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curt-simpkins
Reviews
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Awful
What a horrible movie. This is one of the worst movies I have ever had the misfortune of watching. Possibly the worst movie I have ever seen. If I could give it negative stars I would! Everything I have ever seen Will Farrell in he absolutely ruins. For example, he ruined "Bewitched" and he ruined "Drowning Mona." DM was not a very good movie anyway but Farrell's appearance in it made it even worse. The only reason I even bothered to watch Tallageda Nights is due to the fact that I generally enjoy racing movies. I will never watch Talladega Nights again. Will Farrell is quite possibly the worst actor I have ever seen. He is not the least bit funny, he's just a bonehead no talent doofus. I will never again watch anything that he is in.
Junior Bonner (1972)
Entertaining
I think Junior Bonner gets even better with repeated viewings. I've seen it 3 or 4 times over the years and each time I glean something new from it. The always good Steve McQueen is exceptional here as is the supporting cast of Robert Preston, Ida Lupino and Ben Johnson. The location shooting in Prescott Arizona adds authenticity to the story. At least once in the movie though the narrative indicates that Prescott is the home of the first rodeo. This is most likely not true. Santa Fe New Mexico lays claim to a rodeo performed there in 1847. Deer Trail Colorado dates a rodeo there in 1869. Pecos Texas lists a rodeo there in 1883. The first rodeo in Prescott Arizona wasn't until 1888. The public address announcer at the rodeos in the movie sounds like Ben Johnson, so far I have been unable to confirm this in looking at cast listings but I'm almost certain that it's his voice.
Avanti! (1972)
Great
Avanti! is a wonderful movie. By today's standards it might be considered to be "slow" for the first one third or so of the movie but the film takes the time to develop the characters to the point that the viewer truly cares about them. Jack Lemmon's character, Wendell Armbruster is, at least at first, an annoying, demanding, arrogant, condescending jerk expecting everyone around him to be his personal servant (I can't stand people like that and I have zero respect for them) but Lemmon was such a great actor that he slowly, almost unnoticeably turns Wendell into a much more likeable character. It takes most of the movie for this to happen but he does bring it about. His change of character is likely meant to be based on the influence on him by Juliet Mill's sweet character, Pamela. Pamela is portrayed as being overweight and fairly early in the movie she is even called a "fat ass" by the jerk Wendell! Nothing could be further from the truth. Juliet Mills is absolutely beautiful in this movie and her character Pamela is so sweet and adorable I fell in love with her very quickly! Very well acted by the entire cast. Not a laugh out loud comedy but certainly one that will bring some smiles and even at times possibly a few tears. Great direction by Billy Wilder. A very enjoyable, well made movie.
Twins (1988)
Fun, underrated movie.
Danny and "Ahnold" as Twins? Preposterous premise but in this movie they make it work! This is actually a well made, well acted flick. Is it great? Not quite but it is entertaining and even somewhat moving at times. The supporting cast is very good and also help to make the plot at least somewhat believable (hey, it's a comedy movie, engage your "suspension of disbelief)." Kelly Preston is absolutely gorgeous in this and plays her part very well. There is a post on the "goofs" listing that states: "The deal was for Beetroot to pay $5 million for the engine. At the end of the movie, the twins say the suitcase contained $4 million." This is actually not a goof. Arnold's character never knew the exact contents of the case and when they declare $4 million, Vincent has a sly look on his face and a gleam in his eye meaning that he kept $1 million and only reported $4 million. The audience is expected to pick up on this so therefore this is not a goof.
Home Alone (1990)
Buzz
This is a very enjoyable Christmas movie, suitable for the entire family. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are excellent as the bungling burglars. All of the actors in Kevin's "family" are very good. Uncle Frank is an annoying jerk (as he is supposed to be as his part is written) so the actor turns in a good performance causing the audience to truly dislike him, as intended. I do have some issues with the story line of this movie though. Kevin is portrayed as a troublemaker which he is most definitely NOT! BUZZ is the troublemaker! (Well played by Devin Ratray, the audience is EXPECTED to dislike Buzz). The way Buzz treats Kevin is deplorable. Buzz is the true BRAT! Buzz is the instigator of all of the "troubles" yet he gets away with it and the relatively innocent Kevin gets all the blame. Buzz is the one who should be punished, not Kevin! This shows bad parenting on the part of Kevin's parents, they punish the wrong son! A good parent would realize that Buzz is the instigator. This bad parenting sends a wrong message. I DESPISE Buzz! (Good acting Devin, you made me hate Buzz).
Paul (2011)
Christian bashing
I am a Christian and I am deeply offended by the Christian bashing in "Paul." So it is unacceptable and not "P.C." to bash other religions, beliefs and lifestyles but perfectly acceptable to bash Christianity? No, it is not acceptable, that is intolerance plain and simple! Having said that though, I otherwise like this movie. I am an open minded Christian. To think that we are alone in the universe is an arrogance and is God limiting. As mentioned in "Paul" there are billions of galaxies in the universe. I believe God created life here so why would he not create life elsewhere? I certainly believe that it is not only possible but likely that he created life elsewhere. I am a science fiction fan and I appreciate the references in "Paul" to "Star Trek", "Star Wars", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", etc., etc. My father was an aerospace engineer. He designed cryogenic equipment for the U.S. space program from its inception in the 1950's through the space shuttle. He had degrees in math, physics and engineering. He was also a dedicated Christian and he saw no disparity between science and Christianity. In fact he believed that science proves Christianity as do I. I am not even offended by the foul language in "Paul" or by Paul's behavior both of which I actually find to be quite funny, however, the Christian bashing in "Paul" is unnecessary and is offensive. "Tolerance" is a two way street!
