ThePete.Com / Rare Finds

ALL THIS AND WORLD WAR II (1976)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-06-06

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Generally, I’d say yes. Sadly, this is one of those movie that sounds so much better in theory, but finding a person to execute the story who can really make a movie like this that reaches it’s potential is hard, and in this case, it didn’t happen.

Technically any good? This film is simply a long sequence of World War II movies and stock footage cut together with Beatles cover songs slapped on top of it. In only very rare occasions does the movie actually take advantage of its own cinematic structure and make commentary–even silly commentary. It’s a real shame this film wasn’t better because the idea was so strong. However, not only did the director fail to make more than a few real comments on anything, the film ends up being pro-American propaganda. It completely ignores any footage from Dresden and shows a single atomic explosion so we see nothing about Japan.

How did it leave me feeling? VERY disappointed. I can only recommend this film to total cinema/history buffs. Sorry, but it’s really not worth it.

Final Rating? NFI - NetFlix It - Again, only if you’re passionate for movies and/or history. Actually, I’m not even sure it’s on DVD. :(

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-06-06 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds, ThePete.Com | $ |

KILLER OF SHEEP (1977)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-04-17

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely. Most people would take a glance at this movie and not see how amazing it is. It’s hyper-low-budget and was made thirty years ago, but if you actually engage your brain while watching it, Killer of Sheep becomes an incredible reflection of our culture.

Technically any good? While the plot is a little thin, the point of this was to present a slice of life reflecting what life is/was like for black families in Los Angeles. Very little crime, very few drugs, but a whole lot of poverty. Sadly, I saw a lot of parallels with the Los Angeles of 2007. The acting was a little weak among the supporting characters, but the leads were amazing. The cinematography was incredible as was the editing. Watch for the scene early on with the little girl in the dog mask. Slow, but powerful in the way it takes it’s time.

How did it leave me feeling? VERY satisfied. Really good movie. Sure, no explosions, gun fights, drugs or gangstas, but this black movie will entertain and educate you.

Final Rating? GSN - Go See NOW - it’s currently making the art house theater rounds, so look for it in a city near you for the next few months. Hopefully it’ll be on DVD before 2008. It’ll be in my collection soon after it makes it’s digital release.

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-04-17 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds, ThePete.Com | $ |

LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF (2003)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-02-27

Positive Experience/Entertaining? DEFINITELY. Before I sat down to watch this movie I was worried it would be a film only Angelenos would get and while there are a lot of inside LA jokes I think this film is an incredibly valuable work for anyone who is a film buff.

Technically any good? While it’s a “documentary” the same way a Michael Moore film is a “documentary” there are a lot of facts and insight the narration is able to provide. It’s interesting and fascinating and there’s quite a bit of humor. You may not get all the LA jokes, but you’ll still learn a LOT. The narrator’s dry delivery helps the film be that much more entertaining. Remember those old Motel 6 radio commercials with Tom Bodet? It’s sort of like that.

How did it leave me feeling? Satisfied–but only slightly–it made me wish the movie was a series, instead of just a 3 hour stand alone film. The film covers so much but only tip-of-the-icebergs Mexican and African-Angeleno filmmaking which are two genres of film that we hardly ever hear about. I hope the director of this film does a sequel centering around the Hollywood’s “second class” film industries for darker-skinned audiences.

Final Rating? GSN - Go See Now, well, if you’re in Los Angeles, the only city that I’ve known it to play in. It shows up at the Egyptian and the Aero theaters from time-to-time so if you live here or plan on visiting, check out EgyptianTheatre.com for schedules at both theaters (both are run by the American Cinematheque a GREAT group of people that could use a donation). I’m really hoping this film will be out on DVD eventually which will mean it’ll have to have a movie poster, too!

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-02-27 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

IDIOCRACY (2006)

by Siskita 3:51 pm 2006-12-02

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Oh man is it ever!

Technically any good?While the special effects were uneven, the storytelling is brisk and the editing keeps it moving. The acting is spot-on: Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, and Dax Shepard make simple choices and refrain from bogging the story down. Other character actors go the whole nine yards and put their heart and soul into being brainless. Real but over-the-top.

