rjc7394 Reviews

Sam & Cat (2013–2014)

OMG, Ariana Grande is hilarious!

[7/10 · 23 August 2014]

I have not seen someone this funny (especially a young adult) in a very long time. I tuned in less than a month ago to see what Jennette McCurdy was up to and Ariana Grande's character totally shocked me. I had no idea what she was doing. At first I thought she was mentally-challenged then I read her say that she was playing dumb. She would stare into space and hesitate and wave her arms in the air and talk with an inflection that reminded me so much of Emo Phillips, the comedian (I could never understand him and I could not tolerate his inflection) or even Pee-Wee Herman to an extent. Ariana is so unique for her age and she's quick and an extremely good actor and comic. She is going to be huge at whatever she puts her mind to. (She is a better actor than any of the "Friends" actors were during their first two seasons.) I would give this series a "10" but I think the writing and themes can be poor. Producer Dan Schneider has a pretty warped sense of humor. Some of the stories and lines give bad examples to kids, imo: Sam and Cat are very materialistic, Sam's character basically hates people (eg. that part shocked me), and some of the other older characters seem very shallow. Plus, these characters do not need to be making butt jokes. (It's totally inappropriate for young kids.) But some of the stories, lines and sight gags are extremely funny! The acting and laughs sold me after the 3rd episode that I watched. This series had "success" written all over it due to Jennette and Ariana. (I would have replaced the writers if the series went on to a second season. I'm an adult male and I'll watch some of these adolescent shows for a change of pace just to see what they're up to. Lord knows Hollywood has been striking out with adult TV sitcoms and reality shows.) I can't believe that they couldn't bring Jennette and Ariana back together for more Sam and Cat!

The Bellboy (1960)

Classic universal comedy

[9/10 · 14 May 2013]

Jerry doesn't speak at all throughout the movie but the story line is centered around the bellboy (Lewis) and his actions. (Very much in the style of Charlie Chaplin I think.) The movie is made up of one after another fantastic, hilarious sight gags (which includes several special camera/editing effects) with classic Lewis expressions, boundless energy and it is very entertaining all the way through. (ie. Bellboy tries to pick up a trunk which doesn't have any handles.) I've seen this movie countless times since I was a kid. Puts a smile on my face every time I see it. Every person in the World can identify with this comedy. A true Classic.

Nacho Libre (2006)

Masterpiece sleeper

[8/10 · 26 October 2009]

This is a pretty long movie but I was struck by it after my first view. Jack Black gives a fantastic comedic performance (of which couldn't be duplicated by other comedic actors these days). The movie lulls at certain points but some of the lines are very funny. The music (Danny Elfman) is very, very well done (which is rare among comedies) and adds a lot to the comedic feel. The cinematography is really super, not to mention the beautiful scenery. The movie doesn't stoop to using profanity or stupid reused sexual innuendos (which usually are thrown in to make up for poor scripts). In my mind this is somewhat of a cinematic and comedic masterpiece. People will look back in time and praise Black's performance in this just like "School of Rock".

Stardust Memories (1980)

Can't believe I never saw this before

[9/10 · 27 January 2008]

Rapid-fire Woody Allen jokes and swift cinematography. I was riveted from the beginning to the end. The jokes were never-ending. Of course, the movie centers around love, sex and film. But what I like best about this and other Allen movies is that he uses average people as characters in his movie that tell jokes, are part of the plot, etc. The jokes range from intellectual references to his Groucho influences. Anyone who can hold the viewer's attention like this for so long and make them laugh and reflect has definitely achieved a masterpiece. I have to see this a few more times. A movie like this can't be made these days.

The Song Remains the Same (1976)

Whole lotta going on here...somewhat hoky

[8/10 · 7 March 2007]

This was done over 3 nights at Madison Square Garden and Jimmy Page said it wasn't the best concerts they had played but it was what it was. The film is a collage of concert material and dream sequences from the 4 band members (and Manager Peter Grant). The sequences are hoky and the special effects are laughable. Page's dream sequence is the most mysterious, of course. If you read into it something mysterious or mystical happened to him in the womb. If you go to Wikipedia it will tell you more. Plant is a bit androgynous in my eyes. Page is the most undermining in this film, unfortunately. He had incredible talent but hit a lot of wrong notes, was out-of-time, tried to play fast with no sense behind it, etc. Nonetheless, he and the band rocked. The songs and the DVD really drag on. And it's poorly edited. One second John Bonham is playing the drums with his hands, the next second he has sticks in his hands. Still, I have to watch this every few years or so to get my fill of Zeppelin. The concert is filmed pretty well, lots of closeups. The first time you watch this you will definitely enjoy yourself. I think the album is a gem especially "No Quarter", "Dazed and Confused", "Song Remains the Same/Rain Song". Really genius stuff from Page and Bonham.

