Change Your Image
cricketbat
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
Charmingly ridiculous
Bye Bye Birdie is so ridiculous that it's endearing. From the campy acting to the silly songs to the outlandish story, I found myself caught up in the excitement of this classic musical. This movie knows what it is, and it revels in it. It's also genuinely funny. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times. I gotta be sincere, this movie still holds up decades after it was made.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
A horrifying, yet hopeful experience
Saving Private Ryan is hard to watch. It's difficult to see all this violence and death and realize that our soldiers actually had to suffer through things like that. And yet, this movie leaves you with a resounding feeling of hope, along with a sense of awe for those brave men who battled against insurmountable odds and unforgiving conditions. Steven Spielberg did an admirable job honoring the memory of those who served with this iconic and important film.
The Green Berets (1968)
Unusual, but not as bad as the critics make it out to be
It's strange to see a movie about Vietnam play like an old-fashioned World War II movie, but that's what The Green Berets feels like. I guess I'm just used to the grimy, gritty 70s Vietnam films. That being said, I don't think this movie is as bad as some critics have made it out to be. It's a run-of-the-mill war film that happened to be released during a very controversial time.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
A little bit of pain never hurt anybody, if you know what I mean.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, is a little difficult to understand because of the thick accents, innit? However, a little bit of pain never hurt anybody, if you know what I mean. If you pay attention and concentrate on what's being said, you'll find yourself caught up in the twists and turns of this dark, grimy (crimey?) comedy. Guy Ritchie comes out swinging in his first feature film and creates a story that's compelling and unpredictable. Give it a shot. You may like it.
National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
A ridiculous, yet relatable family road trip
National Lampoon's Vacation makes me laugh every time I see it. There's something just so relatable about a family road trip where everything seems to go wrong. Chevy Chase is in his element as Clark Griswold, a father who is determined to give his family a good time. This ridiculous screwball comedy may not be for everyone, but I certainly enjoyed my journey to Walley World.
The King and I (1956)
Get to know this movie, get to know all about it
Getting to know The King and I is a wonderful experience. Yul Brynner is unforgettable as the king of Siam, and Deborah Kerr is able to stand toe-to-toe (or head-to-head) with his every move. With its lavish sets, elaborate costumes, and amusing songs, this musical has an undeniable charm, even if it may feel foreign or dated to some.
Scoob! (2020)
Fun to look at, not as fun to watch
I'm a fan of the old Scooby-Doo TV series, so I was a little hesitant to watch a CG remake. It isn't terrible. In fact, this movie could have been a lot worse. Visually, it's a lot of fun. I like the animation style and how they reference several other Hanna-Barbera cartoons. However, the humor is bland and the story is predictable. I wasn't annoyed by this movie, but I probably won't choose to watch it again.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
A daring adventure that defies the curse of third movies
Normally the third movie in a film franchise isn't good, but Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade may very well be the best of the series. The comedic chemistry between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery is a joy to watch, and the quest to find the Holy Grail is an adventure for the ages. Even years after it was released, it's still a thrilling movie. This movie belongs in a museum!
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
An adventure classic that launched a legend
Raiders of the Lost Ark is an adventure classic. Harrison Ford is fantastic as the whip-bearing, hat-wearing hero, Indiana Jones, and the story is full of entertaining twists and turns. This has long been a favorite film of mine, and I am happy that I was able to pass the legacy along to my children-who were only mildly traumatized by the face-melting scene.
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
Impressive parts that don't quite come together
A Bridge Too Far is impressive in scope and scale, but the remarkable pieces don't come together in one cohesive whole like I hoped they would. This is a series of battle vignettes with a bunch of characters that you don't really get a chance to relate to because they're only on the screen for a few moments before their cameo is finished. The war scenes are well done, but the story-like the actual events this movie is based on-could have benefited from better planning.
South Pacific (1958)
I finally watched this musical, and was kind of let down
I struggled with South Pacific. I didn't grow up watching this musical, so I wasn't that impressed during my first experience seeing it as an adult. The setting was absolutely beautiful, but they kept washing it out with distracting yellow or red coloring. Also, I found the songs to be fairly bland and overly long. Plus, the first half of the movie really drags. I'm glad I finally saw it, but now I think I'm gonna wash this film right out of my hair.
Stalag 17 (1953)
An unusual mix of silly humor and serious situations
At first it felt a little strange to watch a comedy about a World War II German POW camp. But then I got caught up in the story and interested in the characters and really began to enjoy this movie. Stalag 17 is an odd mix of silly humor and dramatic situations, but it finds a balance that is pleasing without feeling disrespectful. I'd never heard of this movie before my father recommended it, but I'm glad I watched it.
Run Silent Run Deep (1958)
Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster go toe-to-toe
Watching Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster go toe-to-toe in Run Silent, Run Deep is a lot of fun. However, even if you don't know who those actors are, this is still an engaging story with a strong sense of realism. I couldn't help but think about the real sailors on those submarines back in World War II, and how difficult it must have been for them to do what they did. Give this film a chance. You won't be disappointed.
