ffwcsec Reviews

SCTV Channel (1983–1984)

TV satire at its funniest!

[23 February 2004]

SCTV was a real gem...consistently funny without resorting to cheap shots or bathroom humor to make you laugh out loud. One of the funniest bits in this incarnation of SCTV was John Hemphill as Happy Marsden, drunken children's show host whose show was filmed in a bar. When the show would begin, Happy would get the bartender to change the channel on the TV above the bar to a show called "Six-Gun Justice" which was a take-off on the old serial westerns of the '40's and '50's. He had a puppet sidekick who resembled Ollie of "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" fame. The puppet couldn't talk, but only made flapping noises with his rather large beak. The whole premise was so bizarre, but when you start to think about the kids' show hosts from your childhood, you may realize that probably more than a few of them had tossed back a couple of shots before introducing that Popeye cartoon. The Schmenge Brothers (Yosh and Stan, played by John Candy and Eugene Levy) were also incredibly funny. We will not see their like again.

The Big Bus (1976)

Original and hilarious spoof of disaster films.

[10 February 2003]

"The Big Bus" was released in 1976, four years before the landmark disaster flick-spoof, "Airplane!". Why "The Big Bus" was not as popular a film is a mystery, because it is every bit as funny as "Airplane!". The dialogue is witty, the sight gags are hilarious and plentiful, and the acting is just dead-pan enough to make it all work. Joseph Bologna and Stockard Channing head up an all-star cast heading from New York to Denver on a nuclear-powered bus, which is supposed to make the trip with no stops, but of course, disasters ensue. The bus is a luxury vehicle, complete with a piano bar, swimming pool, bowling alley and dining room. If you haven't seen "The Big Bus" check it out. It will make you laugh out loud.

A Face in the Crowd (1957)

You'll see Andy Griffith in a whole new light after seeing his spellbinding performance as Lonesome Rhodes.

[10/10 · 5 August 2002]

If you only think of good ol' Sheriff Andy Taylor when you see Andy Griffith, then you are in for a shock when you see "A Face In The Crowd." In his film debut, Andy Griffith gives a spellbinding performance as Lonesome Rhodes, neer'-do-well country bumpkin who rockets to television stardom with help from Patricia Neal. Lonesome is smarmy, manipulative, scheming, and totally without morals, yet he becomes a huge TV personality by dispensing down-home country philosophy to his adoring fans. Although this movie was made 45 years ago, its message is as relevant today (maybe more so!) as it was in 1957. Patricia Neal is heartbreaking as the woman who discovers Lonesome and is ultimately betrayed by him. Walter Matthau gives a great performance as a television writer who loves Neal and sees through Lonesome's facade, and Lee Remick is lovely in her film debut as the baton twirler who catches Lonesome's roaming eye. I cannot recommend this film highly enough...it is sheer brilliance from start to finish.

M*A*S*H (1970)

Brilliant, scathing humor underscores the futility of war.

[8/10 · 29 July 2002]

After reading some of the other user comments on M*A*S*H, it appears that there are two distinct camps--those who love the movie and hate the TV show, and those who loved the TV show and hate the movie. I admit to being in the first group--I saw the movie when it was first released, and the TV M*A*S*H was a big disappointment. The film version had more "bite" to it...the humor was darker, the satire sharper, the characters more real and less "cartoonish" than in the TV series. The movie M*A*S*H got its point across without sloppy sentimentality or becoming "preachy" the way the TV series sometimes did. Everything about this movie was cutting edge, and that is why it still seems fresh 30 years after it was made. If you haven't seen the film version, I highly recommend it. I rate this right up there with "Dr. Strangelove" as being one of the best anti-war films ever made.

Uncle Buck (1989)

Everyone should have an Uncle Buck!

[8/10 · 20 November 2000]

John Candy is on top of his form playing the black sheep uncle who is called upon in a family emergency to take care of his young nieces and nephew. His teenage niece takes an immediate dislike to Buck, but the two younger children adore him. Buck's bachelor lifestyle hasn't really prepared him for life in the 'burbs, but he learns to adjust quickly, and he and his young charges are all the better for it. His conference with the assistant principal at his 6 year old niece's school is one of the funniest scenes in the movie. This is one of those sweet and funny (but not sappy) films the whole family can enjoy. Of all the movies John Candy made, I think this one is his finest, just barely edging out "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles".

Pillow Talk (1959)

Funny and charming--Rock Hudson and Doris Day are at their best in their first film pairing.

