The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

C – 116m / 117m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Susanna Fogel and David Iserson
Dir.: Susanna Fogel
Starring: Justin Theroux, Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon, David Iserson, Sam Heughan, Hasan Minhaj, Peter Schueller, Gillian Anderson, Jane Curtin, Paul Reiser, Hugo Bolton, Fred Melamed, James Fleet, Justine Wachsberger, Tom Stourton, Roderick Hill and Nick Wittman (as Nicholas Wittman).

Audrey and Morgan are best friends who unwittingly become entangled in an international conspiracy when one of the women discovers the boyfriend who dumped her was actually a spy. Well–done Action – Comedy in the vein of Lethal Weapon (1987) for action and the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Road To…Series (194 –1962), but for women. Both the humor and the action fly fast and furious. Admittedly the humor is mostly crude but for astute film buffs there are scenes that a remenciant of the Hope and Crosby Road films, particularly when what is going on around them finally dawns on them. Specifically the scene in the bathroom during the dinner at, “a friend’s house,” with the body in the tub… Said scene also has echoes of the “There Is a beautiful woman in my bed and a dead man in my bathtub,” scene from: The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976). There is nothing wrong with this film that this reviewer could spot, everything works in terms of CGI, action, comedy, acting and yes – pacing too is perfect. See it, without reservation!    

Trivia:

Gillian Anderson was a childhood crush of Kate McKinnon’s. Kate McKinnon and Mila Kunis previously co–starred in the Family Guy episode Peter’s Sister. Sam Heughan played Sir Roger Moore’s son in A Prince For Christmas (2011). Roger Moore played James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), which this film’s title, like the title of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), spoofs. Although there is an actual light gun arcade game series called Point Blank, the in–game footage and title screen of the game that Audrey is playing during her birthday at the beginning of the movie is from the Nintendo DS version, called: Point Blank DS.

Rated: [R] – Violence, Language Throughout, Some Crude Sexual Material & Graphic Nudity
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Dear Dictator (2017 / 2018)

Dear Dictator (2017 / 2018)

C – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse
Prod.: Lisa Addario
Dir.s: Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse
Starring: Sir Michael Caine, Odeya Rush, Katie Holmes, Seth Green, Jason Biggs, Adrian Voo and Jackson Beard. 

An American teen girl who is a misfit, who wants to be a rebel, corresponds with a dictator from another country who is on the verge of having to flee his country for his life while her mom has relationship issues. When the dictator does flee his country he seeks shelter in America with the teen girl with whom he corresponded. Together they form an unlikely bond and teach each other a bit about life and how to live it. A comedy that sounds like it will be goofy and have few laughs actually has wit and is a decent coming of age story. The cast is a delight, particularly Caine and Rush. There are a few moments of gallows humor that may not sit well with some but this reviewer liked it. Although this film was released NOT RATED, this reviewer would suggest 13 and up for viewers.

Trivia: Michael Caine previously was in Batman Begins (2005) with Katie Holmes, and Austin Powers In Goldmember (2003) with Seth Green. Katie Holmes and Odeya Rush previously starred together in The Giver (2014). Seth Green replaced Jason Biggs as the voice of Leonardo in the 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, after Biggs made some controversial remarks on twitter, which caused him to exit the show towards the end of season 2. “Homeland or Death,” is the literal translation from Spanish: “Patria Or Muerte,” the Cuban national motto under Fidel Castro and his brother. 

Rated: [NOT RATED]
Available on 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

I, Tonya (2017)

I, Tonya (2017)

C – 120m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Steven Rogers
Pro.: Margot Robbie
Dir.: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Julianne Nicholson and Bobby Cannavale.

Tanya Harding’s bright future as an Olympic ice–skating competitor is in jeopardy when her ex–husband intervenes. Brash and fowl–mouthed docudrama style film is strictly by the numbers. The actors are great, the pace is solid, but it’s all be done before. As docudramas go, this is the way they should be rather than: The Gallant Hours (1960). Humor is here, whether intentional or not may be up for questioning, but it is present. Alison Janney won a richly deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar® for her portrayal of one of the worst mothers in screen history!

Trivia: Allison Janney practiced for many years to be a figure skater. When she was 17 she had a bad accident of sliding through a glass door. Her leg was nearly severed and didn’t skate again for many years.

