Stomping On Childhood Memories Part One: "The Three Stooges"

The Three Stooges (2012)
Rated PG for Violence

Starring Chris Diamantopoulous, Sean Hayes and Will Sasso

Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly

The Story:

This is the story of how the Three Stooges, Moe (Diamantopoulous), Larry (Hayes) and Curly (Sasso) arrive at an orphanage, remain at the orphanage, attempt to save the orphanage and ultimately doom the orphanage to failure.

This weekend's set of reviews is a sharp contrast in styles.

Two remakes.

One that shows respect and even reverence for the source material.

One that doesn't.

Today, this is the day that actually treats the subject with respect and is faithful to the source.

Tomorrow...not so much.

That it would take the 3 Stooges to illicit faithfulness is both scary, and amusing at the same time.

However, in the hands of the Farrelly brothers, they often go for outrageousness, with a dose of heart underneath.

With the stooges, they stick to what made them famous: slapstick and lots of it.

Why I Oughtta...

I think the problem with that...

The Stooges appeared in shorts.  They come in, some manic fights, and then it was over.

When it runs for 90 minutes... it becomes repetitive.

Still amusing, but having so much of the same gags repeat over and over (and over) wears on the viewer after awhile.

That said, the 3 leads inhabit the Stooges with the same vocal mannerisms and expert comic timing as their predecessors, many times it is like watching retrospective of the Stooges greatest hits.

I'll give them credit, it was much better than I feared it would be.

Final Grade: Solid C.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Again, a little goes a long way.  Stick with the original shorts for a quick laugh instead.

Celebrate Friday By Doing The Truffle Shuffle! "The Goonies"

The Goonies (1985)
Rated PG for Language and Sheer Awesomeness

Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Jonathan Ke Quan, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, Anne Ramsey

Directed by Richard Donner

The Goonies: Mikey (Astin), Chunk (Cohen), Mouth (Feldman)and Data (Quan) are facing the end of their stay in Astoria Oregon.  The bank is foreclosing on their houses to create a  big money making deal and there is no room for these houses.  But when they discover a treasure map, the boys embark on one last mission: to uncover the lost pirate treasure of One-Eyed Willie.  However, when they cross paths with the dangerous Fratelli family, they may lose more than just their homes if they aren't careful.

I Think This Review Will Go Well!

There are very few movies I would classify as "Perfect" or "As Close to Perfect As You Can Get".

The Goonies makes either of those lists, all day, every day.

A well-written story by Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus, it was helmed by Richard Donner who I have mentioned often that he is one of my favorite directors of all time.

It's not just one of the best 80s movies of that generation, it can stand toe to toe with the best of any decade.

Hard to believe it's going on 30 years old.

The great thing about The Goonies, and what helps make it timeless?

Before There Was Twerking...

It's a wonderful thrill ride/coming of age/fun/adventure story that is great for kids, and kids of all ages. 

When those kids grow up and have their own kids, they introduce them to the magic of this movie, and the bond between family and movie grows stronger with each passing viewing.

Or at least, that's what's happened in our household.

There are scenes that are burned indelibly into the pop culture consciousness...

The Truffle Shuffle?

Chunk's blender confession?

Data's pinchers of peril?

Heck, Mouth's "You're Ruining My Joke" gag gets used around the house all the time whenever someone stomps on someone Else's punchline.

Still A Better Pirate Movie Than Anything With Johnny Depp In It.

Any plot holes you can find within the movie are minor and don't detract or distract from the film.

Heck, about the only thing I would like to see is the octopus scene that was mentioned at the end but apparently removed from the film.

If you have never seen it, run, don't walk to your nearest capability to view this film.

If it's been awhile, dust it off and play it again, especially if you have any kids now and they've never had the privilege of seeing the movie.

It is currently streamable if you are an Amazon Prime member.


Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it and it gets watched at least once a year, if not more than that. :)

Sorry Ladies, "The Perfect Man" Is Already Taken.

