CAPE FEAR (Original)

CAPE FEAR (Original) 

CAPE FEAR = C

J Matson Heininger was right. This original film was much better than the 1991 remake.The story while still a bit far-fetched followed a more sensible and believable story-line. All of the over the top, melodramatic, shock-value scenes were omitted and straight forward suspense and drama did their parts to move the story forward. 

Unlike Robert DeNiro, Robert Mitchum played the part mellow and relaxed, with a bit of an edge. While both characters were psychopaths, Mitchums seemed more callous and calculated compared to DeNiro's straight up crazy.

Gregory Peck, as he always does played the part in his verbatim, stick to the formula, one way of doing it style. Yet at the very end he seemed to step out of his shell for a moment, and take a risk to do something else. Even though it only lasted for a split second it was rewarding to see him acting in a way that is different than the way he normally acts.

Telly Savalas was fun. His part was rather minor but he always seems to make films better. He did this one too.

CAPE FEAR (Remake)

CAPE FEAR (Remake)

CAPE FEAR: D- 0.5/5

This movie was weird. Bad, really bad. Nonsensical on so many levels. I fail to see how this movie was nominated (and received) so many awards. Juliette Lewis was barely in the film and her performance was nothing special. Lackluster, mundane and boring. 

The transitioning of scenes was unique and the film was filmed in a unique way. Would have appreciated it more had the film actually been good.

The movie dragged and dragged and dragged. Realism was continuously compromised for the plot to continue.

Only saving grace for this film was a solid performance out of Nick Nolte and a fun performance out of Robert DeNiro.

Can't decide whose accent was more forced.

PARADISE ALLEY

PARADISE ALLEY

PARADISE ALLEY = B+ 

I enjoyed this movie. I'm so used to Sylvester Stallone playing a part that is either similar to Rocky or similar to Rambo, that watching him in a part that was nothing at all like either, was as fun as it was interesting. 

Stallone said in an interview once that the film lacked development because of all the cutting he was forced to do in the editing room. I think a stronger focus, could have benefited the film just as much.

It had the story, but it lacked the heart. Observational stories are harder to tell than one's experienced.

There is a scene in the film I had to rewind about 10 times because I couldn't stop laughing about it. So that won points with me too.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS - C

Don't have a lot to say about this movie other than it was "so bad, it was good." The story annoyed me, yet the ridiculousness of it made me laugh. I laughed more at how bad it was, than I did the fact that it was actually funny. 

Despite a weird, nonsensical script the film had an all star cast. A cast that truly gives testimony to how good actors can turn even the worst of ideas into something watchable...even entertaining to a degree. Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, M Emmett Walsh, Dan Aykroyd, Cheech Marin, Jake Busey and of course the late Tom Poston.

The last thing to say is that I often complain about films with great premises and build-ups that have huge let down endings. This film did just the opposite. The ending itself was fun, uplifting and heart warming, but getting their was a total drag.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: B+

It only took my over 25 years, but I finally sat down and watched this all the way through. 

I liked it. It was well written. Covering all of the major elements of a well told story. It conveyed an idea without being too didactic in its transparency. Good prose, rich characters, strong plot construction, thematic depth and the development of powerful emotions. 

It raise questions conscientiously as well as theoretically and philosophically. To an extent even theologically. I'm not sure if the world would have been as doom and gloom without George Bailey as what Clarence pointed it out to him to be, but it does raise the question. Obviously the world would be a lot different without the heroes, heroines and villains we study in history class. I suppose in our little words we all have some significance that cannot be denied. Yet it is easier for me to picture the world had Martin Luther King Jr never existed, than it is to wonder about someone on an assembly line, who would be replaced within the hour they died.

The movie make you think. Makes you wonder. Makes you question yourself and how important you are to the people around you. What there lives would be like without you. What your life would be without them. It's why the movie, 70 years later, still transcends with audiences today.

The world will always have Henry Potter's trying to make it a worse place and it will always have George Bailey's trying to make it a better place. Nothing has changed their, other than the Potter's have become more sly and clever. And the Bailey's questioned for their pasts and imperfections, rather than their sincerity and devotion to their efforts.

I would have allowed for more development for Clarence, and more relationship to unfold on the screen between he and George. I feel a little too much focus was put into the build up and not enough in the climax and resolution.

Still that wasn't enough for me to give the film a B+ instead of an A. What keeps the film from getting an A for me were some of the nonsensical scenes in the film.Some scenes did not make any sense.

As for the acting performances, it is clear to see why Jimmy Stuart owned his time in Hollywood. A few times he seemed nothing more than average, but other times throughout the film he really shined. He knew how to deliver a speech, a monologue and capture you not only in what he was saying, but what he was feeling.

Lastly I'll say that it was fun to see the Mayor from The ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW have a part in the film.

And $20,000 at that time would have been about $250,000 a year. That would take a noble man to turn that down. A man more noble than me.

LAWNMOWER MAN 2: Beyond Cyber Space

LAWNMOWER MAN 2: Beyond Cyber Space

LAWNMOWER MAN 2: Beyond Cyberspace: C+

Much like it's predecessor, this movie's weaknesses and strengths are about the same. The story is outdated, even for 1996 and the special effects are quite cheap. Considering TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY came out five years prior and had special effects five times as good, one has a right to complain about the elementary graphics of this film. 

The story wasn't very intriguing either, and the focus seemed to be more on the character of Peter than it was on Jobe himself. I suppose that's probably because Austin O'Brien was the only actor to return from the original.

Matt Frewer, who replaces Jeff Fahey as Jobe, actually does a great job. Would have liked to have seen more of him.

Over all mediocre film, with a mediocre story, mediocre directing and mediocre acting. Some of the scenes had no continuity, they were nonsensical and they did not transition well.

I think this movie could have benefited greatly with better editing.

It was worth a watch and I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks that Jim Carey is unique and original.

I got into an argument with a guy in college (Brady Huffman in case you are wondering) that Jim Carey heavily borrowed his act and style from Matt Frewer.

Watch Frewer in this film and argue with me that he didn't. This is one example of how Frewer was Jim Carey, before Jim Carey was Jim Carey.

THE LAWNMOWER MAN

THE LAWNMOWER MAN 

THE LAWNMOWER MAN = C+ 

Based on Stephen King's personal opinion of the film, a few bad reviews I've read and how the film was not well received at the box office, I was expecting the film to be much worse than what it was.

Yes, it's dated and the special effects in the film are God-awful. Even for 1992, they feel like they're from the 1970's. The story and relationships are also underdeveloped, but the performances were good. Pierce Bronson as always was very good, and Jeff Fahey, for what he was given to work with, did a good job as well.

I am anxious to see part two.

And despite those who say that this isn't a movie about a guy who kills people with a lawnmower....

There is someone who does get killed in the film with a lawnmower.