Goodfellas (1990)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci


Whether you want to accept it or not, organized crime actually exists, in many parts of the world. Goodfellas is based on a true story, explores the lives of gangsters in Brooklyn, chonicling the events of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta).

As he gets older, he marries and has children, but still continues his long-term relationship with the organized crime family run under mob boss Paulie (Paul Sorvino), and befriends a calm, steady gangster named Jimmy (Robert De Niro) and wild man Tommy (Joe Pesci).

This is surely one of the great films from the gangster film genre. Director Martin Scorsese fully shows this unromantic view on the gangsters lifestyle. He shows that the gangsters do is steal, kill, and don’t associate with many others outside of their family, which in all shows how these character interact with one-another. What Scorsese is mostly showing and telling that these people are scum, and this is so crushing in a beautiful and artful way.

So, which is better: Goodfellas or The Godfather? Of course they're both amazing films in their own right, and both are focused on organized crime, yet each of them give a totally different approach. I feel that The Godfather is focused more on the family-side of things while Goodfellas spends more time with its characters.


RATING: 10/10

The Tie That Binds (1995)

Directed by: Wesley Strick
Starring: Daryl Hannah, Keith Carradine, Moira Kelly


The Movie:
John (Keith Carradine) and Leann (Daryl Hannah) Netherwood are fugitives who break into homes, steal whatever they need, take pictures of the tortured owners and flee. Their daughter, Janie (Julia Devin) usually stays in the car when her parents are robbing a home. One job goes horribly wrong when the police show up, placing young Janie into an orphanage while her parents get away. Janie is soon adopted by southern California carpenter Russell Clifton (Vincent Spano) and his wife Dana (Moira Kelly). What they don't know is that they're in for the fight of their lives as John and Leann will do whatever it takes to get their daughter back.

Review:
Not the greatest thriller out there, but the direction and performances by the characters showed some potential. The beginning lagged quite a bit, but it seemed to get better as it went along. The story of a young girl adapting to her new parents all while her natural parents were on a deadly pursuit to find their child. .As John and Leann were tracking down their leads to the unsuspecting adopted parents, the suspense in the story started getting more tense. You see a bit of irony in Leann's eyes, as she constantly pulls out a picture of a mother and daughter, like she's out to just protect her offspring. From John's viewpoint, it appears he is looking for a piece of property (slavery?) he once lost.

Ending this review a bit short, like the movie, I feel I don't know what else to say about it  It's a familiar story with a very predictable ending, a bit overexerted but I feel it's worth the dollar I paid for it.


RATING: 5/10

Arachnophobia (1990)

Directed by: Frank Marshall
Starring: Jeff Daniels, John Goodman


The Movie:
Everyone is afraid of something...for Dr. Ross Jennings (Jeff Daniels), his phobia is downright embarrassing. But when he moves his family to a small town, the one thing that bugs him most is now harming the townspeople at an alarming rate. For this unlikely hero, overcoming a childhood fear of spiders might just save the community, but it may already be too late!


Review:
I'm not scared of spiders, but I watched this with someone who is. Needless to say, she spent a good share of this film with her eyes closed.

When the Jennings family move out of the city to plant new roots in a small town, where Ross is sure to fill a void as the town doctor, little do they realize it's not going to be an easy transition. For starters, the current town doctor decides not to retire as expected (a dick move if I ever saw one), he finds his place in said town won't be an easy grasp as he thought-after all, a small town only needs one doctor?

Things start to unravel when a deadly spider from South America stows away in the coffin of a dead photographer and winds up in the U.S. Ironically, each victim of the spider just happened to visit the new doctor recently, so the old doctor uses that to start a vendetta against Jennings; until Dr Jennings' uncovers the eight-legged beast with assistance from the town exterminator, played by John Goodman.

 For so long I have somehow overlooked this Spielberg production. I always considered it to be some kind of spin off of Hitchcock's "The Birds." Spielberg took a well known phobia, combined it with some clean humor and a family-esque adventure and created a well made film.


RATING: 9/10

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan
Running Time: 125 Minutes

"We're his god damn kids too!"

When loveable and perhaps neurotic Daniel (Robin Williams) decides to throw his son an extravagant 14th birthday party, it's the last straw for workaholic-mom Miranda (Sally Field). His kids mean the world to him, so following a custody battle that he knows up-front always sides with the mother, Daniel decides to do whatever it takes to stay close to them, even if that means dressing up like a sixty-year old woman. Putting together some headlines on the front page of the local newspaper to form the nanny's name: Doubt Fire, Mrs. Doubtfire.

This story of deception goes to show just how much Daniel loves his children. It all goes well for awhile, Mrs Doubtfire becomes a useful asset to the Hillard home, the kids start succeeding in school, the house becomes spotless, and Miranda actually seems unnaturally happy for once in her life. When she starts dating again, to the rich and witty Stu (Pierce Brosnan), the green eyes of jealousy starts popping up which should set off some alarms that something isn't right with her nanny-but it doesn't, she gets in too deep and becomes oblivious to what happens around her, until her birthday dinner that is. That's where everything comes to a screeching halt.

