Mixed Nuts (1994)

By Greg
Score: 4/10

This is a film that should have been great, a satire with a dynamic cast and a director(Nora Ephron) just coming off a huge hit. (Sleepless in Seattle) The film should have been a household name and viewed traditionally every Christmas. But the film is weak and sadly I am going to blame the cast, crew and director. On the plus side, the film does have moments that aren't altogether bad.

Like myself, for those who are un-familiar with the film, it takes place on Christmas Eve in Venice Beach. A crisis helpline, Lifesavers, is in need itself, it is facing eviction. Plus socially inept Phillip (Steve Martin) runs the hotline, he has two assistants Mrs. Munchnik (Madeline Kahn) and Catherine (Rita Wilson) who have no clue to the eviction and too have social issues. Catherine is single and lives with her mother and secretly desires Phillip. Mrs. Munchnik is trying to visit with her deceased husbands family. Problems ensue for her and her attempt to make it, in the elevator or a fruit cake smashing her windshield. Then we meet Gracie (Juliette Lewis) and Felix (Anthony LaPagalia) a dysfunctional couple trying to work things out, plus Gracie is pregnant. She is trying to get away from Felix so she heads to the hotline's location to be with her friend Catherine, whom she met at an AA meeting. Catherine was trying to meet a man, not because she had a drinking problem. Plus landlord Stanley (Garry Shandling) evicting the entire building, Louie (Adam Sandler) a lousy singer/songwriter with a ukulele and Mr. Lobel (Robert Klein) a dog walker with hatred towards Lifesavers. There are the rollerblading materialistic couple (Parker Posey and Jon Stewart) trying to get the perfect Christmas Tree to their house only to be foiled by Felix three times. Finally we meet a caller, Chris (Liev Schreiber), with an identity crisis, who adds an extra stir to this wondrous bowl of "mixed nuts."

I'd say the Chris character steals the movie, Liev Schreiber plays the character perfectly, a man who plays a woman, struggling with this life choice, its comedic perfection. He is worth a viewing all on its own. Mrs. Munchnik is a treat, just because it Madeline Kahn. She has this ability and a voice that pierces deep within. Even a one line cameo by Haley Joel Osmont in his second film, is better than other supporting actors. The rest of the cast, just seem to fawlter. With weak performances and a sloopy editing, this I felt fell upon the director. It may have been the overwhelming cast or poor comedic timing, it was just enough for the film to be forgettable, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.


Starring: Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Rita Wilson, Juliette Lewis, Anthony LaPagalia, Liev Schreiber, Adam Sandler, Garry Shandling, Rob Reiner, Parker Posey, Jon Stewart and Robert Klein
Directed by: Nora Ephron, also wrote it with sister Delia Ephron
Budget/Gross: $15,000,000 (estimated)/ $6,798,240 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 5/10
Tomatometer: 7% critics / 46% audiences liked it

Cop and a ½ (1993)

By Greg
Score: 2/10
Basically, a young boy dreams of one day being a cop. Most little boys have this dream. Little Devon an eight year old who lives with his grandmother(Ruby Dee) is an exception, he actually becomes a cop. He plays police at school with friends, watches all the shows on television, listens for the sirens to catch the action, dreaming to one day be that super cop. One day he ventures off to a warehouse. Where he witnesses, wanna-be mobsters murder one of their own, with a chicken leg taped to his mouth so he can swim with the fishes. No... I'm not kidding here.

So reporting it to the police when they arrive on scene, veteran cop/detective Nick McKenna (legendary Burt Reynolds) is teamed up with the boy when ordered by Captain Rubio(Holland Taylor). Devon has a license plate number and key information about these mobsters. Hijinks and hilarity ensue, even at one point Devon has his principal pulled over and Devon gives him a ticket. Again... I'm not kidding.

Inevitably hard core McKenna softens up to Devon. During the final confrontation, McKenna is shot in the arm and has to have young Devon drive a speed boat to safety. Once trapped they have to jump the boat onto the dock, they succeed while mobsters fail, only to have chum dropped upon them by Devon.

