New Acquisition: Sight and Sound

 

The Color of Money (1986)

 

Fast Eddie Felson teaches a cocky but immensely talented protégé the ropes of pool hustling, which in turn inspires him to make an unlikely comeback.

Skillfully made continuation of the classic The Hustler is not among the director's best works, but is interesting and exciting enough to hold one's attention, due also to the excellent performances by Newman and Cruise.

Halliwell**: "Slackly told but consistently enjoyable adventures of Fast Eddie Felson in his older age." 

Maltin***: "Sharply made, nicely textured sequel...Hardboiled script by Richard Price, flamboyant camerwaork by Michael Ballhaus,, and top-notch performances by Cruise and especially Newman make this a must-see...though film's second half is protracted and disappointing, with a hoped-for climax that never occurs."

The Outsiders (1983)

 

The rivalry between two gangs, the poor Greasers and the rich Socs, only heats up when one gang member kills a member of the other.

From memory: Odd, not quite satisfying melodrama about troubled teenagers (with a remarkable cast of some young up-and-coming stars) does a good job conveying juvenile life and behaviour, but the artificiality of the settings are quite off-putting.

Halliwell (no star): "Oddball youth melodrama, a curious choice for a director with big successes behind him."

Maltin**1/2: "Florid, highly stylized...Ambitious film evokes GWTW and '50s melodramas..., but never quite connects, despite powerful moments." 

The Mummy (2017)

An ancient Egyptian princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.

The Mummy (2017)

An ancient Egyptian princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.

Thoroughly derivative and superfluous attempt to establish another franchise based on the Universal horror classic (and somehow mistaking zombies for mummies); besides some splashy action and effects there's nothing much to be thrilled about.

Top Gun (1986)

As students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom.

Reagan Era (and fascistoid) gung-ho as slick entertainment; only watchable, if your mind is turned off.

Halliwell (no star): "A feast of hardware and noisy music; not much story."

Maltin**1/2: "Contrived beyond belief, with dogfights that play like video games, and total lack of sexual chemistry between the two leads...but slickly calculated to please '80s audiences (and fans of ever-smiling Cruise). Edwards, as Cruise's sidekick, steals the show."

War of the Worlds (2005)

As Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines, one family fights for survival.

An effective and very imaginative variation than an adaptation of the classic sci-fi novel, some scenes even reach Hieronymous Bosch intensity.
On second view: I still find it exciting.

On renewed viewing: must admit: a gulity pleasure of mine...

Maltin**1/2: "Update of H. G. Wells' novel never names Mars as the source of the invaders, but wastes no time getting started, throwing action and special effects sequences at the viewer almost nonstop...but it ends with a whimper, not a bang, muting the entire experience."

Oblivion (2013)

A veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself.

An intelligently made sci-fi movie that will satisfy fans of the genre with its fantastic settings and desolate post-apocalyptic, but beatiful landscapes and a story that keeps your attention as the mystery unravels.

On second view: still like it for the same reasons.


Maltin**1/2: "Intriguing if unoriginal science-fiction premise, from director Kosinski's graphic novel, becomes more obvious as it heads toward a less-than-startling conclusion. Never boring, thanks to outstanding production design...and solid performances from its highly attractive stars."

Oblivion (2013)

A veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself.

An intelligently made sci-fi movie that will satisfy fans of the genre with its fantastic settings and desolate post-apocalyptic, but beatiful landscapes and a story that keeps your attention as the mystery unravels.

Maltin**1/2: "Intriguing if unoriginal science-fiction premise, from director Kosinski's graphic novel, becomes more obvious as it heads toward a less-than-startling conclusion. Never boring, thanks to outstanding production design...and solid performances from its highly attractive stars."

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

A military officer is brought into an alien war against an extraterrestrial enemy who can reset the day and know the future.

The story is not new, there are hardly any surprises otherwise, and the militaristic stance is unappealing; but the result is a professionally made, exciting and entertaining action movie.

Maltin***: "Intriguing premise is punched across in this kinetically entertaining science fiction yarn, sharply directed by Liman."

Rock of Ages (2012)

A small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.

Deliberately simple-minded musical rehashing a staple of 70s hits, made by and made for people who hate real rock music and who think it's just a part of Tinseltown.

Maltin**: "Dreary film adaptation...Performed live on stage, this may have been fun, but the mivie is just a collection of caricatures and cliches, and plays like an endless string of music videos."