Movie Night: The Magic Voyage.

Review #467: The Magic Voyage.

Cast
Dom DeLuise (Christopher Columbus), Corey Feldman (Pico), Irene Cara (Marilyn), Dan Haggerty (The Swarm Lord / King Ferdinand IV), Mickey Rooney (Narrator), and Samantha Eggar (Queen Isabella) Directed by Michael Schoemann.

Review
The director stated (I kid you not) that this film was to be: "intended to be a film about the discovery of America (Side note: I wonder what the Vikings would say about this...) from a more satirical view in order to differentiate ourselves clearly from the lofty views of history so we can present Columbus as a lovable, charming and befuddled scholar."

The film was made in 1992 originally for German audiences as Die Abenteuer von Pico und Columbus (which roughly translates to The Adventures of Pico and Columbus), as it would be later dubbed in English twice, being released in 1993, just around the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage, in which he landed in the Bahamas (as he never actually landed in North America). Given my day off for Columbus Day (which makes me wonder why it's only for Columbus and not for other explorers like Magellan, Ericson, or even explorers in space), I decided to review this.

Why did I talk so much about the film's history? Because I can't decide which is weirder, the film or its history. The main question of the film can be thought of almost immediately after starting to watch this film, and the question is: When did the film get so crazy? Likely answers would be either when Columbus speaks to the woodworm, the fact that a woodworm knows the Earth is round, when the Swarm Lord (No I am not making this up) is introduced, or...all of the above. Halfway through, I started wondering if 1492: Conquest of Paradise or Carry On Columbus would've been better or worse then this, but I'm sure someone else has already answered that for me. The dubbing is notably ad libbed, but not even Dom Deluise can brighten up the film. The animation is poor at times, resembling more of a television movie then an actual motion picture. Trying to mention the inaccuracies that the film has would take way too long to write, and writing so much isn't something I try to do all the time, because I've always assumed no one likes reading a wall of text without some breathing room. You may wonder if there are any redeemable factors in this film, and...there isn't. The terrible animation, the even worse dubbing, the fact this was even made, and just the inane nature of this whole film. Fittingly, the film ends with Columbus musing that there will be a city made on the place they landed in, which turns out to be...New York City. Such a inaccurate statement for such a terrible film. I'd give this film a negative rating if I had to, but since I can't, this film gets to join Birdemic: Shock and Terror and The Garbage Pail Kids Movie in such a non-prestigious honor.

Overall, I give it 0 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.

Review #466: Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.

Cast
Eddie Murphy (Professor Sherman Klump/Buddy Love/Granny Klump/Mama Anna Klump/Papa Cletus Klump/Ernie Klump, Sr./Lance Perkins), Janet Jackson (Denise Gaines), Larry Miller (Dean Richmond), John Ales (Jason), Richard Gant (Mr. Gaines), Anna Maria Horsford (Mrs. Gaines), Melinda McGraw (Leanne Guilford), and Jamal Mixon (Ernie Klump Jr) Directed by Peter Segal.

Review
I liked the first film, for all of its awkwardness in some of the jokes, it didn't veer too far from laughter, and Murphy did a nice job. The formula is slightly changed, and the comedy...nearly veers the film into being being unenjoyable. Murphy is all well and good, but it seems the film is nearly out steam by the end, contrary to popular belief, flatulence jokes do not in fact always remain funny, rather they are only funny for a millimeter of a second, depending on the level of work actually devoted to making that joke. Janet Jackson is our new lead actress, with the last actress (Jada Pinkett) explained off as "just being friends", which isn't the worst way of disposing of a character, believe me. At least Larry Miller is in it, which brings some joy, and while the film doesn't necessarily succeed, it doesn't fail spectacularly. It may not be a good film, but there is some sort of care put into this film, though I do wonder if anyone would actually want a third Nutty Professor.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Old Dark House.

Review #465: The Old Dark House.

Cast
Boris Karloff (Morgan), Melvyn Douglas (Roger Penderel), Gloria Stuart (Margaret Waverton), Charles Laughton (William Porterhouse), Lilian Bond (Gladys Perkins), Ernest Thesiger (Horace Femm), Raymond Massey (Philip Waverton), Eva Moore (Rebecca Femm), Elspeth Dudgeon (Roderick Femm), and Brember Wills (Saul Femm) Directed by James Whale (#069 - The Invisible Man, #071 - Frankenstein and #394 - Bride of Frankenstein)

Review
Naturally, this was based off a novel, Benighted by J. B. Priestly, this film being made just after Whale's success with Frankenstein, with Karloff also in this film, as a mute butler, and while this isn't his strongest performance, it is an effective one. The film sets itself quickly, probably due to the short length, or to not delay the inevitable, and while most of the visitors of the house aren't really memorable by any means, save for Charles Laughton, who seems to try and liven the film up. The film has its scares and excellent lighting, which all boils down to the climax involving Douglas and Wills, with Karloff joining in briefly. Elspeth Dudgeon, despite her short screen time, helps contribute to the film and the suspense. The film is tense and while it struggles to overcome its feeble minded characters, it certainly is a breeze to get through and Whale does a fine job, house and all.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: It Came from Outer Space.

Review #464: It Came from Outer Space.

Cast
Richard Carlson (John Putnam), Barbara Rush (Ellen Fields), Charles Drake (Sheriff Matt Warren), Joe Sawyer (Frank Daylon), Russell Johnson (George), Dave Willock (Pete Davis), and Robert Carson (Dugan) Directed by Jack Arnold (#420 - The Incredible Shrinking Man)

Review
With a title like that, expecting a monster/alien is expected, without a doubt, and that certainly is accomplished, but the film manages to be more than just an "alien invades the earth" story, and though it's not a great science fiction film, it certainly is a very passable one. The actors aren't bad, given their characters. The film was originally released in 3-D, which is incredibly obvious even 60 years later, with some shots from the 1st person POV of the aliens, which even without 3-D is actually kind of creative. The film is alright to look at, and the makeup isn't that bad. The story (By Ray Bradbury) and the screenplay (by Harry Essex) are finely written, a film not easy to ignore, and it doesn't run too long, so it's easy to watch without being bored. I'd recommend this for anybody looking for some classic 50's science fiction (or sci-fi, whatever name sounds better to say) to watch.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Billy the Kid versus Dracula.

Review #463: Billy the Kid versus Dracula.

Cast
Chuck Courtney (William 'Billy the Kid' Bonney), John Carradine (Count Dracula), Melinda Plowman (Betty Bentley), Virginia Christine (Eva Oster), Walter Janovitz (Franz Oster), and Bing Russell (Dan Thorpe) Directed by William Beaudine.

Review
Originally released on a double bill with another horror film (Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter), the film is a sloppy mess from beginning to end, starting with the hokey, if not drunkenly written premise of Billy the Kid in a horror film. The fake bat I can understand, Dracula (1931) has the same thing, I guess real bats couldn't be used due to having to train them. Courtney isn't too terrible, though I can't say too much for the supporting cast, but at least John Carradine is okay, though his "hypnotic stare" isn't as scary as say, Bela Lugosi, though Carradine also played Dracula in Universal's sequels twenty years prior. The climax of the film is either really, really stupid, or just plain perplexing, and since the film is over 45 years old, I figure I can spoil it: Billy the Kid throws his gun at Dracula, knocking him out as he then stakes him. I don't know if you can actually throw your weapon at someone that actually hurts, essentially the equivalent is throwing a rope at someone and expecting them to be tied up. If you want to watch a probably better Billy the Kid film, I'd stick to Young Guns, but oh well.

Overall, I give it 2 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Kingdom of the Spiders.

Review #462: Kingdom of the Spiders.

Cast
William Shatner (Rack Hansen), Tiffany Bolling (Diane Ashley), Woody Strode (Walter Colby), Lieux Dressler (Emma Washburn), David McLean (Gene Smith), Natasha Ryan (Linda Hansen), Altovise Davis (Birch Colby), Joe Ross (Vern Johnson), and Marcy Lafferty (Terry Hansen) Directed by John "Bud" Cardos.

