johnnythegreaserboy Reviews

The Next Karate Kid (1994)

Karate Kid? Where?

[4/10 · 12 April 2019]

If you wanted to make this film better, maybe explain that Daniel went off to college and that Julie and her grandmother went to California to try and bring their family together. Mr Miyagi would meet the grandmother, Miyagi would meet Julie, cool karate tricks, roll credits.

Yeah, it's not great, but it's better than what we got. Let's face it, The Karate Kid was kind of geared towards boys (most things were in the 80's). That's not to say girls didn't like the films, but it was mostly marketed to boys. And so, the audience would be mostly boys. So imagine, you're a young kid in the 90's and the new Karate Kid was out. You had loved the first three and you were excited to see Daniel and Miyagi go on another adventure. And then you realise 'oh, Daniel's been replaced by a girl'. That's fine. Then you realise 'oh, there's no familiar locations'. That's fine. But then you see a girl getting ready for the dance, meeting a boy and then you think you must have walked into a Hannah Montana movie. Basically, there's a reason that people don't really like it. It's nothing to do with the main trilogy. It's sad that Pat Morita had to waste his talent on a lukewarm chick-flick with a tiny bit of karate.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

I Can't See The Hype

[6/10 · 11 April 2019]

I've seen a lot of 80s teen films (The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, St Elmo's Fire) but this isn't one of them. I can't really understand the hype for it. I do admit, it's a pretty funny premise, but I think they could have gone a lot further with it than what they did. It's more of a kids movie than a teens movie. Ferris is unlikable, along with his sister. Matthew Brodrick's acting is still wooden (though not as bad as some of his other films). I did get a laugh out of Charlie Sheen as the druggie in the station, but most of it was a bit bland. It reminds me of Home Alone. A family movie that adults like since they saw it as a kid, and kids like it because they like anything. It's just a bland, bad egg.

The Quiet Man (1952)

An Irish Person Not Loving A Film Set In Ireland? OH THE HORROR!!

[3/10 · 14 March 2019]

Just to explain the title, I am an Irish person, so I may be overexposed to this film, since everyone told me that this film was brilliant.

How can such an interesting premise be so boring? Trust me, that 2hr 9m will seen a lot longer. The whole time I was waiting for the satisfying conclusion, waiting for the fun to begin...then the credits rolled. If you asked me to analyze a scene I wouldn't be able to even as I watched it!

Speedway (1968)

Coming From An Elvis Fan, This Bored Me

[6/10 · 14 March 2019]

I can't remember anything from this film. I watched it and couldn't remember a thing. I don't have anything to nitpick and review, as there's nothing to review! It's everything we've seen before from all the mediocre crap we've seen before from writers who didn't know how to write Elvis right. It wasn't like Spinout or Frankie and Johnny that shook it up and had memorable music. It was just boring.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

A Story That Shows The Pain Of The Army

[8/10 · 14 March 2019]

Full Metal Jacket is a good war tale showing the psychological side of the marines and how it breaks men down into cold, numb killing machines or tearing them into insanity. Sending one of the characters to suicide and another to break his relationships off. It's a war film that shows the marines as human. It's not all about the battlefield, it's about the people under the helmets.

The Shining (1980)

A Smart Thriller- Just Not A Horror

[8/10 · 14 March 2019]

As one of the major films of the Bronze era of horror films (70's, 80's and early 90's), you'd expect it to be mediocre, but really it's a well made thriller. I wouldn't class it as horror, though. Like most Hitchcock films, it's better seen as a thriller or a look into someone's mind than a horror; it messes with your brain, not your heart rate. Either way, it's a good film whether you get your brain in a twist or you faint in shock.

Fight Club (1999)

A Dark, Memorable Piece Of Art

[10/10 · 13 March 2019]

Fight Club is a dangerous but important film about men today are being stripped of masculinity and how people need a thicker skin, while also being a story about a man's slow descent into madness. The acting quality is brilliant and the themes it tackles are shocking and original. Overall, an important and memorable piece of film.

West Side Story (1961)

Teenage Rebellion With A Brilliant Score!

