Dirty Harry: The Enforcer (1976)

 

Dirty Harry: The Enforcer (1976)

5/10

Starring

Clint Eastwood

Directed by James Fargo

Here’s a Dirty Harry movie where I felt the co-star outshone the lead actor himself. It’s not that Clint Eastwood didn’t deliver a great performance as usual—it’s the same old Dirty Harry behavior we’re all used to—but in The Enforcer, his co-star and partner, Tyne Daly, held her own beside Harry and delivered such a masterful performance that it made it easy for me to overlook the crappy script.

The movie isn’t great and I felt I wasted my time seeing it; it feels like a lame excuse to make another Dirty Harry film. My biggest issue was the villains. In the first Dirty Harry, we had Scorpio, who was insane in so many ways. He was a serial killer with a one-track mind who would stop at nothing to get the money he wanted from the government. That’s when we got our first real taste of Dirty Harry.
In the second movie (Magnum Force), we had another group of insane cops who turned themselves into judge and jury, going around town taking down every bad guy they could find. Again, Harry had to step up, especially after one of his friends got caught in the crossfire.
But here, we have a bunch of guys with a weird and divided purpose, blowing things up and getting taken out one after another like rats. From the beginning, it felt like they never stood a chance against this duo, and in the end, thanks to a bazooka, they didn’t.

I didn’t get the same sense of challenge as I did in the first Dirty Harry movie, nor did I enjoy the chase like in the second. Instead, it was just a bunch of crazy guys and a priest caught in the middle who wasn’t doing the right thing.

Then there’s Inspector Kate Moore (Tyne Daly), who gave the movie the spin it needed. She was up to the task as Harry’s partner and even saved his life during the film. She stole the show in the brief time she was on-screen, but sadly her performance could not save this movie.

I would’ve enjoyed this movie more if the script had been better tuned to match the first two Dirty Harry films I saw, where Harry had to think outside the box to survive. Here, he just needed a good partner who always knew how to save the day when Harry was too busy being Harry.

Dirty Harry: Magnum Force (1973)

Dirty Harry: Magnum Force (1973)

6/10

Starring

Clint Eastwood

Directed by Ted Post

My biggest issue with Magnum Force is that the movie isn’t as centrally focused as the first Dirty Harry. There were too many cases that Harry was attending to before the movie finally decided to focus on the killings being carried out by suspected police officers.

Because of this focus on other cases, this Dirty Harry movie felt long—it’s actually the longest in the Dirty Harry series. That said, it’s not the worst, at least I can say that. The movie was suspense-filled, and while I was able to guess who the real culprit was early on, I didn’t know how high up the corruption went.

Clint Eastwood’s acting was the same as in the first movie, which might be a plus for some and a minus for others who feel like Magnum Force was just more of the same old Dirty Harry formula, with not much difference.

Magnum Force is about a wave of murders happening in San Francisco. Murder is bad enough, but what if the victims are the bad guys who think they’re above the law?
Harry (Clint Eastwood), on the other hand, is getting into more trouble than usual, finding it hard to deal with his supervisor, Lt. Neil Briggs, who seems to have it out for him at every turn. Also in the station is a group of rookies who are good shots and have Harry’s respect.

At first, Harry doesn’t take the killings of the “bad guys” too seriously, as he thinks he already knows who the killer is. Then he gets the bad news that his friend (who he suspected was the killer) was killed on duty by the same people taking down the bad guys. Now, Harry takes the case personally and hunts down the killers.

To be honest, watching this DVD was tough. It felt long, and there were times I caught myself dozing off during the delayed mayhem, only to wake up when the main story picked up again.

The movie sparked some controversy after its release. There’s a scene where a prostitute is killed using drain cleaner. After the movie came out, some real-life murders occurred using the same method, and one of the convicted individuals said he got the idea from this movie.

Magnum Force is long, but it’s an okay Dirty Harry movie, it doesn’t feel like the movie has added any fun to the character itself.

Dirty Harry (1971)

Dirty Harry (1971)

7/10

Starring

Clint Eastwood

Directed by

Don Siegel

Well, the Dirty Harry lines have come to stay over the years, so the decision to finally see the film was long overdue in my case.
Dirty Harry is in a league of its own as a movie, and as a police officer, Harry is ready to do whatever it takes to bring down the bad guys. He’s constantly held back by the rules and his boss, but he’s stubborn and determined, always finding a way to get the job done.

Dirty Harry is famous for introducing the lone officer trope into the crime genre—a cop who struggles to keep partners and is always butting heads with his superiors. The movie’s most memorable speech:
“I know what you’re thinking: 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?”
It couldn’t be said better than by the man himself, Clint Eastwood. I’ve seen many of his movies over the years, and I feel this is his best. The movie’s score is engaging, and the portrayal of the villain, Scorpio, is one that will stick with me. The director got Andy Robinson to play the role in a way that leaves a mark, making you root for Harry to catch him in time.