Review
Most notable for its treatment of tarantulas and the ever enduring appearance of William Shatner, Kingdom of the Spiders provides many, many unintentional laughs, but isn't exactly scary. On occasion there are moments of fright, like the end result of the spiders taking over the small town, but then there's moments of a person shooting their own hand just to get rid a spider. The spiders themselves don't look like they are attacking people, they seem to just move at normal speed, but given the other option of animatronics, I doubt it could've been better. Shatner is not too bad, and the rest of the cast is okay, not too over the top, but this film runs and ends quickly, at what seems to be a cliche of a length, though having more scenes of spiders just walking away from the characters would've made the film last about 2 minutes longer, so oh well. It's a mediocre horror film made in a silly era of horror film making, with such "classics" like Frogs, Killer Bees, Grizzly (which I will get to eventually) or The Swarm, but I guess you could be scared of bees if you were allergic, frogs...no, but I highly doubt the next film I'm reviewing tomorrow will be any more "scarier" then this. What is it? Next time...

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Carnival of Souls.

Review #461: Carnival of Souls.

Cast
Candace Hilligoss (Mary Henry), Frances Feist (Mrs. Thomas), Sidney Berger (John Linden), Art Ellison (Minister), Stan Levitt (Dr. Samuels), and Herk Harvey (The Man) Directed by Herk Harvey.

Review
Filmed in Kansas and in Utah on a hefty $33,000 budget with local talent for actors, the film was made in 3 weeks, though the film would be forgotten after release. The story doesn't end there, as the film would be rediscovered years later, and this film has been recognized as a cult classic of sorts. And...I honestly can't object that statement. The film relies on atmosphere, not effects to scare, though that organ score also contributes to the film's tone. The actors aren't bad, they work in the film's favor, though ironically the most memorable actor in this film is probably the only one who doesn't speak any lines, played by none other then director Herk Harvey, who pops in at times, and takes part in a truly chilling last scene, which also works not for effects, but for the fear we see in the main character. Ultimately, this is a lesson that sometimes less is more. It's an eerie film that has good moments and provides scares at the right times.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Doctor Dolittle.

Review #460: Doctor Dolittle.

Cast

Rex Harrison (Doctor John Dolittle), Samantha Eggar (Emma Fairfax), Anthony Newley (Matthew Mugg), Richard Attenborough (Albert Blossom), Peter Bull (General Bellowes), Muriel Landers (Mrs. Blossom), William Dix (Tommy Stubbins), Ginny Tyler (Polynesia) and Geoffrey Holder (William Shakespeare X) Directed by Richard Fleischer.

Review

Even though this is meant to be a horror based month, I decided to add this relic, due to it fulfilling the horror part...because it certainly is horror-ible. I'd mention the book that this was adapted from, but I have never, not once ever found Doctor Dolittle on a book shelf, so that renders my mention moot. The production troubles are certainly interesting, what with a bloated budget, combined with troubles with Harrison and other various such things. Unfortunately, the film itself isn't good. The actors are okay, but the main problem is the failed attempt at making a whimsical setting. Instead of being amazed at the effects (or not), I just kept hoping the actors weren't going to sing another song, since apparently there are 14 songs in the whole film. The film drags at nearly 2 and a half hours long, and combined with the boredom of the sets, makes for a sleep-binding experience. Then...there's the Giant Pink Sea Snail. My goodness, it looks bad, and combined with my irrational hatred of snails, makes for either a truly laughable showcase or...sleep. Honestly though, if I could talk to my birds, I'd ask why they chirp so much, but I guess Dolittle has better things to do, such as...singing. But I do wonder if that remake made (obviously) in the 90's is any better, but oh well. There are films that sound better to watch than this, like the next one coming up, a little film called Carnival of Souls. Tune in next time.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars. 

Movie Night: Sleepaway Camp.

Review #459: Sleepaway Camp.

Cast
Felissa Rose (Angela Baker), Jonathan Tiersten (Ricky Thomas), Karen Fields (Judy), Christopher Collet (Paul), Mike Kellin (Mel Costic), Amy Baio (Brooke Warner), and Katherine Kamhi (Meg) Directed by Robert Hiltzik.

Review
What better way to start off Rock- I mean October, then with Sleepaway Camp. Of course, I never went to camp, so...I suppose camp is that old yesteryear concept people did 20-30 years ago? Anyway, the film consist of widely unknown actors, with a normally short run time, but is it any good? ...Sure, why not. The plot isn't too bad, though comparisons to Friday the 13th could rise up, but it doesn't conform too much to the horror standards. The characters are 2.5 dimensional, but there are worse things that could be said for other, more known films. The killer is actually a twist, and even despite 30 years of release, it's best for me not to spoil who the killer is. The gore is minimal, a few shots, yes, but not too gratuitous. It's a film that while a bit weird, isn't too bad, and the twist is actually original compared to some other films, so it works on that regard.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Review #458: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Cast
Angelina Jolie (Lara Croft), Daniel Craig (Alex West), Iain Glen (Manfred Powell), Jon Voight (Richard Croft), Noah Taylor (Bryce), Christopher Barrie (James Hillary), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Mr. Pimms), and Leslie Phillips (Wilson) Directed by Alex West.

Review
The first video game movie reviewed here, and...eh? There's not much to say about Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, it's not terrible, but it's not good either. The actors are okay, except for Jolie, who is probably one of the better actors in this film. The action is a mixed bag, sometimes it looks interesting, but the decent action is undercut by the occasional slow motion shots, which is unnecessary and adds nothing to the film other than making the film about 5 seconds longer. The plot is muddy, and feels like a rejected Indiana Jones script, which either makes Kingdom of the Crystal Skull better or worse in comparison. The film doesn't last too long, though I do wonder how you can make a villain so obvious in the first 15 minutes. It's a mediocre film, it strives for adventure and only that, succeeding easily, yet emotionally vacant, so I guess it works for some.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Nutty Professor (1996).

Review #457: The Nutty Professor.

Cast
Eddie Murphy (Sherman Klump, Buddy Love, Mama Anna Klump, Grandma Klump, Papa Cletus Klump, Ernie Klump, Sr, and Lance Perkins), Jada Pinkett (Carla Purty), John Ales (Jason), James Coburn (Harlan Hartley), Larry Miller (Dean Richmond), Dave Chappelle (Reggie Warrington), John Ales (Jason), Jamal Mixon (Ernie Klump, Jr.), and Montell Jordan (Himself) Directed by Tom Shadyac (#148 - Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)

Review
I'd compare this to the original version, however since I didn't see the 60s film beforehand, there is no point of comparison. Eddie Murphy can be funny, given the right material (Trading Places, Coming to America), but when you give him the wrong material (Norbit), it fails. This film thankfully has the right stuff to work. Murphy does a nice job because while the jokes aren't always funny, at least when the joke misfire, it isn't a spectacular failure. Murphy plays other roles (with make up by the fantastic Rick Baker), but it doesn't overwhelm the film to a halt, more a near afterthought. The actors are good, especially Larry Miller. He may have brief scenes, but he certainly leaves an impression. Jada Pinkett is fairly decent, and with Murphy, they do well. It's a pretty decent film that while not all that it could have been, it certainly makes its mark.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: It Happened One Night.

Review #456: It Happened One Night.

Cast
Clark Gable (Peter Warne), Claudette Colbert (Ellie Andrews), Walter Connolly (Alexander Andrews), Roscoe Karns (Oscar Shapeley), Jameson Thomas (Westley), Alan Hale (Danker), and Arthur Hoyt (Zeke) Directed by Frank Capra (#102 - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and #319 - It's a Wonderful Life)

Review

It's been a while, but after a little (six day) break (also replace that word with: laziness), I got back on to watching a movie, and this was the film I landed on. Clark Gable does a fine job in this film, he doesn't overcrowd the film itself, Colbert also does a fine job, she manages to be engaging, and she also shines well in the hitchhiking scene, probably one of the more memorable scenes ever filmed. It's just so amusing to see her lift up her leg and immediately get a ride. Capra as usual does a fine job with his characters, and it has its moments of amusement. It's the basis for many, many, many romantic comedies, but this one is still the best. It's a fine film overall.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Rear Window.

Review #455: Rear Window.

