mybah Reviews

20 to 1 (2005–2019)

Some good memories and giggle

[7/10 · 23 May 2008]

I suppose this series could better research some of its featured items, but its often good entertaining stuff. So often I am brought back to some fond memories in TV history, music history and some of our quirky cultures and customs that we've had in the past.

20-1 features so far have only been on a purely entertainment history. I would have liked to see some countdowns in other areas as well, such as top 20 criminals, politicians, disasters, moments in the last 200 years of Australian life. But I guess it feels it must stick to purely humorous stuff. The order of the 20 I would often dispute and waaaayyy off.

Take it for what it is... good entertainment, that lets us reflect on some of our personal upbringing and the happenings at various times of it. Probably best not to conclude you could pass a history test after watching it though. It would make a good DVD collection, if they ever made it. That remains to be seen.

The Far Country (1987)

A romance yarn advertising Australia

[9/10 · 5 February 2008]

Firstly, this film is not the greatest in the world, but it does make you feel good and I have watched it over and over again. It shows some fantastic Australian scenery, and even though it displays some bigotry, shows some of the truthfulness of how we developed as a nation. Doesn't every country have its bumps along the way?! I've not read Nevil Shutes book. It appears from another commenter that the book was ruined because of this film. But I feel its a pity to get all religious about any book, (except maybe the bible!). They are just human made stories. The book may be excellent, so perhaps both both and film should be appraised in their own right. It's a fact of filming that films are often just BASED on a book.

The film had a feel good repetition throughout, in between the drama. The ending, while a tack corny, emphasise that racial tolerance and budding respect can triumph on bigotry. The ending made you feel good. The far country showed Australian personalities of both types - the drongos, and the true blue Aussie mate who'll slap you on the back and make you feel you're his kindred spirit. The Australian country, which has become extremely racially divers in recent years, could use more Australian/ racial messages like this.

Eragon (2006)

Could not copy the LOTR flair

[6/10 · 16 January 2007]

I gave this 6 out of 10. It was watchable and I was mildly entertained. But I did find it hard to take quite a few aspects and appreciate them.

Some disagree, but giving a fire dragon (even a baby one) the voice of Minnie mouse (Rachel Weiss), just didn't work for me, and I cringed every time I her speak through a fire breathing dragon. The technology affects is just not up to speed on the modern expectations of today, maybe the budget was severely limited.

Overall, the dragon, and the relationship between the dragon and Eragon was very much of children's standard. It make the movie a blend of adult and children fantasy, which I found weird. It tried to mix LOTR with the childlikeness of 'Never ending story'. I don't have the benefit of reading the book, which may be a blessing for me, as those who have seem quite offended. But I could tell that lots of characters (John Malkovich), for example, were whisked over and played little part. Gaps in logic and story flow appeared everywhere and I found it hard to make sense of it. Children, which some of the film aims at, won't either, and will enjoy it purely on cinematic effects and surface story line.

There was enough in this film that I'd be curious to see the sequel, it was enjoyable enough, but I won't wait with baited breathe. But given the not-so-good reviews so far, we may not get to see a sequel if this one crashes and burns.

Double Impact (1991)

Another "indistructable hero" flick

[4/10 · 5 June 2004]

I suppose if you like pure action... you'll find it here. I suppose if you find a gorgeous blonde designed to be screwed... find it here. I suppose if you want to find a couple of extra baddies, headed by 1-2 extra, EXTRA baddy bosses who meat a nasty end... you'll find it here.

Overall, routine stuff, and the good guys come out on top big time under extra-ordinary circumstances.

What I marvel most at... How the good guys armed only with pistols, can kill dozens of bad guys with machine guns who are shooting at them at point blank range... and missing. The goodies even get time to reload their pistols amid the hail of machine guns bullets.

Ho-hum!!!

The Dollar Bottom (1981)

Left an impact

[7/10 · 19 May 2004]

I saw this short film about 20-25 years ago. It was shown during an intermission of another film of which I have no idea what that was.

It was about a boy who starts up an insurance scheme in a boys school which pays out to students who get the cane. It ends up being quite lucrative until the principal really starts to take on the student insurance creator.

I remember really enjoying this simplistic, yet quite clever little story, and hope that one day I might actually get to see it again sometime. But I doubt that its available any where in any shape or form. If anyone has any clues, or one the makers sees this comment, you might give me a little email if you have a copy, or can copy. I'm sure my kids would like it as well. I gave this show a 7, simply because for such a short film, seen only once so long ago, I still remember quite a lot of it. WELL DONE!!

Mr. Atlas (1997)

Fine, for the young-uns'

[5/10 · 20 August 2003]

A very simple film. For the adults, we have a gorgeous bod for the women, and some female legs any man would love to be close to. But this is strictly an under 10s film, and they will most definately find this a fun film to watch.

