Alice's Restaurant.

Review #995: Alice's Restaurant.

Cast: 
Arlo Guthrie (Himself), Pat Quinn (Alice Brock), James Broderick (Ray Brock), Pete Seeger (Himself), Lee Hays (Himself – Reverend), Michael McClanathan (Shelly), Geoff Outlaw (Roger Crowther), Tina Chen (Mari-chan), Kathleen Dabney (Karin), William Obanhein (Himself – Officer Obie), and James Hannon (Himself – the blind judge) Directed by Arthur Penn (#981 - Bonnie and Clyde)

Review: 
The enjoyment of the film may rely on what you feel about the culture or the style that the film bases itself around, and while I might not call it a masterpiece (or anything too great), I did find that this was a fairly useful movie experience. This is an adaptation of the folk song "Alice's Restaurant Massacree", that had been written and sung by Guthrie two years prior (along with having a length of 18 minutes), based on a true incident that had happened to Guthrie, in which he had been arrested for littering, with some liberties being taken. Guthrie himself is a capable lead who seems to have the right sense of presence and timing for the film, being fairly interesting to watch on screen. There is a casual but fairly entertaining atmosphere to all of this. Quinn and Broderick also pull capable performances, though the film is more an expression of the times than a developed plot, which may attract or repel audiences from it. If one considered it to be an extended music video, it may actually play better, but it doesn't hold much of a candle to something like Tommy (#687). The ending scene is an interesting one, mostly because of how it lingers on one particular image (while having a part from the song playing), which certainly makes for an enduring image that sticks out. Whether your view of the film is domineered by nostalgia or (in my case) curiosity, this is a movie that has as much appeal as the song it is adapted from that aims to show the spirit of the time - for better or for worse. I can't say this is a really good movie, but I can see the appeal for others, and I guess that is all for the best.

Here we are, five to go. On to October.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Review #994: Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Cast: 
Colin Firth (Harry Hart / Galahad), Julianne Moore (Poppy Adams), Taron Egerton (Gary "Eggs)" Unwin / Galahad), Mark Strong (Merlin), Halle Berry (Ginger), Elton John (Himself), Channing Tatum (Tequila), Jeff Bridges (Champagne), Pedro Pascal (Whiskey), Edward Holcroft (Charles "Charlie" Hesketh), Hanna Alström (Crown Princess Tilde of Sweden), Poppy Delevingne (Clara Von Gluckfberg), and Bruce Greenwood (The President) Directed by Matthew Vaughn (#042 - X-Men: First Class and #993 - Kingsman: The Secret Service)

Review: 
Sequels always seem like they have to try and live up to the original film, whether by having high stakes or anteing up the action/effects. In the case of this film, there is definitely an attempt at making a bigger piece of extravagant action and violence (complete with an extended Elton John cameo), for better or for worse. It is hard to not compare this film to the first one, and in that comparison this is the weaker installment, not seeming to have much in terms of cleverness, though it does retain most of the charm and style. It doesn't play for any kind of safe territory that other spy films might pull, and it certainly is daring to see the risks that the movie takes, even if it sometimes feels a bit much. Some might term the film's tactics as "overkill", but it definitely has an appeal for someone looking for a movie that will go off the rails and yet still have enough pull from its action sequences and humor to work. If there is any kind of film that this one might remind me of, it would likely be Men in Black II (#212), or even Die Another Day (#174) - take that for what you will.

