alexandraslate Reviews

Friday (1995)

Hilarious!! (Despite the bathroom humor)....

[21 December 2002]

This movie is not only hilarious, but it also has some surprisingly redeeming social value. It has an anti-gun violence message in it, which is so important because of the demographic audience this film will appeal to. And although I usually avoid movies that have such base humor as bathroom jokes (maybe you have to be a guy to appreciate those things), if you don't laugh your a** off when you see that midget (excuse me, little person) chasing his unusually tall/hot wife down the steet when he catches her cheating on him, then you probably need to just stay away from comedies all together...because you have no sense of humor.

This flick isn't for everyone obviously, given the subject matter involved, but I have to say it's one of the funniest films I've seen since the 1980's. If you haven't seen it yet, rent it, or you can catch it every now and then on the USA Network...On Friday nights, of course.

Indecent Proposal (1993)

People In Love Remember The Things They Do To Each Other....

[21 December 2002]

For me, one of the most memorable and poignant lines from a movie, is when David brings the divorce papers to Dede at the auction and just before he signs them he says to her, "I know now that people in love remember the things they do to each other. If they stay together, it's not because they forget, but because they forgive."

This movie explores what can happen to even the most rock-solid couples when they allow money to make them do things they would never dream of doing otherwise. Somehow, when you're dealing with a monetary figure the size of $1,000,000 it's easy to forget that what you're actually doing to get that money is absolutely no different than what the girls on Sunset Boulevard are doing. For a much lower price yes, but it's still the exact same thing. In the movie, their love in the end was strong enough to overcome the damage they'd caused each other by doing this heinous thing, but I don't know that your average couple in real life could overcome it. What they'd done would always be between them.

Powerful performances by Moore and Redford, but the best and most surprising performance comes from Woody Harrelson. I didn't know he had it in him to show such a broad range of emotion. Quite a departure from his bartender role at Cheers! I absolutely love the movie's very appropriate theme song, "No Ordinary Love" by Sade.

Great movie for everyone, but is an especially important message to be obtained for those in love.

About Last Night (1986)

A Microcosim Of The Typical 80's Relationship....

[21 December 2002]

This film is a perfect example of relationships in the 1980's. Given that the morality of the Reagan era never influenced the 20-somethings of that generation, it shows rather succinctly what happens when two people meet and jump into bed on the first date, then try to build a meaningful relationship based on that. Of course what was learned by those who tried doing that it way, was that it doesn't work. Nothing long-lasting can come from something as superficial as physical attraction.

This film takes a funny look at those who were foolish enough to try and take the wrong road to happily ever after. Rob Lowe and Demi Moore have great chemistry together as the typical yuppie, 20-something 80's fun couple, Dan and Debbie. They're one of those cute brother/sister looking couples with strikingly dark hair and green eyes. Seeing them together, you can't help but picture them together as a real-life couple (their kids would've been gorgeous)! Their coupling takes the inevitable route: explodes on contact, then peters out when real-life issues enter the picture. Obtaining advice from their respective best-friends (his is psychotic, hers is promiscuous but hostile toward the opposite sex) only complicates matters.

Things work out for them in the end though, when they decide to grow up and toss their unrealistic expectations of one another out the window. The 80's soundtrack is a blast from the past (hell, you can't blame Demi for being tempted to jump Rob's bones on the first date when you hear that hot song by Jermaine Jackson "Words Into Action" playing in the background). The smart and snappy banter between the principal characters makes it a fun movie all the way around.

Not your usual chick flick. Highly recommended to all.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Best Christmas Movie....Ever!

[21 December 2002]

It may sound pathetic, but no matter how many times the TBS Network shows this movie, I have to watch it. Even when they do their 24 hour marathons of A Christmas Story every Christmas Eve, I still watch every one. It may sound sad, and maybe I should get a life, but I just love it so much and since I know I won't be seeing any reruns til next Christmas, I don't feel the least bit guilty about it.

This movie is different from all the other Christmas movies, because although it has the prerequisite touching, heartfelt events in it that everyone looks for in a traditional Christmas movie, it has a risque' humor to it not found in any before it. Or since! (While fixing the furnace, his father wove a tapestry of obscenity that as far as he knows is still hanging over lake Michigan as we speak)! Hilarious!!

