"The Pink Panther" (1963), a lot of you may know this already. But, if you don't, "The Pink Panther" movie series is one of my top ten favorite film franchises of all-time. So, I thought it was only fair to review the very first one of these movies. Now, it may not be the first one of these films I've seen when I first got into them. But that being said, it's the epitome of a true comedy classic! When I first watched "The Pink Panther" on DVD, I was looking forward to seeing it again, even during my first viewing! Yep, that's how good and funny this movie is. "The Pink Panther" has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and of course a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, a bumbling detective named Jacques Clouseau is assigned to protect the Pink Panther diamond before it's stolen by a thief known only as, The Phantom. Right off the bat, the synopsis reveals that it's clearly a simple storyline which is warranted for a comedy, as it allows extra room for jokes and humor. But, saying that this film is funny is an understatement. When I first watched this movie, there were parts where I was laughing so hard, that I actually had to pause it for a minute to catch my breath! It's not very often I come across a film that funny. If a movie makes you laugh like that, then you know it's a winner! Although, to be honest, the more I see this film, the funnier it gets. It truly is timeless! Plus, the plot is engaging and it keeps you hooked all the way from beginning to end. Even though it's 113 minutes in length, it goes by in a snap. Usually, a comedy movie should never exceed 120 minutes at the risk of becoming forced and tired. But, "The Pink Panther" utilizes every second flawlessly and not one minute is wasted at all. I won't go into any extra details about the story at the risk of spoiling anything. However, I can guarantee you that it's every bit as funny as it is entertaining. As for the acting, it's nothing short of sublime from the whole cast. Of course the shining star is Peter Sellers, he is one of my top ten all-time favorite comedy actors and his performance here is no different. The rest of the cast is just as strong, and they all have such impeccable chemistry on the screen! All of the sets/locations are perfect and really give this film a great atmosphere. You can't go wrong with filming your movie in Europe! As for the special effects, they are all very well-done and still hold up to this day. Some look a little cheesy, but they just add to the charm. Like I always say, practical effects beat CGI any day! Finally, the soundtrack composed by Henry Mancini is nothing short of exceptional. Henry Mancini is one of my top ten all-time favorite film score composers, and his work here further exploits his talent. Plus, "The Pink Panther" theme is one of my top ten all-time favorite movie theme songs. The whole soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal. Props to you, Henry Mancini! "The Pink Panther" is nothing short of a fantastic comedy that keeps you invested and laughing all the way through from beginning to end. I could watch it over and over on repeat and not get bored of it! Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "The Pink Panther" yet, and you enjoy comedy films, what are you waiting for? Go and check it out today. If not, then beware of The Phantom!
Reviews
329 Reviews
Last Action Hero
(1993)
A solid action film? Or, a mangled mess?
29 November 2022
"Last Action Hero" (2013), I remember when I first watched this movie. Whenever I see an Arnold Schwarzenegger film for the first time, I'm always excited and have high expectations. Sadly, when I saw this movie, I just sat there scratching my head the whole time, thinking: "what am I watching? Did I put in the correct DVD?" Really, this film has way more complexities than it does exciting action! "Last Action Hero" has a boring and confusing story, and the acting is an overall joke. The plot is, a movie fan gets a magic ticket that transports him into the fictional world of his favorite character. Now, that sounds like a pretty interesting premise! Right? The only problem is, that it somehow got roped into an Arnold Schwarzenegger film. A concept like that works better on it's own, not in a big action movie. On it's own, maybe it could work as a standalone film. However, trying to mix it with otherworldly action and fighting just turns it into a mangled mess. To tell you the truth, it felt more like a satire than an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Granted, I like satire films, they can be a lot of fun to watch. That being said, throwing Arnold Schwarzenegger into the spectrum just makes it laughably bad. Another big issue is the writing. One thing I say, is that if you notice the editing, then you know there's an issue. Well, in this case, I notice the writing. One of the writers of this movie, is Shane Black. Who later went on to direct the letdown known as "Iron Man 3" (2013). You can see early elements of that pile of filth in this film. If this and "Iron Man 3" is the best he can do, then that really tells me a lot about his talent. Any way, "Last Action Hero" is just another run-of-the-mill action movie, and nothing else. Do I even need to mention that it's rated PG-13? Yep, that also amounts to disappointing action and fight scenes, because there's only so much you can do in that case. 9 out of 10 Arnold Schwarzenegger films are rated R, as they all should be. But even if this movie was R rated, it would still be a huge letdown. Bottom line, half the concept belongs and the other half does not. As for the acting, it's just a joke. The only one who seemed to be trying with what he had to work with here, was Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. The rest of the cast is standard to just plain abysmal! One thing that was kind of cool, was the cameo appearances from other actors and actresses. To tell you the truth, that was probably the most salvageable part of the film. Wow, that's pretty bad when the cameos do better than the main cast of characters! Now, let's get to the positive elements in this trash heap. The sets/locations are interesting and give the film a unique atmosphere. All of the special effects are very well-done and still hold up to this day. Finally, the soundtrack composed by Michael Kamen is cool and sets an interesting tone. To be honest, his film score is probably the most memorable part of the movie! Seriously, the music is trying harder than the plot! The best song in the soundtrack, is "Big Gun" by AC/DC. We may not have had a great film, but at least we got that song though! "Last Action Hero" is nothing short of an embarrassment to the action movie genre. Poor Arnold Schwarzenegger, he's certainly been involved in his fair share of bad films hasn't he? The most positive thing I can say about this movie, is that he has made much worse than this one. I give this film a 3 out of 5 star rating, which equates to 6 out of 10 stars. A 3 out of 5 star rating is dividing mark where I differentiate a movie being good or bad. "Last Action Hero" is a very marginal 3 out of 5/6 out of 10 and I consider it, by my standards, to be a bad movie. Do I really have to tell you to stay away from this film? No, I think that's pretty obvious. But, should you choose an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, just make sure that it's R rated!
A classic animated film? Check out my review below!
24 November 2022
"An American Tail: Fievel Goes West" (1991), this movie has an interesting backstory, for me. One day, during inside recess in first grade, we watched this film. Now, of course, we didn't watch the whole entire thing at once. We finished the movie the next day. I remember really enjoying it a lot! Although, to be honest, I completely forgot about this film until just a couple of days ago. I was just browsing through YouTube, and a clip from this movie popped up. As soon as I saw the video thumbnail, I recognized it right away. I said to myself: "wait, this looks familiar. I might have seen this before!" So, I watched the clip, and then all of a sudden it felt like I was in first grade again. Surprisingly, it really holds up well to this day! "An American Tail: Fievel Goes West" has a fun yet emotional storyline, stellar voice acting, great animation and also a phenomenal soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, Fievel's family move west, unaware that they're being tricked into a trap. Before I go into any extra details, here's a funny story. When I was looking up the spoiler-free synopsis for this film, I realized that it was a sequel. I had thought it was the original movie in this franchise! Well, I have no idea why our teacher skipped the first one and just went straight into this one. Turns out that there are four films in this series. How about that? It's unlikely I'll be watching the other three movies, before you all say anything. Because, it'd be weird as an adult to voluntarily watch them! Any way, let's get back to this review. The whole plot of a family seeking a better life has been done multiple times in the world of cinema. But, the way it's handled in this film is unique. Our main character, Fievel, winds up separated from his family as they approach their destination. From there, he goes out on his own adventure while seeking out his family. I won't go into any extra details about the story, but I assure you, it's one of those storylines that'll stick with you for years. Especially if you see it as a child! Although, being that it's a family movie, I still think anyone at any age can enjoy it and be satisfied. As for the voice acting, it's nothing short of stellar from the whole entire voice cast. All of them fire on all cylinders with their performances! However, the biggest standouts are: Phillip Glasser as Fievel, Cathy Cavadini as Tanya and Dom DeLuise as Tiger. Those three steal the show! But, one performance that I really remember, is where Cathy Cavadini sings "Dreams to Dream" as the voice of Tanya. For some reason, that's the most memorable part of this film. I'll go into more details about that song in just a moment. Any way, the voice work in this movie is exceptional and the cast really helps bring their respectable characters to life! The animation in this movie is nothing short of stunning. One thing that I always say is, 2D animation beats 3D animation any day! Finally, the soundtrack composed by James Horner is phenomenal. His film score sets the perfect tone for the story! Usually, if James Horner is the one composing the soundtrack for a movie, you're in for a treat and this film is no exception. But, like I said earlier, the song "Dreams to Dream", performed by Cathy Cavadini as Tanya is easily the biggest standout song of the movie. It's easily one of the top ten most emotional songs I've ever heard in any animated film. Cathy Cavadini really knocks it out of the park. What a fantastic singing voice! Just typing about that song is getting me emotional. Had someone else sung that song, it may not have had the same impact. Props to you, Cathy Cavadini! All of the songs are incredible, well-done, James Horner! "An American Tail: Fievel Goes West" is a charming family movie. I'm surprised that I forgot about it until just a couple of days ago! To tell you the truth, it still holds up to this day and it's a real classic. Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "An American Tail: Fievel Goes West" yet, what are you waiting for? Go and check it out! Although, I feel compelled to remind you all that it's a sequel and not the original film. As I mentioned, I may check out the other three movies. But, for now, I am happy to have done a review for this film. Go watch it today, or else you may fall into the evil cats' sinister traps!
Power Rangers
(2017)
Does this dark and gritty interpretation of "Power Rangers" work? Check out my review below to find out!
22 November 2022
"Power Rangers" (2017), before I start my review, for those who may not have seen the news, Jason David Frank, who played the original green and white ranger, a.k.a. Tommy Oliver, has died. He has acted across many episodes of "Power Rangers" media, including a cameo appearance in this "film". Not only was he a great actor, but he was also an incredible martial artist and fighter in real life. He did all of the fighting himself when he played his character, which added to his performances. Wow, what a great talent he was! So, let's have a moment of silence for him. All right, let's get back to the review. One thing I will say about this "movie", is that the best part, by far, was the Tommy Oliver cameo. Yeah, so you can probably already guess where this is going. This "film" sucks! "Power Rangers" has a confused and boring storyline, overall terrible acting, and a predictable soundtrack to try and tie this diarrhea stain together. The plot is, Earth is invaded by aliens and it's up to five teenagers infused with morphing abilities to battle the threat as the Power Rangers. Here's a fun-fact for you all, this "movie" is based off the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" TV series (1993-1995) pilot episode, called "Day of the Dumpster". A unique choice for a storyline. I'm not going to clarify anything, but based on the result of this "film", it should be renamed "Dumpster" instead of "Power Rangers"! However, that's just scratching the surface, this "movie" has a lot of problems. First of all, the tone is completely unbalanced. It doesn't know whether it wants to be serious, or over-the-top. The original "Power Rangers" TV series was mostly lighthearted and over-the-top, with some serious moments here and there. That's probably the biggest issue with this "movie", it's way too dark and gritty for this concept. Films, or TV shows for that matter, have a line between being dark and realistic, or light and over-the-top. Some movies or shows work better as dark, while some work better as light. Choosing the dark and realistic approach for "Power Rangers" was wrong, as it completely detracts from the concept. At some points, I actually forgot I was watching a "Power Rangers" film! Bottom line, if you're going to make a movie based on a certain premise, make sure that the tone matches. As for the acting, it's terrible from the majority of the cast! Most of them don't even look like they're trying at all. The best performances come from: Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Watt, RJ Cyler and Jason David Frank. To be honest, Jason David Frank's acting in his short cameo appearance was better than the rest of the acting in this "film" as a whole! As far as the soundtrack goes in this "movie", it's about as predictable as they come. That was surprising, because the film score was written and composed by Brian Tyler! In most cases, he writes some decent soundtracks for movies! What happened to him here? Now granted, some parts of the film score are okay. But, some parts of it are irritating to listen to. There are some sections of the soundtrack where it just sounds like a cheesy video game! Other than that, the music in this "movie" is just not memorable at all Any way, why don't we go ahead and move on to the only two good elements in this piece of trash? The only good things are the sets/locations and the special effects. All of the sets/locations are cool and give this "film" a decent atmosphere. That being said, they are out-of-place for a movie like this. But, they're still nice to look at though. As far as the special effects go, they are actually very well-done and still hold up today. Which is no surprise, being released in 2017! "Power Rangers" is yet another dark adaptation of otherwise lighthearted and over-the-top content that simply does not work. Is it the worst in that category? No, I've seen much worse ones in that regard. I'm struggling to give this "movie" 2 out of 5 stars on my personal scale, which equates to 4 out of 10 IMDB stars. Do I really have to tell you to avoid this "film"? No, I think that's pretty obvious. Just stick with the original "Power Rangers" TV series instead. All it does is taint the legacy of the "Power Rangers" franchise. In this case, it is definitely not morphing time!
