My Top 7 Favorite Christmas Movies

1. Home Alone (1990) 10/10

2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) 10/10

3. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) 9.5/10

4. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) 9.5/10

5. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) 9/10

6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) 9/10

7. Scrooged (1988) 8.5/10

Merry Christmas!

Did Mookie Do the Right Thing? Part 2 *SPOILER ALERT*

There is controversial subject matter in Do the Right Thing and this is where the spoiler alert goes into effect. I usually don't mention things which spoil the plot of a film, but in this case it's done in the name of science. Well, maybe realistically philosophy, sociology and film studies, but here it goes...

The event which I am referring to is the infamous garbage can scene in which Mookie, played by Spike Lee, takes a garbage can and throws it into the window of a pizzeria. Added note, Mookie works for the pizzeria and spends the entire movie looking forward to receiving his pay as the pizza delivery man.

So, to get back to the main question: does Mookie do the right thing?

On one hand, Mookie's display of vandalism is justified due to the treatment of the predominately black and Puerto Rican people living in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, by the owners of the pizzeria. On the other hand, Mookie breaks the law by vandalising private property, which ultimately leads to a riot and this is where I stall on the question.

Spike Lee himself has given us a bit of insight into the meaning of the garbage can incident. He claims that the answer is ambiguous. It was placed in for the audience to simply ask ourselves whether or not Mookie did the right thing and just like in the ending of The Thing, where Child's excuse of where he was is both suspicious and incomplete, this too is added to keep the audience questioning Mookie's motives.

I give Do the Right Thing a 10/10 with honors! A new feature that will be added to films which make my top 5 list of my favorite films of all time.

So again, please watch this movie, it is up on Netflix for streaming.

Did Mookie Do the Right Thing? Part 1

I am of course taking about Spike Lee's masterpiece from 1989, Do the Right Thing which was robbed for an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. I mean Driving Miss Daisy took home best picture that year and I say for shame on the Academy.

First off before I watched Do the Right Thing my Top 5 favorite films of all time went something like this:

1. Platoon (1986)

2. The Dead Zone (1983)

3. Minority Report (2001)

4. The Planet of the Apes (1968)

5. The Matrix (1999)

Honorable favorites: Dark City, LA Confidential, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Wayne's World, They Live, Fateless and Alien.

Now my top 5 reads a followed:

1. Platoon (1986)

2. Do the Right Thing (1989)

3. The Dead Zone (1983)

4. Minority Report (2001)

5. The Planet of the Apes (1968)

And I never thought that I would ever bump out The Matrix but I love Do the Right Thing and consider it a masterpiece.

First of all, why does this movie rock? The camera movements are very, very interesting. They remind me of Stanley Kubrick's style and although they aren't as surreal, the camera movements are brilliant none-the-less. Likewise, the camera angles are often tilted, which works tremendously in this film.

As for the acting, Danny Aiello brought the house down. Spike Lee was really good as Mookie who is the main character, as was the late Ossie Davis, Bill Nunn, Martin Lawrence, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosie Perez and John Turturro, to name only a few of the amazing cast. 

Danny Aiello was more than well deserving of his Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination but he should have won. Spike Lee did win an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1989 and it was more than well deserving, but like I said above, he should have won Best Picture and Best Director, which he was robbed from getting.

Continue to part 2....

Review of Undercover Brother

Undercover Brother is a comedy starring Eddie Griffin, Chi McBride ad Dave Chappelle. Undercover Brother tells the story of a group of African-Americans who become involved in a plot to destroy the black cultural influence in America by replacing it with stereotypical whiteness. 

There were several anti-Mayonnaise jokes, which I found hysterical, Undercover Brother is very funny and even throughout. My favorite performance and the one who in my opinion stole the show, was far Dave Chappelle. He brilliantly played Conspiracy Brother to a tee and his conspiracies were so real too.

My only complaint is that the middle is a bit slow and the ending is cheesy. Other than that however, a good movie for a good laugh.

8/10.

A Heston Movie I Didn't Like?

I never thought I'd see the day when yours truly would sit through a movie starring Charlton Heston and I didn't end up liking it. But I did and that movie is Earthquake from 1974.

Earthquake was corny, boring, and predicable. Plus I was waiting to see Charlton freak out because that's what he does best.

Nothing too great to talk about here except for Walter Mathau's small but hilariously memorable role as "Drunk" which was entertaining but overall I wouldn't recommend Earthquake.

6/10, Charlton must have done it for the money...

Review of Heat

Starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Tom Sizemore, Val Kilmer, Hank Azaria, Ted Levine, William Fitchner, Jon Voight, Henry Rollins and the Allstate guy, Heat is a tremendously amazing crime drama film about one cop (Pacino) and one thief (De Nino) who square off against each other in a field of dead bodies, vehicle wreckage and method acting.

A fun fact about Heat, which was directed by Michael Mann the husband of Diane Sawyer, Heat was shot on 65 locations around the LA area and not one was a sound stage. If only they made movies like this more often.

I will give Heat a 9/10 for it's terrific writing and amazing acting. It is a long movie, coming in at 2 hours and 50 minutes but well worth it. Also, the all-star cast is great, including the lead females actors,  Diane Verona, Ashley Judd and Amy Brenneman.

Well done Mr. Mann.

