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Cunk on Earth (2022)
Ah, DUH?
I watched this last night, the whole thing in one sitting. I had seen the promotional poster and sort of blew it off a few times as I scrolled through the choices of what to watch. Then I accidentally left it on and got the coming attraction. Normally those annoy the heck out of me, but I'm actually glad this was played without being asked. I immediately saw the potential and decided to give it a shot. I'm very glad I did.
Ms. Morgan is brilliant in her deadpan delivery. She's so believable as a moron and has the presence to actually come across as a legitimate documentarian. I honestly believed while watching, that the experts she interviewed were NOT clued in, ala Borat. But to be honest, after reading in several places on IMDb that they were aware, it did NOT take away the need to laugh. But my naivete is one thing, I can't help but wonder how many folks will view this and believe it to be a REAL documentary. Well, in this day and age, maybe I'd rather not know.
Worth every second. A few times I started to think I was getting laughed out and overwhelmed and should consider a break, but I forged on and sadly, without warning, I had finished the whole thing. No question, this is a fun show.
South Park: Funnybot (2011)
SERIOUSLY?!?
I just rewatched this episode and the few reviews don't seem happy with it. SERIOUSLY? This episode has everything South Park has become famous for. They insult famous people, an entire nation and Cartman is in full obnoxiously hilarious form.
The jokes told by the Germans are so unfunny, they're a riot. This is, as are almost all South Park episodes, comedy Gold.
But is EVERY episode Gold? Nah, some achieve Silver and now and then a Bronze, but I've never seen one that failed. Those who see an episode or two that don't impress THEM, and immediately start lamenting the demise of ANY show, should lighten up. Of course TV executives have retooled shows, only to murder them, but an individual episode (or maybe even 2 or 3) that doesn't work for you, is NO indication of a show being on its way out or an indication that the makers have lost their touch. Don't take the reviews of the cranks to heart, Watch and judge for yourself.
Ghosts (2021)
Enjoyable, definately
First off, I don't NEED to see the original BBC series to judge this American adaptation. I can judge this on it's own merits and frankly, I'm not falling over laughing, I'm enjoying this and find it entertaining and funny. Each ghost has her/his own personality and they are all pretty funny in their own right.
I'm not about to start telling people to avoid ANYTHING because your tastes may not jibe with mine, you make up your own mind and screw those who tell you what to and not to watch. This show, IN MY OPINION, is funny and has some real potential. Check it out if it interests you. If it doesn't, so be it. To each His or Her Own. I liked it.
South Park: Pee (2009)
I roared laughing, BUT...
What the Hell happened to to the sound? This is a fantastic episode and probably one of the LEAST Politically Correct episodes ever done. When it first aired, I laughed by my BUTT Off. It was horrendous on so many levels but that's what makes South Park so brilliant.
The last several times I watched this episode (I admit, I've seen every episode at LEAST twice) I was very bothered by the HORRIFIC sound treatment of Eric Cartman's thoughts and his song, MINORITIES. Was this done to intentionally blur the sound so as to not offend as many people or did some maniacal terrorist decide to attack a funny show...a SOFT target?
South Park and it's staff of insanely brilliant creators and writers have never cared who was offended because it's just outrageous comedy with a slant. Hell, even stuff that could offend me, I overlook because my basic attitude is, If I'm laughing at something that I KNOW will offend someone, I have no right to complain when something that might offend ME is on.
So, the bottom line, what happened with the sound? Is there even a remote chance it'll get fixed at some point and we can hear this heartless yet hilarious song and Cartman's fearful thoughts over minorities taking over? I've been getting headaches listening to them now.
PLEASE CORRECT THIS!!!!!!!
Futurama: Saturday Morning Fun Pit (2013)
Wonderful Parody of Dreck
I can't understand the negativity of some other reviewers here and won't try.
