GrantCAGE Reviews

Rat Race (2001)

Great Actors, Great Locations, Great Storyline...BRILLIANT

[28 December 2003]

GREAT funny film. Such a treat to see actors/comedians as famous as these working together. This movie does have such a simple plot (there's not that much to follow, they're all on a race to get to Mexico anyway that they can to pick up $2 MILLION) We follow each character's story as they basically go NUTS trying to get to it anyway they can! There's Some fantastic stunts in this movie and some classic moments which all of the family can enjoy. 9/10

Christmas Vacation (1989)

Absolute Trash

[28 December 2003]

Godawful 'comedy' starring Chevy Chase. This movie may be fun for people with half a brain cell, but for the bulk majority, people will agree that this is an awful attempt at yuletide satire. The gags are groan-worthy and I've seen better acting from Jasper Carrott! PLEASE DO NOT WASTE 1 1/2 OR SO HOURS OF YOUR LIFE ON THIS RUBBISH. Try 1983's VACATION or the more silly but actually quite fun VEGAS VACATION (1997). MJG

Driving School (1997–1998)

Look out Britain, Maureen is out on our roads!

[26 October 2003]

Doesn't anybody remember this documentary? It was hilarious! In fact, most of it doesn't even stick in my mind but I remember Maureen Rees as the mad welsh woman always arguing with her husband and nearly decapitating everyone else on the road. Plus, she failed her driving test about 8 times! It really was a good watch. Watch out for a repeat on TV.

Fathers' Day (1997)

I Actually enjoyed it...

[23 October 2003]

Great cast, great laughs. A genuinely daft movie but with loads of fun too. I thought that Robin Williams played a very good part and was particularly funny, and Crystal too. Some parts of the film do tend to be slightly iffy such as the storyline (you can't help but thinking "I have seen all this done before somewhere.") However, if you don't want to be shocked at something new and original in a movie, watch this and simply laugh. Great fun all round. 7/10

The Woman in Red (1984)

One Of The Best Comedies I have EVER Seen

[20 October 2003]

Gene Wilder is hilirious. He has one of those faces that all comedic stars want - a face that you cannot even look at with a straight face. He's a genuis. Enough said. This film has to rate among his works as it is PERFECT. I won't bore people with the plot, I'll just say that this film has a touch of everything in it;Romance...Anger...Love...Hate...Confusion...and, of course, some of the best ever comedic moments. I do not believe that anybody wouldn't laugh at or enjoy this movie. The supporting cast to Wilder are fantastic with a great performance by the late Gilda Radner which is hysterical. Not to mention Charles Grodin who plays a good part in this too. 10/10 NO QUESTION

All About Me (2002–2004)

Jasper...Just what were you thinking of!!

[13 October 2003]

BIG Jasper Carrott fan. I loved The Detectives (BIG FAN) and have most episodes on tape. BRILLIANT stand-up comic, but sadly only a so/so actor. THE DETECTIVES simply worked because of Jasper's comic timing, the storylines, the guest stars...and of course not forgetting Mr. Robert Powell(!) ALL ABOUT ME...decidedly dodgy. Not very funny at all. I do remember watching just a couple of episodes when it first was broadcast over a year ago. I found it extremely tacky looking. Why was Jasper involved in this. He is the best comedian ever by far, and yet even he cannot save this drivvel. The first series, I'm sorry to say, definately does deserve to be panned good and proper. I suppose the real reason why I am writing this review is because there is a new series of ALL ABOUT ME starting this Friday which doesn't look too bad on the reviews so I'll give it another chance. It'll have to be greatly improved though! MJG

Jurassic Park (1993)

AMAZING MOVIE FOR IT'S TIME

[5 September 2003]

Great cast and absolutely breath-taking special FX make this BOX OFFICE SMASH a true winner. Wont go on about the plot too much as when you are watching the movie you simply don't care. All this movie is about is the FX which, on it's own is supreme. ****1/2

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Robin Williams Dressed Up As A 60 Year Old Women? HILARIOUS!

[18 August 2001]

I saw this movie at the cinema in 1993 and thought it was fantastic! It has everything you could ever really want in a comedy. Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) will do ANYTHING to see his children! This movie has plenty of gags, but it all comes together in a nice, friendly framework that centres around one man's family and that man's love for his children that'll make him dress up as a 60 year old granny to get back into their lives! Plenty of laughs throughout and all-round great performances. 9/10

Clockwise (1986)

ENJOYABLE, HECTIC COMEDY!

