dlcasey Reviews

Barfly (1987)

Excellent, gritty film

[9/10 · 21 January 2005]

"I don't hate cops, I just feel better when they're not around..." Henry is a hard drinking, fighting, uncouth slob whose shrunken liver is encased in a machine powered by ethanol that is made to come to life by Mickey Rourke in this gem of a film from the late 1980s. Faye Dunaway plays a perfect 'stress goddess' and co-drinker with Henry, the alcoholic poet. The gritty street scenes and back alley brawls superimposed on the gilded 'cage' of poetic and literary stardom that could be Henry's make for a great story that is somewhat biographical of the cult writer Charles Bukowski, whose life is used as a template.

I recommend this as a modern day tale of our century's Poe, with drinking, debauchery, and just great quotes abundant within.

DLC

Tommy Boy (1995)

"You can get a good look at a steak...

[7/10 · 7 July 2001]

by looking up a bull's *$$, but why not take the butcher's word for it?"

That is a great line that big Tom uses, and Tommy finally masters.

This comedy with Farley and Spade is by far Farley's best big-screen attempt in his sadly short career.

There have been others who commented about this movie who have outlined the plot more or less, but where this one really hit is the interplay between Spade and Farley as another "odd couple" and the loads of one-liners, Farley-esque schtick, and the wonderful self-deprecating comedic lines and excellent physical comedy that Farley could throw out. His rotund boyish physical appearance just adds to the mix.

By all means, if you like to laugh, please see Tommy Boy. It is one to own IMHO, and I think you'll enjoy it. If you don't enjoy comedy, then why are you here anyway? No deep message, no morality play, no Oscar, just funny stuff, and some belly laughs!

dlc 7/01

Me, Myself & Irene (2000)

Definitely a Farrelly!

[7/10 · 23 January 2001]

Jim Carrey is a sweet nerdy highway patrolman whose wife leaves him for a 3 foot tall African-American MENSA-member limo driver...probably you can guess the rest? Well, maybe not guess, but you get the idea.

Essentially he represses this trauma and quietly raises his 3 black children (who turn out to be trash-mouthed 400 pound black geniuses) and is stepped on by everyone in his quiet Rhode Island burg...until he snaps one day and his "multiple personality disorder" comes out--his alter ego being a mean-spirited sex-crazed psychopath named Hank.

He runs across Irene (Zellweger) who is in trouble and is targeted by the ?mob and a corrupt police force, and he somehow becomes her protagonist. However, Hank is deviously trying to get her into bed (which he eventually does sneakily).

After all is said and done, Hank is suppressed and the sweet loveable Carrey character overcomes the bad guys and wins the girl with the aid of his Sugarhill Gang children.

Typical Farrelly jokes and ploys. Most enjoyable for those like myself who enjoy this, but perhaps a bit more schtick than many will like (like the cutaway from the defecation in the neighbor's yard as a reprisal for the doggy-doo to the dispensation of the chocolate frozen yogurt--get my drift?)

Anyhow, I think it well worth a rental, but am glad I didn't pay the big theater money for this one. Zellweger is delicious without having to show any nudity. An outlandish character "Whitey" (his real name is Casper--an albino fellow) is hilarious).

Hope you enjoy!

dlc

The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)

Vintage Murray...

[7/10 · 22 April 2000]

I have always loved Bill Murray ever since his old SNL days, and of course Caddyshack was nothing without him. His unique wit and demeanor are great, and in this spy-spoof he really plays it to a "T".

This flick must have passed me by when it first came out because I heard little about it, but am so glad I picked it up at the rental store. Murray and a relatively obscure supporting cast pull off a mad-cap escapade about a goofball American in London on a whim who stumbles into an international spy/terrorist situation... The movie was a bit predictable, but nonetheless was hilarious and had some great scenes of Murray doing famous lines from other flicks that hit the funny bone dead on.

I recommend this one for a light night of video watching to anyone wanting a smile and a chuckle. Especially if you're a Murray fan, you'll dig it!

Mixed Nuts (1994)

The title sums it up...

[6/10 · 1 January 2000]

This comedy sports a delightful cast with...well, mixed nuts! Actually the title comes from the fact that the Steve Martin character's father was hit and killed by a truck loaded with mixed nuts, but we all really know what it's really about. Martin, Madeline Kahn (we miss you!), and Rob Reiner are very funny here, and some of the younger folks are very funny. I really thought Adam Sandler more or less made this thing...

Basically a story of a crisis-phone answering service manned by folks with neuroses and other generalized problems. Interwoven are stories of other problem folks. It all seems to work out in a mad-cap way, and although this isn't the funniest movie, it is still very enjoyable, and worth the rent.

Lonely people at Christmas...and the ones they intend to help...all mixed in like cashews, peanuts, filberts...you get it!

Enjoy.

Office Space (1999)

Great fun!

[8/10 · 6 December 1999]

Mike Judge has created a very entertaining movie replete with subtle and not-so-subtle pokes at the technology and business world. Character development very well done in this quirky comedy/satire of life in the 9-5 world of high-tech business. The age of "right-sizing" is brought into human terms with just enough map-cap humor to make this a believable story.

Based on Judge's Milton cartoon shorts, it is less about Milton--or is it! A real-life comedy for our disposable age.

I recommend this to anyone with a sense of humor...

dlc

Dancer, Texas Pop. 81 (1998)

Delightful

[2 November 1999]

Having been brought up myself in a small West Texas town (not nearly as small as Dancer, though) I saw so many familiar things in this movie. The closeness of friendships in people of disparate heritage, means, and beliefs is one of the overlooked wonders of coming from a small town.

The stoic nature of the Texas man was also one of the truest to life aspects of this movie. This was a poignant yet enlightening look at life growing up in the "sticks". I believe that there are many benefits to life in a small town, and of course the definition of what is "small" varies, but what really matters is the necessity of developing close intimate relationships with one's peers.

I really thought this movie was right on the mark, and highly recommend it.

Barfly (1987)

Ever thought of yourself as a tortured genius?

[9/10 · 16 January 1999]

This movie is one of Rourke's greatest. He plays a gross, disgusting drunk who has a poetic gift. He is "discovered" but rejects the prospects of fame and fortune in his own time. Faye Dunaway plays the Barfly...an alcoholic lady who hangs out in dive bars to get free drinks from men who she'll be "friendly" with...and Henry (Rourke) is one of these men... She has a good heart but a lot of sadness. I like this movie because it's a touching view of the underbelly of life but with a bit of humor thrown into the mean streets. A lot of booze is downed in this film--enough to give one a stomach-ache, but I think you'll find this an interesting watch.