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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Aug 27, 2009 11:06:21 GMT -5
A couple that you should see Slayrrr. Both are a lot more clever and miles funnier than ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987)
A twisted fairy tale with a beautiful princess, a pirate, an evil prince, swordplay, shrieking eels, the Cliffs of Insanity, Fire Swamps, Rodents of Unusual Size, the Pit of Despair, a swordsman who seeks revenge against the six-fingered man who killed his father, his enormous rhyming sidekick (André the Giant), and a hilarious miracle man (Billy Crystal).
This movie's got pretty much everything.
"Have fun storming the castle!"
8.5/10
MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (1975)
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table search for the Holy Grail - Monty Python-style. The knights include Sir Galahad the pure, Sir Lancelot the brave, the quiet Sir Bedevere, and Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Lancelot. Their encounters include witch trials, the black plague, a killer rabbit, the Knights who say "Ni!", and the Bridge of Death.
There is also a musical number spoofing the Broadway show and film, "Camelot".
Did I mention that they don't ride horses but pretend to, while their servants bang coconuts to make the sound of horse's hooves? ;D
8.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Aug 28, 2009 7:37:41 GMT -5
ROB ROY (1995)
Set in the Scotland highlands in the 1700s. When money that he borrowed to buy cattle is stolen, Robert Roy MacGregor (Liam Neeson) must defend his family and his honor against the local nobility.
Neeson is very good, as are Jessica Lange, Brian Cox and John Hurt, but Tim Roth steals the show as Archibald Cunningham, one of the greatest villains ever. Hilariously silly and foppish at times, but smarmy and cruel at others.
The climactic swordfight between the two main characters is one of the best ever put on film.
8.5/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Aug 28, 2009 10:01:09 GMT -5
A couple that you should see Slayrrr. Both are a lot more clever and miles funnier than ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS. THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987) A twisted fairy tale with a beautiful princess, a pirate, an evil prince, swordplay, shrieking eels, the Cliffs of Insanity, Fire Swamps, Rodents of Unusual Size, the Pit of Despair, a swordsman who seeks revenge against the six-fingered man who killed his father, his enormous rhyming sidekick (André the Giant), and a hilarious miracle man (Billy Crystal). This movie's got pretty much everything. "Have fun storming the castle!" 8.5/10 MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (1975) King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table search for the Holy Grail - Monty Python-style. The knights include Sir Galahad the pure, Sir Lancelot the brave, the quiet Sir Bedevere, and Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Lancelot. Their encounters include witch trials, the black plague, a killer rabbit, the Knights who say "Ni!", and the Bridge of Death. There is also a musical number spoofing the Broadway show and film, "Camelot". Did I mention that they don't ride horses but pretend to, while their servants bang coconuts to make the sound of horse's hooves? ;D 8.5/10 Princess Bride is on the list, but I can't stand Python at all. I'm one of the ones that doesn't get them. |
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Aug 30, 2009 9:54:52 GMT -5
Princess Bride is on the list, but I can't stand Python at all. I'm one of the ones that doesn't get them. Ah, so you're the one. What's to get? The movie is funny and you shouldn't judge it based on other Python stuff you might've seen and didn't get. True, British humor might not appeal to everyone, but this movie is mostly just silly and probably has the broadest appeal of any of their flicks. Moving on... EXCALIBUR (1981) John Boorman's epic re-telling of the King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table legend. A little cheesey at times, in that 1980's kind-of-way, but this is by far, the best serious version of the material. The sword, Excalibur, looks great, the armor looks great, the battles are well done, and the cast is filled with good actors who were fairly unknown at the time, some of whom went on to major careers, including Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne & Helen Mirren. Mirren is great as Arthur's evil half-sister Morgana and Nicol Williamson is a perfect Merlin. 7.5/10 |
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Post by slayrrr666 on Aug 31, 2009 10:27:53 GMT -5
I've seen Holy Grail and Life of Brian, and sat through both of them trying to laugh but couldn't. I knew I was supposed to laugh at them, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Both of them just felt like being absurd for the sake of being absurd without any real point to them, and have succeeded at earning their reputation merely because they've been around for so long.
Iron Monkey-1993
I've seen this before and definitely thought it was enjoyable, but now moreso due to the uncut viewing this time around. Jaw-dropping martial arts maneuvers (that fight atop the burning poles is awesome beyond words) a great mixture of one-on-one and group battling, using armed combat, swords (as well as those long poles you see martial artists use that are twice as tall as they are, I don't know the name of them) plus the Jackie Chan style of utilizing the surroundings, a clever story that adds a twist to the normal Robin Hood myth this was based on, and some unintentional humor from the dubbing job. A definite classic in the genre.