The Perfect Man (2005)
Rated PG for Language

Starring Hilary Duff, Heather Locklear, Aria Wallace, Chris Noth,

Directed by Mark Rosman

The Story:

Whenever Jean (Locklear) gets dumped by a man, she picks up her family of 2 daughters: Holly (Duff) and Zoe (Wallace) and starts over in a new city.  This time, they wind up in New York where she takes a job in a bakery.  Holly has a blog and tells the world about their adventures, but she's tired of picking up and moving all the time.  Jean gets hit on by the wrong guys again, and Holly wants her mom to find the perfect man.  When her new friend Amy (Vanessa Lengies) introduces Holly to her uncle Ben (Noth) she begins to pick his brain and create the perfect "secret admirer" for her mom.  Ah, but when you mess with the heart, things could take a turn for the worse...

I'm not sure exactly when we saw this one for the first time, but I remember we all loved it.

It's a cute little romantic comedy, filled with lots of humor...

And the greatest Styx cover band of all time! ;)

Mr. Roboto!

Heather Locklear still looks great, and plays close to her age in the film.  That's a rare occurrence in films these days.

Noth is suitably charming, winning over Holly's adoration, but can she translate that into a relationship with her mother?

And kudos to Duff for not being one of the teen actresses who has fallen off the deep end in her career. 

Wow...Lindsay has lost her mind...and clothes...again.

Yes, Lohan, Cyrus and Bynes, I'm looking in your direction.

Naturally, depression struck our house when the copy we had wound up with numerous scratches and would skip or freeze.

Thankfully, a replacement copy has been obtained.

Wonder how long it will hold up?

:)

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  The whole family watches it, and I would safely say it gets a minimum of one play a year.  And that's just when I'm home and paying attention. ;)

A Romantic Comedy WIth No Romance? "You May Not Kiss The Bride"

You May Not Kiss The Bride (2011)
Rated PG 13 for language and violence

Starring Dave Annable, Katharine McPhee

The Story:

Bryan (Annable) is a pet photographer who accidentally injures a cat that belongs to the wife of a Croatian crime boss (Ken Davitian).  Well, perfect timing because he is having troubles getting his daughter Masha (McPhee) citizenship.  So he tells Bryan he must marry her and then divorce her in a year so she can marry Brick (Vinnie Jones), his right hand man.  Oh, he also better keep his hands off his daughter as well.

Another gem dug up through Netflix!

I try and sort through the romantic comedies periodically to find something that is suitable for a date night or fun for the whole family.

I offer to let them watch horror films with me, but no takers thus far.

So this was the next one that Netflix said was the most enjoyed by the fans, so I gave it a whirl.

I was not disappointed.

Even better: Neither was anyone else in the house! 

Win-win!

Not watching a whole lot of television, I was not too familiar with either of the leads.

So...We're Married Now...

No, all of the names (or faces) took all of the smaller roles.

Mena Suvari is Bryan's assistant who becomes obsessed with him once he announces he's not interested in her.
Kathy Bates kills it, too briefly, as Bryan's mother.
Then there's Tia Carrere who doesn't look a day older than when I last saw her in True Lies (1994!).  Playing her cousin, Rob Schneider in probably his most subdued comic role ever.

Jungle Fun For The Whole Family

Lots of other familiar faces sprinkled throughout.

It's a cute little movie, and I'm glad we saw it.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I see this one being added to the library before too long...

A Ride Worth Catching..."The Sunset Limited"

The Sunset Limited (2011)
Rated R for language

Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed by Tommy Lee Jones

The Story:

Black (Jackson) stops White (Jones) from jumping in front of the Sunset Limited train.  Feeling responsible, White keeps Black  at his apartment overnight.  The two engage in a heated debate about life and death, God and nothingness.

If you want to see anything other than two of the greatest actors from this generation debate and fight about their beliefs, this is not the movie for you.

That's all you are going to get.

Based on the play, the set is Black's dingy apartment.

Aside from occasional noise from the neighborhood and a few distinct visual clues from a nearby window...

The movie rests solely on the shoulders of the two leads.

Hey Wait...Weren't You In Captain America?

However, when you've got your cast as Jones and Jackson, you're in pretty good hands.

