July 31, 2012

Movie Night: Caddyshack.

Review #208: Caddyshack.

Cast
Chevy Chase (Ty Webb), Rodney Dangerfield (Al Czervik), Ted Knight (Judge Elihu Smails), Michael O'Keefe (Danny Noonan), Bill Murray (Carl Spackler), Sarah Holcomb (Maggie O'Hooligan), Scott Colomby (Tony D'Annunzio), Cindy Morgan (Lacey Underall), Dan Resin (Dr. Beeper), and Henry Wilcoxon (Bishop Fred Pickering) Directed by Harold Ramis (#138 - Bedazzled)

Review
Oh gee, an old review that likely needs updating. 2012 me needed a bit more improvement from 2018 me.

Happy...August everyone. Anyway, after 32 years, this film still holds up as a classic. The acting is decent, with Murray stealing the show (who I have covered before: Ghostbusters - #026, Ghostbusters II - #031, Scrooged - #075, Tootsie - #084). The film has some good lines, which are still being repeated to this day. There are some crude gags and there are good gags as well. I hadn't reviewed a golf film until today (could be worse, I could be watching Dorf on Golf). The film is still memorable to this day, gophers and all.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

July 29, 2012

Movie Night: Ferris Bueller's Day Off.



Review #207: Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Cast
Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller), Alan Ruck (Cameron Frye), Mia Sara (Sloane Peterson), Jeffrey Jones (Edward R. Rooney), Jennifer Grey (Jeanie Bueller), Lyman Ward (Tom Bueller), and Cindy Pickett (Katie Bueller) Directed by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club - #046)

Review
I haven't talked about John Hughes in a while. A really long while. But here we are, with Hughes directing and writing for the fourth out of eight films. This film, like I said in The Breakfast Club review, is a fun film to watch. Hughes makes sure his characters are actually characters, which is always a good thing. They do change a bit as the film progresses, especially Frye. The landmarks in Chicago are used greatly by Hughes, who said "I really wanted to capture as much of Chicago as I could. Not just in the architecture and landscape, but the spirit." And...It is captured. The film is (I actually almost forgot to mention) funny. Bueller breaking the fourth wall, dancing in a parade and many other things are the highlights in a film that has been praised, analyzed and more (such as getting a brief run on TV). A good flick, enjoyable to say the least.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

July 28, 2012

Movie Night: Arthur (1981)



Review #206: Arthur.

Cast
Dudley Moore (Arthur Bach), Liza Minnelli (Linda Marolla), John Gielgud (Hobson), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Martha Bach), Jill Eikenberry (Susan Johnson), Stephen Elliott (Burt Johnson), Thomas Barbour (Stanford Bach), Ted Ross (Bitterman), and Barney Martin (Ralph Marolla) Directed by Steve Gordon.

Review
This review has been revised since the original review, citing my newfound appreciation for it. It figures, I mention any kind of movies in reviews of other movies, and somehow it comes back to be reviewed (Heh, what's next, Batman and Robin?). Anyway, the cast is excellent, I find that Moore does well (Given he has to play a drunken millionaire). You might wonder which Arthur is better portrayed, Brand or Moore. Personally, Moore is better. I feel that he is simply more fun to watch and more...lovable then Brand. It's fun to watch and has a good theme to go with it (Best That You Can Do is the title, and it actually got an Oscar for Best Original Song). The film is more balanced that gives you a good laugh or two. It's been 10 years since Moore's death, an there are people out there that still miss him. A good film, better then the 2011 version.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

July 27, 2012

Movie Night: Dick Tracy.


Review #205: Dick Tracy.

Cast
Warren Beatty (Dick Tracy), Al Pacino (Bigboy Caprice), Madonna (Breathless Mahoney), Glenne Headly (Tess Trueheart), Charlie Korsmo (The Kid/Dick Tracy Jr.), Seymour Cassel (Sam Catchun), Charles Durning (Chief Brandon), Dick Van Dyke (John Fletcher), Dustin Hoffman (Mumbles), and William Forsythe (Flattop) Directed by Warren Beatty.

