Top Gun is a film directed by Tony Scott, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. The film stars Tom Cruise as Lieutenant (LT) Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a naval aviator invited to train at Navy’s Fighter Weapons School, known as TOP GUN, by the aviators. Other notable stars are Val Kilmer as LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, Kelly McGillis as Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood, Tom Skerritt as Commander (CMDR) Mike “Viper” Metcalf, and Meg Ryan as Carol Bradshaw. The film opened May 16, 1986 and grossed 353 million worldwide.
The plot is very well written and shows Maverick and his sidekick Goose (Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Nick Bradshaw) flying over the Indian Ocean being pursued by Soviet fighters. Maverick a very talented fighter pilot inverts his jet and flips off the Soviet fighters and that gesture persuades the Soviets to leave the airspace. This actions pumps up Goose and Maverick and when coming back to the aircraft carrier to land Maverick asks the carrier’s Air Boss permission to do a flyby which is denied. Maverick continues through to do the flyby anyway and once landed was ordered to the Captain’s office to be reamed by him for the flyby stunt. After hearing the Captain scream to them about the flyby he states that Maverick has been invited to Top Gun for training.
During the training Maverick shows off very good skills but in the end its selfish flying. This is something that Goose expressed to Maverick. Maverick and Goose go out for some off time and that is how Maverick and Charlie meet and start a subplot between the love life of Maverick and Charlie. Meanwhile Maverick and Goose are flying during a flight session at Top Gun and fly into some jet wash and Maverick is unable to gain control of the jet and Goose and Maverick must eject from the jet and during the ejection Goose hits the head gear of the jet and dies. This makes Maverick not ever want to fly again. Viper keeps sending him up to fly but Maverick does not engage in the sessions. Finally, Viper and Maverick have a discussion about Maverick’s father another fighter pilot, heralded as one of the best. During the discussion Maverick ask Viper what are his choices. Viper explains that Maverick can graduate with his class because he has the required points or he could quit. Maverick choose to graduate and he goes on to his next assignment.
The whole movie is about Tom Cruise’s character whether it is his search for how his father flew, his love life, or his flying with his sidekick. I would recommend this movie for anyone.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Blog #6 (The Devil’s Advocate)
The battle between good and evil can be seen in most films but in The Devil’s Advocate this is definite from the start to the finish of the film. This film stars Al Pacino as John Milton (later known as Satan), Keanu Reeves as Kevin Lomax, and Charlize Theron as Mary Ann Lomax. This blockbuster lineup does not disappoint making The Devil’s Advocate a blockbuster from the first showing.
The plot is simple Kevin Lomax a defense lawyer has never lost a case is persuaded by John Milton with money to come up to New York City and work for him as a lawyer. Kevin and Mary Ann not needing much time to decide pack their bags and move to New York City. As the case load grows for Kevin the less time he spends with his wife Mary Ann. In one scene it shows Kevin making love to his wife and with a turn of the camera it is sister from John Milton. Kevin has just committed adultery in his mind. As John Milton continues to persuade Kevin to lure him into the darkness so the John’s evil plan will be fulfilled. John wants a son from his son, Kevin, and his daughter. Kevin does not find out until the end of the film that John is his father. As the last temptation is given to Kevin and all the cards are on the table it seems as if Satan (John Milton) will have his plan. To the demise of Satan (John Milton) Kevin decides to commit suicide and ruin the plans of Satan. The movie then goes full circle and shows Kevin back in the restroom where he had closed his eyes and the movie took over.
The Devil’s Advocate really puts to work the seven deadly sins to make the film very interesting. Also again the fight between good and evil is very evident. There is intrigue, action, drama, and adult situations. The three A-rated actors really bring this film home. I would recommend this film to anyone. How can you go wrong with Al Pacino?
The plot is simple Kevin Lomax a defense lawyer has never lost a case is persuaded by John Milton with money to come up to New York City and work for him as a lawyer. Kevin and Mary Ann not needing much time to decide pack their bags and move to New York City. As the case load grows for Kevin the less time he spends with his wife Mary Ann. In one scene it shows Kevin making love to his wife and with a turn of the camera it is sister from John Milton. Kevin has just committed adultery in his mind. As John Milton continues to persuade Kevin to lure him into the darkness so the John’s evil plan will be fulfilled. John wants a son from his son, Kevin, and his daughter. Kevin does not find out until the end of the film that John is his father. As the last temptation is given to Kevin and all the cards are on the table it seems as if Satan (John Milton) will have his plan. To the demise of Satan (John Milton) Kevin decides to commit suicide and ruin the plans of Satan. The movie then goes full circle and shows Kevin back in the restroom where he had closed his eyes and the movie took over.
