Down Periscope
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Movie Reviews of Down Periscope
Movie Review: Very funny but overlooked movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I wasn't a fan of Grammer's TV shows like Frasier, I thought he did a great job in this movie. As the captain of a slipshod, rebellious, dilatory crew and an even more dubiously seaworthy old sub, Grammer really carried the whole movie and comes off with the scuttlebutt's share of the comedy, too. The comments about "polishing the ol' torpedo" and "You're almost out of uniform, ensign," were worth the price of the flick by themselves. And the rest of the crew did a good job too, mostly unknowns who seemed to get into the spirit of the whole comedic farce as well. Although it didn't get very good reviews, don't listen to the critics, rent it and see for yourself.
By the way, if you're a fan of old sub movies like me, such as Run Silent, Run Deep, The Enemy Below, Torpedo Alley, and Das Boot, not to mention The Hunt for Red October, and of subs in general, you might like the Dummies Guide to Submarines which is a really cool book about subs and how they work and operate. Written by a protege of Admiral Rickover in the nuclear naval program, it has many fascinating facts and stories about submarines by an officer who's been there, as well as some stories about the legendary Rickover, who was infamous for being as cantakerous as he was brilliant (he told the author that although he passed engineering and technical requirements--which most applicants didn't--his education in the humanties was inadequate, and that he expected a book report on a Shakespeare play each month :-)).
Movie Review: Laugh it up with "Down Periscope"
Summary: 5 Stars
What a terrific movie! All the characters are very believable, and what a bunch of characters they are. Too bad some of them don't appear in more movies. Lots of talent there! One expects stellar performances from the likes of Kelsey Grammer, Harry Dean Stanton, Bruce Dern, William H. Macy, and Rip Torn, and they deliver. But the lesser-known actors do an outstanding job as well. (Some great-looking guys are in this flick! I could watch Brad Tatum flex his muscles all day -- Jonathan Penner and Duane Martin are very easy on the eyes, too.) The humor is there all the time, in varying degrees, from dry and subtle to out-and-out slapstick, and it all works. There's not a player in this movie who doesn't bring great skill and great "business" to his or her part. As a confirmed landlubber, I have no idea if the "underwater" scenes are real or not, but they work for me. The plot has some neat twists and turns, and you'll find yourself laughing hysterically, sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering how they'll get themselves out of one fix after another, and constantly rooting for the unconventional crew of the ancient USS Stingray. From the piss-ant Exec Officer who gets to walk the plank, to the super-slob cigar-chomping king of the mess hall, to the electrician whose brain has absorbed a little too much voltage, to the sonarman who talks to whales, you'll come to love every crew member. Don't miss this movie!Movie Review: IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Have you ever gone to the theater and just picked a movie at random that you think sounds good? Well, that's what I did with this movie, and let me tell you....IT ROCKS!!! You walk into the theater with no expectations because, after all, you have no idea what to expect. You've never even heard of the film, so you take your chances and roll the dice. This was a fantastic film. No! It did not have huge success at the box office. No! It does not have superstar caliber actors. What it does have is great writing, great characters, and the kind of "off-the-wall" humor that makes you say, "I can't believe they just said that!". I especially like Harland Williams as "Sonar".If you have never seen this movie please see it, even if you rent it first, because as far as I'm concerned it is a true classic! I will be buying it the day it is released. I have been waiting for this to come to DVD for about three or four years now. All I can say is.....IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! See this movie! You'll have a "whale" of a time!
FIVE STARS for it's humor and wacky characters (the kind that you feel you actually know, and will miss when the movie is over!) ENJOY it with a group of friends!
Very enjoyable comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
I really liked the way this comedy hit you in subtle ways without trying too hard, and without continuous sight gags.
Kelsey Grammer does an excellent job as the down-and-out Lt. Commander Thomas Dodge, of the low tech World War Two-era submarine USS Stingray; pitted against modern-day warships in a seemingly one-sided war game. Rob Schneider is the obnoxious and recalcitrant XO Martin Pascal. Lauren Holly is the untested, under pressure, Lt. Emily Lake. Rip Torn and Bruce Dern are the adversarial Admirals in the simulated war game.
The crew is composed of a rabble of quirky, spaced-out, ill-mannered, insubordinate and mentally challenged sailors. When the chips are down, they transform into a well-oiled war machine, under Grammer's somewhat "unconventional tutelage." The XO "Walking The Plank" scene, and the Cook "passing gas" during silent running are two of the funniest.
Living near San Francisco and being a WWII historian, I immediately recognized their submarine as the WWII U.S.S. Pampanito (SS-383) museum and memorial, docked at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Another plus for you history buffs.
Easy-going, relaxed, lighthearted comedy.
Movie Review: I second that!
Summary: 5 Stars
All I have to say about the review by Alan D. Hoxie is: DITTO!When I had run out of New Releases with which to bore myself at <insert favorite video rental biz here>, I went looking for something off the wall (or shelves as it were). I was surprised to find a video that I had heard nothing about, but that had well-known actors like Kelsey Grammer, Rob Schneider and Lauren Holly. I picked it up with hopes that it wouldn't be too bad.
I was pleasantly surprised by the character development and storyline. Although this is one that I watched alone (loser), it was still hella funny.
The casting was terrific. They put experienced, but not-so-well-known, actors in with the others previously mentioned to really bring in the supporting roles. The ship's chef, Seaman Buckman, was played by Ken Campbell (known for his part as "Animal" on the short-lived early-90's sitcom Herman's Head) and then, of course, Harland Williams as "Sonar".
Rent this one or pre-order it. It's not stupid or dry comedy; it's great jokes performed very well. Lauren Holly can be my Diving Officer any day. ;)