Movie Night: Nebraska.

Review #635: Nebraska.

Cast
Bruce Dern (Woody Grant), Will Forte (David Grant), June Squibb (Kate Grant), Bob Odenkirk (Ross Grant), Stacy Keach (Ed Pegram), Mary Louise Wilson (Aunt Martha), Missy Doty (Noel), and Angela McEwan (Pegy Nagy) Directed by Alexander Payne.

Review
This is a movie that manages to be both heartfelt and sometimes hilarious. This movie belongs to Bruce Dern, he manages to make every moment count, and he's even fun to watch when he's not talking, such as the denture scene, though my favorite scene is the Mount Rushmore scene because watching Dern's character describe it as a bunch of rocks that look unfinished is simply beautiful. The black and while photography makes the movie look crisp and gives the movie a tone of its own, which matches the dreariness of the characters and the landscape to an extent, but the movie is still interesting to look at. The characters are interesting to watch, living in a small state without much to do, but they all have their unique flair to it. Forte is actually a pretty good lead, and he works extremely well with Dern, that's what makes the movie work, the relationship of the two characters. The movie isn't just a trip to Nebraska, it's a chance to see layers of Dern's character get revealed, the good and bad, making for an emotional, if not somewhat funny film. The graveyard scene actually does provoke some laughs, I guess it because of June Squibb, who is essentially the only sane person in the movie, next to Forte. The movie is somewhat soothing in a way, but it is at heart charming, and a good way to spend your time, especially to see Bruce Dern.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Escape from New York.

Review #634: Escape from New York.

Cast
Kurt Russell (Snake Plissken), Lee Van Cleef (Bob Hauk), Ernest Borgnine (Cabbie), Donald Pleasence (President), Isaac Hayes (The Duke), Harry Dean Stanton (Harold "Brain" Hellman), Adrienne Barbeau (Maggie), and Tom Atkins (Rehme) Directed by John Carpenter (#068 - Halloween)

Review
Some movies are just born to be awesome (the inverse is also true as well), and this is one of them. This is a dark movie, an unrelenting movie that never lets up on its dystopian outlook, with Plissken (played excellently by Kurt Russell) being the essential anti-hero for a movie such as this. The characters are jaded, but they still manage to be entertaining, such as Borgnine, he has a quirky charm in this movie, which contrasts well with Russell. The wire frame effect is in the movie for a few moments, but it does look impressive, and it is one of the highlights of the movie. That, and the fight between Russell and Ox Baker, or the car chase at the end, take your pick. This is at heart a thrill of a movie, it's an action movie that has fun in its own way, with a rouge gallery of characters and a good deal of sense. Now if you excuse me, I have some work to do. See you all soon.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Red Eye.

Review #633: Red Eye.

Cast
Rachel McAdams (Lisa Reisert), Cillian Murphy (Jackson Rippner), Brian Cox (Joe Reisert), Jayma Mays (Cynthia), and Jack Scalia (Charles Keefe) Directed by Wes Craven (#474 - A Nightmare on Elm Street and #558 - Scream)

Review
What we have here is a simple premise with a simple setting with a limited amount of cast members that manages to be a pretty good thriller. Murphy makes for a cold but effective villain, he looks the part and he certainly does a good job in being the villain without overacting it up too much, he's calm, but he is at least imposing and that helps, and his interactions with McAdams start nicely but slowly get more chilling. Speaking of that, the small cast do interact fine with each other, it's always nice to see Brian Cox, even in a supporting role, he doesn't have much to do, but still. The movie runs pretty short (85 minutes), which I guess makes it easily accessible to watch, the movie goes pretty quickly, but it is at least entertaining, and the action is passable. The movie relies on suspense and while it may not be a great thriller, it at least a competent one, and it's a good way to spend a hour and a half, and you take my word for it. Probably.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Total Recall.

Review #632: Total Recall.

Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Douglas Quaid), Rachel Ticotin (Melina), Sharon Stone (Lori Quaid), Michael Ironside (Richter), Ronny Cox (Vilos Cohaagen), Mel Johnson, Jr. (Benny), and Marshall Bell (George/Kuato) Directed by Paul Verhoeven (#002 - RoboCop)

Review
This is a movie that probably has its own checklist of ways to be fun and/or awesome to people. Schwarzenegger making faces while trying to act? Check. Verhoeven style of over the top action? Check. Ronny Cox? Check. Effects that are really cool to look at? Check. This could go on for a while, but the point is that this is is at heart a really fun movie to watch. Does it have its moments to make fun of? Sure, but even looking at the reaction to being exposed to the Martian atmosphere is still a good effect, no matter how the face looks like. The story (Inspired by the short story We Can Remember It for You Wholesale, but who's counting) is decently made, it leaves you to figure out if all of this is part of Quaid's Rekall experience, or if it's something more to it, but it doesn't really matter all too much. The action is what you expect from Verhoeven, RoboCop was like this as well, and just like that movie, they are both fun in their own ways. It is always refreshing to see Arnold trying to act as a normal person placed into a tough situation, no matter the decade. Cox and Ironside (I resist typing that as IRONSIDE) are pretty good villains, they make for a good team together, they go a bit over the top, but that just makes it better. Ticotin and Stone are good opposites, they make for fine leads who do get to have some action. In the end, it's a movie that has its quirks, but also a good deal of fun as well.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Chinatown.

Review #631: Chinatown.

Cast
Jack Nicholson (J.J. "Jake" Gittes), Faye Dunaway (Evelyn Cross Mulwray), John Huston (Noah Cross), Perry Lopez (Lieutenant Lou Escobar), John Hillerman (Russ Yelburton), Darrell Zwerling (Hollis I. Mulwray), Diane Ladd (Ida Sessions), and Roy Jenson (Claude Mulvihill) Directed by Roman Polanski.

Review
Chinatown is a movie that basks in the past with much originality, with a high crafted story by Robert Towne. Nicholson is fun to watch here, he makes for a interesting character that is fun to watch in any scene. Dunaway seems like she's playing a femme fatale, but in reality she plays anything but that, and her emotions are very expressive, you get to feel for this character, and in a way also pity her as well. It's amazing how John Huston (a director who I've covered a few times before) can be so effective as a villain when you realize his soft demeanor hides his dark side, which is evident in the end scene. Speaking of which, the end scene is probably the most memorable aspect of this movie (that, and Nicholson's bandaged face), Towne originally had written a happier ending, but it was changed by the director to make for a more cynical, but still a better ending. It's a perfectly sad ending, a way to make the movie more than just a detective story, and more importantly, a classic story. The movie has its thrills and most importantly its chills, which make for a very well-rounded movie that's heartbreaking, but also very entertaining. Take the ending for what it's worth, or don't, whatever you want.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Bride Wars.

Review #630: Bride Wars.

Cast
Kate Hudson (Olivia Lerner), Anne Hathaway (Emma Allen), Candice Bergen (Marion St. Claire), Chris Pratt (Fletcher Flemson), Bryan Greenberg (Nathan Lerner), Steve Howey (Daniel Williams), Kristen Johnston (Deb), and Michael Arden (Kevin) Directed by Gary Winick.

Review
Zzzzzzzzzzz....hmm? Oh sorry, I was busy sleeping, it seems I decided to take a nap after watching this film, hoping to find my happy place. It didn't work. The movie is rarely entertaining but its worst problem is the lack of fun you get with these characters. I guess these characters were supposed to change over time as the movie goes on, though that really doesn't happen. The whole movie rides on a clerical error. Actually, I take that back, it rides on the stubbornness on one of these characters simply changing their wedding venue or just having a double wedding, instead they morph into vengeful people who do pranks on the other one that are less funny and more head-shaking, as explained above. The supporting cast is mediocre, I'm surprised that the main characters aren't too angry (or suing it for that matter) at the wedding planner even though it is responsible for this "war" occurring. This is at heart a boring movie that makes me wonder how sleep doesn't help me find that happy place. At least the next movie (and review) will be better than this, I promise you that. Zzzzzzzzz.....

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Xanadu.

Review #629: Xanadu.

