Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: High Anxiety
Where: @ home on DVD
Why: Jonathan picked it
So I'm sick on the couch, and my husband pulls out High Anxiety, a Mel Brooks movie. I can't stand Mel Brooks. But it's his birthday, so I have no complaints.
This movie wasn't half bad. Normally Mel Brooks movies are unwatchable for me. But this one wasn't too bad. I might even agree to watch it a second time!
It's a semi-parody of 3 Alfred Hitchcock movies: The Birds, Psycho and Vertigo.
Mel Brooks is a psychologist, taking a job as head doctor of a prestigious psych ward. The previous head doctor was about to implement some changes, and he mysteriously died. The head nurse is Cloris Leachman, who is unidentifiable at the ugly (and thin!) nurse. She's a bad dude, who pretty much runs the joint.
Now, I was pretty sick on the couch, so I wasn't paying 100% attention to the movie, so I might have missed a couple plot points. But Cloris Leachman is trying to run the entire mental institute by killing off anybody who gets in her way.
Mel Brooks heads to San Francisco to attend a conference. A lovely lady breaks into his room. She's the daughter of somebody who has been kidnapped by Cloris Leachman. Que a HILARIOUS psycho-based shower scene (I admit - I laughed at somebody Mel Brooks did. I hate to admit that) and a pretty funny The Birds based scene.
Have you seen the classic disaster movie The Towering Inferno? Then you'll recognize the hotel that Mel Brooks stays in! Those elevators are famous around the world! (or maybe just famous in my mind)
Mel Brooks is framed for a murder while in San Francisco. It's crazy Cloris Leachman, trying to get rid of him with out actually killing him. Stuff happens, yadda, yadda, yadda. Mel Brooks saves the day, and sings a funny song.
I can't say I "recommend" this movie, but I can't recommend anything Mel Brooks (even after seeing this decent movie, I still don't like his stuff) ...
Showing posts with label Suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suspense. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Who: Amber
What: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Where: cable
Why: I'm on a HP kick!
What: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Where: cable
Why: I'm on a HP kick!
In my mini Harry Potter mania, I watched the 4th (I think???) movie, the Prisoner of Azkaban. This book/movie was probably the most suspenseful, both Sirius Black (the deranged killer on the loose) and Professor Lupin (the sucker who took over the Defense Against the Dark Arts job) aren't who they really seem.
Granted, if you read the books, it's not all the suspenseful, but if not, be ready to be surprised!
This movie was very long, and very intertwined. Be ready for a long 'magical' going back in time sequence! Oh that super smart Heromie, what will she get into next?
The big wizard news story of the year is escaped prisoner Sirius Black. He's been there for 12 years, and he wants revenge on … guess who … Harry! Seriously, Harry can't just can't catch a break. 12 years ago Sirius told Lord Voldemort where Harry's parents were hiding. Sirius is responsible for Harry's parents death! Or is he …
Be sure to either read this book or see this movie. One of the major characters is Buckbeak the Hippogrif. When Universal opens Harry Potter Land next year, I believe Buckbeak will have his own ride.
Did I mention that magical people can willingly turn themselves into animals (awesome!). So is that dog really a dog? And how about that rat with only 9 fingers? Is that a werewolf a person, or a killer werewolf?
Find this movie on ABC Family and check it out!
Granted, if you read the books, it's not all the suspenseful, but if not, be ready to be surprised!
This movie was very long, and very intertwined. Be ready for a long 'magical' going back in time sequence! Oh that super smart Heromie, what will she get into next?
The big wizard news story of the year is escaped prisoner Sirius Black. He's been there for 12 years, and he wants revenge on … guess who … Harry! Seriously, Harry can't just can't catch a break. 12 years ago Sirius told Lord Voldemort where Harry's parents were hiding. Sirius is responsible for Harry's parents death! Or is he …
Be sure to either read this book or see this movie. One of the major characters is Buckbeak the Hippogrif. When Universal opens Harry Potter Land next year, I believe Buckbeak will have his own ride.
Did I mention that magical people can willingly turn themselves into animals (awesome!). So is that dog really a dog? And how about that rat with only 9 fingers? Is that a werewolf a person, or a killer werewolf?
Find this movie on ABC Family and check it out!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Duel
Who: Bill
What: Duel
Where: Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Why: One of the first movies directed by Steven Spielberg
Mild-mannered salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) is on his way to meet a client. Traveling on a remote two-lane California highway he gets behind a slow-moving, exhaust-spewing old tanker truck. He bypasses the truck, but very quickly the truck bypasses him. Soon, Mann finds himself in a high-speed, life-threatening "duel" between his four-door sedan and the menacing tanker truck, whose driver's face is unseen. Call it an extreme case of road rage.
Duel was first seen Saturday, November 13, 1971 on ABC's "Movie of the Weekend", which along with that network's Tuesday night "Movie of the Week", consisted entirely of made-for-TV feature films. Each movie was budgeted at no more than $450,000 and just long enough to fit into a 90-minute time slot. "The Movie of the Week" was a huge hit upon its debut in 1969, as viewers enjoyed the World Premiere of a new motion picture presented for free each week. When Steven Spielberg was assigned to helm Duel, he had already established himself as an ambitious young director for Universal Television, working on episodes for popular shows such as Rod Serling's Night Gallery, Marcus Welby M.D. and Columbo. What could have been an average TV movie thriller, Duel is made unique by Spielberg's direction with minimal dialog and effective camera angles which add to the overall suspense of the story. These are especially effective in the chase scenes between the plain red early-70's Plymouth Valiant and the dirty, sinister tanker truck squaring off in a fight to the death. Of equal merit is Dennis Weaver's performance as the stalked driver, who can't understand why he is being terrorized for simply passing another vehicle on a lonely road.
