Archive
JUMANJI – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Jumanji is a children’s fantasy action-adventure film starring Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, and Jonathan Hyde, directed by Joe Johnston, based on the 1981 illustrated children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. The titular object is a mysterious and dangerous board game that brings jungle hazards to life. In 1969 a young boy named Alan Parrish discovers an ancient board game buried at a construction site. When he plays it with his friend Sarah strange supernatural events occur, and Alan is suddenly sucked into the game after rolling the dice. Sarah, terrified, flees, and the game is left behind. Years later, in 1995, siblings Judy and Peter Shepherd move into the now-abandoned Parrish house with their aunt. They find the dusty board game and begin to play, unwittingly releasing Alan – who is now an adult and has been trapped inside the game’s jungle world all these years. As the game’s curse continues every roll brings new dangers into the real world, from rampaging animals to a hunter named Van Pelt, and in order to end the chaos Alan, Judy, and Peter must find Sarah and persuade her to finish the game with them. Read more…
CASPER – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Casper is a family-friendly fantasy comedy film based on the ‘Casper the Friendly Ghost’ character created by Joe Oriolo and Seymour Reit, originally popularized in mid-20th century cartoons and comic books. Directed by Brad Silberling (in his directorial debut) and starring Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, and Cathy Moriarty, the film is centered around a kind and lonely spirit who lives in an old mansion in Maine called Whipstaff Manor. Greedy heiress Carrigan Crittenden inherits the manor from her late father and, hoping to find a rumored treasure hidden inside, she and her assistant Dibs try to get rid of its supernatural inhabitants – Casper and his three mischievous uncles Stretch, Stinkie, and Fatso. When they are unable to evict the ghosts, Carrigan hires Dr. James Harvey, a therapist who specializes in paranormal psychology and helping ghosts “move on.” He arrives with his teenage daughter, Kat, but instead of exorcising the house Kat and Casper grow close, and Casper begins to remember details about his life and death – which leads to them deciding to get rid of Carrigan and Dibs instead. Read more…
THE PAGEMASTER – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
The Pagemaster is a family fantasy film directed by Joe Johnston and Maurice Hunt that combines live-action and animation to tell a whimsical coming-of-age story. The film stars Macaulay Culkin – who at the time was right in the middle of his post-Home Alone superstardom – as Richard, an overly cautious, fearful boy who avoids risks at all costs. During a storm, he takes shelter in a grand library where he meets the enigmatic librarian, Mr. Dewey (Christopher Lloyd). After slipping on the library floor, Richard finds himself transported into a magical, animated world of books. In this fantastical realm, Richard encounters three anthropomorphic books—Adventure (Patrick Stewart), Fantasy (Whoopi Goldberg), and Horror (Frank Welker)—who guide him on an epic journey through iconic literary worlds. Together, they face pirates, dragons, haunted castles, and other challenges drawn from classic tales such as Moby Dick, Treasure Island, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, all of which forces Richard to confront his fears and discover his inner bravery. The film has a noble and worthwhile sentiment that espouses the wonderful nature of classic literature, and is ambitious in its scope, but it was not a critical or commercial success, and the production was marred by in-fighting between director Johnston, the production company, and screenwriter David Kirschner. Read more…
CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
After the success of Patriot Games two years previously, Paramount Pictures greenlit a third movie based on the Jack Ryan spy novels written by Tom Clancy. Clear and Present Danger is the second film to feature Harrison Ford in the lead role as Ryan; in this film, Ryan is appointed Acting Deputy Director of Intelligence for the CIA, and is asked by the President of the United States to help secure funds from congress in order to legally fight drug cartels, after one of the Presidents’ best friends is apparently murdered on the orders of drug lord Ernesto Escobedo. However, it soon becomes apparent the funds are actually being used to conduct an illegal covert war in Colombia, which leads to the deaths of several American soldiers, and that Ryan is being set up to be the ‘fall guy’ should the truth ever be revealed. With the help of a fellow CIA Operative Ryan travels to Colombia with the aim of ending the illegal war, exposing the perpetrators, and bringing home the soldiers left behind. Read more…
THE PELICAN BRIEF – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
The Pelican Brief is a legal thriller directed by Alan J. Pakula, adapted from the best-selling novel by John Grisham. The film stars Julia Roberts as Darby Shaw, a law student at Tulane University, who becomes romantically involved with her professor, Thomas Callahan (Sam Shepard). After two Supreme Court justices are assassinated, Darby writes a legal brief speculating about the possible motives behind the murders. In this document – which she calls the Pelican Brief – she suggests a theory involving an intricate plot to control the balance of power in the United States Supreme Court; however, after it is published, it quickly becomes apparent that Darby’s speculations are very close to the actual truth, and before long she finds herself targeted by assassins hired by the perpetrators, who are determined to eliminate anyone who may know about their plans. With nowhere else to turn, Darby contacts Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington), an investigative journalist, and together they race against time to uncover the identity of the people behind the murders and bring the conspiracy to light. Read more…
WE’RE BACK! A DINOSAUR’S STORY – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
