Movie Night: The Princess Bride.

Review #232: The Princess Bride.

Cast
Cary Elwes (Westly), Robin Wright (Princess Buttercup), Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya), Chris Sarandon (Prince Humperdinck), André the Giant (Fezzik), Christopher Guest (Count Tyrone Rugen), Peter Falk (The Grandfather/Narrator), Fred Savage (The Grandson), Wallace Shawn (Vizzini), Billy Crystal (Miracle Max), Carol Kane (Valerie), and Peter Cook (The Impressive Clergyman) Directed by Rob Reiner (This Is Spinal Tap - #108)

Review
To begin with, I'd like to say a few words: My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. The whole cast and their characters (even the short ones) are memorable to the very end. It's been said before by others, and I'll say it here, this film is funny. But it isn't one of those films that simply just have good funny lines and just that, it is a combination of adventure, romance, and comedy which works out well for everyone. It is fitting that the person who wrote the screenplay also wrote the book that this is adapted from, which keeps the films roots close together (Kind of like what happened with Holes) 25 years after this film's original release it still leaves an impressive mark that will last forever. But of course that might be inconceivable for some. As you wish, everyone.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: San Francisco.

Review #231: San Francisco.

Cast
Clark Gable (Blackie Norton), Jeanette MacDonald (Mary Blake), Spencer Tracy (Father Tim Mullin), Jack Holt (Jack Burley), Jessie Ralph (Mrs. Burley), Ted Healy (Mat), Shirley Ross (Trixie), Margaret Irving (Della Bailey), Harold Huber (Babe), and Edgar Kennedy (Sheriff) Directed by W. S. Van Dyke.

Review
To begin with, the film is based on the 1906 earthquake of San Francisco. In the long run, the film is a grand spectacle. The cast does a great job, especially at the end, with the despair and misery captured well given the circumstances of the situation. Lastly, the film recreates the earthquake in the last few minutes, and it looks beautiful even to this day. All in all, this film still has entertainment value, that while being a bit dated and slow at times, still holds up after over 70 years.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Great Mouse Detective.

Review #230: The Great Mouse Detective.

Cast
Barrie Ingham (Basil), Val Bettin (David Q. Dawson), Vincent Price (Professor Rattigan), Susanne Pollatschek (Olivia Flaversham), Candy Candido (Fidget), Alan Young (Mr. Flaversham), and Frank Welker (Toby/Felicia) Directed by Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener, Ron Clements and John Musker (Aladdin - #156)

Review
The film is based off the Basil of Baker Street books, which were about a mouse detective similar to Sherlock Holmes. The film has a lot of fun with that premise indeed. To begin with, the acting is decent, with the dynamic between Ingham and Bettin working for the most part. But the main stanout is Vincent Price. He's delightfully wonderful here, threatning in tone and voice. The animation looks allright, it's aged well. All in all, the film is entertaining enough to grant interest for everyone.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Novie Night: She's the Man.

Review #229: She's the Man.

Cast
Amanda Bynes (Viola Hastings), Channing Tatum (Duke Orsino), Laura Ramsey (Olivia Lennox), Robert Hoffman (Justin Drayton), Alex Breckenridge (Monique Valentine), Brandon Jay McLaren (Toby), Clifton Murray (Andrew), James Kirk (Sebastian Hastings), David Cross (Principal Horatio Gold), and Vinnie Jones (Coach Dinklage) Directed by Andy Fickman.

Review
In light of Amanda Bynes' ongoing craziness, I've updated the review just for kicks. What is typed following this statement is the original review, which was written almost a year ago. Here you go...
Apparently this is inspired off the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, but honestly if I didn't read the credits in the beginning saying that, I would've thought it was just an idea made on the spot. Then again, if they hadn't given credit, someone would've made the complaint. Who? Nobody knows. Anyway, even with that, the film doesn't really suffer or benefit because it hits and misses with its jokes with a predictable story (Sister impersonates brother, gets involved in a love story that happens to have a soccer (which is a shock, given America's boredom of soccer) game added in), and Amanda Bynes while doing a decent job, cannot save the film from cliche land. So why am I not giving it a lower rating? Because it does have some sort of okay moments that are splintered within in the forgettable moments,and it makes a mostly forgettable film that would only be known due to its star.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Inherit the Wind.