RIP Blake Edwards

Director, Producer and Screenwriter Blake Edwards a man known for directing The Pink Panther and Breakfast at Tiffany's died two days ago at the St. John's Medical Center in Santa Monica.

Blake, who is married to Julie Andrews, was 88 years old and died from complications due to pneumonia. The same cause of death as Leslie Nielson who died this month in Florida. 

He was also the director of my father's favorite movie of all time, the one who introduced me to Peter Sellers at a young age, The Party.

Review of Eight Legged Freaks

I checked out Eight Legged Freaks last week on Netflix, which is a movie that stars David Arquette and is about a small town infested with giant mutated spiders. Well, it did star a young Scarlett Johansson, who was probably the best actor in the film, so it's got that going for it.

Overall, the movie was ok. Acting was ok, writing was ok and the action was ok. Life wont change by either seeing or missing this one, it was just alright.

I give Eight Legged Freaks a 6/10. I would have given it a 5 but Kari Wuhrer is just too hot and I needed up add one more point for her hottness.

Two Heston Classics

I recently watched both The Planet of the Apes and the Omega Man, which are both cult sci-fi movies starring Charlton Heston.

Planet of the Apes is one of my favorite movies of all time. It centers around a crew of US astronauts who crash land on a mysterious planet full of those damn dirty apes.

The Omega Man centers around a man who is the last person on Earth, or so it seems, who is fighting to stay alive from these mutated people who are victims of nuclear fallout.

Overall, Planet of the Apes is the better film and The Omega Man is campy and badly edited. Planet of the Apes is also one of Heston's finest performances, it's over the top, hyperbolic and just plain awesome! It's also the film this blog is dedicated to.

Planet of the Apes - 10/10.

The Omega Man - 7/10.

The Most Likeable Host on TV

I'm talking about Adam Richman. The Show? The Travel Channel's Man vs. Food a show about food, struggle, food, more struggle and yes, ever more food.

The basic premise of the show is as followed: Adam Richman, who is a guy who knows food, travels to a different city in the US each week in order to showcase three different restaurants that encapsulate the best food in that particular city. 

The last restaurant that Adam visits is in order to compete in some sort of massive food challenge such as eating a 76 oz. steak, a 12 egg omelet, spicy hot wings made from ghost chilli's or burritos that are 6 pounds. If Adam defeats these challenges, then man wins. If not, food wins and most of the time it's pretty even between man and food.

While Man vs. Food is a great show, watching episode after episode on Netflix can get a bit repetitive since the format is the same for all shows. However, other that that Man vs. Foosd is very enjoyable.

9/10!

Review of Reno 911: Miami

The 2007 movie which stars the cast of Reno 911 plus others, including Danny DeVito, David Koechner, Paul Rudd, Patton Oswald and happily, the entire cast of The State.

I was a little disappointed with this movie. On one hand, it's Reno: 911, was a very hysterical show, however as a movie, Reno: 911: Miami was slow and uneven. 

Was it funny? Oh yes, no doubt about it but it also felt a little forced what with all the swearing and nudity which can't be shown on TV. There is a time and a place for those things but just because you can't do them on TV doesn't mean you should over use them in a film.

Overall, it was a funny but I could have used more appearances from members of The State, some of which didn't even speak as well as a stronger story line.

7/10.

Review of Zulu

A very powerful and interesting movie from 1964, starring Micheal Caine in his first starring role.

Zulu tells the story of a British Column of troops in South Africa in 1879 during the Anglo-Zulu War who become surrounded by 4,000 Zulu Warriors.

Called the Saving Private Ryan of the 1960's, Zulu is full of action and tells a great story of courage and honor.

Not the best war film that I've ever seen nor is it the worst. I'll give it an 8.5/10 for a somewhat slow beginning and an ending that went by a little fast. 

Other than that, I recommend it.

R.I.P. Leslie Nielson

Was just informed that funny man and fellow Canadian Leslie Nielson died in Florida yesterday from complications due to pneumonia. If you're like me you will always remember Mr. Nielson for his comedies such as Airplane and The Naked Gun Trilogy, which I consider my favorite comedy films of all time.

Saddened to see you go but happy that you were able to make millions of us laugh.

Stereotypes Be Danged, Robert Townsend's Going to Act

I was scrolling through Netflix last night and saw this movie that I've never heard of before called Hollywood Shuffle, which was written, directed and stars the great Robert Townsend. It was also stars Keenan Ivory Waynes, Damon Waynes, Anne-Marie Johnson, (all of whom were on In Living Color) Dom Irrera and Paul Moody, to name a few of the talented cast.

Hollywood Shuffle is about a young man named Bobby Taylor and his struggle as an actor in Los Angeles. Bobby ends up playing stereotypical black roles, which the movie defines as a pimp, a slave or a criminal. Bobby does some soul searching with the help of his family and friends in order to follow his dream of playing serious roles as a black man.

In the end, Bobby find a more fitting, distinguished role other than the lead in a film about a black pimp.

Hollywood Shuffle is hilarious, original and real. I give it a 9/10.

One Strange Film

Mulholland Drive by David Lynch, which stars Naomi Watts is one strange film.

This movie is odd and I didn't get it at all. I mean the acting was really good but the story goes to some strange placed. It was the first David Lynch film I've seen and while one side of me appreciates the uniqueness of the story telling, I just honestly didn't get it.

Overall, not a bad film just confusing so I think an 8/10 is good.