[9/10 · 20 November 2000]

"Pillow Talk" was the first time Rock Hudson and Doris Day were teamed as a romantic couple, and it is easy to see why they became so popular as a team. In this movie, they show perfect comedic timing, playing off each other to perfection. Doris is cast as Jan Morrow, a successful interior designer and Rock Hudson is Brad Allen, the playboy songwriter with whom she is forced to share a party line. When they meet by accident, Brad makes up a new identity (Rex Stetson) in order seduce Jan, who has never seen his face, but knows his voice. With his cornpone accent and naive country ways, Rex (Brad) has Jan totally head over heels in love. Of course, this double-identity must be exposed at some point, and the way in which it is exposed and resolved makes for a very entertaining romp. Tony Randall as a love-struck client (and friend of Brad) and Thelma Ritter as Jan's hard-drinking housekeeper round out the great cast. I must comment on Doris' wardrobe...her clothes in this movie are absolutely fabulous. She never looked lovelier, and Rock is gorgeous as well. Of all the 1950's "bedroom comedies", this is the best.

St. Elsewhere (1982–1988)

Wonderfully engrossing medical drama.

[15 November 2000]

This is a wonderfully scripted, well-acted drama which takes place in the fictional Saint Eligius hospital in Boston. The ensemble cast is perfect, with stellar performances by William Daniels, Ed Flanders, and Norman Lloyd as the long-practicing doctors who hold the hospital together. The series follows the physicians, residents, and staff through their personal and professional lives, with just enough humor and pathos to keep it all interesting. Especially notable is the two-part episode dealing with the 50th anniversary of Saint Eligius. The flashback sequences really tie to the current stories, help fill in blanks and make you understand more fully certain characters' actions and quirks. I highly recommend this series. It is currently being shown on Bravo (cable network). Look for it!

The Producers (1967)

A sure-fire flop becomes a Broadway hit, much to the chagrin of its producers.

[9/10 · 18 August 2000]

Mel Brooks won an Academy Award for his screenplay of "The Producers" and deservedly so. This is just about the funniest movie ever made. Zero Mostel is brilliant as the failed producer, Max Bialystock, who is reduced to seducing little old ladies into investing in his productions. A very young Gene Wilder gives a great performance as the repressed accountant Leo Bloom who literally "blooms" under the tutelage of the exuberant Max. Leo is going over Max's books when he discovers that under the right circumstances, a producer could make more money with a flop than with a hit. The search is on for a sure-fire flop, and a script written by former Nazi soldier Franz Leibman (played to the hilt by Kenneth Mars)called "Springtime for Hitler" is chosen. The producers then hire the worst director, costumers, and actors. The auditions for Hitler are unbelievably funny, and Dick Shawn plays Hitler as a tripped-out leader without a clue. The opening musical number must be seen to be believed...tacky, overblown, satirical, hilarious. This movie is so right-on; the supporting cast, bit players, stars, all are in top form. I highly recommend this film!

Zorro: The Gay Blade (1981)

Goofy, light-hearted send-up of the Zorro legend.

[7/10 · 19 June 2000]

I've never been a big fan of the Zorro films, or the TV series for that matter, but I loved this movie. Zorro, the masked avenger, takes up for the downtrodden peasantry being exploited by the evil alcalde (played with delicious maliciousness by Ron Leibman). When the Zorro character injures his ankle and is unable to wreak havoc on the oppressors, his twin brother Ramon appears on the scene to take over where Zorro has left off, with a couple of slight differences. Ramon has joined the British Navy and changed his name to Bunny Wigglesworth (and all that the name implies), and he uses a whip instead of a sword to smite his enemies. Oh, and he's a snappy dresser as well--instead of a boring black cape and hat, he wears color coordinated outfits--purple, green, yellow, orange. A wonderful supporting cast (Brenda Vaccaro and Lauren Hutton) and witty dialogue make this a very enjoyable romp. It is pure fluff, but very funny and worth watching. George Hamilton is wonderful as he skewers the Zorro legend and his own lady-killer persona as well.

Deep Impact (1998)

This film is a disaster!

[1/10 · 13 June 2000]

There is not one single part of this movie that is believable in any way. The characters are cliches, the plot is so contrived as to be unintelligible, and even the special effects are cheesy. I tried really hard to find something to like about this movie since I am a fan of Morgan Freeman, but the final scene where the kid outruns the tidal wave on a motorcycle was the last straw. I want my two hours back!

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

A strangely surrealistic story of good vs. evil.

[8 February 2000]

"Night of the Hunter" is a film that defies categorization. You either get it, or you don't. You love it or you hate it. The acting is wonderful or awful. I happen to side with the viewers who love this movie. It is like a child's worst nightmare...parents die and you are left in the care of a psychopath whose only interest in you is monetary. The cinematography is visually stunning. The use of black and white film only adds to the good/evil theme. There are many images that are etched in my memory...the scene in the bedroom just after the preacher and widow are married seems almost to take place in a church. The arched window, the shadow of the windowpane making a huge cross on the ceiling...pure genius. The scene where the children are asleep in the hayloft and the crescent moon rises and moves across the sky...so beautiful. The children seem sometimes to be wise beyond their years, yet never lose their innocence. You just have to watch this film knowing it is not meant to portray reality. It is a vision, a dream, a nightmare, and I feel that is why the sets are so minimal. I've watched this movie so many times, and each time I see something different. If you are open to a film experience that is unlike any other, you will enjoy this film. It is one of cinema's most underrated masterpieces.