Review
First off, this film is adapted from the comic strip (about a detective who fights crime against various villains) created by Chester Gould in 1931. This already had a few adaptations to films, radio, comic, TV, and novels. Anyway, this film has some similarities to Batman, which had been released a year earlier. Both have dark elements, riveting action, and even the same composer (Danny Elfman) The colors and style in this film are excellent, you see a limited but comic like feel invoked all around. The acting is good, but the fact there is an all star cast in the first place is more interesting. It has good makeup (that garnered an Oscar) The hype for the film might've been a bit much (again sounding familiar to Batman...). The story isn't as developed as Batman, but this film still has enough colors and fun to keep you interested and entertained. The sad thing is that after over 20 years, There have been 0 sequels (though Beatty has recently got the rights back, but he is 75, there's that obstacle), but either way, this is something that will be remembered for being a decent film.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Freaky Friday (2003)

Review #204: Freaky Friday.

Cast
Jamie Lee Curtis (Dr. Tess Coleman), Lindsay Lohan (Anna Coleman), Chad Michael Murray (Jake), Mark Harmon (Ryan, Tess's Fiance), Harold Gould (Grandpa Alan), Stephen Tobolowsky (Mr. Elton Bates), Christina Vidal (Maddie), and Ryan Malgarini (Harry Coleman) Directed by Mark Waters (#151 - Mean Girls)

Review
This film is a remake of another film from 1976 (which already had a TV remake in 1995). Anyway, Curtis and Lohan are a good pair in this film, Curtis especially (proving once again that she can work in a comedy) and Lohan do fine jobs. The film has its moments that at least make you chuckle in a relatively decent run time (97 minutes). It's weird to think this film is almost nine years old (at least I'm reviewing it on a Friday, so there ya go), and yet it still is a decent film.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

July 26, 2012

Movie Night: Arthur (2011).

Review #203: Arthur.

Cast
Russell Brand (Arthur Bach), Helen Mirren (Lillian Hobson), Jennifer Garner (Susan Johnson), Greta Gerwig (Naomi Quinn), Luis Guzmán (Bitterman), Nick Nolte (Burt Johnson), and Geraldine James (Vivienne Bach) Directed by Jason Winer.

Review
I am aware that this is a remake (The first being made in 1981 with Dudley Moore, who I've covered before) However I haven't seen the film, so there ya go. Anyway, Russell Brand is...I don't know how to describe him other then a mix of a off-my-meds pirate with a bit of hazes added in. But playing the role of a rich alcoholic, he just works. Brand and Mirren have some good deliveries that keep the film from just being a remake. It can stand on its own legs and not need to be collapsed by fears of being not as good. A decent film that doesn't have much against it.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

July 25, 2012

Movie Night: Volcano (1997).

Review #202: Volcano.

Cast
Tommy Lee Jones (Mike Roark), Anne Heche (Dr. Amy Barnes), Gaby Hoffmann (Kelly Roark), Don Cheadle (Emmit Reese), Jacqueline Kim (Dr. Jaye Calder), Keith David (Lieutenant Ed Fox), John Corbett (Norman Calder), Michael Rispoli (Gator Harris), and John Carroll Lynch (Stan Olber) Directed by Mick Jackson.

Review
The film is easy to describe in a few words: "Volcano pops up in Los Angeles, cheesiness ensues." Tommy Lee Jones at least does a good job, given what he is in (he sure has been in a lot of situations from a FBI marshal to Ty Cobb) The characters are introduced in a snap but aren't much in terms of memorable territory. The cheesiness factor ranges from scene to scene, but my "favorite" is when the lava is destroying a house (man, that's weird to type), and the dog is trapped there. He looks around...and barks at the lava before going out the doggy door. That alone is laughable. The effects are decent, they look believable enough, but the last thing I'll mention (probably most important) is the relatively changing science in the film. Characters get close to lava without feeling much and when toughing the lava are dead with the touch (you might as well use TV Tropes to help you understand volcanoes) At points, the lava isn't much threatening, as it moves slower then a snail at points. I might as well mention this film is 15 years old (it doesn't feel that way though)...But the last question is: Is it better then Dante's Peak? Probably, but it doesn't matter given that both are slightly forgotten, and that is probably for the best.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

July 24, 2012

Movie Night: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

Review #201: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

Cast
Channing Tatum (Conrad S. Hauser / Duke), Marlon Wayans (Wallace A. Weems / Ripcord), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Hershel Dalton / Heavy Duty), Rachel Nichols (Shana M. O'Hara / Scarlett), Sienna Miller (Anastasia DeCobray / Ana Lewis / The Baroness), Ray Park (Snake Eyes), Saïd Taghmaoui (Abel Shaz / Breaker), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Rexford G. "Rex" Lewis / The Doctor / Cobra Commander), Christopher Eccleston (Laird James McCullen XXIV / Destro), Lee Byung-hun (Thomas Arashikage / Storm Shadow), Jonathan Pryce (The President), Dennis Quaid (General Clayton M. Abernathy / Hawk), and Karolína Kurková (Courtney A. Krieger / Cover Girl) Directed by Stephen Sommers.

