Don Movie Reviews
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As directed by Joe Johnston (The Rocketeer), this wonderful movie is occasionally guilty of overstating its case and sacrificing subtlety for predictable melodrama. But more often the film's tone is just right, and the spirit of adventure and invention is infectiously conveyed through Gyllenhaal and his well-cast fellow rocketeers, whose many failures gradually lead to triumph on their makeshift backwoods launching pad. Capturing time and place with impeccable detail and superbly developed characters (including Laura Dern as an inspiring schoolteacher), October Sky is a family film for the ages, encouraging the highest potential of the human spirit while giving viewers a clear view of a bygone era when "the final frontier" beckoned to the explorer in all of us. --Jeff Shannon

A great movie, a great book, and it's Hickam, not Hickman
Everyone should see this filmJake Gyllenhaal is great. This is superb acting from this young man. He is one of the fastest rising stars in Hollywood and this is his humble beginnig. He plays Homer well. He plays off the other actors around him well. It's an emotional performance in an emotional tale.
Chirs Cooper is quickly becoming one of the best actors alive. His performance as Homer's dad is as good as his performance in American Beauty. Cooper truly becomes the character he plays and thats why he's one of the best actors living. I really think him and Gyllenhaal got snubbed by Oscars for not getting any recognition for there roles.
I love October Sky. It's a great movie about hard work and perseverance. Everyone should see this movie. It shows the american dream and what can happen if you have a goal and do everything you can to acheive it. This is a great family film and is one of the best movies ever made.
Inspiring... brilliant acting from Cooper and GyllenhaalJake Gyllenhaal perfectly captures the essence of Homer Hickam. While the movie is heavy on melodrama, its perfectly necessary to get the message across. The life that was laid in front of Homer when he was born was not a pleasant one. He was going to work in the mines. His father knew, as did the whole town. But Homer doesn't accept this and his mother and teacher make sure that he does not quit.
Chris Cooper is unbelievable. I had not seen his previous work and had no idea who he was. After October Sky I pledged to never miss one of his films, and have yet to be disappointed.
The directing is a littleover-the-top and the screenplay had to do a lot of strecthing to make the movie accessible, but these changes do not detract from the story, they enhance it. Two scenes capture how this works. The "Rocket Boys" have been struggling with their propellant for a long time and can't get it right. Finally, they chance upon a solution that might work and when they got to test it, the entire high school and half the town is there to watch. Horrified at the prospect of screwing up in front of the entire town, Homer realizes he has no choice; he can't back down now. When the fuse is lit and the rocket soars perfectly into the sky, you heart swells with pride for what these boys accomplished.
And the final scene between Homer and his father still chokes me up as I think about it now. Homer has his speech where he thanks everyone and to his surprise, there is his father, who he invites to press the button to send the last rocket airborne. As his father watches the rocket fly, even he is impressed by what his son accomplishes and he lovingly puts his arm around his shoulders. A beautifully shot scene.
Now did these scenes happen exactly like this? The book shows us that they did not. But that doesn't matter. The art of film and the art of writing are completely different. The scenes are precisely what they need to be to put the message across visually. The emotions that these images provoke are visceral, and that is why the movie is so powerful.
The supporting cast are wonderfully understated, especially Laura Dern and Chris Owen. The movies beutifully shot and the screenplay is a nice adaptation of a book that is difficult to visualize. Thank you to all involved for giving me a movie that makes me cry every time I watch. I look forward to watching this movie with my children as they grow up.


