DANIEL DAY LEWIS IS LINCOLN

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym3acem-dM0/UKmFL-RfGwI/AAAAAAAARwM/hUtdpG_mSok/s1600/09lincoln-span-articleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym3acem-dM0/UKmFL-RfGwI/AAAAAAAARwM/hUtdpG_mSok/s640/09lincoln-span-articleLarge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2012 cast: Daniel Day Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, James Spader rating: ***</td></tr> </tbody></table> While a more fitting title would be THE 13TH AMENDMENT, as the film primarily deals with the passing of the law to free the slaves, LINCOLN focuses on a President who had the determination to see something through – all the way through till the end: It just may take a few minutes to adhere to the voice and stature Daniel Day Lewis provides our 16th President. Sounding like a decrepit small town barber suffering a cold, Lincoln walks with a jangly gait – at times seeming too frail to hold himself uptight – and that stove top hat looks about to envelop his wiry frame. But DDL's Lincoln tells wonderful parable/stories that serve to convince friends and opponents alike… While his feeble manner is explained aptly by one character, noting how the Civil War, and being responsible for the deaths therein, can age a man considerably. It’s how the (perhaps two-time) Oscar winning actor combines the lethargic physicality to the freshly heartfelt monologues that makes the story work... So while Lincoln fares so capably on his own, his family serves as a distraction. Enter wife Mary Todd and their two sons: the youngest, Tad, stares wide-eyed at slaves in photographs like a modern kid leafs through baseball cards; while guilt-ridden law student Todd (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), witnessing the tragedy of war, yearns to join the military.<br /> <br /> Sally Field’s moody Mary Todd Lincoln is a woman torn between mental instability and blunt honesty... she’s Abe's personal cross to bear yet he wears it with pride. During certain arguments you’d expect him to shout, “To the moon, Mary,” before giving her a forgiving peck on the cheek. Thus each family member lends menial significance – but in a story based on “The Political Genius” of Lincoln as opposed to his personal life, perhaps this was intentional. And on that political side, standing out past the others (even David Strathairn’s patient sidekick William Seward), Tommy Lee Jones plays up the scruffy hero in Thaddeus Stevens. The veteran actor knows how to successfully turn a craggy grouch into an endearing angel. His scenes often feel like an introduction to his own spinoff sequel... through his timeworn eyes the dream of freedom seems the most important. Although director Steven Spielberg does a fine job moving along a film set within conference rooms and that big important Courthouse, he’s a bit too manipulative in the process: you’ll know exactly who to root for, who to throw tomatoes at, and who to cheer with once the historic outcome is revealed. Meanwhile, the liberal filmmaker, in lionizing a famous Republican, plays a delicate balancing act: the stuffy conservatives are as much a bulwark/hindrance as the stubborn democrats (while a barrage of “g-damns” flow like pellets at a shooting gallery). All in all, Lincoln himself seems more an Independent, painfully triangulating through an uphill climb: How he and his colleagues sway votes by creative manipulation is entertainingly fun.<br /> <br /> So with all the elaborate sets, beautiful costumes, rich cinematography, and talented character actors (including Hal Holbrook, James Spader, and Bruce McGill, who hilariously complains how Lincoln wins every argument), Daniel Day Lewis triumphs with his stories alone. For a colorful performer who can be too stagey in other projects, he portrays Lincoln so genuinely subtle and meaningfully soft-spoken, the audience has no choice but to hang onto every... single... word.

2012, daniel day lewis, steven spielberg, tommy lee jones

DANIEL DAY LEWIS IS LINCOLN

year: 2012 cast: Daniel Day Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, James Spader rating: *** While a more fitting title would be THE 13TH A...

QUENTIN TARANTINO DIRECTS DJANGO UNCHAINED

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFbl101TIXk/UN5xDnjJGNI/AAAAAAAAURg/Fe8bbateVc8/s1600/unchained+django.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFbl101TIXk/UN5xDnjJGNI/AAAAAAAAURg/Fe8bbateVc8/s640/unchained+django.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2012 cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Don Johnson rating: **1/2</td></tr> </tbody></table> Modern exploitation guru Quentin Tarantino serves up historical revenge once again. His last film, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, had the German Nazis getting theirs, and now, with a good German on board (in fact he’s the villain from the last film) we’re out to set things right in the American Deep South, two years shy of the Civil War…<br /> <br /> Although the first half takes place on the road from Texas to Mississippi as bounty hunting dentist Dr. King Schultz recruits a slave named Django to help him find three outlaw brothers (Django alone knows their appearance). These are the more spirited and deliciously cutthroat segments as our heroes partner up and, as Django puts it, “Kill white people for money.” <br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skIUVclNP8U/VGvhwVGEXVI/AAAAAAAAkuM/v-5keGMY640/s1600/ddd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skIUVclNP8U/VGvhwVGEXVI/AAAAAAAAkuM/v-5keGMY640/s320/ddd1.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christoph Waltz</td></tr> </tbody></table> Christoph Waltz (Schultz) and Jamie Foxx (Django) are a good team, and while making mince meat out of their targets, the bloodshed is something to marvel. But Tarantino throws in awkward bouts of humor, derailing the intensity of the moment. One particular scene where a group of rednecks complain about not seeing through masked eyeholes (including a very distracting cameo by Jonah Hill) feels like Mel Brooks clumsily intruding Sergio Leone. <br /> <br /> After Django helps Schultz with his job, it’s time for the doctor to aid his more-than-capable partner rescue Django's wife Broomhilda, who resides at “Candyland,” an infamous Antebellum plantation run by the sinister though much too youthful Calvin Candie. <br /> <br /> While Leonardo DiCaprio has more than capable acting skills, and savors the gloriously tyrannical racist dialog, there could have/should have been a backstory on why the owner of a plantation looks fresh out of finishing school. For a man who’s supposed to have a lifetime of seething venom oozing from his veins, those desperately piercing blue eyes seem more confused and frustrated than cold and calculating, making Tarantino’s purposely overboard racism more of a crutch than weapon for the DiCaprio character (perhaps Don Johnson, who played a wily brothel owner in a previous scene, could have taken this role… he had the age going for him and with that, soulless eyes that look like he’s seen – and been through – pretty much everything).<br /> <br /> But Leo’s not alone. He’s helped along by the most wicked of Uncle Tom’s played by Samuel Jackson, whose spitefully cantankerous Stephen figures things out before his boss. This is a nice role for the QT stock actor, who has sleepwalked through many roles post PULP FICTION and JACKIE BROWN. Although his feeble mannerisms often slow down the performance.  <br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saJ5s8Ph_v8/VGvh3VQ3h9I/AAAAAAAAkuU/2skYvL8xkPU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saJ5s8Ph_v8/VGvh3VQ3h9I/AAAAAAAAkuU/2skYvL8xkPU/s320/1.jpg" width="174" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamie Foxx</td></tr> </tbody></table> The main problem with UNCHAINED is how long Tarantino stretches scenes with dialog. While the actors, especially Waltz and DiCaprio, have a blast with colorful monologues, you’ll often forget there are other characters on board – and most of the speeches fail to serve the plot: the duo pretending to buy Mandingo slave fighters when they really want the girl. And unlike the movies QT grew up on, especially the Leone Westerns, there's never a genuine feeling of being outdoors. Even the exterior shots, especially the opening chain gang sequence, feels contrived and constrained.<br /> <br /> With all the deals and discussions going on, the much-anticipated reunion of Django and Broomhilda is lost in the mix. Not even Django’s surreptitious trigger finger (whenever she's treated badly) adds worthy suspense, which, during this overlong stint at Candyland, is very much needed. But there’s not all downtime at the mansion: a particular Candie lecture involving a slave’s skull does successfully perk things up, providing DiCaprio a good five minutes of sheer unapologetic villainy. Then, after a shocking twist, it’s Django alone who must save his girl.<br /> <br /> Jamie Foxx, having played a quietly brooding second fiddle to Waltz so far, makes up for lost time with heated gusto. This third and final act involving a group of Australians being duped by Django, who’s learned the art of waxing poetic, is replete with the bare-knuckle action we’ve anticipated (although large chunks of bloody guts flying off each gunshot victim seems like Tarantino doing an overboard imitation of himself). There are some decent montage sequences, but some of the music, especially that of the rap nature, seems too modern for the time portrayed. And the editing feels somewhat limp without QT’s longtime collaborator Sally Menke, who died a few years back: Particular flashbacks and hallucinations are often confusing and awkward.  <br /> <br /> An okay ride, much better than Quentin’s last two films (BASTERDS and DEATH PROOF), yet there needed a much tighter/sharper vehicle for our hero to truly deserve the fanfare of the literally explosive finale. 

