3D’s Need to See:”Who is Cletis Tout?”
My movie recommendation for you this week is the 2001 film “Who is Cletis Tout?” Most people that I talk to have never heard of this movie, despite its stellar cast including Richard Dreyfuss, Christian Slater, Tim Allen, Billy Connolly, and Portia de Rossi. I’m not sure how it flew so under the radar, but my guess would be the name, which is really strange for a movie.
The film is about two prisoners, played by Dreyfuss and Slater, who stage a jail break. Once free, they plan to recover some stolen diamonds that one of them has stashed on the outside, but first they need new identities to avoid the authorities. This is where the trouble begins. Slater’s character adopts the identity of Cletis Tout, who has been murdered by the local mob. Soon, he has the police, the mob, and a movie fanatic hit man (Tim Allen) after him.
With this description, you might be expecting an action picture. However, it is actually sort of a light, screwball comedy. So, if that sounds like your sort of thing, you need to see “Who is Cletis Tout?”
—3D
3D’s Need to See: 90′s Teen Cult Classics Edition
My movie recommendations for you this week are two cult teen classics from the middle 90′s that are known as much for their music as their plots: 1995′s ”Empire Records” and 1993′s “Dazed and Confused.” Both featured fabulous casts, great soundtracks, and endlessly quotable dialogue.
“Empire Records” is the story of an independent record store and its eccentric employees attempt to save it from being taken over by a chain. However, the plot of the movie hardly matters because it is just an excuse for strange situations, snappy dialogue and great songs. The cast of the movie is truly amazing. It featured future big time movie stars Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger (singing on screen for the first time, years before “Chicago”). It also included future CBS stars Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a Trace”), Robin Tunney (“The Mentalist”), and the common link between the two films this week, Rory Cochrane (“CSI: Miami”).
I have always really enjoyed the movie itself, but in the pop culture world the movie has often been underrated in favor of the soundtrack. It featured hits by such nineties bands as The Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Cranberries, and Sponge. In addition, the movie features songs by such greats as AC/DC and Dire Straits (not to mention a Gwar video). It is important to note that the Remix version available on DVD is different than the original release and features several scenes edited back into the film, which is a little strange if you are used to the original version like I am.
The second movie this week is also a seminal movie from the 90′s, which is a little strange since it is in fact a 70′s period flick. “Dazed and Confused” featured such stars as Milla Jovovich, Matthew McConaughey, and Ben Affleck. Rory Cochrane and Renee Zellweger (in an uncredited role) also appeared in this film.
The movie is set on the last day of school in 1976, and it focuses on the adventures and pranks that a diverse group of students (ranging from popular seniors to nerdy freshman) get into over the course of the night. It is an interesting portrait of the 70′s, complete with the fascinating fashion choices. It also highlights the drinking and drug use of the period, so this film is definitely not family viewing.
The music is also very important in this film. One of the main goals of some of the characters of the film is to score Aerosmith tickets. The soundtrack is a who’s who of 70′s rock hits from so many great bands I don’t have space to list them all (although you shouldn’t expect to hear the Led Zepplin song from which the movie derives its name).
So, if you feel like hearing some good tunes, having a laugh, and celebrating the teen inside you, give “Empire Records” and “Dazed and Confused” another look.
—3D
3D’s Need to See: Rifftrax Edition
In honor of the “Rifftrax Live!” show I recently attended, I’ve decided to make your movie recommendations this week Rifftrax themed. Although there are many fine movies that have received the Rifftrax treatment, I have a nostalgic fondness for their shorts. They remind me of the shorts that MST3K used to do. (If you don’t know MST3K, you should stop reading right now and go watch some.)
Therefore, the first recommendation for you this week is “Rifftrax Shorts Volume 1.” This collection includes 9 shorts being riffed by Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett, and Kevin Murphy of Rifftrax.com. The first is the safety short Down and Out, which sets the tone for the whole disk and features large novelty props tripping up perhaps the clumsiest person ever. The disk also includes the shorts Patriotism, Buying Food, Right or Wrong, Drugs are Like That (my personal favorite), Skipper Learns a Lesson, The Trouble With Women, & It Must be the Neighbors.
Most of the shorts are simply done with the boys providing an audio commentary of jokes over the film, but for the safety short film Shake Hands with Danger they did something different. There are animated (and in some cases, mutated) versions of the riffers on the screen doing the jokes. At first I found the animation a little disturbing (half man/half parrot thing creeped me out), but I got used to it. If it bothers you, you can look at the film since the figures are at the bottom of the screen.
The second movie this week is Volume 2 of the Rifftrax Shorts. It features such lost classics as One Got Fat, Lunchroom Manners, Each Child is Different, Why Won’t Cathy Eat Breakfast-Petaluma Chicken (which dares you to figure out what it’s about), Act Your Age, Safety: Harm Hides at Home, Coffee House Rendezvous, Are You Popular? (which was done in collaboration with our own University of Oklahoma!) & Good Heath Practices.
