I'm Going To Go "Overboard" On My Review

Overboard (2018)

Rated PG-13

Starring Eugenio Derbez, Anna Faris,

Directed by Rob Greenberg

The Story:

Leonardo (Derbez) is a wealthy snob who has utter disregard for how the real world works, or those that work in it. So when he callously fires Kate (Faris), wouldn't you know that karmic payback was in order as he washes up on shore with no memory, and Kate claims him from the local hospital as her loving husband and devoted father to their three girls. Yep, it's payback time!

Oh no!

It's the dreaded, "Hollywood is remaking one of my classic films that I love" syndrome films.

However, let me ease your worries, hopefully, just a bit.

For those with fond, or distant memories of Overboard (1987) starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, which I actually watched earlier this year because I vaguely remember watching it 30 years ago...

It's not that great. Sure, there are some funny moments, and there's no denying the chemistry between the leads, but much of the humor is actually quite mean as you watch the story unfold.

There's no way that flies in the ultra-hip, totally modern 21st century...

Unless you actually are mean to the man, then by all means, game on!

Thankfully, the man in question is Eugenio Derbez who simply makes great movies that continue to get added to our movie library where we can laugh (and cry) whenever the mood strikes us.

Don't believe me? Go watch Instructions Not Included, a film that made my Best of the Year list not too long ago.

He carries most of the movie here as well, garnering the laughs and the sympathy as the hen-pecked husband who does his best to readjust to a life he doesn't remember.

If I had to choose between which of the Overboard films I'd watch again in the future...

Well I've seen the original twice in just over 30 years.

I've seen the new one once, but I plan on purchasing it and watching it a few more times over the next year.

It's not a masterpiece by any means, but it's fun and enjoyable, and that always fits the bill.

Final Grade: B

Latino Heat! "How To Be A Latin Lover"

How To Be A Latin Lover (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Eugenio Derbez, Salma Hayek, Raphael Alejandro, Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, Rob Riggle, Raquel Welch,

Directed by Ken Marino

The Story:

Maximo (Derbez) has been living the high life as he basically has enjoyed a carefree lifestyle as the boy toy of a rich widow. But when she dumps him for a younger model, suddenly Maximo has to start all over, and at a much older age. Hoping to crash with his sister (Hayek) and his nephew (Alejandro), Maximo's attempts at adjusting to normal life while finding his next rich conquest lead him on one wild ride after the next.

Eugenio Derbez is two for two with me on films that I've seen him starring in. While this one is not quite as heartwarming and endearing as Instructions Not Included, this one is zany and a lot of fun, and yet with just the right amount of heart as several of Maximo's relationships play out over the course of the film.

Surrounded with an excellent ensemble cast that make Maximo's life increasingly more complicated as all he wants to do is mooch off of someone, but circumstances dictate another fate for everything he plans to do.

Along the way, he slowly mends fences with his beloved sister, and helps to bring much needed happiness and stability to her life. Hayek plays off Derbez perfectly creating a great family dynamic.

Ken Marino steps behind the camera for his first feature, and does a great job. It's a little bit of a rough start, but once it gets going, the story builds and it turned out to be one of favorite films for the whole family this year.

Final Grade: B+

The 10 Best Films of 2014!!

 When I looked through the reviews from the year, I had over 20 movies that rated a B+ or higher during the year. Not a bad amount, and there were plenty of decent B- through C- rated films that weren't a waste of time.

I did a little trimming this morning, and here were the 10 movies that I enjoyed the most since the beginning of last year.

B-Movie/Horror:

10) Big Ass Spider! 

Any movie with an exclamation point in the title must deliver the goods. Big Ass Spider! did with a thoroughly engaging B movie premise with tongue firmly in cheek while allowing for good characterization, humor and even a thrill or two along the way. Still streaming on Netflix.

Superhero Genre (entry 1)

9) X-Men: Days of Future Past

How does Fox go against Marvel Studios to revitalize their franchise? They hit the big ol' RESET button, and wipe out everything that had ever happened in any X-Men/Wolverine movie. While that normally reeks of desperation, I instead applaud them for the sheer genius of the move. Also, the use of Quicksilver was by far the coolest introduction of a character in ages, and I'm curious to see what Marvel does with their version.

