SAMTHEBESTEST Reviews

Bull Durham (1988)

A decent baseball sex comedy for a minor-league audience.

[6/10 · 21 May 2024]

Bull Durham (1988) : Brief Review -

A decent baseball sex comedy for a minor-league audience. Bull Durham is a funny sex comedy that lacks depth in the storytelling and enough substance to be called one of the "AFI's 100 years 100 laughs" list movies, so I'd like to kick an aas of the man who put it there. A movie genius like Kevin Costner was made a sex doll and I don't mind seeing a handsome and sexually appealing man like getting a sexy role, but where is the genuineness? He was halfly paired with Susan Sarandon, a woman, who is even worse than sex doll or a female ascot. I thought, why would a sensible man like Crash (Costner) wait for a woman who is changing sex partners every baseball season? Wouldn't a half-brained man go for a new girl with less bed records? Then, you have to think about the entire movie as a comedy, a sex comedy to be more precise, and then you start enjoying it for a while. Then, you have to forget the whole thing again and get serious about life changing theories, baseball theories, sexual theories and those intellectual quotes that meant nothing to the whole storyline. Wasn't it contradicting the entire plot again? That was the mess this film couldn't get out and it feels more messy with that wannabe intellectual and emotional ending, throwing some bitter life facts on two people who didn't care about it in the first place but are now kneeling down before it. This would make a fine comedy for minor-league audiences who aren't familiar with other cult comedies made over the period of 6 decades before Bull Durham was made. It was for the contemporary cinema lovers, and worked decently according to that. However, i still feel it had a larger potential, which got wasted amidst sex show. Overall, a decent "show" for baseball lovers-not Costner lovers because he has had better films and real classics to his name. Still, it's funny enough to spend 110 minutes.

RATING - 6/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Hoosiers (1986)

A basketball film with all your favorite cliches that you cannot really miss.

[7/10 · 20 May 2024]

Hoosiers (1986) : Brief Review -

A basketball film with all your favorite cliches that you cannot really miss. It so happens that I had to watch one of the worst sports films ever and one of the best sports films on the same day, back-to-back. The worst one is Challengers (2024), and the latter is, of course, Hoosiers (1986). It isn't a classic tale for me, but it's a close call. Maybe because the 80s had a classic like Chariots of Fire (1981) that dealt with a sensitive topic. Hoosiers was much lighter and somewhat funny too. Recently, Taika Waititi made "Next Goal Wins" (2023), and now I can say it was so similar to this one. Factually speaking, both are inspired by true events, so my statement does not make any sense. However, the similarities are too close to be overlooked. Anyway, David Anspaugh didn't know that Waititi was going to make a similar film after 37 years, with a higher amount of humor and comedy. That's what's missing here, maybe. Set in the early 1950s, Hoosiers tells the story of basketball coach Norman Dale, who is appointed to coach the local rural team, Hickory, in Indiana. With his techniques and sort of unfriendly gestures, he makes a hell of a team, but it turns everyone against him. He is given another chance, and then he brings never-before-seen glory to Hickory. That's a practical story with an engaging screenplay that has every cliche from the textbook. Rather, I'd say some of them were born here. They keep you on the edge of seats, and you hardly have a moment to get up and walk except in some of those slow moments. That could have been avoided, but that'd be like asking too much of debutant David Anspaugh. He has done very well for a newcomer and has almost made a must-see basketball coaching film for ages to come. The performances were fine, but a few unwanted features like romance, drunken dad, and all that could have been avoided.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Frenzy (1972)

A pure directorial masterclass by Alfred Hitchcock. Watch out for the utterly devastating and sub-divisional climax

[7/10 · 20 May 2024]

Frenzy (1972) : Brief Review -

A pure directorial masterclass by Alfred Hitchcock. Watch out for the utterly devastating and sub-divisional climax. Frenzy happens to be one of the last outright thrillers directed by Hitchcock, who has had a glorious run in this genre. It wasn't like anything he hadn't done or that suspenseful, but the framework and his directorial skills were much more advanced this time. All the mystery and suspense stuff was done and dusted with almost a decade ago, so he challenged himself as a director to see the same old things in a new way. That new look and those new lenses are what make Frenzy a must-watch thriller for Hitchcock fans. Also, there is a devastating climax, which appears only for half a minute, and then a typical ending, but the gasping and subdivided effect you feel in that one moment are indeed surreal. It was going to be a dark ending, with some noir stuff used by many film noirs in the 40s and 50s. Unlike them, we don't have a devastating or sad ending, which I personally think would have been better, but it might not have done well with the majority of audiences. Frenzy is also a very sexually and psychologically advanced film by Hitchcock's standards. Not because of nudity, since we have seen that in many films, but because of the way he used those disturbing graphics with a dark background score. The film is about a serial killer who rapes women and then kills them with a necktie. With Alfred at his best, we are fooled by a deception with the first character, followed by a revelation that the murderer is a different man. How to prove it is the main theme here, which also resembles "The Wrong Man" theme. The performances are good, the sexual intensity is high, the screenplay is engaging, the camera work is brilliant, the background score is thrilling, and last but not least, the Hitchcock touch. The director really tried something different with the same old story, and you can feel the change in the wind. Do experience it.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

One of the biggest nostalgia for 90s kids in gender-bending comedy! All hail Robin Williams.