This episode, that I'm watching as I type and have seen before, is brilliant. It so nicely parodies the dreck of Saturday Morning tripe that I grew up with. If not using children's programming to to sell products (Purpleberry Pond), teach lessons via half baked junk (G.I. Joe) they just present a mediocre 'mystery' (Scooby Doo) or adventure that took no effort to think out or write. This episode of Futurama skewers that with plenty of laughs and tongue in cheek references and yes, a few flat out digs at the cliches. For instance, in the Scooby-Doo segment, when Fry and Bendi-Boo run into a room in a hallway of many doors, they don't come out. How often has this gag been beaten into the ground but rarely is it funny (though South Park did a great job of dumping on it!).
Animation, like all TV, can run the gamut of brilliant to nauseatingly bad and sadly, most of the low end over the decades has been aimed at kids. Though this episode is for grown ups, it's the stuff we were subjected to as kids that it makes fun of and I applaud it. Too bad Futurama is now part of the past, because I feel it could have produced plenty more of these critiques of the garbage as it did so well here.
Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (2021)
Investigators? No, Dipsticks!
I'm currently watching this program as I type this and it's nice to know that self appointed sleuths are out there solving crimes and fighting corruption and saving the earth from the worst of the worst. Are you for REAL?
They seem to have no training, no experience, no knowledge and nothing better to do and frankly, I'm simply watching the rest to see if they get any type of come-uppance. And they're knowledge of black/death metal is non-existent. I'm no real fan of it, but I'm aware of it and what its all about. This show is giving a platform to know nothings and its disheartening that they've got a legitimate forum beyond YouTube.
But hey, the production values are pretty good and I'm very glad that the REAL investigators, the coroner and even the hotel manager and employees are allowed to state the real facts to counter the foolishness being vomited all over the screen.
Rest in Peace, Ms. Lam, this show is not doing you any honor or tribute but simply giving the self important a forum they do NOT deserve.
Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998)
SHADDUPAYOUFACE!
I cannot find fault with this amazing movie. It brilliantly parodies so many FANTASTIC Mafia movies it's beyond the stratosphere. Anyone one who likes, no, LOVES movies that parodies serious movies, will fall in love with this insanely wonderful parody of EVERY Mafia movie that has meant anything in the past 20 years. IF you are a fan of great mob movies and if you are a fan of great comedy, you will LOVE this movie.
Cobra Kai (2018)
WOW!
I always loved the original movie, "Karate Kid", how could you not? The sequels, feh. This follow up to all the original movies is right on target and exactly where you would expect it to be. The fact that so many cast members are brought back is just so correct. I'm very impressed. I'm also impressed at how the continuity has been so well kept. These folks did their homework, cut very few corners and obviously truly cared, that it's not only updated, but nostalgic as hell. I wasn't a kid when the original movie came out, but I wasn't that far removed from being a kid that I couldn't relate to the themes. Seeing the 'kids' all grown up, so to speak, is fantastic.
I can't find fault with this series. What I can say is, it's amazing in that it shows what can happen if two people can't just sit down and simply talk out their issues. There is one scene in episode 9 (I Believe) where the two main rivals sit at a bar discussing their pasts, but sadly, it gets derailed shortly thereafter. What's amazing to me is, these two have common ground and yet, pride/stupidity/lack of listening just will not bring them together, it's too much like life in general and why this country (USA) is so screwed ups. We THINK this but KNOW THEY think THAT. blah blah blah. Let's find some common ground and work from there. That's what keeps Johnny (who in this is a really GOOD guy trying to help kids who NEED it) and Danny who is a good guy, but too INTO himself. Johnny has seen the light, even if it's a bit tinted. Danny believes he IS the light, even though he's really not quite more than 50 watts of virtue and 50 watts of ego.
I've gotten a bit off the track, but trust me (why the hell would you?) this is a terrific show with so many pluses. Watch an episode or two if you were ever a fan of the original movie or the mediocre sequels and if you're not hooked, what have you lost?
Wax on, suckas!
South Park: Guitar Queer-o (2007)
Am I the ONLY one?
