An evil mastermind kills a scientist and steals his plans for a mechanical man. After failing to claim the plans the evil mastermind escapes the police. Once free the fiend kidnaps the inventor’s niece who possessed the plans. The criminal builds the mechanical man and terrorizes the dead inventor’s family. Only another mechanical man can save them.
I realize my review of this movie is a little choppy. Unfortunately the movie itself was incomplete. Over half of the footage is missing from the original. What remains intact is some of the middle and the ending conflict between the two monstrosities. For silent film made in 1921 the special effects are quite good. The mechanical men were very well done. Even the chase scene with the mechanical man chasing down the car was impressive. In its entirety, the movie would have been a masterpiece.
The Red Dwarf crew is back with the catchy theme song, original cast and another odd ball adventure. The crew is attacked by a sea monster living in the water tanks of Red Dwarf. Only this strange motley crew would have a sea monster problem on board a space craft in deep space. Soon the adventure turns even stranger when they find themselves in another dimension where they are characters in a TV show called Red Dwarf (bet you didn’t expect that).
This is not a reboot of the series, but more like a recycle. If you are a fan of the original Red Dwarf series, this is a good refresher. If you are expecting something new and different, you’ll be disappointed. It’s a new extended episode of the original Red Dwarf show. Don’t take that as a bad thing, it’s still fun to watch. In part 3 of the movie watch for the blatant tribute to Bladerunner. If you’ve seen Bladerunner, you won’t miss it.
If you haven’t watched the series, watch it. It’s smegging fun! All of the seasons can be viewed online through Netflix. No reason to miss out on this unusual Sci-Fi show.
The DVD is based on a 3 part series broadcasted in early 2009. There are plenty of hints in the movie and on the internet of a possible new season. Unfortunately, at this time, they are just rumors
It is the future! In the year 2019 the government manipulates the media to further its own agenda. Worse, reality shows have the highest ratings on television. The number one reality show is the Running Man. Criminals have to complete a treacherous obstacle course to gain their freedom. While they run the course they are being stalked by trained killers for the fun and enjoyment of the television audience.
It is the present! The government manipulates the media and reality shows seems to be on every channel. The crazier the concept the more popular it is. I think if Fox Network could clear the concept with the courts, they would air a real version of the Running Man. It’s a sad state we are in when our entertainment is almost a mirror of an apocalyptic 80’s movie with corny dialog based on a book written by Stephen King’s alternate personality Richard Bachman. Time to turn off the TV.
BTW, I loved the movie.
The Running Man stars Arnold “The Governator” Schwarzenegger and Richard Dawson (Hogan’s Heroes and Family Feud).
A message has been received from Mars, Anta Odeli Uta! Word of the message gets to Chief Engineer Loss who has plans for a rocket ship and a desire to visit the red planet. The Queen of Mars watches him closely as the story slowly leads Loss to his grand adventure on Mars. There he finds himself helping lead a rebellion against the monarchy and unite the slaves in the Martian Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
What?!? The Soviets are the good guys? Not used to that in a movie. Most of the movies I’ve seen they are the bad guys or at best not friendly. This movie is different. Aelita Queen of Mars is the first Soviet Union science fiction movie.
There are several story lines in this 2 hour silent film, some of which are a bit confusing. The film was made in 1924 in the former Soviet Union, so I can accept that it can be a bit alien for today’s audience. The movie has positive propaganda for the Communists. There’s a very interesting section at the end of the movie that refers to the October Revolution (October 12, 1917). The movie itself was made only a few years after the formation of the Soviet Union.
For a silent era science fiction film, it’s worth the watch. If you are interested in the early days of the Soviet Union, this is a must. There many scenes showing life during that period. Overall, I enjoyed the film.
I will admit, I did cheat and watched it on fast forward. The actors were a bit over dramatic and took their time getting to the point.
This film was based on the novel Aelita, by A. Tolstoy.
Dowd, Elwood P. and his best friend Harvey, a 6 foot+ rabbit have a great time going to bars and meeting people. Harvey is a pooka which are mythical mischievous creatures. And Harvey is very mischievous! Together they bring happiness, love and a special philosophy to the audience.
James Steward does an excellent job as the eccentric Dowd, Elwood P. His always present gentle smile and soft spoken manner makes him likeable. Sure he talks to an imaginary 6 foot+ rabbit, but no harm is done. He’s that strange old relative that everyone seems to have, just a bit odd, but so likeable you over look it.
This is a great feel good film. You can’t help feeling good after watching it and even wanting to watch it again. Everyone needs friends like Dowd, Elwood P. and Harvey.
James Stewart was in the stage play of Harvey in London before doing the film. – Special Narrative Introduction March 8, 1990
I enjoyed this movie. It had enough weirdness to keep me interested. It’s appropriate for kids, but I would recommend not using this movie for a TV babysitter. Read on to find out why.
