Movie Reviews

Updated: 22 January 2004

I am a movie buff and try to watch all the great movies - both old and new.  Here I will review some of my favorite movies...

• Movie: The Manchurian Candidate
  Stars (out of 10): 9
  A psychological thriller starring Frank Sinatra as an Army Major wrapped up in a Russian conspiracy to raise a spy to the Presidency. The Russians use pavlovian conditioning to brainwash an American soldier to becoming an unwitting assassin when triggered. The movie is based on the novel by Richard Condon. The movie delivers on all fronts: action, plot, and characterization. The action is quick and builds to a stunning climax. The plot is clever, multi-layered and uses symbolism well. The characters are the best part of the movie. Angela Lansbury is amazing in her role as a domineering mother, calculating politician's wife and ruthless Russian agent. Laurence Harvey plays the tragic Sergeant Raymond Shaw who is the unwitting assassin.  This movie is a must see.

• Movie: Chinatown
  Stars (out of 10): 8
  A movie where Jack Nicholson gives a brilliant portrayal of private investigator, J.J. Gittes.  Gittes lives in 1930's Los Angeles and is well-acquainted with corruption.  He left the police force and a beat in Chinatown because of it.  In a memorable seen at the end, Gittes says, "It's still possible."  Though I don't want to give away the plot, that one sentence, makes you want to plumb the depths of Nicholson's character and study every piece of dialogue he uttered and every mannerism he revealed.  Like the opening scene with the distraught husband and the barber shop scene ... beautifully subtle writing.  The plot is complex and layered.  Naturally, we peel the onion one layer at a time.  Most but not all of the loose ends are tied up, we are left, like the hero still wanting more answers at the end.  Faye Dunaway plays a mysterious woman of a murder victim with a dark secret.  Her character is a study of desperation that money cannot hide.  This movie is very well-rounded: good plot, good acting, good action.  Makes you want to know the characters even better.  Nicholson was nominated for an academy award for this movie. He one the best actor award for his next movie ("One flew over the Cuckoo's nest").

• Movie: The Smartest Guys in the Room
  Stars (out of 10) 10.
  A documentary on the rise and fall of Enron.  Posted a short personal essay on it in the personal section of the site.  Definitely worth seeing as a cautionary tale.  Additionally, makes you want to seriously dig into Sarbanes-Oxley and truly understand how we can prevent accounting fraud.

• More to follow...

If you have a recommendation for a good movie - email me at mdaconta@oberonassociates.com.