Proof That "The House" Doesn't Always Win

The House (2017)

Rated R

Starring Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas, Ryan Simpkins, Nick Kroll,

Directed by Andrew Jay Cohen

The Story:

Scott (Ferrell) and Kate (Poehler) are excited that their daughter Alex (Simpkins) will be winning their annual community scholarship program. However when budget shortfalls kill the scholarship, they panic and turn to Frank (Mantzoukas) who suggests they earn the money by turning their house into a casino.

Game on.

This had to be a can't miss on paper.

Ferrell and Poehler.

Two Saturday Night Live legends starring together in an R-Rated comedy.

However, whatever paper it was written on, was not the paper that ended up getting filmed.

That said, there are some tremendously funny spots in the movie, some great cameos, and Mantzoukas doing what he does best, and that's making every movie he's in better than it should be.

Unfortunately it's not enough to save the film.

It's watchable, but sadly, it's forgettable.

Too many missed opportunities like this in the movies lately, especially for both leads.

Maybe next time?

Final Grade:  C

The World's Greatest Rockumentary! "Popstar! Never Stop Never Stopping"

Popstar! Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

Rated R

Starring Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Shaffer, Tim Meadows,

Directed by Jorma Taccone and Akiva Shaffer

The Story:

Once upon a time, The Style Boyz were America's favorite pop/rap group. Success broke the band apart, and now Connor (Samberg) is about to release his newest release since going solo. Thankfully, the camera crew is on hand to document the success...

However when things don't go as planned, Connor must work twice as hard to stay relevant, and he's willing to do anything...

Except reunite The Style Boyz.

From the talented minds of The Lonely Island by way of Saturday Night Live, Samberg, Taccone and Shaffer release a mockumentary that is well produced and allows seamless cameos of musicians and celebrities, then and now, to give accolades to The Style Boyz and Connor.

The characters are hopeless, yet endearing, and as the movie progresses, you know where the film is headed, and they make you enjoy every roadblock and stumble on the way to the inevitable reunion.

Filled with wonderful supporting player, they bring the movie vividly to life, each adding another strange piece to a weird celebrity lifestyle that is both embraced and parodied, all at the same time.

Is it this generation's Spinal Tap? Probably.

Whether it meets or exceeds that one will be in the eye and taste of the viewer.

That said, the more I watched the movie, the more the characters grew on me and by the end of the film, I too was waiting for the inevitable reunion.

Can't ask for much more than that.

Final Grade: B-

Their Impact On Pop Culture Cannot Be Denied..."National Lampoon: Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead"

National Lampoon: Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead  (2015)

Unrated

Directed by Douglas Tirola

The Story:

The rise and fall of the National Lampoon magazine, and the impact that magazine had on American pop culture.

Ooo.

That's actually rather profound, and also quite true.

What started out as a satirical magazine that poked holes in the establishment in the late 60s/early 70s, grew into an influential comedy machine in the mid to late 70s that established much of the humor that continues in movies and television today.

The brainchild of Doug Kenney, Henry Beard and Robert Hoffman, they created a little magazine that started slowly and then slowly built into a sales juggernaut. Parody and satire were the name of the game, and they enlisted a slew of talented writers to make the pages of the magazine must read material.

It proved so popular, they started a radio show and brought in even more comedic talent to make their skits take life. The majority of the original cast of Saturday Night Live passed through National Lampoon on their way to bigger things. Many from Lampoon were targeted by NBC to help create Saturday Night Live.

Then came the movies.

Animal House & Vacation.

So too could Caddyshack be added to the mix, as it was Lampoon in every way except billing.

While nearly everything else to bear the label of National Lampoon has been of variable quality, those two were the gold standards which made all of the others seem pale in comparison.

If it's any consolation, most movies that came after Vacation often licensed the National Lampoon name for an attempt to cash in with a built in audience.

So, while it wasn't National Lampoon being less funny, it was them being increasingly greedy. :)

The documentary does an excellent job of talking to just about everyone that was there and is still around and it's filled with lots of archival footage of the stage shows, radio shows, magazine and movie clips.

A very enjoyable documentary that is well worth your time.


Final Grade: B+

Legend Doesn't Begin To Describe Him... R.I.P. David Bowie 1947-2016

Well, I can imagine that it's safe to say that if you're a fan of pop/rock music, you've woken up and are reacting to the gut-punch of losing David Bowie with shock, anger, sadness, and the whole range of emotions.

