Porky's (1981)

My friend Eric didn't get my reference to "Mike Hunt" from the classic 80s movie Porky's and so I had to explain it:

In 25 words, Group of teenage boys seeks to lose their virginity.  Sexual frustration of high school girls leads them to a shady honky-tonk called Porky's where drinking and sex flows more freely.

Noted at its time for the full frontal nudity of the girls locker room.  Starring a young Kim Cattrell.

When I saw this as a junior in high school (had to sneak in to the R Rated movie, we sat on the front row opening night it was so crowded.  My friend the late George Capps laughed so hard he fell on the floor - giving definition to modern day acronym ROTFL - rolling on the floor laughing

The Founder

Behind every great fortune is a great crime - Balzac.

This great crime is the plot point for The Founder, starring Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc.  In the 70s, when I might be first in a McDonalds, there was usually a plaque for Ray Kroc as the founder of McDonalds.  Only later did I ever hear of the McDonald brothers.

John Lee Hancock as director takes his sepia tones and 50s cars to tell the story of how Ray Kroc, a Midwestern milkshake machine salesman became involved with McDonalds.  If you see it as a crime what he did (e.g. The Social Network) , then you're likely missing the point of how McDonald's became the American Icon that it is.  The McDonald brothers thought they were in the restaurant business, but it took a visionary to see past that.  In that respect Ray Kroc is of course the hero of his movie.  I'll bet his estate financed the movie - certainly Joan Kroc comes off well. I call this the Blind Side effect.  Also directed by... John Lee Hancock.

Lots of parallels to other Midwestern American success stories (Walt Disney, Ronald Reagan, The Mormon Church) of taking one small idea nationwide and making it so much more.

* * * * of 5

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

A John Cusack film - that should tell you that we will have an angst-ridden semi-hero who should get the girl in spite of himself and the situations he puts himself in.  It's been a sure thing since The Sure Thing (1985) which we thought at the time was a cool movie.


Here we have Martin Blank, a CIA trained hitman, coming back to Grosse Pointe for his 10 year high school reunion.  For someone who kills for a living, he is racked by guilt and sees a psychiatrist (Alan Arkin) and pines for his high school girlfriend (Minnie Driver).

Credit to early showing of plot points in Analyze This, The Sopranos as well as many 80s high school reunions.  The soundtrack also has some alt, rock/ska music that is not often heard.

On the other hand, it's pretty much a Tarantino ripoff, from the suits, to the diner, to the shootouts, to the body disposal.    Even in the Ultimart shootout, we see a movie cutout from Pulp Fiction.  The fight scenes were similar to Kill Bill Volume 1 as well.

Decent performances, and a nice turn against type by Dan Ackroyd as a fellow hitman.

* * * of 5

Lowriders * May 12

Starring Eva Longoria and Demian Bechir

La La Land

Set in Los Angeles, we have two up and comers Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) both trying to make it in the big city, he as a musician, her as an actress.

This Hollywood and Vine story is further established as a old-time tale by the singing and dancing musical nature of the first part.  The second part turns into more of a drama as both "Seb" and Mia become jealous of the other's potential success.

Directed by Damian Chazelle (Whiplash) we have similar use of crescendo-ed music, close up of musical instruments, quick dramatic cuts to add to the drama.  Unlike Whiplash there's not real sense of urgency.  A Star is being Born (maybe two) and we just should watch this retelling of Their Story.

I'd hoped it would be better - I did.  But this old story didn't age well.  Maybe this subplot might help matters - from Conan



* * * of 5

The Walk Out

I went to go see Nocturnal Animals the other day.  I thought it would be good, but ,,,that's what you get for thinking, as Dad Sales used to say.

Not only was it not interesting, but it was not compelling, not well acted, and not original.  You start to think, "it must get better"  then you think "how long do I have to wait for that?" and then realize "it's getting worse" and "I don't want to wait this out".  So up you go, feeling that all eyes in the dark are on you.  In this case there were only 2 other people in there.  So out I went.

Other movies I recall walking out on:

Everything Must Go (2010)

Bruno (2009)

First walkout since I started this blog in 2012!

Good Fellas (1990)

"All my life I wanted to be a gangster".  That's a classic first line of a movie.  This mobster movie may not have been the first to the genre, but it does give it a classical American version, from the immigrant neighborhood, to the automobiles, to the clothes.

Another movie that I never saw the first time around.  The sweep of the life stories has influenced other semi historical movies of the nature, from Boogie Nights to Jersey Boys.   Ray Liotta as Henry is overshadowed by Joe Pesci as the volatile Tommy (Academy Award winner).  Robert De Niro of course must be cast in any mob film and even he is overshadowed by both.

Directed by Martin Scorsece it is probably his best known work, being somewhat autobiographical.   Both his mother and father appear in the film.

Liked but not loved ****