Genre: Comedy

Year: 1992

Country: USA, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Spain

Rating:

Starring: Steve Buscemi, Seymour Cassel, Jennifer Beals, Pat Moya, Will Patton

Director: Alexandre Rockwell

My Review: Screenplay by Sollace Mitchell and Alexandre Rockwell. Directed by Alexandre Rockwell. Starring Steve Buscemi, Seymour Cassel, Jennifer Beals and others. This movie (filmed in black and white) tells the story of Aldopho Rollo, a neurotic, aspiring film maker who dreams of making a hit movie. He survives on left over toast and margarine in a decrepit one room apartment, hoping that his current job doesn't bottom out before he does. Dodging bill collectors, he dreams of making it with his gorgeous next-door neighbor - If only he could make that blockbuster movie he's been dreaming about… That's when the benefactor arrives in the picture. Joe's a big spender, an extravagant, cash king. Armed with a new found love of art, Joe promises to bankroll Adolpho's 500 page artistic vision. It's a wonderfully directed drama with a fantastic cast. Perfect time, spectacular lighting, music and character interplay. I really enjoyed this film noir tribute. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: A neurotic nebbish lives in 2 worlds: the fantasy of winning his dream-girl via a hit movie, and the meager existence he scrapes out from very odd jobs, such as thesping in an arty no-budget flick. His beautiful object is his next-door neighbor Angelica, who's understandably preoccupied with her own life, as an illegal immigrant and single mom. Aldolpho Rollo's writing his unending masterpiece screenplay from a walk-up NYC flat, in-between peering at debtors through his peephole. AR's hopes to win her love take wing via another angel, a shady high-roller who definitely has the self-confidence, and promises the cash Aldolpho craves, to produce the auteur's vision.

Genre: Thriller, Science Fiction, Mystery

Year: 2014

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Danielle Panabaker, Matt O'Leary, George Finn, John Rhys-Davies, Amin Joseph

Director: Bradley King

My Review: Written by Bradley King and BP Cooper. Directed by Bradley King (Feature film debut). Starring Danielle Panabaker, Matt O'Leary, George Finn and others. It's a different 'Time Travel' movie. Similar in some respects to Primer, this time travel movie takes a different route to the eventual end. Three friends discover something in their neighbors house. A machine that takes pictures. An enormous camera, aimed at their living room. Why would anyone build this enormous camera? Why is it so huge? Why is it aimed at our living room? Wait a second, why are we in the picture if you just took a picture of our empty living room? The machine takes pictures of the future! Holy crap! Once the characters figure out that this machine takes pictures of the future, they start to scheme ways to use it for their own personal gain. Fifteen minutes in and I was hooked. A great premise, sufficiently Sci-Fi to get my attention, not so much to make me doubt it. The humanistic touches of little known actors makes it enjoyable to watch, but it’s the story that reveals the talent of this director. Very well made and executed for a low budget sci-fi thriller. Thankfully the story didn't call for any unrealistic cgi or visual effects. The story works without resorting to cheap tricks. Moving beyond the sci-fi, the movie leverages drama, music and characters to make where other Indie time-travel flicks fall flat. The writing, direction and acting were all excellent. I give this gem a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Three friends discover a time machine which takes pictures of the future. They begin to use it to win race bets and everything goes fine till one gets greedier than another. They begin to lose faith in each other giving a sense of backstabbing as uglier truths unfold in the photos and the situation soon gets out of control.

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Year: 2000

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Nicole DeHuff

Director: Jay Roach

My Review: It's hard to believe that I've seen this movie so many times, and yet I've never written a review… Until now (obviously). I originally watched this movie back in 2000 (when it was released). I bought a copy soon afterwards, and I've seen it many times. Once again for good measure. It's an excellent movie. With far too many writing credits (six?), the movie is directed by Jay Roach (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, The Spy Who Shagged Me, and Goldmember; Mystery Alaska, Meet the Fockers; Dinner for Schmucks; Trumbo). Starring Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, Owen Wilson and others. Believe it or not, this movie is a remake - Originally made in 1992. Now I have to watch the original… In this remake, Ben Stiller plays Greg Focker a male nurse who's meeting his girl friend's parents for the first time. What starts out as a tense and anxious premise soon spirals out of control into a full blown disaster as everything that could go wrong does go wrong. The movie is chock full of comedic situations and physical humor. Ben Stiller gives an exceptional performance as the desperately eager to please boyfriend. Robert De Niro is in top form acting as the heavy foil against Stiller's comedic riposte. Having an ex-CIA agent as a father-in-law is definitely something to fear, but Greg does his best to soldier on despite the odds being stacked against him. While viewing the movie, you're pulled along with the characters from one preposterous situation to the next. No matter how much you want to throttle De Niro's character, the story lightens up just long enough to redeem the dad for wanting to keep his daughter safe. If your family is anywhere close to dysfunctional, you'll identify with Greg's dilemma and must stick around to find out whether he gets the girl in the end. It's light and laughable entertainment with a rewatchable factor that can't be beat. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: A Jewish male nurse plans to ask his live-in girl friend to marry him. However, he learns that her strict father expects to be asked for his daughter's hand before she can accept. Thus begins the visit from Hell as the two travel to meet Mom and Dad, who turns out to be former CIA with a lie detector in the basement. Coincidentally, a sister also has announced her wedding to a young doctor. Of course everything that can go wrong, does, including the disappearance of Dad's beloved Himalayan cat, Jinxie.