[7/10 · 19 May 2024]

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) : Brief Review -

One of the biggest nostalgia for 90s kids in gender-bending comedy! All hail Robin Williams. This man has had classics and better movies than this, and even a few much more character-driven roles than this, but I tell you, whenever we 90s kids speak about nostalgia about a particular character and that too in a gender-bending comedy, Robin Williams will top the list. What he has done here may be a dream, even for Oscar winners. He has done Dead Poet's Society, Good Morning, Vietnam, Jumanji, and also lent his voice to the iconic Genie in Disney's classic Aladdin, but Mrs. Doubtfire beats them all when it comes to a character with a never-ending impact on 90s kids. The character is based on a fantastic metaphor, actually. I don't know how many of you noticed. A man who couldn't make his woman happy made her happy after becoming a woman. Children weren't bothered much, and that's some silly idea too, to make it look like they think it's a "real character," except the 5-year-old. But even with that flaw, the character stood out brilliantly. Again, some jealousy part was childish too, when you think of a character who is mature enough to understand his place and say, "I'll wait outside." The film could have overcome these few mistakes, but who cares when Robin is running riot on the screen and there is so much fun going on? That happy birthday dinner scene alone is enough to call Mrs. Doubtfire a superb comedy. The inspection scene too, and how freaking, madly amazing Williams was in it. The character comes out as a shock, but never scares you. Rather, it feels warm and cute. That's the power of writing and the actor's conviction skills. "Carpe Dentum. Seize the teeth!" Humour crossed all the limits there. Not to forget the use of old Hollywood actors and movies. Wilder's classic "Some Like It Hot" may be the greatest comedy ever made on a gender-bending theme, but the greatest character will always belong to Mrs. Doubtfire. If you DOUBT it, I'll set your aas on FIRE. I mean it!

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Fantastic Planet (1973)

A French-Czech sci-fi animation that captures enough to compare itself with three giants together: "Planet of the Apes" (1968), "Star Wars" (1977), and "Avatar" (2009).

[7/10 · 17 May 2024]

Fantastic Planet (1973) : Brief Review -

A French-Czech sci-fi animation that captures enough to compare itself with three giants together: "Planet of the Apes" (1968), "Star Wars" (1977), and "Avatar" (2009). By the headline, you must have gotten the idea of what I am talking about. Planet of the Apes is a cult classic that deals with a sci-fi idea set in the future where apes are torturing humans. On the other hand, Star Wars is a sci-fi phenomenon that takes us into alien nations and their flights into space. Believe it or not, Fantastic Planet actually manages to capture enough portions of both films in a single narrative and succeeds in making even a larger picture within 70 minutes. That doesn't mean it's better or even as good as those two Hollywood classics. It's just that the film manages to think about two films at one time and then creates a sensational animation of its own. It's easier to get such things done in animation format since layouts and designs can be of any shape you want. Fantastic Planet's animated characters are somewhat different from other animation films you have seen, be they Disney or others. It's an alien idea, and so it deserves some alien concepts in art design. What you see there is completely unexpected and unseen. Having humans as a play doll for aliens is already an out-of-the-box office thing, and then you see a civil war between them, driven by fictional weapons. It also has that mating session coming out of the box to blow you away. That necklace, remote, mediation, and all that is so creative and so crazy to think about in a sci-fi genre. Then there is a big war, and it's amazing too. René Laloux made his Avatar way before James Cameron could make his. Laloux made an animated feature with a limited scale and vision, while Cameron went larger than life with his magnum opus. As a whole, it's a freaking brilliant and sensational animation film for its time.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Robin Hood (1973)

The iconic tale of Robin Hood in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

[7/10 · 17 May 2024]

Robinhood (1973) : Brief Review -

The iconic tale of Robin Hood in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Having seen Douglas Fairbanks' "Robin Hood" (1922) and Errol Flynn's "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), there was nothing surprising in the story or screenplay for me. Disney's adaptation still has its own magic as it explores the same iconic tale with a midas touch of amusement park. This is set in an animal kingdom, with the leader being a fox. Robin Hood is robbing Prince John, who is making people penniless with his oppressive taxation while King Richard is away, to return it to the poor. The heartless sheriff is after poor people like the devil and wants to catch Robin Hood. Maid Marian is waiting for Robin Hood to come and propose to her for marriage, but it's been far too long since they have met each other. Robin Hood enters a ln arrow competition to win Marian's kiss, unaware of the fact that the competition was John's conspiracy to grab him. Robin Hood escapes and then returns to save others. In 70 minutes, Robinhood gives you drama, romance, adventure, music, and action. That's enough for a one-time meal, and you won't even burp. Disney's Animal Kingdom is visually beautiful and theoretically adorable. The practical sense is missing, but book yes about it when you know you are into Disney's amusing park. It's all fiction and fanaticism, and we love it that way only. Some dialogues work fine, while others are flat. The same goes for the songs, and I think the romance could have been trimmed. John and Robin Hood's battle could have been given more space. The idea is fascinating-to get everything done in a quick time and in such a manner that kids and adults both find it cute. Those who have heard of this story will feel nostalgia, while those who want to know it will get nostalgia for a lifetime.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

The Garfield Movie (2024)

This Cheesy Story of Garfield is As Sweet As Orange Candy

[6/10 · 17 May 2024]

The Garfield Movie (2024) : Movie Review -

Mark Dindal is here with the orange-flavored, catty-sweety animation flick called The Garfield Movie. Let's see, what are the basics of getting an animated feature right? A good story, enough emotions, some comedy, adorable characters, and beautiful visuals, right? Garfield's family story has it all. Coming in summer makes it a perfect entertainer for children, who don't belong to concept-driven animated flicks. This sweet orange candy has enough spice and cheese to wet your tongue, just like that smart doggie in the film, so you better book a recliner sofa, just like Garfield does in the film, but without a remote, and enjoy this popcorn entertainer in cinemas near you.