"Thank God For Rednecks"

A great line from the movie Zombieland starring Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harlson and Emma Stone.

Considering the most successful zombie-related movie of all time, Zombieland is an action-packed, hilarious film that will make you laugh, cry and cry laughing.

At only 1 hour and 28 minutes, this was one of my favorite films of 2009. Zombieland is up there with Shaun of the Dead, another Zombie-related film that I really enjoy.

9/10!

Review of The State

The State is a hilarious sketch comedy show that ran on MTV from 1993 to 1995. Starring three people from Reno 911 and three people from Stella this is one fantastic show if you consider that during the first season the cast members were between 22 and 24 years old.

Check it out on Netflix, all 24 episodes are up for streaming.

10/10, for one of the funniest and most original shows that I've ever seen.

Calling All Hilarious Cops

Yep, Comedy Centrals brilliant Reno, 911 is one of my favorite shows ever on TV. Too bad it's over really but I'm currently in the middle of season 2 on Netflix streaming and I love all the episodes that I've seen.

I give this show a perfect score for the fact that nothing is written. Yes, all the dialogue was all improvised and I myself love improv. 

Up next for me is to watch The State where apparently many of the actors on Reno, 911! got their start.

I'll also be reviewing other movies and do a recap of season 14 of South Park. Look out for those soon.

10/10 for Reno, 911!

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Is Way Awesome

There is so much I can say about this movie. 

First of all, it takes place and was filmed in my hometown of Toronto, Ontario, Canada which makes it extra awesome to see Honest Ed's, the Opera House, Now Magazine, Sonic Boom and Lee's Palace in a major movie like this one.

Second, combine humor, action, video games, underground indie music and fighting and you always seem to get an awesome film. The formula works and that's all that matters really.

Michael Cera rules. Yes, he does play the same character in every movie he makes but man, he is awesome in this one and just as awesome as he is in Superbad.

Please watch this film. It's now out on DVD and Blu Ray.

10/10!

Blaxploitation is Awesome

... and Black Dynamite takes the cake. Starring Micheal Jai White and Tommy Davidson.

There's action, romance, black power, revolutionism, kung-fu, jive talking and so much more. 

What more does a movie need?

The editing was bad, the cutting was bad, the music was bad, the acting was bad, the film stock was bad and yet this movie was one of the funniest Martial Arts based comedies I've ever seen.

A real treat if you like action and movies from the 1970's.

9/10!

Review of Big Fan

Starring Paton Oswald, who is stand-up comedian, Big Fan tells the story of an obsessed New York Giants fan who lives with his mom on Stanton Island and works as a parking garage attendant.

There isn't much action but you don't always need action when you have terrific writing and a captivating main character who plays the part very well. Surprising from a stand-up to say the least but a great film about obsession with sports and how it effects others including such as family and friendships.

I really loved this film. 9/10!

The Best Mental Hosital Ever

I am talking about the classic 1975 Milos Foreman film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest starring Jack Nicholson.

What a film! If I never get thrown in the loonie bin for not wanting to work, make sure there is a tall Native American who can't talk, a young Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd and Scatman Cruthers better be an orderly.

I love this film so much but man isn't Nurse Ratched one evil Witch? I mean, it's not like she assaults the patients but her condescending tone, sternness and passive aggressive behavior makes her more evil than Freddy Kruger. Seriously!

A great film, I highly recommend it. 9.5/10!

Am I A Man Who Knows Too Much?

Of course I am talking about the Alfred Hitchcock classic, The Man Who Knew Too Much, which is a great thriller.

I wasn't mesmerized by it. I mean it was filmed in the late 1930's but a good movie none-the-less and only 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

I still prefer Rear Window and North by Northwest.

8/10.

Hardcore Hollywood Liberal Plays A Conservative Senator

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, wo's the most liberal of them all?

Is it Sean Penn? No. Is it Bill Maher? No. Is it Michael Moore? No. Then who is it?

Mr. Liberal himself, practising Roman Catholic and former squeeze to actress Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins. The movie? The hysterical Bob Roberts, which I enjoyed and I'm not a liberal.

Co-starring the great Alan Rickman, writer Gore Vidal and a young Jack Black, Bob Roberts tells the story of a young Conservative running for Senate in the great state of Pennsylvania.

Funny, charming, thought-provoking and paranoid. Everything Liberal Hollywood thinks of Conservative America but if Bob Roberts ran for Senate in my state, California, the fact that he plays the harmonica guarantees him my vote.

Enjoyable and good. 9/10!

Two Great (New) Simpsons Episodes

I know what you're thinking and yes it is true, I found two really funny recent Simpsons episodes that let's face it haven't really been funny since 1998, if...

The first one I watch was the latest Halloween special, Treehouse of Horror XXI and the second episode is entitled Elementary School Musical which is made for fans of Glee and/and Flight of the Concords.

Enjoy some great Simpsons humor, reminiscent of the old, glory Simpson days on the early to mid 1990's.

Ken Burn's The War

I have been watching the 7 part PBS series by Ken Burns on the second World War as of late and I absolutely love it!

If you're not familiar with the show please go onto Netflix or buy the DVD set from PBS. If you are a war buff, interested in American history or if like me you love hearing the stories of not only war veterans but family members who experience another side of the war, other than combat, then this documentary is for you.

I hope you watch it and enjoy, 10/10!

