Hot Rod (2007) - Short

Synopsis

Title: Hot Rod (2007)
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 (Language, Adult Situations)
Running Time: 87 Minutes
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Starring: Andy Samburg, Isla Fisher, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Ian McShane, Will Arnett

Should you watch?

This is a very silly movie. I found it VERY comparable to Napolean Dynamite. If you were a fan of that movie, you should absolutely love this movie. Andy Samburg is hilarious as Rod. The comedy style may not be for everybody, but I really enjoyed the movie. WHHHOOat did you say? WHHHY am I talking like WHHHat? It's short in length at just an hour and a half so it doesn't drag out too long. It is well worth a rent.

Popcorn Rating

Buttered Popcorn

A Cool, Dry Place (1998)

Synopsis

Title: A Cool, Dry Place (1998)

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 97 Minutes

Director: John N. Smith

Main Actors: Vince Vaughn, Monica Potter, Joey Lauren Adams, Bobby Moat, Devon Sawa

Plot: A single father (Vince Vaughn) balances his work as an attorney with the care of his five-year old son (Bobby Moat) and his work as a high school basketball coach in rural Kansas, where he moved after his wife abandoned him in Chicago. Just as he starts to develop a new relationship with a veterinarian's assistant (Joey Lauren Adams), his ex-wife (Monica Potter) suddenly reappears and wants to re-assert herself in her husband and son's life. On top of the romantic conflict, he is also suddenly presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to join a major firm in Dallas. Written by John Sacksteder

My Take

Usually when you hear about a single parent, you assume it is the mother who takes care of the kid. A Cool, Dry Place looks at the life of a single father whose wife left him. If there was one word for the film, I would say cute. The beginning of the film really emphasizes the father-son relationship. As the film moves on, it focuses more on the difficulties of managing a career and being a parent. This storyline is unfortunately very common in today’s environment. As I watched the movie, I found myself hoping that they would send some messages that were never sent. For example, the teen sex issues. The whole sub-story about the teen was awfully executed and never became resolved. Marriage is about unconditional love. This story proves that several people simply don’t understand what marriage is, and that’s sad. After watching The Locusts however, it was nice to see a little bit lighter hearted movie even if it had its sadder moments.

What About Vince?

Once again, Vince plays the nice guy that you like. He interacts well with his son. His character is believable. I have no complaints with his part.

Should You Watch???

It is not a bad movie. You could do much worse. I think they failed to deliver in the story department, but the story had potential to be very good. Vince Vaughn is good. I think you could watch this movie and be at least somewhat satisfied.

Popcorn Rating

Kettle Corn

Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1997)

Synopsis

Title: Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1997)

Genre: Adventure

Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 134 Minutes

Director: Steven Spielberg

Main Actors: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite, Vince Vaughn, Richard Attenborough, Peter Stormare

Plot: This is the second movie of the Jurrasic Park trilogy. We discover that there was a second island full of dinosaurs that was used as a breeding ground for the original Jurassic Park. Dr. John Hammond decides to send four adventurers to monitor the dinosaur’s lifestyle before a group named INGEN comes to the island. INGEN wants to capture the dinosaurs, take them back to San Diego, and form a “dino” park.

My Take

Unlike the original Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton did not write the script for The Lost World. The script wasn’t terrible, but if memory serves me it was not nearly as good as the first Jurassic Park. This movie was a blockbuster when it came out 10 years ago and it got nominated for several awards, but a lot changes in 10 years. The dinosaurs look good, they must have looked amazing 10 years ago, but the rest of the visual effects were not so good. A number of destruction scenes and plot developments were comical. This is an action/adventure/thriller but it was more of a comedy from my perspective. There were plenty of one-liners and awed faces throughout the movie. Although nothing will ever top the first Jurassic Park where the T-Rex ate the guy sitting on the john, it is still hilarious watching T-Rex kill people. If you haven’t seen the movie you might think that is a terrible thing to say, but watch the movie and tell me with a straight face you didn’t laugh. This movie had a scene where a guy hiding from the T-Rex found a snake on himself and cried “a snake!” and walked right into the T-Rex’s mouth. It’s comedic moments like these, although I’m not sure they were meant to be funny, that make this movie entertaining. However, the music by John Williams is legendary. Some of the acting was good, some was bad, and Jeff Goldblum’s eyebrows are just plain ugly!

