Back Then, Stamps Only Cost $ .32 ... "Dear God", What Happened?

Never tamper with the mail...

The Story:

Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear) is a con man.  When he's arrested one time too many, he gets the option of getting a real job, or going to jail.  He opts of course for the real job.  He winds up working for the Postal Service in the dead letter office.  He realizes that people send letters to God all the time...and some people even include money.  Tom sets out for the ultimate scam, and then accidentally helps some people along the way.  Inspired by their new co-worker, his team want to help Tom perform more miracles.  Soon, the God Squad is on the job, and lives and spirits are getting sunnier in California...  much to the chagrin of the Postmaster General.

But can a con man con himself into going straight?

I've been about as big of a fan of Greg Kinnear as can be, without joining an official fan club, since I saw him hosting Talk Soup back in the early 90s.

Yep, and as it has been a transitional job for the hosts ever since, I watched Greg fly from the nest and head to Hollywood to be a star. 

Following up the remake of Sabrina, Dear God was Kinnear's first foray as the leading man of the film, and he does an admirable job.

He's bright, funny, and plays the perfect conman.  It was basically Kinnear doing what he did best for years on Talk Soup.

Garry Marshall surrounded him with a stellar cast of other character actors for support including Hector Elizondo and the amazing Tim Conway.

However, don't let the title fool you, this is not a movie that is going to preach the gospel and make atheists avoid it like the plague. 

It's a simple plot device to get from point A to B, and show the triumph of humanity that when we put our minds and hearts to doing good deeds, amazing things can happen.

Laurie Metcalf is almost too over-the-top in her role, and kind of derails the third act, but Kinnear is able to save it with a speech filled with earnestness that wins you over.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I do indeed own this one, and it gets a spin every few years or so, and it's been enjoyable each time.

You Don't Bring Ryan Gosling to a Sean Connery Fight! "Gangster Squad"

To keep the City of Angels clean... someone's going to have to get dirty.

Dude, that's actually a pretty good tagline...


The Story:

Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) is a former boxer turned gangster.  Instead of being part of the eastern syndicate, he's setting up shop in LA, and running out any competition and keeping Chicago at bay.  So, his operations means that back in 1949, he had cops and judges on his payroll, and this irritates the Chief (Nick Nolte) so he asks a no-nonsense homicide detective (Josh Brolin) to form a badge-less group of cops (Ryan Gosling, Robert Patrick and Giovanni Ribisi to name a few), to make Cohen's operations start to fall apart.  He recruits his squad, and they go after Cohen...

But not everyone is going to walk out of this unscathed on either side.

I couldn't tell you why this one didn't do that great at the box office.  It's a little long, and slow.  Actually, I would use methodical.

Everything builds, slowly, surely, until the final confrontation.

I was engrossed in the story for the most part.

Recreating Los Angeles circa 1949, it is a beautiful movie to watch.  The clothes, the cars, the set pieces... all wonderful to see and very well done.

There isn't nearly as much squad interaction as there should be... or for that matter, much of the squad's mucking up of Cohen's operations gets glossed over very quickly.

Perhaps they could have trimmed some of the exposition and early scenes that don't really do much except to reinforce what we have already gathered.

Plus, while eventually she is important to the story, the love interest (Emma Stone) can be some of the cause for the slow factor as well.  Love stories in action films are often unnecessary, but added I think solely to increase female interest in a guy's movie.

It's no Untouchables, but it's not Unwatchable, either.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could watch it again if it was on, but nothing screams for me to run out and buy this one.

Life May Be Sweeter "Under the Tuscan Sun"

Starting over again in Italy...

The Story:

Frances (Diane Lane) has just recently divorced due to her husband being a lying, cheating, scumbag.  Her best friend (Sandra Oh) gives her a ticket to go on a tour of Tuscany, Italy since she is unable to go.  So she goes, and on a whim, she buys a run-down villa and spends the better part of the next year trying to revive her house, and her life, all at the same time.  However, sometimes the harder you try, the harder it becomes, but when you just relax... it all happens naturally.

What a great film.

It's been about a decade since I last saw this one... caught it over the weekend, and even knowing that I've already seen it, when that much time passes, it's like watching it again for the first time.

And it's just as good now as it was then.

Diane Lane is marvelous, as always. For me, she is probably one of Hollywood's greatest unsung actresses of this generation.

The Italian scenery is gorgeous, and if it doesn't make you think a little about wanting to pack up and move to Italy... well then you're a tougher nut to crack than most.

The movie is funny, but not in an over-the-top slapstick way.  Humorous situations, with a touch of drama, some romance, and relationship issues.

It's a charming movie that draws you in, and you can just sit back and enjoy.

It's a chick flick even guys can like.

Sometimes those make for the best date nights. : )

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Enjoyed this one the second time around and wouldn't hesitate adding it to the library.  Bonus points, because my favorite date liked it also! : )

Congratulations... You've Been Given "Detention"

I'm not sure what I just saw...
But I'm pretty sure I liked it!

The Story:

A killer stalks the town of Grizzly Lake, specifically targeting the members of the local high school.  When one teenager winds up dead, all signs point to the killer being the same as a serial killer from the movies named Cinderhella.  However, can the teens survive when the principal (Dane Cook) throws them all in Saturday detention on the same night as the prom... when one of them is the actual killer??

