Point Blank

1967  NR  DRAMA  1h 32min

CAST— Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, Keenan Wynn, Carroll O’Connor, Lloyd Bochner, Michael Strong, John Vernon

MUSIC— Johnny Mandel  DIRECTOR— John Boorman  BASED ON— The Hunter (novel), by Donald E. Westlake

     There isn’t much to tell. A thief, double-crossed by his partner and his wife, is shot and left to die in the abandoned cells of Alcatraz. After recovering, he sets out for revenge and to claim the stolen money that was stolen from him, $93,000. Along his merry way he makes plenty of enemies, of course. Strangely, after killing those who want him dead, they seem reluctant to pay up. Shot with San Francisco as a backdrop, the film moves along as smooth as sandpaper, leaving the viewer with an unpleasant aftertaste. Lee Marvin is in fine form, but this murky film fails to deliver any impact whatsoever. This was later remade with Mel Gibson. That was a stinker, too. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.

OUR RATING— * ½

REMADE AS— Payback (1999)

     Pocahontas

1995  G  ANIMATED  1h 22min

CAST— Irene Beddard, Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson, David Ogden Stiers, John Kassir, Russell Means, Christian Bale, Linda Hunt, Billy Connelly, Frank Welker, Michelle St. John, James Apaumut Fall

MUSIC— Alan Menken  DIRECTORS— Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg

     Walt Disney Pictures brings to life another legendary romance, that of Pocahontas and John Smith. If only it were romantic (or interesting). Londoner John Smith sets sail for the New World with a crew of good hearted sailors led by a pompous windbag whose only ambition is to strike it rich on American soil. Upon arrival Smith is sent to scout for Indians and ordered to shoot to kill. Meanwhile, Native American Pocahontas, daughter of the chief, independent thinker, is watching from afar. She soon meets Smith and teaches him moral lessons that the kids are sure to miss. Beautiful animation is the highlight here; the big problem with the film is its many banal musical numbers, which seem to come every thirty seconds. See if you can count how many times they use the word “savages”. Oscar-winner for Best Score, Best Song (Colors of the Wind).

OUR RATING— **

FOLLOWED BY— Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)

     Please Stand By

2017  PG-13  COMEDY-DRAMA  1h 33min

CAST— Dakota Fanning, Toni Collette, Alice Eve

MUSIC— Heitor Pereira  DIRECTOR— Ben Lewin

     At times heartbreaking, but more often heartwarming, this drama showcases the tenacity and determination of true Trekkers. Meet Wendy, a diehard fan of all things Star Trek. From characters both leading and supporting to facts both trivial and essential, her knowledge of the Star Trek universe is absolute. Though she lives with autism she still manages to hold employment and live by the rules of her group home. She's also an imaginative and talented writer who's been working on a submission for a Star Trek script-writing contest, the grand prize being $100,000. But she'd better hurry; the deadline is fast approaching, and she's running out of time to mail her entry to Paramount Studios. To be honest, she doesn't want to win the contest only for the money. She also wants to prove to her older sister that she can stand on her own and accomplish her goals like anyone else. But when circumstances prevent her from mailing her script in a timely manner she decides to head to Los Angeles on her own, without permission from anyone. She'll prove she can be her own woman. Thus begins a daunting and dangerous road trip of hundreds of miles, facing strangers of varying degrees of honesty, all in the name of the Enterprise. A film that features fine performances from a talented cast, Dakota Fanning a standout as Wendy. A film that, despite being rather low key and obviously not a blockbuster, still manages to present characters to root for. Can even be appreciated by those not enraptured by Star Trek.

OUR RATING— ***

     Plaza Suite

1971  PG  COMEDY  1h 54min

CAST— Walter Matthau, Maureen Stapleton, Barbara Harris, Lee Grant, Louise Sorel

MUSIC— Maurice Jarre  DIRECTOR— Arthur Hiller  BASED ON— Plaza Suite (play), by Neal Simon

     Interesting premise leaves much to be desired. Walter Matthau stars in this adaptation of the Neal Simon play as three different characters in three different vignettes involving suite 719 of New York’s Plaza Hotel. In our first story, a depressing little tale about middle age infidelity, Maureen Stapleton receives the comedic spotlight as Matthau’s long-suffering wife. The second story involves a manipulative Hollywood producer inviting a former sweetheart to his suite for a drink, and expecting a bit more than a “thank you” in return. The third tale offers a bit more for your money. After planning (not to mention paying for) an extravagant wedding, the father-of-the-bride-to-be discovers that his daughter has locked herself in the bathroom of suite 719 just before the ceremony. So begins the arduous misadventure of coercing her out before the guests get too antsy. Matthau’s performances are fine, but the film just fails to take off. For Neal Simon freaks only.