It's bad, sure it's a family film aimed towards the younger audience, but newcomer Norman has difficulty delivering his lines almost seems forced and over the top Reynolds clearly had say what he could wear and drive in the movie, a 1968 Camaro with five point harness to boot. Plus the film was directed by the Fonz... Henry Winkler. Nope... still not kidding

Starring: Norman D. Golden II, Burt Reynolds, Ruby Dee and Holland Taylor
Directed by: Henry Winkler
Budget/Gross: N/A / $31,888,805 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 3.3/10
Tomatometer: 17% critics / 33% audience liked it

Lost & Found (1999)

By Greg
Score: 3/10
Let's meet Dylan Ramsey (David Spade), no relation to Gordon Ramsey (famed chef from Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares), a failing restaurateur in need of another bank loan to expand his business. His social life is dim because he isn't the ladies man, although I feel the viewer is led to believe he is. This leads the story to new neighbor and cellist, Lila Dubois (Sophie Marceau) and Dylan feel compelled to meet her. Noticing her deep attachment to her dog, Jack, he decides to kidnap it in order to reap the rewards. Its only for a few days. No harm, no foul. I will return the dog unharmed, heck I will even pretend to search for the dog. Yup, only David Spade.

Problems arise: first, the dog consumes his friend's engagement ring and second, Lila's ex-boyfriend Rene (Patrick Bruel) shows up to help and get Lila back. The Rene character is more likable than the Dylan character, in the Rene scenes its hard to not root for Rene.
 So now Dylan must keep the dog hidden, try to retrieve the ring from its feces, old joke and poorly executed in this film. Dylan enlists his dim witted, hefty employee Wally (Artie Lange) to aid in getting the ring back and keeping the dog away from Lila and Rene.

All the while, Dylan forms a romance with Lila as Rene starts to sniff things out. It all climaxes to a huge dinner where Dylan needs to impress the bank's head lending officer (Martin Sheen), get the ring to his friend so he can propose to girlfriend and obtain an interview with the L.A. Philharmonic for Lila. It does all come together, only in a moment a sheer admittance to all his evil doings does Lila finds out that he kidnapped Jack. Ahhh... poor Dylan. But, it is a romance-comedy all is forgiven and Spade get Marceau, he did co-write the film, of course he'll get the tall French attractive woman.

The film loses all appeal with David Spade; good old sneaky, sleazy, slimy Spade character he made famous from his SNL days. This film came a few years after the loss of Chris Farley and seeing Spade on the big screen only brings back his better buddy films. An obvious attempt at widening his acting range, Spade couldn't handle the lead by himself. At the time of this films release, Spade was on the sitcom "Just Shoot Me." The character on that show had the same sleaze as the Dylan character, only to enhance his character of womanizer sleaze for the current "Rules of Engagement." Plus another noticeable trend, lead women going bra-less. Its not a bad thing, just a 90's trend I recently noticed. With Jennifer Aniston, Rachel character from Friends reviving a similar trend to the "jiggle vision" days of "Charlie's Angels."

Starring: David Spade, Sophie Marceau,Patrick Bruel and Artie Lange
Directed By: Jeff Pollack
Budget/Gross:  $13,000,000 (estimated)/$6,545,360 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 4.7/10
Tomatometer: 13% critics / 30% audiences liked it

True Romance (1993): QT Retrospective Part 1

By Jody. Score 9/10

When one hears “Quentin Tarantino”, one tends to think: “Pulp Fiction”, “Kill Bill”, or even “Inglorious Basterds”. What one often doesn’t know is that he actually wrote 3 movies in the 90s that he didn’t direct for various reasons.

The first one, True Romance, is an unsung masterpiece and one of QT’s finest scripts, which is the story of Clarence (Slater) and Alabama (Arquette), two newlyweds who inadvertently steal a suitcase of cocaine and try to unload in in Hollywood while on the run from drug dealers, the cops, and the mob.       

All the QT staples are present: brilliant dialogue filled with pop culture references, intertwining references to characters and events from his other films, unabashed used of racial slurs, and classic pop tracks on the soundtrack (though these were overpowered by the same very recognizable marimba theme that plays throughout half of the film).

That is one way that Quentin’s version of the film would have played out better. His films always have the perfect blend of pre-recorded pop tracks with unique instrumentals. Many criticize Romance’s soundtrack stating that it sounds more like a jungle adventure that a gritty action love story.

On the other hand, according to the commentary, while Tony Scott kept Quentin’s script completely in-tact, he did change the ending. This actually was a good change as Quentin’s ending was much darker, and didn’t fit with the otherwise fun and almost whimsical general tone of the film.

This film is chock full of stars in small roles but fantastic performances, most notably Dennis Hopper as Clarence’s father, Brad Pit as a stoner, and a younger, thinner James Gandolfini as a mob hitman.

