Creepshow

 

   Happy Spooky Month, everybody! In the spirit of Halloween, I will do a review on this amazingly scary movie made by Stephen King and the late George A. Romero. A movie entitled Creepshow. This movie is a series of five short scary stories written by Stephen King in the form of a comic book. Starring an all-star cast including Leslie Nielsen, E.G. Marshall, Adrienne Barbeau, Ted Danson (Cheers), Ed Harris (Christof from The Truman Show), Hal Holbrook, and even Stephen King himself! (Crazy, I know!) 

  Father's Day: In our first spooky story, we deal with a demented old man returning from the grave to get his Father's Day cake he kept whining about, and his daughter refused to give it to him and murdered him.

  The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill: Stephen King plays a not too smart farmer who discovers a meteor that fell in his field. What he didn't realized until later was that the meteor turns everything into plants... including him! 

  Something to Tide You Over: This story is my favorite. A vengeful husband buries his wife and her lover up to their heads in the sand on the beach and leaves them there to drown by the high tides. Later, they come back as underwater corpses and get revenge on the husband. 

  The Crate: A college professor chooses his mean and nagging wife to be the bait of a strange and scary human eating monster that lives in a crate that was hidden under the steps of the college for almost a century. 

  They're Creeping Up On You: In this last story, a millionaire who has a huge phobia of bugs becomes the prey of hundreds of thousands of cockroaches. This story will be intensively gross. 

  The tagline for this movie was "The Most Fun You'll Ever Have Being Scared". Boy, was that right, because I had fun being scared at this Stephen King masterpiece. I love the fact that the visuals were emulating the art styles of the old comic books from the '50s, which was the inspiration for the movie. I mean, it's like a comic book on film. Pretty cool. 

  My favorite story, as I mentioned, was the one about the high tides. Leslie Nielsen played a really dark character compared to his other performances. But what I loved in this story was when the intense part of Ted Danson and Gaylen Ross were drowning from the tides, and the shot of Ted Danson's head underwater, no longer able to hold his breath any longer, with the red and blue lighting in the background. (You see those color hues a lot in the movie whenever something scary comes up.)

 

This is almost as scary as the shot of Jack Torrance frozen to death in The Shining. 

If you want a great Stephen King flick for Halloween Night, check out the original Creepshow movie. Also, check out the TV series of Creepshow on AMC and Shudder Network. 

Parent's Guide: Like most Stephen King movies, this is rated R for lots of scary content. I don't think kids at the age of five or six should see this. Especially the cockroach story. This movie could give little kids nightmares. 

Did You Know?: The little boy at the beginning and end of the movie is actually Stephen King's son, Joe Hill. Hill would later follow his dad's footsteps and become a bestselling author and later write a story for the Creepshow TV series. A marble ashtray is seen throughout the movie. Stephen King was told to play Jordy Verrill like Wilie E. Coyote from Looney Tunes, the way his face looks when he's about to fall off a cliff. (You know that look.) While on break, Stephen King took his son, Joe to a McDonald's for lunch and as a joke, Joe was made up with a bunch of bruises, cuts and scabs. The drive-thru girl freaked out and called the cops on them.

Can you believe that this is Stephen King's son as Billy??

That Thing You Do!

   It's time to rock and roll as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Tom Hanks' first film as a writer and director, the '96 classic, That Thing You Do!. Starring Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler from Lord of the Rings, funnyman Steve Zhan, character actor Ethan Embry as the band's unnamed bass player, Johnothon Schaech, Charlize Theron, Bill Cobbs, and even Tom Hanks himself. 

   The year is 1964 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Guy Peterson works at an electronics store with his parents while reaching out for his dream to play drums for jazz music. One day, Guy's friends Lenny and Jimmy ask Guy to be the drummer for their rock band, The Oneders, after Chad, their other drummer, broke his arm. Guy eventually accepts and the band made their debut at a talent show. There, the group introduced what would be their well-known song, "That Thing You Do". The talent show performance was a success and it earned the Oneders a spot at a pizza shop. After a fan asks for a record for their song, the group decides to do a record. Shortly after, some stranger in a camper gave the band a deal to make them big by selling the record on the radio. Surprisingly, it made it on the air, and everybody went crazy that day. Soon afterwards, The Oneders get a professional manager named Mr. White and now being called The Wonders, make it to the top. Question is: will they remain popular at the top for long? 

