Movie of the Week

This week,

POPEYE (1980)

Starring- Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall, Ray Walston, Paul Dooley

This movie was one of my trifecta of favorites as a kid. When hanging out at home on the weekends, you could safely bet that either Ghostbusters, The Great Muppet Caper or this movie was in the VCR. While some find it odd and creepy, Popeye is one of the great films of my childhood. Directed by Robert Altman, the story takes the Popeye cartoons and comics and turns them into a stylish, fun and surprisingly accurate onscreen depiction. It is hard to think of anyone else as Olive Oyl and Popeye after seeing Shelley Duvall and Robin Williams.

Washed ashore in his dinghy in the town of Sweethaven, Popeye the Sailor is on a quest to find his father- Pappyeye. He stays in the boarding house of the Oyl family, and searches the local town for his long lost dad. While there he runs afoul of Bluto, the large, brutal right hand man of the Commodore, a mysterious man who is the overseer of the seaside community. Olive Oyl is at first betrothed to Bluto, but begins to have affection for Popeye- especially when the two team up to raise an orphan baby by the name of Swee'Pea. The story culminates with a squinty eyed reunion and the final showdown between Bluto and Popeye on deadly Scab Island.

Popeye is by no means a perfect film, but it is fun and funny, with many great nods to the cartoons. Wimpy, Olive's brother Castor (get it?), Rough House and many other supporting characters from the cartoons make this a true Altman ensemble cast, rife with overlapping dialogue. The songs by Harry Nilsson are also a high point, and give yet another quirky layer to the silliness of the story. I Yam What I Yam, Everything is Food and He Needs Me are among the best tunes. See this movie if you ever watched the cartoons or if you want to see a young Robin Williams channel a corn cob pipe smoking, large armed sailor. Either way, you'll be hungry for spinach by the time the it's over.

Things to Watch For-

Dennis Franz as one of the toughs

Me Son

Oxblood Oxheart

The Tax Collector

"I ain't no doctors, but I knows when I'm losing me patience."

Movie of the Week

This week,

APOLLO 13 (1995)

Starring- Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Bill Paxton

While this film has been lampooned and referenced for its now famous quote, "Houston, we have a problem," it is so much more than that one moment. Ron Howard's space drama is a riveting trip back in time that keeps you on the edge of your seat- even when you know the outcome. Despite being a bit technical, Apollo 13 gives you a great inside look at one of the pivotal moments in NASA history. Bored with moon missions, the American public only turns on their TVs when an accident puts the mission and the lives of the three main characters in danger.

Hanks is his usual steady self as mission commander, Jim Lovell. Hanks was actually so taken with his role that he went on to co-produce the series From the Earth to the Moon, an HBO series that picks up where Apollo 13 leaves off. Alongside Lovell are pilot and ladies' man Jack Swigert (Bacon) and family man Fred Haise (Paxton). The chemistry between these veteran actors is what drives the film as they try to avert disaster in their space capsule. Howard does a masterful job in giving his film pageantry, importance and tension in all the right spots. Going to the moon is a big deal, and we know it after watching this film.

What many praise the film for is its technical accuracy. Howard and the actors spent a great deal of time making sure that this film was as close to real as possible. It would have been easy to Hollywoodize this film and ratchet up the drama even more, and while there are a few liberties taken, they aren't enough to derail the real story. I can always watch this film when it comes on because it is part riveting human drama and part history lesson. It also gives anyone who has ever been interested in space a reason to hope that we will continue to explore and discover new frontiers.

Things to watch for-

Ron's brother, Clint Howard
Neil and Buzz
Ed Harris' awesome crew cut
The 'Spirit in the Sky'
Mount Marilyn

"We've never lost an American in space, we're sure as hell not gonna lose one on my watch."

Movie of the Week

This Week,

X-MEN FIRST CLASS (2011)

Starring- James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, January Jones

Thank the mutant gods for this solid reboot of the X-Men franchise. After the grave disappointments of X-Men 3 and Wolverine, the series gets back to its roots with an origin story that focuses on the early careers of Professor Xavier and Erik Lensherr (aka Magneto). The reason why this film is so much better than the last two installments, and much more like the first two, is because of the involvement of the great Bryan Singer, who supplied the story for First Class.

It is 1962, and amid the rising tension of the Cold War, the stories of many a young mutant are unfolding. A young telepathic professor named Charles Xavier (McAvoy) is being charged with helping the U.S. government hunt down a group of mutants led by the sinister Sebastian Shaw (Bacon). At the same time, a Holocaust survivor named Erik (Fassbender), who can manipulate metal, is hunting Shaw to avenge his mother. The two young men meet and join forces to form a mutant team that will help avert World War III. On this team are Xavier's "sister" Mystique, played by Jennifer Lawrence, a kid with a killer scream named Banshee, Cyclops' brother, Havoc, and the scientist turned Beast- Hank McCoy. Shaw is not without support, and boasts a team of dark mutants led by his own telepath, Emma Frost (Jones).

