Review #208: Caddyshack.
Cast
Chevy Chase (Ty Webb), Rodney Dangerfield (Al Czervik), Ted Knight (Judge Elihu Smails), Michael O'Keefe (Danny Noonan), Bill Murray (Carl Spackler), Sarah Holcomb (Maggie O'Hooligan), Scott Colomby (Tony D'Annunzio), Cindy Morgan (Lacey Underall), Dan Resin (Dr. Beeper), and Henry Wilcoxon (Bishop Fred Pickering) Directed by Harold Ramis (#138 - Bedazzled)
Review
Oh gee, an old review that likely needs updating. 2012 me needed a bit more improvement from 2018 me.
Happy...August everyone. Anyway, after 32 years, this film still holds up as a classic. The acting is decent, with Murray stealing the show (who I have covered before: Ghostbusters - #026, Ghostbusters II - #031, Scrooged - #075, Tootsie - #084). The film has some good lines, which are still being repeated to this day. There are some crude gags and there are good gags as well. I hadn't reviewed a golf film until today (could be worse, I could be watching Dorf on Golf). The film is still memorable to this day, gophers and all.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
July 31, 2012
July 29, 2012
Movie Night: Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Review #207: Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Cast
Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller), Alan Ruck (Cameron Frye), Mia Sara (Sloane Peterson), Jeffrey Jones (Edward R. Rooney), Jennifer Grey (Jeanie Bueller), Lyman Ward (Tom Bueller), and Cindy Pickett (Katie Bueller) Directed by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club - #046)
Review
I haven't talked about John Hughes in a while. A really long while. But here we are, with Hughes directing and writing for the fourth out of eight films. This film, like I said in The Breakfast Club review, is a fun film to watch. Hughes makes sure his characters are actually characters, which is always a good thing. They do change a bit as the film progresses, especially Frye. The landmarks in Chicago are used greatly by Hughes, who said "I really wanted to capture as much of Chicago as I could. Not just in the architecture and landscape, but the spirit." And...It is captured. The film is (I actually almost forgot to mention) funny. Bueller breaking the fourth wall, dancing in a parade and many other things are the highlights in a film that has been praised, analyzed and more (such as getting a brief run on TV). A good flick, enjoyable to say the least.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
July 28, 2012
Movie Night: Arthur (1981)
Review #206: Arthur.
Cast
Dudley Moore (Arthur Bach), Liza Minnelli (Linda Marolla), John Gielgud (Hobson), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Martha Bach), Jill Eikenberry (Susan Johnson), Stephen Elliott (Burt Johnson), Thomas Barbour (Stanford Bach), Ted Ross (Bitterman), and Barney Martin (Ralph Marolla) Directed by Steve Gordon.
Review
This review has been revised since the original review, citing my newfound appreciation for it. It figures, I mention any kind of movies in reviews of other movies, and somehow it comes back to be reviewed (Heh, what's next, Batman and Robin?). Anyway, the cast is excellent, I find that Moore does well (Given he has to play a drunken millionaire). You might wonder which Arthur is better portrayed, Brand or Moore. Personally, Moore is better. I feel that he is simply more fun to watch and more...lovable then Brand. It's fun to watch and has a good theme to go with it (Best That You Can Do is the title, and it actually got an Oscar for Best Original Song). The film is more balanced that gives you a good laugh or two. It's been 10 years since Moore's death, an there are people out there that still miss him. A good film, better then the 2011 version.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
July 27, 2012
Movie Night: Dick Tracy.
Review #205: Dick Tracy.
Cast
Warren Beatty (Dick Tracy), Al Pacino (Bigboy Caprice), Madonna (Breathless Mahoney), Glenne Headly (Tess Trueheart), Charlie Korsmo (The Kid/Dick Tracy Jr.), Seymour Cassel (Sam Catchun), Charles Durning (Chief Brandon), Dick Van Dyke (John Fletcher), Dustin Hoffman (Mumbles), and William Forsythe (Flattop) Directed by Warren Beatty.
Review
First off, this film is adapted from the comic strip (about a detective who fights crime against various villains) created by Chester Gould in 1931. This already had a few adaptations to films, radio, comic, TV, and novels. Anyway, this film has some similarities to Batman, which had been released a year earlier. Both have dark elements, riveting action, and even the same composer (Danny Elfman) The colors and style in this film are excellent, you see a limited but comic like feel invoked all around. The acting is good, but the fact there is an all star cast in the first place is more interesting. It has good makeup (that garnered an Oscar) The hype for the film might've been a bit much (again sounding familiar to Batman...). The story isn't as developed as Batman, but this film still has enough colors and fun to keep you interested and entertained. The sad thing is that after over 20 years, There have been 0 sequels (though Beatty has recently got the rights back, but he is 75, there's that obstacle), but either way, this is something that will be remembered for being a decent film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Freaky Friday (2003)
Review #204: Freaky Friday.
Cast
Jamie Lee Curtis (Dr. Tess Coleman), Lindsay Lohan (Anna Coleman), Chad Michael Murray (Jake), Mark Harmon (Ryan, Tess's Fiance), Harold Gould (Grandpa Alan), Stephen Tobolowsky (Mr. Elton Bates), Christina Vidal (Maddie), and Ryan Malgarini (Harry Coleman) Directed by Mark Waters (#151 - Mean Girls)
Review
This film is a remake of another film from 1976 (which already had a TV remake in 1995). Anyway, Curtis and Lohan are a good pair in this film, Curtis especially (proving once again that she can work in a comedy) and Lohan do fine jobs. The film has its moments that at least make you chuckle in a relatively decent run time (97 minutes). It's weird to think this film is almost nine years old (at least I'm reviewing it on a Friday, so there ya go), and yet it still is a decent film.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Jamie Lee Curtis (Dr. Tess Coleman), Lindsay Lohan (Anna Coleman), Chad Michael Murray (Jake), Mark Harmon (Ryan, Tess's Fiance), Harold Gould (Grandpa Alan), Stephen Tobolowsky (Mr. Elton Bates), Christina Vidal (Maddie), and Ryan Malgarini (Harry Coleman) Directed by Mark Waters (#151 - Mean Girls)
Review
This film is a remake of another film from 1976 (which already had a TV remake in 1995). Anyway, Curtis and Lohan are a good pair in this film, Curtis especially (proving once again that she can work in a comedy) and Lohan do fine jobs. The film has its moments that at least make you chuckle in a relatively decent run time (97 minutes). It's weird to think this film is almost nine years old (at least I'm reviewing it on a Friday, so there ya go), and yet it still is a decent film.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
July 26, 2012
Movie Night: Arthur (2011).
Review #203: Arthur.
Cast
Russell Brand (Arthur Bach), Helen Mirren (Lillian Hobson), Jennifer Garner (Susan Johnson), Greta Gerwig (Naomi Quinn), Luis Guzmán (Bitterman), Nick Nolte (Burt Johnson), and Geraldine James (Vivienne Bach) Directed by Jason Winer.
Review
I am aware that this is a remake (The first being made in 1981 with Dudley Moore, who I've covered before) However I haven't seen the film, so there ya go. Anyway, Russell Brand is...I don't know how to describe him other then a mix of a off-my-meds pirate with a bit of hazes added in. But playing the role of a rich alcoholic, he just works. Brand and Mirren have some good deliveries that keep the film from just being a remake. It can stand on its own legs and not need to be collapsed by fears of being not as good. A decent film that doesn't have much against it.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Russell Brand (Arthur Bach), Helen Mirren (Lillian Hobson), Jennifer Garner (Susan Johnson), Greta Gerwig (Naomi Quinn), Luis Guzmán (Bitterman), Nick Nolte (Burt Johnson), and Geraldine James (Vivienne Bach) Directed by Jason Winer.
Review
I am aware that this is a remake (The first being made in 1981 with Dudley Moore, who I've covered before) However I haven't seen the film, so there ya go. Anyway, Russell Brand is...I don't know how to describe him other then a mix of a off-my-meds pirate with a bit of hazes added in. But playing the role of a rich alcoholic, he just works. Brand and Mirren have some good deliveries that keep the film from just being a remake. It can stand on its own legs and not need to be collapsed by fears of being not as good. A decent film that doesn't have much against it.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
July 25, 2012
Movie Night: Volcano (1997).
Review #202: Volcano.
Cast
Tommy Lee Jones (Mike Roark), Anne Heche (Dr. Amy Barnes), Gaby Hoffmann (Kelly Roark), Don Cheadle (Emmit Reese), Jacqueline Kim (Dr. Jaye Calder), Keith David (Lieutenant Ed Fox), John Corbett (Norman Calder), Michael Rispoli (Gator Harris), and John Carroll Lynch (Stan Olber) Directed by Mick Jackson.
Review
The film is easy to describe in a few words: "Volcano pops up in Los Angeles, cheesiness ensues." Tommy Lee Jones at least does a good job, given what he is in (he sure has been in a lot of situations from a FBI marshal to Ty Cobb) The characters are introduced in a snap but aren't much in terms of memorable territory. The cheesiness factor ranges from scene to scene, but my "favorite" is when the lava is destroying a house (man, that's weird to type), and the dog is trapped there. He looks around...and barks at the lava before going out the doggy door. That alone is laughable. The effects are decent, they look believable enough, but the last thing I'll mention (probably most important) is the relatively changing science in the film. Characters get close to lava without feeling much and when toughing the lava are dead with the touch (you might as well use TV Tropes to help you understand volcanoes) At points, the lava isn't much threatening, as it moves slower then a snail at points. I might as well mention this film is 15 years old (it doesn't feel that way though)...But the last question is: Is it better then Dante's Peak? Probably, but it doesn't matter given that both are slightly forgotten, and that is probably for the best.
Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Tommy Lee Jones (Mike Roark), Anne Heche (Dr. Amy Barnes), Gaby Hoffmann (Kelly Roark), Don Cheadle (Emmit Reese), Jacqueline Kim (Dr. Jaye Calder), Keith David (Lieutenant Ed Fox), John Corbett (Norman Calder), Michael Rispoli (Gator Harris), and John Carroll Lynch (Stan Olber) Directed by Mick Jackson.
Review
The film is easy to describe in a few words: "Volcano pops up in Los Angeles, cheesiness ensues." Tommy Lee Jones at least does a good job, given what he is in (he sure has been in a lot of situations from a FBI marshal to Ty Cobb) The characters are introduced in a snap but aren't much in terms of memorable territory. The cheesiness factor ranges from scene to scene, but my "favorite" is when the lava is destroying a house (man, that's weird to type), and the dog is trapped there. He looks around...and barks at the lava before going out the doggy door. That alone is laughable. The effects are decent, they look believable enough, but the last thing I'll mention (probably most important) is the relatively changing science in the film. Characters get close to lava without feeling much and when toughing the lava are dead with the touch (you might as well use TV Tropes to help you understand volcanoes) At points, the lava isn't much threatening, as it moves slower then a snail at points. I might as well mention this film is 15 years old (it doesn't feel that way though)...But the last question is: Is it better then Dante's Peak? Probably, but it doesn't matter given that both are slightly forgotten, and that is probably for the best.
Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.
July 24, 2012
Movie Night: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
Review #201: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
Cast
Channing Tatum (Conrad S. Hauser / Duke), Marlon Wayans (Wallace A. Weems / Ripcord), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Hershel Dalton / Heavy Duty), Rachel Nichols (Shana M. O'Hara / Scarlett), Sienna Miller (Anastasia DeCobray / Ana Lewis / The Baroness), Ray Park (Snake Eyes), Saïd Taghmaoui (Abel Shaz / Breaker), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Rexford G. "Rex" Lewis / The Doctor / Cobra Commander), Christopher Eccleston (Laird James McCullen XXIV / Destro), Lee Byung-hun (Thomas Arashikage / Storm Shadow), Jonathan Pryce (The President), Dennis Quaid (General Clayton M. Abernathy / Hawk), and Karolína Kurková (Courtney A. Krieger / Cover Girl) Directed by Stephen Sommers.
Review
It's been a few days since my last review, and given the subject matters of the last two films, let's dissapoint with this film. First off, I'm not a follower of G.I. Joe (Sadly, the most I've heard of it was on That 70's Show, and that as a debate over if it was a doll or an action figure), but with this film, I wouldn't want to. The acting is standard, with not much substance to help out. And to certain fans of one actor, you'll be dissapointed that he is in this at all (Those fans? Probably 3rd Rock from the Sun or something) The action isn't much better, at one point I went to sleep at the underwater part (and I had to rewind the film, that's a first) I have one question (among others) Why do they need to steal their own warheads? Why build a base under the polar icecaps? With all the silliness, they could've had the base in space and it would've made sense. You know, with Transformers, there were Robots and humans to go with it. This is just humans and some tech that desn't have much style, but can be a film of dumb fun. Just turn off the brain, ignore everything, and don't sleep at the end. There will be a sequel to this, but after 4 years does anyone really care? Not really.
Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Channing Tatum (Conrad S. Hauser / Duke), Marlon Wayans (Wallace A. Weems / Ripcord), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Hershel Dalton / Heavy Duty), Rachel Nichols (Shana M. O'Hara / Scarlett), Sienna Miller (Anastasia DeCobray / Ana Lewis / The Baroness), Ray Park (Snake Eyes), Saïd Taghmaoui (Abel Shaz / Breaker), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Rexford G. "Rex" Lewis / The Doctor / Cobra Commander), Christopher Eccleston (Laird James McCullen XXIV / Destro), Lee Byung-hun (Thomas Arashikage / Storm Shadow), Jonathan Pryce (The President), Dennis Quaid (General Clayton M. Abernathy / Hawk), and Karolína Kurková (Courtney A. Krieger / Cover Girl) Directed by Stephen Sommers.
Review
It's been a few days since my last review, and given the subject matters of the last two films, let's dissapoint with this film. First off, I'm not a follower of G.I. Joe (Sadly, the most I've heard of it was on That 70's Show, and that as a debate over if it was a doll or an action figure), but with this film, I wouldn't want to. The acting is standard, with not much substance to help out. And to certain fans of one actor, you'll be dissapointed that he is in this at all (Those fans? Probably 3rd Rock from the Sun or something) The action isn't much better, at one point I went to sleep at the underwater part (and I had to rewind the film, that's a first) I have one question (among others) Why do they need to steal their own warheads? Why build a base under the polar icecaps? With all the silliness, they could've had the base in space and it would've made sense. You know, with Transformers, there were Robots and humans to go with it. This is just humans and some tech that desn't have much style, but can be a film of dumb fun. Just turn off the brain, ignore everything, and don't sleep at the end. There will be a sequel to this, but after 4 years does anyone really care? Not really.
Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.
July 20, 2012
Movie Night's Top 200 Films.
Here is my Top 200 Films. Keep in mind that just because they're in the below 100 position, it doesn't mean they're bad, they just aren't as good as other films, and if they're really low, then they have no excuse. (From 001 all the way to the lowly 200. It was a tough list to make, especially at the top, but I did it)
001. Citizen Kane.
002. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
003. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
004. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
005. Tron.
006. Blade Runner.
007. Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
008. 2001: A Space Odyssey.
009. Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
010. Forbidden Planet.
011. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
012. Rebel Without A Cause
013. On the Waterfront
014. A Streetcar Named Desire
015. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
016. Batman (1989)
017. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
018. Casablanca
019. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
020. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
021. The Iron Giant
022. Finding Nemo
023. Ghostbusters
024. The Wizard of Oz
025. The Dark Knight
026. 12 Angry Men
027. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
028. Mutiny on the Bounty
029. The Sixth Sense
030. Frankenstein (1931)
031. Dracula (1931)
032. A Christmas Carol (1984)
033. American Graffiti
034. Coraline
035. Gojira
036. Ace in the Hole
037. To Kill a Mockingbird
038. Sullivan's Travels
039. East of Eden
040. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
041. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
042. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
043. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
044. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
045. Captain America: The First Avenger
046. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
047. The Terminator
048. Die Hard
049. The Hunt for Red October
050. Iron Man
051. X-Men 2: X-Men United
052. X-Men
053. Super 8
054. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.