  I actually grew up with this movie. My mom showed this movie to me when I was three or four years old because I loved the 60s music stylings of The Beatles and all. Also, this was the first movie in my life where I notice great acting in a movie. Great performances by Tome Everett Scott as Guy "Shades" Peterson, especially when he goes: "I AM SPARTACUS!!!". Very funny acting from Steve Zhan as Lenny, like when he was playing Go Fish with those dudes. Liv Tyler was a great girlfriend to the group. And Tom Hanks was as serious as ever like most of his masterpieces. (Especially ones that he has written and directed.) So, if you're into rock and roll 1960s style or a retro junkie in general or just looking for a good '90s flick with a combination of comedy and music, grab a friend or your family and rent Tom Hanks' That Thing You Do!. 

Parents Guide: This movie is rated PG for some language and sensual content. Some naughty humor here and there. There is a riot scene, only there is no close ups of the violence and the catastrophe is discussed in a scene after. Lots of drinking and smoking. And of course, bad language. Parents, if you choose to watch this with your kids, don't let them repeat this language. 

Trivia: An extended version with some deleted footage was released on DVD in 2007. Film debut of Tom Everett Scott. Tom Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson, makes a cameo as a waitress. The band's appearance in that beach party movie is supposed to be parallel to the Frankie and Annette beach movies. The name of the bass player would later become one of the greatest mysteries in movie history. 

In loving memory of my mom who died almost one year ago today. 

I think this says it all. 

Mr. Mom

      When mom goes to work, dad goes berserk!! So many balls to juggle when a dad has to wear mom's shoes while taking care of the kids and the house 24/7. That's the scenario for Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton (who just turned 70 this year) in this family classic, Mr. Mom. Also starring Terri Garr (Close Encounters and Tootsie), Martin Mull (Mr. Kraft in Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Ann Jillian (Gypsy and Mae West), Jefferey Tambor (Arrested Development), and appearances by Christopher Lloyd, Miriam Flynn, and Edie McClurg. Written by the late John Hughes.

  After unexpectedly getting fired from his job, Jack Butler (Keaton) agrees to take over his wife, Caroline's (Garr) job as mother and housekeeper while she goes to her new job. Jack learns that taking care of his kids and doing the chores aren't easy as it seems. With no clue how to do the work, Jack walks over egg shells to keep everything in the family household functional Jack also needs to watch out for one of the female neighbors (Ann Jillian) for trying to cheat on his wife. Meanwhile, Caroline isn't getting lucky either at her new advertising job with her new boss, Ron Richardson (Mull) hitting on her. Turns out both mom and dad are at risk for not just their marriage, but their family, too. 

  This is a cute comedy. Personally, when I get married someday, I want to have kids. But that's another story for a future article. What I mostly loved about this movie is that it focuses on family being the number one priority. I must admit, it was painful seeing Michael Keaton not doing the chores right on his first time at bat, like mixing all the laundry detergents into one mixture into the washing machine. Thank goodness we have new technology for chores like that. I also love how both parents realize their mistakes and, without giving everything away, make things right once more. 

  For moms and dads who love their children and know that family comes first, grab the kids, pop some popcorn and rent Mr. Mom starring Michael Keaton. 

    Parents Guide: This is rated PG, though some of the content may not be appropriate for kids. Ann Jillian's cleavage can be visible in most of her scenes. There is a scene where Michael Keaton and other moms go to a male strip club. (No nudity.) There's some people punching other people in some scenes. Lots of bad language that your kids shouldn't dare repeat. 

Trivia: Robin Williams, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and John Travolta were considered for the lead role. Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark and Animal House), Jane Curtin (SNL and 3rd Rock from the Sun), and the late Farrah Fawcett were considered for the role of Caroline. Jack Nicholson was considered for the role of Ron Richardson. Ron Howard was originally considered to direct. A short-lived TV spinoff of this movie was made one year later with a completely different story with different characters. 

What a mess!!!

To mom and dad, who sacrificed everything in their lives to make me and my sister happy. Love you guys.  

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet

 

  Picture this: a modern take of this classic Shakespeare tale set in the city suburbs with bizarre imagery, guns, and the original Shakespearian dialogue. Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes (My So Called Life) star as the two star-crossed lovers in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet. Also starring John Leguizamo (Spawn and Moulin Rouge) as Tybalt, Diane Verona, Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas), Pete Postlethwaite (The Usual Suspects and Jurassic Park: The Lost World) as Father Laurence, Harold Perrineau as Mertcutio, Brian Dennheny (Silverado and Cocoon) and Paul Rudd (Marvel's Ant-Man) as Dave Paris. With music by Radiohead, Garbage, Mundy, Everclear, Gavin Friday, and more. 