Very poor quality
5 for the movie -2 for the quality
GREAT MOVIE
There is greatness in film that can be discussed, dissected, and talked about late into the night. Then there is genius that is right in front of our faces--we smile at the spell it puts us into and are refreshed, and nary a word needs to be spoken. This kind of entertainment is what they used to call "movie magic," and there is loads of it in this irresistible computer animation feature. Just a picture of these bright toys on the cover of Toy Story looks intriguing, reawakening the kid in us. Filmmaker John Lasseter's shorts (namely Knickknack and Tin Toy, which can be found on the Pixar video Tiny Toy Stories) illustrate not only a technical brilliance but also a great sense of humor--one in which the pun is always intended. Lasseter thinks of himself as a storyteller first and an animator second, much like another film innovator, Walt Disney.
Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favorite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, Toy Story is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar for "the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great. --Doug Thomas
Toy Story 2
John Lasseter and his gang of high-tech creators at Pixar create another entertainment for the ages. Like the few great movie sequels, Toy Story 2 comments on why the first one was so wonderful while finding a fresh angle worthy of a new film. The craze of toy collecting becomes the focus here, as we find out Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is not only a beloved toy to Andy but also a rare doll from a popular '60s children's show. When a greedy collector takes Woody, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) launches a rescue mission with Andy's other toys. To say more would be a crime because this is one of the most creative and smile-inducing films since, well, the first Toy Story.
Although the toys look the same as in the 1994 feature, Pixar shows how much technology has advanced: the human characters look more human, backgrounds are superior, and two action sequences that book-end the film are dazzling. And it's a hoot for kids and adults. The film is packed with spoofs, easily accessible in-jokes, and inspired voice casting (with newcomer Joan Cusack especially a delight as Cowgirl Jessie). But as the Pixar canon of films illustrates, the filmmakers are storytellers first. Woody's heart-tugging predicament can easily be translated into the eternal debate of living a good life versus living forever. Toy Story 2 also achieved something in the U.S. two other outstanding 1999 animated features (The Iron Giant, Princess Mononoke) could not: it became a huge box-office hit. --Doug Thomas

Real Toys
Adorable Disney movie
A real treat
Although the toys look the same as in the 1994 feature, Pixar shows how much technology has advanced: the human characters look more human, backgrounds are superior, and two action sequences that book-end the film are dazzling. And it's a hoot for kids and adults. The film is packed with spoofs, easily accessible in-jokes, and inspired voice casting (with newcomer Joan Cusack especially a delight as Cowgirl Jessie). But as the Pixar canon of films illustrates, the filmmakers are storytellers first. Woody's heart-tugging predicament can easily be translated into the eternal debate of living a good life versus living for forever. Toy Story 2 also achieved something in the U.S. two other outstanding 1999 animated features (The Iron Giant, Princess Mononoke) could not: it became a huge box-office hit. --Doug Thomas

Real Toys
Adorable Disney movie
A real treat

Avoid this dated, inferior production
Musical Cinderella!
Rodger's & Hammerstien's Cinderella

Surprised this video is available to children
It would have been 5 Stars, but Jeff Bridges sings.The downside in the cast is Jeff Bridges, who seems to want to be somewhere else, other than doing his role. On top of that, he sings. We're talking Clint Eastwood-Paint Your Wagon-I Talk To The Trees BAD! In the old days, if a prominent actor, or actress couldn't perform part of their role, someone else was called in, such as a stuntperson, body double, or singer. Audrey Hepburn and Natalie Wood had voice subs. Why, oh WHY, couldn't they do the same here?
The animation is not too shabby for Rankin-Bass. In fact, the art design is quite stylish at times. The musical score is well done, yet tends to be a bit loud. Film length is reasonable for young tykes, with a good mix of humor and minimal violence. I would recommend this movie to all parents.
A Truly Beautiful Film!I was worried when I saw that the animation was Rankin/Bass, but in the end I found it to be a visual confection.
Some of the characters do look a little cheesy, but most of the time the animation dazzled me. In particular Mommy Fortuna's tree stump hat is very cool, forestscapes are ethereal, and I love Molly's BIG brown eyes.
My favorite scene is the meeting of Molly and the Unicorn...The woman is angered that the Unicorn came to her at a low point in her life rather than when she was "new and innocent." After that schpiel Molly embraces her and whispers, "I forgive you."
To my mind, this is one of those works like The Little Prince or The Mouse and His Child that is meant for chidren but is sincere enough to captivate adults as well. Well done.