The film tells the story of a little cat named Garfield, who is abandoned by his father on a stormy, rainy night. Jon adopts him and takes him home, and they grow close to each other. Jon and Garfield have another pet, Odie, a dim-witted dog who is smarter than you think. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, a street cat named Vic, the pet dog Garfield, and his canine friend Odie are forced to perform a high-stakes heist of milk. How can this risky operation go well when this father-son duo is not getting along well with each other? Will some secrets from the past bring them close and make this heist successful?

Based on Jim Davis' Garfield, The Garfield Movie is a fun-filled film right from the beginning. The way Garfield eats, the way he lives, the way he spends his day, and his I-am-the-kimg attitude-everything tickles your funny bones. There are funky vibes to the background score that elevate Garfield's persona, and you start liking him more. The Odie is too sweet already, but Vic makes you fall in love with him by the end, when a lot is discovered from his life. It's that typical Pixar drama, not coming from Pixar. Whatever.. there are more punches, more comedy, and more cuteness in this Monday-hater cat's world.

Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson's hate-me-love-me banter is verbally and expressionally adorable, and you must give credit to them for their perfect voicing. The rest of the voice cast, including Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillén, Brett Goldstein, Bowen Yang, and Snoop Dogg, were fine with their roles. It's not as much of a voice-over-driven film as you might think because we don't know how cats, an ox, and other animals would sound in a cinematic world. Yet, one has to give them applause for convincing us that those human voices were coming out of creatures.

The Garfield movie has pretty decent visuals, but the 3D viewing isn't necessary. It happens with many animated movies, but with this one, it's clearly visible how unnecessary those specs were. The production design is fantastic and fascinating. You will love those nuances, be it the house, Catflix, Odie's movements in the background, kidnapping, pinecake, cheese factory, deadly but color-changing meow, heist, rescue on the top of a running train, and that blue one-horned Ox and his pink sweetheart. It's tremendously creative for a run-of-the-mill story and the characters it has. Thankfully, the emotional quotient comes to boost the so-so story in the ending, and we literally end up with one or two drops of tears, if not a river like Garfield does in the adoption scene. The film slips a bit down in the middle but covers the loss with an even better conclusion portion in the last quarter. Mark Dindal uses 90 minutes (excluding end credits) to deliver an engaging, adventurous family drama that is worth your time and money. Go, enjoy a piece of cheese pizza along with a piece of cheese-loving cat's sweet tale.

RATING - 6/10*

Silver Lode (1954)

Allan Dwan's underrated and misunderstood western gem

[7/10 · 16 May 2024]

Silver Lode (1954) : Brief Review -

Allan Dwan's underrated and misunderstood western gem. I wasn't aware that a film with similar effects as "Ox Bow Incident" (1943) was made in the 1950s and almost became a gem of a film. John Payne was no John Wayne, so forget about the lead being impactful, but I am really in love with the script. The film is about Dan, who is arrested on his wedding day (which also happens to be 4th July), and asks for two hours to prove his innocence. The charges against him are murder and theft of $20,000, which is more than enough to hang him. Marshall McCarthy has brought all the papers, and they are in order, but he is more into revenge on his brother than arrest and justice. Between these two hours, the entire town goes against Dan, as several killings are blamed on him. It goes up to the mob-lynching stage, and then Dan has to do some killings to prove his innocence. It's an intelligent film despite its quick-go and far-fetched conflicts that take place one after another during one hour. The only two people who believe in Dan are his soon-to-be wife and a bar dancer who loves him. They help him in the process of getting a message sent to the US marshal, but by that time, it's too late. The climax sees Dan standing in a jam, up against McCarthy and the entire town, which used to respect him an hour ago. That's how the human mindset changes within a few minutes. A moment ago, they used to respect him, and a moment later, they wanted to kill him. The performances and production are quite so-so, while the direction seemed fine. The film deserved better dialogues and a better score. Nevertheless, the story and screenplay themselves make it a MUST WATCH. I can't believe this was called "misfire" by contemporary critics and has remained so underrated for years. I personally liked it very much and would recommend it to others.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

If.... (1968)

Some ridiculous student revolution drama

[5/10 · 16 May 2024]

If (1968) : Brief Review -

Some ridiculous student revolution drama. If is a somewhat funny, totally radical, and extremely out-of-the box film. The use of black and white frames is understandable as it defines the fantasizing world of that particular character, but how vulgar and absurd it is sometimes. If is a very complex film too. It took me a while to understand the character and what was going on, and then I realized that nothing was actually going on. It was more like a boring and simple plot that only spoke about school bullying and violence. In one scene, the two friends ride on a bike to a cafe, and one of them tries to kiss the girl who owns it. She slaps him, and the next moment she goes to him and says, "I like tigers," and they kiss wild, and the boy fantasizes a naked fight with her. It was totally out of my mind. What would that girl have to do with school bullying and why would she join them in a violent act? I couldn't find any answers to these questions, yet they passed through my eyes on the screen. Was that rebellious behavior really needed? I asked myself and found no logic or answers. If had hooked me, but at a low rate. I was taking my eyes off the screen many times and feeling bored. Those 110 minutes felt like 150 minutes, and there was no entertainment or comedy either. The graphical sexuality and violence were close enough to be compared to other such films from the same time. McDowell himself was in "A Clockwork Orange," which has similar disturbing graphics. Here, he led the show and was involved in almost every scene passionately. Richard Warwick and David Wood were fine. Christine Noonan played the girl with a sexy hairdo. David Sherwin's screenplay was intense but too dark and slow, while Lindsay Anderson's direction was unconvincing, just like the entire film. I don't know what others found good in it. It certainly didn't fit in my book.