The Hunters (1958)
"Top Gun" inspiration?
"The Hunters" is quite good, with an IMDB rating nearly as high as "Top Gun." Personally, I rate it equal to "Top Gun." The acting is very good and the aerial photography and special effects are quite good, especially considering that this was filmed in 1958! Some of the "romantic" scenes and sound track music are a bit melodramatic but that is typical for 1950's movies and is therefore acceptable. There are quite a few similarities between "The Hunters" and "Top Gun," not the least of which includes the "call sign" "Ice Man" for Robert Mitchum's character and another pilot has the call sign "Viper," both of which were also used as call signs in "Top Gun." I have the anamorphic DVD which is presented in the original "Cinema Scope" 2.35:1 widescreen and re-mastered audio in 4.0 surround stereo. When played on my Blu-ray player the video and sound quality is very nearly as good as a modern Blu-ray movie. The images are just slightly grainy but by reducing the sharpness control on my HDTV by just a few points it looks great.
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962)
female figurine or "bust"
This is a great movie. I could do without Fabian, he can't sing worth a darn but I guess he provides some eye candy for the female audience. The duet he does with Laurie Peters proves that she is a much better singer than he could ever be. I do appreciate the scene in which Fabian's character "Joe" returns the $5.00 to Stewart's character. That indicates that "Joe" has honor and integrity. I do have a trivia question though: Fairly early in the film there is a scene in the Hobbs' bedroom with Stewart and O'Hara. Behind them there is a figurine, a sculpture of a female head that also appears in other films, to name a couple of them "Harvey" (also with James Stewart) and "D Day the sixth of June". I am certain that I am forgetting other films in which this sculpture appears. Does anyone know why this art piece appears in several different films? There must be a reason for it.
Be Cool (2005)
Slightly underrated at 5.7
I feel this flick is slightly underrated at 5.7, I give it a 6. There are some good moments here. For example when Travolta tells James Woods early in the movie that one can only use the "f" word once in a PG rated movie and then he, almost immediately proceeds to SAY the "f" word! ("Be Cool" is, in fact rated PG so that is the only time in the movie that the "f" word is used)! So that is a good "inside" joke. Another good inside joke is when Steven Tyler states, quite emphatically that he does NOT appear in movies and yet that is exactly what he is doing, appearing in a movie! Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) is hilarious in this! Especially the scene in the "Boot Barn!" Harvey Keitel's car is a Porsche 911 and it is INCORRECTLY pronounced as "Porsh." The name is properly pronounced as "Por' Shuh." It is a two syllable word with the accent being on "Por.". The letter "e" at the end is pronounced exactly the same as the "a" at the end of Toyota. Anyone who says "Porsh" evidently drives a "Toyot" or a "Ferrar" or a "Chevrol." Porsche does not advertise very often (mostly during auto races) but when they do, it is ALWAYS pronounced "Por' Shuh." If you don't believe me, look it up on the internet, it's right there for proper pronunciation.
Redline (2007)
Awful
What a terrible movie! The only things worth seeing in this flick are the cars and Nadia Bjorlin. Otherwise don't waste your time watching this drivel! Also the name of the German car, Porsche is NOT pronounced "Porsh" as it is in the movie. It is PROPERLY pronounced as "Por' Shuh." Two syllables with the accent on "Por." The letter "e" at the end of Porsche is pronounced as a short "a" exactly the same as the "a" at the end of Toyota. Anyone who knows anything at all about cars knows this! Anyone who does NOT know this evidently drives a "Toyot" or a "Ferrar" or a "Chevrol." Porsche does not advertise very often, mostly during auto races, but when they do it is ALWAYS pronounced as "Por'Shuh." MY GOD, get it RIGHT! If you don't believe me, look it up for yourself, it's right here on the internet!
Crazy Heart (2009)
Irish actor?
Overall, I like this movie. Jeff Bridges paints a believable portrait of a has been, drunken singer. He drives from place to place in a 30 plus year old Chevy Suburban singing in one dive after another while his protégé has become famous and travels with an entire caravan of top-of-the line motor coaches. What has me scratching my head though is why is an Irish actor (Colin Farrell playing the aforementioned protégé), cast as an American country singer? This is a case of severe miscasting. Why didn't the filmmakers have a real, American country singer play that part?
I Love Lucy: Lucy's Show-Biz Swan Song (1952)
Good, but a bit too much re-hash
I would like to give this episode a higher rating but it includes re-runs of scenes from previous episodes such as the clown, the barbershop quartet and the mystery Santa. A bit too much re-play, still, it is an entertaining episode. A post by thejcowboy22 says that he (or she) never saw Lucy as attractive prior to this episode. Wow, I always saw Lucy as very attractive! By the way, Lucy's "inability" to sing was just an act. In reality Lucille Ball was a very talented singer! I never cared for Desi's "singing" his so called singing was simply awful. Lucy, Vivian Vance and William Frawley were, in reality, all much better singers than Desi! Don't get me wrong, I liked Desi's acting as "Ricky" he played his part well and he had excellent comedic timing but I always mute his "singing." I was a vocal music student throughout public school and university so I know good and bad singing when I hear it.