Cast: Bill Paxton, Michael Ironside, Marshall Bell, Mitzi Kapture, Colleen Camp, Patrika Darbo, Marc McClure, Stuart Pankin, Teddy Wilson
The Vagrant tells the story of Graham Krackowski, who moves into his new home only to be terrorized by an unruly vagrant that lives across the street in an abandon lot. What begins as simply an inconvenience to him, escalates into an all out war of head games, wit, and eventually murder.
The film mixes hard and comedy and the humor though dark is funny and parts, but it never quite land. It always feels like it’s missing a beat.
The performances are believable and the material you expect a bit more zaniness and can see why this film does have a cult following and it’s fans but personally, it never quite comes alive nor as fun as the premise it presents
It seems to be headed for better and you expect more especially with such a cast.
The film does seem to treat every female. He comes across as attracted to him, and they are all secondary by nature or props, then actual characters.
Bill Paxton’s character change of looks later in the film. It also shows the range of Mr. Paxton who is the only reason I saw this movie for.
As I knowingly used to pass the box for this movie and video stores in my youth, all the time always thought it would be more run-of-the-mill and basic one can appreciate that at times it tries to be different and subvert the audience
The film is a low budget movie that tries and you want to like it. it seems to work against itself never quite finding that right mixture as it feels more comedic when it wants to be horrific, and it feels more horrific when it wants to be comedic finding its groove.
It should be noted that it’s sort of the few times. Michael Ironside has been in an intentional comedy.
The film was directed by Chris Walas, a special effects artist, and whose previous film was THE FLY II. Which was a guilty pleasure in my teens and was hoping this film would end up being a diamond in the rough as this seems to be the last film that Chris Wallace has directed so far it ends up disappointing because the potential had more than anything
Written & Directed By: Robert Harling Based on the Novel by: Larry McMurtry Cinematography: Don Burgess Editor: David Moritz and Pricilla Nedd-Friendly
Cast: Shirley McClaine, Juliette Lewis, Bill Paxton, Miranda Richardson, Mackenzie Astin, Scott Wolf, George Newbern, Jack Nicholson, Ben Johnson, Marion Ross, Donald Moffat, Jennifer Grant, China Kantner
Continuing the story of Aurora Greenway in her latter years. After the death of her daughter, Aurora struggled to keep her family together, but has one grandson in jail, a rebellious granddaughter, and another grandson living just above the poverty line.
This is a follow-up to a classic that no one would have ever been completely satisfied with, but seemed to be made to satisfy an audience who might have been wondering what ever happened to the characters. Even though in the end it truly never needed to be made.
It’s disappointing on many levels as a sequel and even as a movie. It just seems telegraphed to be melodramatic.
The film takes us through what happened to the kids of Debra Winger’s character from TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. After having been raised by Their grandmother played by Shirley McClaine
They all have their troubles though it seems like the daughter played by Juliette Lewis is the one she is having the most problems with. Her character and performance are way too over the top throughout. As one of the sons is serving a jail sentence and the other seems like a pushover.
The film plays more like a melodramatic television movie. That has graphic undeserving sex scenes and plenty of bed-hopping. As McClane’s character seems irresistible to most men in the film. Giving her a younger lover who is also her psychiatrist and an adversary to compete with him. Until she learns the true reason for his attraction. Though it is nice to see Bill Paxton play a kind of romantic lead. with Scott wolf around more to be eye candy, Fantasy, and lover for all the ladies in the film
The film is over the top with sentimentality. That it seems as it gets towards the end it feels empty.
The only truly interesting scene is Jack Nicholson’s cameo. That is when the film comes alive even for just a few moments.
Even original writer and director James L. Brooks isn’t even back. It feels like the film tries to fit too many trends into the story that goes nowhere.
This is a film aimed more at female movie fans and of course fans of the original. As the film feels like there is too much emotion on display.
While the main story seems to be to keep McClaine’s character constantly busy. While adding mini-aggressions for her to deal with.
The film is missing the mixture of sharp comedy, drama, and tragedy that made the first film such a classic, noteworthy and one-of-a-kind. All this film does is remind us of how good the first film was and also desecrate Its memory with a big all-star cast.
The film just feels secondhand with a pinch of nice dressing.
Directed By: Baltasar Kormakur Written By: Blake Masters Based on the boom! studios graphic novels By: Steven Grant Cinematography: Oliver Wood Editor: Michael Tronick
Cast: Denzel Washington,Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton,Edward James Olmos, Bill Paxton, James Marsden, Robert John Burke, Fred Ward, Patrick Fischler
Two hardened criminals get into trouble with the US border patrol after meeting with a Mexican drug lord, and then revelations start to unfold.