One of the sillier animated films that James Horner scored in his career was the 1993 effort We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story, which was adapted by Moonstruck screenwriter John Patrick Shanley from a children’s book by Hudson Talbott. The story follows four dinosaurs who are transformed into sentient beings by a time-travelling scientist named Captain Neweyes; the dinosaurs are then brought by him to modern-day New York where, inevitably, they get lost, and have to rely on their new friends (a pair of runaway children) to help them – all while also trying to avoid the clutches of Professor Screweyes, Captain Neweyes’s evil twin brother, who runs a demented circus, and wants the dinosaurs to be his star attraction. The plot doesn’t really matter as the film is largely forgotten today, despite the fact that it has the most bafflingly eccentric voice cast of any animated film I have ever come across – actor John Goodman, British sitcom star Felicity Kendal, legendary newsman Walter Cronkite, chef Julia Child, and chat show host Jay Leno, among others. It was produced by Steven Spielberg – who had a slightly more successful dinosaur movie come out in 1993 – and had four directors, including animation specialist Phil Nibbelink, and his compatriot Simon Wells, who would later go on to direct movies such as Balto and The Prince of Egypt. Read more…
THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
The Man Without a Face is a drama film about the unlikely friendship between a teacher and a student, and is based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Isabelle Holland. It was the directorial debut of Mel Gibson, who also stars in the eponymous role as Justin McLeod, a former teacher who was disfigured in a car accident, leaving him with severe facial burns, and who now lives a reclusive life on an island off the coast of Maine, estranged from society due to his appearance and his emotional scars. Things change for McLeod when a teenage boy named Chuck Norstadt, who is struggling with his studies and is on the verge of flunking out of the military school he desperately wants to attend, approaches him for help with his education. Despite initial hesitation from Chuck’s mother, they form an unlikely friendship, and McLeod agrees to tutor the boy in various subjects. As the summer progresses, McLeod’s mentorship helps Chuck not only academically but also emotionally, while Chuck’s faith in McLeod starts to help him shed some of his bitterness and anger. However, rumors and misunderstandings about the ‘true nature’ of their relationship begin to circulate in the small town, leading to suspicion and hostility. The film co-stars Nick Stahl as Chuck, as well as Margaret Whitton, Fay Masterson, Gaby Hoffmann, Geoffrey Lewis, and Richard Masur. It received mostly positive reviews from critics at the time, although it is somewhat forgotten today. Read more…
SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Searching for Bobby Fischer is a chess-themed drama film directed by Steven Zaillian, which marked the directorial debut of the screenwriter of Schindler’s List. The film is based on the true story of Joshua Waitzkin, a 7-year-old boy with an exceptional talent for playing chess. After his skills are discovered, he starts receiving formal training from chess tutor Bruce Pandolfini. However, Josh’s natural ability for the game, as well as his fascination with the legendary chess player Bobby Fischer, creates a conflict within him. On one hand, he strives to excel in the game and becomes deeply involved in competitive chess tournaments. On the other hand, he battles with the pressure to balance his love for chess with a normal childhood. This dichotomy is further exacerbated by Josh’s parents, who have differing views on how to nurture their son’s talent: his father encourages his competitive side, while his mother wants him to enjoy a more well-rounded life. It’s a film about the pursuit of excellence, the complexities of talent and ambition, and the balance between nurturing a gift and maintaining a sense of innocence. It stars Ben Kingsley, Joe Mantegna, Joan Allen, Laurence Fishburne, and young Max Pomeranc as Josh, and I really enjoy it – it’s a slow burn, low-key movie that features some crackerjack dramatic performances and ends on an emotional high. Read more…
ONCE UPON A FOREST – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Once Upon a Forest is an animated adventure film with an environmental message, set in the tranquil world of Dapplewood, a lush and harmonious forest community. The story revolves around a group of small animal friends who must embark on a perilous journey to save Michelle, a young badger, who is exposed to toxic gas after a careless human truck driver spills it in the forest, and falls into a deep sleep. The group of friends – Abigail the wood mouse, Edgar the mole, and Russell the hedgehog, supported by their wise old mentor Cornelius – sets off on a quest beyond the borders of their familiar forest to find a rare medicinal herb, and along the way they face various challenges – including evading predators, navigating treacherous terrain, and surviving encounters with humans – while also learning about the delicate balance of nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Read more…
A FAR OFF PLACE – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
A Far Off Place is a children’s adventure movie directed by Mikael Salomon about a group of teenagers who must survive in the African desert after their families are killed by poachers. It stars a then 17-year-old Reese Witherspoon as Nonnie Parker, a young girl who lives on a game reserve with her father; after the poachers attack and her father is killed, she is forced to flee into the Kalahari with a young African boy named Xhabbo (Sarel Bok), and along the way they are joined by an American teenager named Harry Winslow (Ethan Randall), who is also trying to escape from the poachers and their leader, corrupt ivory smuggler John Ricketts (Jack Thompson). The group faces many dangers in the harsh desert environment, including dehydration, starvation, encounters with dangerous wildlife, and further attacks from Ricketts, but eventually they discover evidence of the poachers’ illegal activities and decide that they must try to put an end to their operation. The film was received as a slightly updated version of the 1971 Australian film Walkabout, and was praised at the time for its beautiful desert cinematography, but it has become somewhat forgotten in the intervening years. Read more…
