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Moses-7
Reviews
Solar Crisis (1990)
Bad film with great actors
When I first saw this film, I had heard nothing of it, but with the cast it had, I was expecting a fairly decent film. Instead, I found the film to be rather poor in both concept and execution. I am not saying that it isn't worth a look, however. Charlton Heston and Jack Palance gave decent performances that could have belonged in a better film, as did Corin Nemic. Tim Matheson wasn't half bad, but the rest of the cast seemed to fall flat on their faces. The plot was so contrived that you could shoot a solar flare through the plot holes. Basically, this film has been done better as bigger asteroid films (like Armageddon and Deep Impact) so it is a kind of waste of time unless you are a die hard fan of the actors or sci-fi disaster movies. I also must mention that even though the film brags about the special effects being done by the same people as 2001 and Star Wars, their effects in those movies were far superior. In this film, the effects feel cold and detached, where as in those movies they are visually exciting and stimulating. I guess it would have helped, though, if this film had had a bigger budget. So, overall, I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone unless they were really bored and liked cheesy sci-fi disaster films.
Total Reality (1997)
Without a doubt, worst movie ever
This is a strong recommendation to anyone who reads this review who has never seen the film Total Reality, don't waste your time and money renting this poor excuse for a film. This is, without peer, the single worst movie that I have ever seen in my life. I had nightmares of this movie ever since I saw it. The acting was terrible, and any amateur film maker could make a more decent film. The film blatently rips off far superior sci-fi films, such as TimeCop or Total Recall (where the title seems to have been derived from). I'm sorry, but I just think that there is more entertainment value in watching the side of a cardboard box for two hours. If you already have seen this movie, I feel sorry for you for going through what I did.
The Omega Code (1999)
Better luck next time...
I came to the film Omega Code with no predetermined opinion of it being good, despite being a Christian. Over several months before it's release on video, I had heard so much tripe about how I was supposed to support this movie and like it just because it was a Christian movie and it was supposedly supposed to save the world. However, I am also a movie buff, and I rate movies on their ability to entertain me rather than by some message that I am told that I should like. Going into the movie, I was hoping that it would be enjoyable, but I hadn't already made up my mind that it would be, as I can see many of the reviewers on this page are. Overall, the film disappointed me.
First, I would like to comment what I liked. The best part of the film for me was Michael York as the Anti-Christ. Of all the films I have seen that feature this infamous villian, I found Michael York to have one of the most fun and over the top performances to date. Michael Ironside also did a good job with his performance as the henchman.
Despite these fine villians, the rest of the movie left me feeling like I was cheated. First of all, there is Casper Van Dien, who I enjoyed in Starship Troopers, who's character was so wooden that I couldn't believe my eyes. When he was first introduced in the film, I thought it was a joke, but his character stayed the same for the whole movie! Just because he started to believe in God at the end of the movie doesn't excuse the poor writing and lack of motivations. Next, the plot is so far changed from the Book of Revelations that it is supposedly representing. Then there is the idea of the Bible Code itself. How can we take seriously a Code of predicting the future that only has stuff from the presant and future, but not of our past. It is sloppy and irresponsible writing to think that just because a few hundred years ago is past to us it wouldn't be future to the people alive at the time of Jesus.
Overall, I am glad that they are trying to get more Christian films made, but competent directing and writing and excellent acting (as Ironside and York potrayed) is the key to making an excellent film. It doesn't matter if it doesn't have sex or swearing if the film is so mediocre that you would rather watch an average "R" rated film for a more entertaining time.
Better luck next time, guys...
The Abyss (1989)
Excellent film
As a fan of James Cameron films, I enjoyed this film highly the first time that I saw it, in my 8th grade science class. Nothing could prepare me, however, for the special edition, which I saw on TV a few years later. That blew me away so far that I refused to buy the film on video, since it was just the regular edition, until one day I happened to see the letterboxed edition of the special edition. If you plan on watching this film or buying it, I strongly recommend getting this version, as it is far more superior.