The film is fun though it is always predictable and you know how it is going to turn out. Though luckily the film keeps us on our toes and interested to see how we will get there.
Didn’t know that the film was actually based on a graphic novel. Though Mark Wahlberg is more an old hat at taking on roles originated elsewhere and in graphic novels. Denzel Washington not so much.
The twists and turns are appreciated to keep the film lively and drive the story forward.
The action sequences are impressive. You can tell the two stars are having in with the material, maybe even then the audience. As each doesn’t stretch too far in their roles and falls back to their charms and talents.
This is the type of film where the plot comes off as an afterthought. Though complicated this film seems more invested in the chemistry of the two stars and how much they can interact as superstars. As well as an emphasis on action sequences and who comes out on top in them.
A buddy action comedy is only tougher, involving more death and violence. With two Movie stars, you normally don’t see Co-Starring in each other’s Films. Which is really what brings the audience to this film more than the actual story.
Shocked, the movie isn’t directed by a frequent collaborator for Denzel Washington Antoine Fuqua. As it has the same polish as his films but lacks the drama needed for one of his films.
Paula Patton seems more here as eye candy with a surprising amount of nudity. She does set the movie forward. Between this and the movie FLIGHT, Denzel Washington being involved with younger women and having nudity brings one back to the films of yesteryear though admittedly gratuitous, but so much of this film already is still stylish.
This film is almost like a veteran movie as most cast members are recognizable and here more to chew the scenery but at least they come off as they are having fun. That energy extends to the viewer and makes this film entertaining while you take none of it seriously
It’s not god’s gift to make a decent action thriller with a bunch of intentional laughs. At least the movie offers an intriguing story that does hold the audience’s interest other than having the two stars teaming up or battling one another amongst the more ridiculous elements. It has suspenseful moments.
Though honestly if you are a fan of either or both of the stars of this movie. You will like it thus making it criticism-proof in the long run. Especially when the film is better down than expected
Directed By: William Asher Written By: Stephen Breimer, Alan Jay Glueckman & Boon Collins Cinematography: Robbie Greenberg Editor: Ted Nicolaou
Cast: Jimmy McNichol, Susan Tyrell, Bo Svenson, Julia Duffy, Bill Paxton, Britt Leach, Steve Eastin
Since the death of his parents fourteen years ago, Billy Lynch has been raised by his overprotective aunt Cheryl. But once he turns seventeen, he is soon set on planning his life…without her. He’s planning on going on to college and is dating local girl Julie. None of which sits well for his aunt, who’s lost everyone else in her life and now with her nephew ready to leave, ensures she starts on a campaign to keep him with her…forever. But as her plans misfire she becomes swept up in a cycle of psychosis and frenzied violence all being blamed on Billy by everyone else…including a homophobic detective, whose anti-gay prejudice is steadily reaching its zenith…leading to an unforeseeable outcome.
This film feels silly even for the time when it was released. Watching the film is a fun experience in its awfulness.
It’s entertainment is marred by its characters’ homophobia. This is disappointing as it easily could have been an unintentional camp classic. Surprised it hasn’t been embraced by a cult audience of not for anything at least the performance and gusto from Susan Tyrell.
The lead performance by Susan Tyrell gives it her all and goes way over the top. So unhinged In one of her rare leading roles.
So unhinged that as the movie moves along even her look begins to deteriorate. She is obviously wearing a wig and once her character cuts it she goes further off the deep end. It ends up being her real hair.
Revealing the killer wept on makes the movie more suspenseful. Especially as the film goes along, there ends up being few choices as to who it could be and where the film can go.
The film has Bill Paxton in an early role as a jealous bully. Not to mention Julia Duffy as the teenage nephew’s love interest.
The film ultimately revolves around a serious obsession between the aunt for her nephew. Which also makes the film feel more suited for a drive in a movie theater.
The movie’s special effects, the few that there Are, are so bad they become laughable especially when it cowls to stabbings and dismemberment.
Memorably bad but the film Means well and tries hard. So that it is more entertaining and fun than scary. If this is a genre you particularly like.
It can be understood that homophobia was the Mood at the time. The film tries to justify that mood as evil by having one fo the good characters be gay. But also at the end, most of the characters with that discrimination end up dead.
This is a film you look for more for fun than necessary thrills or any kind of horror
Written & Directed by: John Hughes Cinematography: Matthew F. leonetti Editor: Chris Lebenzon, Scott Wallace & Mark Warner
Cast: Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly Lebrock, Bill Paxton, Robert Downey Jr. Robert Rusler, Suzanne Snyder, Judie Aronson, Vernon wells, Michael Berryman, Britt Leach, Wallace Langham
Two high school nerds use a computer program to literally create the perfect woman, but she turns their lives upside down.