Thank you Mr Burns.

Warning: Blind Women Don't Lock Their Doors

Yes, Wait Until Dark starring Audrey Hepburn and Allen Arkin from 1967 is a pretty terrifying movie but it has a few annoying flaws that I didn't much like.

I'm very impressed with Allen Arkin who rocked this movie. He was scary in a totally confident way and that's what freaked me out the most. Yes, the little girl is annoying and what's up with her going to the Port Authority in the middle of the night and on her own too? Were things that safe in the late 1960's?

In the end, I loved the ending, which is amazing. Wait Until Dark is pretty awesome if you're looking for a freight.

9/10

Review of Galaxy Quest

Starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman, Galaxy Quest tells the story of a cast from a popular 1980's sci-fi show, ala Star Trek, who get together and attempt to save a bunch of real life aliens.

This movie was quite satisfying, as a Star Trek fan. As a writer, the script followed a very standard format and played out quite well. It was funny and full of action, although I will have to deduct points for some parts which I found to be predictable. I am sure the counter-argument will be that these parts were just following the predictability of Star Trek but I still think it was negative.

For me, I enjoyed Galaxy Quest but I thought I would love it. Look out for Rainn Wilson, Justin Long and Sam Rockwell was pretty fantastic.

8.5/10.

Review of The Hot Tub Time Machine

A comedy starring John Cusack which teams him up with Rod Corddry, Craig Robinson and Clarke Duke.

The Hot Tub Time Machine has its moments but beyond moments it's not too great of a movie. Yes, I loved the Red Dawn referances and other 80's references but overall it was an ok movie and much like Waiting... it could have been a lot better.

I'm was happy seeing John Cusack do some skiing in after seeing him in Better off Dead, which is another great film I'll review some time soon.

7/10

Review of Waiting...

Waiting... starring Ryan Renyolds, Anna Farris, Justin Long and David Koechner tells the story of a group of individuals that work at a restaurant called Shenaneganz, a family-style restaurant ala Apple Bee's or T.G.I. Friday's. Waiting... tells the story of everyone working at Shenaneganz from the Manager to the servers, hosts, cooks, dishwasher, bus boys, bartenders and even the new employee.

While the movie had some laughs, it is certainly geared toward those who have worked in the food service industry, something I have never done. What I did like about Waiting... were some of the inside tips presented by the writer such as never sending your food back to the kitchen and seeing how service staff treat rude customers.

In the end, never working at a restaurant makes me feel somewhat left out of the humor and certain scenes were slow.

Look out for Chi McBride and Dane Cook in small roles.

I give it a 7/10. It was a decent movie but it could have been better.

Just Like Woodward and Bernstein

Lisa: This is so cool Bart, we're just like Woodward and Bernstein.

Bart: Yeah, except their dad wasn't waiting in the car reading Archie Comics.

[Homer in the car reading an Archie Comic]

Homer: Stuck up Riverdale punks, think they're too good for me.

I saw All the Presidents Men last night starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. It is a terrific film about the team of Woodward and Bernstein who worked for the Washington Post during the Watergate scandal in the early 1970's, which forced President Richard Nixon to resign from office.

Although some parts were boring, considering that there was no explosions or action, All the Presidents Men was very entertaining with just dialogue and a well written story behind it. Look for Meredeth Baxter, who played the mom on Family Ties and Steven Collins, who played the father on 7th Heaven in small roles.

A must see if you like political thrillers. 9/10!

Run to the Chopper Go!

Oh yes, a famous line delivered so dramatically from the soon to be former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The movie? 1987's Predator, the original.

This is one fantastic action/sci-fi movie about a group of elite US Army soldiers sent into the jungle of an unknown Central American country to conduct a rescue mission. Of course, it's not really a rescue mission, but a flight for survival between the men and a hunter/predator alien beast with dreadlocks.

A totally rad flick with a great cast that includes Carl Weathers, Bill Duke and another former Governor, this time Minnesota, Jessie "the Body" Ventura.

Terrific fun, 9/10!

Chris Farley's Brother Mocks Micheal Moore

Personally, I thought that I would have loved any film which had that kind of premise but David Zucker's An American Carol, starring Kevin Farley, Kelsey Grammar and a cameo by the late Denis Hopper, was very disappointing. While making some wonderful social arguments about the liberal influences in media, education and Hollywood, the film itself was uneven and disjointed.

There are very few laughs. I place this film down there with High School High and Scary Movie 4 rather than Airplane or The Naked Gun series.

Too bad really, this one had potential. 3/10 and the worst Movies for Maniacs rating thus far.

Review of North By Northwest

A classic thriller starring the great Cary Grant and a very young Martin Landau is truly a Hitchcock masterpiece.

Full of suspense, intrigue, murder, chase, thrills and Cary Grant's accent, which I love, North By Northwest is one fantastic movie.

My favorite scene was with the airplane. People who have seen it know what I mean.

9.5/10, a must see!

Great Movie Dialouge #3

John Anderton: Why'd you catch that? 

Danny Witwer: Because it was going to fall.
 

John Anderton: You're certain?
 

Danny Witwer: Yeah.  

John Anderton: But it didn't fall. You caught it. The fact that you prevented it from happening doesnt change the fact that it was going to happen.