Sometimes the dialogue or delivery seems a bit...off... maybe unnatural.  Not sure if it's just the way it was scripted, or maybe an attempt by either actor to bring the tiredness of the fight to their delivery... but those occasions aren't many.

Naturally, when it comes to believers and non-believers, nothing is going to get solved, and no minds are going to be changed by watching a movie.

The ending is ambiguous.

The only thing that is certain, White lived to see another day.  Whether or not his mind was changed or would he try to kill himself again...

?

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  Not a purchase, but I could see watching it again a year or two  down the road.

The Road To WrestleMania Begins Here..."WWE Royal Rumble 2014"

The Road to WrestleMania has begun...

Another year, and my son has figured out that since the Royal Rumble is my favorite WWE Pay Per View, he has managed to move his March birthday party to January and score this, WWE's most fun event of the year, for his party.

With the advent of the upcoming WWE Network, soon we will be able to enjoy every Pay Per View, every month, but for now, the occasion is still very special as this is the only one I've ever been willing to shell out the big bucks to order.

First things first, hopefully WWE will come up with some distinction between the "Free" Pre Show on YouTube and for those that actually pay for it on PPV or the WWE Network in the future.  The Tag Team Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Goldust and the New Age Outlaws was a great match that would have been great without that unnecessary commercial right in the middle.

Oh, and congratulations to the New Age Outlaws on becoming the SIX TIME Tag Team Champions of the World.

Oh You Didn't Know?

Nothing like getting in a time machine and reliving the Attitude Era on occasion. :)

But I won't be giving any other match results away.

If you want to learn who won, tune in to Monday Night Raw tonight, there will be plenty of mention on who the Undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion is as well as all other match results.

Or if anyone got quite the pop that Daniel Bryan received from the crowd in Pittsburgh, I think he even surpassed the reaction that Ben Roethlisberger received when they showed him in the crowd.

The matches:

Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan - A 20+ minute epic

Brock Lesnar vs. The Big Show - Destruction personified.  The poor steel chair never had a chance.

John Cena vs. Randy Orton - The latest in one of the better rivalries of the current generation of superstars.

Then finally, the reason we all tune in:

The Rumble Match

And as always, it was controlled chaos!

Kofi Kingston, as has become his annual tradition, found a very creative way to stay alive after his first elimination attempt.
And his second...


Surprise entrants ?  Yep, there were a few.

I still think the return of Batista should have come tonight, and not been advertised ahead of time.  That place would have come unglued.

The crowd did not necessarily go home happy though.

:)

Let's see how things begin to shape up starting on Raw tonight!



Final Grade: A-



See you next year on the WWE Network!

Someone Should Have Hijacked The Script To "Carjacked" And Made It Better

Carjacked (2011)
Rated R for Language, Violence and Stupidity

Starring Maria Bello, Stephen Dorff, Connor Hill

Directed by John Bonito

The Story:

A mom (Bello) is bringing her son (Hill)  home late one night.  She stops at a gas station for some food and gas, and her life is changed when a stranger (Dorff) in the backseat demands that she start driving, and nobody will get hurt.  Oh, but someone is going to get hurt.

You, the viewer.

:)

Oh my goodness.

Aside from the obvious foreshadowing and overemphasis on what a less than stellar mom Bello was, the movie started off decent enough.

It was going for B movie low-grade charm and thrills.

In fact, the interplay between Dorff, Bello and the kid at first wasn't bad.  There was almost a surreal charm to the whole affair.

It's All Downhill From Here

But then, the movie kept going, and it was as if the writers or director weren't sure where to go next.

So then, layers of absurdity and stupidity began getting piled onto the film.

At that point though, it was almost comical.

What would have/could have been a "B" movie, in spirit and in final grade, was literally slipping away before my eyes.

And it wasn't that I couldn't turn away because it was so bad it was good or anything.

At this point, I wanted to see what could they possibly do next to make matters worse.

Success!

Absurd Plot Moment # 17...

Nearly every five or ten minutes, this movie never failed to deliver another smack to the forehead.

I literally just chuckled as I counted down...B... B-...C+...C....

How low would it go?

