Fright Night 2011

That's right boys and girls, welcome to "Fright Night"!

I personally am a fan of the original 1985 film, and hoped that the 2011 remake would do it justice... and guess what? I did, at least in my opinion. It is the perfect mix of thrills and giggles, and maybe even better then the original. But to be totally honest with you there really is no comparing the two. The films only share a few things and those being their title, character names, and main plot. Other then that they are two different movies, so much so that I have a difficult time calling the 2011 flick a remake. Maybe a retooling would be a better term. Let me put it this way, the 2011 "Fright Night" has more fangs.

Colin Ferrell gives a good performance as the menacing vampire Jerry, and Anton Yelchin was the perfect choice for the lead role Charley Brewster. Yelchin really brought Charley to life, and made him believable and lovable. But I think the break-out performance in the movie came from David Tennant as a much darker and deeper Peter Vincent. Tennant brought Peter Vincent to a new level, and really made you love and hate the character at the same time. I know that is conflicting, but that is Peter Vincent... isn't it? Last but not least I have to give a hand to Imogen Poots whom played the role of Charley's out-of-his-league girlfriend Amy.

I am only going to give one spoiler for those of you that have not yet seen the film, and that is to watch for Chris Sarandon (the original Jerry Dandrige), who makes a cameo in the film and becomes a quick snack for Ferrell.

The box office for the film was surprisingly low, coming in at a little over $37 million, on a $30 million budget. But don't let that fool you, "Fright Night" 2011 is well worth your time to watch. It is pure entertainment at it's best. I know for one that I will be watching it again and again, and again.

I have no choice but to give Fright Night 2011 a grand total of 5 stars.

New Look For One Man's Reviews

Well I did it, changed the blog up a little. Gave it more color and character, and hopefully more pleasing for my viewers. But I'll let you be the judge... Comment to let me know what you think of the new design, good or bad, just be honest.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

First I know this isn't on DVD yet, but it will be soon enough... Okay... But I felt that after watching it with my grandson, I should say something about it.

This 2011 family comedy is based on the children's book of the same name, written by Richard and Florence Atwater, originally published in 1938. Wow... that took awhile to make it to the big screen. All I really need to say about the film is this: Jim Carry costarring with six penguins. Come on... do I really need to say more. The film is funny if not predictable at times, but hey, it's a family film. The humor is understandable by both children and adults, so everyone can enjoy it. I would have to say that this film might be Jim Carry's finest film in a long time, and my favorite to date.

I have to give Mr. Popper's Penguins a solid 4 stars

Grown Ups

Adam Sandler has done it again... 'Grown Ups' is a truly entertaining comedy, that will have your sides splitting more than once.

The story is about five boyhood friends reunited for the funeral of their former basketball coach. Lenny Fender (Adam Sandler) is a high-powered Hollywood talent agent, married to Roxanne (Salma Hayek) a fashion designer, and has three children. Eric Lamonsoff (Kevin James) claims he is the co-owner of a lawn furniture company, married to Sally (Maria Bello) a stay-at-home mom that is still breast feeding their youngest child of two, even though he is four-years-old. Kurt McKenzie (Chris Rock) is a stay-at-home father, hooked on cooking shows, married to Deanne (Maya Rudolph), with two kids and one on the way. Deanne's mother also lives with the family. Rob Hillard (Rob Schneider) is a three time divorced pacifist vegan, married to Gloria (Joyce Van Patten), who is 30 years his senior. Last but not least is Marcus Higgins (David Spade), the lazy womanizer. A new role for Spade... Not!

All five harass each other on a regular basis, and that is where most of the laughs come from. This film is so full of one-liners you may have to watch it twice to get them all. Everyone on the cast of 'Grown Ups' does their job, and very well. There are no real low spots in the movie, just some scenes are funnier than others. Like the "Arrow Roulette" scene, something new, and down right hilarious.

'Grown Ups' is on my must see list, but don't just rent it, go ahead and save your self some time and buy it... You will anyway.