(John Anderton played by Tom Cruise and Danny Witwer played by Colin Ferrell in Minority Report, 2002)

Random Simpson's Quote #1

"I'm not normally a praying man, but if you're up there please save me Superman!"

-Homer Simpson

A Important Film You Need To See

Do yourself a huge favor, log onto Hulu and search for a film entitled Return to Tarawa. This 47 minute documentary, which is narrated by Ed Harris, is a breathtaking account of Leon Cooper a veteran of the Battle of Tarawa and his pursuit to clean the island of litter that has accumulated since the battles end 67 years ago.

I applaud Leon Cooper for this bravery, passion and for his dedication to do something about such a horrible disgrace to the thousands of Marines who died between November 20th - 23rd, 1943 on Betio, Tarawa Atoll. I also applaud Ed Harris for lending his voice as the narrator for such an important story.

To see the invasion beaches, particularity Red Beaches 1,2 and 3 become so desecrated by garbage and litter is a disgrace for everything Leon fought for. This would not be the case at the Normandy invasion beaches in France, so why is it so acceptable for such despicable desecration to be dislayed on the beaches of Tarawa?

The documentary brings Leo back to the Atoll for the first time in 65 years. It is emotional for Leon to confont the conditions of the beaches but during his visit he meets with several government officals, which take Leon's proposals into account. In doing so, the remains of 139 unknown Marines have been retrieved and these remains are now heading back to the US for proper burial.

Please watch his film, it is amazing and very important. I give it a 10/10 as hands down one of the best documentaries I've ever seen.

Review of 12 Angry Men

There have been about 3 versions of this films but I saw the one from 1957 staring Henry Fonda.

First of all I love this movie! There is no action, only dialogue and a very intriguing story. 12 Angry Men has wit, drama, questions of moral obligation and superb acting.

I give this classic the highest Movies for Maniacs honor, a 10/10 for the fact that this film is really just 12 Angry Men sitting around one room trying to reach a verdict in a murder case but they all make it look and sound so awesome.

Great Movie Dialouge #2

Lisa: How's your leg?

Jeff: Hurts a little.
 

Lisa: Your stomach?
 

Jeff: Empty as a football.
 

Lisa: And your love life?
 

Jeff: Not too active.
 

Lisa: Anything else bothering you?
 

Jeff: Uh-huh, who are you?

(Lisa played by Grace Kelly and Jeff played by Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window, 1954)

Jimmy Stewart Goes To Washington

Just checked out the 1939 classic Jimmy Stewart film Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. I really enjoyed the tenacity and charisma of Jimmy Stewart playing a young Junior Senator from an unmentioned prairie state.

After Mr. Smith goes to Washington, DC he quickly tries to pass a bill to give a park to a group of scouts from his state called the Boy Rangers but after being falsely accused of trying to make a profit from the land the park will be constructed on, Mr. Smith goes on a hardcore binge on the senate floor and speaks for 23 hours about political responsibility.

Wow, if only politicians were as dedicated and honest as Jefferson Smith.

Awesome movie, 9/10!

Review of The Social Network

Last Monday I checked out The Social Network, a movie that didn't interest me until a friend wanted to see it and I fell suit.

Well, the movie wasn't too bad. If you like a lot of dialogue and drama without much action then this is the movie for you. The performances were quite solid, especially from Justin Timberlake. A great movie to watch that he was quite surprisingly good in was Alpha Dog from a few years back. I however am not a Jessie Eisenberg fan although I did enjoy both Adventureland and loved Zombieland. His performance was alright, I mean it's hard to screw up a fast talking, random, nerd with Aspergers syndrome.

The Social Network currently hold a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and I just can't agree that it's that amazing of a movie so I'm giving it an 8/10.

To Recall or Not To Recall, That's One Hard Question

I love the movie Total Recall starring the soon to be former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. I also love that we as the audience don't know whether or not Arnold's character is actually in recall or not, thus the entire movie could be a dream or it could actually be reality.

I personally believe that Arnold is in recall for a simple reason. That Arnold, who plays Douglas Quaid, picks the exact same "memory" right before he goes into recall and even selects the type of women he needs to help him complete his mission. The counter-argument is that all of these choices were hidden away inside of him and even Melina, the women who helped him out was a buried past memory. 

Perhaps all that is true but I will think Quaid is in recall.

Overall one great movie, 9/10.

One Liner Heaven

I had the opportunity to watch both Big Trouble in Little China and Point Break recently, both of which are hilarious one-liner type action movies from the 80's.

I much preferred Point Break but the ending was really crappy where as Big Trouble in Little China was a bit uneven. Both are funny and have reached the range of cult status as well.

My favorite of the two was Point Break, which was pretty hilarious for three reasons. One, the dialogue was so melodramatic and over-the-top but in a good way. Second, the fact that Kathryn Bigelow directed this movie who also directed The Hurt Locker and that makes Point Break even funnier. Third was seeing Anothy Kiedis, leader singer of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers in a small role as Tone, a bully surfer.

I'd say watch both but like I said I think Point Break is better.

Big Trouble in Little China - 7/10 and Point Break - 8/10.

Review of The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone is a 1983 classic from Canadian film director David Cronenberg starring Christopher Walken, Hubert Lom and Martin Sheen.

Based on a novel by Steven King of the same name, The Dead Zone tells the story of a man named Johnny Smith gets into a car accident and wakes up five years later. Upon waking, Johnny discovers when he touches his hands unto another person he can see in their future. Most these vision deal with death but Johnny can also change the future that these terrible events hold.