As mentioned, Dirty Harry follows San Francisco Homicide Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood). Harry is known as “Dirty Harry” because of his unconventional methods and constant clashes with his superiors. A serial killer hits the town, killing a woman at the beginning of the movie and promising to continue killing daily until the city meets his demand of $100,000.

Harry is on the case, and with his new partner, they corner Scorpio—but he gets away. Scorpio then raises his demands and kidnaps a little girl. Time is running out as the girl is said to be trapped in a hole with limited oxygen. Either the city pays up, or Harry catches Scorpio before it’s too late.

This movie is iconic, but it lacks depth in the supporting characters, making the plot feel a bit one-dimensional. The pacing can be uneven, with some slower moments that drag. Plus, the lone cop trope starts to feel repetitive and doesn’t leave much room to explore beyond Harry's character.

This movie is the beginning of the Dirty Harry franchise—a franchise I plan on watching back-to-back this week, and I do hope I get to enjoy the rest as much as I enjoyed this.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)

6/10

Starring

Georgie Henley

Skandar Keynes

Will Poulter

Ben Barnes

Liam Neeson

Directed by Michael Apted

C.S. Lewis’ book, The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a classic in my book. I remember reading it and how I felt when Aslan was helping rip off Eustace’s scales. 

The above said, the movie adaptation is good, but did not get the same classic feeling I got when reading the book. Now, for me, the acting is a highlight. Seeing Edmund and Lucy grown up, with Peter and Susan no longer part of the Narnia story, made it easier to focus on how well Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) carried the movie as the new leads. Their performances, along with Prince/King Caspian’s (Ben Barnes) dashing presence, made the trio a strong anchor for the film.

The story stays true to the book, and the filmmakers did their best to ensure the lessons from the book weren’t hidden or overlooked. As a standalone movie—watching it without reading the book first—it holds its own. The acting was good, the cinematography excellent, and the visual effects captivating enough to keep you glued.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader takes place three years after the events of Prince Caspian. Lucy and Edmund Pevensie are staying with their cousin, Eustace Scrubb, who is by far the most annoying and irritating brat they’ve ever met. Edmund keeps trying to enlist in the war but is too young to join His Majesty’s Armed Forces, while Lucy wishes she could be as beautiful as her sister, Susan.

At their cousin’s home, a painting of a ship on the ocean transports Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace into Narnia’s waters. There, they’re rescued by the ship in the painting and meet Prince Caspian, now King, aboard the Dawn Treader. He’s on a voyage to find the seven Lords of Narnia, whom his uncle Miraz banished.

Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a good movie, I must warn you the Christian themes aren’t hidden, but they did not gel with the movie, felt forced in. Then pacing also feels uneven, with some slower moments that make the story drag. While the visual effects are captivating, the plot doesn't quite have the same impact as the earlier Narnia films. Compared to the other Narnia movies, this one takes third place behind the first two.

The sad part is that we may have to wait years before we see another Chronicles of Narnia story, as Walden Media has lost the rights to C.S. Lewis’ books. It is funny how I do not see how any of the movies or books, can be an answer to The Lord of the Rings.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

6/10

Starring

Will Ferrell

Steve Carell

Paul Rudd

David Koechner

Christina Applegate

Directed by Adam Mckay

Anchorman 2—to be honest, I was very skeptical about this movie. After seeing the first one, I wondered how much further into the realm of stupidity it could go without just being a waste of time. Well, the writers went one step lower, and somehow, the movie didn’t stink. That, in itself, is amazing.

Anchorman 2 rides on the idea of what made CNN, well, CNN. The movie is based on the launch of the first 24-hour news station. The downside (though I might be wrong in a few years) is that it’s not half as quotable or memorable as its predecessor. But it’s just as funny, which is all I wanted. The onslaught of jokes is relentless—just when you think it’s safe to look away, another one hits you right in the face.

My favorite actor in the movie was Steve Carell, who played Brick Tamland. I just couldn’t get enough of him. His acting and voice were enough to keep me laughing the whole time.

After leaving San Diego for New York City, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is living the high life with his wife, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), and their son, Walter Burgundy. But things take a sharp turn when Ron’s boss decides to promote Veronica to full-time lead anchor and fires Ron. Suddenly, Ron’s world is turned upside down.
Now back in San Diego, Ron is washed up and working a part-time gig at SeaWorld. Just when it seems like his glory days are over, he gets a shot at redemption. Enter Freddie Schapp, an executive producer at the Global News Network—the world’s first 24-hour news channel. Freddie hires Ron, who quickly reunites his old news team: Champ (David Koechner), Brick (Steve Carell), and Brian (Paul Rudd). Together, they head back to New York City.
Once there, Ron and his team are stuck with the graveyard shift and a tough challenge. But Ron comes up with a radical new idea to revolutionize the news, catapulting him back to the top of the game. The question is, how long will Ron’s newfound fame last?

