Review of Blow-Up (1966) by Diana S — 20 Sep 2008

I now know why people love John Wayne ("The Shootist"). Directed by Howard Hawks ("Rio Lobo"), [b]Rio Bravo [/b]stars Wayne as a sheriff in an old-west town trying to hold a powerful man in jail until the Marshall comes. For help he has a recovering alcoholic deputy, played beautifully by Dean Martin ("Cannonball Run II"), and an old hilarious, crotchety jail keeper, played by Walter Brennan ("Smoke in the Wind"). They pick up Ricky Nelson ("Sonic Boom") for a little more backup and some singing. The four take a stand against many hired and better armed men. And there's a sassy gambler, Angie Dickinson ("Elvis Has Left the Building"), for Wayne to fall for. And it's three hours of movie magic. Loved it.

Though[b] Blow-Up[/b] features more beautiful shots than gripping plot, I found myself glued to the screen. This is the first film I've seen from director Michelangelo Antonioni ("Eros"), and if his other films live up to this, I can't wait to watch more. The story focuses on a snotty photographer, played by David Hemmings ("Gangs of New York"), who catches a murder on film. Then he tries to figure out what to do about it. The film is gorgeous shot after gorgeous shot, then some attitude from Hemmings, then some more gorgeous shots. Then it ends with mimes playing tennis. Awesome.

I finally saw [b]In the Heat of the Night[/b] and my love for Sidney Poitier ("The Jackal") has grown with the viewing. Basically, the film is a murder mystery, but so much more is going on. Poitier is a Philadelphia detective passing through rural Mississippi when the murder occurs. He's accused by the local racist sheriff, Rod Steiger ("Poolhall Junkies"), who is then forced to work with him to solve the case. Steiger won the Best Actor Oscar for his work, and the film won another four Oscars, including Best Picture.

My love for Steve Zahn ("Rescue Dawn") has finally found a bridge it cannot cross, [b]Strange Wilderness[/b]. Zahn stars as the host of a televisions wildlife show that he inherited from his father. Sadly, Zahn and his crew are terrible documentarians who don't check facts and record ridiculous narration for the program. So the show fails, but they go on a quest of find Big Foot to try and save it. And the movie is as ludicrous as the plot sounds. A few funny bits, mostly delivered by Justin Long ("Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"). A very big disappointment.

[b]Cannibal Holocaust[/b] is the worst movie ever. It's not art. It's not entertainment. It isn't even very shocking, except the parts where they were killing real animals. I urge you not to rent this tasteless and brainless film so the director will get no residuals.