Pumpkin-22 Reviews

The Three Stooges (2000 TV Movie)

70-some Years Later, the Stooges Still Haven't Graduated to Features

[7/10 · 24 April 2000]

Although the telepic is a real treat for Stoogephiles, it is ridiculously short. The actors do a creditable job re-creating classic and not-so-classic (Joe Besser, anyone?) Stooge shorts, especially Michael Chiklis--late of the horrible John Belushi biopic "Wired"--as Curly. I would have liked to have seen more of the period in which Shemp re-joined as the third Stooge, but overall, the movie was absorbing and heartbreaking. But what can you say when the Temptations get a two-night miniseries event, and these giants of slapstick are relegated to a one-nighter?

The Hurricane (1999)

One of the Year's Best

[10/10 · 31 January 2000]

Norman Jewison's THE HURRICANE packs more emotional punch than just about any other 1999 movie. I was interested in Rubin "Hurricane" Carter's story ever since I heard the famous Bob Dylan song many years ago. This is superb storytelling, with Denzel Washington giving another award-worthy performance. Although Mr. Jewison employs familiar devices--courtroom sequence, flashbacks, "Raging Bull" style B&W boxing sequences--he manages to make everything seem so fresh and vital. I'm giving this a 10.

Thanks of a Grateful Nation (1998 TV Movie)

One of the Best Made for Cable Movies Ever

[10/10 · 12 November 1999]

This important movie about Gulf War Syndrome and the various bureaucrats' efforts to deny its existence originally aired on the Showtime network and is now (Nov 9) available to rent on video. Unfortunately, it's a "Blockbuster Exclusive" but just this once you should go there and rent this outstanding motion picture, the most moving and troubling search for truth since Oliver Stone's JFK. Ted Danson and Jennifer Jason Leigh give the expected solid performances, but the revelation here is Steven Weber; his character moved me to tears. Try to sit through this film and not get angry about that "good government bullshit" that Gulf War vets had to (and many of them still have to) endure. Do not miss this one.

Cracking Up (1983)

One of Jerry's Most Overlooked Gems

[8/10 · 4 September 1999]

This is a sloppy mess of a comedy, with barely a plot to speak of, yet it contains some of the funniest bits Mr. Lewis has ever committed to film. It's one helluva lot better than the previous movie, "Hardly Working" which got a big theatrical release. It is the "Test Market Audience Mentality" that kept this excellent movie from getting a big-screen release in the U.S. "Cracking Up" keeps moving--if one gag fails, don't worry because there will be another, funnier one right on top of it. This overlooked gem has no less a fan than Martin Scorsese, who particularly loved the waxy floor opening credits sequence.

The Iron Giant (1999)

Masterpiece

[10/10 · 15 August 1999]

When I saw Disney's "Tarzan" earlier in the summer, I remarked that there would not be a better animated film released this year. Boy, was I wrong!!! "The Iron Giant" is a wonderful story, brilliantly executed, that makes its points without being preachy. I hate to use the word "triumph", but....

20 Dates (1998)

Like Watching Someone's Bad Home Movies

[1/10 · 31 July 1999]

Watching "20 Dates" is like watching someone's bad home movies. On second thought, watching this movie IS watching someone's bad home movies, in this case the most egotistical, obnoxious person ever allowed to make a film. I'm surprised he didn't call this piece of crap "My Movie." It's supposed to be a documentary, but everything feels staged. It's supposed to be a comedy, but nothing in it is funny. Aspiring filmmakers should see this only because it proves that Hollywood will buy anything these days. I'll bet the "film expert" wanted to kick himself after he watched this movie.

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

The Pleasant Surprise of the Summer

[8/10 · 5 July 1999]

While I've never been a fan of the Comedy Central series, and absolutely loathed "Orgazmo" and "BASEketball", I'm surprised and delighted to report that Mr. Parker and (to a lesser extent) Mr. Stone have finally won me over with this hilarious, pointed satire. To top things off, the musical numbers are superb. I always felt like "South Park" in its TV incarnation was always holding something back. Here, they hold nothing back. The series will look watered down in the wake of this potty-mouthed near-masterpiece.

The Farm: Angola, USA (1998)

One Of The Best Documentaries I've Ever Seen

[10/10 · 5 July 1999]

"The Farm" is an absolutely powerful look at the lives of inmates at Angola Prison. It is inspiring to see that some of these men haven't given up on life, in spite of parole denials and other obstacles. The movie belongs on the short list of recent documentaries that transcend the genre. Films like "Crumb" and "The Thin Blue Line" and "Four Little Girls". A must see. It is impossible to come away from this extraordinary film without being moved.

Wild Wild West (1999)

Worse Than "Bulletproof"

[1/10 · 5 July 1999]

I used to rate bad movies on the "Worse than Bulletproof" scale, referring to the awful Sandler-Wayans action "comedy" from a few years back. Now that I've seen this overblown, unfunny, ill-conceived mess, I believe I'll have to change it to "Worse than WWW". Will Smith pretty much uses up all of his good will in this dreadful mess. The real pity is director Barry Sonnenfeld, who showed such flair and wit with "Men in Black" and "Get Shorty" wasting his talent on such drivel. Kenneth Branagh deserves this year's Worst Supporting Actor award. The critics who called this movie "Poor" were far too lenient. "Wild Wild West" is AWFUL.

