Revisiting: Rat Race

The last time I saw this movie was probably shortly after it came out on DVD. DVD was still in its infancy then, and I clearly remember this being one of the very very first movies my family ever rented on the new format once we got our first new fangled DVD played. Not the first movie we rented, that was "The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea" naturally, but this movie might have been rented that same trip to the video store.

And back then I remembering LOVING "Rat Race" like it was the funniest thing that ever happened in the whole world. I even watched it twice that weekend because I couldn't get enough of it. I thought the situations were ridiculously awesome. Imagine - a billionaire sets up a crazy race for $2 million dollars and gives the keys to like seven or eight people - then all these crazy things happen to those people as they race for the money and the billionaire and his friends just sit back and watch and laugh. Nothing could ever EVER top the very Jewish Jon Lovitz mistaking the barbie museum to be about Barbies and not Nazis, as it actually was and then stealing Hitler's car! Or how about that scene where Seth Green and some no namey actor that went nowhere with his career went up the side of the tower at the airport - wait for it - in their truck! It was just too funny and since then I've thought this was one of the funniest movies I've ever seen and has remained on the short list of movies I think of when I think of "comedy."

Well I don't know what could've happened in the nine years that I've last seen this but when I got the chance to record this on my DVR, and excitedly sat down with some popcorn to laugh I found myself utterly bored. And not just bored, I found this movie to have not held up well in the last nine years either. Maybe because a lot of movies have done the same sort of slapstick ridiculousness, or maybe because this was the tale of end of movies doing that, but I was sorely disappointed in the laughs I didn't laugh that I remembered laughing the first time. The bus headed for the "I Love Lucy" convention filled with Lucy's who would act just like Lucille Ball still amused me the most, but as time has gone on, and movies like "Boat Trip" and "Snow Dogs" have happened, I think Cuba Gooding Jr. has lost a lot of the mojo he had going into "Rat Race" and I found him almost unbearable to watch in this.

And poor Breckin Meyers and Amy Smart. Whatever happened to them? I think the 00's swallowed up a bunch of young actors that were supposed to be the next big thing and then spit them out somewhere far from Hollywood. They actually weren't awful to watch, but I had a lot of pity on their careers. And though I won't ruin the ending with who wins the race and the money or what happens to everybody, I will say these two words that happen at the end, two words that may have meant something back in 2001, but today make me wince: Smash. Mouth. Smash Mouth. The entire movie heads up Smash Mouth singing "All Star." Woooooooffffff.

Some parts of this movie, like the "I Love Lucy" bits or Rowan Atkinson's narcolepsy still make laugh, but even the killer line Jon Lovitz's daughter exclaims when she has to poop "I'm prairie dogging it!" - which I have sinced adopted into my own vocabulary - didn't have as much as a punch as it did the first time I saw the movie. Sigh. I wish I loved it as much as I did back then, but maybe I should've relied on those false memories of "Rat Race" instead of rewatching it now and spoiling the romance.


Patrick Approval Rating: 2001 Patrick - 10/10; 2010 Patrick - 5/10


"Rat Race" @ imdb

Review: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

This movie's pretty gay. And I say that in the nicest possible way, but it's true. It's about three drag queens who take a trip across Australia to the middle of nowhere, leaving a blazing path of rainbow in their wake. It can't get much gayer than that.

Cult-ish, yes. Campy, hell yes. Funny and touching? Sure, that too. To begin, drag queens have never been an interest of mine, despite playing on onstage once upon a time in 10th grade (for real. I was in drag for "Chicago" in 10th grade high school and I wondered why I faced the hell I faced during those years.) So I've never been really super interested in the drag queen culture, but have an appreciation for the balls it takes to dress up in the garish costumes and perform onstage as one.