What About Vince?

Vince Vaughn did an excellent job in this movie. He played the part of Nick Van Owen who is a photographer and one of the four chosen by Dr. Hammond to monitor the island. True to form, Vaughn delivers comedic relief that only he can. He delivers quick and witty lines at the perfect time and he comes off as a very likable character in this role as opposed to the jerk, which he also plays very well. The movie would not have been nearly as good without Vince Vaughn in my opinion.

Should You Watch???

I think you must watch the original Jurassic Park before you see this one. The original was just that, original, and it was a huge success and deservedly so. The Lost World is not as good as the original Jurassic Park but it will provide you with some of the same comedic dinosaur destructive action you came to know and love in the first one. While I wouldn’t say this was a great movie by any means, I’d say it’s entertaining. There is some violence, but nothing compared to what we are used to seeing these days. Don’t expect a real action/thriller, but I think you’ll be entertained. Just expect to laugh at spots where you shouldn’t be laughing.

Popcorn Rating

Kettle Corn

John Q. (2002)

Synopsis

Title: John Q. (2002)

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 116 Minutes

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Main Actors: Denzel Washington, Kimberly Elise, Daniel E. Smith, James Woods, Robert Duval, Anne Hache

Plot: Is there a national health care crisis in the United States? When a man’s son is stricken with a heart condition, he is not able to pay for the operation. He decides he must take matters into his own hands.

My Take

I heard really good things about this movie, so when I saw it on tv I used my good old DVR. Let me begin with what I didn’t like so much about this movie. Firstly, although Denzel did an excellent job as always, the rest of the actors did average at best. Kimberly Elise received recognition for her acting in this movie, but I didn’t feel it warranted attention although she was probably better than the rest of the cast. It was a drama but it almost felt like a documentary on the health care system. I felt like the movie should be intense, but it felt more like watching a video in health class. I found it amusing when Denzel beats the crap out of one of the hostages and the other hostages were laughing. I know they wanted to show that his character was a nice guy, the hostages liked him and he was just put in a bad situation, but I don’t see any hostages laughing in this situation and it makes the whole movie almost a mockery. The cheering crowd outside? Give me a break. Let me be clear, this movie was more about sending a message than it was about telling a great story. Those two things should be the same, but they aren’t always. I felt the plot had some obvious question marks. I made it sound like this is a terrible movie, but it’s not. I actually liked this movie for the most part. It will make you think about the health care system in our country, and you will feel for Denzel and his family. Things are not always black and white, and this movie drives home that point.

Should You Watch???

I think you should watch this movie. Denzel is an awesome actor and he gives a very good performance here. I think about another Denzel Washington movie, Inside Man, which was a very good movie dealing with a hostage situation only he was on the outside instead of the inside. I realize I was pretty harsh on my take, but it was only because I expected something a little better than what I got. It was entertaining enough despite it’s flaws for me to give you the go ahead to watch this movie.

Popcorn Rating

Kettle Corn

Caddyshack II (1988)

Synopsis

Title: Caddyshack II (1988)

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 99 Minutes

Director: Allan Arkush

Main Actors: Jackie Mason, Dyan Cannon, Robert Stack, Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid

The Plot: This sequel to the popular 1980 comedy Caddyshack gives you more of the same country club humor. Blue collar workers meet upper-class snobs on the golf course.

My Take

I found Caddyshack II to be a watchable movie, but not one that I would feel I had to watch. I didn’t think it was quite as crude as the original Caddyshack, but it was more of the same kind of jokes. Chevy Chase is one of the funniest actors if not the funniest actor ever in my opinion. He is great comedic entertainment in this movie but his character has a limited role unfortunately. The acting was ok and the plot was decent enough, but I just never really got interested. Much like Necessary Roughness (although it was not nearly as corny as that movie), the comedy in Caddyshack II was slap-stick. The jokes just don’t seem quite as funny now as they surly did when this was first made.

Should You Watch???

