I was thinking about a good family film that was entertaining and fun to watch. This one I think was a standout. The cast includes a number of talent individuals who bring something to this story. There are loads of setup gags, and some action sequences thrown into the mix. Joe Johnston brings his flair for theatrics in his own special way. He has previously done other films such as Jurassic Park III (2001), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), and his upcoming film The Wolfman (2010). The writing credits go to Jonathan Hensleigh, Greg Taylor, and Jim Strain for the screenplay. The film was based upon the book by Chris Van Allsburg.
I watched this film in the theatre by myself when it was released, it was a fun experience. I remember children in the theatre laughing at some of the scenes, and one kid in particular had a funny laugh which added something as well. The story is about a board game, which has magical powers to bring forth things to reality such as monkeys, rhinos, spiders and more. Imagine a jungle appearing inside your town and all the havoc it would bring. This is what happens to the cast as they are forced to finish playing the game and try to win it.
The story follows a young Alan Parrish played by Adam Hann-Byrd he is a boy who discovers a unique board game; he decides he wants to try it out along with a friend of his named Sarah played by Laura Bell Bundy who lives nearby. Little do they know what would happen as they continued playing? Alan is hoisted away into the Jumanji jungles as his friend Sarah gasps in horror.
Fast forward time to modern day, as Nora Shepherd played by Bebe Neuwirth moves into her new home formerly owned by the Parrish family along with her nephew Peter Shepherd played by Bradley Pierce and her niece played Kirsten Dunst as Judy Shepherd. Alan Parrish returns after the children (Peter and Judy) decide to play the same board game again and the younger Alan returns as a grown man after his time away living in the jungle. He is played by Robin Williams who did a terrific job with the part; Bonnie Hunt plays the older Sarah who is now much older as well. I think she was a standout in this film as well.
More of the cast includes Jonathan Hyde playing both Van Pelt and Sam Parrish; you might recognize him from other films such as The Mummy (1999) or Titanic (1997). David Alan Grier plays Bentley, Patricia Clarkson is Carol Parrish, James Handy is the Exterminator, Gillian Barber is Mrs. Thomas, Brandon Obray is Benjamin, Cyrus Thiedeke is Caleb, and Gary Joseph Thorup is Billy Jessup.
Jumanji received attention from a few different awards; the film won a Saturn Award for Best Special Effects by Stan Parks, and Best Supporting Actress by Bonnie Hunt. There were a few nominations as well including: Best Actor Robin Williams, Best Director Joe Johnston, Best Fantasy Film, and Best Performance by a Younger Actor by Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce who were both nominated for.
I think you will find this to be a delightful film, and it certainly holds up as a good one to watch even now as something you can enjoy together with friends and family. I highly recommend seeing this one.
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
I went to see this with my sister and friend on a weekday afternoon, there were a few people there in the theatre with us. We suspected it to be a pretty good film, and walked out of the theatre liking the film and felt we got our money’s worth. The cast was loaded with major or future major Hollywood players. Christian Slater did the acting for the role of Daniel Malloy for free and gave the money he would have earned to River Phoenix’s favorite charity. Originally River was selected for the part of Daniel Malloy but tragically died. Christian’s late friend was a lost talent and taken too early from this world.
Neil Jordan directed this film originally based upon the writings by author Anne Rice a New Orleans native. She also did the screenplay as well for this film. Neil Jordan has directed other features such as the controversial The Crying Game (1992).
You will see Brad Pitt playing a vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac and is the leading character in this story. He is accompanied by Tom Cruise playing a vampire named Lestat de Lioncourt. Also keep your eyes open for a very young Kirsten Dunst who plays Claudia. This was her early breakthrough role which gained her popularity. To see all three of these actor’s as vampires is worth the watch itself. But, there is an interesting storyline which surrounds them as well.
Also, keep your eyes open for Thandie Newton playing Yvette. The cast is rather small, but there are other appearances by Antonio Banderas as Armand, Stephen Rea as Santiago, Virginia McCollam as the Whore on Waterfront, John McConnell as the Gambler, Mike Seelig as the Pimp, Bellina Logan as the Tavern Girl, Lyla Hay Owen as Widow St. Clair, Lee E. Scharfstein as the Widow’s Lover, Indra Ové as the New Orleans Whore, Helen McCrory as a Whore, Monte Montague as Plague Victim Bearer, and Nathalie Bloch-Lainé as the Maid.
Overall, I think you will find this to be quite an entertaining film, if you like horror films and films with narrative sequences in them you will certainly like this. The story is told in a number of flashback scenes which are fittingly done. This is a vampire tale you have to watch!
This one might have been one you missed, but it is certainly worthy of your time. I found it to be quite a good film, with a well character driven storyline. If you enjoy the work of Cameron Crowe, then you will like this one, he directed and also wrote the screenplay for this. The film has a somber mood towards the beginning, as the leading character Drew Baylor portrayed by Orlando Bloom gets fired from a shoe company that he works for as an industrial designer. His boss Phil Devoss is played by Alec Baldwin. This leads to him losing all sense of purpose in life, and he falls into a deep spiral of depression. Just as he is ready to take his own life, the phone suddenly rings with news of his father’s death back in Elizabethtown.
Drew is elected to take responsibility of the situation, since his mother Hollie Baylor played by Susan Sarandon and his Sister Heather Baylor played by Judy Greer both decide to shrug off anything to do with this, as it was his late father’s last request. He has a cousin Jessie Baylor played by Paul Schneider who is much different than him; with his view points on life, which helps change his perspective on things. During his travel to Elizabethtown, Kentucky he meets the witty flight attendant Claire Colburn played by Kirsten Dunst they seemingly hit it off and she decides to help him.
There are more characters in this such as: Bruce McGill playing Bill Banyon, Jessica Biel playing Ellen Kishmore, Loudon Wainwright III as Uncle Dale, Gailard Sartain playing Charles Dean, Jed Rees is Chuck Hasboro, Paula Deen plays Aunt Dora, Dan Biggers is Uncle Roy, Alice Marie Crowe plays Aunt Lena, and Tim Devitt is Mitch Baylor.
I recommend this one; it will leave you feeling sad and happy by the end of the film. This will be remembered by the film community as a standout. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