I don't wish to spoil this film, so I won't get too far into the plot, but let's just say that a lot of stuff that is alluded to in the earlier films gets explained and fleshed out here. The film is stylishly retro with a nice Mad Men/James Bondish feel to it. It also boasts strong acting with the Charles/Erik relationship, portrayed by McAvoy and Fassbender, as the centerpiece. It isn't hard to believe that those two turn into Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Also, Kevin Bacon is a first class villain- no pun intended.

If you enjoy the X-Men, this film will shed new light on what is a very compelling comic book saga. It also draws on parallels from the Cold War and Civil Rights movement that enrich the plot. Mutants are the future, and it looks like a bright one for the franchise.

Things to watch for-

An old friend at the bar
The coin
The X plane
Xavier's "groovy" pick up lines

"A new species is being born. Help me guide it, shape it... lead it."

Movie of the Week

This week,

KINGPIN (1996)

Starring- Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, Bill Murray, Vanessa Angel

Other than the classic, Dumb and Dumber, this is the best movie that the Farrelly brothers have ever done. It follows the rise and fall of bowler, Roy Munson (Harrelson) who after winning the state bowling title loses his hand and becomes a degenerate drunk with a hook. He is at rock bottom when he discovers an Amish kid named Ishmael (Quaid) with the bowling talent to put Roy back on top.

After having to convince Ishmael to leave his Amish community to go to the National Bowling Tournament in Reno, Roy must teach him how to be great in order to win. Roy just has to remember how to do that. Along the way to Reno they try to earn some money by hustling, but run afoul of some dubious ruffians and pick up the girlfriend of their leader, Claudia. She proves to be a sexy, but unpredictable wild card for the two men. When they finally get to Reno Roy and Co. meet up with his former rival, Ernie "Big Ern" McCracken, the one responsible for the loss of Roy's hand. Ernie is now the Michael Jordan of bowling, and takes every opportunity to slight Munson and Ishmael.

The finale of the movie is up there with Caddyshack and Major League in terms of drama and hilarity. Big Ern's duel with Roy is a combover mussing, thrill ride that is howlingly funny. The cast of Kingpin is sterling, but the real kudos must go to Bill Murray as Big Ern. He is the comedy villain that you love to hate, and quote his lines. For those who enjoy gross out humor and sports, Kingpin is going to be on your top five list.

Things to Watch for-

Roger Clemens in a rare cameo
Mentadent
Sugar
The landlady

"It's a small world when you have unbelievable tits, Roy."

Movie of the Week

This week,

ROCKY III (1982)

Starring- Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Mr. T

Other than the original Oscar winning film, this is the best film in the Rocky film series. Before Sly jumped the shark by battling Russians and his own craggy catcher's mitt of a face, he gave us this fun, emotional and star studded battle royale. After beating his rival Apollo Creed (Weathers) in the thrilling climax of Rocky II, Rocky Balboa is now a rich, well groomed and popular champion, having won ten more title defenses. He lives with his wife Adrian (Shire) and son, as well as his trainer Mickey (Burgess Meredith) and brother-in-law Paulie (Burt Young). Everything is going well for Rocky, until a new challenger rears his mohawked head.

That challenger is Clubber Lang (Mr. T) a brutal bruiser who has one goal, to take Rocky down. Rocky is more than willing to accept the challenge, but finds out that his last few fights had been against lesser opponents that Mickey had handpicked. Mickey cautions Rocky about taking on Lang because of his ability and hunger, but they agree to the fight anyway. Things go awry and Rocky loses on multiple fronts. Deep in despair, he turns to Apollo to help him get back his 'eye of the tiger' in order to defeat Lang in a rematch.

In a way, this film should have been the last in the series because it brings the story full circle. The two former rivals teaming up and working together to defeat a bigger, badder opponent would have made a great ending. The cast all bring their A-games, and Mr. T proves to be a powerful villain and has some of the greatest lines in sports movie history. Try to forget the silly, and sometimes awful chapters in the Rocky saga that follow, and pretend, just for a moment that it all ended with Rocky and Apollo, as friends, in the ring for one last bout.

Things to watch for-

Hulk Hogan as Thunderlips
Sly's brother Frank as the groovy training singer
The great song 'Eye of the Tiger' by Survivor
Many a training montage
Rocky's many endorsements

" I'm gonna torture him. I'm gonna crucify him. Real bad."

Movie of the Week

This week,

STAR WARS (1977)

Starring- Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness

In honor of Star Wars day (May the 4th be with you) I am going to complete my reviews of the saga with the first film in the original trilogy. If you've been following my work on this blog, I have made a list of the top ten things I like best for Empire and Jedi. In case you've been in a coma since 1977, I'll quickly nutshell this movie. This kid learns that he has special powers from an old man and they go on a trip with the guy from Witness and a hairy thing to take out this floating sphere and rescue the gal who wrote Postcards From the Edge. Here now are the Top Ten things I like best about the film that changed sci-fi forever. The tradition continues...

10. Blue milk.

9. Tashi Station. That place has the best power converters on Tatooine.

8. The new scene that George Lucas added with Jabba the Hutt because the dialogue is no way the same as the scene that Greedo and Han have just minutes before.