055. The Invisible Man (1933)
056. Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol
057. Die Hard with a Vengeance
058. Ratatouille
059. The Lion King
060. Monsters, Inc
061. Shrek 2
062. Some Like It Hot
063. For a Few Dollars More
064. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
065. Stand By Me
066. Rollerball
067. Rambo: First Blood
068. The Running Man
069. A Fistful of Dollars
070. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
071. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
072. Scrooge (1951)
073. Rocky
074. Chicken Run
075. Megamind
076. The Transformers: The Movie
077. Holes
078. The Fugitive
079. Dr. No
080. Freedom Writers
081. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
082. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
083. Peter Pan (1953)
084. Wall Street
085. Matilda
086. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
087. Glory
088. The Misfits
089. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner
090. Gattaca
091. Aladdin
092. The Addams Family
093. Addams Family Values
094. Halloween (1978)
095. Marty
096. Cheaters
097. The Man From Snowy River
098. The Shining
099. Batman Begins
100. Thor
101. X-Men: First Class
102. Smokey and the Bandit
103. The Fifth Element
104. Tootsie
105. Hot Shots!
106. The Mask
107. Duck Soup
108. Beetlejuice
109. This is Spinal Tap
110. Network
111. Easy A
112. The Breakfast Club
113. Face/Off
114. Selena
115. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
116. The Exorcist
117. Clash of the Titans (1981)
118. Looney Tunes: Back in Action
119. Blazing Saddles
120. Spaceballs
121. A Christmas Story
122. Jason and the Argonauts
123. Ghostbusters II
124. Get Shorty
125. Gremlins
126. Glory
127. Full Metal Jacket
128. Die Hard 2
129. Silent Running
130. Rollerball
131. The Black Hole
132. Star Trek
133. Inception
134. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
135. Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey
136. Chronicle
137. Cheaters
138. Flushed Away
139. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
140. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
141. Tomorrow Never Dies
142. Goldeneye
143. Bedazzled (1967)
144. Austin Power: The Spy Who Shagged Me
145. Mean Girls
146. The World Is Not Enough
147. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
148. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
149. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
150. Independence Day
151. Phone Booth
152. The Ring
153. I, Robot
154. Robots
155. Madagascar 2
156. The Island
157. Batman (1966)
158. The Cannonball Run
159. Robocop 2
160. Terminator 2: Rise of the Machines
161. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
162. The 6th Day
163. The Expendables
164. The A-Team
165. Top Gun
166. X-Men 3: The Last Stand
167.The Fast and Furious (2001)
168. Small Soldiers
169. Zookeeper
170. Role Models
171. Short Circuit
172. Die Another Day
173. Sweet 15
174. Austin Powers in Goldmember
175. Scrooged
176. The Ringer
177. Planet 51
178. Plan 9 from Outer Space
179. Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer
180. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
181. Crocodile Dundee
182. Shark Tale
183. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
184. Shrek the Third
185. Maximum Overdrive
186. Bedazzled (2000)
187. Goal! The Dream Begins
188. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
189. Transformers
190. Fantastic Four
191. Crocodile Dundee II
192. Robocop 3
193. Norbit
194. Christmas with the Kranks
195. Just Go With It
196. A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
197. The Room
198. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
199. Terminator Salvation
200. Birdemic: Shock and Terror.
001. Citizen Kane.
002. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
003. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
004. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
005. Tron.
006. Blade Runner.
007. Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
008. 2001: A Space Odyssey.
009. Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
010. Forbidden Planet.
011. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
012. Rebel Without A Cause
013. On the Waterfront
014. A Streetcar Named Desire
015. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
016. Batman (1989)
017. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
018. Casablanca
019. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
020. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
021. The Iron Giant
022. Finding Nemo
023. Ghostbusters
024. The Wizard of Oz
025. The Dark Knight
026. 12 Angry Men
027. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
028. Mutiny on the Bounty
029. The Sixth Sense
030. Frankenstein (1931)
031. Dracula (1931)
032. A Christmas Carol (1984)
033. American Graffiti
034. Coraline
035. Gojira
036. Ace in the Hole
037. To Kill a Mockingbird
038. Sullivan's Travels
039. East of Eden
040. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
041. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
042. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
043. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
044. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
045. Captain America: The First Avenger
046. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
047. The Terminator
048. Die Hard
049. The Hunt for Red October
050. Iron Man
051. X-Men 2: X-Men United
052. X-Men
053. Super 8
054. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.
055. The Invisible Man (1933)
056. Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol
057. Die Hard with a Vengeance
058. Ratatouille
059. The Lion King
060. Monsters, Inc
061. Shrek 2
062. Some Like It Hot
063. For a Few Dollars More
064. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
065. Stand By Me
066. Rollerball
067. Rambo: First Blood
068. The Running Man
069. A Fistful of Dollars
070. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
071. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
072. Scrooge (1951)
073. Rocky
074. Chicken Run
075. Megamind
076. The Transformers: The Movie
077. Holes
078. The Fugitive
079. Dr. No
080. Freedom Writers
081. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
082. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
083. Peter Pan (1953)
084. Wall Street
085. Matilda
086. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
087. Glory
088. The Misfits
089. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner
090. Gattaca
091. Aladdin
092. The Addams Family
093. Addams Family Values
094. Halloween (1978)
095. Marty
096. Cheaters
097. The Man From Snowy River
098. The Shining
099. Batman Begins
100. Thor
101. X-Men: First Class
102. Smokey and the Bandit
103. The Fifth Element
104. Tootsie
105. Hot Shots!
106. The Mask
107. Duck Soup
108. Beetlejuice
109. This is Spinal Tap
110. Network
111. Easy A
112. The Breakfast Club
113. Face/Off
114. Selena
115. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
116. The Exorcist
117. Clash of the Titans (1981)
118. Looney Tunes: Back in Action
119. Blazing Saddles
120. Spaceballs
121. A Christmas Story
122. Jason and the Argonauts
123. Ghostbusters II
124. Get Shorty
125. Gremlins
126. Glory
127. Full Metal Jacket
128. Die Hard 2
129. Silent Running
130. Rollerball
131. The Black Hole
132. Star Trek
133. Inception
134. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
135. Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey
136. Chronicle
137. Cheaters
138. Flushed Away
139. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
140. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
141. Tomorrow Never Dies
142. Goldeneye
143. Bedazzled (1967)
144. Austin Power: The Spy Who Shagged Me
145. Mean Girls
146. The World Is Not Enough
147. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
148. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
149. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
150. Independence Day
151. Phone Booth
152. The Ring
153. I, Robot
154. Robots
155. Madagascar 2
156. The Island
157. Batman (1966)
158. The Cannonball Run
159. Robocop 2
160. Terminator 2: Rise of the Machines
161. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
162. The 6th Day
163. The Expendables
164. The A-Team
165. Top Gun
166. X-Men 3: The Last Stand
167.The Fast and Furious (2001)
168. Small Soldiers
169. Zookeeper
170. Role Models
171. Short Circuit
172. Die Another Day
173. Sweet 15
174. Austin Powers in Goldmember
175. Scrooged
176. The Ringer
177. Planet 51
178. Plan 9 from Outer Space
179. Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer
180. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
181. Crocodile Dundee
182. Shark Tale
183. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
184. Shrek the Third
185. Maximum Overdrive
186. Bedazzled (2000)
187. Goal! The Dream Begins
188. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
189. Transformers
190. Fantastic Four
191. Crocodile Dundee II
192. Robocop 3
193. Norbit
194. Christmas with the Kranks
195. Just Go With It
196. A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
197. The Room
198. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
199. Terminator Salvation
200. Birdemic: Shock and Terror.
Movie Night: Citizen Kane.
Review #200: Citizen Kane.
Cast
Orson Welles (Charles Foster Kane), William Alland (Jerry Thompson), Dorothy Comingore (Susan Alexander Kane), Joseph Cotten (Jedediah Leland), George Coulouris (Walter Parks Thatcher), Everett Sloane (Mr. Bernstein), Ruth Warrick (Emily Monroe Norton Kane), Agnes Moorehead (Mary Kane), Ray Collins (Jim W. Gettys), and Paul Stewart (Raymond) Directed by Orson Welles.
Review
This film feels like a detective story, as you are invested into the life of the man known as Kane. The acting is great, with Welles being the main standout (As it should be) This was his first film that he directed, and this is his more remembered (More so then The Magnificent Ambersons) The film grows on you, it turns from seeing a young, grand Kane to the end, where he is alone, old, in his grand palace, Xanadu. The screenplay is great as well. There aren't many effects in this film, but when they are apparent, they're good. My favorite is the rise of the theater along with the shot of the many Kanes walking in his palace. The ending is just great, giving you a twist that hasn't really been done ever since. It has been 71 years since this film was released, and it is still one of, if not the greatest. For people who want to learn how to make films, it is a grand tool for that department. It may not have been respected as it is today back in 1941, but now it is respected as one of the greatest films of our time. And that ends the 200th Review. Thank you for reading, commenting, and just being there for Movie Night. There's still more to come.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
July 19, 2012
Movie Night: Forbidden Planet.
Review #199: Forbidden Planet.
Cast
Walter Pidgeon (Dr. Edward Morbius), Anne Francis (Altaira "Alta" Morbius), Leslie Nielsen (Commander John J. Adams), Robby the Robot, Warren Stevens (Lt. "Doc" Ostrow), Jack Kelly (Lt. Jerry Farman), Richard Anderson (Chief Quinn), Earl Holliman (Cook), George D. Wallace (Steve) Directed by Fred M. Wilcox.
Review
What can I say but wow. This film is still dynamic, still classic after 56 years (56 years ago in 1956...huh) The acting is good, with Pidgeon and Nielson doing the best out of the cast. I must mention Robby the Robot. He is more then just a robot that beeps and bops, he is an important feature that is the pinnacle of science-fiction in the 1950's. Is he the best robot in film? That's very debatable. Some say Gort, some say R2-D2, and some whatever they think is their favorite. Anyway, the story is good, keeping you interested all throughout in this 98 minute tale. But the main importance is the effects. True to this day, they are grand in look and showcase the best in Science Fiction. The last thing I will mention is the electronic music score. It was ahead of its time, before synthesisers took hold, and the music sets the tone for this film. A great film in all. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
July 15, 2012
Movie Night: Spaceballs.
Review #198: Spaceballs.
Cast
Bill Pullman (Lone Starr), John Candy (Barf), Rick Moranis (Dark Helmet), Mel Brooks (President Skroob/Yogurt), Daphne Zuniga (Princess Vespa), Dick Van Patten (King Roland), and Joan Rivers (Dot Matrix) Directed by Mel Brooks.
Review
It's been a while since I last reviewed something with Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles - #061 and Robots - #087), but's it been even longer for Moranis (Ghostbusters II - #031). Anyway, the film is an obvious parody of Star Wars, right down to the name, but it does parody other things (such as Alien) There are some good gags with decent acting to go with it in a typical run time. It might've been a little too late to parody it (four years after Return of the Jedi), but it is still a favorite nonetheless. May the Schwartz be with you. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Bill Pullman (Lone Starr), John Candy (Barf), Rick Moranis (Dark Helmet), Mel Brooks (President Skroob/Yogurt), Daphne Zuniga (Princess Vespa), Dick Van Patten (King Roland), and Joan Rivers (Dot Matrix) Directed by Mel Brooks.
Review
It's been a while since I last reviewed something with Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles - #061 and Robots - #087), but's it been even longer for Moranis (Ghostbusters II - #031). Anyway, the film is an obvious parody of Star Wars, right down to the name, but it does parody other things (such as Alien) There are some good gags with decent acting to go with it in a typical run time. It might've been a little too late to parody it (four years after Return of the Jedi), but it is still a favorite nonetheless. May the Schwartz be with you. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Phone Booth.
Review #197: Phone Booth.
Cast
Colin Farrell (Stu Shepard), Forest Whitaker (Capt. Ed Ramey), Katie Holmes (Pamela McFadden), Radha Mitchell (Kelly Shepard), Kiefer Sutherland (The Caller), and Paula Jai Parker (Felicia) Directed by Joel Schumacher.
Review
From what I've heard, this film was proposed to be made in the 1960's, but was denied due to not having a reason of keeping the person in the phone booth until the 1990's. Anyway, with the man who gave you "Bat-Credit Card" in the directing position, what could happen? Farrell is alright in this film, as you believe in the character and his metamorphosis as the film progresses. Initially, the film is a bit slow, but it does get better as it goes on. And yes, Sutherland is our "villain" in this film. Honestly, the film looks like that scene from Die Hard with a Vengeance (The one where McClane has to get to a pay phone and answer a riddle), and yet the suspense is enough to keep you interested. It may have a run time of 81 minutes (typical for a comedy but not thrillers), but it at least is entertaining just enough. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Colin Farrell (Stu Shepard), Forest Whitaker (Capt. Ed Ramey), Katie Holmes (Pamela McFadden), Radha Mitchell (Kelly Shepard), Kiefer Sutherland (The Caller), and Paula Jai Parker (Felicia) Directed by Joel Schumacher.
Review
From what I've heard, this film was proposed to be made in the 1960's, but was denied due to not having a reason of keeping the person in the phone booth until the 1990's. Anyway, with the man who gave you "Bat-Credit Card" in the directing position, what could happen? Farrell is alright in this film, as you believe in the character and his metamorphosis as the film progresses. Initially, the film is a bit slow, but it does get better as it goes on. And yes, Sutherland is our "villain" in this film. Honestly, the film looks like that scene from Die Hard with a Vengeance (The one where McClane has to get to a pay phone and answer a riddle), and yet the suspense is enough to keep you interested. It may have a run time of 81 minutes (typical for a comedy but not thrillers), but it at least is entertaining just enough. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
July 13, 2012
Movie Night: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005).
Review #196: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Cast
Johnny Depp (Willa Wonka), Freddie Highmore (Charlie Bucket), David Kelly (Grandpa Joe), Jordan Fry (Mike Teavee), Julia Winter (Veruca Salt), AnnaSophia Robb (Violet Beauregarde), Philip Wiegratz (Augustus Gloop), Deep Roy (Oompa-Loompas), Geoffrey Holder (Narrator), and Christopher Lee (Wilbur Wonka) Directed by Tim Burton (#040 - Batman, #107 - Beetlejuice, and #132 - Alice in Wonderland)
Review
Yes I realized the irony of it being a Sunday when updating this review from two years ago. The review is fixed up to make it more sensible and less disjointed. Enjoy, and see the original film first. It's odd that I'm reviewing this on a day like this. You think that at least one network would show a Friday the 13th marathon, but no.
Anyway, this is the second adaptation of the 1964 novel by Roald Dahl (It's a really good book, you should check it out, BTW). The first was already covered here (#131 - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). This version follows the book more closely, but is it better? Well...that's a tough thing to say. The acting by Depp is...what's that word? Creepy, but I digress. The rest of the cast do a decent job and all, but even if they are better actors, it doesn't meant we identify more with them, they just feel so distant, so we don't really care all too much when they leave. The original may not have followed the book much, but it made up for it with charm, while the more faithful movie to the book just feels like a cold stone. Wilder managed to have a good deal of fun and mystery to the role. Depp manages to remind me of Michael Jackson more than a candy developer, though not as good a dancer. The movie may be alright, but it barely holds its own when compared to the original film, though if you want a more faithful adaptation of the book, this is for you. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
July 9, 2012
Movie Night: Megamind.
Review #195: Megamind.
Cast
Will Ferrell (Megamind), Tina Fey (Roxanne Ritchi), David Cross (Minion), Jonah Hill (Tighten/Hal Stewart), Brad Pitt (Metro Man), J. K. Simmons (Warden), and Ben Stiller (Bernard) Directed by Tom McGrath (#165 - Madagascar and #154 - Madagascar 2)
Review
Megamind has been compared to a mix between Superman and Despicable Me, which is a strange combination of films, but is it really? Not so much, but you eventually get over that comparison and start to watch with interest. Ferrell does a good job, he's charming and somewhat sympathetic. The rest of the cast do good as well, such as Fey and Cross, who are both fun to watch. The animation is refined and excellent, the movie is enjoyable and while it may not be a great movie, it at least is a fun one. The plot line is alright, with some good jokes and dynamic action all around to make an excellent film. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
July 5, 2012
Movie Night: Ace in the Hole.