Well, when the bad guy empties a gun into a car, doesn't move and gets hit by the car, that's pretty much throwing up the shoulders and giving up.

Career advice for Stephen Dorff: Do not make any more movies that take place within the confines of a motor vehicle (Brake).

Thank you.


Final Grade: D

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Only if you want to laugh, unintentionally, at an alleged "thriller".

This Weekend We Will Hear A Little "Joyful Noise"

Joyful Noise (2012)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Jeremy Jordan

Directed by Todd Graff

The Story:

A small town church choir wants to attend a national competition, but year after year, they get sent home early.  Now with Vi (Latifah) instituted as the new choir master at the helm, there's a chance for a change.  Yet even with her daughter Olivia's (Palmer) beautiful voice, it seems like the choir is stuck in the same old rut.  However, a rebel (Jordan) rolls into town, related to town matriarch G.G. Sparrow (Parton) and he begins to shake things up, and suddenly, the choir may have the spark they've been missing.  Will the seize the day, and glorify the Lord with their songs, or will everything settle back to the way it's always been?

This movie had sure fire hit on it when the trailer rolled.

Great music. Funny. Emotional conflicts.

So what went wrong?

The movie did provide all of that, and then some.

And perhaps, that was the problem. 

Let's Pray This Review Isn't Too Harsh

This was another case of a movie that had TOO MUCH story that it decided it wanted to tell, and it ballooned to 2 hours to try and tell it all.

Let's count the things they are trying to get across:

Conservative Music Approach Versus Contemporary.
Mother vs. Daughter Coming of Age Tale.
Good Girl meets Bad Boy.
Good Girl wants to see Father That Left Them.
Brother Has Disability...Hates God.
Bad Boy Disliked By Everyone.
Choir Master vs. Choir Master.
Single Mom Making It Happen.

Uh Oh... It Sounds Like We're Getting A Lousy Grade...

I'm sure I'm missing a few things, and that's just the main stars.  There's a few tidbits thrown to the supporting characters as well.

Drop 30 minutes, and half the subplots, this movie would have been killer.

As it is, it's not terrible.

How's that for barely praise?

:)

The movie is carried mostly on Latifah's shoulders, and she is used to trying to carry all of her movies as best she can.  Luckily, she's a likable actress and that helps win an audience over.

The singing is beautiful, and that's half the battle, that is why the called the movie Joyful Noise after all. ;)

Final Grade: C+/B- range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  I've seen it twice now, and while I've enjoyed it, I am not in any hurry to rush out and pick this one up.

Verily, E'en Shakespeare Wouldst Approveth..."She's The Man"

She's The Man (2006)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum,
Directed by Andy Fickman

Written By William Shakespeare.  Sort of.

Return to those thrilling days of yesterday when Amanda Bynes hadn't lost her mind yet...


The Story:

If you've read Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, get ready to see it turned on its ear.  If you haven't, you're about to get the general idea of the play, but with a modern twist.  Viola (Bynes) is a girl soccer player whose school cuts girls soccer!  She wants to join the boys team, but they reject the idea of a female playing with the guys.  So she hatches a plan to take her twin brother Sebastian's (James Kirk) place at a rival school.  She dudes up and ends up rooming with Duke (Tatum).  Naturally, a love triangle ensues because Duke has eyes for Olivia Laura Ramsey) but she won't give him the time of day...she's got eyes only for Sebastian (Bynes!) and Sebastian ... Viola... is totally falling for Duke!

Let the madcappery ensue!

This movie is flat out funny, from start to finish.

Wisely, they take the basic premise of Shakespeare's work, and keep that, but jettison the language with the update to the modern setting.

No offense, but every Shakespeare update that goes modern age, yet keeps the language never works for me.

But, update the work, keep the ideas/plot/characters... it seems to work.

It may just be me, but that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Must Look Away From the Tatum!

Yes, I watch this movie, and then I just sit back and sigh.

So much potential from Ms. Bynes, and it seems to go off the rails into a trainwreck of life.

Thankfully, we'll always have the movies.

All of the supporting characters are great character actors who support the story perfectly.  Vinnie Jones is great as the soccer coach who brings Sebastian up to the main team by watching the effort put forth by a former second stringer.