All that aside, the pacing in this movie can be a bit all over the place, with some scenes dragging on while others rush by too fast. While the jokes keep coming, they don’t quite hit as hard or stick with you like the ones in the first movie. The characters, though still funny, don’t really grow much, which makes some of the humour feel a little repetitive. As for the plot, it sticks closely to the formula of the first film, which is funny, but it doesn’t really offer anything new or surprising.

In the end, time will tell if this movie becomes as quotable as the first one. But one thing I’ll say is that it’s just as funny, and it’ll bring in the box office numbers. If this makes the producers consider Anchorman 3, I just hope they come up with a script that’s as good—or even better—than this one.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is a must-watch.

Carrie (2013)

Carrie (2013)

5/10

Starring

Chloë Grace Moretz

Julianne Moore

Directed by Kimberly Price

I haven’t seen the original Carrie or the made-for-TV remake, and I haven’t read Stephen King’s 1974 book of the same name either. So, this movie was my first introduction to the Carrie franchise. To be honest, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. I pretty much forgot about it as soon as I finished watching it, mostly because it felt like an over-budget B-movie.

I know the way Stephen King does his writing, some of his books I do not fancy, and some I do, but this movie has not given me the taste to want to read the book.

In this remake, Chloë Grace Moretz plays the titular Carrie White, and Julianne Moore plays Carrie’s mother, Margaret White. Both of them felt out of their depth in this movie. Their acting, in my opinion, didn’t live up to the R-rating the movie was aiming for, and honestly, the movie wasn’t scary at all.
There was nothing horrific about it, and Chloë Grace Moretz didn’t deliver. In movies like Kick-Ass 1 & 2 and Hugo (2011), she was in a league of her own, making her a name to watch out for in the future. But here, I don’t think she was well-suited for the role, and the director didn’t do his job right. Her portrayal and use of telekinesis powers just weren’t cool to watch.
I wonder if the director even bothered to watch other movies that showcased telekinesis. If he had, he might have done a better job with how Moretz displayed her powers.

The movie is about a girl named Carrie, born to a mother with serious mental issues. Margaret believes the whole world is corrupt and that she and Carrie are the only ones destined for heaven. Oh, and she loves to cut herself and bang her head against the wall. Yeah, she’s a real nutcase.

Carrie’s upbringing is heavily influenced by her mother’s mental disorder, leaving her isolated at school and turning her into a loner. This makes her an easy target for bullies. During her time alone, she discovers she has telekinetic powers, which only surface when she’s angry. She starts trying to train herself to use these powers, but her anger always seems to take over.

As the third remake of this story, I don’t think this movie was necessary at all. It’s killed any interest I had in watching the older versions. Carrie isn’t a bad movie, but it’s not great either. You might enjoy the overall sentiment, but I doubt you’ll rate it very high.

Delivery Man (2013)

Delivery Man (2013)

4/10

Starring

Vince Vaughn

Chris Pratt

Cobie Smulders

Directed by Ken Scott

Delivery Man isn’t a pathetic film—it’s just too dull for you to fully appreciate the idea the writer was trying to convey. Delivery Man is a remake of the 2011 Canadian film Starbuck (which was also directed by Ken Scott). Somehow, the idea of a man fathering over 500 children as a result of his frequent trips to a fertility clinic came off as more disgusting than moving.

I don’t know how possible it is, or why any clinic will have someone come in to give that much sperm, but as I said, the idea is more disgusting than thought provoking.

Vince Vaughn is my guy any day, but his recent movies have all been a drag. His effort here is still better than the crap Adam Sandler has been putting out lately, but I really wish Vaughn would catch a break—and soon. If he keeps this up, I’ll probably stop watching his movies, just like I’ve stopped watching Sandler’s.
The last good movie I saw Vaughn in was way back in 2007, when he played Fred Claus in the movie of the same name (Fred Claus). Before Delivery Man, the last movie I saw him in was The Internship (2013), which was also dull and felt more like a Google ad than an actual movie.

The movie follows David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn), who visited a fertility clinic and donated sperm for money over 600 times. His sperm was in high demand—actually, his profile was in high demand—and his donations were used by over 500 women, resulting in more than 500 children. These kids eventually banded together to find out who their father was, but the confidentiality agreement David signed with the clinic made it nearly impossible for them to track him down.
However, David secretly looked up his children and visited them at different times, keeping his identity hidden and acting like their guardian angel.

Compared to the original version (which I have not seen, but reading from other reviews), Delivery Man is missing a lot. The idea of shifting Vaughn from his fast-talking comedic roles to a more passive one might look good on paper, but on screen, it felt like something was seriously missing.

In the end, even Vince Vaughn’s cool and calm demeanor couldn’t save this movie. I wouldn’t advise anyone to waste even a dime on it—your money can be better spent elsewhere.