If you have seen the first Caddyshack and were a fan of that movie, you should like the sequel. Some may be disappointed that Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murry did not return, but I honestly don't think they would have made much of a difference in this movie. I noticed several plot lines that Happy Gilmore (a movie I very much like) would later mimic. Although I wouldn’t say Caddyshack II was a great movie (I might even say it's not good), it is watchable and will have it’s funny moments. Chevy Chase is one of the funniest actors of all time and he will make you laugh in this movie. Randy Quaid does a pretty good job as the maniac lawyer, but the movie is just not that good when all is said and done. Watch it if you are in a slap-happy mood.

Popcorn Rating

Plain Popcorn

Necessary Roughness (1991)

Synopsis

Title: Necessary Roughness (1991)

Genre: Slap-Stick Sports Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 108 Minutes

Director: Stan Dragoti

Main Actors: Scott Bakula, Hector Elizondo, Robert Loggia, Harley Jane Kozak, Fred Thompson, Rob Schneider, Sinbad, Kathy Ireland

The Plot: Texas State football is hit with major recruiting violations and they have to field a group of misfit players that have to play both ways. How will they compete?

My Take

Awful, simply awful.

Should You Watch???

I’ll let some of the quotes in the movie do the talking. You decide.

Quotable

“Welcome to foot…BALL” (female kicker kicks DT you can guess where)

Woman says, “Up yours Phil!” Man replys, “She called me Phil?”

Blake says, “This beer’s on me.” Guy pours beer on Blake, “Now the beer is on you.”

“I’m going to kill you. You’re mine!”

“The ball is my friend”

“How could the refs call that? It was a clean kick to the facemask.”

“Holy Columbus Ohio”

Woman “Are you Ok?” Blake, “Uh no, I was just hit in the head with a racquet ball.”

“If I wanted a big brother, I wouldn’t have killed mine.”

Popcorn Rating

Burnt Popcorn

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Synopsis

Title: The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 87 Minutes

Director: David Silverman

Main Actors: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Yardly Smith, Hank Azaria

The Plot: The Simpsons are finally on the big screen! The town of Springfield is placed in a bubble by the EPA after Homer pollutes the lake. After dooming the city, he must save the city before it gets destroyed.

My Take

A Simpson's movie is long overdue. In fact, they may have waited too long to make the movie, because the show has lost some of its popularity from earlier years. If you are a fan of the television show, you will love the movie. The story was pretty good and there will be times when you can't help but laugh. They do have some scenes that are questionable, and they will poke fun at almost anybody so you must be able to take the jokes in good humor or you may become upset. Of course this is an animated movie, and several of the actors have several characters. It is hard to judge the acting and directing in these kind of movies, so the plot becomes that much more important.

Should You Watch???

This movie is geared towards fans of the television show, of which there are many. If you are not a fan of the show, you may not understand many of the jokes and it might not be for you. The Simpsons have a unique style of comedy that may not be suited for all people. Although this is an animated movie, it is not suitable for young children as it includes some adult material. If you haven't seen the Simpson's television show, you can still enjoy the movie so I suggest you give it a try. I liked this movie.

Popcorn Rating

Buttered Popcorn

License to Wed (2007)

Synopsis

Title: License to Wed

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Comedy

Running Time: 91 minutes

Director: Ken Kwapis

Main Actors: Robin Williams, Mandy Moore, John Krasinski, Christine Taylor, Josh Flitter

The Plot: A young engaged couple who thought they were happily in love start to wonder as they struggle through Reverend Frank’s marriage preparation class.

My Take

The plot was promising, but License to Wed has got to be considered a disappointment. When I saw previews for this movie I thought it had potential to be good, but I wasn’t sold. I was particularly interested in the plot because I am engaged to be married and have started marriage preparation. I realize this is a comedy, but it was overly cheesy and not very funny. Robin Williams is a much better when he isn’t trying to be funny if you ask me. I found him to be extremely annoying, which was the idea for the character but not to that extent. Mandy Moore is not a good actress. I was interested to see John Krasinski in a movie since I know him as Jim in The Office. He was good but not great. Many of the characters in The Office had small parts in this movie, which was probably the lone bright spot. The guy who plays Kevin in The Office (Brian Baumgartner) was hilarious in his limited screen time and probably should have had a bigger role if the goal of this movie was to make people laugh.

Should You Watch???

Watch it if you want to see some characters from The Office in a movie. Don’t expect a good comedy. You could pass on this movie and not really miss anything except for a couple funny scenes provided by Brian Baumgartner.

Popcorn Rating

Plain Popcorn