The Devil’s Advocate really puts to work the seven deadly sins to make the film very interesting. Also again the fight between good and evil is very evident. There is intrigue, action, drama, and adult situations. The three A-rated actors really bring this film home. I would recommend this film to anyone. How can you go wrong with Al Pacino?
Monday, March 1, 2010
Blog #5 (The Replacements)
The Replacements is a film directed by Howard Deutch that stars Gene Hackman as Jimmy McGinty a former football head coach hired to coach replacement players during a players strike. This film also stars Keanu Reeves as Shane Falco, a former quarterback for The Ohio State University whose career spiraled downward after a horrible showing during the Sugar Bowl. A couple other stars in the film is Orlando Jones who plays Clifford Franklin, a stock boy turned wide receiver that can run fast but unable to catch a cold and Brooke Langton as Annabelle Farrel, the head cheerleader and love interest of Shane Falco. The film grossed eleven million dollars in its opening weekend.
The plot starts out by showing Shane Falco diving under water to clean off the keel of boats when he finds a trophy with his name on it. He then proceeds to react out a football play under water with a football. This sets the plot up by showing how the players will be coming from various jobs to form a professional football team. Their coach Jimmy McGinty handpicked each player and explained to his assistance coaches that each player brings a different aspect of the game with them.
Coach McGinty personally visits Shane Falco to offer him the quarterback position on his team. Shane explains that he is done with football but Coach McGinty offers the job anyway. Shane sits out in his truck the next day pondering if he should walked into practice. After making his decision he is confronted by the quarterback that is on strike and has his teammates tip Shane’s truck over. Shane does not flinch or make a move just continues into practice. At practice is the first time we see Shane and Annabelle react to each other and the start of a relationship.
Throughout the film the replacement players start to grow as team and are able to win two of three games played. The fourth was to be played without Shane Falco due to having the real starting quarterback cross the line and end his strike against the league. This does not set well with the team or the coach but either is able to do anything about it. After the first half the team was down 17-0 and going into the locker room a reporter asked Coach McGinty what was needed to come out and win and he stated miles and miles of heart. Watching the game from his houseboat Shane makes an entrance and says he can win with his team. He comes out and wins the game 20-17 making him the hero of the movie and allows him also to get the girl.
This movie is a great film. It has many comical parts and even has a subplot of romance. The actors really play their roles well and add their flare to the film. If you have an hour and half of time I recommend you watch this film and enjoy.
The plot starts out by showing Shane Falco diving under water to clean off the keel of boats when he finds a trophy with his name on it. He then proceeds to react out a football play under water with a football. This sets the plot up by showing how the players will be coming from various jobs to form a professional football team. Their coach Jimmy McGinty handpicked each player and explained to his assistance coaches that each player brings a different aspect of the game with them.
Coach McGinty personally visits Shane Falco to offer him the quarterback position on his team. Shane explains that he is done with football but Coach McGinty offers the job anyway. Shane sits out in his truck the next day pondering if he should walked into practice. After making his decision he is confronted by the quarterback that is on strike and has his teammates tip Shane’s truck over. Shane does not flinch or make a move just continues into practice. At practice is the first time we see Shane and Annabelle react to each other and the start of a relationship.
Throughout the film the replacement players start to grow as team and are able to win two of three games played. The fourth was to be played without Shane Falco due to having the real starting quarterback cross the line and end his strike against the league. This does not set well with the team or the coach but either is able to do anything about it. After the first half the team was down 17-0 and going into the locker room a reporter asked Coach McGinty what was needed to come out and win and he stated miles and miles of heart. Watching the game from his houseboat Shane makes an entrance and says he can win with his team. He comes out and wins the game 20-17 making him the hero of the movie and allows him also to get the girl.
This movie is a great film. It has many comical parts and even has a subplot of romance. The actors really play their roles well and add their flare to the film. If you have an hour and half of time I recommend you watch this film and enjoy.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Blog #4 (Rear Window)
Rear Window is a great film. Alfred Hitchcock masterfully directed this film so that we can see the film through James Stewart’s character eyes. I time when voyeurism was not at highest Alfred made us all voyeurs with this film. Hitchcock captured the art of voyeurism in the year of 1954 many decades before reality television was even a thought. Being able to view the film through the point of view of L. B. Jefferies, James Stewart’s character, is great. We see his point of view from beginning to end. Not only do we see the murder take place through his eyes, but we get to see how the other characters members act toward him and how they react to his discovery. We also get to see how the characters develop through his eyes.