9/10
The Princess Bride-1987
This was the first time I'd ever seen this, and I know it's reputation seems to be the main reason why I hadn't: to me, everyone was bragging about the cast being the best part of the film and why it was so funny without anything mentioned about the actual film, a tactic I'm not a fan of for reasons I've mentioned numerous times. Finally sitting down with it, they should probably stop talking about the cast and start mentioning all the jokes and physical comedy throughout, as this was definitely a pleasant surprise that was pretty entertaining. I laughed a lot more than I figured I would, the situations are definitely funny and mostly laugh-inducing, but the fact that there's so much plot in here caught up to me at times and definitely wished for something a little more linear and easier-to-follow, which I wasn't expecting. Overall, I have to say it was a lot of fun.
8.75/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 1, 2009 7:53:52 GMT -5
Both of them just felt like being absurd for the sake of being absurd without any real point to them, and have succeeded at earning their reputation merely because they've been around for so long. Not to bust your balls, dude, but didn't you give MEET THE SPARTANS a rating of something like an 8 or even a 9? I couldn't even finish watching it. You wouldn't consider a movie like that, or DISASTER MOVIE or EPIC MOVIE as "being absurd for the sake of being absurd without any real point to them"? I would, and without nearly the creativity or originality behind them that HOLY GRAIL has. Obviously everybody finds different things funny, but I think that reasoning is flawed. Well, at least you liked PRINCESS BRIDE. THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1973) Probably the most famous and best-made film version of the tale of young D'Artagnan (Michael York) and his attempts to join Athos (Oliver Reed), Porthos (Frank Finlay), and Aramis (Richard Chamberlain) as one of the king's musketeers. Light-hearted and fast-paced with some fun swashbuckling action. A really strong cast that, besides the already mentioned, also includes Charlton Heston, Faye Dunaway, Christopher Lee and Raquel Welch. 7/10 CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1982) Sword & sorcery epic about Conan, a child who's family and tribe are massacred by an evil sorceror (James Earl Jones) and his henchmen. The boy is sold into slavery, and grows up, trained as a gladiator. He becomes a star attraction, earning his master a fortune, and is later rewarded with freedom. He then sets out to get revenge on those who killed his parents. Arnold Schwarzenneger plays the adult Conan and he was the perfect person to play this role at that time. He looks like he stepped right off the Frank Frazetta-painted covers of the Robert E. Howard books. Arnold's not a great actor, some of his line-deliveries are pretty comical, but here it didn't really matter as Conan seldom speaks, preferring to let his sword do the talking. Graphic, bloody and violent, the way it was supposed to be, not like the watered-down sequel, and features some great looking sets, cool costumes, and an amazing score by Basil Poledouris. 7.5/10 |
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Post by slayrrr666 on Sept 1, 2009 10:31:38 GMT -5
The absurdity is their British feel. I've never gotten British humor. Shaun of the Dead is probably the only thing from the UK I've ever found funny, and I've just never gotten it. Sorry.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 1, 2009 12:39:47 GMT -5
Alrighty then.
Because it's September, the month where typically summer vacation is over and students traditionally go back to school, the genre/category for September is...
BACK TO SCHOOL
Any film where a major part of the action takes place in a school, college, trade school, etc., and that features main characters that are students, teachers, professors, principals, deans or any combination of them.
Films that feature high school or college athletes and/or coaches are okay too as long as the film's setting is mostly the school.
Obviously, the entire film doesn't have to take place in a school, but the school should be a major element in the storyline.
As usual, all movies have to have been theatrical releases. No made for tv or made for cable movies, ie: HBO, Sci-Fi Channel, etc., are not eligible. No television mini-series either.
I'll announce the next genre or category on October 1st .
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 3, 2009 8:07:13 GMT -5
SUMMER SCHOOL (1987)
A high-school gym teacher (Mark Harmon) is forced to cancel his summer plans and teach a remedial English class.
Of course the students are a group of slackers and underachievers.
And of course, his unconventional teaching methods, eventually win over the apathetic kids.
About as predictable and by-the-numbers as this kind of movie can get. It has all the trappings of a raunchy school teen comedy, but the PG-13 rating keeps it safe, ordinary and leisurely paced.
4/10
ROCKET SCIENCE (2007)
Coming-of-age comedy-drama about Hal Hefner, a stuttering high school student who joins the debate team and falls in love with Ginny, one of his teammates.
Hal is also dealing with the recent separation of his parents, his mom is now dating his friend's dad, and his brother the kleptomaniac.
Despite all the quirky characters, I just could never completely get into this film. A few scenes redeemed if for me, but overall I actually found this to be a pretty boring film and almost turned it off a couple of times.
