Jaws (1975)

After taking yesterday off to go watch West Virginia defeat Youngstown State, I decided that it was time to get some movies in this afternoon. While I did watch a variety of material, I figured I should change things up a bit and review a classic. After some internal debate, I decided it was time to look at the timeless 1975 entry Jaws.

Plot/ When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and a grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.

I tend to stay away from classics here on The Ringmaster’s Realm, but today, I decided to revisit a classic. I know everyone has heard of Jaws, and really there is nothing more I can say that hasn’t already been said or written somewhere. However, this is a movie that clearly stands the test of time and has held up quite well over the past few decades. Based on the book by Peter Benchley (who also gave me my introduction to the Bermuda Triangle), the storyline and vision that Steven Spielberg created is still amazing. The cast is masterful, with the characters all endearing themselves into every scene, the soundtrack is perfect, the atmosphere heavy, and the scripting and cinematography are examples that should be used in every film class. Hell, I still don’t like swimming in the ocean (although, there is some of my Naval career that influences that as well). Yes, the shark itself has some issues and there are some points that make you scratch your head, but those are but minor in the grand scheme. In the end, Jaws is a movie that helped shape not only a genre but also a generation (and amazingly it was done with a PG rating). If you have not seen this original classic, you are wrong. Watch it now!

Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)

I was quite amazed by the amount of Sherlock stuff I saw when purchasing my Underoos today. Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorite detectives, although I have found it difficult to immerse myself into a book the way I did in my youth. Speaking of my youth, here is a flick that captures Holmes early on: Young Sherlock Holmes from 1985.

Plot/ When assorted people start having inexplicable delusions that lead to their deaths, a teenage Sherlock Holmes decides to investigate.

Young Sherlock Holmes is one of those 1980s flicks that have stood the test of time rather well. Not for anyone who is a Holmes purist, this one does take some liberties with the young detectives life that differ from the source material. However, this one is a rather entertaining trip into the detective story and created an alternate reality for him to grow. The storyline is simple and clichéd, the pacing works, sound track amazing, and incredibly the early CGI effects work better than some of those seen today. Sure, the acting is uneven, the historic aspects unbelievable, and the characters never truly develop, but that does nothing to bring this one down. In the end, this movie is entertaining, interesting, and fun to watch with the family, especially if you want to bring the genius of Holmes to life for a new generation.

War of the Worlds (2005)

What a day. While we did not get the crazy snow they were calling for, the road crews did very little in the early hours and I took the day off. Unfortunately, the daughters had a snow day as well; not fun. Next up on the review list, the 2005 blockbuster War of the Worlds. 

Plot/ As Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines, one family fights for survival. 

Honestly, I had forgot this movie was done by Steven Spielberg. This H.G. Wells classic is definitely one of the most well known Sci-Fi stories of all time. Yet, this adaptation, while good, did not live up to everything it could have been. The acting is solid, there was some great effects and there is a solid atmosphere for most of the movie. Unfortunately, there was some disconnect between parts of the movie, almost feeling like there were two distinct parts or ideas going on throughout. In the end, this was an interesting watch, and much better the second time I have watched it. If you love Sci-Fi give this alien invasion flick av shot, especially if you are like me and did not truly enjoy it back in 2005.

Super 8 (2011)

  

I hate over-hyped movies and try my best to never go see them in theatres. However, every once in a while, a movie comes out that hits that nerve and reminds me of the blockbuster movies that I would watch in my youth. The latest to strike that chord is Super 8. With the weather outside being miserable, I decided to hit the cinema to see if my instincts were right!

Plot/ In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth - something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined

Being a PG-13 flick, I was a bit encouraged. Usually, these movies keep it tame to draw in a wide audience, but in the end cut too much and take away from the end product. Fortunately, this movie did not disappoint. In fact, it was a lot better that I thought it would be. You can definitely feel Steven Spielberg’s influences, the flick truly going back to the days of Close Encounters and even Jurassic Park. The acting was solid throughout, and really did a great job with an outstanding script. The production values, cinematography, effects (I love the monster) and storylines are also top notch. There are some flaws, the pacing and the unneeded subplots do distract from the overall scheme, but not enough to damage the movie. In the end, this is awesome movie that honestly took me back (I could have been one of those kids making the movie). There are some moments with language, but other than that, it is a must see for the entire family.