The Breakfast Club
(1985)
For a film that takes place in mainly a single location, it still stands as a clever comedy. How does it hold up?
17 November 2022
"The Breakfast Club" (1985), I've been wanting to review this movie for a while. So, I thought, why not do it now? John Hughes, in my opinion, is one of the best writers in the history of cinema. He has written so many great films, such as: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986), "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" (1987), "Uncle Buck" (1989), the "Home Alone" trilogy, "101 Dalmatians" (1996), "Flubber" (1997), and more. What a career! One of his best ones is definitely "The Breakfast Club". It has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and also a perfect soundtrack to tie it together. The plot is, five high school teenagers from different gangs spend a Saturday detention together. Now, that's about as basic a story as you can get. That being said, this is a comedy movie with a little bit of drama thrown into the mix here and there, but it's mainly a comedy. On just that aspect alone, the simpler the plot, the better. One of the biggest standouts about this film, is that it takes place in mostly one location, the school library. There are movies out there that follow that concept of staying in a single setting, which can be the difference between a masterpiece, or a flop. An example of a film where that idea is poorly utilized, is "12 Angry Men" (1957). That movie takes place in only one room for 95% of the film, and it just left me feeling bored watching it. However, what makes the single setting aspect in "The Breakfast Club" work, is the genius of the screenplay. One of the golden rules in my book is to keep it simple, yet complex, which is exactly what John Hughes did, and then some! The whole idea of five high school teenagers gathered in one room for a whole day is full of great potential, especially if they have rivalries with each other. Since the five teenagers don't get along with each, it just adds to the humor. Also, since it's in a single setting, it gives the movie a layer of tension, which adds to the excitement. I won't go into any extra details, but let me assure you, it's a storyline that you'll remember forever. Granted, some people may say that a basic story like this isn't for them. But, I say give it a chance, you might be in for a big surprise. When you watch it, you will be invested, intrigued and laughing all the way through. As far as the acting goes, it's just as phenomenal as the storyline itself. This film has quite a lineup! Such as: Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, John Kapelos, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy and even more. What a cast! John Hughes even makes a cameo appearance as Brian's father, Mr. Johnson, which is always cool to see. Everyone in the cast nails their respectable characters, and their chemistry on the screen is impeccable All of the sets/locations are stunning, and they give the film a nice atmosphere. As far as the special effects go, they are all very well-done and still hold up to this day. Finally, the soundtrack composed by Keith Forsey is incredible and sets the tone for the storyline. His film score just adds another layer of emotion, which really helps tie the movie together. The final shot of the film is one of the biggest standouts, both with the film and soundtrack itself. If I were to rank closing shots of movies, then the last shot of "The Breakfast Club" would definitely be in my top ten. Well done, Keith Forsey! "The Breakfast Club" is an incredible comedy/drama film. It really holds a special place in my heart, given the fact that I was in high school when I watched it for the first time. That being said, the more I watch this movie, the more I enjoy it. I'm giving this film 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen this movie yet, what are you waiting for? Go and check it out today, especially if you're a teenager! On the other hand, anyone can enjoy it at any age. Watch "The Breakfast Club" today, or be prepared to serve a Saturday detention!
Tom and Jerry: The Movie
(1992)
This movie is an insult to "Tom and Jerry"! Could there possibly be any redeeming qualities? Check out my review below!
15 November 2022
"Tom and Jerry: The Movie" (1992), a lot of you might already know this. But, if you don't, the original show "Tom and Jerry" (1940-1967) is one of my top ten favorite animated shows of all-time. Whenever someone talks about iconic duos in TV shows or films, I instantly think of Tom and Jerry. Regardless if they say their names, or not. With two legendary icons in the world of animation, you would think that Hollywood would take great care in making sure that they get a worthy movie produced about them. Unfortunately, they did not. Even as a kid I saw the flaws in it! I kept on saying to myself: "why? Just, why? What in the world were they thinking?" If a film makes a child think that way, then you know there's a problem. But, to be perfectly honest, the word "problem" is an understatement. "Tom and Jerry: The Movie" has a boring and mangled story, average to terrible voice acting and dull locations. The plot is, Tom and Jerry work together to help rescue an orphan and help her find her father. Yep, right off the bat, you can all probably guess how cliched the storyline for this "film" is. Seriously, the whole orphan trope has been exploited countless times! It's not an original idea anymore, and the premise was never really that entertaining to begin with. But, I'm getting ahead of myself, let's get into what really sticks it for me in this "movie". Tom and Jerry speak, yes, you're reading this correctly. One of the most iconic silent duos actually talk in this "film"! Now granted, the original show does have occasional dialogue here and there to help convey the plot. Even Tom has a few lines in the show! However, they all worked and added to the humor. But, in this "movie", Tom and Jerry talk throughout the whole entire thing. Due to the fact that the two characters rarely speak in the original series, it's really distracting! Another big glaring issue, is that the original "Tom and Jerry" cartoons were based off of slapstick and comedy with very little story, roughly seven minutes in length. So, you can see why a full-length film based on that concept wasn't the wisest of decisions. This "movie" has very little slapstick, let alone humor. Whenever there is slapstick, it just doesn't match the caliber that the original show has to offer. The crazy thing about this "film" is, that if you were to take Tom and Jerry out of the plot completely, then it would've been more on the right track. That's right, Tom and Jerry contribute next to nothing for the story. The two of them are pretty much just there, and that's it. That's how it is for most "Tom and Jerry" movies so far! They produce a mediocre film, and then throw Tom and Jerry in there at the last second. Sure, even if they went with the cliched orphan premise, it wouldn't have been that much better. But, it would've been an improvement. How ironic, you all know that I demand plots in any movie I watch. However, the more plot you add to "Tom and Jerry", the less incredible it becomes! Tom and Jerry work so much better in smaller doses, rather than in an 84 minute film. As for the acting, it ranges from average to terrible from the whole cast. The only ones who seem to be trying, are: Anndi McAfee, Charlotte Rae, Michael Bell, Tony Jay and Don Messick. All of the other voice actors and actresses are substandard! The best voice acting in this "movie", comes from Anndi McAfee as Robyn Starling. She's one of my favorite voice actresses, and her performance here is no different. In fact, her character is easily the most intriguing in the whole "film"! She's the only one you actually care about, and you want her to win in the end. What a surprise! A secondary character stands out above Tom and Jerry themselves! Well, in this "movie" at least. Had this "film" been more focused on her and took Tom and Jerry out of the screenplay, then maybe it could've worked. Any way, what do you say we move on? The locations in the "movie" are standard to just plain dull to look at, but that doesn't mean it isn't beautifully animated for the most part. There are a few animation errors throughout. Such as: the slapstick, and there's one scene with a cage where the number of bars keep changing. But, aside from those glaring errors, it was actually pretty well animated. Now, what do you say that we get into the only true positive element in this pile of filth? The soundtrack composed by the late, but great, Henry Mancini is outstanding. Henry Mancini is one of my top ten all-time favorite film score composers and this one is no different. It's such a crying shame that he worked so hard to write and compose a soundtrack of this high caliber to such an unworthy movie. My personal favorite song in the whole "film" by far, is "I Miss You (Robyn's Song)". Every time I hear that song, I get emotional. It never fails to get me choked up. I think anyone could feel that way about that song, especially if they can relate to it, like me. Like many others, I have friends and family that I miss. Some are still here, and some are no longer with us. To tell you the truth, just typing about this song is actually almost getting me worked up right now. Anndi McAfee performing that song as Robyn Starling really knocked it out of the park! Her voice is so perfect and pure, it certainly adds to the impact that the song leaves. It's just as beautiful as it is moving, and definitely belongs on my top ten list of the most emotional songs in all of cinema. Without a doubt, it's the absolute best part of the "movie" for me. Even though I hate this "film" as a whole, it's worth watching just to hear that song. Very well done, Henry Mancini and Anndi McAfee! "Tom and Jerry: The Movie" is a huge letdown in the world of animated films, and is a huge slap in the face to the "Tom and Jerry" franchise. Is it the animated movie I've ever seen? No, not by a long shot. However, it tried to make that list though! I'm giving this "film" 1 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 2 out of 10 IMDB stars. Do I really have to tell you to stay away from "Tom and Jerry: The Movie"? No, I think my review makes that obvious. Just stick with the original TV show instead, you'll be doing yourself, William Hanna and Joseph Barbara a big favor. The two of them would be greatly unhappy with this "film"!
Liar Liar
(1997)
This is, without a doubt, one of Jim Carrey's best films, and that's the truth. How does it hold up today?
9 November 2022
"Liar Liar" (1997), for those who may not know, Jim Carrey is one of my favorite comedy actors, and one of my all-time favorites in general. As a matter of fact, one of his movies; "Bruce Almighty" (2003), is one of my top ten favorite films of all-time! But, as far as his movies go, "Liar Liar" is a very close second for me as far as Jim Carrey films go. It's also one of my top ten all-time favorite comedy movies! "Liar Liar" has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and of course a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, a lawyer named Fletcher Reede is a compulsive liar, and his son's birthday wish is that he would go for 24 hours without telling a lie, which puts his job and relationship with his family in jeopardy. Right off the bat, the concept is absolutely hilarious. From what I've heard, most lawyers have reputations for lying. So, when you have a lawyer who cannot tell a lie, it's absolutely hysterical! It is an over-the-top story, but that's what makes it so funny. This film has a perfect balance of comedy, over-the-top moments and it even manages to throw in some nice heartwarming moments throughout. Talk about a perfectly balanced combination! It doesn't matter how many times I watch this movie, I will always laugh just as hard, if not harder whenever I do see it. I won't go into any details about the plot itself, but let me assure you all, it's a story that you'll remember forever. When you watch it, you'll be fully invested and laughing all the way through from beginning to end. It is truly, 86 minutes of comedic perfection. As for the acting, it's nothing short of sublime from the whole cast. The whole cast nails their respectable characters and then some! But, the shining star is Jim Carrey. He really makes this film shine! They could not have found a better actor to play the role of Fletcher Reede. Only Jim Carrey could've pulled off such an over-the-top character. He definitely succeeded on that part, and then some! The rest of the cast do just as great a job as well. They have such impeccable chemistry on the screen! Their performances make you care about the characters, and you want them to win at the end of the day. Not one cast member outshines the other, each character has their moments. Props to the casting agents! All of the sets/locations are perfect and really give this film a great atmosphere. You can't go wrong with filming your movie in Los Angeles! As for the special effects, they are all very well-done and still hold up to this day. Finally, the soundtrack composed by John Debney and James Newton-Howard is nothing short of exceptional. They're film score sets the perfect tone for the story and it really brings the movie to life. I've heard a lot of great film soundtracks from these two different composers. But, when they collaborate, magic is created for the soundtrack. Talk about a team-up! If I were to hear a few notes from the film score, I could immediately pinpoint it to this movie. That's the mark of a great soundtrack. Props to you, John Debney and James Newton-Howard! "Liar Liar" is nothing short of a fantastic comedy that keeps you hooked and laughing all the way through from beginning to end. Seriously, I could watch it over and over on repeat and not get tired of it! Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "Liar Liar" yet, and you enjoy comedy films, what are you waiting for? Go and check it out today. I promise that you'll love it! "Liar Liar" was the first Jim Carrey movie that I ever saw. It may not be my favorite of his films, but it's a very close second and it will always have a special place in my heart. Go and watch the movie today, you'll love it, that's the truth. If not, then you will never be able to tell a lie again!
