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+

Something Special Under The Hood..."Monster Trucks"

Monster Trucks (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Lucas Till, Jane Levy, Thomas Lennon, Barry Pepper, Rob Lowe, Danny Glover,

Directed by Chris Wedge

The Story:

When a previously undiscovered species is found while drilling for oil, the company bigwig (Lowe) decides to keep things hush hush so that he can keep drilling. Except one escapes and is discovered by Tripp (Till) who tries to help it stay one step ahead of the company that's trying to get it back. Using the creature's unique abilities, they will embark on a mission to free the other creatures that the company has captive and return them all to the wild.

Awwww...

This one is definitely geared for kids, which is always apparent when it comes from Nickelodeon Studios.

That said, at least it is entertaining enough to keep the adults entertained that decide to watch alongside their little movie watching buddies.

They've peppered (no pun intended) the film with some very familiar faces and names to up the star power, but naturally, it's Till and the creatures that provide the framework for 90% of the film.

Harmless fun for the whole family, and I'll rarely complain about that.

Final Grade: C+

I'm Putting A Guarantee On This Box! "Tommy Boy"

Tommy Boy (1995)

Rated PG-13

Starring Chris Farley, David Spade, Rob Lowe, Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek, Julie Warner, Dan Aykroyd

Directed by Peter Segal

The Story:

Tommy Callahan (Farley) comes home after graduating to find that his dad (Dennehy) is set to remarry (Derek). However, when tragedy strikes, Tommy has to hit the road with Richard (Spade) in an attempt to save the family business, and a small Ohio town's way of life.

Will he succeed?

Naturally!

I could argue that, pound for pound, this is the funniest Saturday Night Live movie to ever hit the screen.

Not rooted in a pre-existing skit from the show, this simply paired the dynamic rapport between Farley and Spade that carries nearly the entire movie.

The two are hilarious, and this movie is an oft-quoted favorite in our house.

I defy anyone to not sing "fat guy in a little coat" and not cause everyone within earshot to smile and think of this movie.

This is also one of those movies that I still distinctly remember the first time I saw it.  The first gag with little Tommy Callahan running into the house (literally) caused me to burst out into laughter.

The trend continues throughout the movie, and now, going on almost 20 years...

Let that sink in for a minute.

It's still funny.

If you've never seen it, you're in for a treat.

If you haven't visited Tommy in some time, no time like the present.

I guarantee you will laugh.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix and Amazon Prime as of this writing.

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I've lost count how many times we've watched this. At least once a  year, maybe more. :)

Schwing Time! "Wayne's World"

Wayne's World (1992)

Rated PG-13

Starring Mike Meyers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere

Directed by Penelope Spheeris

The Story:

Wayne (Meyers) and best friend Garth (Carvey) host a local cable access show from Wayne's basement in Illinois.  When a sleazy businessman (Lowe) gets designs to use their show to promote a local arcade, will success go to the boys' heads?  Or will they stay true to themselves and stick it to the man?

One of many brilliant late 80's / early 90s Saturday Night Live skits that spawned catch phrases into pop culture consciousness and followed with one of the most successful SNL movies of all time.

No way!
Way!!

The movie still is amusing and holds up reasonably well for closing in on 25 years.

25 years?!

Let that one sink in for a moment.

The movie has pure moments of brilliance surrounded by pockets of amusement.

Which, at the end of the day, that's not a bad thing for any comedy.


Meyers and Carvey make the most of their dimwitted duo, and Rob Lowe proves to be exceptionally slimy as the villain of the film.

If it's been a few decades since you last gave it a whirl, well, what are you waiting for?

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Still mostly holds up, but not a huge rush as it's not a definite crowd-pleaser at my place.