Category Archives: Corny

2011, Acceptable for children, Black and White Film, Corny, Dancing, Feel Good For All, Love Story, Silent film, Slow

The Artist (2011)

Leave a comment

NetFlix:

This modern-day silent film artfully recounts the poignant end of the silent-movie era in the late 1920s. The story contrasts the declining fortunes of a silent-screen superstar with his lover’s rise to popularity as a darling of the “talkies.”

Making a black and white and silent film these days is an unusual idea. But it works because the photography is good, the period costumes fun to see, the dog is cute, Jean Dujardin is a handsome ham, and Bérénice Bejo really is peppy (her name in the film). And the best news is that I only napped through part of the film (which might seem a tad slow in places). What is really amazing is to watch the two stars tap dance!

You may remember Jean Dujardin from “OSS 117: Lost in Rio” which is a spoof on James Bond films. On the other hand, Bérénice Bejo was in “OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies”.

Possibly not everyone’s cup of tea.

2011, Corny, Drugs, Mayhem, Occasional gore, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Trains, Violent

Super 8 (2011)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

With a nod toward producer Steven Spielberg’s landmark sci-fi films of the 1970s and ’80s, writer-director J.J. Abrams crafts a supernatural tale about six kids who witness something incredible while shooting a movie with their Super 8 camera.

After watching for awhile, I was sure this was a Steven Spielberg film because it had all the hallmarks: simplistic, bit maudlin, and a final shot of a space ship leaving earth. In fact it was produced by Steven Spielberg.

Intertwined with the alien thread are family problems in two tragically related families whose kids become friends as the film develops. Abrams gets the funny middle school dialogs and quips just right (like raving about the food at a wake).

Oddly enough the villain in the film is the actor Noah Emmerich who played Dr. Edwin Jenner in the “Walking Dead” TV series which was recently reviewed.

Warning: the film could frighten a small child. There is much mayhem, destruction, and the scary alien eats people.

This kids’ yarn might just hold your attention.

2008, Acceptable for children, British Mystery Series, Car Chase, Corny, Drama, Flirting, Love Story, Made For TV, Melodrama, Mystery Film, Old-Fashioned, Plot Twist, Suspense, Trains, Wonderful photography

The 39 Steps (2008)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Richard Hannay (Rupert Penry-Jones) has his holiday interrupted when secret agent Scudder (Eddie Marsan) bursts into his apartment, staying alive just long enough to deposit a notebook. Pegged with murder, Hannay must decode the book and nab the culprits — before they find him first. In this nimble BBC update of John Buchan’s novel, German spies and British police give chase as Hannay races to deliver the coveted code and avert a world war.

Rupert Penry-Jones and Matthew MacFadyen take turns starring in the excellent British TV series MI-5 . That series started in 2002. Since this Masterpiece Classic was made in 2008, I assume these two actors rotate in order to give them time to do other acting.

Think of “The 39 Steps” as a Harlequin Spy Romance with possibly its tongue in its cheek. Penry-Jones is accidentally thrust into an effort to prevent Germany from attacking the British navy just prior to World War I. He gets to run up and down hills, run through woods, drive vintage cars in exciting 20 mph car chases, solve encrypted messages, discover spies, and woo a winsome maiden, all the while remaining a presentable handsome Brit with a flare for witty comebacks.

If you can stand not having digital special effects enhance the performance of the actors, then you might enjoy this melodrama, despite a few “aw shucks!” moments.

2011, Ancient Rome, Corny, Military, Suspense, Violent

The Eagle (2011)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Haunted by the disappearance of his father, who vanished with the Roman Ninth Legion on an expedition into the north of Britain, centurion Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) sets out to unravel the mystery and recover the legion’s eagle standard. But in the wilds of Caledonia, the soldier and his British slave (Jamie Bell) encounter fierce native tribes and other dangers. Kevin Macdonald directs this adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliff’s novel.

Corny at times, this B+ film is also nonetheless exciting at times. Concentrate on the story and its intent rather than expect great acting. Is it a clichéd plot when our hero Marcus is an idealistic young man fully invested in the notion of Roman honor while some of his noble superiors are cynics ? Afghanistan recruits versus Blackwater mercenaries ?

Compared physically with Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell seems almost diminutive. After awhile the weight of their characters even out.

And just who is this Jamie Bell ? Surprise! He was “Billy Elliott”. He was also the minister St. John Rivers in Jane Eyre (2011).