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
(2021)
Is this an improvement over the 2016 reboot film? Obviously. But, check out my review below to find out why!
7 November 2022
"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (2021), following the disastrous, pointless and cringe-worthy reboot known as "Ghostbusters" (2016), the franchise can only go up from there. When I first heard that another "Ghostbusters" movie was being made, I thought: "oh great, here we go again with the unnecessary reboots!" However, what finally sparked my interest, was due to the fact that it was going to be a continuation of the original franchise. Also, when I saw that some of the original cast members were going to be in it, I thought: "all right, I'll check it out when it's released on digital. I do need to cleanse my brain after the scar that the 2016 reboot left!" So, I watched it, and I'm glad to say that it was much better than the reboot. However, it has an onslaught of problems! "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" has a predictable and dull storyline, average to horrible acting, and a generic soundtrack to try and tie it all together. The plot is, a single mother and her children arrive in a small town and discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and their secret legacy. As the story started, I said to myself: "okay, it sounds promising so far. This is going to be a passing of the torch kind of plot!" But, it didn't take long for it to fall flat on it's face. It suffered from the cliched bad modern writing trope that most new films and TV shows do. I was expecting a love letter, if you will, to the original movies. When this "movie" finally ended, I found myself saying: "wait, what did I just watch?" Seriously, aside from the appearances of the cast members from the original "Ghostbusters" films; Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver there's next to nothing that this "movie" offers. Probably the most infuriating part, is that even though Harold Ramis, who played Egon Spengler in the original films had unfortunately passed away, they still dishonored his spirit and legacy by incorporating his character into this "movie". That's just slimy and wrong! Aside from that greedy slap in the face to the audience, this "film" goes down the route that you'd most likely expect. The original Ghostbusters team band together once again, to save the world from yet more ghosts. To be honest, I think that they just did this "movie" for the money, and didn't care less about the audience. I was hoping to see a fun and hilarious film, but sadly, it just tainted the whole franchise. As for the acting, it's overall a total letdown from the whole cast. The only ones who seemed to care about their performances, were: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver. The people who play the younger Spenglers; Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard and Carrie Coon do okay. But, the annoyance still shines through from time to time. The rest of the cast is such an embarrassment to watch. Most of them don't even look like they're even trying! As far as the soundtrack goes, it's about as generic as you can possibly get. The film score was written and composed by Rob Simonsen. What he tried to do, was study the original soundtrack from the first movie and adapt it to be more modern. Granted, some of it is all right. But all-in-all, it's just nothing to write home about. To tell you the truth, I can barely remember any part of this film score. That's how forgettable it is! Any way, why don't we go ahead and move on to the only two good elements in this piece of garbage. The only good things are the sets/locations and the special effects. All of the sets/locations are great and they give this "film" a decent atmosphere. As far as the special effects go, they are all perfect. Which is no surprise, being released in 2021! "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" is yet another pointless sequel film that nobody asked for. I know I didn't! It's completely unnecessary in every sense of the word. But thankfully, this "movie" is better than the 2016 reboot. That's honestly the most praise that I can give this waste of film making. I'm struggling to give this "movie" 2 out of 5 stars on my personal scale, which equates to 4 out of 10 IMDB stars. Just stick with the original "Ghostbusters" film. Even "Ghostbusters II" (1989) is better than this movie! Really, just stick with the original movies. You'll thank me later! This "film" may be called "Ghostbusters: Afterlife", but it should really be called, "Ghostbusters: Purgatory". Why? Because these idiots are actually conceiving another sequel, and refusing to let this poor franchise die and lay to rest. I may not be afraid of ghosts, but I am afraid that if they keep milking this franchise, it'll just crash and burn!
Good Boys
(2019)
Is this film a clever comedy? Or, is it a train wreck? Check out my review below to find out!
2 November 2022
"Good Boys" (2019), as most of you all know, I've discovered a lot of great movies by mistake, or accident. Sometimes that can be a good thing, and sometimes that can be a bad thing. However, in the case of this film, I was really happy to find out that it exists! Yes, this movie is that good in my opinion. One night, I was flipping through channels and I saw that "Good Boys" was going to start in just a couple of minutes. I just nodded and then thought to myself: "all right, just sounds like your typical kids film. Probably not that interesting, what makes this one so unique?" But then, I noticed that it was R rated. That immediately sparked my interest, I said to myself: "wait a minute, what?" I was shocked to see that it was rated R! So, out of curiosity, I decided to check it out and I'm glad I did. Within the first ten minutes, I was fully invested and laughing out loud. "Good Boys" has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and of course a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, the 6th graders ditch school to buy a replacement drone that they had accidentally destroyed. At the same time, they're smuggling stolen drugs while being chased by teenage girls and racing to get back home in time for a party. Now, right off the bat, the story sounds way too complex for a comedy movie. Comedies should have simple plots, to allow more room for the humor and jokes to shine through. However, in the rare exception of this film, the complex storyline is what makes it so funny. It's cohesive, and it adds even more humor to the plot. The extra subplots add hilarious tension to the situations that our main characters get into. Another huge standout here, is the profanity. It is funny when adults say it, but it's even more funny when it's children saying cuss words. To be honest, I would almost consider it to be like a live-action "South Park", which is one of my favorite animated shows of all-time! At the end of the day, this film was a great surprise and I was happy to find out about it! This movie may only be 90 minutes long, but not one second is wasted. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud. Seriously, I don't think the film went for more than five minutes without a laugh out of me. If a comedy makes me laugh, let alone more than once, then it's a winner! As for the acting, it's stellar from the whole entire cast. They fire on all cylinders and nail their respectable characters. Props to the casting agents! The whole cast does a phenomenal job. But, the shining stars in this movie are our three main characters, the three sixth graders; played by Jacob Tremblay, Brady Noon and Keith L. Williams. They are fantastic, and add extra heart to their performances. The whole cast gives the film extra charm, which knocks it out of the park! All of the sets/locations are perfect and give this movie a nice atmosphere. As for the special effects, they are all perfect. Which is no surprise, seeing that this film came out in 2019! Finally, the soundtrack composed by Lyle Workman is incredible. His film score sets the perfect tone for the story and it really helps bring the movie to life. I'm not too familiar with other soundtracks by him. But, if this is any indication, then I should do some research. Props to you, Lyle Newman! "Good Boys" is a funny, raunchy, yet charming comedy film. I enjoyed it so much when I saw it for the first time, that I'm actually thinking about getting it on DVD. I think I'm going to watch it after I type this review! Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "Good Boys" and need a good laugh, then I highly recommend that you check it out, I guarantee that you won't be disappointed. You will have a good time watching "Good Boys"!
Ernest Scared Stupid
(1991)
This is a true Halloween classic. How does it hold up today? Check out my review below to find out!
27 October 2022
"Ernest Scared Stupid" (1991), a lot of you know this already. But, if you don't, I'm a really huge fan of the Ernest P. Worrell films and commercials. I can't even begin to guess how many times I've watched anything having to do with this franchise! "Ernest Scared Stupid" is definitely one of my personal favorites of the series. Ever since I first watched it, I always make sure I watch it at least once on, or around Halloween. Although, this is a movie worth watching any time of the year! "Ernest Scared Stupid" has a perfect story, perfect acting, great sets/locations, and a great soundtrack. The only real issue in this film, are the special effects. For the most part, they are fairly well-done. But, there are some that have not aged well at all, more specifically, the effects whenever the evil trolls use their powers. However, there is one poorly done special effect that really stands out, it's so bad and noticeable, that it's actually kind of hilarious! Whenever I see it, I laugh out loud, every single time. I'm actually laughing right now as I type this! The effect is when Ernest gets trapped in a trash compactor, and of course manages to escape. But, when him and the garbage are ejected, you can see somebody push everything out of the truck with a hammer! Seriously, all they had to do was change the camera angle and you would not have seen the hammer, or the person's hand. Although, at the same time, it's hard not to visualize that shot without seeing that person's hand and hammer knock the prop out. It cracks me up! Now, let's get into the positives for this movie, what do you say? The plot is, Ernest accidentally unleashes a troll, who plans to harness energy from the local children to build up his powers and grow his own troll army to invade the town. Now, that may sound as pedestrian as a story can get. Because, how often are trolls exploited in the world of films and TV shows? That being said, a basic story is warranted in this case, since this is a comedy. With a simple plot, it allows more room for extra jokes and humor to shine through, as well as necessary character development, which it delivers and then some! It knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be, and it takes every advantage possible to bring forth a true Halloween classic. I won't go into any extra details about the storyline. But, it gives you everything you expect to see, with many surprises along the way. As far as the acting goes, it's fantastic from the whole entire cast. They give it their all, and fire on all cylinders! But, as usual, the shining star in this film is the late, but great, Jim Varney. Who still, to this day, remains one of my top ten favorite comedy actors. Just like in the other "Ernest" movies, he steals the show! All the rest of the actors and actresses do a great job as well. They're chemistry on the screen is impeccable, and their performances make you care personally for the characters and you want them all to succeed in the end. All of the sets/locations are beautiful and give the film a dramatic atmosphere. Finally, the soundtrack composed by Bruce Arntson and Kirby Shelstad is nothing short of outstanding and sets the perfect tone for the story. The whole film score is brilliant, but out of all the songs, my personal favorite in this movie is the opening/end theme. Whenever I hear that song, I always want to watch this film. Plus, this song really does scream Halloween. Props to you, Bruce Arnston and Kirby Shelstad! "Ernest Scared Stupid" is another solid entry in the "Ernest P. Worrell" franchise, and one of my favorite Halloween movies. I can watch it on loop and never get bored with it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars on my personal scale, which equates to 8 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "Ernest Scared Stupid", or anything else in the "Ernest P. Worrell" franchise and you're a fan of comedy, what are you waiting for? Go and check it out today! I guarantee that you'll love it. If you don't go see it, then look out for trolls!
One of the worst remakes of all-time? Yeah, pretty much. Check out my review below to find out why!
25 October 2022
"Ghostbusters" (2016), for those of you that might have missed any of my previous reviews, I'm a really big fan of "Ghostbusters" (1984). It's one of my top ten all-time favorite comedy films! However, the ones that came after it were the epitome of unnecessary. That being said, this "movie" is a whole different league. For all the wrong reasons! I've seen some pretty bad reboots and remakes in my life. But, this "film" is easily one of the top ten, if not top five, worst remakes I have ever seen in my life. Just typing about it is enough to make me cringe painfully! I remember when I saw the first teaser trailer. For a second, I thought: "cool! Are they going to bring back the original cast? It's more than likely not going to be as good as the original movie." But then, as soon as I saw the main characters, I said to myself: "wait, who are these people? Where are the Ghostbusters?" Yeah, you can probably already see where this is going. Just from seeing the trailer and knowing that it was going to be a remake, I could tell it was going to be a pile of filthy slime. However, that would be an insult to slime! "Ghostbusters" has a boring and cliched storyline, standard to terrible acting, and an abysmal soundtrack to try and tie this diarrhea stain together. The plot is, ghosts invade New York City and it's up to paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan to team up and save the day. Yep, it's about as redundant as it sounds. Seen it! Seriously, if you've seen the original "Ghostbusters" film, then you've seen this one already. It's the exact same story, except the lead characters are played by women. Now, before you get all riled up about me saying that, I'm not going to debate that fact about this "movie", I'm just sticking with the storyline for now. I'll go into more details about the acting in a minute. Any way, the writing and pacing for this "film" is absolutely juvenile and embarrassing. Did no one proof-read the screenplay? It's like they were thinking: "how obnoxious can we make this movie?" Well, they more than succeeded on that fact. There are bad films out there where I cringe while I watch them, and this one is no exception. No more than five minutes went by where I didn't cringe once. I just sat there in depressed silence and awaited the glorious end credits. That's how much I hate this "movie"! It angers me, just as much as it bores me, which are the two worst things any film can do, in my opinion. I did not smile, let alone laugh one single time. Not one time! Bottom line, the people who wrote this script, and the people who green-lit production should really take a brain exam. Come up with some fresh new ideas already! As for the acting, it's overall terrible from the whole cast. Let me just say this, I have nothing against an all-female cast in any movie or TV show. As long as it has a purpose and is entertaining, that's all that matters. Now that being said, casting women as the Ghostbusters was a huge mistake. Their performances do nothing but insult the original film! The sad thing is, this "movie" has a decent cast lineup. I've seen the majority of these actors and actresses in other films, where they do a much better job. They can act, and a lot of them can be funny. So, what happened to them here? It's like director Paul Feig told them to forget about being funny, or putting on a good performance. He just ran the cameras for 116 minutes, and attempted to make a movie out of it. Don't even get me started on the cameos in this "film"! Wow, I can only imagine how humiliated they were when they had to subject themselves to this pile of garbage of a movie. I'm not going to mention their names at all, because I don't want to embarrass them at all. Thankfully, it appears that this "film" didn't ruin their reputations in the movie industry. As far as the soundtrack goes, it's about as abysmal as you can possibly get. There is nothing redeemable about this film score whatsoever. It's about as forgettable as music can be. Congratulations, Theodore Shapiro. You have successfully created one of the most dull soundtracks I've ever heard. To add insult to injury, there are multiple cover versions of the "Ghostbusters" theme. But, the worst one here, is easily the horrible "Ghostbusters" cover version by Fall Out Boy. That song is about as bad as it is pointless. The fact that I can even barely stand this unbearable excuse for a song, is a miracle. Although to be honest, even though the Ray Parker Jr. Version is used here, it still doesn't redeem a thing. If I were to rate film scores, this one would easily be on my top ten worst list, I'm not joking. Any way, why don't we go ahead and move on to the only two good elements in this piece of crap. The only good things are the sets/locations and the special effects. All of the sets/locations are great and give this "film" a decent atmosphere. You can't go wrong with filming your movie in New York City! Finally, as far as the special effects go, they are well-done and still hold up today. Which is no surprise, being released in 2016! "Ghostbusters" is yet another pointless reboot film that nobody asked for. I know I didn't! It's completely unnecessary in every sense of the word. I'm struggling to give this "movie" 2 out of 5 stars on my personal scale, which equates to 4 out of 10 IMDB stars. Just stick with the original "Ghostbusters" film. Even "Ghostbusters II" (1989) is better than this worthless reboot! Beware of this horrible "movie", and all that's affiliated with it. Otherwise, you might turn into a ghost yourself!
This film is every bit as difficult to make as it is a masterpiece. How does it hold up? Check out my review below!
20 October 2022
"Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" (2005), I'm usually not the biggest fan of stop-motion animated movies and TV shows. However, there are a few rare exceptions. There is some stop-motion media that I do enjoy. The TV series "Wallace & Gromit" (1989-Present), is easily the best in that category of animation. Before "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" was released, I used to watch the original show a lot. I absolutely loved it, and I still do to this day! So naturally, when this film was first announced, I was eager to see it. Sure enough, it more than met and exceeded my expectations. I couldn't wait for it to come out on DVD! From that point forward, it just got better and better with every viewing. It eventually found a spot on my top ten all-time animated films list! "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" has a perfect story, perfect voice acting, stunning animation and a phenomenal soundtrack. The plot is, Wallace and Gromit are pest exterminators who get hired to investigate an ongoing garden sabotage that's currently plaguing their village. Now, that sounds like as basic a story as you can get. That being said, this is classified as a comedy. Therefore, a simple storyline is more than warranted. With a basic plot, it allows more room for extra jokes and humor to shine through. On top of that, this movie know exactly what kind of film it wants to be, it understands the story it wants to tell and it takes every advantage it can and has fun with it. I won't go into anymore details about the plot at the risk of spoiling anything. But, bottom line, the story here is one of those rare ones that will appeal to people of all ages. Although, to tell you the truth, I think I actually enjoy it even more as an adult. Like I mentioned, it's every bit as phenomenal as it was hard to make. Why is that? Well, we'll go into more details about that in just a moment. Any way, let's get back to the review. As for the voice acting, it's just as flawless as the plot. All of the cast members nail their respectable character(s), and then some. The voice cast is exceptional and they really help bring the story to life. This film has a stellar lineup of voice actors and actresses! As for the special effects and animation, it's stunning. It's visually appealing to look at, and the production for this movie just leaves me in awe. As a lot of you may already know, 24 frames per second equals one second of film time. Every single shot had to be painstakingly moved and positioned. If they made even the tiniest mistake, then they would have to shoot the whole scene again! Roughly 1,440 shots counted for only one minute of the runtime. This 85 minute movie has over 114,000 shots in it. Just wrap your head around that. Seriously, that's what I call dedication! This film took about five years to make, and you can clearly see why. I always give credit where it's due, and this movie more than deserves it. Props to the film makers! Finally, the soundtrack composed by Julian Nott is outstanding. His film score for this movie sets the perfect tone for the storyline. I'm not too familiar with his film soundtracks, but if this one is any indication, then I really should be on the lookout for his works! "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" is an animated masterpiece, and is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the absolute best animated films of all-time. I can watch it over and over again and never get tired of it. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you're into stop-motion animation and haven't seen "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit", or the original show, I highly recommend you check it out. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed! Any way, watch this film today. If you don't, then look out for the were-rabbit!
Ghostbusters II
(1989)
One of the worst sequels of all-time? Or, does it have some resemblance of redemption? Check out my review below!
17 October 2022
"Ghostbusters II" (1989), for those who might have missed my previous movie review, "Ghostbusters" (1984) is one of my top ten favorite comedy films of all-time. So, you can only imagine how excited I was when I first saw this one on DVD! You can all probably guess where this is going at this point. Now granted, I did like it somewhat when I saw it for the first time. I thought: "all right, that wasn't bad. It's not nearly as good as the first movie!" Then, when I watched it again, my hatred for it slowly began to emerge and with each subsequent viewing, it never let up. It's easily one of the top ten worst sequels of all-time. Looking at it today, it's just as bad as it's ever been! Especially now that I know how to critique films. Since I have that unique skill, I can very clearly see every single flaw in this "movie". That's how much I hate it! "Ghostbusters II" has a boring and lazy story, average to horrible acting and a generic cliched soundtrack. The plot is, a brand new paranormal threat occurs and it's up to the Ghostbusters to reunite and save the world. Yep, it's every bit as lazy as it sounds. It's obviously trying to capture the magic and charm that the first film did, and it failed miserably. All we get is a lazy rehash of the original movie. It's like they took the script and altered it slightly to try and make it a different film, talk about being doomed from the start! There are very few sequels out there that follow the same formula as the first movie, yet keep it unique and fresh. A perfect example of a sequel that's structurally the same as the first, but done right, is "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992). That film follows the same premise as the first one, but it takes the concept, dials it to 11 and yet it still feels like it's own distinct movie, which is difficult to get right. If you're going to follow the same formula for a sequel, you need to be an expert when it comes to writing. The key is to keep it fresh, while still retaining the same charm. "Ghostbusters II" does none of that, it's just a cheap retread of the first film and you're left with nothing but disappointment. To add salt to the wound, it's somehow longer than the first movie! While it's only a few minutes longer in length, it feels like an eternity. The first film went by in the blink of an eye, which further signifies how much better it is! Bottom line, whenever you subject yourself to "Ghostbusters II", it'll make you feel just as lazy as the story itself. As for the acting, it's just as bland as the storyline. The only ones who seem to be trying, are: Bill Murray and Peter MacNicol. Bill Murray is definitely the best part of this "movie". Unfortunately, he's hardly in this one at all! Honestly, he only has, maybe, a few minutes of screen time. What an insult for an actor like him! Peter MacNicol plays a character named Janosz Poha, who is first introduced in this "film". Truthfully, both of them don't do that bad compared to the rest of the cast. Sadly, not even the two of them could save this "movie"! All of the other excuses for performances are just plain embarrassing. You can see how bored they all are when they play their characters! When you can tell that the actors are bored, then the audience will be bored. That's how it goes! Finally, the soundtrack is a generic and cliched mess. There are some parts that are okay, but at the end of the day, it's a train wreck. The worst song is the updated "Ghostbusters" theme by Ray Parker Jr. This time, it's performed by Run-DMC. Just when you think that the "film" is bad enough, they throw that cringe-inducing song in our ears! What was wrong with the original? The original song is one of my top ten all-time favorite theme songs! Why change it? Granted, it probably wouldn't have improved a thing. Another reason why this soundtrack is so bad, is because Randy Edelman composed it, rather than Elmer Bernstein. Maybe that's why it was a letdown? Who knows? Any way, what do you say we move on to the only positive things in this diarrhea stain. The only positive elements are the sets/locations and the special effects. All of the sets/locations are nice and give the "movie" a decent atmosphere. You can't go wrong with filming your movie in New York City! As far as the special effects go, all of them were well-done and still hold up to this day. Some of them do get a little cheesy at times, but they get the job done. Practical effects beat CGI any day! "Ghostbusters II" is, without a doubt, one of the top ten worst sequels of all-time. I still can't believe that I remotely enjoyed it when I first saw it! But now, I can clearly see the lazy cash-grab it turned out to be. I rate this "film" 2 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 4 out of 10 IMDB stars. Do I really have to tell you to avoid this "movie"? I think it's fairly obvious. Just watch the first one, and throw the other ones in the trash. Really, you'll be so much better off letting the other films die, turn into ghosts and vanish!
Ghostbusters
(1984)
"I ain't afraid of no ghosts!" This is easily, one of the best supernatural comedy films. How does it hold up?
12 October 2022
"Ghostbusters" (1984), I remember the first time I saw this movie on VHS, what a lot of fun I had! Within less than five minutes, I was hooked and then before I knew it, the film was over. After that, I said to myself: "wow! Where did the last 105 minutes go?" It went by in a flash! Then, the more I watched it, the more I enjoyed it. Eventually, it found a spot on my top ten all-time favorite comedy movies! How about that? "Ghostbusters" has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and of course a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, three parapsychologists lose university funding, right as supernatural creatures start showing up in New York City, prompting them to start their own ghost removal business. That is about as basic a storyline as you can get, which is perfect for a comedy film. It allows more room for jokes and humor. But, in the case of this movie, that's an understatement. Once the film gets going, you're locked in for 105 minutes of non-stop laughs and excitement from beginning to end. I don't want to go into any extra details about the plot at the risk of spoiling anything. But, let me assure you, it's a story you'll remember forever. On top of that, no matter how many times I see it, I laugh just as hard, if not harder, every time I see it. That's when you know that you have a winner! This film knows exactly what kind of story it wants to tell, and it takes every advantage it can to make it as entertaining as possible. Even though I've seen it several times, it never gets old. As for the acting, it's nothing short of outstanding from the whole cast. They all nail their respectable characters, and then some! Not one character outshines the other, all of them have their moments and the performances make you care personally about the characters. You want them all to succeed at the end, which is what's most important. They all have impeccable chemistry together on the screen! All of the sets/locations are perfect and really give this film a great atmosphere. Even though New York City is over-exploited, it is still cool to see it on the screen. This movie uses it's sets and locations very effectively! As for the special effects, they are all very well-done and still hold up to this day. Some of them do get a bit cheesy at times, but they just add to the charm and give it an extra layer of realism. Finally, the soundtrack composed by Elmer Bernstein is nothing short of exceptional. His film score sets the perfect tone for the story and it really helps bring the movie to life. Of course, my all-time favorite song in the film, without question, is the "Ghostbusters" theme song, by Ray Parker Jr. Whenever I hear any part of that song, I get the sudden urge to watch this movie every time. Aside from that, it's just a great song in general! It's easily one of my top ten favorite theme songs in any film. The whole soundtrack is phenomenal, but the "Ghostbusters" theme song seals the deal for me. "Ghostbusters" is nothing short of a fun and entertaining action comedy that keeps you invested and laughing all the way through. Seriously, I could watch it over and over on loop and not get tired of it! Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "Ghostbusters" yet, what are you waiting for? Go and check it out today. I promise that you'll love it! It's just too bad that the sequel and every other "Ghostbusters" film that came out after is pure garbage. But, those will be different reviews for another time. Any way, go and see "Ghostbusters", this movie, not it's putrid followup films. Or else, you better prepare to get slimed!
Alone in the Dark
(2005)
If there is anyone out there that somehow likes this film, there's a good chance that they might be alone!
11 October 2022
"Alone in the Dark" (2005), I heard the rumors about this "movie" before I watched it for the first time. All I have to say is, this "film" isn't as bad as everyone says. It's ten times worse! I'm not joking, this "movie" is beyond bad. It's so horrible, that it almost made it onto my top ten worst films of all-time list! "Alone in the Dark" has an unbearably boring and laughably predictable story, abysmal acting, boring sets/locations, cheap special effects and a dull soundtrack to attempt to hold this worthless diarrhea stain together. The plot is, a detective who specializes in paranormal activity uncovers mysterious events that could have deadly consequences. No really, that's the whole storyline in a nut shell. Could it be any more vague and minuscule? Look, I'm all for movies with a lack of story, just as long as it has good character development, as well as action and comedy to make up for the lack of plot. A perfect example of a film with very little story, is "Every Which Way but Loose" (1978). That movie hardly has any plot. But, the film makers worked hard and put substantial effort into it to make it as entertaining as possible! Plus, a good cast of characters can help make up for a lack of story. Unfortunately, "Alone in the Dark" is nothing like that. Fun fact, this "movie" is based off a video game, just like the majority of the other films directed by the mistaken for talented Uwe Boll. A lot of his movies are based off of video games, which justifies his lack of creativity. Now granted, I have never played the game that this "film" is based off of. But, if this "movie" is any indication, then it must be a dull game! Although, it couldn't be that much worse than this "film"! Here's a good word to describe how bad this "movie" is, shocking. For the majority of the time, nothing happens. Another glaring issue it has, is that most of it is shot very dark and you can hardly see anything! Look, I get that it was supposed to be a horror film. That being said, dark scenes have to be handled with care, or else they turn out to be terrible! Maybe they were just trying to hide the cheap special effects? We'll get to those in a minute. Bottom line, is that it's nothing but a long drawn out monster hunt with this barely established group of characters. It may only be 96 minutes long, but to tell you the truth, you could've fooled me. Seriously, it feels ten times longer than that! As for the acting, it's just as terrible as the story. Nobody in the entire cast even looked like they were trying at all. Not even Christian Slater or Tara Reid could save it, and those two are pretty decent actors! What happened to them here? Those two, along with the rest of the cast, just waddle around like confused morons for the whole duration of the "movie" and then it ends. This "film" has some of the worst acting I've ever seen! For example, a female character dies and right after the rest of the characters pay their respects and walk away, her head lifts up right before the camera cuts. When I first saw that, I thought to myself: "what? Did that really just happen?" I rewound the "movie", played it in slow motion and sure enough, she does move her head in the last second of the shot. Did she not go to acting school? All you had to do was lay down and play dead! At the very least, you just have to wait for the director to say, "cut!" I'm surprised that the editor didn't catch that. But, we'll go into more details with the editing and special effects in just a moment. Overall, the acting is beyond embarrassing. The sad thing is, we're actually supposed to be taking them seriously! But no, I was just sitting there laughing with how bad their performances were. As far as the sets/locations go, all of them are boring. Like I said, most of it was shot with minimal lighting. Plus, the color filter they used somehow made it look even worse! As far as special effects go, some of them are okay. But, most of them are cheap garbage. Especially the monsters! However that's just scratching the surface. There's a scene where a gun is fired, and the woman is supposed to be hit by the bullet. But, if you look closely, the bullet doesn't hit the character. It doesn't even touch her at all! On top of that, you can clearly tell that the bullet is fake. There are many cheap special effects in this "film", but that one is easily the standout. I've seen movies made back in the 1950's with better effects, and this "film" was released in 2005! Finally, the soundtrack composed by Reinhard Besser, Oliver Lieb, Bernd Wendlandt and Peter Zweier is nothing short of a cliched mess. Yeah, somehow four people collaborating on the film score couldn't make it sound good. How is that possible?! "Alone in the Dark" is easily, one of the worst films I have ever seen in my life. Just thinking about it is enough to make me sick! Yep, that's how much I hate this waste of cinema. I'm struggling to give this "movie" 0 out of 5 stars on my scale. If I could rate it 0 stars I would, but 1 is as low as I can go on IMDB. Ignore the 1 star rating, my true rating is 0 stars. Do I really have to tell you to avoid this "film"? No, I think it's more than obvious enough. All it does is take 96 minutes of your time, and leaves you in the dark.
Captain America: Civil War
(2016)
A worthy conclusion to the "Captain America" trilogy?
5 October 2022
"Captain America: Civil War" (2016), a lot of you know this already. But, if you don't, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014) is my personal favorite Marvel film, as well as one of my top ten all-time favorite movies in general. So, you can imagine the high expectations I had when I waited for "Captain America: Civil War" to be released in theaters! Right? My hype was overwhelming, I couldn't wait for it to come out. Well, the day finally came for it's theatrical release. I went to go see it, and I really enjoyed it thoroughly! But then, when I eventually watched it on DVD, it just didn't have the same impact. I just felt a bit underwhelmed when I saw it again. Don't get me wrong, it is still a very well-done film. However, it does have a few hiccups here and there. "Captain America: Civil War" has an average story, fantastic acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and of course a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, political involvement with the Avengers causes a feud between the heroes, which causes them to take opposing sides and turn against each other. Wow, now that's what I call an exciting premise! Overall, it does deliver on the storyline and it's everything that you expect to see. But, at the same time, that's also a problem here. Why? Because, this is supposed to be a solo "Captain America" movie. Yet, it feels like another "Avengers" film. To tell you the truth, I would've preferred this to be "Avengers 2", instead of the diarrhea stain known as "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015)! Which, in my opinion, is the absolute worst Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. Another lousy Marvel film that came out during this time, was "Ant-Man" (2015). What they should've done, was exclude "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and also "Ant-Man" and go straight into "Captain America: Civil War". This should've been "Avengers 2"! They could've still included Ultron in the movie, as one of his many powers is mind control. He could've influenced the world politicians to create the Sokovia Accords, as well as corrupt the Avengers' minds to turn them against each other. On top of that, Hank Pym would've created Ultron at some point instead of Tony Stark, which would've been comic book accurate. That would've been an outstanding film! Then, they could've just done the third "Captain America" movie later on about Bucky's brainwashing and Zemo's reign, minus the other Avengers and it would've made more sense. The whole sub-plot with the Sokovia Accords and the other characters is way too much going on for one film. Let alone, a solo "Captain America" movie! Plus, it almost fell into "Avengers: Age of Ultron" territory with the amount of one-liners in this film. As I've mentioned, that's a common problem with most Marvel movies, the corny jokes and humor. But here, it's not that bad. However, some of them can get distracting! For example, right before the airport fight (which is one of the best scenes in this film), Black Widow says: "this is gonna end well." I know that's an odd thing to comment on about this movie, but every time I hear it, that line completely detracts me from the moment! Bottom line, there is way too much going on in this film and yet, they tried to squeeze it all in. That being said, there is a lot of focus on Captain America among the other characters. Also, this is probably the most sufficient way to express this substantial story. However, you would think they'd learn from the same mistakes of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016)! At least compared to that travesty, "Captain America: Civil War" is cohesive. One thing that really stands out, is the action and fight scenes. They were really well-done! Those scenes alone make this movie worth watching. Other than that, the best word to describe the storyline is, cluttered. As for the acting, it's standard to great from the whole entire cast. But once again, the most lackluster performances are from Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine and Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. Both of them are just dull and boring to watch for the most part. I could scream! For example, Don Cheadle's facial expressions barely ever change, and his acting is just wooden. Then, Scarlett Johansson's acting is deadpan and boring. But, it isn't her worst performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That would actually be in "Avengers: Age of Ultron"! However, this performance is probably a close second though. On an unrelated note, I've seen other films where actors and actresses act the same way, and then they're nominated for Worst Actor or Worst Actress! How does Scarlett Johansson get a free pass? Also, how did Don Cheadle avoid that nomination? Other than their substandard performances, the rest of the cast does a great job! All of the sets/locations are perfect and they give this film a nice atmosphere. As for the special effects, they are all very well-done and still hold up to this day. Which is no surprise, seeing that it came out in 2016! Finally, the soundtrack composed by Henry Jackman is outstanding. His film score sets the perfect tone for the story and it really helps bring the movie to life! "Captain America: Civil War" is a fun film to watch once in a while. But, in the years that followed it has not aged that well. The storyline is the weakest element! However, as a whole, I still give it a pass. There are just enough good elements throughout the movie that make it worth a watch. I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 8 out of 10 IMDB stars. Unless you're just getting into the Marvel films, it's really hard for me to recommend it otherwise. That being said, if you're watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe in chronological order, I suggest skipping "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Ant-Man". Seriously, you won't be missing a thing. I honestly recommend that you skip those films and go straight into this movie. Just make sure to refer to "Captain America: Civil War" as "Avengers 2"!
Finding Dory
(2016)
This is the epitome of a forgettable film!
