Old-fashioned dark comedy fun with a kick - and the next great dog star introduced!I confess, I am a David Hewlett fan ("McKay" is one of my favorite characters of all time), also I'm a Stargateophile (gatephiliac?) and pretty serious fanatic, however, I don't automatically and blindly "love" everything out just because it's attached to Stargate, either SG-1 or Atlantis. I like to think I have an independent mind to some extent.
A Dog's Breakfast sounded like a cute project, and I enjoyed reading the Hewlett "dgeek" blog and watching the squirrels (his self-named fans) spin an ever-widening and impressive marketing buzz like never seen before. But I still reserved my opinion until I could view the film. I love the old screwball comedies, Cary Grant, Tracy & Hepburn, and I loved Peter Seller's Inspector Clouseau. These were comparisons Hewlett made for his film, and it caught my interest on a level other than sci-fi (spoken reverently).
So, when I popped this little indie film into my DVD and started watching, several things happened.
1) I fell in love with Mars the dog, totally and completely!
2) I adored Kate Hewlett (even though she'd already won me over in "McKay and Mrs. Miller" (Atlantis reference))
3) Discovered Paul McGillion was hilarious
4) Tried to mimic Chris Judge's fantastic facial expressions, and 5) I totally loved the screwball, far-fetched and often exceedingly clever film
Silly? Oh ya. Goofy? Most definitely. Over the top? You betcha. But, it also had this core of sweetness (not sloppy, icky, sticky sweetness, but good, warm, real sweetness), a warmth running through it that was subtle and unmistakable. The behind-the-scenes stuff on the DVD opened me up to the Dog's Breakfast "inner circle" so I felt a part of the movie and the inside jokes, which is not only a clever marketing angle, but it also increased my enjoyment and gave me a real connection to the crew and the film...and made me salivate (my homage to Mars) in anticipation of their next film.
So, bottom line: fun movie with a lot of energy, nice subtle yet warm "moral," laughs galore, a few groans of mock-agony as it went over the top here and there, and I grinned, giggled and laughed out loud through the entire film. And I wanted a signed photo of Mars in the worst way! LOL
I own the movie and have watched it multiple times. I'm thinking it's going to be a great Christmas gift.... Starship Troopers: Interplanetary Bugs Make For Space Camp  This is a film I only watched by chance--I thought it was something else. Here is one of those flicks you won't believe anyone would really enjoy. Also, I think you may have to be a little different in the sense of humor department, but I qualify proudly in that area.
The story goes like this ... once upon a time in the future there is a world where, to be a citizen, you must do a stint in the government military. From there you are able to go into a career, or choose to stay in the service. One fateful day, a devastating meteor shower demolishes parts of earth. However, it is not an innocent natural disaster. No sir-ee Bob. It was a strategically launched barrage from outer space insects (huge insects, of course).
Wait, don't give up on the story yet! Stay with me a bit longer ...
 
Intelligence (no rude comments please) discovered a plot by the large extraterrestrial bugs to demolish all mankind. Our stalwart young heroes and heroines finish their training and go on a search-and-destroy mission of all alien insects. Sadly, the inexperienced young people get wiped out by the hundreds, until they learn of the location of "The Brain Bug." If they could capture and control it, they would gain the upper hand ...
Okay, you think I have a screw loose. But I'm going to tell you, this movie was interesting. The format was an affectionate recreation of the classic 50's atomic-age sci-fi flicks, mutated with the classic war drama formula. The music, narration, look, all re-created faithfully. The humor was definitely campy, and deliberate for tone and texture. The special effects were really good.
This is sci-fi camp done with quality, and it has become a true sci-fi classic. Rated R for gore (lots and lots of gooey bug guts!) and a nude community shower scene. Stars Casper Van Dien, Neil Patrick Harris, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, and Jake Busey. Co-stars Michael Ironside as the tough commander with a "heart-of-gold."
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Mr. Stewart in a gentler time  Capra's classic film is from a time where ideals and standing on moral principles were clearcut, and less complicated. It reflected a wholesomeness and faith in right and wrong that is, sadly, quite blurred these days.
Capra is a legend for a reason. This film is a good example of his winning touch, and the way he not only allows his actors to shine, but he lets the actors present the story in an effective way - without any heavy handedness. Stewart, Arthur, and Rains shine.