The story starts with L.B. in a wheelchair, confined to his apartment with a rear window to look out of. Now across from his rear window is a courtyard and a set of other apartments. Being confined to his apartment and to his wheelchair L.B. passed his time by watching his neighbors through his window. His window and periodic visits from his girlfriend and nurse is all L.B. has to pass time. This whole concept sets up the fact that L.B. thinks he witnesses a murder from one of his apartment neighbors. L.B. tells his nurse and at first she brushes him off but as the film continues both the nurse and his girlfriend believes him.
The story ends with the suspected murder in L.B.’s apartment trying to silence L.B. for good. With the help of the police L.B. is saved and the murderer confesses his wrong doing to the police. The tale of Rear Window is compelling and moving but also sends a notation that its creepy to look through someone else’s window and see what they are doing.
The story starts with L.B. in a wheelchair, confined to his apartment with a rear window to look out of. Now across from his rear window is a courtyard and a set of other apartments. Being confined to his apartment and to his wheelchair L.B. passed his time by watching his neighbors through his window. His window and periodic visits from his girlfriend and nurse is all L.B. has to pass time. This whole concept sets up the fact that L.B. thinks he witnesses a murder from one of his apartment neighbors. L.B. tells his nurse and at first she brushes him off but as the film continues both the nurse and his girlfriend believes him.
The story ends with the suspected murder in L.B.’s apartment trying to silence L.B. for good. With the help of the police L.B. is saved and the murderer confesses his wrong doing to the police. The tale of Rear Window is compelling and moving but also sends a notation that its creepy to look through someone else’s window and see what they are doing.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Blog Entry #3 (Chisum Review)
Chisum is a 1970 Warner Brothers film directed by Andrew McLaglen and stars; John Wayne as John Simpson Chisum, Forrest Tucker as Lawrence Murphy, and Ben Johnson as James Pepper (side kick of John Chisum). Headlined by John Wayne the film grossed over twelve million dollars at the box office. While the set filming Chisum John Wayne learned that he was up for an award for the film True Grit. McLaglen grew up around the film industry from his parents and with John Wayne. This was not the first time Wayne had been cast for film directed by McLaglen.
The movie takes place in the wild western territory of New Mexico. John Chisum was the first to take cattle and put up a home in the wild unknown territory of New Mexico. John Chisum was well liked in Lincoln were the big cattle war broke out. The movie starts out by going into a musical stanza that explains the travels of Chisum and the battles waged against the Comanche Indians which in the end Chisum befriends the Comanche Chief White Buffalo. After the musical stanza is finished you see Chisum on top of a hill staring out into the depths of this his land remembering the beginning. His closest friend James Pepper rides up and they exchange some words about changes and the head into town to meet Chisum’s niece. Since she was coming in on the noon stage they went to the saloon to water their windpipes. One of Chisum’s men comes in riding fast telling Chisum that some riders took his horses. This angers Chisum so he sets off to get them back. After he successfully retains his horses Chisum then sets back into town awaiting the arrival of his niece. In the saloon Chisum is confronted by Lawrence G Murphy about a small farmer that needs water from Murphy and is charging a high price for his water. Chisum settles the dispute by allowing the farmer to water his land and crops through Chisum’s water supply. This simple water dispute starts a whirlwind of events that lead up to Chisum and Murphy dueling it out in hand to hand combat. In the end Chisum and Murphy fall from a two story building and Murphy happens to land on the longhorns of a steer killing him instantly.
The aftermath of this cause a new sheriff to be appointed and the restoral of peace in Lincoln. The plot and subplots in this movie are based on the true walks in life of John Simpson Chisum, Billy the Kid, and Lawrence Murphy. The film is not totally acruate on how the cattle war was started and finished but John Wayne does make the film a hit. I recommend this film for anyone that loves John Wayne, is a western fanatic, or just wants a good movie on the history of the wild west.