Though inexplicably a commercial failure at the box office, True Romance is a great movie for anybody because the intense and well-edited climax is worth the payoff for those potentially disinterested in the slower romance and dialogue-focused scenes early in the film, and those engaged by the latter will want to stick around to see what happens to the star-crossed lovers. I love all aspects of the film.

Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, and Val Kilmer
Directed by: Tony Scott
Budget/Gross: $13 mil / $12.3 mil
IMDB Score: 7.9/10
Tomatometer: 91% critics and 90% audiences liked it

Don Juan DeMarco (1994)

By Greg
Score: 7/10

Johnny Depp is Don Juan DeMarco, pursued and loved by ladies everywhere. I guess here is an example of life as art as life.
The film actually surprised as being decent. It was well written, acted and directed.

The story is simple, Don Juan DeMarco (Johnny Depp) is suicidal after a woman he pursues denies his love. Psychiatrist Dr. Jack Mickler (Marlon Brando) is called by police to talk to him down. Making a connection  immediately with him, Don Juan is taken to a psych ward. Handed off to another doctor, but not willing to talk, Dr. Jack is given the chance. He's is two weeks from retirement and Don Juan is given ten days til he sees judge. Don Juan just wants Dr. Jack to hear his story before he takes medication for any underlying psychological problems. Its Dr. Jack's job to get to the truth, is he or is he not Don Juan, famed Spanish lover to 1500+ women.

Don Juan tells his tale, along the way Jack and his wife Marilyn (Faye Dunaway) re-kindle their romance and its fun to see their transition parallel Don Juan's tale.

Definite film for Depp fans, half the time you see chest if not no shirt. Marlon Brando and Faye Dunaway show why they are stars, they light up the screen with presence. Its fun to see heavy Brando exercise in one scene and put the move on Dunaway, but Depp is the one to watch with his perfect portrayl of Don Juan. A 1990's plus, Bryan Adams song "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman," became a hit.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando and Faye Dunaway
Directed By: Jeremy Leven
Budget/Gross: $25,000,000 (estimated)/$66,200,000 (Worldwide)
IMDB Score: 6.6/10
Tomatometer: 73% critics / 70% audiences liked it

Bicentennial Man (1999)

By Greg
Score: 5/10
What would it be like to live for 200 years? The stories that could be told, the experiences and knowledge obtained, the possibilities of what could happen to a single individual in 200 years is endless.

In the film we meet Andrew (Robin Williams) he is a robot designed to perform household tasks. The Martin family realizes after a few days that their simple robot is displaying independent thinking and begins to do things not asked of him. Sir Richard(Sam Neil) and Little Miss Amanda (Hallie Kate Eisenberg from Pepsi commercial fame) become attached to him and assist in his new found talents. Ma'am Martin and older sister Miss Grace look at him as the maid robot he should be, even at one point Miss Grace asks Andrew to jump out the window, which he promptly does. In turn it draws attention to Andrew and his abilities to do free thinking. Andrew goes to the shore with Miss and Little Miss. Little Miss plays with some crystal animals, her favorite being a horse. She hands it to Andrew who can't grasp it, falling to the ground and shattering. Little Miss becomes distraught and tells Andrew she hates him. Andrew with "free thinking" studies horses and wood-craving and creates a wooden horse from driftwood. Little Miss forms a new love and bond with Andrew. Its this bond with Little Miss that starts that seed in Andrew's positronic brain to seek out more creative thoughts. Sir Martin also encourages Andrews new talents, which becomes finacially lucrative for Andrew. They head to NorthAm Robotics to seek out an answer for Andrews talents, only the president calls him a "Household appliance" and want him "fixed"(positronic brain erased and reloaded) so Sir Martin takes Andrew home with no change.

With some time lapses into the future, the MArtin family ages as Andrew stays the same, Andrew cuts his thumb accidently and back to NorthAm. Wanting repairs to be done, facial implants to show expression. Blah blah blah....... basically, Andrews travels the world to find other like him and he meets robot mechanic Rupert Burns (Oliver Platt) who has created a female robot, Galatea, from similar robots to Andrew. Together they create a skin for Andrew and then organs, blood, hair so Andrew can assimilate himself to be human. Andrew fall is love with Little Misses granddaughter Portia Charney (Embeth Davidtz), together they seek out Andrew's declaration to be human and is denied. As they age together Portia and Andrew want there marriage and love validated. On their deathbed, lying next to each other, what Andrew waited 200 years for comes... His admittance to humanity.

