No Escape

 

No Escape- Directed my Martin Campbell, starring Ray Liotta, Lance Henriksen, Stuart Wilson, Kevin Dillon, and Ernie Hudson

He says-  Odd mix of high tech and Most Dangerous Game finds Liotta in a maximum security prison (year 2022) before escaping to a jungle colony where isolated inmates are left to die.  Not the worst of its grungy ilk, but too protracted.  Wilson is amusing as a key nemesis.  2 stars

I say-  I liked the movie up until they got to the jungle colony.  Very exciting up until that point, loved the rules that the characters had to follow to live, but then the whole movie shifted tones, and not for the better.  1 star.

The Adventures of Huck Finn

 

The Adventures of Huck Finn- 1993, directed by Stephen Sommers, starring Elijah Wood, Renee O'Connor, Jason Robards, Ron Perlman, and Anne Heche

He says-  Utterly unimaginative rendering of Mark Twain's perennial, which should remain off-limits to Hollywood from this point on.  As Huck, young Wood looks and acts too contemporary by decades, while Vance (as Jim) seems too young.  Early scenes involving Huck's brutal father may be too intense for very young children....and this is a Disney release!  2 stars

I say-  This was an awkward movie.  I saw this in the theater with my dad when I was 10, and enjoyed it.  However, I completely agree with Maltin.  My biggest problem is that it feels uneven, and even though the soundtrack is great, the movie feels way too long.  1 star.

Hannibal

Continuing the Hannibal saga:

Hannibal- 2001, Directed by Ridley Scott, starring Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, and Ray Liotta

He says-  A big, long tease of a movie, quite unlike it predecessor, Silence of the Lambs, though mostly faithful to Thomas Harris' novel.  Hannibal Lecter, now at large in Florence, Italy, reenters the life of FBI agent Clarice Starling (Moore, taking over for Jodie Foster) at a troubled time in her career.  A twisted, unfocused black comedy, stylish but slowly paced, with several key gross-out moments.  Scripted by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian.  Followed by a prequel: Red Dragon.  2 stars.

I say-  Way too much slow motion!  This movie, which could have been great, felt very sloppy with the editing and directing.  Anthony Hopkins is still great as Lecter, and Julianne Moore does well playing Clarice for Jodie Foster.  This could have been amazing, but instead in gets 2 stars.

The Adventures of Gerard

 

The Adventures of Gerard- 1970, directed by Jerzy Skolimowki,  starring nobody

He says-  Clumsy farce from Arthur Conan Doyle story about cocky but stupid officer who becomes fall guy for Napoleon's (Wallach) wartime strategy.  BOMB

I say-  BOMB.  I would write more but there's nothing else to say.

Adventures of Ford Fairlane

Netflix doesn't have Adventures of Felix, so I move to

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane- 1990, directed by Renny Harlin, starring Andrew Dice Clay, Wayne Newton, Priscilla Presley, Lauren Holly, Gilbert Gottfried, Robert Englund, Ed O'Neill, and Tone Loc

He says-  Controversial standup comic Clay stars in an old-time private-eye yarn transplanted to the contemporary world of rock'n'roll.  Clay's got what it takes, but the film is clumsy, rude, and immature (just like his character).  For rabid Clay fans only.  One and a half stars.

I say-  I really don't like Andrew Dice Clay.  This movie sucked.  Nothing else to say.  BOMB

The Silence of the Lambs

 

The Silence of the Lambs-  1991, Directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Chris Isaak, and Charles Napier

He says-  FBI trainee Foster is recruited to attempt to get through to a brilliant psychotic criminal, "Hannibal the Cannibal" Lecter (Hopkins), in the hope that he may help catch a serial killer.  Almost unbearably intense, brilliantly acted (by Foster and Hopkins), and cannily put together--though the subject matter is at times repellent.  Based on the Thomas Harris best-seller; the Hannibal character appeared in a previous Harris adapatation, Manhunter.  Oscar winner for Best Picture, Actor (Hopkins), Actress (Foster), Director, and Adapted Screenplay (Ted Tally).  Followed 10 years later by Hannibal.  3 and a half stars.

I say-  This is such a classic movie.  I'm slowly working on watching all 4 of these movies with my wife, so I'm going to get these knocked out as well.   If you look closely at the skull on the moth on the poster, the skull is actually comprised of naked women.  Probably the best acting of any movie, and Buffalo Bill's dance is awesome!  4 stars.

Waitress!

Since the next "A" movie is taking a while to come, here's another out of order movie.

Waitress- 1982, directed by Samuel Weil, starring nobody anyone knows

He says- If watching a chef spit in soup is your idea of fun, then you might find a couple of laughs in this moronic comedy set in a restaurant.  BOMB

I say-  I love Troma movies.  But not this Troma movie.  This did not feel like a Troma movie.  Go watch a real Troma movie instead.  BOMB