2012, blaxploitation, christoph waltz, dennis christopher, exploitation, james remar, jamie foxx, leonardo dicaprio, quentin tarantino, samuel l. jackson

QUENTIN TARANTINO DIRECTS DJANGO UNCHAINED

year: 2012 cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Don Johnson rating: **1/2 Modern exploitation guru Quentin Tarantino se...

CHRISTMAS VACATION 2: COUSIN EDDIE'S ISLAND ADVENTURE

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYYYT5k1xeM/US0DkyzU6bI/AAAAAAAAXHs/CEVIbPSsxm8/s1600/dana+barron+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYYYT5k1xeM/US0DkyzU6bI/AAAAAAAAXHs/CEVIbPSsxm8/s640/dana+barron+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>year:</b> 2003<b> cast:</b> Randy Quaid, Dana Barron, Miriam Flynn, Fred Willard <b>rating:</b> *1/2</td></tr> </tbody></table> That’s right, a sequel to a sequel where Cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid – that endearingly gross white trash slob from the NATIONAL LAMPOON VACATION universe – has his own straight-to-DVD movie, and it’s so awful you might just enjoy yourself.<br /> <br /> Eddie works at a nuclear physics lab. He and a monkey are both used for testing and the monkey is smarter. Eddie loses his job and they keep the monkey. He goes back to complain and the monkey bites Eddie on the ass. Instead of pursuing a lawsuit, he gets a free vacation to an unnamed tropical Island. That’s the plot in a nutshell.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgPo5JCisoM/US0A_2n9jlI/AAAAAAAAXFY/AXtXjuuFBOo/s1600/dana+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgPo5JCisoM/US0A_2n9jlI/AAAAAAAAXFY/AXtXjuuFBOo/s640/dana+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Barron returns as Audrey Griswold</td></tr> </tbody></table> Much like Hawaii, there are beautiful brown-skinned bikini girls and… let’s back up a bit. Eddie lives in the snow-laden Chicago based Griswold house from the first CHRISTMAS VACATION film (the third in the franchise).<br /> <br /> His patient and loyal wife Catherine (Miriam Flynn) is still around, and instead of an eclectically messy brood of children he has only one kid, an impatient thirteen-year-old boy who actually has a brain. This uptight jerk keeps riding dad on his lack of intelligence, and thus becomes the most annoying character, especially since he wants Eddie to be like everyone else.<br /> <br /> Also on board is the original Audrey Griswold, played by the lovely Dana Barron instead of CHRISTMAS Audrey Juliette Lewis... Audrey is frantically brokenhearted over a boyfriend, joins Eddie, his wife, son, and grumpy grandfather (Ed Asner) on the island vacation that soon turns into a Swiss Family Robinson when their boat gets shipwrecked.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KlNUy26r_g/US0BFvroMXI/AAAAAAAAXFg/lqLrcUxb7aA/s1600/dana+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KlNUy26r_g/US0BFvroMXI/AAAAAAAAXFg/lqLrcUxb7aA/s640/dana+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Barron and Sun Hi Lee</td></tr> </tbody></table> Eddie has to learn to hunt wild boar and build a hut of leaves, and eventually fly a plane. There are but a few unsuccessfully signature moments that made Cousin Eddie famously sloppy from the previous films, especially because there’s no Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) to act as a Felix to counter-balance Eddie’s Oscar. Plus, this is supposedly a Christmas Vacation, but there’s hardly any sign of Christmas anywhere.<br /> <br /> One scene after another, the movie keeps getting worse, and yet, somehow, you won’t be able to stop watching. So let’s enjoy some more pictures featuring Dana Barron… She’s the reason this reviewer paid any attention at all…<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buEj9L_WBLk/US0BKm3ZPII/AAAAAAAAXFo/Lva_HTGP8ag/s1600/dana+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buEj9L_WBLk/US0BKm3ZPII/AAAAAAAAXFo/Lva_HTGP8ag/s640/dana+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Barron's Audrey attempts to console herself with the wrong book</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gw_rFzGeaE/US0BPpkbe3I/AAAAAAAAXF4/chik3kP9pvk/s1600/dana+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gw_rFzGeaE/US0BPpkbe3I/AAAAAAAAXF4/chik3kP9pvk/s640/dana+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Barron's Audrey helps prepare a meal</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64VMCHHe0yo/US0BP1dxdsI/AAAAAAAAXF8/8XVqWbQVjcU/s1600/dana+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64VMCHHe0yo/US0BP1dxdsI/AAAAAAAAXF8/8XVqWbQVjcU/s640/dana+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Barron's Audrey's in love with an unfit Australian guy</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvASCuH4KP0/US0BQMqPHoI/AAAAAAAAXGE/PwECenxWFC8/s1600/dana+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvASCuH4KP0/US0BQMqPHoI/AAAAAAAAXGE/PwECenxWFC8/s640/dana+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miriam Flynn and Dana Barron</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnkTABF1I9s/US0BPXApwnI/AAAAAAAAXFw/lojQpYRgGIw/s1600/dana+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnkTABF1I9s/US0BPXApwnI/AAAAAAAAXFw/lojQpYRgGIw/s640/dana+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Barron's Audrey spots a rescue plane</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKDyGngTto4/US0BQGoJP6I/AAAAAAAAXGI/rn6AmmqXrJs/s1600/dana+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKDyGngTto4/US0BQGoJP6I/AAAAAAAAXGI/rn6AmmqXrJs/s640/dana+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miriam Flynn and Dana Barron in a crashing plane</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KpRg5rQ72AQ/US0Mj8Nw0EI/AAAAAAAAXKk/1E4AvXZqmsQ/s1600/DANA+BARRON+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KpRg5rQ72AQ/US0Mj8Nw0EI/AAAAAAAAXKk/1E4AvXZqmsQ/s640/DANA+BARRON+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Barron as the original Audrey in the original VACATION</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5cmDX5kw18/US0M0fJ1ASI/AAAAAAAAXKs/VS_9NOIBS1I/s1600/DANA+BARRON+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5cmDX5kw18/US0M0fJ1ASI/AAAAAAAAXKs/VS_9NOIBS1I/s640/DANA+BARRON+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Audrey poses with the Thin Lizzy Chinatown album</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48JJtVcrUkY/US0MCZEy4II/AAAAAAAAXKc/OYgTXidi_4Y/s1600/dana+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48JJtVcrUkY/US0MCZEy4II/AAAAAAAAXKc/OYgTXidi_4Y/s640/dana+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=Christmas%20Vacation%202%20Cousin%20Eddie%20s%20Island%20Adventure&tag=imdb-adbox">BUY CHRISTMAS VACATION 2 ON AMAZON</a></span></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr> </tbody></table>

comedy, dana barron, ed asner, franchise, randy quaid, sequel, tens

CHRISTMAS VACATION 2: COUSIN EDDIE'S ISLAND ADVENTURE

year:  2003  cast:  Randy Quaid, Dana Barron, Miriam Flynn, Fred Willard  rating:  *1/2 That’s right, a sequel to a sequel where Cousin ...

