Scouting Movie Reviews

I really can't think of any other non-english film I like better than this one. I suppose "Ran" and "Crouching Tiger" are more skillfull, but this is the one I keep shoving back into the VCR over and over again. It's just extraordinary and one to own.

Quite simply the best movie produced by Italy in the post-Fellini/Antonioni era. (And never mind *Cinema Paradiso*, the movie of choice for those who drink cappuccinos after lunch.) *The Night of the Shooting Stars*, written and directed by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, is a semi-autobiographical account of World War II shuddering to a close in the Tuscan countryside. The movie begins with the disembodied voice of a young woman, who proceeds to relate her childhood memories of war to her own child. We hear this as the camera stays glued on a static shot of an open window looking out into the dreamy blue evening. A typically fairy-tale-like Italian village is visible. This sets the stage for the impressionistic narrative that follows. Everything seems exaggerated in this movie, which is to be expected when the incidents are viewed primarily (though not exclusively) through the eyes of an impressionable six-year-old girl. The plot is simple: "San Martino (based on the real town of San Miniato between Pisa and Florence) is earmarked for destruction by the Germans. The villagers must decide whether to stay or leave. Rumors abound that the Americans are in the vicinity -- will they reach San Martino first? Or should the villagers hit the dusty roads in the countryside and find the Americans before their town is destroyed? About half stay, and half go: we follow the half that goes. There are dozens of characters who embark on the journey, so not much time can be expended on characterization. But the Tavianis cast actors of such unique physiognomy that we feel we know them at a glance. Quite often, they're presented as heroic archetypes. The camera seems to glow around the young couple freshly married with a child on the way; it closes in on the village priest so that we can see every pore of guilty conscience in his face. Larger-than-life gestures help carry the characterization along. But it's the set-pieces that astonish with their comic and/or dramatic intensity and their hyper-realism. There's a marvelous bit when the girl, watching a small-scale battle that has erupted around her, associates the combatants with the heroes from Homer that her grandfather used to tell tales about. In fact, there are so many marvelous bits that to describe more of them will ruin the movie for you, but I can't end this review without mentioning the brilliant scene involving skirmishes in a wheat field between our villagers and the local contingent of hold-out Fascists. This, more than almost any sequence in cinema, captures the horror, pity, and sadness of war, and what it can do to a community. (The San Martinians and the Fascists mostly know each other, calling out behind the rows of wheat, "I know you -- you're Carlo from Pistoia, Alfredo's cousin!" It's like the Italian version of the American Civil War.) Finally, the movie serves to remind Americans just how much we meant to other peoples on the earth, and how much they loved us. This is bittersweet for us; perhaps educational for today's crop of young Italians who almost uniformly have "PACE" flags hanging out their windows these days. Anyway, *The Night of the Shooting Stars* is a must-own masterwork, without flaw. Highest recommendation.

I saw this movie in the theater when it was first released. It was a wonderful story with suspense, tenderness, betrayal, misconceptions. It seemed to be a straightforward wartime movie, but took off in unconventional ways. Movies like this stay with me a long, long time. I have aged considerably since first seeing Night of the Shooting Stars. When I was 20 years younger, I loved the humanity of the elderly couple. Now I'm pushing up in years, and I still love the handling of that story line!

Every aspect covered by this film is different from the way the real world works. This includes the totally false technology, business leaders with poor judgment, government officials that give people's personal data to telephone callers, a medical student with the intelligence of a 12 year old, and the way the tax system works. The only realistic part was the few minutes of Phyllis Logan being a competent woman business executive. In her case this probably was not acting, as she is a pretty competent woman to start with. Her part is the only reason my copy has not found its way to the trashcan. There is a reason why new copies are under $...and used ones around $....

This is a very funny movie. I was captured by the first scam sequence. The cast do a very good job and the chemistry between
Dan Futterman and Stuart Townsend is wonderful. The characters are fresh and original and my daughter and I laughed all the way through it. This is a clean movie with only a few curse words. Dan Futterman is gorgeous and Stuart Townsend even though playing a shy electronics nerd is irresistable as usual. A must see for any fan of one of these two men.

I've seen worse, and I've seen better.

this is a pretty good music DVD. if you are a big fan of the rock group Shooting Star, then this video is for you! you probably should buy it today. if you like classic rock music and radio, then maybe you can rent this DVD somewhere, or borrow it from a friend [...]

This is a very good dvd the band sounds great and the show was shot very good to any one that likes the music of Kansas and Bad Co would more than likely like this dvd a very underrated band !

"Shooting Stars of Today" showcases many of today's wrestling stars during their rookie years. This DVD is actually part of the 8-disc "Classic Superstars of Wrestling" DVD set which was put out by Delta Entertainment.