I just watched this episode of South Park for at least the 4th time. For fun, I went on this site to see if after all these years, ANYONE else noticed the blatant references to "Boogie Nights". I've never seen that comparison mentioned here and still haven't. I"m shocked. The producer (or whatever, the episode ended 1/2 an hour ago, I forget) is so obviously The Colonel from Boogie Nights and the cocktail party is clearly from that movie. It's brilliant.
The episode is terrific. I really enjoyed it and saw the comparison to so many other movies it's awesome, but since no one prior to this mentioned the BN reference before, I HAD to submit this.
I've never been disappointed by South Park and don't expect to ever be, I'll stop here. Those who say, "SOUTH PARK HAS LOST IT..." are obviously out of touch with reality and the simple fact that some episodes may not work FOR THEM, but that means nothing in the grand scheme. STFU.
Thank you.
The Real Inglorious Bastards (2012)
What he say?
What should have been an excellent and fascinating documentary was for me, a huge disappointment and for one reason, the sound was horrible. I have good hearing, but whomever was responsible for the sound committed a war crime. I could barely hear the gents tell their own story and the narrator can barely be heard over excessive music and sound effects. And frankly, whomever let this slip by should also face trial. Very unfortunate!
What We Do in the Shadows (2019)
Energy Vampires are REAL!
My review (#224) will get lost in the shuffle, but I had to add something. I didn't read ALL the reviews, I eventually will have to go to bed, but the ones I did, I agree with, absolutely. This show IS brilliant, funny, dark, twisted and all that other devilishly wonderful stuff. The one thing I feel the need to add is a reference to Colin Robinson, played brilliantly by Mark Proksch. Ok, he's not one of the leads, but he's very, very funny in his own right. None of us will EVER know a real vampire (though sure, there are nut jobs who think they ARE real vampires) but we've all met Energy Vampires, THESE FOLKS ARE REAL! And it's great to see Colin interact with the regular vampires and the way they grudgingly accept him as one of their own, in some ways. I just hate the idea that this character and this actor are overlooked because, he's a very funny take on a very real issue. I'm glad he's been getting more screen time this season. Thanks cast, crew, producers for this fantastic show.
Space: 1999 (1975)
Hated it then, hate it now.
Emoji's aren't available, so I have to use text. When I used to occasionally watch this when it was first run, I didn't like it. Why did I watch it? I have NO idea. After a couple of episodes you think I would have figured out that, if I don't like it, better I don't watch. Nope, I was a stupid teenager. The concept was pretty cool, Earth has colonized the moon and uses it to store toxic/nuclear waste. That waste blows up and the moon is shot out of Earth's orbit and hurtling into space with little hope of getting home; Star Trek Voyager with an explosion instead of a black hole? The effects were not bad and the EAGLE ships always impressed me, but the show always seems way too cheesy for me, even then. I'm watching a marathon right now on COMET and, yup, I still haven't learned. I think I'm watching to see why I did't like it and it's hitting me, I'm not sure why, I just HATE it.
And with all due respects to the Brits (I am truly an Anglophile, but...) why is it that in the year 1999, only a mere 30 years after man landed on the moon in a Soviet/USA dominated space race, is the entire crew of the Moon Base (save the commander and his arm candy) BRITISH?
I loved the original Star Trek, and God Knows this show is light years ahead in special effects, but I just could not, and cannot grasp onto this show. The saddest part, this is probably a great show on a number of levels, but I hate it. So, if you're a SciFi fan, watch it, I could be wrong. My wife will back me up on that.
The Incident (1967)
A Movie to make you ANGRY!
I'm just now watching the end of this movie. It was intense and thought provoking to say the least. It's a very interesting study of how people can react under extremely adverse conditions and watching it, you hope and pray YOU will act differently. It also made me think that in this Post 9/11 world, people WOULD act differently, at least enough. I cannot believe that in this day and age this 'incident' would last so long.