Review #228: Inherit the Wind.

Cast
Spencer Tracy (Henry Drummond), Fredric March (Matthew Brady), Gene Kelly (E. K. Hornbeck),  Florence Eldridge (Sara Brady), Dick York (Bertram T. Cates), Donna Anderson (Rachel Brown), Harry Morgan (Judge Mel Coffey), Claude Atkins (Rev. Jeremiah Brown), Elliott Reid (Prosecutor Tom Davenport), and Paul Hartman (Deputy Horace Meeker) Directed by Stanley Kramer.

Review
In the last review, I talked about Gene Kelly and what he did for singing and dancing. Here, he does none of that, but he's still good in a supporting role. Why did I add that last part? It's to mention the main two leads, Tracy and March. They play off each other well, given the proceedings. The film keeps you interested all through out, and the film can still be watched today with no real problems of age. All in all, the cast works, with no real problems. Happy belated (100th) birthday to Gene Kelly. I said it was his birthday, yet I didn't say that in the last review (I'd edit it, but it wouldn't make a difference) Oh well. A hidden gem for the age. Gloomy, but useful film.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Singin' in the Rain.

Review #227: Singin' in the Rain.

Cast
Gene Kelly (Don Lockwood), Donald O'Connor (Cosmo Brown), Debbie Reynolds (Kathy Selden), Jean Hagen (Lina Lamont), and Millard Mitchell (R.F. Simpson) Directed by Stanley Donen (#137 - Bedazzled) and Gene Kelly.

Review
Eugene Kelly was born on August 23, 1912, which was 100 years ago. Kelly revolutionized dancing and singing in movies. You might be wondering why this is important to list. Because what I happen to review today is all that and more. The whole cast does a great job (especially Kelly and Reynolds) I have to admit, the music and songs are good. I have reviewed a musical before, let me use some words from it: "This is a good film with music in there that helps the story and does not ruin anything, unlike some other musicals," (#073 - The Lion King) In this film, the music does makes you smile and laugh at times and truly doesn't ruin a thing. After 60 years, the film's legacy has grown to be considered one of the greatest musicals/films ever.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Review #226: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Cast
William Shatner (James T. Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), DeForrest Kelley (Leonard McCoy), James Doohan (Montgomery Scott), Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), George Takei (Captain Hikaru Sulu), Kim Cattrall (Valeris), Mark Lenard (Sarek), Grace Lee Whitney (Excelsior Communications Officer), Brock Peters (Admiral Cartwright), Leon Russom (Chief in Command), and Kurtwood Smith (Federation President) Directed by Nicholas Meyer.

Review
Two years after the bad reception of Star Trek V, this film would be released in time for the show's 25th Anniversary, but would it work better then the last one? In a word, yes. First off, the effects are good, a step up from the fifth one (Standout effect being the Praxis effect) While I find the Klingon blood a bit silly, it doesn't outright ruin the effects, which is a good thing. The acting is good, with the main trio (Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley) and Plummer doing a great job. The plot is more defined here, keeping you interested throughout. The film was directed by Nicholas Meyer, who directed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (which is considered by many to be the best out of all the Star Trek movies), and it is a good thing that he returned to direct the last film for the Original Series cast (Except for Shatner, Doohan, and Koenig, who would return in Star Trek: Generations) Roddenberry would not live to see the release of the film, but he did get to see an early version of it days before dying. 21 years later, this film still holds up as a new generation of films would soon follow.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

Review #225: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

Cast
William Shatner (James T. Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), DeForrest Kelley (Leonard McCoy), James Doohan (Montgomery Scott), Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (Nyota Uhura), George Takei (Hikaru Sulu), Laurence Luckinbill (Sybok), and David Warner (St. John Talbot) Directed by William Shatner.

