There's Gold In Them There Hills! "City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curly's Gold"

City Slickers 2 (1994)

Rated PG-13

Starring Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Jon Lovitz, Jack Palance, Patricia Wettig

Directed by Paul Weiland

The Story:

Mitch (Crystal) is paranoid.  He keeps seeing Curly (Palance) ever since he discovered a map hidden in the old cowboy's hat.  Teaming with Phil (Stern) and saddled with his older brother, Glen (Lovitz), the trio head out west to discover the treasure that Curly's ancestors buried.  However, some things buried in the desert are meant to stay buried!

A few years after the now-classic City Slickers was released, the inevitable sequel followed.

While not nearly as beloved as the first, I for one, am a big fan.

The dynamic changed a bit. 

Gone, with no explanation is Ed (Bruno Kirby), but Phil and Mitch are still there.

Now we are introduced to Glen, Mitch's deadbeat brother and played to the hilt by Lovitz.

I have often found movies improved by the Lovitz Factor, and this one is no exception.

Bringing back Jack Palance was a stroke of genius, and he actually gets a bit more screen time this go round.

Again, it's a different feel than the first one, but that's totally fine because it stands on its own merits as a good movie, not just a sequel to a great movie.


Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  While not quite as great as City Slickers, it's pretty darn close. :)

What Could Have Been... "Mr. Destiny"

Mr. Destiny (1990)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring James Belushi, Linda Hamilton, Jon Lovitz, Michael Caine

Directed by James Orr

The Story:

Larry Burrows (Belushi) is having a bad day.  As he is set to celebrate his birthday, upon taking stock of what his life has amounted to up to this point, he realizes that maybe it wasn't just a bad day, it's a bad life.  As he commiserates with a mysterious bartender (Caine) about what could have been...

He finds he's about to find out exactly how different his life would be if he would have made that game winning hit when he was just a little kid.

No matter how bad your life is, it could always be worse.

And sometimes your bad life, isn't nearly as bad as you could imagine.

Yep, it's another variation of It's A Wonderful Life.

And, it's a good one.

Yes, go back in time to an era when Jim Belushi was headlining movies, and you'll find this little gem of a romantic comedy/fantasy.

Larry begins to realize that many of the ordinary things that he takes for granted, like his wife (Hamilton) and best friend (Lovitz) would have been lost to him had he made that fateful game winning at bat.

Yes, he would have been rich, but he never would have been happy.

Sobering thought really, and very nicely done.

One of my favorites.

Closing in on 25 years, it still holds up and is still an enjoyable film to watch.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Absolutely adore this little gem.  It gets a spin every other year or so.

You Suck..No...You Suck! "Heckler"

 

If you don't like them, tell them how you feel!

The Story:

Jamie Kennedy hosts a documentary that's as much about him, as it is about stand-up comedians in particular, and performance artists in general.  With interviews and anecdotes from dozens of other comics, filmmakers, singers as well as counter points and opinions from a variety of hecklers and critics as to why they do what they do.

It's not always alcohol that fuels it.

Mostly, but not always.

: )

This is an interesting documentary that does focus a bit much on Jamie Kennedy and the disastrous reviews his movies (Malibu's Most Wanted and Son of the Mask) received.  But hey, it's his documentary, so fair enough.  He comes off a bit desperate in a few of the bits, but as the documentary plays out, you have to start feeling for him, and the rest of performance artists who are subject to critiques and reviews from critics both professional and amateur.

The bad thing is, and they talk to a real doozy in here, about reviewers who make the reviews personal.

It's one thing to give an opinion, "hey, I saw this movie, liked/didn't like it, you might feel the same way and spend/save your money".

That's what I attempt to do here, and one of the reasons I did my Greatest 100 movies, so you could peer back into my warped mind and see what I liked and what I didn't, and see if our opinions mesh more times than they diverge.

What I don't do, at least I don't think I've done here, is belittle a performer or their performance.

Even some of these direct to DVD features with big stars (Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta Jones, etc) I try and give the benefit of the doubt.  Have the stars done better? Yep! Do I wish them to be crucified because of a poor choice?  No way!

Some of the criticism that Kennedy and others endure in this film (and their careers) is downright brutal.

Wishing death on a performer?  Come on folks, dial it back a notch or twelve.

Anyway, it's interesting to watch, though realize that with a bunch of stand-ups, it's f-bombs galore in this otherwise interesting documentary that all reviewers (and performers to boot!) should watch to see how this relationship works.

 

Now available for streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C+...B- range.

Would I Own It: No, the point was made, and again, replay value is low in this house due to language.

 

 

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 16 ~ The Wedding Singer

Movie-makers take note...

If you want to make a chick flick that guys will go to, make it funny.

Today's movie is Adam Sandler's finest film.  That is a sentence you won't hear many movie reviewers make!

For those that haven't seen it:

Robbie Hart (Sandler) is a local wedding singer.  He's talented and fun, and can keep the party going no matter what happens.  But when he's left at the altar, his entire universe explodes.  Luckily, the new waitress, Julia (Drew Barrymore) is there along with his friends to try and cheer him up.  Julia is planning her wedding, and getting Robbie's help brings him back from the brink.  But what does he do when he begins having feelings for Julia?

I told you I'm a sucker for romantic comedies.  And I'll watch every Adam Sandler movie, at least once.

This one, I've watched way more than once! : )

Sandler and Barrymore have a sweet chemistry together in the movie.  As the movie unfolds, you see them falling in love, and naturally you know how the movie ends, but it's fun to watch them get to that point.

It helps that Glenn Guglia is a complete jerk who you can't believe is going to marry sweet little Julia.

Julia Guglia?  Ick!!!

Of course, there is the Jon Lovitz factor to help push this movie to the top.  His brief cameo is hilarious.

However, you have to give credit for the finale to Billy Idol.

If you're casting a movie, set in the 80s, and you need someone to play Billy Idol... you cast Billy Idol!!  Sandler did, and the ending is all the more hilarious because of it. : )