Now, for why I was angry. Many of the victims at one time or another DID attempt to stop the incident but often the attempt was half assed or quickly thwarted. If even just ONE person had teamed up with one of the challengers, things might have been different. This is a lesson learned in 2001. One person may or may not make a difference, but a team can accomplish much. Another thing that got me angry was, as someone would stand tall, their second half would interfere, often the reason the effort was thwarted. Many of these folks were so much cowardly, but with no back up from anyone and interference from your other half, you lose traction. Beau Bridges fellow soldier truly made me sick, especially when, while making an excuse for not stepping in, he said, "...it happened so fast..." Ugh! Brock Peters was so filled with rage, he could have killed BOTH of these lowlifes with barely a scratch, but again, his other half talked him down. And the businessman played by Mike Kellin, sure he could smack his wife, but there he was with a damned umbrella (the damage he could have done with that!) but he just essentially curled up in a ball. He wife had guts.
Tony Musante and Martin Sheen played these lowlife thugs so well, I found myself despising both of them. I had to remind myself that it was simply a movie and both are just phenomenal l actors. It's sad we lost Mr. Musante. The whole cast is strong, well, the bum and the little girl, both of whom seemed to be in a coma, although the way Ed McMahon was holding the girl, he may have simply suffocated her and no one noticed, they were simply scenery.
The grittiness of the black and white in an age when it was becoming passe was exceptional and gave the already dreary and depressing subway car a feel of despair which was only exaggerated by the scumbags. Just a hell of a film and one last thing, I couldn't help but notice a number of posters/advertisements displayed in the film centered on mental health. I'm sure it was purely a coincidence, but all things considered, it amused me.
Loose Shoes (1978)
Not as good as many, but good
Every previous review has stated something I agree with and maybe something I DISagree with. For example, this doesn't come close in laughs to Kentucky Fried Movie which I consider the benchmark for this type of parody movie.
I do believe that some of the segments (I don't know, is SKIT really the right word?) do go on a little past where they should. Even long trailers tend to end before these and we've all see via the internet and TV skit shows that a parody trailer can be hysterically funny and remain at the usual trailer length. There's some fantastic stuff here and some that do fall a bit flat but all in all, if you are a fan, even just a bit, of the genre, this is a must see, if for not other reason, it's a history lesson of what was, back in the day. If you don't enjoy it, really, what did you lose?
Badge of Honor (2018)
"B" Movie to B Sure.
I need to see more than 20 minutes of a movie to feel I have the right to review it, and I did indeed watch the entire thing.
You've no doubt read the synopsis so I'll spare you a rehash.
To start, the other reviewer was correct in that it is definitely a B Movie, if not a C+. A group of unknowns, some of whom could be dismissed even from an Ed Wood movie. I mean, if the guy playing the judge, Johnny Mask, should quit acting. It seemed like he was doing a rather poor impression of Dr. Smith from "Lost in Space." But let's be honest here, the budget here had to be pretty low, so, you do what you can with what you have, and high priced actors, special effects and sets are not what would be a priority.
Derrian Tolden was on the other hand, believable and earnest in his performance. His portrayal of Officer Wilson showed the anguish a cop can go through when, no matter how right he is, he's wrong. The movie thoughtfully and sympathetically showed a cop facing injustice, something that in this day and age is simply not fashionable or encouraged and I applaud this movie for that. His partner, Officer Chaney, played by Geoffrey Gilbert is shown to be tough but fair and Mr. Gilbert does a very adequate job in this roll. The other cop who is shown in a very good light and believable is the union president played by Chuck Saale. His part is quite brief, but he gets in some good stuff. Well done all.
With all the praise set aside, there were so many flaws in this movie, it was almost laughable. One glaring thing that I HAVE to mention is, when the full video of the attack on Officer Wilson is shown, the numerous camera angles this guy caught with his camera would make Hollywood envious. Ok, I'm guessing that this was purposely done for dramatic affect and not meant to show ONLY the actual footage, but I think showing just the 'real' footage and then maybe showing it from various angles for the viewer (the non-in movie viewers) might have worked better. But that's just me. I'm no expert. And it's unfortunate that it took the direction it did, ala "The Negotiator", which was in every way a superior movie, of course, again, budgets?