1994's "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," which I will just call "Priscilla" for the rest of this review for the sake of typing it all out everytime, explores those cojones it takes for these men and trannies to do this - their motivations, their trials they face by the public, and though the movie does have some good messages, it puts them across in a very fun, campy way. The opening credits are over an excellent Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith from "The Matrix") dressed in full drag regalia singing, nay lip-synching to "I've Never Been to Me" which is one of my all time worst-favorite songs, but completely fitting for this film. I knew from that moment I was in for something delightful. The other performances from the band of queens include a wonderfully subtle performance from Terrence Stamp  as Bernadette, the older and wiser tranny who knows how to beat up a guy in a fight and Guy Pierce, who I knew from "Memento" and "LA Confidential" among other things, but never thought he could've pulled off such a flamboyant character as Felicia so well. His was easiest the funniest part in movie with lots of quicky and witty one-liners. The  title comes from the bus the group travels in, who Felicia christens "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and the bus soon becomes as much of a character in the movie as the three friends themselves.

I also loved how Australian this film was. You know, because it was made in Australians, by Australians with a very Australian cast so that makes a lot of sense, right? It was an Australian road trip movie, that just happened to feature drag queens. One of the most touching scenes was when the group encountered a band of Aborigines in the Outback and perform "I Will Survive." Whereas every other town Priscilla has stopped in has either shunned, threatened, called names, or even beat up the drag queens, the Aborigines, another minority in Australia who faced persecution and bigotry, accepted the drag queens and even joined into the performance. Where else can you hear a remixed "I Will Survive" complete with didgeridoos and chanting?

The movie is a hoot and holler, so I recommend it highly. It certainly has some flaws as a film, but as a campy cult classic, it works on so many levels - both comically and dramatically. And if you are not too fond of the drag culture, perhaps a movie like this can put a heart and story to the people who perform in drag and make you appreciate their talent.


Patrick Approval Rating: 9/10


"The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" @ imdb

Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox (DVD)

I had been hesitant to see this movie, only because I loved "Up" a lot, and everybody said this movie rivaled "Up" in it's animated genius, and I didn't want to believe that and the only way to continue believing that was just to simply not see it.


Well curiosity got the best of me and it soon was at the top of my Netflix queue and the postmaster soon delivered it to my too small of a mailbox. Come to find out, I really really really liked this movie. So much as that I thought it did rival "Up" in its genius. Pixar movies always have that special something in them that makes  both the twenty something adult in me love and adore and the little 12 year old inside me squeal and laugh with delight. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" seemed to be aimed at adults. Don't get me wrong, I thought kids could enjoy the caper too as there are enough visual gags and silly business to keep them interested, but I had to shift perspective to see it as a kid. In any one of Pixar's movies the kid and the adult in me find simultaneous joy - "Mr. Fox" just appealed to the slightly cynical and grown up me, which is always why I will put Pixar's movies on a higher level, but I really liked "Fantastic Mr. Fox" for many reasons. Let me tell you some of them...now.


I get a kick out of Wes Anderson's movies. I appreciated "Rushmore," thought "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" was quirky and fun, but kind of boring, and I love "The Royal Tenenbaums," which remains one of my favorite movies. He has quite a distinct style to his films, trademarked by his simple framing devices, straight on shots and title cards - I think "quirky," though overused, it really the best way to describe his movies. I can see some people hating it, but I find it amusing. It makes me smile. So I was originally surprised to see that style lend itself so very well to animation, but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is unlike any other animated movie I've seen, maybe in my life. It was as if it was a real movie, with real people, directed by Wes Anderson, except that instead of real people they're animated animals. I can't describe it, you just have to see it for yourself.  The way the movie looked just kept a smile - maybe even more of an interested smirk on my face  - the entire time.


The voices (provided by the likes of George Clooney as Mr. Fox, Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox, and Bill Murray as Badger) just added so much to the film, but unlike some movies by other animated companies (say Dreamworks for example - who's reliance on big name movie stars to voice characters that might not necessarily be the best choices but are the biggest names) the big named stars do not overpower their animated counterparts at all. Clooney's soothing, charming voice is perfect for the sly Mr. Fox and I could almost not tell it was Meryl Streep at all, but instead her voice just became the caring wife and mother Mrs. Fox.


