“The Peanut Butter Falcon” Movie Review

    After seeing the trailer for “The Peanut Butter Falcon”, I knew I really wanted to see it but I just never got around to seeing it in the theaters.  Unfortunately, I just don’t have the time to see every movie in the theaters considering I work full time.  When the film got released to DVD and Blu-ray, I knew I would end up picking it up and I did just that.  So after a long wait, I am finally able to review this film.  Hold your applause please.

    The film tells the story of Zak, a young man with Down syndrome who longs to become a professional wrestler like his hero the Salt Water Redneck.  Watching old VHS tapes of the Salt Water Redneck, he dreams of attending his wrestling school.  Unfortunately for Zak, he is living in a nursing home under the supervision of Eleanor.  Zak escapes the nursing home with some assistance from his fellow resistances.  On the run, he meets up with small town crook Tyler and the pair set off on an adventure together before eventually forming a bond along the way.

    This film feels very much like a retelling of “Huckleberry Finn” (deliberately so by the filmmakers in fact) which is sort of refreshing in this day and age.  As much as I love big blockbusters, it is nice to see small and personal films every now and then, especially a film like this.  This film was made with love and it shows.

    The film stars Zack Gottsagen as Zak and he is very much the heart and soul of the movie.  The filmmakers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz cast Zack in the lead role after meeting with him at an actors bootcamp and becoming inspired by him.  The filmmakers were actually offered money not to hire Gottsagen, but they stood by their choice and it paid off beautifully.

    Shia LaBeouf also stars as the troubled Tyler.  LaBeouf is excellent in the film and this film stands as a testament to how great he can be.  LaBeouf actually got into legal trouble due to his drinking problems during the production of this film and in a case of real life mirroring film, it was the friendship he formed with Gottsagen that helped straighten the actor out.  Dakota Johnson also shined as Eleanor and proved she has more to offer than the “50 Shades” franchise.  I should also point out that Bruce Dern was a real standout despite a short appearance.

    If I had any criticism of this film, it would just be that some of the relationships depicted in the film seemed a bit rushed and because of this, I didn’t feel they felt as organic as perhaps they could have felt.  That being said, the performances of the three leads helped gloss over that some.

    On a side note, as a WWE fan, it was sort of cool seeing a film depicting wrestling as one of it’s main story elements.  The fact that Mick Foley and Jake “The Snake” Roberts also make appearances in the film just makes it that much better.

    “The Peanut Butter Falcon” almost feels like a throwback film these days.  It’s personal and heartfelt and the performances really help make the film feel special.  If you are a Mark Twain fan (or WWE fan for that matter), “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a must.

Grade: B+

“Yesterday” Movie Review

    Yesterday I watched the film “Yesterday” (see what I did there) for the first time and was eager to get this review written.  I had wanted to see this film in the cinema but it got sort of lost in the crowded summer movie season.  You can only watch so many movies a week after all.  I am a big fan of The Beatles so this movie really sparked my interest.  Now that the film is available on blu-ray and DVD, I finally was able to sit down and watch it.

    The film tells the story of a struggling musician named Jack who is about to quit his dreams of making it big despite the encouragement of his friend and manager Ellie.  After Jack gets hit by a bus, he wakes up to a world without any knowledge of The Beatles.  Jack freaks out at first (as one would) but then sees an opportunity to pass off the songs of The Beatles as his own.  After some time, Jack’s fame expands and he becomes one of the biggest musical talents of all time but it may cost him something more valuable than money and fame, it may cost him the love of his life.

    I really enjoyed “Yesterday” quite a bit and thought the film felt very original.  The script was written by Richard Curtis and while Curtis is known for his quirky love stories, adding an equally quirky premise to the script makes it feel refreshingly different.  Director Danny Boyle also helps elevate the script with his very intimate filming style no matter the scope of a scene.

    The film is very fun at times and doesn’t take itself too seriously.  One of my favorite aspects of the film is that Jack has so much trouble remembering all the lyrics to the Beatles songs, even getting some of them wrong.  It’s one of those simple things you wouldn’t immediately think a movie like this would cover but it does so in an amusing way.  The only aspect of the film I was a bit indifferent towards was how the film ended.  The ending wasn’t bad but wasn’t what I was expecting either.  I had wondered if at one point the film’s ending was going to go in another direction.