(SPOILERS BEGIN) Now, onto the plot. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio are excellent as an estranged couple who fall in love with each other again after an extraordinary ordeal under the sea. Michael Biehn (one of my favorite actors), is also excellent as a paranoid military man who begins to lose his grip on sanity. And, the part that blew me away, of course, was Harris' descent into the abyss, and when the aliens bring him over the crest in sight of the totally awesome spaceship! Then, thinking that there was nothing left to blow me away with, the aliens cut loose on mankind by making giant tidal waves to destroy humanity with!!! You won't find that sub-plot in the regular edition, so look hard for the special edition, all you fans of Cameron or sci-fi. (SPOILERS END)
Well, anyway, this is a very good film. Although not Cameron's very best, it ranks up there as one of the best.
Above the Law (1988)
Fun for action fans
Although I have never been a big Steven Seagal fan, I instantly liked this film when my uncle gave it to me for Christmas one year. It is one wild ride. I enjoyed the awesome stunts and action scenes in the film, and I had to laugh out loud at some of the scenes because it was fun to watch. Although I didn't care for Sharon Stone's acting in the film (she seemed to be too much of a weakwilled whiner, as opposed to her later films), Steven Seagal and Pam Grier were excellent as the main heroes. The film reminded me of the fun I had watching cop movies like Dirty Harry mixed with martial arts movies, so I recommend it to fans of those kinds of films.
Jack and the Beanstalk (1952)
One of Abbott and Costello's lesser films
Although I am sure the idea looked good on paper, and it appealed to me when I first heard of it, this movie often lumbers along and falls flat, and when I watch it, I just want it to end. The bookend beginning and ending of the film about Lou having to babysit a troublemaker is contrived at best, although I found the tall cop part to be humorous. However, I found little to laugh at with the bottom of the barrel script that was thrown together for these two great comedians. I thought that it was a mistake to put them in a musical, and it reeks of "Wizard of Oz" rip-off (with the songs and black and white to color format). I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone but die-hard A&C fanatics. Anyone else will be disappointed, and they have many better films.
Africa Screams (1949)
Modest Abbott and Costello film
While this isn't the best of the famous comedy duo's films (I personally think that A&C Meet Frankenstein has that honor), this is a decent comedy for fans of the pair. They manage to wring a few laughs out of a jungle theme that I personally feel was overused in films at that time. The actor who makes the film for me, however, is that wonderful "unknown" stooge, Shemp Howard, in a humorous supporting role.
Night of the Warrior (1991)
A good movie
Although this film is not very well known or the best film ever made, it is a film that is worthwhile of your time to check out if you are interested in martial arts films. I personally was not impressed by the action scenes, but I was impressed by the romantic story involving Miles (Lorenzo Lamas) and the beautiful Katherine Pierce (Kathleen Kinmont). I believe that in this movie, Kathleen Kinmont is at her best as far as acting, looks, and sexiness. She plays her character with charm, sexiness, and very human qualities. There are two love scenes in the film that feature Lorenzo Lamas and her, the first of which is at his apartment and the second of which is in an alley on his motorcycle. I found those to be, although dark and shadowy at times, beautifully photographed, as well as the scene where they dance at a restaurant. I won't give away the story, but I will tell you that if you are interested in either action movies involving martial arts or romantic films involving erotic love scenes, then this is the movie to watch.
A Thief in the Night (1972)
Excellent film
I recently saw this film for the first time last January at my youth group. I was impressed by it, so I immediately went to the Bethany Bookstore and bought a hard to find copy of this film. I have seen the rest of the series, but they were sold out before I could buy them. I have seen many "End Times" Christian films since, but this remains the best in my mind due to it's distinctive 70's feel and the ultra-low budget that makes it more realistic than any blockbuster. I can't get enough of the character Jerry in the film because of his outrageous hairstyle that was the norm back then. For those who haven't seen the film or who don't remember who is who, he is the guy who has sideburns that connect to his mustash. Due to his humorous look (at least in the 90's), he stole the show for me, and I got a kick of him in later films in the series. I liked the downbeat ending to this and the second and third films, but I didn't care for the fourth as much. If you haven't seen this film before and you are interested in movies about God and things suggested in the Bible, I recommend that you watch this movie if you can find a copy somewhere. I even recommend hunting for it if you can't find it at first, because it is certainly worth it in my opinion.
