I Can Only Imagine (2018)

I Can Only Imagine (2018)

C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Alex Cramer
Screenplay By: Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle
Exec. Prod.s: Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin
Dir.s: Andrew Erwin (as The Erwin Brothers) and Jon Erwin (as The Erwin Brothers)
Starring: J. Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins, Cloris Leachman, Jason Burkey, Mark Furze, Randy McDowell, Cole Marcus, Alexander Dominguez, Kerry McCormick, Lea McCormick, Amy Grant (uncredited), Kristen Melling (uncredited), Sara Moore (uncredited) and Jonnie Parnell (uncredited).
Music By: Brent McCorkle
Film Editing By: Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle

The inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe’s beloved, chart topping song. This film was heavily promoted on Fox News Channel (FNC) as an inspiring true story with a healthy dose of religion. This fact alone will automatically remove this film from an Atheist’s watch list. It may also deter some people for political reasons. This reviewer will argue that if one can put aside their political biases and watch this film as a depiction of a true story (as with any film, “based on a true story,” it is dramatized), or even as a character study (which it also is by the way), there is enough here that works that one can be entertained at the very least. The acting is solid, the direction is almost impeccable, cinematography is adequate and the music is uplifting despite helping to tell an ultimately sad tale. If sad stories are a turn off, take comfort in the fact that this does have a heartwarming ending. The only complaints are: 1.) The sound mix could have been better, 2.) There is one scene that is a tad too heavy handed in melodrama – when J. Michael Finley picks Dennis Quaid off the floor in his shop and helps him over to a bed, and 3.) The pacing is a tad slow. The story keeps moving along but there are a couple of scenes that could have been tighter in editing. Overall though, this is a film worth watching. 

Trivia: The release date of this film was 3/16. John 3:16 is / was one of the most widely quoted verses from The Bible, and has been called the most famous Bible verse. Dennis Quaid’s twins were extras in the dinner scene. His daughter is the one who points towards Quaid’s character during his health incident. Dennis Quaid’s character was a Quarterback (Q.B.) in high school. He also played a Q.B. in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday (1999). This film was shot in Oklahoma. This is the film debut of J. Michael Finley. During the opening scene set in 1985, young Bart rides his bike through town and passes a movie theatre showing Jaws 3–D (1985) and The Goonies (1985). Dennis Quaid, who played Bart’s father, Arthur, here, played the lead role of Mike Brody in Jaws 3–D (1985). 

Rated: [PG] – Thematic Elements Including Some Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Jake LaMotta Double Feature

Jake LaMotta was a boxer. He wrote a few books as he got older. Below are the reviews of the two films made from a couple of his books.

Raging Bull (1980)

C – 129m (Theatrical Cut) / 121m (Television Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Raging Bull
Based On The Book By: Jake La Motta (as Jake LaMotta)
With: Joseph Carter and Peter Savage
Screenplay By: Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin
Producers: Irving Winkler, Robert Cartoff and Peter Savage
Dir.: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana, Mario Gallo, Charles Scorsese, Bernie Allen, Jack Lotz, Peter Savage, Martin Scorsese, John Turturro, McKenzie Westmore and Jimmy Williams.
Cinematography By: Michael Chapman
Editing By: Thelma Schoonmaker

The emotional self–destructive journey of Jake La Motta from his highs in the ring and his lows outside of it. Gripping and yet repulsive character study of boxer Jake LaMotta is tops! Wonderful cinematography, editing, acting and sound. A MUST WATCH! De Niro certainly earned his Oscar®.

Trivia: When Jake LaMotta first saw the film he realized how nasty he was. He asked the real person who Cathy Moriarty played, “Was I really like that?” She replied, “You were worse.” This is Cathy Moriarty’s film debut. In 1978 Scorsese was near death in a hospital due to a Cocaine addiction. Robert De Niro visited him and told him to clean up so he could do this film. Scorsese refused because he didn’t like sports film but gave in because De Niro persisted. Scorsese has since said that De Niro saved his life by getting him back into work. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci really punch each other in the, “Hit me” scene. Robert De Niro accidentally broke Joe Pesci’s rib in a sparring scene. Years later Pesci would have the same rib broken making: Casino (1995), with De Niro and Scorsese. Robert De Niro gained 60 pounds for play an older LaMotta, while Joe Pesci lost weight to play the older version of his character. Finally, the editing of the film lasted almost up to the last minute that the film was set to be released. 