RATING - 5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Animal Farm (1954)

A sweet little animal satirical fantasy that explores human-life political problems.

[7/10 · 15 May 2024]

Animal Farm (1954) : Brief Review -

A sweet little animal satirical fantasy that explores human-life political problems. Joy Batchelor and Joy Halas direct a well-known adaptation of the satirical novel with human-driven conflicts. Political ambitions, tyranny, and greed have been human-society issues forever, but have you ever thought about them making waves in the animal world? Let's step into Animal Farm's world, then. Animals at Animal Manor are oppressed by a human owner, and one night they decide to fight against it. They take charge of the place and name it "Animal Farm," where the eternal slogan is "All animals are equal." While one of the pigs is thinking about the future and trying to feed other animals with education, the other jealous one takes over the farm and starts his dictatorship. All the animals work more and eat less, except for pigs. The pig leader expands his business and becomes rich, leaving other animals working under him as poor slaves. This is a simple plot, which again follows the same old method of mutiny. We have seen it in hundreds of films, but they were led by humans. Here, it's the animal world. It makes things allegorical by adding human conflicts to their fantasy world and making us believe in the consequences of greed and selfishness. While doing so, it hardly takes 70 minutes, but the narrative still looks a bit stretched. Why were those animals tolerating the Pig Napoleon's orders for years? It should have been a few days, or maybe months, not years. The screenplay lost some of its credibility there, while the rest of the show was highly convincing. Joy Batchelor and Joy Halas' film could have been motivational and easily added some social speeches to leave kids with good thoughts. Instead, it decided to remain a cute and sweet little entertainer without any heavy rocks. You'll notice and enjoy many adorable scenes here, just like you'd imagine while reading storybooks in childhood. This one is like a childhood fascination, if nothing more.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Artists and Models (1955)

What Fukrey attempted in 2013, Martin and Lewis had done 6 decades ago, and so much better.

[7/10 · 15 May 2024]

Artists and Models (1955) : Brief Review -

What Fukrey attempted in 2013, Martin and Lewis had done 6 decades ago, and so much better. Remember that silly dream coming to reality idea? What they called it, "Deja Vu," or "Deja Chu," in Fukrey, was somehow born here in 1955 with Artists and Models. The rest of the script differs, though. One more thing: Fukrey attempts childish humor through a grown-up character who is accompanied by a much smarter and more mature character. See, even that was born here, maybe. Forget the comparison because we are talking about a film that was made 7 decades ago and had a much better impact on contemporary audiences. Artists and Models is the 14th film of the Martin and Lewis duo, and they both are on a roll here. They were slightly late for that duo or team tag that time since the likes of Marx Bros, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, and a few others were already making waves all over. Coming back to this film, I feel this one has remained underrated due to its highly generous and colorful humor. Eugene sees highly unimaginative dreams, and Rick is fed up with his childish behavior. Eugene meets a bat lady and falls in love, not knowing her real identity, or rather, not being mature enough to understand it. The bat lady's roommate and Rick begin a sweet romance, and they are all linked to each other in some way or another, but mainly because of their jobs as artists. Rick uses Eugene's dreams to make money, but shockingly, all those turn out to be true and become a scientific threat to the nation's security. Will Rick be able to save Eugene when the enemies are on the hunt? Basically, it's a totally crazy film. It's what they used to call it, "Madcap." The dialogues, songs and characters are all funny, visually beautiful, and sexy. Frank Tashlin's Vista Vision musical comedy is crazy enough to be called one of the finest madcap and riotous comedies from the 1950s, if you ever really cared about real gems from the genre or ever understood them. Watch it, and you won't regret some mad fun.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Babes in Arms (1939)

Child artists rule the show in a sensible drama based on Vaudeville against roaring talkies.

[7/10 · 14 May 2024]

Babes in Arms (1939) : Brief Review -

Child artists rule the show in a sensible drama based on Vaudeville against roaring talkies. Mickey Rooney has been a part of some great movies as a child artist, but as a performer, this one is one of his best roles ever. He has shown that talent does not limit itself to age. The entire film rides on his shoulders, and he has done an amazing job. That scene when he mimics Clark Gable and Lionel Barrymore shows what high-level acting skills he has. Simply phenomenal and unbelievable for an actor of that age. Judy Garland was on the verge of becoming a star, and 1939 has to be the greatest year of her career. The iconic The Wizard of Oz came in the same year, and Judy stole the limelight from many experienced actresses. Show them Babes in Arms. How good she is here-not as a confused child but as a teenage lover and yet so mature. The film deals with several issues, and some of them were so relatable and real. Troupers really had a bad time after the arrival of Talkie-Sensation, and they were out of business. Well, income and business were one thing, but they were out of the only thing they were good at in their lives. Their kids, who thought that they belonged to the entertainment business and had enough talent to survive, had to go to academic society and give up their passions. It was a burden for one generation that they didn't want the next generation to carry, and this argument created indifferences between them. It wasn't easy for parents and for the children, but they both had to go along with it. This film manages to put all those things in a mild format, adding some romantic comedy touch and a Ziegfeld kind of grandeur in the end. Such a beautiful film on such a beautiful topic, and yet it has remained underrated for years. Maybe they didn't know the magic and importance of Vaudeville. Sad.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

May I put my best cop comedy ever on the table? It beats The Pink Panther and Beverly Hills Cop