Cast
Olivia Newton-John (Kira), Michael Beck (Sonny Malone), Gene Kelly (Danny McGuire), James Sloyan (Simpson), Dimitra Arliss (Helen), and Katie Hanley (Sandra) Directed by Robert Greenwald.

Review
This is a musical that...just is so middling with its strengths and weak points. On the one hand, the music by ELO is awesome, or maybe I just love the band, though whatever the case, the music works really well for the movie, "I'm Alive" is a song I admire very much. The characters on the other hand, aren't as coll, though Gene Kelly is a delight even at over 60, especially the scenes when he dances, even if Kelly is just playing himself, which I guess is fine, the other actors are trying to play characters and they don't succeed that well. The story is odd, because I guess...there's a happy ending, though...maybe not, the movie's weird enough, with the roller skates and all. The effects are at least cool, they just work really well for the film, it give off a flashiness feeling, which works well for this film. At times the dancing is good, though it can't hide the fact this is a muddled film. Is it a romance, a fantasy, or...both? Maybe a villain would've helped make this movie a little better (as long as it's not a cliche one, but with this movie, all bets are off), even if this movie already feels like a 40's movie, which isn't that far off, apparently. The movie would later get adapted into a Broadway musical, which is probably more well suited for a premise like this, I suppose. One lasting thing that this film inspired was the creation of the Golden Raspberry Awards (that and Can't Stop the Music), which I guess is something productive. This is at best a campy, but somewhat interesting movie, with some killer music.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Meet Wally Sparks.

Review #628: Meet Wally Sparks.

Cast
Rodney Dangerfield (Wally Sparks), Debi Mazar (Sandy), Michael Weatherly (Dean Sparks), David Ogden Stiers (Gov. Floyd Preston), Cindy Williams (Emily Preston), Burt Reynolds (Lenny), Lisa Thornhill (Priscilla Preston), and Eamonn Roche (Miller) Directed by Peter Baldwin.

Review
Misery sure loves company, doesn't it? This is a movie with a premise just made for Dangerfield...written by him as well (co-written, but whatever), in a film I'm sure not many remember...and for good reason. The movie feels really, really tired, a film that just flails around like a fish on a beach. Dangerfield does his usual one liners, which are fine, a shame that his character isn't really interesting. The main problem is the premise itself, it looks promising on paper, in the sense that it looks like an average movie that Dangerfield could make better (Oddly enough, the movie Ringmaster starring Jerry Springer would be released a year later, both movies marketed as comedies, about host of trash TV shows). The movie manages to be more boring than funny, like you're going through the motions. The gags feel old after about 30 minutes, and there's still 70 minutes to go, and then it turns into The Man Who Came to Dinner all of a sudden, it doesn't help the movie too much, though at least it reminds you to watch that film again. The characters are standard, though of all of them, I guess Stiers is the best character because any character who gets tired of the main character that isn't just the villain is fine with me. The movie flounders, sometimes trying to be trashy, and sometimes trying to be slapstick, and it garners some success, but not too much. At this point, you might as well watch Caddyshack instead, or Back to School, or Dangerfield's stand-up specials, those are much more interesting to watch, and not this misfire of a film.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: What Dreams May Come.

Review #627: What Dreams May Come.

Cast
Robin Williams (Christopher Nielsen), Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Albert Lewis), Annabella Sciorra (Annie Collins-Nielsen), Max von Sydow (The Tracker), Jessica Brooks Grant (Marie Nielsen), Josh Paddock (Ian Nielsen), Rosalind Chao (Leona), and Lucinda Jenney (Mrs. Jacobs) Directed by Vincent Ward.