[7/10 · 6 August 2001]

I've never really been a big fan of John Cleese as I haven't seen much of the stuff he's done in the past, but I liked him in this movie. Basically, headmaster Brian Stimpson (Cleese) has to get to Norwich for a very important and historical teachers' conference and, because of one silly mistake of getting on the wrong train because he misheared an instruction, he's left up the creek without a paddle! Throughout the movie we see John Cleese hurling from one disaster to another and taking drastic measures to not be late for this important event. The film is very 'slapsticky' in places and also damn funny in places too. As for the storyline (it's not so good), but the scripts work well with plenty of gags and funny, lighthearted moments. 8/10

Commando (1985)

OVERBLOWN, OVER-VIOLENT AND DUMB!

[6 August 2001]

This movie just exploits violence and turns serious personal issue into military gore! There are plenty of action scenes (most of which is overblown) and the scripts are rubbish throughout. Arnie doesn't really suit this role (well, maybe for the action scenes), but for the personal and emotional scenes he is just a big cliche. Put simply, IF YOU LOVE GOREY ACTION BUT DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THE MAIN THEME AND STORYLINE OF A MOVIE, YOU'LL LIKE THIS. I hated it...2/10

The Prince's Trust Rock Gala (1988)

Some Good Moments in this Concert

[7/10 · 2 August 2001]

I got this on video a few weeks ago. It's the PRINCE'S TRUST ROCK GALA 1988 CONCERT at the Royal Albert Hall from June '88. The concert kicks off with Wet Wet Wet doing 'Sweet Little Mystery' and then 'Twist And Shout' which is so so. Soon after gracing the stage is Midge Ure's All Star Band (which includes Phil Collins and Brian May). The songs included here are DANCING WITH TEARS IN MY EYES, WHAT IS LOVE? (Howard Jones), NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP (Rick Astley), WONDERFUL LIFE (Colin Vearncombe), THE LETTER (Joe Cocker), YOU WIN AGAIN (Bee Gees) and SLEDGEHAMMER (Peter Gabriel). Most of these performances are pretty good. Then arriving on the stage is THE ERIC CLAPTON ALL-STARS featuring EC, Mark Knopfler, Nathan East, Elton John etc. Unfortunately, the first song MONEY FOR NOTHING sounds unavoidably FLAT AND TINNY due to Knopfler's guitar playing and tone. This let's the concert down a bit. Then Elton John sing I DON'T WANNA GO ON WITH YOU LIKE THAT with Clapton's solos ringing out nicely. After that, Eric Clapton probably steals the show with LAYLA.....AND IT ROCKS! After that all of the artists get together to sing The Beatle's WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS. Overall, this music concert video has some great moments, but it also has so very patchy moments (Stand up Rick Astley, Joe Cocker and Mark Knopfler! lol). But some of the high points are prominent too with some classic songs being played live and the audience appear to be having a good time. THIS CONCERT IS NOT ALL IT COULD BE, BUT IF YOUR INTO THESE ARTISTS I'D SUGGEST CHECKING THIS OUT. 7/10

The Mask (1994)

FANTASTIC, SPECIAL EFFECTS-LADEN MOVIE ROLLERCOASTER!

[2 August 2001]

I saw this for the first time at the cinema in 1994 when I was 10 and I just loved it! I bought the video as soon as it came out and I watch the movie regularly. It's not Jim Carrey's best movie (Dumb And Dumber is lol), but it was one of my favourite movies for ages! The animated effects are genius and the storyline is also endeering. The way plain old Stanley Ibbkiss (Carrey) finds an old, ancient mask and puts it on and becomes a rowdy, crazy, cartoon-like happy maniac is just so classic! This was Cameron Diaz first proper movie role and she's great as well as Tina Carlisle (who stanley's attention is immediately attracted to lol) and what a movie to be involved in. THE STORY IS CLASSIC, THE ACTING IS SPOT-ON AND THE EFFECTS ARE EYE-BOGGLING! 10/10

Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight (1991)

RUBBISH CONCERT! ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT JIMI'S FAULT!