Review
Well, well, well. It's been a while since I have reviewed a Star Trek film. A really long while (#9 - Star Trek) Anyway, this is the fifth out of six Star Trek films based on the original series created by Gene Roddenberry (One thing I neglected to mention in the Star Trek review) You might wonder how I found the film. I'm channel surfing at night, and I just so happen to find this film, and I figured, "What could go wrong?" I realized soon after that I might just regret it. Guess who's writing and directing? Shatner, who else? The whole film is a mess, from beginning to end. Its story is lame (Premise in one line: Trying to find "God" at the center of the galaxy), the villain isn't as much a villain as in Vulcan Elvis, and is a disappointment overall. Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley are a good trio, though, and they do have some fun moments, but at other times the film fizzles out. The effects are off at times, especially with the "Impenetrable Barrier" Shatner said this near the film's release, "Star Trek V is the epitome of my career, my experiences, my hopes and dreams. It is the quintessential me" After 23 years, it does represent the feelings I have: Shattered hopes, dull dreams, and reeking of Shatner all over. This nearly killed the franchise, which would have a sequel two years later to hopefully heal the wounds....

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Casino Royale (1967)

Review #224: Casino Royale.

Cast
David Niven (James Bond), Peter Sellers (Evelyn Tremble), Ursula Andress (Vesper Lynd), Orson Welles (Le Chiffre), Woody Allen (Jimmy Bond), Barbara Bouchet (Miss Moneypenny), Deborah Kerr (Agent Mimi), and John Huston (M) Directed by Ken Hughes, John Huston (#081 - The Maltese Falcon and #094 - The Misfits), Joseph McGrath, Robert Parrish, and Val Guest.

Review
Well, this is...weird. It has been 45 years since its release back in 1967 (Which by sure coincidence this year is also the 50th anniversary of #150 - Dr. No, the first Bond film) I'm thinking that this was an experiment. An experiment to make an absurd, big casted film. The film does have some good moments, sometimes hampered by some dull stretches at times. Oddly, this is my first film reviewed with Sellers and Allen. When I think of Sellers, I think of Pink Panther. When I think of Allen, I think of that guy who stole the Oscar from Star Wars. Oh and that guy from Antz. Now when I think of this film, I'll think of the opening theme and comparisons to Batman (1966 - #177) It's a weird fest that can be entertaining in any mind.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: North by Northwest.

Review #223: North by Northwest.

Cast
Cary Grant (Roger Thornhill), Eva Marie Saint (Eve Kendall), James Mason (Phillip Vandamm), Martin Landau (Leonard), and Leo G. Carroll (The Professor) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (#219 - Rope)

Review
This was the last film Hitchcock made in the 1950's, which had Dial M for Murder, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and other various films, and this does feel like the end of one decade and the thesis of the next decade. It feels like a spy film with its involvement of a plot with agents, numerous chase scenes, a leading man and lady, mistaken identity, a villain, and an important object. Grant and Saint do a wonderful job, which usually is essential to make a film, but there is more to it as well, with suspenseful action and soundtrack with a dynamic climatic fight on Mount Rushmore to make a classic romantic thriller. It truly is a great film.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: WALL-E.

Review #222: WALL-E.

Cast
Ben Burtt (WALL-E), Elissa Knight (EVE), Jeff Garlin (Captain B. McCrea), Fred Willard (Shelby Forthright), John Ratzenberger (John), Kathy Najimy (Mary), Sigourney Weaver (Computer), and MacInTalk (Auto) Directed by Andrew Stanton (#155 - Finding Nemo)

Review
The film uses emotions conveyed silently with occasional voices, like a silent film. And in the end, the film still works out (Fun fact: Pixar watched Chaplin and Keaton films to help animate) In a film like this, it doesn't use much acting, but when it does (like I said a few lines ago), it works. The animation is extensive and good. It can make you range in emotions while watching to chuckling to a bit of sadness (depends on the range of person). It's a useful film that is entertaining and interesting to the end. It takes inspirations from films (Such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Short Circuit) and uses it to its advantage. It's a love story (sort of) mixed in whit other elements to make a good, if not great film. Truly an another success for Pixar.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Good Burger.

