JakeRfilmfreak Reviews

Just Friends (I) (2005)

It's like the Michael Bolton starter kit

[7/10 · 12 May 2024]

Just Friends is a 2005 romantic comedy that follows a formally obese womanizer who attempts to get out of the friend zone after coming home for Christmas and reconnecting with his high school crush.

This is a fantastic movie that brings its comedy A game right out of the gate and stays funny the whole way through.

Ryan Reynolds stars as Chris Brander, a former overweight and unpopular high school kid who never got the girl of his dreams. Now grown up, and the man he always wanted to be, Chris comes back to his hometown and attempts to get the girl that he never stopped loving.

The cast is terrific, with Reynolds performance and self centered sarcastic demeanor shining with hilarity. As with most Rom Coms, the movie can be pretty predictable at times but that doesn't keep it from being very entertaining. If you've never seen this before, I would recommend checking it out.

Knocked Up (2007)

You Want Me to Stop smoking Pot Cuz There's An Earthquake Once Every Ten Years

[7/10 · 11 May 2024]

Knocked Up is a 2007 romantic comedy that follows the repercussions two opposites must face after their drunken one night stand ends with a pregnancy.

Written and Directed by Judd Apatow, Knocked UP is a fantastic film that hits a comedy home run, leaving you all smiles by the movies end. It's creative and tells an unconventional yet charming tale about the love that develops between two complete opposites after a drunken night of sex results in them becoming parents. It has the perfect cast of comedic actors that makes the word funny an understatement. Everyone involved gives an A+ performance, with Seth Rogan and Katherine Heigl really doing a terrific job feeding off each others energy pulling out the best from both of them.

It's filled with some memorable scenes, very humorous dialogue, and an ending that although slightly predictable suits the story quite well. If you have never seen this movie before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Funny Games (2007)

Shall we begin

[6/10 · 9 May 2024]

Funny Games is a 2007 psychological horror film that centers around a family on vacation who is tormented and forced to play sadistic games by two psychopathic young men.

This is an interesting horror film for the fact that although isn't exactly good, it isn't that bad either. On one hand, there is no story to it what so ever with no character development so as everything unfolds it's hard to invest yourself in anything going on. But on the other hand, the premise is brutally terrifying making the movie border the line between torture porn and effective art house filmmaking. The chaotic musical introduction sets the perfect tone for what you're about to see, but the film slowly loses steam once it gets where it's going. The whole cast is good, and Michael Pitt and Devon Gearhart's unnerving super polite demeanor makes their characters stand out, but also makes them slightly annoying.

It's not a film I can overly praise, but also one I can't completely bash. If you've never seen it before, It's worth checking out at least once.

Screwed (2000)

I Was Scared

[5/10 · 9 May 2024]

Screwed is a 2000 dark comedy about a butler who attempts to kidnap his boss's dog for ransom, but things go from bad to worse when the plan doesn't go accordingly.

This is a very wacky comedy that is actually quite funny if you don't take it seriously and expect to roll your eyes a lot. The premise is silly enough as it is, but the goofy characters and acting amplify the silliness of it all ten fold. Norm Macdonald and Dave Chappelle are great together as two sidekicks that suck at committing crime, with also a very humorous performance from Danny DeVito that keeps things pretty entertaining.

Although I prefer Dirty Work over screwed, it's still a decent Norm Macdonald comedy that's worth checking out at least once. If you haven't seen this before and enjoy dumb comedies, I would recommend checking it out.

Day of the Dead (1985)

Prepare yourself for the darkest day of horror the world has ever known!

[9/10 · 8 May 2024]

Day of the Dead is a 1985 post apocalyptic zombie film about a group of survivors sheltering in an underground bunker in Florida where they are attempting to figure out a solution.

Written and Directed by the master of zombies George A. Romero comes Day of the Dead, his third film in the series and my personal favorite of all of them. It has a good story that follows a group of survivors who are at each others throats trying to figure out the best way to deal with the situation which ultimately ends badly culminating in a very brutal and bloody final moment's of the film that is unforgettable.