I give Grown Ups a solid 5 stars

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

This 2011 comedy horror film combines both genres well. It has plenty of comic relief at just the right moments to compliment the thrills and chills. To further round out the film, a little romance and mystery fills out the story line. Dylan Dog: Dead of Night is the first attempt at bringing Tiziano Sclavis’ Italian Comic Book to life. I personally have not seen the comics, but critics have said the comparison between the two are weak. But as a stand alone movie, Dylan Dog: Dead of Night is solidly entertaining. And let me tell you, New Orleans has never seemed so dark.

Brandon Routh does a good job portraying the broke and emotionally detached private investigator - Dylan Dog, and Sam Huntington does even better as Marcus Deckler, Dylan’s cowardly undead side-kick.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night, is a lot of film and effects for a $20 million budget production, and is well worth your time to rent, even though it was a failure at the box office.
I give the Dylan Dog: Dead of Night DVD - 3 stars.

Your Highness

A better name might have been Your Ignorance... Because that's what this 2011 fantasy comedy is, ignorant. The film was written by Danny Mc Bride and Ben Best, but unfortunately that isn't what they gave it, their best that is. The best thing about the entire film is the Northern Ireland country side, which is quite beautiful. Nothing really fits together in the film, the language is too modern, as is the ideals. I enjoy a good comedy and a good fantasy movie, but "Your Highness" is definitely not either.

The film doesn't take off right away, not until The lazy, inept son of King Tallious (Charles Dance) joins his brother in a quest to rescue Belladona (Zooey Deschanel). Belladona is to wed Fabious (James France), and is taken by the evil sorcerer Leezar (Justin Theroux) during the wedding. The king orders Thadeous (Danny Mc Bride) to join his brave brother to rescue Belladona, and destroy the sorcerer wants and for all.

The comedy is mediocre at best. I found my self feeling sorry for the wonderful cast of actors as they did their best to bring terribly written characters to life. One high light in the film is Natalie Portman as Isabel. Natalie always seems to bring her characters to the next level, make them real, and with this role she had her work cut out for her, but Isabel is the one stand out character in the film. Next would have to be Zooey Deschanel. Even though she doesn't have much to say, Zooey's abilities help bring Belladona up from the over acting pit that the rest seemed to stay in.

There are a few laughs in the film, one being after Thadious slays the minotaur, and cuts the beast's third horn off and hangs it around his neck with pride. But that is one of very few moment that I found myself even releasing a chuckle.

"Your Highness" had a $50 million budget, and pulled in a whopping $26,121,638.00 at the box office. If you have seen the advertisements for the DVD, don't waste your money buying it... rent it instead if you feel the need to make your own opinion on the film.

I give "Your Highness" a 1 star rating.

Paul the Movie

This 2011 British-American hybrid science fiction comedy film, kicks butt. It is now out on DVD and Blue-ray, and well with the purchase price. "Paul" is one of those DVDs you will watch over and over again. Written by and starring the British comedy team of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, this is a laugh fest of a flick. The story is about to British scifi geeks, Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost), that come to America to the San Diego Comic-Con International, and travel across the US in a rented RV, checking out all the notorious alien hot-spots. One night after hitting the road they are running for their lives from what they think are two red-neck bullies. As the car finally over takes them, they realize that it's not the bullies and start to relax. Just as they do the car looses control and starts rolling right in front of them. When they stop to check on the driver, head lamps strapped on, they find Paul (voice of Seth Rogen). Or should I say he finds them. When Paul joins them on the trip the real adventure begins, and so do the laughs.

This is comedy at it's best, with wonderful CGI effects, and great acting talent. Also starring: Kristen Wiig as Ruth Buggs, a one eyed, bible thumping shut in that helps run a RV park with her Father. Jason Bateman as Special Agent Lorenzo Zoil, and Sigourney Weaver.

However I do not recommend the film for younger children, do to some language, and sexually suggestive dialog.

Pegg and Frost have described the film as a love letter to Steven Spielberg, who's voice makes a guest appearance in the film talking to Paul about a certain alien movie.

Both Nick Frost and Simon Pegg have stated they would like to return for another film. Pegg also has said if there were to be a sequel, it would be called "Pauls".

The film had a $40 million budget, and grossed over $94 million at the box office. It also won Best Comedy at the National Movie Awards.

If I were to give this DVD a rating, it would be no less than 5 stars. So that is all I am going to say about the film, you will have to rent or buy it for the rest. But be warned, I do not recommend eating popcorn during "Paul"...