aadue-186-652060 Reviews

Cracking Up (1983)

Mixed Feelings

[6/10 · 5 October 2012]

I'd like to start by saying I usually enjoy the movies that comedians make as they get older, but everyone seems to pan. I like the later Three Stooges, Laurel and Hardy, and even the Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu. Most of those comedian's "crap" is ten times more clever than the garbage they come out with now.

I think this movie had a lot of potential, but didn't quite get there. It's a sketch movie, which Jerry Lewis successfully pulled off with his directorial debut "The Bellboy," but the plot in this is too thin, even for a sketch movie.

There are quite a few good gags, but a lot of bad ones too. It could be the "cheapness" of the film too, but the over the top style that makes Jerry, Jerry, is too much here.

I was really surprised by the amount of people who reviewed this movie and loved it. Most seem to put it above "Hardly Working," which I disagree with.

I was also disappointed that there was some language in this one. I say this mostly because I can imagine being a parent and showing this to a kid who grew up watching Jerry Lewis movies and hearing him say, "shit," and "Christ all mighty."

Not necessary, and particularly odd since he's against that sort of thing in comedy films. I've seen him complain a number of times about modern comedians who swear too much. I know he talks like that in real life, but that's another place. There are just some gags in here that are beneath his caliber.

I would recommend this movie only to the die-hard Jerry Lewis fans, of which I am one, but don't be surprised if it's not what you had hoped.

Goodfellas (1990)

A Great Gangster Film

[8/10 · 22 September 2012]

The first time I saw this movie, I wasn't quite sure if I liked it or not. The more I watched it, though, the more I liked it. The violence in this film is pretty extreme, but accurate, as are the characters.

This film stands out in the Gangster genre, because there isn't a "good guy," and the bad guy (who is the protagonist) doesn't die. Though, a lot of them do.

I think the language could have been toned down a bit. I know that's how these guys talk, but this film could have been just as good without it, and their audience would be wider. It's an important film to see, so that would be a plus.

The "Layla" montage is one of my favorite in any movie ever, and it's the perfect blend of cinematic beauty and dark/disturbing/creepy.

Overall I recommend this film, particularly if you like gangster or crime movies. It's historically accurate (pretty much), and has some memorable stuff. "You dink I'm funny?!"

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966)

Great family film!

[8/10 · 14 September 2012]

My family used to rent the VHS all the time! We could never find it for sale. Thank God for DVDs.

This has to be Don Knotts' best film. There are lots of good jokes (including several running gags), and the classic Don Knotts formula-- Small town nothing becomes a hero, reluctantly. Oh, and the actress Joan Staley is a BABE.

Moving on.

This film also scared the crap out of me as a kid. Particularly the organ stuff. However, this was the good kind of scared the crap out of me that all children should experience. Like Snow White, the end of Return of the Jedi, etc.

If you have any sense of humor, you will like this movie. Get it, watch it, enjoy.

P.S. Atta boy, Luther!

The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968)

Don Knotts meets Bob Hope

[7/10 · 14 September 2012]

If you happen to own or rent the Don Knotts "Reluctant Hero" pack, this is one of the four films, and probably the least strong in terms of comedy. It is a remake of the movie Paleface, with Bob Hope and Jane Russell, not exactly shot for shot, but close. A lot of the same jokes were used, and the plot is identical.

However, I still recommend this film. It's got some very funny stuff. While I'm not usually a fan of remakes, I thought this WAS better than Paleface, though it could just be I saw this one so many times first. Son of Paleface I had seen before Paleface, and I enjoy that one quite a lot.

Apart from the comedy in this film, we get Barbara Rhoades, the love interest. Let me just say, VA VA VOOM! YOWZA! and COR, BLIMEY! You'll have to see for yourself though....

This fits nicely into Knotts' "reluctant hero" idea, and I recommend it overall. It's a fun film.

P.S. "How's it going, Heywood?"

The Love God? (1969)

A Don Knotts Twist

[7/10 · 14 September 2012]

I personally enjoy this film for a few reasons. The style, design, fashion, etc. and time period are awesome. Late 60s and groovy as can be. The whole "Hugh Hefner" thing is happening.

At least in 1969, who would be the best (aka WORST) Love God? Don Knotts, of course. While this movie is a bit different than his other starring films (it's PG-13 for a start), it still has that charm.

