http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1193138/
Directed by Jason Reitman

Put simply, UP IN THE AIR encompasses the trifecta of movie production: Plot, structure and character development.  It blends everything together expertly and makes for a fun, thoughtful and interesting drama-comedy-romance.

On simple level –
A man travels for living. He has systems in place to make it all work for him 100%.
He’s alone, free and enjoys what he does for a living.  He’s even writing a book about living out of your suitcase for a living while being happy with your situation and free from the baggage of life. His physical needs are met by setting up free and easy meetings with fellow free spirits and that’s working out well for him, too.

All that changes when he’s pushed into dealing with work situation which is going to change drastically. The situation is going to strip his joy from his job. Not only that, but the person responsible for setting these wheels of destruction in motion is paired up with him as a travel partner. No, this isn’t a wacky, traveling buddy film a la PLANES, TRAINS and AUTOMOBILES, though it sounds like it could be. It s a film about interactions and emotion and how people choose to deal with them and NOT deal with them in life.

Comedy mixed with drama emulates the way life is – laughing one minute and crying the next. The performances are fantastic, which helps when dealing with subject matter like this. George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick dance around each other like leaves in the wind and the plot lines complement each other very well.  The characters never become cartoony, which was a relief. There are times where this format can create flat, cardboard drama and bad dialog that kills my interests. This film dodges that completely and manages to be a “dramedy” that can please a wide audience

This is a fantastic follow up to Jason Reitman’s THANK YOU FOR SMOKING and JUNO. He shows a lot of growth as a director.

Grand!

In the ‘Guilty Pleasures” department…

Remember the 80s?
Remember ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic?
Well, put the two together and you get the strange little film UHF.  Follow along through the stream of consciousness of ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic as he parodies movies left and right in Walter Mitty style.

Not that it matters at all, but Yankovic is tasked with running his uncle’s UHF TV station. They are up against “Big TV” and have little to no hope of doing well in the business. Things seem hopeless until Al stumbles into a winning TV show hosted by Michael “Kramer”Richards who turns in another show stopper performance. Richards is a janitor who manages to entertain the masses beyond what Al could imagine and soon the station rockets to the top of the charts. With additional TV shows added to it’s lineup – all insane and filled with “yucks” in Yankovic style.

In 80s style, they need to earn money to save the station in a certain amount of time and have to fight the evil big TV owner to save a friend. Classic 80s. None of that matters, however. We just need to move along to the parody pieces that Weird Al excels at.

When I put this movie on, I just wanted some mindless background noise while I worked. Mindless it is, but it manages to serve up some silly, wacked out moments that I really enjoyed. It’s a fun giggle fest that rolls along a one track goof, but slips in a lot of funny along the way. It’s also a fun “80s movie” complete with Suit Villains, Little Guy getting even, and a race to a finish towards the end that ends in nameless masses clapping and cheering. (I found myself laughing out, “Where did all these people COME FROM!”)

Good, goofy stuff! Slapstick, clown humor that’s fun and entertaining.

A Wedding (1978)

As a Robert Altman fan, I have to say that this strange little view of weddings, families and all that they involve has to be one of my personal favorites.  WEDDING is quirky, happy-sad-silly movie makes me smile every time I see it. As viewers, we are invited in as guests to the wedding and reception of two eccentric and quirky families. (Too bad we’re the only ones who bothered to show up.)

The cast is an amazing assortment of talent of the day including Mia Farrow, Lillian Gish, Desi Arnaz Jr., Carol Burnett, and Geraldine Chaplin. The family of the bride – Margaret ‘Muffin’ Brenner – and family of the groom – Dino Sloan Corelli – try to hold it together and keep up appearances, but…of course…things break down as the day wears on to it’s wondrous conclusion. Anyone who has been to a family gathering involving over five people knows what goes on during them. There are people who get along and people who don’t. There’s infighting and old wounds. WEDDING uses all of this to present a darkly humorous view of family.

The Altman style is fantastic. Conversations overlap as they do in real life.  People slip in and out of their own, self centered lives and try to keep up appearances, but the mask of coolness breaks away leaving everyone exposed and on edge.   This is a style that really hits the mark with me and helps to sell the film as a whole.  All the dark comedy and confused interactions are played close to the hip and in a dramatic style with a music bed of trumpets and pompous overkill which adds to the comedy at every turn.

Fans of dark humor need to see this film at once. It holds up really well and is a lot of fun.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060522/

This film was a delight. Now, don’t bother watching it if you don’t find films of the 60s endearing and sweet and fun – you will not enjoy this film. However, for those like me who love the films of this era, HOW TO STEAL A MILLION was a fun vacation from the hustle and bustle of some of todays cinematic efforts.

A classic robbery film, MILLION doesn’t have blood, swearing or ladies running around in their panties or less to serve the masses the naked bits they crave. This film features two of the most charming stars of the time (or any time!)  – Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole – going on an adventure that had me giggling and cooing all along the way to it’s deliciously syrup sweet ending.

