DerekTheCritic Reviews

The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996)

The power of the 1st Amendment

[10/10 · 20 May 2013]

Courtney Love is the worst part of this movie. She's terrible, hard to stomach, and can't act to save her life. THAT SAID....

This is one of the best movies I've ever seen, and it really makes you think about what it means to live in the USA. For those of you out there reading this review who do not live in the USA, you've no doubt heard about how we Americans like to pride ourselves for being so freaking awesome... until someone points out how backwards and self-absorbed we really are. That's not to say Americans are bad (quite the contrary), but we definitely have a problem admitting when we're wrong. This movie makes no apologies, and goes straight for the jugular. And thanks to Milos Foreman, and Larry Flynt himself, this movie asks us to consider just how fundamental the right of free speech, and the freedom of expression, is to society. And yes, it relates to hardcore porn.

Without delving too much into the technical aspects of the movie, let me just say that if you watch the Edward Norton courtroom scenes (the first where Larry Flynt himself is the judge, and the last one when he's arguing to the Supreme Court), and the epic speech our protagonist gives on "sex versus death," you are going to start developing opinions. It is going to make you think, and it might challenge your comfort zone. And for all those reasons, this movie is worth every moment of your time... including those painful scenes involving Courtney Love.

I still think about this movie sometimes, whenever I hear people arguing about their First Amendment rights. Larry Flynt might not be a knight in shining armor, so to speak, but what he stands for is more than just porn - it's freedom of expression, and Americans have to accept that that doesn't necessarily mean something tame or conservative. It's an important lesson, and a movie that should not be missed.

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Remarkably Good Movie - not JUST for Trek fans!

[9/10 · 17 May 2013]

My wife and I watched the last 40 minutes of this movie on TV last night. She works for a production company that worked on "Into Darkness," and she had never seen any of the older Star Trek movies. I had seen "First Contact" when it came out in theaters, and I remembered that I really enjoyed it. At first I figured, "Well, I was a kid, and everything that involved space ships and lasers and explosions was cool back then." Boy, was I wrong.

"First Contact" is not simply a sci-fi movie. In many ways, it is a movie about accepting responsibility and going the extra mile to do the right thing. Whether it's Picard refusing to abandon ship, or Data struggling to reject becoming a human (something he's always wanted), or Cochrane struggling to muster up the balls to test his FTL ship. Does it help to be a Star Trek fan? No, not really. It's not like they blindly reference old episodes from the show without any explanation - everything that happens is explained and easy to understand. Still, unlike JJ Abrams, this movie isn't dumbed down to encourage non-fans to give it a shot.

I was surprised to find myself emotionally invested in the ending, especially after only tuning in over half-way through and having to explain several plot points to my wife (amazingly, I remembered MUCH more than I thought). And here's the crazy part, folks: you know how you can be flipping through the channels, come across a show or movie you haven't seen in a long time, it keeps your interest until the first commercial break, and then you change the channel? That didn't happen. My wife and I watched the whole damn thing - it kept our attention the entire time. And when a movie can do that, you know it's worth watching.

I highly recommend this movie. I'll go so far as to say I think it's better than "Wrath of Khan." Yeah, I said it!

Inside Amy Schumer (2013–2022)

Really, really funny

[9/10 · 1 May 2013]

When I saw the commercials for Amy Schumer's new show, I thought it looked OK. I've seen some of Schumer's stand-up, and I thought it was OK. And when I started watching her new show... it was hilarious. It was downright hilarious. And I don't say that often.

The sketches were clever and well-acted (especially the one about her being stuck on an airplane having to watch "Zoo Keeper"), and the humor was consistent. "Key & Peele" is usually funny for the first few segments, then gets really slow and eventually picks back up again. Chappelle's Show was great in the beginning, but started to become bland, blindly racist or sensitive, button-pushing (which is ultimately why Dave himself left the show... he did NOT go crazy, as some people claim). And of course, the Sarah Silverman Program.... yeah. Let's not go there. That was NOT funny.

But then there's Amy Schumer. She's charming, she's funny, and the material is truly hilarious. Sure, not every single second of the show was groundbreaking comedy, but then again, which show has ever achieved that? For a pilot episode to a show that looked decent at best, it was surprisingly funny I really enjoyed it. I hope the show continues to deliver.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Time Chasers (1997) Season 9, Episode 21

Probably the Best Sci-Fi Channel Episode

[10/10 · 26 April 2013]

Whenever my wife and I sit down to enjoy an episode of MST3K, we always end up watching "Time Chasers." In short, this movie itself wasn't that bad. It had a plot, it was creative, and the filmmakers really, really tried to make a decent, low-budget science fiction movie. And for those reasons, it keeps the MST3K episode moving along at an enjoyable pace. Sometimes the movies Mike and the Bots would riff were so boring or bad, it took away from the humor of the show. This is NOT the case with "Time Chasers." Everything in this episode is funny. Pearl and Mike having a heart-to-heart, Crow traveling back to the 1980s to stop Mike from ever ending up on the SOL... it's all very funny. And Mike's evil brother is probably the best side character that Mike ever played. "Hey! This little pencil-neck just say our reality sucks?!" CLASSIC.