[2 August 2001]

First of all, Jimi Hendrix did NOT WANT to play this concert and you can really tell while watching this. Hendrix was a great guitarist and showman, but the sound out of this performance is terrible! Unlike Hendrix's earlier, enthusiastic concerts, this concert misses the mark by looking (and sounding) very tired and uninspired throughout, DIE HARD JIMI FANS WILL LOVE THIS, but if your just interested in the man, I wouldn't suggest buying this video as it's hardly the best introduction to Jimi Hendrix. BUY JIMI HENDRIX LIVE AT WOODSTOCK for his best live performance and enthusiastic playing. (and of course there is THAT version of THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER! lol)

Beetlejuice (1988)

WHY IS EVERYONE IN LOVE WITH THIS MOVIE? IT'S APPALLING!

[2 August 2001]

I have no idea why everyone is going crazy over this movie! It's just not funny. The make-up is tacky, the acting is even tackier and the main reason why it isn't funny is due to the sheer dullness and bland jokes throughout! It's a sort of horror/comedy that just doesn't mix at all. The whole thing looks as if it was made and a budget and it's so dated! I think this movie could've been OK, but it's completely let down by bad acting, drab and depressing scenery and tacky effects! AVOID IT! lol

Pure Luck (1991)

Wonderfully funny, slapstick adventure.

[26 July 2001]

What has everybody got against this movie? It's damn funny! Martin Short and Danny Glover going over from NYC to Mexico to search for the accident-prone daughter of Short's big company boss Highsmith. Monosoft, played by the brilliant Harry Shearer, has the idea of sending Eugene Proctor (Short) to Mexico with detective Raymond Campanella (Glover). The jokes come thick and fast and, although sometimes predictable, the movie goes along fine with plenty of wonderful slapstick thrown in all over the place. Probably the funniest scene of Eugene inflating to twice his size because of a bee sting in the helicopter! All in all, this is not a movie to be taken too seriously! It's a funny, light-hearted film with plenty of action and comedy thrown in that will always entertain well for people of all ages.8/10

Twins (1988)

Fantastic Comedy! The Best Part Is Jeff Beck!

[23 July 2001]

I watch this excellent comedy regularly and it is always enjoyable. Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzeneggar are seperated at birth. DeVito grows up in an orphanage and Schwarzeneggar is raised on a tropical island. The main movie focuses around their ages of 35 when Julius Benedict (Arnie) learns the truth about his birth and goes in search to the USA to track down his twin brother Vincent Benedict (DeVito). There are plenty of gags in this excellent 80s comedy, and also there is adventure too. Anyone notice JEFF BECK as the band's lead guitarist in the club when they're all dancing? HE ROCKED! GREAT MOVIE. VERY ENJOYABLE AND VERY WATCHABLE. 8/10

A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out (1992 TV Movie)

Dissapointing! The Gags Don't Work!

[22 July 2001]

THIS IS SPINAL TAP is probably the funniest rock mockumentary ever made and also it's one of my favourite movies ever, so naturally I wanted to see this spoofy Tap concert. There is gags between the concert footage with Nigel Tufnel and St. Hubbins discussing their childhood and early musical life in Squatney, London. The sound quality of the actual concert was terrible. Michael McKean's voice was terrible. Very grouchy sound and the gags just didn't work. They obviously were playing off on the funniness of THIS IS SPINAL TAP, but the gags here are very similar to THIS IS.. and also very predictable. If you are a die-hard TAP fan, you'll probably love this, but for me it was a huge dissapointment! 4/10

Matilda (1996)

Avoid this DEPRESSING and DULL movie

[22 July 2001]

i thought this movie looked good judging by the previews and reviews it got...but i was wrong. This movie is nothing but surreal, depressing tripe that will actually SCARE some children, and adults will just find this so grim and repetetive and BORING! Pam Ferris is mean and angry in this movie and it is just TOO VIOLENT and OTT! It is such a drab and depressing movie that I gave it a 2/10. AWFUL! AVOID THIS TRASH!

Top of the Pops 2 (1994– )

Great Nostalgic Music Programme

[11 July 2001]

I'm not a big fan of the TOP OF THE POPS today as I can't stand STEPS, GERI HALLIWELL, BACKSTREET BOYS or RICKY MARTIN! It's good that a music programme that looks back at the top, and rare performances of TOTP over the last 40 years is aired. It focuses on all the trends and music styles from all the different years of TOTP and is very entertaining. The specials are good too. The specials I have seen include Roxy Music, Bon Jovi etc. THE BEST SPECIAL WAS PAUL McCARTNEY. SOOOOO COOL!