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8tc-7k3BCo/UrdW2tPNLQI/AAAAAAAAb-A/9AJtisXU_0U/s1600/christmas_vacation_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8tc-7k3BCo/UrdW2tPNLQI/AAAAAAAAb-A/9AJtisXU_0U/s320/christmas_vacation_xlg.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1989 rating: ***</td></tr> </tbody></table> The third VACATION and the second written by story creator John Hughes, CHRISTMAS is more of a reboot than a sequel, starting everything from scratch for a new generation: as if there were no other trips beforehand...<br /> <br /> Daughter Audrey is more bitter and frustrated than ever, and somehow Rusty, now with brown hair instead of blonde, is thirteen-years-old again... <br /> <br /> The kids and mom don’t amount to much anyway, merely witnessing Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase at the tail-end of his comedic peak) and his clumsy misadventures as the host of an overcrowded holiday home: including both sets of in-laws. The only real input for family’s sake is Randy Quaid’s white trash Cousin Eddie: A scene-stealer in the first film given his own fifteen minute layover, Eddie becomes Clark’s partner-in-crime. But Quaid seems to be doing an exaggerated imitation, turning Eddie into an over-the-top comic book character. Meanwhile, Clark's reactionary disdain for his cousin-in-law's gross-out personality becomes redundant, especially after the first ten times.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_9HqvJY4yo/VgxZuA4yg9I/AAAAAAAApPQ/VMgf1A_Lo88/s1600/christmas-vacation-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_9HqvJY4yo/VgxZuA4yg9I/AAAAAAAApPQ/VMgf1A_Lo88/s320/christmas-vacation-wide.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chevy Chase & Randy Quaid</td></tr> </tbody></table> Most of the film's spoken jokes are limp and somewhat forced. The funniest moments rely on physical gags: the fate of a curious cat; an enraged squirrel; and Christmas house lights that refuse to work.<br /> <br /> The direction, including handheld camera and intentionally awkward moments, flows pretty well with the John Hughes script that, as usual, mixes semi dark comedy with pathos and hijinx. While the soundtrack can be spooky and ominous, befitting what’s going on in Clark’s troubled mind, successfully contrasting with the old fashion Norman Rockwell house and backdrop.<br /> <br /> Touted as a Holiday classic, this is really a hit-and-miss outing. The most family oriented Lampoon venture keeps some of the blue humor hidden yet it’s implied throughout.<br /> <br /> Glimpses of a brooding Clark at work in the office, hoping for a bonus check to buy a swimming pool, and the intrusion of a put-upon yuppie couple who live next door – victims of whatever Clark’s doing outside – are distractions to get us out of the crowded house. Yet with these sporadic reminders of real life, we often forget we’re on vacation.

beverly d'angelo, chevy chase, comedy, diane ladd, e.g. marshall, franchise, randy quaid, sequel

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION

year: 1989 rating: *** The third VACATION and the second written by story creator John Hughes, CHRISTMAS is more of a reboot than a sequ...

ARGO

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uPT99gyzyW8/UHoAX6geDQI/AAAAAAAAOf8/D4iQGYJcwMw/s1600/d05cd8f0a5ef8e835cbc657591f87c7f-sc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uPT99gyzyW8/UHoAX6geDQI/AAAAAAAAOf8/D4iQGYJcwMw/s640/d05cd8f0a5ef8e835cbc657591f87c7f-sc.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2012 cast: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston rating: **</td></tr> </tbody></table> ARGO, directed by and starring Ben Affleck, receiving rave reviews all across the board, has the makings of a great story – not only because it’s a true one: Declassified by the CIA since the nineties, dealing with the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis, it's not the Embassy hostages we’re centering on. There were six people who stealthily escaped the takeover, hiding in the Canadian ambassador's house. The CIA is at a loss – they have only one idea concerning bicycles and it’s not very bright.<br /> <br /> Enter Affleck’s Tony Mendez: we first see him waking up with an empty beer can on his dresser, so he’s got the makings of the typical maverick hero. While watching BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES on TV, Tony has an idea – become a producer of a bogus science fiction movie and, scouting a location in Iran, get the Americans out.<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzHTnBEjJyw/UHoAZwWK2oI/AAAAAAAAOgE/Qtf7oUMv5TA/s1600/battleplanetapeslc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzHTnBEjJyw/UHoAZwWK2oI/AAAAAAAAOgE/Qtf7oUMv5TA/s320/battleplanetapeslc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last Apes film sparked the fake movie idea</td></tr> </tbody></table> A fantastic premise and an opportunity to blend classic cult films with a modern thriller… And with John Goodman (as a makeup artist) and Alan Arkin (as a wry producer) on board the Hollywood end, ARGO just can’t miss… but it does. The six people that need saving have zero personality, making it hard to feel for their plight.<br /> <br /> Although we see clips of hangings and executions in Iran, there's hardly a vibe of impending danger or threat. While the clever aspects, mixing a fake press conference for the sci-fi flick with Iranians making real demands, are edited nicely, the movie-making scheme, which had so much potential, feels rushed. And Affleck himself lacks the edge of a central character, much less a heroic one.<br /> <br /> The best part is the last half hour as the seven (including Mendez), using fake passports as a Canadian production crew, move through an Iranian airport for the departing plane. Despite every “last minute” cliché thrown in the pot, as least there's some urgency. But with a lack of interesting or involving characters leading to the escape, ARGO falls short of the immense hype.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>

2012, alan arkin, ben affleck, biopic, john goodman, tate donovan, thriller

ARGO

year: 2012 cast: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston rating: ** ARGO, directed by and starring Ben Affleck, receiving ...

THE BLACK STALLION

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1kAywvSdlI/UEUK5dN7xpI/AAAAAAAAMdY/1UrqTVe-57M/s1600/black-stallion-kelly-reno.jph_+12-49-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1kAywvSdlI/UEUK5dN7xpI/AAAAAAAAMdY/1UrqTVe-57M/s640/black-stallion-kelly-reno.jph_+12-49-37.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1979 cast: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Hoyt Axton, Teri Garr rating: ****1/2</td></tr> </tbody></table> This could have been a silent film, relying on gorgeous visuals of an Arabian horse and his boy who meet on a ship and, after a horrifying wreck, are stranded on a desert island where the titular Stallion saves young Alec Ramsey's life, though still not trusting him till they eventually connect: the camera remaining underwater on both feet and hooves... then <i>only </i>hooves return to the beach. The bonding between horse and boy takes its time, and is not an easy process for either.<br /> <br /> The visual treasure sustains in America where, after both are rescued, Kelly Reno's Alec meets Mickey Rooney as an ex jockey who, reluctant at first, trains boy and horse to win a big, and seemingly impossible, race.<br /> <br /> Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, this magical adaptation, exceeding Walter Farely's creative but basic novel, flows in the iconic GODFATHER maverick's unique, masterful style.

action, adaptation, deserted island, francis ford coppola, hoyt axton, mickey rooney, seventies, teri garr

THE BLACK STALLION

year: 1979 cast: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Hoyt Axton, Teri Garr rating: ****1/2 This could have been a silent film, relying on gorgeou...

