loupgarou-2 Reviews

Hanging Up (2000)

much better than rated here

[7/10 · 18 March 2001]

I just watched this on tape and I must say it is a much better movie than its scathing reviews here would lead one to believe. I might hazard a guess that most of the negative reviews come from people under the age of 30, probably even 25. Nora's movies are not really aimed at this segment of the viewing public. I think you have to be old enough to know that dysfunction and dishevelment enter everyone's life from time to time. Very few people are at their best in times of stress. It does portray the bittersweet feelings of nostalgia and reminiscence. Remembering when is often a poignant feeling. You have the memories of when things were better or of an important relationship, but the reality is no longer there. I can relate to the feelings of regret and disappointment that are sprinkled through her movies. The scene in You've Got Mail where Meg walks out of her dark and vacant store and sees in her mind's eye her mother twirling her around as a child, fits right in with the mood of this movie. Anyway, I rate it 7.5 of ten, and recommend you give it a try . It's certainly not as funny as When Harry Met Sally, but it is a kinda sweet movie in its own right

A Slight Case of Murder (1999 TV Movie)

Must see filmbuff flick

[28 February 2001]

Macy is aces as always in this funny send-up of noirish films. Many funny references to other films, really a moviebuff's movie. Highly recommended. Kudos again to Turner Movies. They are a class act in television movies.

Dave (1993)

another great Kevin Kline performance

[9/10 · 9 February 2001]

This movie is a lot like Moon Over Parador in its plot, but I liked it a little more(thought I like Parador a lot too). Kevin Kline is just great as everyman in the vein of Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. The whole cast shines in a parable that never gets preachy, but lets us laugh at the political process. A very enjoyable movie that I recommend very highly.

Oscar (1991)

hilarious comedy of manners farce

[8/10 · 8 February 2001]

I just don't understand how this movie can be rated so low. I have watched it at least 15 times and still laugh at all the tricks and gags. I've shared it with dozens of people and everyone always enjoys it, many went out and bought a copy. Sly is very funny..in fact the whole cast sparkles. Sure it's silly, but it's inspired silliness. The fun is in knowing whats going to happen and watching the characters reactions. We always know which black bag is being opened, but they don't. I love this movie!!

El Diablo (1990 TV Movie)

appealing comedy-western

[5 February 2001]

A very appealing comedy western. Anthony Edwards is very good as a tenderfoot schoolteacher from Boston who attempts to rescue one of his students (who is captured by the infamous El Diablo) without really knowing anything about the West or what his quest is going to entail. Luckily he meets up with a down-to-earth gunman who can help him along the way. Lou Gosset is excellent as the laidback, do whatever it takes gunfighter. When asked by Edwards why he shot a bad guy in the back he replies "Why, his back was to me." They meet up with a few other colorful characters and proceed to attempt the rescue. Good humor, good acting and colorful characterizations abound in this above average made for TV oater.

Crossfire Trail (2001 TV Movie)

excellent tv western

[4 February 2001]

Tom Selleck, kinda like Sam Elliott, was born to star in Westerns. He and the rest of this marvellous cast bring another Louis L'Amour western to vibrant life. Tom is great as the straight-shooting (in both ways) hero who does whatever it takes to keep his promise to a dying friend. Mark Harmon is delightfully smarmy as the vile villain, and Virginia Madsen makes a great schoolmarm. Production values are very high for a TV movie, and the photography is gorgeous. Like in all good westerns, the scenery almost becomes another character. Kudos to Turner for their continued efforts to produce topnotch television drama!

Goodbye Lover (1998)

funny neonoir

[9/10 · 2 February 2001]

Once again I have to say I don't see where all the negativity is coming from. This is a very funny movie. I am not a DeGenerus fan, but I thought she was hilarious here. Patricia Arquette is one of my favorites and I thought she was great! Sexy and smart and innocent in a way notwithstanding all her scheming. The three main male roles are played well. I have a job where we watch a lot movies and I have shared this with 10 or 12 others, and each of them has loved this film. Give it a chance if you like laidback, funny neonoir.

Just Cause (1995)

pretty good thriller

[8/10 · 30 January 2001]

I really liked this film. All three stars(Connery,Fishburne and Underwood) give credible performances;and Harris is enjoyably over the top. The lighting and shot angles in some of Harris' scenes make his face look truly diabolical. The surprising turn of plot at the end makes it interesting. Not a great movie, but an enjoyable one. I gave it 7 of 10.