All of the shorts are hysterical just like volume 1; however, I have a warning for you here about One Got Fat. From the title of this film, you would never guess it was about bicycle safety. You will also be surprised and disturbed, as I certainly was, to find that the children in it are wearing the sort of malformed, eyeless monkey masks that more readily belong on the faces of killers in slasher films. Why? You just have to watch it and even then I don’t guarantee enlightenment, just laughter.
If you don’t care for humorous riffing on silly films, these will be far too funny for you. However, if you are a MST3K fan who misses the old shorts, these collections are definitely for you. Or if you are simply in the mood for absurdity and laughs, look no further than the “Rifftrax Shorts Collections.”
—3D
3D’s Need to See
Hello loyal readers. This week I have a double recommendation for you. It’s a pair of serial killer films from the mid-1990′s.
My first film for you this week is the 1995 film “Copycat.” If you like serial killer films, you’ll like this one, and if you haven’t seen many, this is a good one to get you started.
The plot of the film involves a serial killer who copycats the murders of famous killers and the traumatized novelist who is brought out of retirement to help catch him. The nature of the killings means that you get a quick history of some of the most famous serial killers and what their crimes were like.
But the movie is really notable for the partnership that develops between two strong women, Holly Hunter (as the cop investigating the crimes) and Sigourney Weaver (as the novelist). Also, the hallmark of a good serial killer flick is the creepiness of the killer, and you will be amazed by the creepiness of both Harry Connick, Jr. (as an imprisoned killer) and William McNamara (as the copycat).
My second movie this week is also from 1995; its the HBO film “Citizen X.” This movie differs from most serial killer films because it is set in the Soviet Union. It follows the true story of the hunt for one of the most prolific serial killers ever and the men who caught him, played expertly by Stephen Rea, Donald Sutherland, and Max von Sydow.
For me, it was fascinating to see the challenges these men faced in their efforts. Beyond the usual hunt for clues and motives, they had to deal with the repressive Soviet regime and a severe lack of funds and equipment. As with “Copycat,” one of the best parts of the film is the friendship that develops between the two main detectives.
If you’re a fan of serial killer flicks or if you’re just in the mood for a thoughtful, thrilling detective story, you should give “Copycat” and “Citizen X” a try.
—3D
3D’s Need to See
Hello loyal readers. It’s Saturday, which means its time for your weekly movie recommendation. This week’s movie is one that I’m way too old to like, but I do anyway.
“The Perfect Score” (2004) is about a group of very different teens who come together and hatch a plan to steal the answers to the SAT. When it was released, one critic described it as “The Breakfast Club” meets “Ocean’s Eleven,” and since I liked both of those movies I gave it a try.
The movie is obviously aimed at teenagers (and it has been many years since I was one), but it avoids much of the gross out comedy and nudity that has been the hallmark of teen films lately. I found it to be a funny, touching, and entertaining film, which was much better than I expected.
It has several hot young stars in it, including Chris Evans & Scarlett Johansson, and a hilarious cameo by Matthew Lillard. However, I must make special mention of Tyra Ferrell as Desmond’s Mom (yes, that’s really her character name) for her fiery yet endearing maternal figure.
So this week, whether you’re a teenager or not, I think you need to give “The Perfect Score” a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
—3D
3D’s Need to See
3D here with your movie recommendation for the week. In honor of my son’s first birthday tomorrow, I thought I’d focus on a kid’s movie, “Yellow Submarine.” At least that’s one way of looking at this particular film. The 1968 animated feature has long been a fan of my nephews and helped to instill in them a love for The Beatles. Since I’m hoping to get my son started on their excellent music as well, I’m going to let him watch it and see what he thinks.
If you’ve never seen the movie and you are a fan of The Beatles, I don’t know what you’ve been waiting for. The movie is full of fun, colorful animation and lots and lots of great music. It’s a silly, psychedelic phenomenon that is interesting for adults too. So, grab your kids and give “Yellow Submarine” a try.
—3D
3D’s Need to See
My need to see movie for you this week is the 2004 film “Garden State.” Here’s a movie that I missed in theaters and only discovered on DVD. I loved it so much, but when I went to tell people about it I found I had a hard time describing it. The difficulty lay with trying to categorize it. Some people refer to it as a comedy, and it is funny. It’s one of the best examples I can think of for the “quirky romance” genre, but it is also at its heart both a melancholy and uplifting drama.
Consider this description: ”Garden State” is the story of an overly medicated, emotionally numb actor (Zach Braff) returning to his home for the first time in years to attend the funeral of his mother. He reunites with his estranged father (Ian Holm) and an old friend (Peter Sarsgaard), but his true adventure begins when he meets an unusual young woman (Natalie Portman) who helps fundamentally change who he is.