Although Daniel met every single condition the judge told him he had to meet, his recent behavior found him to be unfit  to take custody of his children. While this saddened the mood of the ending, the TV station director saw potential in the great Mrs. Doubtfire and offered Daniel the leading role-after all who else should play her except for the man who created her? At least now his kids can see him daily, and he can entertain the others like he was intended to do. A couple subliminal messages later, not necessarily directed towards her, Miranda finally gave in and let Daniel see his kids on a regular basis - although life as a couple was long over.

In my opinion, this movie was Robin Williams' best performance ever. Of the few films I've seen regarding custody battles, this one always stands out as one with the highest probability of being re-watched. Sometimes parents just don't belong together, they try piecing together a life for the best interest of their children. This can only go on for so long before they get tired of the same nonsense day after day. Would Daniel and Miranda be better suited if they didn't have children at all? It's quite possible that if this movie was rewritten or a prequel was written to before they had the kids, they wouldn't be married and would likely live a happier lifestyle. This is all speculation though since they were married and had three kids.

Consensus: If you haven't seen this movie yet (shame on you), run out to any store that sells movies and buy it immediately. You won't be disappointed with this story. If you liked Kramer vs Kramer (1979) and enjoy comedies based on a similar story, I guarantee you'll like this one too...and hey, if you don't, at least you can cross off another film from the late Robin Williams' filmography. He brought joy to his audience, it's unfortunate he couldn't have that joy in his own life. RIP, Mr Williams. July 21, 1951 - August 11, 2014

"I am not a crook!"

My Rating: 10/10 -- Buy it, own and cherish it forever!!

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Running Time: 126 Minutes

This is the story of a deeply troubled but extremely intelligent young man who works as a janitor at one of the prestigious technical schools in the world. Yup, meet Will Hunting (Matt Damon) an orphan living in south Boston and working as a part time janitor for MIT. One day, while he was mopping the floors he came across a equation on a chalkboard that to the surprise of the mathematics professor, Will solved before anyone else on campus.

Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård) sees how intelligent this kid is, and feels he should give him some direction. Using the help of many psychologists before resorting to a former college roommate Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), a psychologist with his own troubles.

The plot may seem repetitive and fairly predictable but the script was written just right to keep you entertained for the full two hours, never a dull lagging moment to be seen. The writers took a typical 21-year old's life and gave him a deeper inside story. Just because someone spends his free time hanging out with friends at bars and getting into fights, and has a rap sheet a mile long doesn't make them a bad person-does it? The performance by Matt Damon was extremely well done, he plays the emotionally damaged kid from a rough part of town, on the outside he looks like he's going nowhere in life but on the inside he's got what it takes to leave town and move anywhere he wants. Professor Lambeau saw this before anyone, Sean knew this but felt Will had to make his own life experiences. This is where I believe Robin Williams deserved the Oscar for best supporting actor. When he told off Lambeau, I swear I could hear every movie-goer applaud in joy.

I've seen many movies starring Robin Williams, mostly comedy pieces though, this being one of his few serious roles I think he did a fabulous job. As I just said, it was a well-deserved Oscar earned. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were best friends, and they made sure everyone knew it. I'm generally not a fan of Affleck, he seems to steal the show more times than not, but the chemistry between the two of them were obviously portrayed greatly in this film. How much he cares for his friend's life, and not being afraid to tell him so was ingenious. Once Will met the gorgeous Skylar (Minnie Driver) it was apparent that even Will wanted more out of his life than working construction and mopping up floors. The bond formed between these two was believable.

Consensus: To some this movie was slow moving, but to me I thought it moved along at the right pace. The story is predictable but the performances given, especially by Robin Williams and Matt Damon were outstanding - well worth the five bucks I paid for it.

My Rating: 8/10 - Matinee !

Jumanji (1995)

Director: Joe Johnston
Starring: Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce
Running Time: 104 Minutes

Summary:
Starting in 1969, young Alan Parrish and young Sarah Whittle discover a mysterious board game that reluctantly changes their lives. Upon his surprise, Alan finds himself transported into the dark side of the jungles of Jumanji! Twenty-six years later, he is freed by two unexpecting children. Alan (Robin Williams) reunites with Sarah (Bonnie Hunt) and together with Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and her brother Peter (Bradley Pierce) to outwit the game's powerful forces and return to the lives they once had. A combination of breathtaking special effects with a sleuth of magic and thrills bring you the game that must be played to believe!
I was only eight years old when this movie premiered and I thought it was perfect. It's probably among the few childhood classics I can think of, unfortunately over ten years have gone by since I last watched it so with the recent news of the loss of a great Hollywood comic (R-I-P!) I knew I had to revisit this one. It's story still holds up very well as the most entertained I've ever watched, out of the thousands of movies I've seen in my lifetime.