Nothing is as appealing to me at Christmas time than watching Ralpie and his quest for a Red Rider, carbine action bebe gun, with a compus in the stock, and this thing which tells time. I wonder what ever happened to Peter Billingsly?

Great fun for the whole family. A must see!!

Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

No More Jello...?

[2 November 2002]

This movie is a classic.

But like several of the other reviewers, I agree that more care and thought should have been taken with several elements of this film. Nic Cage, although a great actor, is I believe totally miscast as Charlie. He's too young to bring the maturity necessary to pull off this part the way that Kathleen Turner did. To make up for his lack of experience, he gives his character a gratingly irritating voice that takes the viewers attention away from the performance. He has a decent singing voice though. I also agree that the scene where her grandfather and his cronies try to send her back to the future with a bizarre incantation is unnecessary, and way too far fetched even considering the subject matter we're dealing with here.

Still it's a fun and interestingly different take on the usual comedy, and definetly worth seeing at least once. It has some great one-liners in there..."No More Jello For Me Mom" was really great.

Once Bitten (1985)

The Best Of The Jim Carrey Vehicles....

[2 November 2002]

A Hilarious 80's teen sex comedy!

Jim Carrey hasn't been as funny in a film since. He manages to get plenty of laughs with his performance without going over the top the way he tends to do today. My favorite part is where Robin and the Countess have a dance-off over Mark at the Halloween dance to the very appropriate and silly song "Hands Off, He belongs to me"! And though slightly homophobic by today's standards were the comments by Carrey's sidekicks, "We're Rump Rangers", and the "Fags in the Shower" exclamations however, it all seemed in good fun.

Karen Kopins was really good as Mark's long-suffering girlfriend and held her own well against Carrey. She should've had a better career. I really miss the 80's teen movie genre, and the lighthearted take these films had on a generation.

A must see on Halloween if you're looking to lighten the load from the usual slasher films that always get shown.

Lorenzo's Oil (1992)

Painful, Yet Moving True Story....

[1 November 2002]

Definetly one of the most inspiring movies ever made.

As individuals, it would be quite easy to feel helpless while up against a disease such as ALD and a medical establishment that has agendas other than the life of a small child. But Augusto and Michaela Odone refused to just stand idly by and while there son's life slipped away from them. Instead, they made the unprecedented decision to learn as much as they could about their son's devastating illness and then set about to find a cure. Because of their efforts, thousands of boys will now be able to enjoy a life their child will not. Had they not been the exceptionally educated and intelligent people that they were I don't know if they would have been able to accomplish such an unbelievable feat. Who knows? What's important to remember, and what I think is the moral of the story is that great things can be accomplished when people become determined to make a difference.

Though Lorenzo regained his sight, some motor skills, and the ability to swallow, his condition hasn't improved to a large degree over the years, and will not until science is able to regenerate the myelin sheath covering his brain that was all but destroyed by the ALD. At the end of the movie, Augusto was involved with a group of scientists who were about to begin trials that would put the myelin back into some puppies who were born with this defect. I, along with others pray for those suffering from this disorder, as well as for people with other diseases such as Multiple Schlerosis that this therapy could help, that they will be successful.

Sadly, Michaela passed away not too long ago. Being from Virginia the Odone's are considered heros in this state, so her death made the papers here. I cried when I thought of how difficult it must have been for her to have to leave the child she'd spent so many years giving hours upon hours of endless care and attention. I'm sure it never crossed her mind that he would outlive her.

If you've never seen this movie, be sure not to miss it. It's a stellar 10!! But be sure to bring a whole box of tissues, you're going to need it!

Real Genius (1985)

Made Me Want To Try And Get Into A Think Tank At College Time....

[1 November 2002]

You've got to hand it to a bunch of kids who can dry-ice an entire dorm hallway, and fill a whole house full of popcorn!! Why don't they make movies like this anymore?

A really imaginative farce. A bunch of smart kids who take on the establishment to save the world from the destruction of a laser they were duped into building. Val Kilmer was fabulous as the coolest of the brainiacs, when he really was putting some effort into his craft, and before his head became so large from fame that it exploded. The theme song, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, says it all. Great performances throughout.

Check this one out, it's in my top 10.

Hot Dog... The Movie (1983)

Crazy Ski Movie....