The movie takes place in the wild western territory of New Mexico. John Chisum was the first to take cattle and put up a home in the wild unknown territory of New Mexico. John Chisum was well liked in Lincoln were the big cattle war broke out. The movie starts out by going into a musical stanza that explains the travels of Chisum and the battles waged against the Comanche Indians which in the end Chisum befriends the Comanche Chief White Buffalo. After the musical stanza is finished you see Chisum on top of a hill staring out into the depths of this his land remembering the beginning. His closest friend James Pepper rides up and they exchange some words about changes and the head into town to meet Chisum’s niece. Since she was coming in on the noon stage they went to the saloon to water their windpipes. One of Chisum’s men comes in riding fast telling Chisum that some riders took his horses. This angers Chisum so he sets off to get them back. After he successfully retains his horses Chisum then sets back into town awaiting the arrival of his niece. In the saloon Chisum is confronted by Lawrence G Murphy about a small farmer that needs water from Murphy and is charging a high price for his water. Chisum settles the dispute by allowing the farmer to water his land and crops through Chisum’s water supply. This simple water dispute starts a whirlwind of events that lead up to Chisum and Murphy dueling it out in hand to hand combat. In the end Chisum and Murphy fall from a two story building and Murphy happens to land on the longhorns of a steer killing him instantly.
The aftermath of this cause a new sheriff to be appointed and the restoral of peace in Lincoln. The plot and subplots in this movie are based on the true walks in life of John Simpson Chisum, Billy the Kid, and Lawrence Murphy. The film is not totally acruate on how the cattle war was started and finished but John Wayne does make the film a hit. I recommend this film for anyone that loves John Wayne, is a western fanatic, or just wants a good movie on the history of the wild west.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Blog Entry #2 (Revised: The Bride of Frankenstein)
The blog entry is a revised version of my previous entry on the film The Bride of Frankenstein. I have read three separate reviews through the class and two of my own choosing. After reading those reviews and commenting on my classmate’s reviews and meta-reviews of the film, I have come to the following conclusion.
The Bride of Frankenstein movie was not meant to have a hidden message like most of the movies produced today. The film does however have a favorable feel to it in regards to the director, James Whale. Many reviews focus on a possible hidden message from Whale but I do not feel it’s necessary. This is a classic horror film that shows the struggle between good and evil. Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Pretorius are considered the evil teammates in crime. The monster, known as Frankenstein, is considered as the character in the film being persuaded to join Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Pretorius. The major role of good in the film is GOD himself with a small role of good being played by the lonely blind man.
The Bride of Frankenstein starts out with a small recap of the first film which leaves at the end of the first Frankenstein film and the beginning of The Bride of Frankenstein. The monster saves Dr. Pretorius from the burning rubbish. Dr. Pretorius decides that the monster should have a mate. Since Dr. Frankenstein helped the Dr. Pretorius create the monster, Dr. Pretorius calls on Dr. Frankenstein again to help create the monster’s mate. Dr. Frankenstein at first declines the invitation to help Dr. Pretorius’s sinister plan. This enrages Dr. Pretorius and he seeks out to find the monster.
Meanwhile, the monster who feels very lonely and misunderstood tries to create friendship with anyone he comes in contact with. Each time the monster encounters a person or even tries to help someone the act of kindness is misconstrued because of his previous past indiscretions. The monster retreats to into the woods to get away from the mob of village people set after him. The monster comes across a house where he hears music playing from inside. The music is soothing to the monster so he watches from a distance at first, but the more the monster wants to hear the music the closer the monster gets to the door. The ruckus made from the monster stirs the old gentlemen from in the house to open the door. The old man greets the monster and befriends the monster without hesitation. The monster was injured so the old man takes care of him and allows him to rest. The old man thanks GOD for allowing him to meet someone. The old man does not care if the monster is in trouble or the looks of the monster, since the old man is blind. This action shows a cardinal rule, that love is blind. This is not a hidden meaning from Whale but can be portrayed as one.
After the kinship of the old man and the monster comes to a halt Dr. Pretorius uses the monster to gain advantage over Dr. Frankenstein by kidnapping Frankenstein’s fiancée. The monster is so engulfed with supplying him a mate he takes some control of the operation himself to push Frankenstein to get the job done. Frankenstein completes the task but to Dr. Pretorius and Dr. Frankenstein’s discomfort the new bride of the monster is so scared of the look of the monster she screams every time she sees the monster. This enrages the monster some much that he creates havoc and sacrifices his own life as well as Dr. Pretorius and the bride of Frankenstein’s life too.