Watching Jimmy Stewart make his stand, going hoarse from his determination to see his point to the end, always evokes a bit of nostalgia within me. I'm sorry we don't see that kind of moral conviction these days.
This film is an apt representation of its generation. I highly recommend it for those who want to see America the way it used to be seen.
Krippendorf's Tribe: Dreyfuss drums up some trouble with Dharma  Richard Dreyfuss wears body paint, feathers, and a specific body part sheath in Krippendorf's Tribe. He plays widowed anthropologist James Krippendorf, a man in a pickle.
After the loss of his wife and partner, he is in a depression. His three kids are raising themselves, and the house is a shambles. Worse still, the grant money he'd received for his last project is gone. And now his benefactors want filmed proof of his research - the existence of a lost New Guinea tribe.
Problem is, the tribe is still lost. That is where the screwball antics begin. Krippendorf must provide film or be prosecuted for fraud. With the help of his two sons, reluctant older daughter, a yard and garden store, old documentary footage, and their backyard, the Krippendorfs find the lost tribe, the Shellmickedmu. (His kids' names are Shelly, Mick, and Edmund, get it?)
The fun comes from watching a "salvation operation" of some archived footage edited into an entire tribe with family and adolescent rituals.
Krippendorf and "his tribe" become famous with the overzealous help of his former anthropology student, Jenna Elfman (from TV's Dharma and Greg), who has a knack for promotion - and trouble. The tables get turned on her, then the trick is, how to get out of the mess.
I enjoy watching Dreyfuss. This could be a brainless movie, except for his ability to add dimension to his characters. Elfman is a cutie, but there wasn't much chemistry with Dreyfuss.
However, the film is still entertaining, and definitely good for a few chuckles and smiles. Kids will like the body humor, most adults the bawdy humor, but little kids probably won't "get it."
Negatives? No chemistry (in my opinion) between Elfman and Dreyfuss.
Rated PG-13 for adult content and innuendo, some mature subject matter, and crude humor. Co-stars Lily Tomlin as an over-the-top, competitive, "thorn in the side" colleague.
The Wedding Singer: Singing Sandler and darling Drew, who woulda thought it?  I don't remember the hairstyles being quite so awful in the 1980s! But I digress...
I enjoyed watching this silly flick as much as I had dreaded the thought of it originally. I really enjoyed watching Adam Sandler play the title character right on mark.
I kept expecting all the goofiness to turn slapstick or idiotic, but instead, the film became almost charming (in an offbeat sort of way), with even a few nicely played dramatic moments.
The wedding singer's true-love is played by Drew Barrymore, who falls for the singer slowly, being the last one to figure out her long-time fiancé is a jerk. Of course, the path of true-love is never smooth, and with Sandler, he'd find rocks in a bowl of Jell-O®.
Rated PG-13 for mature content and language. Co-stars Steve Buscemi, Jon Lovitz, and a cameo spot by Billy Idol portraying himself.
Poseidon: Ship sank, movie didn't...if you're a real disaster fan  Being a fan of the original movie, The Poseidon Adventure, and Irwin Allen disaster movies (well, most any disaster flick, actually), I wanted to see Poseidon very much. And being a big Kurt Russell fan made it even more of a "must see" for me.
I'd heard the "professional" reviewers and critics make their comparisons, pick at the movie and make their "educated" and highly paid opinions known. I ignored them, as usual, and wanted to be my own reviewer.
Because of circumstances, I wasn't able to go to the theater to watch it (drats!) so impatiently waited for it to come to DVD. I started hunting on eBay immediately and found a great deal, so I bought it sight unseen.
I am very glad I did! Poseidon is a fun, action-packed "old cinema meets new" escapist film. The special effects, the larger-than-life actions, and even some good old-fashioned heroes, made this a fun film for those of us who like to watch movies for the fantasy, fun and "not real life" quality!
I enjoyed Poseidon thoroughly. I didn't compare it with the first Poseidon movie (and hope you don't, since the only similarity is the ship going upside down!). And I don't care whether the story was well-rounded or not, if characters were under-developed or overdone, if the lighting was fake, that the water was bigger than life...I don't care what the critics said or how they picked it apart. I enjoyed the action, the fantasy, the fun, the escapism, the popcorn-munching-high-volume-sitting-in-the-dark-forgetting-the-real-world quality of watching Poseidon...in other words, it was a delight to become absorbed in a fun film like I did when I was younger and a movie could enthrall, thrill and delight me. When a movie ticket was a big deal and worth the money!