Freddie Mercury, the Untold Story (2000 TV Movie)

Great Insight into The Life Of One Of The most Outrageous Rock Stars!!!!!

[11 July 2001]

I really enjoyed watching this documentary. It gives loads of information on the great singer with loads of interviews with bands members Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, as well as Freddie's mother and sister and former teachers. The reason why this documentary is so great is that we get the Freddie Mercury story from beginning to end, with all the stops in-between. We hear from the people who knew Freddie well and we hear their views of him from them. There is, obviously, plenty of footage of Queen and plenty of Queen tunes played throughout the documentary. It's a great rock documentary dedicated to the great Freddie Mercury that everybody, whether you're a fan or not.

The Crocodile Hunter (1996–2004)

THIS SHOW IS JUST THE BEST NATURE PROGRAMME IN THE WORLD!

[11 July 2001]

This is one amazing series! Steve Irwin and his wife Terri telling us all about crocodiles and their ways. Don't think that this is just one of those stupid voyeur nature programmes because it ain't! I admire Steve simply because his is so ENTHUSIASTIC, so BRAVE and so damn ENTERTAINING! In the series I have seen Steve sit on a croc's back, lie on the ground close to a croc and even seen him being chased by one! This is one FANTASTIC series that everyone must watch! It's just so entertaining as well as being fun, adventures, exciting AND informative. HOW MANY THINGS CAN YOU SAY THAT ABOUT?! 10/10 Excellent!

Multiplicity (1996)

Mediocre Clone Comedy!

[11 July 2001]

This movie isn't all that bad. There are some laughs to be had while watching it. It's definately not one of the most original comedies ever made but it seems to come off OK. I don't think that Michael Keaton is at his best in this movie as he seems more aggressive than uaual. I can't stand Andie McDowell anyway, especially in this movie. She should get more acting lessons! Mcdowell is to sentimental in this movie and she does too much of 'Stating the obvious' (although that's down to the scriptwriters more than anyone). A better script would've helped better this movie, but, as it is, it's just a mediocre cash-in comedy. 5/10

Friends (1994–2004)

GODAWFUL AMERICAN COMEDY!

[11 July 2001]

Why does everyone love this terrible US comedy series? It's complete and utter tripe! The cast are so smug and irritating that I nearly put my foot through the tv screen while watching this rubbish! God knows why people laugh at this drivvel. All I can say is check out the far better, more down-to-earth British comedies such as THE THIN BLUE LINE and THE BEST COMEDY EVER 'ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES'! The yanks are rubbish at comedy! Just look at Fraiser and this rubbish 'Friends' and I don't think you'll disagree with me! TERRIBLE! MISS IT!

Uncle Buck (1989)

Good Movie...But Not Candy's Best.

[11 July 2001]

I really enjoyed this movie the first time I watched it, but, although it has it's funny moments, I don't think that it's the sort of film anyone would want to watch over and over. TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES was Candy's best move because he and Steve Martin worked magically together and it's the sort of film that I never tire of watching over and over again. As for UNCLE BUCK, i'd say it's a funny, but predictable movie. It was good for it's time 12 years ago (!), but watching it again now bores me honestly. 6/10 Good.

Bruce Springsteen: Video Anthology 1978-1988 (1989 Video)

Brilliant Bruce Video!

[11 July 2001]

Although not so much a 'live' release (it features different venues for different song performances) and straight ahead music videos. I actually think this is better because we're seeing Bruce live with the band and we see his music videos that feature our favourite songs of his also. Think of this video as a sort of 'bumper' video release with plenty of Bruce's brilliant material throughout. The video kicks off from a 1978 performance of 'Rosalita' with a 29 year old Bruce wailing away with chicks jumpin' on the stage grabbing him! Lucky guy! The other songs featured include all the popular tunes like 'Born To Run', 'Born In The USA', 'I'm On Fire' and 'Glory Days'. Even some lesser known songs such as 'Spare Parts' (from 'Tunnel Of Love' album) and 'Tougher than the rest' from 'Tunnel Of Love' also which are both live. I like Bruce Springsteen a lot. He has the edge as a showman and musical innovator without losing the plot onstage. Fans will love this video for it's authentic live performances, music videos and classic Springsteen songs. Great! 9/10