Musical legends don't come along every day, and I would say that Bowie's career rivals him to be in the same ballpark as The Beatles and Stones when discussing his career and influence.

Not bad for a guy who had to change his name from Davy Jones so as to not be confused with the lead singer of The Monkees!

My first memory of the music of David Bowie was an appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1979 where he performed "Boys Keep Swinging" with a puppet body.

It creeped me out! I just re-watched the video, and it's still a little bizarre, and the child inside of me trembled just a little bit.

:)

Fast forward to the 80s, and I finally moved the dial on my FM radio to Top 40 music.

Needless to say, when asked for the best decade of music, I am a firm believer in the 80s.

And that's where I met David Bowie again for the first time.

"Let's Dance"

"China Girl"

"Modern Love"

Those 3 songs alone are a great testament to the man's musical legacy, and it would be joined on the radio for me with a past classic "Under Pressure" with Queen.

Needless to say, I was a fan.

As time moved forward, so did Bowie, continually releasing new music and changing his style. Bowie continued releasing music into the next millennium, including the release of his latest album which came out just days before he passed away. All recorded while he battled cancer.
I actually went backward and learned most of Bowie's hits because my wife was a big fan and she introduced me to much of his back catalog.  That knowledge served me well because after joining the military, at my first duty section we played classic rock while rigging parachutes all day. Guess who was a staple with his 70s hits?  Yep, David Bowie.

Amusingly, many of my favorite 80s bands were influenced by the very same David Bowie who was releasing music right alongside them.

For that, and for all of his music, I will forever be grateful.



 

Gone Way Too Soon..."I Am Chris Farley"

I Am Chris Farley (2015)

Documentary

Directed by Brent Hodge, Derik Murray

The Story:

The life and times of Chris Farley, as related to us by his friends and family. Through the use of archived footage of his career, it's easy to see why Farley is so beloved by friends and fans to this day. It's hard to watch because it's so funny, yet you know how the story ends. Much like one of his idols, John Belushi, this talented Saturday Night Live veteran hastened his own demise and robbed us all of years of his work.

It's always revealing when the cast of Saturday Night Live pulls back the curtain on what they do each and every week. The majority of the cast were also writers, except for Farley. He simply hoped his friends would write him a great part, then he would go out and give it his all.

In turn, he stole the show, but they were willing to keep giving him the laughs because it was such a joy to be a part of. 

Of all the people they interview, I know they all take it hard, but it probably affects two of them even more than the rest:

The first, Dan Aykroyd. While not an immediate name you might think of, he's had to see this twice in his lifetime because once an SNL cast mate, always an SNL cast mate. He lost Belushi, then after co-starring with Farley in Tommy Boy, he lost Farley almost identically.

The other would be David Spade. If you're going to be Belushi, you need an Aykroyd, and that was Spade's job with Farley. Tommy Boy is a masterpiece of comedy, you can't fail to laugh any time you watch it.

Their second outing together was too rushed and nowhere near as funny.

Sadly, they never got the chance to give it one more shot.

Life can be cruel, but at least we got to enjoy Chris Farley for that brief moment in time.

Final Grade: B+

Live From New York, It's "Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversay Special"

Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary (2015)

TV-14

Starring The Not Ready For Primetime Players

Created by Lorne Michaels

The Story:

The year was 1975, and Lorne Michaels unleashed a weekly 90 minute program of satirical humor and musical guests every Saturday Night, live for the viewing public. The face of comedy was changed forever.

It may not have truly recognized for the brilliance at first, but how about by using a 40 year retrospective that is basically a greatest hits/worlds' biggest inside joke for the cast and the fans of the show to help you appreciate the comedy geniuses that have passed through Studio 8H over the decades.

Some went on to bigger and better things after their stint on the show. Some went on...and we are surprised that they are still around.

Saturday Night Live has been around for 40 years.

Reports (or demands) of its cancellation have been circulating for about...

39 years.

:)

Pretty much if they were ever on the show, they were on the show last night.

Even Eddie Murphy, who returned to a standing ovation.

There were a few new sketches with cast members from across the spectrum, and with a few special guest stars.

I would say the Jeopardy sketch with Ferrell back as Trebek and the always underrated Darryl Hammond as Sean Connery did not disappoint.