Oscar® winner for: Best Supporting Actress – Allison Janney. Oscar® nominated for: Best Actress – Margot Robbie, Best Supporting Actress – Allison Janney, and Best Editing. Allison Janney won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. The film was nominated for additional Golden Globes for: Best Picture – Musical Or Comedy and Best Actress – Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy – Margot Robbie. 

Rated: [R] – Perverse Language, Violence, & Some Sexual Content / Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ted Series (2012 & 2015)

The largely Boston based Ted series (2012 & 2015) is available in [R] rated theatrical cuts and [UNRATED] extended cuts. The preferred cuts are the [UNRATED] extended cuts.

Ted (2012)

C – 106m (Theatrical Cut) / 112m (Unrated Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Teddy Bear
Story By: Seth MacFarlane
Screenplay By: Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild
Pro. – Dir.: Seth MacFarlane
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale, Giovanni Ribisi, Patrick Warburton, Matt Walsh, Jessica Barth, Sir Patrick Stewart, Norah Jones, Sam J. Jones, Ralph Garman, Alex Borstein, John Viener, Laura Vandervoort, Johnny Carson, Ted Danson, Richard DeAgazio, Ed McMahon, Ryan Reynolds, Tara Strong and Ray Romano.  

A man who’s childhood wish was to bring his teddy bear to life, must choose between drug and alcohol fueled hangouts with the “grown” bear and his fiancé. An outrageous and hysterically funny farce that is actually a fairytale set a Christmas time. An unexpected hit to be sure. It helps if you appreciate Boston humor though.

Trivia: Ted, voiced by Seth MacFarlane, mentioned 9/11 in the movie. Both Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane were both booked on American Airlines Flight 11, one of the planes that took down The World Trade Center. Wahlberg opted to drive to New York City, New York then fly to California later and was not on the plane. MacFarlane had a hangover, overslept and missed his boarding by ten minutes by the time he got to the airport. He watched the plane he was supposed to be on fly into the tower on TV at the airport bar. Ted’s various motions were done using motion capture animation from MacFarlane. This was the first live–action production to be directed by Seth MacFarlane.

Oscar® nominated for: Best Original Song – “Everybody Needs A Best Friend,” Music by Walter Murphy and Lyrics by Seth McFarlane.

Rated: [R] – Crude And Sexual Content, Pervasive Language, & Some Drug Use
[UNRATED] – More Of The Same
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ted 2 (2015)

C – 115m (Theatrical Cut) / 125m (Unrated Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Based On Characters Created By: Seth MacFarlane
Screenplay By: Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild
Exec. Pro: Alec Sulkin
Pro. – Dir.: Seth MacFarlane
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Barth, Giovanni Ribisi, Morgan Freeman, Sam J. Jones, Patrick Warburton, Michael Dorn, Liam Neeson, Sir Patrick Stewart, Tom Brady, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Kate MacKinnon, Alec Sulkin, Ralph Garman, Rachel MacFarlane, Tara Strong.

Newlyweds Ted and Tami–Lynn want to have a baby but must prove Ted is a person in a court of law. A contrived sequel to be sure but still worth a few laughs. Amanda Seyfried replaces Mila Kunis here and does a decent job at it. Not the sequel that one would hope for but it suffices.

Trivia: This is the first time that Mark Wahlberg has appeared in both the original film and the sequel film. Stephen Collins had a major cameo but was replaced after a video confession of sex abuse surfaced. When Ted drives, it is the recreation of the classic John Candy scene from John Hughes’ Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987).

Rated: [R] – Crude And Sexual Content, Pervasive Language, & Some Drug Use
[UNRATED] – More Of The Same
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Brad's Status (2017)

Brad’s Status (2017)

C – 102m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen (Theatrical) / 2.40:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
Exec. Prod.: Brad Pitt
Writer – Dir.: Mike White
Starring: Ben Stiller, Austin Abrams, Jenna Fischer, Michael Sheen, Jemaine Clement, Luke Wilson, Shazi Raja, Luisa Lee, Mike White, Felicia Shulman, Jonah Carson, Kenny Wong and Jimmy Kimmel.

