Reign Over Me

Reign Over Me (2007)

Directed by: Mike Binder

Written by: Mike Binder

Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler

Rating: R

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

WOW! I can't believe I've got time to do this again! I love writing and being able to bring you this quality literature and journalism (pause for laughter) time and time again really does bring me joy. So without further ado, here we go!

Obviously my vacation involved a lot of movie time (there were a couple of rainy days) and it was one of my greatest pleasures to share Reign Over Me with my friends and fiancee. Reign Over Me is an incredible film. It's number 10 on my Top Ten favorite movies of all time, and hopefully I can make you see why!

Brief Synopsis:

Alan Johnson  (Don Cheadle; Iron Man 2), a dentist dragged down by the battle of everyday life runs into his old college roommate, Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler; Billy Madison), who lost his entire family on September 11th. With the help of a psychiatrist in his office building (Liv Tyler; The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring) Alan decides to rekindle their friendship, and it turns out to be a good thing for both of them.

Thoughts:

I think this film is fantastic. In viewing, I constantly found myself wanting to know more about Charlie. Unfortunately for the first half, Charlie didn't want you knowing anything about him! Director Mike Binder did an excellent job of crafting the story so that he didn't reveal too much too soon, and keeps the audience's interest.

One of the most excellent components of this film is how real it feels. Charlie Fineman and Alan Johnson are not real people, but their story resonates with the Americans who lived through September 11th. This could be anyone you encounter on a daily basis. The illustration and the storytelling of the writer/director and the actors feels INCREDIBLY real, and that really appeals to my taste in films, generally speaking.

Of course (I'm certain people who haven't seen this will cringe at my saying this) but my favorite element of the film was Adam Sandler. As I often reveal to anyone who talks to me for more than 20 minutes, I have an obsession with comedic actors in serious roles (like Jim Carrey in The Truman Show or Steve Carell in Dan in Real Life) but this is one of my favorites. What Sandler brings to the table in this film, I can't see many other actors bringing. There are incredible, really funny moments (you know when you share a moment with your former college roommate? I'm looking at you, DG), and then you see Charlie Fineman's obviously tormented soul. As he opens up to Alan, Charlie hits barriers and emotional hurdles, and Sandler channels them brilliantly. On several occasions I've been able to catch Sandler take on a serious role, and I've yet to be disappointed.

The above is not to take away from the acting of the rest of the cast, either. Jada Pinkett Smith (Scream 2) is great as the wife of emotionally drained and frustrated Alan, and Liv Tyler's Angela (the psychiatrist) is a perfect casting fit. Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games) also has a minor role later in the movie, and he is brilliant (as per usual). Though his dramatic chops are no secret, Don Cheadle deserves a lot of credit for the performance he gives in this film as well. Cheadle's Alan is dragged down by the details of his every day life. After reaching out to Charlie, Alan has a renewed sense of self that impacts all the areas of his life. Cheadle is perfect for the part, and his scenes with Sandler have so much emotion packed into them.

This film tops my list of overlooked movies. I vaguely remember it hitting theaters when I was 18 years old and transitioning from high school to college, but my first viewing came from the same DVD a few days later. In my research for this post (which I do actually do from time to time) I read a lot of critical reviews, and the worse they got, the more impressions I got that the critics had a short attention span (though it DID make me want to be a better writer). Paying attention and following the story really pays off in this film's case.

Final Thoughts:

As I said above, an attention span that will last you for two hours and 4 minutes will really pay off for you in this endeavor. It is NOT for everyone, but if you have a good attention span and are in the mood for a realistic, human, dramatic journey, I'd recommend you dive in. If you've never seen Sandler be serious, this would be a good starter (there are others).

Generally I will not accept someone's criticism of Adam Sandler until they have seen him in a serious role, so keep that in mind as you comment (HA! Like anyone ever does that!). That may seem narrow minded, but (to me) it isn't being fair to Sandler as an artist to pigeon hole him as a washed-up comedian.

In conclusion, I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this film. If you have seen it, what was your impression. If you haven't, would you watch it knowing what you know now? Let me know via comment, Facebook, or Twitter (@archivesreport) what you think!! I'd love to hear from you!!

Thanks for reading as always, folks! I always welcome discussion!

God bless!

NAH

Ghostbusters II

 Ghostbusters II (1989)

Directed by: Ivan Reitman

Written by: Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Rick Moranis, Siguourney Weaver

Rating: PG

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Here we go again! This is my second sequel review in just a matter of days. Don't worry. I'm not claiming that Ghostbusters II, while dear to my heart, in any way touches the original. It doesn't. But, one of the whole reasons I write this blog is because I feel that critics today are too harsh and cynical, and I try to spin my thoughts and reviews with positivity. Lord knows the world could use a bit of it!

Ghostbusters II is creative. It's fun, and I'll be the first to give credit where it's due. It's a good film. Here is a brief synopsis.

Aforementioned Brief Synopsis:

Since saving the world 5 years ago, the Ghostbusters have faded into obscurity. They all have new jobs, and only become Ghostbusters to be ignored at kids birthday parties. Sooner rather than later, their old pal Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver; Avatar) is in paranormal trouble again, and then Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd; Ghostbusters), Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis; Year One), Peter Venkman (Bill Murray; Caddyshack), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson; Miss Congeniality), along with the help of their accountant-turned-lawyer, Louis Tully (Rick Moranis; Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves), must deal with more adversity as they save the world a second time!

Hope that was brief enough!

My thoughts:

Ultimately, Ghostbusters II doesn't get enough credit. Even I had been avoiding it in favor of the first for the last several years. Upon my latest viewing, however, I re-discovered the magic of the sequel.

Ghostbusters II stacks up to the original in a few ways. Mostly, the use of quick witted, dry comedy that made the first one so funny. Nobody remembers jokes in II because, well, frankly, they aren't as memorable, but they ARE just as fun.

The same character traits which made the characters so loveable in the first place are also extremely present. The sequel versions of the characters really haven't changed that much. Venkman is still witty and over-confident, Ray and Egon still the same loveable nerds, and Louis is the same awkward, nerdy character we all fell in love with the first time around. A new set of circumstances creates a slightly different feel, but if you look closely, you'll find the same Ghostbsuters we all know and love (and maybe a slime ghost, too)!