Review #194: Ace in the Hole.
Cast
Kirk Douglas (Chuck Tatum), Jan Sterling (Lorraine Minosa), Robert Arthur (Herbie Cook), Porter Hall (Jacob Q. Boot), Frank Cady (Mr. Federber), Richard Benedict (Leo Minosa), Ray Teal (Sheriff Kretzer), Lewis Martin (McCardle), John Berkes (Papa Minosa), Frances Dominguez (Mama Minosa), and Gene Evans (Deputy Sheriff) Directed by Billy Wilder (#106 - Some Like It Hot)
Review
Nearly sixty one years old, this film still has some bite. Originally called The Big Carnival, it was not a success initially, but today it is a classic. Cynical and nail biting to the point, it also has good acting from Kirk Douglas, who is the father of another great actor, Michael Douglas, who I mentioned already (#095 - Wall Street). Both can play alluring roles that charm you into watching the movie. Fun fact: Kirk's real name was Issur Danielovitch. Wilder directed, wrote, and produce, and yet this wasn't much of a success back then. But as time passes, so does opinions, and I feel that way as well. Unrelenting yet still realistic with good noir with a good ending shot to top it off. It might be a bit slow in the beginning, but it all tops out in the end. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Kirk Douglas (Chuck Tatum), Jan Sterling (Lorraine Minosa), Robert Arthur (Herbie Cook), Porter Hall (Jacob Q. Boot), Frank Cady (Mr. Federber), Richard Benedict (Leo Minosa), Ray Teal (Sheriff Kretzer), Lewis Martin (McCardle), John Berkes (Papa Minosa), Frances Dominguez (Mama Minosa), and Gene Evans (Deputy Sheriff) Directed by Billy Wilder (#106 - Some Like It Hot)
Review
Nearly sixty one years old, this film still has some bite. Originally called The Big Carnival, it was not a success initially, but today it is a classic. Cynical and nail biting to the point, it also has good acting from Kirk Douglas, who is the father of another great actor, Michael Douglas, who I mentioned already (#095 - Wall Street). Both can play alluring roles that charm you into watching the movie. Fun fact: Kirk's real name was Issur Danielovitch. Wilder directed, wrote, and produce, and yet this wasn't much of a success back then. But as time passes, so does opinions, and I feel that way as well. Unrelenting yet still realistic with good noir with a good ending shot to top it off. It might be a bit slow in the beginning, but it all tops out in the end. Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
July 4, 2012
Movie Night: Independence Day.
Review #193: Independence Day.
Cast
Will Smith (Steven Hiller), Jeff Goldblum (David Levinson), Bill Pullman (Thomas J. Whitmore), Margaret Colin (Constance Spano), Vivica A. Fox (Jasmine Dubrow), Judd Hirsch (Julius Levinson), Robert Loggia (William Grey), and Randy Quaid (Russell Casse) Directed by Roland Emmerich.
Review
Fixed for your consideration, everyone. This review was originally published two years ago and later transferred here; I've fixed some errors to help make it look a little better. Enjoy, and welcome to Earth.
First of all, happy Independence Day. The movie is almost a hack of Star Wars, but at least Star Wars had control and some sort of plot. It has one scene I find really good though, and that would be the destruction of the White House, it's such a memorable scene and also because it doesn't use much dialogue. The aliens are decent, if you like beige monsters, but the ships are so dull looking. One thing I notice is in the beginning when the ships start to enter in the Earth, I thought they look like movie tin cans being dropped through a background. Maybe it's just me though. The acting is alright, with Will Smith being the main standout. Look, whatever he's in, he makes the film more enjoyable, it's just his charm that carries the movie.
There are three things that happen near the end that I find a bit...mentionable. One, why don't the other nations have a plan instead of waiting for the U.S to do one? I'm sure the other nations of the world have scientists and such to figure it too, ya know. Secondly, the president's speech. I won't repeat it here but just search for it and you'll know what I mean. It's either the most over the top speech ever spoken, or...the most over the top speech ever spoken. Third, why did Emmerich delete scenes that help explain the film's end? Apparently, there were scenes to help explain this a bit better, that were deleted in the final cut, like how aliens get hacked by a virus that Google would laugh at, though I guess if you let a ship that previously crash landed 50 years ago in Roswell (just go with it) into your fortress, you deserve what you get. Overall, it's been 16 years, and there hasn't been a sequel. Yet.
Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8, 7...
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars
July 3, 2012
Movie Night: Maximum Overdrive.
Review #192: Maximum Overdrive.
Cast
Emilio Estevez (William "Bill" Robinson), Pat Hingle (Bubba Hendershot), Laura Harrington (Brett Graham), Yeardley Smith (Connie), John Short (Curtis), Ellen McElduff (Wanda June), Frankie Faison (Handy), Leon Rippy (Brad), and Christopher Murney (Camp Loman) Directed by Stephen King.
Review
The first thing to mention is that this is Stephen King's only directed film which he also wrote (adapted from a short story of his own named Trucks) It's like he wanted to say, "Hey you think you can adapt my novels to books good? Well I can do better!" But...It isn't. The acting is standard, with Estevez doing his best given the role (It's like he acted angry because he had to be in this film) The action is...well action, standard for an action film. The violence is even more standard, getting a bit old after a while. The one thing I find of note to be worthy is the soundtrack by none other then AC/DC. Pure awesome. The film in a way is enjoyable, even with its bizarre explaining in the beginning that's contradicted in the end. It's a weird film, that can be only enjoyed if you let yourself go (there are films you must do that other wise you'll hate it, like...Transformers 2 *snickers*). Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8....
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Emilio Estevez (William "Bill" Robinson), Pat Hingle (Bubba Hendershot), Laura Harrington (Brett Graham), Yeardley Smith (Connie), John Short (Curtis), Ellen McElduff (Wanda June), Frankie Faison (Handy), Leon Rippy (Brad), and Christopher Murney (Camp Loman) Directed by Stephen King.
Review
The first thing to mention is that this is Stephen King's only directed film which he also wrote (adapted from a short story of his own named Trucks) It's like he wanted to say, "Hey you think you can adapt my novels to books good? Well I can do better!" But...It isn't. The acting is standard, with Estevez doing his best given the role (It's like he acted angry because he had to be in this film) The action is...well action, standard for an action film. The violence is even more standard, getting a bit old after a while. The one thing I find of note to be worthy is the soundtrack by none other then AC/DC. Pure awesome. The film in a way is enjoyable, even with its bizarre explaining in the beginning that's contradicted in the end. It's a weird film, that can be only enjoyed if you let yourself go (there are films you must do that other wise you'll hate it, like...Transformers 2 *snickers*). Countdown to 200: 10, 9, 8....
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
July 2, 2012
Movie Night: The 6th Day.
Review #191: The 6th Day.
Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Adam Gibson), Michael Rapaport (Hank Morgan), Tony Goldwyn (Michael Drucker), Michael Rooker (Robert Marshall), Sarah Wynter (Talia Elsworth), Wendy Crewson (Natalie Gibson), Rodney Rowland (P. Wiley), Terry Crews (Vincent Bansworth), Ken Pogue (Speaker Day), Colin Cunningham (Tripp),and Robert Duvall (Griffin Weir) Directed by Roger Spottiswoode (#171 - Tomorrow Never Dies)
Review
Schwarzenegger has been in films ever since the 70's (unless you count that Hercules in New York film in 1969...). In the 2000's, he was in a few of them, which...wasn't as stellar (Collateral Damage, Terminator 3 - #089). This...is...yea, let me explain. The acting is decent, Schwarzenegger does his decent performance given his ability. The film has a science-fiction theme to it that is present through some of his other films (#001, #063, #067), but it doesn't feel as well as the others. I feel the film skims over the supposed message to get to the action, which given out actor makes sense. It can have some good action, but it isn't as memorable as his other films. Countdown to 200: 10, 9...
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Adam Gibson), Michael Rapaport (Hank Morgan), Tony Goldwyn (Michael Drucker), Michael Rooker (Robert Marshall), Sarah Wynter (Talia Elsworth), Wendy Crewson (Natalie Gibson), Rodney Rowland (P. Wiley), Terry Crews (Vincent Bansworth), Ken Pogue (Speaker Day), Colin Cunningham (Tripp),and Robert Duvall (Griffin Weir) Directed by Roger Spottiswoode (#171 - Tomorrow Never Dies)
Review
Schwarzenegger has been in films ever since the 70's (unless you count that Hercules in New York film in 1969...). In the 2000's, he was in a few of them, which...wasn't as stellar (Collateral Damage, Terminator 3 - #089). This...is...yea, let me explain. The acting is decent, Schwarzenegger does his decent performance given his ability. The film has a science-fiction theme to it that is present through some of his other films (#001, #063, #067), but it doesn't feel as well as the others. I feel the film skims over the supposed message to get to the action, which given out actor makes sense. It can have some good action, but it isn't as memorable as his other films. Countdown to 200: 10, 9...
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
July 1, 2012
Movie Night: The Transformers: The Movie.
Review #190: The Transformers: The Movie.
Cast
Judd Nelson (Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime), Leonard Nimoy (Galvatron), Robert Stack (Ultra Magnus), Lionel Stander (Kup), Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Megatron), Susan Blu (Arcee), David Mendenhall (Daniel Witwicky), Eric Idle (Wreck-Gar), Neil Ross (Springer), John Moschitta (Blurr), and Orson Welles (Unicron) Directed by Nelson Shin.
Review
This film came after the show attracted kids everywhere with its premise and its usefulness. Anyway, the film may seem like a commercial for the upcoming third season for the show, but I find it is not so black and white as it seems. The voice acting is allright, with Orson Welles, the man who had impressed audiances everywhere 40 years earlier, entertains in his final role...as a planet. The visuals are impreesive, keeping you entertained in a typicalish run time of 84 minutes. I like that it doesn't stray from its themes of destruction fear. Though some might feel that it basically is a way to sell new toys, frankly I don't mind. I didn't grew up with these toys, I grew with Lego, so there ya go. Good visuals with good acting make a decent film. While the three films that would follow 20 years later might have been...whatever you might thnk (Reviews #57 and #58 are my opinions) It may not have been a big success whn it came out, but it at least is recgonized today for being more then meets the eye. Countdown to 200: 10...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Judd Nelson (Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime), Leonard Nimoy (Galvatron), Robert Stack (Ultra Magnus), Lionel Stander (Kup), Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Megatron), Susan Blu (Arcee), David Mendenhall (Daniel Witwicky), Eric Idle (Wreck-Gar), Neil Ross (Springer), John Moschitta (Blurr), and Orson Welles (Unicron) Directed by Nelson Shin.
Review
This film came after the show attracted kids everywhere with its premise and its usefulness. Anyway, the film may seem like a commercial for the upcoming third season for the show, but I find it is not so black and white as it seems. The voice acting is allright, with Orson Welles, the man who had impressed audiances everywhere 40 years earlier, entertains in his final role...as a planet. The visuals are impreesive, keeping you entertained in a typicalish run time of 84 minutes. I like that it doesn't stray from its themes of destruction fear. Though some might feel that it basically is a way to sell new toys, frankly I don't mind. I didn't grew up with these toys, I grew with Lego, so there ya go. Good visuals with good acting make a decent film. While the three films that would follow 20 years later might have been...whatever you might thnk (Reviews #57 and #58 are my opinions) It may not have been a big success whn it came out, but it at least is recgonized today for being more then meets the eye. Countdown to 200: 10...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Coraline.
Review #189: Coraline.
Cast
Dakota Fanning (Coraline Jones), Teri Hatcher (Mel Jones/Other Mother), Jennifer Saunders (April Spink), Dawn French (Miriam Forcible), John Hodgman (Charlie Jones/Other Father), Robert Bailey, Jr (Wybie Lovat), Ian McShane (Mr. Bobinsky), and Keith David (The Cat) Directed by Henry Selick.
Review
This film was based off the book by Neil Gaiman, which I have not heard of (Though he did write Doctor Who: The Doctor's Wife). Anyway, this film is beautiful in its stop motion animation, as the story is intriguing, keeping you interested as the story unravels. The voice acting is excellent, especially from Fanning and Hatcher. The film is imaginative and engaging with good characterizations in this excellent film.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Dakota Fanning (Coraline Jones), Teri Hatcher (Mel Jones/Other Mother), Jennifer Saunders (April Spink), Dawn French (Miriam Forcible), John Hodgman (Charlie Jones/Other Father), Robert Bailey, Jr (Wybie Lovat), Ian McShane (Mr. Bobinsky), and Keith David (The Cat) Directed by Henry Selick.
Review
This film was based off the book by Neil Gaiman, which I have not heard of (Though he did write Doctor Who: The Doctor's Wife). Anyway, this film is beautiful in its stop motion animation, as the story is intriguing, keeping you interested as the story unravels. The voice acting is excellent, especially from Fanning and Hatcher. The film is imaginative and engaging with good characterizations in this excellent film.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
June 30, 2012
Movie Night: Sullivan's Travels.
Review #188: Sullivan's Travels.
Cast
Joel McCrea (John L. Sullivan), Veronica Lake (The Girl), Robert Warwick (Mr. Lebrand), William Demarest (Mr. Jonas), Franklin Pangborn (Mr. Casalsis), Porter Hall (Mr. Hadrian), Byron Foulger (Mr. Johnny Valdelle), Margaret Hayes (Secretary), and Robert Greig (Burrows) Directed by Preston Sturges.
Review
I admit that there are comedies out there that aren't in the best quality, but people are entertained. This movie is an excellent lesson in that and more. People even in their worst state feel good with comedy. The acting is good, especially from McCrea. This is a fun and brilliant film that can make you laugh and feel entertained. 70 years and it still holds up.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Joel McCrea (John L. Sullivan), Veronica Lake (The Girl), Robert Warwick (Mr. Lebrand), William Demarest (Mr. Jonas), Franklin Pangborn (Mr. Casalsis), Porter Hall (Mr. Hadrian), Byron Foulger (Mr. Johnny Valdelle), Margaret Hayes (Secretary), and Robert Greig (Burrows) Directed by Preston Sturges.
Review
I admit that there are comedies out there that aren't in the best quality, but people are entertained. This movie is an excellent lesson in that and more. People even in their worst state feel good with comedy. The acting is good, especially from McCrea. This is a fun and brilliant film that can make you laugh and feel entertained. 70 years and it still holds up.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
June 29, 2012
Movie Night: Holes.
Review #187: Holes.
Cast,
Shia LaBeouf (Stanley Yelnats IV), Khleo Thomas (Hector Zeroni), Sigourney Weaver (Louise Walker), Jon Voight (Marion Sevillo), Patricia Arquette (Kate Barlow), Tim Blake Nelson (Dr. Pendanski), Dulé Hill (Sam), Henry Winkler (Stanley Yelnats III), and Eartha Kitt (Madame Zeroni) Directed by Andrew Davis (#176 - The Fugitive)
Review
Holes is based off the 1998 novel by Louis Sachar, and the film follows it pretty well. There is one thing to distinguish it a bit from most book to film adaptations, and that is that Sachar wrote the screenplay for this film, which gives some of the good part in the film, with the rest just being the acting, atmosphere, wit, and charm. LeBeouf *sigh* can be a good actor, with the films he has been in on this show (#057 - Transformers and #058 - Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen), this is a good one by him. The others in the cast such as Weaver, Voight, Thomas, and Kitt all do a good job in the time they're given. Good cast with good direction make...well, a good film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast,
Shia LaBeouf (Stanley Yelnats IV), Khleo Thomas (Hector Zeroni), Sigourney Weaver (Louise Walker), Jon Voight (Marion Sevillo), Patricia Arquette (Kate Barlow), Tim Blake Nelson (Dr. Pendanski), Dulé Hill (Sam), Henry Winkler (Stanley Yelnats III), and Eartha Kitt (Madame Zeroni) Directed by Andrew Davis (#176 - The Fugitive)
Review
Holes is based off the 1998 novel by Louis Sachar, and the film follows it pretty well. There is one thing to distinguish it a bit from most book to film adaptations, and that is that Sachar wrote the screenplay for this film, which gives some of the good part in the film, with the rest just being the acting, atmosphere, wit, and charm. LeBeouf *sigh* can be a good actor, with the films he has been in on this show (#057 - Transformers and #058 - Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen), this is a good one by him. The others in the cast such as Weaver, Voight, Thomas, and Kitt all do a good job in the time they're given. Good cast with good direction make...well, a good film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
June 28, 2012
Movie Night: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
Review #186: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
Cast
Michael J. Fox (Chance), Don Ameche (Shadow), Sally Field (Sassy), Robert Hays (Bob), and Kim Griest (Laura) Directed by Duwayne Dunham.