Tom Savini as always does a superb job with all the special make-up effects, taking the gruesome nature of the movie that much further as the zombies invade the bunker looking to tear apart everyone inside.

This is a fantastic horror film all the way around, and if you haven't seen it before and don't mind gore, then I would highly recommend checking it out.

The Heavenly Kid (1985)

This cigarette tastes funny

[7/10 · 8 May 2024]

The Heavenly Kid is a 1985 fantasy comedy that follows a guardian angel who is tasked with helping a socially awkward high school boy fit in.

I don't think most people would consider this to be an amazing 80's film, but to me the Heavenly Kid is a classic, and one that I hold in high regard.

Lewis Smith stars as Bobby Fontana, A 1960's greaser who gets killed while playing a game of chicken with a rival who made a pass at his girlfriend. But in the afterlife he finds out that he must complete a specific task in order to earn his wings and a ticket to get into heaven.

The premise of the movie seems kind of silly, but the story being told is actually pretty sweet and endearing on top of being quite funny. The cast is terrific, the plot is creative, and it has a fantastic theme song that screams the 80's. If you've never seen this film before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Savage Dawn (1985)

The reign of terror is about to end

[6/10 · 7 May 2024]

Savage Dawn is a 1985 action film that centers around a war veteran who goes to battle with a ruthless biker gang that invades a small Arizona town.

This is a movie that definitely would not be considered a classic in any way, but definitely is a decent action flick by cheesy 80's standards. I'm a fan of both Lance Henriksen and William Forsythe so I was very interested in checking this movie out, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. The characters are over the top border line ridiculous, and the plot is typical action dribble you've seen more than enough times, but I still loved it. Although it comes off like a corny 80's film and has some pretty subpar dialogue and acting, it still has plenty of action and fun moments that make this movie overall entertaining.

I thought it was a great film, but I also like these cheesy beat em up action flicks. If you haven't seen this before, I'd recommend checking it out.

Over the Top (1987)

The world meets nobody halfway. When you want something, you gotta take it.

[5/10 · 4 May 2024]

Over The Top is a 1987 sports drama that centers around a long haul truck driver who attempts to repair his relationship with his estranged son while also trying to win an arm wrestling tournament.

This is another masterpiece from the infamous Cannon Films Group that must have sounded better on paper before it was made. Although I give them credit for coming up with an original concept that hadn't been done before, the arm wrestling aspect of this film is just kind of laughable. The premise of the movie is actually decent, and was just poorly executed by Cannons leader Menahem Golan. Nevertheless, I still love this corny little film which I consider a classic from my childhood.

If you haven't seen this before and like cheesy 80's flicks, I'd recommend giving it a watch because it's unintentionally funny if nothing else.

Bushwick (2017)

The New Civil War Has Begun

[6/10 · 3 May 2024]

Bushwick is a 2017 action thriller that centers around the unlikely alliance that forms between a war veteran and a young graduate student when their city is invaded by a heavily armed militia.

This is a pretty decent movie that has a similar premise to Red Dawn, only instead of forming a group to fight back, the main characters are just trying to stay alive and escape the situation all together. The Cast is good giving solid performances, and even though Dave Bautista might not be the best of the best when it comes to acting, his abilities shine well in the action genre. It doesn't necessarily throw any creative curveballs at you, but brings plenty of tense moments and action that keep things entertaining in its unstable atmosphere.

It's not the cream of the crop when it comes to films in the genre, but definitely has enough going for it to keep you interested. If you've never seen this before, I'd recommend giving it a watch.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

The bogeyman is real and you found him

[8/10 · 3 May 2024]

House of 1000 Corpses is a 2003 dark comedy horror film that follows two young couples who are kidnapped and tormented by a sadistic family of serial killers while traveling across Texas.

Written and Directed by Rob Zombie in his directorial debut, House of 10000 Corpses is a crazy horror flick that doesn't rely as much on imagination as it does brutality and bloodshed. It keeps an eerie tone throughout it while also throwing in some dark humor elements that actually manage to work very well together. Zombie created characters that are creepy and captivating making it hard to look away, while also capturing their ruthless antics in an environment that is unsettling but visually fun.