"It's not my turn."

Once the movie begins much like you were playing the game personally you are hooked through to when a player reaches the end and calls out it's name. Some may say this is a children's adventure movie but it's much more, it's got everything: comedy, action, adventure, a time travel science fiction feeling, and even a love story all in one and is definitely not just targeted for children. Not that I'm saying it's not recommended, I only firmly believe children and adults a like will love this movie. It's story of two orphaned kids from the mid-90s playing a game with two kids from the late-60s portrays just how there were two universes set up, and that with every roll of the dice their lives changed each time.

"RUN! It's a stampede!"

The end of the movie marks the end of the virtual universe if you will, it was inevitable that Alan and Sarah would return to 1969 - twenty-some years before their teammates were even born. Flash forward a few years, we see Alan taking over his father's shoe business, alongside Sarah who we see is now an expectant mother, at a Christmas party they meet with the advertising agent who happens to be Judy and Peter's father who wasn't set to start his job until after a ski trip in the mountains that would inevitably turn Judy and Peter into orphans. Alan and Sarah rewrote their future by insisting they start sooner rather than later.

"A law of Jumanji having been broken. You will slip back even more than your token."

Consensus: This movie is a great 100 minute adventure ride for everyone of all ages!

Rating: 8/10 -- Run out and buy this movie, you won't regret it!

If I Die Before I Wake (1998)

Directed by: Brian Katkin
Starring: Stephanie Jones, Muse Watson, Michael McCleery

Running Time: 87 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R for strong, brutal violence including rape, unrelenting terror and strong language

Synopsis:
A suburban family is held hostage and terrorized by three intruders while their sixteen year-old daughter first hides, then exacts her own brand of terror on the assailants.



Summary:
Three burglars break into a suburban home while they are sleeping one night. The problem is, they're not there to rob them but to terrorize them. The only thing they didn't account for was the teenage daughter, Lori-Beth (Stephanie Jones), whom first hides before getting the courage to confront them. Armed with a baseball bat, a piece of broken glass, a kitchen knife, and a fireplace poker she starts defending herself against these three assailants while in the end keeping a promise to her younger sister that she wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Review:
Another movie based on a home invasion? What has Hollywood come to, to find it necessary to make these type of movies. While watching this movie, I kept thinking this movie was a made for TV special, but no place on the Internet provided proof to back that up, not that it matters anyway, right?
Stephanie Jones portrayed a very brave teenage girl, who wanted nothing more than to have her normal suburban family life back. While the head assailant seemed outright angry that people in the world had more than he did growing up, a loving family and a nice house.
The story was well directed and as a result I give this movie a 6 out of 10 star rating.

Pure Luck (1991)

Director: Nadia Tass
Starring: Martin Short, Danny Glover, Sheila Kelley

Release Date: 09 August 2012 (USA)
Running Time: 96 Min.

Rated: PG
My Rating: 10/10

Watch Trailer








 When a wealthy businessman's accident-prone daughter, Valerie (Sheila Kelley) goes missing on a trip to Mexico, private detective Raymond Campanella (Danny Glover) is hired to find her. After many failed efforts to find her, a psychologist decides to use a new tactic, a accountant for the company, Eugene Proctor (Martin Short), who is similarly accident-prone to relive the course of events Valerie. Perhaps he can use his super bad luck to find her...

With a comedic duo such as Martin Short and Danny Glover, how can you go wrong with this? It's a 90's dream team, with nonstop laughter for the full ninety some minutes, some of the accidents were unbelievably done but while watching the movie you begin to realize how accident-prone they really are. When trouble comes for Proctor, Raymond also pays for it, which tests his patience. If you haven't seen this movie yet, it has recently become available on DVD in a comedy 4-movie marathon pack and can be found in most Walmart $5 bins across the nation, for 3 mediocre titles and one gem it's a no-brainer that it's worth the buy.

Die Hard 2 (1990)

Spoilers Ahead! You have been warned.

Director: Renny Harlin
Starring: Bruce Willis, William Sadler, John Amos, Tom Bower, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson and Bonnie Bedelia

MPAA Rating: R
My Rating:  8.5/10

USA Release Date: July 4, 1990
Running Time: 2 hours 4 minutes (124 Minutes)


It's Christmas again, and once again John McClane (Bruce Willis) is in the wrong place at the wrong time - located at an airport in Washington D.C., waiting on his wife Holly to arrive from L.A. Her plane is delayed when a group of international terrorists, led by COL. Stuart, decide to hijack the airport electronic devices to rescue a drug lord from justice. With no landing lights all aircraft are required to stay in the air, which means John has approximately 90 minutes to defeat the terrorists before the planes run out of fuel.

There's nothing like a little Die Hard action to put you on the edge of your seat. Yippie-Ki-Ay, Motherfucker!