This ending is so compelling that is shows good always triumphs over evil. The film was an instance classic from the start of production to the finished product. Even today the film is viewed by the public and can be found at any major video rental store along with any public library that has movies as a choice of rental. I would recommend this film to anyone that enjoys classic films or classic horror films.
The Bride of Frankenstein movie was not meant to have a hidden message like most of the movies produced today. The film does however have a favorable feel to it in regards to the director, James Whale. Many reviews focus on a possible hidden message from Whale but I do not feel it’s necessary. This is a classic horror film that shows the struggle between good and evil. Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Pretorius are considered the evil teammates in crime. The monster, known as Frankenstein, is considered as the character in the film being persuaded to join Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Pretorius. The major role of good in the film is GOD himself with a small role of good being played by the lonely blind man.
The Bride of Frankenstein starts out with a small recap of the first film which leaves at the end of the first Frankenstein film and the beginning of The Bride of Frankenstein. The monster saves Dr. Pretorius from the burning rubbish. Dr. Pretorius decides that the monster should have a mate. Since Dr. Frankenstein helped the Dr. Pretorius create the monster, Dr. Pretorius calls on Dr. Frankenstein again to help create the monster’s mate. Dr. Frankenstein at first declines the invitation to help Dr. Pretorius’s sinister plan. This enrages Dr. Pretorius and he seeks out to find the monster.
Meanwhile, the monster who feels very lonely and misunderstood tries to create friendship with anyone he comes in contact with. Each time the monster encounters a person or even tries to help someone the act of kindness is misconstrued because of his previous past indiscretions. The monster retreats to into the woods to get away from the mob of village people set after him. The monster comes across a house where he hears music playing from inside. The music is soothing to the monster so he watches from a distance at first, but the more the monster wants to hear the music the closer the monster gets to the door. The ruckus made from the monster stirs the old gentlemen from in the house to open the door. The old man greets the monster and befriends the monster without hesitation. The monster was injured so the old man takes care of him and allows him to rest. The old man thanks GOD for allowing him to meet someone. The old man does not care if the monster is in trouble or the looks of the monster, since the old man is blind. This action shows a cardinal rule, that love is blind. This is not a hidden meaning from Whale but can be portrayed as one.
After the kinship of the old man and the monster comes to a halt Dr. Pretorius uses the monster to gain advantage over Dr. Frankenstein by kidnapping Frankenstein’s fiancée. The monster is so engulfed with supplying him a mate he takes some control of the operation himself to push Frankenstein to get the job done. Frankenstein completes the task but to Dr. Pretorius and Dr. Frankenstein’s discomfort the new bride of the monster is so scared of the look of the monster she screams every time she sees the monster. This enrages the monster some much that he creates havoc and sacrifices his own life as well as Dr. Pretorius and the bride of Frankenstein’s life too.
This ending is so compelling that is shows good always triumphs over evil. The film was an instance classic from the start of production to the finished product. Even today the film is viewed by the public and can be found at any major video rental store along with any public library that has movies as a choice of rental. I would recommend this film to anyone that enjoys classic films or classic horror films.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Media Review Blog #1 Review of Bride of Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein is the sequel from the story of a monster created by a mad scientist Dr. Frankenstein. The picture starts out rather slow giving you a good recap of the movie Frankenstein. So if someone did not see the movie they could catch up with the Bride of Frankenstein and would be able to understand what the plot of Bride of Frankenstein is.
The credits at the end and beginning of the movie take up way too much time for my liking. The black and white picture was a shock but since the movie was created in 1935, I can understand. The plot behind the movie was that no man or women can be GOD. The horror behind the film is a secondary motive of the director. I also believe there is a secondary motive being introduced in the film and the actor who played Frankenstein and who played the blind old man really hit the spot. The motive was to show that people can be blind of your faults and looks and stil be friends.
The money put into this movie was high dollar at the time of the movie’s creation but the bill for this movie is nothing compared to now into today’s movie world. The movie did however set a bar for the scary and dreary tale of a monster. It also shows that even if you are considered a monster you can feel love. Frankenstein was cast out and supposedly burned to death by the townspeople in the first movie and all he really wanted was friendship and love. The Bride of Frankenstein movie showed how you could love someone that had been cast out.
However, the ultimate goal of the movie is to show that no one can play the role of GOD. The ending marks a great showing that in the end that without GOD in our life we will fail. Another side note to this is that GOD the creator of all is in the end the controller of good and evil.
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