And the movie was smart! It was so smart to watch. Things that I know would go right over a kid's head. Like a complicated discussion of the housing market, except as how it applies to holes in the ground as opposed to a tree, with pine trees being way out of Mr. Fox's price range. Or the mid-life crisis Mr. Fox is going through which gives him the itch to get back into a life a crime and how that crisis affects the rest of his family. And the brilliant use of the word "cuss" inserted many many times throughout the movies in the place of vulgar words that would have rated the movie a much higher rating. The first time it happened I thought nothing of it, but the second I went wait a minute. NO WAY! They are totally swearing in this movie! But not really. It's just so...smart! Like I said before, right? For example, a quote:

Mr. Fox: I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable, but I'm gonna ignore your advice.

Badger: The cuss you are. 

Mr. Fox: The cuss am I? Are you cussing with me? 

Badger: No, you cussing with me? 

Mr. Fox: Don't cussing point at me! 

Badger: If you're gonna cuss with somebody, you're not gonna cuss with me, you little cuss! 

Mr. Fox: You're not gonna cuss with me! 

I'm not sure how much of the original novel by Roald Dahl is retained in this adaptation by Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach, as I may have only read this book once and don't remember it at all, but I'm pretty sure they took a few liberties here and there, but those only add to the resonating power of the movie with today's audiences. The spirit had to have been kept at least, and I'm sure it was as I heard no complaints otherwise. We can add this to the canon of Roald Dahl movies that I love now along with "James and the Giant Peach" and "Matilda." But I'm glad Wes Anderson worked his magic with this one. It could've only enhanced this story.


I just really love animated movies and the power they have to do anything. There are no restrictions on them as they don't require real actors, and your sense of belief is already suspended as you know there is never a real person talking on screen, so it's not like watching an actor act with CGI all over or behind them, and I think the art of creating an entire world - the people in it, the settings, the noises, everything! - the fact it's all created from scratch is a mighty impressive feat to me. Which is why good animation has always been and will always be very special to me.




Patrick Approval Rating: 10/10




"Fantastic Mr. Fox" @ imdb

Revisiting: The Princess and the Frog (DVD)

Shame on you America. Shame shame same. It's a shame more of you didn't see this movie. "The Princess and the Frog" was heralded as Disney's triumphant return to its roots of hand drawn animation, an art form that has all but died, and this was the movie that was going to change that. Well it's a shame that more people did not see this movie,  because it failed to live up to its promise. And not because it wasn't very good, because it was, but because I worry now that it didn't gross 100 billion dollars at the box office when it was released last November that the future of the return of hand drawn animation is in flux.

"The Princess and the Frog" really is quite a fantastic movie. Sure it's not as good as the classic classic Disney films like "Snow White" or "Pinnochio" or the newer second Golden Age films like "The Lion King" or "Beauty and the Beast" but it holds its own among animated films, and is pretty high up on the list of Disney animated features, in my opinion. And it's miles better than some of the animated dreck that has been shoved out by studios the past few years. 

If you don't know Disney and all things Disney hold a special place in my heart, and I can confidently say I'm obsessed with it. So when I heard about this film back when it was called "The Frog Princess" my expectations were high. I knew it was going to be fantastic. And when I saw it in theaters last November, it lived up to all my expectations and then some. I loved the modern fairy tale setting in 1920s jazzy New Orleans, and maybe wish that more of the movie takes place there than in a swamp, but it's all forgiveable. The characters blew me away. I loved the "princess" of the film, Tiana. Voiced by Anika Noni Rose (from "Dreamgirls"!) she is probably the sassiest and rivals Belle as the most flushed out princess of them all. I adored the "prince" Naveen, who is by far the best prince from a Disney film, not counting Aladdin. He had charisma and a personality and wasn't just a lovey dovey sap as other Disney princes are. Supporting characters Louis the trumpet playing alligator and Ray the Cajun firefly also add quite a bit of humor to the movie, and the delightful Mama Odie (which has to be said like MomMA OHdee to be said correctly) is one of the best cameo characters. 

