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josh_brown10
Reviews
Up (2009)
Uplifting!
Pixar is back, baby! This one starts out a little heavy for a children's movie as Carl Fredrickson and his beloved wife, Ellie, live out a life marred by average, everyday trials and setbacks. Their life dream of going to Paradise Falls, a place of wonder as described by their mutual childhood hero, never materializes. Ellie passes away, leaving Carl alone in a world that seems to be moving on without him. In a final act of defiance and an attempt to realize his dream, Carl ties thousands of balloons to his house and sets sail for South America with an accidental passenger, Russell, an 8 year old boy. When he arrives he meets his childhood hero, who turns out to be not at all what Carl expected. In the end Carl realizes his dream was really companionship and his life is enriched by the new friends he made while on his adventure. The story, overall, is uplifting, funny and just a good time. The colorful animation is rich and in the brilliant style of the director of Monsters Inc. This one is a hit!
Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie (2002)
Made for cable but doesn't know it
Yes, this film is made for cable and yes, they could have spent a little more on production. But the first time I saw it, I didn't know it was made for cable. I bought the DVD (had to order it because nobody carries it) and still find it pretty entertaining.
Benny Silman (played exceptionally well by David Krumoltz) takes up book making in college and gets more than he asked for. He ends up in a basketball points shaving scheme at Arizona State University that makes him rich. Yeah, the money is easy but greed soon turns the tables on Benny and his less than reputable business partners. The film has a good message, is relatively clean and has great script and actors. It does, however, leave you wanting a little more since it IS made for T.V. Still, I'm happy to own it and I watch it at the start of every college basketball season and maybe a couple of other times throughout the year.
I kind of hope they don't remake it as it would probably fall victim to overproduction, which seems to be the theme in Hollywood these days.
Sahara (2005)
Hated It!
This is a terrible movie supposedly based on the novel by Clive Cussler. I would advise you to read "Sahara" before you see the movie. They left out SO MUCH INFORMATION. Where's Abraham Lincoln? If you read the book, you will know what I mean.
The only pleasant thing about this movie is the beautiful Penelope Cruz. Other than that, the actors they cast as Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino don't even come close to the descriptions in the book. Clive Cussler did not endorse this movie with good reason. I was very disappointed after waiting for years to see it. When is Hollywood going to finally understand that beautiful women, explosions, and mediocre action doesn't make up for things like story and character?
Hopefully, someone will do this one right. The book is one of Cussler's best. Highly recommend reading it.
I'm not putting down Mathew McConaghey or Steve Zahn. I'm not a big fan of McConaghey but I do like Steve Zahn quite a bit. He was great in Employee of the Month and Saving Silverman. They just don't fit the parts.
PLEASE READ THE BOOK FIRST!
Employee of the Month (2004)
Forget About That Cheese Starring Jessica Simpson!
I caught this movie on IFC one day and decided to watch it because of the cast. Matt Dillon, Christina Applegate, and Steve Zahn make a great team! A few minutes into it and I was wondering why this movie wasn't more popular.
David Walsh (Dillon) has it all. The job, a sweet car, a new house, and a beautiful fiancé (Applegate). But, in one day, he loses it all. As it turns out, everything happens for a reason.
I don't want to say anymore as I think you will enjoy all the twists and turns, which don't stop until the credits start rolling. Even then, you should keep watching. It gets all tied up a little too neatly but the movie is definitely entertaining.
This movie is a good example of why it is a good idea to check out independent films once in a while. Even if you've never heard of the movie, it could turn into an instant favorite as this one has to me. So please enjoy this movie and support independent films!
Trees Lounge (1996)
Buscemi Should Direct More Films!
This great flick is directed by and stars well know character actor, Steve Buscemi as Tommy Basillo. Tommy has lost his girl, lost his job, and now doesn't really know what to do. After a weak attempt to find work, he ends up driving an ice cream truck directly into the cross hairs of an old, violent friend played by Daniel Baldwin. Other cast include a younger and thinner Anthony Lapaglia of Without A Trace fame, Mark Boone Jr. who now appears in the FX series, Sons of Anarchy, and a special appearance by Samuel L. Jackson. It is basically a day in the life of a "regular Joe." Another good film directed by Steve Buscemi is "Lonesome Jim.". It stars some of the same actors and the always beautiful, Liv Tyler. If you like "Tree's Lounge" you're safe with "Lonesome Jim.". So enjoy!