Review #221: Good Burger.

Cast
Kel Mitchell (Ed), Kenan Thompson (Dexter Reed), Jan Schweiterman (Kurt Bozwell), Abe Vigoda (Otis), Shar Jackson (Monique), and Sinbad (Mr. Wheat) Directed by Brian Robbins (#147 - Norbit)

Review
This film is apparently base off a sketch off a television show (named All That) on Nickelodeon. I say apparently because I've never heard of it (Sadly it sounds less stupid then the modern Nickelodeon) Anyway, the film is...Weird. The beginning sequence is weird, with talking burgers with eyes. The characters are introduced soon after, with varying results. Mitchell and Thompson are good, given what they have to deal with. The film has a giant load of energy, resulting in odd actions (You'd never think an exploding burger would ever happen in a film) It's weird at times with some jokes that misfire but others that do make you at least chuckle. And because I'm a stickler for anniversaries, this film is 15 years old. I don't know whether to celebrate or cringe. The rating might be weird, but given the last film reviewed here...yeah.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Green Lantern.

Review #220: Green Lantern. Cast Ryan Reynolds (Hal Jordan / Green Lantern), Blake Lively (Carol Ferris), Peter Sarsgaard (Hector Hammond), Mark Strong (Sinestro), Angela Bassett (Dr. Amanda Waller), Tim Robbins (Senator Robert Hammond), Temuera Morrison (Abin Sur / Green Lantern), Geoffrey Rush (Tomar-Re / Green Lantern), Michael Clarke Duncan (Kilowog / Green Lantern), Taika Waititi (Thomas Kalmaku), and Clancy Brown (Parallax) Directed by Martin Campbell (#173 - Goldeneye, #285 - Casino Royale) Review My first question is: "This was made for how much?" The answer is $200 Million, which is odd, given that this film doesn't look like it. This is Warner Brothers' attempt to venture into a different superhero not named Batman or Superman. And it...doesn't work out well. The biggest problem is that it has tries for more style then substance. Reynolds is allright, given what he has to work with, but the other characters aren't really memorable. I kept calling the others "girl interest", and "Guy with effects make him look like the kid from Mask". The effects aren't even that memorable. My question is "How come the costume looks CGI and not just something they could've made?" Is it me or does Jordan's mask look like a [green] Fruit Roll-Up stretched out? Maybe it's just me. All in all, the film just isn't as memorable, and is a failure by Warner and DC to have a new hero franchise to rival Marvel (Which already has a giant head start that won't end anytime soon) But Reynolds is succeeding either way (Given that he'll be playing Deadpool a few years from now) And lastly, this film blows the opportunity for Lantern to rise to something more. Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Rope.

Review #219: Rope.

Cast
James Stewart (Rupert Cadell), John Dall (Brandon Shaw), Farley Granger (Phillip Morgan), Douglas Dick (Kenneth Lawrence), Joan Chandler (Janet Walker), Cedric Hardwicke (Mr. Henry Kentley), Constance Collier (Mrs. Anita Atwater), Douglas Dick (Kenneth Lawrence), and Edith Evanson (Mrs. Wilson) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Review
Before I begin, today is Alfred Hitchcock's 113th birthday (born August 13, 1899). You might be wondering why I'm not reviewing something more known (such as Psycho, Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest) The reason is because I wanted to review something different for a change. The film is an interesting experiment, filmed with long shots with no interruption (In short the effect of a single take while actually being 10), all operating in real time. The performances are good, especially from Stewart and Dall. While the film takes its time before getting to its climax, it is intriguing enough to keep you watching. And lastly, the directing is good. And that is all you need in a good film.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Batman & Robin.

Review #218: Batman & Robin.

