Conor: “We’re just starting. We need to learn how to play.”
Brendan: “Did the Sex Pistols know how to play? You don’t need to know how to play. Who are you, Steely Dan?”
Sing Street reminds me of what The Commitments would be if the band members were still in high school, and instead of being inspired by Motown soul, they were inspired by Eighties new wave bands like Duran Duran and The Cure. Continue reading
It’s amazing how much easier it is to see the flaws in a remake when you watch it back to back with the original. I just HAD to go out and watch the “modern” version of the film, with Cameron Diaz and Colin Firth in the roles originated by Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine, respectively. That previous sentence should actually clue you in on the first flaw. Colin Firth is a good actor, but just not right for this role, at least the way it’s written. But whoever thought Cammy would be a viable substitute for Shirley should probably find a new way of making a living. Oh, I’ve seen her do some decent work, but again, not for what this role needs. But all the blame can’t be put on them. The Coens. Damn your spotty genius! They have a penchant for making those “quirky” films, and when they work, they work brilliantly (Barton Fink, Raising Arizona, Fargo). When they don’t….The Hudsucker Proxy. (“You know…for kids!”) Continue reading
Okay, I was all set to write a review of this that completely contradicted my view on horror remakes (see my Poltergeist review). I hadn’t heard of this film until someone recommended it to me, and as I was watching it, I kept thinking “this is great, but you know, this is one of those films that might benefit from a remake.” There’s nothing wrong with it—it’s funny, got great performances (especially from MacLaine), and was fairly well directed. It even reminded me of one of my favorite episodes of “Laverne and Shirley” in its execution. But it felt a little dated, and some of the storyline seemed a little unbelievable for a modern viewer. Besides, it wouldn’t be like remaking a film after 20 or 30 years; this film is pushing 50. Continue reading
This could be the easiest review I’ve ever written. Have you seen a Kevin Hart movie? Have you seen a Will Ferrell movie? Then you’ve seen this one. Hart talks loud and fast; Ferrell mugs and acts stupid. Pretty much what you’d expect from these two, but with 50% more prison rape jokes. Seriously, there’s a disturbing amount of prison rape jokes.
IMDB: 6.2; me: 5.5 (the .5 is for Alison Brie in lingerie)
This film is two years old, and I’m wondering why I haven’t heard of it before now. If you haven’t heard of it, or seen it, you’re going to want to correct that. Soon. It’s really a gem of a film, and if you have younger children, you’re especially going to want to share it with them. It’s unlike any animated film I’ve ever seen; the backgrounds are all “real”: real rocks, real trees, real roads, etc. But our characters are all animated. And although there’s not a word of dialogue (the insects all speak in buzzes, much like Charlie Brown’s teacher), the brilliant score by Hervé Lavandier more than makes up for it. Continue reading
Revisiting an old favorite. Where else are you going to get Burt Reynolds, Jan-Michael Vincent, Sally Field, Brian Keith, Robert Klein, James Best, AND Terry Bradshaw (with hair!) all on the same screen? It’s dated, in the sense that there’s a lot of drinking (and driving), fighting, non-PC language, and drinking, but the central theme, watching Reynolds as movie stuntman Sonny Hooper coming to grips with growing old in a constantly changing industry that always values youth over experience and loyalty still plays pretty damn well. And it’s a really “fun” movie, as well, and I feel like they don’t make many of those anymore. There’s no CGI here; this is old-school, land-on-the-airbag stuntwork, and it’s one of those roles that just seems tailor-made for Burt. IMDB gives it a 6.2, and they’re probably just about right on that. (But just between you and me, I REALLY want to give it an 8.) (running time 1:39)
You know you’re in trouble when even Gwyneth Paltrow is more appealing than your lead. Such is the case with Mortdecai. In what is another in a remarkably long string of clunkers for Johnny Depp, he channels David Niven by way of Terry-Thomas, but does neither of them justice. Continue reading
Don’t make the mistake I made and watch this alone. Not because it’s scary, although there are a few well-done tense moments. Watch it with others because this is a really fun movie, and it deserves that kind of viewing. You’re going to want to make fun of it, compliment it, point out all the various homages to other “creature” films…and just have a good time with it. You’re not going to understand half of what the characters are saying, anyway. The Irish accents are so thick, you’ll probably want subtitles. But that doesn’t really matter. Like I said—have fun with it! Continue reading
I was prepared not to like this one, but as it turned out, it was a decent watch. A lot of the negativity I had heard had to do with Emma Stone’s character, Allison Ng, who is one-quarter Hawaiian. Some people were up in arms that a little white girl was playing a Hawaiian. How dare she?! Of course, there is no “real” Allison Ng (the character was based on someone director Cameron Crowe knew. A redhead, no less), Continue reading
I have no idea how to handle this Sacha Baron Cohen led spy spoof. On the one hand, there are some sweet moments covering the back story between Cohen’s goofy-but-loveable Nobby and his long lost brother, Sebastian (played by Mark Strong), who has grown up to become one of Britain’s best superspies. On the other, it really goes that extra mile to surpass the Farrelly Brothers in the “gross-out” comedy genre. You see my dilemma? Continue reading
Who Cares What You Think? 