![]() Seeing as I've already thrown the first 'Clerks' into this long list of "Screening Suggestions", we're finally jumping ahead to 'Clerks II' - the review being about as long-awaited as the actual movie. I still remember being under the proverbial rock when this was finally coming out, commenting on a forum, wondering whatever happened to the 'Clerks II' project, and being answered with a trailer. It looked like fun, but I had to say, I was sort of iffy about the presentation. Watching the original trailer, it showed higher production value, better quality, and colour - all things that 'Clerks' was not. There was something about that, that turned me off. 'Clerks' had become so well-known for that low-budget quality amongst its fans, that it was part of what made it so good. A part of its charm was this look because it felt like Kevin Smith; a newcomer at the time, understood the life of the average Joe a bit more than some of those higher-up directors whose idea of an average Joe job was working in an office, and the average convenience store clerk was some kind of racial stereotype. To this day, that original 'Clerks' is probably the Kevin Smith film I hold closest to my heart, because, at the time, I was a cashier at a grocery store, also dealing with the general public. To me, 'Clerks' was this amazing portrayal of a couple of guys working retail, dealing with customers, and saying things we only wished we could say to some of our customers. This was just a little too different for my taste, but I did decide that since I was still a Kevin Smith fan, I had to give it a shot. The result was me watching it three times in theaters, and eventually owning a DVD copy the day of its release. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. This takes place ten years down the road for Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) and shows them working the fast food gig at Mooby's (the View Askewniverse answer to the average fast-food joint, with a mascot made to be "as close to Mickey Mouse as possible without getting sued"). The pair work under their manager, Becky Scott (Rosario Dawson), and alongside a bit of a punching-bag character named Elias (Trevor Fehrman), who also happens to be one of the best things about this movie. You see, Elias is the gullible fanboy geek type who, in some ways, brings his punishment on himself with things he says or does. The restaurant work for Dante and Randal is due to their old stomping grounds, the Quick Stop, being burned to the ground. Terrorists? Nope, Randal left the coffee pot on again. Anyway, now Dante is engaged to be married to a woman named Emma Bunting (Jennifer Schwalbach) who, ironically as Kevin Smith's wife in real life, is perhaps the least likable character in the film (on purpose). While Emma lays out a whole future for Dante to basically wander into, Dante's still that stubborn dude who won't disrupt things just so he can sh*t comfortably. In the meantime, Becky may just end up being reason enough for Dante to stay put and not move away with Emma. A lot like the first 'Clerks', the central focus has to do with a love triangle situation involving Dante while all sorts of hilarious shenanigans unfold involving other comedy relief characters. Apart from Randal and Elias playing super well off each other, we also get the triumphant return of the now clean (but still holding) Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, respectively) who are just as funny sober as they ever were stoned. Once again, so much of this movie's humour comes out of the casual banter these characters have with each other. Some talk about the "dos and don'ts" of sex; some innocent fan feuding about film franchise quality; and SOME pretty damn edgy stuff. But I might suggest that it's satire in this case. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it. One thing I really admire about Kevin Smith is that he makes his movies for his fans, and not so much to appeal to the masses. He's not after Oscars or even positive reviews from critics (even as I sit and write all this); he just wants to make the people who love him happy, as in to return the favour. Us Smith fans are pretty loyal to the guy, even to a fault. I don't deny that I thought some of his later stuff was "crap", but that's just me. A lot of his fans on the Facebook page I follow are loving his new stuff because it's so off-the-wall and crazy weird. Either way, we do seem to be at square one again with 'Clerks III' as we all anxiously await some kind of first trailer.
