Reviews

For those of you who remember with affection the 1979 comedy about summer camp "Meatballs," you will love this film. This movie recreates most of the elements of that film in a tongue in cheek sort of way..kind of like The Brady Bunch Movie did a few years ago. I loved this movie for the nostalgic feeling it brought back, but also because it's pretty hilarious! Janeane Garofalo's dead pan delivery is just perfect here and the rest of the cast also shine. My favorite moments include Molly Shannon getting relationship advice from an 8 year old, the kid who wouldn't take a shower, and the wrecking of the infirmary. I hope to see a lot more from the creators of this film in the future

I wish I could share some of the other reviewer's enthusiasm for this film. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it, but I feel that the film could have been more than it was. Henry Hart, a young gay man from New York City, returns to his home town in Montana to take care of his sick grandfather and is given an opportunity to heal his relationship with several people that he left behind including his high school best friend whom Henry has longed for for eighteen years. Certainly a great premise with a great setting. For once, we think we will get the opportunity to experience what it is like to be gay outside the big city. But this is the problem. Every character is completely accepting of Henry's sexuality. Perhaps it was the film maker's intention of showing us what life would be like in an ideal world, but it all just rang very false.

Despite this, there was one very touching scene that showed the love and acceptance of Henry's grandfather even though Henry was never able to tell his grandfather who he really was. That scene in particular was beautifully played by Arye Gross and I commend the film maker for casting him in this role, rather than go for some generic pretty boy. Gross gives a layered, believable, unpretentious performance. Tim DeKay was also very good as the best friend who loved Henry even though he was unsure as to what kind of love he really felt. Eric Schweig gave a curiously intense performance as Pike and unfortunately had such little chemistry with Henry that the ending just didn't work at all.

I left the theater thinking that this was certainly the quirkiest thing I have seen in recent months. Still, at least it's refreshing to see that a movie where two men kiss passionately can be rated PG-13.

I will agree that this movie is not perfect. But it did not deserve to be slaughtered by the critics. There are some genuine, touching moments in this film as well as some big laughs. Minnie Driver plays Mona, a beauty contestant who will do anything to win, including denying the fact that she has a young daughter which would automatically exclude her from the contest. When a bitchy reporter, played to perfection by Leslie Stefanson, threatens to expose her, Mona is forced to make a few decisions about what is really important. Yes, the ending was a bit corny, but I gave into it anyway, and was cheering right along. The scene with Mona and the other beauty contestant finalist in the sound proof booth was just terrific. I hope more people watch this movie on video than saw it in a theater because there is definitely a lot to recommend in this film.

I just loved this movie as a kid. I saw it over and over on cable. I was disappointed that the movie flopped. I think part of the reason it wasn't successful was because people loved the original so much, felt nothing could compare, and didn't give it a chance. Personally, I liked it better than the original. Yes, it's silly and a little farfetched, but it's not trying to be Shakespeare. As a musical/comedy, it succeeds on every level. The music is just terrific. The song "Cool Rider" is so catchy and "Reproduction" is hilarious. They are my favorite numbers. The story is sweet and charming. The characters are funny, likeable, and Michelle Pfeiffer, especially, gives a terrific performance. She had such star quality in this film; I have been a fan of hers ever since. I liked how several characters from the original were used and it was also a great idea to include actors from that era such as Tab Hunter and Connie Stevens. This movie is a guilty pleasure for some, and I have a feeling that there are more than a few people out there who can sing from memory every song on the sound track!

This movie plays like a 70's horror flick crossed with a 70's ABC after school special. It's all told through the teenage girl's eyes who is kind of a Jan Brady type. Then it gets nasty with some unnecessary nudity and violence. Through it all the acting is terrible. I laughed out loud several times. Some of the scenes are just so bad, they are priceless. It is hard to believe that the film makers were serious. And the music was so sweeping and dramatic, it was ridiculous. This has got to be among the worst thrillers ever made. It falls into the so bad it is good category.

I remember seeing this movie as a kid and loving it. Recently, I watched again as an adult and found it to still be a sweet, charming little movie. The basic plot has Elliot Gould's character signing a pact with the Devil (Bill Cosby)to recruit three good souls and thus saving his own from eternal damnation. Gould gets three young people including an aspiring young singer (Julie Budd)and a fatherless young boy (Adam Rich), to sign a contract with the devil in exchange for making their dreams come true while on Earth. It all works out happily as all Disney films do, but there are several laughs, touching moments, and lesson learned along the way. I was really intrigued by Julie Budd after this film who more than resembled a young Barbra Streisand in both looks and talent. Loved the song that she sang in the film "Any Fool Can See." I wonder what happened to her after this film. Seems she never worked again.

Ii is so great to see a high quality horror film that does not rely on computer generated special effects to scare you. This is Michelle Pfeiffer's film and she is practically in every frame. Michelle is so believable as a frightened, lonely woman, who after her daughter goes off to college, has too much time on her hands and begins to see things that may or not be there. First she suspects the neighbor of killing his wife, then she sees ghosts in the house. As she tries to figure out what is happening, the viewer is riveted and this all leads up to an ending that had my heart pounding a mile a minute. If you like intelligent thrillers, go see this film. And what makes me score this film even higher is that it has an added bonus of seeing Diana Scarwid again after all these years(Christina Crawford from Mommie Dearest!) Her scenes with Michelle were terrific.

