Tag: Robert Downey Jr.

FIRSTBORN (1984)

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Directed By Michael Apted

Written By: Ron Koslow 

Cinematography: Ralf D. Mode

Editor: Arthur Schmidt 

Cast: Peter Weller, Christopher Collet, Teri Garr, Corey Haim, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Gartin, James Harper, Josh Hamilton, J.D. Roth

Because he’s the oldest, Jake has been the man of the house, since his parents divorce. When Mom starts seeing Sam, who always seems to be trying some new way to get rich quick, and declares he’s the man of the house now, Jake puts up with it. Until he discovers Sam’s illegal activities.

Though I’m sure it was gripping when it came out watching this film now it isn’t bad, but it does come across more as an after-school special. That is a little bit more adult than the ones that played at the time. 

Times have changed as in the past films like these could be big dramatic films to make it to the big screen rather than being relegated more to television, movies, fair, or overly melodramatic lifetime movies now.

The film has plenty of great dramatic moments and slowly shows how the dysfunctional situation of this young man whose home is invaded by her mom’s drug-dealing boyfriend and who slowly destroys each member of his mom becoming more and more junkie his striking out in anger and becoming much more reclusive as he never wants to be at home. The young man himself slowly starting to lose his composure and his laid-back mentality. 

it’s fun to see Peter Weller in this role as you can understand his allure and how at first he seems kindhearted,  youthful, and A big talker. Slowly, we see him deflate, and how full of it he is he spends most of his days asleep watching television on their couch while their mother goes out and works. 

We also see her attention when it comes to common responsibilities. Like Cooking and cleaning paying bills on time, and being around. It’s ending is too tidy, but at least it shows or handset what went into all of the character’s decisions where the mother was dating a perfectly nice guy, but met this bad boy who is a little bit more exciting and has all these plans he has and is much better and I believe a bit younger Especially coming on the heels of her ex-husband getting remarried.

That is the only hard part of the film that it takes to believe and completely shows how out of the loop the ex-husband is that he’s always traveling and he calls his sons and cares about them to check up on them. It’s still distant by only phone he never physically comes to check up on them or hears of them and their problems at school. 

For the most part, the film does keep your interest as you want to see where it goes and how bad is it gonna go and in the third act you want to see how is it going to relieve itself? It never goes over the top in the violence or the dramatics, it keeps itself at a low simmer most of the time there’s nothing that really boils over until the end and even then it’s not as over the top as you would expect.

It’s nice to see Peter Weller, in an early dramatic role. The handsome troublesome hustler is just the wrong element in all of this.

Is the film debut of future teen idol, Corey Haim, and even in this role he’s got the dramatic goods and comes across his believable even if it’s a troubled child it’s a troubled child role. Even Robert Downey Jr. has a small role in this film as more of the flamboyant and punk friend of the lead character group.

Christopher Collet stayed in the lead and had a pretty good acting career, though this was one of his rare leading roles, he carried the film quite believably for the time. For a film that took place in a suburban area could call it a team with adult themes, but I guess you could also call it a troubled family film.

Not Too many surprises it’s worth a look looking for a more dramatic, overture, and film that is more hidden film than it is popular as I constantly got this film, confused with the more exploitative film SCREAM FOR HELP. This is more respectable and better made. Of course, for most audiences, there might be a feeling of having been there and done that while watching 

It doesn’t come across as anything special about the film though it’s a solid watch

Grade: C+

BABY, IT’S YOU (1983)

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Written & Directed By: John Sayles
Based on a Story by: Amy Robinson 
Cinematography: Michael Ballhaus 
Editor: Sonya Polonsky 

Cast: Rosanna Arquette, Vincent Spano, Matthew Modine, Sam McMurray, Tracy Pollan, Frank Vincent, Robert Downey Jr., Caroline Aaron, Fisher Stevens, Joanna Merlin

In a 1966 New Jersey high school, Jill and new student Sheik from the other side of the tracks make their way into a first love romance.  

A romantic epic. That is well-traveled.

a perfect representation of first love as it spans across the early years of your development from your teens to slowly becoming an adult. Though it only covers a few years. It feels like a love story across decades. Though at least It isn’t presented as instant more than organic.

Almost like a kitchen sink drama mixed with a young adult novel. 

This is a film that seems like it’s Going to be slight or more melodramatic but ends up being actually deep and partly devastating.

