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Fresh Horses (1988)
Bring on the dancing horses
I was young when this came out, but I loved John Hughes films. By this point in the later 80s, I remember not getting Ferris and 16 Candles movies anymore. Or at least far less, and not the same. You got these type of more serious, young adult films and I hated it! I refused to see this at the time and thought the title was so lame that I never even considered watching it. Until I was sick in bed and it popped up in the year 2024. I watched it on a whim....
First off, this is technically somewhere between a pretty bad to mediocre movie. But there's also more going on than meets the eye. I could fill this review with all the obvious shortcomings (the screenplay needed a pretty big overhaul - too many unnecessary characters, dialogue issues, etc etc), but I'll keep it to a minimum.
Besides the setting itself, which was refreshingly unique, the film is focused on more pertinent and dramatic elements than you'd expect from the so called "brat pack". Unfortunately, there in lies the problem. The film's heart may be in the right place, but it's all so clumsy that parts of it just fall to pieces. And yes, I'm aware that our socio-economic politics have changed! And our sensibilities, too. Still, there are some poorly thought out aspects to this screenplay and some directorial choices that left me perplexed. If it were pure schlock, I wouldn't think twice. But there's some serious subject matter going on here.
The most engaging aspect of this screenplay (initially a stage play) revolves around the credibility of Jewel. Is she going to f this guy over? Is she telling the truth? What really happened that night? How old is she really? Etc etc... in the end, while intriguing, the details don't matter (and they're never fully revealed). She's obviously been through a lot and that's what's important. Even though the Andrew McCarthy character is, as written, not really a savior, he's made a difference in her life. And that's how the film ends. With him (and us) seeing that a well intentioned connection can be life-changing.
I believe this to be more of a 5 star film, but I can't help but see something more profound hidden. There's a better version of this movie. Somewhere. And with a better soundtrack!
Anyway, this movie will haunt me a bit. Ringwald's character will haunt me mainly. Most of us have met someone like that. Someone who holds dark secrets, but you never really know what it is that lies inside...
Youth in Revolt (2009)
Au revoir, virginité...
Soooo close to being a classic coming-of-age movie! All in all, I guess it succeeded, but it wasn't entirely able to keep the outlandishly stylish and whimsical narrative going throughout.
I saw this soon after it's release, and just revisited it. One thing that struck me - in the 00s, I took these kind of films for granted. It never occurred to me that indie movies with ensemble casts, good soundtracks and loads of style would all but disappear. I don't exactly know when they stopped making these, but it wasn't long after this movie.
I was entertained throughout, so no major complaints. Maybe some pacing issues, but it was fun to revisit. And made me nostalgic for a time I didn't know I was missing! I think the current imdb rating is about correct, but I'm rounding up to 7.
Destination Wedding (2018)
Sitting here like uninvited company/Wallowing in my own obscenities/Share a cigarette with negativity
I can totally understand why not everyone would enjoy the droll, surly back and forth dialogue between these two curmudgeons, but I found it strangely comforting.
There are elements of Sideways and Breakfast At Tiffany's (and other Blake Edwards/Billy Wilder, witty banter type movies) in this film.
Strangest sex scene ever... not "no", I'm just a very negative person! Ha!
The main reason I loved this was the idea of involuntarily falling in love. As in, it makes no sense, but it just f'n happened. This rings true for me, and I'm the only one I can speak for. It's just perfect.
I should mention, in all fairness, that I related to Keanu's character. In fact, most people that know me would say that he was a somewhat exaggerated version of myself. Regardless, I loved every minute!
Since this film is somewhat polarizing, I'll say this: I understand completely why the average person didn't get into it. But I'll be rewatching at some point. Doesn't make me right, I just completely related to it and make no apologies. Oh, and the running time just flew by, which is a rarity for me.
Bodies, Rest & Motion (1993)
Smokin' cigarettes and watching...
I'd imagine the average person would find this quite dull and pointless. Possibly even pretentious and unrealistic. Others will revel in the intimate, stage-like, indie, slice-of-life, raw, gutty aspects of the film. I found it utterly engaging and nostalgic until the final act.
The illusion starting falling apart for me near the end. I was a teenager at this time, so don't get me wrong - people were different in the 90s. Conversations happened. Randomly. People connected in real life over books, music etc and even had relationships based on those encounters! Shocking, I know! But aspects of this film felt forced and unrealistic.
The world's changed and it's good to remember a time when genuine connections randomly happened, but I don't know if this film earnestly encapsulates that time. I enjoyed it overall and it's almost theruptic to open up the time capsule once in a while. Great cast, unique locations, not the deepest story, but these indie dramas from the 90s are nostalgic for me, so I'll give a moderate thumbs up for the performances, settings and independent look and feel of this film.