Cast
George Clooney (Batman/Bruce Wayne), Chris O'Donnell (Robin/Dick Grayson), Arnold Schwarzenegger (Mr. Freeze), Uma Thurman (Poison Ivy), Alicia Silverstone (Batgirl), Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth), Pat Hingle (Commissioner James Gordon), John Glover (Dr. Jason Woodrue / Floronic Man), Elle Macpherson (Julie Madison), Vivica A. Fox (Ms. B. Haven), and Robert Swenson (Antonio Diego / Bane) Directed by Joel Schumacher.

Review
This film takes Batman Forever's flaws and makes them worse. Once again, a different actor plays Batman (Perhaps he changes his appearance on a regular basis) The acting varies from not good to manageable. Clooney just doesn't has the charm or tragic nature to convey Batman. O'Donnell is actually worse, feeling more whiny this time. Silverstone isn't really there in the acting sense she's nearly transparent. It makes you wonder why Batman needs partners if they really aren't that helpful. Gough does his best given what he has to deal with. And now to the villains. Schwarzenegger...Oh dear. He is a decent actor, but the ice puns...They. Never. End. Thurman is decent, but Ivy isn't really threatening or evil. There's a third villain, if you can call him that, named Bane. I'm still wondering why they included him if he does nothing other then just growl and smash things. The film relies too much on effects which starts to run old fast. The cheese level is at 10 at points, but even the 60s show had some fun. This is a film that varies from trying to be serious to "Bat-Credit Card" It also a weird amount of shots of bat-nipples and other weird shots...Weird. And so this film killed the franchise, with the proposed sequel, Batman Triumphant being canceled (which would've had Scarecrow, Harley Quinn, and the Joker in a hallucination of Batman's mind). This film is the worst of the series, with not much if any, redeeming qualities.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Batman Forever.

now superceded with this review: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2022/06/redux-batman-forever.html

 
Review #217: Batman Forever.

Cast
Val Kilmer (Batman/Bruce Wayne), Chris O'Donnell (Robin/Dick Grayson), Tommy Lee Jones (Two-Face), Jim Carrey (Riddeler/Edward Nygma), Nicole Kidman (Chase Meridian), Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth), Pat Hingle (Commissioner James Gordon), Drew Barrymore (Sugar), Debi Mazar (Spice), Elizabeth Sanders (Gossip Gerty), and René Auberjonois (Dr. Burton) Directed by Joel Schumacher (Phone Booth - #197)

Review
Warner Brothers wanted a family friendlier Batman after the results of Batman Returns three years earlier (While it made money, the studio thought it could've made more) And so Tim Burton was whisked to just being the producer while Schumacher directed this. Anyway, the villians are more light in tone, less tragic and more...odd. Jones does a decent job, but he doesn't convey the tone of Two-Face (In other words: He acts more like the Joker then Two-Face) Carrey steals the show (Which is typical with the villians), he channels Frank Gorshin with silliness and the typical Carreyesque act. Lastly, O'Donnell does a decent job, not too bad. The scenery looks charming at times, even if the Batmobile can *sighs* climb walls. One question: How come the title is Batman Forever? Can he live forever or is it just me? All in all, the film can be allright to look at points, but it isn't as great as the other two. Now, let me see what's next on my schedule...Oh dear.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Catwoman.

Review #216: Catwoman.

Cast
Halle Berry (Patience Phillips / Catwoman), Benjamin Bratt (Detective Tom Lone), Lambert Wilson (George Hedare), Frances Conroy (Ophelia Powers), Alex Borstein (Sally), Sharon Stone (Laurel Hedare), Michael Massee (Armando), Byron Mann (Wesley), Kim Smith (Drina), and Peter Wingfield (Dr. Ivan Slavicky) Directed by Pitof.

Review
Catwoman has been one of Batman's long running adversaries, and she has been adapted to film before, being played by Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, and most recently Anne Hathaway, so it shouldn't be hard to make a good Catwoman film. Shouldn't be. The first flaw is that it is severely dull at times, such as the beginning, where it trudges along slowly. Then the action comes in and it is...pretty boring. It isn't memorable by any means. The acting is meh, not really interesting, the only one who tries is Halle Berry, but not even she can save this film. The film is boring, undeveloped, and unsuccessful in its approach. After 8 years, it still is a big flop. One more question: Who names their kid Patience?