[24 October 2002]

In reading username farnum's review, I couldn't help but laugh at the memory of David Naughton singing that stupid disco song Makin' It on Solid Gold..."I'm solid gold, I've got the goods"... I didn't know there was anyone out there who still remembers it besides me. I must agree unfortunately that his career definetly peaked with the Pepper Ads, and should probably stick to hocking soda (if that's even still an option for him now).

This movie is guilty of every conceivable error in judgement by the writers, the director, and even the studio who allowed this truly bad 80's flick to be put out. Bad dialogue, bad acting, no discernable plot structure and given that I am a woman, too much T&A...(Exactly how much silicone did they actually PUT into Shannon Tweed anyway)?! Strange woman, she seemed more interested in Sunny than in Harkin. Why couldn't they have had Harkin gliding around naked on his back in that jaccuzzi instead of Shannon? Sunny treated Harkin like crap througout the entire movie. I guess being a hot babe counts enough with some men that they won't require you to have a personality. And that guitar serenade by Harkin to Sunny!! That went beyond embarrassing, to actually being painful for the viewer. Although the movie had some pretty good music in it by Duran Duran and Al Jareau, I found it annoying that they kept rewinding the songs over and over so that the tracks wouldn't finish up before the scene did.

Despite the obvious problems though, I still laughed. I first saw it when it came out on HBO when I was 17, and just caught it again the other day. I found myself laughing in all the same places. I'm not sure what that says about me exactly since I am now a mature professional woman of 35, but it's true. That ski lift scene with the guy who had sunblock on his nose and the little ski bunny was quite memorable (as I'm sure it was for him as well)! I couldn't help but wonder if that sort of thing happens on ski lifts on a routine basis. Being a southern woman who has never made it to the slopes, I wouldn't know. In any event, if you've got any teenager still left in you, you should be able to get through it without feeling as though you've wasted too much of your time. As movies go in general I'd give it a 4 out of 10, but on the laugh scale it goes up to maybe a 7.

Vice Squad (1982)

Great Sleaze-Fest!!

[24 October 2002]

I saw this movie when it first came out. Since I was just entering the teen years, and lived in a small town, this movie's gritty portrayal of L.A. streetlife had a profound effect on me. I didn't know at that time that such things were taking place in big town USA.

I credit this film, along with a few others such as the movie Hardcore, with advancing my education about some of the dangers in the world. It also made me want to never go to L.A.. These just aren't the kinds of things that get mentioned in travel brochures to Tinseltown. Although I kind of got that it was an exaggeration of what can go on in the skin trade, I also realized that in order to make a movie like this it had to have been based on events that were to have happened somewhere at one time or another. Interesting, though (albeit nauseating) twist on the usual violence in movies, i.e. coathangers....

Outstanding psychotic performance by Wings Hauser, and the vastly underrated and under used (pardon the pun) Season Hubley. I haven't seen it on cable in a long time, but would love to run across it again. For those who haven't seen it, it's definetly worth checking it out. That's if you can find it in your local video stores. The ones in my area don't carry it.

Same Time, Next Year (1978)

It All Started With Hello....

[24 October 2002]

****Possible Spoilers****This is one of my all time favorite romantic comedies. The story of two married people who meet at a seaside hotel and begin an affair in which they meet back at the same place for one weekend a year for 20+ years.

Though the subject matter of adultery might put some people off, Alan Alda with his deft comedic skills brings a hilarious perspective to the situation that leaves viewers feeling that these are just two basically decent people who would never stray from their significant others if it weren't for this very unique situation of having found their soulmates a little too late. In fact, lesser people would have probably divorced their spouses for a love so great. The premise is made even more unique by the way we see only the two of them interact at the seaside cottage for that one weekend every five years. I was glad to see that other reviewers were as taken with the song, "It all started with hello", that was played as events are shown that occurred during the five year increments between scenes.

The dialogue between Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn are so perfect together, there isn't a need for any other characters to make it interesting. Practically impossible to cut up in any way. Except for maybe one: I'd have preferred to have seen them end up together in the end.

A Fine Mess (1986)

A Mess, Yes....But Fine As Well!

[21 October 2002]

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at the number of viewers whose comments generally trashed this picture, but I must admit that I'm astonished at the snobbery of some people when it comes to comedy.

Not every movie has to have an intricate plot, Oscar caliber performances, and a perfect script to be a noteworthy movie. We have movies like Citizen Kane, The Killing Fields, A Dry White Season, Rain Man ect... for that. The most important aspect of a comedy is whether or not it is genuinely funny, and there's no way one can say that this flick is not.