7. Vader's force choke skills. Don't diss him at the conference table or you'll be sorry.

6. Grand Moff Tarkin. He's a skeletal and menacing partner for Darth Vader. What is a Moff, anyway?

5. The ability for Leia to keep that outfit white with all the crawling through garbage and gunfights and whatnot. I guess Mama Organa has the magic of Clorox 2.

4. The droid that has a bad motivator. Think about how different things would have been if his motivator hadn't been bad. I just blew your mind didn't I?

3. Porkins. I'm sad he dies, but I bet the rest of the rebels are kinda happy because there's more food left for them at the buffet back on Yavin.

2. Han Solo. That is all. P.S. He shot first.

1. The Millennium Falcon- she made the Kessell Run in less than 12 parsecs. I don't know what that means, but it sounds impressive.

Stay tuned for the special editions of my reviews of the Star Wars trilogy. They'll have new material and sweet special effects that I couldn't do because of limited technology.

Things to watch for-

Aunt Beru
Jawas- "Oooo-ti-di!"
Han has a boring conversation

"The force will be with you...always."

Movie of the Week

This week,

HISTORY OF THE WORLD- PART I (1981)

Starring- Mel Brooks, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Dom DeLuise

While this film isn't the height of Mel Brooks' cinematic work, it has some of the most memorable moments and lines of all his movies. Told in several vignettes, History of the World takes on Ancient Rome, the French Revolution and some Bible stories in hilarious fashion. Using many of his regular actors, Brooks switches from satire to goofball to slapstick and spares nobody in his quest to make his mark as he skewers humanities achievements.

Narrated by the booming voice of Orson Welles, the film begins with a look at ancient man, using the comedic talents of the great Sid Caesar, who had employed Brooks as a writer on Your Show of Shows. While the jokes in this section are a bit on the cheesy side, there are a few real belly laughs that make you grateful for Caesar's participation in the film. Following that segment Brooks does a short Biblical bit where he plays a clumsy Moses. Then the film goes into a lengthy vignette about the Roman Empire that is probably the film's strongest and funniest bit. Brooks is Comicus, a stand-up philosopher, who finds himself playing the main room at Caesar's Palace. Caesar (DeLuise) is a farting, burping treasure bathing pig and his wife, Empress Nympho (Kahn) is a nympho- go figure.

The Roman scenes are full of memorable Brooksian moments, and finish up with a great parody of the Last Supper. A big song and dance number follows, as Mel and friends make light of the Spanish Inquisition. Only Mel Brooks would dare to turn a dark chapter in human history into a hilarious, bubbly musical parody. The film ends with another long story that is set during the French Revolution. Comedy greats Cloris Leachman, Harvey Korman and Spike Milligan guest star in this segment that sees a Piss Boy (Garcon de Piss) step in to double for King Louis as the peasants attack the palace. All you need to know about this part is that it's good to be the king.

Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein are better films in almost every way, but there is enough good stuff in History of the World- Part I that it makes you wish that Mel had gone on to make Part II. Oh well, we can only sit around and think about what might have been.

Things to watch for-

A young Gregory Hines as Josephus
My favorite Golden Girl- Bea Arthur
Jesus! What?
Quicktime Harch
Hitler on Ice

"Don't get saucy with me, Bearnaise."

Movie of the Week

This week,

MINORITY REPORT (2002)

Starring- Tom Cruise, Max Von Sydow, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton

This neo-noir, sci-fi thriller is one of the more overlooked and under appreciated films in the Steven Spielberg canon. Not only are the action and special effects first rate, the story is a compelling one that twists and turns and makes you think. There is almost so much to think about it is good to see it a few times so that you can drink it all in. Spielberg does a great job in borrowing from multiple genres for this film, as well as using innovative techniques like desaturating the color of the film to give it a very unique, modern look.

The story is set in the not too distant future, where Washington, D.C. is the hub of PreCrime, a police force that uses the talents of three 'pre-cogs' to see murders before they happen and prevent them. John Anderton (Cruise) is the tortured head of the team who, while good at his job, struggles with an addiction to narcotics after the loss of his son. While Anderton and his team are being audited by the Department of Justice the pre-cogs predict a murder that shows Anderton as the killer. What follows is a furious chase as Anderton tries to prove his innocence while being hunted by his own men and the ambitious Department of Justice representative Danny Witwer (Farrell).

Throughout the frenetic and tense manhunt there are intimate, expository moments that get into the deeper layers of the story. The film's main theme is the question of free will vs. determinism, and whether or not the future can be determined or not. Spielberg wisely avoids directing the viewer toward one point of view or another, and allows the film to play out to its conclusion. Also up for debate is the issue of what role government should play in the protection of its people, as well as the ethics of holding innocents hostage and using their skills for the greater good.

I am reluctant to say much more about Minority Report because the layers are so many that this review could easily get too long, as well as the fact that I don't want to spoil what is a very engaging who done it. Cruise does a nice job as the conflicted hero, as does the always watchable Max Von Sydow as PreCrime's creator. If you plan to watch this film be prepared for a thrill ride, but also be prepared to do some in depth analysis. This is and isn't just an action movie.

Things to watch for-

Peter Stormare's snot rocket
Personalized advertising
Anne Lively
The 'hot' nurse
The Cyber Parlor

"There hasn't been a murder in six years. The system, it is perfect."