Overall, I give it 2 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Flash Gordon.

Review #215: Flash Gordon.

Cast
Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon), Melody Anderson (Dale Arden), Topol (Dr. Hans Zarkov), Timothy Dalton (Prince Barin), Max von Sydow (Ming the Merciless), Ornella Muti (Princess Aura), and Brian Blessed (Prince Vultan) Directed by Mike Hodges.

Review
First off, this film is adapted from the comic strip by Alex Raymond in 1934. It had already been adapted to film serials, television series, and even radio. It was written by Lorenzo Sample Jr (Who had also written Batman (1966) - #177), and it shows. Colorful effects with good design and a variety of acting talents, including (say it with me here) BRIAN BLESSED. Sydow does an allright job, given what he has to work with (Jones is decent, even if he reminds me of He-Man) It's funny how George Lucas has said he took inspirations from Flash Gordon for Star Wars, and I can see why. Action and flair with loads of fun (including having the soundtrack by Queen) to go with it. A shame there would be no sequel.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Shrek.

Review #214: Shrek.

Cast
Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), John Lithgow (Lord Farquaad), Vincent Cassel ("Monsieur" Robin Hood), Conrad Vernon (Gingerbread Man), Chris Miller (Geppetto / Magic Mirror), Cody Cameron (Pinocchio / The Three Little Pigs), Simon J. Smith (Three Blind Mice), Christopher Knights (Three Blind Mice and Thelonius), Aron Warner (Big Bad Wolf) Directed by Andrew Adamson (#162 - Shrek 2) and Vicky Jenson (#164 - Shark Tale)

Review
In a way, I'm kinda glad that I'm done reviewing Dreamworks related films for a while (If there were more, I'd have to rename myself "Animation Movie Night", and that would get...Well...) Anyway, the film had a bit of a weird process of being made, with Chris Farley originally being cast as Shrek until his death in 1997, afterwards being replaced by Mike Myers. Did I mention this was based off a book? (by William Steig) But despite all that, this film is good. Aside from the charming animation, the acting is good, with enough jokes to keep interest for everyone to the very end. This was Dreamworks' first big success (bigger then Prince of Egypt, Antz), which would cement them as an animation powerhouse (who may or may not be as good as Pixar. Some say the latter). Either way, this film would be the basis for a very successful film series.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Puss in Boots.

Review #213: Puss in Boots.

Cast
Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Zach Galifianakis (Humpty Alexander Dumpty), Salma Hayek (Kitty Softpaws), Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris (Jack and Jill), Constance Marie (Imelda), Guillermo del Toro (Comandante, Moustache Man), and Mike Mitchell (Andy "Jack" Beanstalk) Directed by Chris Miller (#163 - Shrek the Third)

Review
This film is a spin-off of the Shrek franchise, and it works well enough to not have to depend on it for guidance. The acting is good, with Banderas stealing the show. The film has some good action and while not being entirely different from other animated films, it has enough charm in visuals and gold old action with some fun to win out in the end. It's good stuff for cat lovers as well (I couldn't resist saying that).

To the 97 people who have read this review: How did this review attract you, and how has this managed to be the highest rated one ever?

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Men in Black II.

Review #212: Men in Black II.

Cast
Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K), Will Smith (Agent J), Lara Flynn Boyle (Serleena), Johnny Knoxville (Scrad), Rosario Dawson (Laura Vasquez), Rip Torn (Zed), Tony Shalhoub (Jeebs), and Tim Blaney (Voice of Frank the Pug) Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.

Review
Greetings, fellow reader who clicked the hyperlink from the review of Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Enjoy this review from 2012. In retrospect, this is an okay sequel that doesn't really strive to do anything too special that the first film hadn't done, although I still found it to be decent entertainment, mostly because of Jones and Smith. The third film is the best of the two sequels, ultimately. 