4.5/10
WORLD'S GREATEST DAD (2009)
Bobcat Goldthwait, yes, that Bobcat Goldthwait, wrote and directed this dark comedy about Lance Clayton (Robin Williams), a high school poetry teacher who dreams of becoming a famous writer. Unfortunately, life has not gone as planned. All of his books and articles have been rejected, his teenage son, a student at the same school he teaches at, is a complete jerk who seems to hate everyone and everything, the art teacher he's dating refuses to get serious or even publicly acknowledge that they're dating, and his job is in danger because students aren't interested in taking his class.
When his son suffers a freak accident, ala David Carradine, Lance, in his efforts to cover it up and give his son a slightly more respectable ending, makes it look like a suicide and even writes a suicide note. The note gets into the hands of his kid's fellow students and it emotionally touches everyone who reads it. Lance goes one step further and writes his son's "journal" and his son is suddenly revered by the other students and school staff as a writer and thinker of great depth. Of course the cover-up keeps snowballing, and talk show appearances and book offers start coming in.
Will Lance admit the suicide note and journal are fakes or will he start to profit from his son's death?
The film is outrageously funny at times and very serious at others, but it's all balanced pretty well.
Really well-acted by Williams and Daryl Sabara as his insufferable twit of a son. (Hell, I wanted this kid dead within five minutes of him being on-screen.) Really impressed with Goldthwait's script and directing and hope he does more.
7.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 7, 2009 9:36:46 GMT -5
REVENGE OF THE NERDS (1984)
Nerdy best friends Gilbert (Anthony Edwards) and Louis (Robert Carradine) are freshmen students at Adams College, where they befriend other outcasts and must deal with the bullies in the Alpha Beta fraternity.
The nerds form their own fraternity and, using their brains and technology, try to turn the tables against the jocks.
Not in the same class as ANIMAL HOUSE as far as "college comedies" go, but it's a fun revenge movie with memorable performances.
7/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Sept 8, 2009 10:39:21 GMT -5
Man of the House-2006
Texas Ranger moves into a sorority house to protect five college cheerleaders who witness a murder to one of his cases. Frankly, as a comedy, I'd say this one pretty much fails. There should've been a gold mine here with the crotchety, old-school mentality coming into play against the modern-day, more liberal attitudes of the girls, and despite a few rather good scenes and the usual bonding that occurs over the course of the film, it wasn't as funny as it could've been. However, turn the sound off and watch the girls prance around in tank-tops, skirts and tight pants and it becomes a lot more entertaining, especially since all the girls aren't that bad to look at. That's much more enjoyable, apart from the film's switch into action-film mode at the end which is rather fun, but it's a little disappointing.
6/10
John Tucker Must Die-2006
Three girls discover their all dating the all-star captain of their basketball team and use a new transfer student to gain a measure of revenge against him. I, sue me for this, actually liked this one. Goofy, stupid and quite cheesy at times, with a rather good series of jokes, funny situations and once again, rather good-looking women that are definitely nice to look at. Feels really cliched and you can definitely see where it's going a mile away, but it's still better than you would think it would be.
7/10
National Lampoon's Van Wilder-2002
I've seen this one a couple times, and it's a guilty pleasure for me, as I think this one is pretty funny. Not a true laugh-out-loud film all the way through, but it's definitely got it's moments, and surprisingly, despite all the innuendos the majority of the sayings that are imparted in here do make sense, which is just another factor here. Frankly, the melodramatic turn at the end wasn't needed, and the whole outcome with the grades was again another cliche that could be seen coming a mile away, but again, it's still pretty funny so I enjoyed it.
7.5/10
Legally Blonde-2003
This one definitely felt like a mixture of the first two films, in the sense that there was some situations where it should've been funnier than they turned out to be, but it's goofy, cheesy and not at all that irritating despite the cliches and such, and it's a lot easier to watch when it's muted as, even though she's not that hot, Reese just has an irritating voice to me and it helps out in that manner rather than what might be expected. The life lessons are again common-place and expected, but it doesn't hold the film down and could be considered a good thing here due to the storyline ramifications.
6.5/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Sept 14, 2009 10:10:49 GMT -5
College Road Trip-2007
Overbearing father accompanies his daughter on a road trip to check out her choices for college, and always ends up in 'hilarious' situations. I remember the commercials for this one at the time it was released thinking this would be quite bad, and after holding out for this long on it, I have to say the wait should've been longer. Not only was this one completely cliched, dull and quite easy to spot which gag was going to come next, it felt like an overlong sitcom episode stretched out into a full-length film, and the only problem is that the episode isn't funny to begin with. There's nothing here that's all that interesting, and it left me thinking that, rather than not having been released to theaters, this was a film that shouldn't have been made. There was no point at all in a movie like this. Move on.
