Rollercoaster (1977)

3 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: You are in a race against time...and terror. You are pursuing a nameless, faceless man through America's greatest amusement parks...and, for the first time, you are experiencing the most sensational rides of our time, IN SENSURROUND
Directed by: James Goldstone
Actors include: Timothy Bottoms, George Segal, George Widmark
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Length: 119 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although this does have one sweet disaster scene near the beginning involving a derailed rollercoaster, the rest is all downhill and it's a patronizing ride. I'm not saying that disaster movies have to be intelligent, far from it but this was beyond cookie cutter and obvious and pretty much nearly eye rolling along the way. It's about a terrorist (Timothy Bottoms who looks disturbing like George W. Bush) who makes bombs and blows up or interferes with rollercoasters for profit...I think. Our lead on the case Agent Harry (George Segal) takes our maniac seriously and therefore he's somewhat trusted by the villain. During a money drop scene things couldn't get more tedious as he's being directed to ride most of the attractions at the theme park...and we get to tag along? It's sort of like an anti-tourist video for theme parks and a really unthrilling thriller all rolled into one! Also be on the lookout for a performance from the band Sparks from whom I do like an album but definitely not the song from this movie. It's a shame this wasn't something I really dug because this formula should have spelled success.

Availability:  On DVD

Die Hard (1988)

4.5 / 5
Tagline:  Twelve terrorists. One cop. The odds are against John McClane... That's just the way he likes it.
Directed by:  John McTiernan
Written by:  Roderick Thorp, Jeb Stewart
Actors include:  Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia
Genre:  Action
Length:  131 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
Probably the first action movie I liked, I was pretty convinced that I would never get into the genre until I saw this.  Conveniently New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is waiting for his wife to come out of a Christmas office party when the building is taken over by terrorists.  The evil terrorists have everyone held captive at gunpoint (except McClane of course) and the situation seems dire.  Luckily with lots of action and excitement McClane has to come to the rescue to save his wife and everyone else that's in peril.  It really is extremely easy to watch, fast paced exciting which I appreciated.  I think Willis makes a really likeable hero too which helps matters also.  Actually the first three movies in this series I've seen are all quite good though this is the best one.  A definite must for most, even if you think you aren't going to like this sort of thing.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray