Caddyshack - 6 stars out of 10
Before there was “Happy Gilmore,” there was the original screwball golf comedy: “Caddyshack.” This film is incredibly dumb, but that's what makes it great. The antics of Ted Knight, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield combine to create some of the greatest movie moments from the 80's. The interesting thing about this film is that these characters rarely interact with each other; instead, Michael O’Keefe serves as the pivot point that ties together the individual stories of the other characters. While there isn't anything special about him, he facilitates the comedy of the stars. Even though there are moments when Dangerfield is downright annoying, I find myself constantly looking forward to his next appearance. We could definitely use more of Murray but I think that this restraint of his screentime is what makes each of his moments so classic. From Murray's imaginary golf commentary to the Babe Ruth in the pool, "Caddyshack" is one that you won’t want to miss!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Charlotte's Web (2006) - 8 stars out of 10
Charlotte's Web (2006) - 8 stars out of 10
"Charlotte's Web" may be the best story about friendship that I have ever seen. This family-friendly film is a breathe of fresh air between the extremes of "way inappropriate" and "painfully cheesy." The all-star cast of voices does not disappoint, from Julia Roberts as Charlotte to Steve Buscemi as Templeton. I feel that E.B. White would have been proud of this live-action interpretation of his story. Unlike the cute cartoon Charlotte in the 1973 animated film, this rendition of Charlotte is realistic and kind of creepy-looking to effectively drive home the point that Wilbur is able to see past the skin (uh, do spiders have skin?) and into the heart of this well-meaning friend. Whether you are six or sixty, everyone can take a few lessons from this film. From amidst the great voices of John Cleese, Oprah, Kathy Bates, and Robert Redford comes another enchanting performance by Dakota Fanning. She'll melt your heart with every subtle mannerism. Beau Bridges is also great, but my favorite part of the film is definitely the crows, voiced by Thomas Haden Church and Andre Benjamin. They are absolutely hysterical, particularly their dialogue about the scarecrow. Even though the humor breaks up the sentimentality exactly when it needs to, be prepared to get choked up. Whether it's the actual events of the story or that childhood attachment to these characters (like when "Some Pig" makes its first appearance), this movie will transport you back to a time of innocence. Something about the cinematography and music combine to give the film a great "nostalgia factor" and you will just want to watch it over and over again.
"Charlotte's Web" may be the best story about friendship that I have ever seen. This family-friendly film is a breathe of fresh air between the extremes of "way inappropriate" and "painfully cheesy." The all-star cast of voices does not disappoint, from Julia Roberts as Charlotte to Steve Buscemi as Templeton. I feel that E.B. White would have been proud of this live-action interpretation of his story. Unlike the cute cartoon Charlotte in the 1973 animated film, this rendition of Charlotte is realistic and kind of creepy-looking to effectively drive home the point that Wilbur is able to see past the skin (uh, do spiders have skin?) and into the heart of this well-meaning friend. Whether you are six or sixty, everyone can take a few lessons from this film. From amidst the great voices of John Cleese, Oprah, Kathy Bates, and Robert Redford comes another enchanting performance by Dakota Fanning. She'll melt your heart with every subtle mannerism. Beau Bridges is also great, but my favorite part of the film is definitely the crows, voiced by Thomas Haden Church and Andre Benjamin. They are absolutely hysterical, particularly their dialogue about the scarecrow. Even though the humor breaks up the sentimentality exactly when it needs to, be prepared to get choked up. Whether it's the actual events of the story or that childhood attachment to these characters (like when "Some Pig" makes its first appearance), this movie will transport you back to a time of innocence. Something about the cinematography and music combine to give the film a great "nostalgia factor" and you will just want to watch it over and over again.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
A Good Day to Die Hard - 1 star out of 10
A Good Day to Die Hard - 1 star out of 10
“A Good Day to Die Hard” is one long eye-roll. The entire film is so over the top that even “Die Hard” fans must have a tough time stomaching this one. I love this franchise for its intricate plots and unexpected twists but this film is unoriginal and trite. I can just picture the writers sitting around a big table tossing out ideas. “Hey, didn’t John McClane have a son?” [writers scratch heads] “Maybe in the first film, but he was completely insignificant and hasn’t appeared since.” “Oh… LET’S BRING HIM BACK!!!!!!” “But isn’t that the exact same thing that we did in the last film with his daughter that nobody knew existed?” “Yes, but now THE SON IS BACK!!!!” “And what about his daughter that appeared in the last film? Shouldn’t we continue building on that plotline?” “Good point… we’ll put her in the first and last scenes and hopefully the audience will forget about her because THE SON IS BACK!!!!” “But how do we explain the son’s absence for the past 20-some years?” “Duh, he was estranged from his family and is now an undercover CIA agent who is infiltrating a terrorist organization.” “That. Is. GENIUS!!!!!” I mean seriously, when did the writers give up on the story in an attempt to turn the franchise into “The Expendables”? This is the “Crystal Skull” of film franchises. It has completely lost the aura of the original films and effectively left a sour taste in my mouth towards the “Die Hard” films. Bring back the incredible villains like Jeremy Irons, the comedy of Samuel L. Jackson, and the edge-of-your-seat thrills while you hold your breath as the plot veers off-course. “A Good Day to Die Hard” is 75% over-the-top action sequences, 13% cheesy family moments (which are meaningless because we didn’t even know that this kid exists), 8% John McClane battling a terrorist regime on his own, 3% twist that is a feeble attempt to make it seem like the story matters, and 1% clever catch phrase (“Yippee Ki-Yay Mother Russia”). In fact, I’m pretty sure that they started with the catch phrase and adapted the story around it. This film is absolute rubbish.
“A Good Day to Die Hard” is one long eye-roll. The entire film is so over the top that even “Die Hard” fans must have a tough time stomaching this one. I love this franchise for its intricate plots and unexpected twists but this film is unoriginal and trite. I can just picture the writers sitting around a big table tossing out ideas. “Hey, didn’t John McClane have a son?” [writers scratch heads] “Maybe in the first film, but he was completely insignificant and hasn’t appeared since.” “Oh… LET’S BRING HIM BACK!!!!!!” “But isn’t that the exact same thing that we did in the last film with his daughter that nobody knew existed?” “Yes, but now THE SON IS BACK!!!!” “And what about his daughter that appeared in the last film? Shouldn’t we continue building on that plotline?” “Good point… we’ll put her in the first and last scenes and hopefully the audience will forget about her because THE SON IS BACK!!!!” “But how do we explain the son’s absence for the past 20-some years?” “Duh, he was estranged from his family and is now an undercover CIA agent who is infiltrating a terrorist organization.” “That. Is. GENIUS!!!!!” I mean seriously, when did the writers give up on the story in an attempt to turn the franchise into “The Expendables”? This is the “Crystal Skull” of film franchises. It has completely lost the aura of the original films and effectively left a sour taste in my mouth towards the “Die Hard” films. Bring back the incredible villains like Jeremy Irons, the comedy of Samuel L. Jackson, and the edge-of-your-seat thrills while you hold your breath as the plot veers off-course. “A Good Day to Die Hard” is 75% over-the-top action sequences, 13% cheesy family moments (which are meaningless because we didn’t even know that this kid exists), 8% John McClane battling a terrorist regime on his own, 3% twist that is a feeble attempt to make it seem like the story matters, and 1% clever catch phrase (“Yippee Ki-Yay Mother Russia”). In fact, I’m pretty sure that they started with the catch phrase and adapted the story around it. This film is absolute rubbish.
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