Austin Powers ~ 1997, 1999, 2002

I often look at my collection of movies, that include classics like; All About Eve, Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird and great films like; The Departed; Babel; Gladiator and then other trilogies such as The Godfather classics, and Star Wars and I wonder, why in the hell do I have Austin Powers movies??

Well to be honest, I love them. They are corny, campy and totally disgustingly funny. Mike Myers has made a fortune on being all those things rolled into one. These films have no real credit to filmaking in them, other than the fact that they sold MILLIONS! Female stars fought to be a “Powers” girl, with the likes of Elizabeth Hurley, Heather Graham and Beyonce Knowles winning the titles.

Sex sells, and I suppose raunchy funny sex sells even more, and that is what these films were mostly about, with innuendos thrown around all over the place. And I hear that another Austin Powers film is in the works! Could it be? Someone tell me it’s not true!! I give all three of these films a C- for being Corny

Atlantis: The Lost Empire ~ 2001

Even though this was one of Disney’s less successful films at the box office, it was still a good film. Based on the story of the Lost City of Atlantis, Milo Thatch (voiced by Michael J. Fox) meets an old woman who takes him on a journey he is not about to forget (reminiscent of the film Stargate, when James Spader meets an elderly woman that sends him on a journey…)

Overall the film is fun, entertaining and beautifully animated. No, not one of Disney’s best, but a fine film nonetheless. B-

Sweeney Todd

Here is a first look at the poster for the upcoming Johnny Depp film, Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. It looks absolutely fabulous!

Favorite Films 1991

1991 didn’t give us too many great films, but we got a few. Of those few my favorites for 1991 are…

10. Drop Dead Fred: Elizabeth Cronin (Phoebe Cates) returns to live at home with her mother after losing her money, car, job and husband.
In her room, she finds a jack-in-the-box, which held her imaginary friend, Drop Dead Fred, (Rik Mayall) captive since she was a child.

Unlike Elizabeth who is wholesome, sweet, and innocent, Fred is a troublemaker that often causes problems for Elizabeth. Of course, since Drop Dead Fred is imaginary, Elizabeth is actually the one creating havoc for herself. We learn that Fred exists to serve as an outlet for Elizabeth whose mother was abusive and demanding.

A funny, yet comedic look at life and how one deals with the issues of life.

9. Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead: This farce is totally unbelievable, but I loved this movie and it’s one of my all time favorites and one of my top 100. Sue Ellen Crandell is a young high school student who is forced to stay at home while her mother goes “abroad” . Sue Ellen (Christina Applegate) soon takes matters into her own hands when the babysitter winds up dead.

8. For the Boys: Tells the story of an 1940s actress/singer (Bette Midler) who teams with another entertainer (James Caan) to entertain American troops during WWII. The film traces her life through 50 years. Bette Midler was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. The film is a tear-jerker but at the same time a funny and light story. Bette Midler is phenomenal as Dixie Leanord.

7. JFK : Oliver Stone seemed somewhat obsessed with historical fictional drama in the 1990’s, but this film based part on true events tries to correlate those events with the connection and conspiracy to assassinate President John F. Kennedy. Once you watch this film, with some of the biggest named stars of the 1980’s and 90’s you almost believe that it is all fact. Some of the best performances were by Kevin Costner, Joe Pesci and Tommy Lee Jones.

6. Backdraft: A movie about firemen? It’s more than that, it’s a movie about brother’s, and how lives are so intertwined, even if we really don’t like one another. It also gives meaning to the old line that blood is thicker than water. Kurt Russell in one of his best performances on film plays Bull, the captain of the firehouse, and older brother of William Baldwin’s character, the new rookie cadet. The cinematography is great and the fire scenes are so real you almost feel hot watching this great, and well acted film.

5. The Doors; Jim Morrison was one of the most colorful characters of the 1960’s. His life and his rise to stardom and his demise at this own hands are brought to film in yet another Oliver Stone film. Val Kilmer plays a very real likeness to the famed rocker, yet some of his supporting actors fall short. Overall a good film and a great look into the life of one of America’s most enchanting entertainers.