Lutorius is played by Denis O’Hare who is one of those actors you see everywhere but whose name is not even on the tip of your tongue. Lately his most notorious role is the vampire king Russell Edgington in that all-important HBO series “True Blood” (What! You are not a True Blood fan ?). Additionally he pops up in “Law and Order” and “The Good Wife”.

Why watch “The Eagle”? Will our hero retrieve the Golden Eagle and restore the honor of his revered father ? Will those nasty blue-painted British savages catch Marcus and Esca his slave? Will Marcus and Esca be best buddies forever and open a fish and chips shop?
It’s just violent fun, that’s all. (Sorry, no sex).

2011, Acceptable Trash, Comedy, Corny, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Slapstick, Vulgar

Cedar Rapids (2011)

1 Comment

From NetFlix:

Terrified of leaving his tiny town for the first time, sheltered insurance salesman Tim (Ed Helms) nervously sets out for the bright lights of bustling Cedar Rapids, where he attends a chaotic insurance convention and learns how to survive in the real world. Miguel Arteta directs this delightful fish-out-of-water comedy that also features Sigourney Weaver, Rob Corddry, John C. Reilly and Anne Heche.

Lebanon, PA (2010) and “Cedar Rapids” are two films about small-town USA that could not be more different. Whereas the former touches sensitively on contemporary problems, the latter is a vulgar romp at an insurance convention.

Which is not to say this B-movie doesn’t offer at least something worth saying. As luck would have it I convinced my wife Kathy that we could watch this film together. As far as I know, Kathy has forgiven me. In fact we both learned some really crass and original sexual remarks that were a revelation. John C. Reilly expertly paints himself as a gross, aging, alcoholic adolescent who eventually grew on me (is that a good sign ?).

Underneath this layer of prurience there is a story. Ed Helms (Stu in the “Hangover” films , is there a pattern here ?) plays in somewhat an exaggerated and at time embarrassing manner the role of a timid, naive, and very honest insurance salesman Tim whose experiences at this convention sadly teach him the not-so-honest ways of this world. You just have to accept that such a person could possibly exist and would triumph unbelievably in the end.

Meanwhile just sit back, learn some really colorful language, and watch (or cringe at) the fun.

2010, Acceptable for children, Based on true facts, Corny, Drama, Feel Good For All, Horse story

Secretariat (2010)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

When Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s thoroughbred stable, she transforms from housewife to horse breeder — and owner of the colt that will take the 1973 Triple Crown — in this dramatic biopic. The film explores Chenery’s bond with “Big Red” and depicts her rise to greatness as the “first lady of racing.” John Malkovich plays trainer Lucien Laurin, and Fred Dalton Thompson co-stars as big-shot breeder Bull Hancock.

Secretariat was an amazing horse. No other horse has ever performed as well in the Triple Crown. At the end of the film there are some information screens. Secretariat died at age 19, having sired over 600 foals (lucky horse!). After his death the autopsy revealed that his huge heart (14 pounds) was in perfect condition.

Probably it is the story of the horse itself that keeps this film afloat. We are talking real Walt Disney here (read that “corny” or “hearts on our sleeves”). At least it is a film that everyone can watch.

Dylan Walsh (the husband) will always be Mister “Nip/Tuck” for me. James Cromwell will always be the farmer who owned “Babe” the pig. He was also a very bad guy in “LA Confidential”.

But then it is always exciting to watch a well-filmed horse race.

2009, Acceptable for children, Acceptable Trash, Corny, Imperfect, Melodrama, Sex Scenes

The Other Woman (2009)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Romance becomes reality for Emilia Greenleaf (Natalie Portman), who wins the heart of the handsome object of her affection (Scott Cohen), only to find that the relationship comes with some very real baggage — including her new beau’s troubled son (Charlie Tahan). Don Roos directs the film adaptation of Ayelet Waldman’s compelling novel, co-starring Lisa Kudrow, Lauren Ambrose and Elizabeth Marvel.

As B-level melodramas go, this one is not a complete waste of time. At the very least Natalie Portman (Emilia) is easy on the eyes, although she doesn’t come across as a great actress. For some reason, her speech seemed downright ordinary, as in American high school. Or perhaps I am harsh. Am I correct in assuming that her character was almost purposely a “home wrecker” ?

