Next (2007)

In 'Next' Nic Cage is a Las Vegas stage magician who really has the power to see briefly into the future, and he's going to need that power to help FBI agent Julianne Moore locate a stolen Russian nuke and save Jessica Biel from the terrorists. This is a ridicules movie in many ways so I was kind of dumbfounded how well it was working for me, until the end which pissed me off. *1/2 

That Darn Cat! (1965)

 A high strung suburban feline could hold the key to tracking down some bank robbers and a kidnapped teller in this better then average 60's live action Disney comedy. 'That Darn Cat!' features Disney regulars Dean Jones as a harried FBI agent and a 19 year old Hayley Mills as the cats owner, to the extent that one could be said to own a cat like "D.C." (short for Darned or D****d Cat). Supporting roles for Frank Gorshin, Elsa Lanchester, and Roddy McDowall. Film hums along pleasantly, is very well put together actually (not always the case for Disney films of this period), has a clever theme song, and unexpectedly contains and abortionist joke. ***

Mr. Right (2015)

 Two of our most endearingly quirky screen stars play opposite each other in this action movie/romantic comedy. Anna Kendrick has just gone through yet another breakup, and Sam Rockwell is the new guy she's just meet who seems like he could really be 'Mr. Right'. He quirkily makes jokes about being an assassin, but turns out he really is, or rather he is a reformed assassin who kills the people who hire him. Tim Roth is the man who originally trained Rockwell is out to terminate his way word student. Works better then it should.  Set in New Orleans's. **1/2 

Death of a Nation (2018)

'Death of a Nation'  is one of those Dinesh D'Souza "documentary's" and the whole acts getting old even when trying to enjoy it ironically. Dinesh likens Trump to Lincoln, calls Democrat's Fascists and attempts to the define basically the whole of the political spectrum as being to the left him. The inability to acknowledge that there can be extremists ones own side is a sorry state of political affairs, but well encapsulates the denial that has come to define the Trumpian Right. *

Herbie Fully Loaded (2005)

I viewed 'Herbie Fully Loaded' for the first time in consummation of a recent rewatch of the earlier Herbie films. This Lindsey Lohan vehicle is very 2005 and yet better then I'd expected. I didn't care for what they did with the special effects, humanizing Herbie, basically giving him bad CGI facial expressions, but the story (in this case about a failing racing dynasty redeeming itself through a female member they previously discouraged) fits nicely in the spirit of the earlier movies.

Interesting supporting cast includes the likable Justin Long, Michael Keaton, Cheryl Hines, an unexpectedly likable Breckin Meyer, and Matt Dillion playing a comic bad guy the same year 'Crash' came out. Also Thomas Lennon, Jimmi Simpson, and Kid Rock's sister Jill Ritchie are in this. The film contains some of the most obvious musical choices imaginable including "Walking on Sunshine", "Working for the Weekend" and "Born to By Wild", though many of them are covers. I did laugh several times. **

El Dorado (1966)

 'El Dorado' is a fine example of a Western, it does everything you could have asked from it in a better then average way. Still this picture came out seven years previously, it was called 'Rio Bravo'. ***

Army of the Dead (2021)

 'Army of the Dead' is a fine example of a zombie movie, it does everything you could have asked from it in a better then average way. Still this picture should have come out 10 plus years ago. ***

Bad Boys for Life (2020)

A January release date and the advent of the pandemic conspired to make this third film in the now 'Bad Boys Trilogy' the most theatrically successful American film of the year 2020. I might surprise you by saying that I think it's the best of the series, but that is largely because by the films second half it seems to have lost interest in being a 'Bad Boys' movie, and decided to be schlocky and over the top in a different and better way. The 'Boys' team up with something called 'The Ammo Squad', which wants to be a spin off and has Vanessa Hudgins in it for some reason. The burning hotel at the end is ridicules' fun, as is Will Smith emoting, and this man's twice been nominated for an Oscar. Not good, not so bad it's good, but I certainly enjoyed watching it more then the first two. **

Con Air (1997)

 'Con Air' really dated, it is a very 90's movie. I'd seen a bit of the end before but never the whole film. This is the one where Nicolas Cage is getting released from prison, and he's on a prison plan that is taken over by an eclectic group of criminals, many played by recognizable names such as Ving Rhimes and John Malkovich, and in the end they crash into a Hardrock Cafe in Vegas. The LeAnn Rimes hit 'How Can I Live Without You' is featured prominently in this film. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I seen it closer to when it first came out, I feel like it was then somewhat meant to be taken seriously, but now it's just silly. Cage should have either committed to the bad Southern accent or not, instead of let it slide in places. *1/2   

The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith

 Sequel to 2001's 'The Other Side of Heaven', 'Fire of Faith' is based on further memories of John H. Groberg, an LDS general authority. The first film focused on his missionary labors in Tonga in the early 1950's, the second his return to Tonga as a mission president in the later half of the 1960's. Christopher Gorham returns as John, and English born New Zealand raised actress Natalie Medlock takes over the role of his wife Jean Groberg, which had been played by a pre-star Ann Hathaway in the first film. 

The original film was the first movie I saw in the theater after returning from my LDS mission in early 2002, my brother who has since passed on took me. I saw that movie a number of times there after and even saw the real Groberg speak once, but it's been over 10 years since I've seen that film and I kind of wish I'd watched it again before viewing the sequel because I know a missed a lot reference wise because it just wasn't fresh in my mind. 