The next section will be a little different.

Why I think people rag on this film:

Usually this section is dedicated to what I didn't like about the film, but I didn't mind it. I enjoyed it for what it was, and I've always been a Ghostbusters fan. Besides, the films came in a two pack , so who was I to turn it away?!

Anyhow, I think Ghostbusters purists get a little upset about numero dos because (even for the Ghostbusters) it's implausible. It's slightly plausible that in 5 years after they're saving the earth, the people and the government will again reject the Ghostbusters, but that Dana just happened to be out of orchestra and into art restoration, and Lous Tully just happened to have a law degree from night school in addition to his accounting profession. I think all of these elements worked, but for hardcore fans of the original films (myself included), I can see how they would be slightly disconcerting.

Ultimately, I see these "gaping" plot holes as a way to include actors/characters from the original that may not have otherwise been included in the sequel.

Bottom Line:

Obviously, I like this movie anyway. Flaws and all, I accept it for what it is and I enjoy it more with each viewing!

This movie is funny, entertaining, and even a little more family friendly than the first (it has a PG rating despite the PG-13 rating debuting before its release). I recommend you watch if you haven't, and if you have, maybe try to approach it from a different angle, because frankly, Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis and the gang deserve as many second chances as we wil give them. They're all extremely talented and fun to watch!!

Ghostbusters II deserves some respect, and I'd recommend it to everyone. Of course, I'd DEFINITELY recommend seeing the first one first! It's incredible!

Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Like GB2? Hate it? Let me know! Let's chat! You can always comment on this blog, or let me know via Facebook or Twitter @archivesreport!! I'd love to know what movies you'd like me to write about, or hear your recommendations as well! Thanks, as always, for reading!

God bless!

NAH

Seven Pounds

Seven Pounds (2008)

Directed by: Gabriele Muccino

Written by: Grant Nieporte

Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper

Rating: PG-13

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Hello? Is it me you're looking for?

I'm back again! This is the second installment of the Archives Report: Vacation Edition. I watched plenty of films over my 9 day vacation, so there is still more to come.

Hopefully your wounds aren't too salted from all the outrageous claims I made in the previous entry, and that you can look past it into my relative objectivity from this point forward.

To be frank, this is not my freshman viewing of Seven Pounds. Far from it, in fact. But I happened to watch said film with three people who WERE watching it for the very first time, and it brought back some memories. I think the best time anyone watches this film is the first time.

That being said, I don't want to give away any plot details for those embarking on their maiden "Seven Pounds" voyage. I will try to keep the synopsis brief and aloof.

Brief and Aloof Synopsis:

A man called Ben with a fateful secret (Will Smith; Men in Black)  embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers, including a heart transplant patient (Rosario Dawson; Men in Black II) and a blind man (Woody Harrelson; Zombieland).

Thoughts:

Hopefully I didn't give too much away. I took some liberties from the brief synopsis posted on IMDB and that's all!

I still don't want to say that much about the movie. Will Smith has always been one of my favorite actors, and he never stops short of proving his dramatic chops. Dawson and Harrelson both really shined in their roles as well.

Barry Pepper (The Green Mile) actually gave one of the most impressive, un-sung performances of the film. He didn't have an incredibly large role, and at first his role is unclear. After his role becomes clearer, Pepper shines in this extremely dramatic and impactful role.

The remaining supporting cast is strong but does not stand out. Smith, Dawson, Harrelson and Pepper command the scenes they are in.

Now that I have gotten through my thoughts on the actors (I have college level acting training, you know!) I will start in on my favorite element of this film: the story's presentation.

One of the basic but fundamental elements to writing or creating a successful script is to create some kind of questions. When the audience has questions, they hang on and become interested in the answers. A main source of criticism that I read on films and plays alike is that they didn't resolve all their questions, or the questions weren't deep enough to care about the answers.

While fundamental, Seven Pounds uses this element well. When you watch this for the first time and are remotely interested in what is going on, you will have a TON of questions. Why? Because I did, when I saw this movie in theatres back in 2008. How do I know YOU will? ....I don't, but I'm assuming for 1 reason, and that would be the quizzical looks and explicit questions asked by my three movie watching companions. My steadfast response continued to be "Keep watching".

Seven Pounds was succesful in part because of the strong performances of its main actors, but mainly because of its commitment to basic dramatic elements, and executing them well.

Conclusion:

I recommend this movie. It is imperative that you have a few tissues handy when you decide to embark on this particular quest. However, what we learn from this movie is that ultimate good can come from ultimate bad, and Barry Pepper has some great acting chops!

Seriously, I can't give too much away, but watch this. You won't regret it.

Thanks for reading as always. I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions! Comment, Facebook us or Tweet @archivesreport! Thanks again! God bless!

NAH

Men in Black II



Men in Black II (2002)

Directed by: Barry Sonnenfield

Written by: Lowell Cunningham, Robert Gordon, Barry Fanaro

Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Rip Torn, Rosario Dawson, Lara Flynn Boyle

Rating: PG-13

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

And So You're Back, From Outer Space!



Hola! I'm back from vacation, so I'm slowly working on the mountain of un-written entries that have piled up after my two days of nothing but lounging around a Gatlinburg cabin and watching movies! As fun as that was, I now feel obligated to write on them in a reasonable time frame, so I can recall them while they're fresh. With this particular entry, that shouldn't be an issue. Why? I've easily seen this film 100 times.

I'm prepping my bold statement about this film now, so you can stew about it and argue with me at the end of the entry in the comments or via Twitter or Facebook.

Bold Statement:

(LOL, see what I did there?)

Men in Black II is better than the original.

Yes, I do understand that I may receive hateful comments despite this just being an opinion. I get it, I really do. This is not to say that I don't love or appreciate the original Men in Black, either! Obviously there couldn't be a sequel without an original. I think as far as fun, action/comedy/scifi films, that Men in Black II accomplishes more. It's funnier, just as action packed, and faster paced than the original.