The music is good, the cast is great, and it's one film that any horror fan should see at least once. If you've never seen this awesome movie before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Kick-Ass (2010)

With no power comes no responsibility

[7/10 · 2 May 2024]

Kick-Ass is a 2010 superhero dark comedy that centers around a comic book loving high school outcast who decides to become a superhero of his own.

I'm not a big fan of superhero films so it took me a long while before I finally sat down and watch this, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. It didn't have the feel of your typical superhero movie, and had a good story that was creative and interesting, not to mention funny. The whole cast was great, but Nicolas Cage and Chloë Grace Moretz performance really stood out portraying arguably the two best characters in the film. It has plenty of comical moments, good action, and a pretty satisfying ending making the overall film quite entertaining.

It's never going to be an all time favorite, but I really enjoyed this movie. If you haven't seen it before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)

We're sorry, Ernest, Bobby didn't know the mace can was loaded

[6/10 · 1 May 2024]

Ernest Goes To Jail is a 1990 comedy that follows Ernest as his dream of becoming a bank teller gets put on hold when he's mistaken for a prisoner that looks just like him.

Once again directed by John Cherry and starring the great Jim Varney in the title role, Ernest goes to jail is a fantastic comedy that doesn't loose steam no matter how many times you've seen it. It tells a fun story about how the goofy but lovable Ernest P Worrell gets himself in a pickle again, this time being sent to prison for looking like a convict set to go to the electric chair while serving jury duty. It's a silly film full of hilarious Ernest antics that will leave the whole family laughing out loud.

If you're a fan of the series or Varney and haven't seen this before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Anaconda (1997)

You can't scream if you can't breathe

[5/10 · 1 May 2024]

Anaconda is a 1997 adventure horror film that follows a documentary crew in the Amazon rainforest who is taken hostage by a hunter looking for the worlds largest snake.

This is one of those movies that although not completely terrible, was definitely more enjoyable when I was a kid. It has an interesting premise and a cast of good actors that did the best they could with Jon Voight's performance really standing out, but the movie still comes off as silly and kind of ridiculous. It has some entertaining moments along with some straight up eye rollers, but it's definitely become a well deserved cult classic in the creature feature subgenre of horror.

It's not the best movie you'll ever see, but can be a good watch on a Friday night with a couple of friends and a few beers. If you've never seen Anaconda before, it's worth checking out at least once.

Role Models (2008)

Bow as your daughter does

[8/10 · 25 April 2024]

Role Models is a 2008 comedy that centers around two energy drink salesmen who get into trouble with the law and are ordered by a judge to participate in a big brother type program as punishment.

From the director of Hot Wet American Summer, David Wain comes Role Models. A great movie that holds nothing back in the comedy aspects, and tells a fun story about being there for someone when they need you. It has a terrific cast that includes Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott and Elizabeth Banks, with solid performances from everyone involved, and a ton of laugh out loud moments that make the overall movie just a pleasure to watch.

It's a little crude at times, and a little silly at others, but always funny. If you've never seen this before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Road House (1989)

I want you to be nice until it's time to not be nice

[6/10 · 25 April 2024]

Road House is a 1989 action film about a bouncer at a newly refurbished roadside bar that helps protect a small town from a corrupt businessman.

This has never been one of my top favorite action films, but I've always enjoyed it for what it is. The story doesn't throw anything spectacular at you and some of the acting can get a little cheesy at times, but Patrick Swayze's performance is great and what makes this movie the classic that it is. The action is decent, the characters are fun, and it has the perfect atmosphere for everything to unfold in.

It's not the best of the best when it comes to classic 80's action flicks, but it's still pretty good. If you've never seen Road House before, I'd recommend checking it out.

Say Anything (1989)

They knew of you. Now they know you

[7/10 · 23 April 2024]

Say Anything is a 1989 romantic comedy-drama that follows the romance between two teenagers right after their graduation from high school.

