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Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)

Are we meant to be able to figure out who Jerry (Nick Nolte) is? 1. He can play the piano.  2. He can recite Hamlet. 3. While he's at lunch with Dave (Richard Dreyfuss), he's identified by a publishing agent as a famous writer. Beyond that, he's an enigma. He has some sort of charisma or animal magnetism -- he beds Dave's wife -- Barbara (Bette Midler), daughter -- Jenny (Tracy Nelson) and maid -- Carmen (Elizabeth Pena). How? Before he charms the ladies, however, he charms Dave. Why? At the opening of the film, somehow Jerry ends up in Dave's backyard. He's lost his dog, and his idea is to drown himself in this random Beverly Hills pool. Dave ends up saving his life, and then like some fable, he takes responsibility for the life he's just saved. He lets Jerry stay at the house, gives him a makeover, clothes, a credit card. And tries to give him a job, either in one of his factories or as a manager of one of his trailer parks.  Jerry's not interested in ...
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Castle in the Sky (1986)

I've liked Miyazaki films for 25 years now, and the ones I always tend to think about are My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Ponyo. There's nothing wrong with Castle in the Sky, or any of the other Miyazaki films, but I just don't think about them as much. In fact, it's been quite a while since I've seen this one, and after re-watching it, I'm still thinking that this is pretty good, but in terms of Miyazaki good, just below top tier.  I noticed that some reviewers had an issue with Captain Mom's pirate sons. They're all probably in their 30s, but they all -- jokingly or not -- have a crush on Sheeta. Well, I don't think the kitchen scene is meant to be taken all that seriously, but the pirates are mentally closer to Sheeta's age than their "biological" age. This is a very asexual movie.  Anyway, the pirates are interested in finding the lost island for the treasure. The military and t...
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12 Monkeys (1995)

For a fun drinking game, take a shot every time the film uses the word "psychiatrist."  The look of the film is great. Brad Pitt (Jeffrey) and Bruce Willis (James) act their butts off. And yet, when I finish the film, I feel unsatisfied.  I'm not happy with the ending. The virus has been released. The future hasn't been able to stop the past from happening. Well, I don't want to get into a time travel debate, but if the future fails, can't it just keep trying? This is one of those movies that has the cool idea, but then it never shows how it works. Which is fine. We get the idea that time travel is dangerous and inaccurate. The scientists use "volunteer" inmates because, I assume, they're disposable. James and Jose (Jon Seda) are two of the inmates we see, but there are other anonymous future folks keeping watch on James, too.  Ultimately, I guess much depends on that end scene. It's been referenced a number of times. James dreams it, because...
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The Fly (1986)

Immediate jumpstart. Seth (Jeff Goldblum) and Veronica (Geena Davis) at a party. He's about to do something world changing, he says, and she believes him enough to go back to his apartment.  At first, Veronica comes off as an opportunist. She just wants the story. But it doesn't take long for us to sense that she's into this guy. Why? He's a complete nerd with a bugged-eyed face, and that's before he blends his DNA with a fly.  For purposes of the plot, however, Veronica and Seth need to hook up quick, because he won't be human for long, and we need the drama of "Will she keep his bug baby?" Goldblum will likely be remembered solely for this role. I'm sure we could point to other good parts he's played, but honestly, this was the role he was born to play. The 1980s costume and make-up work is incredible. You could never replicate the feel with CGI or AI.  And just like the way the movie begins, it ends just as quickly. Did she decide to keep th...
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My Own Private Idaho (1991)

How cute does this film want to be? If it's just a story about two male sex workers, then maybe I would like it more than if you try to layer in the Shakespeare. Gus Van Sant admitted that some viewers found the "Shakespearean dialogue" used in the Bob (William Richert) scenes jarring. I am among those viewers. I just didn't find it necessary. Also, I don't need to be told that the plot is "loosely based on King Henry IV." So what, really? It's not obvious, and I'm more confused about why Scott (Keanu Reeves) wants to live this "lifestyle" until he comes into his inheritance. Does he really expect that people will simply "excuse" him for being a male prostitute until he's 21? The scene that I appreciate the most is when Mike (River Phoenix) opens up to Scott. He tells Scott that he loves him. That's the best part of the film. Since Scott isn't gay, nothing happens sexually, but they do embrace. The other part of th...
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Vampyr (1932)

Although this isn't a silent picture, it acts like one.  I even found myself saying, "Gee, I like a movie that reads like a book." Not just because it has the place cards like a silent film, but because it has characters reading from a book. Maybe 5 or 6 times we stop and read a page out of the vampire book with the characters. Maybe this was groundbreaking information -- Who the Vampires work for, what powers they have, how to kill them, etc. -- but reading a page of text on the screen is not the best way to use the film media.  So, if you're not really into slow, 1930s pictures that don't know if they want to be silent, and don't know how to "show" more than they "tell," I wouldn't recommend this one.  As one reviewer noted, it has absolutely no action. You will barely see a vampire. You will hardly see any blood. At one point, you will see a woman give a creepy smile. That's the extent of it.  And I would be okay with that, but I...
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Twilight: Breaking Dawn, part 2 (2012)

After watching Part 1, I wasn't sure I'd be watching Part 2... but I'm a completionist. I needed to watch it, and to be fair, it was better... and not a horrible conclusion to the series.  1. Too many characters means no character development. They just become "The Amazon Vampires," "The Irish Vampires," etc.  2. Bella's narration. That's new, and I don't like. It's just a lazy way to give quick exposition for everything that's going on. Now, if it's Bella writing down the story for her daughter, I can almost give it a pass, but generally, that kind of voiceover is just weak. 3. Is it creepy that Jacob imprints on Bella's daughter? If he can't have Bella, and Bella's daughter grows up quickly, I guess it's okay. I suppose we should just ask Alice.  At least in Part 2, I don't feel like we're waiting for stuff to happen. The pacing has picked up, and so I was into the story for the most part... nothing dragg...
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