  Like in the traditional tale, The Montagues and Capulets are feuding families whose children, Romeo and Juliet, fall in love. Knowing their parents won't allow this relationship, Romeo and Juliet try to keep their love in secret from their families. Alas, there are obstacles to go through and prices to pay for this to go on. The story is the same, but the visuals are modern with eye catching costumes and makeup, and guns. 

  I first saw this version of Romeo and Juliet back in 2016 in my sophomore year at high school after we read R&J. I was actually hoping we'd watch West Side Story (another modern take of Romeo and Juliet). But when my English teacher told me that the one we were going to watch had DiCaprio in it, I was immediately interested, because DiCaprio is one of my many favorite actors. As I was watching it in class, my mind was totally blown on how the story was portrayed in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet. 

  What I love about this is how they spoke the original Shakespeare words of the play rather than a modern translation. It makes this more, well, Shakespeare-like. Also, DiCaprio's performance as Romeo is what you'd expect from any performance from DiCaprio... Epic! Sure, he did awesome in movies like Titanic, Gilbert Grape, Wolf of Wall Street, and Basketball Diaries, but I think it's safe to say that Romeo + Juliet is my favorite DiCaprio movie. 

  This one of two of my favorite versions of Romeo and Juliet. The other, as you may have guessed, is West Side Story. Now, West Side Story is similar to Baz Luhrmann's R+J, only it took place in the late '50s-early '60s and it's a musical. I've been meaning to do a review of this classic musical on my blog for years, but was too busy. Sometime this coming months, I'll post it to follow this review. 

  In conclusion, if you love Shakespeare and romantic tragedies and Leonardo DiCaprio, grab your loved one and get your tissues ready and go rent Romeo + Juliet.

NOTE:  Now, there are some parts of this movie that are weird. Like the beginning of the costume ball where Romeo and Juliet would meet. Some of Romeo's friends were in drag with very revealing clothing, doing exotic dances.  Just be prepared for some bizarreness. 

   Parents Guide: This movie is rated PG-13 for scenes of contemporary violence and some sensuality. Some bloody violence, heavy drug use, and sexual content. Yes, there is a sex scene, but feel free to skip it if you're not comfortable seeing stuff like that. Tragically in the end, the star-crossed lovers committed suicide from poison and a gun in a room full of candles. This scene may be intense and tear-jerking. 

Did You Know?: One of the crew members was kidnapped by gang members in ransom for $300! Claire Danes and DiCaprio did NOT get along on set. Christian Bale was considered for the role of Mertcutio. Teen heartthrob, Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser and Doctor Horrible), was considered for Romeo. However, DiCaprio was Baz Luhrmann's first choice for Romeo. 

"I AM FORTUNE'S FOOL!!!!"

 

Carrie

 

    I have a confession to make... I am a Stephen King junkie. I love reading his books and watching movie adaptations of his stories like this masterpiece. Stephen King's breakthrough novel comes to life with Sissy Spacek as Carrie. Celebrating 45 years on the screen. Also starring Piper Laurie (Twin Peaks and The Hustler) as Carrie's psycho religious mom, John Travolta (in his film debut), Nancy Allen (RoboCop), William Katt (The Greatest American Hero), Amy Irving (Crossing Delancey), P.J. Soles (Stripes and Halloween), and Betty Buckley as Miss Collins (or Miss Desjardin in the book). Directed by film legend Brian DePalma. 

  In Stephen King's take on Cinderella, Carrie White is a 17 year-old outcast at the Bates High School in Chamberlain, Maine in the year 1976. Nobody likes her. Carrie also has a secret power known as telekinesis, a power using the mind to move objects. One terrible morning after gym class in the shower room... Carrie got her first period... and doesn't know what to do. All the other girls did was throw stuff at her and laugh. The girls' gym teacher, Miss Collins, angrily shoos away the other girls with shame and helps Carrie on her feet. Carrie is then sent home for the rest of the school day. After hearing what happened to her daughter, Carrie's mom, Margret, a religious maniac, chastises her for what happened. Margret is such a religious freak, she believes sex is a sin. Not too long after the incident, Sue Snell, one of the girls who made fun of Carrie, felt guilty for what she's done and asks her prom date, Tommy Ross, to go with Carrie instead of her. Tommy reluctantly accepts. However, the girl who hated Carrie at school the most, Chris Hargensen, wanted to ruin Carrie's life some more. So, she and her boyfriend, Billy Nolan, devise a revengeful prank that will end up being a grave mistake. Little did they know that when they pull this stunt at the senior prom... Carrie White won't be happy about this... 

