The Walking Dead

OK, zombie fans, fasten your seat belts for a wild ride! The new AMC series is a winner. Zombies? Yes indeed. For an appreciation of the genre, please refer to this reviewer's comments on Woody Harrelson's fine film, Zombieland.

Not interested? Are you not interested in what makes people paranoid...what makes people join groups...what makes people hostile toward others...what makes people act like the weird social beings that they are?

You might see what this reviewer is implying. The new AMC series portrays zombies and those who flee from them, yes. But more importantly, it presents wonderful imagery, symbolism if you will, about the human condition. Think of zombies as metaphors for those we reject for reasons of color, race, creed, whatever. Think of those who escape the zombies as groupies who seek the comfort of others as they struggle to survive...sound like normal life?

Our daughter is a professor of philosophy, and, as usual, she steers us toward the "thinking" films. Anyone who enjoys some of TV's offbeat series, such as Mad Men, Big Love, and more, will see in new zombie shows much more than diseased freaks and escapers with guns.

So think LARGE, dear viewers, and give the AMC show a try. This reviewer has been riveted.

Right at Your Door

Every film has to have a good premise to succeed. This one lacks severely in the premise domain and therefore falls flat on its face.

Here's the no-spoiler scenario: Dirty bombs have been detonated in L.A. and the wife (Mary McCormack) has left for work. The husband, a self-centered sort, stays home. Wife gets zapped by toxic smoke (as in above picture) and comes home. Husband says, "Stay outside. You're contaminated!" Thus the lousy premise.

Fact is, very few of us seriously married guys would leave our dear wives out in the cold for fear of catching her dirty bomb bug. Would you not tend to your kid if he had malaria? Would you not approach your mom if she had TB? This reviewer would tell his soulmate, "Come in, dear!

Let the contamination chips fall where they may!"

So, instead of watching man reject woman for fear of catching her disease for two full hours, take your loved one to a good dinner...and of course a flick! Just don't stay home and watch this dog!

D- for Dour, Depressing, and Darned Stupid!

Murder at 1600

My dear spouse and I went back to a 1997 flick and enjoyed it immensely. Sometimes we have to return to earlier times to discover, or re-discover, film gems.

Wesley Snipes used to be the go-to guy for great action movies. I recall his fantastic work in Blade, Demolition Man, Rising Sun, Passenger 57, and White Men Can't jump. Diane lane has wowed us in Nights in Rodanthe, Unfaithful, The Glass House, and Under the Tuscan Sun.

Put the two together, and you've got acting magic.

No spoiler, so read on, film buffs. The plot is simple: A beautiful woman's body is found in a rest room. The story would unfold as a normal whodunnit, except for the fact that the crime took place in the White House! Gee, now we have to figure out if the president is involved! Or could it be his son? Or was it a utility man? Or a random stranger?

Let's hope the muscled, macho Wesley Snipes, homicide detective extraordinaire, and the lovely, brave Diane Lane, Secret Service agent extraordinaire, can join forces to find the killer. Problem is, the White House is blocking the way! Go figure. Now it's up to the heroes to defy the odds to solve the crime.

This viewer was glued to the set. As the plot unfolds, we come to root for the pair of investigators, whose unwavering moral compasses are a rarity in the principle-compromising halls of government!

A for Action. A for A-one. Go rent this oldie. You'll love it.

Unstoppable

Thrilling! And I don't use that word often.

Right before movie began, I whispered to hubby, "Let's go for a ride," and that we did! Mr. Denzel Washington plays a supporting role in this one. I say that because the real star of this film is the train, or, I should say, trains. From the very first 10 minutes I sensed the filmmakers' utmost respect and admiration for these immense, powerful vehicles that continue to keep this country moving. Director, Tony Scott, makes creative use of sound, close-up camera angles, sped-up filming to convey a mode of machinery most of us never come close to. His treatment of mixing in "news" coverage offers added perspectives and drama.

Unstoppable's (not to be confused with earlier film of same name with Wesley Snipes) other co-star, Chris Pine, holds his own with Mr. Washington. And, he is gorgeous. There was just enough personal background stuff to keep the humanity there without becoming sentimental or cliche.