Seeing the film again for the first time on DVD since its theatrical release I loved it just as much. It's beautiful to watch and funny and charming - everything a Disney film should be. I just can't wrap my head around why it didn't do very well in theaters. If only it weren't for those wretched Chipmunks and their lame Squeakqual than maybe "The Princess and the Frog" would've done better. 

Watching this movie on DVD also begins my attempt at watching and reviewing every Disney animated film before their new animated film, "Tangled" comes out this fall. That will be the 50th in their official canon, believe it or not, and I will attempt to revisit all of them including the elusive one I have never actually seen.

Patrick Approval Rating: 10/10

"The Princess and the Frog" @ imdb

Revisiting: Jesus Christ Superstar (DVD)

I have some lame traditions I do every year such as my not so scary Halloween movies in October or my Christmas-y movies during December and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" smushed somewhere in between the two as I still can't figure out what holiday it correlates best with. But one of the easiest traditions, as it doesn't require a full month of dedicating to movies, is watching "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Easter as I can't think of a better way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus than with a dated rock opera composed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Which is not to say I don't love this movie. And maybe I don't love the movie as much as I love the music. Despite being written in the very early 70s (the movie came out in 1973) I think the score holds up very well today - and it's one I know almost all of the words too. So if you're looking for a one man production of "JCS," look no further, I'm your man. I think the first time I was exposed to the show was in middle school in music class where we watched this movie. What makes that all the more intriguing was that I went to a Catholic middle school - so I'm surprised this was allowed seeing how it does take some liberties with the Biblical story, but then again, the school's choir would sing songs from "Sister Act" during masses, so maybe it shouldn't be all that surprising. Well what I'm trying to say is that I love the score from this show,  it's one of my favorites, and so that's why I watch this movie every year during the time of year that Christians celebrate the story.

That all being said, I think the movie is sometimes chilling and beautiful to look at, as it was all filmed on location in Israel, which lends the movie some authenticity that the staged remake from 2000 that was all shot on a soundstage lost - but the original has wayyy too much 1973 in its DNA, which makes the movie very dated. I think the concept of a modern troupe of actors telling the story with a modern rock score in the ancient Middle East and shot on ruins of temples and such is awesome, but the modern in that sense, is the modern from almost 40 years ago. Bright fakey colors, outrageous costumes, and old school special effects (including, but not limited to: too much use of slow motion, freeze framing, and overlapping fades) give the movie a very 1970s quality. Not to mention the song "Could We Start Again Please?" which is shot on a mountain side and looks a lot like the "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" commercial from the same era. But I love it all so, and if you take the movie for what it's for, and take in the powerful performances from some great singers it's a good, fun movie and a tradition I'll be keeping for some time.

Happy Easter!


Patrick Approval Rating: 7/10


"Jesus Christ Superstar" @ imdb

Review: Moon (DVD)

It has been a long time since I've actually reviewed a movie on here, and for good reason - it's been a long time since I've actually sat down and watched a movie. Trying to get through all the Oscar movies is a bit of movie overload, so right after it every year I seem to need a post-Oscar movie break, so I just slow down a little on my movie watching, but the Netflix keep coming in and I have a couple of good movies saved on my DVR AND I'm plugging away at watching "Pushing Daisies" at night, and once that's done with, I'll get back to watching more movies.

And this brings me to the movie I watched this afternoon, "Moon." I hadn't heard of "Moon" until I watched the BAFTAs which are Britain's equivalent of the Oscars, and it won the award for Best Debut by a Brit for Director Duncan Jones (who PS is David Bowie's son!) I didn't quite know what to expect but I thought this movie was great.

