The Wait For Iiiiiiiiiiiiiittttt....Is Over..."Psych: The Movie"

Psych: The Movie (2017)

TV-PG

Starring James Roday, Dule Hill, Maggie Lawson, Corbin Bernsen, Kirsten Nelson, Timothy Omundson, Zachary Levi, Kurt Fuller, Jazmyn Simon

Directed by Steve Franks

The Story:

It's been 3 years since audiences have been able to see what's been going on in the Psych office. They've moved from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. As Christmas is drawing near in San Francisco, it appears that someone is out for revenge against Juliet (Lawson) for crimes she has allegedly committed on the force. It's up to Shawn and Gus (Roday & Hill) to put their thinking caps on and see if they can outsmart the bad guy and save the day. 

As always, I try and remain as spoiler-free as I can, especially for new movies and shows that not everyone may have watched yet.

It boils down to this: if you were a Psych-o, you've been waiting for this moment for 3 years.

The show picks up right where it should. Life has happened, but thankfully, nothing major has happened to any of the characters...okay, maybe Woody (Fuller)... but we are brought up to speed as each character is reintroduced onscreen.

Plus, like many Christmas movies that aren't Christmas movies, except they ARE Christmas movies (Die Hard, Gremlins, etc), this one takes place during the holidays so you have an extra excuse to watch it, along with the 3 Christmas themed episodes every holiday season.

The only downside to the movie, not enough Lassiter (Omundson). That's where real-life stepped in as he suffered a stroke just before filming began, but thankfully he's doing well and was able to be in the film, albeit briefly.

Better news though, the creators have said they have a rough idea for 6 movies, if USA Network and the fans want to see them.

Hopefully the ratings and interest were there, and the next reunion won't be so far away.

While it did air last night on USA Network, it is now available through Amazon, VUDU or iTunes for $ 4.99 for digital streaming.

I bought my copy last night after the movie ended.

Now I can cancel my Sling TV subscription again, at least until Psych: The Movie: The Sequel

Final Grade: A

So That's How "Christian Mingle" Works

Christian Mingle (2014)

Rated PG

Starring Lacy Chabert, Johnathan Patrick Moore, Morgan Fairchild, David Keith

Written and Directed by Corbin Bernsen

The Story:

Gwyneth (Chabert) has it all in life, except for Mr. Right. So in an act of desperation, she puts a profile on Christian Mingle dot com. There she discovers Paul (Moore) and the two hit it off. There's only one problem, really: Gwyneth isn't really a Christian...

Cue the ominous music and crash of thunder!

:)

Okay, this lighthearted romantic comedy is a labor of love for writer/director Corbin Bernsen. He is a devout believer, but tries to deliver the message in a way that's enjoyable for those that believe and even those that don't.

Many accuse a lot of films with a Christian message or theme to beat it over the head of the audience so that nobody will enjoy it unless you're preaching to the choir.

That probably holds true here again.

Gwyneth is about to tell Paul the truth, that she's not really a Christian, and then doesn't, then it snowballs out of control as she overdoes it every time that religion is brought up.

The comedic effect is there, but it begs to question how blind is Paul when everyone else notices that Gwyneth is struggling with her faith, except the guy who likes her?

Of course, if she doesn't struggle with this portion, she doesn't get to come to terms with what she actually does believe in, if anything, and that's kind of the point behind the whole affair in the first place.

Bernsen surrounds Chabert with a great cast of familiar faces, and after a long career in front of the camera, I'm more than willing to give this former Psych star a chance behind the scenes.

While I watched it on disc, it is now available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

Celebrate America's Birth With America's Game..."Major League"

Major League (1989)

Rated R for language

Starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Wesley Snipes, Bob Ueker, Margaret Whitton, Rene Russo, Dennis Haysbert

Written an Directed by David Ward

The Story:

The owner of the Cleveland Indians is dead.  His widow (Whitton) decides to field the worst possible team that money can't buy so that attendance will drop so low, she will be able to leave Cleveland and take her talents to South Beach.

Hey wait a minute...

:)

There's no crying in baseball.

But there is laughing, and Major League will score laughs from beginning to end.

One of 2 classic baseball movies released in 1989 (Field of Dreams), both have endured as baseball classics, and I would say it is safe to say, movie classics as well.

For a quarter of a century, these two have ranked, easily, in my top 5 baseball movies, and also part of a great bumper crop of classics released in 1989.

Strangely, I'm not really a baseball fan, but I do love a good baseball movie.  I guess because they are inherently faster, and things actually happen.

:)

Needless to say, the team and coach defy expectations and rally to turn the franchise around, and make the Cleveland Indians a respectable team.

Shortly after the release of Major League, the Indians actually began to turn their franchise around.

Life imitating art.

Pretty cool.

As you can see by the cast, I've left several people off the list.  While Berenger was the "star" of the film, it really was an ensemble with every player being an important part of the team. 

It was a breakout role for Snipes as Willie Mayes Hayes.

It was also the big screen debut of Rene Russo.

And Bob Ueker nearly steals every moment he's in the film with his play by play.

There's a lot to like about this film, so get to it!

Watch the movie, especially if it's been anywhere close to 25 years since you last saw it.

Otherwise you might risk offending Jobu!

:)

Currently available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I already own it, and it gets a spin every so often.  Hilarious every time.