Again, I realize there are a lot of sequel hating movie purists who will give me crap on this one, that's why I went ahead and got it out of the way. More on that later!

Synopsis:

Agent J (Will Smith; Seven Pounds) stumbles on to a case that MIB worked on years ago involving Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle; Wayne's World) forcing his need for help from Zed (Rip Torn; Dodgeball, a True Underdog Story), who in turn insists that he de-neuralize his former partner, Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones; Lincoln) to help him save the earth...again!!

Thoughts:

I've always loved this film...almost as much as I love gettin' flushed!

The comedy in this film is very strong. Will Smith has always been one of my favorite comedic actors (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will always hold a special place in my heart, and never ceases to make me laugh), plus the straight man Tommy Lee Jones, and comedic ensemble of humans and aliens alike, make for a strong comedic presence. Frank the pug, the worms, the two headed guy (Johnny Knoxville; The Ringer) and Jeebs (Tony Shaloub; Galaxy Quest) are some supporting cast highlights.

One of my favorite aspects of a comedy film is its quotability (I'm not 100% sure that is a word, but let's go with it). Of course, what I mean by that is when a movie is extremely quotable like Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story or Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. While more people from my generation have seen the latter two than MIIB, it still retains that same memorable quote material.

The action half of the film is strong as well. I wouldn't say it was AS strong, but largely due to a static performance by the film's main villain, Serleena. Johnny Knoxville accomplished his dopey sidekick role (in true Men in Black fashion) but the main villian just didn't seem to be evil enough. Ironically, Lara Flynn Boyle was nominated for a Razzie for Worst Supporting Actress for this role!

Rosario Dawson (Seven Pounds) stays relatively neutral throughout the film. She has a ton of acting talent but didn't pick a great venue to showcase that. She serves her purpose in the film well, though, and I have nothing bad to say about the performance she gave.

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are as compatible as they always were, and the supporting cast (aside from Boyle, of course) shines in its comedic glory!

Response to Bold Claim:

Now that you have had time to either get madder about my bold claim, or stop and reflect, I wanted to elaborate on the claim I made that MIIB is better than the original, MIB. Historically, it is not often that the general public accepts sequels as better than the first. The Godfather Part II, The Empire Strikes Back, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation often top a list of sequels widely accepted as better than the original, though often that list is a short one. I think Men in Black II should at least be considered.

Of course, I have never met anyone (I mean it. ANYONE) who agrees with me, so of course there will be dissent. Though, if you are a kindred spirit, I would love to meet, chat hours on end with, and become best friends with you. Always looking for people who also love to get flushed!

Here are some reasons that I love MIIB better than the first:

1. It's funnier. I'm a big fan of movies with both comedy and action and MIIB doesn't disappoint.

2. Many of your favorites from the first film return. I think this is an important part of any sequel. Sequels with only a few (or one) returning character can sometimes be interesting, and even great movies in their own right, but more often than not, I want to see all of my favorites return! MIIB brought back not only Agents J and K, but also Zed, Frank, Jeebs, and the Worms. Not even the third installment of the Men in Black series can boast that, and (while I enjoyed it) I was honestly disappointed by that.

3. It enhances the experience of the first installment. If you have seen the first MIB movie, you are 10x as likely to enjoy the second. Through dialogue and visuals alike, it pays homage to the original in several ways, all while preserving its integrity as a stand-alone film. Though it is made better for a franchise fan, it is also a fun time on its own.

All the above reasons are what I look for in a sequel. Though I can certainly appreciate The Dark Knight's of my day, with a sequel to a fun movie, I expect just as much if not more fun.

Again, I'd love to hear your responses to this. Let's discuss! I could discuss all day!

Final thoughts:

I say you should see this movie, if you haven't. I'd recommend watching the first MIB, then the 2nd, then waiting 10 years and then seeing the third. Just kidding, but seriously.

I enjoy this movie for several reasons that I've already stated, but don't forget what you can learn from it. Your calling is your calling, whether you accept it or not.

Watch this film with an open mind. While I'm sure the folks at Universal greenlighted this sequel as a cash cow, it should not be written off as such. Watch with an open mind, otherwise, "(Jeff) I am SO NOT IN THE MOOD FOR YOU RIGHT NOW!!"

That about wraps up my entry for one of my favorite sequels. I really encourage feedback of any kind, so please do not hesitate to comment or tweet me @archivesreport or find us on Facebook! Thanks so much for reading! I look forward to your thoughts! Thanks so much!

God bless!

NAH

Billy Madison

Billy Madison (1995)

Directed by: Tamra Davis

Written by: Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler

Starring: Adam Sandler, Darren McGavin, Bridgette Wilson, Bradley Whitford, Norm MacDonald

Rating: PG-13

My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Hello readership! Since I wrote last I've had significant growth in readership thanks to the creation of the new Facebook page and Twitter account representing the Archives Report! I've been really excited to continue writing lately, and now that I've gotten some vacation time, I have more time to contribute, and of course, to watch more films.

First up was Billy Madison. Everyone gets in the mood now and then to watch ridiculous silliness. For me, of course, it happens more often than it should, probably. 

I came across a copy of this several years ago (in my college, prime movie watching days) in the Wal-Mart $5 bin, and it has served me well. If you have never seen this film, you are missing out on some classic Sandler comedy. Let's begin, shall we?

Synopsis:

Billy Madison (Adam Sandler; Grown-Ups) is the son of an extremely wealthy hotel mogul, Brian Madison (Darren McGavin; A Christmas Story) but has done nothing with his life. Then, Billy finds out that Brian plans to leave the company to young executive Eric Gordon (Bradley Whitford; The West Wing) instead of him. Billy and his father strike a deal, and if Billy can complete the core requirements of each grade in two weeks (1-12), his father will leave the company to him instead (regrettably, having paid off his teachers the first time through). Billy then embarks on a quest to prove he isn't stupid, and ends up finding a lot more.

Thoughts (Part 1):

For those of you who are new readers, I write like I speak (so I'm aware of my comma splices, run on sentences and overuse of the parentheses) and I also tend to write mostly positive reviews. I'm starting with the parts I didn't like today because, well, there wasn't much.

