Love, Simon (2018)

Love, Simon (2018)

C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda
Novel: Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Screenplay By: Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker
Dir.: Greg Berlanti
Starring: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Logan Miller, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Tony Hale, Natasha Rothwell, Miles Heizer, Joey Pollari, Mackenzie Lintz, Cassady, McClincy, Alex Sgambati, Emily Jordan, Patrick Donohue and Joshua Mikel.

Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he’s gay. When the secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and comes to terms with his identity. A major motion picture with a gay protagonist – novel! This hit film from the hit first of a two book hit series features a great script, great acting and fine direction and cinematography. It also boasts of a wonderful sound mix! The story has echoes of John Hughes films, much like Blockers (2018), with a dash of Boys Don’t Cry (1999) for good measure. The cast is more than capable with the splendid material. The only complaint is that the Drama Teacher is just a tad to hip and on target with her frank talking to students. In real life, no teacher would get away with saying what she does in this film. If you can look beyond that and a few cheesy lines, this film has wit and heart to spare. See it! 

Trivia: Just as this film went into production, Nick Robinson’s younger brother came out as gay. This was the first film produced by a major Hollywood studio to feature a gay teenage protagonist. Director Greg Berlanti revealed in an interview that the clips of “friends group” were shot without the actors’ knowledge. Sometimes Berlanti would yell, “Cut!” for the actors but keep the cameras going to capture unscripted moments. Some of these made it into the final cut of the film, like the dancing in the car scene. Jennifer Garner’s, “exhale,” speech wasn’t originally in the film. When Garner became interested in the film, she asked director Nick Robinson for a scene for her character to form a connection with Simon. So they rewrote the script and worked in the scene that is essentially the message of the movie. Kristen Bell, Neil Patrick Harris, Matt Bomer, Tyler Oakley, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, screenwriter Martin Gero, Benj Pasek, Andrew Rannells, Joey Graceffa, Scott Hoying, Superfruit’s Mitch Grassi, Jennifer Garner and Greg Berlanti bought out the theatres in their home towns so that this film would reach larger audiences.  

Keiynan Lonsdale was inspired to publicly come out through his involvement in this film. In Simon’s bedroom there is a copy of the sequel novel, The Upside Of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli, which revolves around Abby’s cousin. The production code for this film was, “Blue,” which was a pseudonym of the person Simon e–mails. Colton Haynes had a small role in a deleted scene as a man who approaches Simon and mistakes him for someone else he knows at a gay bar and ends up asking Simon for a dance.    

Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Elements, Sexual References, Language & Teen Partying
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Blockers (2018)

Blockers (2018)

C – 102m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Cherries, The Pact
Prod.s: Chris Fenton, Seth Rogan, Jon Hurwitz and James Weaver
Dir.: Kay Cannon
Starring: Leslie Mann, John Cena, Ramona Young, Kathryn Newton, Miles Robbins, Gary Cole, Graham Phillips and Jill Jane Clements.

Parents accidentally find out a pact that their daughters have to lose their virginity on prom night and set out to stop them. American Pie for girls with meddling parents as the heroes of the film. Nice twist on the Pie storyline. For those who care Kay Cannon, the director of this film, wrote the Pitch Perfect series. This made her a natural choice to direct this (if you will pardon the pun) coming of age story. The film has more to it than meets the eye and ear in the advertisement campaign (television spots and theatrical trailers). The casting is perfect and there is a lot of heart behind the otherwise crude jokes. At that, the jokes start off as cringe worthy but elevate from there after the first little bit of the film. If one can stomach vulgarity, than this is a breeze. If one can’t see past the crudeness, than this film may not be for them. The parents are played as slow, which may appeal to teens, though they ultimately prove to be more on top of things than you may think. The teens are played as highly intelligent and very self–aware. While the accuracy of that may be questioned, it works well for this film to have well–rounded characters. Seldom do these kinds of comedies score high with this reviewer, but this one hits all the right notes. It would be a shame to miss this one!  

Trivia: The title is short for: “Cock Blockers”. Due to censorship on advertising, a silhouette of a rooster (a cock by definition of gender) is shown in front of the word Blockers on the advertisements to suggest the full title.