[7/10 · 14 May 2024]

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988) : Brief Review -

May I put my best cop comedy ever on the table? It beats The Pink Panther and Beverly Hills Cop. It's one of those films where we say, Those were the days. Those were the days when they used to serve comedy in an absurd manner but still left us in splits. The Naked Gun (1988) is one such film that should be ranked amongst the best comedies. It also has that screwball romance from the old Hollywood days. The film is about a funny officer, Frank, who destroys almost all things and even people with his every action, yet he is the best cop in the business. He is taken on the job for the safety of Queen Elizabeth, who is coming on a tour in his city, while a mastermind killer is all prepped with his super-tech weapon. During the investigation, Frank Drebin meets a beautiful lady, Jane, and they get intimate. Despite his affection for her, Frank suspects her of a conspiracy because, for him, the nation and duty are always first. "Women and cops don't mix," he says. Will he be able to find the killer and save the queen? So, it's a decent script, boosted by a brilliant screenplay. The film is a little over 80 minutes and makes sure that 60 minutes out of that go into keeping you gaggling. It succeeds in doing so, and I think 60 minutes of continuous laughter is more than enough for any human. It's actually more or quite the same amount as your favourite cult comedies. But yes, let me warn you that it is a very vulgar film, and I have no problem if you call it an adult comedy. There are many scenes that talk about or display private organs and private activities, but all in very funny manners. Leslie Nielsen rocks the show single-handedly, and I'm sure he will make you forget Jacque Clousue and Axel Foley. Priscilla Presley looks damn attractive, while the supporting cast is entertaining. David Zucker has made perhaps the best cop comedy of all time. Do not miss.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

John Landis strikes again. Drop everything, and LET'S ROCK!

[7/10 · 14 May 2024]

The Blues Brothers (1980) : Brief Review -

John Landis strikes again. Drop everything, and LET'S ROCK! In the first 20 minutes, I was getting bored of The Blues Brothers and couldn't make out what was going on. Two brothers (one out of jail) want to restart their band to help poor children. Ok, so what's so much in that? There is nothing in that storyline or particular thought, but see how messy the characters are and how funny they look being imperfect. The Blues Brothers is a rock-n-roll type of film from the early 80s that also has some silent-era comedy motions. Those walks and several punches reminded me of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton's silent comedies. It's a fun film, alright, but it's somewhat slow too. Those slow moments are covered by several other funny moments, especially the entire chase sequence in the climax, followed by a musical number. The pre-interval block, too, has a fantastic musical number that forces you to tap your feet. The rock-n-roll generation was definitely served right there, and the adults also had something to look at as a family comedy. There is no vulgarity like in other Landis movies; no abusive words; no sex scenes or affairs. The only affair we see is driven by revenge. Cute Carrie Fisher plays a peculiar but dangerous girl who is trying to kill Elwood right from the first scene. In the end, we know why, and then there is a cute little fun banter between Dan and Carrie. Dan Aykroyd has done the unimaginable. I couldn't expect a guy to be so cool, calm, composed, and a musical powerhouse. What energy he has shown in the Palace Hotel number scene! You will vibe to his numbers, for sure. John Belushi is a rock star, truly. This film mostly belongs to him, and no one can deny that. The supporting cast has done a notable job. Animal House, The Blues Brothers, and An American Werewolf in London-three back-to-back memorable comedies. What did you eat Landis dear?

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Bad Boys II (2003)

The budget increased, not the quality. Yet, fairly good.

[6/10 · 13 May 2024]

Bad Boys 2 (2003) : Brief Review -

Bad Boys 2 got almost 6x the budget of its prequel, Bad Boys (1995), and was a longer film too, but the quality? Oh, don't ask that. We can cut that shiit and get back to entertainment. Yes, BB 2 has some crazy car action sequences and witless banter between Marcus and Mike, but it isn't funny enough compared to the first film. Mike and Marcus are off to bust a drug racket, but the opponent leader has quite a strong record against the cops. He has fooled them many times before, so all they need is strong evidence against him. While Mike and Marcus are planning to bust into his house and get the evidence, Marcus' cop sister is doing her part as an undercover agent turned the leader's girlfriend. As expected, M & M get what they want, but the sister, who also happens to be Mike's girlfriend, is in the bad guy's custody. Meanwhile, Marcus had made plans to part ways with his partner, Mike, who still believes in "We ride together. We die together. Bad boys for life." The entire department turns into their aides, and we have a long and big action sequence in the climax. As mentioned earlier, the comedy is weak, mostly because the banter between two buddies lacks humour and wit. Bad Boys 1 ended with Julie and Mike getting handcuffed together, so I wonder what happened to Julie. There was no mention of her in this film. It just started off like a fresh film altogether. The scripting is fine, but the film is 15 minutes longer. That doesn't mean it's boring. It's a tight shiit alright. Lawrence and Smith save the day, and thankfully they get the maximum screen space. Jordi Mollà, as the new baddie, is decent, while Gabrielle Union, as a female cop, was okayish. Michael saved the bay with enough light from his signature explosion scenes and terrific action. Overall, a good flick but a step down from the predecessor.