Firth and Egerton are still a fine duo, even if they don't have that same kind of chemistry as before. Moore proves to be fairly entertaining, and her plan is definitely an interesting one, but I felt that her plot thread nearly went off the rails by the time the climax ended. The Statesman crew are fairly interesting, although they do not have too much screen-time (with Tatum's role feeling like a cameo) as compared to the main Kingsman, with Pascal being the key standout, mostly because he certainly comes off as the most interesting. The rest of the cast is fairly decent, with Strong being a fine highlight. Whether one is a big Elton John fan or not (I have two songs of his in my one of my playlists), he certainly has an interesting presence over the time(s) that he appears in the movie - which can either be charming or tiresome - I found him to be fairly entertaining on the whole. The run-time may be an easy issue for some (141 minutes, as opposed to the original's 129 minute run-time), in part because it may just seem too long for a movie that seems to want to pack in every sort of action and effect it can, which can come off as a bit tedious. The film strives to entertain, and it does on some level succeed in its goal, but whether it comes at the price of competency is up to the viewer to decide. I fall around the middle, it that I know the movie is somewhat inferior to the first film, but I also know that I had a fine time watching it.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Review #993: Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Cast: 
Colin Firth (Harry Hart / Galahad), Samuel L. Jackson (Richmond Valentine), Mark Strong (Merlin), Taron Egerton (Gary "Eggsy" Unwin), Michael Caine (Chester King / Arthur), Sophie Cookson (Roxanne "Roxy" Morton / Lancelot), Sofia Boutella (Gazelle), Samantha Womack (Michelle Unwin), Geoff Bell (Dean), Edward Holcroft (Charles "Charlie" Hesketh), Mark Hamill (Professor James Arnold), Jack Davenport (James Spencer / Lancelot), Jack Cutmore-Scott (Rufus Saville), Lily Travers (Lady Sophie), Hanna Alström (Princess Tilde), and Bjørn Floberg (Scandinavian Prime Minister) Directed by Matthew Vaughn (#042 - X-Men: First Class)

Review: 
It is evident early on to see the influence the James Bond films had in making this movie (based on the comic book series The Secret Service): specifically, the Roger Moore films. Granted, this is certainly more stylized in its action (and decidedly more violent) than those films, but this is a movie that is fairly enjoyable entertainment that will fill some people's taste significantly better than others. The best parts of the film involve either Firth and Egerton together on screen, or Jackson. The mentor-trainee aspects aren't particularly new (you could take your pick on what it reminds you, my pick would be Men in Black - #211), but they certainly are enjoyable to watch along with being capable heroes in their own right. Jackson does a capable job in part because he seems so comfortable with the role he is playing on screen, with a good sense of humor and self-awareness (which the film has a good deal of already) that is fairly entertaining; his supervillain plot is certainly an interesting one, resembling something one of the Moore Bond films would've done, reminding me a bit of Moonraker (minus the space parts, naturally) that certainly might seem a bit odd with its implications if deep thought was put into it, though what spy flick doesn't have that kind of quirk? The rest of the cast is fairly enjoyable and capable at their roles, such as Strong and Cookson, with Boutella proving to be a fairly useful (and thrilling) henchwoman.

The movie certainly has a useful sense of humor to it that hits more than it misses when required, fitting with the tone of the film for the most part. The action sequences are interesting to watch to be executed on screen, never really seeming to miss a beat nor feel too murky (with the easiest standout being at the church); the violence might prove to be a bit graphic for some, but I generally thought that it worked finely enough to the movie's advantage, for better or for worse. Ultimately, the enjoyment one gets from this movie comes from how they feel about the action and the way the movie goes about with getting to the highs (and slight lows) that it does. Take it for what it is worth, and you get a movie that has something to like (or watch) for most people, for better or for worse.

I don't usually get to say exactly what is next up on Movie Night, but here's a rare exception.
Next Review: Kingsman: The Golden Circle. 

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

The King of Comedy.

Review #992: The King of Comedy.

Cast: 
Robert De Niro (Rupert Pupkin), Jerry Lewis (Jerry Langford), Diahnne Abbott (Rita Keane), Sandra Bernhard (Masha), Tony Randall (Himself), Shelley Hack (Cathy Long), Ed Herlihy (Himself), Frederick de Cordova (Bert Thomas), Margo Winkler (The Receptionist), and Kim Chan (Jonno) Directed by Martin Scorsese (#990 - Taxi Driver)