On last tiny issue I want to bring up, the title. The original and better title, "Court of Appeals" should have been left alone. Amazon should have left it alone and not gone with a provocative title that will simply cause some of condemn the movie without seeing it.
The World Wars (2014)
War is Hell, this is too.
I was flipping channels and came across this dreck a little less than 1/2 way through. I started to watch and within seconds found myself saying, "How did that...?" " When did....?" "That's not right." "I'm not genius or expert, but WHAT THE....?" and so forth.
VERY few of the actors looked much like their characters as if the casting director simply said, "If they're white and male, feh, it works. Oh, but put a pair of glasses on that guy."
As other reviews have mentioned, poetic license is to be expected to some degree and honestly, with that much of a timespan to cover and all that material, one has to be realistic enough to know that you can't include every detail or you'd end up with a movie almost as long as the war itself. It's just not going to happen. But with that in mind, isn't it in everyone's best interest to get what you ARE covering more than a LITTLE right?
The History Channel has become a joke. What was once one of the most fascinating and informative channels for us history buffs has become a hodgepodge of reality crap shows. It's heartbreaking, but my anti-TV executive rants are common in my reviews, so, here's more evidence to back up my beliefs. When they DO an actual history show, I guess we shouldn't expect much more from them than this.
And this stinker is now 4 years old. Sheesh, now I'm starting to cry.
LA to Vegas (2018)
Just Funny, and that's all you need.
This show is funny. I don't give a hoot what the pretentious snobs out there think, not all GOOD comedy has to be brainy, British farce. With it's head in the clouds and it's feet on the ground, this program nicely straddles outrageous insanity and good old fashioned basic humor about the 'normal' weekend round trip flights from, well, LA to Vegas.
* Capt. Dave is a howl as self absorbed Capt. Dave. (best episode, "Two and a Half Pilots" where he and equally self absorbed Capt. Steve, masterfully played Dermot Mulroney, NOT Dylan McDermott-Capt. Dave) get into a pissing contest about piloting.)
* Ronnie, the disgruntled and rather mysterious female flight attendant.
* Bernard, the disgruntled, yet more accepting of his position (and why not, that's no easy job and not everyone could ever do it.) who is equally mysterious.
* Alan-Co-pilot who is a bit naïve, inexperienced and in slight awe of Capt. Dave.
And the passengers, anchored by:
* Nichole-a Las Vegas stripper who commutes to work weekends and is a lot smarter than she appears
* Artem-the crafty gambler who also seems to have a rather bizarre past growing up SOMEWHERE in probably Eastern Europe. (at three he dug a hole for a swimming pool. At 4 he discovered it was a mass grave!)
and
* Colin-a recently divorced father of one who's ex lives in Vegas. He's like some of the reviewers on this site, a bit pretentious and over the top in self absorption, but he gets to know others before he truly condemns them.
It's a terrific show so far and, as another reviewer pointed out, and many have for many shows, the absolute gold standard of TV comedy, "Seinfeld" got off to a slow start and was threatened with cancellation. I don't know if that's been kicked around, I certainly hope not, but I've seen far too many great shows knocked down in their infancy by small minded TV execs. I've read the External Reviews and all are behind it. I know if weed out the naysayers here and just watch the show, odds are probably good you'll get hooked. It's just funny, and as my 'headline' stated, that's all you need.
****A few years hav.
Me, Myself and I (2017)
Outstanding first impression
Bobby Moynihan has been one of the consistently terrific cast members of SNL for years. He's proved himself at light drama as well as comedy and I very much enjoyed his performance. Jack Dylan Grazer did a wonderful job as the young Alex and John Larroquette, the man never fails to entertain. Comedy pros of various ages.
The program, as you all know by now, follows our hero, Alex through life at 3 various stages with an interconnected story line. OK, I was totally thrown at first with the Ambulance. I must have missed something and I plead ignorance as to what it was. OTHERWISE, this show was down to earth, honest, funny (without being broad or sidesplitting) and real.
I won't say how it ended, but I will admit, this macho he-man cried a little. It was a very sweet ending.