Coraline is a lonely girl living with her work-aholic parents. They are so busy writing their garden catalog they don’t pay enough attention to her. She finds a door that leads to another world where her “other” family lives. They are everything she wants in parents. They garden, cook and pay attention to her. When she falls asleep, she goes back to the real world with her real parents. Of course, in time the “other” mother has special plans for Coraline.
This movie actually made me think about my own kids and how hectic my and their schedule can be. I think both my kids and I are guilty of not having more time to spend with family. It’s funny; my kids can be just as busy as I can with different activities. So, in the end, the moral of the story is to slow down and enjoy life and family. Ok, kids; let’s go play!
This is truly one of the Marx Brother’s best films (Can you name all 4?1). I love a good movie that even 75+ years after it’s made, it still can make anyone young to old laugh. I had a teenager and several adults laughing with me as we watched these silly, witty men do what they did best. Comedy!
What strikes me as odd was how true this movie is today. This is a policital comedy made in 1933. Yet, I could hear echoes of the bankrupt Feedonia today. Haven’t we all heard about the money woes of GM and the big auto companies, AIG and the banks and even our own government?
I found it even more interesting when a rich widow decides to loan the poor bankrupt country bail out money. Is this the US government, now freshly widowed from a free market into the world of socialism2, bailing out the big companies? Or is this China, being the largest holder of US bonds, bailing us out? Maybe I’m pushing my creative license just a bit.
Even politics aren’t spared Groucho’s witty remarks. Groucho as Rufus T. Firefly is the only person capable of saving Freedonia, at least according to the rich widow. Is this the sound of November 2008? Was there only one man that could bail out the Unites States? Maybe it’s not fair comparing Grouch to President Obama. Groucho isn’t around to defend himself. I’m kidding!3 I do have to admit I had a good laugh when Grouch with his large eyebrows and even larger cigar sang, “If you think this county is bad off now. Just wait until I get through with it.”
We are all doomed!
1 Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo 2 That is what the talking heads on several news programs have claimed. 3 Go Obama!
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I’m not a fan of musicals. I do have to admit, this wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. It was funny and the dance routines were really good. If you don’t mind musicals, this is worth seeing.
Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are famous silent movie stars. Unfortunately, a new innovation, the talkie, is invented. Of course no one believes anyone would fall for that crazy scheme. That is until the “Jazz Singer” is a big hit. Don and Kathy make their first talkie. A big problem arises; Kathy has a very high pitch and irritating voice. With the help of Don’s best friend, Cosmo (Donald O’Conner) and Don’s love interest, Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) they turn the horrible film into a smash musical. To sum it up, it’s a musical about making a musical.
Gene Kelly, Donald O’Conner and Debbie Reynolds were phenomenal singers and dancers. The dance routines were fantastic and the tunes were catchy. And the comedy routines made the movie worth watching.
Ranking #3 on the AFI film top 100 movies, Casablanca deserves to be on the list. This is a phenomenal movie. Humphrey Bogart (Rick) and Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa) were at their best during this film. Of course, no one can forget Dooley Wilson as Sam and the very famous song “As Time Goes By”.
Rick runs a bar in, where else, Casablanca during World War II. The Germans have occupied France and refugees from Europe try and sometimes succeed in escaping to America through the unoccupied French Casablanca. Two unfortunate refugees are Ilsa (Rick’s x-girlfriend) and underground resistance leader Victor. The Germans want him to stay and pressure the Captain of the police to force him to stay. The only way out is to have the letters of transit stolen from two murdered Germans. Rick’s got the papers and Victor has the girl. And the Germans and French have a contest on who can sing their anthem the loudest (great scene).
The rights to for the film were bought for $20,000 and the film cost a little over $1 million to make.
I love how old black and white movies use shadows to accent the actor’s eyes. It’s a quality that is missing from newer movies. There was a colorized version of the movie in the 1980’s but was unpopular.
No sequels were made, but there were two books that continued the story (one office and one unofficial). Two TV shows and a two radio dramas were also made. But nothing is like the movie!
Signature Quotes: • “Here’s looking at you kid.” • “If you can play it for her, you can play it for me.” • “We’ll always have Paris.” • “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
Using a blog to overcome her anxieties, Samantha gets her dream job and dream man. When her co-workers find out about the blog, they start to do funny and strange things to get mentioned. Throw in some romance comedy high jinks and maybe a few honest laughs make this movie bearable to watch.
To be honest the only reason I watched this movie was because Felicia Day was in it. Well, she wasn’t in it very much. The movie may have been more fun if she played the main character.
If you aren’t a big fan of Felicia Day or don’t find the romance-comedy / blogger tale twist interesting, you may just want to skip this movie. If you do have some time to kill and want a few laughs, then check it out. Also, the alternate ending is better!
Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of the review or the movie. Plus, leave any suggestions on other movies that would be good to watch!