Review
It's been a few days since my last review, and given the subject matters of the last two films, let's dissapoint with this film. First off, I'm not a follower of G.I. Joe (Sadly, the most I've heard of it was on That 70's Show, and that as a debate over if it was a doll or an action figure), but with this film, I wouldn't want to. The acting is standard, with not much substance to help out. And to certain fans of one actor, you'll be dissapointed that he is in this at all (Those fans? Probably 3rd Rock from the Sun or something) The action isn't much better, at one point I went to sleep at the underwater part (and I had to rewind the film, that's a first) I have one question (among others) Why do they need to steal their own warheads? Why build a base under the polar icecaps? With all the silliness, they could've had the base in space and it would've made sense. You know, with Transformers, there were Robots and humans to go with it. This is just humans and some tech that desn't have much style, but can be a film of dumb fun. Just turn off the brain, ignore everything, and don't sleep at the end. There will be a sequel to this, but after 4 years does anyone really care? Not really.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

July 20, 2012

Movie Night's Top 200 Films.

Here is my Top 200 Films. Keep in mind that just because they're in the below 100 position, it doesn't mean they're bad, they just aren't as good as other films, and if they're really low, then they have no excuse. (From 001 all the way to the lowly 200. It was a tough list to make, especially at the top, but I did it)

001. Citizen Kane.
002. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
003. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
004. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
005. Tron.
006. Blade Runner.
007. Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
008. 2001: A Space Odyssey.
009. Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
010. Forbidden Planet.
011. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
012. Rebel Without A Cause
013. On the Waterfront
014. A Streetcar Named Desire
015. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
016. Batman (1989)
017. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
018. Casablanca
019. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
020. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
021. The Iron Giant
022. Finding Nemo
023. Ghostbusters
024. The Wizard of Oz
025. The Dark Knight
026. 12 Angry Men
027. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
028. Mutiny on the Bounty
029. The Sixth Sense
030. Frankenstein (1931)
031. Dracula (1931)
032. A Christmas Carol (1984)
033. American Graffiti
034. Coraline
035. Gojira
036. Ace in the Hole
037. To Kill a Mockingbird
038. Sullivan's Travels
039. East of Eden
040. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
041. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
042. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
043. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
044. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
045. Captain America: The First Avenger
046. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
047. The Terminator
048. Die Hard
049. The Hunt for Red October
050. Iron Man
051. X-Men 2: X-Men United
052. X-Men
053. Super 8
054. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.
055. The Invisible Man (1933)
056. Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol
057. Die Hard with a Vengeance
058. Ratatouille
059. The Lion King
060. Monsters, Inc
061. Shrek 2
062. Some Like It Hot
063. For a Few Dollars More
064. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
065. Stand By Me
066. Rollerball
067. Rambo: First Blood
068. The Running Man
069. A Fistful of Dollars
070. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
071. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
072. Scrooge (1951)
073. Rocky
074. Chicken Run
075. Megamind
076. The Transformers: The Movie
077. Holes
078. The Fugitive
079. Dr. No
080. Freedom Writers
081. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
082. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
083. Peter Pan (1953)
084. Wall Street
085. Matilda
086. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
087. Glory
088. The Misfits
089. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner
090. Gattaca
091. Aladdin
092. The Addams Family
093. Addams Family Values
094. Halloween (1978)
095. Marty
096. Cheaters
097. The Man From Snowy River
098. The Shining
099. Batman Begins
100. Thor
101. X-Men: First Class
102. Smokey and the Bandit
103. The Fifth Element
104. Tootsie
105. Hot Shots!
106. The Mask
107. Duck Soup
108. Beetlejuice
109. This is Spinal Tap
110. Network
111. Easy A
112. The Breakfast Club
113. Face/Off
114. Selena
115. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
116. The Exorcist
117. Clash of the Titans (1981)
118. Looney Tunes: Back in Action
119. Blazing Saddles
120. Spaceballs
121. A Christmas Story
122. Jason and the Argonauts
123. Ghostbusters II
124. Get Shorty
125. Gremlins
126. Glory
127. Full Metal Jacket
128. Die Hard 2
129. Silent Running
130. Rollerball
131. The Black Hole
132. Star Trek
133. Inception
134. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
135. Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey
136. Chronicle
137. Cheaters
138. Flushed Away
139. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
140. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
141. Tomorrow Never Dies
142. Goldeneye
143. Bedazzled (1967)
144. Austin Power: The Spy Who Shagged Me
145. Mean Girls
146. The World Is Not Enough
147. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
148. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
149. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
150. Independence Day
151. Phone Booth
152. The Ring
153. I, Robot
154. Robots
155. Madagascar 2
156. The Island
157. Batman (1966)
158. The Cannonball Run
159. Robocop 2
160. Terminator 2: Rise of the Machines
161. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
162. The 6th Day
163. The Expendables
164. The A-Team
165. Top Gun
166. X-Men 3: The Last Stand
167.The Fast and Furious (2001)
168. Small Soldiers
169. Zookeeper
170. Role Models
171. Short Circuit
172. Die Another Day
173. Sweet 15
174. Austin Powers in Goldmember
175. Scrooged
176. The Ringer
177. Planet 51
178. Plan 9 from Outer Space
179. Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer
180. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
181. Crocodile Dundee
182. Shark Tale
183. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
184. Shrek the Third
185. Maximum Overdrive
186. Bedazzled (2000)
187. Goal! The Dream Begins
188. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
189. Transformers
190. Fantastic Four
191. Crocodile Dundee II
192. Robocop 3
193. Norbit
194. Christmas with the Kranks
195. Just Go With It
196. A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
197. The Room
198. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
199. Terminator Salvation
200. Birdemic: Shock and Terror.

