Harvey (1950)

Harvey

“Harvey” is another one of those non-conformists dramedies that asks what the harms is in being a little different. In a time where normality and conservative thinking were a standard, and psychology was still a new aspect of society, “Harvey” is yet another wonderful tale about a unique individual who changes the lives of everyone around him. That’s all thanks to the small ounce of magic he brings to people that have convinced themselves they’re normal, but really aren’t. While “Harvey” fancies itself as a dramedy, it’s first and foremost a light hearted romp through fantasy and imagination, and will often inspire raucous laughter from viewers.

Continue reading

Hot Times at Montclair High (1989)

HOT-TIMES

If you’re going to try and mimic one of the most successful teen comedies of the eighties, at least have the budget to back it up. “Hot Times at Montclair High” is one of the lamest rip off of “Fast Times” I’ve ever seen. It’s one of those films that takes every chance to copy from the previous film, except it fails to deliver what made the film such a success. Like great writing, engaging characters, comedy, and a truly interesting series of narratives and sub-plots.

Continue reading

The Girl I Want (1990)

The Girl I Want (1990)

Judging from “The Girl I Want,” all of life’s problems can be solved by watching Linnea Quigley and Karen Russell dancing and bouncing up and down on a bed for ten minutes set to rock music. I know that’s not the point of “The Girl I Want,” but I was entranced by Quigley and Russell flexing, bouncing, jiggling, and dancing for the screen for no apparent reason. Not that there ever has to be.

Continue reading

Our Top 10 Worst Films of 2013

If you’re wondering where “Grown Ups 2” (aka Adam Sandler’s Vacation Part three) or “The Smurfs 2” are, we gladly avoided those movies upon their release. Partially because we avoided the first films, but mostly because we just didn’t feel like suffering or inflicting pain upon ourselves. We’re masochists, surely, but not religious about it.

And we weren’t interested in watching the ninety minute commercial for Google entitled “The Internship.” That said, we did watch our share of awful films in 2013. Some by choice, others by obligation, and this is the top ten that we couldn’t stop groaning over.

Continue reading

The Ref (1994)

1354610860_4490_The Ref

It’s only fitting that a comedian so devoted to working against the norm would star in a Christmas film that’s very much against the idea of the holiday. “The Ref” is very much a hilarious and laugh a minute dramedy about familial dysfunction and the idea of Christmas being much more of an obligation than a time to celebrate the loved ones and family.

Continue reading

Will Vinton’s A Claymation Christmas Celebration (1987)

Carol-of-the-Bells

I have very fond memories of watching Will Vinton’s “Claymation Christmas” on CBS back when it premiered in the late eighties. At the time Vinton’s “California Raisins” mascots were still prominent in America, and I fondly recall my cousins owning some of the toys from the brand. Though the characters themselves were lukewarm mascots, I still loved Vinton’s “Claymation Christmas.”

Continue reading

A Christmas Story (1983)

1637

Though many consider “A Christmas Story” an ode to good old fashioned consumerism, director Bob Clark’s family film is much more about down to Earth themes. Who among us hasn’t wanted that great toy for Christmas that was out of our grasps? Every single person on Earth can empathize with the tale of Ralphie, a bespectacled young boy who wants the ultimate Christmas present. What makes “A Christmas Story” such a universal holiday film is that Ralphie is not a kid that expects his gift. He does everything it takes to earn his Red Ryder BB Gun, short of stealing it.

Continue reading