Niagara, Niagara (1997)
Roadtrip through a lonesome, crowded world
Back in 97, this played at a little theater at St Anthony Main in Mpls. I saw it with a girl I was very much into, but can't remember what I thought of the film. I just remember the girl, who was very sweet with one of the prettiest faces I've ever seen. Modest Mouse was the soundtrack of our Spring that year, which kinda fits the mood of this story.
Upon rewatching, it was hard to not think of this as a more realistic version of Mad Love. That being said, this one is a sad, raw and beautiful movie. Sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating, somewhat dreary (or at least moody) and definitely touching.
Overall, it's a well done indie film with excellent performances that I'm glad I revisited.
Dirty Girl (2010)
I'm a sucker for white trash road trip movies 🤷♂️
There's much to like here, imo. In fact, it won me over in the end despite some irregularities and overall irritating factors. I think it was mainly the ending that clinched it, but I guess I pretty much enjoyed the whole ride. The lead duo rightfully steal the show and are undeniably cute as an ersatz couple on the run. Juno is awesome in this!
The flaws have been covered in other reviews, so I won't dwell long on them. But Having Le Tigré (a 90s band) in the soundtrack was not a big deal to me. Nor was the Charlie's Angels hairdos (having grown up in the 80s, the 70s influence was still alive and well!). Small quibble: didn't love the flour bag schtick. I got the narrative device, and it totally fit the theme, but the expression changes were a bit too...cutesy. Borderline cringey, imo... Also didn't really dig Dwight Yoakam or his character. Seemed like a simply drawn up character, so perhaps the fault goes to the screenwriter.
Anyway, tho i didn't find it to be a modern day classic, I enjoyed it overall. And while the film itself might start to dissolve in my mind by tomorrow, I think the relationship of the two main characters will stick around for a bit.
Love and a .45 (1994)
Chicken-fried white trash schlock...
...that was no doubt made by people raised on Dukes of Hazzard and exploitation films. Sound good? Yeah, I thought so too. Sadly, It's pretty damn lousy. Just simply way too over the top to be relatable and not clever enough to be enjoyable. The 90s were filled with these trailer trash, lovers-on-the-run type road movies and you can do a lot better - Wild at Heart, Kalifornia, U-turn, True Romance, Doom Generation etc etc... and this one wants to be the indie Natural Born Killers sooo badly! But the script is mediocre, at best.
The main cast is pretty good for a low budget movie and that roped me in, along with a stellar soundtrack and I thought the overall premise had potential. But it's all too cartoony and amateurish, which possibly could've worked with more style and substance. It'd make a decent background movie for hitting the bong and having a couple drinks, tho!
For the cast, soundtrack and the 90s nostalgia, I'll go as high as a 4 out of 10. There are a couple of pretty well done scenes, but overall this leaves much to be desired.
Forces of Nature (1999)
Weather rapport
I saw this back in the day, soon after it came out. Pretty sure I only half-heartedly watched it, but seem to recall enjoying it enough overall. Well, 20 some yrs later, I rewatched on a whim and, ya know what? It's pretty damn good for what it's trying to be. It's stylish, funny, charming and adventurous with some truly unique and kitchy settings (kudos to the location scouts).
Some people hate the ending and idk what to say about it, but it seemed more true to real life. And maybe that's why it doesn't seem right for a movie that stays consistently one step out of reality and maintains a delightfully over the top schtick? Either way, it didn't bother me. I just went along for the ride and was taken on a stylish adventure. As far as I'm concerned, It all worked and I'm now nostalgic for these type of rom-coms that were all too common in the 90s/00s. Just suspend your disbelief and maybe you'll be charmed by this silly movie like I was - it's fun and it's not trying to be super deep or even super romantic.
Joshy (2016)
...
This is not a very engaging film and, unfortunately, it's not funny (despite a stellar cast). You've seen this kinda flick many times, and while I think these enable cast comedy/dramas are still worth making, this one just simply doesn't go anywhere interesting. All would be forgiven if there were some actual comedy!
You can do better than this dull, aimless, unfunny, yet admittedly well-cast dramedy... most of the actors (and even the director) have done much better films and shows, so look those up and save yourself the aggravation!
3 stars for the locations and the cast (but not the exceptionally uninspired performance by the guy who played Adam).
The Monster (2016)
Wow A24...
