20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

Disney

December 23, 1954

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

Even with Peter Lorre and a bit of sea life, I wasn't intrigued.  I'm going with "historical drama" as the genre, since I tuned out before anything sci-fi, but this is an adaptation of Jules Verne.  Richard Fleischer directed, so this is his sixth movie I've rejected in this project.

Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon AKA Those Fantastic Flying Fools

Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon AKA Those Fantastic Flying Fools

Jules Verne Films etc.

13 July 1967

Historical Comedy, Sci-Fi
DVD
C-

Not exactly historically accurate.  Based on Jules Verne obviously, and directed by Don Sharp.

Mysterious Island (1961)

Mysterious Island (1961)

Columbia

December 20, 1961

Historical Drama [and I guess Sci-Fi later]

DVD
C-

I wasn't as interested in the characters or situation as I was with other Jules Verne adaptations, although it's always nice to see a hot-air balloon.  Cy Endfield directed.

Master of the World

Master of the World

AIP

May 1961

Historical Drama, Sci-Fi

DVD
B-

On the one hand, this is a zany American International Picture, with everything from very obviously recycled footage to a supporting cast that includes silent film comedian Snub Pollard, once ubiquitous Vito Scotti (his first name misspelled in the credits), and random beefcake crew.  And on the other hand, it's an earnest examination of the meaning of war and weaponry, with Vincent Price as the misguided genius.  And, yes, Charles Bronson is the hero who gets the girl, even though she's engaged and never seems to actually end the engagement onscreen.  I haven't read the Jules Verne novels this is based on and I'm sure that a lot was changed for the adaptation, but I was entertained in a different way than by most movies, especially in this project.  William Witney directed.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

New Line etc.

February 10, 2012

Sci-Fi

DVD
C

It's four years later and there's no Brendan Fraser, just the Rock as stepdad.  And the replacement mom can't act.  Brad Peyton directed.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

New Line

July 11, 2008

Sci-Fi

DVD
B-

Somewhat cheesy but amiable not-quite-adaptation of the Jules Verne novel.  I like that there are character interactions despite all the action and special effects.  Eric Brevig directed.

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)
Walt Disney
June 16, 2004
Children's, Historical Comedy
DVD
D+

Well, this is livelier than the '50s version, to the point of not just slapstick but the usually mild-mannered Jim Broadbent having a tantrum.  On the plus side, Coogan is actually kind of cute with late-Victorian hair and sideburns.  And, yes, they've made Passepartout Chinese rather than Mexican this time.

Frank Coraci directed.

Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

Supporting Ebert's rule that no good movie except
The Wizard of Oz features a hot-air balloon.

United Artists
October 17, 1956
Historical Comedy*
DVD
C

I gave this a half hour because I kept thinking that it would, well, go somewhere.  But after about six minutes of Edward R. Murrow doing the prologue, including clips from Méliès's A Trip to the Moon, we get to the actual story but even that takes another twenty minutes or so for set-up.  I still might've stuck it out but the inclusion of buying a not-in-the-book balloon, when one is available for rent, just annoyed me.  So I missed all the cameos that are supposed to be later and am just tagging the people I recognized in the first half hour.  (No, that doesn't include Catinflas.)

S.J. Perelman co-wrote the screenplay.  Michael Anderson directed.


*I guess this could also count as adventure, but I didn't see anything adventurous, or indeed anything that would justify "Todd-A.O.," in the first half hour.