Scott Cohen was adequate as the husband, although he did not have to do very much but look concerned. He played in Love and Other Drugs (2010) but I cannot remember having seen him.

Charlie Tahan as the precocious son William played Ethan in I Am Legend (2007). Tahan was well-coached and did his part perfectly.

Most fun for me was watching Lisa Kudrow (who in my mind will always be Phoebe from “Friends”). It is hard to believe that she is now 48 years old. She has never been a great actress but in this film she is really believable as a hard-nosed, determined, resentful, controlling b _ _ _ h. Still her character exhibits some almost noble qualities on one occasion.

Sorry, but for me the ending was a bit too “goody good goody”.

2010, Comedy, Corny, Feel Good For All, Flirting, Love Story, Mediocre, Slapstick

Morning Glory (2010)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Whiz-kid producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) finds her abilities put to the test when she’s charged with bringing a network morning show back from ratings purgatory. Her first job: getting the show’s feuding, acid-tongued co-hosts (Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton) under control. Jeff Goldblum co-stars as Fuller’s network-exec boss and Patrick Wilson is Becky’s put-upon boyfriend in this comedy from the writer of The Devil Wears Prada.

“Why don’t we formerly successful actors get together and make some money by making a B-film?” Perhaps I am overly critical, but with a cast consisting of Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, and Jeff Goldblum would you expect more ? Rachel McAdams seems to carry every film in which she appears. And of course there is the requisite handsome boy friend, this time barely played by Patrick Wilson.

Since playing Ira Buchman (alongside Helen Hunt) in “Mad About You”, John Pankow has had a few lean years.

You have seen Matt Malloy just about everywhere and I bet you do not know his name. As a secondary character actor he has been incredibly successful. In this film he plays Ernie Appleby and provides the best belly laughs of all. If for no other part of the film, it is worth waiting for his scenes late into the film. Hint: “amusement”.

Don’t get me wrong: I enjoyed this fun feel-good that is probably OK for kids (ignore the F-word). Don’t let me scare you off from this easy to watch film.

1000NYTimes, 1001BeforeDie, 1955, Acceptable for children, Black and White Film, Classic, Corny, Suspense

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Bogus “preacher” Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) learns cellmate Ben Harper (Peter Graves) has stashed stolen loot on his property. So after the demented Powell is released, he charms Ben’s widow (Shelley Winters) into getting hitched, and in time, only Ben’s kids stand between him and the money. As he stalks the siblings relentlessly, they seek refuge with the indomitable Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish), setting the stage for a battle of wills.

Lately I have read much praise for this film. In fact you should read the Wikipedia article that mentions the positions this film occupies in various anthologies of worthy films. Its descriptions of why the film is special surpass any description I could write.

Personally I found the black and white impressionistic photography incredibly clear and a new experience. This film was Charles Laughton’s only directed film (probably because it was not a success). Times have changed and for me the film was a bit corny and much too long. Moreover in those days you had to see the bad guy get his comeuppance. Today’s films love ambiguous endings instead of the clear resolutions demanded in the black and white years of the 50’s.

You may never have heard of Lillian Gish (1893-1993) but surely you have heard of Robert Mitchum and Shelley Winters. I always knew Peter Graves (TV’s “Mission Impossible”) as an older man. In this film he played Ben Harper (the bank robber father) and was only 29 years old. Billy Chapin (John Harper, the son) had a small part in “Leave it to Beaver” and seems to have vanished.

At the very least you get to see and feel what small towns were like during the depression. It’s a bit like going to a museum to watch a “talkie”. I don’t regret the experience.

2006, Bullying, Corny, Fashion, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Musical, Transvestite theme

Kinky Boots (2006)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

After inheriting a shoe factory, Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) aims to take the fashion world by storm with help from a flashy cabaret dancer named Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who helps him design a racy line of men’s boots, in this whimsical comedy from British director Julian Jarrold. But on the eve of the Milan Shoe Fair — just as Charlie’s about to introduce the world to his signature shoes — everything falls apart.

Sometimes maudlin, sometimes almost preachy, “Kinky Boots” has enough originality to provide a decent evening’s entertainment. Think of this British film as part of the tradition of films such as the American version of “La Cage aux Folles”: singing and dancing and a sermon here and there about acceptance, tolerance, motherhood and apple pie. Tell the children what a transvestite is and even the children can watch.

Give it a B and just enjoy the fun!