The film does display good humor and touching heart felt momnets, but its long. The script has these holes and nothing visual can fill them, even Robin Williams has been tamed for this film, part of his attempt at other outlets than straight comedy. Not althogether bad, just 30 minutes too long, the lapses in time aren't explained well and the film can be hard to foloow.

Starring: Robin Williams, Sam Neil, Embeth Davidtz and Oliver Platt
Directed By: Chris Columbus
Budget/Gross: $100,000,000 (estimated)/ $93,700,000 (Worldwide)
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
Tomatometer: 37% critics / 58% audiences liked it

Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994)

By Greg
Score: 2/10
So raise your hands if you saw Police Academy.... Okay, good. How about sequels 2 through 4... Okay, not as many. And maybe Numbers 5 and 6.... I'm losing people quick. Finally, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow.... Anyone? Anyone?

Yep, I did. As for the film, it's flimsy, the jokes are stale (it is the seventh after all) and Guttenberg did not make it back since he left in 4.  Which honestly the film franchise suffered after he left, I know I just admitted that Guttenberg made a film successful.

Five years after we last saw the police crew from there "Siege in the City" Only five original cast members are around to display their trademark hi jinks, except it just falters. The familiarities are all there, Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) is clueless as he gets lost in Moscow and is unknowingly adopted by a Russian family. Sgt. Tackleberry (David Graf) still carries his 44 Magnum, while Sargent Jones (Michael Winslow) weakly still does sound effects, are there any left that we haven't heard before. Captain Callahan (Leslie Easterbrook) still rocks her curvaceous body for the Russians and Captain Harris (G.W. Bailey) returns to keeping things in order.

The story is simple, Russian Mafia Boss Konstantine Konali (Ron Perlman) developed a popular video game and is about to release the sequel that will give him back door access to security systems of police and government agencies. Commandant Alexandrei Rakov (Christopher Lee, clearly before his rise back to notoriety from LOTR and Count Dooku) calls upon the Police Academy to assist in foiling Konali's plan. Newcomers for this final go around: Cadet Kyle Connors (think Guttenberg's Mahoney, except not as smooth); Katrina (Claire Forlani), a Russian Police officer and counterpart to Connors; and Lt. Talinsky (Gregg Berger) counterpart to Captain Harris.

Fortunately, the film is quick and painful, but for anyone that stuck around for the previous six. It is worth a viewing. It could've been worse, unsure how, but could've been.

Starring: George Gaynes, Michael Winslow, David Graf, Leslie Easterbrook, G.W. Bailey, Christopher Lee and Ron Perlman
Directed By: Alan Metter
Gross: $126,247 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 2.7/10
Tomatometer: N/A critics / 37% audiences liked it

Problem Child 2 (1991)

By Greg
Score: 5/10

Just when it was safe, He's Back... Junior. Red hair and all. The dynamic duo of Junior (Michael Oliver) and Little Ben (John Ritter) take the mischief to the divorcee capital of the world... Mortville. Little Ben has found business success and women are flocking to his door to be with him. Junior is at a new school and not making any friends. Plus, Big Ben (Jack Warden) comes to live with the duo, due to the havoc that Junior brought to him. Trouble begins for Junior. He has competition with a little girl, Trixie (Ivyann Schwan) whose antics bring shame to her mother, Annie (Amy Yasbeck) the school nurse. Little Ben finds camaraderie with Annie and their shared interest.... devious kids. Trixie and Junior battle each other with fireworks, twisty rides at the carnival, a fire hose, etc.

Similar jokes and gags to the first. Ultimately Junior and Trixie have a fondness to bring their parents together, except an evil witch, Lawanda (Laraine Newman), has her grasp on Little Ben. Big Ben pushes Little Ben into the relationship to Lawanda because Ben wants Junior to have a mother. Now only the power of the "love rock" can break up the wedding.

Its fun to watch the antics unfold in the film. It takes it up notch with the personal grossness, extreme vomiting can only go so far, plus there is another moment that really makes me cringe. The first film edged out a better rating from me because I found the first has better repeat viewing qualities. Check em' both out. It worth the time, back to back preferably.

Starring: John Ritter, Michael Oliver, Amy Yasbeck, Laraine Newman, Jack Warden and Ivyann Schwan

Directed By: Brian Levant

Gross: $25,104,700 (USA)

IMDB Score: 3.6/10

Tomatometer: 17% critics / 33% audiences

Problem Child (1990)

By Greg
Score: 6/10
When couple Ben and Flo Healy (John Ritter and real life wife Amy Yasbeck ) really desire children but can't due to infertility, they decide to adopt Junior (Michael Oliver) from social worker Mr. Peabody (Gilbert Gottfried). The couple can't wait to reap the rewards of parenthood: the kid parties, social networking, the camp outs, little league and the love of you child.