[10/10 · 13 March 2019]

A story about teenage rebellion in the late 50's and early 60's with astounding music, memorable characters and brilliant art direction? West Side Story in a nutshell. It's themes of racial bigotry and teenage delinquency were real problems back then, making it so much more important, and still a good film to watch now. The fact that the audience is led to see the film as American vs Puerto Rican as well as Jets vs Sharks, when it's all shown in the end it's all about everyone vs themselves.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

A Funny, Cheesy Flick With A Great Cast

[8/10 · 13 March 2019]

Today, a lot of people are making fun of old horror films, but even back in the day, comedians were poking fun at it. Including Abbott and Costello, but this time, they've got the original cast playing the monsters! It's so charming to see the original monsters being their usual selves next to all these corny, but funny jokes. I mean, if you have the chance for a joke, might as well take it! If you're a fan of old monster films, I recommend this film for a fun laugh.

The Birdcage (1996)

Robin Williams and Nathan Lane: The Movie

[7/10 · 11 February 2019]

What do you get when you get two comedy legends like Nathan Lane and the brilliant Robin Williams and tell them to be as camp and lovable as possible? This movie. It's heartwarming how much Albert (Nathan Lane) tries to make himself 'normal' for his stepson's girlfriend, just to finally see he is normal. He's a wonderful mother figure, and that's all that matters. It's a funny, smart and sweet story that's a good thing to watch whenever you just want to feel better.

Rain Man (1988)

A Good First Step

[10/10 · 11 February 2019]

Autistic characters in media always seem to be the same. Either brainless and childish or smart and distant. Dustin Hoffman as Raymond is a good step forward. He's flawed, socially naive and lovable. This movie is one of the ways I've tried to communicate with my own brother. I have Asperger's, and though I'm not a lot like Raymond, it's a step towards understanding. My brother is a lot like Charlie (played by Tom Cruise) in the sense he's never really needed to understand. And so, I love this movie.

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

A Hilarious Time-Waster

[7/10 · 11 February 2019]

Picture this: you're home with your friends or family and you have to pick a film. Nothing's really looking good and you just want to stick something on to have a good laugh. Here comes, the Austin Powers trilogy! Out of the three films, this one is one of the funnier instalments. Mike Myers gives a great performance as always, and Rob Lowe gives a great performance (although a very short one). I love the British 60's vibe, since I'm a big vintage fan. It's a good film to put on when you're having a bad day and just need a laugh. No wonder Austin Powers is such an icon nowadays!

Spinout (1966)

A Cheesy Gem

[9/10 · 11 February 2019]

Though this won't be true for everyone, Spinout is a personal favourite of mine because it switches the tropes that we've seen in other Elvis movies. In the beginning, I just thought it would be something we've seen before. Instead, we have a charming edition to Elvis's library. We still have multiple love interests seen in other of his movies but he doesn't end up with any of them, and they find more suitable loves. Elvis stays single, something you don't see very often in his movies. It's a refreshing take. Plus, I would say the music in this film is one of the best fitting and gets stuck in your ear for a long time. Though this isn't everyone's cup of tea, I love this film and keep it close to my heart.

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

America's Rebel

[10/10 · 8 February 2019]

James Dean is one of my heroes, just because of how cool he acts. He just blends so well into the world you can't help but love him. And this film is one of his best (even though there's only three to pick from). It focuses on troubles teens would face even today; rebellion, gangs, parents, death. It's still a good film to show the troubles kids have to deal with. As a teenager, I can relate to Dean's character and understand how he feels. It's always nice to know however bad teens' lives get, we still got James Dean to relate to.

Harvey (1950)

A Smart, Sweet Tale

[8/10 · 8 February 2019]

This film is one that'll tug on your heartstrings. The main character Elwood (James Stewart) is a happy-go-lucky fella with a best friend named Harvey, who's a rabbit. It's an interesting premise, and a fresh idea. I also like the way it shows a bit of Celtic mythology (Harvey being a 'pooka') as we don't usually see that in non-fantasy films. Being Irish and of Celtic decent I'm happy to see a bit of our mythology shown. I also like the fact that it doesn't end with a twist. Harvey isn't shown and we're left with Elwood and Harvey walking off into the sunset. It's nice to see a simple but powerful story. Although the acting from the sister isn't the best and she is overacting quite a bit and the daughter doesn't act enough, it is still good if only for Jimmy Stewart.

Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

Still A Good Time Waster

[7/10 · 8 February 2019]

Although it's definitely not the best Austin Powers film, Goldmember is still a good little film to watch when there's nothing else on. There's still a chuckle to be had with a wonderful cast with Mike Myers reprising his role (well, roles) as Austin Powers and Michael Cain as Austin's father was a good choice. Despite being more in the 70s than the last two even though Austin is clearly a 60's stereotype, it's a good film to pass the time with a couple of laughs.

Psycho (1960)

A Psychological Masterpiece

[9/10 · 7 February 2019]

Alfred Hitchcock is a master of suspense and wonderful storytelling, and even though Psycho is based on a book, Hitchcock makes it his own with a chilling atmosphere and memorable characters with a gorgeous soundtrack. Only from Sir Alfred Hitchcock, of course. And this one is one of the best.

The Birds (1963)

A Gripping Thriller

[8/10 · 7 February 2019]

Although it isn't as scary as it was back when it first came out, it still has that authentic Hitchcock charm that only he could pull off. The acting is well done, the structure is solid and it's an overall solid film. Coming from Sir Hitchcock, I wouldn't expect anything less.

Aquaman (2018)

One of DC's best films yet!

[8/10 · 28 December 2018]

After the flops that were Suicide Squad (2016) and Batman V Superman (2016), a lot of DC fans like myself felt a bit weary around DC's new film. Would Aquaman bring DC to justice and save their new live-action library? Well, I'm glad to say that this definitely delivers. I saw this in theatres with my dad, and I didn't look away. It had a lot of action scenes that were put together really well and the water was someof the best effects in years. The two main leads are wonderful, though I do think they could have given Aquaman himself more brains than brawn. I do love the actress who plays Mera, and she does give a really convincing performance, but I do feel like they were a bit pushy with her action scenes. Overall, an action-packed adventure from the kings of comics, DC.

Drugstore Cowboy (1989)

A film that makes the watcher confused- in the best way possible!

[10/10 · 28 December 2018]

I love this damn film to bits! I love the effects they use. The film uses all these odd effects and insane camera tricks to make you feel like a junkie. It makes you confused but at the same time drawn to the screen. I don't think my eyes left the screen once the whole time I watched this film.

The story of the film doesn't really fit into a three act structure. There's a beginning and an end. The middle is just living life as a junkie. Things that most people would agree would happen to dope-fiends. Overdosing, theft and running away from their problems. These things give the film a feeling of being a dope-fiend yourself and the pain of living with an addiction.

Bob (played by Matt Dillon) is one of the most original characters I have seen in a while. You can't get another Bob. Matt Dillon brings a lot of life into this character, which makes him very believable. It makes you feel like Bob could be an actual person.

Overall, a great film to watch when you're home alone with the lights turned off in the middle of winter.

Grease (1978)

A clunky mess with a mediocre soundtrack

[3/10 · 28 December 2018]

I don't like Grease. At all. The acting is clunky, the story has more holes than swiss cheese and it's just as cheesy! That would've been fine and I would have just called it a mediocre flick. Though that's not the end of it. The music is lacklustre at best and downright tone-deaf at worst. Not the music from the actual 50's, no, I just mean the music they come up with themselves. The two songs I believe are actually good are Greased Lightning (though I don't like the fact that John Travolta sings it, as Kenickie is the one who sings it on stage, but that isn't too big an issue) and Born to Hand Jive as it works well with the moves the characters are singing on screen. Overall, a lukewarm film that I don't really want to watch unless there's nothing else on.

Dracula (1931)

A Golden and Classic Horror

[8/10 · 28 December 2018]

Bela Lugosi as Dracula is a wonderful fit, and is one that'll stick around for a long while. When you think of Dracula, you think of Lugosi. The two are inseparable at this point! The chilling atmosphere and gorgeous gothic visuals are amazing, and something that only the Golden Age of Horror could pull off. Now, I do have a few problems with it, which is understandable, but they're so minor you can barely notice them. Overall, a classic film that I believe every generation should see.

Jailhouse Rock (1957)

A Small Gem

[9/10 · 28 December 2018]

Almost every Elvis fan knows that Elvis's movies are usually just beach movies that don't really leave an impact on you after watching it. This one does, in my opinion. I adore this film to bits, even if I am slightly biased since I am a fan of Elvis. Even though it does go a bit slow and boring at times, when it gets going it really does make you smile. Though when you look past the film being an 'Elvis Film' you can find a really intriguing story that'll leave you doing the Jailhouse Rock for a long time after! I highly recommend.