Oscar® winner for: Best Actor – Robert De Niro and Best Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker. Additionally nominations for Oscars® were: Best Picture – Irving Winkler and Robert Cartoff, Best Director – Martin Scorsese, Best Supporting Actor – Joe Pesci, Best Supporting Actress Cathy Moriarty, Best Cinematography – Michael Chapman and Best Sound. Golden Globe winner for: Best Actor – Motion Picture – Drama – Robert De Niro. Additionally Golden Globe nominated for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Martin Scorsese, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – Cathy Moriarty, Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Joe Pesci, New Star Of The Year In A Motion Picture – Female – Cathy Moriarty and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin.

Rated: [R]

Out Of Print on VHS and Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Bronx Bull (2016 / 2017)

C – 94m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Raging Bull II
Raging Bull 2
Based On The Book By: Jake LaMotta, Chris Anderson and Sharon McGehee
Screenplay By: Rustam Branaman and Martin Guigui
Exec. Pro. – Dir.: Martin Guigui
Starring: William Forsythe, Joe Mantegna, Tom Sizemore, Paul Sorvino, Penelope Ann Miller, Ray Wise, Natasha Henstridge, James Russo, Robert Davi, Cloris Leachman, Mike Starr, Joe Cortese, Dom Irrera, Rebecca Forsythe and Joey Diaz.

Another take on the LaMotta drama in and out of the boxing ring. A sorry excuse for a remake / sequel features a great cast but nothing else. The talents of the cast can’t even save the less than sub–par material.

Rated: [R] – Brutal Fights, Pervasive Language & Some Sexual Content / Nudity
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Bad Santa (2003) & Bad Santa 2 (2016)

Bad Santa (2003)

C – 91m (Theatrical Cut) / 88m (Director’s Cut) / 99m (Unrated Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Badder Santa
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Lauren Graham, Bernie Mac, John Ritter, Octavia Spencer (as Octavia L. Spencer), Cloris Leachman and Sarah Silverman.

A conman and his assistant pose as Santa and Elf in order to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. Trouble ensues when the conman befriends a kid with issues. Amusing and definitely crude humored black comedy is an annual favorite for this reviewer. Great performances and perfect pacing for the three cuts of the film: Theatrical Cut – 91m, Unrated Cut – 99m, & Director’s Cut – 88m. The Director’s cut is the darkest cut of the film. This reviewer favors the Unrated Cut. Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor – Musical Or Comedy – Motion Picture – Billy Bob Thornton. Followed by Bad Santa 2 (2016).

Trivia: Larry David was considered for the role of Willie. Bill Murray was signed as Willie but dropped out the make Sophia Coppola’s Lost In Translation (2003). Billy Bob Thornton has said numerous times that he was legitimately intoxicated during the making of the film. This was John Ritter’s final film and it is dedicated to his memory. Tony Cox adlibbed the, “You probably shouldn’t be digging in your ass,” line. It cracked the director up both on the set and in the middle of the night. Jack Nicholson read the script and wanted to do the film but had to turn it down because he was already committed to the Nancy Meyers film, Something’s Gotta Give (2003). The Unrated Cut of the film holds the record for Most Curses In A Christmas Film: 170 uses of the “F” word, 74 uses of the “S” word, 31 uses of the “A” word, 10 uses of the “B” word, and 1 use of the other “B” word in various forms. And finally: In a deleted scene Sarah Silverman played a Santa trainer.

Rated: [R] – Pervasive Language, Strong Sexual Content & Some Violence
[UNRATED] – More of the same
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Bad Santa 2 (2016)

C – 92m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Brett Kelly, Ryan Hansen, Mike Starr and Octavia Spencer.

