Tuesday, March 17, 2009

WADRICK’S THIRTY SECOND FILM REVIEWS (the 1980s)


Salvador (1986)
James Woods, Jim Belushi, Michael Murphy, Elpedia Carrillo & John Savage.
Written by Oliver Stone & Richard Boyle.
Directed by Oliver Stone.


Richard Boyle (Woods) is a sleazy, unemployed photojournalist who, with nothing to lose, heads to El Salvador in Central America with his best friend Dr Rock (Belushi) in tow. It is 1980, and El Salvador is in the grip of a vicious civil war that has claimed the lives of many thousands of civilians through US-aligned death squads. This is the perfect setting for the indulgent Boyle – a chance to redeem his career and in the process, save his own soul. Followed in the same year by Platoon, Stone’s Salvador packs a wallop, hurtling the viewer into the chaos of a country torn apart by bloodshed. It is also a deeply affecting personal drama, anchored by an astounding performance from Woods and afforded equally impressive support from Belushi. Based on the true story of co-writer Boyle’s experiences in Central America, this intelligent and gripping film is as pertinent today as it was in its year of release. One of Stone’s best films that sits proudly alongside the director’s masterpiece JFK.




Midnight Run (1988)
Robert DeNiro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, Dennis Farina, John Aston & Joe Pantoliano.
Written by George Gallo.
Directed by Martin Brest.


When an embezzling Mob accountant (Grodin) skips bail, it’s up to a foul-mouthed, chain-smoking bounty hunter (DeNiro) to find him and transport him from New York to LA. But that ain’t as easy as it sounds. With two idiotic Mob cronies, the FBI and a fellow bounty hunter hot on their trail, the mismatched pair must essentially join forces to make it to California alive. This crackerjack action comedy was one of the funniest films of the decade, combining hilarious dialogue with rough and tumble action scenes. Following on from the success of 1984’s Beverly Hills Cop, director Martin Brest delivers one of his best films with the superlative casting of the two leads providing much of the films’ joy. Featuring a talented supporting cast including the brilliant character actor Kotto and Beverly’s own Ashton, Midnight Run is two hours of pure escapist fun.



Koyaanisqatsi (1983)
Directed by Godfrey Reggio.

If you have never seen Koyaanisqatsi, you have missed one of the most unique film experiences in cinema history. Once you see Koyaanisqatsi, you will never view the world the same again. It is nigh on impossible to describe this film - there is no plot and no characters. It spans the United States providing astounding images of nature juxtaposed with the industrial world. Shot almost thirty years ago, its imagery oftentimes belongs to a disappeared era, yet the raw powers of the visuals are overwhelmingly relevant no matter how you slice it. From the sheer beauty of the sky and ocean, to the dilapidated shells of inner city slums, Koyaanisqatsi sweeps across vistas in a ninety-minute ode to a ‘life out of balance’, all set to a magical score by composer Philip Glass. Imitated by the inferior Baraka (1993), Koyaanisqatsi is an almost psychedelic trip through nature and a powerful treatise on humanity’s inability to successfully co-exist with its surroundings.

RATINGS CHART...


(Wadrick Jones is a freelance writer for GritFX and posts weekly film reviews on this blog.)

7 comments:

  1. Koyaanisqatsi is incredible!

    It's certainly not a film for any movie fan looking for entertainment designed to escape our everyday lives. I think it's more for "visual" types who love great imagery... and anyone who wants to pause and take notice to what humanity has designed for ourselves.

    Salvador is sitting on the DVD shelf here and I've never bothered watching it. Your review has me wondering why.

    And I remember enjoying Midnight Run and having a few laughs... but I don't remember the film all that well. I think that it's time to re-visit that one.

    Wadrick... I'd love to see a review on They Shoot Horses, Don't They?". Any chance you could do a 1960s week?

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  2. Ah, Wadrick, great selections...

    Good to see no 'Rotting Pile of Garbage' designations here...

    Haven't seen these ones for a while actually. Might be time to watch em again.

    Amazing to think Oli produced Salvador and Platoon in the same year, eh?

    And good to see the Koyaan soundtrack got particular mention. A bit of Philip adds a touch of glass, oops, I mean class to any situation...

    And if you take Manz up on her "1960s" request, I'll slip Rosemary's Baby in the suggestion box... ;)

    But hey, I'll leave it to the master...

    Cool reviews man...

    Keep em coming Wadrick...

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  3. Re-edit this page immediately and give Midnight Run the 5-star rating it truly deserves!!

    Jonathan Mardukas: You ever had sex with an animal Jack? Remember those chickens on the Indian reservation? There were some good looking chickens there Jack. You know, between us...

    Jack Walsh: Yeah, there were a couple there I wouldn't mind taking a shot at.
    [both laugh heartily]

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  4. I really like James Woods. Didn't he play in "Against All Odds"?

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  5. Interesting. I've thought about watching Koyaanisqatsi, but I was a little let down after watching Baraka and figured it would just be more of the same. I might have to reconsider.

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  6. Hey all...
    Manz - you go watch Salvador NOW!

    Decoy - couldn't bear the stench of more garbage this week...
    It was definitely a few busy years for Stone...in '87, he brought out Wall Street...but I must clarify - Salvador may have been filmed in '85 and released in '86 (i'd have to research that)...so, he may not have made Salv and Platoon in the same year, they were just released in the same year...

    Faystar - I could probably go one extra clapperboard for Midnight Run, now that I think about it...but I wouldn't give it 5...

    Iv2scpbk - you're right, James was in Against All Odds...

    Shawn - forget Baraka...you must see Kotaanisqatsi...

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  7. three new ones for me to watch, good work Wadrick :)

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