Movie Night: Citizen Kane.


Review #200: Citizen Kane.

Cast
Orson Welles (Charles Foster Kane), William Alland (Jerry Thompson), Dorothy Comingore (Susan Alexander Kane), Joseph Cotten (Jedediah Leland), George Coulouris (Walter Parks Thatcher), Everett Sloane (Mr. Bernstein), Ruth Warrick (Emily Monroe Norton Kane), Agnes Moorehead (Mary Kane), Ray Collins (Jim W. Gettys), and Paul Stewart (Raymond) Directed by Orson Welles.

Review
This film feels like a detective story, as you are invested into the life of the man known as Kane. The acting is great, with Welles being the main standout (As it should be) This was his first film that he directed, and this is his more remembered (More so then The Magnificent Ambersons) The film grows on you, it turns from seeing a young, grand Kane to the end, where he is alone, old, in his grand palace, Xanadu. The screenplay is great as well. There aren't many effects in this film, but when they are apparent, they're good. My favorite is the rise of the theater along with the shot of the many Kanes walking in his palace. The ending is just great, giving you a twist that hasn't really been done ever since. It has been 71 years since this film was released, and it is still one of, if not the greatest. For people who want to learn how to make films, it is a grand tool for that department. It may not have been respected as it is today back in 1941, but now it is respected as one of the greatest films of our time. And that ends the 200th Review. Thank you for reading, commenting, and just being there for Movie Night. There's still more to come.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

July 19, 2012

Movie Night: Forbidden Planet.


Review #199: Forbidden Planet.

Cast
Walter Pidgeon (Dr. Edward Morbius), Anne Francis (Altaira "Alta" Morbius), Leslie Nielsen (Commander John J. Adams), Robby the Robot, Warren Stevens (Lt. "Doc" Ostrow), Jack Kelly (Lt. Jerry Farman), Richard Anderson (Chief Quinn), Earl Holliman (Cook), George D. Wallace (Steve) Directed by Fred M. Wilcox.