No special effects. No high tech gadgets. Just the two charmers conceiving and executing a plot to steal a statue back from a museum. The story was fun with a wide array of colorful characters and a pace that was great considering some of the films of the 60s  ran like watching paint dry.

The quick, clever and cute dialog is fantastic and the demure Audrey proves that you don’t have to be naked to be sexy, strong funny and charming.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1084950/
Directed by Jonathan Demme

When I watched Rachel Getting Married the first time, it ran over me like water. It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, it was just a little more than I thought it was going to be and, frankly, it bummed me out a bit. I thought I was in for a comedy. Something along the lines of Father of the Bride that would have me giggling, laughing, and a little misty at the end as the syrupy sweetness dripped from the screen. But, RACHEL is not that film. When you are expecting big laughs and giggles,  chuckles, tension and good drama can be a bit of a downer at first. But, after sitting with it a while, it’s grown on me a lot.

While the movie does have some funny moments, it’s a real look at a family with some troubles in their past presented in a real, almost documentary style at times. Rachel is getting married, her sister Kym is coming back from a rehab facility to attend, and there are some skeletons in the family closet that are definitely getting ready to fall into the open.

Rosemarie DeWitt is both charming and horrid as Rachel. Not quite “bridezilla”, but not a saint either, she plays the character well and managed to illicit both contempt and sympathy from the audience.  It a hard role to play and she does a great job riding the thin line between wanting to pity her and wanting to slap her.

Debra Winger is back as the estranged mother of Rachel and her sister Kym and is fantastic. I had not seen her in a movie in a very long while and she rolls right into this part with a fury. She’s absent and distant and all together bitter – removed from her daughters and their lives.

And, last but certainly not least – Anne Hathaway is amazing as Rachel’s sister Kym. She has come a very long way from The Princess Diaries, making the role of the rehab sister hers completely. She does a fantastic job and is believable as she tries her best to give her sister her day in the sun, but fails at several turns. She’s hard to love, but she had my sympathy by the middle of the film and I was pulling for her to snap out of it, come to her right mind, deal with the serious issues at hand, and prevail.
What I liked most about the film is that it didn’t fall back on familiar cliches – something it could have with this content in a heartbeat. It dealt with some major issues and came close to the “über-drama”, but skimmed across it with a balance and maturity that made it a well rounded and real drama with some cute comedy and romance dashed over it here and there.

Well worth checking out.  It was a very touching and interesting film on many fronts.

Stalag 17 (1953)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046359/
Directed by Billy Wilder ( Some Like It Hot, The Apartment )

STALAG 17 is set in a P.O.W. camp during World War II. The prisoners manage to help certain key prisoners escape. But, it seems there’s a spy in their midst and they need to find out who it is before their system collapses into rubble.

Wilder is able to mix wartime drama with some cute comedic pressure relief in a brilliant way. The tone of the film is fantastic and the characters are some classic 50’s good and bad guys. Tension runs high and the film keeps you rolling right through the the exciting reveal. The writing is amazing and still holds up today save the few 50’s expressions and style of acting.

Fans of war films of this era should check it out at once if they have not seen it. Film lovers in general will like the film’s style, characters and dialogue. It’s a fabulous film.

If you’ve seen the TV show HOGAN’S HEROES then you’re already somewhat familiar with this classic prisoner of war epic – they based the TV show off this movie, boosting the comedy to sitcom levels.

Waiting (2005)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348333/
Directed by Rob McKittrick

Slipping into the realm of AMERICAN PIE and the many knock offs it spawned, WAITING turned out to be a fun little no brainer comedy with lots of bawdy, beer party humor. The movie follows the exploits of a group of youngin’s that are working at a Chilli’s or Applebee’s style “big box” restaurant and doing what they can to while away the hours of boring work. This includes nasty games, revenge on evil customers and trying to get their coworkers to go on “dates”.

While it’s mostly silly and goofy, it does provide a grand staging area for some nutty fun. The cast seemed to have a good time making it and it has some genuine giggles throughout.  Ryan Reynolds – aka “not Dane Cook” - locks in his usual persona and knocks it out of the park yet again with his particular brand of GQ fun. The humor – while low brow for most of the movie – can be smart and witty while delivering the chuckles. The actors are at the top of the teen comedy food chain, so the performances hold up.

WAITING is well worth checking out if you’re in the mood for some laughter a la potty mouth humor.
Save some awesome blossom fried goodness for us!

PETE’S DRAGON (1977)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076538/

Directed by Don Chaffey

I was a mere eight year old when PETE’S DRAGON first came out in 1977. I remember going to see it with my mother not really knowing what the heck I was about to see. I hear the songs now and I get misty eyed. It really was a huge hit for me when I was a kid. My parents really helped to foster my love of films by taking me to them often. PETE’S DRAGON was a magical, musical ride.

It tells the story of Pete and his magical dragon friend Elliott. Pete and Elliott are best friends and spend lazy afternoons having fun. Everything isn’t perfect, however. Pete has an evil adopted family and an wicked snake oil salesman after him and his dragon friend. Only Helen Reddy and Mickey Rooney really care about Pete and his good will.