Recommended TV show, watch The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XV segment called The Ned Zone along with South Park's Cartman's Incredible gift. Both episodes parody The Dead Zone.

If you like Christopher Walken, supernatural thrillers and political thrillers then check our this film. You wont be disappointed.

9.5/10!

Great Movie Monologues #3

Captain Koons: The way your dad looked at it, this watch was your birthright. He'd be damned if any slopes gonna put their greasy yellow hands on his boy's birthright, so he hid it, in the one place he knew he could hide something: his a**. Five long years, he wore this watch up his a**. Then when he died of dysentery, he gave me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable piece of metal up my ass for two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. And now, little man, I give the watch to you.

(Captain Koons layed by Christopher Walken in Pulp Fiction, 1994)

My Top 30 Favorite South Park episodes (Excluding season 14)

1) Dances with Smurfs – season 13, episode 13

2) The Coon – season 13, episode 2
3) The Return of the Fellowship of the Ring to the Two Towers – season 6, episode 13
4) Trapped in the Closet – season 9, episode 12
5) Smug Alert! – season 10, episode 2
6) Cartman's Incredible Gift – season 8, episode 13
7) Quest for Ratings – season 8, episode 11
8) Super Best Friends – season 5, episode 3
9) Butters' Very Own Episode – season 5, episode 14
10) South Park Is Gay! – season 7, episode 8
11) Go God Go and Go God Go XII – season 10, episodes 12 and 13
12) Cripple Fight – season 5, episode 2
13) Red Hot Catholic Love – season 6, episode 8
14) Christian Rock Hard – season 7, episode 9
15) The Passion of the Jew – season 8, episode 3
16) Fantastic Easter Special – season 11, episode 5
17) Pandemic and Pandemic 2 – season 12, episode 10 and 11
18) Casa Bonita – season 7, episode 11
19) Cartoon Wars Part 1 and 2 – season 10, episodes 3 and 4
20) Douche and Turd – season 8, episode 8
21) Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow – season 9, episode 8
22) Up the Down Steroid – season 8, episode 2
23) The Snuke – season 11, episode 4
24) The China Probrem – season 12, episode 8
25) Imaginationland Episodes 1, 2 and 3 – season 11, episodes 10, 11 and 12
26) Guitar Queer-O – season 11, episode 13
27) Professor Chaos – season 6, episode 6
28) AWESOM-O – season 8, episode 5
29) The Death of Eric Cartman – season 9, episode 6
30) Probably – season 4, episode 10

It's a Jersey Thing!

Last night's new episode of South Park entitled It's a Jersey Thing! was absolutely hysterical. So far 2 really funny episodes already in the later half of this 14 season.

Bravo Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

Great Movie Dialogue #1

MacDonald: Caesar... Caesar! This is not how it was meant to be.

Caesar: In your view or mine?

MacDonald: Violence prolongs hate, hate prolongs violence. By what right are you spilling blood?

Caesar: By the slave's right to punish his persecutor.

MacDonald: I, a decedent of slaves am asking you to show humanity.

Caesar: But, I was not born human.

MacDonald: I know. The child of the evolved apes.

Caesar: Whose children shall rule the earth.

MacDonald: For better or for worse?

Caesar: Do you think it could be worse?

MacDonald: Do you think this riot will win freedom for all your people? By tomorrow...

Caesar: By tomorrow it will be too late. Why a tiny, mindless insect like the emperor moth can communicate with another over a distance of 80 miles...

MacDonald: An emperor ape might do slightly better?

Caesar: Slightly? What you have seen here today, apes on the 5 continents will be imitating tomorrow.

MacDonald: With knives against guns? With kerosene cans against flamethrowers?

Caesar: Where there is fire, there is smoke. And in that smoke, from this day forward, my people will crouch and conspire and plot and plan for the inevitable day of Man's downfall - the day when he finally and self-destructively turns his weapons against his own kind. The day of the writing in the sky, when your cities lie buried under radioactive rubble! When the sea is a dead sea, and the land is a wasteland out of which I will lead my people from their captivity! And we will build our own cities in which there will be no place for humans except to serve our ends! And we shall found our own armies, our own religion, our own dynasty! And that day is upon you... now!

(Caesar played by Roddy McDowell and MacDonland played by Hari Rhodes in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, 1972)

When Crazy Commies Invade The USA

That's pretty much sums up the plot for any great movie but in this case it's the plot for Red Dawn starring the late, great Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Grey, Harry Dean Stanton and one spectacular performance from Powers Booth.

Well, if the idea of crazy Cuban and Russian commies invading the USA in the 1980's didn't tickle your fancy then I don't know what will. Red Dawn is an action/war movie that kind of reminds me of The Patriot because after the invasion a group of teenagers and young men serve as Anti-Communist guerrilla fighters. Like in The Patriot, regular citizens form a militia with limited resources begin to target enemy headquarters, do ambushes on armoured vehicles and fight to stop the invasion from spreading.

Overall, a great film and the best argument for the second amendment that I've ever seen.

9/10, a terrific gem!

Review of Memento

I watched Memento yesterday for the second time. The first time I only saw bits and pieces and it was confusing to say the least. I really enjoy Christopher Nolan's films with the exception of his Batman adaptations. I'm just not a fan of Batman Begins or The Dark Knight. I know, I know, I need to be tar and feathered but I don't like those movies.