Five years after the success of the first film, this was released. And it works for the most part. It's a decent enough sequel that has some of the stuff that made the first good in the first place: Good effects, with a good enough cast fit into a usual run-time. It has some laughs and is worth seeing at least once for anyone. Ten years after this, there would be a sequel (at the rate of time they're going, the next will be in 2027/2032). All in all, this is a pleasant sequel and one of many successes for Will Smith.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Men In Black.

Review #211: Men in Black.

Cast
Will Smith (James Edwards/Agent J), Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K/Kevin Brown), Vincent D'Onofrio (Edgar the Bug), Linda Fiorentino (Dr. Laurel Weaver/Agent L), Rip Torn (Zed), and Tony Shalhoub (Jack Jeebs) Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (#005 - Get Shorty, #077 - The Addams Family, and #078 - Addams Family Values)

Review
Greetings fellow viewer who decided to click the link from the reference in my review of Kingsman: The Secret Service. Back in the old days of Movie Night, reviews were not as developed as you might see in 2017 - in any case, Men in Black is a nifty comedy that works due to Smith and Jones being particularly great together on-screen while having a good sense of humor to it that certainly invited two more installments - with varying quality. Enjoy this review from 2012:

Before I begin, I will mention that this is based off the comic of the same name by Lowell Cunningham (I swear that having a review of another comic book movie is purely coincidental in every way. Maybe) This film was released a year after Smith's success in Independence Day (#193), and he works well here once again. Smith and Jones make a good pair, and the supporting cast and characters are good as well. The effects and makeup are good, it keeps you interested all the way. This film would inspire two sequels, one of which is coming next.

Reference of how many films I've done that were based on comic book films: 15.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Cat in the Hat.

Review #210: The Cat in the Hat.

Cast
Mike Myers (The Cat in the Hat), Spencer Breslin (Conrad Walden), Dakota Fanning (Sally Walden), Kelly Preston (Joan Walden), Alec Baldwin (Larry Quinn), Amy Hill (Mrs. Kwan), Sean Hayes (Mr. Hank Humberfloob / The Fish), Danielle Chuchran and Taylor Rice (Thing One), and Brittany Oaks and Talia-Lynn Prairie (Thing Two) Directed by Bo Welch.

Review
I almost considered doing this whole review in rhyme, to make it a bit like the book. It would be more likable then then the whole film. The film's opening credits start out nice, but looks can, and in this case, are deceiving. The film starts out meh, with our characters being introduced (Some decent, some...weird) Then...We get our Cat. I...don't know how to describe it. The costume looks decent, but Myers simply doesn't capture the spirit of the original (I almost forgot to mention the 1957 classic by Dr. Seuss [Theodore Geisel]) We get into the second problem afterwards: The humor. Look, there can be humor, it lightens the tones, but in this film, it simply feels out of place. It feels like something you would find in a PG-13 comedy (I'd mention the content, but...No.) The film is simply a mess, with more uses of the color green in the film then fun (Green cars, green trees, green walls, green curtains, green hills, green clothes, green signs) Let me try to do a rhyme:

This film is a dull bore,
Watching it feels like a chore.
Spend your time reading the book,
As this film made my head shook.
Even the Grinch has a better film,
With this not footing the bill.
There are plans for a CGI remake,
It will not be as fake.
This film is dullingly lame,
As you shake your head in shame.

Well, I tried.

Overall, I give it 2 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Shrek Forever After.

Review #209: Shrek Forever After.

Cast
Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Walt Dohrn (Rumpelstiltskin), Jon Hamm (Brogan), Jane Lynch (Gretchen), Craig Robinson (Cookie), Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian), and John Cleese (King Harold) Directed by Mike Mitchell.

Review
The last time I mentioned this movie was while back ago: I called it "Better, better then this film [Shrek the Third]" And...it hasn't really changed. The story feels less like the last two, trying to go back to the film series' roots. The acting is decent, yet we still after 10 years, feel for them. This is after all the last Shrek film (There were rumors that there would be a fifth, but it was decided to end the franchise with this, which was a good idea) It isn't as good as the first or second, but it at least is a fitting end to the film series. And yet it goes on in other ventures, such as a Musical, TV specials, a spinoff, comics, and more.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.