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Reviews
King Solomon's Mines (1985)
Confusing copy of Indiana Jones
Five minutes into watching this, I had to look it up to see how many people had reported that Steven Spielberg had watched this before making Raiders of the Lost Ark. Then I found out it was the other way round. Same generic story-line, same costume for the hero, same role played by John Rhys-Davies (well almost). Train sequence, German army, lost treasure, pretty woman who needs to be rescued. How is it that the production wasn't sued? The only reason to watch this bad film is to find out how to get out of a cauldron when stereotypical Africans are cooking you for supper. Did they use plastic bananas and corn? Egad.
The Rainmaker (1997)
Rookie lawyer fights against evil insurance company
This gentle David and Goliath style story is a delight to watch and an inspiration to viewers to work hard, be determined and maintain self belief against the odds. Matt Damon underplays his role very well. Clare Danes is less believable as a battered wife - I'd be terrified in her shoes, but she maintains a fixed slight irritation when the baseball bat starts swinging. Virginia Madsen steals the movie, making her character shine with integrity and empathy. She appears for about ten minutes, so make the most of her. Micky Rourke? Was he bored, too much trouble or couldn't learn his lines? Seems to be under-used for some reason. I could actually smell Jon Voight's cologne, so well did he play the rich top lawyer in the expensive suit.