I Could Kill You With Me Bare 'ands...

David Cross is hilarious as Gold, the absent minded headmaster, and really, the movie is just filled with comedic gems from start to finish.

The cast and writers make Shakespeare's comedy of identity swap work wonderfully on so many levels.

The fun revelation of course, is Channing Tatum.  This is before he was Channing Tatum!  It's his first co-starring role, as Step Up was on the horizon when this came out.

But Tatum is hilarious as the jock who Viola pines for, and his sense of comedic timing is exceptional.

Channing Tatum: Tampon Spokesman

The kid's got a future in Hollywood.

:)

Good for a laugh any, and every, time it hits the DVD player.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I would say this gets played at least once a year in the house, and I do own it.

The Response When I Started This Blog? "I Give It A Year"

I Give It A Year (2013)
Rated R for Language & Nudity

Starring Rose Byrne, Rafe Spall, Simon Baker, Anna Faris

Directed & Written by Dan Mazer

The Story:

Newlyweds Nat (Byrne) and Josh (Spall) had a lovely wedding, but now that wedded bliss has set in, it seems to be anything but that.  Things are becoming quite irritable between them, and now there is a potential client (Baker) who has a thing for Nat, and she is playing along, not letting him know that she's married.  Meanwhile, Josh's ex (Faris) is trying to be supportive, but still crushing on him.  The rest of the families are less than enthused with the marriage, and as the title suggests...

Will love win out?

Yes, yes it will.

Just not in the way it probably *should*... it just depends on your point of view.

Not Even Cooked!

Mazer does a great job of really offering you the chance to be both irritated and sympathetic to both spouses throughout this film.

Neither one is particularly much of either, easily alternating between good/snarky right before our eyes.  Sometimes by themselves, sometimes with their partner.  It's not his/her fault that he/she is that way, they just simply are.

And they don't click.

At all.

Except with other people.

Awkward...

 

Naturally, they are both too stubborn to see the writing on the wall, and risk jeopardizing their future happiness for trying to make everyone else happy, and not hurt one another.

I'm not sure what great takeaway for marriage they are trying to get across onscreen, except maybe to marry the right one from the start...

: /

It does tend to make life easier though.

Merchant Loses His Mind!

A special shout out to Stephen Merchant who steals every bit of the movie he is in with some of the most uncomfortably hilarious speeches you'll ever hear in a movie.

Thankfully, he is used sparingly, yet effectively in the movie.

Now streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

If you dare!

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nah, I'd have to say that once was enough for me on this one.  The funny bits were just that, bits.  Not enough to want to tackle the movie entirely again.

There Were Holes In Shia LaBeouf? Actually...Yes! "Lawless"

Lawless (2012)
Rated R for Language and violence

Starring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman
Directed by John Hillcoat


I'm actually pretty pleased that I was able to use a Pysch reference for today's title.

From there, it's all downhill folks!

:)

The Story:

The Bondurant Boys: Jack (LaBeouf), Forrest (Hardy) and Howard (Clarke) are making a living in depression/prohibition era Virginia by making and selling moonshine.  Ah, but corruption creeps in with a District Attorney and his deputy Charlie Rakes (Pearce) who collect from all the bootleggers.  The boys refuse, and this sets off an escalating war as Rakes tears the countryside apart trying to bring down the thorn in his side.

Sound exciting?

It should have been.

But I found myself pushing the fast forward button on a lot of this because it was just dragging...and dragging.

For almost 2 hours.

The actors do a fine, if unspectacularly convincing me that their story is an important one.

It was mostly a series of one Bondurant doing something stupid, then working together to fix that problem.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

I Can't Believe They Shot Me!

Even Guy Pearce who normally chews up the screen as the malicious bad guy just couldn't pull me in.

Heck, Gary Oldman couldn't even do much, with likely the second most charismatic part in the movie, but very limited screen time.

Perhaps Oldman and Hardy were just happy to be collecting their Bat-checks?

Your mileage may vary, but I was bored.

The movie itself looked great though, so there's that.

