Hitch (2005)

 

Mostly funny even if it was weighed down with some unrealistic scenes and overtly cheesy lines.

Rating: C+

Kid 90 (2021)

 

A documentary of Jennifer Soliel’s life comprised of archive footage and diary excerpts she herself recorded. I grew up watching Punky Brewster, so it was fun getting a glimpse behind the camera of child stars in the 90s. I could see a lot of similarities to Miley Cyrus and other kids who grew up in front of the camera that came after her. An interesting, and sometimes dark, walk down memory lane. 

Rating: C+

Special (2006)

They did a good job of using a small budget to their advantage. It actually adds to the film. A bit depressing despite attempts at an uplifting message at the end.

Rating: C

Big Fan (2009)

More of a drama than a dark comedy. It's a study of obsession and apathy. The film holds your attention but doesn't really entertain. 

Rating: C-

Sully (2016)

I was too caught up in my own life the day Sully landed on the Hudson to realize what a big deal it was, so this retelling was both entertaining and informative.

Rating: B-

The Heat (2013)

I can’t get enough of Melissa McCarthy. I’d watch her in anything. She’s the female version of Chris Farley. Sandra Bullock. Meh. The script is vulgarity laden, crude, and offensive, but in all the right ways. I laughed a ton. Reminded me of The Other Guys (or any other mismatched buddy cop movie), only with ladies. Despite a slight fizzling at the end, the sheer number of laughs brings this movie into the B range.

Rating: B

Small Time Crooks (2000)

Woody Allen is hit or miss with me, and this was a hit. A cute little PG rated rags-to-riches story with Woody playing the neurotic lead as usual. It was fun to watch, and held my attention.

Rating: C+

True Romance (1993)

I saw this a long time ago when it first came out, and I wanted to check it out a second time since they released a director's cut on DVD. The cast is unreal: Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Samuel L. Jackson, Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken, Michael Rapaport, James Gandolfini, and Tom Sizemore. Wow.

Despite all this, the movie never reaches a Pulp Fiction, The Professional (Leon), Natural Born Killers, Freeway, The Salton Sea, Fight Club, Out of Sight, or Bound level. It has moments of brilliance, but never quite makes it.

Rating: B-