This musical is a load of fun and fantasy as Pete adventures with the lovable Elliott in this live action plus animation childhood hit. This film was nominated for 2 oscars, believe it or not. I remember listening to the soundtrack as a child, playing side A and side B of the record (yes, a RECORD) over and over while I sang and danced around the room.

If you’re looking for something for the kids, try out this fun little romp through childhood fantasy! I find movies like this to be SO FAR SUPERIOR to what kids are being fed these days. I think a lot of it is just my personal relationship to the films, of course, but it just seems like most of the kid movies out now are just eye candy and fluff.

Try out Pete’s Dragon for yourself and let me know what you think!

Now…how about a song?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHboMLW-Zn0

“Dude! It was a rad year! No DUH! I feel like such an airhead sometimes, but this list will TOTALLY help me remember stuff BIG TIME. These are some of my fave films, homefry. Bitchin’!”

Ah, the 80’s. These films are like a time capsule of my high school years. The music, the times, and the clothes.

Weird Science (1985) Two teens create a woman one night. Go figure.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Matthew Broderick talks his best friend and girlfriend into taking a well deserved day off from high school.

The Breakfast Club (1985) Saturday detention. A mix of high schoolers. A whole day to themselves in a library. Discuss. The beginning of the BRAT PACK years.

Better off Dead (1985) John Cusack fails at killing himself, but succeeds in falling in love.

One Crazy Summer (1986) Cusack is back and falling in love with Demi Moore in this wacky comedy.

Pretty in Pink (1986) I think he loves her, but she loves him, and he wants her, but isn’t nice, but this guy is super nice…but…she doesn’t notice him…and…um…wrong side of the tracks…uh…clothes?  Something like that. Oh, and there’s a duck boy in it….I think.

16 Candles (1984) Who will remember Molly Ringwald’s birthday when her sister is getting married?

Real Genius (1985) Val Kilmer classic about a genius high school kid who skips to college. He meets the other genius’ and comedy ensues!

Machine Girl (2008) -Kataude mashin gâru-
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1050160/
Machine Girl Lite (2009) -The Hajirai Machine Girl-
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1319567/

Remember The Road Runner cartoon? Of course you do. Well, MACHINE GIRL and MACHINE GIRL LITE are the live action, Japanese action, deadly schoolgirl versions of the same. These films are candy for the fans of over the top, cartoon style gore and violence. It’s so damn silly that the violence becomes second to the pure comedy goodness of the absolutely silly plot and story. It’s a hoot.

A schoolgirl named Ami Hyuga has a brother who is being harassed for cash by the son of a violent crime lord. Not being able to take it anymore, he and his good friend kill themselves. She, in turn, goes to seek revenge. However, the yakuza crime lord has many many people on his side and the girl is defeated and….de-armed. Half dead, she goes to seek help from her brother’s buddy’s parents, but the mother is still grief stricken and wants nothing to do with her until her shop is attacked by some crime lord goons.
The parents of the dead schoolboy create a weapon arm for Ami – a deadly machine gun with a seemingly unending supply of bullets. Together, the mother and Ami go to seek revenge. And so begins the geysers of blood, severed body parts and meat chunk madness that is the beauty of MACHINE GIRL.

This manga inspired cult hit is pure, over the top gore madness that sends gallons of blood streaming over everything and everyone. Insane martial arts and exotic, fantasy weapons take their toll on everyone and everything in the scene.

Drill bras, decapitation chains and lots and lots of bullets make this movie a must see for fans of Japanese gore-gore action and is the best in the group, in my most humble opinion. While the overall is silly and strange, it does have some somewhat decent acting (for what it is) and is well shot and directed. Other movies like it tend to lean toward the “we filmed this in a week” realm and really tend to look even more cheap than they already are.

But, what do you do when you have actors and makeup left over when making a film like this? Why, make an epilogue, of course! MACHINE GIRL LITE/ Shyness Machine Girl is a small short made after filming of MACHINE GIRL ended. Ami’s friend finds herself alive again (spoiler!) and needs to defend herself against the yakuza boss and his henchmen.  The shop father helps her by making her a special machine gun, however it only becomes available when her shyness peaks. What better way to activate the Shyness Machine Gun (that comes out of your tailbone area, by the way)  than to stand around in a bikini or to flash your panties at the bad guys while squealing, “NO! Don’t look! I’m SHY!” So very, very bizarre. I love it!

You know you are curious now! Pick up MACHINE GIRL for good, splatter fun and MACHINE GIRL LITE for….well…a girl with a machine gun butt. Ideal for parties!
Machine Girl Trailer – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCpSqqPwPDQ
Machine Girl Lite Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhJ_W9Kiz-s

Other films like this include:
Ichi the Killer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haiSf60UsPQ
Tokyo Gore Police – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajMcAyCRwgg
Stacy: Attack of the Schoolgirl Zombies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX4t8XYJgS0
Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAGMzxhk3Hg
Samurai Princess – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ctXBVbbDWo
Bikini Zombie Slayers (game) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtAghxuu7n0