Scorched (2003)

Many people missed this one, and rightfully so, it wasn’t advertised all that well. The casting was kind of different yet worked out well for this story. This film was directed by Gavin Grazer who is the brother of producer Brian Grazer. Gavin also appears in this as the character Cleatis. Joe Wein and Max Wein both joined for the initial story, with Joe Wein writing the screenplay.

First of all, the films setting takes place in a remote small town which nobody has heard of, there isn’t much going on except for the previous teller robbery at this little bank branch. There are a number of different kooky characters who work here and they are all looking for an easy way out of their lives, each of them are motivated by different events and things that happen to them. Each of the bank employees with no plans of working together decide to rob their bank. It unfolds into a fairly clever story.

Alicia Silverstone plays Sheila Rilo and leaves her ‘Batgirl’ and ‘Clueless’ days behind her. Her character is one of several other people working at this same bank – where things collide into a fateful event towards the latter half of the film. Woody Harrelson plays a character named Jason ‘Woods’ Valley who is the assistant bank manager trying to climb up the corporate ladder his character has a pet duck and is a real oddball guy. The bank manager was played by Joshua Leonard as Rick and wanders around outside the bank for most of his scenes, but he seemed to fit the part well enough I guess.

Canadian actor Paulo Costanzo appears in this as Stuart ‘Stu’ Stein he plays the other bank teller and gets mixed up with his acquaintance named Max who is a fast mouthed, fast talking swindler type of a guy played by David Krumholtz who devises a plan. John Cleese appears in this also, as the wealthy self made millionaire Charles Merchant; you might know him from the British Monty Python television and films. His dog made for an amusing side-kick. Ivan Sergei plays Mark the fireman and later becomes the love interest of Sheila.

The character Shmally was played by Rachael Leigh Cook, this was an uncharacteristic type role for her to play, but she did well with it, you will appreciate seeing her as a heroine type character in her day dream fantasy sequences as her character is mentally trapped at different times within a role playing type game scenario. She lets this crossover into her real life experiences as well which is humorous. Her roommate and friend is played by Marcus Thomas as Carter Doleman a hopeless hapless loser trying to land employment in this crazy world. Jeffrey Tambor appears in this as the Bank Employer and Renee Olstead best known from the television series “Still Standing” plays the Girl Scout and Wayne Morse plays a character named Gavin.

It is interesting to see how they used each character and how they all had the same idea yet did it differently trying to steal from the same bank they work at. Their supervisor was a typical corporate prick played by Joshua Leonard who was pretty convincing.

This off-beat film was worthy to watch and captivating enough to get a few laughs out of it, the entire premise was pretty ridiculous and unrealistic but it didn’t have to be reality, it was fine by its own right. That being said, the quirky nature of each scene was done timely and kept you interesting in knowing what these people were going to do next. It was fun and unusually surprising to see.

Scorched

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

Scorched (2003) Review

Shrek Forever After (2010)

It is not often that a quality family film hits theaters, I thought the latest Shrek film was better than the previous one, and as the final film in this franchise, I think you will find it fitting how they wrap up the story with Shrek and his friends in Far, far away land. Go out and see this, it was certainly as crafty and clever as the previous three films even more so. I didn’t see it in 3D, but I’m sure that added to the experience as well. Not since How to Train Your Dragon (2010) did I enjoy an animated film in the theater like this. I also recommend seeing the film Monsters vs Aliens (2009).

Mike Mitchell directed this Shrek, and also did the character voices for the Tour Guide, the Camp Ogre, the Ogre Naysayer, the Baba Witch, the Melty Witch, Witch Guard #2, and Butter Pants. This version of Shrek seemed to have a bit darker edge to it…which added something overall. I remember glancing in the theater at the children in the audience, they were captivated entirely, even the smaller children. Shrek Forever After was written by Josh Klausner who worked on Shrek the Third (2007) as well. Darren Lemke also collaborated with Josh on the screenplay.

The film has enough humor, storyline and tragic moments in it to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. I found it to be quite balanced and it brought a new character to the mix that causes trouble for Shrek and his name is Rumpelstiltskin the voiceover was done by actor/writer/director Walt Dohrn who previously did a number of voices for Shrek the Third (2007) and some additional dialogue for Shrek 2 (2004).

Mike Myers returns as the voice of Shrek along with Eddie Murphy as the voice of Donkey, Cameron Diaz as the voice of Princess Fiona and Antonio Banderas as the voice of Puss in Boots. Together they are once again brilliant and their voices seem to match these characters helping to give them life on the big screen.