Cast
James Stewart (L.B. Jefferies), Grace Kelly (Lisa Fremont), Wendell Corey (Thomas J. Doyle), Thelma Ritter (Stella), Raymond Burr (Lars Thorwald), Judith Evelyn (Miss Lonelyhearts), Ross Bagdasarian (the Songwriter), and Georgine Darcy (Miss Torso) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (#219 - Rope, #223 - North by Northwest, #446 - Spellbound, #447 - Psycho, and #450 - Vertigo)

Review

Rear Window reminds me of Rope in some ways, not using too many sets, but the film manages to transcend that with its more than unique premise. James Stewart (In his second of the four films he would do with Hitchcock) does a fine job, as always, pleasant but engaging. Grace Kelly is stunning and she does a fine job, along with Thelma Ritter, who provides a supporting hand into the foray. Raymond Burr doesn't speak too much until about the end, but he's an effective villain because while we don't her him much, we see him, we see him and the progression of his character, that's what the film feels like, watching Stewart watching the events unfold, with subplots along the way, and this is a film that doesn't drag on, it's an effective thriller.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Wild Wild West.

Review #454: Wild Wild West.

Cast
Will Smith (James T. West), Kevin Kline (Artemus Gordon and Ulysses S. Grant), Kenneth Branagh (Dr. Arliss Loveless), Salma Hayek (Rita Escobar), M. Emmet Walsh (Coleman), Bai Ling (Miss East), Ted Levine (General "Bloodbath" McGrath), Frederique van der Wal (Amazonia), Musetta Vander (Munitia), Sofia Eng (Miss Lippenrieder), and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (Belle) Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (#005 - Get Shorty, #077 - The Addams Family, #078 - Addams Family Values, #211 - Men in Black, and #212 - Men in Black II)

Review
This was adapted off the classic television show The Wild Wild West, though judging by how they apparently changed significant aspects of the film, I'd cross out the word adapted. Will Smith is usually charming, even in the cliched Independence Day, but not even he can give any life to the way his character is portrayed. Kevin Kline is okay at best, but to say this would be a step down from A Fish Called Wanda is an understatement. Kenneth Branagh...playing an southern scientist with no legs was odd enough...but the thing that takes the cake is...the spider. Yes, a Mechanical Spider, in the Wild West. You might wonder how it could feasibly be made, I'm just wondering how no one ever mentions seeing it after the film's end, though I suppose Grant wouldn't want "I saw a giant spider, while opening a railroad. No I am not insane." being the last line of his memoirs. The effects have more merit then the story and it's a bland  stand still of a film, disappointing western buffs, action buffs, and of course, Wild Wild West fans.

The film was terrible enough to inspire Robert Conrad (the star of the original show) to accept the film's five Golden Raspberry Awards in person, and I can't blame him for doing that. In conclusion, the best way to sum this film is one quote: "I made a mistake on Wild Wild West. That could have been better. ... No, it's funny because I could never understand why Robert Conrad was so upset with Wild Wild West. And now I get it. It's like, 'That's my baby! I put my blood, sweat and tears into that!' So I'm going to apologize to Mr. Conrad for that because I didn't realize. I was young and immature. So much pain and joy went into The Fresh Prince that my greatest desire would be that it's left alone." And when that comes from Will Smith himself, that just makes this sad film even worse. Avoid this film like it's the plague.

Overall, I give it 2 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Soylent Green.

Review #453: Soylent Green.

Cast
Charlton Heston (Thorn), Leigh Taylor-Young (Shirl), Chuck Connors (Fielding), Edward G. Robinson (Sol Roth), Joseph Cotten (Simonson), Brock Peters (Hatcher), Paula Kelly (Martha), and Stephen Young (Gilbert) Directed by Richard Fleischer.

Review
Soylent Green has been considered as a film to be reviewed in the past, and I do vaguely remember having a chance to seeing it right around last year, but I decided to take a good night sleep instead. So...After feeling a bit under the weather, carrying a death wish and not wanting to do a lame pun by reviewing a Friday the 13th film on the most over hyped superstitious day, I decided to watch Soylent Green. The film was adapted from the novel Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison, who died just last year. This film has probably one of the more notable last lines which essentially gives the film new spin, but even still this doesn't validate all of the film. Heston is fine and Taylor-Young is okay, but the main actor that I seem to connect with is Edward G. Robinson, in his final film role, with his last scene of his last movie being both sad and ironic in approach. He does a good, if not great film, even if he isn't in the film too much. This feels like it could've been a Twilight Zone episode, especially with the twist ending and such. The future is grim bleak, and looks more like 1973 than 2022 at times. It's an okay film, highlighted with a fair twist and one or two great scenes, it's an alright science fiction film for the most part, just take it for what its worth.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Remember the Titans.

Review #452: Remember the Titans.

Cast
Denzel Washington (Herman Boone), Will Patton (Bill Yoast), Wood Harris (Julius Campbell), Ryan Hurst (Gerry Bertier), Donald Faison (Petey Jones), Ethan Suplee (Louie Lastik), Kip Pardue (Ronnie Bass), Craig Kirkwood (Jerry Harris), Nicole Ari Parker (Carole Boone), Krysten Leigh Jones (Nicky Boone), and Hayden Panettiere (Sheryl Yoast) Directed by Boaz Yakin.

Review
Is their inaccuracies in this film? Of course, no film could even try to be 100% accurate, so mixing the facts for dramatic effect isn't too much of a bone to pick, especially with this film. Denzel Washington is an excellent actor, intense yet subdued at times, which works especially in this film. It's not too hard to make a sports film, but the film tries to transcend that, and while it doesn't always hit, it certainly hits more than it misses. The actors are all well and good, like Will Patton or even Ethan Suplee, which is surprising, I must admit. Is this any better than say, 42? Not entirely, but at least this a fine film, and it certainly is enjoyable in its own way.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Green Hornet.

Review #451: The Green Hornet.

Cast
Seth Rogen (Britt Reid), Jay Chou (Kato), Christoph Waltz (Benjamin Chudnofsky), Cameron Diaz (Lenore "Casey" Case), David Harbour (District Attorney Frank Scanlon), Tom Wilkinson (James Reid), Edward James Olmos (Mike Axford), Jamie Harris (Popeye), Chad Coleman (Chili), and Edward Furlong (Tupper) Directed by Michel Gondry.

Review
This is one of those films I never had actually got to finishing twice. Around the end of the year (heh, big shock) when every test was done, our classes used to watch some films. The Green Hornet was one of them, though I never got to finish the film. Until now. Everytime I watched it, I had a few questions that popped in my head about the movie: So in the 1960's show, was Kato more useful than the Green Hornet? Was Kato always better in hero work than the Hornet? Why does it seem that the Green Hornet is eerily similar to Batman? And who is Seth Rogen? The answers to my questions are: There are none. Well, maybe one answer. The Green Hornet was created on radio in 1936, 3 years before Batman was, with comic books about the Hornet coming 4 years later, later spawning two serial films, a short 10 minute French film, and the short lived but memorable 1960's series with Bruce Lee and Van Williams. The history of the Green Hornet is probably more interesting than the film itself. What I mean is that Rogen doesn't provide too much to the table, he feels more like the comedy relief to Jay Chou than an actual hero. The Black Beauty is a beautiful looking car though, and the effects are halfway decent, though it can't make up for the mediocre acting and the mediocre story. This was meant to be a superhero comedy, but it feels more like a chore, and Waltz, while admirable in his attempts, can't liven the film enough. This would be a disappointment, but since I don't really know the Hornet, it's just a miss.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Vertigo.

Review #450: Vertigo.

