Tag Archives: Great

Comedy

Hot Shots!

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: June 4, 2022
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2022

Review

After a day of watching Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick, it felt a fitting conclusion to the evening with a re-watch of the comedy classic Hot Shots!

I love a comedy parody film and Hot Shots! is one of the best. Initially I was a bit wary as it had been a long time between viewings and some comedies from the 90s have not dated well. I was pleased to find that Hot Shots! still had me laughing out loud from beginning to end. Directed and co-written by Jim Abrahams, who also directed and co-wrote Flying High and Top Secret! you can understand why this film is such a success, even after so many years.

And when I say laughs until the end – watch the end credits all the way through, as the jokes aren’t over yet. That’s right, I was watching film credits to the end before Marvel made it cool!

I have a new appreciation for Hot Shots! as I don’t think I’ve ever watched it so close after watching Top Gun, in this case the same day. The opening sequence is almost a like for like with Top Gun down to the music, opening credits, and the planes taking off / landing on the aircraft carrier. It isn’t long before the tone is set where we see things like people carrying missiles bumping into each other, planes parallel parking, engines being used to BBQ sausages, and so on!

There’s also a replica iconic scene of Maverick riding his bike next to a fighter jet taking off, fist bump in the air and all. Except in Topper’s case, it’s at this moment that he hits the speed bumps on the road.

I even get a kick out of the fact that all the planes have “The Navy” written on them – it’s those little details that really takes it up a notch.

Being a clever parody of Top Gun however is only the part of the key to the success. Another factor would have to be the performance of the cast. Each actor is playing it straight, as if they were in a series drama. Yet with the lines and visual gags you cannot help but to laugh. Perhaps because of the straight faced nature, that makes the punch lines kick harder.

Charlie Sheen gives a fantastic performance as Topper Harley. He really was a great comedic actor, especially in these type of films at the peak of his career. While Lloyd Bridges manages to steals each scene he is in with great one liners, often about his ever increasing aliments! The slapstick performance of his accident prone character provides many laughs. The cast also includes Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Jon Cyer, and Kevin Dunn – just to name a few!

In the backdrop to a parody, you also need to have a strong enough story. One that is simple enough for the viewer to follow and that is different to the source material. I’d say that Hot Shots! also does this well while letting the gags shine through. Funnily enough I also found that the new Top Gun film had some similar aspects of it’s storyline with Hot Shots! – coincidence? Yeah probably.

Even if you haven’t seen Top Gun, you’re going to have plenty of laughs along the way.

Rating:  Great

Animation, Comedy

The Bob’s Burgers Movie

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: May 29, 2022
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2022

Review

It seems fitting that on the weekend of International Burger day that I went along to see the new Bob’s Burgers movie after having a burger for dinner!

There is a challenge with turning any tv series into a film, particularly animation, with how the narrative is formed in its longer than usual format while keeping the essence of the series intact. There is a risk of making it feel like three episodes one after another or it being disjointed from the series.

The Bob’s Burgers Movie has delivered in providing a highly entertaining film that serves the fanbase well! I’m a big fan of the series and it doesn’t feel out of place while at the same time it can stand out on its own. What I liked most was the look of the film and the use of musical numbers.

The animation that has been used looked beautiful up on the big screen. It’s a very similar look to the series but you can tell there is some additional polish, notably with lighting and shading. For me this really popped in the characters hair. The songs were fun, upbeat, and helped progress the film along with a lot of funny lyrics. The series often uses songs in episodes, so having a movie without any would not have been the same.

I felt that each character in the Belcher family had a decent amount of screen time to progress their own narratives that ultimately tie together nicely at the end. Of the family, it is Louise (voiced by Kristen Schaal) who is the star of the show (which often occurs in the series as well) while Gene’s storyline was probably the weakest. Just for the record Tina is my favourite character and she had some great moments. Her storyline involved making Jimmy Jr her summer boyfriend, which is very on brand for Tina.

As for supporting characters, the show is currently in its twelfth season meaning there have been a lot of reoccurring characters over the years and I’m sure each fan would have their favourites. It would have been impossible and impractical for the movie to reference everyone but they did a pretty darn good job getting a lot in. Of course Teddy and the Fischoeders have starring parts however we also get a little bit of Rudy, Sergeant Bosco, and even a cameo from our favourite bikies!