   Next to The Shining and Misery, Carrie is my favorite Stephen King story. Most Stephen King lovers may not see this, but to me, Carrie is SK's version of Cinderella. Carrie, being the center of the story and the outcast represents Cinderella. Margret, being not only wicked, but also psychotic, represents the evil stepmother. Chris Hargensen and the other girls (minus Sue) represent the ugly step sisters. Miss Collins represented the fairy godmother. The events of the senior prom represent the ball in Cinderella, except everything went totally wrong. 

  Despite the horror and tragedy that happens in the story, I can't help but love this Stephen King story. In fact, the infamous prom massacre scene is my favorite scene out of any Stephen King book/movie, probably because it shows how bullying can go too far when enemies really hurt others. Things like that happen in real life almost every day. Like the Columbine Shooting back in April of '99. (In which Stephen King compared Carrie White to the two killers during that massacre in his memoir, On Writing.) 

   What I can't help but notice in this Stephen King movie is that it has Disney like qualities. Mostly the music. The music sounds moody. One moment it's sad, another it's joyful, the other it's scary. It also sounds like the music came from Disney flicks like Bambi or The Rescuers. It's something you don't hear that much in Stephen King movies. 

  To sum this up, if you haven't seen this Stephen King movie masterpiece yet, then go rent this movie, get scared, and get your tissues ready as you see Sissy Spacek as Carrie. 

  Parents Guide: Like most adaptations of Stephen King movies, despite the Disney qualities in this one, this movie is rated R for nudity, language, suggestive content, and major violence. Not to mention some jump-scare moments near the end. 

Did You Know?: Since Carrie was Stephen King's breakthrough novel, this was the very first film adaptation out of any Stephen King story. Nancy Allen, who played Carrie's arch-enemy, Chris Hargensen, never knew that her character was so cruel until she saw the final product. She and John Travolta thought they were being self-centered jerks for comic relief. (Obviously, they must have not read the book.) Piper Laurie thought this also with her character. The prom scene took two weeks to shoot with a total of 35 takes. Years later, Sissy Spacek narrated the audiobook version of Carrie, which I have listened to. (It was like hearing Carrie White telling her version of her story.) The boy on the bike was actually director Brian DePalma's nephew, Cameron. Guess what? That's not his actual voice singing "CREEPY CARRIE! CREEPY CARRIE! HAHAHAHA!!". That was actually Betty Buckley's voice, who played Miss Collins in the movie. 

Never mess with Carrie White!!

Dedicated to Sissy Spacek who brought Carrie to life.

Dedicated to Stephen King who was responsible for this amazing horror tragedy.

And dedicated to Jay Levine and Simon from my favorite band, Prozzak, in which Carrie is one of  their favorite movies. 

Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride

       Of all the Tim Burton flicks I've seen, next to Beetlejuice, The Corpse Bride is one of my favorites. Journey into the underworld where the dead resides with a dash of comedy, romance, and heartbreak as we follow mortal Victor in a grave misunderstood marriage (so to speak) with a corpse bride named Emily. Starring Tim Burton regulars Helena Bonham Carter as Emily, The Corpse Bride, and Johnny Depp as Victor von Dort, a very nervous to be married groom. Also starring Emily Watson (Gosford Park), Tracey Ullman, Richard E. Grant, Albert Finney (Big Fish and Annie), Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings), Michael Gough (Alfred from Batman), and a special voice appearance by stuntman Deep Roy. 

  Our story is set in the late 19th century in a Victorian village, where Victor von Dort, son of fish merchants, ends up in an arranged marriage with a woman named Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson). After messing up his wedding vows in their rehearsal, Victor runs away into the woods. While journeying through the woods, he practiced his vows perfectly. Once he got them right... he found out he recited them to a dead corpse! Suddenly, he has been taken to the land of the dead. Now Victor's stuck in the middle between a living and dead woman. If only he knew what to do... Find out when you watch this superb piece of work.