Review
This is a personal review for me, but I do imagine this film can be personal for others as well. My father had bought the DVD for this film about a few years ago, my father loved buying movies (especially Westerns), he was probably the reason I watched movies, with or without him, in fact this show started with a film he bought, I still wonder what he would think of this show if he were still here today. Why I am telling this story, you ask? Because sometimes telling a story helps when dealing with someone else's death, in this case the recent death of Robin Williams yesterday. I won't talk about that because honestly that's too sad to talk about, especially in the middle of a review of one of his movies. What Dreams May Come sometimes feels more like an experience than a movie, it sometimes feels like a movie that shows you the essence of one's dreams, showing us beauty with the paintings. The effects for this movie are really beautiful to watch, they capture the essence of imagination, and it works especially in a film like this. The acting is well done, especially by Williams, who was a good comedian, but he also could be really skilled at portraying dramatic characters, especially this one. The story is somewhat assembled weirdly, but at least the movie is enjoyable, and it all stems from the wonderful cast (Gooding is also fun to watch) and the effects. This is a bittersweet review; the movie is good, though I found myself tearing up a bit inside, the movie has its moments of struggle, and given Williams' death, it's amplified here. My father probably liked this film, and I imagine he also had a good time with it as well. No matter what project Williams was in, he always managed to make us smile.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Guardians of the Galaxy.

Review #626: Guardians of the Galaxy.

Cast
Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax the Destroyer), Vin Diesel (Groot), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), Lee Pace (Ronan the Accuser), Michael Rooker (Yondu Udonta), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Djimon Hounsou (Korath), John C. Reilly (Corpsman Rhomann Dey), Glenn Close (Nova Prime), and Benicio del Toro (The Collector) Directed by James Gunn.

Review
When it comes to having a good time at the movie theater, picking a Marvel movie is usually a safe bet. And that rings true once again with this film, which is a real treat. Does it feel like a pastiche of other films? Maybe, maybe not, but I don't care, this...is just a fun movie to watch. The main heroes all work so well because they're not just a team of heroes, they're a team of rouges who are all different, weird, and yet so fun to watch. It surprised that of all the heroes in this film, it's Groot that is just so delightful to watch. Even if he's in the background he still manages to leave an impression. And Vin Diesel has just a few lines to convey his character in voice...and it works. Diesel manages to convey emotion with those lines, though the effects on Groot also help that, and Groot smiling is just fun to watch. The villain is alright, Pace at least does manage to do a good job under all that makeup, and I liked seeing Karen Gillian, she did a pretty good job in a minor role. The effects are really impressive, for both the characters and the action, it's a movie that is amusing but also thrilling as well. The ending credit scene is pretty amusing, movies don't usually end on Howard the Duck, but it sums how zany this movie is, and how enjoyable it is, from it's retro music (that has a purpose) to its characters to its willingness to just have fun. Go see it, you'll most definitely have a good time.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Sharknado.

Review #625: Sharknado.

Cast
Ian Ziering (Finley "Fin" Shepard), Tara Reid (April Wexler), Chuck Hittinger (Matt Shepard), Aubrey Peeples (Claudia Shepard), John Heard (George), Cassie Scerbo (Nova Clarke), Jaason Simmons (Baz), and a Sharkando full of sharks. Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante.

Review
Let's be honest, the movie is cheaply made, with no name actors*, effects that border on hilarity, and science that makes life look fake...And yet the movie is still awesome to watch. It's a terrible movie, but it is a fun terrible movie to watch, it's not like The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, which is beyond awful and joyless, instead it's a movie that is just so laughable in every aspect, and yet the movie trudges on, not caring what anyone thinks. The fact that this was even made means that literally anything can happen now, which obviously means that in my lifetime the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series*. To say that this is a guilty pleasure is an understatement, and we all have guilty pleasures, mine is watching WWE wrestling*, yours is probably something else that's either more rational, or not. This is our generation's Plan 9 from Outer Space*, this is our movie that we'll laugh at and laugh with at the same time. This is how to spend two hours of your time on a weekend, forget friends, forget exercising, forget logic, and just watch this film*, and when you've finished, thank me the only way you can, keep watching this show. Or you could deliver some shark meat to my house.* To give this movie a rating would be impossible*, this isn't a movie that is good or bad in the traditional sense, it is only a Sharknado.* You can give this movie your own rating, or you can go see the sequel. Or do both.* I hope you enjoyed this review, I sure did.*

*If Tara Reid is an actress, does that mean I'm a goat? Asking for a friend.
**Of course, I could also live to be 100...
***I get to watch people try to act like they're in a soap opera and fight at the same time.
****Minus recycling silent footage from an abandoned movie.
*****Movie Night does not support laziness or anti-logic. I do have friends. I think.
******There is no address, only Zuul.
*******For future reference, we'll say it was a 2.5 out of 5 stars. Or whatever that is multiplied by two.
********Sharknado!
*********Or do all three.
**********I don't apologize for the *'s.