Someone in a rubber godzilla costume wreaks havoc on a white trash mom and her daughter. A tow truck guy guy and an ambulance show up to add to the obligatory body count, but help isn't needed because aquanet and girl power were there all along! Oh and Lifetime movies intermittently added some tear-jerking flashbacks between the daughter and her trailer trash mom. Soooo...like it's super deep and stuff.
This is a sparse, low budget, dark (literally) movie that got enough of the A24 cult on its side to avoid seriously bad reviews. But make no mistake, it's pretty lousy. At best it's entirely forgettable.
Hellraiser (2022)
Welcome To Pleasuredome
If you're a big Hellraiser fan, as I am, you've seen em all and have suffered after the first two. There are aspects of others (pt3 for instance) that gave you hope but there's been so much disappointment over the years. Keeping all that in mind, this one should definitely reinvigorate your interest! There's plenty to quibble over, no doubt, but this is a step in the right direction. It's atmospheric with a succinct plot, interesting settings and an unrelenting creepiness. Doug Bradley will always be Pinhead to me, and while the new Priest did not command as much screen presence, the cenobytes were awesome. In short, def see this if you're into the original Hellraiser. And I'd also assume this'll create a new breed of fans. Hopefully.
Malignant (2021)
Where is my mind?
If you're like me, you were about to turn this off halfway through. If you stuck with it, as I begrudgingly did, you were treated to some truly bizarre sequences! Was it worth it? Ummm...I guess. But man, it just gets weird. Silly, actually. I wish the filmmakers went full-on Dead Alive or maybe left it in the hands of someone like Sam Raimi who would've embraced the campiness. Then we all could've had a good chuckle with our splatter-fest. Instead this movie feels unintentionally hilarious, which in and of itself is kinda funny...Nevertheless, you'll be laughing by the end! But holy crap is it bad!
The Flight Attendant (2020)
The Flighty Alcoholic
A psychologically damaged woman accidentally finds herself embroiled in a dark mystery and drunkenly stumbles down one rabbit hole after another. Every episode she has at least a dozen drinks, at least one to two panic attacks, at least a few psychotic episodes and usually ends up in someone's bed, all the while seemingly surprised that her sanity is unraveling.
The main character is despicable and, while she occasionally shows a genuine side, it's hard to empathize. This show is kinda trashy and shallow and it revels in its sensationalism. The production hides some of these elements a bit, but ultimately it can't hide the sitcom-esque aspects. The plot devices become heavy- handed and way overused which greatly interferes with whatever comedic elements are left, especially considering there's plenty of manufactured drama among the equally shallow characters which leaves behind a disingenuous feel.
If it sounds like I dislike this show it's because I probably should. But I love these kind of plots. It's also well shot and lit with a nice style to it. The mystery is intriguing enough to overcome the often poor dialogue and repetitive absurdities. On a scale of Lebowski to Chinatown, this show should've gone Lebowski with a dash of Body Double but decided to embrace too many sitcom elements.
If you can suspend your disbelief and look past some of it's shortcomings, you might enjoy this show.
PS - This review is for season 1. I won't be watching the 2nd season, which should say something...
Delivery Man (2013)
Nick Hornby's lost novel
There's much to like about this movie. Vince Vaughn is so likeable, the overall concept is interesting and the Chris Pratt character provides some truly hilarious moments. However, after the courtroom scene the movie derails into a standard and predictable ending that's so trite and overlong that I found myself wishing it would just end already! Honestly, I would've preferred it if the main character just kept clandestinely visiting his biological kids. That was the most interesting aspect of the film, imo. Anyway, I liked it overall but that generic ending left a bit of a bad taste. Still recommend based off of the good performances and an intriguing premise.
The Quiet (2005)
Wow, what a nice surprise!
I have a habit of not reading too much about a film before watching, so I had very little idea about this one. Admittedly, it was quite a bit different than I'd anticipated! Not sure about the low ratings - wouldn't be surprised if people were thrown off by the subject matter. I thought it was beautifully shot and unique. American Beauty would be the obvious comparison, but it was less ornate and more raw while still maintaining a distinct mood and delivering top-notch performances.
The Fly II (1989)
Son of The Fly
As a huge fan of the Cronenberg film, I held off watching this mainly due to poor reviews. Well I've finally seen the sequel and, with admittedly low expectations, I really liked it. The practical effects alone are worth a watch, but it actually had a unique story. Production values are better than expected and overall I can only nitpick. It's a well done mid budget b-movie, but I never expected it to be even half decent. In short, I have some minor complaints but was pleasantly surprised!
Banshee (2013)
Rrrroadhouse!