RATING - 6/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Aavesham (2024)

Fahadh Faasil runs riot in the new-age gangster comedy of the season

[7/10 · 13 May 2024]

Aavesham (2024) : Brief Review -

Fahadh Faasil runs riot in the new-age gangster comedy of the season. I don't understand Malayalam, but as one of the lines in the ending credit song goes, I'd say: Fahadh Faasil proved that he can be as hot as the sun and as cool as the moon in the same character. What a phenomenal actor he is. He deserves characters like this, Ranga, to be written for him where he can go all out and wild. Aavesham is a gangster comedy that also explores the sensitive side of the main character. Looking at his back, we all know him as a dangerous and violent man, but do we know what's happening to him from the front? That's a metaphor, actually. Gangsters could be soft from the backside, which nobody ever sees, or rather, the gangsters don't want to show that side to keep their reputation. All we see is his anger and negative side, showcased on his face. With positive characters, it's the other way around. Fahadh Faasil plays Ranga, a dangerous and rich gangster who befriends 3 college boys at the bar. The boys need his help to stop getting bullied by the seniors' gang, and Ranga does what they want. However, after a while, the boys realise that friendship and spending time with Ranga are affecting their studies and image in society. Will they be able to get away from him after using him for their benefit? Faasil is in riot mode here, and a special mention goes to the consume designer, the writer who wrote this character and background score, which elevated his screen presence. The screenplay is extremely engaging, as situational songs carry the story forward with those pacy raps and all. The comedy factor helps it to keep us entertained, and then there is an emotional quotient in the ending portion, which reflects two different sides of human nature. Jithu Madhavan has shown the Malayalam cinema, or to be more precise, the Indian cinema, how to make a new-age gangster comedy with the right context. I just don't believe you can miss it.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Big Fish (2003)

A Tim Burton Human Fantasy CLASSIC that you'd want to recommend to children and grandchildren

[8/10 · 12 May 2024]

Big Fish (2003) : Brief Review -

A Tim Burton Human Fantasy CLASSIC that you'd want to recommend to children and grandchildren. It happens rarely, but I really crave those moments when I write movie reviews with tears in my eyes. Big Fish is giving me that honor right this minute. I guess that sums up everything for you all who are reading it, so don't waste time reading it further and go, find this movie on the internet or anywhere you can, and just sit tight for 2 hours. I must thank Tim Burton for making this one. There are some films or some characters that leave you with a question or a wish: What if I could live such a life? Is it possible in reality? The answer should be no, but I am angry at myself. Why not?! "A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories." True that. Big Fish don't need your brain, but your heart. The big difference between metascore (58/100) and IMDb user ratings (8.0/10) will tell you why. If you try to find logic in it, then you'll be burned. If you just go with the flow and believe in this fantasy, it will teach you a lot about real life. The film is about a father and son who have a feud over the father's habit of telling adventurous stories. The son likes them all in childhood but starts hating them all and his father too in his young days. When he returns to see his dying father, he begins to know him better through stories he has been telling for years. I tell you, they are all full of metaphors that can't be described in words because the capacity of understanding will be different for every single viewer. For instance, I personally liked that scene when he sees his death in the witch's eye. Logically, it should have made him sad, but metaphorically, it kills the fear of death in him. You just have to understand every single thing like this, no matter how fantastic, weird, and unimaginable it is. Burton had made a film that would transit a message from one generation to another and then the next one.. FOREVER.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Thunderball (1965)

James Bond goes underwater in the biggest 007 Hit of all time

[6/10 · 12 May 2024]

Thunderball (1965) : Brief Review -

James Bond goes underwater in the biggest 007 Hit of all time. Terence Young returns to the director's chair after missing out on the previous blockbuster of the Bond films, Goldfinger, only to smash its records. But does he smash the film quality? My answer is no (you might differ). Thunderball is longer compared to the previous Bond films, and that's why it seemed a bit slow. Bond is on a difficult mission again, but this time the crime was done underwater, keeping others clueless. We have a lady from the opponent's group helping him again, and we have one female enemy too. For a change, she is more dangerous and beautiful than all those previous female villains in this series. In one scene, James and she have a conversation about having sex, and Bond tells her that it was not for pleasure but for the country. "Any woman he wants, he would have her," reads one of the lines in the beginning credits song, and Bond proves why. "You don't waste time, do you?" She asks Bond. We have been through all this again and again, but every time we have a different chick (and all are sexy), Thunderball keeps the basic value intact to avoid the downfall of the Bond franchise, but fails to match the predecessors. Those underwater action sequences take too long, and that's what lengthens the film's runtime. Connery works as a saving grace and also increases sex appeal by going in shorts often. The bikini girl is played by Claudine Auger, even though she had a lot to do in that character, but the writer decided to get the skin show done more than anything else. Adolfo Celi is number 2, aka one-eyed villain, and it was a fair buildup from his side. As a whole, it's a complete Bond film by Terence Young, but not great. The box office numbers will tell you otherwise, but believe me. I don't get a penny out of that.

RATING - 6/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Goldfinger (1964)

Sexy, Spicy, Sassy, and perhaps the most technologically advanced Bond film at the time.