    The film’s lead Himesh Patel was amazing and I see a bright future for him.  Patel is able to convey so many emotions through his eyes that he doesn’t even need to speak a word of dialogue to express his feelings.  Lily James was also very good as Ellie.  From the very beginning, you hope Jack and Ellie get together and that is largely due to the chemistry Patel and James share.  The only weak link with the acting comes from Ed Sheeran.  Sheeran wasn’t as terrible in the movie as some reviewers might say, but he didn’t reach the level of excellence Patel and James reached so his performance unfortunately stood out more.

    “Yesterday” was a fun and sweet movie with a killer soundtrack.  I really can’t imagine someone disliking this film even if they didn’t enjoy it as much as I did.  I can’t imagine a world without the music of The Beatles in it, but now I can’t imagine a world without “Yesterday” in it as well.

Grade: A-

“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” Movie Review

    It is getting around the time of year when studios start releasing spooky films in hopes they might have legs until Halloween, however some studios release their films around summer in time for a Halloween release on home video.  “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” decided to gamble on a late summer release so it will be interesting to see if the film does better on DVD and Blu-ray than it did at the multiplex.  The film is based on the book series by Alvin Schwartz and the illustrations by Stephen Gammell.

    The film tells the story of friends Stella, Auggie and Chuck as they get their revenge on bully Tommy on Halloween night only to have Tommy chase them to a local drive in theater where the trio hide in the vehicle of Ramón.  The group decides to check out the Bellows haunted house after and they discover a secret room where Sarah Bellows was supposedly locked away.  The group get locked away in the room when Tommy finds them.  Upon discovering the diary of Sarah Bellows, they are eerily set free and each go home.  The diary begins to add a scary story by itself about the bully Tommy and a scarecrow.  Once Tommy goes missing, the group realize that maybe something is going on with the diary and they are write, for the book begins to write scary stories about them all.  Now they must race to figure out how to stop the diary before it is too late.

    Let me start by saying this is an enjoyable horror film geared towards the pre teen demographic.  The film contains plenty of jump scares and twisted visuals but nothing too graphic either.  The creepy visuals might by too much for some younger visuals but young adults will no doubt enjoy the frights.  It’s amazing how the drawings of the book seem to come alive and the visual flair of Guillermo del Toro is easy to see in the movie.  It is definitely a creepy experience.

    The story plays out with plenty of scares but not much character development.  The four main characters aren’t given a lot to do except seem scared.  Gabriel Rush reminds me of a young Jason Sudeikis but that was about all I took away from his performance, while Austin Zajur seemed to channel Shia LaBeouf throughout the film.

    One aspect that I thought took something away from the movie slightly was that the film shared a plot that was very similar to the recent “Goosebumps” adaptation.  Seeing as how both films were also based on popular young adult horror books, it slightly took away from an overall enjoyable film going experience.  They just needed to change up the plot device a bit more in my opinion.

    “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” will probably never be considered a classic but it has such a unique style that it shouldn’t fade away completely either.  It is an overall enjoyable popcorn flick and I have a feeling the film will be destined to cult classic status at the very least.

Grade: B-

“I Spy” Movie Review

    Once upon a time, I used to go out to the movies at least once a week with my parents (before they sadly passed away) and one movie I remember my dad really wanting to see was “I Spy” because he was a fan of the original show.  I never actually did see the original television show but the film looked funny and I have always been a big Eddie Murphy fan.  This movie has a special place in my heart partly because it reminds me of my dad and I am glad it is finally getting a wide Blu-ray release.

    The film tells the story of a spy named Alex Scott as he is paired with hotshot boxer Kelly Robinson on a mission to recover a stealth fighter named the Switchblade.  The fighter was taken by an arms dealer named Arnold Gundars but Scott and Robinson have to learn how to get along before taking down Gundars and recovering the Switchblade.

    “I Spy” was met with mediocre reviews and was quickly forgotten.  While I don’t think the film was a masterpiece at all, I did find the film to be fun.  The biggest fault I can say about the film is that it played everything a little too safe and was a bit by the numbers.  “I Spy” actually had a few well executed action set pieces but they often got overshadowed by the constant banter of Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson.