   Fantastic. Another great Burton movie with brilliantly larger-than-life characters and larger-than-life visuals. Just like Nightmare Before Christmas, the animation is so beautifully well done. The performances of the actors are done perfectly. Johnny Depp, who's been in a number of Tim Burton movies starting with Edward Scissorhands, did a great job playing a shy and nervous groom. And I think Helena Bonham Carter did a marvelous job voicing the title character. I think it's safe to say that Emily the Corpse Bride is my favorite Tim Burton girl. I also loved the songs by Tim Burton regular Danny Elfman, who sang as the character Bonejangles in the song "Remains of the Day" (which may be my favorite one next to "Tears to Shed".) 

  Parents Guide: This movie is rated PG due to scary imagery and brief language. Emily's outfit and appearance may be too revealing. The violence is pretty mild, like there was one scene where we see a dead man split in two and we see his insides. There is a couple uses of the word "damn", including the "Frankly, my dear" reference to Gone with the Wind. So, parents should watch this with their kids with caution. 

Did You Know?: The name of the piano manufacture on the piano Victor plays in the beginning is called Harryhausens, a reference to legendary stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen. The movie has a total of 109,440 animated frames shot on multiple cameras according to IMDB. Alan Rickman was considered for the role of Lord Barkis Bitten. Jim Carey (Sonic the Hedgehog and The Truman Show) and Angelina Jolie were considered for the lead roles. 

A drawing of Emily the Corpse Bride done by my little sister, Julia Joy.

 

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

 

   What's there to say about this classic? It's hands down a masterpiece of flesh and cartoons. From Disney, Touchstone, and Robert Zemeckis, it's Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. Loosely based on the book, "Who Censored Roger Rabbit?" by Gary K. Wolf. Starring Bob Hoskins as private detective Eddie Valliant. Charles Fleischer, a character voice actor, as Roger Rabbit, the victim. Kathleen Turner in an uncredited voice role as the beautiful yet suspicious Jessica Rabbit. Blade Runner's Joanna Cassidy as Dolores, a friend of Eddie's. And last but not least, an epic villain performance by Christopher Lloyd as the dreadful Judge Doom. 

   Imagine a world where humans and cartoon characters live and work together. Cartoon superstar, Roger Rabbit, was having a happy-go-lucky life until one night... he discovered that his lover, Jessica, was "playing a game of patty-cake" with Marvin Acme, the owner of Acme Corporations and Toontown. Suddenly, Marvin was found murdered the next day. Roger, as you can guess, was framed for the crime. Now it's up to Eddie Valliant, a private detective who deeply hates cartoons, to prove Roger's innocence. (The reason why Eddie hates cartoon characters was because a toon killed his brother.) Along the way, the cartoon rabbit and the toon hating detective have to avoid the terrible, wicked Judge Doom, a man who wants to rid the world of cartoon characters with dangerous chemicals. 

   I, believe it or not, grew up with this movie. What I mostly like about the movie is the combination of live-action and animation. Walt Disney, decades back, has done this before. But Roger Rabbit takes the process to a different level. The story is very interesting, too. It has that film noir style to it. Another thing I loved about the movie was Christopher Lloyd's performance as Judge Doom. As much as I liked Lloyd in Back to the Future and all, I think Roger Rabbit was his shining moment. Everything else in the movie, well, there's so many words to describe it. I think it's a well done piece of work. 

 Parents Guide: I don't think kids under 6 should watch this flick without a parent. Yes, it's rated PG, but I think it should be PG-13 for the language and violence and sexual stuff. Jessica's appearance is very suggestive. A majority of the scenes have mild and wacky cartoon violence. The scene where Judge Doom kills an innocent cartoon shoe with chemicals can scare little kids. Eddie is a heavy drinker. And Judge Doom, being a psychopath and all, may scare kids, too. One of the weasels is named "Smartass". 

 Did You Know?: Actors considered for Eddie Valliant were Kurt Russell, Jack Nicholson, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, and Joe Pesci. Actors considered for Judge Doom were Tim Curry, Peter O'Toole, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Roddy McDowall, and Sting. And Robin Williams was considered for both the hero and villain. There were actually supposed to be seven weasels to parody the Seven Dwarfs. The test audiences, which were 18-19 year old kids, hated the movie. The song at the end of the movie "Smile, Darn Ya, Smile" was believe it or not sung by the animators of the movie. Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman) was the original choice to voice Roger Rabbit.

