elsie1888 Reviews

Dick (1999)

like seeing my teen years again

[9/10 · 21 June 2006]

Loved this - like walking through my HS yearbook, looking at the clothes, hearing the music. Especially loved the scene where Arlene and Betsy talk about their white house experiences to two VERY different teachers - Betsy gets kudos from her hippie teacher who thinks it is all a very creative writing endeavor, and poor Arlene is vilified by her strict old school English teacher for writing a treason-filled paper about the president. I SO remember having teachers from both ends of the spectrum like that.

I probably was about 15 during Watergate, and I think the depiction of these girls at that age, relating to the politics of the era (at first no interest), then as it started to affect them - (brother possibly drafted), the awakening of interest and action, was right on target for the way I was.

If it translates to today's world it would be great.

The laughs are fun, the girls do well, as do so many of "the boys" from Canada, and Will Ferell and others. Great soundtrack also.

Lake Placid (1999)

It's a COMEDY folks

[8/10 · 15 February 2005]

I love watching this movie. I love this dialog in a "horror" film. I got myself a copy on DVD and watch it at least a few times a year. There are some classic lines between the city folk vs. the bumpkins. Fonda's line about the sarcasm being too subtle is great (while spraying RAID in the middle of Maine). Betty White is building her career these days being the tart-mouthed old broad (see "Boston Legal" - another David Kelley production). Also, the interplay between Oliver Platt and the actor playing the sheriff are priceless.

Contrary to what others have written - I think the special effects go just fine with the overall campy and comedy feel of the movie and the amount of gore is also appropriate. More would change the tone of the film from the comedy which I enjoy, to one more of a gross-out nature.

Just a favorite of mine. Try it if you, for example, liked "Love at First Bite" - you will probably like this too.

Love at First Bite (1979)

hilarious

[8/10 · 14 February 2005]

As a product of the 70's myself, I love this movie for the nostalgia. It is SO on target. The version they show on HBO still has the "Nightlife" song. The movie is a little hard on the Harlem stereotypes, but that is how NYC was in the 70's.

I love the cheesy special effects but they fit with the spoofiness/goofiness very well.

I also think Richard Benjamin really steals the show with "It's OK...I'm a doctor". Having Dick Shawn along for the ride doesn't hurt either. I smile just thinking about it. Artie Johnson is also an excellent Renfield. I recently saw the Coppola version of Dracula, and would take this movie over that one any time.