It was kind of in the same vein as "Alien", with a dash of "District 9", a good portion of "2001: A Space Odyssey" and the tiniest part "The Parent Trap" minus the humor and musical number.  The plot concerns Sam Bell, played by a fantastic Sam Rockwell, who faced quite a challenge with this part and was phenomenal. Anyways, Sam Bell works for Lunar, a company who mines Helium from the Moon and sends it back to Earth, providing 70% of the Earth's power. He is up there all by himself and towards the end of his three year contract with the company. He can't wait to get back to Earth to see his wife and new little girl, until when he's out harvesting and gets in a crash. Suddenly he wakes back up in the infirmary under the care of the station's talking and emoting robot, GERTY, voiced by none other than Kevin Spacey, who nurses Sam back to some sort of health. When Sam heads out to the Harvester he crashed into, he discovers the dying body of none other than himself. I'm not going to give the rest away, but the mystery was enough to intrigue me, and even though I could see what was coming for the most part, I loved the whole "is he going crazy? is this really happening? what is going on?" vibe of the story. In the end, not everything is revealed - you're left to either pick up on the subtle clues or to draw your own conclusions, but the movie doesn't make you think super hard, which I appreciate, especially on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I really like this psychology approach to science fiction. When most sci-fi recently has been fighting aliens on foreign planets or transforming robots that have wars with each other, there have been refreshing science fiction like "Moon" or "District 9" that go into the psychology of the characters or who offer up messages - it's smart science fiction.

Sam Rockwell was brilliant in this movie. I have maybe only seen him in one or two other movies, and he's always a good actor, but this movie is HIS movie. Literally, the cast only has 10 people in it, and 8 of them are only shown on video monitors for a few minutes combined, and the other 1 is just the voice of a robot. Without giving too much away, Rockwell acts against himself for the majority of the movie (thus "The Parent Trap" similarities) but never once do you think he's not acting with nobody there.

I probably would've never seen this movie if it didn't pique my interest on the BAFTAs but I'm glad I watched it, and now I'm highly recommending it to you too.


Patrick Approval Rating: 9/10


"Moon" @ imdb

Review: Food, Inc. (DVD)

"You'll never look at dinner the same way again."

That's the tagline from this movie. If I knew how true that was I may have never watched it. I always figured, ignorance is bliss and what you don't know, can't hurt you - so if you are going to brave watching "Food, Inc." like I did, I'm going to warn you - that ignorance is going to give way to knowledge and take away all your bliss you get from food, and you will know things that will hurt your heart and change the way you think about all things food until you're old and have Alzheimer's and forget everything. When the time comes, please - let me eat anything I want to, but until then "Food Inc" has caused me to completely change my diet.

I knew what I was getting into with this. I knew documentaries can be pretty powerful and even as the movie berated me with these awful facts about food, I knew I needed to make sure to research the other side to get a balanced view before making any opinions. But when I ended up reading the ingredients, or going to the big company's websites and not reading denials of the awful things they do, but rather them simply stating they do in fact do these things and that they do it for the benefit of us, I was appalled and shocked.

I originally went into this movie wanting to know more about corn syrup, which, as I learned from watching the disappointing "The Informant!" with Matt Damon, is in everything. Literally most food we consume has some corn syrup, or some deviation of corn syrup in it. I'm not exactly sure why other than to put money into big corporation's pockets. I mean really, does orange juice need corn syrup to taste good? What about pasta sauce? Really? So I wanted to know more about this. What I got was also an in depth look at the food industry as a whole, which also includes the huge soy bean farms and of course, the atrocious meat industry. It really digs deep into the industries, providing factual information to prove their point. It's quite a film, and an impressive one if it is able to have the effect it did on me to every viewer, than that's the power of a good film.

I'm not going to use this review as a soap box to stand on to discuss all the things they do in the film. Watch the movie yourself. Or don't. Make a decision to either want to gain the knowledge about the food we eat and be disgusted, or don't watch and eat in happiness enjoying all your favorites. To me, it's a lose - lose. You either become aware and angry or stay blind and happy. I won't blame you for either, but as I begin a change in my life to become a vegetarian and to read the labels of all the food I buy, just know if you watch "Food, Inc." there is no going back.


Patrick Approval Rating: 9/10


"Food, Inc." @ imdb