Movie of the Week

This week,

UNFORGIVEN (1992)

Starring- Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris

The last great western film I've seen was this Oscar winner from one of my all time favorite badasses, Clint Eastwood. Unforgiven is the story of aging bandit and killer, Will Munny who is asked to come out of retirement to hunt some unsavory characters who cut up a prostitute in the town of Big Whiskey. Joining Munny are his old partner, Ned (Freeman) and the Scofield Kid, a young would-be killer who needs the veteran Munny's killing instincts.

The sheriff of Big Whiskey, Little Bill (Hackman), is unhappy about the fact that the ladies of the brothel have offered a reward for the deaths of the men who hurt their friend because he will not allow firearms in his town. Another more famous killer, English Bob (Harris) and his biographer arrive in Big Whiskey, hoping to secure the reward, but Bill savagely beats Bob and arrests him, showing what will happen to men who bring guns and violence to his town. The story then follows Munny, Ned and the Kid as they track the bandits, but eventually they run afoul of Little Bill and his men. The film ends exactly how you would want it to, with a classic showdown between Eastwood and Hackman.

Unforgiven is a tribute to a dying genre, and it captures the raw and visceral world of the western in a way that the films of Don Siegel and Sergio Leone did. Eastwood dedicated the film to those two men, and it is clear that this film was a dark and violent love letter to western films. The story is not particularly new or innovative, but where this film goes to the next level is the acting. Few westerns boast such a strong, veteran cast, and even the supporting roles are filled by solid performers. Saul Rubinek as the weasely writer, W.W. Beauchamp is of particular note. If you enjoy westerns, Unforgiven is a frank and ugly depiction of a world that has not been delved into this well since 1992.

Things to watch for-

Going to the bathroom can be deadly
When Will starts drinking
Little Bill recounts the gunfight at the Blue Bottle
The Duck of Death

"It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man. You take away all he's got, and all he's ever gonna have."

Movie of the Week

This week,

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)

Starring- Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Martin Landau

There are five or six Alfred Hitchcock films that are better than the rest, and I can safely say that this one is in that distinct group. North by Northwest is more light hearted and fun than some of Hitchcock's other works and was an intentional departure from the dark, moody story that marked his previous film, Vertigo. While this movie is has less symbolism and overt psychological mind games, it is still a suspenseful thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of its seat until the very end.

Madison Avenue advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Grant) is just going about his day when he is mistaken for the unknown George Kaplan and taken by force to the home of diplomat Lester Townshend. There he is interrogated by a mysterious man who turns out to be Philip Vandamm (Mason). When they don't get the information they need from Thornhill they attempt to kill him, but he escapes. The trail then leads Thornhill to the United Nations building and then on the run from the law after he is suspected of murder. While on the run he meets cool blonde Eve Kendall (Marie Saint) on a train, and she helps him piece together the mystery of his mistaken identity.

The plot twists and turns until the audience isn't sure who to trust and Thornhill is asked to play the part of the man he was mistaken for in the beginning in order to help capture the sinister Vandamm. It all ends in a brilliantly shot and choreographed chase/fight atop Mount Rushmore that is one of Hitchcock's most enduring scenes.  Grant is charming as always, and gets off some great lines that keep the mood of the film witty amidst the ever present Cold War suspense and the race for one of his most prevalent MacGuffins. James Mason is a good foil for Grant and exudes charm while maintaining an air of menace, and Eva Marie Saint is the classic Hitchcockian 'cool blonde.'

Film students are asked to study this film because of its iconic scenes, and the use of techniques that Hitchcock honed and made his own. One of the best and most overlooked moments is when the thing that the villains are after is explained in detail, but it cannot be heard by the audience because of the sound of an airplane motor. It is classic Hitchcock all the way. Movies don't get much more fun, thrilling and scenic than this.

Things to watch for-

The Professor
The cool Frank Lloyd Wright-esque house
Watch out for crop dusting planes
The phallic final shot
Hitchcock misses the bus

"Now you listen to me, I'm an advertising man, not a red herring. I've got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don't intend to disappoint them all by getting myself "slightly" killed."

Movie of the Week

This week,

THUNDERBALL (1965)

Starring- Sean Connery, Claudine Auger, Adolpho Celi, Bernard Lee

The fourth installment in the James Bond film series was the most lavish and complicated one up to that point. Following on the heels of the smash hit, Goldfinger, producers Broccoli and Saltzman picked Thunderball because of its spectacle, and success as a novel. A legal battle over the rights to the story meant that Ian Fleming's former collaborator, Kevin McClory was made a producer of the film and reserved the right to make a future Bond film of his own, based on Thunderball. (He did in 1983 with Never Say Never Again.)  However, legal issues weren't the only hurdle in the making of Thunderball, as the producers and veteran director, Terence Young struggled with how to film the plethora of underwater sequences in the script. By bringing in skilled divers and stunt performers, they were able to do for scuba action what On Her Majesty's Secret Service did for skiing.