I did however love Inception, which I will eventually write about as well as Insomnia the movie Nolan directed right after Memento starring Al Pacino.

Overall, I love the cast. Guy Pierce, Carrie-Ann Moss and Joe Pantoliano all gave spectacular performances. The story wasn't just absolutely original but so was the story structure. Very rarely does a director come up with an interested way to tell a story besides the standard Hollywood cause and effect way. But Christopher Nolan does and it works well.

Again, not only should you watch this movie and Inception but check out Insomnia, it's one fantastic film.

9/10 for Memento.

Click vs. Funny People

I watched both movies today, both of which star Adam Sandler in funny and serious roles. I much preferred Click to Funny People, which I thought was too long and boring at times. I usually really like Judd Apatow movies such as Knocked Up but for me Click was much funnier and more heartfelt. I loved Kate Beckinsale in Click though and what heterosexual man wouldn't? Plus Christopher Walken was hysterical.

My ratings for both movies are Click - 8.5/10 and Funny People - 7/10.

A War Movie Worth Seeing

I checked out a movie that I've been wanting to see for a long time now called Beach Red. It was released in 1967 and stars Rip Torn. If you liked Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line from 1998 you will like this film. I wont tell you why specifically other than stating that you will come to understand where both Spielberg and Mallick got their inspiration from and that's all I'll say about that.

I did not however like the flashbacks in the film, they were campy and distracting but seeing is how Beach Red was adapted from a 61 page prose written by Peter Bowman, I still think it is pretty outstanding.

Beach Red will loose points for the flashbacks but still a great film overall. 7.5/10.

I Think I'll Talk About Fight Club

The first time I watched Fight Club was about 4 to 5 year ago in Poland with a Polish dub over English subtitles. To say the least, I was quite confused with Fight Club and did not understand it. After starting this blog I began to think maybe I should watch Flight Club one more time and see if I like it.

Well, I do. I liked Fight Club more than the first time I saw it. While it's not my favorite movie, I thought it was well acted and I loved the ending. Edward Norton was amazing and so was Brad Pitt and to be honest I'm not a fan of Brad Pitt.

In the end, I have a conflict my rating of this film. I gave The Blob 8/10 and They Live 8.5/10. I did not like Fight Club as much as I liked The Thing, which I gave a 9/10.

I feel that an 8/10 is fair. There are somethings that confused me about Fight Club even though I enjoyed it, I still can't say that I liked it the same as They Live and Fight Club does not deserve a lower rating than The Blob.

So 8/10 for me and well worth the revisit.

Roddy Piper + Magic Sunglasses = One Great Movie

If you've seen the movie They Live, another classic John Carpenter cult film then you guessed correctly.

They Live tells the story of Nada, played by Roddy Piper, who is a drifter that comes to LA from Colorado look for work but that's pretty much all we know about him. While in LA he decides to work construction where he meets Frank played by Keith David, who also played Childs in The Thing and King in Platoon.

The two best scenes are when Roddy proclaims one of the best one liners in movie history: "I'm here to chew bubble gum and kick a** and I'm all out of bubble gum." The second being one of the greatest fight scenes in movie history between Nada and Frank over Frank putting on a pair of those magic sun glasses. To note South Park did an homage to this scene in the hilarious episode called Cripple Fight. The scene where Jimmy and Timmy fight over Timmy putting on a funny hat is frame by frame the same as the fight scene between Nada and Frank in this film.

Overall, amazing. Great one-liners, great storyline and great acting from the cast. 8.5/10.

The All-New South Park

Just finished watching the all-new South Park which aired yesterday evening on Comedy Central. The episode is entitled "Poor and Stupid" which is about Cartman becoming a NASCAR driver sponsored by Vagisil. Yep, it's was hysterical.

I'm a huge fan of South Park and this episode was really funny. Butters is also a central character in the episode and he is my favorite South Park character so needless to say I loved it.

Check it out on SouthParkStudios.com under season 14. Pretty much every episode is online and stream from South Park's own website.

I'll be posting my favorite South Park episodes some time later.

Enjoy!

Modern Family

lI've been a loyal fan of Modern Family since the first episode.

If you haven't seen it most of this season's episodes are on Hulu but last season, which was the first season, can be found on Side Reel. I have links to both sites below my blog.

Personally, my favorite characters are Cameron, Manny and Phil but I also think all the characters have interesting relationships to their parents, grandparents and spouces.

Each of the three main families have differant issues such as culture, homosexuality and raising teenage children but they all come together as a family and often deal with these issues as one family unit.

Overall, Modern Family is a very funny, very interesting show and worth checking out.

My Favorite New Show on TV

I've been watching NBC's The Event on Hulu usually on Tuesday's because it airs Monday evenings when I am unavailable.  I must say that it is my favorite new show currently on TV.

The cast, the writing and the mystery is really fascinating. If you liked Lost, which I did, and 24, which I did, then NBC has upped it's game by taking concepts from those two shows and throughing them together.

Also, cudos to NBC, not only for The Event but for Community and Outsourced which are other fantastic shows on NBC and worth checking out.

I usually try to give recommendations rather than trying to sum up an entire show. I would say watch episode 1 of The Event, it's up on Hulu or try Side Reel and see if you like the show for yourself.

Enjoy!