This is a good natured story focusing on the medical problems of the Grobergs 5th child, born while they were on the islands, and the strained relationship between a local Methodist minister and his Mormon convert son. This film is simultaneously more Mormon (the first movie really played down religious distinctiveness as it was distributed by Disney) and more ecumenical then the first film (miracles on both sides ect). 

There are early scenes in the movie featuring Groberg as an LDS Bishop in mid 60's Idaho Falls, and I'd kind of like to see a film focused on Mormon Bishop in the 60's. Thomas S. Monson, who was Grobergs immediate Church superior in his second missionary sojourn and would go on to be president of the Church is featured as a character in this movie. Australian born actor Russell Dixon looks remarkably like him, and the part is played as unexpectedly mischievous. **1/2 

The Town that Dreaded Sundown (1976)

'The Town that Dreaded Sundown' is an uneven but significant early slasher film. Based on a series of still unsolved murder in the Texarkana area in 1946, there are some rather effective horror sequences, and then moments when the movie kind of wants to be a southern police comedy. Presented in a semi-documentary style. Better then I expected. **1/2 

Barcelona (1994)

 'Barcelona' is a like a Woody Allen comedy/drama only without the baggage and about WASPs. Two American cousins search for love in 1982 Spain. Very witty, I love they way Chris Eigeman delivers his dialogue. I will make a point of seeing more Whit Stillman movies. ***

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' is a fun family adventure film from writer/director Taika Waititi ('Jojo Rabbitt', 'Thor: Ragnarok'). Based on the 1986 book 'Wild Pork and Watercress' by the late Barry Crump, this New Zealand set story concerns a foster child and his guardian who accidently become outlaws on the run in the bush, for months. Waititi's films seem to have a rather unique signature in their mix of dry and absurdist's humor with hart and pathos. There is an enjoyably eccentric cast of supporting characters and the two leads work well together. Julian Dennison has since become improbably ubiquitous in everything from 'Deadpool 2' to 'The Christmas Chronicles Two'. Sam Neill has developed a sort of troupe for himself, he's gruff and doesn't like kids until he's forced into a outdoor adventure with one or two, ala 'Jurassic Park'. ***

USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage

Robert Shaw's monologue in 'Jaws' about what really happened to the U.S.S. Indianapolis and it's crew at the end of World War II is just so gripping it promises the potential of a great movie, 'USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage' however does not deliver on that promise. The navy heavy cruiser had just delivered to Tinian the parts for the first atomic bomb to be used in combat, and was sunk by a Japanese sub shortly there after, hundreds of crew members were subsequently eaten by sharks in the four days it took for rescue to start arriving. 

This movie should not be boring but it is, flatly directed by Mario Van Peebles it should have been easy to evoke sympathy but I felt basically nothing for these characters, as contrast how awful one feels for their real life counterparts. Nicolas Cage the biggest name in the cast should not be here, the scapegoating trial and subsequent life of the man he plays Captain Charles B. McVay could be a great movie in its own right, should a strong actor with less silly movie baggage be cast in the role. The special effects are little better then Syfy Channel quality, the film made $2.1 million box office off a $40 million budget, a deserved flop. *1/2 

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

This movie was actually the theme of my late 90's senior prom, though I hadn't actually seen it (save a few scenes) until just recently. 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story' is (as the name indicates) another version of the classic Cinderella Story. Here it's a revisionists take, it even has a framing story talking about how the Brothers Grimm version is a  magicked up 'bastardizaton' of 'what really happened'. 

Set in early 16th Century France Cinderella here is a 90's girl played by Drew Barrymore, whose looks, charm, and progressive ideas win the hart of crown prince Henry (Dougray Scott, I know 'who' right?), despite her early misidentifying herself to him (good naturedly of course). Angelica Huston is the wicked stepmother, Leonardo da Vinci is a character in this, and one of the wicked stepsisters (Melanie Lynskey) is actually nice. The movie really works, which I didn't anticipate, nor is it as corny as I would have thought. In some ways this is the best version of the story, progressive without being off putting or too heavy handed. ***

Planet of the Vampires (1965)

The Italian sci-fi flick 'Planet of the Vampires' isn't nearly as bad as the name would suggest, though sometimes silly it is in fact it's kind of smart and actually pretty good. Low budget but hard Sci-fi story, memorable sets and costuming enhanced by the bold colors associated with the 'Giallo' horror genera. The film is influenced by the likes of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and would go on to have what appears to be a pretty strong influence on Ridely Scott's 'Alien' franchise. Story concerns two spaceships stuck on a planet, their crews being slowly driven mad and killed off. I liked that there were women in positions of authority on at least one of the ships, and the high collared black leather uniforms evoke Dracula and to a lesser extent anticipate late career Elvis. Plays like a Star Trek episode by Rod Serling. **1/2

The Vanishing Prairie (1954)

 Disney nature doc about wild life on the great planes. 'The Vanishing Prairie' doesn't have the advantage of a through line character like the squirrel in 'Perri' and is the worse off for it, Uneven collection of segments, **1/2

Ava (2020)

 I can think of three reasons why Jessica Chastain consented to make this movie: 1) Paycheck. 2) Chance to work with John Malkovich. 3) Scratch 'star as lead of action movie' off her bucket list. I kind of liked the ending but this is a very mediocre movie in which only minimal effort was put. *1/2