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john_gartner
Reviews
An Occasional Hell (1996)
So Bad It's Good
This is the quintessential B-movie. Despite the presence of some recognizable "talents" in the cast, it is as obvious and amateur as films with budgets over $1 million get. It seems as though Tom Berenger, who also produced the film, decided he wanted to be in a movie where he would get to "work" with the always semi-nude Kari Wuhrer. Fortunately there is ample screen time for Wuhrer, who haunts Berenger ala Hamlet's ghost as a Daisy Duke-ish trollop. Berenger's buddy Stephen Lang (they worked together on Gettysburg) probably didn't need much convincing for a role featuring several sex scenes with the curvaceous Kari. Tom was probably chatting about making the movie with pal and regular co-star Charlie Sheen (Platoon and Major League), who suggested that Valeria Golino (whom Sheen got to know filming Hot Shots) would have the perfect nipple's for Berenger's sex scene. The film features shots of the actors at needlessly odd angles, and has several lines that are unintentionally laugh out loud funny. Poor Ellen Greene wastes a few minutes picking up her check, and Berenger's tearful admission is a hoot. 20 minutes into the film (SPOILER ALERT), you see Geoffrey Lewis (who has perfected the dim wit role) digging a grave-sized hole, but it's not until an hour later that voila, Berenger realizes that might be a good place to look for a dead body. If you have a six-pack and are in an MST3K kind of mood, rent this and ad-lib your night away.
Cold Mountain (2003)
Near perfect
Cold Mountain has something for everyone -- action, a love story, thoughtful dialogue, great performances, a wonderful score, stunning scenery, and a smattering of humor. It's one of the few films that is great entertainment while affecting both your heart and your head. The supporting cast even outdid fine work by Kidman and Law.