What I never noticed before...
Worth seeing for Brando's performance.The screenplay of On the Waterfront by Budd Schulberg, based on his previously published story, strains our credulity. As the film opens Terry Malloy calls to his friend Joey Doyle to meet him on the roof to give back a pidgeon which has gone astray. Doyle, an informer, is thrown fron the roof to his death by thugs acting for Johnny Friendly, played well, given the constraints of the screenplay, by Lee J. Cobb. Terry later confesses to Doyle's sister, in an academy award winning performance by Eva Marie Saint, that he knew nothing of the plan to murder Joey. Terry's guilt over his complicity in Doyle's murder prompts him to testify against Johnny Friendly and the union gang.
Only Johnny Friendly and his gang behave consistently in this film. The federal agents, police, longshoremen, and the parish priest, played by Karl Malden, all seem confused about what action to take to break the hold of the union gang over the longshoremen. Additionally, no one seems prepared for the violence unleashed by the gang against informers.
Elia Kazan directed On the Waterfront and some reviewers have suggested that the film is self-serving; that is, Kazan, an informer himself during the McCarthy era, attempts to justify his cowardly behavior by likening his actions to Malloy's informing on the mob that he once belonged to. To compare Kazan with a dim witted ex-fighter seems absurd to me. If this was Kazan's intent, he fails miserably.
If the story of On the Waterfront seems far fetched at times, then why give it a five star rating? Again, Brando's performance, for which he was justly given an academy award, seems to me to be a defining moment in American film. Brando sets a benchmark for actors that is high and secure. He is truly a great actor and this film demontrates his power and versatility.
Brando Invictus
Marlon Brando, the greatest American actor, plays a plain, down beaten boxer, almost innocent, who slowly realises the extend of his abuse by the people he considers his friends, a criminal gang that has been abusing a dock-workers' Union as a cover for its money and power amassing activities. The gang is led by a "self made" ruthless murderer who has already "eliminated" several workers, suspected to "pigeon"( testify) in the criminal proceedings, pending against him, in a Court of justice.
Our hero is faced with a series of moral dilemmas, which he would have rather avoided, but eventually he comes to take the big decision to stand up against these powerful enemies and fight for his fellow workers, his friends and relatives --and defend his humanity.
Love for the sister of a friend, to whose death he unwittingly becomes instrumental, puts our hero in conflict with his actions. This strong love becomes a humanising factor, a compass in the maize of contradictions of attachments and loyalties in his life.
Out of this social jungle, there also emerges a priest, as true shepherd, who tries to uphold the word of worth he preaches to his demoralised and dispersed flock, with his personal guidance and involvement against that evil, mainly their fear and isolation...
Our hero goes through a process of self realisation and consciousness, and, as he is a true fighter, he challenges his enemy, beats him and is beaten by his; but the people like him see and take courage from his actions, and the carton-paper tiger of an omnipotent and unshakable criminal order of social arrangements at "the Waterfront" is exposed in the real light, for what it is, and collapses. There is a memorable sequence of tragic height, of the corrupt "Union leader" trying, yet again, to hang on power by his threatening tactics, but the people go past him, in peace. The people are free.
So, was it all so easy, to disarrange all this gangster brutality, inhumanity and injustice that terrorised and mesmerised a whole community at "the waterfront", the brutality, inhumanity and injustice that tantalises still, more than ever, our own privy world and humanity, in an age that we are aggressively deluged with all sorts of demoralising news about our humanity's crucifixions, around the globe? Kazan's answer is a great affirmation: Human liberation is possible, as in the story of the film, which is a true story.
There is a positive moral, a reinforcement of belief in the great myth of human progress; and in the Fifties this optimism was a tradition in the American cinema. But the great contribution of this classic American film, is the realism with which this is rendered: The realism of the waterfront, of the chorus of people around the protagonists, and of the hero himself; an artistic challenge set by the genius of Kazan and so happily matched by the genius of Marlon Brando.
Marlon Brando conveys the ethos of a plain man, who is content to keep the place he was allowed, unquestioningly. His self-abandonment evolves through the conflicts between the people he loves, in a crescendo, until he is confronted with his brother pointing a shotgun at him. We follow his agonising spiritual development; as he is forced to make judgments of right and wrong, and choose his stance, to testify for the crimes, take sides and find the courage to stand up for his choice, finally fight for his humanity and for his freedom to work. Alone at the turn point, he has to carry the weight of his choice all by himself, as his testimony against his criminal "friends" is regarded by his peers as unacceptable collaboration with an extra communal authority; but we feel satisfaction as we see the tide of sympathy turn his way, as the dockland community gathers courage and dignity by his courage, to fight against the tyranny of gangsters. As long as people love freedom, we will be always glad to hear this kind of news!
Brando's face in this film is a box- fighter's disfigured face, but no disfigurement can shadow the light of human kindness that shines through, as the invincible Helios. It is a good thing that there was a camera around to memorise this, and we can see it. This actor has achieved the ethos of this role as naturally as if it were his own self.
A mythical film, with exemplary interpretations by very talented actors. It is vitally uplifting for the viewer, too-- and I am sorry to have to underline this, as these days this quality is a rarity in the industry...


