It's Dangerous To Wander "Into The Grizzly Maze"

Into the Grizzly Maze (2015)

Rated R

Starring James Marsden, Thomas Jane, Piper Perabo, Scott Glenn, Michaela McManus, Adam Beach,

Directed by David Hackl

The Story:

Rowan (Marsden) and Beckett (Jane) are two brothers who haven't seen each other in ages. When Rowan returns to town in Alaska, he's on a mission to help a friend. However, those plans are in jeopardy when both brothers need to survive the Alaskan wilderness while they are being stalked by a grizzly bear.

This was a pretty effective little thriller, where the monster is told more than shown, so much like Jaws, the scares are often implied versus explicitly shown.

However, when they do allow the bear to attack, there's buckets of gore aplenty. :)

Billy Bob Thornton is on hand as the Quint character who is there to stop the bear, however, well, as the Quint character, you should already know how that's going to turn out, right?

In addition to the issues with the bear, the group also has to deal with their feelings for each other.

Even in the face of a man-eating beast, some differences don't just go away because you're in danger.

Otherwise, you've got a great cast doing their best to make you feel their fear and it's a pretty good little B movie to pass the time.
Final Grade:  B- / C+ range

Today On The Zander Kelly Show..."Joe Dirt" !!

Joe Dirt (2001)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring David Spade, Brittany Daniel, Dennis Miller, Adam Beach, Christopher Walken

Directed by Dennie Gordon

The Story:

The story of Joe Dirt (Spade) as related across the airwaves when he becomes a guest on the Zander Kelly (Miller) show.  Joe relates how he was abandoned at the Grand Canyon as a kid, and has made his way in life, trying to find his family.  The obvious victim of ridicule on the show and in life, a strange thing happens as he tells the tale of his life, and the city becomes enamored with Joe and his search for family, and love, with Brandi (Daniel) the girl with a heart of gold.

How is it that I've never reviewed this movie before?

Okay, I imagine there are two types of people reactions when the movie Joe Dirt is mentioned.

Those that recoil in horror at the thought of this, or any movie, starring any former Saturday Night Live cast member, especially named David Spade or Adam Sandler.

And those that recognize this movie as the Citizen Kane of Trailer Trash movies.

:)

I feel bad for that first group, because they are blindly judging a movie the second group understands that start to finish, this movie is flat-out funny.

Infinitely quotable, I defy you to find a fan of this film that can't quote you at least one of the hilarious Dirt-isms of the film at a moment's notice.

The movie is peppered with wonderful supporting characters from the obvious (Walken) to the inspired (Kid Rock) that you might not expect in a movie like this.

So sit back, and just let the Joe Dirt-iness wash over you.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Own it. Love it.

"Reel Injun" A Look Under the War Paint of the American Movie Indians

Reel Injun (2009)
Documentary Not Rated

Starring: Adam Beach, Clint Eastwood

Directed by Neil Diamond.  No, the other one.

The Story:

This documentary attempts to peel back the layers and expose how the depiction of the Native American on the big screen has shaped the world's perception on the American Indian.

Whether it is the idea that an Indian is an Indian, so in the movies, regardless of tribe, they all wear the same clothing.

They all hunt the same. Live the same. Look the same.

Are the same.

Even though tribes that dressed that way lived hundreds or thousands of miles from where they are being depicted onscreen.

Pretty informative and a nice take on trying to undo a century of cinematic falsehoods...

Even one that Native Americans themselves had a hard time trying to overcome.

Good for History buffs.

Hollywood buffs.

Fans of good documentaries.

Available for streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Probably only needed to be viewed once.