2/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 16, 2009 7:48:21 GMT -5
REVENGE OF THE NERDS II: NERDS IN PARADISE (1987)
Poor sequel to the likable original. This time our geeky heroes (minus Anthony Edwards as Gilbert, who only puts in a cameo) travel to a fraternity convention in Ft. Lauderdale and must again deal with the preppy jocks of Alpha Beta.
Rehashes a lot of the same jokes and situations and is pretty much a waste of time.
4/10
FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)
Follows a year in the lives of a group of students at a southern California high school. Some of the featured characters include the sexually inexperienced Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner, their slightly more experienced best friends and mentors, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, senior and fast food employee Brad Hamilton, who is considering breaking up with his longtime girlfriend, Lisa, and stoned surfer dude, Jeff Spicoli, who has many run-ins with his history teacher, the cynical and sarcastic Mr. Hand.
Classic look at 80's teenage culture: check out the clothes, music and video games. A comedy at heart, almost every line spouted by Spicoli (Sean Penn) is hilarious and quotable, but it also has a couple of serious moments. The two teachers that are given screen time, Mr. Hand and Mr. Vargas, are both very memorable and what teenage boy growing up in the 80's can forget Linda (Phoebe Cates) in her red bikini?
8.5/10
SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003)
Jack Black stars as Dewey Finn, guitar player, classic rock aficionado, slacker, and wannabe rock star who, after being fired from his own band, poses as a 4th grade substitute teacher at an uptight private school in order to earn some fast cash.
At first he thinks he'll just sit back, let the kids do what they want, and collect a fat paycheck, but when he finds out that some of the kids are musically talented, he decides to teach them the ropes of classic rock and heavy metal, form a band with them and enter a "Battle of the Bands" in the hopes of winning a major cash prize.
He of course gets to know the kids personally and to care about them and they in turn start to admire him.
Tailor-made role for Black who tends to stick to the same over the top mannerisms and facial expressions in most of his movies, but here he's actually really funny. The looks on his face when he realizes the kids have no clue about rock music, never heard of Led Zeppelin or AC/DC, are priceless, and the chemistry between him and the kids is good.
A good family film with some edge to it.
7.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 17, 2009 16:47:18 GMT -5
THE FACULTY (1998)
A group of students (Elijah Wood, Jordana Brewster, Josh Hartnett, etc.) start to suspect that there's something going on with the teaching staff (Robert Patrick, Famke Janssen, Jon Stewart, Salma Hayek, etc) at Herrington High School. Turns out they're right. It's the old, who's still human and who's been taken over by the aliens, plot.
It's okay, but I definitely felt like I've seen it all before. Mix INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS with Carpenter's THE THING, but set it in a small town high school, and you get THE FACULTY.
6.5/10
PORKY'S (1982)
One of the original 80's teen sex comedies, follows a group of high school boys in the 1950's, obsessed with peeping in on the girls' showers, playing practical jokes on each other, and of course, getting laid. After being humiliated at a sleazy strip joint called Porky's, the boys plot revenge against the owner and his brother, the sheriff.
It's got the right feel and cast for this kind of movie, but I've always thought that, except for a couple of scenes, a lot of the humor falls flat.
5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 21, 2009 7:52:14 GMT -5
BACK TO SCHOOL (1986)
Rodney Dangerfield plays Thornton Melon, a funloving Millionaire businessman who, for moral support, decides to enroll in his son's college when his son contemplates dropping out. However Thornton doesn't take school seriously, hiring other people to do his homework, dating a professor, and throwing outrageous parties.
It's a thin plot, but Dangerfield is at his best. Hilariously throwing out one-liners and mugging for the camera. It might not be as funny with someone else in the part, but Rodney is perfect.
A very young Robert Downey Jr plays his son's buddy, and the late great Sam Kinison has a hilarious cameo as one of the professors.
8/10
SHOUT (1991)
John Travolta plays the new music teacher at a home for wayward boys in 1955. His unorthodox methods include teaching the boys about a dangerous new music called rock and roll.
Heather Graham is really cute as the home from college daughter of the tyrant who runs the home, and this was Gwyneth Paltrow's screen debut, though she really does nothing.
Not using real rock music from the era, but modern sound-alike type music was a big mistake, and overall, I thought this was a pretty pointless and completely unrealistic movie. Plot lines go nowhere and the whitebread boys didn't really seem edgy enough to be the tough kids they're supposed to be.
2/10
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