21 Jump Street was a film that I thought was funny on its original viewing, but I didn’t find it as hilarious or over the top hysterical as many others did. Recently, however, after two current viewings, two years later, I’ve come to discover that it is a very funny movie and it holds up incredibly well. Needless to say, I was excited to see what they were going to do with 22 Jump Street and I was excited to be spending more time with these characters. It’s hard to deny their chemistry and it is back and in full force with 22 Jump Street.
Daniel (2014)
If there’s one really negative criticism I can lobby at “Daniel” is that it feels more like a prologue to a larger film, than a short film. And I’d love to see Peter Dukes create the long form narrative to this shot film someday. “Daniel” is a very good and creepy short film that centers on its big hook, and once it comes, it’s tough to forget.
The Jungle (2014) (DVD)
On the back of the DVD box for “The Jungle,” there’s a picture of a hunter draped in camouflage pointing a gun, while a giant monster with devil horns lurks behind him with large teeth, prepared to pounce. Drink the image in as much as possible, because that’s the only glimpse you’ll get of an actual monster in the entire damn movie. Sure you see glowing eyes, and hands, but “The Jungle” lacks an actual point for existing. There are men hunting a monster, but no actual monster.
Hunting the Legend (2014) (DVD)
In 2008, during a father son hunting trip, Christopher Copeland’s dad left behind a smear of blood and a gun. Presuming he’d been dragged in to the woods, Christopher and the police searched for his dad to no avail. Fast forward to 2014 where, assuming his dad was dragged off by Bigfoot, Christopher and his friends team together to walk in to the woods, argue, chase noises, argue, get lost, argue some more, and eventually die off-screen set to ambient sounds of local wildlife.
Captain Z & the Terror of Leviathan (2014)
After the very entertaining “Power Rangers” tribute “Super Task Force One,” I like where director Steve Rudzinski’s head is. He seems interested in delivering audiences good old fashioned genre entertainment, and he has the talent to back up the ambition. Even with the obvious rock bottom budgets, he can churn out some amusing and charming indie films. If he’s ever given a huge budget, I think he could blow audiences out of the water.
Daniel (2013)
If there’s one really negative criticism I can lobby at “Daniel” is that it feels more like a prologue to a larger film, than a short film. And I’d love to see Peter Dukes create the long form narrative to this shot film someday. “Daniel” is a very good and creepy short film that centers on its big hook, and once it comes, it’s tough to forget.
Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation (1992)
One of the hallmarks of my youth in the nineties, “How I Spent My Vacation” was the credit Tiny Toons finally got, even if it was just on home video. That was okay, since the real fans of the series could take home their favorite Tiny Toon pals and re-visit their wacky summer time and time again. I must have seen “How I Spent My Vacation” a hundred times on VHS, and thankfully (much like the series) the movie holds up surprisingly well, and is still very funny. “How I Spent My Vacation” follows the group from “Tiny Toon Adventures” as they all are pulled in various directions for their summer vacations.