Unforgiven (1992)

Good film-making but Eastwood's not the star

[8/10 · 23 February 2007]

Clint Eastwood isn't the star of this film but the film is directed extremely well. Eastwood is as wooden and unemotional as he always is. The ones that carry this movie are Gene Hackman, English Bob, Morgan Freeman and the Scofield Kid. The storyline is that one of the prostitutes in the saloon is slashed in the face and ends up with permanent scars. The Scofield Kid (an over-cocky young kid who winds up not being able to see two feet in front of his face) shows up at Eastwood's place and tries to recruit him to avenge the man who slashed this girl. One gripe I have is that in these Westerns all the characters are made out to be stupid like they never got past the fifth grade: they can't talk correctly (which includes Eastwood's character) and all the men are about are slinging a gun and sleeping with prostitutes. "Yessum", "I reckon", "I spose so" and "I don't do that no more, kid" are standard lines in this movie. Even the prostitutes are extremely stupid. I won't say anymore and ruin it but this is an enjoyable film.

The Train (1964)

Excellent Classic

[10/10 · 17 February 2007]

The trivia says that John Frankenheimer wanted to make this as real as possible and that's exactly what he did. The trains and the steam are real. Burt Lancaster works in the shop on some metal parts when the train's wheel bearings become damaged. You see him pour metal, you see him lift the 100+ lbs. wheel connecting rod and use a crane to move it. You see Burt Lancaster get kicked off the train while it's doing at least 25-30 mph. You see Lancaster perform his own stunts like climbing down from his hotel window to the ground. Cinematically this is a gem. The angles and shots show the emotion in the faces of the characters, the sweat, etc. There are many thrilling moments in this movie. My favorite is when the Spitfire heads towards the train and strafes it as Lancaster nervously speeds the train towards the upcoming tunnel for shelter and he tries his best to decelerate the train to a stop before it exits the other side of the tunnel. I also noticed in the train control room there is a large poster on the back of the door that looks like a movie or theatre poster that says "Sabotage" on it. Coincidence.

Shadow Run (1998)

Good acting, decent thriller, little disappointing

[7/10 · 22 January 2007]

It took quite a while before I could figure out all of the pieces of this scheme and the people involved which I enjoy. I don't like to know everything within the first ten minutes. Caine plays a crook and somehow manages to get a local schoolboy involved in his scheme. Or the schoolboy decides to help Caine with his crime. Caine is a great actor. He is very believable as always. Good dialogue and other actors were very good (Caine's callgirl, School Headmaster and Professor). There aren't any hum-drum moments in this film. The excitement/suspense slowly keeps building up scene after scene. The gigantic church on the outskirts of town becomes the focal point of the heist becoming a success and at the last minute they have to shake it down so their plan won't fail. There's a lot of suspense and tense moments. Caine winds up being too ruthless for my tastes and the ending kind of fell short for me. But it's worth a look.

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

Best of the series

[8/10 · 15 January 2007]

There's a lot of action in this movie and a lot of scary parts although a lot of it doesn't make any sense (mainly because we're not in their world). Costume and makeup is an A+++ among horror movies!!! Dr. Channard, Pinhead and the Cenobites were made-up with great detail right down to their teeth. I can't figure out how some of the makeup was made. It looks so real including the lines in Pinhead and Dr. Channard's faces. Some of the movie was hoky like Julia losing skin, etc. The first half is intriguing because Channard brings Julia back to life and is sexually attracted to her. He had always had a special interest in the "box". Dr. Channard was the best actor in the film by far. The special effects, looking back now were primitive and laughable. That includes the animation of Dr. Channards protrusions from his arms. You can see the frame-by-frame motion of the animation which detracted from the realism. Don't let your mother or family members catch you watching this movie. They will try to pull you away from the TV set because of the gore and scare factor. Well done movie. One of my favorite horror films. Too bad it wasn't followed up with something just as intense and enjoyable.