Blue Velvet (1986)

On the set: Dennis Hopper and David Lynch

Apocalypse Now (1979)

 

 

During the Vietnam War a captain is sent on a dangerous mission into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade colonel who has set himself up as a god among a local tribe.

I remember: Due to the advance hype for 'Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam' movie the film did not fully live up to the expectations, but did provide unforgettable scenes and an feverish atmosphere of war madness.

On rewatching: Over the decades this movie has grown on me, although I still see it as a somewhat messy masterpiece; and: the French plantation scene in the final cut version is superfluous containing unnecessary pretensions.
 

Halliwell**: "Pretentious war movie, made even more hollow-sounding by the incomprehensible performance of Brando as the mad martinet. Some vivid scenes along the way, and some interesting parallels with Conrad's Heart of Darkness, but these hardly atone for the director's delusion that prodigal expenditure of time and money will result in great art. (The movie took so long to complete it was dubbed Apocalypse Later.)"

Maltin***1/2: "...a mesmerizing odyssey of turbulent, often surreal encounters. Unfortunately, film's conclusion - when he does find Brando - is cerebral and murky. Still, a great movie experience most of the way, with staggering, Oscar-winning photography by Vittorio Storaro."

 

 

Night Tide (1961)

A young sailor falls in love with a mysterious woman, performing as a mermaid at the local carnival, but he soon comes to suspect the girl might be a real mermaid, who draws men to a watery death during the full moon.

Interesting, but ultimately disappointing phantasmagorical tale is successful creating a mysterious, dream-like atmosphere hinting at more than it delivers.

Halliwell (no star): "Cheaply made and very derivative romantic fantasy which seemed to hold a promise never fulfilled."

Maltin**1/2: "Odd, dreamy little drama is strangely compelling, though not a horror film, as often promised."

Queen of Blood (1966)

An alien species makes contact with Earth through radio transmission, notifying of an imminent visit. An alien ship crash lands on Mars, and a rescue team is sent.

Above-average, imaginative sci-fi horror on a low budget makes good use of material from the Soviet science fiction film Nebo Zovyot and inspired all those alien monster loose on the spaceship flicks (including Alien).

Maltin**!/2: "Eerie space opera (utilizing effects footage cribbed from a big-budget Russian film)...Best thing is the bizarre climax, if you can wait that long."

Out of the Blue (1980)

A young girl whose father is an ex-convict and whose mother is a junkie finds it difficult to conform and tries to find comfort in a quirky combination of Elvis and the punk scene.

From memory: Dark, realistic drama with excellent performances, especially Linda Manz'; and using Neil Young's My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) to great effect.

Halliwell (no star): "At least she can count herself fortunate that she didn't have to sit through this film."

Maltin**1/2: "Taut, low-key drama; could be retitled "Child of Easy Rider.""

Swing Vote (2008)

In a remarkable turn-of-events, the result of the presidential election comes down to one man's vote.

Surprisingly entertaining and humorous satire with a good cast, and Madeline Carroll is the true star of the movie.

Maltin***: "Sharp, funny, relevant comedy...Genuinely Capraesque movie has a terrific cast that makes the most of the screenplay..."

Apocalypse Now (1979)

During the Vietnam War a captain is sent on a dangerous mission into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade colonel who has set himself up as a god among a local tribe.

I remember: Due to the advance hype for 'Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam' movie the film did not fully live up to the expectations, but did provide unforgettable scenes and a feverish atmosphere of war madness.

On renewed viewing of the director's cut: The movie retains its feverish nightmare atmosphere (with satiric elements), but can be argued whether the additional scenes improve the original version.

Halliwell**: "Pretentious war movie, made even more hollow-sounding by the incomprehensible performance of Brando as the mad martinet. Some vivid scenes along the way, and some interesting parallels with Conrad's Heart of Darkness, but these hardly atone for the director's delusion that prodigal expenditure of time and money will result in great art. (The movie took so long to complete it was dubbed Apocalypse Later.)"

Maltin***1/2: "...a mesmerizing odyssey of turbulent, often surreal encounters. Unfortunately, film's conclusion - when he does find Brando - is cerebral and murky. Still, a great movie experience most of the way, with staggering, Oscar-winning photography by Vittorio Storaro."

Blue Velvet (1986)

The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.

Need I explain? When it was released I watched it 3 times in a row, I was completely overwhelmed, Lynch exceeded my expectations. An instant classic!

On renewed viewing: David Lynch's masterpiece still mesmerizes with its idiosyncratic and sinister, but spot-on vision of Americana.

Halliwell***: "Bizarrely stylish exercise by the director of The Elephant Man, popular at the box-office."

Maltin**: "Terminally weird, though flamboyantly original film...A highly individual look at the bizarre elements just behind the facade of a picture-perfect American town. Too audacious to be easily dismissed, but too strange to be easily enjoyed...yet this was one of the most critically acclaimed movies of 1986!"

Easy Rider (1969)

Blue Velvet (1986)

The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.

Red Rock West (1993)

When a promised job for a Texan Michael fails to materialise in Wyoming, he is mistaken to be the hitman hired to kill an unfaithful wife.

Playful and highly artificial Neo Noir has its moments,  especially when spiced with irony, and some great cinematography but hardly ever evokes a Noir feeling.


Halliwell*: "Enjoyable, blackly comic thriller with plenty of twists and turns."

Maltin***: "Rock-solid little thriller, crammed with twists, turns and suspense...Nothing that occurs is logical or probable, but the film is so good (and so funny) that you are willing to go along for the ride. Hopper aficiandos will savor his performance as "Lyle, from Dallas," the smarmiest of psychos, who is the real hit man."

Blue Velvet (1986)

(Italian movie poster by Esciotti) 

The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.

Blue Velvet (1986)

Apocalypse Now (1979)

During the Vietnam War a captain is sent on a dangerous mission into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade colonel who has set himself up as a god among a local tribe.

I remember: Due to the advance hype for 'Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam' movie the film did not fully live up to the expectations, but did provide unforgettable scenes and an feverish atmosphere of war madness.

Halliwell**: "Pretentious war movie, made even more hollow-sounding by the incomprehensible performance of Brando as the mad martinet. Some vivid scenes along the way, and some interesting parallels with Conrad's Heart of Darkness, but these hardly atone for the director's delusion that prodigal expenditure of time and money will result in great art. (The movie took so long to complete it was dubbed Apocalypse Later.)"

Maltin***1/2: "...a mesmerizing odyssey of turbulent, often surreal encounters. Unfortunately, film's conclusion - when he does find Brando - is cerebral and murky. Still, a great movie experience most of the way, with staggering, Oscar-winning photography by Vittorio Storaro."

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

Lawman Wyatt Earp and outlaw Doc Holliday form an unlikely alliance which culminates in their participation in the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.