To preface, I am a huge Adam Sandler fan, and especially of his older movies. I think they're unique, funny, and all-around fun. One of things I didn't like about Billy Madison was Tamra Davis' direction. She hasn't done much other work that I've seen, but I felt like she tried to force some of the comedic moments. Adam Sandler is known for being over the top and slightly ridiculous, but the director didn't harness it well at all. At times, the overgrown child motif worked for the movie, and made it loveable, but in the scenes when Sandler's character was supposed to be drunk, it felt like he was trying too hard, and (had I been watching it for the first time) I would have the impression that Sandler didn't know what it was like to be drunk.

Thoughts (Part 2):

What I liked about this movie goes beyond finding it funny. While, yes, I DO find it funny, I also became a Sandler fan because (unlike some/most comedies of today), because his films often carry a deeper message.

First off, I really enjoyed the well crafted comic moments, like the academic decathlon. Sandler and the rest of the cast have obvious comedic talent, and in those scenes, it shows.

Second, I love the minor roles by comedic celebrities, like Chris Farley (Tommy Boy) as the bus driver and the "Adam Sandler repertory company" recurring player Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), as former picked-on high schooler Danny McGrath, to whom Madison called and apologized to for bullying on the first time through high school.

Third and finally, I love this film because of the message. It emphasizes the importance of education, of treating other human beings with respect (regardless of their high school social status), and finding your purpose in life (which I truly believe everyone has). Sandler's films have always done a good job keeping a good message prevalent throughout, and (in that respect) Billy Madison does not disappoint.

In Conclusion:

I would recommend this movie to someone with taste like mine. I love silly comedy and I love taking a good message out of a movie with some questionable content in the middle. Pretending every movie you see is going to be squeaky clean in today's day and age is kidding yourself, and many people get wrapped up in the content and miss the point.

So my suggestion to you is this, watch a movie like Billy Madison and look for the silver lining. I firmly believe that we can learn something from every cinematic endeavor, and Adam Sandler has always been an unlikely teacher of those lessons. So open up your eyes and ears, and take a look! I know you won't regret it!

I really appreciate you reading! I have several more reviews queued up already and my vacation is only half over! Thanks so much for reading, and if you haven't already, you can now follow The Archives Report at facebook.com/thearchivesreport or on Twitter at @archivesreport.

Thanks so much for reading! Please comment, share, or somehow send me your feedback!! I really appreciate any discussion whatsoever! God Bless!!

NAH

Netflix Files: Safety Not Guaranteed



Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Directed by: Colin Trevorrow

Written by: Derek Connolly

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni, Mark Duplass, Mary Lynn Rajskub

Rating: R

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars!

Hello faithful readers! My last post from a few days back has not performed as well as I'd hoped in number of views, so I'm already back with a vengeance! I decided to mix it up and put out a review on something I'd watched on Netflix. I felt this makes watcing the topic film easier, should someone who reads this be interested in doing so! I will continue to post both archives, Netflix indulgences, and (should you be interested) new movies, since I've been to the theatre almost every weekend this summer!

Last night, my fiancee, my brother, and myself went to Little Caesar's (did you know that you can get a pizza, crazy bread, and a 2-liter for ten bucks?! Crazy!) and then returned to my humble abode to scour Netflix for something interesting to to watch while eating (since the two always seem to go hand in hand now a days). I mostly use Netflix for TV shows (I'm amidst a slow watch-through of Arrested Development Season 4 and a slightly quicker trip through Supernatural), but after a little debate through the movies on my instant queue (there aren't many) we settled on Safety Not Guaranteed.

Initially, I was excited about the film for two reasons. I saw Colin Trevorrow directed, and he was attached to directing Jurassic Park 4, and the other was that I'm a huge Parks and Recreation fan, and Aubrey Plaza is a huge part of that experience for me! Now..forward!

Synopsis:

A magazine reporter, Jeff (Jake Johnson; 21 Jump Street), recruits a couple of interns Darius (Aubrey Plaza; Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World) and Arnau (Karan Soni; Betas) to follow a story about a classified ad placed in the newspaper. The ad is searching for a time-travel partner. Following said lead, the trio eventually stumble onto the ad writer, Kenneth (Mark Duplass: Zero Dark Thirty) and must figure out how to approach him.

Thoughts (What I Liked):

Initially I was worried, because the first five minutes indicated that Aubrey Plaza was just playing April Ludgate in a movie. Don't get me wrong, that would be awesome, but I didn't think it fit. Don't worry, her character begins to differ as the movie progresses.

I thought (hoped) that Mary Lynn Rajskub (24) would have played a bigger part as the magazine editor, but the part she did bring to the table was perfect. In the end, I hoped for a little more screen time for her, but she was fantastic nonetheless!

Mark Duplass' Kenneth was great. He was like a little smarter, more together version of Napoleon Dynamite. I kind of envision him as a "plays Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh! in the cafeteria" kind of guy, and I was not disappointed. I spent the entire film wondering whether or not he was a genius or a complete nut-job, and I'm still not sure I know for certain. I can tell, however, that the director and writer intended it that way, and I loved it!

One of my personal highlights of the film is Jeff, the reporter. At the beginning, all signs point to this guy being a huge scumbag. He uses this business trip to visit an ex-girlfriend, has the interns do his work for him, and seems to be nothing more than a shallow individual. However, as the movie progresses, Jeff becomes more self-aware, and the redemption for his character is subtle but charming. I hated him at the beginning, but loved him by the end. Jake Johnson did a fantastic job.

Thoughts Pt. II (What I Didn't Like):

I've never been very good at eloquently stating what I don't like about a movie, and I often don't write reviews of films I don't like (or at least haven't in a good while). This film was good, I might even go so far as to say great, but at the end of the 86 minute film, I was only bugged by one thing (Well, one overarching thing).

I loved the ending, which wrapped up the stories well (enough) for both Kenneth and Darius, but I wanted to know more! I wanted to learn about Jeff's life, which seemed to be approached with a new perspective following the trip. I wanted to know more about Arnau in general. I want to know more about everything Kenneth and Darius did after the movie ended. Don't get me wrong, I loved the film, and the mark of a great storyteller is to leave you wanting more. So, in that vein, I say "Bravo"! Well done Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow, and friends. You left me wanting oh-so-much more. But in that same line of thought, with an 86 minute movie, you have at least 20 minutes to play with before your film becomes "kinda long". So I'm glad I was left wanting more, but I think the writer and director could've granted it within reason.