This is my favorite MST3K episode. Enjoy it!!

Hitman: Absolution (2012 Video Game)

The Best Hit-man Ever!

[10/10 · 21 November 2012]

As a longtime Hit-man fan, I was eager to play the follow-up to 2006's "Blood Money," but as the years ticked by, I began to think it wasn't going to happen. Either that, or the programmers would take too long and we'd end up with a product like "Duke Nukem Forever." Luckily, the time spent making this latest installment of the Hit-man franchise was well worth it! The graphics are amazing, the music is haunting, and the possibilities are endless. 47 has never looked more real, and his character development is both realistic and engaging. The storyline might be more in-depth than previous Hit-man games (which some critics have scoffed at, strangely), but it just engrosses the gamer even more into this dark, awesome world.

Without giving too much away, the gameplay is basically the same as "Blood Money," but with a new focus option that allows you to see through walls and focus in on the patterns of the AI around you (think of it like Batman's sonar vision from "The Dark Knight" - it's basically the exact same thing). There's also an option to "point shoot," which is identical to the "Dead Eye" target-shooting from "Red Dead Redemption." Hey, if another game made it cool, why not put it in Hit-man? The only real complaint I have is that it's very, very difficult - even on the "normal" mode. The AI are extremely aware, and if you disguise yourself, chances are someone will notice. You can use your "instinct" to blend in and avoid detection, but it's hit-or-miss. And if you blow your cover, you're going to have a hell of a time finishing the mission. Still, it's a blast! And I can't wait to go back and complete every mission in every which way possible!

The Campaign (2012)

All The Funny Parts Are In The Trailer

[4/10 · 13 August 2012]

I think my summary says it all. I had high hopes for this movie, but after watching it this weekend, I am deeply disappointed. There was so much potential - Ferrell and Galifianakis are hilarious and work well together, plus both men are politically active in real life. How could this NOT work? Perhaps it was the directing. Some of the reactions feel over-long, which is difficult to avoid when you're making a comedy. Not everyone does it as flawlessly and perfectly as the editors of "Wedding Crashers," but then again, this movie almost makes it annoyingly over-long when a character delivers a joke and the rest of the characters react/respond. It takes your gag from funny to weird.

Some moments are funny... but they are already in the trailer or are quickly forgotten. Jay Roach needs to step away from directing comedy. He's clearly unable to figure it out.

Black Dynamite (2009)

Dynamite! Dynamite!

[9/10 · 10 July 2012]

When I first saw this movie, I was seriously impressed. Upon second and third viewings, I remain entertained. Most spoof movies are absolute garbage, or try way too hard to get a couple cheap laughs. "Black Dynamite" is not one of those spoof movies.

Michael Jai White is Black Dynamite (if you're not sold by the title alone, you're an idiot). The movie is based in the early 1970s, and parodies the style of blaxploitation flicks. The music is perfect, the cinematography is spot-on, and the comedy is non-stop. Sure, there's a few slow moments in the middle, but for the most part, this is a solid comedy from start to finish.

If you're not amused by Black Dynamite kicking an old woman across a room when she won't open her front door, or if you're not laughing when he screams, "DO YOU SEE WHERE I'M COMIN' FROM YOU JIVE MOTHERFUCKAAAAAAAA!!!!" then you're a lifeless void of a person who should stay away from the world. And seriously, a numchuck fight with Richard Nixon? This movie has everything.

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011)

Realizing the American Dream... with Elmo

[10/10 · 9 July 2012]

When I first heard about "Being Elmo," I didn't immediately think I would enjoy it. Sure, I like the Muppets and Jim Henson movies. And yes, of course I like Elmo (who doesn't?)... so when I watched this movie and was blown away, I was pleasantly surprised. This movie is much, much more than just how Kevin Clash brings Elmo to life on TV. It's a wonderfully compelling story about a young man who worked hard and fulfilled the American Dream. Kevin Clash wanted to be a puppeteer, and today, he's the man behind one of the world's most beloved and recognized characters. How he (and Elmo) got there is a beautiful tale, and this documentary captures it perfectly.

Kevin Clash was teased when he was a child for "playing with dolls." By the time he was a young adult, he landed a job at the Jim Henson Company and started making a living doing what he loved. And when a fellow puppeteer got fed up with a small red character called "Elmo," he tossed it in Kevin's lap and said, "Here, see if you can get something out of this." What happened next was nothing short of historic. And I mean historic in every sense of the word - remember "Tickle Me Elmo" dolls? Yeah, you do. And you probably still have one, and still laugh whenever you hear it.