Written and Directed by Cameron Crowe, Say Anything is a nice little teen Rom Com that tells a sweet story about how two opposites can fall in love.

John Cusack stars as Lloyd Dobler, an underachiever with a big heart who falls in love with a beautiful valedictorian the summer before she goes off to college, sparking a budding romance that gets put to the test.

This is a classic 80's teen flick, and one of the better movies from the 80's teen craze. It has a great cast, a nice story, and a very memorable scene that will never be forgotten. If you've never seen this before and enjoy Rom Coms, I would recommend checking it out.

Airborne (1993)

Just Chill Brah

[6/10 · 23 April 2024]

Airborne is a 1993 comedy-drama that follows a California surfer who is sent to live with his cousin in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he isn't very popular with the local teens.

This is a rare gem from the early 90's that is not high on the radar, but is a very good movie from my childhood that I still enjoy. It was one of the first films to introduce us to inline skating as a main focal point to the story, and cap it off with a big multi man race (that was captured beautifully on camera) down dangerously steep hilly streets. Like a lot of movies, it has some aspects that could have used a little improvement, but as a whole it's a very fun film that doesn't lose your interest and remains entertaining all the way through.

It has a good cast that features early performances from a young Jack Black and Seth Green, Plentry of amusing moments, and an exciting finish that ends the movie quite well. If you've never seen this before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Red Dawn (2012)

The Fight Begins At Dawn

[6/10 · 23 April 2024]

Red Dawn is a 2012 action film that centers around a group of young adults who defend their town from a North Korean invasion.

This is a modern day remake of the 1984 film of the same name, and although it is nowhere near as good as the original it still has something to be desired for fans of the genre. The story is pretty much the same aside from a few things they changed a little bit. The remake is a slick action flick that caters to anyone looking for 90 minutes of adrenaline fueled firefights and explosions. If you're looking for good character depth and a story to back it up then this is not for you.

It's not a great movie by any means, but decent enough if taken for what it is. If you've never seen either of these films I'd recommend watching the original first, otherwise give this a watch and see what you think.

Lone Star State of Mind (2002)

Shoot Me Or Quit Wasting My Saturday

[7/10 · 19 April 2024]

Lone Star State Of Mind is a 2002 comedy about a young Texas mechanic who gets caught up in a mess trying to save a dimwitted relative from the mob.

Starring Joshua Jackson, Ryan Hurst, DJ Qualls, and Jaime King, Lone Star State of Mind is a very funny movie that doesn't skimp on the comedy keeping the laughter flowing through the whole film. It's filled with goofy characters in a nice Texas background that creates a fun environment for all the silly situations that the characters go through. The story isn't super clever, but it has a terrific cast behind it giving great performances that keep the story feeling fresh with some very humorous dialogue exchanges between characters that really fuels the entertainment.

I thought this was a fantastic comedy, and if you haven't seen it before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

A team is something you belong to, something you feel, something you have to earn.

[7/10 · 18 April 2024]

The Mighty Ducks is a 1992 sports comedy-drama that follows an ex-hockey player turned lawyer who must perform community service by coaching a youth league hockey team of misfits.

As far as kids sports comedies from the 90's go, The Mighty Ducks is a pretty good movie and has an original concept based around a sport which isn't done in movies very often. The Ducks tells a nice story that warms the heart as well as provides plenty of laughs for the whole family.

Emilio Estevez stars as Gordon Bombay, a lawyer whose past hockey experience is one he'd like to forget, but when he gets arrested for a DUI he's sentenced to community service coaching hockey to a bunch of kids.

It's a fun movie about a group of underdogs with a great cast that features some familiar faces we saw in family films throughout the 90's. If you've never seen this classic movie before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Cabin Boy (1994)

I know what you're thinking. "What could be stranger than a big fata$$ floatin' cupcake?" How about one that spits tobacco

[6/10 · 18 April 2024]

Cabin Boy is a 1994 fantasy comedy about a spoiled rich finishing school graduate who mistakenly boards a fishing boat that takes him on an adventure he'll never forget.