A man going through a midlife crisis takes his son to tour colleges and meets up with an old friend who makes him feel inferior about his own life choices. Sad, off–putting, and at times hard to take comedy drama… The major thing here is the midlife crisis that messes with Stiller’s characters’ head. The film is hard to take at times particularly if you know people who make the same boneheaded statements that Stiller’s character makes to his family and friends repeatedly. A more up–lifting, and granted suicidal, version of this story (a man taking stock of his life) can be found in the Christmas time classic: It’s A Wonderful Life (1947) (see review). And an equally sad but more moving version of the story can be found in the John Cassavetes masterpiece: Husbands (1970) (see review). Granted there are a few comedic moments here and there, it is a Ben Stiller film after all. The cast does its best with the material but the results are best summed up as off–putting.

Trivia: Director Mike White’s father worked as a minister and at times questioned his own success. According to director White, he made this film to thank his father and to tell him that he found him, his father, to be successful. Director Mike White plays Nick in a cameo by the way. Many of the scenes set in Boston, MA, USA were actually shot in Montreal, Canada.

Rated: [R] – Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Home Sweet Hell (2015)

Home Sweet Hell (2015)

C – 98m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Dangerous Housewife, North Of Hell
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe, Aiden Flowers, Jim Belushi, Jordana Brewster, Heath Freeman, A.J. Buckley, Kevin McKidd, Artie Baxter and Chi McBride.

Don Champagne, a “happily married man,” is forced into a killing spree when his wife finds out about his affair with one of his employees who is now blackmailing them. The film’s alternant title may prove to be the best indication of a review for the film: North Of Hell. The premise is good, the acting is swell, but the execution, pardon the pun, is generally flat in terms of the humor. A contender for Mystery Science Theater in the modern era. Drinking may help the audience with this one.

Trivia: Katherine Heigl’s real life husband provided all the songs for the soundtrack. 

Rated: [R] – Violence, Language, Strong Sexual Content & Some Drug Use
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Theatrical Addams Family Films (1991 & 1993)

The Addams Family started off as a comic. There were several iterations of it on television (subject of another blog) and a pair of theatrical films in the 1990’s of it. Below are the reviews of the 1990’s theatrical films.

The Addams Family (1991)

C – 99m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen (Theatrical Ratio) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray Ratio)
Characters By: Charles Addams
Screenplay By: Caroline Thompson and Larry Wilson
Exec. Prod.: Graham Place
Prod.: Scott Rudin
Co–Prod.: Jack Cummins
Assoc. Prod.s: Bonnie Arnold and Paul Rosenberg
Dir.: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Hedaya, Elizabeth Wilson, Judith Malina, Carel Struycken, Dana Ivey, Paul Benedict, Christina Ricci, Jimmy Workman, Christopher Hart, John Franklin, Joe Zimmerman, Steve Welles, Richard Tanner, Marc Shaiman, Bruce Holman, Barry Sonnenfeld and Benny Wills.

Con artists plan to fleece an eccentric family using an accomplice who claims to be their long–lost uncle.  “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, Mysterious and spooky… The Addams Family.” Smart adaption of the comic and television show for the big screen that helped send Christina Ricci into superstardom. A perfect blend humor, spookiness and sentiment… The only complaint is that it has a slow pace in the middle of the film. Followed by: Addams Family Values (1993). 

Trivia: After the film’s release children would always recognize Raul Julia as Gomez Addams when he was out in public. He was reported to have said that this always brought a smile to his face. The Addams’ house was built for $100,000.00. In the television series Fester Addams was Morticia’s uncle, here he is Gomez’s brother. Bruno Kirby offered his fat suit from: The Godfather Part II (1974), to Christopher Lloyd to play Fester in. Sir Anthony Hopkins turned down the role of Uncle Fester. Early makeup tests for Gomez included dark circles around his eyes to match Fester’s. These were eliminated before filming, though they still show up in publicity material and on the cover of the film.

