Number Nine!

Welcome back folks! I know you are all waiting on pins and needles to find out what my number nine so let’s get right to it. Again please a drum roll … number nine is … Glory, starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. Glory is directed by Edward Zwick. This film is rated R, for brutal war violence and some language.

STORY

The setting is set during the civil war. Capt. Robert G. Shaw is the son of a wealthy family from the North, who is asked to become the Colonel of the 54^th Massachusetts which is an all black regiment. This is the first all black regiment in the Civil War. While this is a great honor it is also frowned upon by many of his friends and family. Racism was rampant in the north just like it was in the south. The new Colonel takes this assignment with honor and sets off on an adventure that will change everything. In the new army, there are runaway slaves like Private Trip who harbors a great deal of hatred, and the level headed Sgt Rawlins, who while still a slave, he understands what he is there for. There is an educated Cpl. Searles who is there as a free man who wants to fight for his country. This is their story, a story of men trapped in a world of hate, but bond together like only soldiers can to find brotherhood.

ACTING

The acting is superb! That is all I can say for these actors. Denzel Washington won a well deserved Oscar for his role as Pvt. Trip. There is real emotion that is brought through the screen and it is impossible to leave this movie without feeling like you were there. These actors bring you into their world. Matthew Broderick conveys his torment flawlessly, as does Cary Elwes. Morgan Freeman continues to be an anchor for the rest of the cast to hold on to. The biggest accomplishment from good acting is if the actor can convince you to forget that they are pretending. If an actor can take you inside the passion of his character and you can sense who they are, they have succeeded. This is what happens in Glory. Pvt Trip says it best “I ain't much about no prayin', now. I ain't never had no family, and... killed off my mama. Well, I just... Y'all's the onliest family I got. I love the 54th. Ain't even much a matter what happens tomorrow, 'cause we men, ain't we?”

MUSIC

The music is written by James Horner. It is a fantastic score one that carries certain themes throughout the whole movie, which is one of Horner’s best skills. When you listen to the music behind the scenes your mind is taken away. You are transported into the world of battered soldiers fighting for what’s right, fighting for your life, fighting for freedom. James Horner won an Emmy for this score. His use of vocals is also very good. The vocals are used mainly as accents most times without actual lyrics. Since this is a period war piece, Horner intertwines his music with pipes and drums and throughout the film you can distinguish the fife and drum melodies such as “The Bonnie Blue Flag” and other historical pieces. This adds so much to the feeling and realism of the movie. James Horner is a very skilled composer, whose music from glory will stick with you.

RE-WATCHABILITY

Can you watch Glory over and over again? I know I can! This movie is a little long and takes a bit to get into the real emotional stuff, but I find Glory is a great movie to watch around the fourth of July or for any patriotic occasion. This movie is centered on the Civil War but you will find the themes are not as much about a historical prominence or who wins the war but more about the comradery and loyalty these men find with each other. This movie will leave you in a quiet and reflective mood. It will also leave you with a great appreciation for the real men who fought in the 54^th Massachusetts.

PURCHASABILITY

Ok the final votes are in and I would say if you are interested in buying this movie buy it. This movie is definitely worth 10 or fifteen dollars but since it is older I wouldn’t pay more than seven dollars for it. This movie is one that you will watch and want to have on hand. You will be able to buy it used at FYE or a used movie store. There is a cautionary warning I will let you know about. There are two versions of this film and there is only one I would buy. They made an edited version for teachers to show to students and then there is the original release which is rated R. I recommend the R version for a few reasons. While you can make a movie that is pg-13 that is good, there is something that increases the realism of the experience. If you want to watch a historical movie and skip the gore and emotion involved with it go ahead and get the edited version. On the other hand if you want to suffer and bond along with the men in the movie get the original release.

Glory lands at number nine in my top ten, it will move you and create a sensation of pride, not for you, but for the men who fought and shed blood for freedom.

American Pie (1,2,3...al of them)

Ok Folks this is an official review of all American Pie Movies. They all Suck!!!! I am sorry Eugene Levy is in this series. Not even he is enough to redeem these awful wastes of time.