Review: 
This is certainly an interesting black comedy film, in that it is a black comedy that doesn't invite itself for laughs, but it invites you to follow these strange but interesting characters while also feeling very relevant even after nearly 35 years since its release. When compared to Taxi Driver, one can see some similarities within the main character (both played by De Niro) in their loneliness, although their results definitely have a significant contrast (namely, one film has blood while the other doesn't); Scorsese stated this about the connection between the two characters: "Taxi Driver. Travis. Rupert. The isolated person. Is Rupert more violent than Travis? Maybe." De Niro undeniably pulls a great performance out of this aspiring (and deranged) character that reels you in with his passion and desire (as odd as that might seem). Lewis (in a role that was rejected by Johnny Carson) does a tremendous job as the beleaguered host who has an unquestionable subtle charm to him (even with all the things that happen around him). Bernhard pulls off a capably deranged performance, always managing to make you not take your eyes off and what offbeat thing she might be doing next. Abbott also does a fine job, having a naturally innocent charm to her that resonates well when paired with De Niro. For me, my favorite scene comes during the second half, with De Niro, Lewis and Bernhard acting together, involving some gum and cue cards which works because of how well each actor plays off each other and the way that the film plays with the circumstances and mood. The camera shots are also fairly fitting for the film's tone, where fantasy and reality not being particularly distinct from each other but also showing mayhem (such as the opening scene).

The rest of the cast are satisfactory in their roles, with my favorite being Herlihy (who had been the voice of Kraft Foods commercials for decades) and his richly distinctive voice. As stated before, there are some laughs, but the movie never really desires to let you absorb it because of how enclosed it seems with its dark aspects; one particular example is a scene where Lewis is accosted and told by an old lady that he "should only get cancer". It's a brief but useful scene in understanding this film, for better or for worse. It never strives to overstate itself nor focus on being just satire or thrilling. It blurs the line between fantasy and reality a few times throughout the movie (something that once again someone could compare to Taxi Driver), and it definitely has an interesting repel effect, with the ending also being an interesting point of discussion. It never goes for the jugular in laughter nor give you the satisfaction of seeing a character show their layers, but there is something about how it portrays the perspective of media culture and worship that certainly resonate even now. It shows an ugly side to the culture that without doubt leaves an indelible and unforgettable mark. It definitely is not a movie for everyone, but it definitely is a fine winner in my mind, laughter and all.

Happy to mark that this is the 100th film reviewed in 2017 on Movie Night, the fourth time that I've done at least 100 films since 2010.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

It (2017).

Review #991: It.

Cast: 
Jaeden Lieberher (Bill Denbrough), Bill Skarsgård (Pennywise), Jeremy Ray Taylor (Ben Hanscom), Sophia Lillis (Beverly Marsh), Finn Wolfhard (Richie Tozier), Chosen Jacobs (Mike Hanlon), Jack Dylan Grazer (Eddie Kaspbrak), Wyatt Oleff (Stan Uris), Nicholas Hamilton (Henry Bowers), Jake Sim (Belch Huggins), Logan Thompson (Victor Criss), Owen Teague (Patrick Hockstetter), Jackson Robert Scott (Georgie Denbrough), Stephen Bogaert (Mr. Marsh), Stuart Hughes (Officer Bowers) DIrected by Andy Muschietti.

Review: 
Admittedly, I hadn't read the novel of the same name by Stephen King before going in to see this movie; I also never watched the 1990 miniseries adaptation, partly because I wanted to go into this like I would with any kind of horror film, without any real sense of comparison or with too much hype. In the end, I would say that this definitely succeeds as a thrilling piece of entertainment, even if it may not be the chilling kind of horror movie that one might have desired, though there are some quality scares. The cinematography by Chung-hoon Chung stands out pretty well, with the film's 80s look certainly passing itself off pretty well (without being doused in too many references), which makes for a good atmosphere.

