Jay and Silent Bob were bit characters who hung out in front of the Quick Mart in Clerks (1994), a couple of slackers. Hitting the big time they made their way into starring in this spoof movie. Normally spoofs are somewhat derivative and tiresome. But this one actually was a little ahead of its time, upon review.
It's quite a star turn, as we see many actors who made it even bigger over the last 15 years: Jon Stewart, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell, Ben Affleck, to name a few.
Jay and Bob are hanging out, drinking beer/smokin' weed, when they find out that their comic book likenesses are in a new movie: Bluntman and Chronic (Batman & Robin). They find this out at the comic book store (Big Bang Theory) So they go on a road trip (Dumb & Dumber) where they come across a bunch of babes (Charlie's Angels) and help with a heist (Mission Impossible). Landing in L.A., they finish to stop the movie with a climactic battle (The Empire Strikes Back, get it?)
The Star Wars references are right in time for The Force Awakens on December 18. And we've even got Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, working for cheap back in 2001.
* * * of 5
Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation
The Cinemark preview put it succintly: The next installment in the series. But how do you really describe Mission Impossible anyway?
Tom Cruise plays an action hero who does amazing feats. That's a pretty good start. It begins with him jumping onto an airplane - he runs at it from the side and takes a flying leap onto the wing. That's jumping on!
The movie has a vague plot to stop "The Syndicate" led by the shadowly "Lane". I guess Lex Luthor and Dr. Octopus were busy. But the plot is just a way to thread the various (but cool) car chases, motorcycle chases, airplane recovery, underwater rescues, and other various security breaches.
This being an action film, no bullets will ever hit our hero, no car wreck will damage them, no authority will stop them, no bomb will blow up nearby that they can't outrun.
Rebecca Ferguson plays a good leading lady, and looks great doing it. Very traditional. Compare to Edge of Tomorrow from last year, another Cruise action flick. Good support with Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and even Alec Baldwin. Gives it an A Team vibe.
Good summer escape fare. * * * of 5
Tom Cruise plays an action hero who does amazing feats. That's a pretty good start. It begins with him jumping onto an airplane - he runs at it from the side and takes a flying leap onto the wing. That's jumping on!
The movie has a vague plot to stop "The Syndicate" led by the shadowly "Lane". I guess Lex Luthor and Dr. Octopus were busy. But the plot is just a way to thread the various (but cool) car chases, motorcycle chases, airplane recovery, underwater rescues, and other various security breaches.
This being an action film, no bullets will ever hit our hero, no car wreck will damage them, no authority will stop them, no bomb will blow up nearby that they can't outrun.
Rebecca Ferguson plays a good leading lady, and looks great doing it. Very traditional. Compare to Edge of Tomorrow from last year, another Cruise action flick. Good support with Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and even Alec Baldwin. Gives it an A Team vibe.
Good summer escape fare. * * * of 5
I Saw What You Did (1965)
When I was in junior high, back in the 70s, a teacher told us about this movie about some teenagers who crank call the wrong person and it turns into a thriller. The idea of 'crank calling' is pretty trite today, but it was an endless source of fun back before Caller ID.
Here's the TCM version
Also check out Calls to Okies from SxSW for an 80s look at the phenomenon.
Here's the TCM version
Also check out Calls to Okies from SxSW for an 80s look at the phenomenon.
The Gift
When you see a preview multiple times, it either makes you want to see the movie or NOT to see the movie. I thought this preview gave away too much. But in retrospect, it was like a supercut from another movie. Showing that you can take an idea and come up with 20 different movies based on it.
The idea here is a Home Alone type: Husband Simon (Jason Bateman) goes off to work leaving Wife Robyn (Rebecca Hall) alone while new creepy friend Gordo (Joel Edgerton) drops by various times. This could go the way of Taken, or Misery, or Fatal Attraction, or The Postman Always Rings Twice. I'll let you decide.
It's a real throwback in time with the wife home not doing much work, in the midcentury Frank Lloyd Wright home. Gives it a 60s feel. The house plays a part, just like in another fine movie of the year, Ex Machina.
Cinematography was cool with the long shots down the hall, the handheld camera through the house, and the refrigerator door and shower door. Two different shower scenes - Psycho anyone?
Joel Edgerton does a nice job writing and directing. He's been in 2 of the Star Wars movies. Funny how I missed him. I'll be on the lookout now.
* * * * of 5
The idea here is a Home Alone type: Husband Simon (Jason Bateman) goes off to work leaving Wife Robyn (Rebecca Hall) alone while new creepy friend Gordo (Joel Edgerton) drops by various times. This could go the way of Taken, or Misery, or Fatal Attraction, or The Postman Always Rings Twice. I'll let you decide.
It's a real throwback in time with the wife home not doing much work, in the midcentury Frank Lloyd Wright home. Gives it a 60s feel. The house plays a part, just like in another fine movie of the year, Ex Machina.
Cinematography was cool with the long shots down the hall, the handheld camera through the house, and the refrigerator door and shower door. Two different shower scenes - Psycho anyone?
Joel Edgerton does a nice job writing and directing. He's been in 2 of the Star Wars movies. Funny how I missed him. I'll be on the lookout now.
* * * * of 5
Cartel Land
Another "Sundance Darling" that made it to the bigs - that is, the McAllen Multiplex. It's interesting how the documentary filmmaker can take access to a subject, in a reality TV sort of way, and make the story so compelling.
Here we have 2 competing stories, one of El Doctor Mireles in Michoacan, Mexico and the other of the Arizona Border Posse. Each one representative of its country: in Mexico, he's a heroic figure to La Gente; in America, he's a dangerous and untamed force. Each one fighting against the evil of The Cartel as they see it.
Ultimately, its not so satisfying. There's no easy answer to either's problem. And we can't help but think, is this person fighting the problem or part of it?
Here we have 2 competing stories, one of El Doctor Mireles in Michoacan, Mexico and the other of the Arizona Border Posse. Each one representative of its country: in Mexico, he's a heroic figure to La Gente; in America, he's a dangerous and untamed force. Each one fighting against the evil of The Cartel as they see it.
Ultimately, its not so satisfying. There's no easy answer to either's problem. And we can't help but think, is this person fighting the problem or part of it?
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