Is Childs The Thing?

I literally just finished watching John Carpenter's 1982 classic sci-fi horror movie The Thing and I'm pretty sure Childs is The Thing.  Although that view might change I think it's too convenient that he got lost in the snow.

I only saw movie after only seeing bits and pieces before tonight and I love the entire film.  The Thing is mysterious, scary and a lot of fun, especially the blood test scene.  My favorite performance was that of Blair played by Wilford Brimley (the Quaker Oats guy) although I would say all the actors did a great job, including Keith David who played Childs and Kurt Russel who is the lead actor.

I also heard that a prequel is in the works scheduled to be released in April 2011.  I for one will welcome this prequel as I'm interested in know what happens to the Norwegian team from the beginning of the first movie

Overall, a classic and a terrific thrill ride.

I give The Thing a 9/10!  Well done Mr. Carpenter.

Great Movie Monologues #2

Sgt. Barnes: You talking about killing? Hmm? Y'all experts? Y'all know about killing? I'd like to hear about it, potheads.

[takes pipe and inhales drag]

Sgt. Barnes: Are you smoking this sh*t so's to escape from reality? Me, I don't need this sh*t. I am reality. There's the way it ought to be, and there's the way it is. Elias was full of sh*t. Elias was a crusader. Now, I got no fight... with any man who does what he's told. But when he don't, the machine breaks down. And when the machine breaks down, we break down. And I ain't gonna allow that... in any of you. Not one.

[hands pipe back and spits]

Sgt. Barnes: Y'all love Elias. Oh, you wanna kick a**. Yeah. Well, here I am, all by my lonesome. And there ain't nobody gonna know. Six of you boys against me. Kill me. Huh. I sh*t on all of you.

(Staff Sergeant Barnes played by Tom Berenger in Platoon, 1986)

Review of The Blob (1988)

Last night I logged onto Crackle.com, which is a Sony owned website that makes original web series and distributes movies and TV shows online.

While on I scrolled through their selection of fine works of art and saw The Blob (1988).  Having never seen this movies before I was quite interested.

I messaged a friend on facebook who told me it was good and I watched it.  I agree, this movie was well acted, well written and quite scary.

Not for the faint of heart because it is pretty violent and although the special effects are outdated by today's standards I'd still check out the Blob if you like 80's movies, b-movies, sci-fi and horror.

8/10, great entertainment all around!

The Mayonnaise Manifesto

I spent most of last weekend eating in restaurants, which is totally rad. Good food, good friends, good times. But the one thing I personally can't stand is when my Canadianisms come out in my eating habits and I have to make long explanations of why I eat certain foods with certain condiments.

Please come along for the ride, it shant disappoint

For the third time in the last couple weeks I’ve been sitting in a restaurant and ordered French fries with my meal. As soon as I get my order I request an atypical condiment (for Americans) to dip my fries in and that’s mayonnaise. Now before you heave uncontrollably just note that in places like Belgium where French fries were discovered and then exported to the USA, people dip their fries in mayo. Is it gross? Perhaps, but it is a tradition? Absolutely!

Another tasty English tradition... wait let me rephrase that for all those people how have suffered through English cooking... Another English tradition is to soak fish and chips in malt vinegar as well as French fries. This is a Canadian tradition too but it's not shared in the USA. Perhaps, some would say, for reasons of obvious sanity.

Call it what you want but be warned. If you go out with me to a place where French fries are served, mayonnaise will make an appearance and yes, I will be dip my fries in that sweet, delicious condiment even if it makes you sick. I think I may have just killed my dating life but as Shakespeare once said “It’s better to have loved and lost than to be with someone who doesn't respect your right to dip your fries in mayo.”

Recommended movies this week are Strange Brew and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. For TV watch Kids in the Hall and that one episode where the Simpsons go to Toronto. Avoid Celine Dion and all movies with Hayden Christensen who is sadly the most famous person to come from my home town... well, thus far...

Up next is a review of the 1988 movie the Blob staring Kevin Dillion.

Great Movie Monologues #1

Zira: What will he find out there doctor?

Dr. Zaius: His destiny

Taylor and Nova ride along a quiet beach on horse.

MINUTES LATER

Taylor get off the horse and looks up surprised.

Taylor: Oh my God. I'm back... I'm home... All this time I was.

Taylor drops to his knees

Taylor: Oh we've really done it this time.

Taylor pounds his fist against the sand.

Taylor: You maniacs! You blew it up!

Taylor lets out a painful grunt.

Taylor: Damn you! God damn you all to hell!

Camera pulls out to a view of the top half the Statue of Liberty stuck in the sand with the bottom half destroyed.

(Taylor played by Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes, 1968)

Run Logan Run

Someone has graciously placed up 14 10 minute videos of Logan's Run on YouTube so yesterday I sat in watched it.  I personally thought Logan's Run was pretty campy and confusing plus it was made in the 1970's which seems like an era obsessed with sex and orgies.

I also heard that there is going to be a remake from Ridley Scott in 2012 and I am really looking forward to that.  First off because of the advancement in visual effects so the domed city wont be an obvious miniature model and second because I really love Ridley Scott as a director.  I mean look at Alien and Black Hawk Down, amongst others.  Though I'm totally not a fan of Blade Runner and will explain why another time.

In the end,  I'd give it a 6 out 10.  Michael York did rock it, like always.