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Reviews
Green Lantern (2011)
Never got the hate, even by Ryan....
It really isn't that bad. A bit more character building could have been done, enemy building, but it wasn't bad. I always liked it. The acting was never bad. There's been worse stories. The only real downside to me is the lack of time and building as I mentioned, kudos otherwise.
Real Men (1987)
A forgotten gem of 80s comedies
Why lie? It's a movie of nonsense. It's John Ritter and John Belushi at their funniest by being themselves. From the music do Belushi'a humor to the silliness of Ritter it's a smack out of the park home. Why not a 10/10? Ehhhh that would be a perfect movie, but for what it is, 8 for sure. There's so many times to LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF from the clown scene to where Ritter thinks he's shooting them with a finger gun, to the scene with Belushi's family. Oh, it's a rare movie you can actually watch in full on YouTube too. But from seeing this as a boy on ch11 WPIX on weekend afternoons to loving it growing up, it's timeless silliness. Let's be honest, it's not Emmy quality, but they weren't trying for it, and it's just a fun flick that makes you laugh in nearly every scene and that alone makes you truly appreciate it.
Patient Zero (2018)
Not bad for a low budget indy zombie movie
Stanley Tucci is one of best actors around so if he took this role the script must've intrigued him, and possibly looked good at the least. The acting isn't bad. The movie was little short for my taste, but not bad. Stanley adds a psychological touch to each role and this was no different. I wish this had a conclusive ending, that's my only real gripe, well that and not learning more of Patient 0. It wasn't badly written or done and I found it underrated overall for a low budget Indy zombie flick.
Brightburn (2019)
Very underrated indy horror flick
Stellar. Extremely well done. Good acting by all characters. Elizabeth Banks never disappointed. It's What if Superman was Superman from III but the bad side from the origin? Never slow moving, but also has creepy, gory scenes. Not heart pulling from the mother's delusions of him being her baby boy, it's straight sci-fi/horror. Omen II, Splice, Orphan, Superman III/I all melded together. Better than you'd think by the trailer and description, I promise.
One Crazy Summer (1986)
From the creator of Big Bang Theory comes 80's zaniness...
I used to look forward to this on Saturdays in the 80's on NY's channel 11 ('NY's movie station'). It was so great.
Demi when she was first getting started, Cusack in his dry humor perfect voiced roots as well, Revenge Of The Nerds Booger playing against character as the unconfident loser, and what's an 80's movie without the blond snooty a-hole from the money side of the tracks. From the girls who made goofy faces that stayed to the lunatic uncle who spent his summers trying to win a call-in radio contest to even 80's goofball Bobcat Goldthwait it was fantastic. Oh and let's not forget the fat guy who sat on the chair over George causing paramedics come and fight over who will do CPR. This and Better Off Dead were truly John Cusack's best in my opinion, oh look, another great Booger/Cusack collaboration... and let's not forget Demi knows Dow!!
Life of the Party (2018)
Could barely get through 1/3
If it wasn't for Stephen Root I'd give it 1 star. Since everything in Hollywood is recycled now, this was no exception as it was a blatant rip off of mid-80's Rodney Dangerfield hit, 'Back To School' except whereas he had fun, she's going to complete her life, the common premise exists that they both made their college kid uncomfortable in the process.
I've concluded on Melissa McCarthy, unless she has a strong #2 comedic counterpart, her movie will just drone on until you pull your hair out, hence Ghostbusters, Identity Theft, Bridesmaids as opposed to Tammy, The Heat, and THIS^. Her career is more miss than hit, and funny, sure, but solo, she's no Zack Gali.... from The Hangover, you know who I mean, but even Hollywood knows enough to pair him up to get a winner (The Campaign being a perfect example). This movie was painful to sit through. I focused more in my phone than my television screen.
The 'Burbs (1989)
The story of my Edison, N.J. childhood
Growing up on a cul-de-sac with 11 houses you identified with this movie, the paranoia of slightly different new neighbors, longtime residents on the street who grow odd bonds, that 1 annoying dog (for my family it was an unfriendly neighbor's German Shepherd who was equally unfriendly and nearly bit my other neighbor's kid's a$$ off, i remember loving when WPIX ('NY's movie station') played this almost every Saturday afternoon in the 90's because when you relate to it, it's all the funnier. It had 1 star, one older name, one faded name, no gigantic names beyond what Hanks became at that point, but you didn't need it because of how memorable it became from Corey Feldman (who made every film better that he did from Gremlins up to this), to the trio of male neighbors, and as they realize the paranoia is legitimate, it just gets better. This and The Money Pit were Hanks comedic best.
Krampus (2015)
Memorable classic
In an age in which we Hollywood feeds us annual cheesy family melding comedies or goofball celebrity performances to get a laugh out of, this went in the other direction to scare you while also using the reality of what many experience during holidays (i know my cousins were like that, not so much rude, just difficult to be around) to make you appreciate it all more as it goes against the grain but is so well done it instantly becomes a holiday classic.
It stars a good hearted boy living a tough life as his parents are on the outs, and his cousins that are about his age are crude and pick on him, so life is a bit rough. The 1 person he has is his grandmother. When he wishes it all away to get back the life he had of joy and happiness, Krampus comes with his band of Christmas-themes demons to torment them all.
In an age of sap, this tosses in some Halloween and some laughs while entertaining you in the process. VERY well done!!
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014)
Much cuter than the harsh reviews it's getting
If you want Home Alone or Parenthood (1989) this isn't it. It's a cute movie wrapping a day of Murphy's Law into 124 minutes. It's honestly cute and if you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid (the original), you'll appreciate this. It's quick moving, but the acting of Jennifer Garner, Steve Carell make it work, and the young kids make it into a cute movie that will get some laughs.
In 2018 you don't find many non-Oscar, non-Comic book, non-horror, non-R rated comedy movies, so for the few you get that actually aren't trainwrecks (ya know, like Father Figures), enjoy the few examples we have like this that just let you get a few goofy laughs and appreciate it for being just that.
As a guy i remember being a 12 year old boy vividly. I never had siblings, but as someone who has memories of being 12, i appreciate this for what it is, and that's really all you should do and not over-think it
Happy Together (2018)
Waste of Damon's talent
Couldn't even get halfway through the 1st episode. Between the laugh track going to mediocre jokes and it just being bad, there's no way it will be renewed for a 2nd season. Damon needs to be paired with other strong comedians like on happy endings. I hope for his sake he joins his dad on Lethal Weapon.