The core of the film is the seven child actors (Lieberher, Taylor, Lillis, Wolfhard, Jacobs, Grazer, Oleff) that do tremendous jobs that surely keep the movie on the rails while also standing out quite well; Lieberher proves to be a quite capable lead, with Taylor and Lillis also being fairly interesting, though the one who sticks out the most is Wolfhard, who helps inspire some laughs with some timely "mouthy" remarks. With regards to Skarsgård and his performance, he does a pretty good job, mostly because he toes the line between playful and terrifying, with accompanying facial expressions (and some digital effects that are mostly successful) that make for satisfactory creeps and chills. The rest of the cast (such as Hamilton) do pretty decent in their roles, definitely helping in the creepy factor. It doesn't go too much into the gore factor, but it definitely is a movie that uses its R rating decently enough. Admittedly, there are a few jump scares, and while they don't come off as too distracting to the film's credit, I can see where someone might find it more harmful to the film. At 135 minutes, this certainly has an acceptable length when it is all said and done, and seeing how there most definitely will be a "second half" to this film in the near future, I can say that I will be waiting for it with curious anticipation.

It seems fitting to have done a horror film as part of the countdown to #1000, and it is also fitting that it is done just five years since the first installment of the Theater Saga on Movie Night, Paranorman (#240), done on September 8, 2012. Interesting how times have changed. The movie theater certainly has gone through some changes, but the experience is still pretty fun even to this day. 

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Taxi Driver.

Review #990: Taxi Driver.

Cast: 
Robert De Niro (Travis Bickle), Jodie Foster (Iris "Easy" Steensma), Harvey Keitel (Matthew "Sport" Higgins), Cybill Shepherd (Betsy), Albert Brooks (Tom), Leonard Harris (Senator Charles Palantine), Peter Boyle (Wizard), Harry Northup (Doughboy), and Norman Matlock (Charlie T) Directed by Martin Scorsese.

Review: 
It seems odd that it has taken so much time to cover a Martin Scorsese film, but it seems fitting to cover this one (his fifth overall movie), which has quite the reputation (it was awarded the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival while also being nominated for four Academy Awards), and it is easy for me to see why. The way that the film shows a look into the dark elements that make up New York (for the time it was made) along with the lonely world of an alienated (but always compelling to watch) main character played expertly by De Niro. There is just something about the way he speaks and his mannerisms that make him a character one could relate to, or at least be invested in his story, which always manages to be compelling, with numerous highlights (such as the famous "You talkin' to me?" scene, which serves to feed into how lonely this character is that still endures in pop culture to this day). Foster is quite effective in her role that only serves as part of the nightmare kind of world that this film sets itself in. Keitel is also fairly effective, having a brutal nature that makes the skin crawl without relying on over-the-top moments. Shepherd is probably the most normal character in the film, but she certainly has an important place while also being fairly charming, and her scenes with De Niro are fine. Brooks and Harris don't have much screen-time, but they certainly do make for an entertaining impression. The rest of the cast (including a short scene with Scorsese himself) do fairly effective jobs. The use of slow motion in some parts of the film certainly contributes to making this movie stand out amidst the grime and a good musical score by Bernard Herrmann (who had finished the music score the day before his death on December 24, 1975). The climax of the film (and the end scene that follows it) is the pinnacle of an already exceptional movie, with a look and feel that is as rapid as it is effective, with an ending that certainly lends itself to discussion. In any case, this is a capable thriller that certainly still endures even after forty years since its release.

As dedicated readers can tell, we are in the final stages of the countdown to the big pinnacle for Movie Night. Get ready for the rest of the batch to come soon.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

The Nutty Professor (1963).

Review #989: The Nutty Professor.

Cast: 
Jerry Lewis (Professor Julius F. Kelp/Buddy Love/Baby Kelp), Stella Stevens (Ms. Stella Purdy), Del Moore (Dr. Mortimer S. Warfield), Kathleen Freeman (Ms. Millie Lemmon), Howard Morris (Mr. Elmer Kelp), Elvia Allman (Mrs. Edwina Kelp), Julie Parrish (College Student), Milton Frome (Dr. M. Sheppard Leevee), Buddy Lester (Bartender), and Med Flory (Warzewski) Directed by Jerry Lewis.

Review: 
When I reviewed the remake back in 2013, I had given the film a 8/10 star rating while not comparing it to this film, due to not having seen it; in any case, the remake has aged finely for me, having a charm to it that worked just fine. I say all of this not to cast a shadow on this film, but because it wouldn't feel right to not do so. No matter which version you prefer, they both are good film, so let's move on to the original, which happens to be the first film on this show that features the late Jerry Lewis.