All of the matches were pulled from the archives of the old WCCW, USWA and GWF promotions of the late 80s/early 90s. In addition to seeing some of today's stars as rookies we're also treated to seeing many of the stars of yesterday that are no longer active. The result is a mixed bag of matches featuring some awesome matches and some decent matches.

The video and audio quality varies throughout the tape but the overall presentation by Delta is well done as each match is preceded by an intro by show host Brian Webster. As an added bonus, the program also features a present-day interview with the legendary Harley Race.

THE MATCHES and CONTENTS

1.Harley Race interview where he gives his opinion on Dustin Rhodes

2.Dustin Rhodes vs. "Gorgeous" Gary Young (w/ Skandor Akbar) in a Texas Bull-Rope match: From the USWA. Rhodes is of course the son of "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and went on to fame in the WCW under his own name and in the WWE as Golddust. Young was a star in Tennessee and Texas. Decent action. 2.5 stars

3.The Handsome Stranger vs. Steven Dane: From the GWF. "Handsome Stranger" was a rookie Marcus "Buff" Bagwell of WCW fame. Decent mat wrestling sequences in this one. (What happened to you Buff???) 2.5 stars.

4.The Lightning Kid (champ) vs. Chaz for the GWF Light Heavyweight Title: Awesome cruiserweight action in this one. Lightning Kid of course was a rookie 123 Kid/Syxx/X-Pac. 3 stars.

5.Soultaker vs. The Avenger: From the GWF. Soultaker was a rookie Charles Wright who later went on to WWE fame as Papa Shango, Kama and the Godfather. Soultaker looks great in this match as he just demolishes The Avegner. 2 stars.

6."Mean" Mark Callous (w/ Downtown Bruno) vs. "Superstar" Bill Dundee. USWA Heavyweight Title Tournament Match. Callous of course went on to legendary status in the WWE as the Undertaker. Dundee was a top-level star in the Tennessee area. Bruno later on became Harvey Whippleman in the WWF. Match was short but you could see traces of what would become "Big Evil" here. 2 stars

7.Jeff Jarrett and Terry Gordy vs. Ron Starr and Tarrus Bulba (w/ Skandor Akbar): From the USWA. Before he was Double J in the WWF, or the Chosen One in WCW/NWA TNA, Jeff Jarrett was a babyface cruiserweight. The late Terry Gordy was a legend in the South as one of the Fabulous Freebirds and a legend in Japan. This is easily the best match on the DVD with awesome back and forth action and a hot crowd. Match was clipped at the end. 4 stars.

8.The Samoan Swat Team (Samu and Fatu) vs. The Missing Link and Jason Sterling. From the WCCW. Sons of the legendary Afa and Sika, the SST ran roughshod throughout the South and the NWA. They went on to become the Headshrinkers in the WWF. Fatu can be seen today as Rikishi in the WWE. The Missing Link was an independent legend during the 80s. Decent match showcasing the talents of all 4 men. 3 stars.

THE ANALYSIS:

Overall, not a bad deal here. While the match quality (along with video and audio quality) varies, you do get a nice mix of matches and sampling of the work done by the stars as rookies. While none of the matches are blow-away, most are at least worth a watch. Here's my breakdown of the matches.

Best: Jarrett/Gordy vs. Starr/Bulba, Kid vs. Chaz

Good: SST vs. Link/Sterling, Stranger vs. Dane, Taker vs. Avenger

Just Okay: Callous vs. Dundee, Rhodes vs. Young

THE VERDICT:

Overall, the DVD features a nice mixed bag of matches. What makes it great is seeing today's stars during their developmental years. For it's cheap price you actually get a good deal here as the DVD was put together fairly well. The lack of DVD features is made up for in a feature package consisting of 7 matches (6 worth watching) and 1 interview.

Not a bad deal.

Recommended

Not sure what to make of this film. It doesn't make a lot of sense.

Summary:
While Willett Gashade (Warren Oates) was gone for supplies for his mining operation (very small mining operation of only a couple of people in the middle of the desert) his brother and one of their friends got into some trouble in town. They both return to the camp but Willet's brother flees the camp and the friend is gunned down in the middle camp. Another friend, Coley Boyard (Will Hutchins), sees what happens, but it upsets him so much that he hides in the mine with his gun. When Willet finally returns he has to talk Coley out of the cave. Not long after he does, a woman (Millie Perkins), whose name we never find out, appears and hires Willet to guide her across the desert to a city. Willet agrees to go but only if Coley can come.

So they set out, with Coley as something of an errand boy and Willet as the rough and tumble tracker. What Willet and Coley don't realize is that the woman has already hired a gunmen that is riding behind them and trying to stay out of sight to kill the person they are tracking. Though they were told they were just helping the woman across the desert, they are actually tracking someone, and the woman wants that someone dead.