Remember the Titans (2000)
A movie about all sorts of prejudice that isn't too heavy handed
I own the fantastic soundtrack for Remember the Titans, but it's been a while since I watched the movie. I forgot about how many different forms of prejudice are addressed in this show. At the end of the day, the moral of the story is for everyone to try and be better at accepting each other. It's an important message, and it's also presented in a way that isn't too heavy-handed. Plus, Denzel Washington is incredible as Coach Boone, and did I mention the soundtrack is awesome?
Licence to Kill (1989)
Bland, James Bland
Licence to Kill is a very bland Bond movie. Even after just finishing it, I'm having a hard time remembering the specifics about the movie. I recall a wedding. I remember some sharks. I'm pretty sure there were some explosions. But the rest of the film is just a fairly agreeable blur of action. It's not bad, it's just forgettable.
Artemis Fowl (2020)
So much story crammed into one sloppy movie
Watching Artemis Fowl is like listening to someone read a complicated instruction manual at a very quick pace, without pausing to allow for questions or reflection. I get that they had to cram a lot of story into one 90-minute movie, but it just doesn't make any sense. Artemis is unlikeable, Mulch Diggums is annoying, I felt embarrassed for Dame Judi Dench, and the rest of the cast is forgettable. If you're interested in this story, skip the movie and read the books.
Top Hat (1935)
Fred & Ginger shine bright in this charming film
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers make quite the pair. And there are few times that their star power is able to shine more than in Top Hat. It's a simple story which stretches the bounds of believability at times, but the lead couple is so charming and talented that you can't help but smile as you watch it. Audiences loved Top Hat back in the day, and I think if you give it a chance, you will, too.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
A healthy dose of ridiculous goodness
Sometimes you just need a big dose of dumb humor, and The Naked Gun fits that description perfectly. Leslie Nielsen is fantastically clueless in his role of Lieutenant Frank Drebin. The laughs are plentiful and varied, giving you wordplay one minute and slapstick the next. Sometimes the Zucker brothers push the limits of ridiculousness a little too far, but I think they found the right balance with this hilariously stupid comedy.
Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)
Kids will like it, and it will pass the time
Jungle 2 Jungle is a pretty mediocre comedy when you watch it as an adult. There aren't that many laughs, the jokes are repetitive and the plot is stretched pretty thin. I don't know, maybe I found Tim Allen's humor more entertaining when I was younger. I don't think this is a bad movie, but it definitely feels like it didn't quite reach its comedic potential.
West Side Story (1961)
I like this classic musical, but I don't love it
I know many people love West Side Story. I just like it. It's a clever interpretation of Romeo & Juliet with some enjoyable songs, but the story drags, and the acting & choreography feel very dated. It's a classic musical, yes, but I don't know exactly why this won Best Picture.
Big Fish (2003)
A beautifully told, emotionally fulfilling tall tale
There are tall tales, and then there's Big Fish. From the visuals to the story to the score, this is such a beautiful film. Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Marion Cotillard and the rest of the cast all bring a sense of humanity to this fantastic tale. Some may say that parts of this movie don't make sense, and that's true, but I still think this is Tim Burton's best emotional work. Plus, every time I watch it, I want to call my dad and tell him I love him.
Kung fu (2004)
Bizarre, but highly entertaining
Kung Fu Hustle is a bizarre movie. However, if you just relax and let the strangeness wash over you, I think you'll really enjoy the journey. Stephen Chow's film is a mix of amazingly choreographed action sequences and cartoon-like physics, along with slapstick comedy and witty banter. Some people may find this unique martial arts flick off-putting, but I find it highly entertaining.
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Charming, but maybe it was one you had to grow up on
For some reason, I never saw Meet Me in St. Louis when I was younger. Maybe you had to grow up with it to truly appreciate it. It definitely has some charming moments, but it also has some head-scratching ones, as well. The Halloween scene, in particular, had me quite perplexed. Tootie is an adorable character, but she's also kind of a psychopath. Nevertheless, you gotta love Judy Garland, and it also gave us Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Definitely dark, but still an exciting adventure
Temple of Doom is definitely darker than the other Indiana Jones films, but it's still an exciting adventure. It also has a lot of humor in it, which I think helps balance out the more disturbing elements of the story. It also has entertaining characters, memorable quotes, and an amazing score. I'd rank this third out of the trilogy (yes, there's only three movies), but I still think it's worth watching.
Pete's Dragon (1977)
Slow, but still magical
Pete's Dragon may be a little slow, but this memorable movie was one of my favorites when I was a child. What kid doesn't like to imagine having a magical dragon as a best friend? Plus, the songs are catchy, whimsical, and even touching. This is a Disney classic that should be revisited every so often.