The Movie Journal

Tootsie (1982) Tootsie is a gem of a movie and is way better than I completely thought it would be. This film is more than just Dustin Hoffman dressing up in drag. It is a story that has many things to say. Even more ironic is the movie speaks positively towards the side of feminism-something you would not expect a movie about cross-dressing to do. Like many comedies of the 1980’s, we get a story that goes from Point A to Point B. This is not a comedy that provides belly-roll laughing, but it is a thought-provoking story that will make you think while making you laugh. When a comedy film is able to effectively tell a story without sacrificing the laughs, then the filmmakers have succeeded into making comedy gold! This movie harkens back to the golden age of Hollywood-where comedies would be absurd but would also be dramatic and a little tender. That is the main reason why I was able to smile so hard after the completion of this movie. Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) is a...

Gandhi (1982) “I am a Muslim and a Hindu and a Christian and a Jew and so are all of you.”-Ben Kingsley. The above quote, spoken by Ben Kingsley in the 1982 drama Gandhi, shows what kind of man Mahatma Gandhi was. In a harsh world filled with violence and racism, this one man became a prophet, a messiah if you will. He wanted to change the world for the better using non-violent tactics. He wanted to use nonviolence to end segregation against Indians in South Africa, to end British rule in India, to create a peaceful country for Muslims in a country today known as Pakistan. Through his methods, Gandhi achieved what only most people dream of achieving in their lifetimes. He was a man for the people and no matter who the person is or what kind of religion that person believes in, he loved you no matter what. In this long, sprawling epic, you will become a believer of this spiritual man. At least I did. This is the kind of man that we need in our world today. A man full of h...

Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 10 "Fire and Blood" June 19, 2011 SPOILERS AHEAD! If you think nothing could top “Baelor” as the best Game of Thrones episode, you might want to consider after watching the finale, “Fire and Blood.” After delivering the shocking goods to end the last episode, this finale moves at a brisk pace allowing many satisfying plot points to happen. Definitely keep your eyes peeled open because you do not want to miss a thing. Considering Ned’s abrupt execution, this episode has an emotional and rather angry feel to it. The Starks will definitely not go down without a fight. But seeing the lifeless head of Ned’s during the cold open was certainly an emotional stab. If there were any complaints one was to have, many of the plot points were not concluded. Instead, many of the pieces are put in place for what promises to be an action-packed, higher-budgeted second season. The Starks are in shock after Ned’s death. Sansa (Sophie Turner at...

Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 9 "Baelor" June 12, 2011 SPOILERS AHEAD! Without a doubt, “Baelor” is the best episode of this season so far. The ending is an absolute shocker, and one of the best endings you will ever see. My feelings for Joffrey, the snivel brat king, took a deep dive. When a character makes you so angry through his actions, that means you have quite the memorable character. You gotta feel for poor Ned. He was an honest, trustworthy man who kept his code to the end. As the sword was about to take off his neck, through King Joffrey’s orders, I was shocked by such a powerful moment. While Ned and the Starks were the important part of the episode, the centerpiece belonged to Tyrion. Peter Dinklage created many Emmy-worthy performances and he has many of them here at use. We learn a little more about his tragic backstory and his doomed first marriage, but he remains as funny and snarky as ever. He even gets to suffer a war wound, much to ...

First Blood (1982) In 1982, First Blood introduced audiences from all over the world the man we know as John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone. This is an action film, but the movie is not seen as an action film, but more of a “survival wilderness” movie that allows for ripe characterization. Unlike the sequels that follow which depict Rambo as a cold-blooded killing machine, we get a man dehumanized by his exploits in the Vietnam War and someone we can sympathize with because of the events that occur. It is because we have such a character, is why we have an above-average action film. The film itself explores nothing new, but the themes remain powerful and provoking all the same. The Vietnam War took a lot out of the military and the people of the United States in general, and films from the 1970’s and 1980’s take these issues to heart. This is also what elevates the movie above average action fare. Stallone portrays John Rambo, a former Green Beret. He wanders to a town...

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) After viewing Fast Times at Ridgemont High , my first thought was “Why are all history teachers portrayed in media evil?” Such an odd thought, but a worthy thought given my own experience. All of my history teachers/professors were cool, but I guess Hollywood has a thing against history. That said, I did like Mr. Hand and his paranoia of everyone being high on dope. Anyhow, this 1982 film is essentially the American Graffiti of the 1980’s. It is a realistic, honest portrayal of how high school life was like back then. My high school life was a good twenty-five years after the film, but I can relate to the themes, because all generations go through the same thing. Love, betrayal, abortion, poor jobs-well, everyone knows how that is like. This decade is well-known for its teen comedies, so Amy Heckerling’s film was the one to kick everything off. The movie was written by future filmmaker Cameron Crowe based on his adventures of growing ...

Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 8, "The Pointy End" June 05, 2011 This episode has the Lannisters asserting their power over the Starks. Ned Stark is rotting away in the dungeons, with the eunuch Varys as his only visitor. As least Varys keeps Ned in the loop and brings him bread and water in the process. It’s not much better for the Stark girls. Arya is practicing with Sylvio when the Red Keep comes for her, but Sylvio forces her to run. Sansa is placed under arrest. Her engagement for Joffrey is still on and she still claims she loves him. However, she pleads for the release of his father. Joffrey promises her that he will not be killed if he admits he is the true king, and Cersei forces her to write a letter to her brother Robb to declare fealty of the new king. This episode is the first time we really see Robb in action. Robb gathers a huge army and sits at the head with the goal to attack the Lannisters. Robb sets free a Lannister guard and tells him to ...

Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 7 "You Win or You Die" May 29, 2011 In Game of Throne’s seventh episode, “You Win or You Die,” things got real….and they got real fast! With two episodes left, there is plenty of political turmoil with the land of Westeros at the brink of a civil war. There is, of course, threat of invasion from the Dothraki-given the events that occurred in this episode. This fast-paced episode has it all. Action, betrayal, character development, humor, and even the death of a popular character. The acting remains as great as usual, although this episode does lack the charm of both Tyrion and Arya-two of my favorite characters. Still, you are in for a treat with this magnificent episode. King Robert is gravely injured on his boar hunt, as he recklessly charged a boar. He will not live much longer given the extent of his injuries. On this deathbed, he names Ned Lord Regent of the Seven Kingdoms until his son, Joffrey comes of age. Cersei, turni...

Night Shift (1982) 1982’s Night Shift is Ron Howard’s directorial film debut. We may know him as the orange-haired kid from American Graffiti , but he begins his impressive film debut with this amusing romantic comedy/buddy film. I thought the movie excels in some areas, while falling below standards in others. For example, the interaction between Michael Keaton and Henry Winkler is the reason to see the movie. However, when the film tries to act as a romcom, things get somewhat weak. That said, this is the movie that launched the career of Michael Keaton’s. That has to amount for something, right? Chuck Lumley (Henry Winkler) works at the city’s morgue. He suffered a panic attack amidst the Wall Street workers and decided it would be better for him to work the night shift away from the hustle and bustle. His life is turned upside down when he meets the strange, fast-talking Bill Blazejowksi (Michael Keaton). His obnoxious partner has these ideas to “get rich quick.” Aft...