There are more talents in this film including Julie Andrews as the voice of the Queen and John Cleese as the voice of King Harold. Jon Hamm is the voice of Brogan; Craig Robinson is the voice of Cookie, and Lake Bell as the voice of Patrol Witch and Wagon Witch #2. Jane Lynch as the voice of Gretched, Mary Kay Place as the Guard Witch and Kathy Griffin as the voice of Dancing Witch and Wagon Witch #1. Meredith Vieira is Broomsy Witch and Kristen Schaal is the voice of Pumpkin Witch and the Palace Witch.

All in all, I think you will find this film to be charming as a fantasy themed animated film, it was quite remember able. I highly recommend catching this one in the theater while you can. It was entertaining and worthy of a watch.

Shrek Forever After

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

Shrek Forever After (2010) Review

The Big Picture (1989)

This film pokes fun of the Hollywood system and how people put movies together. It follows a young film director fresh out of film school named Nick Chatman played by Kevin Bacon. Maybe you have heard of the Kevin Bacon game? It is where you try to link Kevin to other actors that he has worked with. Christopher Guest who is an actor and musician as well directed this; and helped write the screenplay with Michael Varhol. Fellow actor Michael McKean also helped write the screenplay. He plays the role of Emmet Sumner in this film.

The character Nick Chatman is the centerpiece of the story, and you see the interaction between him and a wide array of different characters throughout the entire film. It begins with him at an award show being honored for his short film that he did. It gets the attention of a particular studio executive named Allen Habel played by the late J.T. Walsh. He then presents him with the chance at directing his very own film with a much larger budget. Nick is very eager and excited at the idea having the chance to bring his film to life, which is set in the wintertime, within a cabin with a rich character driven storyline.

Nick is also in a relationship with his girlfriend Susan Rawlings who he has been dating for a while played by Emily Longstreth. He makes friends with Jennifer Jason Leigh who plays Lydia Johnson she also attended the same film school that he did. They put together a music video for her friend which catches the attention of Allen Habels assistant Todd Marvin played by Don Franklin. From this point on, the Hollywood buzz begins, and everyone is out to get a piece of Nick begging him to work with them. Earlier on he struggled to get people to notice him at all.

Nicks agent is played by Martin Short who was uncredited for this role as Neil Sussman. He plays an off the wall strange man with smarmy-like qualities. Teri Hatcher plays a sexy seductress named Gretchen who only starts to pine after Nick when she thinks he is successful to further her acting career.

More of the cast includes: John Cleese playing a Bartender, Richard Belzer plays a Video Show Host, Eddie Albert as M.C., June Lockhart as Janet Kingsley, Roddy McDowall as the Judge, Kim Miyori as Jenny Sumner, Nancy Valen plays Young Sharon, Dan Schneider plays Jonathan Tristan-Bennet, Jason Gould is Carl Manknik, Tracy Brooks Swope is Lori Pressman, Gary Kroeger is Mark, Fran Drescher plays Polo Habel, Elliott Gould who was uncredited plays a Prosecutor, Alice Hirson is Mrs. Chapman and Grant Owens is Mr. Chapman.

If you are interested in the way movies are made or just like a good comedy then this will interest you. It wasn’t over the top laughter, but it had some funny moments in it. I think most people will probably enjoy this one. The tagline for this was “Hollywood Reel To Real”.

The Big Picture

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

The Big Picture (1989) Review

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

This was a remake of the 1951 movie with the same title. I went to see this in the theatre with my wife, and both of us did think it was worth the price of admission. I recall only seeing part of the original film and tried to remember it. Of course now with special effects the way they are, and things getting better all the time, a movie like this has new life in a visual sense. The leading roles are performed by Keanu Reeves as Klaatu an alien being far away from earth who is sent here to destroy us with his guardian robotic friend watching out for him. The character Klaatu is then taken to a military base where he is diagnosed as examined.

The lovely and talented Jennifer Connelly stars as Dr. Helen Benson she then chooses to help Klaatu which in turn changes the outcome of the story. There are other appearances in this like Kathy Bates playing the Secretary of Defense Regina Jackson and as usual she is brilliant. Newcomer Jaden Smith who is the son of Will and Jada Smith plays the role of Jacob Benson the son of Connelly’s character. The comedic actor John Cleese also appears as Professor Barnhardt in this. I recommend this as a rental if you are in the mood for a sci-fi film.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) Review