THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1973)

Featuring: Oliver Reed; Richard Chamberlain; Michael York; Frank Finly

Director: Richard Lester

Time for a few more golden oldies. Over the years there were numerous film versions made of this classic Alexandre Dumas novel; at least ten according to imdb.com. But of all these, for many, this British adaptation stands out from the rest.

It tells the familiar story of the secret love affair between the queen of France and the Duke of Buckingham; of the scheming Cardinal Richelieu, bent on exposing her infidelities to her husband, the king and of the gallant endeavor by young D'Artagnan, aided by his three musketeer friends Arthos, Porthos and Aramis to save her honor.

What makes this edition of this story so special is its ability to transfer the tongue-in-the-cheek humor of the book to the big screen. From the almost comical swash-buckling confrontations between the musketeers and the Cardinal's guards to the amusing romantic shenanigans by all and sundry, one tends to sit with a big grin on one's face throughout the movie. And then, of cause, there is the all star cast that seems to pull it all off so effortlessly. Well worth watching, I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT9zRqv-2s0

 

 Oliver Reed, Michael York, Richard Chamberlain and Frank Finly

Next time we'll take a look at the sequel: The Four Musketeers  

ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)

Featuring: Billy Crudup; Kate Hudson; Patrick Fugit

Director: Cameron Crowe

This movie is a not so serious look at the world of rock-and-roll and drugs and sex in the 1970's. Based on his own early life experiences, writer/director Cameron Crowe attempts to give us a glimpse into what went on behind the scenes with rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Aerosmith on their road to fame.

William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is a fifteen year old aspiring rock journalist. A chance meeting with up-and-coming band 'Stillwater' (not to be confused with the actual band of the time by that name) leads to him writing an article about the band for Cream Magazine. Somehow Rolling Stone Magazine gets hold of the article and hires him on the spot to go on tour with the band in order to do a more in depth piece for them. However, they have no idea of his true age. What follows is a touching, sometimes hilarious, coming of age story full worthy of the Best Screenplay Oscar the film earned for Crowe.

Highly recommended, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iyp0qcf7-w

 The cast

   

BLADE RUNNER (1982)

Featuring: Harrison Ford; Rutger Hauer; Sean Young

Director: Ridley Scott 

Loosely based on the book "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick this movie quickly gained cult status. This is not so much due to the message it purports to convey but more because of its outrageous view of the future: a world completely engulfed by consumerism. 

It is the year 2019. Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is a retired blade runner, a cop tasked with catching and terminating rogue replicants. Now these are human-like androids specifically manufactured to mine resources on nearby planets. So when four of them escape, return to earth and go on a crime spree, our hero is called out of retirement in order locate and 'retire' (read: kill) them.

Like I mentioned before: not much of a story but spectacular special effects (for the time, that is). Consequently it was nominated for and indeed also won numerous technical awards. But it is a dark movie and to maintain the somber mood the haunting score of electronic music icon, Vangelis, is used most effectively. Not for all tastes but again, due to its ground breaking status, a must for any serious DVD collection. However, from a personal point of view I rate it only 2 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eogpIG53Cis

 Some scenes from the movie...

ROOM (2015)

Featuring: Brie Larson; Jacob Tremblay; William M Macy

Director: Lenny Abrahamson

This movie won numerous awards, including an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Roll for Brie Larson. But what is truly remarkable is the outstanding performance by nine year old Jacob Tremblay. No wonder he won the Critic's Choice Award for Best Young Actor.

Since birth, Jack's world existed entirely out of 'Room'. His only reality was the things he could see within the confines of 'Room'. And then of cause there was also Ma and occasionally Old Nick. Everything else was "on TV". But shortly after he turns five, the world as he knew it is shattered and he has to come to grips with the real world which exists out side of 'Room'.

Based on the best-selling novel by Emma Donoghue, the movie starts out very claustrophobic but gradually opens up just as the world begins to open up for Jack. For about half the length of the film it is only Jack and Ma. However, the performance by the two lead actors is so believable that the experience feels almost voyeuristic. This is excellent viewing which I highly recommend. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_Ci-pAL4eE

 Brie Larson accepting her Oscar...

... and Jacob Tremblay accepting his Critic's Choice Award