Review
After the "trilogy" of films reviewed here as of late, I decided to pick something of lesser evil, Disney. Well actually Walt Disney Pictures, but still. While the human characters are mostly standard in acting and dialogue, the film focuses more on the animals and their trip home. Fox, Ameche, and Field do a good job, having some good banter, making you entertained in a reasonably paced 80 minute film that sees these animals transform as the film progresses, which a bit different from all that I've seen in the past few weeks. One thing I almost forgot to mention is that this is a remake of a 1963 adaptation also made by Disney which was based off the novel. This is a decent film that is almost 20 years old.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Michael J. Fox (Chance), Don Ameche (Shadow), Sally Field (Sassy), Robert Hays (Bob), and Kim Griest (Laura) Directed by Duwayne Dunham.
Review
After the "trilogy" of films reviewed here as of late, I decided to pick something of lesser evil, Disney. Well actually Walt Disney Pictures, but still. While the human characters are mostly standard in acting and dialogue, the film focuses more on the animals and their trip home. Fox, Ameche, and Field do a good job, having some good banter, making you entertained in a reasonably paced 80 minute film that sees these animals transform as the film progresses, which a bit different from all that I've seen in the past few weeks. One thing I almost forgot to mention is that this is a remake of a 1963 adaptation also made by Disney which was based off the novel. This is a decent film that is almost 20 years old.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
June 27, 2012
Movie Night: The Room.
Review #185: The Room.
Cast
Tommy Wiseau (Johnny), Greg Sestero (Mark), Juliette Danielle (Lisa), Philip Haldiman (Denny), Carolyn Minnott (Claudette), Robyn Paris (Michelle), Scott Holmes (Mike), and Dan Janjigian (Chris-R). Directed, Written, and Produced by Tommy Wiseau.
Review
Wow. I don't know what to say about this film. With Plan 9 and Birdemic, it took a while, but it all got straightened out. But this...Oh this...First off, the first five minutes are the weirdest part, with generic things said, and introducing our lead, Tommy Wiseau. Oh hai, Tommy Wiseau. He is so bizarre in this film that you wonder what impersonation he is doing, Christopher Walken or Borat. The other actors are generic in tone, ranging from manipulative to...weird. The film may run only 99 minutes, but it feels like there is padding, making you feel bored at times. More bizarre scenes include Denny, throwing footballs, and the rooftop scenes. The story is odd yet generic, with lines that at one point get ridiculous such as: "I did not hit her, it's not true! It's bullshit! I did not hit her! I did not. Oh hi Mark." It goes from unintentionally funny to dull to generic to confusing all in a swoop. The thing I find unbelievable is that this was made for 6 million dollars, which given the film makes you wonder how it could be this expensive. With bad acting, a confused story, unbelievably odd characters, and a strange amount of holes in the story, why would anyone, including me watch this film? It is one of those films you have to see to believe. But is this the worst in this so called trilogy? Plan 9 was so bad its good, Birdemic was beyond the deep end, and yet this is not off the deep end. Bad, but not the worst. I must mention this film is now officially nine years old. Good grief. *throws football across the screen*
Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Tommy Wiseau (Johnny), Greg Sestero (Mark), Juliette Danielle (Lisa), Philip Haldiman (Denny), Carolyn Minnott (Claudette), Robyn Paris (Michelle), Scott Holmes (Mike), and Dan Janjigian (Chris-R). Directed, Written, and Produced by Tommy Wiseau.
Review
Wow. I don't know what to say about this film. With Plan 9 and Birdemic, it took a while, but it all got straightened out. But this...Oh this...First off, the first five minutes are the weirdest part, with generic things said, and introducing our lead, Tommy Wiseau. Oh hai, Tommy Wiseau. He is so bizarre in this film that you wonder what impersonation he is doing, Christopher Walken or Borat. The other actors are generic in tone, ranging from manipulative to...weird. The film may run only 99 minutes, but it feels like there is padding, making you feel bored at times. More bizarre scenes include Denny, throwing footballs, and the rooftop scenes. The story is odd yet generic, with lines that at one point get ridiculous such as: "I did not hit her, it's not true! It's bullshit! I did not hit her! I did not. Oh hi Mark." It goes from unintentionally funny to dull to generic to confusing all in a swoop. The thing I find unbelievable is that this was made for 6 million dollars, which given the film makes you wonder how it could be this expensive. With bad acting, a confused story, unbelievably odd characters, and a strange amount of holes in the story, why would anyone, including me watch this film? It is one of those films you have to see to believe. But is this the worst in this so called trilogy? Plan 9 was so bad its good, Birdemic was beyond the deep end, and yet this is not off the deep end. Bad, but not the worst. I must mention this film is now officially nine years old. Good grief. *throws football across the screen*
Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.
June 26, 2012
Movie Night: Birdemic: Shock and Terror.
Review #184: Birdemic: Shock and Terror.
Cast
Alan Bagh (Rod), Whitney Moore (Nathalie), Adam Sessa (Ramsey), Catherine Batcha (Becky), Janae Caster (Susan), Colton Osborne (Tony), and Rick Camp (Dr. Jones) Directed by James Nguyen.
Review
What can I say? What can I do? What is this planning to? First off, this film is bad, pure and simple. The acting is so wooden with the worst offender being the generic dialogue and even worse boredom. The first 40 minutes are dating and walking and talking...until you get to the birds. I wonder if Nguyen tried to imitate Jaws and its sequence, but then I realize this is a far worse attempt. The birds are the worst monsters/animals I've ever seen. Far worse then Plan 9 from Outer Space's UFOs, and with even worse attacking them (hangers, seriously?) It is a mind numbing bad film that has no entertainment value whatsoever with multitudes of plot holes (Such as running from a store with food and water to a car that is being attacked by the birds), bland messages, and an even worse fact: There will be a sequel to this. But is this so called bad movie reviewing over? Oh, not yet. This "trilogy" isn't over yet.
Overall, I give it 0 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Alan Bagh (Rod), Whitney Moore (Nathalie), Adam Sessa (Ramsey), Catherine Batcha (Becky), Janae Caster (Susan), Colton Osborne (Tony), and Rick Camp (Dr. Jones) Directed by James Nguyen.
Review
What can I say? What can I do? What is this planning to? First off, this film is bad, pure and simple. The acting is so wooden with the worst offender being the generic dialogue and even worse boredom. The first 40 minutes are dating and walking and talking...until you get to the birds. I wonder if Nguyen tried to imitate Jaws and its sequence, but then I realize this is a far worse attempt. The birds are the worst monsters/animals I've ever seen. Far worse then Plan 9 from Outer Space's UFOs, and with even worse attacking them (hangers, seriously?) It is a mind numbing bad film that has no entertainment value whatsoever with multitudes of plot holes (Such as running from a store with food and water to a car that is being attacked by the birds), bland messages, and an even worse fact: There will be a sequel to this. But is this so called bad movie reviewing over? Oh, not yet. This "trilogy" isn't over yet.
Overall, I give it 0 out of 10 stars.
June 25, 2012
Movie Night: Plan 9 from Outer Space.
Review #183: Plan 9 from Outer Space.
Cast
Gregory Walcott (Jeff Trent), Mona McKinnon (Paula Trent), Duke Moore (Lt. John Harper), Tom Keene (Col. Tom Edwards), Carl Anthony (Patrolman Larry), Paul Marco (Patrolman Kelton), Tor Johnson (Inspector Dan Clay), Dudley Manlove (Eros), Joanna Lee (Tanna), John Breckinridge (The Ruler), Criswell (Criswell), and almost starring Bela Lugosi. Directed by Ed Wood.
Review
Where do I begin with this film? What could I do to review it? First off, let us begin with the narration, "Future events such as these will affect you in the future" Apart from that, the narration from there and throughout is beyond absurd. The acting (and characters) from...Any of the cast is poorly done, with Johnson doing the worst with his "flailing arms of death" The thing anyone would mention in this film is the effects. Normally I don't mention effects, but I must mention them: From the bizarre plastic UFO's to the even more bizzare description of them as a cigar, they truly are mentionable. One more thing about effects: When you cut from stock footage of Lugosi to a stand in for Lugosi, make sure that they're both at night. With all of this against the film, what is my opinion? It is not the worst of all time. It is a cheeseful romp that while given the bad effects, acting, and story, it is enjoyable enough to at least watch. Ed Wood at least tried to make something. There are far worse movies out there. Now then, what rating do I give this? I can't give it 0 for one reason: Too silly to be that bad. This begins the Tour de Worse Trilogy.
Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.
June 24, 2012
Movie Night: DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story.
Review #182: DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story.
Cast
Vince Vaughn (Peter "Pete" LaFleur), Ben Stiller (White Goodman), Christine Taylor (Katherine "Kate" Veatch), Rip Torn (Patches O'Houlihan), Hank Azaria (Young Patches), Justin Long (Justin Redman), Stephen Root (Gordon Pibb), and Alan Tudyk (Steve "the Pirate" Cowan) Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber.
Review
The film has good moments from most of the cast, with silly but decent at the same time fun. Vaughn and Taylor do well together as does Stiller in his crazed insane performance that is almost as crazy as his performance in Tropic Thunder. Funny at points with a decent cast, the film is a hit and far from a miss. One thing I will mention: This is the 100th review for Season 2 (December 20, 2011 - December 20, 2012).
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Vince Vaughn (Peter "Pete" LaFleur), Ben Stiller (White Goodman), Christine Taylor (Katherine "Kate" Veatch), Rip Torn (Patches O'Houlihan), Hank Azaria (Young Patches), Justin Long (Justin Redman), Stephen Root (Gordon Pibb), and Alan Tudyk (Steve "the Pirate" Cowan) Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber.
Review
The film has good moments from most of the cast, with silly but decent at the same time fun. Vaughn and Taylor do well together as does Stiller in his crazed insane performance that is almost as crazy as his performance in Tropic Thunder. Funny at points with a decent cast, the film is a hit and far from a miss. One thing I will mention: This is the 100th review for Season 2 (December 20, 2011 - December 20, 2012).
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
June 23, 2012
Movie Night: Rebel Without a Cause.
Review #181: Rebel Without a Cause.
Cast
James Dean (Jim Stark), Natalie Wood (Judy), Sal Mineo (John "Plato" Crawford), Jim Backus (Frank Stark), Ann Doran (Carol Stark), Corey Allen (Buzz Gunderson), William Hopper (Judy's father), Rochelle Hudson (Judy's mother), Edward Platt (Ray Fremick), Frank Mazzola (Crunch), and Dennis Hopper (Goon) Directed by Nicholas Ray.
Review
James Dean had made only three films before his tragic death, with one reviewed here already (#105 - East of Eden), This is the second of the three, and it is excellent. Dean once again is good, with his teenage angst coming into full mode with Wood, Mineo, and Backus also doing well. I must mention a young Dennis Hopper appears in this film, who would go on to do good films on his own (Easy Rider, Hoosiers, Speed) This film also has good directing, which captures the essence of teenagers and more. Good story in this good film.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Cast
James Dean (Jim Stark), Natalie Wood (Judy), Sal Mineo (John "Plato" Crawford), Jim Backus (Frank Stark), Ann Doran (Carol Stark), Corey Allen (Buzz Gunderson), William Hopper (Judy's father), Rochelle Hudson (Judy's mother), Edward Platt (Ray Fremick), Frank Mazzola (Crunch), and Dennis Hopper (Goon) Directed by Nicholas Ray.
Review
James Dean had made only three films before his tragic death, with one reviewed here already (#105 - East of Eden), This is the second of the three, and it is excellent. Dean once again is good, with his teenage angst coming into full mode with Wood, Mineo, and Backus also doing well. I must mention a young Dennis Hopper appears in this film, who would go on to do good films on his own (Easy Rider, Hoosiers, Speed) This film also has good directing, which captures the essence of teenagers and more. Good story in this good film.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
June 22, 2012
Movie Night: Stand By Me.
Review #180: Stand By Me.
Cast
Wil Wheaton (Gordie Lachance), River Phoenix (Chris Chambers), Corey Feldman (Teddy Duchamp), Jerry O'Connell (Vern Tessio), Kiefer Sutherland (Ace Merill), and Richard Dreyfuss (Narrator) Directed by Rob Reiner (#108 - This is Spinal Tap, #232 - The Princess Bride)
Review
This film was adapted from the novella The Body by Stephen King, which I haven't read (Actually I haven't read anything from King nor reviewed any movies from them until now) The acting is good, with young talents doing adult like quality, with Wheaton, Phoenix, and Feldman being the main standouts. This is one of those trip movies, where some go on a trip, but their's is different from most trips, and yet the film can be fun and be serious at times that entertains after over 25 years.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Wil Wheaton (Gordie Lachance), River Phoenix (Chris Chambers), Corey Feldman (Teddy Duchamp), Jerry O'Connell (Vern Tessio), Kiefer Sutherland (Ace Merill), and Richard Dreyfuss (Narrator) Directed by Rob Reiner (#108 - This is Spinal Tap, #232 - The Princess Bride)
Review
This film was adapted from the novella The Body by Stephen King, which I haven't read (Actually I haven't read anything from King nor reviewed any movies from them until now) The acting is good, with young talents doing adult like quality, with Wheaton, Phoenix, and Feldman being the main standouts. This is one of those trip movies, where some go on a trip, but their's is different from most trips, and yet the film can be fun and be serious at times that entertains after over 25 years.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Matilda.
Review #179: Matilda.
Cast
Mara Wilson (Matilda Wormwood), Danny DeVito (Harry Wormwood/Narrator), Rhea Perlman (Zinnia Wormwood), Embeth Davidtz (Miss Honey), Pam Ferris (Agatha Trunchbull), Brian Levinson (Michael Wormwood), Paul Reubens (FBI Agent Bob), Tracey Walter (FBI Agent Bill), Kiami Davael (Lavender), and Jacqueline Steiger (Amanda Thripp) Directed by Danny DeVito.
Review
This film was based of the book Matilda by Roald Dahl, who we have covered before (#131 - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). Anyway, this film is has some changes to the film from the book, but what book to film doesn't have these problems? The acting is decent, especially from Wilson, Ferris, and DeVito. Speaking of him, the directing is decent, but what I find a bit odd is the occasional close up shots. They only work if you have something to show, these are just plain weird by any standards. The film has charm that while being a bit off at points is still an entertaining film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Mara Wilson (Matilda Wormwood), Danny DeVito (Harry Wormwood/Narrator), Rhea Perlman (Zinnia Wormwood), Embeth Davidtz (Miss Honey), Pam Ferris (Agatha Trunchbull), Brian Levinson (Michael Wormwood), Paul Reubens (FBI Agent Bob), Tracey Walter (FBI Agent Bill), Kiami Davael (Lavender), and Jacqueline Steiger (Amanda Thripp) Directed by Danny DeVito.