[7/10 · 11 May 2024]

Goldfinger (1964) : Brief Review -

Sexy, Spicy, Sassy, and perhaps the most technologically advanced Bond film at the time. Goldfinger, the third film in Sean Connery's James Bond franchise, was a box office smash globally. Let me finish the technology part first because I believe that was the most groundbreaking segment in the entire film, and I have also heard about the kind of rage it created in the mid-60s. People were crazy for Aston, and it was alright, but wanting that kind of mechanically and technologically advanced car like Bond was not alright. It was beyond a dream. The idea is fascinating, but watching Bond use those buttons-from oil to fog to ejecting the seat-was all a phenomenon back then. Secondly, Bond's structural development. We all know he is the Bond, so he can't be defeated; yes, he can be fooled or betrayed once or twice, but he comes back stronger. Similar cliches, or, better say, formulas, have been used here, and they are all modern. Having 3-4 sexy chicks around Bond was quite normal for audiences. At one moment, he is introducing himself to those sexy girls, and the next moment he is either kissing them or in bed with them. That's what Bond's charm was on celluloid. This is how you engineer his persona on the big screen. By the way, how many films used to be titled after the Antagonist back then? Goldfinger is titled after the villain; see. That's another good way to present a Bond movie. The film is fast-paced, well executed, and has some brilliant action sequences and immense glam appeal. Connery betters himself, and Honor Blackman, who suffers from low screen space, shares some good scenes with him. Overall, it's blockbuster entertainment, even for today's audience. Guy Hamilton has really thought of modern cinema of that time as well as future cinema.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

The Westerner (1940)

Remarkably unlike any western from the early days with Walter Brennan's iconic role and record-setting Oscar win

[7/10 · 11 May 2024]

The Westerner (1940) : Brief Review -

Remarkably unlike any western from the early days with Walter Brennan's iconic role and record-setting Oscar win. Don't think any Western flick from the early days has gotten so serious and generous with its writing while exploring a character based on true events and a bit of a fictionalised history of Texas. The place, which later became the biggest... Well, the kiss stopped Cooper right there, but we know the sentence he was going to say. Walter Brennan played Justice Bean, a character from history whose tyrannical judgements destroyed many people's houses and made them lose their lands and crops. What he has done needs no further description, but just one. He deserved every single moment of that record-setting third Oscar win as the best supporting actor. This film is slightly eccentric in that way. The topic is serious, but the film is quite funny. That serious nature is hardly there for the 10 minutes in the ending. Those funny banters between Cole and Bean were cute. Whenever they spoke about Lillie Langtry, the moment was sealed in your heart. Especially that moment when Cole gives him that hair lock and he is desperately moving his fingers. That eagerness was so adorable. Brennan has done a wonderful job here, and so has Gary Cooper. It was one of his early main roles in a significant western, right? Well, he surely made me fall for him. Those lovely expressions by Doris Davenport during the cute romantic scenes with Gary took my heart away. William Miller had many great movies by that time, but making a great western was a different task altogether. The master knew it, and he gave full justice to his own and the genre's standards by reflecting on a major revolution in history through a mainstream entertainer.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

From Russia with Love (1963)

James Bond and his suitcase beat the enemies, while enough spice and glamour add to the good follow-up.

[7/10 · 11 May 2024]

From Russia With Love (1963) : Brief Review -

James Bond and his suitcase beat the enemies, while enough spice and glamour add to the good follow-up. One good thing about James Bond movies is that he was never hooked on a single woman. Many spy movies-the Mission Impossible series, for instance-have been terribly boring with that one woman or losing that one woman freakish thing, but Bond was having a different table full of various spicy dishes in every film. In the previous film, Dr. No, the last frame had him kissing Honey Ryder, and in this film, we have no trace or even a mention of her. One girl from the previous film has one kissing scene with Bond, but he leaves quickly after having "food." We have a new setup of SPECTRE, a new leader, and a new girl in Bond's mission. Tania is given the task of being with Bond and providing him with lies in the form of truth. I wonder how she got to his room, and he didn't have any suspicions at that time. Anyways, the romance is sexy and stimulating, but it was all looking like a temporary dame or one-week-stand kind of stuff, and suddenly Tania said, "I love you. I love you. That's true," and I was like, "Why? How? And when did it happen?" Well, it usually happens in every Sean Connery's Bond movie, so I wouldn't waste my time finding logic. I'll just cut half a star from the rating and move forward. From Russia With Love has all trademark Bond segments, but this time we have a "suitcase." A unique weapon for sure, and the way it excels against an enemy when Bond is helpless truly defines the purpose of it. The screenplay is good, but the story lacks a good finale. I don't think that "Number 3" made any sort of powerful antagonist against Bond. She was mild and even generous enough to mention him as "The Bond" in front of her boss. All said and done, Terence Young serves another fine outing in the early James Bond series, and not to forget the text in the ending: "It's definitely not the end." He didn't direct Goldfinger (1965), but his confidence made it a better flick and a better sequel.

RATING - 6.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Dr. No (1962)

Not thrilling, but too HOT to handle as the first James Bond film on silver screen

[6/10 · 10 May 2024]

Dr. No (1962) : Brief Review -

Not thrilling, but too HOT to handle as the first James Bond film on silver screen. 9 years after the British novel, James Bond came to the silver screen to wow the audience. To start with, it's not a thrilling or extraordinary affair by any means, but it's definitely too hot for a Bond film. People didn't know what kind of sex appeal James Bond's persona would have because they had only read him on paper and not seen him on the screen. It must have been quite a shock to see such high sex and glam appeal in the early 1960s film (2 decades before movie code changed) and what a lavish affair it was. If I were a young boy in the 1960s and saw Dr. No in the cinema hall, then I would have hated Bond for destroying the male and that studboy ego of the entire generation. Every 15 minutes, he has a new dame beside him, and all were super hot chicks. His first conversation with them would be an intro, or just hi, or him trying to seduce them, and then the next moment they were both either half naked or entangled in an intimate moment. Surprisingly, it had more surprises with dames than with the with the villain and his tasks. Somehow, that kept the stimulation on, and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. The way Honey Ryder asked him, "Do you have women of your own?" I tell you, I had my sultry moment there, even though they didn't do any such thing on the screen at that moment. Honey and James' first kiss took place in the last frame of the film, but the sexual tension was built very nicely until that moment. Dr. No lacks trademark Bond thrill moments and plays with an overprotective nature, losing its repeat value. Yet, it was an entertaining affair as a whole for the first film in the world-famous James Bond series, followed by even better scripts. Terence Young gave Sean Connery a stamp never to be erased from our memories.

