2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)

Maybe it is time to look at yet another classic. Based on the book The Sentinel by renowned science fiction author, Arthur C. Clark, and directed by the late great Stanley Kubrick, this masterpiece is generally regarded as one of the most ground breaking feature films ever. With virtually an unknown cast, it won numerous awards including an Oscar for Best Special Effects.

Although the story revolves around a journey into space after the discovery of a mysterious alien object buried under the surface of our moon, it is so much more. It is a philosophical exploration into what humanity really is and what it is that makes us different (or not) from anything else in the universe. Therefor, do not expect the type of action we became used to expect from sci-fi movies in the years that followed. However, many a movie maker of this genre since admitted that they took some hints from this movie to use in their own.

It will therefor not appeal to all tastes but every serious movie buff will agree that this is truly a masterpiece to behold. So be warned: if you are looking for lots of action and space battles, rather stick to Star Wars and PC games. But if you are looking for something to contemplate or ponder about, this is for you. Unfortunately, I prefer space battles and that is why I gave it only 3 out of 5 stars. I am sure it deserves more...

Trailer link:   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHjIqQBsPjk

 The late great Stanley Kubrick busy shooting a scene

FOREVER YOUNG (1992)

Combining romance with a bit of sci-fi and just a smidgen of comedy, this film pushes all the right buttons to make it a real little gem of a movie.

The year is 1939. After suffering the tragic loss of the love of his life, a devastated Daniel McCormick (Mel Gibson) volunteers to be cryogenically frozen for a top secret experiment. Over 50 years later he is accidentally awaken by 10 year old Nat Cooper (Elijah Wood) and his friend while playing in an old army warehouse. What follows then is not quite your usual love story. It even has a very interesting twist in the tail...

Besides for Gibson and young Wood, the rest of the cast includes well known names like Jamie Lee Curtis (probably best known for her roll in A Fish Called Wanda) as the mom and George Wendt (of Cheers fame) as Daniel's best friend. The acting therefor is superb. Recommended as wholesome viewing for the entire family, I rated this DVD a very good 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWPsNthP_1w

 

 Mel Gibson and Elijah Wood 

THE RAINBOW TRIBE (2011)

Summer Camp is an institution a American as apple pie and Dixie. Over the years we saw it depicted in movies many times and in many ways. And to a certain extent this is just another version but with a twist...

Morgan Roberts (David James Elliott from JAG fame) just learned that the cancer he thought was gone, is back. To try and deal with what seems to be the inevitable, he joins his childhood best friend who is running a summer camp. As one of the camp counselors he is then allocated a bunch of misfits but together they learn what is really important in life. In the end they all leave an indelible imprint on each other.

Like I mentioned in the beginning: not your usual overly sentimental or slapstick fodder. (It does contain the obligatory food fight scene though.) This one is recommended not only for kids as there is ample food for thought for us grown-ups as well. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqLhPNKiMzo

Pillow fight! 

THE OUTSIDERS (1983)

Speaking of cult classics, the question needs to be asked why this film didn't reach that status. It contains all the elements: story based upon a popular teen novel; directed by one of the industry's greats (Francis Ford Coppola); a cast made up of veritable the who's who of 80's young Hollywood. I mean, just look at it: C Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise and Leif Garrett! What more could one ask for? Yet, the critics hated it and, by the looks of the box office earnings, so did the movie going public...

Set against a 50's background, it's all about the age old struggle between society's rich and poor; the have's and have-not's; those born into privilege and those from the the wrong side of the tracks. One of the criticisms leveled against this movie was the mood created by the music score and cinematography. As far as latter is concerned, I cannot agree. That is exactly what gives this movie it's particular ambiance. The classical music score, however, does not fit. But apparently it was replaced by a more rock-and-roll orientated score of the era in the revised 2005 version.

The only other criticism I have is that the acting, by times, seems to be a bit forced. On the other hand, though, maybe this makes it more typical of the actual 1950' movies. All in all, I enjoyed it very much and awarded it 4 out of 5 stars. 

Trailer link: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4pFHmSuHRQ

 The famous fight scene from the movie...

TRAINSPOTTING (1996)

Although not quite the same smash box-office hit in the US as it was in the UK, this film nevertheless became an instant cult classic. Unfortunately for it, it came out the year America saw one of its most intense presidential election battles ever with the war on drugs high on everybody's agenda. That is why most critics in the USA felt this movie glorified drug abuse.

However, the true message conveyed, is just the opposite. It shows the dark side of the illegal drug world as seen through the eyes of a junky, Mark Renton (absolutely brilliantly portrayed by Ewan McGregor) and his struggles to break free from the habit. In the end, I believe, it actually sends a strong message of hope to all trapped users that getting clean is indeed possible if you are prepared to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

This is definitely not a movie for all tastes, especially for the squeamish. But if you are into serious film collecting this DVD is a must; it is still readily available. Due to the graphic content, which I found a bit off-putting, I can only award it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LuxOYIpu-I

Ewen Bremner, Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor and Johnny Lee Miller