Neither of the two main characters played by Vincent Spano and Rosanna Arquette. Are perfect. As they both have their strengths, weaknesses, and flaws. Yet you find yourself pulling for them.

Rosanna Arquette’s Character is annoying quite a few times and Vincent Spano gives a performance that has tinges of tragedy. As he seems to have a stubbornness about him that can be seen as confidence yet also expects too much. As you know he’s a dreamer you find yourself rooting for him. 

The film smartly involved petty betrayal and seduction and finding yourself even once they are split then finally resuming their relationship. They still need each other as they are stranded and the only people who seem to understand each other. As we don’t see them when they are sorted only when together or on the verge. So we get to see a kind of greatest-hits version of their lives 

The power shifts between them become fascinating. As we watch as the relationship becomes all about growth and maturity as well as how it comes apart and goes back to childlike immaturity.

It’s one of the few times Matthew Modine has been sued in the right way. He seems to be good at playing yuppie upper-class men. It’s Fun spotting a bunch of character actors in early small roles.

It’s a film that is almost kind of like PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED. Only it’s not from the future looking back and getting another chance to correct past mistakes 

Here the story is told mostly as a doomed love story between two characters where we follow their ups and downs from high school to adulthood and always manage to find their way back to each other. Even when in different romances and away from one another 

It also shows how in this oboe Sorry there is the fantasy and romantic early days to the rough parts and the truly hard parts towards the end and after where reality truly steps in 

Just as the characters’ hopes and dreams for their futures are attempted but also must be checked at certain times by a harsh reality and circumstances they set themselves up for

Coming from writer-director John Sayles you expect more of a humanist point of view and presentation. That isn’t too sensationalistic or aimed at any particular genre. This is also one of his films that stays with you like BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET, LONE STAR, and CITY OF HOPE. They are inventive and have a bunch of great ideas.

He is a director I admire as an independent filmmaker who usually has excellent character studies like this one. I admire that he started out writing B-Movie scripts PIRANHA, and ALLIGATOR. Who makes a living primarily by being. A professional rewriter, using that money to help fund his own productions and help other independent filmmakers.

Amazed at how the filmmakers got such a great soundtrack. 

Grade: A-

BOWFINGER (1999)

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Directed By: Frank Oz
Written By: Steve Martin 
Cinematography: Ueli Steiger 
Editor: Richard Pearson 

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Robert Downey Jr., Heather Graham, Christine Baranski, Jamie Kennedy, Terence Stamp, Claude Brooks, Marisol Nichols, Phill Lewis, John Cho

When a desperate movie producer fails to get a major star for his bargain basement film, he decides to shoot the film secretly around him.

This might be a letdown considering the two comedic stars at its center finally teaming up to make a film together you would expect something funnier and better.

Though pretty much the film has a good premise a terrible follow-through and jokes. As it tries to be a Hollywood satire.  Where it seems too hard to be wacky above all else. Even though it seems a little more personal for Steve Martin who wrote the script and also takes aim at satirizing Scientology and also having some humor over it seems a past relationship.

Now the film wasn’t written originally for Eddie Murphy to co-star. As it was written for a big-name star. It was never intended to be a big-name comedic star. Eddie Murphy walks away with the film in a dual role that obviously he had to have input in because he creates a memorable comedic character as the Hollywood Star he also plays look-alike Jiff and kind of stunt double.  as well as spoofing Hollywood’s spoiled paranoid star as Kit Ramsey but that role feels a bit more familiar. 

Eddie Murphy does manage to create two totally different comedic characters and make them believable. 

Truthfully this movie felt crushing to me when I first watched it. As it stars two of my favorite living stand-Up comedians written by one of them and the film still falls apart.

This film is a satire on Hollywood. Though It’s not as sharp as Martin’s precious satire on Los Angeles L.A. STORY. Though that felt like a romance and love letter compared to this film which seems more to make fun of everything and everybody. As this is more silly than witty.

Though the film is certainly ahead of Its time with some of its ideas especially when it comes to the aspect of improv. Though after a while the film feels too silly for Its Own Good. 

If this film was made in the 1980’s it would be just ok and meant more like a classic. Getting a pass just for who starred in it. But made in the Savvy 1990s. It almost plays like a throwback.

There are moments that are original and funny but they are too few and far in between. If this movie had starred anyone else it would be forgettable and much easier for me to let go of it, but coming from such great talents. It was such a huge letdown.