Differing only slightly from the source material, the film follows 007 as he tracks SPECTRE to Nassau in the Bahamas in order to thwart their plot to hold NATO ransom after hijacking two atomic bombs. The villain this time around is suave, cruel and cycloptic Emilio Largo whose plan involves keeping 007 and his allies unaware while he hides the nuclear weapons aboard his yacht- the Disco Volante. The plot is almost too straightforward, but the overwhelming sense of urgency keeps you in suspense as Bond races against the clock to stop Largo's nefarious plans. Complicating matters are two women, Largo's innocent kept woman, Domino and the sultry killer, Fiona Volpe. With all due respect to Claudine Auger's Domino, it is busty redhead Lucianna Paluzzi who steals the show as Fiona. Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewellyn and Lois Maxwell are great in their usual roles, and add some nice humor to the goings on.

While some of the underwater action gets a bit convoluted and tiresome, Thunderball is a very exciting and fun Bond film. Sean Connery was at the hight of his powers as 007, and this would mark the last time that he really looks as if he cares in the series. Much of what was done in this film was far ahead of its time, and there is little debate among Bond scholars that Thunderball ranks as one of the more complete outings. The villain, women, locales and action are all top notch- and even if there are a few more cartoonish elements here than in say, From Russia With Love, the series had not yet jumped the shark. That would unhappily occur in the next film, You Only Live Twice.

Things to watch for-

Feisty widows
Jet pack
Octopus rings
The Mink glove
A suped up scuba tank, courtesy of Q
Tom Jones' killer title song

"I thought I saw a Spectre at your shoulder."

Movie of the Week

This week,

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (1997)

Starring- Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger

In the mold of classic film noir, L.A. Confidential is a dark, sticky, aggressive look at the underbelly of 1950's Los Angeles. Penned originally as a book by noir master James Ellroy, the film takes strong characters and puts them in a world of violence, sex and cops. It's your typical Hollywood story. The characters in question are three LAPD officers, who have little in common and must join forces to smoke out a deadly adversary that is trying to monopolize organized crime in L.A. Edmund Exley (Pearce) is an uptight, by-the-book, wannabe hero who scoffs at unorthodox methods. His polar opposite is Bud White (Crowe) who excels as a brutal enforcer with his own code of ethics, and serving as the middle man is the suave celebrity cop, Jack Vincennes (Spacey) who is more concerned with publicity than police work.

Complicating this cop triangle is a beautiful Veronica Lake lookalike played by Kim Basinger who has her own agenda, and the slimy Sid Hudgens (Danny DeVito) who tries to use the goings on as fodder for his gossip magazine, Hush-Hush. The filmmakers expertly use classic noir techniques found in films made in the era depicted in L.A. Confidential. Tension and humor trade off as the mystery slowly unfolds amid steamy subplots and violent confrontations. The best of which comes when Exley and White finally have it out in a window and knuckle breaking brawl.

DeVito and Basinger (who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar) are great in their supporting roles, but the real kudos must go to James Cromwell as the avuncular Capt. Dudley Smith, who manages to be the one touchstone for all of the three protagonists. Each cop, including Capt. Smith, is likable and yet unlikable at the same time. Each is deeply flawed- Exley in his smug ambition, White in his thuggish brutality, and Vincennes in his vanity, but they all find ways to overcome these issues to be the cops they are capable of being.

Even though I have seen the film many times, I still can watch it because of the way in which the plot meanders and keeps you guessing up until the very end. While it may just be a modern day knockoff of the old noir thrillers, it is a smart and sexy update of a great genre. I've been waiting to see if another film can revive a forgotten genre like this film did, but I've been disappointed every year since 1997.

Things to watch for-

Johnny Stampanato
Fleur De Lis- Whatever you desire
Dragnet knockoff- Badge of Honor
Rollo Tamasi
The Nite Owl

"Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush."

Movie of the Week

This week,

HIGH FIDELITY (2000)

Starring- John Cusack, Jack Black, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tim Robbins

The first time I saw this movie, I hated it. However, I watched it again, and again and found that it was actually a very funny and charming film. Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, the story follows record store owner, Rob Gordon (Cusack) as he tries to come to terms with the breakup of his most recent relationship. He spends his days in the record store with his two music geek friends/employees, Dick and Barry, discussing films, music and making Top Five lists. Rob is also caught up trying to figure out why he is doomed to be a failure in love- recounting his Top Five Breakups and reconnecting with his ex-girlfriends.

High Fidelity at its core is about the transition into real adulthood, and participating in life rather than just observing it from the sidelines. Rob is just an appreciator, who has never really produced anything of his own, and that is what he must deal with if he is to stop repeating the same mistakes over and over again. The supporting cast is what takes this film up a notch, with Jack Black as Barry and Tim Robbins as Ian, standing out among the rest. The showdown with Ian in the record shop is a slice of comedy gold, as Rob once again fails to fight for his love.

The film has many memorable moments that are laced with good tunes and music trivia. Sadly, some of the best songs featured did not make it to the soundtrack album. Cusack is always watchable as a rain-soaked, rumpled leading man, and as I said, the supporting cast is stacked with strong performances, but there is one weak spot in this movie- the leading lady. Iben Hjejle is very unimpressive as Laura. It's kind of difficult to believe that Rob would go to such lengths to get her back. Even though you're happy to see the main character change his ways and get the girl in the end, you wish that the girl was Catherine Zeta-Jones instead. It's far from a perfect film, but for audiophiles who like to laugh, High Fidelity will fit the bill. Once you're done with the movie, sit down and make yourself a kick ass mix tape- just make sure to follow Rob's rules.