Just about every scene in the film is funny, physical as well as dialogue. Howie Mandel cracked me up constantly with the strange voices he used. It's vulgar in parts, and sure, the plot is weak. So what. It does it's job. Blake Edwards is a master at comedy. He never leaves me disappointed.

If you're looking for a movie that will leave you with a sore ribcage at the end, this one will do the trick. As comedies go, I'd give it an 8/10.

Bachelor Party (1984)

Raunchy Laugh Fest....

[20 October 2002]

One of the top five funniest movies of the eighties. The humour in this movie isn't for everyone, but if you're not offended by the sex jokes, misogyny, S&M, and bestiality, then you won't be able to watch this movie without laughing your head off.

My favorite scene in the film is where Debbie's ex-boyfriend gets hog tied by Rick and his friends and they proceed to hang him out the window of the hotel by his bed sheets stark naked. The sheets eventually come undone from the footboard of the bed and he falls several floors while screaming and lands a** first through the roof of a car occupied by a couple who, about to kiss, wind up putting their lips right to his hairy butt. Not many movies have a scene like that in them.

Tawny Kitaen is an interesting choice as Hank's love interest. Her lion's mane of red hair being her standout feature that sets her apart from the usual blonde, siliconed (Pam Anderson) looking leading lady in most films of this genre.

The action moves along at a fast clip so that you won't become bored and notice that this film virtually has no plot at all. All in all a fun film. As comidies go, I'd give it a 9 out of 10.

Blind Date (1987)

Blake Edwards at his best!

[19 October 2002]

I've always loved Blake Edwards films and although this may not have been regarded as his best work, I feel it was highly underrated. Though thoroughly implausible in many ways, I have to say that this movie made me laugh harder than any movie I've ever seen. My sides literally hurt after watching it. Although I've only seen it a few times since it came out because none of the networks other than FX ever show it. Why I don't know because it's really great!!

The main reason I'd have to say was John Laroquette as Nadia's psychotic ex-boyfriend. I was cracking up in every single scene he was in with his standard line (I'll kill you). His physical comedy is totally brilliant. I don't know why he didn't end up with a film career of his own. But my favorite scene has to be at the end when Nadia sees David hanging from the balcony of the house and squeals as they both dive into the pool and meet at the bottom in a kiss as they come up for air, with David yelling; "Nadia, get your mouth off of him"!!

The movie is flawed in places though. What are the odds that a house moving company would be moving a house at the exact moment that Nadia decides to knock on the door. And it is never explained why Walter is facing 2 years in prison for his night on the town, yet David completely escapes any legal obligations for plowing his car into 3 seperate businesses.

Kim Basinger and Bruce Willis were great as well. Though I didn't understand why they dyed her gorgeous blonde hair brown. Maybe because her image was supposed to be that of a sweet girl looking for love and Edwards thought she'd look too much the vamp and would lack credibility without the dye job. It's also a good chance to see the late Phil Hartman early in his career. I also loved the love song played at the end by Gary Morris and Jennifer Warnes.

All in all, a fun ride from beginning to end. If you haven't seen it yet, go out and rent it now. You won't be disapointed, it's a 10+++!

American Flyers (1985)

One of my all-time favorite romantic comedies.......

[19 October 2002]

I just caught this movie on the FX network the other night after not having seen it for many years, and it got to me just as much as when I'd seen it last.

I'm usually able to discern when I'm being manipulated by the standard Hollywood formula of overly sentimental scenes in these type of movies. But every time I watch the scene where Sarah wakes up the morning of the second race and is trying to convice Marcus to come back to bed instead of going out with David to go over the course, she sees the sun rising with him standing there in the light of the new day and she suddenly realizes that what happened the night before when he had that dizzy spell probably means she's about to lose him. She grabs him and kisses him and with big tears in her eyes says, "Marcus I love you so much". I just about come unglued.

Some of the characters needed to be developed more though. Luca Bercovici's Muzzin is totally hot, but his relationship with Sarah could've used more elaboration. Marcus' problems with his mother could've been used to better effect if they had given her more dialogue to offer her side of the story. And why did Becky get so torn up when Marcus started bleeding from his anyeurism? How long had she known these people anyway, two days?!

That aside, the action moves along at a nice clip so you don't get bored. And there's no way you can watch this film and not find yourself rooting for David to burn Muzzin's a** in the race.

