DisPlace - Movies

I began watching movies at a young age, probably as an extension of the escapism I exhibited with reading. The first nightmare I ever had was about the banshee in Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Kept me up for a week or two. In general, I don't like movie adaptations of books I have read, they seem lack something essential.

Anyway, I've always thought I should work in a video store, what with my vast viewing history. Since a video store could not pay me a sufficient salary to live on, I will content myself with offering the benefit of my experience for free to you, the browser. Enjoy :)

WARNING! This is not an official review site, if you disagree with any of my opinions, keep it to yourself. I have better things to do with my time than read email from someone debating the relative merits of a particlar film. However, if you agree with some or all of my opinions, please feel free to send me email praising those opinions you find worthy.

The Crow	I'm not quite sure when I first saw this movie, but I think it was when I was still in college. I saw it on the big screen at one of the old theaters in Danbury before they demolished it. The story really moved me, it touched something basic, something fundamental in me. Maybe its part of the modern day mythology describing how true love conquers all. This is one of the few films I have purchased on video tape. I also have a poster hanging in my bedroom - a talisman of sorts, I guess, to protect me .. from what I don't know. I didn't like the "sequel" anywhere near as much as the original. It seemed like an almost pointless, predictable rehash of the first story. It did nothing for me except provide some interesting scenery.
The Crow - Wade has done an excellent job on this site, great pics & sound bites!
Flatliners	Nifty exploration of the existence after the death of the body but before the death of the mind. Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, and Oliver Platt star. This movie reminded me of another classic in this genre: Dreamscape, starring Dennis Quaid.
Sleepers	Partially filmed in my hometown of Newtown, CT. I guess the filmmakers wanted to get the feel of a really dark, awful place, so they filmed the exterior of juvenile detention center at the old Fairfield Hills mental institute. Since the filming, the powers that be have seen fit to cut down and dismember many of the beautiful trees lining the drive seen in the film. This was in preparation to reroute traffic out of the center of the Fairfield Hills campus. That effort has since been completed. Anyway, that's what first attracted me to the movie, but I stayed with it because it turned out to be an excellent story, creatively filmed & presented.
Murder In The First	The trial that brought down Alcatraz "I accuse Alcatraz of crimes against humanity." - The lawyer "I was a weapon, but I ain't no killer." - The accused "I am not on trial here." - The warden One broke his silence. The other broke the system. Yet another Kevin Bacon movie, I never realized what a fan of his work I was until I started listing all of his movies I've enjoyed in the past. This discusses how the atrocities committed at Alcatraz came to the public light at the trial of Henri Young for the murder of another inmate at the prison. It's a hard watch, but the story is great (and based on real life).
Powder	Another very touching movie. The trials and tribulations of a small town boy discovered upon the death of his grandfather/caretaker. He has an extraordinary affinity for energy. Sean Patrick Flanery, Jeff Goldblum, Mary Steenburgen, and Lance Henrikson star.
Phenomenon	Reminds me of Powder a little. Small town farmer sees a flash of light following 30th (?) birthday party. After that, he has an amazing ability to learn, to suck up knowledge like a sponge. Of course, this newfound ability gets him in trouble with the government as the result of a practical joke. John Travolta, Kyra Sedgewick, Forest Whitaker, and Robert Duvall star.
Reservoir Dogs	One of Quentin Tarantino's first forays into popular moviemaking. It certainly exhibits most of QT's unique style. Memorable characters and memorable scenes make for a visually and thematically interesting film. I will always associate Stealer's Wheel, "Stuck in the Middle With You" with that scene in the warehouse with Michael Madsen and Tim Roth and the unfortunate cop.
WPLR Smith & Barber Pink Mix - Brian Smith put together this mix of Aerosmith's song Pink the scene in Reservoir Dogs when Steve Buscemi debates the relative merits of his name, Mr. Pink, and attempts to trade it for another name. Very funny!
Pulp Fiction	Vincent and Julius get medieval, need I say more? Excellent stories, well presented. Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Harvey Keitel
From Dusk Til Dawn	Quentin Tarantino stars with George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, and Juliette Lewis. Watch for Cheech Marin, in two, count them, two, roles. The guy from Desperado with the knives is also in this film - not sure what his name is... Anyway, I enjoyed this movie & would definitely see it again.
Twelve Monkeys	Directed by Terry Gilliam, starring Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt: Prison, time travel, environmental activism, what more could you ask for? Great story, sucked me in immediately & kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.
Monty Python and The Quest for the Holy Grail	Essential to the development of a decent sense of humor. If, upon repeated viewings of this film, you fail to laugh often and loudly you are doomed to a dull and humorless existence and an equally boring life after death.
Pythonline - Official The Spam Club - Official
Time Bandits	Another film directed by Terry Gilliam. Midgets, time travel, a young boy. Great story told with amazing visuals & that peculiar British sense of humor
Primal Fear	It's not often I see a movie to which I can't predict a good portion of the plot within the first 10 minutes of said movie. This flick kept me in suspense throughout, very dramatic, great watch.
Grease	The ultimate classic kitsch movie. This movie still brings back sentimental feelings for all the fun I had in high school. John Travolta and Olivia Newton John star. Based on the 50's Broadway musical. I still need to purchase a copy of this film, maybe someone will get it for me for Christmas. Also, the soundtrack is a must-have if you like the film.