Herein, forthwith, etc, is another Guilty Pleasure; this time it’s one of the earliest works of the writers Abrahams, Zucker and Zucker, the mad minds behind the “Airplane!” movies.  Heavily influenced by sketch comedy (this movie premiered the same year as “Saturday Night Live”), “Kentucky Fried Movie” is a series of vignettes parodying all sorts … Continue reading "Episode 40: Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)"

the indie film movement.  “Chasing Amy”

is a Golden Globe nominee.  “Dogma” is

one of my favorite movies.  But . . .

this one.  “Mallrats” is, shall we say,

not one of his best.  This one, however,

is my pick, partly because it is supposed to take place in the Mall of America,

that monument to shopping that opened while I was living in Minnesota.  The movie is dopey, the plot and dialogue are

juvenile, but it’s still quite a bit of fun. 

The movie introduced us to Ben Affleck, tried to given Shannon Doherty a

film career (ok, bit of a misfire there), AND it included a speaking

performance by the great Stan Lee that’s more than one line! Also, this is the

movie that is referenced by the Stan Lee cameo in the recent MCU film “Captain

Marvel.” So . . . that’s gotta mean something, right? Right? Um . . . so

anyway, join us and maybe you too will be able to see the sailboat.

Kevin Smith is a celebrated director.  “Clerks” is often credited with jumpstarting the indie film movement.  “Chasing Amy” is a Golden Globe nominee.  “Dogma” is one of my favorite movies.  But . . . this one.  “Mallrats” is, shall we say, not one of his best.  This one, however, is my pick, partly because it … Continue reading "Episode 39: Mallrats (1995)"

Here it is folks: if you look in the encyclopedia under “guilty pleasure,” all you’ll see is a picture of Bruce Willis and the words “Hudson Hawk.”  It’s true.  Don’t bother actually checking an encyclopedia (right, like anyone has one of those lying around anymore) and most importantly don’t ask anyone who owns an encyclopedia … Continue reading "Episode 38: Hudson Hawk (1991)"

Here

it is folks: if you look in the encyclopedia under “guilty pleasure,” all

you’ll see is a picture of Bruce Willis and the words “Hudson Hawk.”  It’s true. 

Don’t bother actually checking an encyclopedia (right, like anyone has

one of those lying around anymore) and most importantly don’t ask anyone who

owns an encyclopedia to actually check because they are lying to you. Yes, this

week we’re talking about the movie that dares to ask the question “ . . . wait,

what just happened?” A remarkable cast, some great locations, David Caruso in a

blissfully silent part, and a script that is so dang bazonkas it’s

hilarious.  Yes, this is a terribly made

movie but . . . darn it, the thing is just so much fun.  Forget about suspending your disbelief, lock

your disbelief in the basement, nail the door closed and come and listen to

us.  C’mon; you could be swingin’ on a

star!

of mine: the John Cusack (and most of his family) vehicle “Grosse Point Blank,”

a movie about a charming professional assassin attending his 10th

high school reunion.

Yeah, I know.

I do recognize this movie as seriously flawed: plot holes, odd improvised

dialogue, a tone that shifts so wildly and suddenly you might end up with

whiplash but the characters are a lot of fun, the cast is very cool and the

music is pure 80’s (in a good way. No, really). 

It’s just . . . odd.  And really,

are we supposed to be rooting for a murderer-for-hire to reconcile with his

high-school sweetheart and find love? Really?

But where else will you find a movie with Alan Arkin, Dan Ackroyd and

kick-boxing legend Benny “The Jet” Urquidez in it? Seriously, where? Give a

listen, maybe we’ll tell you (spoiler: we won’t).

Welcome back, Pointers! This week’s “Guilty Pleasure” is one of mine: the John Cusack (and most of his family) vehicle “Grosse Point Blank,” a movie about a charming professional assassin attending his 10th high school reunion. Yeah, I know. I do recognize this movie as seriously flawed: plot holes, odd improvised dialogue, a tone that … Continue reading "Episode 37: Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)"

Pleasures,” movies that we know we shouldn’t enjoy but dang it, we just can’t

help ourselves.  This week is Mike’s

choice and this one is less a guilty pleasure because of its quality but rather

because of . . . well, who’s involved in it. 

“The Ninth Gate” is an intriguing possibly-paranormal thriller involving

rare books, ancient codes, and a Satanic cult. 

Where’s the guilt? Well, it stars Johnny Depp, who as we’ve seen in

recent years is not one of humanity’s best and its directed by the brilliant

director, if absolutely lousy human being, {shudder} Roman Polanski.  In this episode, we hearken back to the

beginning and our difficulties with movies that are created in part by some

wretched example of our species and whether we should even watch such things. Is

this movie worth the discomfort it provokes? Give a little listen.

And we’re back, with another in our series of “Guilty Pleasures,” movies that we know we shouldn’t enjoy but dang it, we just can’t help ourselves.  This week is Mike’s choice and this one is less a guilty pleasure because of its quality but rather because of . . . well, who’s involved in it.  … Continue reading "Episode 36: The Ninth Gate (1999)"

of darkness and depth . . . of midnight . . . of the soul.  Yes, that’s where I was going with this.  Welcome back to our series “Guilty

Pleasures,” where each week one of us chooses a movie that we enjoy, even

though there is absolutely no good reason that we do.  Really, no good reason at all.  Seriously. 

We can offer no excuses.  These

are movies that we get a kick out of even though it makes each of us a Mr.

Wrongy Von Wrongerson of the House of Wrong. 

This week’s particular bit of wrongosity is the 2015 animated musical

feature by . . .  wait, that can’t be

right.  George Lucas? Seriously? George

Lucas woke up one morning and thought to himself “Y’know, I gave the world

Jedis and robots and fish-headed aliens. 

You know what the logical follow-up to that is? Yes! Animated fairies

and goblins dancing and singing pop songs. 

Everyone will love it, just like they loved Jar-Jar! I’m a super-smarty

creative genius!”  The only thing dopier

than the movie itself is the fact that I actually think it’s fun.  Clearly I need professional help. Give a

listen and maybe you can suggest a nice anti-psychotic I could take.