Anyone older than that though, unless a true little child at heart, will find this hard to tolerate and watch. No unreal special affects (some minor ones), which are the go these days. Predictable all the way to the end, unless you're under 10. But in the end, this is low budget and simple, and I don't think the film producers were attempting to break records.

This film is SAFE for the kids, so you can be secure in letting the kids watch it without checking it first. That angle is fairly rare these days, as even some rated Gs can be highly questionable.

Watch it. Enjoy it. But don't expect too much out of it. 5/10

Goodbye, Mr. Chips (2002 TV Movie)

A nice, simple, sentimental film... but WHY??

[6/10 · 16 July 2003]

Of what I can find, this is the fourth version of "Goodbye, Mr Chips" since the 1939 classic. I've only seen the original 1939 one which I think was one of the greatest films of that era.

This was pretty much the same. While I think its quite a nice film, I was left wondering what the point of it was. It was set at the same time in history. The characters were similar. The sentimental movement of the film was the same. Oh, this time it was in colour.

I came to these conclusions why the producer might have felt the need to make this up-date.

1) It is a current film industry trend to make re-makes of old films. Re-makes can have more special effects and modern, big time celebrities. Old classics can be done in a modern settings. Hmmm... this film has non of these, so I'm still having my doubts.

2) The 1939 Mr Chips used THE CANE?!?!... even in his old age. Today, that is considered a CRIMINAL offence. Maybe we can't have a dear old teacher, that generations of boys loves to bit, but who, by modern definition, is a violent criminal who has in reality has emotionally damaged boys for the rest of their lives [sorry for slight sarcasm].

This film, on the other hand, has correct this. Mr Chips ABHORS the cane. In fact, the film to a large degree focuses on it. Possibly todays child phychologists and other new-age child rearing thinkers can't handle the 1939 Mr Chips being revered as such a high quality film. For sure, there are many in the last 25 years who believe that the whole 1000s and 1000s of years of human existence have got it wrong in child rearing, and only our little generation have it right. Hmmmm.... I better not go there.

OVERALL, this is a nice film. I enjoyed it. Its not overly intelligent with imaginary new dialogue from the old version, but I give it a 6, and might even watch it again sometime.

Friends (1971)

Still remember this film from 20 years ago

[8/10 · 10 July 2003]

I can barely even remember what DECADE I saw this film. It was when I was a teenager, I think (I'm 37 now). I started watching it as a late night movie sometime in the mid to early 80s, and so much of it has stayed with me ever since. Seeing other comments, I had NO idea it was shown at theatres, or that anyone else even new it existed. I don't think I've even mentioned the movie to anyone else.

But half a lifetime later, I still remember much of the movie that I watched late at night so long ago. I think the innocence of the charactors, their situation, their mutual affection over a long period of time, left a long term imprint for reasons I don't quite understand. Maybe it is because I was a teenager at the time I saw it, and it touched me somehow..... I really don't know! I also REALLY wanted to know what was going to happen when the after the end of the film happened. Oh, the agony!!

I've not seen it before, or since, but I would love to. I keep a casual look out for it, but I now doubt it will been shown and it seems to have faded into oblivion. But I'd proberbly miss it in the TV guide even if it DID show up. Pssttt!!!

Reading the reviews here has renewed my interest. If anyone knows of its availability in Australia, by all means email me and let me know.

Oh, and Sean Bury... nice to see you make an appearance on the comments here. I've had a look at your movie history and noticed your last appearance in a James Bond film. What are you up to these day? Oh, and do YOU have a copy of the film? CHEERS!!!

The Wonder Years (1988–1993)

Bring on the DVD series box-set

[10/10 · 25 June 2003]

As I read through comment after comment, I keep saying to myself, "Yeah, I agree, yeah, I agree". Unlike most other comment reviews, I'm not finding ANY negative comments. I'd say that makes the Wonder years the most compelling reason that anyone who hasn't seen a episode, SHOULD CHECK A FEW OUT at the next opportunity.

It's hard not to find an episode that bring a variety of emotions of both happy, sad and even hurtful memories. I loved Happy Days. I loved Mash. Different strokes and Facts of life was OK.There are others. But NONE come into the class of "Wonder years". And sure as heck non of the stuff today, even if some of it DOES get a laugh or two out of me.

Oh, and Jason Hervey, you're Wayne character was SO much like my bigger brother. Well done for some realistic sibling charactor playing which so many of us had. Wayne even showed a protective side, like when he copped an ear bashing for Arnold's party disaster. Wow, was Wayne a clone of my brother or what?!?!