Cast
James Stewart (John Ferguson), Kim Novak (Madeleine Elster), Barbara Bel Geddes (Midge Wood), Tom Helmore (Gavin Elster), Henry Jones (Coroner), Ellen Corby (Hotel owner), and Konstantin Shayne (Pop Leibel) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (#219 - Rope, #223 - North by Northwest, #446 - Spellbound, and #447 - Psycho)

Review
Arguably one the best films of all time, I decided to give this a watch, and for such a landmark, I thought it'd be nice to do. Likewise, the film rewarded me by being an excellent film. James Stewart (who noticeably shows silver hair) does a fine job, though this was one of his last films where he was the romantic lead, and it does show, but Stewart always did manage to do an excellent job, no matter what the age. Kim Novak is noticeable and does a fine job in her role, and together with Stewart, makes for great scenes, such as when the love scene near the waves, with such tension making a memorable and effective scene. The twist in the film occurs near the end of the film and I do like the twist not because it comes completely out of nowhere, but because it doesn't define the film, it doesn't become the spectacle, it's the film that does it itself (an example of that would probably be any of M. Night Shamalyan's films), and Hitchcock is, as usual, effective in his direction. Is it the greatest film of all time? Sight and Sound's 2012 poll likes to think so, over Citizen Kane (#200), but trying to determine the greatest film by argument takes more time to do then by just watching. Whatever you might think is the greatest (or favorite, whichever word), Vertigo has a foothold in excellence and shines alongside other great films and Hitchcock's best. Take it for what it's worth. I'd like to thank all of you for putting up with me for over 2 years and 450 reviews, and I assure you there will be more to come on Movie Night. Thank you. I'd like to make an announcement about the seasons that accompany this, as it will change to a January 1-December 31st season effective next year. Thank you.

Overall I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Things to Come.

Review #449: Things to Come.

Cast
Raymond Massey (John Cabal/Oswald Cabal), Edward Chapman (Pippa Passworthy/Raymond Passworthy), Ralph Richardson (Rudolf), Margaretta Scott (Roxana Black/Rowena Cabal), Cedric Hardwicke (Theotocopulos), and Maurice Braddell (Edward Harding) Directed by William Cameron Menzies (#448 - Invaders from Mars)

Review
H. G. Wells devised the plot and dialogue for the film which was adapted from his own novel, The Shape of Things to Come, though apparently scenes were shortened for censors, and learning that he wanted the music to be recorded in response and have the film made around the music is both an intriguing idea and odd at the same time, for 1936 at least. But enough about Wells, there's the film itself, and how it is on the whole, and it's...not too bad. Somewhat dated but never too dull, the actors do alright and the highlight of the film is undoubtedly the effects which have been compared to Art Deco, which isn't a bad thing. The directing by Menzies (Who I just talked about in the last review...) is not too shabby for a film like this. For the time this was made it feels like foreboding, and while this isn't as great as it could have been, it's at least watchable and one of those films that shouldn't be remade, which in the world we live, is an achievement, I suppose. There's just one more film to get to in this countdown. Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

And now, the 450th Review (which will be posted tomorrow night) will be...

Movie Night: Invaders from Mars (1953).

Review #448: Invaders from Mars.

Cast
Jimmy Hunt (David Maclean), Helena Carter (Dr. Pat Blake), Arthur Franz (Dr. Stuart Kelston), Morris Ankrum (Fielding), Leif Erickson (George MacLean), Hillary Brooke (Mary MacLean), Max Wagner (Rinaldi), Milburn Stone (Capt. Roth), and Janine Perreau (Kathy Wilson) Directed by William Cameron Menzies.

Review
This is an odd film in sorts, and it may be due to the color changes, the sets or because of the twist ending that sounds extremely familiar. But anyway, Invaders from Mars doesn't run too long but it does have its charm. Jimmy Hunt isn't a terrible child actor in this film and he manages to do a respectable job. The effects in this film aren't too bad for 1953 and the color changes that occur do gives more context to the confusion that this film sometimes does. It's a weird film, and while the ending probably justifies the oddness, it's an okay film at best, not too hokey (unless you count that grey alien, which reminds me of Colin Mochrie for some reason.) It's something you could watch easily, what with the 70 minutes run time and all. The ending actually wasn't kept in foreign versions like in England, which edited their own ending, a bit less thought provoking than the original version. This is a mostly decent film that could be argued to be a mid-classic, and it's best to take it for what it's worth. Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

And now, I will reveal the next review in advance...Things to Come.

Movie Night: Psycho (1960).

Review #447: Psycho.

Cast
Anthony Perkins (Norman Bates), Janet Leigh (Marion Crane), Vera Miles (Lila Crane), John Gavin (Sam Loomis), Martin Balsam (Milton Arbogast), John McIntire (Al Chambers), Virginia Gregg (Norma Bates), and Simon Oakland (Fred Richmond) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (#219 - Rope, #223 - North by Northwest, and #446 - Spellbound)

Review
First off, I'd like to say happy Labor Day to all who I'm sure are enjoying this day off. 

The film doesn't take too long to be impressive, as its titles by Saul Bass certainly do leave an impression, and in a way foretells the rest of the film. Janet Leigh does a fine job and all, but Perkins certainly steals the show, maybe it's the demeanor, or that creepy smile, but he leaves you wanting more, and makes for an interesting character, which drives the film. The film has its moments of suspense, especially at the end. And then there's the shower scene (Which if I didn't mention, I'd regret later), which is certainly the most effective scene of the film. You could say the scene might be spoiled already, but when you watch the film, it's given a proper context, and that certainly helps. I won't spoil it, you'll probably (if not definitely) find it on YouTube, or when you watch the film, whichever comes first. Hitchcock does a fine job directing, and this for a film produced by him and made on a tight budget, very quickly and very successful, spawning three sequels and a TV series. There was a "remake", but...there's a reason I put that it quotations. Nevertheless, this is an impressive, chilling, and interesting film. 

Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Spellbound (1945).

Review #446: Spellbound.

Cast
Ingrid Bergman (Constance Petersen), Gregory Peck (Anthony Edwardes/John Ballantyne), Michael Chekhov (Alexander Brulov), Leo G. Carroll (Dr. Murchison), Rhonda Fleming (Mary Carmichael), John Emery (Dr. Fleurot), Steven Geray (Dr. Graff), and Paul Harvey (Dr. Hanish) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (#219 - Rope and #223 - North by Northwest)

Review
With my laziness at reviewing films probably noticed for August (Seriously, I did 7 reviews in 31 days. That month doesn't even have any holidays to celebrate) and September having just started, I figured I needed something to start off September before someone might've complained over the general lack of reviews. Anyway...

Spellbound is notable for its psychoanalysis and a dream sequence designed by notable artist Salvador Dalí, which occurs near the end of the film. Setting the notables aside, this is a really good film. Ingrid Bergman shines, along with Gregory Peck, and they pair off each other extremely well, but the film is more than just that, it's a gripping mystery, a strange tale that only Hitchcock could do. The dream sequence by Dali is extraordinary, and while it may not last too long, it certainly does leave an impression. It's a (pardon the pun) spellbinding film, and it certainly is excellent. 

Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Blast from the Past.

Review #445: Blast from the Past.

Cast
Brendan Fraser (Adam Webber), Alicia Silverstone (Eve Vrustikoff), Christopher Walken (Calvin Webber), Sissy Spacek (Helen Webber), Dave Foley (Troy), Joey Slotnick (Melker), Dale Raoul (Mom), Rex Linn (Dave), Cynthia Mace (Betty), and Harry S. Murphy (Bob) Directed by Hugh Wilson.

Review
You know, there are some films that aren't really good on attaining its purpose, but still have a cute charm, a sweet, but not too sweet feel, basically a guilty pleasure. The premise of this film is a bit inventive (Though what kind of person makes a shelter that you can't even get out for 35 years?), and while it may not live up fully to its potential, I suppose it could've done worse. Brendan Fraser is not too terrible in the main role, awkward, but not too bad. Alicia Silverstone (Who I last saw in Batman & Robin, which automatically means she went a step up from that film) is somewhat better, though to be fair Christopher Walken in some ways steals the show, maybe it's his charisma, or that duck joke, I don't know. The film has a few laughs, and it sometimes tries to be ambitious, and while it starts out slow, it does at least finish well, and it's not too bad, a bit average. Is it awkward? Sometimes. Is it okay? Sure. But is it forgettable? Not all the time. Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Major League II

Review #444: Major League II.