Genre: Crime, Comedy, Action, Adventure

Year: 2014

Country: UK, USA

Rating:

Starring: Adrian Quinton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Jonno Davies, Jack Davenport

Director: Matthew Vaughn

My Review: Directed by Matthew Vaughn. Starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson and many others. Here's a new kind of James Bond/007 movie. The hero is no longer a proper English gentleman, ladies man and international operator. Here's a brash young kid, who pretends that manners make the man, treats women like meat (see final scene of movie) and obviously appeals to a different generation of people. This movie is the first in what the producers hope will become a new genre, a new series, a new franchise of action films. Something that will appeal to a new generation of viewers. Note that Her Majesty's Secret Service has been replaced with an 'Independent International Intelligence Agency'; an I3A if you will. While this construct separates MI6 or MI7 from any 'responsibility' for blame, it also appeals to the globalists in the audience. The movie sets up the 'Kingsman' (despite the fact that they're an I3A) as a group of highly intelligent, highly trained, highly efficient operatives who will of course 'Save the World' in many episodes to come. This movie presents us with the formal school masters and their newest crop of 'new kids', candidates to become the next generation of Kingsmen agents (despite the fact that there are some women - one). The movie is flashy, packed with action, explosions, fancy cars, lots of violence and hot women. I'm not sure how or why Samuel L. Jackson made his way into the movie - as the villain who can't stand the sight of blood? Maybe it's because of the cuss words that his characters sometimes use? All in all the plot is useless, as the movie is simply a set-up for future 'Spy Thrillers'. Aside from the casting of Samuel L. Jackson, I enjoyed the rest of the cast and characters. It was quirky, contained some excellent visual effects, great sets and locations, a good sound track and was very well produced, but it lacked anything really new. It was definitely an excellent attempt at setting up a new franchise, and I give it marks for that. The acting was good, but overall the writing was quite flat. I give it a 3 out of 5. I'll probably watch the next 'Kingsman' movie - Hopefully they'll dispense with another round of origins exposition.

Summary: A young man named Eggsy, whose father died when he was a young boy, is dealing with living with the creep his mother is with now, who mistreats her and him. He goes out and does something to one of the creep's friends. He gets arrested and he calls a number a man gave him around the time his father died, to call if he needs help. A man named Harry approaches him and tells him he's the one who helped him. He tells him that he knew his father. When the man Eggsy slighted wants some payback, Harry takes care of him and his companions single-handedly. Harry then tells Eggsy that he's part of a secret organization called "The Kingsman", and his father was also part of it. He died trying to make the world safe. Harry offers Eggsy the opportunity to be a Kingsman, and he takes it. He undergoes a gruelling training course. Harry is looking into the demise of another Kingsman, and the trail leads him to tech billionaire Valentine a.k.a. "V", who is also curious about the group following him, ...

Genre: Documentary

Year: 2013

Country: Thailand, USA

Rating:

Starring: Randy Clemens, Jordan Crowder, Harold Dieterle, Oz du Soleil, Adam Holliday

Director: Griffin Hammond

My Review: Written and directed by Griffin Hammond. Starring Randy Clemens, Jordan Crowder, Harold Dieterle and others. Here is a short but sweet documentary about a spicy subject - Sriracha. It's not made in Thailand, China, Vietnam or Mexico. It's a 'Made in America' story. Thi. s documentary travels around the world to tell us the story of the original Huy Fong Foods culinary treat - Sriracha. While many people around the world love this spicy sauce, most assume it comes to us from some far-away land like Thailand. In fact, it's made in America, by David Tran, an Ethic Chinese immigrant from Vietnam. This brand of Sriracha sauce, also known as 'Rooster Sauce' because of the rooster on the label. The documentary is long enough to tell the story of the sauce's inventor, its origins, production and the family business. This travel documentary is humorous, entertaining and informative. A great documentary for foodies and travel junkies alike. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Sriracha has earned a cult following, but the story of this spicy sauce is a mystery to most fans. Dedicated to Sriracha lovers, this fast-paced documentary travels around the globe to reveal its origin and the man behind the iconic 'rooster sauce.'

