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.