Nadine (1987)

cute caperish comedy

[8/10 · 30 January 2001]

This is a very cute comedy caper movie. Kim Basinger is perfect as the ditsy West Texas small town girl, and Jeff Bridges is great as her even dumber husband. Rip Torn is also good as the villain. Plot is pretty simple, but fun. I've shared this with several others in the 35+ year old class, and they all enjoyed it. Very good chemistry between the leads.

The Last Seduction (1994)

Linda is superb!!

[10/10 · 23 January 2001]

First Red Rock West then The Last Seduction; both are very good movies by director John Dahl, but Last Seduction is definitely better. Like all thrillers, there are some holes in the plot, but the atmosphere, black comedy and especially Linda Fiorentino's tour de force performance make this a standout neonoir film. She plays possibly the most evil yet alluring femme fatale ever depicted in a movie. All the while you're watching her devour the men in her life you are almost half-hoping that you were one of them. Bravo performance!

The Good Guys and the Bad Guys (1969)

Easy goin' western with some funny scenes

[19 January 2001]

All right,I admit it,I'm a sucker for Westerns. I grew up on them and I still watch every new one I can find. That said, this is a somewhat above average western with some pretty funny moments. Robert Mitchum spoof his tough guy image as the marshall who insists that bad guy George Kennedy,an over the hill outlaw, is still a dangerous villain. For his troubles he gets a surprise retirement party. Mitchum and Kennedy then team together to upstage the young whippersnapper bad guys. All in all, a fun "buddy" western, I think most western movie lovers will get a chuckle from this film

Battlefield Earth (2000)

Seriously underrated movie

[8/10 · 18 January 2001]

I just can't comprehend the absurdly low rating being given to this movie. Obviously it's not Citizen Kane, but it's not Plan Nine From Outer Space,either. I grew up in the 50's and 60's reading these type novels by Heinlein, Hubbard, Dickson and Poul Anderson. The story of an overpowered Earth taking back its freedom was a staple of sci-fi during all those decades. Sci-fi is by nature a genre field of literature, and sci-fi movies are therefore not mainstream movies, either. Scenes and plots that read well because you bring so much of yourself to the reading experience, often don't translate well to the screen, where you are really watching someone else's interpetation of a story.This is a pretty good attempt to film one of those novels. I liked the movie a good bit, and so did several men I've watched it with. If you are into vintage sci-fi, I think there's a chance you would like it also.

Where the Money Is (2000)

A low-key caper film that hits the spot

[9/10 · 17 January 2001]

This movie, like most caper films, builds slowly to a pretty satisfying conclusion. The three main stars are likable, and of course Paul Newman is a jewel as always. Linda is not as seductive as in some of her roles, but is,as always, a pleasure to watch. Some younger folks might find this too slow, but more mature audiences will probably enjoy it

Fierce Creatures (1997)

Hilarious follow up to Wanda

[9/10 · 17 January 2001]

This movie stars the big three from A Fish Called Wanda, but it is not a sequel. It is however, hilarious in its own right. The interplay between Cleese and Curtis is again very funny with a fine edge of sexual tension. I really enjoyed this movie, though perhaps not quite as much as Wanda. It is more open comedy as opposed to the black edge in Wanda.Some terrific slapstick scenes, but also some good verbal laughs as well.Highly recommended.

The Shaggy D.A. (1976)

funny family film

[15 January 2001]

One of the better Disney comedies from the 70's.This sequel to The Shaggy Dog is a bit funnier than the first film. With Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette, Tim Conway and Keenan Wynn it has a top notch cast. Anyone who enjoys good clean family entertainment should get plenty of chuckles from this slapstick romp. Rate it a 7.5 of 10

Acting on Impulse (1993)

Linda makes the movie

[14 January 2001]

Linda is sexy as usual. A decent little movie considering that it is a made for cable movie. The plot is pedestrian, the dialog is average for this level movie and Howell is a little weak, as usual. However, Linda delivers pretty well. Her role is not nearly as strong as the one in The Last Seduction, but she is always fun to watch. All in all, not a bad way to kill 93 minutes.