Movie Reviews

Archive for May, 2010

The Soto Curse lives on!
You know how, back in the ye olde days of VHS, how if you watched a tape too much, it would start to degrade and you’d be messing with the tracking trying to fix it? Well, that probably happened a lot to cult movies; those that were watched time and again by a loving few. So it’s fitting, then, that the LAMBcast devoted to talking about cult movies features the audio equivalent of those tracking and degradation issue, as is sounds as though Nick Jobe is joining host Jason Soto from inside of a sewer. That’s on fire. During an earthquake. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad, but better that I prepare you for the worst, right?
Nevertheless, the two soldier on, even creating an alternate version of LLS since it was just the two of them (more Soto curseness). Stay tuned for that and some Trailer Talk and much, much more (just listen intently).

As usual, the music, as provided royalty-free by Kevin MacLeod’s Incompetech website, is the bomb. Big thanks to Kevin for providing this service.
Also, we’re still on iTunes, and would still love a review, even if it’s a bad one. Thanks for listening!

Mr. Escobar: “He’s my sister’s kid, no father, not too bright… personally, I think he’s a retard. I only gave him the job as a favor to my sister, you understand.”

The writers of The Joneses probably thought they were making a biting satire™ about consumerism. To a point, they are. But what they really ended up with was a meta-satire.
Meta-satires are all the rage these days. Think Kick-Ass or Adaptation or Team America: World Police. It’s not nearly enough to merely lambaste something anymore; you have to become that which you are ridiculing. The Joneses starts off with a terrific premise: marketing has become so infused in our lifestyles that a corporation has set out to literally market lifestyles. An alpha family (unit) is deployed into a neighborhood and plays house like a real family, all under the guise of selling the hot new clothes, gadgets, sporting goods, etc., to the unknowing consumers amongst them. They are, to borrow from Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point, Mavens, Connectors, and Salespeople all, each one targeted to a specific demographic. They are selling “cool,” and making a killing doing so.
It’s a great premise, one perfect for our increasingly materialistic world. The problems come in once you get past the setup. The story paints itself into a corner, but more importantly, the longer you watch, the more you realize that in trying to make a comment about consumerism, the film becomes a slave to it. I wasn’t just being sold a movie ticket, I was simultaneously being sold the same products that the Joneses are attempting to pawn off on their neighbors. The latest golf clubs, an auto-opening toilet, a vast array of Audis – I wasn’t familiar with the frozen food chefs that were name-checked in the movie, but it wouldn’t shock me to learn that they were real as well.
Were the film meant to be self-satirizing, that would be one thing. But I don’t believe that’s the case, and if it is, then the tone and plot of the latter two-thirds sold the concept short, deteriorating instead to a formulaic, feel-good ending. Kinda takes away some of that bite, no?
Fletch’s Film Rating:”You seem a decent fellow…I hate to kill you.”Shaky Cam Rating (details):LAMBScore:

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for! The glitz and glamour of the LAMMYs have made their way to the LAMBcast. That’s right – the main post and voting instructions will arrive shortly, but this is the spot if you want to be amongst the first to hear the nominations for the 2010 LAMMY Awards.
I was joined by a rogue’s gallery of awards commentators (specifically, Rachel Thuro, Nick Jobe and Travis McCollum) as we spelled out the 15 categories, the nominees, and where applicable, gave a shout out to the winners of years past. Along the way, a few extended discussions (e.g. What does it mean to be a Horror/Sci-Fi Blog, and is a specific award relevant for them?) and at the end, our usual games of Last LAMB Standing and some Trailer Talk.

As usual, the music, as provided royalty-free by Kevin MacLeod’s Incompetech website, is the bomb. Big thanks to Kevin for providing this service.
You can find us on iTunes; just go to the Podcasts section and search for “LAMBcast.” And hey – while you’re on iTunes, why don’t you go ahead and either rate the LAMBcast or write a review of it. Better yet, do both! It’ll help us get noticed by the overlords at Apple and earn worldwide fame…or something like that.

Host Nick Jobe and Tom Clift tried their best not to spoil Iron Man 2 for the Mad Hatter, who had yet to see the actioner. I’d say more, but I haven’t yet had a chance to listen to the episode myself. I do know, however, that that discussion was followed up with three games of Last LAMB Standing (in which Nick embarrassed himself yet again) and a little Trailer Talk.

As usual, the music, as provided royalty-free by Kevin MacLeod’s Incompetech website, is the bomb. Big thanks to Kevin for providing this service.
You can find us on iTunes; just go to the Podcasts section and search for “LAMBcast.” And hey – while you’re on iTunes, why don’t you go ahead and either rate the LAMBcast or write a review of it. Better yet, do both! It’ll help us get noticed by the overlords at Apple and earn worldwide fame…or something like that.

“Do you have a MILF?”
Just in time for Mother’s Day (or Mum’s Day), the LAMBcasters (hey you, become one – see below) set out to talk out some of our favorite movie moms – the good, the bad, and the ugly (and yes, the MILFs).
We had a full house of participants, too. On board were Rachel Thuro, Travis McCollum, Nick Jobe, Tom Clift, and me as your humble host. The feature discussion was followed up with a couple games of Last LAMB Standing and a lively Trailer Talk.

As usual, the music, as provided royalty-free by Kevin MacLeod’s Incompetech website, is the bomb. Big thanks to Kevin for providing this service.
You can find us on iTunes; just go to the Podcasts section and search for “LAMBcast.” And hey – while you’re on iTunes, why don’t you go ahead and either rate the LAMBcast or write a review of it. Better yet, do both! It’ll help us get noticed by the overlords at Apple and earn worldwide fame…or something like that.