There was a Weekend Update retrospective with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin as hosts.

Then a salute to the musicians and comedy skits that have been a staple of the show since the beginning.

They also looked at the crossover between sports and comedy as well.

A solid show from top to bottom, and filled with more than enough laughs.

Worst segment?

The Kanye West musical segment.

That's okay, SNL is notorious for  airing stuff that probably should have been cut.

I don't stay up much anymore and am not that familiar with the cast, but I'm glad they're still around and doing this every weekend.

Looking forward to the next decade of laughs, and that should be SNL's next retrospective, the 50th.

Final Grade: A

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.

Today On The Zander Kelly Show..."Joe Dirt" !!

Joe Dirt (2001)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring David Spade, Brittany Daniel, Dennis Miller, Adam Beach, Christopher Walken

Directed by Dennie Gordon

The Story:

The story of Joe Dirt (Spade) as related across the airwaves when he becomes a guest on the Zander Kelly (Miller) show.  Joe relates how he was abandoned at the Grand Canyon as a kid, and has made his way in life, trying to find his family.  The obvious victim of ridicule on the show and in life, a strange thing happens as he tells the tale of his life, and the city becomes enamored with Joe and his search for family, and love, with Brandi (Daniel) the girl with a heart of gold.

How is it that I've never reviewed this movie before?

Okay, I imagine there are two types of people reactions when the movie Joe Dirt is mentioned.

Those that recoil in horror at the thought of this, or any movie, starring any former Saturday Night Live cast member, especially named David Spade or Adam Sandler.

And those that recognize this movie as the Citizen Kane of Trailer Trash movies.

:)

I feel bad for that first group, because they are blindly judging a movie the second group understands that start to finish, this movie is flat-out funny.

Infinitely quotable, I defy you to find a fan of this film that can't quote you at least one of the hilarious Dirt-isms of the film at a moment's notice.

The movie is peppered with wonderful supporting characters from the obvious (Walken) to the inspired (Kid Rock) that you might not expect in a movie like this.

So sit back, and just let the Joe Dirt-iness wash over you.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Own it. Love it.

Taped From New York...It's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"

Television history is being made before your eyes...

It's not often that The Tonight Show gets a new host.

This is the 6th time in 60 years that someone new has taken over the desk.

The last time that I put any serious time into watching this show, Johnny Carson was the host.

When he said goodbye, I was upset that David Letterman lost the gig to Jay Leno, so I moved to CBS with Dave when Leno came onboard, and that's pretty much where I stayed for the next 22 years.

Sure, there were occasions when Jay would be on, usually because I had let an episode of ER or Law & Order run through the local news, and then The Tonight Show would start and the monologue would be half over before I realized I needed to change it.

I rarely found Jay Leno funny.

Amusing, sure.  

He's had lots of amusing bits over the years, but a great majority of those are because of the dumb people in America (Jay Walking, Headlines) moreso than anything Leno brought to the table.

Then there was the whole Conan O'Brian fiasco, and any begrudging respect I might have had for Jay over the years was washed away.

So it was with great happiness and a touch of skepticism that I welcomed the news that Jimmy Fallon was taking over The Tonight Show.

Taking it back to its roots in New York City.  Bringing a younger generational spin to the granddaddy of late night talk television.

Thanks to the Winter Olympics and a newborn, I watched The Tonight Show for seemingly the first time in a generation when Fallon came aboard.

And I laughed.

In fact, to sum up my feelings on the regime change:

I've laughed more in 2 weeks watching Jimmy Fallon than I did in 22 years with Jay Leno.

I've always been a fan of Jimmy Fallon since his days on Saturday Night Live.  His comic sensibilities and all around showmanship have been on display over the last two weeks.  

To be fair, I never watched an episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  Sorry, I was hooked on Craig Ferguson.

So, not being familiar with any of his routines from that show, I'm not sure what skits/routines are old bits, but they all work for this viewer.

Whether he's dancing with Will Smith looking at the history of hip hop dance or rapping with Justin Timberlake, there's nothing Fallon is afraid to try.

Pretty cool.

I'm happy to say that I'm once again a fan of The Tonight Show.

I think Johnny Carson would be proud of what Jimmy Fallon is bringing to the show and bringing it into the 21st Century.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: If I'm up, I'll keep tuning in.  Otherwise, I'll keep checking out the video highlights on YouTube/Facebook/Twitter, etc.