Of course Junior gives the Healy's all of those and then some. He torments everyone and everything he sees and touches. With sophomoric slapstick humor, the little red head achieves diabolical mischief. Big Ben Sr (Jack Warden). tries to give advice to Little Ben but he becomes a target to Junior. Only Junior squashes Big Ben's chance at being mayor and crashes a car in the sporting goods store he own. Once we meet Junior's prison pen-pal, Martin Beck aka "Bow Tie Killer" (Michael Richards), the Healy's have given up. Junior plans to be Martin's partner in crime. Martin kidnaps Flo and Junior and leaves a sedate Little Ben behind. Feeling relieved that his nagging wife is gone and the hellion Junior, Little Ben starts destroying Juniors room. Only to discover a drawing that depicts Little Ben in a positive fatherly light. All is changed now for Little Ben, he wants Junior.

Will he save him from Martin? And what about Flo? Well they made a sequel, so all is good.
Its horrible, its 81 minutes of fart jokes and Junior literally tormenting everyone. The thing is, I'm on the side that says, its so bad, its good. Problem Child is pop culture gold. Its entertaining and is a nightmare for parents. Annoying for the film is Junior's voice, it penetrates the head and bounces around in there for days.

For added personal knowledge, this was the first film I saw in theatres without parents in the theatre. I saw it at the Super Cinemas for a dollar. Yeah, not the greatest film, but I was in the sixth grade and it was in a group of friends. Potty jokes were funny then and I still laughed at them now.

Second Opinion. By Jody Score: 4/10

This one didn't age well at all for me. At 13, it was one of my favorite flicks. Having not seen it in at least 15 years, I honestly can't say I enjoyed a good old Netflix stream of it as much as I thought I would. Maybe I have been ruined by years of poop and fart jokes by Adam Sandler, South Park, and Family Guy who have all arguably done it better. Maybe I was too bummed by seeing the late John Ritter. Maybe a bit of both.

Whatever the case may be, I wished I would have let it stay a happy childhood memory.

Starring: John Ritter, Michael Oliver, Amy Yasbeck, Michael Richards, Jack Warden and Gilbert Gottfried
Directed By: Dennis Dugan
Gross: $53,470,900 (USA)
IMDB Score: 4.5/10
Tomatometer: 7% critics / 44% audiences liked it

The Next Karate Kid (1994)

By Greg
Score 3/10
Before she could be a million dollar baby or a boy who doesn't cry, Hillary Swank was the Next Karate Kid. Early in her career she played Julie Pierce a teen struggling to identify with herself and bullied at school. Here parents died and she lives with her grandmother now. Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) was a friend of Julie's Grandfather from the war and the grandmother struggles with raising the rebellious teen. Miyagi to the rescue, with his unorthodox way of letting the teen succumb to his "wax on, wax off" ways he teaches the teen self respect.

 Of course this time his teen isn't the thirty something Ralph Maccchio, but a teen girl. She rebels, she gets suspended from school when getting caught in the school after hours by elite karate team, because all high schools have these. The principal, Col. Dugan(Michael Ironside) instructs these renegade teens with their hell bent attitude to torment whomever they like. This gives Miyagi the chance to take Julie to a monk monastery and teach her respect towards nature and the self respect she needs.

Like the previous three before lessons are learned, the bad teens get defeated, especially the elder who has no fear until Miyagi whoops him. Its definitely a film they tried to resurrect the karate kid legacy but it fell flat. The lead male teens look mid-twenties, Miyagi was comatose and Swank is cutting her acting chops. Starts weak, stays weak, finishes weak. On a high note, the outfits are total 90's.

Starring: Pat Morita, Michael Ironside and Hillary Swank
Directed by: Christopher Cain
Gross: $8,751,228 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 3.9/10
Tomatometer: 6% critics / 36% audiences liked it

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)

By Greg
Score: 3/10
 Well, what can you say about a film that stars Sophia Petrillo and Rambo, as mother and son. Its 87 minutes of insecure Sargent Joe Bomowski(Sylvester Stallone) being pushed around and trying to push away his Jersey mother Tutti Bomowski (Estelle Getty). While she comes to L.A. for a visit, she buys a gun from the back of van. Upon walking away she witnesses a murder, now its not just a visit, she must stay til the crime is solved by son Joe and Lieutenant Gwen (JoBeth Williams), his ex-girlfriend and boss. Even though it can be painful to watch, it does move along quick. Plus Ving Rhames makes a cameo early on in the film as Mr. Stereo.