Cast
Charlie Sheen (Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn), Tom Berenger (Jake Taylor), Corbin Bernsen (Roger Dorn), Dennis Haysbert (Pedro Cerrano), James Gammon (Lou Brown), Omar Epps (Willie Mays Hayes), Bob Uecker (Harry Doyle), David Keith (Jack Parkman), Takaaki Ishibashi (Isuro Tanaka), Margaret Whitton (Rachel Phelps), Eric Bruskotter (Rube Baker), Alison Doody (Rebecca Flannery), Michelle Burke (Nikki Reese), and Randy Quaid (Unnamed Fan) Directed by David S. Ward (#426 - Major League)

Review
Major League had its shares of laughs, and while it could've been better, it was a good comedy, arguably a classic. Five years, they made a sequel. This isn't as good. It feels like a rehash at times, and while it does have its moments, it's an okay comedy, as it eventually seems to win down in the same way the first film went, but at least this film doesn't get too sappy, which I guess helps...sort of. The film even retains the same "villain" from the first film, though I do wonder if she would've been allowed to own the team again, what with her deliberately trying to sabotage the team last season and all but oh well. The actors do fine, and Omar Epps does an okay job replacing Wesley Snipes from the last film, not too bad. It's an okay film, having some laughs, but not rising above the first film, inspiring more comparisons to the first film than praise for it. But hey, at least Cleveland got to win something, and that's always nice to see I suppose. I love the fact I've reached 444 reviews, and on my first day back at school. Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Daredevil.

Review #443: Daredevil.

Cast
Ben Affleck (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Jennifer Garner (Elektra Natchios), Colin Farrell (Bullseye), Michael Clarke Duncan (Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin), Jon Favreau (Franklin Nelson), Joe Pantoliano (Ben Urich), and David Keith (Jack Murdock) Directed by Mark Steven Johnson.

Review
On November 2, 2006, Ben Affleck stated his disintrest in being Daredevil again, saying "by playing a superhero in Daredevil, I have inoculated myself from ever playing another superhero... Wearing a costume was a source of humiliation for me and something I wouldn't want to do again soon". Irony is a terrible thing isn't it? Yes, Ben Affleck will be Batman. Yes, I would've liked to hear about much better things, like a Wonder Woman movie, or when the Hulk will get a film that will actually get a sequel. But hey, at least Affleck has some experiance as a costumed hero, and it was a success, right?...Sort of. It was a financial hit when it first came out, and yet all that this inspired was an Elektra spinoff...and no sequels. It's a stand alone film, and an unfocused one at that. My first question for this film came when you first see Daredevil's costume. Maybe it's just me, or my complete non knowledge of the comics, but Daredevil's costume is hilarious. Maybe it's the shade of red, or how it looks at night, but it looks very funny. The film starts off...normally, and the action is okay, and than we get introduced to Elektra 30 or so minutes in. You'd think that the subplot between Elektra and Daredevil would be entertaining, but it's mild in its approach, and it makes you yearn to see the over the top Colin Farrell (Who I last saw being harassed by Kiefer Sutherland in Phone Booth), or wonder why Michael Clarke Duncan isn't seen in this film too much even though he is an entertaining villain. Affleck isn't too bad, and I admire his attempt to be like the character because he apparently read the comics as a kid. The film...just can't support itself. It's not a great or good comic book film, but it could be passable for some, and I give this more credit then other early 2000's comic book movies (Catwoman, Fantastic Four, or even Green Lantern) that weren't as good. I've heard that people like the Director's Cut more than the original version, but at this point I just want to keep this review under a millenium words long. Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7...

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Garbage Pail Kids Movie.

Review #442: The Garbage Pail Kids Movie.

Cast
Anthony Newley (Captain Manzini), Mackenzie Astin (Dodger), Katie Barberi (Tangerine), Ron MacLachlan (Juice), Jim Cummings (Greaser Greg), Debbie Lee Carrington (Valerie Vomit), Kevin Thompson (Ali Gator) Directed by Rod Amateau.

Review
I've decided to watch this film because of the film's 26th anniversary and because reviewing terrible films are not that common on here, so why not? Before I divulge, there is a fun fact to this film (shocking, I know) this director is also notable for directing episodes of Mister Ed, The Dukes of Hazzard, My Mother the Car, and Supertrain. Which of things sound weird to you? But oh well. I apologize in advance if the review is long, but with a film like this, rants are necessary.

I love the tagline for the film: Out of the garbage pail and into your heart! A live action heap of fun! Oh yeah, I was crying at one point of the film, when I got hiccups and it made me spout tears. So the film begins like most kids flicks...in space. With a trashcan flying...somewhere towards Earth, though I'd like to imagine they really landed on a parallel green and blue looking planet, called...Zerth. You may notice the bizarre names of these characters, like..."Juice, or "Dodger", or "Manzini", or "Tangerine", which sounds like something that 2nd graders would think of. Also, what did this kid do to be bulled by...teenagers who look like adults? He must've done something, he was constantly referred to as "creep", that or the "gang" really like calling people creeps. I'd mention the acting, but I'm told that laughing does not count as an opinion.

And then we see the titular characters, which were adapted from a series...of trading cards. Not a TV show, not a book, not a poem, not even an idea, but trading cards. I'd judge the "Pail Kids" on their looks and terrible puppetry and lipsynced voices, but judging the personalities...is less mean. Especially when they're so nice, stealing vehicles, destroying other vehicles...vomiting on people, and other such things. Their personalities might be worse than the effects. I love the technical errors in this film, like when Dodger (Is it his name, his nickname, or the name he used while being on Earth as a Time Lord?) asks a question to Tangerine while she drives (?) in daylight...and gets the answer at night or when the "Kids" go to see the Three Stooges in a theater (?)...and everybody at the theater..is laughing like hyenas. I know they are watching the Stooges, but is anything really funny enough to laugh really, really hard?  Strangely, the Garbage Pail Kids can make clothes...and sing.  They sing...while stealing clothes from a sweat shop. I can't think of any worse moment to have a song other than a funeral then this. The fashion of the film is terrible, inherently stuck in the 80s but in a bad way. One question that kept popping up all throughout the film is...where is Dodger's parents? Does he even have parents? This is a film that has inspires a lot of questions, such as: Who made a State Home for the Ugly? How do the Pail Kids know Manzini? Are the Kids aliens, and if so, where did they come from? How can Santa Claus, clowns and cavemen be in the House of the Ugly? Who names their bar "The toughest bar in the world"? Who thought this would be a good idea? Why are the designs of the Kids so horrendously bad? There are two good things about this film, though. It was a failure at the box office, and...the end credits. I wonder which film is worse, this or Birdemic. Don't watch this movie, not even for curiosity's sake.

Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8...

Overall, I give it 0 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Toy Story 2.

Review #441: Toy Story 2.

Cast

Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Kelsey Grammer (Stinky Pete), Joan Cusack (Jessie), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Jim Varney (Slinky Dog), Wallace Shawn (Rex), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), Annie Potts (Bo Peep), Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head), Wayne Knight (Al McWhiggin), John Morris (Andy), and Laurie Metcalf (Ms. Davis) Directed by John Lasseter (#440 - Toy Story), Lee Unkrich, and Ash Brannon.

Review

Ever have a film sequel that actually might be better than the original? (yes, you could answer Empire Strikes Back, or Spider-Man 2, or Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan, but let's not get too off topic) Toy Story 2 manages to evoke that question, and it could be argued that it is better. This might feel tired, or stale (or both) coming from me, but the Toy Story trilogy could arguably the best film trilogy ever made (I...will probably take that back at some point, but yeah. That and the ambiguities of their being a potential fourth Toy Story), but oh well. Hanks and Allen again do a good job, but Grammer is a fine villain, and it is nice to watch Newman-I mean Wayne Knight in this film. The animation doesn't change too much, consistent, but very well done. There's not a whole lot to say about the film either because I'm sure everybody in the world has at least said something of the film, or because continuously giving praise over and over to different but similar subjects gets repetitive after a while. The film is good nonetheless, and Pixar once again did a fine job. Not bad for a film that originally was going to be a direct to video sequel (Gee, doesn't that sound similar *cough* Planes), isn't it? Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Toy Story.

Review #440: Toy Story.

Cast
Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Jim Varney (Slinky Dog), Erik von Detten (Sid Phillips), Wallace Shawn (Rex), John Morris (Andy Davis), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), Annie Potts (Bo Peep), Laurie Metcalf (Ms. Davis), R. Lee Ermey (Sarge), Sarah Freeman (Hannah Phillips), and Joe Ranft (Lenny) Directed by John Lasseter.