Good to see Jaleel White back in action as GROWN Alex's friend and colleague; and Brian Ungar showed a terrific side as Alex's step Dad, and a real, GOOD Dad at that.
I hope the show is given a good run. I'm always in doubt that when a good show comes along, it's given a real shot. I have no faith in TV Execs, but my fingers are crossed here.
Other three time period shows have come and gone, some could have worked, (The Bakery-VERY old cop show that didn't make it beyond the pilot) some were dead in the water. I hope this is given a real chance. The pilot was just too good.
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So, I've discovered that after only 6 episodes, this show has been dumped. I had a feeling this would happen and the losers who run TV did NOT let me down. FIRE THESE MORONS!
The Orville (2017)
Love It.
I may have just condemned this show. Shows I love often get scrapped. Fate, I guess.
This show is not perfe....is it? It's shot and edited just like every "Star Trek" franchise and has the feel of a "Star Trek" franchise, but it's funnier. There was great humor in each one, from time to time, but this is a comedy that has the feel and look of a drama and it's pulled off masterfully.
I recently heard that the ratings have not been great. Lets us not forget that "Seinfeld"'s ratings were not great at first and the empty suits at NBC were ready to pull the plug, but someone with an ounce of courage and intelligence pushed to let it ride, even with the schedule hopping it endured. We now look back on one of the most classic sitcoms EVER to grace the television screen.
If the ratings are not great for "The Orville", I can only hope that someone actually THINKS things through before the plug is pulled. This show has amazing potential if only some smart people will let it gather a following. I know SMART is a rare commodity at the network level, but it does exist and we can all only HOPE it prevails.
The cast is terrific and works well together. The second episode where Capt. Ed Mercer's parents communicate with him in front of the crew is priceless and I doubt there are many adults who can't relate to some degree with that. You have to see it to truly appreciate it.
It's the little things like that that make this show terrific. The deadpan humor is outstanding as well. I swear, it's "Star Trek" with a tongue firmly planted in it's cheek.
PLEASE, let's give this show a chance. Those who may not like it should simply not watch. If the show fails, it fails, but allow it to have a decent shot and who knows, in 10 years, there could be as many Orville spin offs as "Star Trek" ones!
SCTV Network 90 (1981)
WHY????? Why did the do this?????
With that said, I loved SCTV and everything about it. With THAT said, why on earth did NBC, when they took it from the Canadians, have to add a laugh track. SCTV when syndicated was absolutely brilliant and needed no crutches. For some bizarre reason, the morons running NBC felt a need to add a laugh track. It's on the DVD. WHY? It didn't NEED one. Even idiots could understand when it was funny and didn't need prompting.
OK, I understand, TV execs are a special kind of idiot who need to be show how to use a urinal every time they have to use one, I get that. But the viewing public, as a rule, got the humor and didn't need prompting. I found the prompting insulting. But I digress.
John Candy, Joe Flaherty and, well, the whole bunch were brilliantly off beat. As the station boss, Joe Flaherty played Guy Caballero, the station boss who always used a wheelchair. He didn't need it, he just used one. He HATED PBS and in an episode where the networks were at war, he ordered a hit on PBS. When told they had already hit them, he replied, "Well, hit 'em again. I hate that egghead network!" This is just ONE of the out of this world, insane characters who populated SCTV and there were so many.
It translated well into a 'network' show in the US, but you could see there was a slight lack of edge, and of course the damn laugh track.
If you've never seen it, do yourself a favor and watch an episode or two. It'll never hurt. It can't do justice to watch only a few, but you'll be glad you did...even with that damn laugh track. PLEASE, try to find one without it.
On a side note, to the editors at IMDb, capitalization is not always yelling. Since it's impossible to emphasize things with underlining or bold type, caps is all that's left.
END...sorry $end$ repression and censorship!
Arnold (1973)
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cringe
Here's a movie that, though released in theatres when it was made in 1973, had 'made for TV' written all over it. Cheap sets, cast that were 'stars' but never BIG stars, but it's all worth it. I just watched it on YouTube after not having seen it in decades, maybe not since in the theatre when it was released.