I rented this not expecting much, and was very pleasantly surprised. This movie is an absolute riot, with good performances by the two leads and the whole supporting cast, especially Karen Sillas who is wonderful in everything she does. The story begins when Craig Bierko's character wins $400,000 in a slot machine in Atlantic City from a quarter that was lent to him by his cousin, played by Steven Weber. Weber wants half the money, everyone gets greedy, and hilarity ensues. There is also a very funny subplot about an arrogant sitcom star and a botched surgery that had me in hysterics. This is one of those movies that you will be thinking about the next day at work and just start laughing out loud. By the way, it was written by Larry David who created Seinfeld so that will give you an idea about the type of humor that you will find here.

Three young couples become abandoned on an island and find a house where a very twisted family lives. It seems that Ma and Pa are existing in another era. They have no electricity and are completely out of touch with anything that has happened in the last 50 or so years. In addition they have three adult children, all who are rather freakish and who believe that they are actually 9 or 10 years old! Sarah Torgov, who plays the lead role, is a good actress who for some reason never acted in another film after this one. I wonder if this film ruined her career? It is very over the top. Creepy for sure but also a bit ludicrous. For example, why would the guy get on a swing that was being pushed by adult psychos who think they are 9 years old? Also, Fanny, who was supposed to be the daughter of Yvonne DeCarlo, actually looked older than her mother. It was, however, quite satisfying to see Fanny get hers at the end. I think this film should have a place on TV as the late late late night movie. I would not recommend spending hard earned money to rent it.

This movie kept my interest from beginning to end despite it being extremely similar to Kramer Vs. Kramer. The acting was just wonderful for a moderately budgeted film. The child who played Calvin is a natural. I believed him completely throughout. Joey Lauren Adams, whom I loved In Chasing Amy, is very likeable here as well. Vince Vaughn is an appealing lead actor whom I think is on the verge of super stardom. Rent this and you will find it to be a pleasant,touching, and well acted film about life and love.

Basically, a typical coming out story which most gay men can relate to. The lead character does an excellent job of portraying all the right emotions as he begins to realize and understand his sexuality. Some of the scenes are heartbreaking....especially the one where he calls Rod on the pay phone after his one night stand.

I'm not sure why the film was set in 1984, but the 80's music was fun. (However, all those 80's make overs made me cringe.) The acting varied from outstanding (by the lead character) to marginal. The girl friend had some difficult scenes and did a good job in those but at times I thought that she must have studied at the Geena Davis school of acting.....she was so low key I could barely hear her. Overall, this is a highly recommended film......especially if you are a gay man and even more so if you are a gay teenager.

Muriel, an overweight outcast, longs to fit it and dreams of marriage as the only answer. Muriel is somewhat pitiful at the beginning but her experiences in the film cause her to grow emotionally and re-evaluate what in life is truly important. At times hilarious. Other times heartbreaking. This film is a gem that is made even better with the addition of some great ABBA songs. Highly recommended!

I really loved this movie. It was such an enjoyable film due to the great chemistry between the two leads. I can't seem to understand why Sherilyn Fenn isn't a huge star. She brings so much emotional honesty and depth to her roles. Anyone looking for a fun movie with good acting and romance, this is it! Great supporting cast too!

I have always loved Michelle Pfeiffer and find her to show much depth in all her roles. This did not disappoint. She was heartbreaking as the mother who has to deal with the pain of losing her son. Unfortunately, her performance was better than the movie which was too TV movie of the week. The ending just seemed strange. Without giving away the ending, It would have made sense for the boy to keep relationships with both families. More scenes were needed to support the eventual conclusion which was just too pat. Whoopi Goldberg was wasted in a small role as a detective. And what was the purpose of making her character gay? Overall though, I would recommend the film but I would more highly recommend a similar film from a few years back called "Losing Isiah".

I had heard that this movie had done terribly at the box office. That is a shame because it was so much more than a feature length SNL sketch. It shows the transformation of Stuart Smalley from meek guy with low self esteem to confident successful person who finally begins to like and respect himself. The story is told with warmth and humor and the viewer will progressively become more fond of Stuart throughout the film.

Two friends, a young gay man and his straight girl friend share an apartment in Manhattan and try to deal with life in the big city. Mara Hobel is very funny as the fag hag friend and the movie is light and comical as it explores the characters lives and loves. Seeing the film in a packed house of gay men in Manhattan made it clear that the filmmaker was pretty on target as the audience laughed with recognition through most of the film. A very fun movie!

This is a beautiful story that was years ahead of its time. It deals with a young doctor who realizes that he is gay and the consequences it has on his marriage and his life. As the lead character begins to explore his new sexual identity, he gets involved with a commitment phobic writer and the movie explores issues of commitment, love, infidelity, rejection. But most importantly the movie shows the importance of being true to oneself. It is an extremely gay positive film and the filmmakers are not afraid to explore the depths of the characters struggle. All characters are portrayed honestly and realistically and the viewer is never given the feeling that the filmmakers are trying so hard to get the approval of the straight audience as in "Philadelphia". It is simply an honest and accurate portrayal of one man coming to terms with being gay. All performances are top notch and the ending so bittersweet that one cannot help but shed tears. A wonderful coming out story that i know had a profound impact on many gay men.