joshwinkler87 Reviews

DTV Monster Hits (1987 TV Movie)

Seems Dated, but It was Probably Innovative at The Time

[10/10 · 12 September 2016]

Watching videos set to a popular song is something the YouTube Generation would take for granted. But in 1987 (The year I was born), it was cutting-edge entertainment for Television. This special takes you through several popular songs like ELO's "Evil Woman" and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" set to footage from dozens of classic Disney cartoons and movies that range from old Mickey Mouse cartoons to movies that were very modern at the time like The Great Mouse Detective.

This aired on NBC on the night of Friday October 30, 1987, a full two months before I was born. My Cousin recorded it and when I got older gave the tape to me and I watched it almost every year. I later lost the tape but now that the special is on YouTube I have started my Halloween tradition again and it's still entertaining to me.

I highly recommend checking it out!

The A-Team (2010)

I'm not at all surprised that this film flopped

[4/10 · 27 June 2010]

Not just because it isn't really that great of a film, it was based on a TV show that ran from 1983 to 1987 and I can assume a good major of moviegoers (myself included) probably hadn't even been born yet when The A-Team TV show was popular. Not to mention this film was based on a TV show that was likely considered pretty cheesy even in it's prime.

The 2000 film Charlie's Angels was based on a TV show that was equally as cheesy as The A-Team but it does help when you have some really hot sexy women in the main role. It's rather obvious by the film posters and the trailers that The A-Team is mostly comprised of middle aged men. Even with the hot women in the main roles, Charlie's Angels only grossed about $125 million and made it to #14 in the highest grossing films in 2000. Perhaps people always associated with the campy TV show.

Getting back to the film, there isn't really a lot here. If you have ever watched a full episode of the TV show than you have a good idea of what you are going to see her except that it is pretty well stretched over two hours here. Given it's due the film does stay pretty loyal to the show and if that's all you are expecting that is basically what you are going to get. This is kind of one of those films where you just need to 'turn off your brain' for two hours and just appreciate the pointless action and special effects. And if you're not expecting any more than that, The A-Team will not disappoint.

Grown Ups (I) (2010)

Those stupid unfunny films that Hollywood continues to make

[2/10 · 25 June 2010]

In all honesty I didn't have any high expectations for this film. I only went to see it because me and my girlfriend got into a fight and kicked me out of the house for a few hours. I had already seen Toy Story 3 and noticed today that "Grown Ups" would be starting in 30 minutes. I said to myself, "What The Heck. It couldn't be any worse than the trailer of it suggested." I was wrong. Dead wrong.

The plot in itself is about as thin as you can get. I don't want to get into trouble on IMDb for posting spoilers but there is really nothing to spoil about this movie because there really is no plot to it. It's really nothing more than just a bunch of random 'jokes' thrown together for a few cheap laughs. What can you expect out of an Adam Sandler film but at least "Happy Gilmore", "Billy Madison", "Click" and "Big Daddy" were tolerable. This film on the other hand is not.

I will spoil one thing for you however. There is an obese black woman who is the mother of Chris Rock in this film. We get a nice little shot of bunion and callused feet as well as her habit of farting randomly. There are some jokes that rather fall flat such as jokes about homosexuality and so-called 'male bonding' and the film seems to insult today's 'tech savy' video game and texting children. Plenty of morbid dark humor (such as making jokes at a funeral and spilling someone's cremated ashes into a bucket of KFC.) There's also quite a bit of slapstick (being shot in the foot with an arrow) and toilet humor (Peeing in swimming pools.) Basically if you have an IQ of less than 45 and/or you find jokes similar to the ones in movies like "Big Momma's House" and "Are We There Yet?", "Grown Ups" is the perfect film for you. But if you want more intelligent humor, I suggest staying away from this one.

The Little Rascals (1994)

A very fun movie that both kids and adults should like!

[8/10 · 20 May 2010]

I liked the film "The Little Rascals" ever since my parents took me to see it at the theater in 1994 when I was 6. It would be years before I saw it again but I like it even more now.

The film did not receive positive reviews and most considered it to be an average movie at the most, but in my opinion the film is above average. The film has a very 'cuteness' feel to it. You have children acting as if they were adults and actual adults rarely appear in the film or have a small contribution to the plot. It's entertaining to watch the romantic relationship between Alfalfa and Darla. It made me warm and tingly inside! I won't spoil the movie for you, but if you haven't seen this classic, do check it out.

The Cleveland Show (2009–2013)

A few laughs here and there but nothing that hasn't been seen before

[5/10 · 19 May 2010]

Honestly when I heard that Cleveland Brown from "Family Guy" was getting his own spin off show I did not have high expectations since of all the characters on Family Guy, Cleveland was probably the blandest. He seemed to serve no purpose other than to make up the numbers on the show or just to serve as a pointless running gag.

