Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by RGA (A) on December 16, 2006 at 00:32:55

In Reply to: A list is what you want? OK. But B.O. ios hardly a measure of artistic merit posted by Analog Scott on December 13, 2006 at 11:36:40:

I have given Casino Royale 4/5 stars.

To see the rest of your list you have indeed provided some that are better and some that are vastly overrated and even more supposedly idiotic than Casino Royale. Some I'm leaving off because they are not truly in the same classification - CTHD is a better film but hardly in the same genre.

1. Terminator ****1/2 (This is actually one of the best films of the 1980s for me and not because of the action adventure - I happened to think it was one of the most effective romance films of the decade and a lot done on a little money.)

2. Terminator II **** (Most like it better than the original I do not but I have it higher than Casino Royale). This film has convenient timing as well - the directors cut fixed up some of the mistakes and I would add 1.2 star to the director's cut version.

3. Aliens (****1/2 though CR is better than Alien) - Alien was more of a slasher flick in space while Aliens is the better film in terms of holding up over the years.

4. The Blues brothers (** never understood the appeal from this flick)

5. The seven samarai (***** Should not really be on the list as the films are wolrds apart -- but it's a great movie - one of the 100 best on my list)

6. Raiders of the lost ark (***** The best action adventure film of all time - One of the best films of all time - still holds up extemely well).

10. Enter the dragon (huh? - This may be hailed as the great martial arts film -- but that's like saying the Big Mac is the best fast food burger - like who cares? - Unwatchable trash and Kill Bill may be inspired by it but Quentin knows how to direct)

12 star wars 9the original) Cowboys and Indians in space (****) That is essentially the depth of the plot. It should not really be considered action adventure - though Science fiction/Fantasy is a reach - still it is closer to sci-fi/fantasy than action adventure. Empire Strikes Back (*****) is better than both! I enjoy Star Wars for the tongue in cheek nature and because it sets up the better Empire Strikes Back. The Return of the Jedi however was a weak "let's sell Ewoks to the kids" money grab and the series should have died there and then. Episode I was the first film in a decade that I shut off half way through - it was insufferably bad with Jar Jar possibly as annoying as Michael Jackson on helium (which is redundant).

13 The matrix (***) This is perhaps the most overrated film I've seen and while good it is a total rippoff of a 1974 Doctor Who episode right down to the Matrix itself. Indeed that same Doctor Who episode has the lines "Resistance is Futile" so it's no wonder where the American creators get all their supposed "orginal" ideas from. Add in the wooden acting and zero character development in the matrix and the only reason it musters *** from me is that at least it is visually impressive. The rather boring obviouness of the exercise means it can only be sat through one time -- and it was not good enough for me to sit through the sequels. Keanu Reeves hinders he film as well with his one note wooden performances.

14 Kill Bill I (Kill Bill Vol II was better) as a Set I prefer it to Casino Royale - but this is a preposterous duo of films with preposterous situations, action sequences, story line and even the premise. I loved it though (****1/2) for the 2.

16 Die Hard (**1/2) Yes those Cops sure do have Marine James Bond calibur training. The idiots on the ground are some of the most incompetantly handled people in film history. (Paul Gleeson's character is completely unbelievable and serves no other purpose than to fill time badly.) Nobody this dumb could be a deputy police chief. Great action - good villain - better than the horrendously awful second picture.