    The original television show starred Robert Culp as Kelly Robinson and Bill Cosby as Alex Scott (the film swapped the character’s races around).  Unlike this remake, the television show also featured both men as spies and equals from the very beginning.  The original show had more in common with James Bond than “Beverly Hills Cop”, which is part of the reason many critics considered this film to be a ‘in name only’ remake.

    The original television show also pioneered new grounds by featuring the first black lead actor in a drama series.  Both Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy do a decent job with the material they are given, but they also don’t have much chemistry together either.  Malcolm McDowell as Arnold Gundars is the real scene stealer in my book.

    I actually got a chance to meet Robert Culp before he passed away at the Motor City Comic Con and he ironically autographed an “I Spy” script for me.  I wonder if including Culp and Cosby might have made this remake a little better.  Side note: I did not know that Robert Culp had a grandson who raps (stage name Bones) who was raised in my town of Howell, Michigan.  You learn something interesting everyday and it really is a small world.

    Thank you Mill Creek Entertainment for providing me a review copy and letting me relive a fond memory I have of seeing this movie with my dad.  I also had a fun time rewatching this movie as well.  “I Spy” is definitely an overlooked action/comedy that deserves more attention.

Grade: B-

Buy “I Spy” on Blu-ray Here!!!

“Roxanne” Movie Review

    One of my favorite films as a kid was the Steve Martin romantic comedy “Roxanne”.  I am not sure if it was because of the subject matter or because of Steve Martin’s large clownish nose.  Steve Martin, in his prime, was easily one of the funniest people alive.  Thanks to the good folks at Mill Creek Entertainment, I was able to revisit one of my childhood favorites with a wonderful new blu-ray release.

    The film is a retelling of the classic “Cyrano de Bergerac” in which Martin plays an updated version of Cyrano de Bergerac named C.D. in this film.  When newcomer Roxanne arrives into C.D.’s town, he is immediately drawn to her not only for her beauty but because they get along so well.  C.D.’s feelings are unrequited however as Roxanne doesn’t find him attractive (due to his comically large nose) and is instead attracted to C.D.’s fellow firefighter Chris.  C.D. agrees to help Chris in his quest to court Roxanne and tell her the things she would like to hear from him.  C.D. channels his own feelings for Roxanne and has Chris repeat what he says.  Roxanne falls in love with Chris due largely to the things he tells her.  Unfortunately, things don’t go too well with Chris and Roxanne.  Later on, Roxanne ends up finding out that it was actually C.D. saying all those beautiful and romantic things to her.  What will she do knowing how C.D. really feels about her?

    Steve Martin led a good cast with a knockout performance.  Martin had good chemistry with Daryl Hannah in one of her best performances to date.  While the film is a great romantic comedy, it also doesn’t take itself too seriously.  It’s rare for a romantic comedy to allow itself to be silly.  One aspect of the film I find ironic is that Steve Martin’s character isn’t considered good looking because of his huge news right around the time French actor Gerard Depardieu was being hailed as a sex symbol here in the United States.  Depardieu has a nose that rivals Martin’s prosthetic nose in this film.

    The film was a critical and box office success and after rewatching it, it’s easy to see why.  The film still holds up fairly well as well.  I am just thankful to Mill Creek Entertainment for allowing me to relive a childhood favorite (complete with an incredibly cool retro VHS slip cover).  “Roxanne” is a must see classic worth a watch now!

Grade: B+

Buy “Roxanne” on Blu-ray with a Retro VHS Slip Cover Here!!! Also Available on DVD Here!!!

Editorial: Why Mill Creek Entertainment Is the Film Buffs Best Friend

    I can’t tell you how many films I know have yet to be released on blu-ray (or even DVD for that matter).  It can be very frustrating for a movie buff to not have access to certain films except on VHS.  Thankfully, there are certain film distributors who cater to movie collectors with a wide array of rare releases but the company I feel is leading the pack is Mill Creek Entertainment.

    With films like “The Abyss” without a blu-ray release, smaller films such as “High School High” seemed unlikely to see anything better than it’s original standard definition full screen release.  It was a funny film and a movie I remembered fondly but it was hardly a film on the level of “The Abyss”.  Imagine my delight when I found out that Mill Creek Entertainment was releasing “High School High” on blu-ray.  Now, Mill Creek Entertainment isn’t the only company producing obscure titles, but they do produce more catalog titles than some of their peers.  I love Arrow, Kino Lorber, MVD, and other boutique labels like them as well as Mill Creek Entertainment but they simply do not release films on the level of Mill Creek.  One could argue which company has the ‘best’ films, but that boils down to personal opinion so there are no right answers.  In the end, regardless of which companies titles are ‘better’, we as movie buffs are grateful for all of these labels for providing rare catalog titles to us.