4 October 2022
"Finding Dory" (2016), after the huge mind-blowing surprise of "Finding Nemo" (2003), it left me perfectly satisfied and gave me perfect closure to that world and characters. Since it ended on such a perfect and happy note, I didn't need anything else. A sequel hadn't even crossed my mind! So, I moved on to other things, including other movies. But then, when the first announcement for "Finding Dory" came out, I was shocked about that. It was the last thing I expected to happen. Keep in mind, there's a 13 year gap between "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory". 13 years! That is absolutely insane! To be fair, sometimes a lengthy period of time between films in a franchise is necessary. What do I mean by that? Well, sometimes movies need extra time to be put together and develop in order to bring out a good result. To put it simply, "Finding Dory" did not use those 13 years wisely and all we got was a lackluster disappointment at the end of the day. It has a convoluted story, average to horrible voice acting and boring locations. The plot is, Dory misses her parents and goes on a quest to find them, while learning the true meaning of family. Yeah, it's pretty much every bit as boring as it sounds. I will give it some credit though, the writers were on the right track with trying to keep the story simple, just like the first movie. Yet somehow, they still managed to screw it up! The plot did have potential, because Dory is such a great character. She could very easily handle her own film! The biggest problem, is that Dory doesn't get enough focus. Most of the new characters introduced add nothing to the "movie" and just slow everything down. Even Marlin and Nemo add nothing to the story. Whenever they were on the screen, the whole "film" just came to a screeching halt. To be honest, if they were written out of the plot, it probably would've been better! Now, to be fair, you can reference them. Or, if they have to be in the "movie", just have them appear as brief cameos. Both of them literally serve no purpose whatsoever! The only aspect of the story I like, was Dory's quest to find her parents. Had that been more heavily focused, then maybe the plot would've been more on the right track. However, at the same time, this is one of those stories that was just unnecessary. No one asked to see Dory's backstory, and no one asked to see her parents. On top of that, as soon as the credits roll, you immediately forget everything about the "film". You just sit there, and think: "wait a minute, what did I watch again?" How ironic, because one of the biggest aspects is short-term memory loss! Seriously, before I wrote this review, I had to look into more details about the plot synopsis. That how forgettable this "movie" is! As for the acting, it ranges from average to just plain horrible from the whole cast. The only ones who seem to be trying, are: Ellen DeGeneres as Dory, Albert Brooks as Marlin, Andrew Stanton as Crush, Eugene Levy as Charlie, Diane Keaton as Jenny and Kaitlin Olson as Destiny. Everyone else is standard to just plain obnoxious! Probably the most annoying one is, Hayden Rolence as Nemo; replacing Alexander Gould who did the voice previously. To be fair, he does sound like he's trying his best. That being said, Alexander Gould would've easily aged out of doing the character and needed someone new to do Nemo's voice, I get that. But, Hayden's impression of Nemo is just jarring to listen to. Seriously, most of his lines he screams at the top of his lungs! The locations in the "film" are standard to just plain dull to look at, but that doesn't mean it isn't beautifully animated. We'll get into more details about the animation right now. What do you say that we get into the only two positive elements in this pile of filth? The animation in this "movie" is outstanding, which is a given for Pixar Animation Studios. All of their movies are beautifully animated, and this one is definitely no exception. Although, to tell you the truth I think the first film looks more appealing than this one! But overall, this "movie" is still stunning to look at on any screen. Finally, the soundtrack by Thomas Newman is excellent. Most of the film scores he writes and composes are great, and this one is no different. My personal favorite song from the soundtrack, is "...Shells", because I can very easily picture the scene that plays along with it and it brings out a lot of emotions. Not just for that scene, but for many other realistic scenarios. I won't go into any details about it, because it's one of the very few highlights of the "movie" itself! As a whole, the soundtrack was very well-done. Props to you, Thomas Newman! "Finding Dory" is a huge letdown in the world of Pixar films. Is it the worst Pixar movie I've ever seen? No, not by a long shot. Is it the worst CGI film I've seen? Not even close! But, at the end of the day, it's still a lousy movie by my very high standards. I'm giving this "film" 2 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 4 out of 10 IMDB stars. Do I really have to tell you to stay away from "Finding Dory"? No, I think my review makes that very clear. The tagline "An unforgettable journey she probably won't remember" is almost accurate. But, it really should say: "A journey that you probably won't remember", that would make more sense! If you do see it, then you'll wind up forgetting about it. You'll forget it just like me, and Dory as well!
Finding Nemo
(2003)
This is one of the best CGI animated films in cinema. How does it hold up today? Check out my review below!
28 September 2022
"Finding Nemo" (2003), ever since the first teaser trailer came out for this movie, I was beyond eager to see it. During that time in my life, I just so happened to be obsessed with the ocean and sea creatures. You can only imagine my excitement! Right? Well, the day finally came for it's theatrical release and my hype was overwhelming. Sure enough, it exceeded all of my expectations, and then some. It even managed to find a spot on my top ten all-time favorite CGI animated films list! How about that? To this day, whenever I watch it on DVD, or on TV, I get the same excitement as I did when I originally saw it in the theater. Every single time! That's how you know when a movie is a winner. "Finding Nemo" has a perfect story, perfect voice acting, stunning animation and a great soundtrack. The plot is, a young clownfish named Nemo accidentally gets captured by scuba divers and it's up to his nervous and overprotective father to seek him out and rescue him. Looking at the synopsis as an adult, one may think that it may be a little too basic. That being said, the simplicity of the story is one of the biggest reasons why it works so brilliantly. It may be classified as an adventure film, but at the same time, it also has a seamless blend of comedy. Therefore, all the jokes and humor stands out and is one of the highlights. Once the storyline gets going, you're immediately intrigued and eager to see what happens next. I won't go into any extra details about the plot. But, let me assure you, it's a story you'll remember for the rest of your life. Like most other Pixar movies, "Finding Nemo" is full of heart and charm. To be honest, the more I watch it, the more I enjoy it. This is one of those films where if it happens to be on TV, I find an excuse to stop what I'm doing and watch it. How about that? One final thing I'd like to point out, is the gag with the seagulls. Every seagull yells: "MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE!" Whoever wrote that, give them a raise! To be honest, that's one of my top ten funniest recurring gags in any animated film. To tell you the truth, if you were to translate seagull voices to English, that's most likely what they'd be saying; "MINE!" Just typing about it is making me laugh out loud. Bottom line, the story here is one of those rare ones that will appeal to people of all ages. Although, to be fair, I think I enjoy it even more as an adult. It's the epitome of timeless and absolutely holds up to this day! As for the voice acting, it's just as flawless as the plot. All of the cast members nail their respectable character(s), and then some. The voice cast is exceptional and they really help bring their characters to life. Their exceptional performances make you personally care about the characters, and want them all to succeed in the end. For example, Albert Brooks does a phenomenal job as Marlin, Ellen DeGeneres is hilarious as Dory, Alexander Gould nails it as Nemo, etc. The whole voice cast provides such impeccable chemistry and makes the movie all the more special. As for the animation, it's beyond gorgeous. It's stunning to look at, and it's so appealing to view on any screen. Here's a little fun fact for you all, when Pixar did their original test animations for the film, they did a side-by-side comparison between their animation and an actual underwater shot of the ocean. They couldn't tell the difference! So, they had to dial it back and make it look less realistic. How ironic! Even though they dialed down the animation, it still looks phenomenal. In my opinion, it's easily one of the most beautifully animated movies in the history of cinema. Finally, the soundtrack composed by Thomas Newman is outstanding. His film score for this movie sets the absolute perfect tone for the storyline. Most of the soundtracks he writes and composes are incredible and this one is no exception. Props to you, Thomas Newman! "Finding Nemo" is a CGI animated masterpiece, and is without question one of the absolute best CGI animated films of all-time. I can watch it over and over again and never get tired of it. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "Finding Nemo", what are you waiting for? Go and check it out today, I insist! I promise that you won't be disappointed. Watch it as soon as possible, or you'd better be on the lookout for sharks!
The Last Airbender
(2010)
One of the worst live-action adaptations of cinema? Check out my review below to find out!
26 September 2022
"The Last Airbender" (2010), before I get into this review, I thought I'd just make this perfectly clear. I do enjoy watching the animated show, "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (2005-2008) that this "film" is based on. Now, I'm not crazy about it like most people are, as I think it's a little bit too overrated in my opinion. But to be fair, I still like watching it once in a while. Then, there came this "movie", more or less. When I first saw the previews and trailers, it looked kind of bland. Even in the advertising! Yeah, that's bad when you can tell that a film is going to be garbage by just watching the trailers. That being said, sometimes you can have a terrible trailer for a good movie, sometimes you can have a good trailer for a bad movie and vice versa. "The Last Airbender" is every bit as bad as the trailers led on. It's easily one of the top ten worst live-action adaptations I have ever seen. "The Last Airbender" has an uncreative and boring storyline, overall horrible acting, and a generic cliched soundtrack to try and tie this diarrhea stain together. The plot is, a young boy named Aang, who has the power to master all four elements, must stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom. Yeah, it's the exact same premise as the TV show. Therefore, if you've seen the original series, then you've seen this "film". That is the epitome of lazy writing! What I thought we'd get in this "movie", was a continuation of the show, or something unique in the aspect of the ongoing storyline. Nope, they went down the road of doing the uninspiring and unimaginative origin story that we've seen a million times before. Aside from the lack of creativity, the pacing of this "film" is abysmal. It never sticks to just one tone! Basically, it's a confused movie, what do I mean by that? Well, it doesn't know whether it wants to be a thriller, comedy, action film or drama, which adds a layer upon layer upon layer of confusion. Granted, it is possible to blend different genres together. But here, it's just all over the place, which leaves it a completely mangled mess. Another jarring issue, is that most of the characters' names are mispronounced. Which is really aggravating to listen to! It's like the writers, film makers and actors have never seen or heard of the show. But, we'll go into more details about the acting in a minute. Any way, it goes down the route you would most likely expect. Aang has troubles with his powers, he works together with Katara and Sokka to fight the Fire Nation, all with failed attempts at storytelling. That probably didn't help, due to the fact that it was written and directed by the infamous M. Night Shyamalan! Most of his movies are subpar, to say the least, and this one is easily one of his worst. As for the acting, it's horrible from the whole entire cast! None of them look like they're trying at all. They just stand or sit there, trying so hard to memorize their lines and look bored out of their minds. The feeling is mutual! Don't even get me started on the name mispronunciations. The most annoying one, is when characters pronounce "Aang". They don't say, "Aang", no, they instead say, "Ahh-ng". Apart from that, the acting is bad and all of them are cringe-worthy just to look at, never mind their voices! As far as the soundtrack goes, it's about as predictable as they come. That was a big surprise, seeing that the film score was written and composed by James Newton Howard. He usually writes good soundtracks for movies! What happened to him here? Any way, why don't we go ahead and move on to the only two good elements in this piece of crap. The only good things are the sets/locations and the special effects. All of the sets/locations are beautiful and give this "film" a decent atmosphere. As far as the special effects go, they are actually very well-done and still hold up today. Which is no surprise, being released in 2010! "The Last Airbender" is yet another pointless live-action adaptation that no one asked for to begin with. I know I didn't! But, Is it the worst live-action adaptation movie I've ever seen? No, not even close, there are plenty that I consider to be much worse than this one. But, not by much! I'm struggling to give this "movie" 2 out of 5 stars on my personal scale, which equates to 4 out of 10 IMDB stars. Just stay away from this "film" and stick with the original TV show instead. It's such a disgrace to the original series! All of these pointless live-action adaptations of animated contact really have to stop. Take notes, Disney! Any way, my best advice is do not conform to these lazy tropes. All they will do is infuriate you, like they do me!
From Russia with Love
(1963)
This is one of Sean Connery's best Bond films. How does it hold up? Check out my review below!