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT 2

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpzUCegGE5w/WiAPmgxgIoI/AAAAAAAAz6o/uOlCLktmEhY4F5KjItBf4RONLilstKM8ACLcBGAs/s1600/24131092_402269563535559_4885034390960202350_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="960" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpzUCegGE5w/WiAPmgxgIoI/AAAAAAAAz6o/uOlCLktmEhY4F5KjItBf4RONLilstKM8ACLcBGAs/s1600/24131092_402269563535559_4885034390960202350_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Sally Field as Frog with fan-favorite Jerry Reed as Snowman holding up a one word review for most critics</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> One scene in this sequel to SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT has Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, playing Bo “The Bandit” and his reluctant road moll Frog, joking around with each other in the "cockpit" of the cross country vehicle… And instead of hearing their inane banter, easygoing country music plays over the scene: Thankfully the most annoying aspect of the fast-paced original is skipped over this time around.<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5saDXw6ugE/UvKXQdDu9CI/AAAAAAAAc2I/Qf2_SFUpCX0/s1600/513R7BBJEAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5saDXw6ugE/UvKXQdDu9CI/AAAAAAAAc2I/Qf2_SFUpCX0/s400/513R7BBJEAL.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Foreign Poster</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> Unfortunately there are less car chases between the Bandit’s new Trans Am, flanked by Jerry Reed’s truck hauling the goods… And scene-stealing Smokey Jackie Gleason provides only mumbling one-liners at his dimwitted son, and is hardly an antagonist. <br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFL_U9pzksw/UR8yG8iQLGI/AAAAAAAAWvA/dquGQ6pP8II/s1600/smokeyandthebandit22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFL_U9pzksw/UR8yG8iQLGI/AAAAAAAAWvA/dquGQ6pP8II/s200/smokeyandthebandit22.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>SmokeyScore: ***</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> Instead of hauling beer for money, the gang needs to move an Elephant named Charlotte from Texas to Florida for a political convention. Dom DeLuise joins the road trip as an Italian doctor hired on as a vet.<br /> <br /> On paper this seems trivial and lame but it’s got heart. The elephant aspect is corny, sure, but it provides a character-arc for Bandit, who might have to think about something other than a big payday.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, there's a fun little chase under a rollercoaster, all leading to an 11th hour battle between more than a hundred cop cars verses that many trucks, looking as if John Ford directed a smash-em-up. With this intentionally overdone climax, perhaps director Hal Needham had to make up for the lack of stunts in the rest of the film. But some of the best scenes occur before the odyssey begins as an out of shape, hungover Bandit’s forced to get back into the driver’s seat... or whenever the gang, with time running out, has their back against the wall: So in a nutshell, while it's not great as sequels go, but it flows decently enough. And the soundtrack, including the Statler Brothers and Roy Rogers, is relaxing and fun.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XMs4Pl7moFg/WiALndTB4gI/AAAAAAAAz6c/UIK1v4Q3TrM-ExGJ1mTcU9ekJTFAajcEgCLcBGAs/s1600/24294120_402264726869376_2592380315906874670_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="960" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XMs4Pl7moFg/WiALndTB4gI/AAAAAAAAz6c/UIK1v4Q3TrM-ExGJ1mTcU9ekJTFAajcEgCLcBGAs/s1600/24294120_402264726869376_2592380315906874670_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Bandit getting in shape after boozing the loss of Frog as personal coach Snowman looks on</u></td></tr> </tbody></table>

burt reynolds, comedy. sequel, eighties, franchise, jackie gleason, jerry reed, race against time, road movie, sally field

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT 2

Sally Field as Frog with fan-favorite Jerry Reed as Snowman holding up a one word review for most critics One scene in this sequel to SM...

SHORT CIRCUIT 2 WITH DIRECTOR INTERVIEW

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvtMe3FWbZM/USU79YMT3DI/AAAAAAAAWyw/5vfEr1ceW8M/s1600/short+circuit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvtMe3FWbZM/USU79YMT3DI/AAAAAAAAWyw/5vfEr1ceW8M/s640/short+circuit+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>year: 1988 cast: Fisher Stevens, Michael McKean, Jack Weston, Cynthia Gibb rating: ***1/2</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> <u>SHORT CIRCUIT 2 REVIEW</u>: It's rare a sequel exceeds the original, especially with a comedy film, but this does in leaps and bounds: The lovable robot, sought after by the typically typecast evil military in the first film, is shipped to Indian scientist Fisher Stevens in New York, taking to the streets of The Big Apple and wanting desparaetly to be human like everyone else. But Number Five, now Johnny Five, has other problems: including bank robbers and helping his creator romantically connect with a lovely, ambitious climber (Cynthia Gibb) set to buy toy versions of himself... or rather, itself... from Stevens and seedy partner Michael McKean, still a nice guy despite his falling to the dark side of Capitalism c/o main baddie Jack Weston. Leading to an action-packed "aerial" climax with fantastic stunt work the likes of a serious action flick.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iAgllWvs8s/USVHPWDl_vI/AAAAAAAAW1o/xx8pkzHYkss/s1600/short+circuit2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iAgllWvs8s/USVHPWDl_vI/AAAAAAAAW1o/xx8pkzHYkss/s640/short+circuit2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Fisher Stevens returns with a joining on board Michael McKean</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> Sans the technical backstory and preachy undertone of the original, there's more of the robot this time around, having a fun time lost in the big city thanks to director Kenneth Johnson, who successfully adapted THE INCREDIBLE HULK to television, doing for Johnny Five what he did for The Hulk... Adding, through interesting low-angle shots and character-driven perspective, depth and humanity to what had been, in both the Robot and Hulk's origins, merely child's play.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvy1LapZ4yw/USVHAbqMggI/AAAAAAAAW1g/_QIMlaXj8hU/s1600/short+circuit+2--.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvy1LapZ4yw/USVHAbqMggI/AAAAAAAAW1g/_QIMlaXj8hU/s640/short+circuit+2--.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><u>A BRIEF INTERVIEW WITH SHORT CIRCUT 2 DIRECTOR KENNETH JOHNSON</u></b></td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="background-color: white;"><b>In SHORT CIRCUIT 2, how did you humanize the robot, Johnny Five? </b></span><i>I always knew that the visuals and the sight gags would play very well, but I worked very hard with the talented writers to mine all of the human emotion that was central to Johnny's character. Then when the amazing puppeteers Rob, Gord and Trish came on board they really brought Johnny to life in a way that was so realistic and enchanting that everyone fell in love with him. </i><i>People would visit the set and have complete conversations with Johnny, totally unmindful of the puppeteers, who were only a few yards away: </i><i>After the movie was over I experienced a very strange period of mourning... because I could still talk to each of the people I had worked with.. But Johnny... who was a combination of their talents... was gone... It was a bit like a dear friend had died. I still feel a sadness to this day.</i><br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XWwTRYAkK4E/USU_jYhdV5I/AAAAAAAAW0I/27gMYiqynhE/s1600/kennethjohnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XWwTRYAkK4E/USU_jYhdV5I/AAAAAAAAW0I/27gMYiqynhE/s640/kennethjohnson.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><u>MORE WITH WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR KENNETH JOHNSON</u></b></td></tr> </tbody></table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mg5SUJnOtE/WQ9YcEu7Q5I/AAAAAAAAxqA/KkpLQ4CngjQZpc6c7dEo370S_NuNVb-fgCLcB/s1600/18222221_312176755878174_6855269802335523531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mg5SUJnOtE/WQ9YcEu7Q5I/AAAAAAAAxqA/KkpLQ4CngjQZpc6c7dEo370S_NuNVb-fgCLcB/s320/18222221_312176755878174_6855269802335523531_n.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>On the way of the house, oh yeah!</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">What were some of your favorite sci-fi books or authors and sci-fi movies growing up? </span></span><i>Heinlein, H.G. Welles, Philip Wylie, Jules Verne, Orwell... Forbidden Planet, War of the Worlds...</i><br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">When you wrote the first draft of “V” – did you outline it before you began to write or did the story sort of come together as you were writing it? </span></span><i>There is a very thorough 60-odd page story outline that completely details everything.</i></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <br /></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How much of “V: The Final Battle” did you write? And did you see the weekly television series? </span></span><i>Though I supervised the writing of the 6-hour sequel, I left Warners over creative differences before it was produced. To this day I have never seen it, except for one minute by accident, in which I saw them make every wrong choice possible, so I knew I'd never survive watching the entire thing...  </i><i>And I never saw any of the series at all, but my friends who were in it said it was pretty awful and certainly missed the essence of what I had been attempting to create.</i></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHLCN3FfuO0/USVAVJqRDMI/AAAAAAAAW0Q/KwAgTU6B6LI/s1600/short+circuit+2-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHLCN3FfuO0/USVAVJqRDMI/AAAAAAAAW0Q/KwAgTU6B6LI/s640/short+circuit+2-.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Thanks Kenneth Johnson for the memories of working on this underrated sequel... Good job fella!</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> </div>