    Mill Creek Entertainment has a large selection of cult hits available on blu-ray and DVD and seem to unearth many forgotten classics.  From the films of Andy Sidaris to cultural phenomenons like “Ultraman”, Mill Creek Entertainment continues to provide some of the best underground hits available to film buffs.  Speaking of “Ultraman”, Mill Creek Entertainment just announced several blu-ray season sets starting with “Ultra Q” and “Ultraman” in October.  I am eagerly looking forward to both releases (especially the steelbook editions).

    As a television fan, Mill Creek Entertainment has become the top distributor of classic television sets on DVD and Blu-ray.  As a blu-ray fanatic, I love their sets of classic shows like “Quantum Leap” and “Miami Vice”.  They have also released an incredible set for the last great American sitcom, “That 70s Show”.  How can you not love a company who provides physical media releases of some of the greatest shows ever?  The company is even releasing a full series set of “Charlie’s Angels” to coincide with the release of the upcoming movie.

    Unlike other film distributors, Mill Creek Entertainment has also managed to stay ahead of the curve with their release of a new streaming service called ‘Movie Spree’.  Movie Spree is offering a ton of their catalog titles instantly through their streaming service right now.  Movie Spree offers those obscure titles that Netflix and Hulu would never bother to stream.

    While I do love other film distributors like Arrow and Kino Lorber, they often want quite a lot for their releases.  As an individual not swimming in cash (cashiers don’t tend to make a fortune), I very much appreciate the fact that Mill Creek Entertainment has always provided their titles at super reasonable prices.  How many studios have tons of titles available for $15 or less?  I don’t know of many off the top of my head.

    Lastly, I do admit that Mill Creek Entertainment has been generous enough to provide me review copies but that is part of what makes the company so great.  They are extremely costumer focused and hugely supportive of the film community.  My blog, for instance, may not be much for now but they understand the importance word of mouth among us film buffs is.  I can’t tell you how many film buffs I work with and how often we talk about new video releases, yet alone how many film buffs I connect with online.

    Mill Creek Entertainment has come along way in the last few years from when they primarily released public domain titles.  I am just so happy to have a company how understands the importance of physical media and the power of the film loving community as a whole.  Thank you for bringing a smile to my face countless times Mill Creek Entertainment, you guys are the best!

“Space Station” Movie Review

    When I requested a review copy of “Space Station”, I didn’t realize what a treat Mill Creek Entertainment would provide me until I started rewatching it.  Mill Creek Entertainment has just released a fantastic 4K transfer of this IMAX film.  This movie was actually previously released by Warner Bros. in a 3D version as well so film collectors like myself may have to get both versions depending on the experience they want.  I would like to thank Mill Creek Entertainment for providing me this review copy because it means a great deal to me (I will get into that in a little bit).

    The film (which clocks in at 47 minutes long) is a documentary which shows the lives of astronauts from the Kennedy Space Center as they prepare to leave the Earth to embark on their mission to space.  Once in space, they are tasked with completing work on the International Space Station with the help of the cosmonauts already there.  The film shows the majestic beauty of space and the hardships the astronauts have to go through.

    The film is an enlightening piece of media for any fan of NASA or space exploration.  I have to admit that the film feels more important now that interest in space exploration has sadly weaned over the years.  The crisp visuals showcased in 4K help make you feel like you are in outer space with the astronauts.  It can be truly breathtaking to watch and it only makes me want to compare the 4K and 3D versions now to see which feels most immersive to view.

    The film is famous for being the first production of an IMAX 3D film to shoot in space.  It was narrated by Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise but his narration honestly adds little to the viewing experience.  In a documentary like this, star power adds little to the overall experience.

    Now I mentioned that this movie had a special meaning to me earlier and that is because I had actually seen this film in an IMAX 3D theater years ago with my parents (they have both passed away since).  I didn’t realize it was the same movie until I started watching it.