Back Alley Oproar (1948)

Hysterically Funny

[9/10 · 9 June 1999]

Classic pairing of Elmer Fudd and Sylvester makes me wonder why they didn't team up more. Sylvester's singing repertoire is particularly entertaining.

Elmer's Pet Rabbit (1941)

A Bugs 'n' Elmer Oddity

[6/10 · 9 June 1999]

This very unusual early teaming of Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny (long before he found his "voice") is of interest to hardcore fans, though it would be a while before they became the well-oiled machine...

The Hardship of Miles Standish (1940)

Not Exactly "Timeless"

[6/10 · 9 June 1999]

Elmer Fudd is quite good as John Alden, seen here as a singing telegram messenger. Unfortunately, for the most part this is one Warner Bros. cartoon that hasn't aged too well.

Last Action Hero (1993)

Time Has Been Kind to This Film

[7/10 · 7 June 1999]

Especially after the overrated "Pleasantville", it's worth your time to look at this film again. I recently revisited this overlooked gem, and was impressed with the ridiculous action sequences and touched by some of the problems "Jack Slater" faces when he enters the real world. The movie is not without its flaws--the Animated Cat still seems woefully out of place, even in a comedy--but "Last Action Hero" is not even close to the flop its reputation would suggest. I like this movie a lot, which I couldn't say back in 1993 when I first saw it. It is probably the most fascinating entry in the Schwarzenegger filmography.

Psycho (1998)

Van Sant Rises to the Challenge

[1/10 · 6 June 1999]

With the shot-by-shot remake of "Psycho", Gus Van Sant rises to the challenge of directing a film even worse than his 1994 dud "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues." This travesty is even worse than I thought it would be, and I set my expectations very low.

The acting is appalling, with the exception of William H. Macy as the detective. Anne Heche's take on Marion Crane is so wrongheaded as not to be believed; when she's fleeing Phoenix in the car you want to smack that stupid smirk off her face. And why would Vince Vaughn take on a role so closely associated with Anthony Perkins, who not only played Norman Bates in the original film, but three sequels, too? The biggest surprise in this cast is Julianne Moore, who is usually excellent in any role; here, she looks embarrassed, like she's going through the motions.

Universal could have used the money they wasted on this rape of cinema to restore the original 1960 film, or perhaps one of Mr. Hitchcock's lesser known pictures.

Ringmaster (1998)

What Were You Expecting?

[6/10 · 3 June 1999]

I find it hard to believe that Ringmaster was the lowest rated feature of 1998 among imdb voters. While it's not the greatest comedy I've ever seen, I found much of it very funny. I'm not a fan of the Springer TV show, and probably would never have wanted to see this if I didn't work at a video store and get free rentals. I was pleasantly surprised by the movie, and found several very funny scenes. Anyone who was expecting a hardhitting, smart satire on TV talk shows deserves to be disappointed. I will be looking forward to the next comedy from this director. He shows real promise. The entire cast was impressive, particularly Molly Hagan and Cannon Films action legend Michael Dudikoff. The only parts of the film that lagged were the scenes dealing with Mr. Springer himself.

Lipstick (1976)

Perhaps the Worst Film Ever Created by English-Speaking Persons

[1/10 · 3 June 1999]

If you haven't seen this, it's terrible. It is pure trash. I saw this about 17 years ago, and I'm still screwed up from it.

Micro-Phonies (1945)

The Stooges' Best Film

[10/10 · 3 June 1999]

This is without a doubt the funniest of the Curly stooges shorts. I've seen it dozens of times and it always makes me laugh. Hilarious pantomime sequences. A perfect example of "musical comedy". Even people who don't like the knuckleheads remember this one fondly.

Happiness (1998)

The Best Film of 1998

[10/10 · 29 May 1999]

As emotionally shattering as "Saving Private Ryan" was, as mesmerizing as Malick's "Thin Red Line" was, no movie of 1998 hit me as hard as Todd Solondz' brilliant, awful, hilarious, disturbing "Happiness". You will not be the same after you watch this film, and isn't that what the great ones are supposed to do?

The Thin Red Line (1998)

A Masterpiece Most People Simply Didn't Get

[10/10 · 29 May 1999]

While Spielberg's you-know-what was a great film, too, Terrence Malick's epic gets my vote as 1998's best WW2 flick. "Saving Private Ryan" contained about 30 minutes of stuff like I'd never seen before, but "Thin Red Line" had nearly 3 hours of stuff I'd never seen before. I will never forget this film for as long as I live. Nick Nolte gave one of the most powerful performances of his career and the huge cast of guest stars did not distract from the movie's power. The whole thing plays like a dream, and I hope that it will retain that quality when it comes to video this month.