:)

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not even if it was offered as a bribe...

If The Shue Fits... "Adventures in Babysitting"

Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
Rated PG-13 for Language

Starring Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Penelope Ann Miller

Directed by Chris Columbus

Recognize the poster by Drew Struzan? :)

The Story:

Chris (Shue) is going to babysit 3 kids (Brewton, Coogan, Rapp) when her date (Bradley Whitford) stands her up.  Ah, but one fateful call from best friend Brenda (Miller) sets the foursome out on the wilds of Chicago to pick her up from the bus station.  Naturally, one crazy night filled with mishaps and adventures ensues.  Will they survive the night and make it back to the suburbs in one piece?

Rose colored glasses need not apply to this review.

I remember watching a bit of this back in 1987. 

I was mostly bored.

Uh-Oh...This Review Won't End Well...

Fast forward over 25 years later and I caught this one again and thought, hey, maybe I was too young  or preoccupied to care for this cimematic classic.

Nope.

Still mostly bored.

:)

Don't get me wrong, there was a few good gags and chuckles along the way, but for the most part, I am indifferent to the film.


I'll admit, the random needing to sing the blues to get out of the club was a pretty funny scene.

Possibly the Best Part of the Movie

For those that this was ingrained as an important part of your 80s viewing habits, rock on.

Much like Say Anything, I wonder if I had watched it and enjoyed it at the time, if I wouldn't be singing a different tune.   Then it would be a classic for me instead of "meh, it was okay, but nothing special..."

I suppose I could try again...

I'll save it for the 50 year anniversary.

:)

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nah, but I can at least cross another 80s film I've never seen off the list.  One step closer to finally seeing E.T.

How To Review A Movie About "Amelia" ?

Amelia (2009)
Rated PG for language

Starring Hillary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston

Directed by Mira Nair

The Story:

Amelia Earhart (Swank), perhaps you've heard of her?  In her famous attempt to circumnavigate the globe with her trusted navigator, Fred Noonan (Eccleston), the two vanished, never to be seen or heard from again.  Sorry if that spoils it for you, but basically that's the story you'll be watching.

Now I feel like I've spoiled the ending of the Titanic ( a movie that will never be reviewed here) ...

And Leo Dies...

So basically this is the struggles of Earhart to fly, as that was not something that women did back then.  She champions her cause, and that of women pilots everywhere.  This is where she runs into George Putnam (Gere) the man who publicizes her feats and makes her more famous by the day.

Naturally, the two fall in love and are married, and George is there for her every step of the way.

Then, enter Gene Vidal (McGregor) who puts more than a vested interest into the married pilot, and you've got your plot thickening right before your very eyes!

The movie looks great, the time period is recreated very lovingly.

But...

I Must Choose Between An Officer and a Gentleman...

It's slow... and at nearly 2 hours, probably overly long for what you're getting.

While there is supposed to be tension, this movie was kicked to the curb by me because, like Titanic, I know the ending going in. 

Where is the suspense on what she does early in her career?

I know she won't die in any plane crash until she goes for her record at the end of the movie.

:: yawn ::

Or a Jedi...

Ooo.... she loves Putnam but Vidal is making a play for her...

And yet, there's really no onscreen chemistry between any of the actors.

Again, nothing inherently wrong with any of the movie, just wanted so much more.

Your mileage may of course vary.


Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I'd have to say that I'm good after this one.

Dysfunctional Coming of Age Tale... "The Way Way Back"

The Way Way Back (2013)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Liam James, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell

Directed & Written by Nat Faxon & Jim Rash

The Story:

Duncan (James) is a shy 14 year old coming to spend the summer at the beach house of his mom's (Collette) new boyfriend (Carell) and his daughter.  Next door is the beautiful Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb) and her crazy mother (Allison Janney) and the lazy-eyed brother, Peter.  Also spending a lot of time at the house are neighbors Kip and Joan (Rob Corddry and Amanda Peet).  Sam absolutely hates it there, and finds a bike and rides off into town.  He goes to Water Wizz, the local fun park and befriends Owen (Rockwell) and gets a job.  Finally starting to come out of his shell thanks to his co-workers, Duncan is about to have the best summer of his life.