The best parts of this movie are Bernard Fox as Constable Hooke, who's descriptions of the murders is an absolute hoot, Jamie Farr (almost unrecognizable as an Indian servant) who says nothing, but who's presence is always good, and Victor Buono who may be in it briefly, but as the officiate of the wedding, is outstanding. He plays 'uncomfortable and awkward' extremely well, without going over the top.
The rest of the cast holds their own nicely but those three take the movie from being an amusing 5 to a very amusing 8. No, this isn't a laugh out loud comedic classic, but it's fun to watch in spite of the cheesiness.
And the end is definitely a bit of a surprise. 'nuff said.
Tierra: Infierno (2003)
Outstanding
First off, the guy with the lamp needed a bigger part. I really hope there is a sequel.
The artistry was magnificent and I will be searching for the soundtrack album. I'm guessing it wasn't John Williams or Jerry Goldsmith, this is way above their league.
If you want something that makes perfect sense, flows like a river and has snappy dialogue, this is for you.
Now, once the drugs wear off, I just might watch it again. Wait, I don't take drugs....WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!?!?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I just rewatched this classic film. I have to say, I think I get it now. It's all about a boy who seems to think ancient Egyptians were...
what was that doctor? No, give me a minute more, please. PLEASE? OK, thank you.
So, anyway, he sees how life REALLY is and it's all about drinking milk and wine and exposing your penis and.......
dammit doctor, you said I could....WHAT? No, no, I did NOT take my meds today. It's too early. Let me FINISH THIS!
Anyway, the woman with lots of tits and penises on her back is the one who......
DAMMIT, OK, OK, LEAVE ME ALONE, I'll take my medications and........
It's an incredible movie. The acting alone is worth the price of admission. It's on YouTube...FREE!!!!!!
Buy the Soundtrack on Polymer Records and Tapes and....is that thorazine you just gave me? Oh............................................
My Honor Was Loyalty (2016)
Not your big budget blockbuster, but for what it's worth....
This is a movie that, somewhat similar in idea to "Cross of Iron" or "Stalingrad" (the German one) what it was like from the side of the losers. Hundreds and hundreds of movies are made from the Allied standpoint but not all that many seem to come from the other side, even if the guy making it may not have been German.
What I liked: An effort to show soldiers (even the dreaded Waffen SS) as human beings. An effort on an obvious budget to put together a decent war movie with decent battle scenes. Unknowns (to me) who at no time seemed to want to outshine their cast mates.
What I did NOT like: A philosophical quote, FROM THE GUY MAKING THE MOVIE! Tacky. The kind of cheap feel at times. The over emphasis at the end that, "hey, the 'good guys' were just as bad, they just happen to win." Well, let's be honest, I've been blessed to never been at war, but to deny that even the good guys do some bad things is naïve. People are people and in certain situations may do terrible things, but to try and compare the Allies with the Nazis is ludicrous. I bet even the most ardent Nazi sympathizer would agree that man for man, the SS (in all forms) killed more innocent people in one week than the entire Allied armies in a month. As a student of history, I'm making an educated guess, not stating a fact.
To the movie itself, it's not bad. It's pretty good actually. You get the feel of desperation from the cast. The small skirmishes they face are somewhat believable. It's NOT a big budget movie and that's clear, but you don't need a big budget to make a good movie.
I enjoyed it. You may not, but for what it's worth, I think it's a decent story with a good, though distorted message. War is Hell; you fight for the man next to you and because it's your duty, period.
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Amazing movie with a message
First off, just to get it off my chest, every small town head law enforcement person is not a sheriff. I don't understand nor will I ever understand why so many people cannot make this very simple and straight forward distinction. Heck, even the television show based on the movie just HAD to put Stetsons on the Police because they figured, "Police and CHIEF have already been established, we HAVE to do SOMETHING to show they're actually all sheriffs!" Stupid, plain and simple. An easy concept for intelligent people to grasp, they are NOT all sheriffs.