Great Movie! Everyone should see!
Hillarious and more complex than the game!This movie is full of suspense, adventure, and laughter making it a must see! And the best part is you can try to solve the mystery on your own through the movie if you so desire!
Comedy + Mystery = Brilliant!

Great Movie! Everyone should see!
Hillarious and more complex than the game!This movie is full of suspense, adventure, and laughter making it a must see! And the best part is you can try to solve the mystery on your own through the movie if you so desire!
Comedy + Mystery = Brilliant!

The Urban CleanserAt least in the larger U.S. cities 30 years ago, residents had become totally fed up with traditional law enforcement initiatives. It was no longer safe to walk the streets at night. Even more dangerous to do so in public parks. Homes were robbed while people worked during the day. Many of the same homes were robbed again later after insurance coverage replaced the articles previously stolen. Racial animosities, drug abuse, and a widespread contempt for institutional authority all contributed to such problems.
Under Don Siegel's crisp direction, Eastwood and his associates in the cast bring R.M. Fink's screenplay to life (and yes, to death) as they focus on what is obviously an irreconcilable conflict between Callahan and his superiors who include the mayor of San Francisco. Callahan's motto seems to be "Whatever it takes." In some situations, it may take his 44 Magnum, "the most powerful handgun in the world." Callahan has not totally lost faith in his society nor in the importance of the legal system. However, he does feel betrayed. The mayor and even Lieutenant Bressler (Harry Guardino) just don't "get it." This is precisely the same point Jim Malone (Sean Connery) makes to Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) in The Untouchables 26 years later: When orthodox ("by the book") crime-fighting strategies and tactics don't succeed, use others even if they are not (at least technically) legal. Countless other films (such as Magnum Force, The French Connection, and L.A. Confidential) also make the same point.
It is important to remember when seeing this film again, as I did recently, that it portrays elements of an urban society few of us ever experience. Also, that it is a drama, not a documentary. Its primary purpose is to tell a story. The plot focuses on a serial killer named "Scorpio" (Andy Robinson) whom Callahan is determined to eliminate. Even when he eventually does so, questions remain. Don't criminals also have rights? What would happen if all or most other detectives followed Callahan's example? To what extent (if any) should private citizens also be actively involved in law enforcement? I agree with several critics who claim that, with Dirty Harry, Siegel and Eastwood created a new film genre. Its influence proved to be substantial. Each viewer must decide for herself or himself how much social relevance it has retained after 32 years but almost everyone would agree that it has lost little of its entertainment value.
Ya gotta love itAnd Clint Eastwood was made for this part - or perhaps the part was made for Eastwood. He's so god at portraying a character to whom the end justifies the means - any means at all. If you haven't already seen it, rent it now. If you've already seen it, see it again. It's just as good second - or third - time around.
It'll blow you awayThe story is that a roof top sniper is killing the citizens of San Francisco. He is a cold, vicious murderer who wants a huge ransom to stop. Harry Callahan is the cop assigned to the case. Harry is a loner, he's the type to shoot first (with his massive, now infamous, Smith and Wesson .44 Magnum) and ask questions later. At first he goes along with police procedure, until the killer starts a new MO. When Harry tries to arrest him, he violate some of the killer's civil rights, and then is released. Harry begins stalking him as the killer is now trolling for new victoms.
This movie is not a mystery, it is more about social issues. Some people say the movie is dated. Maybe, maybe not. I think that rights of the accused are still highly sensitive issue today. Dirty Harry just did what any one of us in those extraordinary circumstances would have done.
On top everything it is an excellent action thriller. The pace is tight and it is just great to see someone just doing what's right, not nessesarily what's leagle.