How did it leave me feeling? Okay, here we go: Having just seen a midnight showing of the movie here in Los Angeles (thanks Santa Monica Nuart Theater!) I must say that this will go down in the history books as one of the most interesting, unique, inventive and funny movies of the decades. SHAME ON 20TH CENTURY FOX for not taking the time to advertise and distribute it!!!

But I can understand why they wouldn’t distribute it - the movie takes an unquestioning jab at everything FOX and channels like FOX NEWS stands for. Mike Judge takes a truly satirical look at the future of humankind- a “what if” of extraordinary proportions in which the idiots of the world outpopulate those with higher IQ’s. The corporate mentality, melded with assembly-line automation technology, create a world in which stupidity is basically tube-fed to survive. They’re basically left to their own to do mindless work and then sit at home watching T.V. Sounds familiar? Or do you think that’s a strange premise? Can’t visualize it? Mike Judge made it happen in a wonderfully inventive and frightening way.

The social commentary is incredibly witty and hilarious. Those who actually watch for the details will be stunned by the intelligent nuances mixed in with the “dumb” humor. But even the “dumb” humor is made specifically to comment on our own seeming fascination with fart humor, sex, and jackass entertainment. I don’t quite understand some reviews that call the jokes “bathroom” humor. They don’t get it.

This will soon become a cult classic, under-the-radar fare. I was laughing hysterically at this movie. I wanted them to hit rewind so I could watch it again then and there. It’s coming out on DVD early January, and I’m excited to get it, buy it for my family (all stupid and intelligent members), and hold a screening to introduce it to those who never heard of it or who didn’t get to see it in theaters (ONCE AGAIN SHAME ON YOU 20th CENTURY!!!).

“Welcome to CostCo. I Love You.”

Final Rating? GSN - any way you can!

And here’s a great latimes.com article by Pat Morrison about it!

by Siskita 3:51 pm 2006-12-02 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

GAMERA THE BRAVE (2006)

by ThePete 6:00 pm 2006-07-27

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely–Gamera for kids but in a way that doesn’t insult the adults watching. In fact, for a Gamera movie aimed at kids, it’s pretty dark.

Technically any good? Of course–the effects were very solid and the acting was pretty reasonable, too. Even the lead kid was pretty much believable. Oh yeah and the damn cutest turtle you’ve ever seen. Plus a couple wonderful homages to the Gamera films that have come before.

How did it leave me feeling? Good–it definitely left me feeling good. It’s not a sequel to Gamera III (which is my all time favorite kaiju film) but it’s a thousand times better than Super Monster Gamera.

Final Rating? GSN (Go See Now) if you’re a Gamera fan, everyone else can probably just RTV (Rent The Video).

I hope to see this pop up on DVD in the US sometime soon.

by ThePete 6:00 pm 2006-07-27 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

GODZILLA FINAL WARS (2004)

by ThePete 3:55 pm 2005-07-04

Positive Experience or Entertaining? HELLS, YEAH!! This Godzilla captures all of the cheesy fun of the classic Godzilla movies from the 70s and before. They even have Minya! It’s a real crowd pleaser in a good way.

Technically any good? While I can’t quite remember what the aliens were trying to do, I was so thoroughly entertained with everything else, I didn’t care so much. I also felt that while generally more character development of the humans is good, I sort of felt that it came in this movie at the expense of shorter fight scenes with each of the 15 montsers Godzilla takes on in this movie. FX were fairly solid, although I think they relied too much on CG.

How did it leave me feeling? Definitely psyched. While I generally prefer the more character driven kaiju films of the 90s (Godzilla Vs. Destroyah, Gamera III) there’s always a place in my heart for silly, fun, shameless cheese. This film has Japan’s answer to Gary Oldman in a hillarious performance from Kazuki Kitamura as the main bad guy and an equally scene-stealing-but-truly-cheesy performance from ex-wrestler/martial artist Don Frye as the commander of the good guy sub/ship/thing. In fact, Frye has what is probably the best line in the movie.

Final Rating? GSN (Hardcore G-fans will love this movie to death while relaxed fans should be able to ignore it’s plot holes and enjoy it for what it is–a good cheesy film!)

by ThePete 3:55 pm 2005-07-04 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

WALK ON WATER (2004)

by jen 8:16 pm 2005-03-25

Positive Experience/Entertaining?? Yes, I enjoyed this one. It’s a character-driven movie, which I like, and as it unfolds in Tel Aviv and Berlin it deals with issues of prejudice and the past.

