Jury Duty 1995
I think I said once before that: "A mark of a good comedy is when all of
the best jokes are not used in the trailers." Well, all but one thing I
found funny I saw in the commercials. I won't tell you what that one
other thing was that I found funny, because you'd laugh at ME. Anyway, I
now realize why I have stayed away from Pauly Shore, I really don't care
for him, and I really don't care to see his butt spread across the
screen. Save your money AND your sanity.
The Muppets Take Manhattan 1985 (on video)
Oh, did I tell you I am a Muppet's fan? Well I am, and seeing Kermit and
the gang in this film from my childhood was a joy. I really
enjoyed it in all of its sing-song, cheesy entirety. Definitely
a movie to see and re-see for those who haven't lost their
childhood. Millions of guest appearances. Rizzo the rat. Lew
Zealand and his boomerang fish....oh joy!!!
Muriel's Wedding 1995
This is the movie I was planning to go see when instead I saw Pauly
Shore's butt. I was waiting for ABBA to make a guest appearance, but I
guess that I'll have to settle for the complete
collection of ABBAsongs on the soundtrack. Anyway, I enjoyed
this...offbeat...comedy. Definitely a new subject, I thought, for a
film. Odd lives, odd events, and even odder costumes at times.
Definitely a movie for someone who likes off-the-beaten track films, but
definitely not a real cross-over hit.
Drop Zone 1995
Arnold in a parachute? No, but the idea probably crossed Hollywood's
mind, but they chose to be a bit more realistic and chose Wesley
Snipes. Skydiving acrobatics, blood and guts, and plenty of air. It was
just another formula movie, slighty entertaining but void of life.
Full-Metal Jacket ? (on video)
It's been a while since I saw this movie the first time, but I don't think
I ever forgot what I had seen. This is a very powerful movie, maybe I
should say two movies, since there are two very powerful sections in this
movie, either of which could stand alone. If you are squeamish when it
comes to blood or four-letter words, then this film will repulse you more
then speak to you, but if you can look past those things, you can be
truly shocked by what is happening: by the essence of the tragedy, not
merely the flavoring of it. Full-Metal recommendation.
Circle of Friends 1995
Well, I expected much more from this film then I got. I am not sure what
I expected, but the film seemed like too many other coming of age films
that I have seen. It didn't have the comic edge that the australian
coming-of-age trilogy( which included The Year My Voice Broke)
had. It fell into redundant
story lines, and I really didn't like any of the characters: except
Benny. And then there's the problem I find with so many of these
movies: the tragic ruining of friendship with some silly avoidable sexual
fling...the fall of friendship in the face of the sexual libido. Maybe
it is just me, but I don't hold any of that inside of me, so I couldn't
sympathize with it. Still a better film then many others I have seen.
Just Cause 1995
Well, basically a film Sean Connery did not need to make. A murder
mystery/courtoom thriller/madman movie. Bits and pieces of movies you've
seen and liked before stuck all together in one. I did like all of the
shots of crocidiles and i liked how there was a false ending, but
otherwise I could have passes on this one. But I give it my
"dollar-movie sign of approval."
Crimson Tide 1995
Getting there late, sitting in the third row on the right side, I can
feel the permanent kink in my neck still. Opening night was a sold out
affair, as I suppose the hoopla was fairly large with this movie.
Talking with my film major friend afterwards, I mentioned that I found it
a nice two hours entertainment, but as for a "good film" i don't know.
Definitely not a new subject, but an old topic handled well. All i think
all I carried away from the experience were my friend's question about how
they made them sweat like that, and seeing the credit for the magician at
the end of the film and commenting that he was the whole show. Basically
a Hunt for Red October type movie about a two men, one dog, and a
submarine with enough nuclear warheads to seriously hinder having a good
time.
The Englishman Who Went a Hill But Came Down a
Mountain 1995
Well, with a meaty name like that, would could say no. And i suppose not
many women have an inkling to say no to Hugh Grant anyway. But since I
do not have the hots for him, I had to appreciate the movie for what it was:
a pretty good movie. A little hard to understand the accents at times,
but funny nonetheless. Hugh's romantic target this time was Tara
Fitzgerald who I think played his wife in the movie Sirens . She
didn't have a big enough part in this movie, nor did I find her
accent/character very appealing. But nonetheless, this movie should win
an Oscar for longest movie name as well as maybe largest pile of dirt.
Forget Paris 1995
This movie was funny yet romantic. Was foreign yet domestic. Was
believable yet out of this world. A prime vehicle for Billy Crystal,
including a chance for him to get close and personal to the stars of the
NBA. It's a tale of romance told as stories of gossip by his friends.
The young fiancee who is being told all of these stories is either the
most unbelievable character I have ever seen, or she really has a problem
with emotions. She just gets too worked up in all of this. I don't
think anyone in the audience was crying, let alone as many times as she.
Anyway, as far as the relationship thing goes, it scored high on my
"painfully stupid way to handle a relationship" scale: where they do such
obviously stupid things which you know will break everything up. Oh
well, still was better then renting some crusty, sappy old (speaking bad
70's and 80's) movie at the video store across the street.
back to Screen One
on to Screen Three
