jumaward Reviews

The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000)

Yabba Dabba Doo What Thou Wilt!

[26 November 2004]

I know I'm swimming against the tide here, but it must be said. I've seen Viva Rock Vegas as well as the first Flintstones movie, and I actually prefer the former. I thought that the actors were much better suited to their respective roles (e. g., Rosie O'Donnel as Betty? What were they smoking when that idea hit?!?), and it was overall funnier than the first.

Sure, the storyline was stupid--it's based on a cartoon show, after all, NOT Shakespeare!--but so was the series. Had there been some way for the producers to have the same infinitely repeating scenery that Hanna/Barbera used, it would have been just about perfect.

Also, casting Harvey Korman (the original Great Gazoo) as Wilma's father was pretty neat.

Logan's Run (1976)

Something surprised me

[1 March 2003]

I really like Logan's Run--especially Peter Ustinov as the old guy with all the cats. It was on last weekend, and I was thrilled to see it again, but I noticed something this time that I hadn't before (it's not plot-related, so it's not a spoiler). At the very end of the movie, as the dome-ites are thronging around Mr. Ustinov, one of the extras has his hand raised in a "Vulcan" salute. It cracked me up.

Chasing Amy (1997)

An exception to my rule

[2 April 2002]

I recently saw Chasing Amy on "Oxygen" (not the gas, the "women's channel" here in the 'States.) Even though it's a work of fiction, it's still nice to think that men can fall for lesbians, just as women fall for gay men (more often than I care to admit).

Ben Affleck is not my favorite actor, but when the conditions are right (i.e., if he's working with Matt Damon, if he's being directed by Kevin Smith), he's surprisingly good.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Just enjoy it.

[1 April 2002]

One of the best Shakespeare-inspired shows I've seen in a while (the other was also based on The Taming of the Shrew--Atomic Shakespeare on Moonlighting; but I digress).

Heck, I'm 37 and I've enjoyed 10 Things...every time I've seen it. From the interplay between the kids to the guidance counselor (Allison Janney from West Wing) trying to write her smutty novel, and--especially--Patrick (Heath Ledger) in the detention room, it's all fun.

In & Out (1997)

I liked it.

[26 March 2002]

This is one of my favorite works by Paul Rudnick. The other is a wonderful but obscure novel called Social Disease. If you find it, buy it.

I thought that In & Out was a hilarious flick. Joan Cusack (gosh, I hope I spelled that right) was great as the fairly clueless girlfriend. I won't go into it here, but I could empathize with her character more than I wish to admit. SPOILER ALERT: At least she doesn't end up alone.

You just KNOW that Mr. Kline's character stayed kissed for the rest of the movie.

Bob Newhart as the principal was a hoot.

Evil Roy Slade (1972 TV Movie)

Why am I goin' "pow pow"? 'Cause this ain't goin' "pow pow!"

[10/10 · 21 March 2002]

A better made-for-tv movie does not exist. I've read that it was actually a pilot for a western series that would have guest good guys who were to be defeated by Evil Roy and the gang.

The writing is super, fast, and funny--they really knew what they were doing.

ERS is a family favorite. I got a copy for Christmas a few years ago; we all sat around and watched it. My brother-in-law had never seen ERS before--I thought he was going to hurt himself laughing.

The Producers (1967)

I am hysterical and I'm wet

[20 March 2002]

(That doesn't sound so good, does it.)

You've got to hand it to Mel Brooks--he started at the top and worked his way up from there. Unquestionably his best work.

This is not a movie for those whose sensibilities are easily offended, and that's exactly what I love about The Producers. I recently had the opportunity to see it on the big screen, and it was fantastic.

As far as casting is concerned, he could not have done better. Dick Shawn was the only possible choice to be LSD, and his Hitler was terrific. (I liebe ya, baby, I liebe ya, now liebe me alone.) Kenneth Mars as Liebkind--great.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Budget Barbie Camper

[19 March 2002]

There aren't a lot of movies that are more fun than this one, and the astonishing thing is that it's (loosely, to be sure) fact-based. No doubt it's destined to become a midnight movie in the not-too-distant future.

Yes, it is far superior to "To Wong Foo...", but keep in mind that Priscilla wasn't made for American tastes (well, not the tastes of most Americans).

Don't Bob and Bernadette make a nice, older couple? BTW, the woman wasn't just Tick's "partner" (you make it sound like a business arrangement)--they was hitched.

Army of Darkness (1992)

Shop smart, Shop S-Mart!

[17 March 2002]

This is my favorite Bruce Campbell movie, and probably the best of the Evil Dead series.

Beware, though, if you watch this on the so-called SciFi channel. They do some really strange censorship. In the scene that ends "good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun", when bad Ash says "you're good Ash, I'm bad Ash," the word Ash is bleeped out.

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Just astonishing on several levels

[17 March 2002]

I think that the people who claim not to like Night of the Hunter must have seen that atrocious remake with Richard Chamberlain. Please do yourselves a favor and see the original.

It is too bad that Charles Laughton never directed again, but what's more astonishing is that Robert Mitchum had to direct the children because Laughton couldn't stand kids. (Says a lot about the kids in this flick).

The only thing that really bugged me was Icy, Willa's boss at the ice cream parlor. She was the "reverend's" biggest supporter early on, but later (censored due to inclusion of spoiler material).

Reindeer Games (2000)

Ok, if you like that sort of thing

[16 March 2002]

I expected a lot more out of Reindeer Games than I got. After all John Frankenheimer directed the one of the best movies I have ever seen--The Manchurian Candidate.

Over all, it was clumsy, with awkward plot twists, and not a single character who sounded like a "yooper" (that is, a person from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Desperate Remedies (1992)

Odd film

[6/10 · 15 March 2002]

A fairly surreal flick. I've tried to describe it to friends, and the best thing I can come up with is "it's like watching someone else's dream."

Definitely not intended for a general audience.

To the poster who commented on "migraine inducing color:" that's a perfect description.

You Never Can Tell (1951)

Beastatory--wow!

[15 March 2002]

A favorite. Just basically a good movie from start to finish. What particularly impresses me is Beastatory; for a 1950's movie, that was a pretty nifty effect.

Goldie and Rex made quite a team.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Just plain WOW!

[14 March 2002]

I didn't even know that LOTR was in production until I saw the trailer before "Harry Potter and the Total Waste of Time." My chin hit the floor (not a pleasant experience). It was wonderful. I'm pleased to say that I was not disappointed.

UHF (1989)

Change, Mister?

[14 March 2002]

I can't think of anything I don't like about UHF (heck, even Fran Drescher is good).

The scene where "George" is serving punch to the dog--and then drops the doggie into the punchbowl--always cracks me up.

The best lines went to Lance Colvig (the bum). "Change, mister? You got change?...eighty-five, ninty-five, ONE DOLLAR. Thanks a lot, mister."; "you're the guy that gave me that double die Denver mint penny. I bought some shares and got me a REAL neat watch...it's a Rolex."

Can't wait 'til it comes out on DVD!

A Perfect Couple (1979)

One of my all-time favorites!

[9/10 · 11 March 2002]

I loved this movie from the first time I saw it. Sure, it's basically a new take on Romeo and Juliet, but it's still a good flick. The music is undoubtedly the best part {especially when "Bobbie" sings 'Lonely Millionaire (swoon)}--if Keepin' 'Em Off the Streets were a real band, I'd be their biggest fan.

Does anyone know how I might get a copy of A Perfect Couple?