OUR RATING— * ½

     Plan 9 from Outer Space

1959  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 20min

CAST— Gregory Walcott, Tom Keene, Duke Moore, Mona McKinnon, Dudley Manlove, Joanna Lee, Tor Johnson, Lyle Talbot, Bela Lugosi, Vampira, Criswell

MUSIC— Frank Worth  DIRECTOR— Edward D. Wood, Jr.

     What a piece of work. The master of schlock, Edward D. Wood, Jr., serves up the film that made him a legend, and it’s a doozey. Very human extraterrestrials (from outer space) land on Earth and for reasons unknown begin to raise the dead. These creeping corpses become a nuisance to the police and two other people and the aliens are found to be the culprits. The first half hour is the best simply for its unintentional funny, but it all ranks as B-movie supreme. Some argue that Plan 9 is the worst of the worst, the most horrible film ever conceived. You be the judge, if you dare.

OUR RATING— *

     Planet of the Apes

2001  PG-13  SCIENCE FICTION  2h

CAST— Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clark Duncan, Kris Kristofferson, Estella Warren, Paul Giamatti

MUSIC— Danny Elfman  DIRECTOR— Tim Burton  BASED ON— Planet of the Apes (novel), by Pierre Boulle

     What is it about remakes? They can be big at the box office and can even be as good (or better) than the original. Well, remember Psycho, the 1998 version? It was almost a scene by scene recreation of the 1960 original, minus the direction of Alfred Hitchcock, of course. But then again, consider The Fly (1986). It was almost a completely new movie, with few similarities to the 1958 original. Tim Burton here takes the middle ground. He tries to give a new generation a new vision (“re-imagining”) of the classic sci-fi movie Planet of the Apes (1968). People raised such a fuss over little things that weren’t “right” (okay, we all do that), that they didn’t see that this version is actually quite good. Mark Wahlberg plays Air Force Captain Leo Davidson, who crash lands on a primitive planet run by intelligent, talking apes, and has to escape being turned into a slave. The premise is basically the same as the original, but is delivered with such an impact that little flaws seem to just pass by as of little consequence. It doesn’t have the best acting ever put on screen, but it does have good effects, and the terrific make up makes the original’s look like the face putty that it is. We also don’t have Charlton Heston’s zealous overacting (“Madhouse! A MAADHOUSE!!”), but instead get Wahlberg’s blank, unemotional deadpan. Take your pick, but don’t forget about this one.

OUR RATING— ***

ORIGINAL— Planet of the Apes (1968)

     Planet of the Apes

1968  G  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 52min

CAST— Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly, Linda Harrison

MUSIC— Jerry Goldsmith  DIRECTOR— Franklin J. Schaffner  BASED ON— Planet of the Apes (novel), by Pierre Boulle

     Classic science-fictionalized morality tale on man’s inner barbarism. Space explorer Charlton Heston crash lands on a mysterious planet ruled by apes. But not just any apes; these suckers are as close to man as you can get. They speak, they have organized civilizations; but most disturbing of all is the fact that they use humans as slaves. Heston is captured by the apes, but catches a break when he is held under observation by a sympathetic scientist and her fiancée. But when a defender of ape law catches wind of their dealings with this human he begins a campaign to remove all traces of advanced human culture. A fascinating glimpse into the lives of a well developed fictitious culture, complete with laws and religion. The final shot makes the subliminal message clear: is man fit to rule the planet? All seriousness aside the film can be fun escapism, as well. We’ll even forgive Heston for his overacting. But just this once. A note to parents: though given a G-rating the film contains nudity and coarse language. Later developed into two television series. Winner of an honorary Oscar for Outstanding Makeup Achievement. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.

OUR RATING— ***

FOLLOWED BY— Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)

REMADE AS— Planet of the Apes (2001)