4. My Own Private Idaho: Two young boys on the streets, one claims he is straight, the other accepts that he is gay. One dreams of finding his mother, the other dreams of having the one that he loves accept him and return the love. River Phoenix is stirring and emotional as a young gay hustler who falls in love with his friend played by Keanu Reeves. A definite unrequited love story.

3. Silence of the Lambs: One of the most terrifying performances on film by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. It is still one of the most terrifying films to have ever been produced. Beautifully directed, acted, scored and adapted, this is a true work of excellence. Winner of the top Oscars, Silence of the Lambs is a true modern day classic film.

2. Fried Green Tomatoes: Jessica Tandy as the story teller, of Fannie Flagg’s #1 bestseller adapted into a beautiful and moving film of how ones life can change another’s. As Jessica Tandy tells the story of her younger days, her new friend Kathy Bates becomes a strong and independent woman by realizing her potential. The film is funny yet moving, and with the great acting ability of Tandy, Bates and Mary Stuart Masterson, it is one for every film library.

1. Beauty & the Beast; By far one of the best Disney animated films ever produced. It takes the beautiful old story of Beauty & the Beast and gives it a whole new face and a whole new song. If an animated movie should have ever won the Academy Award for best film, this should have been it.

As Good As It Gets ~ 1997

In the year of the movie Titanic, which won every award known to the film industry, As Good As It Gets walked away with the Best Actor Oscar for Jack Nicholson and Best Actress Oscar for Helen Hunt.
A great romantic film, that not only warmed the heart, but filled it with laughter and even a little bit of hate for Nicholson character. Jack Nicholson is pitch-perfect as the obsessive-compulsive curmudgeon Melvin Udall, who possesses some of the strangest and most curious tendencies ever concocted by screenwriters and placed on film; his Udall is so human, so heartfelt, so genuine, and so whimsical and Nicholson perfects him to such a degree that not a moment of his screen time is unwanted or uninteresting. Jack is as always at the top of his game, superb. Helen Hunt as the unfortunate single mother/waitress Carol Connelly, is just as human and genuine as Melvin. Greg Kinner, who landed and Oscar nomination for his role as the unfortunate, Simon Bishop was also real and heartfelt. The relationships these three individuals forge makes you realize that despite our differences, we are all very much alike. A great film, perfectly cast and directed. A-

Fav Actors of 1991

1991 was the year of the woman, there were not that many good films that were about men, or even had any real good performances by men, at least in my opinion. Except for Anthony Hopkins as his now famous role as Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs. But there were a few good men. Here is my favorites of 1991.

#10) Billy Crystal in City Slickers: Through the 80’s Billy Crystal was the king of comedy films. This film was no exception and his performance was one of his best as a city guy getting away to enjoy the country and all the adventures of doing just that.

#9) William Baldwin in Backdraft: He is one of the Baldwin brothers that was able to really pull off a dramatic role and make you believe it. Baldwin plays Brian McAffery, a brother to Kurt Russell’s Bull McAffery. They don’t get along at all, but working together becomes even more of a challenge. The story is good, and the performances of both Baldwin and Russell are great.

#8) Kurt Russell in Backdraft: See above

#7) Val Kimer in The Doors: As famed front man of the Doors, Jim Morrison, Kilmer gave an eery drugged out performance, much like the man he was playing. He was on the mark even though the movie didn’t do as well.

#6) Jack Palance in City Slickers: Jack was a legend of old westerns. As his role as the old codger ranch hand and guide he made life miserable for the City Slickers. He won a long deserved Oscar that year and did one handed push ups when he accepted his Oscar.

#5) River Phoenix in My Own Private Idaho: In what would be one of his last performances before his untimely death, River Phoenix gave a beautiful portrayal as Mike Waters a gay hustler in love with his “straight” partner as he searches for his mother. Beautiful film and great performances by both Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.