   In a future article this summer, I will do my first Book vs. Movie article on Roger Rabbit. (Judge Doom is not in the book.) Stay tooned. 

Mrs. Doubtfire

 

    Hello, and Happy Dad's Day and belated Mother's Day to everyone around the world. For a majority of families, the holiday is incomplete due to a divorce. (In other cases, life may have taken the parent away early, but that's another story.) Divorce can be hard on families. Not just on the mom and dad, but the kids, too. And this Robin Williams classic, Mrs. Doubtfire, shows the challenges of being away from your children during a divorce and finding a way to see them. Co-starring Sally Field, Harvey Fierstein, Peirce Brosnan (one of the many 007 actors), Matthew Lawrence, and Matilda's Mara Wilson as little Natalie. It's a little-known fact that this was based on a book entitled "Alias Madame Doubtfire" by Anne Fine back in 1987.

   After a disastrous birthday party Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) threw for his son, his wife, Miranda (Sally Field), could not take it any more. It was time for a divorce. Daniel was only allowed to see his kids only once a week, which he can't live with. He also now has a job at a TV station as a shipping clerk under his liaison. One day, Miranda places an ad in the paper for a nanny. That quickly gave Daniel an idea. With help from his brother, Frank (Harvey Fierstein), a makeup artist, Daniel disguises himself as an old British lady under the name of Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. It took a little while for his kids to like Mrs. Doubtfire, but in no time, Mrs. Doubtfire became the favorite in the house rather than Miranda. Everything seemed to go according to plan, but Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire must also deal with Miranda's new boyfriend, Stu Dunemyer (Peirce Brosnan). Now it's becoming a real challenge for this troubled divorcee. Only time will tell what he'll do to be with his children still.

   This is one of many movies where you'll laugh and you'll cry. I know I did when I first saw this. Now, my parents never divorced, but my mom, as you know back in October, passed away from Stage 4 Cancer, which is a tad bit different than a divorce. So, basically, I know what it feels when parents are either gone or separated. In fact, my favorite part in the movie, without giving everything away, was at the end when Mrs. Doubtfire gave a speech about families that are different (i.e. divorce and adopted children). Trust me, that will make you tear up. Get your tissues ready. 

   Since he died in the summer of 2014, I cry at Robin Williams movies because it hurts to know that he's gone. I adore Robin's comedy. From being Genie in Aladdin, Mork from Ork, even Peter Pan in Hook. Robin was loved by people around the world. If only he would recognize that. This is one of those sad but true things. I miss Robin.

  So, if you want a touching movie for Father's Day, watch Mrs. Doubtfire starring Robin Williams.

  Parents Guide: Yes, this is a family film, but it's rated PG-13 for language and some sexual stuff. There is some drinking and a joke about smoking in a cartoon in the beginning of the movie. There is one scene where Mrs. Doubtfire gives the finger to Pierce Brosnan (without him knowing). The divorce scene in the beginning may be intense for younger viewers. 

Did You Know?: The cartoon at the beginning was done by legendary cartoonist Chuck Jones. The full 5 minute cartoon can be found on the DVD. Some of the many actors considered to play the lead before Robin Williams were Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Kurt Russell, Dan Aykroyd, Rick Moranis, Tom Cruise, and my man Michael J. Fox (who just turned 60 this month). Not only did Robin Williams star in this classic, but also served as producer. The line "It was a run-by-fruiting!" is now a popular YouTube meme. 

To my dad who celebrated his birthday and will soon celebrate Father's Day.

To my late mom. The Mindy to my Mork. 

To Robin Williams for spreading joy and happiness to the planet. 

Summer Update

 

  Happy Almost Summer! Sorry I didn't post any reviews for a few months. I was still grieving over the loss of my mom, who helped started this blog of mine back in 2014. Wow! Has it been that long ago? Anyway, I just want you to know that I'm doing fine. Been hanging with my dad and my little sister Julia. Binge watching some Miraculous Ladybug & Cat Noir on NETFLIX. (Me and my sister are OBSESSED with that show.) I've also managed to keep myself busy by writing stories and doing future planning for future projects like doing a Kickstarter campaign for a video game I wanna develop. And I'm thinking of starting a band. (I'm learning guitar and have been for over six years and never gave up.) 