Movie Night: Conan the Destroyer.

Review #624: Conan the Destroyer.

Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Conan), Grace Jones (Zula), Wilt Chamberlain (Bombaata), Olivia d'Abo (Princess Jehnna), Mako (Akiro), Tracey Walter (Malak), Pat Roach (Man Ape/Toth-Amon), and Sarah Douglas (Queen Taramis) Directed by Richard Fleischer (#460 - Doctor Dolittle)

Review
Back in my review of Conan the Barbarian (#323), I may have hinted that I would review the sequel right after I reviewed the first film (My transcript even proves this: Conan would be successful in his own right, with momentum for a sequel. But that is another tale that...shall also be told. With regrets either before or after watching it.)...but I didn't. Instead, I reviewed Commando, and looking back, that might have been a blessing in disguise. So 301 reviews after the first one (Reviewer announcement: The rating for #323 will be changed from 7 out of 10 to 8.), here we are with the sequel (BTW, props to IFC for showing this film, they're a quirky network, but any place that shows Batman is a winner in my book.), with less emphasis on violence and more humor (because that's what was truly missing from the first film, a sidekick character). So yeah, the movie is significantly more campier, and it loses the brutal awesomeness of the first film, though at least Arnold looks like he's trying. The main problem is that we get a typical quest fantasy film that would be fine, if this wasn't a Conan film, where action is overblown, but massively entertaining. The cast is okay, but Walter does get on your nerves eventually. Seriously though, was a comic relief sidekick really necessary for a film like this? The answer is no. At least the action is fine, for a film as hokey and disappointing as this. I know this sounds redundant, but check out the first film, at least that had a midnight drive in charm, this just has a "pandering to families" feel. And before you point out that I just referenced the 1960's Batman show and then criticise this film for stuff that the show did, the show (and the movie) had a charm of its own, made in a simpler time, while this film was toned down from its awesome roots to a mediocre disappointment. There are apparently plans for a sequel, which is honestly surprising given that it's been over 30 years since this film, but anything is possible. Watch at your own risk, then go check out the books, I guess. Movie Night supports reading (obviously), of any sort.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Silent Movie.

Review #623: Silent Movie.

Cast
Mel Brooks (Mel Funn), Dom DeLuise (Dom Bell), Marty Feldman (Marty Eggs), Bernadette Peters (Vilma Kaplan), Sid Caesar (Studio Chief), Harold Gould (Engulf), and Ron Carey (Devour) Directed by Mel Brooks (#061 - Blazing Saddles, #198 - Spaceballs, #248 - Robin Hood: Men In Tights, #361 - The Producers, and #364 - High Anxiety)

Review
Silent Movie is a spoof on slapstick films of the silent film era, and it even has a cameo from Harry Ritz, one part of the classic Ritz Brothers, one of many associated with the silent film era. The visual gags in this movie are entertaining, even the fact that some of the sounds in this movie are "shown" is hilarious. The actors are fun to watch interact with, especially with Marty Feldman, whose eyes really just follow you even when the focus isn't on him, and that comes to a head when Anne Bancroft's eyes start crossing each other. The guest appearances (Burt Reynolds, James Caan, Liza Minnelli, Anne Bancroft, Paul Newman, Marcel Marceau) add to the charm of the movie because the stuff that happens with them is really hilarious, such as the electric wheelchair chase, Marceau's response to Funn's offer is probably the best response a mime could give to a offer to be in a silent film. The slapstick is fun to watch, especially the weird quirks that go on in this movie, especially the coke machine. The movie may not run long, but it more than makes up for it being a really entertaining film with a good deal of charm and love for its subject matter.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.