Things to watch for-

Walking on Sunshine

Marco

Cosby Sweater

Sonic Death Monkey

I haven't seen Evil Dead II yet

"How does an average guy like me become the number one lover-man in his particular postal district? He's grumpy, he's broke, he hangs out with the musical moron twins..."

Movie of the Week

This week,

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)

Starring- Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns

This is the first film to win in all the 'Big Five' categories at the Oscars. It is ironic, however, because this film almost didn't get made. Director and Oscar winner, the great Frank Capra, wanted to make a travel film based on the short story, Night Bus. The studio balked at his idea, and none of the stars Capra wanted were willing or able to be in the film. Claudette Colbert was brought in only when the studio agreed to double her pay and Gable was loaned to Columbia by MGM for this film- he was being punished by Louis B. Mayer at the time. Even though production went smoothly, Colbert told people after the film wrapped that she had just finished the worst movie ever. How wrong she was.

It Happened One Night follows Colbert as spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews who has become engaged to a wealthy man against her father's wishes, and then flees when her father tries to put a stop to the marriage. While on the run, she encounters newspaper reporter Peter Warne (Gable) on a bus to New York and he agrees to help her reunite with her fiance in exchange for an exclusive on her story. If she refuses, he will take her back to her father and collect the sizable reward for her return. As they make their way to New York, they begin to fall in love. I won't ruin the ending, but there's a chance that these two lovebirds won't get together.

This film has some of the wittiest and most iconic scenes in film history. Frank Capra does a masterful job at keeping the interplay between his two stars lively and fun. Colbert was very unhappy working with Capra, but fortunately she had excellent chemistry with Gable, so much so that the two would work together again after this film. Like all Capra films, the supporting cast here is sterling, and adds a layer of realism and depth to the story that I think is one of his signatures. Particularly notable is Roscoe Karns as a bus passenger who tries to romance Ellie.

Only three films have won Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director and Screenplay- this was the first and arguably the best of the three. (The others were pretty good too- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Silence of the Lambs). On Oscar Sunday it is good to look back and see what great filmmaking is all about and It Happened One Night is a prime example.

Things to watch for-

Ellie hitches a ride
Clark Gable puts an end to the men's undershirt
Blankets make good walls of Jericho
Carrots
King Westley

"Now, don't tell me you've fallen in love with a bus driver."

Movie of the Week

This week,

WAYNE'S WORLD (1992)

Starring- Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere

This was the most important comedy of my youth in which Mike Myers and Dana Carvey teamed up to give audiences the best movie ever made out of a Saturday Night Live sketch. It is hard to quantify how much this movie and the characters of Wayne and Garth meant to me. I was Wayne for Halloween more than once, I wrote a Wayne's World inspired sketch and performed it in high school, and I could (and still probably can) recite the film's first 15 minutes verbatim. I will now write down the intro from the movie from memory without any Google, IMDB or Wikipedia help. Scouts honor. Send me a note if I get it wrong.

Let me bring you up to speed. My name is Wayne Campbell, I live in Aurora, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago- excellent. I've had plenty of Joe jobs, nothing I'd call a career. Let me put it this way, I have an extensive collection of name tags and hairnets. I still live with my parents, which I admit, is both bogus and sad. But I have an amazing cable access show, and I still know how to party. But what I'd really love is to do Wayne's World for a living. It might happen, sha, and monkeys might fly out of my butt! Ah, the mirth-mobile. This is my best friend, Gath Algar. (You're welcome)

Wayne's World is chock full of funny moments, homages and lines. Also, there are cameos by the likes of Brian Doyle-Murray, Chris Farley, Meat Loaf, Ed O'Neil and Alice Cooper. When I first saw the movie in 1992 at the age of 9, much of the more adult humor escaped me, but as I matured, new jokes and references within the film made it a richer comedic tapestry. Some may call Wayne's World infantile and stupid, but beneath that veneer of ridiculousness lies a witty, sometimes philosophical melodrama that really makes you think on multiple levels about issues as diverse as women's rights and the perils of fame. NOT! How gullible are you? I really fished you in there. Anyway, for a good laugh and very little else, see Wayne's World- it'll make you laugh, cry and hurl.

Things to watch for-

Bohemian Rhapsody
The Scooby Doo ending
A gun rack
The Suck Cut
Milwaukee- which is Algonquin for 'The Good Land'

"If he were an ice cream flavor, he'd be Pralines and Dick."

Movie of the Week

This week,

THE DARK KNIGHT (2009)

Starring- Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart

Batman was always my favorite comic book hero, and the Joker was the best villain in the Batman rogues gallery, so I was justifiably excited when I heard about the plans for The Dark Knight. My expectations were high and I could have been disappointed, but I walked out knowing that I had just seen the best comic book movie ever made. The caliber of the acting, the strength of the story and the realism in dealing with fantastical subject matter, all contributed to making this an Oscar nominated and Conor Award winning film.