Heather Graham is unresistable as the sexy actress co-star who Steve martin’s director character is also sleeping with and he is disturbed to find he might not be the only one. Based on her ambition and knowledge of his ex-girlfriends this seems his attempt to trivialize that relationship and maybe that person.

Robert Downey Jr. is in the movie he plays a small but pivotal role that really has no meat to it, but this was one of his first jobs post-rehab.

What is also a letdown is the movie within the movie they seem to be filming is so terrible. Even with a star, it looks like it would be bad, but again that might be the film making fun of not only itself but all-star-driven vehicles. Where no matter how bad it might be they will be funded and there will be an audience for them.

I didn’t see the movie in theaters but I did buy the DVD without seeing it first. Because I was so sure it was going to be a knockout. It is one of my least-watched purchases. 

Though strangely over the years I have warmed a little bit to it. It’s still bad, but at least it is watchable more to me now. Hopefully, you feel the same way. 

Grade: D

SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009)

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Directed By: Guy Ritchie
Written By: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham & Simon Kinberg
Story By: Michael Robert Johnson & Lionel Wigram
Cinematography By: Phillipe Rousselot
Editor: James Herbert

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, James Fox

In London, Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr. John Watson captures the follower of black magic and serial killer Lord Blackwood that has already killed five women when he is near to kill his sixth victim. Blackwood is sentenced to be strung up and Dr. Watson attests his death. However, Blackwood mysteriously returns from the afterlife and Inspector Lestrade summons Sherlock Holmes to help the Scotland Yard in the investigation. Meanwhile Dr. Watson intends to get married of the gorgeous Mary Morstan while Sherlock is visited by his former lover Irene Adler that has a secret agenda.



 I should have liked this film, but the film is too big, too many action set pieces, Too many explosions. Not enough Mystery. It’s like everything has to be bigger and better like it’s some kind of sequel or Michael Bay movie with better style and some sensibility.

It’s not good enough for Sherlock Holmes to be a good detective but must also be tough by doing bare-knuckle fighting, being a master of disguise, and always having a weapon handy. Like a victorian era super spy.

Once in a while, we get to see how Holmes’ mind works with deductive thinking. While having a semi homoerotic relationship with Dr. Watson, Who he is jealous of because he is not only moving out of the house they share but also getting married. The case they try to crack involves a woman from Holmes past who is lively and almost as cunning as he is and at first the case seems based on the supernatural. Than along the way becomes more logical.

The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Jude Law seems false and more manufactured than it should and makes you wonder if Jude Law was insulted as being the natural-born brit and having to play the sidekick to the American actor taking over a notorious British character.

The film isn’t horrible and it’s nice to see what director Guy Ritchie can do with a sizeable budget, but as I said before everything feels overblown and like it goes out of its way to keep reminding you this is the NEW Sherlock Holmes.

The leads are both charming and mark Strong is a good villain and the film’s more interesting scenes are when he is on the screen or exploring his character and it’s a conspiracy.

While the film is a good popcorn film afterward you start to feel the fat and the grease and wonder why this movie really needed to be made. Again it’s not horrible it’s not bad either. It’s ok and has some things going for it, but the end feels unnecessary and unremarkable. It keeps your attention as any time the film seems to begin to slow down another action sequence pops up. Not always for a good reason, But for the most part everyone involved seems to be having fun.

Wait For Television

GRADE: C

WEIRD SCIENCE (1985)

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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.

Grade: B-  

THE SOLOIST (2009)

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Directed By: Joe Wright
Written By: Susannah Grant
Based On The Book By: Steve Lopez
Cinematography By: Seamus McGarvey
Editor: Paul Tothill

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, Stephen Root, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Rachael Harris, Tom Hollander

In 2005, the only thing hurting Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez more than his face from a recent bike accident was his pressing need for story ideas. That is when he discovers Nathaniel Ayers, a mentally ill, homeless street musician who possesses extraordinary talent, even through his half-broken instruments. Inspired by his story, Lopez writes an acclaimed series of articles about Ayers and attempts to do more to help both him and the rest of the underclass of LA have a better life. However, Lopez’s good intentions run headlong in the hard realities of the strength of Ayers’ personal demons and the larger social injustices facing the homeless. Regardless, Lopez and Ayers must find a way to conquer their deepest anxieties and frustrations to hope for a brighter future for both of them.