Technically any good? It’s an art-house film without being too self-consciously arty; the direction is workmanlike and the performances solid.

How did it leave me feeling? I felt that I had gotten my money’s worth and had been entertained, but the resolution left me with a lot of questions– not questions having to do with plot, but with the ultimate moral message of the film. I didn’t find this off-putting; rather, I was glad that I had seen a movie that I was still thinking about a few hours after I had left the theater. Only one quibble, if it can be called that. The film deals very sympathetically with the topic of homosexuality (unsurprising, since the director is gay) and the friendship between the two male leads is tenderly well-developed, to the point where the female characters feel almost vestigial. However, since I so rarely see good gay-themed films, I’m willing to forgive the movie for that single flaw.

Final Rating?SIYL

by jen 8:16 pm 2005-03-25 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

STEAMBOY (2004)

by ThePete 1:53 pm 2005-02-09

Positive Experience/Entertaining?? WAS IT EVER! Great visuals (as you’d expect from the director of Akira) and incredibly imaginative story.
Technically any good? No movie is perfect–the story and characters could have been stronger, but then Japanese storytelling tends to be a bit subtle compared to what Americans are used to. It also doesn’t have a traditional story structure, but hopefully, this new 1866 will be so interesting to you that you won’t care that Sid Field was ignored for this script.
Final Rating? GSN (It’s great for most kids (watch out for some violence) and great for any adult that enjoys having their imagination engaged.)
This movie is not on DVD yet.

by ThePete 1:53 pm 2005-02-09 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

QUIET EARTH (1985)

by ThePete 12:09 pm 2005-02-07

Positive Experience/Entertaining?? Definitely! Creepy, cool, low-budget atmosphere made it seem very realistic and possible.
Technically any good? While there were a couple of shots that seemed particularly low budget (one dead body and a model shot) over all the film does a great job of keeping us guessing as to what’s going on and what will happen next. Great acting from the two leads, too.
How did it leave me feeling? In awe–very cool ending and it works perfectly with the rest of the film. I wish more films were made as well as this one.
Final Rating? SIYL (It’s an end of the world story, so it may be a little disturbing and there is nudity (female and male).
Pick this movie up on VHS in the US from Amazon.com or Region 2 DVD from Amazon.co.uk. (They will ship to the US–just make sure you have a multi-region DVD player!)

by ThePete 12:09 pm 2005-02-07 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

SKY BLUE (2003)

by ThePete 1:41 am 2005-01-03

Entertaining? On a basic level, yes.
Technically any good? I reeeally wanted to like this movie because it’s the first anime from Korea that I’ve seen, but the voice actors were mostly terrible. I’m a bit of an animation purist so when I see a foreign film, even an animated one, dubbed in English I get annoyed–but the American voices in this were so bad it made watching the movie difficult.
How did I feel as the credits rolled? The film is definitely visually interesting and for that it’s worth seeing–but will this be added to my anime collection or will it go down in history as a great anime? No on both counts. Of course, if I could see a subtitled version in Korean, I might change my mind.
Final Rating? SIYL (for the great animation)
This movie is not yet available on DVD.

by ThePete 1:41 am 2005-01-03 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

THE KEEP (1983)

by ThePete 5:21 am 2004-10-02

Entertaining? Yeah, but only barely.
Technically any good? This movie is about a group of Nazis during WWII who are inexplicably drawn to a strange stone building nestled in the mountains of Romania. Inside is something that begins killing them off, one by one. Sounds like a cool enough premise, but this movie is really poorly executed. Directed by Michael Mann, you’d think this would be a better film. Sadly, he gives it the same treatment he gave his classic MANHUNTER. However, this is not a simple plot, like that movie. This plot requires depth of character and story dynamics. The acting is solid, but everything else is not. Also, the Tangerine Dream score is about as appropriate as a screendoor on a submarine. I love their music, but this movie takes place in 1941. You try watching a movie that takes place in 1941 with electronic keyboards backing up the scenes! It knocked me out of the movie every time.
How did I feel as the credits rolled? Confused and even perplexed. How could Mann make such a crappy movie from such interesting material? I really don’t know how. This film does inspire me to want to read the original novel it was based on. I’d also LOVE to see someone do a better adaption of the novel. I think you’d have to be an idiot to not make a better film than Mann has.
Final Rating? OAF - On At a Friend’s (It’s an interesting spectacle, but if you have ANYTHING better to do, like picking your toes, DO IT.)
This movie is NOT on DVD but may be found on VHS.