At any rate, this film (based on the novel Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) does tend to have more hits than misses while serving as good amusement, with Lewis being the key highlight. His high energy along with how he plays both characters make for good entertainment to watch, with both characters having their moments to shine. His performance as Kelp is certainly endearing and also fairly clever (with a particularly distinctive voice as well). Lewis had stated that Buddy Love was based on every obnoxious self-important hateful hipster that he had known, contrary to the perception from others of it serving as a lampoon of his former comedy duo partner, Dean Martin. In any case, there is something quite about his performance as Love that seems to captivate you and never let you take his eye off him, despite the nature of his character. Stevens does a fine job, being fairly capable in handling scenes with both of Lewis's characters consistently enough. Moore serves for some amusing banter scenes with Lewis while also being welcomely over-the-top. The rest of the cast serve their purpose fairly well. The nature of film is a bit of a double-edged sword: the film does take risks and has a variety of gags and characters while also being unpredictable at times, but the tone of the film occasionally feels uneven, with the climax being a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, the sequences at the dance are pretty effective, but the last scene and how it seals the film up with Lewis and Stevens's characters seems a bit murky. In any case, this is a successful film that certainly has enough laughs and charm to make for a good time.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Westworld.

Review #988: Westworld.

Cast: 
Yul Brynner (The Gunslinger), Richard Benjamin (Peter Martin), James Brolin (John Blane), Norman Bartold (the Medieval Knight), Alan Oppenheimer (the Chief Supervisor), Victoria Shaw (the Medieval Queen), Dick Van Patten (the Banker), Linda Scott (Arlette), Steve Franken (Technician), Michael Mikler (Black Knight), Terry Wilson (Sheriff), and Majel Barrett (Miss Carrie) Directed by Michael Crichton.

Review: 
Westworld is certainly an interesting film, in part because of how clever it feels in terms of its construction of plot and style. It's interesting how it can be classified as a "science fiction Western thriller", but it is even more interesting that this was the directorial debut of Michael Crichton, a novelist who prior to this film had four of his novels adapted into films (most notably The Andromeda Strain), while also directing a television film (Pursuit) and writing for another film (Extreme Close-Up). In any case, this is a fun movie that establishes an interesting premise and atmosphere while not bogging itself down with its characters. It's easy to immerse in the fantasies that the character go through in part because of how familiar they seem (namely the shoot-out in the saloon or the sword fight in the hall), but they are being played out in a world all about reenacting things like the Old West or medieval Europe or even Rome. The film is not merely "robots gone amok", feeling like a fable about the danger of corporate greed, but in any case the film still feels pretty relevant today.

Benjamin and Brolin are certainly an interesting pair of protagonists, partly because of how much charisma they give off despite not much being revealed about their characters (aside from one brief conversation); one of my favorite scenes is them being involved in a brawl, in part because you can see the amount of fun they seem to have (even at something like fighting), prior to the climax. Oddly, one other favorite scene of mine doesn't involve the main cast; it is the opening scene, advertising the park (named Delos), complete with a showcase of satisfied customers. Perhaps it's their enthusiasm over what they experienced from the world they visited, but it certainly helps establish the film's credibility without needless exposition. Brynner does a fine job that serves as the highlight of the film, certainly making for a good foe for both the world he inhibits along with in the climax (especially with those piercing eyes), with the look of the Gunslinger being similar to the character that he played in The Magnificent Seven (#427). It was the first film to use digital image processing, done so in order to simulate the Gunslinger's point of view, which was done by pixellated photography by John Whitney, Jr, and Gary Demos at Information International, Inc). I think the view ages pretty well for what it is used for, and the effects with the robots are also certainly quite effective. It's interesting to note how the run-time is 88 minutes, because the film certainly never feels lacking in any kind of quality. A follow up called Futureworld would be released three years later, and there have been two television shows broadcast (Beyond Westworld and Westworld, with the latter premiering in 2016). This is an enjoyable film that certainly lends itself to enjoyment even after over four decades since its release.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Show People.