When the show premiered it lived up to my expectations which were not very high to begin with. It delivers what it promises...a show where Cleveland Brown is the star. As I mentioned, however, the show is very much like Family Guy made over again only about 20x less funnier. For once it would be great if Seth MacFarlane tried a new concept instead of the same Fat husband with a wife and two/three kids that he always uses. This show is a spin off of Family Guy but the similarities between the shows is uncanny. Cleveland assumes the role of Peter Griffin, Cleveland Jr. the role of Chris Griffin, and yep, you guessed it, there is even a talking baby in this show. Sound familiar? And yes, there are also cutaway gags in this show though they are not as frequent as the ones on Family Guy. Of course, Cleveland couldn't survive on his family alone so his has three friends that he hangs out with and drinks with at the bar. One is a talking bear, one is a stereotypical redneck with a 600 lb. wife who rides a Rascal scooter, and the last is a 32-year old that lives with his Mother. Stereotype overload.

As I mentioned it would have been nice if Seth MacFarlane would have actually thought of something original instead of trying to recreate something. How long will it be until he gets a Fourth show? *shudders* Anyway, if you want a couple of cheap laughs and stupid humor tune into the Cleveland Show. It might prepare for Seth's more quality creations "Family Guy" and "American Dad" that follow it.

Toys (1992)

An unappreciated and underrated gem

[7/10 · 20 September 2009]

As a young child, Barry Levinson's 1992 film "Toys" was one of my favorite movies. At a young age I was fascinated by such a visually beautiful and surreal world that this mostly forgotten and seldom talked about film portrays. While the story of the film, which you can read about in the other reviews, is not the most well put together or best flowing story ever written, the witty comedy and especially the surrealism of it make up for this. Even Roger Ebert wrote in his review "Visually one of the most extraordinary films I've seen, a delight for the eyes, a bright new world."

While "Toys" was a box office flop and panned by critics, if you ask me, they failed to fully indulge themselves in the power of the film and it's special message about peace, joy, and innocence prevailing over war and evil.

If you are a fan of Salvador Dali's work or just a fan of surrealism in general, "Toys" is the perfect film for you. It's hard to think of another film with such vivid set designs that uses surrealism is such a creative and intelligent way. If you are just looking for a good comedy film to watch you might like "Toys" but this film is not for everyone. Approach the film with an open mind and I think you will either "Get It" or you won't.

The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1992–1996)

As good as television has even been and great in ways few shows ever attempt

[10/10 · 2 April 2009]

The summary was a quote from Robert Lloyd of the LA Times which he wrote about this marvelous show.

When old school Nickelodeon fans talk about their best remembered and most liked shows (especially live action shows) The Adventures of Pete & Pete is sure to come up. When Nickelodeon introduced their Nick Rewind DVD collections back in 2005, The Adventures of Pete & Pete was the first show ever released.

But what made Pete & Pete so great was its wittiness, its intelligent humor, its beautiful portrayal of the New Jersey state, and the 'loving' relationship between Pete and Ellen. The show was like The Wonder Years with a touch of surrealism.

I discovered Pete & Pete around 1998, unfortunately it went off the air shortly after that. But in 2005, the first and second seasons were released on DVD, however the third season was scheduled to be released but was cancelled for unknown reasons. I highly recommend renting them on Netflix or better yet buying them because this show is so great you will want to relive it again and again.

It's Alive (1974)

Don't let the trailer fool you

[1/10 · 9 July 2005]

There's not a lot of good things to say about this crapper. I watched the trailer and thought it would be one of those movies that is so scary you'd never shut your eyes again. But I was wrong, this movie is terrible. There is nothing good at all to say about this film except that it's stupid. It's stupid because of the lame, unbelievable story, but mostly the horrible acting. The only way someone could really like this film is if they have a passion for cheesy horror flicks. I do at times but this film is so cheesy you really can't like it. You can tell the writers didn't put a lot of brain power into the creation of this piece of garbage. It has low-budget written all over it.

Overall rating: 1/10

Super Mario Sunshine (2002 Video Game)

An overrated frustrating game

[29 May 2005]

Nowhere near as good as Luigi's Mansion, the game's puzzles are so repetitive and frustrating much of the game's fun is taken away. The camera angles are nearly impossible and Mario's moves are hard to learn. Spraying off graffiti, hanging on hooks that are nearly impossible to grab onto, balancing on tightropes, talking to Delfino residents and some of them punching you all the way across the town, a bunch of new, useless moves and even the music is pretty annoying after a while. Granted, the game is not entirely bad, it never gets boring just very, very frustrating. Maybe it's just me but I think Nintendo didn't put as much effort and thought into this game as they have with so many others.

Overall rating: 4/10

Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show (2005)

Not bad, but Certainly not good

[28 March 2005]

This show has it's moments, but in general the show is kind of corny and unfunny. The quick puns and one-liners are occasionally predictable as well. I really don't see this show lasting over 6 episodes, and I'm quite surprised that FOX even gave a show like this a chance. I have recorded every episode that has aired so far just so I can say that I have them, but this show really only appeals to a certain type of person I guess. Either you will love it or you will hate it. My guess is that the show will go down the same route as many other FOX shows such as Oliver Beene and The Pitts, which really weren't bad shows, they just umm...