comedy, cynthia gibb, eighties, fisher stevens, kenneth johnson, michael mckean, sequel

SHORT CIRCUIT 2 WITH DIRECTOR INTERVIEW

year: 1988 cast: Fisher Stevens, Michael McKean, Jack Weston, Cynthia Gibb rating: ***1/2 SHORT CIRCUIT 2 REVIEW : It's rare a seque...

SUMMER LOVERS

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nopGk70B0O4/UR7jI8tOVJI/AAAAAAAAWtQ/-m4ugZd7QcE/s1600/summer+lovers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nopGk70B0O4/UR7jI8tOVJI/AAAAAAAAWtQ/-m4ugZd7QcE/s1600/summer+lovers1.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1982 cast: Peter Gallagher, Daryl Hannah, Valérie Quennessen rating: **1/2</td></tr> </tbody></table> Peter Gallagher’s handsomely hawk-like Michael Pappas, in his early twenties, has a dilemma: the kind of problem most guys (including yours truly) would die for. His gorgeous blonde girlfriend Cathy, played by a young Daryl Hannah, is not enough for him. Basically, Michael’s in his early twenties and is already suffering a mid-life crisis.<br /> <br /> Cathy does have shortcomings: she's not that adventurous or exciting. The couple are vacationing in the Greek islands and she acts like they’re at a Cleveland based Ramada Inn. <br /> <br /> Once Michael catches a glimpse of (and the mutual eye of) mousy French girl Lina, an archeologist played by FRENCH POSTCARDS and CONAN THE BARBARIAN beauty Valérie Quennessen, he follows her around the hillside-villa beach town until they connect, hook up, and here’s where the real "story" begins.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIKfuKcMa6c/UR7jPJj1I7I/AAAAAAAAWtY/boytE7vCLbQ/s1600/summer+lovers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIKfuKcMa6c/UR7jPJj1I7I/AAAAAAAAWtY/boytE7vCLbQ/s640/summer+lovers2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valérie Quennessen as Lina</td></tr> </tbody></table> Michael presents Lina to Cathy, and the two women get along alright: enough for Cathy to not care that Michael prefers two women to one, in the sack and out. Soon the giddy trio traipse around the Greek Isle as if they not only discovered a new form of sex, but like they invented the act outright.<br /> <br /> It's a very limited <i>Menage a Trois </i>relationship; not surprising given the 1982 release date. Thus that decade’s candy-coated music plays loudly throughout.<br /> <br /> Hits including “I’m So Excited” and “I Just Can Get Enough,” although catchy and fun, not only dates but somewhat demeans a film that tries to be more quirky/art house than mainstream/trendy. <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF6Ia0ghauk/UR7jStnSfgI/AAAAAAAAWtg/Lb9HVA39y2U/s1600/summer+lovers3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF6Ia0ghauk/UR7jStnSfgI/AAAAAAAAWtg/Lb9HVA39y2U/s640/summer+lovers3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daryl Hannah as Cathy</td></tr> </tbody></table> The main problem is that Lina, who becomes a progressive sexual dynamo to Michael and Cathy, has too subtle a personality for the audience to understand what the big deal is. Valérie Quennessen, a cute enough actress, doesn't live up to the goddess label she's given. <br /> <br /> And an 11th hour surprise intrusion of Cathy’s uptight mother could have added something – like a much needed obstacle to the breezy romance – but winds up filler in a story written and directed by GREASE man Randall Kleiser, who seems more in love with pop music and the Greek Isles than the three main characters we never really get to know.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-809rwl1ABJ0/USPN8TItnWI/AAAAAAAAWxg/xEfTaXXjOII/s1600/summer+lovers3_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-809rwl1ABJ0/USPN8TItnWI/AAAAAAAAWxg/xEfTaXXjOII/s640/summer+lovers3_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Lovers-Peter-Gallagher/dp/B0000714C5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360978934&sr=8-1&keywords=summer+lovers">BUY SUMMER LOVERS AT AMAZON</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>

daryl hannah, eighties, peter gallagher, randal kleiser, romance, valérie quennessen

SUMMER LOVERS

year: 1982 cast: Peter Gallagher, Daryl Hannah, Valérie Quennessen rating: **1/2 Peter Gallagher’s handsomely hawk-like Michael Pappas, ...