Review
Trying to ask what would be the rating for this film is pointless as this is a really good film, with a lot of heart and with a lot of good animation. As I said in my review of Toy Story 3 (#382. Gee I really messed up the chronology, didn't I. At least I reviewed this first instead of the second film), Hanks and Allen pair off each other really well (fun fact: Billy Crystal was offered the role of Buzz Lightyear, but turned it down), and the scene where Woody tells Buzz he is a toy makes me laugh a lot. But the film has its moments of drama and adventure, and it doesn't feel manufactured or phoned in. The film was written by a variety of writers, and I'd make a joke about Josh Whedon, but I've honestly never even watched any of his shows, so there's no purpose, but the writing is good though. This was the first computer animated film and Pixar's first film, and it is a monumental success, especially with the story, the acting, and the animation. Truly excellent. Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze.

Review #439: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze.

Cast
Brian Tochi (Leonardo), Robbie Rist (Michelangelo), Adam Carl (Donatello), Laurie Faso (Raphael), Kevin Clash (Splinter), Paige Turco (April O'Neil), David McCharen (Shredder), David Warner (Jordan Perry), Ernie Reyes Jr (Keno), and Frank Welker (Voices of Tokka and Rahzar) Directed by Michael Pressman.

Review
Almost 400 reviews ago, I reviewed the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, and I liked it, it was fun to watch, it had good action, and it aimed for a specific goal of entertainment succeeded. The second aims a bit lower, with more silliness and puns. And...it isn't half bad. While not as good as the first, the second film doesn't veer off completely off the deep end, though crashing into a rap concert by Vanilla Ice comes extremely close to the deep end. The actors are fine, not too shabby. Shredder with Bebop and- I mean Tokka and Rahzar are okay, and while the action is injected with silliness, it manages to at least have some entertainment, not as much as the first, but just enough for some, I suppose.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Cactus Flower.

Review #438: Cactus Flower.

Cast
Walter Matthau (Dr. Julian Winston), Ingrid Bergman (Stephanie Dickinson), Goldie Hawn (Toni Simmons), Jack Weston (Harvey Greenfield), Rick Lenz (Igor Sullivan), Vito Scotti (Señor Arturo Sánchez), Irene Hervey (Mrs. Durant), and Eve Bruce (Georgia) Directed by Gene Saks.

Review
This film is (sadly) connected with the grand atrocity Just Go With It, reviewed nearly 400 reviews ago, as that was a remake of Cactus Flower, which was also inspired Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?, a 2005 film made in India which is probably way better than Just Go With It. Goldie Hawn makes her first starring role as a main lead, though her first movie appearance was in The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band. Hawn, who had previously been on Laugh-In, won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for this film, and I can see why. She's charming, she has talent and she's a very convincing actress and she stands her ground of being notable, especially at the likes of Matthau and Bergman. The actors are what that "remake" had nothing of: Funny. They convey the laughs, they aren't  too vulgar in their approach, and...this is has a good story to it (Being based off the play Fleur de cactus by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Grédy), which makes sense. Matthau and Bergman are very good, and when combined with Hawn and also Lenz, this makes a dynamic comedy that blows its remake into the graveyard of terrible remakes. I could say more, but half of what would be said would be further trying to prove that Adam Sandler can't make a funny 2000s comedy and that Goldie Hawn, Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman do a great job and the dialogue, which works well. So it's best to quit while I'm (probably) ahead.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco.

Review #437: Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco.

Cast
Michael J. Fox (Chance), Ralph Waite (Shadow), Sally Field (Sassy), Carla Gugino (Delilah), Sinbad (Riley), Tisha Campbell-Martin (Sledge), Michael Bell (Stokey), Robert Hays (Bob Seaver), Kim Greist (Laura Seaver), Benj Thall (Peter Seaver), Veronica Lauren (Hope Seaver), and Kevin Chevalia (Jamie Seaver) Directed by David R. Ellis.

Review
The previous film (#186 - Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey) was fine, a reasonably paced family film with good banter and pairing of Don Ameche, Michael J. Fox and Sally Field, with minimal, but not too little scenes about the family, and it made sure to not run on for too long. The sequel tries to do the same thing, but in someways, that is the major flaw of the film, it just feels like a rehash, only with minor differences. Sure there's a love interest, and...a dog gang, but this film, while okay at best, fails to surpass the original in quality. Fox is good, and Field is as well, and Waite does okay as a replacement actor, as Don Ameche had dies prior to the filming of the second film. The problem isn't exactly with the actors, it's more a problem with the script, which doesn't really go anywhere. It has fun moments, but it feels like it is trying either too hard or not enough. The scenery of San Francisco looks nice, and I imagine families would like it somewhat, but the first one is definitely better.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Dead Men Walk.

Review #436: Dead Men Walk.

Cast
George Zucco (Dr. Lloyd Clayton / Dr. Elwyn Clayton), Mary Carlisle (Gale Clayton), Nedrick Young (Dr. David Bentley), Dwight Frye (Zolarr), and Fern Emmett (Kate) Directed by Sam Newfield.

Review
What? Oh sorry, I was busy trying to remember what I was watching earlier. All I remember is watching this 64 minute 1940s film, took a nap after watching it, and then watching some show to block this film out of my memory. The Powerpuff Girls don't do a very good job at that, unfortunately. I'd say something like "But at least this has some entertainment value right?", but this isn't really much in terms of entertainment. It ends quicker then it begins and it feels like a low budget Dracula at best. In fact, Dwight Frye is even in this, previously featured in Frankenstein, Dracula and The Maltese Falcon, and he's okay in this. The budget is low, as noticed when I keep hearing sound issues, such as their being a faint tap, which sounds like what happens on a record player. The film starts with some sort of book about "The History of the Vampires" being burned, which puzzles me because I'm wondering who would make such a book about that? The next book presumably would be The History of Zardar, the Clown Terror from Beyond Outer Space, or The History of the World, Part II. The actors are okay, and the film sometimes does have a creepy vibe, but it's mostly forgettable, yet very easy to find on the Internet.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Intermission.

   I decided to take a break for reviewing yesterday, not wanting to burn out from all the reviewing. I also noticed the blog has reached 7K views, I wanted to give gratitude to anyone who actually reads the blog and the reviews. I also welcome anyone to comment on these reviews, the comment box is just right below the review, comment whatever you want relating to the review or whatever.

Thank you, and I assure you there will be more reviews this month and in August. Thank you for your time.

Movie Night: Mickey.

Review #435: Mickey.

Cast
Mabel Normand (Mickey), George Nichols (Joe Meadows), Wheeler Oakman (Herbert Thornhill), Minta Durfee (Elsie Drake), Laura La Varnie (Mrs. Geoffrey Drake), Lew Cody (Reggie Drake), and Tom Kennedy (Tom Rawlings) Directed by F. Richard Jones and James Young.

Review
Mickey is the earliest point of time in the 20th century to be reviewed here, over 90 years old, making it even older than say, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. This silent film was produced by Mabel Normand Feature Film Company, which would only make one film, and this is a rare case of a film company bearing the name of the person involved and then starring in the film (unless you count "Wiseau Films" in the discussion) as well. The actors try to convey emotions, but only Normand seems to the most convincing at that, and she does a fine job overall. The film itself is not really that much to it, and why it can give a chuckle, the story doesn't have that much meat to it, and this is more of a curiosity piece that a good film, but I'm sure silent film lovers will get a treat out of this.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Mon Oncle.

Review #434: Mon Oncle.

Cast
Jacques Tati (Monsieur Hulot), Jean-Pierre Zola (Monsieur Arpel), Adrienne Servantie (Madame Arpel), Alain Bécourt (Gérard Arpel), Lucien Frégis (Monsieur Pichard), Betty Schneider (Betty), and Jean-François Martial (Walter) Directed by Jacques Tati.

Review 
Mon Oncle (which translates to "My Uncle" in English) is a first on Movie Night, it being the first film from France to be reviewed here, and the 10th world cinema film (with the exception of British films and Canadian films), and for once, a comedy film, whereas the others were either weird films and horror films. As for the film itself, it has its quirks and moments wrapped with little dialogue, making this easy to watch. It's an easygoing film, one with gags that do bring some chuckles. My favorite is the fountain that just can't start or stop sprinkling. The actors don't say a whole lot, Tati uses music and the movements to make a visual comedy, you could almost call this a silent film, and the music keeps the flow of the film going. The film runs about two hours, but the patience and the laughs you'll get from the film makes this worth it for anyone looking for a good laugh.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Angels in the Outfield (1951).