I don't yet own a TV series box-set. But if this series comes out, that would no longer be the case. I can see my kids loving this show, and this show makes me feel more connected with my kids as it makes me remember my own childhood.

So PLEEAASEE DVD makers, get this series on sale (umm... in Australia too, R4, PAL)... if that's OK with you.

The Terrorist (1998)

This movie kept me watching

[8/10 · 19 June 2003]

I really don't watch foreign films. I'm usually rather lazy and can't be bothered reading the subtitles. And I didn't particularly enjoy watching this film. It was quite slow moving and obscure. There was so much surrounding information in the scenes that I didn't have that would have made it better to watch.

But for some reason, when I started to watch it, I had to see it too the end. Maybe its because I haven't seen ANY movie from a terrorist perspective of this type. It WAS thought provoking. It didn't have typical Hollywood garbo and had a certain amount of realism about it. I found it a mix of boring, fascinating, transfixing, thought-provoking. I gave an 8/10. Because for some reason, when I saw it was on TV again at Midnight, I had to stay up and watch it again.

Hercules in New York (1970)

Got to see this movie ONCE!!!

[1/10 · 17 June 2003]

This film is bad, bad, BAD The plot, the props, the stunts, the action sequences are all chronic in there absolute patheticness. The acting is even worse, and Arnies voice is dubbed. By gosh, if you had to introduce Arnie into the movie world, couldn't the producer and director at least have ATTEMPTED to make it reasonable?!?!

Having said this, if you're an Arnie fan, you may well find this highly amusing nostalgia. If there is ANY benifit in this rediculous flick, is that you may get a great laugh out of it, and may even want the DVD so you get a good laugh with your friends.

This movie was done when Arnie was current in the world record book as the "most perfectly developed man in human history". (Quote: Guiness book of records)

I gave it 1/10. But I would be tempted to give it more if you are turned on by sentimental starting points and/or movies for now famous movie stars

Vietnam (1987)

A FANTASTIC and realistic, UNKNOWN mini-series

[10/10 · 4 June 2003]

I find it a true tragedy that because this is an Australian production that it didn't get a good promotion overseas, that so many unfortunate people will never get to see it.

The direction is absolutely fantastic. With musical and TV clips throughout the show to tell you what time era you were in. You are kept right up to date with the exact year and the atmosphere of that time. Much Australian political, society history surrounding the Vietnam war is told in a way that is pure poetry.

Nicole Kidman SHINES in this show. In fact, although she has been in much bigger INTERNATIONAL successes, this one is possibly her best performance.

The tragedies of the war. The conflicts between the soldiers and those at home. It's all here. I don't know if it will ever come out on DVD. But if it does --- DON'T MISS IT. I give this show a rare 10/10

Instinct (1999)

Why isn't this movie more well known?

[8/10 · 3 June 2003]

I think this is a GREAT movie. It has a story line that while not complicated, is very different. And it is a great story that is very facinating. There were a number of great character acts too. There are a number of characters in the insane prison from a number of "unknown" actors that really give the movie added personality. It made me want to look up these actors to see what else they do. The scenes with the gorillas were tastefully done, with no over kill that made it look somewhat artificial, which so many movies tend to do. For example, 'Greystoke' starring Christofer Lambert as Tarzan, was an attempt at realism, but had the apes portraying some very human like relationships. Not so with 'Instinct'. The only thing I found spoilt the movie a bit was to suggest that an American insane prison setup would find it necessary, even encouraged, for inmates to be violent to each other. This ridiculous aspect brought the quality of the movie down a notch or two. The relationship between Hopkins and Gooding was fantastic. And the intense scene between them involving 'duck tape' really brought forth the message the movie was giving. SO, why is the movie more well known??? I guess the movie promoters just didn't do their job very well. OH WELL!!! Movie gets 8/10 from me.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

T2 giving anti-violent message?!?!

[10/10 · 3 June 2003]

This is a GREAT movie I will not argue that. I LOVED the excitement of it all. But here I only want to mention ONE aspect that irritated me.

Firstly, Arnie saying, "It's in your nature to destroy yourselves", and the narration at the very end by Linda Hamilton of the non-violent virtues we could learn from robots.

This film, fun as it is, is violent, violent, VIOLENT. However, many Hollywood directors and actors are EXTREMELY hypocritical by trying to advertise their ultra violent films is trying to give us some profound, insightful moral message. Arnold also does this concerning T2 in an interview.

This is like telling people hunting for sport is wrong just before going on a fun duck shooting weekend with some mate.

The film, watched by certain bent people who would like to copy-cat the violence they see, ENCOURAGES them to be violent. The verbal 'anti violent' messages the film makers are among the most hypocritical messages I have ever witnessed. I find it laughable to see that Arnie is now involved in politics.