When Coley accidentally sends the wrong signal to the hired gun, Billy Spear (Jack Nicholson), Billy appears at their camp then joins the entourage. As they finally catch up to the person they are 'hunting', Billy kills Coley for trying to warn Willet that Billy is likely just going to kill them all in the end. When Billy passes out from the heat, Willet beats him up then crushes his gun hand with a rock, preventing him from being able to accomplish his mission.

While Willet and Billy are fighting, the woman chases the prey up a mountain side. Once Willet finishes with Billy he enters the chase and reaches the woman in time to ?

Sorry about the question mark there. The truth is, you aren't exactly sure what happens. You hear gun shots and it seems like the prey (whom I believe is Willet's brother), the woman, and Willet all die. But you can't be sure. The only person that looks to be alive when the movie ends is Billy.

My Comments:
I must admit, even though nothing is ever really happening, that the set up of the movie is good enough to make you want to keep watching it. You don't ever really know what is going on and you never actually find out, either. But, because we are human, we want to try to figure it out. So, we keep watching, hoping to pick up on some detail that will help the movie make sense. None are forthcoming.

The soundtrack reminds me of the original The Planet of the Apes, where the music just doesn't seem to fit the action, and there are long periods of time when you would think there should be music, but there isn't any. I guess, if the intent of the director was to give the impression that this story was taking place over an indeterminate period of time, he accomplished his goal. To the viewer, the movie seems to go on forever and it feels like they spend months out in the desert.

Overall, the movie kept my interest most of the time just because I wanted to figure out what was going on. It never made much sense, which I guess is okay. I definitely don't think this movie is for everyone. I didn't think it was too bad, but I didn't really love it either.

In the spring of 1965, Roger Corman, the king of profitable, low budget movies, helped produce (without credit) two amazing films that have achieved legendary cult status. Now, thanks to VCI Home Video, Monte Hellman's "THE SHOOTING" and "RIDE IN THE WHIRLWIND" are available on DVD in pristine, widescreen transfers. The films are subtly interconected.

Both films star a then unknown Jack Nicholson and super starlet Millie Perkins and were shot simultaneously on location in Utah for the modest amount of $150,000. Nicholson also wrote and co-produced "Ride in the Whirlwind" which is a straightforward tale of the making of a bad man and features sharp performances from Cameron Mitchell, the great Harry Dean Stanton, Rupert Crosse and Katherine Squire among others.

After accidentally happening on a group of outlaws, and getting caught in the crossfire by a sheriff and his posse, Wes (Jack Nicholson) is mistaken for one of the gang and escapes. But, in order to defend himself during his flight, has to start killing. By the end of the film he has become a legendary and mythic figure. Quentin Tarantino, a big fan of Hellman, has called this "one of the greatest films ever made."

In the "The Shooting," former bounty hunter turned miner Gashade (Warren Oates) returns to his diggings to find one of his partners, Leland, dead, his brother Coigne gone, and his third partner, Coley (Will Hutchins) holed-up in a nearby cave. Soon, a mysterious woman (Millie Perkins) materializes out of nowhere and offers Gashade a huge sum of money to guide her on a journey he soon realizes is a manhunt.

The quirky screenplay is by Adrien Joyce, the odd pen-name of the brilliant screenwriter Carole Eastman who wrote the acclaimed "Five Easy Pieces" which also stars Nicholson.

What "The Shooting" is actually about is anybody's guess. It has been called an existential western, or anti western. The super low-budget enforced a minimalist, almost surrealistic style that is terrific and timeless. The stark outdoor locations add immensely to the mood and of this this strange, enigmatic story that seems to reflect mid 60's paranoia and disillusionment.

Since their initial release, both films, though seldom seen, have become critical favorites, and have attained cult film status here and in Europe. Both discs include an entertaining and revealing commentary by director Monte Hellman and actor Millie Perkins with additional informed commentary by American Cinematheque programmer Dennis Bartok.

THE SHOOTING (1966): Willet Gashade (Warren Oates) and his dimwitted friend Coley (Will Hutchins) are in a state of growing paranoia after their partner is inexplicably shot to death by an unseen assassin at their small mining camp. The murder may have been in retaliation for the accidental trampling death of "a little person" in town, ostensibly by Gashade's brother, who had left camp in a great hurry immediately prior to the shooting. The next morning, while the two remain confused and suspicious over this disturbing mystery, a strange young woman (Millie Perkins) shoots her horse to death outside of the camp and then offers Gashade a thousand dollars to lead her to a place called Kingsley. He accepts even though he makes no attempt to hide his distrust. Intrigued by The Woman, Coley offers to tag along. On their journey, the trio are tracked at a distance by a black clad stranger, Billy Spear (Jack Nicholson). Meanwhile, The Woman laughingly toys with Coley's emotions and refuses to answer any of Gashade's questions. Spear eventually joins them and proves to be a most despicable companion. Hostile and abusive in the extreme, Spear is a gunslinger cohort of The Woman, who is herself quickly revealed to be every bit as wicked as Gashade had suspected from the beginning. Eventually, the strange journey ends in bloody disarray at the foot of a rock-strewn mountain, where Gashade comes face to face with the answer to the mystery, at great cost.