Review
This film was based of the book Matilda by Roald Dahl, who we have covered before (#131 - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). Anyway, this film is has some changes to the film from the book, but what book to film doesn't have these problems? The acting is decent, especially from Wilson, Ferris, and DeVito. Speaking of him, the directing is decent, but what I find a bit odd is the occasional close up shots. They only work if you have something to show, these are just plain weird by any standards. The film has charm that while being a bit off at points is still an entertaining film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
June 21, 2012
Movie Night: Peter Pan (1953)
Review #178: Peter Pan.
Cast
Bobby Driscoll (Peter Pan), Kathryn Beaumont (Wendy), Hans Conried (Captain Hook/George), Paul Collins (John), and Tommy Luske (Michael) Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, and Hamilton Luske.
Review
Well, well, well, look at he cycle that I have gone through. I constantly refer to Disney in some of my reviews (#153 - The Incredibles, #156 - Aladdin), and I didn't think I would arrive to this point. But, look where we are. Anyway, this film was made in the so called Golden Age of Disney films, with Cinderella, Snow White, and other films that kids love to this day. The film has a reasonable length with a decent story and fine voice acting. I almost forgot to mention the story is from the 1904 play/1911 novel by J.M Barrie. Anyway, the film is magical and having some points that are at least memorable after nearly 60 years.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Bobby Driscoll (Peter Pan), Kathryn Beaumont (Wendy), Hans Conried (Captain Hook/George), Paul Collins (John), and Tommy Luske (Michael) Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, and Hamilton Luske.
Review
Well, well, well, look at he cycle that I have gone through. I constantly refer to Disney in some of my reviews (#153 - The Incredibles, #156 - Aladdin), and I didn't think I would arrive to this point. But, look where we are. Anyway, this film was made in the so called Golden Age of Disney films, with Cinderella, Snow White, and other films that kids love to this day. The film has a reasonable length with a decent story and fine voice acting. I almost forgot to mention the story is from the 1904 play/1911 novel by J.M Barrie. Anyway, the film is magical and having some points that are at least memorable after nearly 60 years.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
June 20, 2012
Movie Night: Batman (1966)
Review #177: Batman.
Cast
Adam West (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Burt Ward (Robin), Lee Meriwether (Catwoman), Cesar Romero (The Joker), Burgess Meredith (The Penguin), and Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) Directed by Leslie H. Martinson.
Review
This film...I don't know what to think. This is an odd thing to review in the first place, but oh well. Anyway, this film is based off the 1960's television show also named Batman. That show was famous for three things: Campy action, bringing the hero to audiences, and...its campy action. You will lose your sanity after about the first 20 minutes with the Bat-Ladder, the shark repellent, a dolphin saving the duo by crashing into a missile, and...Holy Long John Silver. You could write this off as a cheese fest...But not quite. At its heart, it at least tries to entertain the people that had watched the television show and wanted to see their hero on the big screen that would only be bested 23 years later. West and Ward do make a good pair as does the others. I would compare Romero to Nicholson to Ledger, but that wouldn't be fair. Throughout Movie Night, I've reviewed other Batman films (#040, #054, #062, #217, #218, #269, #316), but there's one other bright side to this film: It's not Batman and Robin.
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
June 19, 2012
Movie Night: The Fugitive (1993).
Review #176: The Fugitive.
Cast
Harrison Ford (Dr. Richard Kimble), Tommy Lee Jones (Deputy U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard), Sela Ward (Helen Kimble), Joe Pantoliano (Deputy U.S. Marshal Cosmo Renfro), Andreas Katsulas (Fredrick Sykes), Jeroen Krabbé (Dr. Charles Nichols), Daniel Roebuck (Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Biggs), Tom Wood (Deputy U.S. Marshal Noah Newman), L. Scott Caldwell (Deputy U.S. Marshal Erin Poole), and Julianne Moore (Dr. Anne Eastman) Directed by Andrew Davis
Cast
This movie was based off the classic 1960s TV show of the same name. Ford and Jones are excellent, playing off each other great. Jones does the best job, conveying a sense of ell, doing his job as a US Marshall. As the movie continues on, the doubt against Kimble unravels which you see from Gerard's point of view. One thing I notice is that it turns from escape film to conspiracy as the film gets to the end which feels a bit odd. But nevertheless, this film is heart pounding with good amounts of action in an excellent film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Harrison Ford (Dr. Richard Kimble), Tommy Lee Jones (Deputy U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard), Sela Ward (Helen Kimble), Joe Pantoliano (Deputy U.S. Marshal Cosmo Renfro), Andreas Katsulas (Fredrick Sykes), Jeroen Krabbé (Dr. Charles Nichols), Daniel Roebuck (Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Biggs), Tom Wood (Deputy U.S. Marshal Noah Newman), L. Scott Caldwell (Deputy U.S. Marshal Erin Poole), and Julianne Moore (Dr. Anne Eastman) Directed by Andrew Davis
Cast
This movie was based off the classic 1960s TV show of the same name. Ford and Jones are excellent, playing off each other great. Jones does the best job, conveying a sense of ell, doing his job as a US Marshall. As the movie continues on, the doubt against Kimble unravels which you see from Gerard's point of view. One thing I notice is that it turns from escape film to conspiracy as the film gets to the end which feels a bit odd. But nevertheless, this film is heart pounding with good amounts of action in an excellent film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Review #175: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Cast
Elizabeth Taylor (Martha), Richard Burton (George), George Segal (Nick), and Sandy Dennis (Honey) Directed by Mike Nichols.
Review
I must mention that this is the 175th Review. Now, this is a different film then usual, a small cast with big drama. The whole cast is perfect, with Taylor and Burton being the main standouts. This drama is devastating to the bone, with moments of uncomfortable moments that only keep the tension rise until it all explodes. Their are parts with humor that only add to its atmosphere. This film is like 12 Angry Men (#035), a bunch of people all cooped in one set with tension building until it ends in excellence. Truly recommended.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Elizabeth Taylor (Martha), Richard Burton (George), George Segal (Nick), and Sandy Dennis (Honey) Directed by Mike Nichols.
Review
I must mention that this is the 175th Review. Now, this is a different film then usual, a small cast with big drama. The whole cast is perfect, with Taylor and Burton being the main standouts. This drama is devastating to the bone, with moments of uncomfortable moments that only keep the tension rise until it all explodes. Their are parts with humor that only add to its atmosphere. This film is like 12 Angry Men (#035), a bunch of people all cooped in one set with tension building until it ends in excellence. Truly recommended.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
June 18, 2012
Movie Night: Die Another Day.
Review #174: Die Another Day.
Cast
Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Halle Berry (Giacinta 'Jinx' Johnson), Toby Stephens (Gustav Graves), Rosamund Pike (Miranda Frost), Rick Yune (Zao), Judi Dench (M), Will Yun Lee (Colonel Moon), Kenneth Tsang (General Moon), John Cleese (Q), and Colin Salmon (Charles Robinson) Directed by Lee Tamahori.
Review
Greetings to any viewer who clicked the link from the review of Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Enjoy this review from 2012, to a movie that fails to live up to the other three Pierce Brosnan James Bond films, mostly because it just doesn't have the right spirit that other Bond films have, feeling more like a souped up version of a Roger Moore Bond film - for better or for worse.
This is the last film to star Pierce Brosnan, and it is the 20th released on the 40th anniversary in 2002. The film has some of the same charm as the other three, but it is missing one thing: Plot. This film is basically action and just that, ignoring plot for over the top action. The one thing I find worse is the invisible car. Look, there's having high tech spy gadgets, but this is just ridiculous. The only thing more ridiculous is if Bond went to space-Oh, well. Ouch. Brosnan does do a good job as always, along with the others, but the film just doesn't have the spirit most films have. After this, the series would be on hold for 4 more years until a new actor was found. This film will be remembered as one of the middle of the road Bond films.
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Halle Berry (Giacinta 'Jinx' Johnson), Toby Stephens (Gustav Graves), Rosamund Pike (Miranda Frost), Rick Yune (Zao), Judi Dench (M), Will Yun Lee (Colonel Moon), Kenneth Tsang (General Moon), John Cleese (Q), and Colin Salmon (Charles Robinson) Directed by Lee Tamahori.
Review
Greetings to any viewer who clicked the link from the review of Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Enjoy this review from 2012, to a movie that fails to live up to the other three Pierce Brosnan James Bond films, mostly because it just doesn't have the right spirit that other Bond films have, feeling more like a souped up version of a Roger Moore Bond film - for better or for worse.
This is the last film to star Pierce Brosnan, and it is the 20th released on the 40th anniversary in 2002. The film has some of the same charm as the other three, but it is missing one thing: Plot. This film is basically action and just that, ignoring plot for over the top action. The one thing I find worse is the invisible car. Look, there's having high tech spy gadgets, but this is just ridiculous. The only thing more ridiculous is if Bond went to space-Oh, well. Ouch. Brosnan does do a good job as always, along with the others, but the film just doesn't have the spirit most films have. After this, the series would be on hold for 4 more years until a new actor was found. This film will be remembered as one of the middle of the road Bond films.
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: GoldenEye.
Review #173: GoldenEye.
Cast
Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Sean Bean (Alec Trevelyan), Izabella Scorupco (Natalya Simonova), Famke Janssen (Xenia Onatopp), Joe Don Baker (Jack Wade), Judi Dench (M), Gottfried John (General Arkady Grigorovich Ourumov), Robbie Coltrane (Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky), Alan Cumming (Boris Grishenko), Tchéky Karyo (Dmitri Mishkin), Desmond Llewelyn (Q), and Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny) Directed by Martin Campbell.
Review
In 1989, the last James Bond film, Licence to Kill had come and gone with Timothy Dalton also leaving the role. 6 years later with a new actor comes this film. This film shows that after 30 years, this film series could still live on. Brosnan is excellent, he has a bit of humor in him too make you care for the character and have a little fun with it as well. Bean, Dench, and Baker also do good jobs, as the action is good enough with a decent plot. This film is fresh enough to have a new set of legs to keep on going.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Sean Bean (Alec Trevelyan), Izabella Scorupco (Natalya Simonova), Famke Janssen (Xenia Onatopp), Joe Don Baker (Jack Wade), Judi Dench (M), Gottfried John (General Arkady Grigorovich Ourumov), Robbie Coltrane (Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky), Alan Cumming (Boris Grishenko), Tchéky Karyo (Dmitri Mishkin), Desmond Llewelyn (Q), and Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny) Directed by Martin Campbell.
Review
In 1989, the last James Bond film, Licence to Kill had come and gone with Timothy Dalton also leaving the role. 6 years later with a new actor comes this film. This film shows that after 30 years, this film series could still live on. Brosnan is excellent, he has a bit of humor in him too make you care for the character and have a little fun with it as well. Bean, Dench, and Baker also do good jobs, as the action is good enough with a decent plot. This film is fresh enough to have a new set of legs to keep on going.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
RATING CHANGE: originally a seven, now an eight. Reason listed: None [7/16/2023]
June 17, 2012
Movie Night: The World is Not Enough.
Review #172: The World is Not Enough.
Cast
Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Sophie Marceau (Elektra King), Robert Carlyle (Renard), Denise Richards (Christmas Jones), Robbie Coltrane (Valentin Zukovsky), Judi Dench (M), Colin Salmon (Charles Robinson), Desmond Llewelyn (Q), John Cleese (R), and Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny). Directed by Michael Apted.
Review
This film is the penultimate film for Brosnan, and it is decent enough to end the 20th century. Brosnan once again does an excellent job, keeping the film float. Richards on the other hand just isn't convincing as a nuclear scientist because of something I call the "Copy and Paste Principle" That is when someone is trying to speak like the role they play, but sound like they read it off a script rather then act the role. The plot is decent, giving us a twist for once, but not too much of a twist. This film has an action packed style that keeps you interested no matter what.
Overall, I give it 007 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Sophie Marceau (Elektra King), Robert Carlyle (Renard), Denise Richards (Christmas Jones), Robbie Coltrane (Valentin Zukovsky), Judi Dench (M), Colin Salmon (Charles Robinson), Desmond Llewelyn (Q), John Cleese (R), and Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny). Directed by Michael Apted.
Review
This film is the penultimate film for Brosnan, and it is decent enough to end the 20th century. Brosnan once again does an excellent job, keeping the film float. Richards on the other hand just isn't convincing as a nuclear scientist because of something I call the "Copy and Paste Principle" That is when someone is trying to speak like the role they play, but sound like they read it off a script rather then act the role. The plot is decent, giving us a twist for once, but not too much of a twist. This film has an action packed style that keeps you interested no matter what.
Overall, I give it 007 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Tomorrow Never Dies.
Review #171: Tomorrow Never Dies.
Cast
Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Jonathan Pryce (Elliot Carver), Michelle Yeoh (Colonel Wai Lin), Teri Hatcher (Paris Carver), Götz Otto (Richard Stamper), Ricky Jay (Henry Gupta), Joe Don Baker (Jack Wade), Vincent Schiavelli (Dr. Kaufman), Judi Dench (M), Desmond Llewelyn (Q), and Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny). Directed by Roger Spottiswoode.
Review
This is the 18th James Bond film, released 15 years ago in 1997. Anyway, the last time we saw Bond was reviews ago with a different person (#150 - Dr. No) Brosnan does a fine job in his second film in the role (First being GoldenEye) Pryce is decent, as this villain is more plausible then usual, compared to villains from before (A man with metal claws, a man that loves gold, and more, including Christopher Walken) The rest of the cast is decent, doing their jobs as any other cast tries to do in a Bond film. The story is decent with reasonably alright action and gadgets. This film isn't a great one, but it is a decent one.
Overall, I give it 007 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Jonathan Pryce (Elliot Carver), Michelle Yeoh (Colonel Wai Lin), Teri Hatcher (Paris Carver), Götz Otto (Richard Stamper), Ricky Jay (Henry Gupta), Joe Don Baker (Jack Wade), Vincent Schiavelli (Dr. Kaufman), Judi Dench (M), Desmond Llewelyn (Q), and Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny). Directed by Roger Spottiswoode.
Review
This is the 18th James Bond film, released 15 years ago in 1997. Anyway, the last time we saw Bond was reviews ago with a different person (#150 - Dr. No) Brosnan does a fine job in his second film in the role (First being GoldenEye) Pryce is decent, as this villain is more plausible then usual, compared to villains from before (A man with metal claws, a man that loves gold, and more, including Christopher Walken) The rest of the cast is decent, doing their jobs as any other cast tries to do in a Bond film. The story is decent with reasonably alright action and gadgets. This film isn't a great one, but it is a decent one.
Overall, I give it 007 out of 10 stars.
