Three O'Clock High

Obviously out of order!

 

Three O'Clock High-1987, starring nobody anybody cares about

He says-High school journalist is assigned to do a welcome-wagon profile on the new psycho in class, finds himself challenged by this behemoth to duke it out in the parking lot after school.  Steven Spielberg protege Joanou is to the camera what James Brown is to shoes, but it's a lot of energy expended over nothing.  Siemaszko is underwhelming in the lead.  1 and a half stars.

I say- Oi.  Once in a while I watch a random movie on Netflix.  This came up and I figured I would watch it and knock it off the list.  The problem with this movie involves me going into spoilers, so here goes:  SPOILER ALERT!  This whole movie makes zero sense.  The movie builds up to a fight at 3, and in the fight, the bully assaults not only the poor sap, but also knocks out the principal and the security guard.  The cops come, and they leave the innocent kid alone who is party to the fight, and the very next day, the bully shows up at school.  So basically, I can assault multiple people, and be allowed to come back unscathed the very next day.  Wonderful lessons learned from this one.  1 star.

Aces: Iron Eagle 3

 

Aces: Iron Eagle 3-1992, starring Louis Gossett, Jr. and Sonny Chiba

Maltin says- This time, maverick pilot Gossett and a group of WW2 veteran pilots stage an air raid on a Peruvian cocaine factory (having run out of targets in the Middle East).  Unsatisfying melange of flyboy machismo, unintentional slapstick, and inane action--with novelty of female bodybuilder McLish in cast. One and a half stars.

Grant says-  Well, this is the first time I've hit a sequel before the original.  Not like I needed to see the originals.  This was bad.  Really really bad.  Like lets capture Osama Bin Laden and make him watch this bad.  Louis Gossett Jr. should consider removing this from his resume.  BOMB

Aces High

 

Aces High-1976, British, starring Christopher Plummer and Malcolm McDowell

He says-Strong antiwar statement focusing on indoctrination of WW1 pilot Firth and his disillusioned squadron leader.  Solid cast (with cameos by John Gielgud, Ray Milland, Trevor Howard, and Richard Johnson) and exciting aerial dogfights highlight this remake of R.C. Sheriff's Journey's End.  3 stars.

I say- God, enough with the foreign films lately!  And yes, I do consider British to be foreign, because the accents are soooo thick!!!!  Anyway, this movie was borderline watchable, I guess.  Didn't care for the story, but some of the flight scenes were good.  1 and a half stars.

Ace in the Hole

 

Ace in the Hole- 1951, starring Kirk Douglas

He says-  An embittered New Mexico reporter looking for the elusive brass ring finds it when he stumbles onto a story of a man trapped in an ancient Indian ruin.  Unrelentingly cynical (yet mostly believable) tale of how the reporter exploits the "human interest story" for his own benefit- and how the potential tragedy turns into a three-ring circus- has a peculiarly contemporary ring to it.  Biting and extremely well acted.  Originally titled The Big Carnival.  Inspired by the actual 1925 Floyd Collins case; the real reporter won a Pulitzer Prize.  3 stars.

I say-Great acting!  Really shows how sensational the media can be, especially when paralleled with news stories today of miners trapped in mines.  Dated, but watchable.  2 stars.

Ace High

I'm unable to watch Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies so I move to

 

Ace High-1969, Italian. starring Terrence Hall and Bud Spencer

Malty says-Awkwardly dubbed spaghetti Western tries to imitate Clint Eastwood-Sergio Leone epics, but director Colizzi lacks Leone's style.  Hill plays a character named Cat Stevens, but there are no rock songs here.  2 stars.

I say- "Awkwardly dubbed" is putting it mildly.  This was BIZARRE.  This thing was dubbed worse than early Jackie Chan movies.  Oddly placed voices and talking when mouths are closed really detract from the whole movie.  Needless to say, I hated this one.  BOMB

The Accused

So Netflix doesn't have "The Accompanist," or "The Accused," from 1948.  So we move onto:

The Accused: 1988, starring Kelly McGillis and Jodie Foster

Maltin says: Public prosecutor McGillis deals with a gang-rape case in cut-and-dried fashion, until the victim demands full retribution for what she has suffered.  Compelling drama inspired by a notorious real-life case and propelled by Foster's powerhouse, Oscar-winning performance as the provocative, foul-mouthed woman who gets her day in court.  Only quibble: was the climactic reenactment really necessary?  3 stars.

I say- I can see why Jodie Foster won an Academy award for this movie!  She was awesome.  My biggest problem with this movie though, is the fact that my fiancee watches Law and Order SVU, and I've seen this story told more times than I can remember.  I get that this was done first, but the fact that I knew every line before it was said detracted from the experience.  2 stars.

The Accidental Tourist

The Accidental Tourist-1988, starring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Geena Davis, Bill Pullman, and Ed Begley Jr.

He says-  Hurt gives an exquisite performance as a man shattered by the death of his son, who comes out of his shell when he meets a kooky, aggressive young woman (Oscar winner Davis) who couldn't be less his type.  Finely wrought, extremely faithful adaptation of Anne Tyler's novel dares to take its time; may be too slow and quiet for some viewers, but often many rewards.  3 stars.

I say- This was nominated for best picture?  Really?  And Geena Davis won an academy award for this?  It wasn't terrible, but it was INCREDIBLY slow, and I felt like the movie got lost in itself midway through.  I felt like William Hurt was so unlikable, I wanted everyone else around him to die as well so he could feel the misery I was going through watching this movie.  One star.