Picking up where Batman Begins leaves off, The Dark Knight shows how Gotham City is still dominated by criminals, and is actually more corrupt and dangerous than before Batman began taking on the underworld. Leading the new breed of criminals is the mysterious Joker, a sadistic, crazed killer who delights in his deadly work a little too much. Hoping to make a difference in the war on crime is Gotham's new D.A. Harvey Dent (Eckhart) and police Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman), who reluctantly team up with Batman to smoke out the mob. While combating the more conventional criminals, the Joker pops up sporadically and throws monkey wrenches into the plans of Dent, Batman and Gordon. It all ends up costing the three men dearly to take the Joker down, but as Dent says "the night is always darkest before the dawn."

Director Christopher Nolan is masterful in his development of the story. The main thread is about Bruce Wayne and his struggle to be Batman while still hoping to win the love of Rachel (Maggie 'Sad Turtle' Gyllenhall) who is in love with Dent. The love triangle is only one piece of the complex story, but throughout the entire film there is the constant threat of the Joker looming over the heroes. Nolan wisely restricts the Joker's screen time and makes his appearances random, so that when the Joker does show up it is surprising, suspenseful and unnerving. It is regrettable that Heath Ledger died shortly after this movie wrapped because he gave us one of the greatest screen villains of all time, and it would have been incredible to see he and Christian Bale square off again. Oldman, Caine, Eckhart and Morgan Freeman make strong contributions in their roles and prove that even the smaller roles can have a large impact on the film. The scenes where Caine and Freeman counsel Bruce Wayne bristle with charm and needed exposition.

It is rare that a movie from this genre gets accolades like The Dark Knight did, but the way Nolan treats the subject matter with a deep respect makes the film go far beyond others of this type. It will be hard to top this effort, but with his eye for casting and ability to tell rich, moving stories, Nolan has the ability to win himself some more Conor Awards, and maybe some Oscars as well.

Things to watch for-

Anthony Michael Hall as the News guy
The Bat Pod
Scotch can be deadly
A Cameo by the Scarecrow
Good Cop/Bad Cop
The most unsettling nurse ever

"Wanna know how I got these scars?"

Movie of the Week

This week,

RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)

Starring- Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams

Alright, my little Ewoks, I am going Star Wars on you for this week's movie. Thankfully, George Lucas had not yet become the world's greatest ruiner when he penned the final chapter in the Star Wars saga. Picking up where The Empire Strikes Back leaves off, Jedi reunites us with Luke and Co. as they try to rescue Han Solo (still frozen) from Jabba The Hutt back on Tatooine. Once they get Han back, (sorry if that spoiled anything) the story then turns to Luke's struggle to defeat Darth "Papa" Vader and the Emperor, while the rebels make a last ditch attempt to take out the new Death Star.

 Rather than boring you with details from a movie that we all know so well, I will do what I did last time and give you my Top Ten favorite things about Episode VI.

10. Yoda's death. Sad and moving at the same time, but one wonders if he had been able to tell Luke more stuff before he died if he didn't say "Luke" at the start of every sentence. Think about it.

9. Nub Nub- the best Ewok song that is sadly cut out of the Special Edition. Thanks a lot, Lucas.

8. The Speeder Chase in the forest. Really ahead of its time and quite exciting.

7. The Max Rebo Band- outside of the Cantina Band they are Tatooine's most popular and highest rated music group. I smell a Grammy coming for Sy Snoodles.

6. Sarlak. If you had to live in a giant anus in the desert you'd be cranky too.

5. Force Lightning. It's so cool that you almost wish the Emperor got to finish frying Luke with it.

4. Admiral Ackbar's ability to sense a trap.

3. Just so you know I'm not going to put Ewoks on this list because they suck. I'm even going to waste this spot just to say how lame they are.

2. The fat, dirty guy with man boobs who lives down in the Rancor pit.

1. Slave Leia. Every nerd's greatest fantasy and the hottest space chick until that girl with three boobs from Total Recall came along.

That's the list. May the Force be with you.

Things to watch for-

Salacious Crumb
A young Warwick Davis (Willow) as Wicket the Ewok
Rebel Scum
Darth Vader is really an old white guy

"The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am."

Movie of the Week

This week,

MICHAEL CLAYTON (2007)

Starring- George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sidney Pollack

This film, not No Country for Old Men, was the Conor Award winning Best Picture of 2007. Michael Clayton is a richly engrossing melodrama that takes you on a journey of morality and conscience. It features sterling performances from Clooney, Wilkinson and Oscar winner Swinton as well as a fast paced and suspenseful story from writer/director Tony Gilroy. This film is a thinking man's Jason Bourne adventure, with all the same twists and turns, but with hard hitting dialogue in place of hard hitting action.

Michael Clayton (Clooney) is a 'fixer' for a large New York law firm who gets sent to sort out the aftermath of a psychotic breakdown by his colleague, Arthur Edens (Wilkinson) during a large class-action law suit. What follows is Michael's struggle to uncover the truth behind Arthur's claims that U North, a large agricultural conglomerate, has been hiding deadly secrets. Michael is skeptical because of Arthur's fragile mental state, but is forced to become involved by his firm. Standing in Michael's way is the uptight general counsel for U North, Karen Crowder (Swinton), who tries to keep the information from leaking out at any cost.