In Conclusion:

This film is great. It isn't for kids, and the R rating obviously comes from the 2 (or 3, or 4...I can't remember) F-bombs dropped throughout, but aside from that is really pretty tame. If you were to subtract the aforementioned F-bombs, it would be an easy PG-13. I really enjoyed it. It's simple, fun, thought provoking, and funny. Plaza, Duplass, and Johnson really shine, and Rajskub and the other supporting players really fit well. Ultimately, if you have 86 minutes to kill in between the Netflix Tv Series' that you watch, I'd recommend you use them for this! It isn't life changing, but it's well done!

Thanks so much for reading as always, folks. I'm still looking for new ideas, film recommendations, and ways to increase my readership. I appreciate my readers as always, and hope to keep feeding the blog soon. Please, please, PLEASE send me feedback, via comment, facebook, twitter, anything, and I'd also encourage you to subscribe via RSS if you want to be updated via email when I update the blog! I want to hear your ideas for this blog, too! A blog is nothing without its readers! Thanks guys! God bless!!

NAH

The Great Muppet Caper

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

Directed by: Jim Henson

Written by: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses, Jerry Juhl, Jack Rose

Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Diana Rigg, Charles Grodin

Rating: G

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars!

Viewing platform: DVD

Hello friends. I'm in the process of doing a lot of other things currently, which include working full-time, a full-time relationship with my betrothed, and a part-time gig playing the Scarecrow in a production of "The Wizard of OZ". That's one of my dream roles, but the worst part is that I'm unable to consistently get movie watching time. I've mostly been seeing movies in the theater, actually, but I'm trying to stick to the niche that makes my blog unique! Of course, if my readership would like to read new movie reviews, I am all about that, but I'll try to stick to a "You should rent/borrow/watch on netflix" kind of dynamic otherwise.

This post has actually just been sitting in my "pending posts" for awhile, and my most recent viewing isn't terribly fresh, but to be perfectly honest, I've seen this movie probably 50+ times, so I think I'll be okay. This film is my favorite of the Muppet movies, though not the most often remembered. My next favorite is 2011's The Muppets starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams, but I'm sure I'll get to that one eventually!

Synopsis:

Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson; The Muppet Movie), Gonzo (Dave Goelz; The Muppets), and Fozzie the Bear (Frank Oz; Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back) are off to rocky starts in their journalism careers, so they decide to follow a story about a jewel theft to London. The prize jewels of Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg; Game of Thrones) were stolen, and our trio intends to interview her, but instead mistake her receptionist, Miss Piggy (also voiced by Oz) for Lady Holiday herself. Kermit complicates his professional endeavor when he falls for Miss Piggy (as he often does) and it is further complicated by Lady Holiday's brother, Nicky (Charles Grodin; Beethoven). Ultimately, Kermit and the gang (including all your favorite Muppets) must sort all this out and stop another heist in the process!!

Thoughts:

My thoughts are: you should immediately rent this movie! (There's more, but seriously. Watch it!)

My favorite element of this film (aside from the Kermit/Piggy/Nicky love triangle) is the writing. I think the jokes are all fantastic, whether corny or otherwise, and I find it all fantastically clever. I have been watching this movie since I was a child, and I still laugh out loud every time I watch it (of course, I do that with a lot of things, so...grain of salt)! Of course, when I watched this as a child, I had a tad different sense of humor (Spoiler Alert: Gonzo jumps in front of a taxi) but still, it appeals to a broad audience!

As previously mentioned, another of my favorite elements is the triangle between the long-beloved couple, Kermit and Miss Piggy, and odd man out Nicky Holiday. Grodin plays Holiday with as much conviction as a Muppet movie can have, and all in all it makes for a very interesting scenario. Plus, you get a sweet operatic love ballad out of it!

One of the best parts of all the Muppet films through the years has been the celebrity cameos. In this particular film (which was released nearly 8 years before I was born), I have not quite appreciated them as I have in others. In my older, wiser (?!) years, however, I've come to appreciate the cameos of Jack Warden (The Replacements), Peter Ustinov (Spartacus), Peter Falk (The Princess Bride), John Cleese (Monty Python and the Holy Grail) and of course, Oscar the Grouch (Sesame Street). I didn't understand the degree to which most of these folks had celebrity back then, but I get it now. I'm sure that in 22 years, the new Muppet fans won't get it, either!

Final Thoughts:

If you haven't gotten this impression from me already, watch this movie. If you are a Muppet fan of any kind, appreciate good writing for young audiences, or even just want 95 minutes of relatively quiet time with your kids, wife, grandparents, mailman or second cousin, you will enjoy it. That's the Archives Report guarantee. It's not often that I endorse G-rated movies (which have lost something over the years) but I'm in full support of this family endeavor!!
I welcome all of your feedback, as always, and hopefull will start to get more entries in as my schedule opens up! I love you all! Thanks for reading!

God Bless!

NAH




Post Script:

I'm trying to get more traffic to this blog, and I'm looking for ideas on how to do that. If you have any ideas on that front, or if you have some special topic you'd like to read here, PLEASE send me your ideas! Thanks so much!!

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters (1984)

Directed by: Ivan Reitman

Written by: Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, Ernie Hudson

Rating: PG*

My rating: 6.5 out of 5 stars!

Hello again!

Last week, I had the pleasure of introducing one of my top 3 favorite movies to my fiancee. Over the years I've spent countless hours (105 minutes at a time) introducing people I love to Ghostbusters and I've gotta say...It NEVER gets old.

As I said, it's one of my top 3 favorites. Also, I have yet to get it on Blu-ray, so if you haven't gotten me a birthday present yet, it was three weeks ago :)

As you may recall from previous posts (though it's been awhile) the asterisk (*) next to the PG rating means that in 1984, there was no PG-13 rating. I put that on here as a disclaimer, in case by some miracle there is a parent out there who hasn't seen Ghostbusters (which would be a crime in and of itself) and is looking to advise their child. There is some language and suggestive elements to this film! It would probably receive a PG-13 rating today.

