Angus (1995)

By Greg
Score: 7/10

When it comes to the classic coming of age films, Angus should make the list. Its on mine. Its a tale of Angus (Charlie Talbert) a great student, standout football player and a heavy set individual who struggles with his life on a daily basis. He lives with his high spirited mom Meg (Kathy Bates) and ever so wise and war torn grandfather, Ivan (George C. Scott), also Angus has his best friend Troy (Chris Owen, Sherman/Sherminator of American Pie series fame) who also battles with social awkwardness.

Angus also has always had two things that add to his struggles. First, a crush on school hottie/cheerleader, Melissa (Ariana Richards) and Second, always coming in second to school quarterback/Mr. Popular, Rick (James Van Der Beek). Rick has the girl, the looks and since he is the football quarterback, he overshadows Angus's ability at defensive lineman which he excels at. Although this is a mere small portion of the film. The film deals with how Angus must learn to gain confidence in himself to overcome his angst. Having to dance with his crush Melissa is one thing, but Angus is also a super scholar. So he also needs to impress upon a judge for a great scholarship in science. All this culminates at the dance, in true teen angst film brilliance. Along the way Angus has other hurdles in life to deal with, but they too are life's lessons that help us to make those decisions that guide our lives and give us strength.

Its an uplifting film, and personally it helped me through some struggles way back in 1995 when I saw it in theatres with friends. After seeing it, I held my head higher at school, it hit me in a spot that helped to propel me through that final year of high school. Worst part, the test of time didn't bode to well with the film, that's why its a 7 and not an 8, a definite glimpse on the mid nineties though.

Starring: Charlie Talbert, Chris Owen, George C. Scott and Kathy Bates
Directed by: Patrick Read Johnson
Budget/Gross: N/A / $4,821,759 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Tomatometer: 36% critics and 65% audience liked it

Heavy Weights (1995)

By Greg
Score 6/10

When I think of films that involve summer camps, my mind goes straight to the Friday the 13th series or Meatballs. (Not the lousy sequels, only the Bill Murray 1979 classic) Heavy Weights takes a stab at the summer camp story with the dreaded fat camp. Although myself I never endured a summer camp, films like Heavy Weights lets me appreciate what I didn't miss.

This film is the harrowing tale of Gerry (Aaron Schwartz), a boy who is husky and sent off to Camp Hope, a camp for fat kids. Gerry is the portrait of American male youth. He's genuine, sincere and struggling to find appreciation with parents/adults and his peers, especially the ladies. Upon arriving he easily fits in with the rest of his cabin mates and Camp Counselor, Pat. (Tom McGowan) Of course the fat camp paradise of hidden treats and "The Blob", a giant inflatable that launches one in the air when another lands on the opposing end, comes to a sudden halt when camp owners Harvey and Alice Bushkin (real life couple Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara) have to sell the camp due to a crooked accountant. The camp is sold to Tony Perkins (Ben Stiller), an extreme fitness nut and wants to use the fat camp as a background for a fitness program and video aimed at the chunky youth of America.

Of course, plenty of fat jokes, camp jokes and awkward situations for any young male boy. an awkward dance with a camp of girls. Gerry prevails. Pat and Gerry have some heartfelt touching moments. It all comes to the traditional camp film ending of going head to head with an opposing and much more elite summer camp. Will Camp Hope prevail? Only this Disney classic film tells that tale.

The film is a favorite filler for cable networks, its Disney so the film is mellow with the jokes and if the viewer can get past the hokey jokes, its not a bad movie. Judd Apatow co-wrote the film with Stephen Brill who also directed. Plenty of other actors that have made names for themselves also appear in the film. Its a fun film to watch with the family, kids or alone.

Starring: Aaron Schwartz, Tom McGowan and Ben Stiller
Directed by: Stephen Brill
Budget/Gross: N/A and $17,689,177 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Tomatometer: 20% critics and 75% audience liked it

Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009)

By Jody. Score: 5/10

An Afterdark Horrorfest III selection, this sequel bears no relation in characters to the original 2004 Ashton Kutcher thriller, but continues the series in terms of theme and narrative only. Like Evan (Kutcher) in the first film, Sam (Chris Carmack) has the ability to time travel his consciousness into the body of his previous self.

Knowing the serious consequences and ripple effect of interfering with the past, his only mission is to observe and witness murders to bring the killers to justice in the present. After he is convinced to save his murdered girlfriend from her deadly fate, he throws consequences to the wind to save her (with increasingly disastrous results).

It is disappointing that one of the coolest films of the 2000’s has been reduced to what will likely turn into an endless supply of direct-to-video sequels. That said, this entry (much better than the second one, I am told) is actually fairly engaging and suspenseful. In fact, if not for some sub-par acting by supporting characters, an obnoxiously gratuitous sex scene, and very silly last 2 minutes, I would have given this film high recommendations.

Starring Chris Carmack and Rachel Miner
Dirceted By: Seth Grossman
Budget/Gross: $4.5 mil / Direct-to-DVD and festival release only
IMDB Score: 5.7/10
Tomatometer: N/A critics and 38% audiences