These are Resurfaced short or quickie reviews written in 2002 or earlier. For more information, please visit this link: Resurfaced Reviews.

The Sound of Music

Rating (1965)

Director

Robert Wise

Screenplay

Ernest Lehman (Musical: Richard Rodgers, composer; Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse, book)

Length

2h 52m

Starring

Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Anna Lee, Portia Nelson, Ben Wright, Daniel Truhitte, Norma Varden, Marni Nixon, Gil Stuart, Evadne Baker, Doris Lloyd, Charmian Carr, Nicholas Hammond, Heather Menzies, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, Kym Karath, Eleanor Parker

MPAA Rating

G

Basic Plot

In World War II Austria, a musical family is blessed with a new governess played by Julie Andrews. Written as a stage musical by legends Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II Sound of Music is one of the most beloved films in the history of film.

Review

Julie Andrews deserved an Oscar for her brilliant performance as the governess, Maria, once housed in an Abbey, who comes into a house void of amusement and hope for so long. Christopher Plummer leads the cast of the Von Trapp family. His wife had recently died and since then he had taken to hiring governesses to take on the task of raising his seven children. The children live in a world of drab uniforms and whistle beckonings. They had successfully frightened away many governesses until young Maria comes to the hallowed halls.

Slowly she brings the children back into a world of delight that had been long since dead. She also wins over her employer’s often cold look on life and his role in the grant scheme of Nazi Austria.

The climax takes place not long after a heartfelt adieu at a music competition where they win first place. The Nazi’s are getting ready to take over as Captain von Trapp will be required to become a servant in their military advances.

I would be remiss if I kept to my general statement of not revealing the climaxes of films I’ve seen or other critical plot points. The Sound of Music, however, is beyond this general rule. I don’t know very many people who have not seen this film and even if there are a few of these unfortunate souls, I’m certain they are all familiar with the end.

The von Trapp family successfully escape the pursuing Nazi officials and make it to the hills where they will escape into a neighboring country to live their lives as people, not puppets.

Review Written

Unknown (a full review was later written)

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Rating

Director

Steven Spielberg

Screenplay

Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas, Philip Kaufman

Length

1h 55m

Starring

Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Higgins

MPAA Rating

PG

Basic Plot

Renowned archeologist and expert in the occult, Dr. Indiana Jones, is hired by the U.S. Government to find the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to still hold the ten commandments. Unfortunately, agents of Hitler are also after the Ark. Indy, and his ex-flame Marion, escape from various close scrapes in a quest that takes them from Nepal to Cairo.

Review

A masterful piece of filmmaking from one of the greatest directors of our time. He brought he world Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind as well as continued on later with further Indiana Jones films and other spectacular action and adventure films. This first in the Indiana Jones series is also, by far best. The characterization that Spielberg as well as the performance by Harrsion Ford help bring Indiana Jones to vivid life. The only major problems include some limited acting and the fall into semi-predicatability; However, this film is by far one of the greatest action and adventure films ever made and will likely remain the one by which all others are compared for a very long time.

Review Written

Unknown

9 to 5 (1980)

Rating

Director

Colin Higgins

Screenplay

Patricia Resnick, Colin Higgins

Length

1h 49m

Starring

Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman, Sterling Hayden, Elizabeth Wilson, Henry Jones, Lawrence Pressman, Marian Mercer, Ren Woods

MPAA Rating

PG

Basic Plot

Frank Hart is a pig. He takes advantage in the grossest manner of the women who work with him. When his three assistants manage to trap him in his own house they assume control of his department and productivity leaps, but just how long can they keep Hart tied up?

Review

On often funny film that sometimes leaves you bored. The performances are exceptional and all of the leads should be commended, Coleman is slightly annoying, but plays his part sufficiently. The Fantasy scenes leap from the film as its high points while the scenes at Hart’s home get rather listless.

Review Written

Unknown

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

Rating

Director

Steven Spielberg

Screenplay

David Koepp (Novel: Michael Crichton)

Length

2h 09m

Starring

Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite, Arliss Howard, Richard Attenborough, Vince Vaughn, Vanessa Lee Chester, Peter Stormare, Harvey Jason, Richard Schiff, Thomas F. Duffy, Joseph Mazzello, Arian Richards, Thomas Rosales

MPAA Rating

PG-13

Basic Plot

With a change of heart, John Hammond uses a second island, kept secret from the press and anyone outside of InGen, to help research dinosaurs for scientific study. In ailing help, he sends for Dr. Ian Malcolm to go to the island to assist in the process and uses his girlfriend, Sarah Harding, as bait. Those who have taken over for Hammond in his health-burdened days have decided to turn it into a sort of hunting reserve as well as retrieve more dinosaurs to build a new Jurassic Park attraction, this time in San Francisco.

Review

There are lots of parts that work, several that don’t, but I didnt’ find myself bored at all. There are plenty of messages about leaving nature be, never under estimate maternal instincts and don’t build glass windows in the back of RVs. The acting has nothing to do with the plot and there are a few loop holes, but there was enough excitement, wonder, visual effects, comedy and drama mixed in to make it a grand old time at the movies.

Awards Prospects

Nominations for Cinematography, Editing, Music, Sound, Sound Effects Editing and Visual Effects are possible, but expect it to only received nods for the last three, where the original won its awards back in 1993.

Review Written

Unknown