  Yeah, life hasn't been easy since my mom went to Heaven. My very last words to her were "You Complete Me". Just like what Tom Cruise said in Jerry Maguire. Now those three words are more than just a movie quote to me. There are times where I feel pain because my mom is not here with me. It really hurts knowing that your mom no longer exists. I mean, I had a lot of great memories with her. Sometimes, I still hear her voice echoing through my head. 

  Okay, sorry to be a downer. Anyway, I'll try to stay active on my blog and come up with new things in the future. Who knows? I might even start my own podcast. In fact, I asked mom if she could help me with that last year. She loved the idea, but she was too sick to help me with that. But I can see myself doing a podcast in the future. 

  I'll get to work on more stuff for my blog. I'll also keep you posted on my Kickstarter plans, too. Hope you'll have a great day and have a great summer. 

What About Bob?

    Yeah, what about him? I'll tell you what about him. Sure, he has mental problems, but hey, he can be fun to hang with. Time to go crazy as we take a look at this classic 90s comedy, What About Bob?. Starring Bill Murray (you know who he his), Richard Dreyfus (Close Encounters and The Goodbye Girl), Charlie Korsmo (Hook), Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order CI and OZ), Julie Hagerty (Airplane), and a special appearance by Muppet collaborator Fran Brill. Directed by Frank Oz, coincidentally a friend of the late Jim Henson.

  Bill Murray plays Bob Wiley, a totally neurotic and manipulative man. Just recently, he started seeing a new doctor. A famous yet egotistical psychotherapist named Dr. Leo Marvin, played by Richard Dreyfus. Dr. Leo had just published a new book entitled "Baby Steps", in which he gives to Bob to help overcome his fears. Apparently, after that one visit with Dr. Leo, Bob becomes attached to his new doctor. So, overcoming his fear of leaving his apartment, Bob tracks down Dr. Leo Marvin and his family to their summer vacation cottage in New Hampshire and eventually stays with them. Leo, however, does not approve because he finds Bob annoying. No, he finds Bob beyond annoying. Let's leave it at that. With Bob staying with the family on vacation, Dr. Leo's life basically falls apart and he starts to go crazy himself. 

   This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. I think this will make you laugh yourself crazy yourself. (Not mentally.) There was this one time where I laughed too loud at one of my favorite parts of the movie, the whole house shook. That was a little embarrassing. But that shows you how funny I found this movie. It's amazing how a therapist can turn into a jerky person after all he's been taught about psychology. Well, one, that's irony for you. And two, it can happen in real life sometimes. Not all the time. 

  Also, as a man with Asperger's and who sees a therapist, this movie to me is relatable. In a future article this summer, hopefully, I will explain what Asperger's is like to a guy like me. I'm not sure if Bill Murray's character in Bob had it, but I know for sure he had a Tourette's problem. Anyway, not all people are perfect. I know I'm not. I'm even man enough to admit that I lose my temper sometimes in the house, which I don't like and feel guilty instantly. That's how not perfect I am. But hey, that's no problem. I'm still human like you. 

  So, to close this review, if you're looking for comic relief and want some 90s slapstick, go crazy and rent What About Bob?. 

Parents Guide: This movie's rated PG. But I think it should be PG-13 for language. As I mentioned earlier, Bob has a Tourette's problem. In one scene, he and Leo's son jump on the beds and scream curse words and dirty slangs out loud. Phrases like "Douche Bag" and "Testicle Head", etc. Parents, if you hear your kids repeat those words, wash their mouths out with soap. (Not literally, you know what I mean.) Near the end of the movie, Dr. Leo gets so crazy and annoyed at Bob, he attempts to kill him with dynamite. 

Trivia: Richard Dreyfus and Bill Murray did not get along during the filming of this comedy. (Kind of like in the movie.) Actors considered for the two leads included Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Eddie Murphy, Patrick Stewart, James Caan, Kevin Kline, and the late Robin Williams. The vacation house was located on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. No, they didn't actually blow it up at the end. They only blew up a 3/4-sized model of the house on an empty lot for that scene. 

Dedicated to my therapist, Mary Gerry, who recently told and showed me her fascination with puppets.

Groundhog Day

 

     Rise and shine, campers! Don't forget your booties, because it's cold out there today! Is this Miami Beach? Not hardly! The big question that the people in their chapped lips are asking is: Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? That's right, woodchuck-chuckers, it's... GROUNDHOG DAY!