Who Knew Smuggling Pot Could Be So Much Fun? "We're The Millers"

We're The Millers (2013)
Rated R for Language, language, more language...

Starring Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Will Poulter, Emma Roberts, Ed Helms

Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber

The Story:

David (Sudeikis) is a small time pot dealer.  When he gets robbed, he is sent by his supplier (Helms) to Mexico to bring back a smidge, maybe a smidge and a half of weed.  David figures his best cover would be to travel as a family man, so he recruits a stripper (Aniston), a teenage runaway (Roberts), and a nerdy virgin (Poulter) to pretend to be his family and smuggle a little contraband back across the border.  What could possibly go wrong?

You know when you see a trailer, and you assume all of the funny parts were in the trailer?

Worse still, when you finally do see that movie, and you were right: All of the funny stuff was in the trailer.

That wasn't the case here.

All of the funny spots from the trailer are here in all their splendor, but the movie brings a lot more.

It's mile a minute laughter at the absurd conversations between characters.

Be warned, the writers embrace their R rating wholeheartedly with F bombs falling from the sky like crazy.

"I Never Got To Do This On TV"

But the delivery.. the lines themselves...the situations that the characters find themselves in...

You're going to laugh.

Yes, I know I sound like a hypocrite when I review some of these movies.  R Rated comedies often throw in language to ensure their rating.  It adds nothing to the joke, and is usually not involved in the dialogue other than to be a colorful adjective.


That is not the case here, it's some inspired naughty language that keeps the rapid-fire dialogue buzzing along like a well-oiled machine.  It's the second big-screen collaboration between Steve Faber and Bob Fisher when they co-wrote Wedding Crashers back in 2005.  You'd think Hollywood would want these guys to work together more often?

Speaking of where have they been, Rawson Marshall Thurber, a name that sounds too fake to be real, last hit it big with Dodgeball back in 2004.  Very quiet since then, but this was a welcome return.

"Is This The Way to the Three Amigos Remake?"

Sudeikis is a very underrated actor, and I loved him on Saturday Night Live.  He is a solid character actor, and delivers his lines perfectly.  That he can manage to keep a straight face with the lines he has to deliver... yeah, he's very good.  Whether he'll finally get moved up to leading man status after this film, I hope so.  If not, playing his smooth talking best friend/adversary roles will still be welcome in films.

"Friends Reunion?  They Wish..."

Jennifer Aniston continues to break away from the good girl/romantic comedy mold which she has been stuck with since Friends.  Add this to Horrible Bosses as two of her funniest big-screen efforts and hopefully she will continue varying up her film choices.

Naturally, much of the conflict of the movie comes from The Millers as they race to get the pot back to Denver, being pursued by the drug dealer whose stash they have mistakenly absconded with! 

The rest, is the family conflict of a family that isn't a family...but they begin to feel and act like a family.

"It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time..."

The ending is very appropriate for the film, and gives you as happy of an ending for this film as you can hope for.

Will there be a sequel?

I'm sure there is some way the Millers could ride again.

I'd come back for another go-round!

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  Movies that make only me laugh and can't be viewed by the whole family aren't high on my purchase list.  If it's running on cable some night a few years from now though, I could watch it again for some great laughter.

Leave the Meter Running... "Taxi"

The Fast and the Furious sequel everyone forgets about...


The Story:

Belle (Queen Latifah) is a New York City taxi driver who aspires to be a race car driver.  In fact, she's souped up her taxi quite a bit.  Perhaps a bit too much as she winds up crossing paths with a cop (Jimmy Fallon) and the two become partners trying to solve a series of bank robberies.  Naturally, the two have a lot to teach one another.  Well okay, basically Belle has a whole lot to teach Washburn...

:)

This movie is closing in on a decade old.  That's about the last time I saw it, and I found it fun(ny) back then.

Watched it again recently, and it was still a pretty good film.

Oh, don't get me wrong, it's nothing earth-shattering, but it's not that bad.

Why?

Again, much like yesterday's film, Queen Latifah has a personality that just transcends film and makes her instantly likeable.

She takes a heist film (one of my favorite genres!) originally scripted by the great Luc Besson, and elevates the material with her delivery and charisma.

This is Jimmy Fallon's first foray as a leading man after years of working the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update anchor desk.