SWING KIDS – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Swing Kids is an interesting exploration of a sub-culture that existed in Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 40s. These so-called ‘swingjugend’ were groups of 14- to 21-year-old Germans, mostly middle or upper-class students, who admired the “American way of life” and rebelled against the government by gathering in underground nightclubs in Hamburg and Berlin, and listening to and dancing to swing music – an activity that the Hitler Youth of the National Socialist Party hated, and tried to suppress. The film follows the fortunes of one such group of youths, who grow up surrounded by intolerance and violence, and find the ‘swingjugend’ movement to be a welcome distraction, until the ramifications of their action begins to impact their daily lives. The film is directed by Thomas Carter, stars Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley, and Barbara Hershey, with an uncredited Kenneth Branagh in especially fine as an unexpectedly sympathetic Nazi SS-Sturmbannführer. Read more…
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER – Simon Franglen
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
For a while, people sort of forgot what a big deal Avatar was. When James Cameron’s spectacular sci-fi epic first hit screens in December of 2009 it was immediately heralded as a visual masterpiece, boasting some of the most impressive and realistic special effects in the history of cinema, as well as being a groundbreaking step forward in the use of 3D technology and motion-capture. It won three Oscars, was nominated for another six (including Best Picture), and grossed something in the region of $2.9 billion at the global box office, making it one of the most financially successful films ever. But then the backlash came, with some people (rightfully) criticizing the story as being a tired re-tread of both the Pocahontas legend and movies like Dances With Wolves and Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, while also noting its ‘white savior’ tropes. And then… well… it all sort of drifted away. Cameron announced that there would be sequels – possibly four of them – and then he went away to go and make them. And, slowly, over the course of more than a decade, almost everyone forgot about the whole thing. Every once in a while some bit of Avatar news would leak out – shooting began way back in 2017 – but more than anything the Avatar sequels felt a little like a mythical thing, some fairy-tale idea seemingly destined to never come to fruition. Read more…
SNEAKERS – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Sneakers is a fun caper movie with an all-star cast, directed by Phil Alden Robinson, and written by Robinson with Lawrence Lasker and Walter Parkes. Robert Redford stars as Martin Bishop, a former computer hacker now working as a ‘penetration tester’ for the tech industry, who spends his time leading a team of various misfits played by Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix, Sidney Poitier, and David Strathairn, while trying to maintain a relationship with his on-again-off-again girlfriend Mary McDonnell. Bishop’s life is thrown into turmoil when he is tasked by the NSA with recovering a device that is capable of breaking the encryption of nearly every computer system in the world; this brings him back into contact with his former partner Cosmo (Ben Kingsley), who spent many years in federal prison, and who now wants the device for himself so he can destabilize the global economy and exact some revenge. The film was a reasonable critical and commercial success, which grossed over $105 million at the box office worldwide, and maintained the then 55-year-old Redford’s status as a top cinematic draw. Read more…
PATRIOT GAMES – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Patriot Games was the second film to feature the character Jack Ryan, the CIA analyst and protagonist of a series of novels by Tom Clancy. He first appeared on screen in 1990 in The Hunt for Red October, played by Alec Baldwin, and returns in this second installment played by Harrison Ford. The film is directed by Philip Noyce and is, in my opinion, one of the best political action-thrillers of the 1990s. The story begins with Ryan on vacation in London with his family, where he inadvertently foils a plot to assassinate a member of the British royal family by an Irish paramilitary group, the ULA, a radical offshoot of the IRA Irish Republican Army. With the ringleader dead and the other terrorists in custody, Ryan is given an honorary knighthood by the Queen, and returns home a hero – but things become much more serious when Sean Miller, the brother of the killed ULA leader, is broken out of prison, and vows to exact revenge on Ryan. The film co-stars Anne Archer, Patrick Bergin, James Earl Jones, Richard Harris, Samuel L. Jackson, and a young Sean Bean, and is a terrific tale that offers an overview of Irish republican politics in the 1980s and 90s, a high level examination of ‘the troubles,’ combined with some excellent action and suspense. Read more…
UNLAWFUL ENTRY – James Horner
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Unlawful Entry was one of a spate of home invasion movies that hit theaters in the early 1990s. Directed by Jonathan Kaplan from a screenplay by Lewis Colick and Ken Friedman, the film starred Kurt Russell and Madeleine Stowe as Michael and Karen Carr, a happy couple living in an upscale part of Los Angeles. One night an intruder enters their home and attacks Karen before escaping; one of the police officers who responds to their 911 call is Pete Davis (Ray Liotta), who is friendly and helpful and goes out of his way to install a good security system in the house. However, what initially appears to be a kind gesture quickly turns sinister when Pete develops an unhealthy fixation on Karen, and begins to stalk her. The film, which co-starred Roger E. Mosley and Ken Lerner, was a commercial success, and was especially praised for Ray Liotta’s compelling and terrifying performance as the unhinged Pete. Read more…
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