One of the most celebrated of all cult movies, and deservedly so, THE SHOOTING is a truly great example of the once vital western form, a triumphant dying gasp for the genre. This compelling tale of weird vengeance is directed with icy cold brilliance by Monte Hellman. The perennially underrated Hellman works wonders on a lowbudget, with stunning cinematography (by Gregory Sandor) provoking a strong aura of the mysterious and uncanny even in the most realistically detailed scenes.

A small but terrific cast helps brings the occasionally mystical narrative to life. Warren Oates plays the world weary and wise Grashade with his usual gritty style, making him a suitable anti-hero for this dark tale. He's an excellent foe to Jack Nicholson's irredeemably evil Billy Spear, one of the most repulsively mean of all movie villains. As bad as he is, Nicholson is ultimately simply a well armed servant at the beck and call of The Woman, who is beautifully played by Millie Perkins for maximum hissability. Both Spear and The Woman engineer the destruction of Oates' foolish sidekick Coley, whose decency earns him an undeserved fate; Will Hutchins' charmingly sweet performance provides the film with its only moments of gentleness.

Richly ambiguous and by turns realistic and dreamlike, THE SHOOTING is a sporadically baffling but undeniably heady ride into the desert. The creepy ending makes this one of those rare movies that will compel you to immediately rewatch the whole thing from beginning to end, if only so you can try to satisfy your curiosity about what it just might REALLY be all about. Its THAT great of a movie.

The VCI DVD presents THE SHOOTING in a fine, modestly letterboxed transfer that captures the film in all its eerie widescreen glory. Since the film never received a theatrical release and has been shown only rarely on television, this is the first time most people will have ever had the chance to see this film in its intended aspect ratio. The only extra is a terrific and highly informative audio commentary from Hellman and Perkins, who vividly recall with candor and humor the filming of this ultra-cheap, high-class production.

After a long wait, the quality of this DVD is dissapointing, and not worth it at any price. Without the deep fall colors and contrasts of the original, "The Shooting Party's" minor flaws, its sentimentality and heavy symbolism, take over. The print look like a fifty year old Kodachrome slide--washed out, flat contrast and no shadow detail. And the sound is almost as bad.

That said, the secenes between James Mason as the estate owner, and John Guielgud as the animal rights activist, are priceless. But why should this print be worse than the one shown on television...?

The "Shooting Party focuses on the aristocrats and their country weekends which stretch into five days. The centerpiece of this particular weekend in the country is a shooting party which turns into a contest between two guests. There are the ladies who come to watch the slaughter of thousands of birds, the shooters, the "beaters" whose job it is to drive the poor birds to within range of the shooters, and the "re-loaders" who pass loaded guns to the shooters as soon as they empty the ones they are holding - Nothing should delay their killling spree. Then there are the other servants of the Lord of the Manor; the gamekeeper, and a fanatical bird-lover who attempts to disrupt the hunt. The film shows not only the leisured lifestyle of the rich and titled, but also their disregard for anyone not of their "class," All these characters are woven into a story of great insight and compassion as this group of aristocrats teeters on the brink of World War I. An excellent movie with fine performances from James Mason, Gordon Jackson, James Fox, and John Gielgud. Highly recommended.

A weekend shooting party in 1913 at the estate of Sir Randolph Nettleby (James Mason in his last worthwhile role) gives a glimpse of the social and personal interactions of a generation about to be changed forever by the Great War. A wonderful cast of name (Mason, John Gielgud, Edward Fox, Gordon Jackson) and no-name (Robert Hardy, Judi Bowker, Cheryl Campbell, Dorothy Tutin) actors play together and apart with sensitivity and quiet humor. Worth watching if only for the brief scene between Mason and Gielgud - the best scene ever filmed of two men discussing the merits of pamphlet printers.

OK, so it was a 6 or 7 bucks, and I wasn't expecting *great* things out of it, but I did expect to glean a tip or two about improving my skeet game. Instead, this was basically a way for 2 guys to get their names out there in the public eye as instructors. The entire movie was these two guys being interviewed in the background while video plays of an instructor and a kid shooting a round of skeet. No instruction, no real introduction to the sport. It's paying $ to see someone else shoot a round with no idea how they're doing, how they can improve, or how you can apply anything that you're seeing. Weak.