Let's move on, shall we?

Synopsis:

Peter Venkman (Bill Murray; Caddyshack), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd; The Blues Brothers) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis; Stripes) are professors of paranormal studies at a university who are searching for work when their funding is cut. They must borrow money, but they are able to create the world's greatest start-up, the Ghostbusters. Eventually, they gain clients, starting with Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver; Galaxy Quest). Ultimately, Dana's problem turns into an apocalyptic coming, and the Ghostbusters must save the world!!


Thoughts:

What is there to say? This film is a classic. Its special effects were advanced for its time (nominated for the Oscar in Best Visual Effects, actually). Its funny, entertaining, and exciting. The cast and writing are phenomenal. Bill Murray drives the plot and the comedy as Venkman. Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters II) provide a different style of comedy, and Harold Ramis' Egon Spengler is the perfect straight man. Weaver and Rick Moranis (Little Shop of Horrors) lead the supporting players, and they all just fit perfectly.

I've seen this movie tons of times over the years, and I would not change a thing. I hope they don't try to do a remake. It's perfect as is. It's quotable, funny, and compelling.

My favorites (if I had to pick them, of course) would be Venkman (Murray) and Winston (Hudson), but I really can't pick between anyone in such a great cast.

You musn't count out the writing for this film's greatness, either. Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd are a great duo. Murray's Venkman was deadpan and perfect comedically, but all (most) of it was due to impressive writing by the Aykroyd/Ramis duo.

Overall, I just can't find anything that I don't like about it. I'm sure that I'm a little biased after the years and years of repeated viewings, but if you just watch it a couple of times, I'm sure you'll come to appreciate it like I do.


Conclusion:

In conclusion, if you've never seen this film: ADD IT TO YOUR LIST IMMEDIATELY. If it's already on your list, bump it up a couple spots!! Come on! It's not every day a seasoned movie blogger such as myself gives it a 6.5 out of 5 rating!

Great comedy movie, little bit of language, but overall a fun flick for almost any age. I laughed, I cried, and I swore up and down that I was a god.

I'd have more to say, but there's only so many times you can call something great. It is not an easy feat to break my top 10 films, let alone my top 3.

Anyway: Thanks for reading if you have gotten this far! I truly appreciate your support! If you ever have movie suggestions or want to watch something with me, please feel free to shoot me a comment, tweet me, facebook me, throw rocks at my window (not recommended, I'm grumpy when I wake up), text me, email me, call me, smoke signal me, or wire me a message in morse code. I've got a lot of films at my disposal, but I'm super indecisive.

Another successful Archvies entry complete! Thanks for the support, everyone! Leave me some feedback!! God bless!!

NAH

Django Unchained

Django Unchained (2012)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Written by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson

Rating: R

My rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars

Hello blog-o-sphere! I told you I'd be back!

Just so happens I had 165 minutes to kill today, plus an entire bottle of Mountain Dew and a $5 Hot-N-Ready Little Caesar's Pizza. So I combined all of that into a "watch the movie no one wanted to see with you since you're by yourself" kind of thing.

So, following that little alone time sesh, here is a collective pile of my thoughts on the very fresh viewing of Django Unchained. 

Prelude:

I bought this movie just a few weeks ago (it hasn't been out on DVD and Blu-ray even a month yet). I've been allowing myself to splurge on a special edition Blu-ray of some kind every so often, and Django was my April. I got the Blu-ray combo pack special edition from Target. It came with a metal case, the DVD, the Blu-ray, a disc of bonus features, plus an iTunes digital copy and an Ultraviolet digital copy. So far it's been worth the little extra I've paid. I used the Blu-ray today, and it was stunning picture quality.

I'd also like to add to this newly discovered "prelude" section that I had heard a lot of good and bad things about this movie before watching, but I'm a huge Tarantino fan.

Synopsis:

Two years before the Civil War, as winter approaches, a dentist-turned-bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz; Inglorious Basterds) is hunting for three particular wanted men, and seeks help by purchasing a slave who would know their faces, named Django (Jamie Foxx; Ray). Schultz enlists Django's help by including the promise of freedom. Django is freed, but chooses to remain in the employ of Schultz, and Schultz agrees to help his friend look for his estranged wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington; Fantastic Four), who is undoubtedly still enslaved somewhere closer to their South Carolina roots. Once found, Django and Schultz hatch an elaborate scheme to free Broomhilda from the ownership of plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio; Inception).

My thoughts:

In short....I loved it!

Christoph Waltz won an Oscar for this role and it's easy to see why. His Dr. Schultz kept us guessing the entirety of the film. Part of me thinks that I was just so used to Waltz playing the villain (even in Tarantino's other films) that I kept waiting for some evil turn or twist to happen from him, but it never did. His character was brilliant from start to finish. Tarantino also deserves props for his contributions to creating Schultz's character. Most directors would have made him seem more like "the hero", but Waltz and Tarantino created him as just another flawed man, and the brilliance of it shines through (to me, at least).

I've always been a DiCaprio fan (though Titanic isn't my favorite film) but I have to say he delivered here too. His Calvin Candie was believable and strong throughout. The level of play was very high from everyone, but DiCaprio set the stage. Candie's head slave, Steven, played by Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction) was a perfect compliment to DiCaprio's collected Candie, and both played an integral part in the story as well.

The writing (of course) was superb as well. It was well deserving of it's Oscar win in that category as well. A  lot of people find Tarantino's constant use of profanity (and in this case, the "n" word) unnecessary, but I call shenanigans! Is it unnecessary because it didn't further the story, or because it made you uncomfortable to hear it? It DID (in most cases) do both of those things. Tarantino is good at using profanity, nudity, and violence to further his stories. In this case, he told a fictional story about a time when the slave trade was running rampant through the United States. Without the language, nudity, or violence, it's just a feel good story about a free slave who finds his wife, but with it, it becomes a real picture into somewhat recent human history. It SHOULD have made you uncomfortable. That was the intent.