Keep in mind that it is not for kids as there are some adult situations and language. Also, you can’t talk about this movie without mentioning the soundtrack, which became a huge cult hit with its unusual musical selections. So, I’m not sure what genre it is, but you just need to see “Garden State.”
—3D
3D’s Need to See
My movie for you this week is Nochnoy dozor (Night Watch). Now, don’t quit reading just because it has a foreign name. Yes, this movie was made in Russia and based on the first in a famous series of books by Russian author Sergei Lukyanenko, but this isn’t some artsy foreign film.
It was helmed by Timur Bekmambetov, who later directed the Angelina Jolie action film ”Wanted” to blockbuster status, and you can see the same amazing effects and visual style that made that movie so popular in this one as well. Except in this one, they are used to serve a horror story instead of an action tale.
The movie centers around a group of supernaturally powered being called “Others” and the uneasy truce between those that serve the light and those that have chosen the darkness. The titular “Night Watch” are a group of Light Others that patrol the night making sure the Dark Others stay in line.
The story and tone of the film may seem strange to you, but what do you expect from a foreign film? The action sequences, however, speak the universal language of cool. So, why not broaden your horizons with something that’s still a little familiar and give Night Watch a try.
—3D
3D’s Need to See: Special Moon-landing Edition
Today is the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11′s historic moon landing. In honor of that, BAM has asked me to recommend a few things related to the space program that you need to see.
The first movie is not about the moon landing, but rather the failed mission that came after it. I’m talking, of course, about “Apollo 13.” “Apollo 13″ features an amazing cast, was nominated for nine OSCARS including Best Picture, and did very well at the box office too. If you haven’t seen it, this is one movie about the space program you NEED to see.
If you are interested in a movie about the early space program, I can’t recommend anything more highly than the 1983 adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s fabulous book, “The Right Stuff.” Another Best Picture nominee featuring a wonderful cast (some of them very early in their careers), this movie was responsible for making me interested in the space program when I was a kid.
If you want something more directly related to the moon-landing, why not try this award-winning documentary. It features the surviving Apollo crew members telling their own stories.
Or if you prefer a more dramatized approach to the moon landings (and you have an awful lot of time free), you could try Tom Hanks’ Emmy-award winning mini-series chronicling the Apollo missions.
There are of course many other TV shows that were done about the space program that are worth watching, but might be more difficult to find. NASA and Discovery collaborated on “When We Left Earth” last year. The engineers got their due in The History Channel’s “Failure is Not an Option” and its sequel.
Also, back in 1994, The History Channel produced one of my favorites, a mini-series based on Deke Slayton and Alan Shepard’s book “Moonshot.” Unfortunately, it is not available on DVD.
If none of these appeal to you, maybe you’d like to mark the occasion by watching one of the movies whose popularity undoubtedly was spurred by the space program’s heydey, such as “2001″ or “Star Wars.” Whatever you choose, at least try to take a moment today to recognize one of mankind’s greatest achievements. It was the kind of triumph of brilliant minds and brave souls that I’m afraid we hardly ever see any more.
—3D
3D’s Need to See
Hello out there blog fans. I’m starting a new feature here on BAM’s blog. There are some films out there that I think you need to see. None of them are new releases (BAM has those covered). Instead, I would like to remind you of some movies that you may not have thought of in a while or that you might have missed. I might even post some stuff that was unloved by the majority of critics. For this first post I thought I’d give you a double dose so you can see what I mean.
First up is a movie that I loved when I was a teenager, but that I hadn’t seen in years. Then, this past week, I found myself watching the 1985 film ”Real Genius” and remembering what a fun little movie it was. It features a very young and charming Val Kilmer (back when he was funny!) playing a brilliant but rebellious physics genius and the wonderfully villanous William Atherton as his scheming professor.
I would describe the plot more, but it is beside the point. Like many comedies from the 80′s (Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, etc…), most people enjoy this movie for its witty and quotable dialogue and its wacky characters. If you haven’t already, you need to see it. If you used to like it but haven’t seen it in years, give it another look. It’s a great mood lifter.
The second movie this week is the 2006 film “The Illusionist” or as I like to refer to it: “The Movie That Got Eaten By The Prestige.” You might remember a few years ago when suddenly there were two period piece movies based around magicians in theaters within a few months of each other. Apparently, two magicians was too many because “The Prestige” went on to box office success, while “The Illusionist” disappeared.
That’s unfortunate because “The Illusionist” is a nice little film. It concerns a stage magician in 1900 Vienna, the duchess he loves, the prince who wants to destroy him, and the police captain who is torn between doing his duty and his admiration for the magician’s talents. All the tricks performed in the film were based on real illusions done at the time and Edward Norton, who plays the title character, really learned how to perform them.
You may figure out where the movie’s going before it gets there, but it is still worth watching the beautiful visuals, the incredibly lovely Jessica Biel (as the duchess) in a surprisingly good performance, and the intriguing relationship played out in the scenes between Paul Giamatti, who plays the police captain, and Edward Norton.
—3D