    Ultimately this is a movie for fans of NASA and documentaries but anyone can still appreciate the beauty of space with this film.  If you are looking to get lost, you could do far worse than taking a trip to the International Space Station. Plus with a short runtime, it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.

Grade: B

Buy “Space Station” on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Here!!!!

“Opportunity Knocks” Movie Review

    The late 80s and early 90s were a golden era for “Saturday Night Live” and one of the standout performers was Dana Carvey.  Carvey was always a gifted comedian and has managed to shine in everything he has starred in no matter the material he is given.  To date, Carvey is best known for co-starring in “Wayne’s World” and it’s sequel, a film based on a “Saturday Night Live” sketch which also featured Mike Myers.  I was extremely curious to watch “Opportunity Knocks” because I am a big Dana Carvey fan so when I found out that Mill Creek Entertainment was releasing this film on blu-ray, I had to check it out.

    The movie follows con men Eddie and Lou as they attempt to rip people off to pay back a gangster.  After destroying the gangster’s car, Eddie and Lou split up to get away from his thugs.  While attempting to break into a house earlier, the pair had discovered a beautiful home in which the owner was away from for a period of time.  Via an answering machine, the pair had discovered the house sitter wasn’t going to show up so Eddie decides to hide out at the house.  After spending a night there, Eddie is surprised to meet Milt and Mona, the home owner’s parents.  The couple mistake Eddie for Jonathan, the friend who was supposed to house sit.  When Eddie realizes how much money Milt has, he starts a romantic con with Milt and Mona’s daughter.  Everything goes well until Eddie actually begins to fall in love with her.

    Dana Carvey has always been a favorite comedian of mine ever since his days on “Saturday Night Live”.  Carvey has always been able to surround himself with some of the best talent of all time (if you need any proof, watch the Hulu documentary “Too Funny To Fail: The Life & Death of the Dana Carvey Show”) and he shines best playing off of other comedians.  When Dana Carvey is given starring roles, he tends to go a little over board and hams it up a little too much.  While “Opportunity Knocks” isn’t the hamfest “Master of Disguise” turned out to be, Carvey has a habit of going over the top even in this film.  That isn’t to say I disliked the film, but a slightly more reserved performance might have enhanced the film some.

    Aside from Carvey, the supporting cast is surprisingly strong.  Todd Graff plays Lou in the film and has a good chemistry with Carvey.  When Graff shares scenes with Carvey, he enhances the veteran comedian.  The great Robert Loggia shines in this comedy.  Julia Campbell is also very good and it is a bit surprising she didn’t end up doing more after this performance.

    One thing that bothered me a little about the movie was how easily Milt and his family all forgave Eddie after he conned them.  For me, this unrealistic action removed any heart the film was going for.  That being said, the movie does score some bonus points in it’s favor for Carvey’s President George H.W. Bush imitation.

    The movie isn’t terrible but isn’t the comedic showcase Carvey deserves either.  Some comedians just deserve greatness and just plain average is a bit sad to see.  Still, it’s a trip back to the 90s where things felt simpler and there are definitely a lot worse comedies out there.

Grade: C+

Buy “Opportunity Knocks” with a Retro VHS Cover on Blu-ray Here!!!

“Brainscan” Movie Review

    I am not the biggest horror expert in the world so there are quite a few horror movies I am still discovering.  From time to time, I watch ‘new to me’ cult classics provided to me through review copies.  Unlike some other horror movies I get however, I had actually heard of the movie “Brainscan” and requested it directly from Mill Creek Entertainment.  Mill Creek was kind enough to provide me the film and I very much looked forward to seeing it.

    The film follows a young man named Michael as he agrees to play a game called Brianscan after his friend Kyle encourages him to.  Michael plays the first game and kills someone in the game.  Upon doing so, he is greeted by a character in the game called the Trickster and finds out that the murder he committed in the game turned out to be real.  Now, Michael isn’t sure if he is losing his mind or if he is actually a killer.  Michael finds himself in over his head as the Trickster manipulates Michael into killing his friend Kyle and covering up his murder.

    The movie received negative reviews upon it’s release but has since become something of a cult classic since.  I found the movie to be interesting and thought the character of the Trickster to be really unique.  I can understand critics not being blown away by aspects of the film, but I find it odd that so few of them saw the good in the film.