Maybe with the help of a time traveling bear...

Sure it sounds crazy... and maybe it is...

But...

I have to admit I've had a lot of fun with these horror/comedy movies of late.

One, the production values are pretty darn good, so you don't feel like you're watching some cheap-o flick, even if you are in some cases.

Two, the actors give it their all, delivering the lines and acting accordingly, never looking down at the material or the audience.  This comes across on the screen and helps draw you in to their world and makes the absurdity, if not more believable, at least more engaging.

Three, the writers have a great time making the plots fun, intricate, silly and enjoyable...all at the same time.

Really, that's all I can ask from any movie.

That there's a bunch of B movies being made that are living the dream and living up to my expectations all at the same time... well, I have to admit I'm a little misty eyed.

: )

The only other "name" in the cast is our male lead, Josh Hutcherson.  However his leading lady, Shanley Caswell holds her own as the star of the film and the spunky little scream queen that could save the day.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: A definite yes to both.  I had a great time with this one.

"Vampire Dog"... Seriously? Yep..

With a title like this, it's got to be good!

The Story:

Fang (voiced by Norm MacDonald) is a dog who was turned into a vampire.  For the last several hundred years, he has been protected by a family, passed down from generation to generation.  Now he's coming to be taken care of by Ace (Collin MacKechnie), a 12 year old who is the new kid in town, and happens to be the son of the new music teacher.  Yeah, the poor kid is in trouble from the start.  However, maybe Ace and Fang can help each other out and make each of their lives a little better when it's all over.

This is the Citizen Kane of Vampire Dog movies.

Innocuous, harmless fun is what they set out to do, and for the most part, it's a win all the way around.

Slapstick for the kids to be entertained with, and nothing awful, nails-on-the-chalkboard inducing for the parents to endure.

Naturally, the vampire dog himself does not kill people, that would have taken this totally to a different level had they done that. : )

I mean, for anyone who has seen Black Sheep, you know if you can do a film about zombie sheep, there's really nothing you can't film...

The dog has a penchant for jell-o, instead.  Red jello.


The plot mostly centers around a pair of criminals attempting to get their hands on Fang, and the dog and his boy outsmarting them at every turn.


Available to stream now on Netflix.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  If it played in the background, it would be fine, but I'm not going to go out of my way to own it or anything.  If I want Norm voicing a dog in a funny movie, I'll rewatch the first Dr. Dolittle.

Deja Vu Review... "Payback"

Even thieves have principles.

At least some of them.

The Story:

Our hero, Porter (Mel Gibson) is a crook, but one with principles.  He goes in on a job, and expects his fair share of the take.  Unfortunately, he's double crossed by his partner (Gregg Henry), shot and left for dead.  However, Porter doesn't die that easily, and with the help of an old flame (Maria Bello), Porter is going to take down the syndicate, some crooked cops and get back what is rightfully his.

Does it sound familiar?

Sounds an awful lot like yesterday's review,  "Parker"...

That's because both are based on the same character by the same author.

And yes, the reviews are eerily similar! : )

Mel Gibson makes a great turn as the guy who simply wants what is entitled to him.  He doesn't really care who he has to beat, shoot or kill to get it, all he wants is his fair share.

Nothing more...nothing less.

In fact, it's the paltry amount that is a running gag throughout the film, that Porter would risk his neck for so little reward is unfathomable to the bad guys that Porter is barking his way up the chain to find.

It's also here where Payback holds the edge over Parker: the supporting cast.  Whereas Parker didn't have one, Payback has David Paymer, William DeVane, Lucy Liu, Kris Kristofferson and the late, great James Coburn.

I understand many people can no longer watch or support Mel because of what he said/did a few years ago.

I am not one of those people, as everyone makes mistakes... some larger than others.  Some more in the public eye than others.

Grain of salt... and it's not my place to judge.

Except on whether or not I enjoyed the movies.

: )

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: While not one that immediately springs to mind when I want to watch a Mel Gibson movie, one I can definitely watch, and I believe I already own it. 

All He Wants Is What He Rightfully Stole... "Parker"

Even thieves have principles.

At least some of them.

The Story:

Our hero, Parker (Jason Statham) is a crook, but one with principles.  He goes in on a job, and expects his fair share of $200,000 from the take.  Unfortunately, Melander (Michael Chiklis) double-crosses him when Parker refuses to put his share up in the stake of another heist.  Shot, abandoned and left for dead along a highway, the other crooks take Parker's share and plan their next ruse.  However, Parker doesn't die that easily, and with the help of a real-estate agent (Jennifer Lopez), Parker is going to get his revenge...

And his $200,000!

Does it sound familiar?

Sounds an awful lot like Payback.

That's because both are based on the same character by the same author.

Statham takes a nice turn as the bad guy with a heart of gold, who only wants what was rightfully his in the first place.

His take on a Texas accent leaves a lot to be desired, but luckily he drops that fairly quickly.

As for the Jennifer Lopez angle... hard to see what, or why this was needed.  She's obviously pining for a big strong man like Parker, yet he's happily married to a girl already, and faithful to a "t".

Principles, remember?

So what should have provided the film with some smoldering chemistry the storyline demanded... well, it just sort of fizzled out.

All in all... it's not bad... it just should've been a bit better.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  I could watch it again if it was on, but there are more important Statham films in the queue to be replayed first.