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Reviews
Stewardess School (1986)
I've almoooost gooooooooot iiiiiiiiiiiiit!
I saw this film on HBO in the Bahamas in 1988, and my life was indelibly and profoundly changed as a result. Sometimes a film just touches your heart. It hits some sort of nerve, and you look at the world differently. Great art does that. Stew School did that.
Following my seeing this film..this masterpiece..my life took on new meaning. I became intensely focused and extremely goal-oriented. Every day was like a gift. Whenever I was feeling down, I just thought about Snake and a smile came to my face. Whenever I was thinking I just couldn't do something, I think of Larry Falkwell trying to retrieve the keys. Whenever I worry about my health, Paul Barselou's brilliant characterization of the medical field eases my mind. Not a day in my life goes by that I don't think of this film. Why it was not included in AFI's 100 movies of all time, I'll never understand. Why, "Big chunks" did make AFI's 100 best movie quotes is beyond explanation. Thank God I went to the Bahamas in 1988. Thank God I got a horrible sunburn and had to stay inside watching TV. Thank the lord the hotel had HBO. And I shudder to even think how empty my life would have been had Stew School not been on HBOs lineup in February of 1988.
Fargo (1996)
She had...leukemia
Where do I even begin? Macy was incredible in this movie. Though Frances McDormand won the Oscar (and deservedly so), it was Macy who made the movie. Well, Macy and Buscemi. Think of their dialogue: (Phone rings) "Jerry Lundegard" "Are you alone?" "Well...ya" "Do you know who this is?" "Well, I've got a pretty good idea. (happy voice) How's that ciera working out for ya?!"
Both characters are totally captured in one brief phone conversation. Think how Macy got that sad puppy-dog looking down face when the guy starts calling him a liar because the car came with that Trucoat. Perfect. Macy also had the excellent dialogue with Wade and Stan Grossman, so there's that. And the opening scene when you see him talking to Buscemi about the kidnapping is incredible, so there's that too. SO Macy made the movie. But what elevated it to a whole other level was the inclusion of the scene with Margie and Mike. I mean, what did that have to do with anything? And yet it was genius. Think of some Mike's lines: "Well, it's a Radisson, so it's pretty good." "She had..leukemia." "She fought real hard, Margie." "You're such a SUPA lady!"
Mike should have received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Heck, he shoulda won it! I highly recommend that you watch this film. And watch it a bunch of times. It gets better with each viewing. As Stan Grossman has been known to say, "It's pretty sweet."
Tourist Trap (1979)
Yes, the soup is very good!
This is the single greatest movie I have ever seen. Davey/Mr. Slaussen is simultaneously:
1) Tortured about his talents (e.g., "I can control it; I can! I shouldn't have to hiiiide it! It feeeeeeeeeels good!");
2) Desperate to make friends, e.g.,
"How's the soup?
"The soup is very good."
"Would you like some crackers with your soup?"
"I'd like some more crackers, please."
"How's that?"
"Yes, the soup is very good."
3) Proud of his accomplishments (e.g. "Pretty neat trick, huh?")
4) A ladies man (e.g., "You're so pretty. Why don't you like me?"); and
5) Sometimes, very, very angry (e.g., "You can't get away!")
Connors should have received an academy award for best actor for this movie. I mean, who was possibly better?! Tanya Roberts rocketed to the stratosphere following her performance in TT. It's a wonder not all of the stars of this masterpiece did not go on to have brilliant careers. I highly, highly recommend this film! It's available on amazon.com. Everyone should own it. Make a night of it and have a bowl of soup while you watch.