The film is perfectly fine entertainment of a film that really doesn’t have a plot. Sure it’s a fascinating fact-based story that may have been better explored as a documentary or maybe even better reading about it, but the film leaves a lot to be desired as not much really happens. Except that it makes the main character feel better by discovering and trying to help a talented homeless schizophrenic. Which is pretty much the plot of the film.

Everyone does a perfectly serviceable performance. I really like Robert Downey Jr’s look. Jamie Foxx’s performance doesn’t really hit as hard. As it seems like his intention sure he is a spot-on mimic, but the performance seems exactly like that an act or impersonation in it’s not really ground in any sort of reality though it is based on a true story.

The film feels empty with no heart which is how the film feels. It tries to get you emotional in many scenes but fails to do so. The film plays like a contemporary movie that seems only made to try and be Oscar bait and a crowd-pleaser. Like the film THE BLIND SIDE only the latter seemed to know how to appeal to the masses this film seems more directed at a more artsy audience. That is why it feels so basic with artistic touches and indulgence.

Other than the two main characters we really never get to know any characters. This is especially daunting as the film has an established supporting cast. So we never get to know the past of the main characters as far as what they tell us. Like we know Steve, as played as Downey Jr., has demons but we only get hints at it. But in the film, we are supposed to believe he faces his own to help another person but other than having serious looks on his face and seeming vulnerable we never know exactly what he has to overcome.

The film also introduces a character who insists that Jamie Foxx’s Character needs to find god and religion, but the first time he suggests it he goes ape-shit. So when right before a recital he tries the same plan again it’s hardly surprising that he messes him up. If this was a traditional film he would be seen as a villain but here he is a normal supposedly intelligent side character.

I can see why this was held over for a few months. When it was thought at first to be Oscar bait then the studio watched the film and realized what a dud they had on their hands and held it for an anonymous release, that would be the best to just make a quick buck on the film.

The film just seems like it is desperate to pat itself on the back especially by including actual homeless people as characters and extras. That it feels false and like a waste of time.

I just hope Joe Wright picks better material for his next film to show off his talent rather than waste it on drivel like this that requires more of a workman-like director with not as much creativity.

GRADE: D+

THE AVENGERS (2012)

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theavengers-group-shot

Written & Directed By: Joss Whedon
Story By: Zak Penn & Joss Whedon
Cinematography: Seamus McGarvey
Editor: Jeffrey Ford & Lisa Lassek 


Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johanssen, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgard, Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alexis Denisof, Jerzy Skolimowski, Jenny Agutter, James Eckhouse, Harry Dean Stanton, Stan Lee 

Nick Fury is the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international peace-keeping agency. The agency is a who’s who of Marvel Super Heroes, with Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When global security is threatened by Loki and his cohorts, Nick Fury and his team will need all their powers to save the world from disaster which is formed by Loki and his team

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DUE DATE (2010)

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DUEDATE

Directed By: Todd Phillips
Written By: Alan Freedland, Alan R. Cohen, Adam Sztyikel & Todd Phillips
Story By: Alan Freedland & Alan R. Cohen
Cinematography By: Lawrence Sher
Editor: Debra Neil-Fisher

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galafanakis, Juliette Lewis, Jamie Foxx, Danny McBride, Michelle Monaghan, RZA, Matt Walsh, Brody Stevens

High-strung father-to-be Peter Highman is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay on a road trip in order to make it to his child’s birth on time.

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ONE NIGHT STAND (1997)

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onenight

Written, Music & Directed By: Mike Figgis
Cinematography: Declan Quinn
Editor: John Smith 

Cast: Wesley Snipes, Robert Downey Jr., Natassja Kinski, Ming-Na Wen, Kyle Maclachlan, Amanda Donohoe, Marcus T. Paulk, Vincent Ward, John Calley, Glenn Plummer, Thomas Haden Church, John Ratzenberger, Annabelle Gurwitch, Julian Sands, Saffron Burrows, Ione Skye, Donovan Leitch, Xander Berkeley 


Los Angeles advertisement director Max visits his friend, artist Charlie, who was diagnosed with A.I.D.S. in New York City. There he meets Karen, they are attracted to each other and after they meet later that day at the concert, they have a passionate night. Then he returns home to Los Angeles to his family, and wife Mimi. A year later, Max returns to New York City again to visit Charlie, who is now dying, and there he meets Karen again, who is married to Charlie’s brother Vernon.

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