June 16, 2012
Movie Night: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Review #170: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Cast
Harrison Ford (Indiana "Henry" Jones Jr.), Sean Connery (Henry Jones Sr.), Alison Doody (Elsa Schneider), Denholm Elliott (Marcus Brody), John Rhys-Davies (Sallah), Julian Glover (Walter Donovan), Michael Byrne (Colonel Vogel), Kevork Malikyan (Kazim), and Robert Eddison (Grail Knight) Directed by Steven Spielberg (#126 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind, #168 - Raiders of the Lost Ark, and #169 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom)
Review
This film is lighter in tone then Temple of Doom, which is a good thing as once again Harrison Ford is excellent once again. Sean Connery is also excellent, with the father-son relationship having a dramatic and comedic standpoint, and it is good. One thing I hadn't mentioned is that apparently Lucas conceived Jones to be "James Bond without the hardware" When I think about it, that makes sense, considering the adventures to stop evil from collecting things to take over the world. With Connery in this film, it makes it even more like Bond. Before I go off into more of a tangent, I must mention that the story is good. It's different from the first two in a way I won't tell you of, which is good to keep the story fresh. And that ends the Last Crusade. Indiana Jones had 3 films in 8 years, with success following its way. Ford kept his success going from Han Solo into the 80s and beyond with this and beyond. Truly an excellent sequel with excellent directing and writing.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Harrison Ford (Indiana "Henry" Jones Jr.), Sean Connery (Henry Jones Sr.), Alison Doody (Elsa Schneider), Denholm Elliott (Marcus Brody), John Rhys-Davies (Sallah), Julian Glover (Walter Donovan), Michael Byrne (Colonel Vogel), Kevork Malikyan (Kazim), and Robert Eddison (Grail Knight) Directed by Steven Spielberg (#126 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind, #168 - Raiders of the Lost Ark, and #169 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom)
Review
This film is lighter in tone then Temple of Doom, which is a good thing as once again Harrison Ford is excellent once again. Sean Connery is also excellent, with the father-son relationship having a dramatic and comedic standpoint, and it is good. One thing I hadn't mentioned is that apparently Lucas conceived Jones to be "James Bond without the hardware" When I think about it, that makes sense, considering the adventures to stop evil from collecting things to take over the world. With Connery in this film, it makes it even more like Bond. Before I go off into more of a tangent, I must mention that the story is good. It's different from the first two in a way I won't tell you of, which is good to keep the story fresh. And that ends the Last Crusade. Indiana Jones had 3 films in 8 years, with success following its way. Ford kept his success going from Han Solo into the 80s and beyond with this and beyond. Truly an excellent sequel with excellent directing and writing.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Cast
Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones), Kate Capshaw (Willie Scott), Amrish Puri (Mola Ram), Ke Huy Quan (Short Round), Roshan Seth (Chatter Lal), Philip Stone (Phillip Blumbertt), Roy Chiao (Lao Che), David Yip (Wu Han), Raj Singh (Zalim Singh), D. R. Nanayakkara (Shaman) Directed by Steven Spielberg (#126 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind and #168 - Raiders of the Lost Ark)
Review
This film has a tone that's...different from the first film. It, like Empire Strikes Back (#114), has darker themes different from its predecessor. A dark fact: This film was originally called Temple of Death. Gee, I wonder why they changed the title. Harrison Ford is excellent once again. Capshaw and Quan are decent at best, with the two being grating on the ears at times, but you do warm up to them after a while. One reference I do like in this film is at the beginning with "Club Obi Wan" This film has excitement mixed in with dark natures that can be fun but can also get a little too close to just freaky at points. A good film still, but not as good as the first (I almost forgot to mention this is apparently a prequel: Only difference? One year before the first one).
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Supplanted by this Redux Review: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2026/06/redux-raiders-of-the-lost-ark.html
Cast
Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones), Karen Allen (Marion Ravenwood), Paul Freeman (Rene Belloq), Ronald Lacey (Arnold Toht), John Rhys-Davies (Sallah), Denholm Elliott (Marcus Brody), Wolf Kahler (Colonel Dietrich), and Alfred Molina (Satipo) Directed by Steven Spielberg (#126 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind)
Review
For the second time, I will use this word to describe a film: Awesome. It is a great film that feels like an action matinee with Harrison Ford doing an excellent performance with excellent action and an even better story that has adventure and it delivers in many ways. It is the beginning of a wonderful set of adventures for Ford, Spielberg, Lucas, and the rest of the people who continue to watch it to this day.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Gojira.
Review #167: Gojira.
Cast
Akira Takarada (Hideto Ogata), Momoko Kōchi (Emiko Yamane), Akihiko Hirata (Daisuke Serizawa), Takashi Shimura (Dr. Kyohei Yamane), Fuyuki Murakami (Dr. Tanabe), Sachio Sakai (Hagiwara), and Ren Yamamoto (Masaji Yamada) Directed by Ishirō Honda.
Review
This is the first world cinema film to come from Japan. Gojira (also known as Godzilla) is a film franchise over 50 years old with 28 films in exactly 50 years (1954-2004). This film is chilling, with good atmosphere, with some night scenes that are genuinely frightening. The effects look good to this day, giving you a scare and two. The setting in Japan with the black and white color of the film make it even more threatening as the effects could be hide any mistakes visible in color. Setting it in Japan after the devastation from World War II only adds to it more. The scene that is chilling is at the near end is with the choir girls singing as the city is in peril. This film may be a bit slow at times, but it is still an achievement in film-making to this day after 58 years.
To whoever finds this, I intend to re-look the film again sometime in 2021.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Akira Takarada (Hideto Ogata), Momoko Kōchi (Emiko Yamane), Akihiko Hirata (Daisuke Serizawa), Takashi Shimura (Dr. Kyohei Yamane), Fuyuki Murakami (Dr. Tanabe), Sachio Sakai (Hagiwara), and Ren Yamamoto (Masaji Yamada) Directed by Ishirō Honda.
Review
This is the first world cinema film to come from Japan. Gojira (also known as Godzilla) is a film franchise over 50 years old with 28 films in exactly 50 years (1954-2004). This film is chilling, with good atmosphere, with some night scenes that are genuinely frightening. The effects look good to this day, giving you a scare and two. The setting in Japan with the black and white color of the film make it even more threatening as the effects could be hide any mistakes visible in color. Setting it in Japan after the devastation from World War II only adds to it more. The scene that is chilling is at the near end is with the choir girls singing as the city is in peril. This film may be a bit slow at times, but it is still an achievement in film-making to this day after 58 years.
To whoever finds this, I intend to re-look the film again sometime in 2021.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Flushed Away.
Review #166: Flushed Away.
Cast
Hugh Jackman (Roddy St. James), Kate Winslet (Rita Malone), Ian McKellen (The Toad), Jean Reno (Le Frog), Bill Nighy (Whitey), Andy Serkis (Spike), and Shane Richie (Sid) Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell.
Review
I began this week with stop motion animation and we end with...computer generated animation. However the animation is meant to look like the traditional clay like figures, which it does. Jackman, Winslet, and McKellen are excellent in their roles (Jackman proving he can do more then just be Wolverine or...Van Helsing). The story is decent, with some good gags that are entertaining enough. This ends Dreamworks Animation Week. Overall, it was a decent week, but how does Dreamworks compare to Pixar, or...Disney? Dreamworks can do good films as I've heard from others, and it can do average to meh as well. But the point is that Dreamworks has good and the meh inside them, and that's all that matters. Thank you for reading this week. This ends Part VII.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Hugh Jackman (Roddy St. James), Kate Winslet (Rita Malone), Ian McKellen (The Toad), Jean Reno (Le Frog), Bill Nighy (Whitey), Andy Serkis (Spike), and Shane Richie (Sid) Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell.
Review
I began this week with stop motion animation and we end with...computer generated animation. However the animation is meant to look like the traditional clay like figures, which it does. Jackman, Winslet, and McKellen are excellent in their roles (Jackman proving he can do more then just be Wolverine or...Van Helsing). The story is decent, with some good gags that are entertaining enough. This ends Dreamworks Animation Week. Overall, it was a decent week, but how does Dreamworks compare to Pixar, or...Disney? Dreamworks can do good films as I've heard from others, and it can do average to meh as well. But the point is that Dreamworks has good and the meh inside them, and that's all that matters. Thank you for reading this week. This ends Part VII.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
June 15, 2012
Movie Night: Madagascar.
Review #165: Madagascar.
Cast
Ben Stiller (Alex), Chris Rock (Marty), David Schwimmer (Melman), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria), Sacha Baron Cohen (King Julien), Cedric the Entertainer (Maurice), Andy Richter (Mort) Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath (#154 - Madagascar 2)
Review
Madagascar isn't a perfect film, but it is a good film. It is better then Shark Tale and Shrek the Third, but it isn't better then Shrek 2 or Chicken Run. The voice acting is good, especially from Stiller and Rock. The plot is decent, as this film entertains with bright animation, a decently catchy song, and some subtle jokes at points. The film is the start of a franchise (with the second film having already been reviewed). This ends Part VI of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part VII...
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Ben Stiller (Alex), Chris Rock (Marty), David Schwimmer (Melman), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria), Sacha Baron Cohen (King Julien), Cedric the Entertainer (Maurice), Andy Richter (Mort) Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath (#154 - Madagascar 2)
Review
Madagascar isn't a perfect film, but it is a good film. It is better then Shark Tale and Shrek the Third, but it isn't better then Shrek 2 or Chicken Run. The voice acting is good, especially from Stiller and Rock. The plot is decent, as this film entertains with bright animation, a decently catchy song, and some subtle jokes at points. The film is the start of a franchise (with the second film having already been reviewed). This ends Part VI of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part VII...
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
June 14, 2012
Movie Night: Shark Tale.
Review #164: Shark Tale.
Cast
Will Smith (Oscar), Robert De Niro (Don Lino), Renée Zellweger (Angie), Jack Black (Lenny), Angelina Jolie (Lola), Martin Scorsese (Sykes), Doug E. Doug (Bernie), and Ziggy Marley (Ernie) Directed by Vicky Jenson, Bibo Bergeron, and Rob Letterman.
Review
This film isn't really inspired, with animation that's decent but nothing special. The puns from Coral Cola to Katie Current get old fast with jokes that aren't as useful. The plot feels like something you find in a mobster film, but it isn't very useful in tone. Compared to Finding Nemo, this film isn't as fun or warming. This film has good voices from Smith, who like always makes any film worth something. This film is not as good as Shrek or...Kung Fu Panda, but at least it will entertain for 90 minutes (a running trend in animated films). This ends Part V of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part VI...
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Will Smith (Oscar), Robert De Niro (Don Lino), Renée Zellweger (Angie), Jack Black (Lenny), Angelina Jolie (Lola), Martin Scorsese (Sykes), Doug E. Doug (Bernie), and Ziggy Marley (Ernie) Directed by Vicky Jenson, Bibo Bergeron, and Rob Letterman.
Review
This film isn't really inspired, with animation that's decent but nothing special. The puns from Coral Cola to Katie Current get old fast with jokes that aren't as useful. The plot feels like something you find in a mobster film, but it isn't very useful in tone. Compared to Finding Nemo, this film isn't as fun or warming. This film has good voices from Smith, who like always makes any film worth something. This film is not as good as Shrek or...Kung Fu Panda, but at least it will entertain for 90 minutes (a running trend in animated films). This ends Part V of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part VI...
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
June 13, 2012
Movie Night: Shrek the Third.
Review #163: Shrek the Third.
Cast
Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Justin Timberlake (Arthur Pendragon), Rupert Everett (Prince Charming), Eric Idle (Merlin), Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian), and John Cleese (King Harold) Directed by Chris Miller and Raman Hui.
Review
This film is indeed tone set from the second one, and..it isn't as good as the second. The jokes here just aren't as good as the second one or the first one. Timberlake just doesn't work in this film because you really don't care for him in the first place. The joke I don't find very interesting is in the beginning where (spoiler) Harold, the King from the second film dies. Before that, there'a line: "Somebody better be dying!" It doesn't feel ironic, it feels...downbeat. Eric Idle and Rupert Everett also just don't work (Everett was okay in the 2nd one), Idle doesn't have much to do with his lines. The film is overall disappointing that lacks motivation with a touch of what the second film had. I'll mention only this for the fourth given that I won't review it this week (not with me): Better, better then this film. This ends Part IV of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part V...
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Justin Timberlake (Arthur Pendragon), Rupert Everett (Prince Charming), Eric Idle (Merlin), Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian), and John Cleese (King Harold) Directed by Chris Miller and Raman Hui.
Review
This film is indeed tone set from the second one, and..it isn't as good as the second. The jokes here just aren't as good as the second one or the first one. Timberlake just doesn't work in this film because you really don't care for him in the first place. The joke I don't find very interesting is in the beginning where (spoiler) Harold, the King from the second film dies. Before that, there'a line: "Somebody better be dying!" It doesn't feel ironic, it feels...downbeat. Eric Idle and Rupert Everett also just don't work (Everett was okay in the 2nd one), Idle doesn't have much to do with his lines. The film is overall disappointing that lacks motivation with a touch of what the second film had. I'll mention only this for the fourth given that I won't review it this week (not with me): Better, better then this film. This ends Part IV of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part V...
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
June 12, 2012
Movie Night: Shrek 2.
Review #162: Shrek 2.
Cast
Mike Myers (Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Jennifer Saunders (Fairy Godmother), John Cleese (King Harold), Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian), and Rupert Everett (Prince Charming) Directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon.
Review
This film is possibly better then the first (which I could not review due to not having the disk, though I have watched the film in the past), with more character introductions and more fun. the voices are good, especially from Banderas, who reminds me of Zorro (which he also has done in the past). The film is darker in tone, with people being forced in love, ogre-killers, and other things. My only question is a small possibly non relevant question: Near the end at the prison, how do Shrek's friends (Gingerbread Man, Wolf, the pigs) get to the prison that quickly? We see earlier that Far Far Away is indeed far away from the swamp. Perhaps the prison is not exactly in Far Far Away, but it's not a big flaw. This film sets the tone for the third film, which could be a good thing or a bad thing...This ends Part III of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part IV...
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
June 11, 2012
Movie Night: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.
Review #161: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.
Cast
Matt Damon (Spirit), James Cromwell (The Colonel), Daniel Studi (Little Creek), Chopper Bernet (Sgt. Adams), Jeff LeBeau (Murphy and the Railroad Foreman), and Richard McGonagle (Bill) Directed by Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook.
Review
This film is beautifully animated with computers and tradition animation and it has a good story that feels like the old days of telling a fable (like that company did before they declined into whatever they call it now). The voice acting is few, but Damon and Cromwell are great, as this film feels special, it feels like a classic, and it is a classic. Dreamworks only made four traditionally animated films, with this likely being the best. This ends Part II of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part III...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Matt Damon (Spirit), James Cromwell (The Colonel), Daniel Studi (Little Creek), Chopper Bernet (Sgt. Adams), Jeff LeBeau (Murphy and the Railroad Foreman), and Richard McGonagle (Bill) Directed by Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook.
Review
This film is beautifully animated with computers and tradition animation and it has a good story that feels like the old days of telling a fable (like that company did before they declined into whatever they call it now). The voice acting is few, but Damon and Cromwell are great, as this film feels special, it feels like a classic, and it is a classic. Dreamworks only made four traditionally animated films, with this likely being the best. This ends Part II of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part III...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
June 10, 2012
Movie Night: Chicken Run.
Review #160: Chicken Run.
Cast
Julia Sawalha (Ginger), Mel Gibson (Rocky), Miranda Richardson (Melisha Tweedy), Tony Haygarth (Mr. Tweedy), Benjamin Whitrow (Fowler), Timothy Spall (Nick), Phil Daniels (Fetcher), Jane Horrocks (Babs), Imelda Staunton (Bunty), Lynn Ferguson (Mac) Directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park.
Review
This film is essentially The Great Escape but with good gags, beautiful looking stop motion animation, and more. The voice acting is good, you get the feeling that this is desperate time for the chickens, but it can be fun at times to. And yes, Mel Gibson does a good job here (playing a chicken isn't the strangest thing he has done after all). The action is good at times, making you feel at home in this wonderful film. By the way, I've got a surprise for you: It's Dreamworks Animation Week. This ends Part I of Dreamworks Anmation Week. Stay tuned for Part II...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Julia Sawalha (Ginger), Mel Gibson (Rocky), Miranda Richardson (Melisha Tweedy), Tony Haygarth (Mr. Tweedy), Benjamin Whitrow (Fowler), Timothy Spall (Nick), Phil Daniels (Fetcher), Jane Horrocks (Babs), Imelda Staunton (Bunty), Lynn Ferguson (Mac) Directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park.
Review
This film is essentially The Great Escape but with good gags, beautiful looking stop motion animation, and more. The voice acting is good, you get the feeling that this is desperate time for the chickens, but it can be fun at times to. And yes, Mel Gibson does a good job here (playing a chicken isn't the strangest thing he has done after all). The action is good at times, making you feel at home in this wonderful film. By the way, I've got a surprise for you: It's Dreamworks Animation Week. This ends Part I of Dreamworks Anmation Week. Stay tuned for Part II...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Move Night: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Review #159: The Wizard of Oz.