White Christmas (1954)

Christmas classic set in Vermont ski lodge.

[10 December 1999]

White Christmas is one of those movies you can just enjoy without having to think about why the characters act the way they do. The plot is very thin, and seems to be written just to hold the musical numbers together, but it makes for a very enjoyable movie indeed. Viewing this film has become a holiday tradition in my family, and it is great fun to quote memorable lines and sing along with Bing, Danny, Vera-Ellen, and of course, the incomparable Rosemary Clooney. We have a theater here in Austin that regularly shows classic films, and the year they screened White Christmas, there was a packed house, and everyone sang along with every song and yelled out lines, sort of like Rocky Horror Picture Show without the dressing up. White Christmas is just a fun movie, and I highly recommend it for holiday viewing. The Irving Berlin songs, the dance numbers, and yes, the "schmaltz" are just the right combination to put even the Grinchiest person in the Christmas spirit.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Tim Burton's vision of Sleepy Hollow is beautifully haunting.

[20 November 1999]

"Sleepy Hollow" is visually stunning, and very creepy in a '40's horror film sort of way. Johnny Depp delivered a tour-de-force performance as Ichabod Crane, making the character his own. The story line differs quite a bit from Washington Irving's tale, but I still found it endlessly fascinating. The special effects were pretty gory, and I found the parts where you didn't know quite what to expect scarier than the visually gory decapitations. A rather long piece of plot exposition near the end was the only flaw I noticed, and even that was not too annoying, although it did make me think that a better script could have revealed this information without one character having to explain it all for you. The total cast was superb, and Christopher Walken was wonderful as the Hessian who loses his head. All in all, I would have to recommend it to anyone who enjoyed those scary late-night horror flicks.

Duck Soup (1933)

The Marx Brothers skewer diplomacy and international relations with inspired lunacy.

[10/10 · 25 September 1999]

Duck Soup is considered by many to be the funniest and most inspired of the Marx Brothers comedies. This film has it all--hilarious sight gags, running gags, witty and rapid-fire repartee. The musical number "Freedonia's Going to War" rivals "Springtime for Hitler" as the funniest ever filmed. Thankfully, we are spared the romantic tripe that was usually included in previous Marx Brothers movies. This makes for a much funnier and more entertaining film. Even Zeppo gets a chance to show off some comic skills as Groucho's secretary. Margaret Dumont is a delight as always; befuddled and dignified as the object of Groucho's affection (and insults). This is a movie you will want to watch several times. The dialog is so fast paced and clever--you really need to listen closely to get all the jokes. Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo are in top form, and director Leo McCarey is to be congratulated for getting it all on film. Truly a classic, not to be missed comedy.

Fargo (1996)

A great movie with one of the best female characters ever written for the screen.

[10/10 · 12 September 1999]

"Fargo" is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Everything works...the acting, the location, the accents, the Cutlass Ciera. The photography is visually stunning as well. The scene where Jerry leaves Wade's office and walks to his car parked in the snow-covered lot has got to be one of the most memorable images ever filmed. Frances McDormand's portrayal of Marge Gunderson was about as perfect as a performance can be. The character of Marge is one of the best female characters ever written for the screen. She is smart, tender, sure of herself, nice, a good cop and a good wife to Norm. You just know she will be a good mother to her soon-to-be born child as well. There should be more people like Marge in the world!

If you enjoy dark comedy, you'll love "Fargo".

Charade (1963)

A classy, smart, romantic thriller in the style of Alfred Hitchcock.

[12 September 1999]

Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant are dynamite in this story of mistaken identity, murder, and stolen loot. A wonderful supporting cast includes James Coburn, George Kennedy and Walter Matthau. Things are not always what they seem, and the suspense builds right up to the surprise ending. The on-screen chemistry between Hepburn and Grant makes for a delightful romance, and the search for the murderer and stolen money is exciting and takes many unexpected twists and turns. This movie is an overlooked gem.

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957)

Unintentionally hilarious!

[3/10 · 12 September 1999]

Voted the worst movie of all time, "Plan 9 From Outer Space" lives up to its reputation--cheesy special effects, bad acting, continuity problems, stilted dialogue, and overly-dramatic narrative. However, it is arguably one of the unintentionally two funniest movies ever made (the other being "Reefer Madness"). View it as a companion piece to "Ed Wood".