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