Real Life (1979).

Review #1028: Real Life.

Cast: 
Albert Brooks (Albert Brooks), Charles Grodin (Warren Yeager), Frances Lee McCain (Jeannette Yeager), J.A. Preston (Dr. Ted Cleary), Matthew Tobin (Dr. Howard Hill), Jennings Lang (Martin Brand), David Spielberg (Dr. Jeremy Nolan), Norman Bartold (Dr. Isaac Steven Hayward), Julie Payne (Dr. Anne Kramer), Johnny Haymer (Dr. Maxwell Rennert), Leo McElroy (Jim Sanders), Lisa Urette (Lisa Yeager), and Robert Stirrat (Eric Yeager) Directed by Albert Brooks.

Review: 
The movie acts as a spoof of the 1973 reality television program An American Family (aired by PBS), being about the filming of a family in their day-to-day lives, with intrusion from the person filming their lives, naturally. Admittedly, this is an interesting idea that seems pretty relevant for the modern age, particularly with how reality television has changed in the past few decades, for better or worse. In any case, the movie can be considered ahead of its time, although its enjoyability will likely depend on how far you think the film goes with its ideas. For me, this is a decent movie, having a few interesting scenes that make for some amusement, although I can see why it may not be for everyone.

Brooks is interesting to watch in his display of narcissism and egocentric nature, but this can wear a bit thin at times, and it sometimes will make you wish you were viewing the family more than you do. At best, Brooks comes off as right for the part that he plays in the story, but at worst it can come off as a bit self-indulgent (it should be noted that he co-wrote the film along with Monica Johnson and Harry Shearer). Grodin is a bit low-key, but in a movie in which he is acting as a person that is trying not to look like an actor in this "documentary", I think he does a decent job. McCain also does okay, being adept at handling the things that occur in the film to her and her family pretty adequately. The rest of the cast do fine in their roles as well, with Lang (a producer in real-life) being amusing playing a producer through a speakerphone. The parts involving the filming is pretty interesting, and the parts with the executives is a bit amusing. The climax of the movie is pretty amusing for what its worth, being the odd cherry on top of a film that aspires for satire and accomplishes its goals in the most basic sense. It isn't anything too great, but Real Life is an odd standout that is worth at least one look, if one is curious enough.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Twice Upon a Time.

Review #720: Twice Upon a Time.

Cast
Lorenzo Music (Ralph, The All-Purpose Animal), Julie Payne (Flora Fauna), Marshall Efron (Synonamess Botch), Hamilton Camp (Greensleeves), James Cranna (Rod Rescueman / Scuzzbopper / Frivoli Foreman), Paul Frees (Narrator / Chef of State / Judges / Bailiff), and Judith Kahan (The Fairy Godmother) Directed by John Korty and Charles Swenton.

Review
Twice Upon a Time is 75 minutes of uniqueness. It utilizes improv comedians, which means that the movie has an array of unpredictability, which also could be said for the animation. Lumage is one of the more unique processes utilized for a movie. The animators move prefabricated cut-out plastic pieces on a light table, somewhat like cutout animation. There are also multiple versions of this movie, one with a different set up involving Greensleves, one with Efron's character being raunchier (read: less PG), and this one. The one I saw on TCM Underground (which show cult films that aren't as well known late at night) was rated PG, though make what you will about the version you might see. Oh, and George Lucas was executive producer. Anyway...how's the movie? It's a Hodge-podge of characters, silliness, live action mixed with Lumage, and a story that make for a strangely satisfying movie. The characters are zany, but they seem perfect for a movie that takes a story that seems normal at first and turns it into a madcap adventure that isn't all that predictable. Lorenzo Music is a highlight, mainly because his voice fits well with how the movie goes, especially when paired with a silent character, such as Mumford, who looks just like a Tramp lookalike. The villain is over the top evil, and it works for a movie like this, which moves well. Is it dated? You could argue that, but it's a time capsule of creativity that while not particularly new age, is interesting to watch. One bright side is that some people (Henry Selick & David Fincher - both in directing films like Coraline and The Social Network, and Harley Jessup - production design and visual effects, even winning an Oscar) went on to have careers in film after this, and maybe that helps make the movie have a little legacy of its own. Take the movie for what it is: One of a kind, though with different versions.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.