Abbott and Costello Go to Mars Review

Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) (DVD)

Director: Charles Lamont

** Rating

This is the first, alphabetically, in a long line of "Abbott and Costello..." movies that would be produced in the 40s and 50s. A&C had worked hard to update their comedy routine in order to attract a younger audience. This would begin with a series of "Abbott and Costello Meet..." movies that spoofed the Universal Monster movies of the past. When A&C Go to Mars was released, younger audiences had moved on to sci-fi movies, so A&C decided to go to Mars...sort of.

A&C Go to Mars begins with Lester (Bud Abbott) and Orville (Lou Costello) who unknowingly highjack a rocket space that is suppose to go to Mars. After the rocket space takes off, it flies to New Orlean and crash lands during Mardi Gras. The brightly colored costumes and big head masks convince the boys that they are seeing aliens. Their fear grows when they are take prisoner by bank robbers Mugsy and Harry and forced to fly to Venus. Venus, in this movie, is populated by only females. Males banished long ago. They never make it to Mars, despite what the title promises.

Many reviews I have read in the past cite this movie as the team's worst of their career. I'm here to tell you that it is not. It is a favorite of mine, but lower on the list compared to their other superior movies. The effects and story are completely unreal, but somehow A&C manage to use their comedic brillance to create a fun adventure. The stand out element that for some reason always makes me laugh is their space suits and the fact that Venus is populated by Miss Universe contestants. Though there are other A&C movies to watch first, do not forget this little guilty pleasure.    

Abandon Ship Review

Abandon Ship (1957) (VHS)

Director: Richard Sale

*** Rating

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Though this is a quote from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, it also describes this movie and what the captain of a sinking ship has to deal with when deciding the fate of those under his command.

Abandon Ship begins after a luxury ship hits a water mine and sinks. Alec Holmes (Tyrone Power) becomes the unwilling captain of a nine man lifeboat that is now holding twenty-six people. With no distress signal sent, the group must weather harsh seas and storms. Holmes is left to make hard decision about who to save and who not to, since supplies are limited.

The best performance of this movie would have to be Tyrone Power. Abandon Ship would be the last entry in his filmography, he would die a year later of a heart attack, and thankfully he went out with a bang. His ability to act with great force and convey tension made for some very nice edge of your seat moments. Power proves that if he has the right script, he can turn in a very dramatic performance.

 This movie is not for everyone because ethics is thrown out the window in life or death situations. Though it is a very bleak movie, the acting and script are top-notch. This movie and Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat would be an excellent double feature for a movie night.

Abandon Review

Abandon (2002) (DVD)

Director: Stephen Gaghan

** 1/2 Rating

The trailor of this movie paints it as non-stop psychological thriller, however, when I saw this movie in the theater, I saw none of those things. Upon undertaking this project, I decided to revisit this movie, believing that maybe the passage of ten years could change my original viewpoint. While it still isn't a non-stop psychological thriller, this movie could be looked at as a character study of Katie Burke (Katie Holmes) with a thriller atmosphere.

Abandon begins with the introduction of Katie Burke, a young woman who is close to graduating from a prestigious school and joining a top New York firm. At the same time, Wade Handler (Benjamin Bratt) is investigating the disappearance of Katie's boyfriend, Embry Larkin (Charlie Hunnam), who disappeared two years before. As Handler probes further into his disappearance, Larkin begins to appear everywhere Katie goes. Is Embry still alive or does Katie have a dark secret?

My favorite performance would have to be from Katie Holmes. This was the first time she carried a film all on her own and the way she conveyed emotions made Katie Burke a very interesting character. It almost seems like she's making a statement with this movie. Leaving behind the character Joey Potter (Dawson's Creek) and moving on to more womanly roles. The two male roles, Benjamin Bratt and Charlie Hunnam, leave much to be desired. Bratt is essentailly playing the same role he did in Law and Order, etc., while Hunnam's character is present only in flashbacks with very little to build on. The surprise of this movie would have to be the fact that Zooey Deschanel is present at all. In a movie that wasn't as thrilling as promised and a bit slow, her added comic relief was much needed.

Overall, I feel that this just an okay movie. Stephen Gaghan had a great story to work with and I found myself wishing for more from it. The ending, though cliched, was an interesting choice. Though I must confess that I figured it out halfway into the movie. If you have a free Saturday, then this is a good way to pass the time. 

Aaron Loves Angela Review

Aaron Loves Angela (1975) (DVD)

Director: Gordon Parks, Jr.

** Rating

The works of William Shakespeare have always held a special place in my heart. That is if you believe he actually wrote them...however that is another and far more awesome movie altogether. This movie, while inspired by Shakespeare, changes the story in pretty much every way. As the tagline states:

"It's a classic Romeo and Juliet story of forbidden passion, Harlem style, when AARON LOVES ANGELA."

Aaron Loves Angela takes the Westside Story approach to the Romeo and Juliet tale by dividing the tragic couple not by family, but race. Romeo is an African American basketball player Aaron who lives with his once great football player dad (Moses Gunn). Juliet is Angela, who the audience learns very little about other than she lives in Spanish Harlem. Both teens find each other and fall in love in a world where African Americans and Spanish Americans fight each other daily.

The main reason for such a low rating of two stars is the fact that there's almost no conflict whatsoever. Nothing to keep Romeo and Juliet apart. Neither teen lets their parents know about their secret love, even though the many times we see Aaron's father he says nothing about hating any race. The added subplot of a big drug deal by the local "Pimp" Beau (Robert Hooks) is really not needed at all. Beau isn't a likeable character and his final fate really didn't effect me at all. Aaron (Kevin Hooks) is by the better actor, compared to Angela (Irene Cara). Aaron's father (Moses Gunn) is probably the one standout performance of the whole movie.

Overall, there are some reasons to watch this movie, but it is still a great big mess.