The Rocky Horror Picture Show

I watched (for the first time ever) The Rocky Horror Picture Show last night just before going to bed. I know, I can’t believe it took me 22 years to see this, either. However, now that I have, I’m not sure I’ll be seeing it again. No, that’s not true. I’ll probably watch it one more time, just to make sure my first instincts were correct. This movie is…..well, weird is the only word I can think of and that’s just not descriptive enough.

I knew this movie was out there, but I had no idea it was that out there. I don’t even know if I can summarize it. There’s a lot of singing, a criminologist cuts in every so often for some foreshadowing, everyone is mostly naked and/or dressed in the opposite sex’s clothes, and I’m pretty sure this is Tim Curry’s greatest role. (Don’t be mad, Tim. I thought you did great as the voice of Hexxus in Fern Gully and I loved Muppet Treasure Island – in fact, you’ve been in a lot of movies and TV shows I love.)

You know what? I can’t describe this movie. It was so bizarre and completely different from anything I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen Cannibal! The Musical). I definitely understand how this became such a popular cult classic….I just don’t think it’s a cult I’m going to be joining any time soon.

3.5 out of 5 stars for being so bizarre that I’ll have to watch it again, but so crazy that I’m not sure that I want to.

Semi-Pro

Sorry it’s been so long. I know you’ve probably all forgotten about this blog, but really, give me another chance! I promise I can make more regular posts, really I can……

Anyway, Friday night I was treated to two good things: dinner at JK O’Donnell’s (an amazing Irish Pub right next door to where I work) and a movie: Semi-Pro, starring the always ridiculous Will Ferrell.

Let me begin my review by saying that I have a love-hate relationship with Ferrell’s movies. Some are great (Talladega Nights, Stranger Than Fiction) and some completely bomb in my book (Anchor Man, Old School). I know many people will never agree with me on this point, but I’m just letting you know that I tend to like Will Ferrell as a cameo (Wedding Crashers, Starsky and Hutch) more than I like his movies where he’s a leading man. Not that I don’t like him, but some of these movies are a little to ridiculous. Even for me.

So, with all that said, let’s move on. I enjoyed Semi-Pro, and I agree with user Zete’s comment on IMDb, “Not Ferrell’s best work, but still pretty funny.” I found myself quoting it later that night, which is a pretty good sign; however, that’s not always the best judge. For example, I have no desire to ever watch Anchorman again, but I absolutely crack up every time someone quotes it. I don’t know why, but it’s funnier as a one-liner rather than a full movie. But back to the movie at hand.

Semi-Pro tells the story of the Flint Michigan Tropics, a team in the doomed 1976 American Basketball Association. As the ABA collapses, the top four teams will be merged with the NBA, and owner-coach-player Jackie Moon (Ferrell) is determined to promote his last-place team into the top four. There were several glimpses into other characters’ lives, and I thought Woody Harrelson’s and Andre Benjamin’s characters were both played well and convincingly. I actually cared what happened to them in a movie designed to make you laugh and rarely think about people’s feelings. Will Ferrell was his usual funny, outrageous self, and you really have to love the guy for being able to pull off a lovable, goofy idiot movie after movie and still have people line up to go see him. The movie’s ending was a bit conventional and I even called the last play of the game well before it happened, but, when it comes to sports movies, they would all be terribly disappointing if they didn’t have the typical exciting Hollywood ending.

3 out of 5 stars because it’s a Will Ferrell movie I would actually watch again, I was quoting it almost immediately, and I really liked Harrelson’s and Benjamin’s roles.

Cloverfield

I saw Cloverfield a couple of weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. I had my doubts about seeing it at first, seeing as how I’m a big wimp and hate scary movies. But, I’ve got to say, I’m glad I went and, given the chance, I’d probably watch it again (although not if I had to pay movie theater prices – holy crap have you seen those lately?!).

For those who have had their heads buried in sand (or snow, as the case may be), Cloverfield is basically supposed to be the United States’ Godzilla movie. A monster arrives in New York City and destroys everything, unable to be killed by guns or bombs. We follow around a set of friends who are still hanging on to the video camera they were using to film a going-away party (to Japan, no less – anybody else see the irony here?). The friends, instead of leaving New York escorted by the military like sane people, run back to the center of the city in a desperate attempt to find a girl who may or may not still be alive. Of course, along the way we get several good glimpses of the monster (although never a shot that puts its entire being completely and clearly into view) and the mini-monsters that appear to be falling from its body and attacking even more people.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll stop there with the synopsis. Suffice it to say that you should pay attention to the home-video clips that are shown throughout from weeks before the attack, and if you are one who likes to stay until the end of the credits, you should listen for one last message, although you may have to look it up anyway, since it seems to be a sentence played backwards. This 84 minute movie (because that’s when the camera battery dies, get it?) is supposed to be one of the last pieces of evidence found after the attack, and you’re watching it as if you’re analyzing the tape as a means to understand exactly what happened in New York. Beware, though. If you are prone to motion sickness, this movie may not be the best idea for you, at least not while it’s still on the big screen. The entire thing is shot home-movie style, and I challenge you to find a more shaky videographer.

4 out of 5 stars for a great idea and storyline and likable yet somewhat underdeveloped characters, but not viewer-friendly for those prone to motion-sickness.

This is Just the Beginning

Welcome to my new blog dedicated to reviewing the latest (and not so latest) movies and books that I’ve deemed worth an opinion. I may occasionally throw in some music or television show reviews, but mainly I’ll be sticking with my two favorite forms of entertainment. Please leave comments with your own views and let me know if you have any recommendations!