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Reviews
Follow That Dream (1962)
One of the best Elvis movies, very underrated
This is one of my favorite Elvis movies. Beautiful locations, good supporting cast, quirky humor (and lots of it), and of course...Elvis.
The plot, about a family squatting on government land, is pretty insubstantial, but there's lots of action, a funny running gag about plumbing, and of course...Elvis.
There are some humorous situations along the way, including a "bank robbery" with Howard (Floyd the Barber) McNear. Arthur O'Connell gives hilarious support as he patriotically takes money from the government.
The movie concludes with a very funny courtroom scene that wraps things up nicely.
Okay, this isn't "Citizen Kane", but pop some corn, sit back, and be entertained by the one and only...Elvis.
Future '38 (2017)
The most unique, original, clever, funny movie I've seen in years
To begin, this movie is not for everyone.
It creates and inhabits its own world. You'll either go along for the ride...or not.
For one thing, it's hard to categorize. Sci-fi? Well... sort of. Comedy? Hopefully. Romance? I think so. Satire? I sure hope so.
But if you do hop aboard, you'll be rewarded with more cleverness and originality than any ten other movies I've seen recently...combined.
I won't describe the plot. It's too weird, and doesn't matter that much anyway.
Just sit back, watch, enjoy, try to get all the hilarious details, and watch it again to see how much you missed the first time.
Coffee Shop (2014)
Like a Hallmark movie, without the Hallmark
I started watching this movie because I recognized Fairhope, Alabama in the opening scenes. That's a lovely town, on Mobile Bay.
So I stayed for the flick, despite the unimaginative title. Pretty much a by-the-numbers TV romance; plucky heroine, struggling business, guy from the past, etc.
This time, a coffee shop owner, her sister, her employees, customers, and local residents all come together to defend against a takeover.
You've seen it all before. But nice location work, appealing cast, and the mandatory happy ending make for a diverting couple of hours.
Made me want to visit Alabama again!
The Maltese Holiday (2021)
The Maltese Coma
I get the feeling that some people had the idea: "Let's make a movie about Malta" ... and that's as far as they got.
There is no real story here. Girl meets boy. Sparks don't fly. Contrivance follows. They get together.
There are some nice beauty shots of Malta. But the movie clearly wasn't filmed anywhere close. Most shots look like somebody's neighborhood in upstate New York.
Production values are very limited. A new low in cheap is reached by having a character talk to her phone, instead of showing any action.
Can't comment on the acting. The script is so anemic that most instruction manuals are more exciting. Not much to work with there!
Your average Hallmark movie looks like Gone With the Wind compared to this snoozer. Get a travel video about Malta instead.
The Informers (2008)
Dreadful, boring nihilism.
When the best thing in a movie is a 5- second clip of Gary Numan's "Cars" video, it's in real trouble.
There's nobody in this movie to like or even care about a little. I kept hoping a giant earthquake would wipe all these losers off the map.
Watch something else. You'll thank me for it.
Day Zero (2007)
Lord of the Bo-rings
I guess there's a serious intention here someplace, but man o man is this dull.
Three guys, pathologically uninteresting, get drafted to fight in the Middle East, and have 30 days to report.
They spend their time demonstrating exactly why they'd make great cannon fodder.
Watch something else.
Les Misérables (2012)
Dreary, unengaging, in your face, and endless
Decent cast, but the style is intrusive, with shaky-cam galore.
What I found especially irritating is the constant sung dialogue. There are so many forced rhymes that you can play a drinking game guessing what the next word will be.
Emotionally, that left me completely distanced from the movie. And it just goes on and on and on.
Read the book. Probably be quicker.
Becoming Jane (2007)
Mostly great cast in a snoozer of a movie
Like Austen's novels, one waits and waits for something interesting to happen, but it never does.
I would have thought that a fictional bio-pic of Jane Austen would at least try to spice things up a bit. Alas.
Two hours of watching paint dry would be more fun. Even Ian Richardson is a drag.
Christmas with a Capital C (2011)
The Grinch Goes to Alaska
Fairly cute Christmas movie, with the rarity of actually involving Christmas as a religious holiday.
Leading cast is good, production values decent, scenery beautiful.
Story-wise, it's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, updated and moved to the 49th state. There's even a Cindy Lou Who.
Overall, not bad. Worth a look.
The Art of Getting By (2011)
Rebel Without a Clue
I have a saying that "If you can't be good, be quick."
This movie is quick.
But still boring, self-indulgent, and banal.
Characters we don't care about, situations that are out of Screenwriting 101, and way too much shakycam add up to a movie that you're better off skipping.
For a more realistic portrayal of teen angst, watch a few episodes of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."
The Kissing Bandit (1948)
Fun bit of fluff
Quick review...
This movie is like a prototype of an Elvis movie:
Silly plot, a few songs, slapstick comedy, pretty girls, etc. etc.
One distinction: The Fiesta Dance number, which makes up for a multitude of other weaknesses.
Hard to go wrong with this. It's entertainment!