Review
What can I say but wow. This film is still dynamic, still classic after 56 years (56 years ago in 1956...huh) The acting is good, with Pidgeon and Nielson doing the best out of the cast. I must mention Robby the Robot. He is more then just a robot that beeps and bops, he is an important feature that is the pinnacle of science-fiction in the 1950's. Is he the best robot in film? That's very debatable. Some say Gort, some say R2-D2, and some whatever they think is their favorite. Anyway, the story is good, keeping you interested all throughout in this 98 minute tale. But the main importance is the effects. True to this day, they are grand in look and showcase the best in Science Fiction. The last thing I will mention is the electronic music score. It was ahead of its time, before synthesisers took hold, and the music sets the tone for this film. A great film in all. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

July 15, 2012

Movie Night: Spaceballs.

Review #198: Spaceballs.

Cast
Bill Pullman (Lone Starr), John Candy (Barf), Rick Moranis (Dark Helmet), Mel Brooks (President Skroob/Yogurt), Daphne Zuniga (Princess Vespa), Dick Van Patten (King Roland), and Joan Rivers (Dot Matrix) Directed by Mel Brooks.

Review
It's been a while since I last reviewed something with Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles - #061 and Robots - #087), but's it been even longer for Moranis (Ghostbusters II - #031). Anyway, the film is an obvious parody of Star Wars, right down to the name, but it does parody other things (such as Alien) There are some good gags with decent acting to go with it in a typical run time. It might've been a little too late to parody it (four years after Return of the Jedi), but it is still a favorite nonetheless. May the Schwartz be with you. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Phone Booth.

Review #197: Phone Booth.

Cast
Colin Farrell (Stu Shepard), Forest Whitaker (Capt. Ed Ramey), Katie Holmes (Pamela McFadden), Radha Mitchell (Kelly Shepard), Kiefer Sutherland (The Caller), and Paula Jai Parker (Felicia) Directed by Joel Schumacher.

Review
From what I've heard, this film was proposed to be made in the 1960's, but was denied due to not having a reason of keeping the person in the phone booth until the 1990's. Anyway, with the man who gave you "Bat-Credit Card" in the directing position, what could happen? Farrell is alright in this film, as you believe in the character and his metamorphosis as the film progresses. Initially, the film is a bit slow, but it does get better as it goes on. And yes, Sutherland is our "villain" in this film. Honestly, the film looks like that scene from Die Hard with a Vengeance (The one where McClane has to get to a pay phone and answer a riddle), and yet the suspense is enough to keep you interested. It may have a run time of 81 minutes (typical for a comedy but not thrillers), but it at least is entertaining just enough. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

July 13, 2012

Movie Night: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005).


Review #196: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Cast
Johnny Depp (Willa Wonka), Freddie Highmore (Charlie Bucket), David Kelly (Grandpa Joe), Jordan Fry (Mike Teavee), Julia Winter (Veruca Salt), AnnaSophia Robb (Violet Beauregarde), Philip Wiegratz (Augustus Gloop), Deep Roy (Oompa-Loompas), Geoffrey Holder (Narrator), and Christopher Lee (Wilbur Wonka) Directed by Tim Burton (#040 - Batman, #107 - Beetlejuice, and #132 - Alice in Wonderland)

Review
Yes I realized the irony of it being a Sunday when updating this review from two years ago. The review is fixed up to make it more sensible and less disjointed. Enjoy, and see the original film first. It's odd that I'm reviewing this on a day like this. You think that at least one network would show a Friday the 13th marathon, but no. 

Anyway, this is the second adaptation of the 1964 novel by Roald Dahl (It's a really good book, you should check it out, BTW). The first was already covered here (#131 - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). This version follows the book more closely, but is it better? Well...that's a tough thing to say. The acting by Depp is...what's that word? Creepy, but I digress. The rest of the cast do a decent job and all, but even if they are better actors, it doesn't meant we identify more with them, they just feel so distant, so we don't really care all too much when they leave. The original may not have followed the book much, but it made up for it with charm, while the more faithful movie to the book just feels like a cold stone. Wilder managed to have a good deal of fun and mystery to the role. Depp manages to remind me of Michael Jackson more than a candy developer, though not as good a dancer. The movie may be alright, but it barely holds its own when compared to the original film, though if you want a more faithful adaptation of the book, this is for you. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

July 9, 2012

Movie Night: Megamind.


Review #195: Megamind.