Whew. Sorry. It's always eaten at me and even though I know my tirade won't wake up the lethargic, I feel better venting....again.
But enough of my bellyaching.
This movie stands out as one of the all time classic films on a few levels. For one, it's and examination about race relations, not just in the south, but in general and how, even if you're not trying, you just might see that the bottom line is, we're all just people. There are good, there are bad, there are misunderstood and what color your skin happens to be, is totally irrelevant. Of course, all of the bad people in this happen to be white, but it's the circumstances under which the film takes. We see the transformation of some folks once they see Virgil Tibbs for who he is, not what he is. It's always good to watch when someone is enlightened, even a little.
This movie is also a decent murder mystery. I grant you, not really the focus, but the compelling main plot IS the mystery of who the killer is and why he/she did it. The racial stuff is a dynamic sub-plot. Or is it the other way around? Hmmmm.
It's also a very interesting character study. CHIEF Gillespie is shown to be clearly a complicated man who, though he wants to do the right thing, feels the need to prove himself even more so. He has a difficult time with being wrong or second guessed and yet, you see him occasionally second guessing himself and questioning his, or should I say the values of all around him.
Tibbs is shown to be a good and righteous man who, as Gillespie points out, is deep down, "...just like the rest of us." in that he seems fixated on 'taking that fat cat off this hill.' Tibbs has convicted Endicott prior to even proving that Endicott actually did it. Just has Gillespie has done with others. The exchange outside of Endicott's house between Gillespie and Tibbs is priceless and the look on Tibbs' face when reality is thrown at him is extremely telling. And this exchange is one of the highlights of the film, and there are plenty others.
The acting is outstanding. Each and every character is pretty much flawless, the weakest acting link (for me, anyway) was Quentin Dean as Delores. She didn't get LOTS of acting jobs after this, so I'm guessing I'm correct in my belief she was not great actress. It's unfortunate that she passed on at 58 years of age. She wasn't that bad. And of course, it's simply sad she passed at a relatively young age.
But Rod Steiger and Sydney Poitier are two of the best, hands down. Warren Oates, never seemed to be acting, just actually being that person he was portraying, who always seemed to be like Warren Oates! The entire cast carries this without effort. I won't name them all, too many great performances to try.
The dialogue is well written as well, VERY well written.
Now for a little more nitpicking, sorry, it's in my blood. Though they may nor may not be spoilers, I feel better saying they are.
First off, as much an expert as Tibbs is, it's amazing he knows everything about everything. Fern root? He knows all there is to know about Fern Root? Whew, there was a stroke of luck. No doubt fern root is a major factor in many of the cases he worked in Philadelphia! LMAO.
I was amazed that the FBI could get the package, examine it and get it back to Mississippi within 24 hours, especially in 1967. REALLY? Why did Federal Express even need to be established? I'll close here. This movie is timeless, not 'dated'. It takes place when it takes place and when it takes place was a tough time for America for so many reasons, not that today is a walk in the park. But we see people for who they were then, and how some are now. Not all good people are white or black; nor are all bad people. (I'm not ignoring any other group, but this movie doesn't address any other groups, please hold off on any complaints about my lack of inclusiveness. Thank you.)
What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)
Cripes, it's so damn funny
I was sitting here reading some reviews and just reading the reviews had me laughing like hell. This movie is the type of thing anyone with a sense of humor wants to do at least once. You take a movie that was probably not bad, may have been funny (some facial expressions and scenarios suggest it) and make it one hell of a farce. Woody Allen's early work was brilliant, off kilter and a bit bizarre. All that is what made it so bloody funny. (Interiors was heartbreaking. BLECH!) He showed comedic genius not just for the 60s, but for all time.
Phil Moskowitz is a howl. The villains are a howl. The whole premise is a howl. It has elements that his other movies don't have, or they have and it doesn't. WHAT? Never mind, it's not like his other movies. This is an established movie, DE-established and rebuilt into his own insane image.
Not every gag works, but the non-working gags are few, very few. Just watch and LISTEN and you'll laugh, unless you've got no sense of humor.