    The film was directed by John Flynn and starred Edward Furlong a few years after co-starring in the smash hit “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”.  Flynn did not have a good experience working with Furlong on the film.  Frank Langella plays a detective in the film but isn’t given much to do.  T. Ryder Smith is given the most creative freedom as the Trickster and does a stellar job.  Smith’s performance was inspired by rock stars such as Alice Cooper and he doesn’t disappoint.

    This movie is interesting because it takes a stand on the video game violence debate by basically equating simulated violence to actual violence.  Not only is it a talking point brought up a few times in the film, but the basic concept of the film seemingly makes the argument that there is little difference between video game violence and real life violence.  I wonder if this stance might have been why the movie wasn’t more popular.  It’s hard to sell a movie to an audience when your audience as a whole tends to disagree with your stance (also a bit hypocritical to target a teenage audience with a violent movie while stating that simulated violence can turn them violent in real life.  Just my opinion however).  Maybe I am just overthinking this movie.

    After watching the movie and putting aside the vague morals the movie is trying to advocate, I thought it was pretty entertaining.  It was a classic but it reminds me of the type of movies I would watch as a kid.  Plus, the movie is worth watching for the Trickster alone.

Grade: C+

Buy the “Mindwarp” and “Brainscan” Double Feature Blu-ray Here!!!

“Happy Death Day 2U” Movie Review

    I enjoyed “Happy Death Day” when I saw it in the theaters but when the sequel opened, I just didn’t have time (or money) to rush and see it despite the fact that the film looked intriguing.  “Happy Death Day 2U” was a film I knew I was going to rent or buy shortly after it came out on DVD and Blu-ray.  I decided to play it safe and just rent it at our local Family Video and I was surprised by the film as a whole.

    The film starts off one day after the events of the first film, with college student Ryan waking up in his car to start his day.  As Ryan experiences strange encounter after encounter, his day seemingly can’t get much worse until he is murdered.  Right after his murder, Ryan wakes back up in his car only to seemingly live out the day again.  After initially believing his experience to be deja vu, Ryan informs his roommate Carter and Carter’s girlfriend Tree of what happened.  Tree quickly sums up what happened to her and how she was caught in a time loop yesterday.  Tree and Carter agree to help Ryan find the new killer in order to end the time loops permanently.  After catching the killer, the group unmasks the killer to find out it was Ryan...from the future.  Ryan had invented a time displacement machine in school without realizing the effects of the machine and future Ryan was trying to prevent present Ryan from activating the machine and causing the time displacements.  Ryan decides to activate the machine anyway (so the movie could happen) and Tree is not only caught back in her time loop, but she is also thrown into another dimension in which her killer isn’t the same and she must solve the mystery of who the baby face killer is once again.

    Now, the film took a big risk by switching it’s primary genre from slasher to science fiction.  I actually really liked how different yet similar the sequel felt.  The first film had hints of science fiction throughout because it was essentially a slasher set in the “Groundhog Day” universe.  This sequel sets out to explain what caused the time loop and also dives heavily into parallel universes.  There is a killer but the slasher elements are more of the B plot of the film.  Now, this obviously isn’t going to play well to everyone.  I appreciated the world building the movie attempted however.

    The film was once again directed by Christopher Landon, the son of the late “Bonanza” star Michael Landon.  Landon managed to include little nods and call backs to the first movie that I really appreciated.  It also greatly helped that the film managed to retain all of it’s principal cast without having to recast anyone.  Jessica Rothe returns as Tree, the primary star of both films, and delivers a more nuanced performance this time around.  Rothe’s character is more likable and humorous in this sequel which helps the movie a lot in my opinion.  While I liked the first film, much of my complaints about that film was that Tree was such an unlikable character throughout a bulk of the film.  I am glad Rothe had a better chance to shine in this movie.

    Like a great deal of horror franchises, this sequel was more comedic and took itself less seriously than it’s predecessor.  That isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea and some of the gags don’t land, but it remains typically fun.  Between the more comedic tone and the shift to a more sci-fi feel, some audience members might feel the sequel’s changes are too jarring.  I think it plays out very well however.

    The sequel sets the stage for another possible sequel but since the film made less than it was projected to make, a sequel doesn’t seem likely (although the movie still made a ton of money so it’s definitely possible).  I would like to see a “Happy Death Day 3D” followed by a “Happy Death Day 4Ever”.  I think this is a franchise that might have legs if given the chance.