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Action

Year: 2014

Country: UK, Spain, USA

Rating:

Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn

Director: Ridley Scott

My Review: Written by four people (too many in my opinion), directed by Ridley Scott (One of my favorite directors: Alien, Blade Runner, Black Rain, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven). Starring Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley and many others. The story of Moses and Ramses. No one should be surprised if a Hollywood production is more concerned with entertainment than fidelity to a biblical story. If the production doesn't follow someone's interpretation of a written word, then that's because it's a film translation where artistic license is permitted and encouraged such that the film will be more entertaining than the written word. In this 'story' from the bible, the defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses the 2nd. In this movie, Moses is brother to Ramses. He lives in the same house with their father Seti. They fight together in battles for Egypt. In one particular battle (against some Hittites), Moses saves the life of Ramses. Later, Ramses is advised by a spiritualist/vicreroy that he should fear Moses. He cites a prophecy that foretells of one who will betray his brother and usurp the thrown for his own. Moses (who is actually a Jew taken as a son by their father) is banished, leaves the court and raises a family of his own. Later, he is called upon by God to lead the Isrealites out of Egypt to the promised land. Moses becomes the leader of the Jewish people, and with God's assistance, heleads a slave rebellion against Ramses and their Egyptian overlords. The movie is a biblical story, told with Hollywood flare. It's designed to entertain, not to be a Sunday School lesson for the faithful (no matter the faith). I found it very entertaining. It was definitely a big budget block-buster. Filled with numerous over-the-top action and big budget cgi (which still looked somewhat fake), this movie like many other big budget Hollywood block-busters, relied too much on cgi and a good score. The acting and characters suffered somewhat. This isn't a remake of the 1956 'Ten Commandments' and it isn't a historical documentary based on biblical writings. It’s a Hollywood movie, so please don't try to compare it to the bible or biblical writings. While I enjoyed the movie, I don't think this is one of Ridley Scott's better movies, and it likely won't be remembered for being a great movie. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings stars Christian Bale as Moses who, as the film opens, fights alongside his brother Ramses (a shaved-headed Joel Edgerton), to help defend Egypt, which is ruled by their father, Seti (John Turturro). During battle, Moses saves Ramses life, causing Ramses to fear that his brother will one day be King because it fits with a prophecy handed down by one of Seti's trusted spiritualists. Soon after Seti's death, Moses, who is actually Jewish and not Egyptian, is banished. However, he becomes the leader of the Jewish people and leads a rebellion, with the help of a wrathful God, against that Egyptians..

Genre: Drama

Year: 2000

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald

Director: Darren Aronofsky

My Review: Screenplay by Darren Aronofsky and Hubert Selby Jr (based upon his book of same name). Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Pi, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Black Swan, Noah). Starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans and others. Visually stunning, and psychologically affecting. This movie examines the lives of four drugged up Coney Island/Brighton Beach residents. A movie that will definitely give you pause when you take that next pill. The four characters are Sara Goldfarb (played by Ellen Burstyn), Harry (played by Jared Leto), Tyrone (played by Marlon Wayans) and Marion (played by Jennifer Connelly). These characters are all taking pills for different reasons, some prescribed, some not. All the characters are addicted and messed up because of the drugs. Some are ostracized, some are praised. Their reasons for taking the pills seem normal and rational - of course they are. Definitely challenges our programmed acceptance of pill-popping, regardless of the reasons. Ellen Burstyn was phenomenal, what a pro. The direction was superb, even if the film was a bit dark. The sound, music, editing and camera work were excellent. All meshed together flawlessly. This certainly isn't a mainstream Hollywood production, but it certainly proves that there is still a group of people out there who are willing to create masterful visions despite the mainstream profit motive. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: The drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island individuals are shattered when their addictions become stronger.

