Movie #338 - Kicking and Screaming

Kicking & Screaming
2005 - Rated PG - 1 hr 35 min
Director: Jesse Dylan
Starring: Will Ferrell, Robert Duvall, Mike Ditka, Kate Walsh, Musetta Vander, Elliott Cho, Dylan McLaughlin, Josh Hutcherson, Rachael Harris, David Herman

Will Ferrell does a kids' movie (kinda) and I just can't help but think it's hillarious.  I know not everyone is a big Ferrell fan, but I unabashedly am (except for Semi-Pro, which you will not see on this blog. Nope.) 

Here, he battles his competitive dad Robert Duvall by coaching the underdog pee wee soccer team (Duvall coaches the best team in the league).  Ferrell teams up with famed NFL coach Mike Ditka, Duvall's nemesis next-door neighbor, who plays himself. Genius.  He even coaches in his classic shirt, tie, and Bears sweater. Gotta love it.

Of course, the pressure sends Ferrell over the edge little by little, leading to scenes like the coffee shop throwdown and the butcher shop takeover (think chainsaw + half a cow). Some of its all for a cheap laugh, as is his usual style, but there's enough substance here to make this a feel-good comedy, more so than his others.  His relationship with his son develops nicely, as does his connection to his own dad.  And as he sees how interconnected the two relationships really are, he deals with it and makes the best of it.

Good stuff, all around. It's just cute and lots of fun to watch.

Movie #235 - Gone in 60 Seconds

Gone in 60 Seconds
2000 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Dominic Sena
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, Scott Caan, James Duval,  Will Patton, Delroy Lindo, Timothy Olyphant, Chi McBride, Robert Duvall, Christopher Eccleston, Vinnie Jones

I guess car theft is a little lighter content-wise than kidnapping.  Although, all these crime movies in a row are overwhelming.

So Nicolas Cage is an ex-car thief and his brother, Giovanni Ribisi, is an idiot who tries to become a car thief and gets in over his head.  Cage pulls together his old thieving buddies from back in the day -- including Angeline Jolie, who looks like a crack whore in this movie, no joke -- and attempts to complete the job for him, so Christopher Eccleston won't kill him.  (Yes, Christopher Eccleston is in EVERYTHING lately.) 

But Delroy Lindo and Timothy Olyphant (also in EVERYTHING. G is his letter, man) are the cops who used to try to catch Cage and they're onto him.  Also, a car named Eleanor is Cage's nemesis. It's a long story but basically, he can't steal this one particular model without something bad happening. Of course, it's on the list and he saves it for last.  Will he make it in time?

Car chases ensue, but this ain't Fast and Furious.  It's a very markedly late 90's thrillfest and, as such, it's not so bad.  Absolutely do not watch this movie if you're looking for content.  Just watch it for the pretty cars.

Movie #232 - The Godfather: Part II

The Godfather: Part II
1974 - Rated R - 3 hr 20 min
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire, James Caan, Abe Vigoda, Danny Aiello

I probably remember this movie of the three best, and as a sequel, it certainly stands on its own.  The only sequel to win Best Picture at the Oscars, I think.  That's saying something, for sure.

So Michael Corleone is growing into his role, while we also flashback to 1901 and thereafter to see his father grow into his own role. At first, I didn't know why the flashbacks were here, but as the story progressed (leading to Michael's ultimate blood betrayal), I could understand why we see these two stories blended together in one movie.

And it's a looooooooooooong one too!  Two discs! Still, I really enjoyed the journey. Character-driven pieces like these (when they're well done) are always a treat.  And this family provides so many characters and so many interwoven tales, that I can see why this has become an iconic trilogy.

Movie #231 - The Godfather

The Godfather
1972 - Rated R - 2 hr 55 min
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, Talia Shire

I have to admit something shameful.  *Somehow* I made it to almost 30 without watching this movie sequentially. I don't know how this happened, but it did.  I've long thought I'd seen the movie, got the gist of it anyway, and then I watched it today.

It is so freakin' good. What the hell is wrong with me?

So I got sucked into the drama of this Italian mob family and I'm totally blown away by how young everyone freakin' is and how insane the plot of this darn thing is... holy cow! If only I could write something this complicated... Yeah, I've got a brand new respect for Mario Puzo and basically everyone who even breathed near this movie.

Sweet Jesus, that was good.  And man, I'm embarrassed that I have to admit this publicly. Geez!