Ernie Hudson – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Michael Lehman
Written By: Rich Wilkes
Cinematography: John Schwartzman
Editor: Stephen Semel

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Adam Sandler, Steve Buscemi, Joe Mantegna, Ernie Hudson, Chris Farley, Amy Locane, Michael McKean, Michael Richards, David Arquette, Judd Nelson, Nina Siemaszko, Marshall Bell, Reginald E. Cathey, China Kantner, Michelle Hurst, Allen Covert, Harold Ramis, Lemmy Von Motörhead, John Melendez

Three band members, hoping for a big break head to a radio station to play their demo tape and wind up holding everyone hostage with plastic guns when the head D.J. refuses to play them.

This movie came out at a critical time for me. When I was 15 and for some odd reason I remember every ad about it, the music video for the single BORN TO RAISE HELL by Motörhead with ugly kid Joe and Ice-T and even the premiere on MTV where it was obvious Chris Farley was drunk/high and the first time I realized he might have a problem.

I was the demographic for this movie that was for some odd reason Pg-13 I mean it was presented in the same way, but most of the material and spirit of the movie felt like this should have been an R-Rated movie. As it testily lacks the spirit and vision of over-the-top exuberance that rock was supposed to be but by the 1990s had mellowed to be more emo. Though these Characters obviously are more 1980’s types when it was hard rock, glam rock, and heavy metal.

The film is the right film but at the wrong time. As it feels like a holdover trying to fit into the wrong time period. What I can appreciate about the film is that it works as nostalgia when radio stations still had power and were seen as important ambassadors between the bands and fans.

This film also unfortunately feels miscast. As much as I enjoy Brendan Fraser as an actor and he has proven to be versatile. He is just hard to believe as the lead singer of the band. Adam Sandler plays the drummer and is more the simple-minded of the group. He wanted to play the lead but the studio didn’t think he had any pulling power of an audience at the time.

Steve Buscemi is perfectly cast in the film, one of his first major studio films and one in which he is looked upon more as comic relief.

The film is silly all around as you can’t take anything seriously. So that it comes off more juvenile than anything else

The film has quite a respectable cast. Quite a few unfortunately in more small or bit roles. Even though Joe Mantegna is good, his look is less Rick and more disco holdover.

The female roles don’t offer much other than angry girlfriend and object of lust. Which fits into the milieu and mindset of the time. As well as being treated more as eye candy.

This film has surprisingly found an audience over the years, After the bombing in Its initial release. Due to not only bad marketing but it feels like it was over-marketed and misrepresented. Don’t get me wrong I don’t think It’s a good movie but I think everyone did try to make a decent film that came up short but deserves its Fans and its audience.

It just wasn’t the great rock film people were expecting or at least hoping for. Somewhere there is a hybrid of this movie and PICK OF DESTINY where they swipe out each other’s weaknesses and build on each other’s strengths then maybe you would have the movie that the audience was looking for or expecting. If that film can still be made now.

As this film does have its moments, but ultimately fails to live up to the hype or potential.

Grade: C

Directed By: John Pasquin
Written By: Marc Lawrence
Based on Characters Created by: Marc Lawrence, Katie Ford & Caryn Lucas
Cinematography: Peter Menzies Jr.
Editor: Garth Craven

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Regina King, Enrique Murciano, William Shatner, Ernie Hudson, Heather Burns, Diedrich Bader, Treat Williams, Abraham Benrubi, Nick Offerman, Eileen Brennan, Octavia Spencer, Elisabeth Rohm, Stephen Tobolowsky, Leslie Grossman, Eve Gordon, Affion Crockett, Adam LeFevre

F.B.I. Agent Gracie Hart is assigned to promote the F.B.I., touring with the brutal Agent Sam Fuller as her bodyguard. While traveling around the country, her friend and the Miss United States Cheryl Frasier is kidnapped along with Stan Fields, and Gracie decides to investigate the abduction in Las Vegas on her own, and against the direct orders of local F.B.I. Assistant Director Walter Collins.

After the surprise success and enjoyment of the first film. Most I can imagine would think this would naturally be pleasing? No

First of all the series gets rid of Benjamin Bratt’s character and all hope of a love interest with him. So that this film can focus on more two mismatched partners working together. While taking matters differently. So in other words this becomes more of a buddy comedy with the audience having a history with at least one of the partners.

In the first film, it seems there was more room for side characters to make their mark. As they seemed to have something to do and were allowed to be as funny as the lead. Instead of just feeling like suspects and a plot device.

Sandra Bullock’s performance here seems more indebted to vaudeville. As she is more at the center of things but also seems more silly and wants to dress up in silly disguises.

Regina king is really the only one who has a chance to come through with her head held high. In making this a buddy comedy, just a more female-centered one that feels more predictable than the first film but also more stilted and outdated even for the time period in which it was made.

The film doesn’t feel as fun or silly as Ms. Bullock’s performance and the fun she seems to be having. Even as the situations and script get sillier. As do William Shatner and the usually hilarious Heather Burns in their roles.

As usual when a formulaic film is likable and comes as a surprise enjoyable hit. The sequel tries to replicate the formula all wrong. As it seems to be focusing on the wrong chemistry and elements. Leaving the product lacking in flavor that the first one brought that made audiences enjoy it in the first place.

It’s a shame as Regina king is a good and enjoyable actress, especially with the right material. But this is the second sequel where she plays a tough-as-nails thankless buddy in a buddy comedy that is bad (LEGALLY BLONDE 2 Is the other) she deserves better.

One can guess most of us expected the same from Sandra Bullock as she seems such a likable screen presence and films she stars in are usually enjoyable and passable but her me while she seems to be having fun. Watching this feels like the equivalent of homework

Grade: C-

Tag: Ernie Hudson

AIRHEADS (1996)

MISS CONGENIALITY 2: ARMED & FABULOUS (2005)