All the way around a great chick flick, and pretty good movie for everyone else.

The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)

Spys from the Suburbs....

[19 October 2002]

Engrossing drama made all the more interesting because it's a true story. Although difficult to follow at times because of the choppy storyline and the ambiguous motivations of Hutton's character Boyce. (What ever happened to Hutton's career anyway)? I as well was left wanting to know more about Christopher Boyce. Why did he plan to charge 50 grand for his last trade if he was as disinterested in money as he stated to investigators during his interrogation at the end?

I also agree with the viewer who wrote that Penn's character Daulton was so annoying that I too kept hoping the Russians would shoot him. And how is it exactly that in the beginning Daulton declares emphatically to Chris that selling secrets to the Russians was "just plain wrong", and when he gets busted for selling drugs he tells his defense lawyer that snitching was against his principals? Then suddenly selling his own country out seems suddenly like a good idea? The way the writers play around with the main characters motivations makes it impossible to get a grasp on why anyone is doing what they are doing.

Also, Lori Singer's character as Chris's girlfriend seems to have virtually no purpose at all because she ends up in about only 3 scenes.

This film could have gone from being a good movie, to a great movie if they would have added approximately 20 to 30 additional minutes to clear up some of the inconsistencies.

The Four Seasons (1981)

A Favorite of an Alda Fan....

[19 October 2002]

I was 14 the first time I saw this film in 1981 on HBO. I found it to be a totally engrossing movie that made one actually think about the complexities of life and relationships other than just your typical movie fare of sex and violence. They just don't make movies like this one anymore, and probably never will again (which is sad).

Like Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the cast of characters cover a range of emotions; through anger, grief, and denial of the departure of the spouse of one of the couples who vacation quarterly together and finally acceptance when a new and (younger) addition enters the picture.

The banter between the couples is unusually intelligent, and hysterically funny in some scenes. Jack Weston's character Danny is my favorite. Alda's Jack describes him in one scene as being hypochondriachal, which is the understatement of the year. He seems to feel that he is dying at any given moment of any number of diseases. Death to him is imminent, and his portrayal of this emotion is brilliantly funny because of the sincerity with which he tries to convince the others of the validity of his fears. I loved the scene where he and his wife Claudia have an arguement and she offers up the suggestion once too often that her Italian heritage is the reason for her behavior and Danny cuts loose on her. He gets so into it, that it doesn't seem to matter to the director that he flubbed the line where he's screaming out the window that "I'm sick of your I'm your Italian", when he really meant to say "I'm sick of your I'm Italian". So the scene is left in.

The scene where Jack and Kate laugh their a**e* off on the boat one night while listening to Nick and Ginny having sex is also hysterical.

Really great movie. Highly recommended for people as desperate as I am for some intelligent and thought provoking entertainment.

Continental Divide (1981)

Surprisingly funny Belushi flick...

[19 October 2002]

I thought this movie was hysterical! I've always been a big fan of John Belushi, but was more accustomed to seeing him playing over the top characters; i.e. Saturday Night Live, Animal House, Blues Brothers, ect... To see him tone all that crazy stuff he normally did for laughs down, yet still be just as funny shows just how truly talented John Belushi was.

I particularly liked the scenes where you hear him narrate his journal entries, and when Nell comes to Chicago and he's giving her tips for surviving on his turf.

It's too bad that John was lost so soon. Maybe he would've done alot more movies like this one.

Somewhere in Time (1980)

Greatest Love Story Ever Told.....

[19 October 2002]

Few movies can touch as many peoples hearts as this one has. There's just no question about it. The belief that love comes through everything, even time, is a premise all of us hope for.

Best line in the movie is when the elderly Elyse says to Richard, "Come back to me". Will tear your heart right out of your chest. The beautiful Rachmaninov music enhances the feeling of love these two people have for each other, and prolongs the pain once they've been ripped apart by fate. Must've been some pretty powerful stuff between these two for Elyse to sleep with this guy she's only known for a couple of days, given the sexually chaste nature of the average woman at that time (1920's).

I agree with the viewer who took issue with Richard becoming so ill after he returns to the Inn though. Seems to me a strapping young guy in such robust health could live longer than one week without food and water.

Couldn't improve on this one in very many ways. One question though... How can I get my hands on the dress Elyse wore during her play at the Inn?!!