The movie also used some existing references from the show’s run to build the story around, which ties in well for fans as not everything is new. It’s a really good balance to introduce new people to the series where you don’t need a lot of backstory yet those references will be appreciated by the fanbase. I’m getting flashbacks to when this is done poorly, the one that springs to mind is the X-Files movie (for many reasons that we shall not get into today!)

If you are a fan of the series, you’re going to enjoy this one. If you’re a fan of animation, I think you’re also going to like this one. Do you need to see it at the cinema? Probably not but that said, it did look really nice up on the big screen. You’ll have plenty of laughs all the way to the post-credits scene.

Rating:  Great

Drama, War

The Man Who Never Was

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: April 29, 2022
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2022

Review

Last month’s family movie night was my uncle’s pick with this film that I hadn’t heard of before….and it was terrific!

It was a well told drama based on an incredible true story during the second world war. Based on the book Ewen Montagu wrote of his leading role in the British intelligence deception operation code named “Operation Mincemeat”. As the admiral says in the film when being briefed of the details “It’s the most outrageous, disgusting, preposterous, not to say barbaric idea. But work out full details and be on hand at the War Cabinet Offices at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.”

What I liked was the way the narrative is told by use of five main principal actors. As it is based on a delicate intelligence mission, you don’t need the distraction of a large cast. The story is more than enough to keep you engaged. It’s also one of those films that creates an element of suspense where it fools you into thinking there might be a different outcome – they wouldn’t have made a film if the operation failed right?

Of the main cast it is Clifton Webb and Gloria Grahame’s performances as Ewen Montagu and Lucy Sherwood that shine. Webb brings an authority to the role without coming across as arrogant, while Grahame’s performance is so emotionally powerful. Their names are billed first in the credits and deservingly so.

While there are some laughs along the way, including the idea to start with and all the possible things that could go wrong with its execution, the film pays respect to the story and the man who became Major William Martin. The way that the seriousness of the situation really hit home for me was in the scene when the body is being dressed. Each item is meticulously being placed across different pockets to build up the identity of this fictional officer. While this is happening there are bombs being dropped around the city. This just adds to the level of urgency and desperation to win an advantage in the war.

You also never see the face of the actor playing the dead man, in fact you don’t see too much of him on screen. I’m not sure if this was a conscious decision made or perhaps related to budget or makeup that might have not looked realistic on screen, given when the film was made. Whatever the reason I think this worked really well in favour of the film, as it feels to add an additional level of respect.

It was a story that I wasn’t familiar with and I’m glad to have seen this film. One of the reasons my uncle chose this film is because of the connection to author Ian Fleming, best known for writing the James Bond novels. Fleming was a naval intelligence officer and Operation Mincemeat was based off an idea he wrote in what was called the “Trout Memo”, which was a document comparing deception methods in wartime with fly fishing. There you go – your fact for the day!

Review:  Great

Comedy

Heathers

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: April 24, 2022
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2022

Review

Dear diary,

Yesterday was a pretty rad day. I spent the afternoon with a friend drinking margaritas and watching a couple of films that I haven’t seen before. Second film was my pick and I was so excited to see Heathers on her bookshelf – something I’ve been wanting to see for the longest time.

Yet again I wonder why did I wait so long to bring this joy into my life? This is totally a teen flick I would have loved growing up with and would have been a nice accompaniment to the teen films I had on high rotation growing up; Clueless, Cruel Intensions, Bring it On, 10 Things I Hate About You, Not Another Teen Movie to name but a few!

Winona Ryder plays Veronica, a teen desperate to fit in at high school that she ditches her real friends to join the popular girls – who all happen to be named Heather (hence the title). Over time she comes to hate the very girls she so wanted to fit in with and wishes them out of her life, and in typical teenage angst, out of her life by death. Cue the new guy in town, JD (played by Christian Slater) who is a mysterious outsider that plays by his own rules and it’s not long before he makes Veronica’s wishes a reality.

Heathers still holds up to date where the problematic behaviour of the popular kids are what drives the plot – they aren’t nice people, so is it so bad that they die? (To paraphrase JD). Tackling issues of sexism, bullying, homophobia, and date rape which are (sadly) still relevant even today, albeit better improved in some areas, Heathers remains a relevant film today.