#4) Tommy Lee Jones in JFK: Oliver Stone’s epic conspiracy film regarding the assassination of JFK is long and drawn out, but Tommy Lee Jones as Clay Shaw, a supposedly ring leader of the conspiracy to get rid of the Kennedy’s is superb.

#3) Robin Williams in The Fisher King: Robin Williams move from comedy to drama was almost as powerful as Tom Hanks’. In the Fisher King he plays Parry a deranged homeless man. His performance is one of his best ever.

#2) Kevin Costner in JFK: One of the other and even better performances in Oliver Stone’s JFK. Costner plays the investigator who believes that Oswald was part of a much bigger plan in assassinating the President and he sets out to prove his theories.

#1) Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs: No other man could be Hannibal Lector. Hopkins portrayal of the psychotic serial killer that eats his victims is hauntingly perfection.

Armageddon ~ 1998

Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck & Liv Tyler are all three powerful in this film. The supporting cast that consistes of Billy Bob Thorton, Owen Wilson, and Steve Buscemi are all very well cast. The soundtrack and film song were hits as well. But what set this film apart from all the other doomsday films of the late 1990’s was that the storyline was really about the end of the world, but about love. A man’s love for a young woman, a father’s love for his daughter, a daughter’s love for her father, and ultimatley the love one has for life.
The cinematography, was outstanding and the direction was one of Michael Bay’s best. This film was the ultimate end of the world film. B+

Fav Actresses of 1991

1991 was a great year for movies and actresses. Films like Thelma & Louise and Friend Green Tomatoes was almost completely about women and women were the stars of the film. In one film alone 3 of my favorite actresses star. So for the list of 1991 and my favorite actresses, here we go…

#10) Christina Applegate as Sue Ellen Crandell in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead: I know it’s a lame movie, but I love it! Not only have it seen it umpteen million times I love Christina in this. Fresh in her role as Kelli Bundy in TV’s Married With Children, she gave us this movie and showed us what she can do. Not an Oscar worthy performance, but I really think she is highly under-rated in Hollywood. I love this film and I love her in it!

#9) Diane Ladd as Mother in Rambling Rose: Diane Ladd is one of premiere actresses in Hollywood. Who can forget her portrayal as Flo in Alice, but my favorite role is her Oscar nominated role in Rambling Rose as her real life Daughter’s (Laura Dern) mother as the matriarch of the conservative clan who does everything in her power to make sure the ignorant and self-righteous men around her don’t harm the charming and “rambling” girl.

#8) Mercedes Ruehl as Anne Napolitano in The Fisher King: A very real and illuminating role and the first time I really recall her in a film as a very realistic portrait of a woman so in love with a loser that she’ll excuse his endless faults. Though I doubt most women in those circumstances are as strong-willed as Anne seems to be. Mercedes won an Oscar for this role.

#7) Mary Stuart Masterson as Idgie Threadgoode in Fried Green Tomatoes: The acting in this film is exceptional. Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary Louise Parker carry the bulk of the acting load. They are fantastic. The relationship between these very different young women is complex and satisfying. Some say they had a lesbian relationship, but who cares? Masterson was masterful and brought this great story out in a why we all understood her.

#6 & #5) Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as and in Thelma and Louise: This was one of the biggest hits of 1991, and the ULTIMATE chick flick. Both Davis and Sarandon gave performances of their careers.

#4) Bette Midler as Dixie Leonard in For the Boys: As an ultimate showgirl, and singer, dancer, Midler is outstanding. She delivers a fine performance as the embittered Dixie Leonard who has seen it all in fifty odd years in the business. She layers her performance with emotion after emotion in only the way Midler can. One of her finest roles.

#3) Kathy Bates as Evelyn Couch in Fried Green Tomatoes: Kathy Bates…what can I say about this woman that I haven’t already said. She is one of the finest actresses of our generation, and her role as the frustrated housewife, Evelyn who happens to stop by the Nursing home to visit an Old Lady, and it changes her life. Kathy is pivotal in this role, but not a lead, but as a reason. She is comedic, dramatic and farcical all in one. The best scene in the film is Kathy’s when a shopper takes her parking spot at the grocery.