Cast
Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale), Frank Morgan (Professor Marvel / The Wizard / Doorman / Cabbie / Guard), Ray Bolger (Hunk / Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Hickory / Tin Man), Bert Lahr (Zeke / Cowardly Lion), Billie Burke (Glinda the Good Witch of the North), Margaret Hamilton (Miss Almira Gulch / The Wicked Witch of the West), Clara Blandick (Aunt Em), Charley Grapewin (Uncle Henry), Pat Walshe (Nikko, the Winged Monkey King), and Toto. Directed by Victor Fleming.
Review
This film was based off the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from 1900 by L. Frank Baum. Now while the book may not follow the book as well, but that does not matter. This film simply is magical. The atmosphere, the sets, the characters are wonderful, everything is wonderful. Judy Garland is the most wonderful, and it is a shame she has passed away, as today is her 90th Birthday (I'd recommend A Star Is Born and Meet Me In St. Louis). It's delightful for everyone, and is a recommended flick.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale), Frank Morgan (Professor Marvel / The Wizard / Doorman / Cabbie / Guard), Ray Bolger (Hunk / Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Hickory / Tin Man), Bert Lahr (Zeke / Cowardly Lion), Billie Burke (Glinda the Good Witch of the North), Margaret Hamilton (Miss Almira Gulch / The Wicked Witch of the West), Clara Blandick (Aunt Em), Charley Grapewin (Uncle Henry), Pat Walshe (Nikko, the Winged Monkey King), and Toto. Directed by Victor Fleming.
Review
This film was based off the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from 1900 by L. Frank Baum. Now while the book may not follow the book as well, but that does not matter. This film simply is magical. The atmosphere, the sets, the characters are wonderful, everything is wonderful. Judy Garland is the most wonderful, and it is a shame she has passed away, as today is her 90th Birthday (I'd recommend A Star Is Born and Meet Me In St. Louis). It's delightful for everyone, and is a recommended flick.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Move Night: Ratatouille.
Review #158: Ratatouille.
Cast
Patton Oswalt (Remy), Lou Romano (Alfredo Linguini), Ian Holm (Skinner), Janeane Garofalo (Colette Tatou), Peter O'Toole (Anton Ego), Brian Dennehy (Django), Peter Sohn (Emile), and Brad Garrett (Auguste Gusteau) Directed by Brad Bird (#083 - The Iron Giant, #128 - Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and #153 - The Incredibles)
Review
This film is flawless in its presentation, with good voice acting and good developed characters in this lush and beautiful film. As a movie reviewer, I have to mention Anton Ego and it's voice by the legend Peter O'Toole. In many ways, the work of a critic is indeed easy and the film is enjoyable to say the least. This film has a good appetite of everything as Pixar continues its traditions of good characters, good story and good films (which may or may not have ended with Cars 2). Nonetheless, Brad Bird has made another good flick.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Patton Oswalt (Remy), Lou Romano (Alfredo Linguini), Ian Holm (Skinner), Janeane Garofalo (Colette Tatou), Peter O'Toole (Anton Ego), Brian Dennehy (Django), Peter Sohn (Emile), and Brad Garrett (Auguste Gusteau) Directed by Brad Bird (#083 - The Iron Giant, #128 - Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and #153 - The Incredibles)
Review
This film is flawless in its presentation, with good voice acting and good developed characters in this lush and beautiful film. As a movie reviewer, I have to mention Anton Ego and it's voice by the legend Peter O'Toole. In many ways, the work of a critic is indeed easy and the film is enjoyable to say the least. This film has a good appetite of everything as Pixar continues its traditions of good characters, good story and good films (which may or may not have ended with Cars 2). Nonetheless, Brad Bird has made another good flick.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: The Mask.
Review #157: The Mask.
Cast
Jim Carrey (Stanley Ipkiss/The Mask), Cameron Diaz (Tina Carlyle), Peter Greene (Dorian Tyrell), Peter Riegert (Lt. Mitch Kellaway), Jim Doughan (Detective Doyle), Richard Jeni (Charlie), Amy Yasbeck (Peggy Brandt), Jeremy Roberts (Bobby), and Ben Stein (Dr. Arthur Neuman) Directed by Chuck Russell.
Review
It's funny how I watch three films in one day (From 6:30-12:00). The Mask is an cartoonish wham-bam film that delivers on all fours. Jim Carrey, like in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (#148) (With the Mask being the 2nd of three films with Carrey in 1994) does an excellent job making both characters joyful and excellent. Diaz does a sizzling job of allrightness. The rest of the cast do a reasonably decent job. The action is cartoonish in tone and that's all it needs in this excellent film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Jim Carrey (Stanley Ipkiss/The Mask), Cameron Diaz (Tina Carlyle), Peter Greene (Dorian Tyrell), Peter Riegert (Lt. Mitch Kellaway), Jim Doughan (Detective Doyle), Richard Jeni (Charlie), Amy Yasbeck (Peggy Brandt), Jeremy Roberts (Bobby), and Ben Stein (Dr. Arthur Neuman) Directed by Chuck Russell.
Review
It's funny how I watch three films in one day (From 6:30-12:00). The Mask is an cartoonish wham-bam film that delivers on all fours. Jim Carrey, like in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (#148) (With the Mask being the 2nd of three films with Carrey in 1994) does an excellent job making both characters joyful and excellent. Diaz does a sizzling job of allrightness. The rest of the cast do a reasonably decent job. The action is cartoonish in tone and that's all it needs in this excellent film.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Aladdin.
Review #156: Aladdin.
Cast
Scott Weinger (Aladdin), Robin Williams (The Genie), Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Linda Larkin (Princess Jasmine), Frank Welker (Abu), Gilbert Gottfried (Iago), and Douglas Seale (The Sultan) Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.
Review
Aladdin is a film I thought would be an annoying gesture of weird that has Robin Williams, but it instead is actually a magical wonderful flick from the good old days of *shudders* Disney (Wow, 1992 is old? 20 years go fast) The voice acting is good, especially from Robin Williams who is less annoying then usual with characters that might not be as good as usual. The music is alright (Even if I don't care for what is called an "animated musical") The film has some decent jokes, as this film is reasonably entertaining from Disney...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Scott Weinger (Aladdin), Robin Williams (The Genie), Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Linda Larkin (Princess Jasmine), Frank Welker (Abu), Gilbert Gottfried (Iago), and Douglas Seale (The Sultan) Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.
Review
Aladdin is a film I thought would be an annoying gesture of weird that has Robin Williams, but it instead is actually a magical wonderful flick from the good old days of *shudders* Disney (Wow, 1992 is old? 20 years go fast) The voice acting is good, especially from Robin Williams who is less annoying then usual with characters that might not be as good as usual. The music is alright (Even if I don't care for what is called an "animated musical") The film has some decent jokes, as this film is reasonably entertaining from Disney...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
June 9, 2012
Movie Night: Finding Nemo.
Review #155: Finding Nemo.
Cast
Alexander Gould (Nemo), Albert Brooks (Marlin), Ellen DeGeneres (Dory), Willem Dafoe (Gill), Brad Garrett (Bloat), Allison Janney (Peach), Austin Pendleton (Gurgle), Stephen Root (Bubbles), Vicki Lewis (Deb), Joe Ranft (Jacques), Geoffrey Rush (Nigel), John Ratzenberger (Moonfish) Directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich.
Review
Pixar makes good films that I have reviewed here such as Monsters' Inc (#074) and The Incredibles (#153), and this is no different. The story is heartwarming with a touch of great animation from Pixar (Once again I omit the "Disney" from the credit) The voice acting is excellent, especially from Gould, Brooks, Degeneres and Defoe, but the film's real main focus is on Marlin and his attempts to rescue his son, with emotional scenes that are really gripping in terms of usefulness. The movie doesn't need cutesiness to help, it has drama, beautiful, lush scenes and most of all a heart.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Alexander Gould (Nemo), Albert Brooks (Marlin), Ellen DeGeneres (Dory), Willem Dafoe (Gill), Brad Garrett (Bloat), Allison Janney (Peach), Austin Pendleton (Gurgle), Stephen Root (Bubbles), Vicki Lewis (Deb), Joe Ranft (Jacques), Geoffrey Rush (Nigel), John Ratzenberger (Moonfish) Directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich.
Review
Pixar makes good films that I have reviewed here such as Monsters' Inc (#074) and The Incredibles (#153), and this is no different. The story is heartwarming with a touch of great animation from Pixar (Once again I omit the "Disney" from the credit) The voice acting is excellent, especially from Gould, Brooks, Degeneres and Defoe, but the film's real main focus is on Marlin and his attempts to rescue his son, with emotional scenes that are really gripping in terms of usefulness. The movie doesn't need cutesiness to help, it has drama, beautiful, lush scenes and most of all a heart.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
June 6, 2012
Movie Night: Madagascar 2.
Review #154: Madagascar 2.
Cast
Ben Stiller (Alex the Lion), Chris Rock (Marty the Zebra), David Schwimmer (Melman the Giraffe), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria the Hippopotamus), Sacha Baron Cohen (King Julien the Lemur), Cedric the Entertainer (Maurice the Aye-Aye), Andy Richter (Mort the Lemur), Bernie Mac (Zuba the Lion), and Alec Baldwin (Makunga the Lion) Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath.
Review
I should mention the original title is "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" I was tempted to type it to confuse people or make them wonder who would have this kind of grammar. Anyway, this film is essentially a mash of the first and The Lion King, but despite that, this film still works. The voices are alright, as this film has charm to make you entertained for its relatively standard 89 minutes. Dreamworks Animation and Pixar are both decent studios. Pixar better than others. This is decent at best, not the worst or the best of DreamWorks I've seen.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Ben Stiller (Alex the Lion), Chris Rock (Marty the Zebra), David Schwimmer (Melman the Giraffe), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria the Hippopotamus), Sacha Baron Cohen (King Julien the Lemur), Cedric the Entertainer (Maurice the Aye-Aye), Andy Richter (Mort the Lemur), Bernie Mac (Zuba the Lion), and Alec Baldwin (Makunga the Lion) Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath.
Review
I should mention the original title is "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" I was tempted to type it to confuse people or make them wonder who would have this kind of grammar. Anyway, this film is essentially a mash of the first and The Lion King, but despite that, this film still works. The voices are alright, as this film has charm to make you entertained for its relatively standard 89 minutes. Dreamworks Animation and Pixar are both decent studios. Pixar better than others. This is decent at best, not the worst or the best of DreamWorks I've seen.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
June 3, 2012
Movie Night: The Incredibles.
Review #153: The Incredibles.
Cast
Craig T. Nelson (Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Helen Parr/Elastigirl), Sarah Vowell (Violet Parr), Spencer Fox (Dashell Parr), Samuel L. Jackson (Lucius Best / Frozone), Jason Lee (Buddy Pine / Syndrome), Brad Bird (Edna Mode), Elizabeth Peña (Mirage), Bud Luckey (Rick Dicker), Wallace Shawn (Gilbert Huph), and John Ratzenberger (The Underminer) Directed by Brad Bird (#083 - The Iron Giant, #128 - Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, and #158 - Ratatouille)
Review
A long time ago, I had mentioned this film in another review (#011 - Fantastic Four), basically comparing the two because it seemed to have taken the dynamics of this film and used in their own, mediocre way. The Incredibles works better then Fantastic Four because everything feels real, it feels perfectly natural as opposed to the other's mediocre way of doing dynamics. This film is wonderful in so many ways, from the nice animation to the cool soundtrack. The writing is good, as I've stated before. The cast is perfect, especially Craig T. Nelson, who just makes this movie his own. This is another hit by Pixar (I refuse to call it Disney•Pixar), as this film has more then fun, it also has charm.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Craig T. Nelson (Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Helen Parr/Elastigirl), Sarah Vowell (Violet Parr), Spencer Fox (Dashell Parr), Samuel L. Jackson (Lucius Best / Frozone), Jason Lee (Buddy Pine / Syndrome), Brad Bird (Edna Mode), Elizabeth Peña (Mirage), Bud Luckey (Rick Dicker), Wallace Shawn (Gilbert Huph), and John Ratzenberger (The Underminer) Directed by Brad Bird (#083 - The Iron Giant, #128 - Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, and #158 - Ratatouille)
Review
A long time ago, I had mentioned this film in another review (#011 - Fantastic Four), basically comparing the two because it seemed to have taken the dynamics of this film and used in their own, mediocre way. The Incredibles works better then Fantastic Four because everything feels real, it feels perfectly natural as opposed to the other's mediocre way of doing dynamics. This film is wonderful in so many ways, from the nice animation to the cool soundtrack. The writing is good, as I've stated before. The cast is perfect, especially Craig T. Nelson, who just makes this movie his own. This is another hit by Pixar (I refuse to call it Disney•Pixar), as this film has more then fun, it also has charm.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Chronicle.
Review #152: Chronicle.
Cast
Dane DeHaan (Andrew Detmer), Michael B. Jordan (Steve Montgomery), Alex Russell (Matt Garetty), Michael Kelly (Richard Detmer), Ashley Hinshaw (Casey Letter), Anna Wood (Monica), and Bo Petersen (Karen Detmer) Directed by Josh Trank.
Review
Found footage films are nothing new, with success (Paranormal Activity) and some...failures (The Devil Inside, Apollo 18) This is a success, no doubt. These films can be useful done right, but if done wrong can ultimately fail. Most of these are horror films, but this time it's a science-fiction/superhero movie that starts small with some laughs but turns darker, entertaining and thrilling you. The acting is alright, as these young unknowns do a good job. The action is good, and the story is decent. This sounds like the beginning of a good mythology, and as a matter of fact, I have heard of a sequel idea to this movie, which is a good idea for a good movie.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Dane DeHaan (Andrew Detmer), Michael B. Jordan (Steve Montgomery), Alex Russell (Matt Garetty), Michael Kelly (Richard Detmer), Ashley Hinshaw (Casey Letter), Anna Wood (Monica), and Bo Petersen (Karen Detmer) Directed by Josh Trank.
Review
Found footage films are nothing new, with success (Paranormal Activity) and some...failures (The Devil Inside, Apollo 18) This is a success, no doubt. These films can be useful done right, but if done wrong can ultimately fail. Most of these are horror films, but this time it's a science-fiction/superhero movie that starts small with some laughs but turns darker, entertaining and thrilling you. The acting is alright, as these young unknowns do a good job. The action is good, and the story is decent. This sounds like the beginning of a good mythology, and as a matter of fact, I have heard of a sequel idea to this movie, which is a good idea for a good movie.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
June 2, 2012
Movie Night: Mean Girls.
Review #151: Mean Girls.
Cast
Lindsay Lohan (Cady Heron), Rachel McAdams (Regina George), Lizzy Caplan (Janis Ian), Lacey Chabert (Gretchen Wieners), Amanda Seyfried (Karen Smith), Tina Fey (Sharon Norbury), Tim Meadows (Mr. Duvall), Jonathan Bennett (Aaron Samuels), Daniel Franzese (Damien), and Amy Poehler (Mrs. George) Directed by Mark Waters.
Review
We all once went to High School at one time. We all did weird things (mainly stupid things), and we all watched weird things happen. This is a movie that has managed to stay onto our minds even after 10 years. The acting is alright, with Lohan doing a good job being our main character and our narrator. Rachel McAdams does a standout job here as well, as this film isn't as generic as the premise may seem. This film is enjoyable for all, even for someone like me. It can be fun, it can be serious, it can be very catty, but most of all, it can be a good film.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Lindsay Lohan (Cady Heron), Rachel McAdams (Regina George), Lizzy Caplan (Janis Ian), Lacey Chabert (Gretchen Wieners), Amanda Seyfried (Karen Smith), Tina Fey (Sharon Norbury), Tim Meadows (Mr. Duvall), Jonathan Bennett (Aaron Samuels), Daniel Franzese (Damien), and Amy Poehler (Mrs. George) Directed by Mark Waters.
Review
We all once went to High School at one time. We all did weird things (mainly stupid things), and we all watched weird things happen. This is a movie that has managed to stay onto our minds even after 10 years. The acting is alright, with Lohan doing a good job being our main character and our narrator. Rachel McAdams does a standout job here as well, as this film isn't as generic as the premise may seem. This film is enjoyable for all, even for someone like me. It can be fun, it can be serious, it can be very catty, but most of all, it can be a good film.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
May 31, 2012
Movie Night: Dr. No.