Clearly an attempt by Stallone to add to his acting portfolio, it was a miss for him. Its a comedy with little action. The humor revolves around Getty's character, its worth a viewing to see her do what she does best. Be a motherly figure. Stallone still looks semi-normal/natural in the film, he has since changed slightly to a more plastic steroid induced look.

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Estelle Getty and JoBeth Williams
Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode
Budget/Gross: Unknown/ $28,411,210 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 3.5/10
Tomatometer: 4% critics / 26% audiences liked it

Red Dragon (2002)

By Jody. Score: 9/10

“If I told you, you wouldn’t even try it,” replies Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the film’s opening when asked what is in the meat they are eating at a dinner party after a night at the symphony. Anthony Hopkins returns as Lecter in the third (although chronologically first) installment of the wonderful (well, mostly wonderful) saga based on Thomas Harris’ novels.

This prequel to Silence of the Lambs centers on FBI Agent Will Graham (Norton), who after suffering nearly fatal wounds from bringing Lecter to justice, is brought out of retirement to help catch a new deadly serial killer. Known as the “Tooth Fairy” because he leaves bite marks in his victims, this new killer slays entire families and leaves shards of mirror glass in their eyes.

The killer, Francis Dolarhyde, (Fiennes) believes he is the “Red Dragon” a mythical figure from a 200 hundred year old painting and has found a new victim in the form of a blind co-worker named Reba McClane (Watson). A lack of clues forces Graham to turn to Dr. Lecter for help. Naturally, its “quid pro quo” and Graham must get on Lecter’s level to decipher his clues.

This film really works because it takes everything that worked in Silence and duplicated it. The best moments of the film come from the exchanges between Norton and Hopkins, who is as deliciously charming and charismatic as he was 11 years prior when he brought home the Oscar for his first portrayal of Lecter in Silence.

Also worth noting is Watson’s superb performance as the blind Reba, who even after finding out that there is something very disturbing about Francis, still wants to believe that there is still some good in him deep inside.

The plot moves with startling intensity, slowing down from physical horror only long enough to let us get into the psychological horrors of both the Red Dragon and Dr. Lecter’s minds. Director Brett Ratner takes a break from buddy-cop action and family drama (in Rush Hour 1&2 and Family Man, respectively) to do something completely different than he has done before. Instead of taking after Ridley Scott’s high action, gross-out approach in Hannibal, he follows in Silence director Jonathan Demme’s footsteps and delivers a movie that is stylish, scary, and well-crafted.

While squeamish viewers and minors should avoid this film, Red Dragon is a must-see.

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson, and more
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Budget / Gross: $90 mil / $107 mil
IMDB Score: 7.2/10
Tomoatometer: 68% critics and 74% audiences liked it

Leprechaun 2 (1994)

By Jody. Score: 2/10

And because I'm a glutton for punishment (and to see if it truly is as bad as I remembered it was), here we have Leprechaun 2 - the last entry to the series that received a theatrical run. Because the first entry's $8.5 million take was a moderate success considering the budget and genre, they doubled this entry's budget, but got about a quarter of the box office results - and for good reason.

Everything amusing or charming from the first movie, is totally gone. The script is just too bad to be "so bad it's good", and the acting was so absolutely terrible, it was completely distracting. The lead actress' voice is so monotone and flat, I hated every scene she is in.

I am going to digress a bit - this is a blog, after all. The big excuse for bad acting that one hears is "it's a B-movie, the acting is supposed to be bad." I don't buy it. It seems to me that no matter what your budget is, every city, every town has at least one, maybe more, theater troops with tremendous undiscovered talent who would work for peanuts just for a chance to be discovered. I guarantee they could have found better lead characters.

Ok, off my soapbox for the time being. This will be my last entry on this franchise, the Leprechaun's trip to the big city soured my taste for revisiting his trips to Vegas, outer space, and his two trips to "da hood".

Starring: Warwick Davis, really crappy no-name actors, and a Clint Howard cameo
Directed by: Rodman Flender (who went on to direct "Idle Hands" and dozens of television episodes)
Budget / Gross: $2 mil / $2.6 mil
IMDB score: 3.7/10
Tomatometer: 0% critics and 34% audiences liked it