16 September 2022
"From Russia with Love" (1963), for those who haven't been keeping up with my reviews, this is the only Bond movie I haven't reviewed yet. That's right, we've reached the end of the franchise (so far)! Obviously it's still ongoing, but for now, it's the last Bond film I have to review and it was a great one to save for last. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of my personal favorites of the series! Aside from the fact that my favorite Bond actor, Sean Connery, is in it, this movie hits all the right targets! It has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and of course a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, James Bond investigates a stolen Soviet encryption device by willingly falling into an assassination scheme involving a naive Russian beauty. Just from reading the synopsis, it's a very unique premise for a spy film to say the least. On top of that, the writing and execution is just as strong! Not only is this movie one of the most well-crafted Bond films, it's one of the most well-done spy movies in general. Once the story gets started, you'll be hooked and not want to stop watching until it's over! It's hard to talk about it without spoiling anything, so I won't go into any extra details regarding the storyline. However, it's a story that you'll remember for the rest of your life! After "Dr. No" (1962) failed, "From Russia with Love" succeeded. Plus, without this movie, we may not have gotten the greatest Bond film in the series, "Goldfinger" (1964)! Any way, even though "Dr. No" is the first Bond movie, "From Russia with Love" is the one that got the franchise on-track. The action scenes and fights are especially very well-choreographed, especially for back then. In fact, the train fight is one of my top ten favorite fights in the whole series! Bottom line, it gives you everything you're looking for in a great Bond film and then some. It may be 115 minutes in length, but it goes by in a flash! As for the acting, it's nothing short of stellar from the whole entire cast. Of course, the shining star here is the one, and only Sean Connery as James Bond. He is, and always will be the best actor to play James Bond, period. His performance here is no different. Another actor I must praise, is Robert Shaw as Donald "Red" Grant, a S. P. E. C. T. R. E. Assassin. Every single movie he gets involved in usually is better if he's in it, and this is no different. In my opinion, it's one of his best performances! To tell you the truth, some of the greatest acting in the franchise is in this film. The whole entire cast gives it their all, and then some. Their chemistry on the screen is impeccable! All of the sets/locations are perfect and really give this film a stunning atmosphere, which is a given for most Bond movies and this one is no different. As for the special effects, they are all very well-done and still hold up to this day. Practical effects beat CGI any day! Some of them may get a little bit cheesy, particularly the sped-up footage is a little extreme. But, it just gives the film an edgier look which makes it all the more unique at the end of the day. Finally, the soundtrack composed by John Barry is nothing short of exceptional. John Barry is one of my top 10 all-time favorite film score composers, and this one here is no different. His film score sets the perfect tone for the story and it really helps bring the movie to life. Fun fact: the opening theme is one of the few in the series without any vocals, just music. However, there is a song in the film score later on, called "From Russia with Love", performed by Matt Monro. I think they were smart in not making that the opening theme and saving it for the end. It wouldn't have fit in the opening credits, in my opinion. Overall, John Barry knocks it out of the park as usual! "From Russia with Love" is nothing short of an outstanding entry in the James Bond series. It's easily one of Sean Connery's best Bond movies. I could watch it over and over and not get tired of it! Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "From Russia with Love", what are you waiting for? Go and check it out today, especially if you're getting into the franchise! I suggest skipping the lackluster "Dr. No", and going straight into this film, you won't be missing a thing. On that note, I'm very proud to say that I have officially reviewed every single Bond movie in the series (so far). What a ride! But, the series is still ongoing and there will be films coming out sometime in the future. I may go see the new movies, I may not. But, if I do, I will be reviewing them. Any way, why don't we end this review of "From Russia with Love" with a moment of silence for the late, but great, Sean Connery and all the other cast members who are now deceased (R. I. P.) Without your talents, we may not have gotten this film, let alone all the others in this series! To close this review, I'll sign off by saying: "my name is, Lazar. Garren Lazar....."
One of Adam Sandler's worst films?
16 September 2022
"You Don't Mess with the Zohan" (2008), before I get into my review, I just wanted to say that I don't hate Adam Sandler overall. He's acted and made a handful of good movies in his career. Plus, he seems like a friendly and likable person on and off-screen. That being said, he has also made a good amount of bad films. "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" is easily, one of the worst ones he has ever made. This "movie" has an unbearably boring and obnoxious story, overall terrible acting, dull sets/locations, and a predictable cliched soundtrack to attempt to hold this diarrhea stain together. The plot is, an Israeli Special Forces Soldier grows tired of the conditions of his country, so he fakes his death to re-emerge in New York City as a barber. Yep, it's about as boring and pointless as it sounds. I will say this though, the writers were on the right track with trying to keep the story simple, since this is supposed to be a comedy film. The whole concept itself is stupid and pedestrian. Who would go out of their way just to become a barber? I mean seriously, why in the world would anyone want to see that? Now granted, a talented writer can conceptualize a storyline out of pretty much anything. Unfortunately, in this case of this "movie", they do not. After about 30 to 40 minutes, the minuscule plot, or lack thereof, runs out of steam and then the rest of the "film" attempts to run on fumes as it limps to the glorious end credits. Most of this "movie" is just scene after scene of Zohan giving poor unfortunate people haircuts that somehow got bribed to be in this waste of a "film". The only resemblance of a story occurs in just the first 30 minutes and the last 10. As for the rest of the "movie", nothing happens. It's just an onslaught of predictable humor and failed attempts at jokes. Honestly, I did not laugh, or even smile one time. Not once! In fact, at one point, I was so bored, that I actually thought about laughing secretly to entertain myself. That's pretty bad! Another problem with the "film", is that it's a little too long for a comedy movie. As I've mentioned on numerous occasions, comedy films should not exceed two hours. Otherwise, they'll become forced, tired and drag on for way too long. Granted, this "movie" doesn't hit the two hour mark. But, it gets pretty close at 113 minutes! Regardless, it's still way too long. Bottom line, if you're going to have a protagonist in your screenplay fake their own death to follow their dreams, make sure that they go after a career that matters. Or, better yet, how about just writing in a career that's visually entertaining to watch? I mean really, a barber? Come on! As for the acting, it's just as terrible as the story. All of the actors and actresses put on lackluster performances, to say the least. No one looked like they were even trying at all. Therefore, I couldn't care less about these characters or their eventual outcomes. None of them are likable or enjoyable and you just sit there wishing something would happen to them! Well, that's how I felt trying to stomach this attempt at acting. They all range from lackluster to just plain obnoxious! But, as far as annoying goes, Zohan, played by Adam Sandler himself, is beyond irritating to watch and listen to. The bad thing is, he's supposed to be the main character! Wow..... Great job, writers! As far as the sets/locations go, all of them are dull. Somehow, they made New York City look boring! How is that possible? I guess since New York City is one of the most overused filming locations, it gets boring to look at after a while. They really need to give New York City a break! There are so many overlooked locations, and New York City was their choice? Talk about a cliche! Finally, the soundtrack composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams, is nothing short of a mess. That's kind of sad, because he has written and composed some good film scores before. Although, I don't see how any music could make this bottom shelf plot work. So, the blame is not entirely his! The only good thing in this "movie", is the special effects. All of them are well-done, and still hold up to this day. Which is no surprise since this "film" came out in 2008! "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" is honestly, one of Adam Sandler's worst movies. This is one of those films where all you want to see are the ending credits. The glorious end credits are what will truly set you free from such horrible movies! I'm struggling to give this "film" 1 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 2 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you're looking to get into Adam Sandler movies, I highly recommend that you avoid this one. It may be called, "You Don't Mess with the Zohan". But, it's best not to mess with this "film"!
The Spy Who Loved Me
(1977)
This is one of Roger Moore's better Bond films. How does it hold up today? Check out my review below!
14 September 2022
"The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977), right off the bat, I just wanted to say I'm fully aware that this movie is considered by many to be Roger Moore's best Bond film. Now, for those of you who have been keeping up with my reviews, you know that there are two of them I like better than this one. But, "The Spy Who Loved Me" is Roger Moore's third best Bond movie and always a lot of fun to watch. As you all know already, Roger Moore is my fifth favorite Bond actor, Daniel Craig is the only one worse. That being said, I will gladly watch any Roger Moore Bond film over any of the Daniel Craig Bond movies. Any way, "The Spy Who Loved Me" is the important film that established his mark on the James Bond series. It has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and of course a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, British and Russian submarines carrying nuclear weapons are hijacked and it's up to Bond to investigate and put a stop to the threat. Now, at first glance, that story may sound the basic everyday hijacking scenario. But, the way the screenplay was written makes the recycled concept as exciting as possible. One thing I always say, all movies and TV shows are recycled plot threads. But, the key is to take the same idea(s) and make it unique to keep the whole concept fresh. I won't go into any extra details about the storyline. However, I will say that it's a seamless blend of action, comedy and it also has hints of suspense throughout. The only nitpick, is that the main villain of the film, Karl Stromberg is a little weak and not very memorable, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, his character does a decent job with being cold and calculating with his schemes and his plan for domination is very sinister. That being said, he hardly does anything else but stay reclusive in his layer, which is kind of a disappointment. Now, it doesn't really hurt the movie. Like I said, it's just a nitpick. I'll go into more details with the acting in just a moment. Other than the lackluster villain, everything else is solid and straightforward, which makes for a thrilling entry in the Bond series! As for the acting, it's nothing short of outstanding from the whole entire cast. Of course, the shining star is Roger Moore as James Bond. He may get a bit campy at times. But all-in-all, he knocks it out of the park in this film! The only acting I have mixed feelings about, and in this particular case it's all due to the casting, is Curd Jürgens as Karl Stromberg. Don't get me wrong, he's a brilliant actor. The only problem, is that he gets a bit boring after a while. Thankfully, there isn't that much focus on him in the movie, which works on his behalf. The less you showcase the main villain, then the more sinister they'll be. Those are some of the best enemies, the ones you hardly see. That makes them all the more intriguing! However, at the same time, he was too old to play a Bond villain in my opinion. One thing all Bond film should always have, is a proper showdown between the lead villain and Bond. But, the final battle, so to speak, is a bit of a letdown after all the buildup. Granted, due to Curd Jürgens' age at that point, he couldn't really do any fight scenes. Well, why didn't they just cast a younger actor? Any way, the whole entire cast does a phenomenal job with their performances. Their on-screen chemistry is impeccable! All of the sets/locations are perfect and really give this film a stunning atmosphere, which is a given for most Bond movies and this one is no different. Stromberg's layer in particular, is a huge standout. It's easily one of the best villain layers of the franchise! As for the special effects, they are all very well-done and still hold up to this day. Practical effects beat CGI any day! Finally, the soundtrack composed by John Barry is nothing short of exceptional. John Barry is one of my top 10 all-time favorite film score composers, and this one here is no different. His film score sets the perfect tone for the story and it really helps bring the movie to life. My personal favorite song in the film is, "Nobody Does It Better", performed by Carly Simon. Fun fact: this was the first Bond theme song in the series with a different title than the film itself, even though the title is in the song lyrics. Not only is it the best and most memorable part of the film score, but it's one of the best James Bond opening themes, period! "The Spy Who Loved Me" is nothing short of a fun and thrilling entry in the James Bond series. I could watch it over and over and not get tired of it! Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "The Spy Who Loved Me" yet, what are you waiting for? Go and check it out today, especially if you're a fan of the James Bond films and haven't seen it yet. I promise that you'll love it! If you don't, then beware of Karl Stromberg!
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
(2001)
A great film? Or, a lost classic? Check out my review below!