Big Fish (2003)
Excellent!
I'm not usually a big fan of Tim Burton films but I have to congratulate him on Big Fish. Ewen McGregor was the perfect choice for this movie.
When Will's father falls ill he returns home to be with him. He wants to know how many of his father's absurd stories are true. Through story telling, flashbacks and a little investigation, Will is able to piece together the strange and wonderful life of the young Edward Bloom, played by Ewen McGregor. He finds love, adventure and even meets a giant, played by the late Mathew McGrory.
Its a wonderful story and the end is very touching. Burton's scene setting makes the movie very memorable.
Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)
One of My Favorites
This classic comedy features Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda reunited. Ball plays a widow with 8 children while Fonda plays a widower with 10 children. The two get married and try to unite the families as one. With 20 different personalities in one home, things get more than a little tough. There is one scene where one of Fonda's children spikes Lucille Ball's drink. She gets drunk and makes a fool of herself, much to the delight of the kids. I love that scene. Her runny makeup and slurring words are just hilarious! This movie has recently been the victim of a terrible remake starring Dennis Quade. If you found that entertaining in any way, you will love the original. It is a wonderful, funny movie that is safe for all ages. Enjoy!
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Classic Keaton, Classic Comedy
Okay, so I'm obviously a huge Buster Keaton fan. But this is simply an incredible movie. The comedy, as with most Keaton movies, is as entertaining as the crazy stunts. Keaton plays a wimpy William, the son of a steamboat Captain who comes home and is put to work by his father. His father, embarrassed by his sons meek nature, hopes to toughen him up. But William meets a girl, the daughter of a competing steamboat Captain. This only adds to the feud between the captains and the two are forbidden to see each other. A tornado and clever stunts inevitably save the day.
This was the last film shot by Keaton's studio. In fact, minutes before shooting the scene where the house falls on Keaton he was informed that his studio was being closed. In spite of this, he stayed on his mark and completed the stunt in one take, which is all he had. Any miscalculation would have been the end for Buster Keaton.
I don't know if there has been a more creative and original actor/writer in the history of film...or acting....or comedy! This man was truly one of a kind. Despite the tragedy that was his life, Buster Keaton still entertained. I personally consider him to be better than Chaplin even though Chaplin is almost the only name you ever hear in conversation about silent film. Many of Keaton's stunts and comedic plots have been stolen by others without even so much as a thank you in the credits. He gets more credit these days but is still owed a great deal more.
If you're just meeting Buster Keaton I would recommend "The General" and "The Camera Man" too. He also has a great collection of short films, my favorite being "Cops". I would also recommend any film with Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton. The two worked great together. Arbuckle, impressed with Keaton's ability to take a 5 pound bag of flour to the face without so much as a flinch, gave Keaton his start in film. Keaton was no stranger to performing as his family had their own entertainment business where they befriended Houdini. Houdini once witnessed young Keaton take a tumble down the stairs. Keaton got up with his usual dead pan expression as though nothing had happened. Houdini then gave him the nickname of "Buster." And so Buster Keaton was "born." And I'm happy he was. Who knows how the film industry would have turned out without him. I have a feeling it may have been very different.
The General (1926)
Keaton's Finest Work
This movie is a great introduction to Keaton. His acrobatics and deadpan expressions alone make this a must see. In this film, Keaton plays Johny Gray. It is based in the South at the start of the Civil War. Keaton is a railroad engineer and wants to enlist with the rebel army but is denied. He still becomes a hero to the South, and most importantly, his girl.
The General was not an instant hit. In fact, it wasn't considered a classic until many years later. It is now considered to be one of the funniest movies of all time. It is a bit of comedy gold. Well written, great stunts, and even good effects(for 1926). It is widely considered to be Keaton's masterpiece although I think some of his shorter films are even better. The Camera Man, Steamboat Bill Jr., Cops are among the many that I recommend.
But, for now, enjoy this classic comedy. I hope you will seek out other works by Keaton from his earlier years. He later lost creative control to MGM and his movies suffered the consequences. He also fell victim to alcoholism after a bitter divorce left him broke. His story is rather tragic. This is especially true since he didn't get proper recognition for his work until much later. If you enjoy this movie do yourself a favor and find other Keaton works. You won't be disappointed.