Review #987: Show People.

Cast: 
Marion Davies (Peggy Pepper), William Haines (Billy Boone), Dell Henderson (General Marmaduke Oldfish Pepper), Paul Ralli (Andre Telfair), Tenen Holtz (Casting director), Harry Gribbon (Jim, comedy director), Sidney Bracey (Dramatic director), Polly Moran (Peggy's maid), and Albert Conti (Producer) Directed by King Vidor.

Review: 
This was a lighthearted look at Hollywood released near the end of the silent era, but it featured synchronized musical score and sound effects, with numerous cameo appearances from stars of the time throughout the film, such as Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, John Gilbert, with Davies and Vidor making cameos as themselves. Admittedly, it may feel a bit familiar to anyone who has watched a film about a person's rise (and their ensuing change in personality), but this is at least decent fare. This is an enjoyable film that utilizes some star power along with a ready amount of charm and well crafted direction to be good entertainment. Davies does a capable job, seemingly well suited for the comedic situations that happen (best signified by her reaction to being sprayed with a seltzer bottle). This is definitely a fine delight of a film, mainly because Davies proves quite capable at eliciting laughs while also being fairly interesting to watch to interact with the rest of the cast. Haines is a fairly decent counterpart for Davies, and he does help elicit some laughs as well. The rest of the cast also do fine jobs in their parts, but the real highlight is the amount of guest appearances, which are pretty charming; though I did not recognize all of the actors that make an appearance, they certainly feel useful enough without seeming obnoxious (my favorite of the cameos has to be Davies, as she and her character meet for one short scene). At 79 minutes, this is a clear pick for anyone looking for a nice enjoyable little clever comedy.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

An American in Paris.

Review #986: An American in Paris.

Cast: 
Gene Kelly (Jerry Mulligan), Leslie Caron (Lise Bouvier), Oscar Levant (Adam Cook), Georges Guétary (Henri "Hank" Baurel), Nina Foch (Milo Roberts), and Eugene Borden (Georges Mattieu) Directed by Vincente Minnelli (#405 - The Reluctant Debutante, #510 - Father of the Bride, #620 - Lust for Life, and #878 - The Long, Long Trailer)

Review: 
This was inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition of the same name by George Gershwin; I can't say I've done many movies based off a orchestral piece before, and I also can't say that they also have a 17-minute dance included as the climax either. In any case, this is a fine film, with a good amount of execution with its music and how it is shot. The music by Saul Chaplin and Johnny Green is fairly entertaining, but the biggest help to making all of the connections click is the things around it; the cinematography by John Alton and Alfred Gilks is top-notch, having a look that just syncs up with the mood; the costumes by Orry-Kelly, Walter Plunkett, and Irene Sharaff are also fine in giving the movie some fine flair. Admittedly, the plot is a bit thin in construction (with the kind of turns that you'd expect from a romance standpoint), but it manages to be enough of a showcase that it doesn't really drag the film too much. It isn't as great as something like Singin' in the Rain (released the following year), but both movie are good in their own right. Kelly is charismatic as ever, having the kind of charm and usefulness that one would expect from him, graceful in movement and stature. Caron, a dancer in her film debut, does alright, although she shines more in the dancing scenes than when sharing time onscreen with the plot, mainly because she doesn't really have chemistry with either Kelly or Guétary, although she at least has some screen presence. Guétary has some mild charm in the scenes that he is in. Levant is fine to watch, with his piano sequences being pretty entertaining. Foch is okay, although her scenes with Kelly don't really go anywhere too special in terms of appeal. The biggest highlight is probably the sequence at the end (lasting 17 minutes), being the ultimate showstopper spectacle for a film musical like this.

This movie won six Academy Awards, with wins for Best Production Design, Cinematography, Costume Design, Best Music Scoring of a Musical Picture, Original Screenplay, and Best Picture. In addition, Kelly received an Academy Honorary Award for "his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film", and it certainly seems fitting. He pulls in a tremendous performance that (along with all of the other things that shine in the movie) make for a great piece of entertainment that works in most of the right places, charm and all.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.