This is a very strange and goofy film that although is quite funny at times, will leave you scratching your head a bit. The story starts out simple enough with a preppy rich kid accidentally getting on a fishing boat full of foul mouthed drunks who hate him. But as the film moves forward, it continues to get more and more bizarre with animal-human hybrids, icebergs coming to life, and island dwelling giants that make you wonder what was going on behind the scenes when they were writing this.

Aside from its odd story though, it has a good cast, colorful characters, and some pretty funny moments that make the overall film entertaining. If you've never seen this movie before, I would recommend checking it out.

Hot Rod (2007)

I'd rather die than live in a world where I can't kick your a$$.

[6/10 · 17 April 2024]

Hot Rod is a 2007 comedy that centers around an Amateur stuntman who prepares for the biggest stunt of his life to raise money for his stepfathers heart surgery.

This is a very silly film that won't leave any long lasting impressions, but is still a fun movie to watch if you want to sit back and have a laugh or two.

Andy Samberg stars as Rod Kimble, an accident prone amateur stuntman who wants to be just like his biological father who he's never met. But when his stepfather can't afford to have the heart surgery he needs, Rod and his lackeys attempt to raise the money by setting up the biggest stunt of his life.

This isn't an amazing comedy by any means, but I've always thought its goofy story and characters were pretty amusing. It has a great cast of comedic actors, plenty of funny moments, and enough going on to make it overall entertaining. If you've never seen this movie before and like dumb comedies, I would recommend checking it out.

It Could Happen to You (1994)

A cop. A waitress. A lottery ticket.

[8/10 · 17 April 2024]

It Could Happen To You is a 1994 romantic comedy-drama about a New York City police officer who splits his lottery winnings with a waitress he wasn't able to tip.

This is a terrific movie with a lot of heart that has a wonderful premise and a fantastic group of actors to tell its charming little story.

Nicolas Cage stars as Charlie Lang, a New York City cop who one day after lunch couldn't leave his waitress a tip, So instead, he offers to split whatever winning's he gets with her from his lottery ticket should he win something. Charlie then wins four million dollars changing everything in the blink of an eye.

It's an interesting and fun film that shows the good and bad side of winning a lot of money, bringing out the ugliest in some while making others better people. The acting is solid with a great cast that gives perfect performances, and it will definitely leave you wondering what you would do with four million in your back pocket.

It's a fabulous film that is sure to entertain and if you haven't seen it before, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Idle Hands (1999)

We need a place to kick it. Don't be selfish, Anton! No one else's parents are dead

[7/10 · 16 April 2024]

Idle Hands is a 1999 horror comedy that follows a lazy teenage stoner whose hand becomes possessed and goes on a killing spree even after being severed from his hand.

This is a great film, and one of the better movies to have come out of the late 90's teen flicks boom. The story isn't the most creative, but the comedy aspects are solid and make this movie highly entertaining.

Devon Sawa stars as Anton, a lazy pothead who discovers that his possessed hand has killed his parents and doesn't plan on stopping there. So after cutting his hand off and letting it escape, Anton and his two undead best friends must try and stop it before it's too late.

The premise is ridiculous, but the overall movie is quite fun and enjoyable. The cast is terrific, there's a lot of funny moments, and the end result is nothing short of a good time. If you've never seen this before, It's definitely worth a watch.

Girl (1998)

It's all right, Andrea. Everything is all right.

[8/10 · 16 April 2024]

Girl is a 1998 drama that centers around a straight A high school teenager who explores the local rock scene and falls in love with the singer of a band.

At first glance, this movie doesn't seem like anything special, but has more underneath the surface than it appears. Based on the novel of the same name, Girl is not the most spectacular story ever told, and can be quite predictable at times, but manages to stay interesting through some very good characters and a great cast of actors that give nice performances. The film's star Dominique Swain does a great job grabbing your attention and pulling you into the story which centers around sex, lies, and rock and roll.

Although it has some moments in the film that could have been done a little better I've still always found this movie pretty good for what it is. If you've never seen this before, I would recommend giving it a chance.