And You Thought Your Family Was Weird..."The Family Fang"

The Family Fang (2015)

Rated R

Starring Jason Bateman, Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken, Maryann Plunkett,

Directed by Jason Bateman

The Story:

Annie (Kidman) and Baxter (Bateman) Fang have grown and left their eccentric parents (Walken & Plunkett) out of their lives as much as possible. When Baxter gets injured, his family comes to take care of him, and the family is reunited one more time. But their parents being weird performance artists have left emotional scars on the siblings. However, when their parents go missing and are presumed dead, the kids aren't too sure that this isn't just their latest masterpiece.

If it sounds weird, it's because it was weird.

It's a quirky dramedy that explores the relationship between a family that was so dysfunctional, they had no clue what dysfunction even was.

And yet, they also had a very good time growing up, and the bond between brother and sister is remarkably strong for all that they endured.

It's a very character driven story that flashes back to when the kids were younger and shows what they endured growing up.

The oddest part of the movie is how it seems like it's also part documentary in narration, which gives the movie a bit of an odd flow to it, but it's nothing that is too hard to look past.

Good performances by all of the actors involved, and that's what propels your interest in the movie from start to finish.

Final Grade: C+

Please Look After This Bear... "Paddington"

Paddington (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Ben Whishaw, Nicole Kidman

Directed by Paul King

The Story:

A bear named Paddington (voiced by Whishaw) finds himself in need of a home. Naturally, London is the place to be, so he sets off for England and runs into the Brown family who take him in. Naturally, what starts out as a fish out of water story becomes a tale of love and acceptance into the family. Of course, there's going to be a little bit of danger afoot first!

Okay, honestly, when I heard they were making a Paddington movie, I rolled my eyes and thought, really? The bear with the hat and coat?

Why?

Of course, I try and keep an open mind when these movies are released, and after arriving on my doorstep to groans from just about everyone, in it went.

And you know what?

It wasn't that bad.

No, nothing you haven't seen before, but good, harmless fun for the whole family.

More in the line of Stuart Little than Air Bud, so it's good for the whole family without getting on your nerves, fast!

While the bear is the star, I would like to commend Hugh Bonneville's turn as the beleaguered father who is the most reluctant to want to keep Paddington, yet gets roped into more adventures with him, and to save him, than anyone else. He's a good sport, and brings a whole lot of fun to the film.

So yes, if there's a Paddington 2, I will be there to see what happens next.

I also won't be disappointed if they don't make a sequel.

:)

Final Grade: B-

Not The Worst Television Remake Of All Time..."Bewitched"

Bewitched (2005)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine,

Directed by Nora Ephron

The Story:

Jack Wyatt (Ferrell) is on the ropes with his movie career.  He's had a few bombs, so he is hoping that a trip to the small screen in a remake of the beloved 60s sitcom Bewitched will be just the ticket.  But Jack wants to make sure he's the star, so the plan is to find an unknown to play Samantha and that way Darrin can be the focus of the show.  When he meets Isabel (Kidman), Jack realizes that she is perfect.  He's smitten, and she's cast.  However, what Jack doesn't know is that Isabel really is a witch, and she's got some ideas of her own.

So where did this one go off the rails?

Nearing the 10th anniversary of this film, and I gave it a spin again recently.

It was still cute.

No, it's nothing to set the world on fire or change cinema forever...

But come on, it wasn't that bad.

Perhaps it had a built-in hatred from audiences even before it was released?

After all, people complain about the bankruptcy of Hollywood ideas and the constant recycling and remaking of old properties.

Then you advertise that you are remaking Bewitched, and audiences hated it on principle alone.

Of course, it arrives with a twist, it's a remake within a movie, so it's very clever in NOT being a remake.

Add to that the clever notion that Isabel and her family are witches, and it should have been enough to appease the haters, but it failed.

Why?  Hard to say.

Ephron gave it her best as writer and director, and the cast is first-rate.

Kidman gives a spunky, humorous performance as Isabel/Samantha.  Even down to the nose twitch, she plays the part well.

Ferrell plays the ego-centric but mostly harmless Jack with his usual goofy, everyman charm.

MacLaine vamps it up as an aging Hollywood diva and Michael Caine plays pretty much himself.

Don't forget the delightful cameo by Steve Carell channeling his best Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur, and this was a movie that should've been better than it was.

It should've been better received and remembered.

Final Grade: C+/B- Range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: It's cute..it's sweet..it's harmless.  Perfect movie to watch on a slow night.

Time For A Change... "Batman Forever"

Batman Forever (1995)

Rated PG-13 for language/violence

Starring: Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell

Directed by Joel Schumacher

The Story:

Batman (Kilmer) is faced with a two-pronged attack from Two Face (Jones) who believes Batman caused the courtroom accident that scarred his face, and the Riddler (Carrey) who used to work for Wayne and has invented a device that can steal information from the mind.  With the death of Dick Grayson's (O'Donnell) parents at the hands of Two Face, he becomes a ward of Bruce Wayne, and will attempt to take his place fighting crime alongside Batman. 

Quite a bit to jam pack into this tale!

And if that wasn't enough, add Nicole Kidman in as a love interest, and you have a bloated mess of a film.

This was the first entry in the Bat-chise that I bothered with.

So again, I don't remember if it was Keaton or Burton that kept me away, but with both gone, I came aboard.

Bored.

It was okay for its time.

Again, no rose-colored glasses from this guy, I actually have memories of seeing (and owning!) this one on VHS.

Egads.

Who was the bigger ham, Carrey or Jones?

O'Donnell is close to insufferable most of the time as Robin.

Kilmer does the best he can with the role and apparently would have been back for a sequel except for scheduling conflicts.

Apparently DC has little qualms about recasting the star of their franchise...

The cheese factor was amped up... the cast was amped up.

There was nowhere for this franchise to go...

But down!

Final Grade:  C- maybe a C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nearly 20 years have passed since I last saw this one.  I would assume a similar, or longer time, will pass before I do this again.