I thoroughly enjoyed the cameo roles played by some of the more famous people, like when Miami Vice's Don Johnson appeared as plantation owner "Big Daddy", Jonah Hill as an enraged member of the Klu Klux Klan, and even Quentin Tarantino himself, in the employ of the slave trade. It made my film experience that much more enjoyable to have so many recognizable faces among it.

The biggest props of the film, though, have to go to Jamie Foxx. The last movie I saw him in before this was Horrible Bosses, and while that movie is hilarious, it doesn't equate to the cinematic accomplishment that Jamie Foxx was such an integral part of here. I had heard Will Smith turned down the role and (as much of a Will Smith fan I am) I couldn't be happier. Foxx's Django accomplished something strangely reminiscent of Tom Hardy's "Bane" in The Dark Knight Rises in that he says so much without saying much in the way of words. Django's character does speak more and more as the movie goes on, but he says way more with his face and his actions than his Tarantino-scripted lines can.

I realize that was in great detail, but the watch was very fresh so I had a lot to say. Plus, it's nearly a three hour film.

In Conclusion:

I realize that this film is unusually controversial compared to normal "Archives Report" material (and if you have a problem with How the Grinch Stole Christmas you need to just leave right now) but this is one of my favorite things about film. I love discussing it. In my personal opinion, the work of the writer/director required the severe language and violence to properly convey his message. The controversy over it just means he made his point. Forgetting that these dark times happened to our nation shouldn't happen. We should remember our mistakes, so we don't repeat them. As I'm sure you'll find out from me in the future in this very blog, I'm a big believer in the point and the message of a film, rather than nitpick at the means they used to reach it.

If you made it this far: Thank you! I really appreciate any support this blog can muster! I'd love to blog for a living one day! Please let me know your thoughts on the film, my blog, your upcoming summer vacation...anything. I'd really love to hear it!

Thanks again! Until next time! God Bless!

NAH

Serenity

Serenity (2005)

Directed by: Joss Whedon

Written by: Joss Whedon

Starring: Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Summer Glau, Sean Maher, Adam Baldwin

Rating: PG-13

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

GUYS!!! 

I'm back!!!

I know how agonizing it was for me to have been gone so long, but my life has been crazy! I eventually gave up on most of the Christmas movies I had watched during that season and tried but failed to put out an entry on The Great Muppet Caper... (don't worry, that one is still coming!) but I've spent most of the last few months watching TV Series'....which leads me perfectly into this review, because not too months ago I got hooked on the single season space western, Firefly.

Netflix has been my best friend lately, so it was no different in watching this series. The only complaint I had through the whole series was that there wasn't more of it. In retrospect, I think that it was ahead of its time. With the proper CGI involved, Firefly could still exist! I think Serenity actually helps make that case, since it came out a few years later.

Now, I know this blog is generally based on my ever expanding collection of DVD's (and now thanks to Santa Clause, BLU RAYS) but Netflix only expands that world for me, so I'd be a fool not to utilize the extra material it provides.

All that was to say this: If you haven't watched Firefly, you probably ought not to read this review. You need to be in the loop on this one, but I'll try to keep it generic so those of you will WANT to watch both the series and the movie.

The Film:

If you hadn't gotten it already, Serenity is set when Firefly left off (AFTER THE FIRST SEASON!!! CURSE YOU TELEVISION GURUS!!!!). Serenity is also the name of the Firefly class ship captained by Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion; Castle) and served by a rag-tag crew. Simon (Sean Maher; Much Ado About Nothing), a doctor, and his sister River (Summer Glau; Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles) are fugitives from the allied planets and aboard Reynolds' vessel, which can sometimes create tension. I really don't want to give too much away (in hopes that you'll watch all this and discuss it with me sometime) so let's just say Simon and River are running from something bigger than all of them, and however reluctant, Mal has a good crew and a good heart.

My Thoughts:

I'm really starting to dig everything Joss Whedon (The Avengers) has done. He has this uncanny ability to make you laugh, yell, and cry, all from the edge of your seat. Everyone's excited for Avengers 2, but I'm just as excited to see Whedon's take on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. 

Needless to say, I loved this film. It provided me with a little closure to Firefly, as well as keeping me thoroughly emotionally invested. Whedon's characters have clear wants and needs but they're all incredibly unique, interesting and unpredictable.

The cast was always great, but Fillion, Maher, and Tudyk were the shining stars of this particular endeavor. Glau is perfect as River, and the rest of the cast does a fantastic job as well.

The Conclusion:

Serenity was a great way to round out Firefly. Do I miss it? Sure. But once the Avengers have settled into their roles, Joss Whedon may just toss us a little more action aboard Captain Reynolds vessel, and to that I say "Bring it on". 

If you have not had a chance, watch Firefly, and then if you have two more hours (TO LIVE), watch Serenity. Just a really well made film.

I know it was kind of short this time, guys, but I'm just getting back into it. For now, its back to TV on Netflix, but I will be bombarding you with reviews of films very shortly!

Thanks for reading! I welcome your feedback of any kind. Let's discuss! I love it!

God bless you all! 

NAH

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Directed by: Ron Howard

Written by: Dr. Seuss, Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman

Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon

Rating: PG

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars!!

I'm still wayyyy behind on these. I'm so far behind that I'm not 100% certain of the order anymore..but here goes anyway!

This is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. I've always been a big fan of the cartoon, and (even though I was only 11 at the time) I was skeptical when they announced that they had made it into a live action movie. As an 11 year old at the theater, I was amazed. As a 23 year old at home, I still marvel at some of the fabulous film-making exhibited on this project. 

I've had access to this movie ever since I can remember, as we received the VHS tape immediately following its release when we (my brothers and I) were younger. When we got older, my mom gave our VHS tapes away, and my younger (middle child) brother and I both acquired copies of the DVD, so that we wouldn't have to lose out on this Christmas tradition.

Synopsis:

(I'll keep this part VERY brief, since you should already know)

The Grinch (Jim Carrey; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) (first name "The", last name "Grinch") is embittered by the Whoville society, and put out by their Christmas joy. Curious after a run-in with him, Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen; Underdog) investigates his life and tries reaching out to him. He resists at first, and does so to the point of "stealing Christmas". But you'd never expect what happens after that!