Grade: B

“Mo’ Money” Movie Review

    Growing up in the early 90s, one of the biggest and funniest programs airing on network television was a little show called “In Living Color”.  What made the show so unique is that along with talented comedians like Jim Carrey, the cast was also comprised of most of the the Wayans family.  While Keenan Ivory Wayans hosted the show, the breakout Wayans brother was Damon Wayans.  From characters like ‘Homey the Clown’ and one half of ‘The Homeboy Shopping Network’ as well as ‘Men on Films’, Damon Wayans quickly proved to be one of the shows most valuable players.

    The film follows conman Johnny Stewart as he meets a young woman named Amber one day and wants to impress her.  Unfortunately, the only way to impress her seems to be to go legitimate and get a real job.  Johnny gets a job in the mailroom where Amber works.  Johnny becomes convinced that he needs to have money to keep Amber in his life so he steals credit cards that were returned from people who passed away he received in the mailroom so he can afford fancy things.  After a shopping spree, his boss Keith finds out and makes him steal credit cards for him or he will turn him into the police (as it turns out, he planted those cards in hopes Johnny would use them so he could have leverage on him).  After Johnny helps Keith out a few time, he decides to quit while he is ahead.  Meanwhile, Johnny’s conman brother Seymour decides to use a stolen credit card and gets caught by the police.  Seymour agrees to wear a wire and catch Keith but is instead held hostage by him.  Johnny must now rescue his brother from his sinister boss.

    Before I watched this movie to review it, I had never seen this film before butI had always been curious about it being a big “In Living Color” fan.  I know the film wasn’t well received upon it’s release but a lot of comedies don’t fair well with critics.  So what did I think of the film?  I didn’t hate the movie nor did I think it was hilarious.  The movie didn’t wow me but it kept my attention and there were a few moments that made me chuckle.  I definitely see why critics ripped this movie apart.  Damon Wayans was fresh off “In Living Color” and was hilarious in the show, you very much expect a lot from a comedic performer in their prime and this movie felt a bit lazy.  The film was filled with cliches and humor that fell a bit flat.  That being said, looking at it through a nostalgic lens, seeing all the 90s fashions and trends definitely made me reminisce about the time period depicted on film.

    With the inclusion of characters like Anton Jackson and Blair Edwards, the film feels like an attempt to make an “In Living Color” movie in the same vain Lorne Michaels managed to turn “Saturday Night Live” skits like “Coneheads” into motion pictures.  I mean, the title even came from a phrase used often on ‘The Homeboy Shopping Network’.  To some degree, I feel like not making this film a direct “In Living Color” tie-in was a bit of a missed opportunity.  If the film focused on one of Damon’s hilarious characters, I think the movie would have faired better.

    The film is notable for being the first film to address the subject of identity theft (this film was made before the term ‘identity theft’ was even coined).  It was also the film debut of one of the original kings of comedy, Bernie Mac.  Marlon Wayans, Damon’s real life little brother, plays his little brother in this film.  Marlon had only appeared in one film before this movie.  It was also fun to see a young Harry Lennix play a nerd.  Typically now, Lennix plays commanding military figures.

    “Mo’ Money” isn’t a terrible movie and as at times good for a laugh or two but it isn’t the comedy classic Damon Wayans was capable of making.  The film is interesting to watch as a crash course into 90s fashions however.  One thing about the ending of this film that I noticed though, why did so many 90s films feature main characters outrunning pursuing cars.

Grade: C

Buy the “Mo’ Money” and “High School High” Double Feature Blu-ray Here!!!

“Excess Baggage” Movie Review

    While going through the movies I wanted to watch to review, I came across the movie “Excess Baggage” which was generously supplied to me by the good folks at Mill Creek Entertainment.  I know I give them a shout out a lot, but they deserve it for all the support they show writers and content creators.  What caught my attention with the “Excess Baggage” release was honestly the incredibly cool VHS style slipcover.  So, when I finally had some free time, I popped this movie into my Blu-ray player and watched it for the first time ever.

