Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Genre: Comedy / Action
Directed by: Peter Fairman
Cast: Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, Mark Blum
Time: 104 minutes

 

Newsday journalist, Sue Charlton, travels to rural Australia to interview Mick Dundee, a bushman who became famous for surviving a crocodile attack. After traveling with him through his home land, she invites him to come to New York City with her, where he truly is a fish-out-of-water.

While this movie contains many a cliché, all the pieces are put in the right place, and the whole thing is a fun and entertaining experience. Paul Hogan plays the role he was born to play, and Linda Kozlowski bring the right amount of spunk, brains and good looks to the co-lead role.

Rating: ««««

The Big Chill (1983)

Genre: Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Lawrence Kazdan
Cast: Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline
Time: 141 minutes

 

A group of friends who attended the University of Michigan together reunite 15 years later for the funeral of one of them who died by suicide. They spend the days following the funeral together, reflecting on their lives, on love, on sex and on many other topics.

This is very smart film with a loaded cast of talented actors and actresses and a good director bringing the whole thing together. Though it is a bit dated, and I am part of the generation that followed these characters, it made me reflect on my own life. The soundtrack is also very strong. The ending was a little weak here, as it did not lead to much, but maybe that was the point.

Rating: ««««

Armand Plourde: une idée qui fait son chemin (1980)

 
Genre: Franco / Documentary
Réalisation: Denis Godin
Distribution: Armand Plourde
Durée: 57 minutes

 

Aux élections provinciales néo-brunswickoises de 1978, le Parti acadien faisait son entrée dans la course, prônant la création d’une province acadienne. Le curé de la paroisse de Kedgwick, dans le nord-est de la province, avait alors décidé d’être candidat, décision qui avait fait couler beaucoup d’encre.

Ce documentaire, qui a clairement été réalisé avec un petit budget, montre clairement son âge lorsqu’on le regarde aujourd’hui. Tout de même, c’est une part marquante de l’histoire de ma province natale. En plus, cela s’est produit dans les environs de mon patelin, alors c’était doublement intéressant.

Rating: ««««

Are You Here

Genre: Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Matthew Weiner
Cast: Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Poehler
Time: 114 minutes

 

Ben Baker is a cannabis-smoking hippy lounging through life doing nothing but hanging out with his childhood friend Steve Dallas, a womanizing weather man. When Ben’s estranged father dies, Ben and Steve travel to the funeral together, where they find out that Ben inherited a large part of his father’s estate.

This film is not without charm, but there is something missing here to make it totally gel in the end. The actors gave decent performances, but the characters are a little one-dimensional and the story does not lead to much.

Rating: «««

Scream 3 (2000)

Genre: Horror
Directed by: Wes Craven
Cast: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox
Time: 117 minutes

 

Following the murders of the first two films, Sidney Prescott has gone into seclusion, in a remote area. Hoping to draw her out, another masked killer is going on a rampage killing people involved in a series of slasher movies on the previous murders.

At this point, the franchise was gasping for air. Anyway, a movie with the lead role played by David Arquette is as hard to explain as the hairdo Courteney Cox chose for this film. Other than a few interesting twists, this third installment did not have much to offer. The Jay and Silent Bob cameo was cool though.

Rating: ««

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
Cast: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
Time: 141 minutes

 

Between 2001 and 2003, the metal band known around the world as Metallica was at a crossroads. Bassist Jason Newsted left the band, tensions were running high, and the remaining members were working on the album that would become St. Anger with producer Bob Rock. Then, there would be the task of finding a new bassist. During all of this, lead singer James Hetfield went for rehab and left the fold for close to a year. The band hired a therapist to help them get to the bottom of their issues.

This is a solid documentary. It shows the toll egos and the rock n’ roll lifestyle can take on human lives. As a Metallica fan, I found this film very compelling. But, beyond the music, there is the human issue that shines through.

Rating: «««««

Bloodsport (1988)

Genre: Action
Directed by: Newt Arnold
Cast: Jean Claude Van Damme, Donald Gibb, Leah Ayres
Time: 92 minutes

 

Frank Dux, an US Army Captain and nunjitsu practitioner, travels to Hong Kong to take part in the Kumite, a secret full-contact fighting competition to honor the man who taught him the martial art he has come to master.

This film is loosely based on alleged true events that are said to have happened in the life of the real man called Frank Dux. Other than the well choreographed fight scenes and a few entertaining interactions involving Donald Gibb’s character, this movie is bad. It has gained cult status over the years, but the acting is horrible and the story is clichéd and silly. It nonetheless did launch Jean Claude Van Damme’s career. So I guess it deserves to be blamed for a lot.

Rating: ««