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Reviews
The Man with Two Brains (1983)
Desperately Unfunny
As much as like Steve Martin, this film is one piece of desperately unfunny trash. How did Martin get conned into doing this junk? As the cover notes on the DVD copy I viewed observe: "Anyone with half a brain will rejoice in the sheer lunacy of this sublimely silly farce..." Unfortunately, only those with half a brain and a purile sense of humour will make it to the closing credits.
I do feel Reiner (the writer / director) is trying to do Mel Brooks but comes up miles short of the mark. But then, Steve Martin doing Mel Brooks... that would be something else!
U-571 (2000)
Yanks try to steal the thunder
American heroes steal the thunder of a story based on achievements of the Allied forces. We also particularly note the degree of racial integration aboard this vessel - "What's this Fritz? You never seen a black guy before?" I'll take my historical reference on integration in the US Navy during World War II from films like "Men of Honor" (2000).
American self glorification as displayed in films like this do little to improve relations with its foreign allies at a time when US politicians are trying to form a united "coalition against terror".
Let us instead remember the true heroes of the British, British Commonwealth and allied forces who cracked the enigma code well before the USA even dared entered this war.
(4/10 only because the film was technically proficient even if historically inaccurate)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Stands the test of time...
Revisiting Butch and Sundance in 2002, 33 years after initial release, this film certainly stands the test of time... it was as funny yet poignant today as it was back then. Not all films last 33 years when so many other films of the period just look dated. This one still has legs!