By the score of 19-18, Elisabeth Shue pulled out the victory over “the Princess of the 80s,” Molly Ringwald. Congrats to Ms. Shue, and once again, thanks to all that voted, commented, promoted, and generally had fun wuth this.
Elisabeth Shue

80s Highlights: The Karate Kid, Adventures in Babysitting, Cocktail, Back to the Future, Part II

Previous results: Don’t even think about trying to stop Molly Ringwald from winning this thing. Demi Moore? No problem; the Princess stomped her, 21-10. Click here to view the updated full bracket.
Phoebe Cates

80s Highlights: Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins, Bright Lights, Big City
Elisabeth Shue

80s Highlights: The Karate Kid, Adventures in Babysitting, Cocktail, Back to the Future, Part II
poll by twiigs.com

Now, the sixth in a continuing series in which I count down my favorites from a particular year in film. Previous entries:
1997 * 1991 * 1984 * 1988 * 2002
I’m going to use Wikipedia to kickstart my brain, year by year, and I’ll throw out a Favored Five here and there. If you want to refresh your memory in a similar fashion, just go to Wiki and type “[four-character year] in film.” Here’s the one for 1993. I won’t pretend that Wiki is the end-all, be-all of filmic knowledge or that these yearly lists are 100% accurate, but they’re an excellent place to start and a great resource.
1993
This is a weird, weird year I think, not only for me personally, but in general. In line with the grunge/Generation X movements (for lack of a better term) that were occurring right about the time, it seems to be a real line in the sand where the last holdouts of 80s sensibilities made their way through and gave way to cynicism and more modern storytelling. The list of films that not only make up my favored five here, but also the lengthy honorable mentions really portray this. There’s a strange mix of movies that might’ve been 80s leftovers (Demolition Man; Son-in-Law) mixed in with edgier fare (Last Action Hero, which might’ve been a failure but was still an winking take on the action genre; Jurassic Park, perhaps the forebearer to the modern action adventure).
It also holds special for me due to sheer volume. Good, bad or ugly, I’ve likely seen more films from this year than just about any other film, at least in terms of mainstream Hollywood films. I was 16-17 in 1993, and yes, it shows quite a bit in my favorites. However, I think this is right about the time, thanks to movies like my number one, where I went from being just a movie fan to an all-out movie geek. I sought ought indies like my number two (and Romeo is Bleeding and Boxing Helena and Flesh and Bone) pretty from early on, and watched and appreciated some of the more middle-of-the-road fare perhaps more than I should have.
It’s weird – short of my top selections, I wouldn’t argue too hardly for any of these films (that I’ve seen) to be considered seminal works, but damned if I wouldn’t be physically pained if all of the movies from 1993 up and disappeared. Lot of good nostalgia here, and movies that I can and will watch time and again (Rising Sun, anyone?).
Notable movies not yet seen:
In the Name of the Father
The Piano
Point of No Return
The Program
Schindler’s List
Honorable mentions:
Cliffhanger
Falling Down
The Firm
The Fugitive
Jurassic Park
Last Action Hero
Much Ado About Nothing
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Rising Sun
The Sandlot

5. Demolition Man
There’s really no excuse for this to be here, but I’ve got such a soft spot for it. In fact, since I never did get all much into either the Rocky or Rambo series, I could make the argument that Stallone’s two 1993 entries rank as my favorite films of his, with the first being a (relatively) no bullshit actioner, and this being an ambitious one that touches on class warfare and the future of sexual politics, all the while featuring some of the most laughable dialogue you’ll see this side of, well, Rocky IV.
4. Tombstone
Probably the clubhouse leader in the “Films Fletch loves but somehow does not yet own.” I’ve heard smatterings from some folks recently that say that the film – outside of Val Kilmer’s performance – doesn’t hold up all that well. Not sure if I agree; it certainly has its slow moments, and heavy-handed ones, and just plain theatrical ones (any scene with Priestley and/or Zane and/or Delaney is a tad painful), but on the whole? Sounds like a purchase/re-watch is definitely in order.
3. Groundhog Day
The current incarnation of Bill Murray is still pretty great and all, but don’t you long for a straight-up comedy from the guy? I think the last one he did was Osmosis Jones, and not only was that in 2001, but it sucked and no one saw it (okay, it’s not that bad, but you get the jist). Somehow I doubt Ghostbusters III will quench my thirst. Bing!
2. Dazed and Confused
Timeless. But then again, any well-executed period piece ought to be, and that’s the beauty of them. Hard for a movie to seem “too 90s” when it’s set in 1976. Still my favorite from Linklater.
1. True Romance
Need I explain myself here?

Previous results: See below. Click here to view the updated full bracket.
Before we get to today’s vote, let’s do two things. First, give yourselves a pat on the back as I thank you so much for voting and offering your takes on the matchups of the day, every day for the last month or so. It’s been a fun diversion, but only because of all of the back and forth between you guys and gals.
Second, let’s take a look at the road these brave women took to get to the championship. Please cue up “Wind Beneath My Wings” on your iPod and/or other listening device.
Elisabeth Shue

So I was the one with all the glory,
P.J. Soles

poll by twiigs.com
while you were the one with all the strength.
Tanya Roberts

poll by twiigs.com
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
Rae Dawn Chong

poll by twiigs.com
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Phoebe Cates

poll by twiigs.com
Elisabeth Shue

80s Highlights: The Karate Kid, Adventures in Babysitting, Cocktail, Back to the Future, Part II
Molly Ringwald

Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
Donna Dixon

poll by twiigs.com
and everything I would like to be?
Kelly Preston

poll by twiigs.com
I can fly higher than an eagle,
Jennifer Connelly

poll by twiigs.com
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
Demi Moore

poll by twiigs.com
Molly Ringwald

80s Highlights: Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink
poll by twiigs.com