STEVEN SODERBERGH BIDS FAREWELL TO CINEMA W/ SIDE EFFECTS

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyoyvlNCoO4/WNZjYy-4pSI/AAAAAAAAxNg/CI-uPylca0k7X4vjbMBDKtHNPKWbqVDiQCLcB/s1600/side_effects_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyoyvlNCoO4/WNZjYy-4pSI/AAAAAAAAxNg/CI-uPylca0k7X4vjbMBDKtHNPKWbqVDiQCLcB/s400/side_effects_ver2.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Year Released: 2013</td></tr> </tbody></table> Move over Prozac, the ultimate depression drug is out there, and Rooney Mara’s Emily Taylor really needs it. Her husband (Channing Tatum in a filler, Janet Leigh type of "Surprisingly quick" role) just got out of jail and doesn’t seem completely done with shady deals.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> Emily crashes her car into a wall, on purpose, and recovers in a mental ward where we meet Jude Law’s Dr. Jonathan Banks, a psychologist, husband, step-father, and all around good guy. With a mellow yet attentive countenance, Dr. Jon takes a particular interest in Emily, getting info from her former shrink (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who winds up prescribing the wonder drug that might help Emily’s problems: but there are, uh, SIDE EFFECTS… Or actually just one that causes the plot to shift from an involving, smartly paced suspense film into a medical mystery that, weaving in and out of melodrama, is hit and (mostly) miss.<br /> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SR-7rpqDxv4/URydyl-5xGI/AAAAAAAAWqw/JEGu7XwAjsw/s1600/side-effects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SR-7rpqDxv4/URydyl-5xGI/AAAAAAAAWqw/JEGu7XwAjsw/s320/side-effects.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SideEffectScore: **1/2</td></tr> </tbody></table> Rooney Mara provides a vulnerable, porcelain doll damsel who initially deserves rescue by Jude Law, a fun actor to watch whether he's spouting dialogue or intensely listening to someone else’s. Meanwhile, last-time feature director Steven Soderbergh (supposedly quitting his day job after he could only make his Liberace biopic on cable) keeps a metronomic pace backed by a sleepy jazz score, as if the entire movie were on its own ominous medication. In this particular case, the side effect is replacing that intriguing perfect drug with a "perfect murder" plot that gets way too convoluted for its own good. And so, instead of top-shelf Soderbergh we have yet another standard Hitchcock inspired outing.

2013, channing tatum, jude law, neo noir, rooney mara, steven soderbergh, suspense

STEVEN SODERBERGH BIDS FAREWELL TO CINEMA W/ SIDE EFFECTS

Year Released: 2013 Move over Prozac, the ultimate depression drug is out there, and Rooney Mara’s Emily Taylor really needs it. Her hus...

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sAaeZlTSH1Y/UR1bAK4QxEI/AAAAAAAAWsA/ht27y_boklE/s1600/gooddaytodiehard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sAaeZlTSH1Y/UR1bAK4QxEI/AAAAAAAAWsA/ht27y_boklE/s640/gooddaytodiehard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>year:</b> 2013 <b>cast:</b> Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch, Cole Hauser <b>rating:</b> ***</td></tr> </tbody></table> “I’m on vacation,” John McClane replies (minus a particular “adjective”) after a long busy day firing machine guns, crashing a truck through a crowded freeway and surviving other dangerous situations to aid his wayward son Jack, a secret agent in Moscow hired to protect an important witness from being killed by a big bad crime syndicate. <br /> <br /> The witness, along with a "secret file" everyone wants to get their hands on, is the plot in a nutshell, which matters little in this action-packed fifth outing of the DIE HARD franchise. Even Jack's sporadic gripes about John not being a good father are lost in the bombastic glory. <br /> <br /> Bruce Willis has aged perfectly for the kind of character he’s become. A grizzled, experienced cop who, at first, merely tags along as his son takes charge, has more than a few tricks up his sleeve to make the risk-taking not only riskier, but he gets results. <br /> <br /> There are a few twists – twists upon twists, actually – but these should be kept secret. Not that they add or subtract from what’s gonna happen anyway: a lot of bloody gunfights and one… or actually… two maverick Americans turning Moscow, and eventually Chernobyl, into their own bullet-ridden playground. <br /> <br /> The nice thing is the movie isn’t very long, and though there’s not much to follow but a very basic “stay alive so you don’t get killed” template, the father/son teamup, especially Willis’s snarky tomcat with more than nine lives to spare, are fun to watch as they bond throughout the constant pandemonium.

2013, action, bruce willis, franchise, jai courtney

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD

year: 2013 cast: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch, Cole Hauser rating: *** “I’m on vacation,” John McClane replies (minus a...

BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzs3GyAq3yU/URxEvdolUsI/AAAAAAAAWo4/jd9390gC6Ww/s1600/goldie+hawn+butterflies+are+free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzs3GyAq3yU/URxEvdolUsI/AAAAAAAAWo4/jd9390gC6Ww/s640/goldie+hawn+butterflies+are+free.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1972 cast: Goldie Hawn, Edward Albert, Eileen Heckart, Paul Michael Glaser rating: ***1/2</td></tr> </tbody></table> Edward Albert plays Don Baker, a young blind man with an artistically shabby San Fran apartment and, thanks to a girl we never meet, has acquired newly-found independence from his uptown suburban mother.  <br /> <br /> How perfect that he's quickly attached to free-spirited hippie Jill Tanner, played by a lithe and breezy Goldie Hawn, whose pad is practically connected.  <br /> <br /> The two strike up a conversation that feels much like a stage play. No surprise since this was based on a popular Broadway production, and the transition to the screen is smooth and involving. <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rVgonuavAbE/URxE5S3pxcI/AAAAAAAAWpA/qMqpWtYEuCU/s1600/baf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rVgonuavAbE/URxE5S3pxcI/AAAAAAAAWpA/qMqpWtYEuCU/s640/baf2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edward Albert with Goldie Hawn</td></tr> </tbody></table> Hawn portrays Jill with the kind of bubbly prowess (the girl next door who's been around the block several times) that attracts Don’s senses right away.<br /> <br /> Jill and Don see (as it were) eye to eye on music and clothing. The only thing she’s more experienced at is seduction and what follows – he catches on soon enough. But his overprotective mother – scene stealer Eileen Heckart as Mrs. Baker – can view the relationship a little more clearly… at least she thinks so.<br /> <br /> During a prolonged surprise visit, Mrs. Baker's constant jabs at Jill’s lifestyle (hence the entire counter-culture generation) are punctuating and funny, but Jill, striking back with a comparison to the evil stepmother in Snow White, isn’t as vapid as she lets on. <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xx0Na9XFzI/URxE9W40_1I/AAAAAAAAWpI/QZwO2EXt5jI/s1600/baf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xx0Na9XFzI/URxE9W40_1I/AAAAAAAAWpI/QZwO2EXt5jI/s640/baf3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edward Albert as Don Baker</td></tr> </tbody></table> Edward Albert has the kind of spacey-blue eyes liken to other cinematic blind characters. He does a great job in the physical movements and truly becomes the character, although at times his delivery feels sort of stiff, not always vulnerable enough for someone placed in the center of two polar opposites (Mrs. Baker and Jill) pulling him like a wishbone.  <br /> <br /> Throughout his childhood, mom had written popular children’s books based on a character named “Donnie Dark,” a blind kid superhero that can (and always does) save the world. Perhaps Don’s laidback personality resonates from being brought up to believe that he’s just like everyone else. That is, if you don't know what you're missing, are you missing anything at all? <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-m7GKpj-2o/URxFCwyv8kI/AAAAAAAAWpQ/GV_b5_p3IYE/s1600/baf6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-m7GKpj-2o/URxFCwyv8kI/AAAAAAAAWpQ/GV_b5_p3IYE/s640/baf6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edward Albert with Eileen Heckart</td></tr> </tbody></table> At one point, in a moving, emotional scene, Don breaks down to his mother after realizing butterflies are not only free, they keep on flying…<br /> <br /> This is where Mrs. Baker climbs down off her high horse, providing Edward Albert and Eileen Heckart an opportunity to make everything else, including who the movie's really about, perfectly clear. <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qaHRh1Ib_w8/URxFI53Da6I/AAAAAAAAWpY/hcDUoFjs2EQ/s1600/baf5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qaHRh1Ib_w8/URxFI53Da6I/AAAAAAAAWpY/hcDUoFjs2EQ/s640/baf5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldie Hawn and jerk boyfriend Paul Michael Glaser</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VTUMkF89PI/URxFz6T_NII/AAAAAAAAWpg/BPhZsOa6Z5w/s1600/butterflies-are-free.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VTUMkF89PI/URxFz6T_NII/AAAAAAAAWpg/BPhZsOa6Z5w/s640/butterflies-are-free.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=Butterflies%20Are%20Free&tag=imdb-adbox">BUY BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE ON AMAZON</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>

drug culture, edward albert, eileen heckart, goldie hawn, paul michael glaser, romantic comedy, seventies

BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE

year: 1972 cast: Goldie Hawn, Edward Albert, Eileen Heckart, Paul Michael Glaser rating: ***1/2 Edward Albert plays Don Baker, a young b...