I liked that there was no "bad guy" in this movie (just a profoundly stupid one). I liked that there was no contrived romance. The thrill and tension of this movie was so unceasing that I couldn't even hold hubby's hand; I held my own! And at one point I realized I had forgotten to exhale for some time! My shoulders were all clinched up. Get the point? Whew.

This movie's 95 minutes or so is just enough. One can't maintain that pace for much longer. Trust me, you will get your money's worth in that time.

Postscript: We live about 1 1/2 miles from a railroad track - just far enough away to enjoy the train whistles without windows breaking and heads hurting. Any time between 3:30-5:30 a.m. we'll hear one now and then. We learned some time back, that different train whistle patterns denote different messages. Sure enough, every train that passes through our residential area (I guess that's the code) follows: MEDIUM, MEDIUM, SHORT, LONGGGG. They are all done manually, because each conductor's is a little different. A lot like jazz. Cool, huh?

The Spanish Prisoner

Steve Martin is incredibly versatile. He does comedy. He plays bluegrass banjo. And on occasion, to our delight, he does serious drama. He's excellent in The Spanish Prisoner.

Made a decade ago, the story is about a sting. No spoiler, as usual, but let me say that this "noir" thriller really grabs the viewer.

Just imagine yourself as a creative mind working in an industry where your most recent breakthrough, which could bring the company (and you) millions, is very hush-hush. You've got the plans and details for your brilliant idea in your office safe. But soon, circumstances push you to open the safe...

Rebecca Pidgeon, one of the best character actors of the 90's, is delightfully creepy as the wannabe girlfriend of the mark. She flits around, full of energy and mystery, and we constantly wonder what her angle is.

Steve Martin is not on stage a lot, but when he is, he shines. He has a wonderfully cynical, enigmatic smirk when he grins. He becomes friends with the victim of the scam. Question is, what is his role in the whole sting?

So, turn back the clock, rent the 1997 DVD, and enjoy a weird, complex, intriguing plot unfold. You won't be disappointed. Just one caution: the ending could be slightly more interesting to be consistent with the rest of the movie.

Due Date

This will be brief. In two words: Skip it. Why, oh, why, does an actor of the caliber of Robert Downey, Jr., allow himself to sell out to a trite, formulaic trip with the of-recent over-exposed Zack Galifanakis? I appreciate his flexing his comedic wings - he's good at it, but this movie was so stupid and boring that I twice fought the temptation to check my phone's email!! I can't even be articulate here.

Oh, it had about 6 good laughs, but the very funniest line came without anyone else in the theatre "getting" it. Very early in the film, Robert Downey Jr.'s character says to TSA, "I've never done drugs in my whole life!" I laughed so hard. Coming from our Mr. Downey, this was an adorable tongue-in-cheek moment that must have required several takes to say it with a straight face! Oh, my stars.

Anyway, save your money. An upcoming one looks hilarious (Hall Pass) but then I've been wrong before, and it doesn't come out until February. Argh.

I Am Alive: Documentary of Andes Survival Story

Back in 1972, a team of rugby players, mostly 20 year olds, flew across the Andes on the way to a soccer match. They wore T-shirts, drank and caroused in the plane, and laughed as they told stories of sports games. Right over the middle of the snow-covered mountain range, their plane shook. Seconds later, the plane hit a mountain peak, sheared off the rear, and sent about 25 passengers to a snowy death. The other 49 players miraculously survived as the front fuselage slid down a mountain slope and came to an abrupt stop.

In 1993, the story was popularized with a movie that starred Ethan Hawke. It was a moving, harrowing tale of how the survivors stayed alive (by eating human flesh) for more than two months, before two brave souls, half starved and bearded, somehow hiked 37 miles across the snowy peaks to get help and save the others. This movie is a must-see.

However, this review is not about the film. It's about the documentary made just last year on the incredible story. Done by the History Channel, this is no doubt the most riveting, rounded, unbiased documentary ever produced. In it, we meet Nando, one of the two fearless warriors who defied the odds and made it to safety....but only after being stranded for some 63 days with fellow survivors in the fuselage.

I am entranced by what drives people to survive. If you are too, consider watching this story. You'll reflect on the strength of the human spirit. You'll weigh moral decisions the survivors had to make. You'll marvel at how young people grew up in the course of two months.

Most of all, you'll ask: What would I have done?

A+ grade. Fantastic, gripping work.