Number ten of my top ten.

Thanks for reading "The Only Review You Need." This will be my first official post; hence the first posting was more of a welcome. This is my official top ten DVDs I own one by one:  Number 10 as it falls in my favorites is … drum roll... "First Blood," starring Sylvester Stallone, directed by Ted Kotcheff. This movie is rated R for Violence, language, and some gore.

  STORY
           The story is that of a war torn Vietnam veteran returning to the United States only to find that the emotion surrounding returning vets was not the hero's return he was expecting. In fact, his return was littered with harassment and discrimination. In a small town called Hope, he finds a group of ruthless and calloused sheriffs who push John Rambo over the line. He retreats into a forest where he then relies on his training as a green beret to outlast and survive the ensuing police force.

ACTING
            The acting troupe is led by Sylvester Stallone, with Richard Crenna,
 and Brian Dennehy. The acting is fairly believable as Stallone sticks with minimal dialogue. However, he still manages to put that "Stallone" touch into some classic lines such as "I could have killed them all, I could have killed you. In town the law is you, out here it's me." Crenna also offers some memorable lines, such as "I didn't come here to rescue Rambo from you; I came here to rescue you from him." All in all the acting is sufficient for a 1982 action drama.

MUSIC
            The music adds to the film in the way only a 1982 score* can. The original music is done by Jerry Goldsmith. It is a skillful and militaristic score, heavy with the percussion that adds tension where there needs to be, and balanced with subtle emotion that creeps through just enough to make one feel sorry for the solitary lonely soldier. It is surprising to have an orchestra supply the sounds in an 80's action movie, but the difference is encouraging.

RE-WATCHABILITY
            This last category I will address is another made up term: re-watch ability. Is this movie one that can be watched again and again? I can answer this question with a resounding yes. This is not a feel good movie but is surprisingly moving, and if you are in the need of an action film with real emotion and reasonable motives, then this is a great pick. The movie is not as gory as some of the newer war movies but still as gritty. I would say that I watch "First Blood" at least twice a year.

PURCHASABILITY
            Ok folks it is now time for my recommendation of purchasability. Purchasability is advised under a few conditions.  I would recommend that you buy this movie if you see it in a four pack for $15.00. Along with "First Blood" you get Rambo: First Blood Part 2, Rambo III and Rambo. The second and third Rambo films hold no real value except for ridiculous action scenes and fake emotionality, but the last Rambo is worth watching. It's still not nearly as good as "First Blood", but still good. Caution is advised before you watch the fourth Rambo, however; the level of gore is 1000 times more than the first. Over all Rambo lands in my top ten at number
 ten!
 

*Score verse soundtrack! The Score is music that was composed for the film, and the soundtrack will be music that is used in the move. The perfect example would be the Lion King. The Soundtrack was done by Elton John and Tim Rice, while the score was done by Hans Zimmer.

From The Author

Welcome to my new blog “The Only Review You Need!” I have decided to write this blog about movies. I plan on writing reviews specifically on movies that I own or will own when they are released on DVD. At the end of each blog I will rate the movie on a scale of what I will call “purchasability.” This will give you an idea of whether or not you should go out and buy the director’s cut for 24.99 without hesitation or whether you should wait until the 5 dollar bin at Wal-Mart or wait until there is a special at F.Y.E and you can get it for free.  

My fascination with movies began in high school after secretly watching my first R rated movie. The movie was Gladiator, staring Russell Crowe directed by Ridley Scott. That movie took me away into a land that existed far beyond my known reality.  That is when I realized that my escape would always be movies.  Gladiator took me into a world of realism that I had not seen before with the indescribable scenery, the ferocity of battle, the depth of true love for an ideal of principal, and the music that convinced me what I was feeling was real. Gladiator has remained on the top of my favorite films list, and I may have it to blame for spending way too much money on movies. 

Now that you know a bit about me and my reasons for writing this blog tune in next time for My Top Ten DVDs.  Thanks for reading “The Only Review You Need.”

-K Zade.