   Groundhog Day, a classic 90s flick starring comedy legend Bill Murray (Ghostbusters and Caddyshack). Also starring Andie MacDowell (Sex, Lies, and Videotape), Chris Elliot (There's Something About Mary & Everybody Loves Raymond), Stephen Tobolosky as Ned Ryerson, and Brian Doyle Murray. And directed by the late Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, and the original National Lampoon's Vacation). 

   Egotistic TV weatherman, Phil Connors (Bill Murray) can't stand Groundhog Day. For the fourth year, he has to report whether or not the Groundhog will see his shadow or not. Phil goes there and makes no effort to hide his sarcastic frustration to the camera. Then, an unexpected blizzard occurs, and Phil and his crew have to stay in Punxsutawney, PA, until the storm's cleared. But here's where the real nightmare begins: when Phil Connors woke up the next day... it's Groundhog Day... AGAIN! As you could guess, he's reliving the same day over and over again! Will this mean Phil Connors will be stuck in Groundhog Day forevermore?? You just wait and see. I'll tell you this, though: he does ultimately change his ways.

   This is a very interesting comedy. I think it's safe to say that what I love about this movie is that it gave someone a chance to change their idiotic and selfish ways into a caring and respectful person. According to some fans of Groundhog Day, they notice that there are elements of Buddhism in the movie. The Buddhism concept is reliving a bad day in your life until you make things right. When this was told to director, Harold Ramis, who happened to be a Buddhist, he never noticed that he portrayed the concept in the movie. Now, I'm no Buddhist, but I find that idea cool. It's just something to think about. Overall, a good movie for everyone to enjoy. Especially on today of all days, Groundhog Day.

Parents Guide: This movie is rated PG. There are some sexual innuendos in this flick. Bill Murray does flip the bird in one scene. Some language is used, not a lot, thankfully. In some of his repeated days, Bill Murray tries to kill himself, like getting run over by a truck, and even jumping off a building! That could scare younger viewers. Andie MacDowell slaps Bill Murray on the face several times, even in a montage. Smoking and drinking is shown in the movie, too. 

Did You Know?: Harold Ramis originally wanted Tom Hanks to play the lead in Groundhog Day. Other stars like John Travolta, Steve Martin, and Chevy Chase to play the lead. Originally, Phil Connors was supposed to live on February 2nd for (get this) ten thousand years! This movie has made Punxsutawney, PA a major tourist attraction. Last year, 2020, before the virus hit, Bill Murray and Stephen Tobolosky reprised their roles in the movie for a special Super Bowl commercial based on this iconic movie. In 2016, a Broadway musical adaptation of Groundhog Day premiered and won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. 

The Truman Show

 

   Okay, let's imagine that your entire life is broadcasted on national TV... and you don't even know it. Well, that's life for Jim Carey as he stars as Truman Burbank in Paramount's classic, The Truman Show. Also starring Ed Harris in his Oscar Nominated role as Christof. 

    Truman Burbank is a normal man, happy with his life as a successful business man. He has a perfect wife and some good friends. But what Truman doesn't know is that every moment of his life is being watched by people around the world on television. So, basically, Truman's life is a lie. Christof, the show's creator, had this going on for three decades, with millions of cameras in Truman's surroundings. It wasn't long until Truman decides to escape his show and set off on a journey to reality. 

   This movie proves that Jim Carey is not just a comedic actor. In movies like The Truman Show, Jim can be dramatic, too. But what caught my attention to this movie was this theory in life: what if your whole life is staged? I know, that's a lot to think about. But don't let the question bother you. I love movies where it leaves you thinking about life. Sort of like a similar movie that I admire, Pleasantville, where it also deals with television and similar tropes. Anyway, if you're into movies with deep meaning and questions about life, then watch The Truman Show.

         Parents Guide: This movie is rated PG. Not much worry for sexual humor. But there are some violent moments such as Truman holding his "wife" at knifepoint, which can get intense for younger viewers. There is some language in the movie. 

  

     Did You Know?: Tim Burton and Brian DePalma (Carrie and The Untouchables) were considered to direct The Truman Show. Jim Carey was the first choice to play Truman. The original script had Truman living in a recreation of New York City, but it was then changed to an idyllic town to make the movie less sci-fi. Gary Oldman was considered to be in the movie. In an earlier draft of the movie, Truman wanted to go to Australia rather than Fiji. This story originally debuted as an episode of the 80s version of The Twilight Zone. 

"In case I don't see you... Good afternoon, good evening, and good night."