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.