This film is a nostalgic favorite for me. That still fills me with joy as I watch it. Even if as I get older I realize how thin the premise is.
I would have to say out of the John Hughes canon this film seems to be his lightest weighted film. As this film just seems more of an escape for him and maybe his audience a film that you could just enjoy and not put any great thought into.
Though just as any coming of age tale. This one still has a lesson to teach about confidence and being yourself. Even if it takes wishes from a beautiful woman as a genie to do it.
This film is total wish fulfillment for teenage boys. As the heroes get all they ever wanted really. They work to a degree to get it but in the most fanciful way. So this film doesn’t come close to any of the realities of Hughes’s previous teen films. As it is more science fiction influenced. As part of the fantasy
One thing that stays constant is the humor. The scenes feel like little skits of their own under the banner of a plot. With teen fantasies thrown in. In a movie where the plot could easily be made into a porn parody
Early groundbreaking performance from bill Paxton as the older brother from hell. Though shows how distinguished a career he has had and as many iconic films and characters he has played. That this his debut is the most remembered and strongest.
The lust and desire the characters and audience has for Kelly lebrock are what also help the film. As the friendly yet ultimately unattainable object and character of desire.
Amazingly the film has nudity but not from her she stays clothed though scantily clad in only a few scenes. As their genie of sorts. Though then again as a fantasy. It makes her more desirable if she stays a mystery.
It’s a shame she never really followed up with a film or role quite as memorable. Which for that generation and generations after who are fans of this fits her defining role. I am Sure also an early model for quite a few a dream girl.
This film seems written for Anthony Michael hall as most of the film allows for his comedic facial expressions, double tales, and comedic bits. Especially in his scenes where he plays drunken. where he seems to be attempting his own version of the classic Richard Pryor Mudbone character.
This showcases that some of the film’s humor is racy by today’s standards and would be viewed as non-politically correct in quite a few scenes.
Mostly Due to language and what seems like a hallmark of John Hughes films of inclusion of minorities by having a scene where the character goes to the more urban side of town. That seems stereotypical but not as insulting as it could be. Except for a scene in National Lampoon’s Vacation, Which as a minor defense was only written by him.
Learned the difference between a nerd and a dork. The Dork fast-talking thinks he is smoother and cooler than he actually is, Nerd is just smart and has trouble following social cues and finds interest in things that aren’t popular and more interested in science and other things to an obsessive degree. Where he feels he must dismantle it to understand it or at least examine to learn all they can.
At the time I Looked up to Anthony Michael hall he was in all my favorite movies at the time. (Usually John Hughes ones) not to mention was more a movie star who was near my age.
It seems like this film is almost like Anthony Michael hall’s audition for Saturday night love along with Robert Downey jr. Who were both cast members for one season. As he is given more to do comedically over the top here.
This film was one of my favorites from the 1980’s teen genre. As it was all more Commercial. As it has some themes of teenage life but is far less emotional and leans more towards fantasy
At the time I was envious and Jealous of the fashion and cars in the film. It made me want to have them in the ’80s and looked forward to when I got older owning them. Especially a Ferrari. Still have a fascination with those cars.
This film is a total of 80’s fantasy wish fulfillment. That works Escapist entertainment. It’s definitely Dated
The story is Frankenstein mixed with a teen fantasy or more like a bride of Frankenstein. Almost like a long-form music video brought to life.
Bill Paxton co-stars in one of his breakout Roles and is truly a comedic highlight.
It has a moralistic lesson of bee icing in yourself as you had what you needed in you all along. As well as getting everything they want in the end.
Reminds you of the excess of the 1980s But still really enjoyable. One of my favorite films of the day watching it now see it’s a weakness but is more harmed by them in my deep-seated nostalgia.
Editing, Cinematography & Directed By: Steven Soderbergh Written By: Lem Dobbs
Cast: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Bill Paxton, Michael Angarano, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas
Freelance covert operative Mallory Kane is hired out by her handler to various global entities to perform jobs which governments can’t authorize and heads of state would rather not know about. After a mission to rescue a hostage in Barcelona, Mallory is quickly dispatched on another mission to Dublin. When the operation goes awry and Mallory finds she has been double crossed, she needs to use all of her skills, tricks and abilities to escape an international manhunt, make it back to the United States, protect her family, and exact revenge on those that have betrayed her.
Cut To The Chase 