Getting through high school is tough for many and the people that you associate yourself with can often dictate the experience of how well you can make it through those years. Some opt to make friends with those they don’t really like for the sake of popularity. Whether that was the viewer’s experience or not, there are characters that they will be able to relate to, which I guess is the nature of teen flicks. This one feels like it does it well.

The main Heather (Chandler) really nails the classic high school “bitch”, the prom queen if you will. She is the one pulling strings, setting up nasty pranks and initiation rights into the popular group. Like all she has her own personal struggles yet these don’t seem to make her much of a redeeming character to me. Not that her fate is justified!

One of the other Heathers (Duke) is played by Shannen Doherty and this is the film which helped break her career in 90210. Her character does seem more redeemable towards the start of the film. Like Veronica she also is unhappy under the control of the main Heather and also wants out. She seems nice but when her opportunity roles around, she’s almost just as bad as the others. While I felt upset by this, it also wasn’t that surprising. By nature of the film, we’re on Veronica’s side.

In comparison to another teen film which I wanted for the first time only recently (in the last year or two) – Mean Girls – I enjoyed Heathers so much more. At the time I felt that I wasn’t the right target audience when watching it, which may be the case, however I connected with Heathers so much more. I really loved Winona Ryder, this was in a period when she was really in her prime, I found Heathers witty and dark and there are just so many memorable lines and laugh out loud moments. I can see watching Heathers many more times. It’s just so very.

I’d say to my friends, if they’ve never seen Heathers and don’t mind a teen flick, to find a copy and give it a watch on their next available weekend. I don’t think they will be disappointed.

As I wrap up this entry, I think it might be time to get my croquet mallet and red scrunchie! Perhaps a contender for next Halloween costume?

Rating:  Great

Comedy, Foreign Language

The Good Boss (El buen patrón)

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: April 25, 2022
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2022

Review

After a short, forced hiatus from the cinema – I’m back baby!

This afternoon I went to see “The Good Boss” which is a Spanish comedy starring Javier Bardem. It’s a comedy of errors but without the slapstick while still maintaining its comedic edge.

Bardem’s performance in the lead role is exceptional, and if you have followed his body of work, you wouldn’t expect any thing less from him. He brings the character to life in such in such a way that seeing him deal with the situations as they unfold, you aren’t sure how this “smooth operator” is going to react to the decisions he makes and the consequences that emerge. There was a moment in the film where I thought things were going to take a drastic turn due to the weight of pressure building and Bardem’s performance really pulls you in emotionally.

I’m not familiar with the other cast members however I felt that everyone played their parts well. There isn’t a weak link in this regard.

The film follows the story of Blanco (Bardem), the owner of the Blancos Básculas factory who manufacture scales. He has inherited the company from his father and is a proud and competitive man. The company has already won a number of awards and is contention for another award, this time a regional company award competing against two other businesses.

Following the opening scene, we see Blanco addressing his workers of an expected visit from a committee of delegates who will be inspecting each of the nominated businesses. While he addresses the workers about how he considers them to be his family and to tell the visiting delegates how much they enjoy working at the factory, we see a disgruntled employee who has recently been fired making a scene by bringing his children into the office.

Over the course of the week we see a series of incidents that Blanco must manage which is broken down day by day. We see him try to handle the disgruntled employee mentioned above, a new group of young women starting as interns with some sexual tension brewing, a long-time friend and employee having marriage troubles, all while his wife has something important to tell him but cannot remember.

By the time the delegation arrives, your focus is directed to a poster in the factory which states the company’s values “Work Hard. Balance. Loyalty”. As an audience member you can’t help but to have flashbacks to the decisions made by the employees and Blanco himself during the course of the film along these themes. I’m sure a lot of people will have their own personal work experiences that might trigger some memories – just hopefully not to the scale that unfolds here!

So is Blanco a “good boss” – it all depends on the perspective that you are looking from. Sometimes you need to tip the scales in your favour.

I feel that this film has slightly flown under the radar a little bit and it deserves more attention. Thought provoking, funny, and a great performance from Javier Bardem, I highly recommend going to see this film – it doesn’t need to be at the cinema but if you can, you should and show your support at the box office!

Rating:  Great