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller

Year: 2015

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Jonny Weston, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Sam Lerner, Allen Evangelista, Virginia Gardner

Director: Dean Israelite

My Review: Directed by Dean Israelite (Power Rangers). Starring Amy Landecker, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Virginia Gardner and others. This movie was produced by Josh Appelbaum, Michael Bay (and others), which explains its immense media buy, the hype surrounding its release and the high production value. The cgi and visual effects were the best I've seen in a long time. The movie is a time travel classic - What would you do if you discovered a time machine!? - There's nothing new in Project Almanac. As a vehicle for new acting talent, it was quite good. A simple story of high-school/college-age kids who discover the 'Top Secret' plans for a time machine in Dads 'shop'. They somehow manage to build the time machine. Perhaps it was one of those lego time machines? Hey this is believable right? I mean millenials know how to build an iPhone - right? So building a time machine shouldn't be too difficult - right? O.k. I'll set that aside for now. So they assemble Dad's time machine, and then they immediately start using it for fun and profit. I hate found footage movies… Even when they're poorly executed - like this one. O.k. I'll set that aside for now. It's a good thing that the cast is easy on the eyes/good looking. The talent is typical for this level, and the movie's production levels are extremely high, but the movie itself? I can't manage to get beyond a 2 out of 5. I'm just not in a forgiving mood. I hope I forget this movie quickly, because the more I think about it, the more I dislike it.

Summary: As a group of friends discover plans for a time machine, they build it and use it to fix their problems and for personal gain. But as their future falls apart with disasters, and they come to realize the irreversible ripple effects caused by their time travels, they must decide to fix this once and for all.

Genre: Action

Year: 2000

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Rapaport, Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rooker, Sarah Wynter

Director: Roger Spottiswoode

My Review: Written by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley (Under Fire, The Best of Times, Air America). Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Rapaport, Tony Goldwyn and others. Here's a sci-fi tale about clones. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in the lead role - He's still in his action movie prime (at 53 years old), and he's fairly well cast here. Adam Gibson (played by Arnold) comes home from work late one day (far in the future? Like 2020?), and he stumbles upon an insidious plot. He's already home. What? How can he already be home? Wait, that's not me, but it looks like me. Then a group of assassins try to kill him, but Adam's no lightweight - He fights them off and escapes. And the movie is off and running. Who would want to kill him? Why? Who's the person who looks just like him? The plot is a bit cheesy, and the special effects aren't very well done, but cgi still has a long way to go, so we're left with effects that are only as good as the budget allows, and this movie spent most of its money on Arnold's salary. If you focus on the entertainment aspects, you'll find a relatively good Sci-Fi, action, block-buster featuring our favorite action star - Kick some ass Arnold! Don't let those clones steal your identity! I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Futuristic action about a man who meets a clone of himself and stumbles into a grand conspiracy about clones taking over the world.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2000

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter

Director: Joel Coen

My Review: Written by Ethan and Joel Coen, loosely based upon Homer's epic poem, 'The Odyssey'. Directed by Joel and Ethan (uncredited) Coen (Raising Arizona, Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, The Man Who Wasn't There, Burn After Reading, True Grit (2010 remake)). Starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter and many others. Another fantastic movie by the Coen Brothers. They sure do make good movies. Supposedly, this movie is loosely based upon Homer's epic poem - The Odyssey. I wouldn't know. I've only read pieces of that poem, I didn't quite get it… It didn't rhyme the way most poems do. Here's an adventure of three escaped inmates. During the Great Depression (The early 1930s in the U.S.) in the deep south (Mississippi), these three members of a chain gang manage to escape - and that's where our adventure begins. Everett McGill (played by George Clooney), Pete Hogwallop (played by John Turturro) and Delmar O'Donnell (played by Tim Blake Nelson) are on a quest to recover the loot. Bank heist money hidden away in Everett's home. Along the way they encounter a series of challenges and foes. A trio of Sirens who attempt to seduce the boys. A notorious bank robber (Baby Face Nelson), a campaigning governor and his opponent, a KKK lynch mob and a blind prophet who warns them about the treasure they will find. A surprising and enjoyable ride. The movie took me places that I never expected to see. The acting was superb and the direction joyful. The best part about the acting and direction was the way in which the characters became more important than the actors. I forgot that I was watching George Clooney and truly saw Everett McGill trying his best to complete the arduous quest that god has tasked him with. The music was so good that it actually lifted me up at times - Not to belabor the point, but the music really is an integral part of the movie. It is a character and the character of the movie on its own. A hilarious movie with brilliant writing and undeniable charm. As the end approaches your sense of wonder and joy is elevated. The sweet, sorrowful ending is quite satisfying. This movie deserves all the accolades it has earned (Nominated for 2 Oscars) and more. I give it a 5 out of 5. Of course I own a copy, what a silly question.

Summary: Three stumblebum convicts escape to go on a quest for treasure and meet various characters while learning where their real fortune lies.