Cast
Will Ferrell (Megamind), Tina Fey (Roxanne Ritchi), David Cross (Minion), Jonah Hill (Tighten/Hal Stewart), Brad Pitt (Metro Man), J. K. Simmons (Warden), and Ben Stiller (Bernard) Directed by Tom McGrath (#165 - Madagascar and #154 - Madagascar 2)

Review
Megamind has been compared to a mix between Superman and Despicable Me, which is a strange combination of films, but is it really? Not so much, but you eventually get over that comparison and start to watch with interest. Ferrell does a good job, he's charming and somewhat sympathetic. The rest of the cast do good as well, such as Fey and Cross, who are both fun to watch. The animation is refined and excellent, the movie is enjoyable and while it may not be a great movie, it at least is a fun one. The plot line is alright, with some good jokes and dynamic action all around to make an excellent film. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.


July 5, 2012

Movie Night: Ace in the Hole.

Review #194: Ace in the Hole.

Cast
Kirk Douglas (Chuck Tatum), Jan Sterling (Lorraine Minosa), Robert Arthur (Herbie Cook), Porter Hall (Jacob Q. Boot), Frank Cady (Mr. Federber), Richard Benedict (Leo Minosa), Ray Teal (Sheriff Kretzer), Lewis Martin (McCardle), John Berkes (Papa Minosa), Frances Dominguez (Mama Minosa), and Gene Evans (Deputy Sheriff) Directed by Billy Wilder (#106 - Some Like It Hot)

Review
Nearly sixty one years old, this film still has some bite. Originally called The Big Carnival, it was not a success initially, but today it is a classic. Cynical and nail biting to the point, it also has good acting from Kirk Douglas, who is the father of another great actor, Michael Douglas, who I mentioned already (#095 - Wall Street). Both can play alluring roles that charm you into watching the movie. Fun fact: Kirk's real name was Issur Danielovitch. Wilder directed, wrote, and produce, and yet this wasn't much of a success back then. But as time passes, so does opinions, and I feel that way as well. Unrelenting yet still realistic with good noir with a good ending shot to top it off. It might be a bit slow in the beginning, but it all tops out in the end. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

July 4, 2012

Movie Night: Independence Day.


Review #193: Independence Day.

Cast
Will Smith (Steven Hiller), Jeff Goldblum (David Levinson), Bill Pullman (Thomas J. Whitmore), Margaret Colin (Constance Spano), Vivica A. Fox (Jasmine Dubrow), Judd Hirsch (Julius Levinson), Robert Loggia (William Grey), and Randy Quaid (Russell Casse) Directed by Roland Emmerich.

Review
Fixed for your consideration, everyone. This review was originally published 2 years ago and later transferred here, I've fixed some errors to help make it look a little better. Enjoy, and welcome to Earth.

First of all, happy Independence Day. The movie is almost a hack of Star Wars, but at least Star Wars had control and some sort of plot. It has one scene I find really good though, and that would be the destruction of the White House, it's such a memorable scene and also because it doesn't use much dialogue.  The aliens are decent, if you like beige monsters, but the ships are so dull looking. One thing I notice is in the beginning when the ships start to enter in the Earth, I thought they look like movie tin cans being dropped through a background. Maybe it's just me though. The acting is alright, with Will Smith being the main standout. Look, whatever he's in, he makes the film more enjoyable, it's just his charm that carries the movie.  There are three things that happen near the end that I find a bit...mentionable. One, why don't the other nations have a plan instead of waiting for the U.S to do one? I'm sure the other nations of the world have scientists and such to figure it too, ya know. Secondly, the president's speech. I won't repeat it here but just search for it and you'll know what I mean. It's either the most over the top speech ever spoken, or...the most over the top speech ever spoken. Third, why did Emmerich delete scenes that help explain the film's end? Apparently there were scenes to help explain this a bit better, that were deleted in the final cut, like how aliens get hacked by a virus that Google would laugh at, though I guess if you let a ship that previously crash landed 50 years ago in Roswell (just go with it) into your fortress, you deserve what you get. Overall, it's been 16 years, and there hasn't been a sequel. Yet. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars (2012; not really willing to look back on it yet in 2023...)

July 3, 2012

Movie Night: Maximum Overdrive.

Review #192: Maximum Overdrive.