Review #150: Dr. No.
Cast
Sean Connery (James Bond), Ursula Andress (Honey Ryder), Joseph Wiseman (Dr. No), Jack Lord (Felix Leiter), Bernard Lee (M), Anthony Dawson (Professor R.J. Dent), John Kitzmiller (Quarrel), Zena Marshall (Miss Taro), Eunice Gayson (Sylvia Trench), Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny), and Peter Burton (Major Boothroyd) Directed by Terence Young.
Review
On October 5, 1962, a spy film was released by United Artists. This was the first James Bond film released, the 1st of 23 as of May 2012, though Skyfall will be released in October. Sean Connery is great in this flick (In fact, his great charm starts when you first see him, particularly when he says his name.), with his suave personality and smooth delivery (That would be followed by 5 other actors - George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig) that make the movie a delight. The effects may be a bit laughable, but I ignore that considering this was made with only $1 million. The film is a bit slow at times, particularly when getting to No's island. The villain is...not exactly a great villain. He is simply a man with metal claws, not even showing up until the last 25 minutes (After being mentioned all throughout), but for the first villain in the film series, he is at least somewhat evil. The other actors are decent. Andress is certainly memorable, even though her voice was dubbed. This was the only time Lord played Felix Leiter (a role that has changed more times than Bond has), and he seems to have a good rapport with Bond. Lee and Maxwell would stay onto the series longer than even Connery and become mainstays right up until the 1980's. This film has excitement in its good parts that help keep you interested. The films after this do a bit better, as Connery would do 5 more films after this. And so this ends the 150th Review. Halfway over 100 and halfway under 200, this is still a worthy achievement.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
May 30, 2012
Movie Night: Super 8.
Review #149: Super 8.
Cast
Joel Courtney (Joseph Francis "Joe" Lamb), Elle Fanning (Alice "Allie" Dainard), Kyle Chandler (Deputy Jackson "Jack" Lamb), Riley Griffiths (Charles Kaznyk), Ryan Lee (Cary McCarthy), Ron Eldard (Louis Dainard), Caitriona Balfe (Elizabeth Lamb), Noah Emmerich (Colonel Nelec), and Bruce Greenwood (Cooper) Directed by J. J. Abrams (#009 - Star Trek)
Review
This film has one charm from American Graffiti (#141) which is that it reminds you back to the 1970's (1979 to be exact) I believe that Abrams wanted to honor Spielberg with this film, with the childlike charm with an alien and fun but with a mix of scares. The child actors are good at their roles, especially from Courtney and Fanning. The alien looks good, not really having much of a flaw as the plot is well made enough to keep you interested. It's a fun film that has wonder that can be enjoyed by everyone. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
May 26, 2012
Movie Night: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Review #148: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Cast
Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura), Courteney Cox (Melissa Robinson), Sean Young (Lt. Lois Einhorn / Ray Finkle), Tone Lōc (Emilio), John Capodice (Sgt. Aguado), Dan Marino, Noble Willingham (Riddle), and Troy Evans (Roger Podacter) Directed by Tom Shadyac.
Review
Jim Carrey has made some good films (The Mask, Bruce Almighty) and some bad (Yes Man, When Nature Calls) Wait, this line feels familiar...Anyway, this film is actually good (See, this line isn't that familiar to...Norbit after all) There are some good gags and lines all throughout the film. The plot may seem a bit off the wall, but it's decent enough to not be a major effect on the film. Carrey is a bit like Murphy. Both can do comedy and drama (Dreamgirls for Murphy and The Truman Show for Carrey) It's funny how both of these films are connected due to the fact that I haven't reviewed a flick with either one of these actors until now. One I regret and one I will at least remember. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura), Courteney Cox (Melissa Robinson), Sean Young (Lt. Lois Einhorn / Ray Finkle), Tone Lōc (Emilio), John Capodice (Sgt. Aguado), Dan Marino, Noble Willingham (Riddle), and Troy Evans (Roger Podacter) Directed by Tom Shadyac.
Review
Jim Carrey has made some good films (The Mask, Bruce Almighty) and some bad (Yes Man, When Nature Calls) Wait, this line feels familiar...Anyway, this film is actually good (See, this line isn't that familiar to...Norbit after all) There are some good gags and lines all throughout the film. The plot may seem a bit off the wall, but it's decent enough to not be a major effect on the film. Carrey is a bit like Murphy. Both can do comedy and drama (Dreamgirls for Murphy and The Truman Show for Carrey) It's funny how both of these films are connected due to the fact that I haven't reviewed a flick with either one of these actors until now. One I regret and one I will at least remember. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
May 25, 2012
Movie Night: Norbit.
Review #147: Norbit.
Cast
Eddie Murphy (Norbit Rice/Rasputia Latimore/Mr. Hangten Wong), Thandie Newton (Kate Thomas), Terry Crews a(Big Black Jack), Clifton Powell (Earl), Lester 'Rasta' Speight (Blue), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Deion Hughes), Eddie Griffin (Pope Sweet Jesus), and Katt Williams (Lord Have Mercy) Directed by Brian Robbins.
Review
Eddie Murphy has tried to be funny for a long time. Some (Trading Places, Coming to America, Shrek, Beverly Hills Cop) more then others (Meet Dave, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, Imagine That). This...Well, let's start small. The makeup is decent (Actually getting an Oscar nomination for it) The acting...*sigh* isn't really there. Murphy tries to do something in this flick, but it doesn't help. The main flaw with this is that it is not very inspired. It makes the same kind of joke that keeps running into the film, making you feel fun at first, but by the end, it just makes you feel chuckle very lightly. You don't feel anything for this film, you'll remember a joke or two, but only because this film causes "Movie Remember Syndrome" That is when you remember a film only because of how weird/bad/odd it is (There is an opposite to it. They call it "Good Flicks") I guess the reason some people like it is because of all the bizarre rapid fire jokes...Murphy needs to go back to the drawing board, find an actual writer, find an actual premise (for example of drama: Dreamgirls), and find a better movie. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...
Overall, I give it 4 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Eddie Murphy (Norbit Rice/Rasputia Latimore/Mr. Hangten Wong), Thandie Newton (Kate Thomas), Terry Crews a(Big Black Jack), Clifton Powell (Earl), Lester 'Rasta' Speight (Blue), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Deion Hughes), Eddie Griffin (Pope Sweet Jesus), and Katt Williams (Lord Have Mercy) Directed by Brian Robbins.
Review
Eddie Murphy has tried to be funny for a long time. Some (Trading Places, Coming to America, Shrek, Beverly Hills Cop) more then others (Meet Dave, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, Imagine That). This...Well, let's start small. The makeup is decent (Actually getting an Oscar nomination for it) The acting...*sigh* isn't really there. Murphy tries to do something in this flick, but it doesn't help. The main flaw with this is that it is not very inspired. It makes the same kind of joke that keeps running into the film, making you feel fun at first, but by the end, it just makes you feel chuckle very lightly. You don't feel anything for this film, you'll remember a joke or two, but only because this film causes "Movie Remember Syndrome" That is when you remember a film only because of how weird/bad/odd it is (There is an opposite to it. They call it "Good Flicks") I guess the reason some people like it is because of all the bizarre rapid fire jokes...Murphy needs to go back to the drawing board, find an actual writer, find an actual premise (for example of drama: Dreamgirls), and find a better movie. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...
Overall, I give it 4 out of 10 stars.
May 24, 2012
Movie Night: Goal! The Dream Begins.
Review #146: Goal! The Dream Begins.
Cast
Kuno Becker (Santiago Muñez), Alessandro Nivola (Gavin Harris), Stephen Dillane (Glen Foy), Marcel Iures (Erik Dornhelm), Anna Friel (Roz Harmison), Tony Plana (Santiago's father), Kieran O'Brien (Hughie McGowan), and Sean Pertwee (Barry Rankin) Directed by Danny Cannon.
Review
This is an unusual choice of a film to watch, but I ended up watching it, so there ya go. Anyway, the film doesn't really have much to differ from any sports film (this actually being the first one here reviewed). The acting is standard, not doing much, even for a Touchstone film. The soccer playing is allright, but this film isn't really motivating or useful. It's decent, but it isn't much after that. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4...
Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Kuno Becker (Santiago Muñez), Alessandro Nivola (Gavin Harris), Stephen Dillane (Glen Foy), Marcel Iures (Erik Dornhelm), Anna Friel (Roz Harmison), Tony Plana (Santiago's father), Kieran O'Brien (Hughie McGowan), and Sean Pertwee (Barry Rankin) Directed by Danny Cannon.
Review
This is an unusual choice of a film to watch, but I ended up watching it, so there ya go. Anyway, the film doesn't really have much to differ from any sports film (this actually being the first one here reviewed). The acting is standard, not doing much, even for a Touchstone film. The soccer playing is allright, but this film isn't really motivating or useful. It's decent, but it isn't much after that. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4...
Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.
May 22, 2012
Movie Night: Freedom Writers.
Review #145: Freedom Writers.
Cast
Hilary Swank (Erin Gruwell), Patrick Dempsey (Scott Casey), Scott Glenn (Steve Gruwell), Imelda Staunton (Margaret Campbell), John Benjamin Hickey (Brian Gelford), April Lee Hernández (Eva Benitez), Mario (Andre Bryant), Jason Finn (Marcus), and Vanetta Smith (Brandy Ross) Directed by Richard LaGravenese.
Review
At first, you wonder if this film is like other films of its kind, such as Dangerous Minds, Lean on Me and Stand and Deliver. But once you watch the film, you realize it is not. It's decently acted with the all of the relative unknowns you see, with Swank doing a good job (And if I wanted to take a shot at Dempsey, I would gladly decline due to it being too bored to do) The story is well-paced, with this film making sure it is keeping you interested with all the things that happened here and in real life. It's a good flick for something a little different. Countdown to 150 is now half over...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Hilary Swank (Erin Gruwell), Patrick Dempsey (Scott Casey), Scott Glenn (Steve Gruwell), Imelda Staunton (Margaret Campbell), John Benjamin Hickey (Brian Gelford), April Lee Hernández (Eva Benitez), Mario (Andre Bryant), Jason Finn (Marcus), and Vanetta Smith (Brandy Ross) Directed by Richard LaGravenese.
Review
At first, you wonder if this film is like other films of its kind, such as Dangerous Minds, Lean on Me and Stand and Deliver. But once you watch the film, you realize it is not. It's decently acted with the all of the relative unknowns you see, with Swank doing a good job (And if I wanted to take a shot at Dempsey, I would gladly decline due to it being too bored to do) The story is well-paced, with this film making sure it is keeping you interested with all the things that happened here and in real life. It's a good flick for something a little different. Countdown to 150 is now half over...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
May 20, 2012
Movie Night: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
Review #144: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
Cast
Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader), Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine / Darth Sidious), Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Christopher Lee (Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Frank Oz (Yoda), Jimmy Smits (Bail Organa), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Matthew Wood (General Grievous) and Silas Carson (Nute Gunray and Ki-Adi-Mundi) Directed by George Lucas (#113 - Star Wars, #141 - American Graffiti, #142 - Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and #143 - Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)
Review:
Greetings. I have fixed this review in terms of grammar and slight fixes to phrases in honor of the recent release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is set after this film. Enjoy this review if you can, written in Season 2 - not exactly my favorite season of Movie Night.
This is the last film of the franchise (1977, 1980, 1983, 1999, 2002, 2005) to be released by 20th Century Fox, but is it better than the two films released before it? The answer is yes. It is definitely better then The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, yet it is not as great as A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and (despite what some say) Return of the Jedi.
The acting (like the last two prequels before it) is good from some of the cast, such as Ewan McGregor, probably the best actor in this trilogy. Ian McDiarmid is consistently brilliant even with silly makeup (and some moments of full blown joke material). Natalie Portman prevails fairly enough, even if she does have to say some pretty lame lines at times that seem to border on romance novel junk. Hayden Christensen, while better than how he was in the last film is fairly servicable in the fight scenes and some of the scenes with Kenobi, still has moments to make fun of (such as nearly any scene with Portman), though it works better than the other two films. The writing is somewhat better (in the grand scheme of things), though Lucas still can't write a good love scene, nor close a movie properly without making it feel endless. Did I really need a scene of Yoda explaining that Qui-Gon Jinn found a way to retain consciousness after death? Some scenes work such as the beginning space fight, the dialogue between Anakin and Palpatine, and especially the last lightsaber fight. The scene with the younglings is certainly dark, but it still feels ridiculous, especially when Obi-Wan mentions it later (while covering his mouth with his hand). With all the action, the movie still feels short when it comes to really caring about these characters along with trying not to make fun of it. The film ends a Prequel Trilogy that will be remembered for how it could've been such more rather then what it was while the Original Trilogy will be remembered for its good, if not great quality. This is an okay movie that could've been better, but at least it is better the other two prequels, and I guess that means something. This Star Wars saga is now complete. For now.
Countdown to #150: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
Review #143: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
Cast
Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), Ian McDiarmid (Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious), Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Christopher Lee (Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Frank Oz (Yoda), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker), Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble), Andy Secombe (Watto), Silas Carson (Nute Gunray and Ki-Adi-Mundi), Alethea McGrath (Jocasta Nu), Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett), and Jimmy Smits (Bail Organa) Directed by George Lucas (#113 - Star Wars, #141 - American Graffiti, and #142 - Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace)
Review
As of May 2019, this review has been superceded by a Redux Review that goes into better detail - as seen here: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2019/05/redux-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones.html
Three years after Jar-Jar ruined the world, this film tries to heal some wounds as it promised origins to help this trilogy. But does it? Kind of. It is better then The Phantom Menace, but not by much. The acting is decent from some (McGregor, Lee, Oz), but the main point of focus is what is not from Christensen and Portman. Now, Portman is not entirely bad, but as one part of the love crud in the film along with Christensen, she takes the blame. Christensen, oh Christensen. He is dull as you feel you are watching a robot as he tries to speak the dialogue. The writing is mediocre, not as magical as the Original Trilogy, with many love cliched lines that make you wonder if Lucas completely forgot how love was dealt with in The Empire Strikes Back (#114). My only question is why Lucas wants to connect the two trilogies so much. Look, you inserted 6 characters of the Original Trilogy already (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin, Papaltine C-3PO and R2-D2 plus Chewbacca in Episode III), and these two trilogies aren't really similar in style, so don't try to connect them. Either way, this film is barely better then Menace, but it has a different problem that overlays into the one from the previous one: Sappy romance and Anakin's performance.
Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8, 7...
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
May 19, 2012
Movie Night: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Review #142: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Cast
Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon Jinn), Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Natalie Portman (Queen Padmé Amidala), Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker), Ian McDiarmid (Senator Palpatine / Darth Sidious), Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker), Frank Oz (Yoda), Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble), Hugh Quarshie (Captain Panaka), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Terence Stamp (Supreme Chancellor Valorum), Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Ray Park (Darth Maul), Keira Knightley (Sabé), Silas Carson (Nute Gunray, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Lott Dod), Brian Blessed (Boss Nass), Andy Secombe (Watto), and Lewis MacLeod (Sebulba) Directed by George Lucas (#113 - Star Wars and #141 - American Graffiti)
Review
As of May 2019, this review has been superceded by a Redux Review that goes into better detail - as seen here: https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2019/05/redux-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.html
Lucas tries to connect this to the Original Trilogy, but it just falls short. Midichlorians is just a silly concept (short explanation: tiny organisms in people and if you have enough of them, you're a Jedi/Sith). You know what is the best way to describe the Force and the Jedi itself actually is? This: "The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together." That quote from Episode IV is all you need to know about the Jedi because it just sounds that good. But was this as bad as everyone says? Maybe, maybe not. Overhyped is a word to describe this movie, and when something is overhyped, you get disappointed no matter how the movie is. Most of the time. We've only just begun on our journey reviewing these films. Countdown to 150: 10, 9, 8...
Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.
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