The original script left it unknown if Gordon / Fester was actually Fester. The cast nominated Christina Ricci to make a plea to Scott Rudin and Barry Sonnenfeld to convince them to have the reveal be that Gordon was Fester. The only member of the cast who, “didn’t care,” was Christopher Lloyd, according to Sonnenfeld. This was Barry Sonnenfeld’s directorial debut. Tim Burton was originally set to direct. One of Christina Ricci’s favorite characters she ever played was Wednesday Addams. Ricci was 11 years old when the film came out. Paul Rudnick did rewriters on the script and went on to write Addams Family Values (1993). Kim Basinger was set to play Morticia but dropped out to do another film. 

Oscar® nominated for: Best Costume Design. Golden Globe nominated for: Best Actress – Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical – Anjelica Huston.

Rated: [PG–13]
Out Of Print on VHS and Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Addams Family Values (1993)

C – 94m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Addams Family 2
Characters By: Charles Addams
Screenplay By: Paul Rudnick
Exec. Prod.: David Nicksay
Prod.: Scott Rudin
Assoc. Prod.: Susan Ringo
Dir.: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Joan Cusack, Christina Ricci, Carol Kane, Jimmy Workman, Carel Struycken, David Krumholtz, Christopher Hart, Dana Ivey, Peter MacNicol, Christine Barasnski, Barry Sonnenfeld, Nathan Lane, John Franklin, Vickilyn Reynolds, Cynthia Nixon, David Hyde Pierce, Peter Graves, Ian Abercrombie and Tony Shalhoub.

            The Adams Family tries to rescue their beloved Uncle Fester from his gold–digging new love, a black widow named Debbie. This reviewer will call this, “The John Hughes Sequel to The Addams Family (1991)”, as it focuses on the kids at camp. Well done but the story once again drags a tad. And who doesn’t want to scalp the all too happy camp counselors?

Trivia: Nathan Lane, who cameos as a Police Officer here, played Gomez on Broadway in: “The Addams Family”. Michael Jackson was signed to write and perform a song for this film and do publicity for it. He did complete the song, however, due to his molestation accusations the song was never used and the rest of the contract was scrapped. The Thanksgiving Play took two weeks to film.

Oscar® nominated for: Best Art Direction – Set Decoration. Golden Globe nominee for: Best Actress – Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical – Anjelica Huston.

Rated: [PG–13] – Macabre Humor
Out Of Print on VHS and Laserdisc but 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

Austin Powers Trilogy

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)

C – 89m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Original) / 2.35:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
A.K.A.: Austin Powers
Co – Writer: Mike Myers
Dir.: Jay Roach
Starring: Mike Meyers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers, Robert Wagner, Seth Green, Mindy Sterling, Charles Napier, Will Ferrell, Clint Howard, Cindy Margolis, Barbara Ann Moore, Brian George, Burt Bacharach, Tom Arnold, Carrie Fisher, Susanna Hoffs, Richard Joel, Mike Judge, Rob Lowe, Michael McDonald, Christian Slater and Sterling Wolfe.

After being cryonically frozen in the 1960’s and released in the 1990’s the swinging 1960’s spy Austin Powers, now paired with his former partner’s daughter, chases his old nemesis Dr. Evil, who was also frozen in the 1960’s and released in the 1990’s. The first Austin Powers film is smart and fresh, despite being another parody of the popular 1960’s spy films. The cast is game and the material is fun. One trivia note: Mike Myers wanted Jim Carrey to play Dr. Evil but Carrey passed due to scheduling conflicts with his own film, Liar Liar (1997).

Rated: [PG–13] – Nudity, Sex–Related Dialogue & Humor
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

C – 95m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Original) / 2.35:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
A.K.A.: Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers 2: It’s Shagging Time, The Return Of Dr. Evil, It’s Shagging Time, Austin Powers 2
Co – Writer: Mike Myers
Dir.: Jay Roach
Starring: Mike Myers, Heather Graham, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Rob Lowe, Seth Green, Mindy Sterling, Verne Troyer, Elizabeth Hurley, Kevin Cooney, Clint Howard, Jeff Garlin, Jennifer Coolidge, Michael McDonald, Steve Wilkos, Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello, Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Kristen Johnston, Charles Napier, Willie Nelson, Tim Robbins, Rebecca Romijn, Jerry Springer and Fred Willard. 