He plays a bumbling noob, and he does it really well. :)

Finally, director Tim Story does a great job with his first action flick.  His first feature (that I saw/know of) Barbershop, was a really good movie, and Story branched out into action comedy with this one.  His next film would be The Fantastic Four, and yes, I know a lot of people hated it, but he got The Thing and Human Torch correct, so that film (and its sequel) will always get a pass with me.

: )

Final Grade: C+/B- ish...

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  I meant to buy this one within the last decade.  Perhaps the upcoming decade I will finally get around to it?

Stealing Dogs in the Name of Love... "Lost & Found"

The next best thing to a Neil Diamond concert...

The Story:

Dylan (David Spade) is a struggling restaurant owner who wants to expand the business by getting a loan from Mr. Millstone (Martin Sheen).  In the meantime, a beautiful cellist, Lila (Sophie Marceau) who lives near Dylan, has her dog keep escaping.  Dylan keeps returning the dog to the grateful owner, and then Dylan decides that maybe if he kept the dog in the house for an extra hour or two, he could spend a little more quality time with Lila.  Ah, but when the dog eats the engagement ring that he's holding for his best friend... things get a little complicated!

Ah yes, my love of former Saturday Night Live performers continues to this day.

Today, it's David Spade who finally achieved "star of the movie" status with this film.

Before, he had been part of the dynamic duo of David Spade and Chris Farley who struck gold with Tommy Boy and followed it up with the less successful Black Sheep. However, with Farley's untimely death, Spade had little choice but to go solo.  A few smaller parts and co-star movies followed before Lost and Found was released.

Is it a great movie?

Not great, but not bad.

Spade's acerbic wit and biting humor are on full display here, and I've always  found the man to be hilarious.

Couple that with Artie Lange as someone who wants to be just like Dylan, it makes for a great running gag through the movie.

Of course, some people will insist that Spade and Marceau could never be an item in real life, but that's why this is a movie.  He's the little guy that is sincere and charming to the girl of his dreams, and he wins her over.

It's always good to root for the underdog.

The trick will be, once she discovers that he lied to her (about the dog), will she be willing to take him back?

The storylines all culminate at a party where Spade must do his best Neil Diamond impression in order to earn his business loan.

And when the movie ends, the cast engages in a rousing dance/singalong to Groove is in the Heart.  I'm not sure when the credit cast scenes began, but this might have been one of the firsts.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could easily watch it again, harmless David Spade fun that always puts a smile on my face.

If "Opportunity Knocks", Will You Answer the Door?

Isn't that special?

The Story:

Eddie (Dana Carvey) is a con man on the run.  He hides out overnight in a gorgeous house, and wakes to learn that the owner is out of town for a month or two, and the housesitter will be unable to watch the place since he got a new job.  What a perfect setup... at least until the parents drop by and mistake Eddie for the best friend.  Since his assumed identity is that of a whiz in business, Milt (Robert Loggia) gets chummy and the two begin to bond.  When Eddie starts to fall for Milt's daughter (Julia Campbell), can Eddie turn over a new leaf, or is he going to pull the biggest con of his life?

Nearing 25 years old, this movie still holds up as a lightweight comedic vehicle for Dana Carvey to strut his comedic skills and impressions throughout the film.

Really, the weight of the movie is carried on his shoulders, and he does a good job. 

His impression of President Bush is the oft-cited highlight of the movie, and it doesn't disappoint.

I was also a fan of Robert Loggia, and their scenes together are fun, as you see how much Milt cares for Eddie.  You can see both the anger and happiness when he realizes that Eddie may have conned him, but Eddie refused to take the thing that meant the most to Milt.  That's some pretty good acting for just a facial reaction in a scene.

Disappointed that Dana Carvey has not found the mainstream movie success of many of the SNL stars that have gone on to the movies.

I'd say that perhaps if Carvey were allowed to write his own material, people might like it more, but then you have the backlash against Master of Disguise, which I also enjoyed...

But that's another movie for another review.

: )

This one is not a bad unwinding on a late night or weekend film that's good, harmless fun that the whole family can enjoy.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could watch this one again, it had been much too long since I saw it.  I may have to add it the woefully small section of Dana Carvey films in my library.

Is "Movie 43" the Worst Movie of the Year? Not So Fast...

Get ready for the worst movie of all time...

No.

Not really.