For anyone who enjoys non-stop action, fun characters, good actors, big special effects and wants to watch a modern disaster film with an old-fashioned disaster epic feel, check out Poseidon! I'll be keeping my copy and watching it many more times!
Lake Placid: Humor and the beast  Amidst some very pleasing scenery, there is an air of terror. Something is in the lake...
This is one of those "nature goes amok" films that are usually hokey, fairly to completely stupid, and often campy. However, for fans of this type of genre, they are pretty enjoyable no matter how corny.
Such is the case with Lake Placid. There's a preposterous story, a rather used concept of an overgrown alligator let loose to wreak havoc on mankind, and lots of dramatic music.
However, I absolutely enjoyed the heck out of this movie!
The special effects are really good, and even though we all know an alligator can't grow to be that size, they sure made it look good on-screen.
Other definitely positive points of this film are the actors (Pullman and Fonda look very good together), but as often happens, the supporting cast "steal the show." Oliver Platt and Betty White dominate their scenes with their facial expressions, and general presence. They were very funny.
That leads me to my favorite part of this movie ... the humorous banter, and sarcasm. This is a funny movie, with a few good moments of suspense, and nice scenery.
If you know you're in for a fantasy-fiction film, you can appreciate it for what it is. There's too much fun at Lake Placid to ruin it with a reality check!
Negatives? Story isn't too original, but the other elements make up for it in my opinion. The Edge: Conflicts of nature and the nature of man  It seems genres come in waves, or groups, and there have been a number of "nature thrillers" and "natural disaster" survival films over the past few years. Some better than others. (I haven't complained because I enjoy them--even bad ones are fun in my opinion.)
Another story in this genre is available on video. But, it isn't quite the same. For starters, this film has the incredible acting talents of Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Mr. Alec Baldwin. Superb actors.
Hopkins lends a depth of quality to his performance, bringing an otherwise average movie to another level. His mature, savvy character is forced to match wits with Baldwin's cunning, passionate character, creating a survival "game" of battling intellects, bringing both men to The Edge - the edge of sanity, survival, integrity, humanity.
There is suspense, a touch of mystery, sprinkles of humor, and a dash of "will he or won't he?" all tossed together in the harshly beautiful Alaskan wilderness. Circumstances and a human hand stir the mix well to make for a very interesting film.
Negatives? The story itself isn't remarkable, but the performances and characters are fascinating and engrossing. There are a couple scenes that are highly improbable, but they are easily overlooked for the whole experience.
Rated R for violence, language, and adult content. Co-stars another fine performer, Bart the bear.
Deep Rising: A real Treat -- sci-fi fun from the deep  I stumbled across a great 90's "creature feature" with all the elements of an old-fashioned monster movie, while using the great technology of this generation. The flick I'm referring to is, Deep Rising, starring Treat Williams.
"Rising" begins with Williams and his crew transporting some very rough looking individuals to a luxury liner. Williams is a bit of a rogue, who doesn't question his passengers, just takes their money. However, this time, he has taken on a rough group - and some heavy artillery.
Once the cargo is discovered, Williams and crew decide it would be better to discontinue the "charter." But, it's too little, too late, as they say, and they have reached the liner.
Once aboard, there is an eerie emptiness, and signs of foul play. What happened to the passengers and crew? Well, it's not the Love Boat, that's for sure.
The terrorists have no one to terrorize, and Williams' bunch try to get away. But, oh oh. No such luck. There seems to be a gruesome obstacle with wide-mouthed tentacles, and a gazillion nasty teeth, endless arms, and formidable eating etiquette.
I especially enjoyed Williams, the creature, and the action-filled humor. The monster was one of the coolest I've seen in a while. Warning: he is blood thirsty - literally - and has very poor manners, so the film becomes rather gory. But what fun!
Negatives? Great gory, creature filled fun, with a biting sense of humor, but you have to enjoy this type of genre to appreciate it.
Rated R for violence, gore, and language. Co-stars Famke Janssen, Derrick O'Connor, and Anthony Heald.
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