    The film follows a young woman named Emily who has faked her own kidnapping to get the attention of her rich father.  Everything goes to plan and she even places herself in the trunk of her car in order to fool the police.  Things go off the rails when a young man named Vincent decides to steal Emily’s car, with Emily still locked in the trunk.  Vincent wants nothing to do with Emily or her plans and sets her free in the hopes everything blows over.  Things get even more complicated however when Vincent’s place burns down, with Emily’s stolen car inside.  This makes it seem as if Vincent kidnapped Emily and Emily is unwilling to clear him unless he helps her.  Now Vincent and Emily are in over their heads together.  What makes matters worse is that the pair might be falling for each other.

    I had no idea what to expect for this film aside from the fact that it was labeled a comedy.  Let me start by saying that the film isn’t a laugh out loud style comedy, instead it was more of a 90s style romantic comedy (which I guess counts as a comedy but it is a little different than a traditional comedy in my opinion).  Watching it, I found the film to be decent but it also wasn’t exactly filled with memorable moments.  It also had a slightly silly premise in my opinion.  There was a sense of nostalgia watching this movie however because it felt very much like a film I would have rented at the video store as a kid.

    After doing a little research on the film, I found out that the script for the film was the winner of the first annual Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition.  I thought that was kind of a cool bit or trivia.  I also found out that the amazing Aaron Sorkin did a rewrite of the script before it went into production (although it still tested poorly with audiences and had to undergo reshoots).

    The film starred Alicia Silverstone and she actually was fairly good in the film.  I have not seen much of her work outside of “Batman & Robin”, but I know she was never a critics darling.  Still, she actually surprised me a bit in this movie as a result.  Benicio del Toro is also sweet and charming in one of his first roles as Vincent.  Harry Connick, Jr. has a small role as one of Vincent’s associates.  The highlight of the film however is Christopher Walken as Emily’s uncle.  Every role Walken takes on, he absolutely owns.  I was surprised to see that Marco Brambilla directed this.  Brambilla was fresh off of his debut film “Demolition Man” when he filmed this.  As a big fan of “Demolition Man”, seeing his name on the credits definitely perked my interest.

    “Excess Baggage” is the type of movie that takes you back to a different time when movies didn’t have to feel so overly complicated.  While this movie might be easily forgotten, that is also the worst thing you can really say about the movie.  The movie is your average romantic comedy and is worth checking out simply to see Benicio del Toro as a charming young actor.

Grade: C+

Buy “Excess Baggage” on Blu-ray with a Retro VHS Cover Here!!!

"Idiocracy" Movie Review

    In 2006, a little movie called “Idiocracy” was released with almost no fanfare and with little awareness.  The film was essentially released direct to video (it played in a few theaters but never got a wide release).  Ironically, I was aware of the movie because I had seen a movie poster for it at my local theater and was curious about the title.  After realizing it was largely skipping theaters, I didn’t have much hope for it.  Direct to video titles are typically like Netflix titles, they are considered not good enough to release in theaters.  I still ended up buying it upon it’s release and I was pleasantly surprised.

    Let me start by saying that 2006 seemed like a simpler time looking back.   The idea the world could get so bad in five hundred years seemed ridiculous.  It’s 2019 and I feel like the world is already on the cusp of becoming as stupid as the one depicted in the movie.  What a difference a few years makes.

    The film focuses on Corporal Joe Bauers who is placed in suspended animation by the military along with a prostitute named Rita.  The two are forgotten about and are found five centuries later in a garbage pile.  The two wake up to an Earth in which only the dumbest people have kept reproducing.  Joe and Rita now have the highest IQs among everyone on the planet.  It is up to Joe and Rita to show the value of intelligence, despite being average at best.

    “Idiocracy” can now be looked back on as hilarious but also a little too on the nose.  Mike Judge, creator of both “Beavis and Butt-Head” and “King of the Hill”, makes us reevaluate our value of intelligence.  Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph are great as Joe and Rita.  The real standout in the film is Terry Crews.  Crews plays President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho with such ham and stupidity that he steals every scene he is in.

    The film has become something of a cult classic and one of the most underrated comedies of all time.  How can a film manage to tell such stupid and crude jokes all while judging said humor?  It is definitely a layered comedy and it somehow works.

    This gem of a comedy is only available on DVD right now via physical media.  I wish it would get a Blu-ray release one day but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards anytime soon.  Regardless, if you love comedies with social commentary, this is the movie for you!

Grade: A-