1408 ~ 2007

Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is a second rate author who specializes in debunking paranormal occurrences. He is also dealing with the death of his daughter and the destruction of his marriage.  He checks into the famed room at the Dolphin Hotel, #1408.

Terror is what the plot line promised, but unfortunately it was somewhat underwhelming. However, what it lacked in terror, it made up in psychological madness. Overall the story comes to life through the talents of John Cusack who carries this film, as 75% of it is just him.  He carries it through like the champion he is.  From the moment he steps into the room, somewhat cynical a transformation begins.  Once again, even though we may never understand him, Stephen King’s story comes to realization.

Not one of the greatest thrillers, but one of the best, and certainly one of the best that is currently hitting our screens.  There were no mutated in-bred humans cutting off heads or raping the young starlets.  It was almost like the old fashioned thrillers that play with your mind to scare you into the deep crevices of your own psyche.

The last scene was really not necessary, but then again, this is a Stephen King story. B+

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12 Monkeys ~ 1995

In a weird, chaotic way, this film truly shows the depth of Brad Pitt’s acting abilities.  I feel due to his “pretty boy” image in Hollywood he is not taken a seriously as he should be. (His current role as Jesse James in The Assassination of Jesse James as a prime example).  Bruce Willis travels back in forth in time and once again shows his “Die Hard” character in several different settings.

Sci-Fi, thriller, drama call it what you will, when I first saw this film I was pulled in.  It is fast paced, un-nerving and quite good.  Watching it again today, it still brings chills even though I know how it ends.  Directed by the former Monty Python star, Terry Gilliam it makes me look forward to his latest directing stint in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, which unfortunately lost Heath Ledger as one of it’s stars last week. B-

Big ~ 1988

Penny Marshall went from being Laverne on TV’s, Laverne & Shirley to one of the biggest names in directing during the 1980’s and 90’s.  Steven Speilberg’s sister Anne was a co-writer for this screenplay.  Add in Tom Hanks, and David Moscow, who played the young Tom Hanks and you have one great movie.

The premise of being older or switching bodies with an older person was big during the 1980’s (Vice Versa; 18 Again) but BIG by far was the best of this genre of film.  Tom Hanks is masterful in this film, keeping his naivete of a twelve year old while being in an adult body.  David Moscow, who has grown into quite a good actor in his own right, was perfectly cast and was able to bring that special something to this film.  Elizabeth Perkins is always good, and she did not disappoint as the love interest who finds out that her “boyfriend” is really a 12 year old in a 30 something year old body.  Add in Robert Loggia and John Heard and the rest of the ensemble cast and you have created a film classic.

This film continues to be good even if you watch it today, 20 years later.  Thanks to the gifted talents of Penny Marshall and Tom Hanks.  A

Bewitched ~ 2005

I was so hoping for something else when this movie came out. The film is not an adaptation of the television series, but more of an homage. Instead of Samantha Stevens dealing with her mortal husband and her enduring mother Endora, the plot evolves around Jack Wyatt (played by Will Ferrell) who is wanting to remake the Bewitched TV series and is looking for the perfect actress to play Samantha.  In walks Nicole Kidman.

Nicole is a perfect Samantha, she even has the little twitch down.  But who told Will Ferrell he was funny.  I find him boring, obnoxious and just plain lack of talent.  Steve Carrell would have been a much better choice.  He is a little more funnier and talented than Ferrell. Shirely MacLaine is perfect as the actress who is playing Endora, who is also a real witch,as is Nicole’s character. 

Overall this film tricked me, and not in a good way.  Nicole should stay away from films like this and Stepford Wives and stick with drama.  Will Ferrell, well he should just not make movies.  The plot would have worked, but unfortunately not in this film. D

Tragic Hollywood News ~ Heath Ledger Found Dead

Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan apartment, and police said drugs may have been a factor. The Australian-born actor was 28. Police said Ledger was naked in his bed with an unknown number of sleeping pills near the body.Ledger had an appointment for a massage at a residence in the tony SoHo neighborhood, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said. A housekeeper who went to let him know the massage therapist had arrived found him dead at 3:26 p.m.

One of this generations most outstanding, multi-facted and talented stars has faded away too soon.

There Will Be Blood ~ 2007

At the turn of the 20th century, Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a poor prospector who finally strikes it rich when he finds oil. Based on the Upton Sinclair novel “OIL” the cinematography and score in this film is spectacular.  Daniel Day-Lewis is also spectacular and once again amazing, as the poor prospector who makes it rich, but finds out money does not make your troubles disapear.  He brings to the screen a simple yet voilatle persona that will surely garner him accolades and awards.  The film however, I felt was slow at times and even though the storyline was based mostly on the relationship between Plainview and his “adopted” son, it failed to show a complete story of their relationship.  There were several brutal scenes that kept you wanting to watch, but overall I felt the film lacked completeness.  I left feeling I only knew half the story. B-

The Beverly Hillbillies ~ 1993

This is one I save for time requiring sheer silliness with no observable traces of reality. I have to admit that it is a very predictable plot, but anything that is such an obvious spin-off of a fabulously popular television series would have a hard time being anything but derivative. Having said all that, I still chuckle thinking about a lot of the slapstick shtick used so liberally here. The storyline has been updated to make it a bit more topical, and the characters as depicted in the movie are slightly more contemporary than their counterparts in the TV series. But they are just as refreshingly corny and ordinary, and sometimes that is such an invigorating act to watch that it seems liberating somehow.

The cast is uniformly terrific; the best is easily the late Jim Varney, showing surprising range in his star-turn recreating the Jed Clampett character in the shadow of the legendary Buddy Ebsen, who so many of us baby-boomers remember as being Jed Clampett. Of course, Cloris Leachman shows why she is such a celebrated actress in her hilariously naughty portrayal of Granny, and Erika Eleniak gives a wonderfully corny interpretation of sexy but innocent Elly Mae, more interested in ?rasslin? than boys, and as quick to ?whup? those boys if they get our of line.

Also quite good is Diedrich Bader as Jethro (and also acting in drag as Jethro?s sister Jethrine, on the make and virtually unstoppable), as is Dabney Coleman as Mr. Drysdale, and a wonderful Lily Tomlin as Miss Hathaway. Of course, the villains are key in all this, and Rob Schneider and Lea Thompson spread their wings into comedic farce quite well. I save it for comic relief when I really yearn for mindless yucks, and it never fails me. C+

Best Films of 2007

10) The Assasination of Jesse James

9) Ratatouille

Knocked Up

7) Hairspray

6) Sweeney Todd

5) No Country for Old Men

4) Before the Devil Knows Your Dead

3) Atonement

2) Eastern Promises

1) There Will Be Blood