Thoughts:

I. LOVE. THIS. MOVIE. Everything about it (in my opinion) is well done. The makeup and set is so extravagant. I just learned in my preliminary research for this entry that this film actually won an Oscar for best makeup! I'm not surprised but I'm impressed! I also never realized until my most recent viewing that this was directed by Ron Howard. Ron Howard has a great reputation, but that began with this movie. He did a thorough job as director, and all aspects (especially the artistic ones) are fantastic.

The Mayor (Jeffrey Tambor; Arrested Development) and Betty Lou Who (Molly Shannon; Superstar) head up an excellent supporting cast, but Taylor Momsen's naive but bold and intelligent Cindy Lou, combined with Jim Carrey's over-the-top and ironically lovable Grinch make for a fantastic leading duo. Even Anthony Hopkins as narrator adds an excellent layer of quality.

For the record, I like Momsen's version of "Where Are You Christmas?" better than Faith Hill's (though hers is good, too).

I also think that the screenwriters and director did a great job maintaining Dr. Seuss' original work. In a full length adaptation that was previously only 30 minutes, one may have to take some liberties. The liberties taken in this particular case, however, simply help the story by giving it background, and still make it flow. They did an incredible job combining Dr. Seuss' story, Boris Karloff's Grinch, and modern day children's humor to make an incredible product. 

What Can We Learn From This Movie?

It's simple really. It's a Christmas lesson that was not first addressed in this movie, and it will definitely be addressed in the future.

People who are mean are probably hurting. 

Not me of course. I'm just mean!

The Grinch was widely considered grumpy, evil, and mean, but only because he had bitterness in his heart. He was bullied because he was different. He got upset and he held a grudge. Should he have held a grudge? No, but you can't change other people's behavior, you can only change yours.

Cindy Lou Who's compassion, though it seemed futile for a long time (most of the movie) eventually reached the Grinch (They say that his heart grew THREE sizes that day!). 

SO. Here is what I'm trying to say: Keep going. Being compassionate (as Cindy Lou can attest) is discouraging at times. Persevere. Everything has an impact, even if you can't tell that at first. 

*steps off soapbox*

This really about wraps it up. I highly recommend this movie. It IS a Christmas movie but it works anytime. The lesson is still as important, and the comedy still relevant. If you haven't seen it by now...don't wait til next Christmas!

Thanks for reading, guys. I really appreciate it. Please leave me your feedback on here, Facebook, Twitter, or somewhere relevant where I'll read it! Thanks so much! God Bless!!

NAH

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Written by: John Hughes

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara, Tim Curry, Rob Schneider

Rating: PG

My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Wow. I am behind. I'm so sorry to the Archives Report faithful out there. I've probably got five or six movies clogging up my queue right now. You can tell they've been there awhile, because it's January 9th and the next three after this one are also Christmas movies. So...hopefully you're still in the spirit!

I found this movie in the Wal-mart $5 bin, but it was not this year. It was several years ago, in fact. I always found it odd that the original just made it down in there this year, but the sequel has been in there for awhile. It mostly baffled me because "2" had always been my favorite.

This is an Archives Report first (and not because it's the first entry of 2013, although that is true), in which I have reported on a sequel immediately following the original. I have reported on sequels but not the originals, and have also never written on a movie in which a subsequent sequel was produced, with the exception now of Home Alone.

I know what you're thinking, and I promise the next review I write will not be on something written or directed by John Hughes.

Brief Synopsis:

Kevin (Macaulay Culkin; Home Alone) has returned a year after his last Christmas adventure (though he mysteriously ages from 8-10 years old). His entire family is around before leaving on another Christmas trip and he inevitably has another spat with them the night before they leave. They don't leave him at home, like the year before, but instead the threat of missing their flight has them running through the airport, and they lose Kevin. Kevin then accidentally boards a plane to New York City, instead of his family's flight to Miami, and heads straight for the city in which The Wet Bandits Harry (Joe Pesci; Goodfellas) and Marv (Daniel Stern: Bushwhacked) have escaped to. This sends Kevin on another whirlwind adventure, and maybe he'll stop the bad guys...again!!

My thoughts:

This movie is so much fun! If you thought the first was fun, strap in, because I like this one better. Obviously, the plot is a little less feasible than the first, but the sight-seeing is better, the cast is funnier, and the traps hit the bad guys harder. 

Some highlights for me:

1. Tim Curry (Clue: The Movie) and Rob Schneider (The Benchwarmers) as hotel concierge and bellboy, respectively. I've always been a big fan of both of them, and they show some of their great comedic chops while at work in this film. They were both quite young at the time, but at the top of their game nonetheless.

2. The slapstick has upped. I'm a huge slapstick fan (as I'm sure I've made clear to you if you've ever watched a movie with me) and this movie has it. The scene in which Harry and Marv chase Kevin back to his Aunt and Uncle's house that's being renovated, and Kevin gets them...is still one of my favorite slapstick scenes of all time...and I've seen some doozies. 

3. Donald Trump cameo. I emphasize writing reviews after a fresh viewing for precisely this reason. I've seen this movie probably a hundred times, and I never noticed this until this viewing. When Kevin first enters the plaza hotel, he asks a man for directions and it's Donald Trump!!

I haven't much to say about the film other than that. Generally implausible premise (but not impossible, I shouldn't think) and Harry and Marv probably should've died a few times, but other than that, a fun, family movie!

What Can We Learn From It?

There isn't much in the way of life lessons here, other than to treat your family well because you're never sure when you're going to lose them, or accidentally let them get on a plane to New York while you go to Miami. 

Final Thoughts:

Even though Christmas is over, I'd go ahead and recommend you watch this film. It's fun, good slapstick, family friendly, and has good life lessons. You really don't see too many movies like this one anymore. Cherish your kids and stand up to the bad guys, and you'll do just fine.

Thanks for reading! I'll continue to try and knock out my ever-growing list as the week continues! Please leave me your feedback in any way, shape, or form you choose! Thanks so much for reading!!

God Bless!

NAH