Duel is one of the most famous films presented as part of ABC's "Movie of the Week" franchise. A few weeks after its airing, another acclaimed TV movie had its premiere: Brian's Song. Both movies were so well received by critics and viewers that they were even given theatrical releases. In the case of Duel, this involved the addition of several scenes and some mild profanity. This is the version that has aired on TCM, and seen on a special edition DVD. Duel is recommend not just to observe some of the best early career work of Steven Spielberg, but as an effective suspense thriller.
By the way, if you want to see how Duel was first presented to viewers, check out its preview clip on You Tube by typing "ABC Movie of the Weekend" in the search box. You can also see openings from "The Movie of the Week" and other network movie programs from the 1960's through the 1990's.
What: Duel
Where: Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Why: One of the first movies directed by Steven Spielberg
Mild-mannered salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) is on his way to meet a client. Traveling on a remote two-lane California highway he gets behind a slow-moving, exhaust-spewing old tanker truck. He bypasses the truck, but very quickly the truck bypasses him. Soon, Mann finds himself in a high-speed, life-threatening "duel" between his four-door sedan and the menacing tanker truck, whose driver's face is unseen. Call it an extreme case of road rage.
Duel was first seen Saturday, November 13, 1971 on ABC's "Movie of the Weekend", which along with that network's Tuesday night "Movie of the Week", consisted entirely of made-for-TV feature films. Each movie was budgeted at no more than $450,000 and just long enough to fit into a 90-minute time slot. "The Movie of the Week" was a huge hit upon its debut in 1969, as viewers enjoyed the World Premiere of a new motion picture presented for free each week. When Steven Spielberg was assigned to helm Duel, he had already established himself as an ambitious young director for Universal Television, working on episodes for popular shows such as Rod Serling's Night Gallery, Marcus Welby M.D. and Columbo. What could have been an average TV movie thriller, Duel is made unique by Spielberg's direction with minimal dialog and effective camera angles which add to the overall suspense of the story. These are especially effective in the chase scenes between the plain red early-70's Plymouth Valiant and the dirty, sinister tanker truck squaring off in a fight to the death. Of equal merit is Dennis Weaver's performance as the stalked driver, who can't understand why he is being terrorized for simply passing another vehicle on a lonely road.
Duel is one of the most famous films presented as part of ABC's "Movie of the Week" franchise. A few weeks after its airing, another acclaimed TV movie had its premiere: Brian's Song. Both movies were so well received by critics and viewers that they were even given theatrical releases. In the case of Duel, this involved the addition of several scenes and some mild profanity. This is the version that has aired on TCM, and seen on a special edition DVD. Duel is recommend not just to observe some of the best early career work of Steven Spielberg, but as an effective suspense thriller.
By the way, if you want to see how Duel was first presented to viewers, check out its preview clip on You Tube by typing "ABC Movie of the Weekend" in the search box. You can also see openings from "The Movie of the Week" and other network movie programs from the 1960's through the 1990's.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Duplicity
Who: Me & Bob
What: Duplicity staring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen
Where: AMC PI
Why: Date Night and I had a free ticket!
I wanted to see this movie because I usually enjoy Julia Robert's movies. The story was very complex and Julia was great. Clive was good but compared to her, his acting was not as believable. They just seemed like an odd match for a couple. I kept thinking she could do better. It had the look and feel of Ocean's 11 but it was not edited together as well as that movie.
It is the story of two corporate spies. They meet early in their careers and have a moment together in Dubai. Years later they reunite in Rome and New York and things don't go well... so you think. They have the most complex relationship in addition to the complexities of their jobs. The whole movie you just kept wondering if their relationship was real or were they just playing their spy parts well. The men who play the CEO's of the companies were great characters that were portrayed as crazy, paranoid, goofs. Just when you think you have it all figured out things end very different. I thought the movie was over and then in the last 5 minutes we learn things were not as they seemed.
The movie kept moving back and forth through time. This made it hard to follow, not impossible but more of a challenge that was needed. I would have loved to have seen the movie put together in sequence then when things ended go back and review all the secrets. I give it a B- or 2.5 out of 5 stars depending on which scale you like.
What: Duplicity staring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen
Where: AMC PI
Why: Date Night and I had a free ticket!
I wanted to see this movie because I usually enjoy Julia Robert's movies. The story was very complex and Julia was great. Clive was good but compared to her, his acting was not as believable. They just seemed like an odd match for a couple. I kept thinking she could do better. It had the look and feel of Ocean's 11 but it was not edited together as well as that movie.
It is the story of two corporate spies. They meet early in their careers and have a moment together in Dubai. Years later they reunite in Rome and New York and things don't go well... so you think. They have the most complex relationship in addition to the complexities of their jobs. The whole movie you just kept wondering if their relationship was real or were they just playing their spy parts well. The men who play the CEO's of the companies were great characters that were portrayed as crazy, paranoid, goofs. Just when you think you have it all figured out things end very different. I thought the movie was over and then in the last 5 minutes we learn things were not as they seemed.
The movie kept moving back and forth through time. This made it hard to follow, not impossible but more of a challenge that was needed. I would have loved to have seen the movie put together in sequence then when things ended go back and review all the secrets. I give it a B- or 2.5 out of 5 stars depending on which scale you like.
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