BEFORE HOWARD THE DUCK THERE WERE FRENCH POSTCARDS

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGeLY42y1g0/URXYavZe8CI/AAAAAAAAWdY/95P58b6PBaY/s1600/french+postcard+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="429" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGeLY42y1g0/URXYavZe8CI/AAAAAAAAWdY/95P58b6PBaY/s640/french+postcard+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1979 cast: Miles Chapin, David Marshall Grant, Blanche Baker, Debra Winger rating: **1/2</td></tr> </tbody></table> Before the husband/wife filmmaking team of Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz hit a wall with the disastrous HOWARD THE DUCK, they had a pretty nice career going.<br /> <br /> Co-writers of George Lucas’s classic AMERICAN GRAFFITI, Huyck and Katz scripted THE TEMPLE OF DOOM and here’s proof they could turn out a semi-decent little flick on their own between collaborative successes. <br /> <br /> FRENCH POSTCARDS centers on a group of American students in Paris, taking part in a yearlong study program… Beginning with a postcard-writing narration by Blanche Baker’s Laura to her American boyfriend as she wanders the city, the story quickly hands off to two male roommates. <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CURGkCUaftQ/URXYuZv-O9I/AAAAAAAAWdg/8gDe1jedrKo/s1600/french+postcards+2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CURGkCUaftQ/URXYuZv-O9I/AAAAAAAAWdg/8gDe1jedrKo/s640/french+postcards+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Marshall Grant, Debra Winger, Blanche Baker</td></tr> </tbody></table> Miles Chapin as Joel is the vulnerable underdog, holed up and watching STAR TREK reruns instead of venturing into the city Ernest Hemingway called “a movable feast.” So if Joel's in Paris, why's he not moving?<br /> <br /> That’s the opinion of the more adventurous Alex (David Marshall Grant), a wannabe musician who quickly falls for the school’s head mistress played by the gorgeous and married Marie-France Pisier, resulting in a very predictable turnout; especially after finding out her husband, who also runs the school, is cheating on her. Their tryst is that of a male fantasy, and not a completely satisfying one. <br /> <br /> Another French beauty, albeit more mousy-cute than exotic, is Valérie Quennessen as Toni who, uptight at first, eventually hooks up with Joel. Their relationship is sweet and old fashion but has a kink when he finds out he’s not the first student she’s slept with. Or the second, or third...<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKMHxmn0Yjk/URYCxMN-P3I/AAAAAAAAWfE/PDpCtFLevww/s1600/french+postcards+3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKMHxmn0Yjk/URYCxMN-P3I/AAAAAAAAWfE/PDpCtFLevww/s640/french+postcards+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">POSTCARDS double FRENCH curse... Valérie Quennessen was killed in an auto accident in 1989...</td></tr> </tbody></table> Despite being an ensemble, the film drags too long on one particular story instead of evenly balancing each. Debra Winger, who's promiscuous Melanie had potential, is hardly around at all. Which doesn't really matter since most of the time's spent on Joel and Alex's superficial romances.<br /> <br /> While otherwise capable actors Miles Chapin (THE FUNHOUSE) and David Marshall Grant (AMERICAN FLYERS) are down to earth and likable, they're a bit too grounded to be completely interesting and/or dynamic: at least for something this character-driven. <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gMYwswhfhyA/URYC7xB5N2I/AAAAAAAAWfM/nXbw0WTVQQo/s1600/french+postcards+4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gMYwswhfhyA/URYC7xB5N2I/AAAAAAAAWfM/nXbw0WTVQQo/s640/french+postcards+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Marie-France Pisier drowned in 2011</td></tr> </tbody></table> At one point, after both are sulking and lovelorn inside a dark cafe, Joel says: “I traveled 4,000 miles to get dumped on.” And it’s true. Instead of enjoying Paris we’re watching two losers who might as well be moping inside their stateside bedrooms. But soon enough we see Paris again, even the French countryside…  <br /> <br /> An hour in, when Laura's character reemerges, she’s more of a shallow jerk than before, as if we're meeting her for the very first time. She has a strange road trip “date” with a goofy Iranian wine taster (Mandy Patinkin) resulting in a bizarre accident in a spooky rural town with a horror movie score and undertone: perhaps the director was returning to his MESSIAH OF EVIL roots.  <br /> <br /> Thankfully, Laura winds up with a relatively nice guy she really deserves, and vice versa. This is perhaps the best payoff in a film that, despite the beautiful location and potentially interesting characters, ultimately becomes as beautifully flat as a – you got it – French postcard.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTl1FIQoXos/URXZFkz2i2I/AAAAAAAAWd4/V4bc1vFDnBM/s1600/french+postcards+5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTl1FIQoXos/URXZFkz2i2I/AAAAAAAAWd4/V4bc1vFDnBM/s640/french+postcards+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/French-Postcards-Marie-France-Pisier/dp/B0019UGY9Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360387028&sr=8-1&keywords=french+postcards">BUY FRENCH POSTCARDS AT AMAZON</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>

blanche baker, david marshall grant, debra winger, gloria katz, miles chapin, romantic comedy, valérie quennessen, willard huyck

BEFORE HOWARD THE DUCK THERE WERE FRENCH POSTCARDS

year: 1979 cast: Miles Chapin, David Marshall Grant, Blanche Baker, Debra Winger rating: **1/2 Before the husband/wife filmmaking team o...