by ThePete 5:21 am 2004-10-02 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

GODZILLA Vs. KING GHIDORAH

by ThePete 2:52 pm 2004-07-10

Entertaining? DEFINITELY!! This one’s my second-favorite of the 80s era of G-films for many reasons.
Technically any good? Well, they TOTALLY screw up the time travel aspects of this film, but there’s enough other stuff to completely distract from the HUGE plot hole that stops this movie from making sense. Good acting, effects, and one of the most exciting G-fights ever make this film one not to miss. It’s got extremely cheesy parts, but it casts time-travelling white guys as the threat, so I’m all over that! :)
How did I feel as the credits rolled? Definitely satisfied, but confused as to how the writer and director of this film let such a glaring problem with the time travel survive to the final cut.
Final Rating? SAM

by ThePete 2:52 pm 2004-07-10 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (1959)

by ThePete 2:42 pm 2004-07-10

Entertaining? Um, no, not really.
Technically any good? While not as bad as movies like PRINCE OF SPACE and INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN, BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE is missing the very cheese that makes those earlier films bearable. Cheese is why we see scifi movies from that era of Japanese film making. This is just fairly realistic stuff without much of anything interesting happening.
How did I feel as the credits rolled? Asleep. It’s no fault of the actors, it’s all about the execution of the very slow, boring script. Blaaaaah…
Final Rating? DNS (Rent INVASION OF THE MYSTERIONS, instead!)
This movie is not on DVD–somewhat understandably, in my opinion. :(

by ThePete 2:42 pm 2004-07-10 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

GHIDORAH: THE THREE HEADED MONSTER (1964)

by ThePete 2:37 pm 2004-07-10

Entertaining? The first appearance of one of Godzilla’s arch-enemies is definitely a lot of fun.
Technically any good? Even the dubbed version of this movie is fun. Not the greatest dub in the world, but not terrible, either. Good character development, even some with the monsters.
How did I feel as the credits rolled? Definitely satisfied. It’s not one of my favorites, but as the first appearance of the three-headed monster, it’s a must for any true Godzilla fan’s collection.
Final Rating? SAM (Good classic kaiju!)
(For some reason this isn’t on DVD in the US–WHY???)

by ThePete 2:37 pm 2004-07-10 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED, THE

by ThePete 4:14 pm 2004-05-05

Entertaining? Yes, but when a documentary is too entertaining, you begin to wonder how accurate it is.
Technically any good? It’s a brilliant piece of propaganda. I say “propaganda” not because it’s full of lies, but because it presents the Chavez side of things very well, but the opposition side is made to look very bad. Regardless of whether the opposition WAS bad or not, the docu came off unbalanced, to me.
How did I feel as the credits rolled? If everything that the docu presents about Chavez is true and if there was nothing bad excluded about Chavez from the docu, then I think Chavez is a great leader. But something tells me that no man can be that flawless and that much “of the people.”
Final Rating? GSN (It’s also a great example of how private corporations can manuipulate the public through the media.)

by ThePete 4:14 pm 2004-05-05 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |

TAMALA 2010 (2002)

by ThePete 5:33 am 2003-10-04

Entertaining? Holy crap, was it ever! This anime will baffle and entertain you! In that order!
Technically any good? Well, this is definitely an experimental animated movie - it’s truly crazy, so it doesn’t have to work like a traditional movie. However, I think it does satisfy for the most part.
How did I feel as the credits rolled? Fired up - it was such a bizarre film to watch - it’s not really anime, but it is Japanese, but it’s just not like anything… it’s just weird… but in a really great way…
Final Rating? SIYL (It’s very trippy and doesn’t make a whole lot of traditional sense - but SEE IT! It’s great.)

by ThePete 5:33 am 2003-10-04 PocketReviews.Net, Rare Finds | $ |