The way in which the story is told keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, as you try to figure out if Arthur is speaking the truth about U North, or perhaps just acting crazy. It is also compelling to watch and see what lengths each side will go to in order to achieve their objectives. There is also an engrossing sub-plot involving Michael and his family that adds another level to the complex nature of the film. In some films this type of story line feels tacked on, or unnecessary, but here it serves as a way to enrich the main character and make him more of a flawed hero, so that we aren't sure whether he will do the right thing when the time comes. Michael Clayton is first and foremost a melodrama, but it is also a commentary about big business, family and the ethics of both. More than that, it is just a good story that grabs you from the start and keeps your interest until the final credits roll.

Things to watch for-

Michael O'Keefe (Danny Noonan) as Barry
Horses save lives
Late night gambling
Realm and Conquest

"Do I look like I'm negotiating?"

Movie of the Week

This week,

DRAGNET (1987)

Starring- Dan Aykroyd, Tom Hanks, Christopher Plummer, Alexandra Paul

Before the annoying rash of old T.V. shows being made into movies made us all squirm, there was one film that did it first and did it best. Dragnet is that film. This movie is both an homage and a parody of the classic cop drama, with Dan Aykroyd channeling the late Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday. While the film does make fun of some of the police procedural elements that the original show relied on, great care is taken to preserve the legacy of a T.V. classic. Many of the original actors and signature lines are present in the film, most notably the in appearance of the great Harry Morgan as Capt. Gannon.

As the foil for Aykroyd's by-the-book, uptight Friday, we get Tom Hanks, in his best comedic role, as loose cannon Pep Streebeck. The film's biggest strength is the interplay between these two, and the dialogue is full of sharp, witty banter that keeps things lively. The plot follows Friday and Streebeck as they investigate a series of crimes that are perpetrated by the P.A.G.A.N.s (People Against Goodness and Normalcy). The trail leads them through a gauntlet of colorful characters, including the Hugh Hefner-esque porno lord Jerry Caesar, played by the hilarious Dabney Coleman, and the cheesy, moral activist Reverend Wherley, played by Christopher Plummer.

The whole movie feels like one long, funny episode, with great scenes along the way that build the relationship of our two polar opposite main characters. Streebeck buttons up a bit, while Friday loosens up and finds love in the form of the virgin, Connie Swail. No scene misses an opportunity for humor or a reference to the source material, as Friday gets off all the signature lines "Just the Facts," "This is the city..." and "Yassir, Captain." Forget Charlie's Angels or Get Smart or any of that other T.V. show into movie crap, and see the pinnacle of the genre again, or for the first time.

Things to watch for-

Sylvia Wiss
Fresh Wholesome Milk
Detective Star Trek
Goat Leggings
Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks rap

"Listen, hotshot. I'm gonna tell you something right now. I don't care for you or for the putrid sludge you're troweling out. But until they change the laws and put you sleaze kings out of business, my job is to help you get back your stench ridden boxes of smut. And since I'll be doing it holding my nose, I'll be doing it with one hand."

Movie of the Week

This week,

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY... (1989)

Starring- Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby

I would call this one of, if not the, definitive New Year's Eve movie. Most of the action takes place in other times of the year, but the critical part, the ending, takes place as the ball drops. Not only is this film a great vehicle for its two stars, it also made the romantic comedy a genre unto itself. Crystal and Ryan are a fabulous tandem that perfectly balance neurotic tendencies with funny quirks as they develop a friendship that ultimately turns into true love.

Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, this film has the perfect blend of behind the camera and onscreen talent. I can only see the lines being said by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan because it feels as if the roles were tailor-made for them by two people who actually lived lives that paralleled the characters. Beginning with Harry and Sally's meeting at the end of college, we are taken on an eleven year journey that sees their relationship evolve as they progress and mature. It is great to see how people can change over time and still maintain who they are at their core. Harry is forever the pessimist, seeing the dark side and never really giving himself over to love, while Sally is the upbeat optimist who works hard to see the bright side of things. I have always marveled at how these two characters slowly come together and meet in the middle by the end of the film, having been through so much together.

The heart of When Harry Met Sally is undeniable, but it is the persistent comedy that makes it a special movie. Never before, or since, for that matter, has a film so brilliantly captured the humor of dating, sex, men and women, and the differences between them. I have applied much of this film to my own marriage, which started as a friendship. So much so that I have used lines from it in my daily life. In fact, here are some of the maxims which I have learned from When Harry Met Sally.

-Men and Women can't be friends because men always want to have sex with their female friends
-Women fake orgasms
-Men can't tell when they fake them
-Sex complicates things
-The little things are what you come to love most about a person

There you have it. If you need more clarification, pop in this movie and see the many sides, moods and jokes of friendship and love.

Things to watch for-

Mr. Zero
Surrey with the Fringe on Top
The Wagon Wheel Coffee Table
Baby Fish Mouth
Days of the Week Underpants
Pecan Pie

"Someone is staring at you in 'personal growth.'"