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![]() This is a fine example of a movie that one might not necessarily see as a "good movie", and I might have to admit to some of the material contained within to be somewhat dated (which I may just have to start referring to as the "General 80s/90s Comedy Warning" (it feels like I have to do that a lot with movies from those eras). However, this is a fascinating example of an all-star cast movie, as it covers a sort of all-over range of performers. The film is as simple as a cross-country race that starts in Connecticut, and all the humour that ensues, as celeb vs celeb vs celeb races for the finish line. Our "mains" in this include a race car driver named JJ McClure (Burt Reynolds) and his mechanic, Victor Prinzi (Dom DeLuise) who choose do disguise themselves as paramedics and drive an ambulance fitted with a NASCAR engine, as that can cut through traffic like butter. Along for the ride with them is Doctor Nikolas Van Helsing (Jack Elam) who they kind of need for the whole operation. As the race begins and progresses, we meet a group of colourful characters. This is a large cast, so I'll try to keep things simple. First, former F1 racer, Jamie Blake (Dean Martin) and his teammate, Morris Fenderbaum (Sammy Davis Jr.) in their Ferrari 308 GTS 1979, dressed as priests. Second, the lovely, but manipulative Jill Rivers (Tara Buckman) and Marcie Thatcher (Adrienne Barbeau) in their Lamborghini Countach. Third, Seymour Goldfarb Jr. (Roger Moore), who's a "Roger Moore look-alike" and even drives an Aston Martin DB5. Fourth, a couple of hilariously stereotypical southerners named Terry (Terry Bradshaw) and Mel (Mel Tillis), driving a replica of Donnie Allison's Hawaiian Tropic-sponsored NASCAR Winston Cup Series Chevrolet stock car. Now, where the movie will probably really get offensive for viewers involves our fifth racer, Sheik (Jamie Farr), driving a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, and that's all I probably need to say about him. Remembering this was 1981, we still hadn't quite hit that point where "race face" wasn't acceptable anymore. However, speaking of multiculturalism, Lastly, we have Jackie Chan and Michael Hui, seemingly playing themselves, driving a computerized Subaru GL 4WD. That's right, 1981 Jackie Chan, in only his second American movie (the first being 'The Big Brawl', only just the previous year). I'm pretty sure there are several other characters I haven't even mentioned yet, but as far as the main cast goes, that's pretty much it - two whole paragraphs worth. But despite some of these character perhaps being a little too much at times, there's a lot of real fun to be had with this movie. In many ways, it reminds me of 'Rat Race', which is practically the 'Cannonball Run' for the next generation - a race featuring an all-star cast, and it's much more fun than serious all the way through. I have to say, I got quite a few genuine laughs from this, but I also have to say, there was a lot of it (especially when it comes to the character Shiek) that I had to cringe at. I think this film is perfectly enjoyable IF you can accept the leeway of its time. Having said that, I would probably suggest that this is far more made with my generation, or even the previous generation in mind, considering its cast. While a lot of those names will jump off the page to some readers, other younger readers will no doubt be asking "who?" So I recommend this mostly as a sort of Sunday afternoon comedy for anyone who knows and enjoys all (or almost all) of these performers. And they really do cover a wide range, from dramatic actors, to singers, to athletic talent, I think there's at least one character here for anyone to route for. Not for everyone, but if you like a good race featuring colourful characters, I might suggest checking it out if you can. ![]() It has actually been long enough since I've seen this that it's almost new to me again, despite a few odds and ends I remembered, when I saw it as a kid, probably around 10 or 11 years old. That said, although I didn't quite remember everything, my memories of it are quite fond. It's like when you go on vacation without a camera, then years later, remember it being fun, but don't remember a lot of specifics. Moving on, however, 'City Slickers' introduces us to Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal), Ed Furrilo (Bruno Kirby) and Phil Berquist (Daniel Stern), running from the bulls in Spain; just one of several adventure trips the trio makes in order to escape their mundane, everyday. Mitch hates his job, Phil hates his marriage, and Ed just isn't ready to settle down. On Mitch's 39th birthday, Phil and Ed talk Mitch into checking out a two-week cattle drive from New Mexico to Colorado. Mitch's wife, Barbara (Patricia Wettig), eventually convinces him, thinking it's something he needs, as he's been a bit of a downer lately. So, indeed, this is another one of those movies like 'Wild Hogs' or 'The World's End', largely about a group of middle-aged men, trying to recapture their youth, or at least do some soul searching in the process. I tend to have a bit of a soft spot for these types of movies, and perhaps this is where it all started, because this is one of the best of them. Upon arrival in New Mexico, the three guys are introduced to ranch owner, Clay Stone (Noble Willingham); Barry and Ira Shalowitz (Josh Mostel and David Paymer, respectively), who are brothers loosely based on famous ice cream brothers, Ben & Jerry; a young woman named Bonnie Rayburn (Helen Slater); a father-son dentist team, Ben and Steve Jessup (Bill Henderson and Phill