Dr. Evil travels back to 1969 and steals Austin Power’s mojo while Powers is frozen. The current day Powers suffers from it and in turn travels back to 1969 to stop Dr. Evil’s 2nd attempt and world domination; he (Powers) is paired with Felicity Shagwell. Oscar® nominated for Best Makeup. The makeup is impressive and the gags are abundant. Rarely is a sequel better than the original but this is the case here. Almost everything works.

Trivia: It took 7 hour for Mike Myers to get into the Fat Bastard suit and makeup. Reportedly Heather Graham was about to accept an offer to appear in a softcore porn film until she landed the role in this film. Additionally it is reported that she used some of the money she made from this film to buy a copy of the said film that she would have been in. And finally it is reported that Mike Myers partially based Heather Graham’s character, Felicity Shagwell, on the title character in Barbarella (1968).

Rated: [PG–13] – Sexual Innuendo & Crude Humor
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002)

C – 94m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Original) / 2.35:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
A.K.A.: Austin Powers: Never Say Member Again, The Third Installment Of ‘Austin Powers’, The Next Installment Of Austin Powers, Austin Powers: Goldmember, Austin Powers 3, Austinpussy
Co – Writer: Mike Myers
Dir.: Jay Roach
Starring: Mike Myers, Beyonce (Knowles), Seth Green, Sir Michael York, Robert Wagner, Mindy Sterling, Verne Troyer, Sir Michael Caine, Fred Savage, Kevin Cooney, Clint Howard, Mandy Moore, Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Britney Spears, Nathan Lane, Katie Couric, Michael McDonald, Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, John Travolta, Burt Bacharach, Rob Lowe, Will Ferrell and Heather Graham.

Dr. Evil teams with 1970’s whack–job Goldmember for world domination and kidnapping Austin’s father. Once again Austin Powers must travel back in time, to stop Dr. Evil, Goldmember and rescue his father. He does so only to learn some long buried truths about his family. The third outing in the series is tired and it shows. The humor appears to be recycled from the first two films but the added laughs of poking fun at Hollywood for music videos and films were / are welcome. The cast is game even if some of the material is subpar. Worth a watch just to complete the series.  

Trivia: Heather Graham reprised her role in a scene that was ultimately cut from the film and so did Will Ferrell, this time answering the question he was asked four times. Sir Sean Connery was considered for the role that went to Sir Michael Caine. Sir Michael Caine used his glasses from The Ipcress Files (1965), which Austin Powers’ glasses were modeled after. And finally: Director Jay Roach’s first cut of the film ran three hours.  

Rated: [PG–13] – Sexual Innuendo, Crude Humor & Langauge
Out Of Print On VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Bad Moms (2016) & A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)

Bad Moms (2016)

C. – 100m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Christina Applegate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Clark Duke, Megan Ferguson, Wanda Sykes & Martha Stewart.

Three overworked and underappreciated moms join forces for a long overdue trip of fun, freedom and comedic self-indulgence. Biting satire that is also a raunchy comedy. How could you go wrong with this cast? You can’t. There is surprisingly more of a story here than meets the eye while viewing the trailer. Everyone is in top form. Followed by: A Bad Moms Christmas (2017). 

Trivia: Mila Kunis was pregnant with her child while filming this movie and the wedding ring you see in the film is her real-life wedding ring. Although the film was set in Chicago, Illinois, it was filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana.  And finally: This film’s release date, July 29, 2016, has been labeled Bad Mother’s Day.

Rated: [R] – Sexual Material, Full Frontal Nudity, Language Throughout, & Drug And Alcohol Content.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.  

A Bad Moms Christmas Movie Poster

A Bad Moms Christmas (2017) Film Review

C. – 104m.
A.K.A.: Bad Moms Christmas and Bad Moms 2

Starring Mila Kunis, Kristin Bell, Justin Hartley, Kathryn Hahn, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Wanda Sykes, and Peter Gallagher.

The same three underappreciated and overworked mothers from Bad Moms (2016) try to give their families the best Christmas possible. To make matters worse: They must entertain their moms in the process. Entertaining sequel to Bad Moms (2016) features a game cast and a ton of sexual humor. It lacks the edge that the first one had, but why quibble about that when everything else works?

Trivia: This is the first time Mila Kunis has made a sequel film.

Rated: [R] – Crude Sexual Content And Language Throughout & Some Drug use.

Available on 4K Blu–ray, Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.