Wishmaster (1997)
Wishmaster Rocks
This movie was great, and anyone who didn't like it doesn't know what they are talking about. This movie was both funny and scary and had good special effects. The best part about it, though, was Andrew Divoff, when he was in human form, because he was great with that devilish little grin of his. Also, I liked the bum who called Reggie Bannister an "unwanted child of a Chinese gangbanger!" That was one of the funniest lines in the film, along with Kane Hodder's "Now that is something I would like to see." Tammy Lauren was pretty hot, and a good actress, not just a mindless clone of Heather Langencamp from Nightmare. I enjoyed the cameos of Kane Hodder, Reggie, Robert Englund, Tony Todd, Angus Scrimm, and Tom "Sex Machine" Savani as the guy who tried to help Reggie as he died. All in all, it rocked!!
Full Eclipse (1993)
Sleek, sexy, and kind of like X-Men
Full Eclipse was a cool werewolf film. It had it all. Action, romance, sex, violence, and cool special effects. Mario Van Peebles is great as Max Dire, the cop who becomes involved with a top secret group of werewolf cops led by Bruce Payne. He is lured into joining by the sexy Patsy Kensit. She is the real reason why I love this film so much. She is so fine, and she is also a good actor. The love scene between her and Mario is the best one I have ever seen in on film. The film is loosely inspired by X-Men, as director Anthony Hickox once said in an interview. With Wolverine type claws, the werewolves take on gangs and other bad guys. I recommend it to werewolf fans.
Ghoulies II (1987)
Film not as bad as people think
The movie Ghoulies II is trash, simply put. But it is fun trash. The Ghoulies, while evil, are also mischievous and kind of funny with the deadly stunts they pull. My personal favorite Ghoulie is the green one which comes out of the toilet. There is one thing that I disliked about the film, but I also like it, if that makes any sense. There is a character named Patty in the film (played by Ames Morton) who is killed by the Ghoulies. I think that she is the most beautiful girl in the film and therefore deserves to live, and the Ghoulies deserve to go to hell for killing her. But, on the plus side, I enjoyed watching the scenes that she was in, even the ones where she was being killed with a razor blade by that cat/rat Ghoulie. That midget in the film was a pretty good actor also. So, if you like cheap low budget horror with hot babes being killed and a little humor, this movie isn't as bad as other people think it is.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Best animated movie I've seen
I have read some of the comments on this site, and there seems to be a lot of controversy over it about either its animation, approach at the story, or the fact that it is a Biblical story, but most of the people actually have given it good reviews. Personally, I think that it is the best animated movie ever made. All the voices did a great job, especially Val Kilmer as Moses, Ralph Fiennes as Ramses, and Patrick Stewart as the Pharoah. The animation was excellent, especially at the water parting, burning bush, and plague scenes. I almost fell out of my seat the first time that I saw the water being parted. I have seen it three times now. Everyone else I saw it with thought it was excellent also. I was moved by a lot of the emotional scenes between the two "brothers." The film really let the emotions be shown and felt by the excellent musical score and acting. Getting a little bit off the subject, I think that the Nasville album sucked. Back to the movie, though, the only two movies that I have ever seen and liked better were Braveheart and Titanic. It is one of the all time best movies. I recommend it to anyone.
Frostbiter: Wrath of the Wendigo (1995)
Although movie is cheesy, it's fun
Call me crazy, but I actually loved this film. It was clearly a rip-off of Evil Dead 2 and other such horror films, but it didn't take itself seriously, and it followed the general Troma Films basic movie formula by trying to be a little bit scary while funny. The film has bad acting, but it acknowledges that it will be bad, and takes advantage of it. It also has purposefully bad special effects. Personal favorite scenes of mine are the witch attack in the cabin, the Wendigo itself, and the fact that one of the main stars looks just like my best friend's dad. This film's music soundtrack is crazy, featuring songs that sometimes have nothing to do with what is shown on screen. Overall, I think that for fans of bad horror movies, this one not only is bad, but it also sends up bad horror films, so it is worth a look and kind of an unknown gem.