As the poster proclaims, from the studio that brought you Little Miss Sunshine, and really, that should tell you everything you need to know.

However, unlike Ruby Sparks which was brought to us by the director of Little Miss Sunshine, and sits on my list as the most hated movie of 2014 so far...

The Eighth Dwarf: Mopey

This one is at least watchable.

I've been outspoken that Little Miss Sunshine was overrated, and this one lines up to receive the same accolades, but to me it is a dramedy that isn't nearly as funny as previews or critics would have you believe, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The laughs are genuine and serve the story well when they come, and not overplayed antics to serve a storyline.

If anything, the story is slow and deliberate, almost too slow at times.  There is an awful lot of the same thing happening over and over again, but yet it is compelling enough to not turn it off, and that mostly comes off the strength of the actors.

If I had to choose to watch either of these movies again, this would be selected.

It's the Sam Rockwell Show!

The main reason is a simple tour de force by Sam Rockwell who delivers another great performance, but then, when doesn't he?

Had there been any other actor in the role, I likely would have downgraded this movie farther.  But he's entertaining and keeps me coming back, hoping more of the movie will be centered around his character and less about Duncan's troubles at home.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: No, I'm good.  If I were to watch it again, I would simply fast forward to Rockwell's parts and call it a day.

Some Family-Friendly "Bedtime Stories" For The Weekend

Bedtime Stories (2008)
Rated PG

Starring Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Guy Pearce, Russell Brand, Courteney Cox

Directed by Adam Shankman

The Story:

Skeeter Bronson (Sandler) grew up in the Sunny Vista Motel that was started by his dad and then bought by millionaire, Barry Nottingham (Richard Griffiths).  The promise was made that Skeeter could someday run the hotel, but apparently Barry has forgotten as he has promised when the hotel is remodeled, it will be run by Kendall (Pearce) instead.  On top of that, the new site, unbeknownst to Skeeter, is on the site of the school where his sister (Cox) is the principal.  She needs to head to Arizona to find a job, so she has Skeeter watch her two kids, and her co-worker Jill (Russell) will split time with him.  Skeeter tells the kids some fun bedtime stories when he puts them to bed, and the kids add to his fantastic tales.  But when the stories begin to come true, exactly like they said the night before, Skeeter realizes that he still has a chance to run the hotel, if he can just shape the stories appropriately.

Not your typical Adam Sandler movie, right?

Nope, not when it's released by Disney.

However, this continued  a trend of more family friendly Sandler films that are actually sweet enough, and funny, that they are worth seeing with the entire family.

Is That A Rat on My Head?

Originally seen a few years ago after it had come out, this movie remained on our wish list for years, always hard to justify a $20 price tag on some of those Disney films that just never went down in price.

Ah, but when your local Blockbuster goes out of business, suddenly films that had always been just off the radar come back on, and get picked up for a  bargain price.

Welcome to the library!

Which in the intervening years since 2008, it was checked out about every year by my daughter from the local library so she could watch it.

Now I've saved her a few steps!

Watched again, and yes, it was still as cute and fun as I remember from 2008.

The situations become more absurd with each story, and Skeeter risks ruining the relationship he is building with the kids when he does snap at them in anger when they change the ending to one of his tales.

Have I Not Entertained You?

Brand gives a hysterical performance as Skeeter's best friend.  He livens up all of the scenes that he is in, and he plays a pivotal part in the climax of the film.

Overall this is a very cute movie with a wonderful message about the joys of childhood and the way kids see life.


Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I finally got it, and I wouldn't be surprised if this gets a replay at least once a year. :)

Duck Dynasty Meets Quentin Tarantino..."The Baytown Outlaws"

The Baytown Outlaws (2012)
Rated R for Violence and Language

Starring Clayne Crawford, Travis Fimmel and Daniel Cudmore

Directed by Barry Battles

The Story:

The Oodie Boys, Brick (Crawford), McQueen (Fimmel) and Lincoln (Cudmore) are three redneck renegades who make a living keeping a local town clear of low-life criminals by killing them.  This arrangement works great for the sheriff (Andre Braugher) until the boys accidentally go to the wrong house... this draws attention from the Feds.  The boys get hired by Celeste (Eva Longoria) to head to Texas and rescue her godson (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) from her ex-husband Carlos (Billy Bob Thornton).  If they do that, and kill Carlos, they'll make $25,000.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, considering they are about to be hunted across the country by a group of prostitute assassins, some angry Indian bikers and another gang of bounty hunters, things are going to get pretty hairy for the boys.

First, Billy Bob Thornton and Eva Longoria get top billing and most prominent casting on the poster, but neither is in it very much.

But in reality, that's a good thing.

No, this film belongs to the Oodie Boys, and these three pull of hillbilly redneck like nobody's business!

Here Come the Oodies!

The banter and interaction between them, yes, it's easy to believe that they are brothers who've got each other's backs at all times.

The movie seemingly veers off into the absurd with each new wave of bounty hunters chasing the boys down.

Prostitutes on motorcycles? Check!

They Charge By The Hour...Or The Mile!

A black militia with a vehicle straight out of the Road Warrior movies?  Check!

A tribe of scalping Indians on motorcycles? Check!

Yet in this crazy world that the Oodies inhabit, you buy each layer of crazy with no reservations at all.

It's crazy. It's funny.  It's violent.

And every once in a while, it surprises itself and becomes a little touching.

But they quickly kick that aside and get back to crazy.

:)

Not too bad for a pure-bred B movie!

Final Grade: C+/B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nah, one viewing for this is fine.  Though if they boys found themselves in a sequel, I'd certainly give it a try!

Everything Is Bigger In Texas...Even The Body Counts. "Texas Chainsaw"

Texas Chainsaw (3D) (2013)
Rated R for language, gore, violence, gore, chainsaws and gore

Starring: Heather Daddario, Dan Yeager

Directed by John Luessenhop

The Story:

In 1974, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released and shocked audiences with Leatherface and his cannibalistic clan.  This is the sequel.  Forget all other iterations labeled Texas Chainsaw that came between then and now.  So after the events of that film, the townsfolk have arrived and burn down the house and kill everyone inside.

Except a little baby girl who was raised by a less than loving couple.

Years have passed, and the girl, Heather (Daddario) receives word that her great grandmother has passed and has left her estate to Heather, the last of the Sawyer bloodline.

So Heather and a few friends head to Texas to claim their prize, but it turns out, had Heather read the letter, she'd realize that there was one more cousin still alive...

Okay, I admit, I had to look up the movie history of this franchise, as I have seen apparently every other-ish release in this series.

From what I gathered, this picks up after the original movie, but would take place around the time of the 2003 remake, so hey, you've got me.  I get the Jason or Freddy timeline, but Leatherface has me stumped.

The original film, well by the time I saw it, it was the late 80s and I was already spoiled on Friday the 13th, Halloween and the Nightmare on Elm Street movies.  By the time I got around to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre?

Yawn.

So boring...so not scary.

Thankfully, when this movie starts, they attempt to relive the precious few scary moments of that film and then hit the ground running. 

I thought it seemed awfully familiar! :)

Knock Knock...I Mean... Bzzzz Bzzzzz

Not seeing it in 3D, I don't think I missed out on much.  A few blood splatters and things coming directly at the screen aside, I don't think it enhanced the overall viewing experience.

Now, I will admit it's been a few years since I took Biology, but I also don't think you can have a thick blood trail that drags for literally miles.

Also, not a whole lot of tension or build, just a lot of BOO jumping out of the shadows and a kill.

Been there... done that.

A lot.

There was a nice twist on the family relationship at the end of the film, as well as a sense of who was really more evil, the townsfolk or Leatherface's family?

If you do watch, fast forward to the end of the credits for a pretty amusing postscript scene that brings Heather's story full-circle.

:)

Final Grade: C+

Would I Watch It Again or Buy It? No to both questions.  I'm sure I'll see the next sequel, or at my rate, the one after that, but this one didn't strike any chords with me that said "gotta have it!".