The Story:

Charlie Wessler (Dennis Quaid) is pitching a movie idea to studio exec Griffin Schraeder (Greg Kinnear).  Each story pushes the envelope of sense and good taste.

What in the name of Kentucky Fried Movie is going on here?

First, this movie isn't that bad as people make it sound.  It's not the worst movie ever made.  It's not the unfunniest comedy ever filmed.

This movie won't even make my final list of Turkeys of the Year.

Strange, but true.

Is this movie a laugh riot from start to finish?  Nope, not even close.

What you have instead are a bunch of short skits or commercial parodies stretched over 90 minutes.  Yes, an episode of Saturday Night Live without censors.

Some jokes are hysterical, many fall flat.  The actors and actresses give a straightforward performance, ignoring the silliness of their particular scene and playing it as if they were in a drama.  That naturally makes the movie all the more absurd.

I did vow to watch the entire movie, ignoring my own 20 minute rule, just to see if there were any redeeming skits within the movie.  From start to finish, not really any that you must see, the best overall skit was probably the end of the movie with Terence Howard as the basketball coach, and you already know how that plays out if you saw the trailer. 

Honorable mention goes to the waterproof tampon commercial.  Genius.

The worst skit to make the film starts after the credits begin rolling, and is directed and stars Elizabeth Banks.  They would have been wiser to leave that out completely.

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Thanks, but no thanks.  Again, not a great movie, but not the stinker people make it out to be. 

Money or Family? To Have Both is Just "Greedy"

Bloodsuckers.

And no, this isn't a movie about vampires!

The Story:

Uncle Joe (Kirk Douglas) is a multi-millionaire.  Naturally, all of his nieces and nephews (Ed Begley Jr., Jere Burns and Phil Hartman among them) are waiting for the old guy to bump off so they can get their hands on their money.  There is no love in the family, except for the almighty dollars that Uncle Joe holds over their heads.  Now with a live-in nurse, Molly (Olivia d'Abo) who isn't a nurse, and the family fears she's simply there to get his money, they turn to a distant cousin, Daniel (Michael J. Fox) a struggling pro bowler to try and get Joe's money so they can all split it.  Will Daniel fall in with his relatives...turn against them and leave Uncle Joe and Molly...or try and get all of the money for himself?

Every once in awhile I find a movie that came out ages ago, I meant to see it... but never did.

Greedy is one such movie.  Nearly 20 years old, I happened upon it while flipping around Netflix the other day.

So I watched, and I laughed.  Always a good thing for a comedy.

It has a great cast, starting with Michael J. Fox and Nancy Travis as his girlfriend.  They use the relationship as a secondary storyline as Daniel's greed as he gets around his uncle and crazy family begins to drive a wedge in their relationship.  Will Daniel choose love or money?

Follow that up with a great bunch of money-hungry cousins, especially Phil Hartman.  I've always found Hartman to be hilarious since back in the Saturday Night Live days, so it was nice to see another performance from him that I had not watched before.  And no, he doesn't disappoint as the vocal ringleader of the family.  Boisterous and yappy, as only Hartman could do so well!

Finally, Kirk Douglas has a great role as the puppet master over the entire three ring circus unfolding under his roof.  He is equally indifferent, amused, mean and scheming, all at the same time.

The movie has an elaborate third act that is completely satisfying for the story, and I was impressed with how well they wrapped everything up.

Glad to have finally seen it after all these years.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: As long as it's streaming I don't need to own it, and I would have no problem watching it again.

What's a Synonym for "Unfunny"?? Oh, I Know... "MacGruber"!!!

Well, I may just have stumbled upon my first film that will be on the "Top Turkeys" of 2013 list.

The Plot:

An amusing 3-5 minute Saturday Night Live sketch comes to life as a 90 minute movie.  It's like MacGyver, only funny!

Except it's not.

I'm not sure how far into the movie I got.  When the van carrying Chris Jericho blew up, I knew there was no hope for redemption in the film.

Then MacGruber solicits the Lt. to help him, offering sexual favors, yeah... I'd had enough, and out it came.

Painfully un-funny, in any and every way that the skit used to be mildly amusing.

Every skit ended the same way:  MacGruber failed and the place blew up.

This movie tried to overlook that, and have everything else blow up, but MacGruber was above it all.

Fail.

To paraphrase the principal in Billy Madison: "Everyone in this room is now dumber for having watched it."