Review #433: Angels in the Outfield.

Cast

Paul Douglas (Guffy McGovern), Janet Leigh (Jennifer Paige), Keenan Wynn (Fred Bayles), Donna Corcoran (Bridget White), Lewis Stone (Arnold P. Hapgood), Bruce Bennett (Saul Hellman), and James Whitmore. Directed by Clarence Brown (#423 - A Woman of Affiars)

Review

Baseball films have been shown prominently (mostly), such as Cobb, The Jackie Robinson Story, 42, The Natural, The Babe, Major League, ...and The Babe Ruth Story. After I saw the heinously overly sweet "The Babe Ruth Story", I needed something, anything to watch to get it out of my head. And so I decided to watch Angels in the Outfield, and as the film kept going, I realized that while this film wasn't exactly jumping out of the cliche monsters that sometimes plague sports films, this has enjoyment written all over it. It's a kids film at heart yes, but the baseball action is fine, with the players not swinging awfully as Bendix, and this film does have its moments, such as when Douglas' character meets Leigh's, where Douglas gives a reply on a note card with "Boo!" after Leigh criticises his team. I don't know why, but that's what gets to me, and it's a unknown sort of spirit that makes this a passable film. 

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars. 

Movie Night: The Babe Ruth Story.

Review #432: The Babe Ruth Story.

Cast
William Bendix (George Herman "Babe" Ruth), Claire Trevor (Claire Hodgson Ruth), Charles Bickford (Brother Matthias), Sam Levene (Phil Conrad), William Frawley (Jack Dunn), Gertrude Niesen (Nightclub Singer), and Fred Lightner (Miller Huggins) Directed by Roy Del Ruth (#398 - The Maltese Falcon (1931)

Review
I've already reviewed a film based off Babe Ruth (#389 - The Babe), but this film managed to be released in Ruth's lifetime. How much of his lifetime? Long enough for him to see it before he died, as he would see the film three weeks before his death. In that respect, this film feels like it was rushed beyond oblivion with no care for the facts which stink more than a skunk. The Babe wasn't good because of awkwardness, its fallacy of history and a weak script.  But this? This is the anti-thesis of a sports film, this is a sugar coat of a film. How much of a sugar coat? Imagine a Twix candy bar deep fried in chocolate and then filled with sugar. It's so sickeningly sweet with its character that no amount of acting could help this film. And that's where the film keeps on dragging down, down, down. Part of the problem of The Babe Ruth Story is that while it has a sweet side, that's all it has. Bendix isn't even a good player when it comes to the baseball scenes, swinging very oddly and throwing very...weirdly, making John Goodman look great by comparison. Bendix portrays him very child-like, resembling Curly from the Three Stooges. The worst scene in the film is either the ending scene (where the child that he once met that apparently started walking after they met), that "Called Shot" scene (The myth being he called his shot before he hit a home run in the World Series - in the scene, his home run apparently saves a sick child), or when kids sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" outside his hospital window. It's a disgrace to sports biopics that manages to make even "The Babe" look average by comparison. In two attempts to make a biopic about Babe Ruth, both times the films failed to do just one single purpose: Have a good Babe Ruth. You might as well read "The Babe and I" by Claire Ruth, a biopic by his wife. But oh well.

Overall, I give it 1 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Palm Beach Story.

Review #431: The Palm Beach Story.

Cast
Claudette Colbert (Geraldine Jeffers), Joel McCrea (Tom Jeffers), Mary Astor (The Princess Centimillia), Rudy Vallée (John D. Hackensacker III), Sig Arno (Toto), and Robert Dudley (Wienie King) Directed by Preston Sturges (#188 - Sullivan's Travels)

Review
The Palm Beach is a decent film, not as good as Sullivan's Travels, but it is entertaining, it does have a twist and it had good enough writing to keep the film in wrap. The actors are alright, and Joel McCrea is enjoyable, managing to switch emotions, he can be gruff, but he can also be funny, and that's always nice for an actor or an actress. Claudette Colbert is good, taking advantage of being one the lead roles very well. Sturges is a good director and he weaves his characters and setting to a good result, and while it doesn't last too long, it is fun while it is lasting, and I suppose that makes sense in the grand scheme of the film, which is just to make us laugh with a quick pace, romantics and all.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: 7 Faces of Dr. Lao.

Review #430: 7 Faces of Dr. Lao.

Cast
Tony Randall (Dr. Lao, Merlin, Pan, the Serpent, Medusa, Apollonius of Tyana, and the Abominable Snowman), Arthur O'Connell (Clint Stark), Barbara Eden (Angela Benedict), John Ericson (Ed Cunningham), Kevin Tate (Mike Benedict), Noah Beery, Jr. (Sam), Royal Dano (Casey, the Brutal Henchman), John Doucette (Lucas, the Henchman's Sidekick), Lee Patrick (Mrs. Howard T. Cassan, the Stuffy Matron), Minerva Urecal (Kate Lindquist, the Shrewish Wife), John Qualen (Luther Lindquist, the Meek Husband), and Frank Cady (Mayor James Sargent)  Directed by George Pal (#247 - The Time Machine)

Review
This is a weird sort of film, it feels like a fantasy film, but it sometimes feels like it tries to be a comedic film, and it also manages to try to show a cavalcade of stop motion effects, creating a jello mold of a film in which the main actor tries to flesh out 7 different characters. But does this film work as a whole? Eh...it depends. The directing for the most part is alright, George Pal (also notable for producing The War of the Worlds in 1953) does alright, and focus doesn't get too off focus. And while Randall does okay in his performances, it is a tour de force in the makeup department by William Tuttle as he even won an honorary Oscar for the makeup. The effects are alright, and the Serpent does look good. The rest of the actors are okay, not too bad, even if they are overshadowed by the effects and Randall, though probably unintentionally. The film is dated at some points and despite some questionable aspects, this is at least okay, and while it is a weird experiment in the amount of characters one actor or actress can play, I suppose it can't be too harmful. Take this film at your own risk.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Wrong Box.

Review #429: The Wrong Box.

Cast
John Mills (Masterman Finsbury), Ralph Richardson (Joseph Finsbury), Michael Caine (Michael Finsbury), Peter Cook (Morris Finsbury), Dudley Moore (John Finsbury), Nanette Newman (Julia Finsbury), Peter Sellers (Dr. Pratt), Tony Hancock (Detective), and Wilfrid Lawson (Peacock) Directed by Bryan Forbes.

Review
The Wrong Box has oddball moments, notable late comedians and some laughs, and while sometimes it could be better, this is a tour de force of 60's star power, which either gives it appeal or makes it a bit dated. Anyway, the film does have its moments with some of the demises of the characters, one involving a duel that let's just say turns incredibly wrong. The main two actors are fine and Caine is good as always, but Cook and Moore steal the show, they bring an aura, a certain sort of bizarre charm, and it has a well effect indeed. The gags in the film are alright and while some might miss, there are some that hit the mark even to the day, not being that dated.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: A Fish Called Wanda.

Review #428: A Fish Called Wanda.

Cast
John Cleese (Archie Leach), Jamie Lee Curtis (Wanda Gershwitz), Kevin Kline (Otto West), Michael Palin (Ken Pile), Maria Aitken (Wendy Leach), Tom Georgeson (George Thomason), and Patricia Hayes (Mrs. Coady) Directed by Charles Crichton.

Review
It has been 25 years to the day that this film was released into theaters (U.S. and Canada theaters anyway, it wouldn't be released in the U.K. until months later for some reason), and it was a major hit when it first came out, with Kevin Kline garnering a Best Supporting Actor award at the Oscars and the film also had other various nominations, but enough about that, how is the film? It's pretty good. The actors do pretty well, and Kline does steal the show after a while, but Curtis and Cleese do manage to keep the focus going, and Palin slides in and does a well job, given his character and all. The story itself isn't lost to stupidity, or to disgusting gags with no point or too much vulgarity unlike some recent comedies, the story in this is coherent, it actually flows well without a misstep, the actors and the story matter, and the comedy comes in later, this movie could actually work as a drama, but the comedy is abundant enough to work as a comedy as well. And the film isn't dated, it could still be believable after 25 years, and when a film can do all that, clearly that is an accomplishment, which it was 25 years ago and still is today.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Magnificent Seven (1960).

