that in their seats trying to get the characters not to take the next step towards their doom. Masterful.

The Best of Enemies (1961)

Niven's Best

[9/10 · 14 May 1999]

Heart-warming, funny, totally enjoyable. One of the best movie going experiences I have ever had. Niven never gave a better performance. I saw the movie once and have never seen it come on TV or found a video tape. I would buy it if I could find it.

Touch of Evil (1958)

Risk Sometimes Results in Failure

[1/10 · 14 May 1999]

Welles never ran away from a challenge--a real risk taker. In this case the risk didn't pay off. This is a stinker. Anyone who says it's great movie-making is just bowing to the Welles icon, and they cheapen his great work by trying to force this failure into the select circle of his magnificent successes.

The Quiet American (1958)

A Greene Masterwork

[10/10 · 14 May 1999]

Graham Greene did not have a comfortable vision of the world--or at least of the activities of human beings in the world. While very few movies do justice to books on which they are based, the Quiet American is a chilling forewarning of what the United States would be letting itself in for in the years to come. Murphy, always an appealing figure on the screen but not noted for truly great acting depth and breadth, is ideal for this understated role. A very well done thriller which addresses racism, colonialism, various "economic"isms, all the while focusing on the individual human impacts of high level decision-making. Are we just pawns, forced into just following orders, or do we have the responsibility to take action on the side of what we know to be right, in spite of the personal cost?

Casablanca (1942)

Perfection

[10/10 · 14 May 1999]

They did everything right. One of the few movies I can watch over and over again. Bogart as macho, brave and vulnerable as any hero could hope to be, Bergman never more beautiful, the supporting cast all top-notch. When they sing the Marseillaise in Rick's, I still get chills. Love, patriotism, passion, heroism, cowardice, betrayal, loyalty, comic relief. All done with excellence.