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.