Review #427: The Magnificent Seven.

Cast
Yul Brynner (Chris Adams), Eli Wallach (Calvera), Steve McQueen (Vin), Horst Buchholz (Chico), Charles Bronson (Bernardo O'Reilly), Robert Vaughn (Lee), James Coburn (Britt), Brad Dexter (Harry Luck), Vladimir Sokoloff (The Old Man), Jorge Martínez de Hoyos (Hilario), and Rosenda Monteros (Petra) Directed by John Sturges.

Review
The Magnificent Seven is a western style remake of the 1954 film Seven Samurai, which was directed by Akira Kurosawa, a legendary director who had directed 30 films in over 50 years of work. As for this film, the rights were bought for Seven Samurai, and Sturges was brought in to direct, with filming occurring in Mexico, and Elmer Bernstein composing the music score. As for my opinion on the film, it's a well made production. Brynner is effective, doing a fine job in one of the main roles. Eli Wallach is an effective villain, and when he and his bandits meet the Seven about an hour in, the scene is tense, but effective. But Steve McQueen nearly steals the show and while he does have too many lines, he is memorable in his role. The rest of the actors do very well, such as Charles Bronson, but especially James Coburn, who may not say much, but keeps a stone cold image that works well. The scenery is effective, given the tone of the film. This film is entertaining, with good directing by Sturges, and the music score by Elmer Bernstein is one of the best music scores made for film. It's a bittersweet film, and it is an excellent western.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Major League.

Review #426: Major League.

Cast
Tom Berenger (Jake Taylor), Corbin Bernsen (Roger Dorn), Charlie Sheen (Ricky Vaughn), Margaret Whitton (Rachel Phelps), James Gammon (Lou Brown), Rene Russo (Lynn Wells), Bob Uecker (Harry Doyle), Wesley Snipes (Willie Mays Hayes), Charles Cyphers (Charlie Donovan), Chelcie Ross (Eddie Harris), Dennis Haysbert (Pedro Cerrano), and Andy Romano (Pepper Leach) Directed by David S. Ward.

Review
Major League may not bring too much of new things to the table that other sports films like The Natural or 42 have, but it has its own way of trying to reach the level of enjoyment that it mostly gets right. It has its moments of being funny, and while it is sometimes crude in approach, it is excusable because the characters are endearing after a while.  The actors are alright, Berenger and Bernsen do good, Sheen steals the show, but Bob Uecker of all people has memorable moments, even for an announcer, the one liners are memorable It feels dated at times, with the old, now demolished stadiums (Milwaukee County Stadium was used for filming, though it was used only because the stadium that is actually depicted (Cleveland Municipal Stadium) was too busy for filming), the uniforms and other such things, But this film has some charm, it feels close to home, there's always that team that just feels down on times, especially Cleveland teams, and while the idea of comeback is somewhat cliche, there's always something to try and make different about it, and while sports films do run into one another a lot, this breaks that mold, if only slightly.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Pacific Rim.

Review #425: Pacific Rim.

Cast
Charlie Hunnam (Raleigh Becket), Idris Elba (Stacker Pentecost), Rinko Kikuchi (Mako Mori), Charlie Day (Dr. Newton Geizler), Burn Gorman (Dr. Hermann Gottlieb), Ron Perlman (Hannibal Chau), Heather Doerksen (Sasha Kaidanovsky), Ellen McLain (Jaeger AI), Robert Kazinsky (Chuck Hansen), Robert Maillet (Aleksis Kaidanovsky), Max Martini (Herc Hansen), and Diego Klattenhoff (Yancy Becket) Directed by Guillermo del Toro.

Review
Pacific Rim is the third in my walks to my movie theater, and when the film started, the audience had grown from a handful to a near room full. After I left, I kept that in mind while trying to form my opinions into one singular review that didn't say the same thing over and over again. And what did I think of this film? It was pretty awesome. Was it a great film? No, but for 2 hours, it was entertaining, and yet it didn't feel like it had been too sacrificing in the characterization, in fact I liked the characters, they were written alright, and the actors were good, such as Hunnam, Elba, Kikuchi, and even the supporting cast. They were likable, they were useful and they all had a purpose in this film. But of course, the main thing about this film is the Jaegers and Kaiju, who are grand in scale, but grander when battling each other. The battle scenes look beautiful, and they bring an epic scale, truly grand in scale. This film is about 80% battling, 15% on characters and about 5% manic energy. It even manages to bring a chuckle or two out of me, and this did a far better job of spectacle than the Transformers films ever did. But nevertheless, this is a pretty good film. It may take spectacle over characterization, but really did anyone not expect that? My main reason for watching this was because of the fact I could see giant robots fighting monsters and not have it all be a great dream. Instead, it is brought to life by Guillermo del Toro, who does a wonderful job. Truly, this one deserves the hype, and it deserves a watch, for the grand spectacle and the fun that it delivers. Truly, I did not waste my money watching this.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown

Review #424: Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown.

Cast
Duncan Watson (Charlie Brown), Bill Melendez (Snoopy/Woodstock), Stuart Brotman (Peppermint Patty), Jimmy Ahrens (Marcie), Gail M. Davis (Sally Brown), Melanie Kohn (Lucy van Pelt), Liam Martin (Linus van Pelt), Greg Felton (Schroeder/Camp announcer), Kirk Jue (Bully), Tom Muller (Franklin/Another Bully), Jordan Warren (Another Bully), and Jackson Beck (Brutus) Directed by Bill Melendez (#295 - A Boy Named Charlie Brown and #298 - Snoopy, Come Home) and Phil Roman.

Review
Once again I'm reviewing a Charlie Brown movie, and I was satisfied with the last two, so what could go wrong here? As it turns out, this is an okay film that while feeling awfully short does have its moments. Once again the voice actors are different, except for Bill Melendez who is probably the only one to star in all of these Peanuts films, as the other actors are different, they being child actors and all. The child actors are alright, mostly consistent with their characterization, though Peter Robbins will always (for me anyways) be the definite Charlie Brown. Melendez does good, Snoopy and Woodstock always being a delight. It's alright in characters, but sometimes it makes you wonder why Charlie Brown hasn't gone insane or simply moved away from the seemingly destructive group of "friends" that manage to even ruin his leadership of a boat race, for pete's sake. The bullies are typical, bullying for no real reason and boasting ad nausea, but at least the ending satisfied me. The animation is okay, but it is a bit of downgrade from the last two films, but at least the story works alright (even though in one scene it is snowing even though they are in vacation) and it does have some laughs, even for a short (70 minute) length. Charlie Brown and Snoopy were usually my favorite characters, a "lovable loser" is a good one to like, though I always imagined he kicked that football, no matter what.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: A Woman of Affairs.

Review #423: A Woman of Affairs.

Cast
Greta Garbo (Diana Merrick Furness), John Gilbert (Neville Holderness), Lewis Stone (Dr. Hugh Trevelyan), Johnny Mack Brown (David Furness), Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (Jeffry Merrick), Hobart Bosworth (Morton Holderness), and Dorothy Sebastian (Constance) Directed by Clarence Brown.

Review
In the six (#256, #261, #330, #349, #400, #415) previous 1920s films I've reviewed here, all of them have been silent films (either involving clowns, vampires, Caligari, a thief, Americans, or pilots), and they seem to run together somehow, a recurring theme. This film breaks that trend, this being a romantic drama, with newcomers for Movie Night, such as Greta Garbo (notable for doing 28 films before retiring at 35), John Gilbert (a notable silent film star who did have star in talkie films briefly), and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, who was a film star much like his father, this being a fine opportunity to have reviewed father and son, which I can only remember one other time doing, with Michael and Kirk Douglas. Anyway, this film is enjoyable enough, and it flows well, not running too long or too short, and the actors do convey emotion pretty well, not failing in their attempts to convey the story rather than having the title cards do it for them. It's a noteworthy film that I do recommend to anyone who wants a good time regardless of the year it was made, which I suppose is enough.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.