Rated: [R] – Crude And Sexual Content, And Language Throughout, Drug Content, Teen Partying, & Some Graphic Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Home Alone Series (1990 - 2012)

Home Alone (1990)

C. – 103m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: Chris Columbus. Writer: John Hughes
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Roberts Blossom, Catherine O’Hara, Gerry Bamman, John Candy, Kieran Culkin, Bill Erwin, Hope Davis, Lionel Barrymore and Quinn Culkin. 

A boy is accidentally left home alone near Christmas when his family goes on a trip. While they are away he must fend off thieves. Goofy as heck but a classic to watch annually at Christmas time! Oscar® nominated for: Best Music, Original Song and Best Music, Original Score, John Williams. Additionally it was nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Picture – Comedy Or Musical and Best Actor In A Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical – Macaulay Culkin.

Trivia: Joe Pesci kept forgetting he was making a family film so Columbus suggested, “Fridge,” in stead of the “F” word. Robert De Niro turned down the role of Harry, which went to his pal Pesci. Danny DeVito was also considered for playing Harry. Daniel Stern slipped in the “S” word while retrieving his boot through the dog door. John Candy improvised all his lines. Macaulay Culkin adlibbed the line, “You guys give up, or are you thirsty for more?”.

Rated: [PG]

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

Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)

C. – 120m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen.
A.K.A.: Home Alone II: Lost In New York City, Home Alone 2: Lost In New York City, Home Alone II, Home Alone 2, Alone Again
Dir.: Chris Columbus. Writer: John Hughes.
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard, Gerry Bamman, Kieran Culkin, Tim Curry, Eddie Bracken, Rob Schneider, Donald J. Trump and Chis Columbus.

When Kevin McCallister hops on the wrong flight, while his family is on another, he finds himself alone in New York City. Who does he meet? The Wet Bandits from the first film, now The Sticky Bandits. An intelligent sequel and semi-remake. Everyone is in top form. Particularly Pesci and Stern! The bricks off the top of the roof scene is gaspingly hilarious. It is reported that The Plaza Hotel has the carpet torn out of the lobby so that Macaulay Culkin could slip on it. Trump liked it so much, he never had the carpet replaced.

Rated: [PG] – Comic Action & Mild Language.

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

Home Alone 3 (1997)

C. – 102m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Home Alone III
Writer: John Hughes
Starring: Scarlett Johansson

A kid left home alone (the title, duh!) fends of thieves who are after a secret chip in his toy car. Contrived but entertaining in title sequel to the first two films. It failed to procure Macaulay Culkin and suffers a bit for it. However, it is worth noting this was one of the early big roles for Scarlett Johansson.

Rated: [PG] – Slapstick Violence, Language & Mild Sensuality

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Home Alone 4 (2002)

C. – 89m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen. – Made For TV.
A.K.A.: Home Alone: Taking Back The House, Home Alone IV
Co–Writer: John Hughes (Characters)
Starring: Barbara Babcock and Missi Pyle

After Kevin McCallister’s parents split he is living with his mom and decides to do Christmas with his dad at his father’s girlfriend’s mansion. Meanwhile Marv from the first two films teams with a new criminal and guess which house they are after.  A made for TV sequel that skips the third film. Interesting premise is somewhat muddled and the lack of Daniel Stern as Marv sinks this one to a low rating. Not terrible but the script could have used some punching up. As Stern said it is an “insult and a piece of trash.”

Available on DVD & Digital Copy.

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012)

C. – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen. – Made For TV
A.K.A.: Home Alone V: Alone In The Dark, Home Alone 5: Alone In The Dark, Home Alone: Alone In The Dark, Home Alone V, Home Alone 5
Dir.: Peter Hewitt
Starring: Malcolm McDowell and Edward Asner

A kid who moved from California to Maine with his family is left along with his sister in their house, which he feels is haunted, while thieves target the house. Another in title only sequel made for TV. The fact that someone decided to do this charmless film, despite the passing of the series writer John Hughes, is appalling. A must miss!

Available on DVD & Digital Copy.