Evan Longoria gets outta prison, goes to PA and immediately pretends to be sheriff (don't worry about the details). Then he goes on a rampage, beating the bloody snot outta folks and porking the local Amish hottie. Oh, and that's just the first couple eps. Boss Hogg and Mr T never show up, but there's plenty of boobs and blood to make up for it.
The Wilds (2020)
Degrassi Island
There's a reasonably interesting plot buried under hours of moping teens spewing out the obligatory rhetoric. Any tragedy brought about through their circumstances is constantly overshadowed by their own perceived victimhood. This all leads to social justice monitoring where any one of them may be deemed unfit to live for saying or doing the wrong thing.
In short, this is an exhausting mess to witness and a waste of a decent idea.
Outer Range (2022)
Please renew this!
This is more of an engaging drama with a good amount of mystery/scifi and less about sensationalism and fx. But the story is good, characters are interesting and production values are top notch - music, acting, cinematography, etc. Plus I loved the setting - Wyoming is beautiful! On another note, this show is quirkier than it initially seems. Some (like me) will love it, others will hate it. In many ways, it reminded me of the series, Fargo (not so much the movie). It also moves at a leisurely pace that, to me, fit the setting and tone. This is definitely not for everyone (I imagine younger people will have little patience for it), but for the people that get into it and stick with it, it'll be rewarding and you'll definitely be hoping for season 2!
After reading some reviews I'd like to add that I personally didn't find it too slow or dark (as in literally). Maybe it's my setup? Either way, I hope this show finds it's audience because it seems more divisive than I would've thought.
Tell Me Your Secrets (2021)
Psychopathic Bouillabaisse
I found this to be pretty captivating and was on board through most of it - as long as my suspension of disbelief would allow. Unfortunately the show may have added one too many layers and twists to be believable (probably setting up another season). The central plot was already quite a bit to unpack! I think the main issue is that this doesn't look or feel like an overly sensationalized show at first. It feels closer to Ozark but ends up more like You. In the end I guess it becomes somewhat of an amalgamation of the two.
Nevertheless, the acting is great, the cinematography is stellar and the unique settings were refreshing. So overall, I still enjoyed it and I think this show got more right than wrong. Oh, and I'd definitely watch season 2 (if there is one).
Summer of 84 (2018)
More nerdy teens on bikes
It was, as expected, an amalgamation of 80s cliches and Stranger Things. More importantly, it never built upon the narrative. If the story stalled, which it often did, so did the movie. Nevertheless, it's a fairly enjoyable ride. If you actually grew up in the 80s (as I did), you'll notice a few things that didn't quite gel. It didn't ruin it for me, but I also knew from the start that the production values were not on the level of Stranger Things and certainly not on the level of Goonies or ET, etc. Lastly, the premise could've been amped up a bit - maybe a twist of some sort. As it stands, the plot is trite and lacking imagination.
The Beach House (2019)
Don't believe everything that you breathe
The first act is almost painfully uncomfortable. I'll assume the filmmakers wanted to create a claustrophobic, uneasy environment but it made me dislike the characters and the setting. It often felt glum and detached even as we got slow drips of mysterious plot points. Once things got moving it became engaging, horrifying and wonderfully atmospheric. Overall, the feeling of imminent doom while slowly being overtaken is accomplished.
It's a shame I can't give this a higher rating because it got so much right. Although the female lead grew more bearable by the end, I just didn't feel overly connected to the characters for much of the film and that's never a good way to draw an audience in. The atmosphere and special effects saved it in the end.
Satanic Panic (2019)
Modern Society
There's a certain breed of cinephiles that'll absolutely love this. I'm of that breed, but it's most definitely not for everyone. If you read the synapses and said "awesome!", there's a good chance you'll enjoy it. But man, is it stupid. It's also fun, gory, inventive and ridiculous. And the lead actress is absolutely adorable!
Digging to China (1997)
Pure innocence and beauty
I haven't seen an earnest film like this in some time. It's rare that I'm captivated and emotionally moved for the full length of a movie anymore, but this one got me. The performances were outstanding (can't imagine anyone but Evan Rachel Wood in the lead) and the overall look and feel of the film captured a certain time and youthful innocence. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and would very much recommend to those looking for something wholesome and moving.
Practical Magic (1998)
Late 90s Lilith Fair soundtrack
There's an enchanting element to this film that's hard to pinpoint. The production details are phenomenal, so that plays a huge part in it, but there's more... it has that thing that most modern movies have lost. You could it's say magic, but what does that really encompass? However you feel about this movie, it has a look, a feel, a style to it that doesn't exist anymore. And I miss that.