SKATEBOARD THE MOVIE

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ig9mh_97u4/URWsBxJQu9I/AAAAAAAAWO4/jboL8VKbgaQ/s1600/skateboard1_zpsa0dd32c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ig9mh_97u4/URWsBxJQu9I/AAAAAAAAWO4/jboL8VKbgaQ/s1600/skateboard1_zpsa0dd32c6.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1978 cast: Allen Garfield, Leif Garrett, Kathleen Lloyd, Tony Alva, Pam Kenneally rating: ***1/2</td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although promoted as a Leif Garrett vehicle, the bulk of SKATEBOARD belongs to character-actor Allen Garfield as struggling talent agent Manny, who owes big bucks to a dangerous bookie.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Garfield previously appeared as antagonistic side-characters in edgy films like THE CONVERSATION and BUSTING, and with an exception of the low-budget gumshoe comedy CRY UNCLE, he was never given a leading role...</span><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bcW5UUzTYwc/URgSLC3vFtI/AAAAAAAAWk0/MvyBdEIm63o/s1600/skatboard+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bcW5UUzTYwc/URgSLC3vFtI/AAAAAAAAWk0/MvyBdEIm63o/s1600/skatboard+12.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Monahan leaps over Manny's car</td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After discovering a group of wayward teenage skateboarders, Garfield's tubby and neurotic Manny starts a hopeful team that travels in a decapitated bus doing borderline minstrel shows disguised as freestyle competitions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Garrett hangs out in the background, the true hotshots are real life rollers Richard Van der Wyk, Tony Alva, Steve Monahan and Ellen O’Neal.</span><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbtSc_tsd1M/URgmOA8joVI/AAAAAAAAWmY/uEYen7epj7g/s1600/skateboard+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbtSc_tsd1M/URgmOA8joVI/AAAAAAAAWmY/uEYen7epj7g/s1600/skateboard+33.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The L.A. Wheels team bus after a makeover/paint job</td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While skating better than acting, there’s something genuine in the deadpan deliveries: after all, it’s the skaters territory more than Garfield who, with a constantly frantic bicker, seems more part of a low-rent gangster flick than skateboarding propaganda: which this needed more action shots of.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although, towards the middle of the film, there are several terrific montage sequences of the kids in action, gliding down hills and rolling up and down sewer pipes with ease as The Jefferson Starship and/or Dr. John provide groovy tunes.  </span><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O9Hxe7W6If0/URgSO7tq57I/AAAAAAAAWk8/K1sYaUfP73I/s1600/skateboard+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O9Hxe7W6If0/URgSO7tq57I/AAAAAAAAWk8/K1sYaUfP73I/s1600/skateboard+13.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellen O'Neal followed by Leif Garrett</td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite taking most of the screen time from the kids, Manny does make a likable antihero, especially after Kathleen Lloyd joins the ranks as the chaperon/nurse, giving him validity and a love interest.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But as the desperate gambler – who gets beat up in his motel room as a reminder of his debts – keeps barking orders at Van der Wyk's Jason, tension builds within the team, which might not last much longer. Especially when the inevitable corporate sponsors move in.    </span><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5ggHNSnon4/URgmSn4byOI/AAAAAAAAWmg/npN8WM42Zaw/s1600/skateboard+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5ggHNSnon4/URgmSn4byOI/AAAAAAAAWmg/npN8WM42Zaw/s1600/skateboard+34.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam Kenneally as Randi</td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Neurotic mood swings aside, Manny eventually becomes the endearing sloppy uncle as the team climbs to the final competition where – after the star skater drops out – it's up to underdog Garrett to win an important downhill race, providing more suspense in the training (aided by Tony Alva) and buildup (Manny's life on the line) than the real thing.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While not a perfect movie, and not always worthy of the sport it's named after, SKATEBOARD is must-see viewing for anyone with ninety minutes to lose... the fun way.  </span><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwnxm4nA4WM/URgPszbSxXI/AAAAAAAAWj8/7MLDeK_lE_0/s1600/skateboard+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwnxm4nA4WM/URgPszbSxXI/AAAAAAAAWj8/7MLDeK_lE_0/s1600/skateboard+0.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Photos from SKATEBOARD: THE MOVIE</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngFjrNOD0CY/URgPs1Ns7gI/AAAAAAAAWkA/n1gvoTkJ3pM/s1600/skateboard+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngFjrNOD0CY/URgPs1Ns7gI/AAAAAAAAWkA/n1gvoTkJ3pM/s1600/skateboard+1.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Van der Wyk and Pam Kenneally </td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48jlbZXOoL4/URgPs78lN1I/AAAAAAAAWkE/SbOxDv986OM/s1600/skateboard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48jlbZXOoL4/URgPs78lN1I/AAAAAAAAWkE/SbOxDv986OM/s1600/skateboard+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony Alva flipping out</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8-EXcWpCIs/URgPtXFuu2I/AAAAAAAAWkI/JKkJsES5_hE/s1600/skateboard+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8-EXcWpCIs/URgPtXFuu2I/AAAAAAAAWkI/JKkJsES5_hE/s1600/skateboard+3.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patricia Hitchcock (director's daughter and actress in PSYCHO) with Allen Garfield and Gordon Jump</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9PrWPW-cNc/URgPtu3Dw3I/AAAAAAAAWkQ/H3TPwqmSEwk/s1600/skateboard+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9PrWPW-cNc/URgPtu3Dw3I/AAAAAAAAWkQ/H3TPwqmSEwk/s1600/skateboard+5.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Kathleen Lloyd </td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyymwyLzpOs/URgQNtVX54I/AAAAAAAAWks/oF8zbbebTLw/s1600/skateboard+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyymwyLzpOs/URgQNtVX54I/AAAAAAAAWks/oF8zbbebTLw/s1600/skateboard+6.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam Kenneally and Richard Van der Wyk</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVJZph5FtN8/URWsMu0bLmI/AAAAAAAAWPA/l1bFXrv9_k8/s1600/skateboard+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVJZph5FtN8/URWsMu0bLmI/AAAAAAAAWPA/l1bFXrv9_k8/s1600/skateboard+5.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Monahan at the first paid gig </td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vtsUtllcJxQ/URWsMvkvg0I/AAAAAAAAWPE/2KWSDYJUcSY/s1600/skateboard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vtsUtllcJxQ/URWsMvkvg0I/AAAAAAAAWPE/2KWSDYJUcSY/s1600/skateboard+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allen Garfield lectures Pam Kenneally</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9t-jclOcLxc/URWsNFD1vwI/AAAAAAAAWPQ/sViBnv-nhJQ/s1600/skateboard+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9t-jclOcLxc/URWsNFD1vwI/AAAAAAAAWPQ/sViBnv-nhJQ/s1600/skateboard+9.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skater star Tony Alva</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AX9PQNbeXUc/URWsNPphbnI/AAAAAAAAWPU/jzlUI_JVzI8/s1600/skateboard+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AX9PQNbeXUc/URWsNPphbnI/AAAAAAAAWPU/jzlUI_JVzI8/s1600/skateboard+7.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leif Garret and David Hyde</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2mxAYcWZrI/URWsM9RxRxI/AAAAAAAAWPY/yAkPYS2K40w/s1600/skateboard+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2mxAYcWZrI/URWsM9RxRxI/AAAAAAAAWPY/yAkPYS2K40w/s1600/skateboard+6.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam Kenneally and Allen Garfield</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HXxdSxxZlbM/URWsUdNeiHI/AAAAAAAAWPo/Qcj9oq5fmx4/s1600/550097_411562035537066_95689159_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HXxdSxxZlbM/URWsUdNeiHI/AAAAAAAAWPo/Qcj9oq5fmx4/s1600/550097_411562035537066_95689159_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding fast and high</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hnE_lbzgPY/URgS7f1uwJI/AAAAAAAAWlM/GtHSPaU0Y-4/s1600/skateboard+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hnE_lbzgPY/URgS7f1uwJI/AAAAAAAAWlM/GtHSPaU0Y-4/s1600/skateboard+15.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TONY ALVA SKATING THE PIPES DURING THE INTRO OF SKATEBOARD</td></tr> </tbody></table>

allen garfield, comedy, gordon jump, leif garret, pam kenneally, pat hitchcock, seventies, sport

SKATEBOARD THE MOVIE

year: 1978 cast: Allen Garfield, Leif Garrett, Kathleen Lloyd, Tony Alva, Pam Kenneally rating: ***1/2 Although promoted as a Leif Garre...