The conman and his assistant are at it again in Chicago at Christmas time, this time with the conman’s mother. This is certainly a step down from the first film but still enjoyable. It takes a bit to get going story wise but once it gets there, it stays active to a satisfactory level. Fine performances as before.

Trivia: A slimmer Brett Kelly gained more than 40 pounds by eating smoked meat sandwiches in Montreal, Canada – where the film was shot. This being the sequel, was released almost exactly 13 years to the day of the original film’s release, November 26, 2003 and November 23, 2016 respectively. And finally: Willie shares some of the same biographical information as Billy Bob Thornton, who plays him: 1.) Born August 4th & 2.) Born in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rated: [R] – Crude Sexual Content And Language Throughout & Some Graphic Nudity
[UNRATED] – More of the same
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The King Of Comedy (1983) & The Comedian (2017)

The King Of Comedy (1982)

C. – 109m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: King Of Comedy
Dir.: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Diahnne Abbott, Sandra Bernhard, Ed Herlihy, Lou Brown, Catherine Scorsese, Cathy Scorsese, Chuck Low, Liza Minnelli, Joyce Brothers, Victor Borge, Martin Scorsese, Tony Randall, Charles Scorsese and Fredrick De Cordova. 

An aspiring comedian stalks his idol, who in turn craves his own privacy. Considered a flop at the time of its release this film actually has several things going for it, perfect casting and great direction being a couple of them. This is far from the Zany Lewis films that the public is used to. While this is labeled a Comedy in video stores (how many still exist?), this is actually a drama. At that the humor in this film that does exist makes it a, “black comedy,” or in simple terms, it has a dark sense of humor. Something this reviewer adores. 

Trivia: Jerry Lewis suggested naming his character Jerry so that they could get extras without having to pay them while shooting on the streets of New York City. The scene where Rupert (De Niro) shows up at Jerry’s house was largely improvised. The issue Jerry’s “man” had with opening the door was not planned and Jerry was really mad. The reaction you see from him in the film is not his acting but his real anger at the situation. Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Orson Welles were considered for the role of the late night comedian. Johnny Carson was the only one offered the role but turned it down. The part obviously went to Jerry Lewis. Lewis said that he wasn’t acting in this film, he was just being himself. Meryl Streep turned down the role that went to Sandra Bernhard. The talk show segments were taped on tape like a real talk show, then transferred to film. The monologue Jerry delivers in it’s full and original form can be seen in the bonus features of the DVD and Blu–ray.     

Rated: [PG]
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

The Comedian (2016 / 2017)

C. – 120m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Starring: Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Harvey Keitel, Edie Falco, Danny DeVito, Patti LuPone, Charles Grodin, Cloris Leachman, Lucy DeVito, Billy Crystal, Brett Butler, Ben Hammer, Jessica Kirson, Jim Norton, Jimmie Walker, Richard Belzer, Freddie Roman, Stewie Stone, Gilbert Gottfried, Hannibal Burgess, Bill Boggs, Sheng Wang, Ryan Hamilton, Aida Rodriguez, Dov Davidoff and Nick Di Paolo.

An aging “Insult Comedian” finds love.  The film has a few belly laughs but is ultimately an indie film drama. The uneven flow of the film upset several comedians in the film and in Hollywood in general. If given more time and a better director, this could have been great. As it stands though, it isn’t bad for its kind. Leslie Mann stands out as the brightest performance in the film though. De Niro sleepwalks his way through the material. Still, he is a master of the trade, as are Danny DeVito and Harvey Keitel.

Trivia: Robert De Niro spent eight years trying to get this film made. The idea of the film came to him in the 1970’s. This is none of two films where De Niro plays a comedian, the other was: The King Of Comedy (1983). De Niro wanted Martin Scorsese to direct this as well, but that did not come to pass.

Rated: [R] – Crude Sexual References & Language Throughout
Available on Blu–ray (MOD), DVD & Digital Copy