My first movie review! Today, i'll be reviewing Stand and Deliver. This movie was directed by Ramón Menéndez and produced by Tom Musca and made by Warner bros. The movie is based of by a true story and was inspired by the experiences of a math teacher named Jaime Escalante. The setting takes place in Eastern Los Angeles in a school called James A. Garfield High School. Jaime (played by Edward James Olmos) is an engineer who transfered to teach computer science at the school. He soon realizes that the school was a run down place that the culture of the student's couldn't (the majority students being of hispanic origin) seem to get through the students. Jaime was assigned to teach algebra to a group of students, at first the students assumed that Jaime was just another come and go teacher. However, he stood his ground and decided to change the culture of the classroom. During the first couple of weeks the students took Jaime as a joke for a teacher, but as time went on, they realised that they can change their future by letting Jamie teach them. After a year of learning and studying, the students were able to take the AP Calculus exam and receive college credit and every single one of them passed with the class scoring an average from 4 to 5.
My ThoughtsThe movie sets to be inspirational and uplifting, which it is and it sets a perfect example that hard work and determination can be rewarding. Personally, I don't know why but whenever something seems take place in LA or whenever im in the LA area myself, I get a feeling of home and belonging. This usually gets me in a good mood, which is probably one of the reasons why I like this movie so much. Another reason why is because the culture and the attitude the students have against the teacher throughout the movie is perfect, you can feel the rebelious nature and the connection. Also the music has a perfect setting of an 80's feel, and the slang gets catchy too (ey kimo!) and the accents really can get funny at some points at the movie.
Director: -Ramón Menéndez
Starring: -Edward James Olmos -Lou Diamond Phillips -Rosanna DeSoto -Andy García
It's Christmas time in L.A., and there's an employee party in progress on the 30th floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building. The revelry comes to a violent end when the partygoers are taken hostage by a group of terrorists headed by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), who plan to steal the 600 million dollars locked in Nakatomi's high-tech safe. In truth, Gruber and his henchmen are only pretending to be politically motivated to throw the authorities off track; also in truth, Gruber has no intention of allowing anyone to get out of the building alive. Meanwhile, New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) has come to L.A. to visit his estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), who happens to be one of the hostages. Disregarding the orders of the authorities surrounding the building, McClane, who fears nothing (except heights), takes on the villains, armed with one handgun and plenty of chutzpah. Until Die Hard came along, Bruce Willis was merely that wisecracking guy on Moonlighting.
My ThoughtsAny move that has a classic 80's action type feel is an instant like for me. Bruce Willis does play a good role as the "I work alone" cop. The main antagonist also plays a good, terrifying role. Alan Rickman's role feels like your typical bond villian but in a different environment, which feels wierd at first but then feels right aftwards when the action starts. And like I said before, the LA setting back in the 80's really feels like at home. Also there are iconic name brands that do make an appearance into the movie such as the infamous "candy bar wars" between Crunch and Mars and the iconic lines such as "Yippee-ki-yay, mother******!" But what I like about the movie the most is that our main protaganist is just an average man doing is job. During the time the movie came out there were other sci-fi, action superheroes that were typically cliché, John McClane was just a normal cop at a christmas party.
Director: -Renny Harlin
Starring: -Bruce Willis -Alan Rickman -Alexander Godunov -Bonnie Bedelia
Lee (Bruce Lee) is a Shaolin martial artist from Hong Kong who possesses great philosophical insight into martial arts as well as physical prowess. Lee receives an invitation from a mysterious man, Mr. Han (Shih Kien), to compete in a martial arts competition on his island. Lee later finds out that Mr. Han is involved with prostitution and drug trafficking on the island. Approached by the British Intelligence Agency, Lee agrees to go undercover and enter the competition to stop Mr. Han. With the help of his friends, Lee conducts his investigation on the island by searching for evidence and clues, which inevitably stirs up trouble with Han. In a final battle, Lee uses the lesson he learned earlier in the film to defeat and kill Han just as the military arrives to end the mayhem.
My ThoughtsOne of the most popular kung fu films ever, and perhaps the peak of the famed Bruce Lee's career, Enter the Dragon achieved success by presenting a series of superbly staged fighting sequences with a minimum of distractions. The story finds Lee as a martial-arts expert determined to help capture the narcotics dealer whose gang was responsible for his sister's death. This evil villain operates from a fortified island manned by a team of crack martial artists, who also host a kung fu competition. Lee uses his skills to enter the contest and then tries to chop, kick, and otherwise fight his way into the dealer's headquarter. The story is, of course, merely an excuse for showdown after showdown, featuring masterly fighting by Lee in a wide variety of martial arts styles. Essential viewing for martial arts fans, the film was also embraced by a larger audience, thanks to a fast pace and higher-than-usual production values.
Director: -Robert Clouse
Starring: -Bruce Lee -John Saxon -Ahna Capri -Robert Wall -Shih Kien -Jim Kelly -Bolo Yeung