roblenihan Reviews

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Sick Piece of Garbage

[1/10 · 30 July 2006]

As a Christian, I am revolted by this hideous snuff film that Mel Gibson has inflicted upon the world. I wanted to take a shower after viewing this abomination. It seems Mr. Gibson was out to create a new genre: the religious slasher movie. He succeeded all too bloody well.

The film wallows in images of sadistic abuse while ignoring Christ's message of love and salvation. I remember when this thing first came out and church groups were flocking to theaters by the busload to view this repulsive pile of garbage. Watching this film was akin to taking a tour of slaughterhouse.

I think it is only too fitting that I finally saw this piece of junk on the same weekend St. Mel of Malibu was arrested for drunken driving while allegedly peppering the arresting officers with anti-Semtic insults. Tell me, oh Lethal Weapon, do you think this is how Jesus would behave?

This thing is the product of a very sick mind and I cannot stress enough that Mel Gibson and his cult of pseudo-Christians do not speak for me.

The Long Day Closes (1992)

A Beautiful Film

[10/10 · 2 March 2005]

"The Long Day Closes" has the kind of emotional impact that the Hollywood bunch could only dream about. There is very little in the way of plot--just a series of memories, as if a family photo album had come to life: like the family at Christmas time. No forced, artificial story lines, like Mama's Dying and We Gotta Pay the Rent--just a perfect rendering of a certain family at a certain time. If you're expecting some sappy tear-jerker, oh boy, do you have the wrong movie. The images here are so powerful, the use of music and old film dialog is so effective. I feel sorry for people who found this movie boring. You obviously didn't get it. Your loss.

Hard Times (1975)

Great Bronson Movie

[2 December 2003]

Saw this movie when it first came out and I loved it. I watched it again last night and my opinion has not changed at all. It's just a fabulous movie and definitely my favorite Bronson flick. Fine work from Bronson, James Coburn and Strother Martin. The dialog is sharp and the fight scenes are excellent. This is no "Rocky" fantasy, but a tough look at a brutal game. The film really conveys what a desperate place Depression-era America was. The final fight scene is great. No roaring crowds, no dramatic music, just two tough guys pounding away at each other. Coburn is great and Strother Martin has some of the best lines in the picture. ("Some are born to fail...") Also we get to see some great New Orleans locations,which are painful to look at now in light of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.