Saturday, November 28, 2015

The Ghost and the Darkness - 5 stars out of 10

The Ghost and the Darkness - 5 stars out of 10

“Based on a true story” can mean a lot of things and in the case of “The Ghost and the Darkness,” it means an exaggerated account of a real event.  When you see this film, you are not seeing truth unfold before your eyes but you do have the opportunity to appreciate the bravery of Col. John Henry Patterson during his work on the Uganda-Mombasa Railway.  The film’s largest exaggeration comes in the form of Michael Douglas’s completely fictional character.  While the addition of his character adds emotion to the story and makes the hunting sequence more interesting, he actually cheapens the bravery of Patterson, who historically hunted these lions on his own.  The film is probably most notable for its graphic portrayal of lion attacks.  Their ferocity commands respect and you can certainly understand why the Kenyans were scared to work on this railroad.  Val Kilmer’s acting is about what you would expect from him (not in a good way) and is showed up by John Kani and Tom Wilkinson’s two scenes.  I don’t find Kilmer to be a very likeable actor so it is hard to connect with his character.  Still, the story carries high emotions from start to finish.  Or maybe it’s fear of these predators.  “The Ghost and the Darkness” isn’t the greatest African adventure I have ever seen but its graphic visuals and interesting story make it worth watching, maybe even twice.

 [Pictured: These lead characters are pretty awesome...]

[Pictured: But this film is all about the lion attacks]

Friday, November 27, 2015

The 'Burbs - 6 stars out of 10

The 'Burbs - 6 stars out of 10

“The ‘Burbs” is a late-80’s horror comedy whose stars are a bit larger than its script.  The story is simple and familiar: a new neighbor draws suspicion with unexplained nighttime activity and the rest of the neighborhood bands together to find some answers.  The film is good for what it is but when you bless it with star power like Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, and Bruce Dern, the expectation grows too large.  Add in Corey Feldman at the height of his career and this film goes from amusing comedy to must-see Hollywood blockbuster.  Expectation aside, the film delivers some good laughs.  Everything is over the top and the pairing of physical comedy with clever dialogue keeps the film moving.  The Klopeks are well-written and the story has a perfect conclusion.  “The ‘Burbs” is a quirky comedy with memorable characters and an amusing script, but its inability to rise to the level of its cast will likely leave you disappointed.

[Pictured: Everybody loves a classic motley crew!]

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Labyrinth (1986) - 3 stars out of 10

Labyrinth (1986) - 3 stars out of 10

What do Jim Henson, David Bowie, goblins, and Jennifer Connelly have in common?  It may seem like the beginning of a bad joke and that the obvious answer is “nothing,” but these are actually the key components in the 1986 fantasy film “Labyrinth.”  Maybe this movie would seem better if it didn’t feel so “80’s,” but then entire thing is incredibly outdated and not in a fun, retro way.  The acting follows suit, with 15-year-old Connelly giving the performance that you expect from an inexperienced teen actress and Bowie giving the acting performance that you expect from David Bowie in goblin king costume.  Still, the music is really catchy and the artistry of the M.C. Escher staircase set is well done.  This film is important because it was Jim Henson’s last major motion picture and, though it falls way short of any of his work with The Muppets, it preserves his endless imagination and ability to create a new world without animation or special effects.  “Labyrinth” is nostalgic for the people who grew up with it but for everybody else, this comes off as another cheesy 80’s fantasy film.

[Pictured: It's worth watching for the creativity, but it really isn't that great]