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Recommends:
Movies to watch…
Michelle
Unlike Christine and the rest of humanity, I have not seen a film since 1995. Okay, I’m playin’. But when I really think about the movies that I can see over and over again, they tend to be films that were released before the millennium. There have been some exceptions, though. One of my guilty pleasures is watching a very foolish movie that was actually released in 2004!Read on to find out what my picks are.
JUICE (1992): I have probably seen this movie about 20 times and it never gets boring. Each time I watch it, I sit at the edge of my seat as if I am watching it for the very first time.
This film stars Tupac Shakur, Omar Epps, Khalil Kain and Jermaine “Huggy” Hopkins. These four guys plan the perfect crime to earn some respect (juice) from the streets. Of course their little heist doesn’t go off as planned, and the guys are left running from the law and each other.
The complete cast is amazing. Each actor made his character believable and likeable. But it is Tupac’s character that stands out for me. His love of power made you believe that he lost his damn mind.
This is the type of movie that whenever it comes on TV (read: BET), I gotta catch it.
CLERKS (1994): For anyone who works in retail, this is the movie for you! Please beware; this movie will only make you hate your job even more, so please proceed with caution.
Clerks is Kevin Smith’s first film, and it is one of my favourite films of all time. It is a low budget film shot in black and white with a cast of unknown actors. This might spell disaster for any first time director, but all of this makes for one of the funniest comedies to hit the big screen.
The movie is centered around Dante (played by Brian O’Halloran), who unfortunately agrees to work a co-worker’s shift on his day off (they work at a convenience store). Of course, all hell breaks loose on that particular day. His day does seem to get a little better once he and his friend from a neighboring video store hang out to talk about their rather bizarre experiences with customers.
I love this film because it is simple. There are no explosions, no big names stars. It’s just a very real depiction of people standing around talking about how much they hate their job (believe me, I’ve been there!).
But it’s all about Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith). They are the two stoners that hang out in the parking lot of Dante’s store. Yes, they utter the nastiest things, but it’s so outrageous that it is funny! I’m a huge fan of Kevin Smith. I love Chasing Amy, Mallrats and An Evening With Kevin Smith, but Clerks is a must-see!
Classic line: “I’m not even supposed to be here!”
WHITE CHICKS (2004): First off, I have a major obsession with the Wayans family. Let me re-phrase that. I’m completely smitten with Marlon. He’s soooo cute, funny and he’s a little freaky. Just what I’m looking for in a man!
When White Chicks was released two years ago, I thought that there was no way in hell that I would pay to see such silliness. However, when it was on TV, I was more than willing to give it a try. I’m glad that I did because it was FUN-NY!
White Girls is about two FBI agents Marcus and Kevin (Shawn and Marlon Wayans), who go undercover to protect the Wilson sisters – two hotel heiresses (that just happen to be white) from a kidnapping plot. While en route to a safe place, they have a minor accident and the sisters are slightly injured. This forces Marcus and Kevin to disguise themselves as the girls that they were intended to protect.
As offensive as the idea may be, it comes across as amusing and in no way demeaning. I love the way Shawn and Marlon tap into their inner Valley Girl and have all of the Wilson sisters’ friends fooled.
My favourite character is Latrell (played by Terry Crews – he plays the ultra-cheap father on “Everybody Hates Chris”). He is completely taken by Marlon’s white girl get up and will try anything to win her affections.
If you’re looking for Oscar material, this ain’t it! If you just want to kick back and watch a stupid/funny comedy, then rent White Chicks. ¤ Michelle
Christine
Now that the weather is getting a little frightfully frigid, we could all do with a nice sojourn in our warm, comfortable living rooms until spring comes around again. And for some rest and relaxation, there’s nothing better than curling up with a stack of DVDs, your favourite blanket, and a bowl of popcorn. But what to watch? Well, I’m glad you asked. Here are some hidden gems that will keep you titillated.
KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005): As far as underrated murder mystery comedies go, this is the mother of all of them.
Despite his persistent drug problems, Robert Downey Jr. manages to turn in a tremendous performance as Harry Lockhart, a petty thief with a heart of gold who masquerades as an actor and suddenly finds himself in the midst of the Hollywood scene and a murder that hits close to home. And then there’s Gay Perry (Val Kilmer), a real life detective hired as a movie consultant for Harry’s upcoming film, who reluctantly helps Harry in his quest to find the truth. And leading lady Michelle Monaghan, whose performance in Mission Impossible III was clouded by her physical similarities to Katie Holmes, shines as Harmony Faith Lane, a struggling actress with balls bigger than any Tom Cruise could ever handle.
Shot in a stark film noir style, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is probably one of the funniest films to come out of 2005. DVD extras are also a treat.
THE EVIL DEAD (1981)/THE EVIL DEAD II (1987): Sometimes it’s not all about rainbows and puppies for me – once in a while, it’s evil and dark that I’m in the mood for (and sometimes, I simply run out of teen movies to watch). Although The Evil Dead series may seem old and outdated by now (let’s face it, anything older than 1999 seems old and outdated at this point), it was one of the best low-budged horror films to come out of the 80s.
Before there was Spiderman and all its riches, director Sam Raimi decided that his first feature-length project should be about a group of hapless friends who venture into a remote cabin in the woods for…well, it doesn’t really matter why they’re in the woods. What really matters is that they stumble upon a recording of the Necronomicon, or The Book of the Dead (it’s already getting spooky, no?), which slowly turns everyone into a zombified mess. It’s up to Ash (the unmatchable Bruce Campbell), the best anti-hero anyone could find in the middle of the woods, to rescue his friends and get out alive.
The Evil Dead, and its bigger budget sequel, The Evil Dead II, take horror, comedy, and campiness to a whole new level (especially when that level involves buckets of fake blood being repeatedly splashed on Ash). If you’re looking for a few chills and thrills, these rentals are for you.
HEATHERS (1989): Remember when Christian Slater was cool? And Winona Ryder was the quintessential “it” girl? This movie does. Heathers is bleak, and depressing, and gloomy, and a surprisingly accurate dramatization of how horrible high school can be.
The three Heathers (Kim Walker, Shannen Doherty – in all of her pre-Brenda Walsh glory, and Lisanne Falk) are the most popular girls in high school. Veronica (Ryder) hangs out with them, but you get the feeling that she’d rather be up in her room, writing poetry about how everyone sucks.
A horrible prank gone wrong, orchestrated by resident bad boy J. D. (Slater), forces Veronica to reevaluate the calamities of peer pressure and the tragedies of falling for a dashing sociopath. Part John Hughes, part John Waters, the oft-quoted Heathers will make you marvel at bad 80’s fashions, Christian’s Slater’s appeal, and why doing lunchtime polls would make anyone cool. Heathers, for all its dated glory, stands as one of the best adolescent films of all time. Rent it and see what I mean. ¤ Christine