RATING - 6.5/10*

By - samthebestest.

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

Great love torn between a queen's duties and a man's pride

[7/10 · 10 May 2024]

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) : Brief Review -

Great love torn between a queen's duties and a man's pride. This may be a fictionalised account of Elizabeth and Essex's lives, but master Michael Curtiz has made sure that you can't hate it. It's portrayed as a great love story and a tragic love story, and you can feel both of them, truly and from the bottom of your heart. Bette Davis plays Queen Elizabeth, who truly loves Essex (played by Errol Flynn), the man with pride and courage. Everyone in the kingdom and the court knows that Elizabeth fancies Essex, and that's why she has to be harsh on him. Well, it hurts the man's ego, and they quarrel frequently. The other desperate people in the court try to take advantage of the queen's love and the man's pride to keep them apart, and they even plan some conspiracies that make the quarrel even more serious. Essex and Elizabeth both know that their duties are above their love, and had it not been for the posts they wear, they would have made a great couple. Curtiz keeps you hooked with this engaging love story, which is trying to tackle and play with every trick and conflict. Moreover, the conversations between them escalate your interest in the film. Bette Davis plays an unconventional queen with that odd makeup and all, but dare anyone speak of her acting? She is phenomenal here. Curtiz brought his favourite Olivia De Havilland, but Davis overshadowed her despite that "I am old" concern. Errol has done a fab job in the leading role. He is the man I bow down to. No silly notions about love, just the simple pride that you cannot hate. The supporting cast, including most of the negative characters, looked fine. Michael Curtiz has made me fall in love with the film, which belongs to a genre that I hate the most: romance. How? You see for yourself. Don't miss it.

RATING - 7/10*

By - samthebestest.

Casino Royale (2006)

The return of the Classic Bond after a decade!

[7/10 · 8 May 2024]

Casino Royale (2006) : Brief Review -

The return of the Classic Bond after a decade. Daniel Craig has been part of all those billion-dollar James Bond movies, which convinced the entire world that Bond was, is, and will be the classiest spy on the silver screen. The most popular and most acclaimed Bond movies before this were Sean Connery movies from the 1960s, such as Dr. No, Goldfinger, and Thunderball, followed by Brosnan's Golden Eye in the 90s. For over a decade, there was no classy or highly acclaimed Bond movie, and then came Craig's Casino Royale, directed by Martin Campbell. I remember watching this movie on television in pieces, so surprises were fewer. However, the scale and the intensity felt much better in one-go viewing. Casino Royale totally convinced me that it could be argued to be the best 007 movie ever, only to slip a little in the climax. So, Bond wins the money, the villain is killed, and there are still 20-24 minutes left in the film's runtime. Even a kid can guess that the lady-love is going to play a femme fatale here. Like M says, "You should have picked on it," and I was scratching my head much before she said it. I mean, come on, a world-class spy like Bond can't be that typical. It's just unacceptable, and that also drags the entire anti-climax portion for a while. Rest, no complaints. It's a classy show, all the way. From sexy looks, hot chicks, bikini babes, dashing Bond, smashing action set pieces, fantastic background score, to thrilling narrative-you name it, and Casino Royale has it. Craig has redefined Bond's charisma-not that I am ever going to forget Conner, but in his own way, he has done a commendable job. Eva Green was born to play such sexy roles. Mads Mikkelsen has come a long way from playing Bond's villain to what he is now, but people do and will remember his part in this movie. Dench had a small role, but it was an apt choice. Martin's direction shows a new vision for Bond movies and how big they can be. All the next films in the franchise are even bigger, but this has its own magic of being the first in its category.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

Hayao Miyazaki's fascinating world of war, love, sorcery, and curse. I enjoyed it more than his other works.

[7/10 · 7 May 2024]

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) : Brief Review -

Hayao Miyazaki's fascinating world of war, love, sorcery, and curse. I enjoyed it more than his other works. Miyazaki needs no further introduction; he is a world-famous director for his animated films that have been hailed as universal classics (not that I agree). I personally didn't like those films-that is, as classics. That doesn't mean they were bad. That's one of the reasons that kept me away from Howl's Moving Castle, because I failed to understand the hype around his other films that I watched with high expectations but didn't reach that certain level. I get it; it's some kind of phenomenon in Japanese cinema and animation cinema, and rightfully so, but that isn't enough to get such high ratings. Anyways, I still made my way to watch Howl's Moving Castle, and thankfully, this one did not disappoint. Out of all the Miyazaki films I have seen, I enjoyed this one the most. It's fascinating, it's mystical, it's magical, and despite having all those theories of sorcery, demons, witches, curses, love, kisses, and time travel, Howl's story has something of its own. Maybe, heart. I am not being technical here, but logically, the story had a heart and moving drama in the right amount. The visual effects were great. That castle thing was really nice to see. Not just that, but those battleships, Queen's crystal globe, Howl's bird version, and Calcifer-we have a lot of things to cherish. The screenplay has a grip, despite some slow portions in the middle, and then there is an action-packed finale to enthral us with its cinematic appeal. The characters have been structured smartly. Sophie has three looks, sometimes mixed, and that's what we call the entanglement of multiple personalities in one character. The same goes for Howl's character. When you have so many things well established and constructed, it's too much for an animated flick, I guess. Miyazaki believed in the same.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.