#2) Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs: A now classic film and a classic role, played by one of our very own classic stars. Josie Foster gave a performance of a lifetime in this role as a young FBI cadet that must interview a serial killer to catch another and allows their lives to intertwine in a way she never dared to dream. Jodie won the Best Actress Oscar for this performance.

#1) Jessica Tandy as Ninny Threadgoode in Fried Green Tomatoes: Talk about classic. Jessica Tandy was the ultimate classic leading lady and star of the theater and film. Her role in this great story telling film, she is again spectacular. Real, down to earth, never over-acted but just perfectly fit. When she died we lost a great talent in Hollywood.

Fav Actresses of 1990

I really think actresses have a harder time in Hollywood than do the men. First there is that age thing, and then the roles are never a juicy, well until recently. But in 1990 there were some great performances given by the ladies of Hollywood. These are my top 10 favorite performances by a female…

#10) Madonna in DICK TRACY: Although Madonna provides a pretty good Marilyn Monroe imitation her performance as Breathless Mahoney, alas, was not well received by some critics, which was unfair as she is fine in this film, indeed, smashing as the sexy temptress who sings Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man).

#9) Elizabeth Perkins in AVALON: AVALON is based loosely on Barry Levinson’s own family and their real experiences emigrating to Baltimore in the early 20th century from Eastern Europe. Perkins got rave reviews for her role in this touching, poignant film.

#8) Ricki Lake in CRY BABY: I can’t help it I LOVE THIS movie and I love Ricki Lake in this movie. Even though her performance in Hairspray was much better, she shine in this John Waters film as well.

#7) Talia Shire in GODFATHER III: Connie Corleone, Talia Shire, those two names are synonymous. I think was her best portrayal of this character. She had grown, and matured, yet was as manipulative as her brother. Powerful performance.

#6) Shirley MacLaine in POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE: Debbie Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine…that was who she was supposed to be portraying in this film by Carrie Fisher. She even got Debbie’s ok before she accepted the role. She was overlooked at the Oscar’s that year, but she should have been in the running as she was as always, spectacular.

#5) Julia Roberts in PRETTY WOMAN: Her first really big role, and her first really big win. Nominated for an Academy Award as a prostitute. yes, the Academy does that a lot, but Julia was very good in this film, just the beginning of what was to come.

#4) Glenn Close in REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Even though she was dead for most of the film, Glenn Close gave an outstanding performance of the real life Sunny Von Bulow.

#3) Anjelica Hueston in THE GRIFTERS & WITCHES: Grifters she was a real Witch, but in Witches she really was a witch! These films show the talent that is Anjelica Hueston. Versatile and stunning all at once. Evil and comedic. She is a true actress.

#2) Kathy Bates in MISERY: Outstanding performance, Kathy Bates as a tormented soul, and passionate about her plan. She rules this movie, she WAS this movie.

#1) Whoopi Goldberg in GHOST: Whoopi brought the light into this dark tale of a love lost. Her role as the “psychic” that Patrick Swayze’s Ghost talks through is awesome. Even though there was controversy when this film came out about Patrick merging into Whoopi’s body. Can you believe that?

The Amityville Horror ~ 2005

A remake of the film by the same name from 1979, which was based on Jay Anson’s book about a supposedly “true” haunting, Amityville Horror begins in familiar territory by showing us Ronald DeFeo, Jr. (Brendan Donaldson) murdering his family. From there the film begins well as we see a young family, George and Kathy Lutz (Ryan Reynolds & Melissa George) buy the home even after they find out that a murder took place here.

From there the movie begins to move fast, too fast. It seems to begin to try and cram everything into the film in the middle and by the end I was so tired, I didn’t care what happened. The acting is very good, and the production is great, the home was exactly what I was thinking it would be like. Other than that I felt the direction was way to slammed together. Producer Michael Bay does the same thing in The Transformers, but he can get away with it in that film, not in a horror flick.

All in all the film was okay, and stayed true to form with the original 1979 film. B-