Kevin had many ups and downs in life, but his parents kept encouraging him and he kept his head on straight. He didn't blow his money or get involved in drugs/crime/etc. - he simply wanted to make people happy. In one of the movie's most important scenes, Kevin explains that the voice and characterization of Elmo originated from watching children playing. "Elmo is all about love." Really? Is it that simple? Yes, it is. And it really, really works.

Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most heart-wrenching scenes I have ever seen happens when Elmo meets a Make-A-Wish child. Kevin Clash stays in character, and when everyone else (including the audience) is in tears, he remains absolutely focused and in control. The commitment to the character, to Jim Henson Studios, and to his family is nothing short of remarkable.

I highly recommend this movie. It will inspire you to be a better person, and will give you newfound respect for the people behind the muppets.

UHF (1989)

From a Weird Al Fan...

[5/10 · 26 June 2012]

Let me start off by saying I am an AVID Weird Al fan. I have all his albums, I know most of his songs by heart, backwards and forwards. I can name every member of his band and I sincerely cried the day his parents were found dead in their home.

THAT said, let's discuss UHF.

This movie is AWFUL. It's not funny, it's poorly written, and it seems to go on forever. The best part - by FAR - is the guy who throws poodles out his window in an attempt to make them fly. There. Was that funny? Not really? Of course not. Because it's not funny. Michael Richards isn't funny either, in fact, he's hard to watch. I can only stand seeing a grown man act like a retard for about... well, three seconds, tops. And he's in this for what feels like hours upon hours.

I love you, Weird Al. You're a good man and a truly talented comedian. But UHF absolutely sucks balls.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

One of the Best Movies Ever Made

[10/10 · 26 June 2012]

In 1972, two men decided to rob a small Chase bank in Brooklyn, New York. The robbery should've lasted ten minutes, but due to poor planning and a couple simple mistakes, the robbery quickly escalated into a hostage negociation that involved the NYPD and FBI. The media quickly picked up the story, and within an hour of the report going out, dozens and dozens of New Yorkers and news vans flooded the area to catch a glimpse at the unfolding crime scene. After 14 hours, the standoff ended, resulting in one fatality and a crazy story that would eventually become one of the 1970s best movies.

Al Pacino is Sonny, a young Vietnam veteran who is attempting to rob a bank to pay for his gay lover's sex-change operation. His partner, Sal, and him really don't have much of a plan, and when it all goes wrong, they demand the FBI send a limo and an airplane to get them out of the country. Sonny is not a bad person, per se - he's emotionally unstable and has had an extremely difficult time re-entering civilian life after fighting in the war. Sal is a bit more disengaged altogether, and has no real backstory other than that he has had several run-ins with the law before.

The surprising part of this movie is that the audience comes to sympathize (in a strange way) with the robbers as well as the hostages. In real life, the tellers and bank manager reported to news outlets that they actually enjoyed their time with the robbers, saying they were very funny and surprisingly good conversationalists. This comes through in the movie, especially at the end when a teller, being let go as part of an agreement between Sonny and the FBI, gives Sal a cross and tells him not to worry - even if it is his first time on a plane, it'll be all right. "I'll pray for you," she says, almost sad to be leaving him behind.

The performances are all top-notch. From the rowdy mob in the street to Sonny's gay lover, Leon; from the goofy teller who seems to be enjoying the hostage situation to Pacino and Cazale themselves, everyone does a terrific job of keeping the audience engaged and entertained. With the exception of a song played during the opening sequence, there is no soundtrack, which is shockingly effective and adds to the vivid realism of the movie.

If you've never seen this movie, please watch it. It wastes no time, pulls no punches, and has a great ending. I don't care if other viewers hated this or didn't connect with the characters... they're sociopaths. Watch this movie with an open mind and just take from it what you will. You won't be disappointed.

The Hurt Locker (2008)

As gripping as it is pointless

[6/10 · 6 March 2010]

After hearing all the good reviews and positive feedback from friends and family, my girlfriend and I decided to finally check out "The Hurt Locker" the Friday before Oscar weekend. As I write this, the Oscars are still two days away, and Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" is poised to win big.

Unfortunately, I don't quite understand where all the hype is coming from for this often suspenseful, more often dull and meandering war drama. Let's get down to brass tax - the main character, SSG William James (played by Jeremy Renner) has absolutely zero character development. He starts out tough-as-nails and cynical...and that's where he stays for the remainder of the movie. Scenes involving the soldiers in combat and during James's defusing of bombs - be they in the middle of the road, or in flaming vehicles - go from gripping and intense to dull and boring within minutes. With a few cuts, this movie could have easily shed 20 to 30 full minutes and lost nothing in the end. And in the end, without giving away anything...I just didn't care. It didn't feel real anymore. SSG James was TOO over-the-top, too much of the same thing, for 2+ hrs.

Sorry, folks. Aside from some decent cinematography, this was another hallow and pointless Iraq War movie. You'd get more kicks and learn more about yourself and the world by watching a documentary on it on the Nat Geo Channel.