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!]

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  Maybe this movie would seem better if it didn’t feel so “80’s,” but then entire thing is incredibly outdated and not in a fun, retro way.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]

Atari: Game Over - 8 stars out of 10

Atari: Game Over - 8 stars out of 10

“Atari: Game Over” is a telling of the history of the video game industry through the lens of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” widely considered to be the worst video game ever made.  The scene is set by the beginnings of an excavation at a landfill in New Mexico.  Allegedly, Atari produced a game so bad that the only way to deal with its millions of unsold copies was to bury them in a landfill and cover them in concrete.  This documentary explores the rise of the video game industry, the big-name designers of the 80’s, and the circumstances surrounding the 5-week deadline to take the E.T. video game from concept to final product.  “Atari: Game Over” is informative, interesting, and exciting in its storytelling through unique characters.  Whether you are a video game junkie or merely someone who is interested in history, you will love the details of this quirky piece of pop culture.

[Pictured: The mere presence of this game on my blog makes me so happy]

Shanghai Noon - 5 stars out of 10

Shanghai Noon - 5 stars out of 10

“Shanghai Noon” is a Western/martial arts film.  It’s exactly what you expect.  Add in Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson as the lead actors and it becomes even more predictable.  The excellent play on words contained in the title is an overture for the comedy that follows.  The plot is simple but effective as two opposite men are placed into a situation in which it is natural for them to pair up to save the day.  Why not also represent the Buddy-Cop genre as they work together to save the day.  Fans of Westerns and martial arts films will enjoy the many tongue-in-cheek nods to these genres.  And fear not, they do mispronounce Princess Pei-Pei's name as Pee-Pee, but only once to keep it from getting old.  The acting isn’t anything special but it matches the expectation of a comedy.  Personally, I prefer “Rush Hour” but “Shanghai Noon” is a nice departure from Jackie Chan’s typical films.

[Pictured: Who doesn't love Jackie Chan?  Seriously!]

Z for Zachariah - 6 stars out of 10

Z for Zachariah - 6 stars out of 10

They probably could’ve called this movie by any other title because there are so few similarities to the original book by Robert C. O’Brien.  I generally expect (and welcome) small alterations in a movie adaptation if it will strengthen the story or help the story to translate better onscreen, but to take a story that only has two characters and add a third?  And completely alter the personality and actions of the first character?  And rewrite the majority of the events of the film… and rewrite the ending to be the complete opposite of the original?  I would say that, as an adaptation, this film is a complete failure.  As a standalone story, it builds great drama from its simplicity.  Well, except for the most sudden ending ever written, of course.  I would dare the screenwriters to leave an ending more open-ended but I’m pretty sure that it can’t be done.  Reading the synopsis of the book, you would swear that there is no possible way that this could be the same story.  Some helpful information (not as a spoiler, but something that is implied but never clearly stated), a nuclear apocalypse destroys the earth with the exception of a small weather pocket that preserves earth as it used to be.  The setting is well-developed and the characters display great depth.  Margot Robbie (the girl from “About Time”) commands half of the film’s screen time and accomplishes the transition from girl to woman.  I love anything with Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine adds a complete contrast.  I really like the treatment of these characters and the way that their chemistry builds so much tension.  With three great performances like this, you would expect a 10-star rating but the vagueness of the story and severe departures from the original story create a distraction.  “Z for Zachariah” is a good dystopian drama but it unfortunately falls into a category with “The Giver” instead of “The Hunger Games.”

[Pictured: Three great acting performances don’t always equal one great movie]

Stand by Me (1986) - 7 stars out of 10

Stand by Me (1986) - 7 stars out of 10

“Stand By Me” is the classic coming-of-age story in which four friends set out on an adventure but later discover that the journey is more valuable than the destination.  The story is stereotypical 1950’s and the film is stereotypical 1980’s, but that is what makes it a classic.  The acting of the four lead boys is average for their age range but the story still comes through.  I expected more from Corey Feldman, but I certainly did not expect to see 20-year-old Kiefer Sutherland!  I appreciate the progression that the boys experience.  Legends (like Chopper) are revealed to be tall tales and the boys discover that you are not always rewarded for doing the right thing.  The film is full of important messages but the content may be too rough for the younger kids who might benefit.  The whole pie-eating sequence feels very out of place and eats up too much of this film’s short 90-minute runtime.  I understand that part of Gordie’s character is his love of writing and storytelling, but I can think of better ways to spend my time than watching people vomit on each other.  “Stand By Me” has its high and low points, but it will remind every man of his formative teenage years and the lessons that guided his path in life.

[Pictured: If this doesn't scream "Coming-of-Age-Story," what does?]

The Martian (2015) - 9 stars out of 10

The Martian (2015) - 9 stars out of 10

“The Martian” is an epic fantasy film that transports us to a planet that has always been enshrouded in mystery.  In most situations, I would automatically rank this film at a 10 for its impeccable acting, well-written script, and awesome special effects.  Unfortunately, 2013’s “Gravity” and 2014’s “Interstellar” set an unfair expectation, unintentionally branding this as “2015’s Token Space Movie.”  With the inevitable comparisons, this film seems weak; still, it deserves a high rating for the aforementioned reasons.  “The Martian” is worth seeing solely for Matt Damon.  The story ranges from comedy to drama and from action to mindbender, all within Damon’s one-man-show.  Everything from Damon claim of being the best horticulturalist on Mars to his communication using the hexadecimal alphabet makes his character likable and enhances our desire to see him return home.  A second story counters Damon’s experiences on Mars.  This story brings in A-list actors Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, and Kate Mara, all of whom support the strong emotional content of the story.  One of the strengths of this screenplay is that it remains believable.  I have been told that the Damon faces many more issues in the book, but any more than what is contained in this film would make his survival seem farfetched.  While fans of the book may view this as an injustice to the source material, I believe it to be a victory.  Whether you are interested in science fiction or not, “The Martian” is believable enough that any audience member can enjoy it.

[Pictured: The visuals are this film are just stunning]