Cast
Emilio Estevez (William "Bill" Robinson), Pat Hingle (Bubba Hendershot), Laura Harrington (Brett Graham), Yeardley Smith (Connie), John Short (Curtis), Ellen McElduff (Wanda June), Frankie Faison (Handy), Leon Rippy (Brad), and Christopher Murney (Camp Loman) Directed by Stephen King.

Review
The first thing to mention is that this is Stephen King's only directed film which he also wrote (adapted from a short story of his own named Trucks) It's like he wanted to say, "Hey you think you can adapt my novels to books good? Well I can do better!" But...It isn't. The acting is standard, with Estevez doing his best given the role (It's like he acted angry because he had to be in this film) The action is...well action, standard for an action film. The violence is even more standard, getting a bit old after a while. The one thing I find of note to be worthy is the soundtrack by none other then AC/DC. Pure awesome. The film in a way is enjoyable, even with its bizarre explaining in the beginning that's contradicted in the end. It's a weird film, that can be only enjoyed if you let yourself go (there are films you must do that other wise you'll hate it, like...Transformers 2 *snickers*). Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8....

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

July 2, 2012

Movie Night: The 6th Day.

Review #191: The 6th Day.

Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Adam Gibson), Michael Rapaport (Hank Morgan), Tony Goldwyn (Michael Drucker), Michael Rooker (Robert Marshall), Sarah Wynter (Talia Elsworth), Wendy Crewson (Natalie Gibson), Rodney Rowland (P. Wiley), Terry Crews (Vincent Bansworth), Ken Pogue (Speaker Day), Colin Cunningham (Tripp),and Robert Duvall (Griffin Weir) Directed by Roger Spottiswoode (#171 - Tomorrow Never Dies)

Review
Schwarzenegger has been in films ever since the 70's (unless you count that Hercules in New York film in 1969...). In the 2000's, he was in a few of them, which...wasn't as stellar (Collateral Damage, Terminator 3 - #089). This...is...yea, let me explain. The acting is decent, Schwarzenegger does his decent performance given his ability. The film has a science-fiction theme to it that is present through some of his other films (#001, #063, #067), but it doesn't feel as well as the others. I feel the film skims over the supposed message to get to the action, which given out actor makes sense. It can have some good action, but it isn't as memorable as his other films. Countdown to 200: 10, 9...

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

July 1, 2012

Movie Night: The Transformers: The Movie.

Review #190: The Transformers: The Movie.

Cast
Judd Nelson (Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime), Leonard Nimoy (Galvatron), Robert Stack (Ultra Magnus), Lionel Stander (Kup), Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Megatron), Susan Blu (Arcee), David Mendenhall (Daniel Witwicky), Eric Idle (Wreck-Gar), Neil Ross (Springer), John Moschitta (Blurr), and Orson Welles (Unicron) Directed by Nelson Shin.

Review
This film came after the show attracted kids everywhere with its premise and its usefulness. Anyway, the film may seem like a commercial for the upcoming third season for the show, but I find it is not so black and white as it seems. The voice acting is allright, with Orson Welles, the man who had impressed audiances everywhere 40 years earlier, entertains in his final role...as a planet. The visuals are impreesive, keeping you entertained in a typicalish run time of 84 minutes. I like that it doesn't stray from its themes of destruction fear. Though some might feel that it basically is a way to sell new toys, frankly I don't mind. I didn't grew up with these toys, I grew with Lego, so there ya go. Good visuals with good acting make a decent film. While the three films that would follow 20 years later might have been...whatever you might thnk (Reviews #57 and #58 are my opinions) It may not have been a big success whn it came out, but it at least is recgonized today for being more then meets the eye. Countdown to 200: 10...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Coraline.

Review #189: Coraline.

Cast
Dakota Fanning (Coraline Jones), Teri Hatcher (Mel Jones/Other Mother), Jennifer Saunders (April Spink), Dawn French (Miriam Forcible), John Hodgman (Charlie Jones/Other Father), Robert Bailey, Jr (Wybie Lovat), Ian McShane (Mr. Bobinsky), and Keith David (The Cat) Directed by Henry Selick.

Review
This film was based off the book by Neil Gaiman, which I have not heard of (Though he did write Doctor Who: The Doctor's Wife). Anyway, this film is beautiful in its stop motion animation, as the story is intriguing, keeping you interested as the story unravels. The voice acting is excellent, especially from Fanning and Hatcher. The film is imaginative and engaging with good characterizations in this excellent film.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.