Recent Viewings 12/25

[Scott]

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (1966) - Seen this film all the way through for the first time (always caught just the ending). Loved this film. The character Tuco played by Eli Wallach was the best. The film is the classic fun spegetti western. The music and the style of this film is unlike most westerns as you probably already know. Its the last of a trilogy of Clint Eastwood Italian westerns. My only question is about the Lee Van Cleef character "angel eyes". Is he the same character from A FEW DOLLARS MORE or just the same actor playing different roles? If its the same character how can Eastwood kill him off in the third film the way he did?

A FEW DOLLARS MORE (1965) - The second of the Eastwood trilogy directed by Sergio De Leone. It dosn't have that famous sound/music of THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY, but its an ok western.

BIG JAKE (1971) - An older John Wayne in a film with a story about a million dollar ransome for Big Jakes grandson and Big Jake being reunited with his family during the process. Not bad.

AUSTIN POWERS: Gold Member - Like most of the critics have already said that the character of Austin Powers is running out of steam, but still some fun moments. Nothing special.

LORD OF THE RINGS: Two Towers -  Seen a 4:15 show with a light crowd earlier this week. First I'd like to mention that I have never read the LORD OF THE RINGS books. Second I remember liking the first film a bit, but it was hard because I couldn't get into the characters let alone the names of the characters. After the movie was over I could barely remember what happened. My main thoughts were that the director Peter Jackson also did DEAD ALIVE and that that was Christopher Lee of Dracula fame with the white beard in the tower. I liked the archer and didn't like Frodo and his furry footed friends. Overall it was ok, but couldn't say much more.

Anyway, about the TWO TOWERS it was slow getting started and wasn't keeping my interest till the siege of the castle then the characters came to life for me. I loved the appearance of the elven archers to help battle that mass of 10,000 orcs and the appearance of the of wizard with the fresh troops. The castle scene makes up for the down time before it and it helps you appreciate the castle battle more in a couple ways. The battle scene also carries this film above the other fantasy film HARRY POTTER.

I still can only remember the names of two of the characters Frodo and Argon. The movie is about 3 hours long.

[BoyScoutKevin]

Seen all three: "For a Few Dollars," "For a Few Dollars More," and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." Interestingly enough, the only one of the three that I liked, was the one I saw on television, "For a Few Dollars More."
Do love the Ennio Morricone's theme music from "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," though, especially that "wa-wa" harmonica. Though, I like Hugo Montenegro's rendition, better.
If you are a fan of westerns like I am, then see "Big Jake" for the cast, beside other things. Among the western luminaries in it, besides John Wayne, are Richard Boone, Patrick Wayne, Bruce Cabot, Christopher Mitchum, Glen Corbett, John Doucette, Jim Davis, John Agar, Hank Worden, Jerry Gatlin, Chuck Roberson, Maureen O'Hara, and Harry Carey, Jr.
Ethan Wayne, John Wayn'e grandson--typecasting, singer Bobby Vinton, and Bernard Fox also put in an appearance.
Enjoy all.