Lewis, respectively); and last, but certainly not least, a real, rough and tough cowboy named Curly (Jack Palance), whose performance is pretty great here. I seemed to remember his character just being kind of a jerk towards the guys, but I gotta say, this viewing showed me how likable he really was. Most of the adventure comes into play after Mitch accidentally causes a stampede while camping, and much of the rest is the group trying to find and round these cattle up, all while developing their respective characters through the experience. I will warn though, there is a calf born here who Mitch takes under his wing, and it really melts the heart - especially when it's given the name Norman, and you see Crystal treat this animal with all the love and respect you have for your family pet. Norman is adorable, and if you were to ever tell me I'd ever say that about a calf, I'd say you were crazy. It wasn't enough to turn me off of burgers, but dammit, Norman's cute! This move doesn't come without a couple of villains, in the names of Jeff and T.R. (Kyle Secor and Dean Hallo, respectively), but they're basically just bullies through the film. The real challenge here is a men vs nature story combined with a bit of man vs himself and his own mortality. But it does it in a very comedic way, and although I wouldn't call this a dark comedy, I would say it definitely has its moments. One scene involving one particular death actually had me laughing pretty good. This is a great example of a comedy from that era that doesn't have much, if any, moments of cultural ignorance (that I caught, anyway), and I highly recommend giving it a check-out if you need a little slice-of-life comedy in your own life. ![]() When it comes to "feel-good" films, this is a title that's at the top of my list, and has been for quite a long time now. And yes, part of that is, predictably, nostalgia. But there's so much more to this than just a movie I love from my past. This is one of those movies I like to put on if I need cheering up, if I need inspiration, or often, if I'm simply bored. Of course, the presence of John Candy always helps because you simply can't not like that guy. As sunny winter approaches in beautiful Jamaica, a sprinter named Derice Bannock (Leon) is in the training process to qualify for the 100 meter race in the 1988 Summer Olympics. During the qualifying sprint, he, and fellow athlete Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba) are tripped when a young runner named Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis) falls during the race. This disqualifies all three of them. But when Derice vents to President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Barrington Coolidge (Winston Stona), he picks up on a potential chance to qualify for the '88 winter Olympics, if only he can get disgraced ex-coach Irving Blitzer (Candy) on board. With the help of his best friend, Jamaican push cart derby champion, Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug), they seek the help of Irving, who they learn lives on the island. At first, Irv is reluctant, but nevertheless arranges a meeting for any Jamaican athletes who wish to become the first Jamaican Bobsled Team. Soon, Derice, Sanka, Yul and Junior end up being the necessary team of four. The rest of the story does play out pretty much as one might expect, with a couple of differences - this inspires in ways far beyond being good at sports, and the way the film ends, without going into too much detail, is actually quite refreshing. What I do love about this one though is a bit of a list. I'm not gonna say it's the "perfect movie" or anything, but there's a certain something about it. There is a short list of movies that I have in mind that, when they end, I am left with a sense of warmth and happiness. Some of these (just personally) include 'Soul' and 'Love, Actually'. Usually there's something that stands out significantly about it on a personal level. 'Cool Runnings' does it with each of its characters, who match this thing I like to call the "Formula of Four" (and to be fair, credit goes to "Cracked - After Hours" for that one.) Concerning the "Formula of Four", basically it's a concept we've seen in a lot of different things like 'Ghostbusters' and 'Ninja Turtles'. You have a leader, or heart - a sort of lawful good character (Derice); you have the comedy relief (Sanka); you have the brain, or the little guy (Junior); and finally, you have the "other guy" - often a hot-head of sorts, but also often just the cool one in the group, or sometimes even "the audience" (Yul). For me, especially in re-watches of it, I try to take into account the subtle lessons these guys learn along the way. The big one is simply "don't give up", but there's more in here like "follow your dreams" and "stand up to your parents once in a while". This one is a timeless classic, almost guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face. It should also be pointed out that a big part of this has to do with the Jamaican team being ridiculed for trying something they couldn't possibly be familiar with. They were further ridiculed for... let's just say other things... and quite honestly, John Candy delivers one of my favourite lines here, addressing the issue. As much as I watch this for laughs and a good time, I should also note that there's a few things here and there that need to be seen and heard today. This is a lot of fun to watch, sure, but I daresay it's also somewhat important in today's society. And honestly, that goes for more than just the racial issues the film addresses. |
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