Knotts always plays a small town guy getting mixed up in something, and becoming a reluctant hero. It's a formula that works well for him, and we have it in this movie. I think some people do not enjoy this movie because it's just a little different than his other work up to this point, but that's okay.

While this is essentially a sex-comedy, the film is still family friendly overall. There's nothing too blatant, so if you're old enough you'll get it, and if you aren't then that's okay. I recommend this movie, especially if you like Don Knotts, the 60s, or both.

Tombstone (1993)

A Western for Anybody

[9/10 · 28 August 2012]

This is a very good film, whether you like westerns or not. It's the perfect balance of historical accuracy and artistic license. While I enjoy Kurt Russell, I thought Kevin Costner made a better Wyatt Earp overall. Russell does a great job showing the human side of a legend though. Val Kilmer gives a great performance as Doc Holiday, and Dennis Quaid did an equally fine job in the Wyatt Earp film.

Tombstone has all the things you'd expect in a classic western film-- action, romance, some comedy, etc., but it's played in a way that steps out of the box. Not, perhaps, as much as something like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but you won't be disappointed. The good guys are clearly the good guys, but they are also human. The bad guys are clearly bad guys, and they are human, but evil.

This is an R-rated film, but is not overly violent. It does contain some language (only one f-bomb), so it's actually decent for the older kids. A very enjoyable film with some fine performances.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Mixed Feelings

[6/10 · 28 August 2012]

Mrs. Doubtfire is one of those films I used to watch quite often on television growing up. I always enjoyed it as a kid.

I'm 22 now, and watched this film again recently, and my feelings have changed slightly. It could be that I've seen a few Robin Williams movies, and he seems to repeat himself a bit too much, maybe not.

The main problem I have with the film, is it doesn't really fit well into any category in terms of suitable age viewing. I said I watched this on TV quite a bit, where 1.) It was edited and 2.) my mother was never happy about.

The movie is a great family film in a lot of ways. There are plenty of things kids would find pretty funny, has some good messages, etc. However, there's also a lot that really shouldn't be in a kid's movie. Language, sex jokes, etc. none of which are very subtle.

If you've ever seen The Cat in the Hat film with Mike Myers, you know what I'm talking about. It's got some stuff that shouldn't have been in there. So Mrs. Doubfire falls in kind of an area that suits really 13 year olds, and that's it. It could have been a better film if they'd worked on that a bit.

Hardly Working (1980)

Overall Funny

[7/10 · 3 December 2011]

First off, don't watch this expecting it to be "INSERT OVERRATED CLASSIC HERE." Having said that-- This movie marks the return of a basically decade-long absence of Jerry Lewis from the big screen. The only problem I really have with the movie is the cheap, late 1970's look to it, which you can get past. There were tons of moments that made me laugh out loud. It's just Jerry Lewis goofing around. If you like him, you'll probably like this, if not then don't bother. A good film overall though and makes for a pleasant viewing experience compared to almost anything today's movies have to offer. This movie sadly isn't on DVD, but if you get ahold of it, it's a nice movie that the whole family can enjoy.

Johnny English Reborn (2011)

A great film that lots of people are going to miss out on!

[10/10 · 23 October 2011]

First of all, let me say the first Johnny English may not have been everyone's cup of tea. I liked it, but it didn't do too well in the states. This one is just as funny as the last one, but will be more appealing to people who crave an explosion or two.

It's more like a fun spy movie with real action and adventure and just happens to star a funny person--Rowan Atkinson. He's a little older and grayer, but this movie is filled with his classic physical comedy as well as his verbal comedy.

Go see this movie and if you have a soul and a sense of humor you will like it. If not, go watch the rum diaries or whatever. And, it's family friendly so take the kids.

Rock on, Mr. Atkinson.

The Comic (1969)

You can't not like Dick Van Dyke

[7/10 · 14 October 2011]

This movie is hard to track down, but worth watching if you like Dick Van Dyke (who doesn't?), Stan Laurel, or silent film comedy in general. While the movie itself isn't the best thing Dick Van Dyke has ever done, he's very good in it. Being a big fan of silent films himself, you can tell this film meant something to him. Hopefully it well be more available to the public in future. There's some great original gags created by Dick and Mickey Rooney is fun to see as well. Don't expect this movie to change your life (unless you want to be a slapstick comedian that is), but it's entertaining to watch. Dick Van Dyke is always a joy.