Foreign Film

8) Instructions Not Included 

If you are fluent in Spanish or willing to read subtitles, look no further than the sweetest tale about the joys and perils of raising a child than you've seen in quite some time. Heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny and sad, this one will take you on an emotional roller-coaster, and by the end, you'll be glad you took the trip. Still streaming on Netflix.

Animation (Entry 1)

7) How to Train Your Dragon 2 

Simply beautiful, as Dreamworks continues to outpace Disney, Pixar and all others as the favorite animation studio of the moment.  Lush, beautiful landscapes and environments, great characters and an impressive voice cast makes this a franchise that is truly worth watching. Be warned, a major character doesn't make it out alive, yet I didn't feel my heartstrings tugged as much as I should have, because you could tell it was coming. Hopefully the next chapter isn't too bittersweet, after all, dragons have to disappear from the earth sometime.

:(

Animation (Entry 2)

6) How to Train Your Dragon 

Yes,  you are reading that correctly. I told the kids I had no interest in their dragon movie for the last several years. With the sequel coming, they begged and begged, and being the good father that I am, I gave in and watched it. 

Absolutely amazing. 

Even moreso than the sequel, and tell me Toothless isn't the coolest animated animal to hit the screen in quite some time.

Sports Movie 

5) Draft Day

Costner's best film in ages, this movie hits the ground running and never lets up. My wife, who barely tolerates me watching the NFL was even engrossed with the film. So impressed were the two of us, that we each bought the other a copy for Christmas. 

That's love right there!

Animation (Entry 3)

4) Turbo 

Dear Turbo haters...

You can suck it.

:) 

Another Dreamworks masterpiece that got no love at the box office, but has scored forever fans in this house, it's a film that is gorgeous to watch, funny to listen to, and has a great  message to never give up on your dreams. Still streaming on Netflix.

Documentary

3) The Battered Bastards of Baseball

If you see only one documentary this year, this is the one you should watch. I saw several great ones, but this one should be turned into a major motion picture, with Kurt Russell as the star.  You should like this even if you don't like baseball.

I know I did!

:)

Still streaming on Netflix. 

Superhero (Entry 2 & 3)

2) Captain America: The Winter Soldier

I was worried when they pulled the director and went with the Russo brothers, but I knew it was going to be good.  I didn't realize it was going to be that good though!

While still a superhero movie, Cap felt like an action thriller from the 70s (that's a good thing) with political intrigue, while given the modern punch of the Bourne/Bond thrillers.

Not too frenetic, just right!

1) Guardians of the Galaxy 

I rolled by eyes when this one was announced. Who? Seriously? Marvel Comics fans barely know or care for the Guardians. I figured this would be the first movie to tank from Marvel.

Whoops.

My apologies. 

I debated on whether this or Cap would get the # 1 slot, but I give it to Guardians because I knew Captain America 2 would be good, and I thought this would be awful.

I was wrong, and will happily admit it.

Now, on to the sequels, and let's see what movies will be crowned the Best of 2015 next year!!

Raising Children Isn't Easy Since "Instructions Not Included"

Instructions Not Included (2013)

Rated PG-13

Starring Eugenio Derbez, Loreto Peralta, Jessica Lindsey

Directed by Eugenio Derbez

The Story:

Valentin (Derbez) is a playboy living the life in Acapulco when a woman from his past (Lindsey) shows up with a baby on his doorstep.  She hands the baby to Valentin goes to pay the cab... and disappears.  Valentin takes the baby to L.A. to find the mother when fate intervenes and launches Valentin onto a new career path.  As he raises Maggie (Peralta) he comes to love and cherish that little girl.  But when the mother returns and wants to take Maggie back with her, Valentin's world begins to crumble.

What a sweet movie.

Get your glasses on, because 90% of the movie is reading subtitles, but it's worth it.

The story is a really wonderful tale about the father and daughter bonding.  Your heart melts as Valentin grows fonder and fonder of his daughter throughout the film.

As the final act unfolded, however, I began to become irritated with the direction the movie was taking.  I was ready to drop this into the "C" range, my disappointment was building throughout the court case.

Thankfully, the story spun into another direction that I wasn't expecting and the movie was salvaged for me, and the rating improved from a solid B to consideration for best of the year status.

It's really good, pretty funny and really sweet...

But bring a tissue or two.  You're going to need them.

Available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B+ 

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: The gut-punch ending doesn't dampen the beautiful story.  Probably a one and done, but you never know...