7 September 2022
"Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (2001), when this movie first came out, I had no idea what to expect. Right up until then, I've only heard references to Atlantis. The idea of a possible lost city intrigued me! So, you can imagine the excitement I had going to go and see it in the theater. All I can say is, it more than surpassed my expectations! On first viewing, I was locked in and the next thing I knew, it was over. Like a flash! Eventually, it found a spot on my top ten all-time favorite 2D animated films list! Yes, I honestly do think that this movie is that good. "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" has a fun and thrilling story, phenomenal voice acting, stunning animation and a stellar soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, a linguist named Milo Thatch joins a team of explorers to find the mysterious lost continent of Atlantis. Now, to some people, that storyline may sound way too simple. But, I assure you, it is not. In the best possible way! One thing I always say, is that the simpler the story the better. With an easy plot, you can add in more complexities and situations to give it extra depth and layers. That's the golden rule when conceiving a story for a film. Always keep it simple, you can add complexities in later where it seems fit. "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" knows what kind of movie it wants to be, and it never once goes off-track with it's storyline. You get everything you want, and more in this film. It's what you expect to see, with plenty of huge surprises along the way. I won't go into anymore details about the plot at the risk of spoiling anything. But, I will say this, it's a perfect blend of action, comedy and adventure! It leaves you guessing what's going to happen next, which makes it all the more enjoyable to watch. As far as the voice acting goes, it's quite simply phenomenal, from the whole voice cast. Michael J. Fox is perfect as Milo Thatch, Cree Summer is charming as Kida, James Garner is incredible as the villainous Commander Rourke, etc. The rest of the voice cast does a fantastic job as well. Their chemistry really shines through on the screen! Fun fact: this was Jim Varney's last movie before his untimely death, which is a crying shame. He did the voice of Jebidiah Allardyce "Cookie" Farnsworth. As usual, his performance was flawless. Every time that Cookie spoke, it made me smile or laugh. R. I. P. Jim Varney, you are still sorely missed. The animation in this film is nothing short of stunning, which is no surprise being 2D animated. It's easily one of Disney's best animated movies! As I've said multiple times before, 2D beats 3D CGI any day! Finally, the soundtrack is stellar and definitely helps bring the film to life. James Newton Howard composed a perfect film score. It sets the tone immediately and maintains it all the way through, which is the mark of a brilliant soundrack. Props to you, James Newton Howard! "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" is an animated masterpiece that's every bit as good as when it was first released. Although, I honestly believe that it'll just keep getting better and better with age. Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you have not seen this film, I beg you to check it out. Especially if you're interested in Atlantean culture! I promise that you won't be disappointed. See it any way you can, or your city may turn into a lost civilization!
For Your Eyes Only
(1981)
This is what I consider to be a run-of-the-mill Bond film. But, has it got better with age?
5 September 2022
"For Your Eyes Only" (1981), with the Roger Moore Bond movies being silly and over-the-top, I didn't have high hopes for this film when I saw it for the first time. But, when I watched this movie, most of my predictions were correct. Yes, it was better than I thought it would be, but there are so many flaws that prevent it from truly shining. "For Your Eyes Only" has a dull and inconsistent story, and the special effects are dated. The plot is, James Bond is assigned to track down a British vessel with encrypting capabilities and keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Right off the bat, the story sounds about as pedestrian as you can get. What do I mean by that? Well, as I've said on multiple occasions, all films and TV shows are recycled plot lines. But, the trick is to make it unique, by putting your own twist on the concept to keep it fresh. There are many action and spy movies where a vessel is compromised. That being said, this film adds next to nothing to the idea. It's nothing but a lazy rehash roped into a Bond. Some of the scenes drag on too long, and there are subplots that don't add up. That's a common issue with the Roger Moore Bond movies, some of the scenes are poorly paced and some of the choreography is slow and unrealistic. Yes, Roger Moore was starting to get a bit older by the time this film came out. But, they could've done better with the fight scenes and worked around his abilities as an actor. Now, let's get to the positives of this storyline. As usual, the pre-credit sequence is a lot of fun to watch. Plus, the most memorable thing about it, is that Bond, at long last, defeats Blofeld. At the same time, the scene presents a problem, as it's kind of anti-climatic in the scope of the Bond franchise. It comes out of nowhere. Ironically, it's one of the best parts of this movie! They should have made Blofeld the main villain and saved this scene for the ending. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Some of the other good parts of this film, are the chase scenes and stealth moments. They are always fun to watch! Finally, there's this one scene, and in my opinion, it's the best part of the movie. At one point later in the film, Bond is climbing up a cliff and there's a henchman trying to cut the rope and make him fall. Even though I've seen that part numerous times, I still wind up on the edge of my seat whenever I see it. That's when you know that you have a great scene! One thing that always makes me laugh in this movie is the ending, where MI6 is trying to contact Bond, but the parrot is squawking on the other end. Yeah, I can't help but laugh at that part. There are also a few decent lines throughout. Although, sometimes the one-liners can go a bit overboard, which is a common trait in the era of Roger Moore Bond films. One cool thing I have to point out, is that the opening credit sequence is unique compared to the others in the Bond series. Why? Because, we get to see the actual singer of the song (Sheena Easton) featured in the opening, which is cool! Plus, the theme song is fantastic in general. Overall, the story did have potential. But at the end of the day, the execution was just poorly done. As for the acting, it's just a letdown for the most part. The only ones who seemed to be trying here, were: Roger Moore, Carole Bouqet, Topol, Desmond Llewelyn and Lois Maxwell. Everyone else in the cast range from average to obnoxious. Julian Glover is an okay villain, but nothing that special. But, the most annoying cast member in this movie, is Lynn-Holly Johnson as Bibi Dahl. Oh man, she is just irritating to listen to! Don't get me wrong, she is a beautiful woman. That being said, looks will only get you so far with acting performances. Now, let's get to the positive elements in this film. Shall we? The sets/locations are stunning, and give the film a beautiful atmosphere. Bond movies are known for having nice sets/locations, and this one is no different. All of the special effects are very well-done. Some of them are a little dated, but they get the job done. Practical effects still beat CGI any day! There are some effects that look a bit aged, but overall, the effects still look good today. Finally, the soundtrack composed by Bill Conti is excellent. Bill Conti is one of my top ten all-time favorite film score composers and this one is no different. Now, John Barry (who is also one of my top ten favorite film score composers) may do the majority of the James Bond movies. That being said, Bill Conti does just as good of a job as him! "For Your Eyes Only" is nothing short of a mess all the way through from beginning to end. However, there are some good parts throughout that save this film from obscurity, in my opinion. I give this film a 3 out of 5 star rating, which equates to 6 out of 10 stars. A 3 out of 5 star rating is dividing mark where I differentiate a movie being good or bad. "For Your Eyes Only" is a very marginal 3 out of 5/6 out of 10 and I consider it, by my standards, to be a bad movie. Unless you're in the process of watching all the Bond films for the first time, I suggest skipping this film. There are so many great Bond movies in the franchise. But sadly, this one is one of the most underwhelming ones.
Can this sequel possibly hold a candle to the first film? Check out my review below to find out!
31 August 2022
"Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco" (1996), for those who may not know, the first movie, "Homeward Bound" (1993) is one of my top ten favorite family films of all-time. After I saw the first movie on VHS, I was hoping that there would be a sequel. Sure enough, dreams really do come true! When I watched it for the first time, I loved it. But then, with each subsequent viewing, the storyline, in my opinion just seemed to get more and more underwhelming, but it was still okay. "Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco" has an okay story, great acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and of course a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The plot is, Shadow, Chance and Sassy accidentally wind up separated from their owners during a vacation and find themselves lost in San Francisco. Yeah, it's every bit a rehash of the first film as you would believe. Our three pets get lost, and have to find their way home. The biggest difference, story wise, is that the situation in this movie occurs by accident. What I'm going to do, is go through the negatives regarding the plot first. Aside from it being a lazy repeat of the first film, the script has some surprisingly amateur writing mistakes. For example: some of the many one-liners can be distracting, some of the subplots needed much more focus to be resolved because they don't add up to the story itself. Finally, there's one part of the movie that really aggravates me just from thinking about it. I'll tell you all about the scene, usually I try not to go into any details, but telling you the details about this scene will not spoil anything, as it's one of the subplots that goes nowhere. There's a new character introduced to this film franchise, a dog named Riley. At one point, his backstory is revealed, which is equally as saddening as it is infuriating. As a puppy, Riley was supposed to be a Christmas present for his would-be owners, more specifically, the child of the family. However, the child showed no interest in Riley whatsoever. When I watched that flashback scene for the first time, I thought: "okay, so they're going to bring him back to the pet store? Are they going to give him to someone else? The options in this case are endless." Nope, the family puts Riley in a box, tosses him out to the side of the road and abandons him. Now, please bear this in mind, I prefer cats over dogs and I would choose a cat any day. That being said, I always find that particular scene very difficult to stomach whenever I watch it. All I want to do, is jump through the TV screen, rescue Riley and scream at the supposed "owners". Just typing about this scene is making my blood boil. Seriously, what were the writers thinking? Granted, the writers for this movie are different than the ones from the first film. I'm not going to mention the names of these so-called writers. But, I will say this, horrible scenes in movies and TV shows can really tell a lot about script writers. From what I can gather in this case, they sound like prime animal neglecters and abusers. If any of the writers are reading this review, I just have to ask, what were you thinking?! How can you write something so heinous? Especially for a family film! Even if a scene like this wasn't in a family movie, I would hate it just as much regardless. If I was one of the voice actors and I read that scene in the script, I'd refuse to do it unless it was rewritten. Yep, that's how much I loathe that scene! The way I would write it, is that the family could've brought Riley to the pet store, or pound, and he eventually escapes. Or, they could take him to a different family which leads to him ultimately escaping. Bottom line, I have no idea what idiot approved that scene. There are a few select bad scenes that leave a lasting impression, for all the wrong reasons. This one, just leaves a scar that will never heal. Any way, let's move on before I explode. Let's talk about the good things in this movie. The romance between Chance and his love interest Delilah is nice. Also, there's an exciting scene where both Shadow and Sassy rescue a little boy and his kitten from a burning house. Finally, some of the interactions between the three pets and the new characters is fun to watch. Other than that, it's just a lazy and annoying rehash of the first film. As for the acting, it's standard to great from the whole entire cast. Just like the first movie, the animals are the shining stars, and they all do an amazing job! The human actors are average to excellent. Overall, the acting is well-done and they get the job done at the end of the day. All of the sets/locations are perfect and give this film a beautiful atmosphere. You can't go wrong with filming your movie in San Francisco, or anywhere else in California! As for the special effects, they are all very well-done and still hold up to this day. Finally, the soundtrack composed by Bruce Broughton is outstanding. His film score sets the perfect tone for the story and it really helps bring the movie to life! He also composed the music for the first film, and the soundtrack here is just as strong. On top of that, he changes it up a little bit, while also retaining the charm of the music in the first movie, which is what a good film score composer should do. "Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco" is a fun film to watch once. But, it has not aged that well over time. The storyline is the weakest element here, however, as a whole, I still give it a pass. There are good elements throughout that makes it worth a watch. I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 8 out of 10 IMDB stars. Even though I give this film a good rating, it's still hard for me to recommend it. If you do wish to see it, I suggest watching the first one before this sequel. But honestly, I'd just stick to the first movie, and that one only. "Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco" is one of those films that didn't have to be made. Yet, they did any way and the effort just wasn't worth it. Now, it is still fun to see once in a while, I just skip the unbearable Riley flashback scene. Other than that, this movie is still passable.
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